Draft Lottery Destiny

[donlever]

We could as easily as not get the best player at 3.

No sure things in this draft.

Then all this will be moot....

(...or as UW says the Sharks take what they need in Reid and we get McKenna or Stenberg anyway....far from a sure thing the Leaves and Sundin don't take the Swede....)

Stenberg
Reid
McKenna

..is a plausible outcome.

[Hockey Widow]

I think Sundin may favour Stenberg. SJS are the wild card as to who they think is BPA at 2. I too can see them going for defence.

Verhoeff may just become a Canuck to Donny’s delight. Whoever we get it’s unlikely they play for us for a couple of seasons. So much for tanking AND THEN ANNOUNCING TO THE WORLD THAT IT WAS INTENTIOANL

[Nuckertuzzi]

(Seriously, though, if the Canucks want the Swede, I think there’s a good chance he’s available @ 3. Sharks might opt for a D).

Or...

New Canucks' management can get creative. If we select a D, then Hronek/Willander could/would look mighty attractive to SJ. They should pick Stenberg as he would be a perfect compliment for Macklin. Doubt that leaves Misa or Smith available but willing to bet they'd pay a haul of other goodies for one of our D.

[donlever]

Then there is this....

Reminder for tonight's draft lottery: According to multiple team sources, the Flyers believe that if Toronto ends up in the top 5, they get that 2027 first rounder (originally property of the Maple leaves) unprotected, and not top 10 protected. They believe that Toronto essentially already traded its 2028 first round pick in the Brandon Carlo deal in that situation.

But they also are not completely sure if the league agrees with them. If Toronto ends up outside of the top five tonight, it's a moot point. Otherwise, expect the Flyers to ask the league to clarify.

So very possibly Torontos 1st in 27 & 28 are unprotected and gonzo.

[Nuckertuzzi]

So much for tanking AND THEN ANNOUNCING TO THE WORLD THAT IT WAS INTENTIOANL

Tanking's still important. Rather stay in top 3 than drop to 8th.

[UWSaint]

(Seriously, though, if the Canucks want the Swede, I think there’s a good chance he’s available @ 3. Sharks might opt for a D).

Or...

New Canucks' management can get creative. If we select a D, then Hronek/Willander could/would look mighty attractive to SJ. They should pick Stenberg as he would be a perfect compliment for Macklin. Doubt that leaves Misa or Smith available but willing to bet they'd pay a haul of other goodies for one of our D.

Good take. If I am SJ, I still take whoever they have as the best player. (Though it could be Reid) You avoid the Edmonton/Toronto distribution problem by moving what you have.

Is Sundin really making this pick, or is it Chayka? The parts of the presser that I watched the other day with the new leaves management was confusing as to who’s in charge. It was either Chayka or “both”.

[Picker of Cherries]

Chayka was hired to pander. He’ll take whoever the CEO wants. He was very accomplished at pandering to his insane owner in Arizona. We should not expect any difference now.

[Lancer]

Looking back at the 3rd-overall picks over the years, you have a number of players who have done well. Stutzle, Cooley, and McTavish look like good pieces. There are also your Dachs, Kotkaniemis, and Drouins as well. 3OA has also seen the likes of Heiskanen as well as the immortal Erik Gudbranson. Some players picked there who are support pieces or the jury's still out.

As 'flat' as some scouts say this draft is after the 1st or 2nd pick, I hope they don't reach with the 3rd.

[Nuckertuzzi]

If I was TO I'd start fresh now and get whatever hauls they can for Auston and Willie.

But it sounds like they're going Aquilini and try to win asap. Big mistake if that's the case.


Edit:

So very possibly Torontos 1st in 27 & 28 are unprotected and gonzo.

I suppose there's their motivation to win now.

Still think they're prolonging the inevitable.

[Lancer]

I saw one of the hockey media posts say that Toronto is replacing Marner's high-end vision and skill, but not his defence.

Pretty much sums it up - and they couldn't get to the conference finals even when they did have Marner.

Good luck, Gavin...

[Nuckertuzzi]

Pretty much sums it up - and they couldn't get to the conference finals even when they did have Marner.

Good luck, Gavin...

Precisely.

[Nuckertuzzi]

Philly must be licking their chops for Dupont. And wouldn't even have to tank for him. Imagine that.

[Meds]

Toronto would actually be smart to draft a defenseman.

But it all depends upon what Matthews plans to do.

[Megaterio Llamas]

McKenna
Reid
Stenberg

[donlever]

Toronto would actually be smart to draft a defenseman.

But it all depends upon what Matthews plans to do.

Lots of he's on the move chatter out there today....media spin likely but I can see easily him heading to 'Merica like his boys Mitch and Biebs.