Draft Pick Watch - WE PICKED NYLANDER!!1!!

[GhostofPotvin29]

I think the biggest knock against Stastny is that he's a very good center, but not necessarily a #1.  Quite frankly I don't think any of the guys on Colorado have really established themselves as legitimate #1 guys just yet.

Yeah. Stastny's good, but he's really a #1B type. That's great if you have another one of those or an exceptional #2 centre, but, otherwise, you still find yourself in a position where you need to upgrade down the middle to take that next step.

A team like the Rangers don't have a "#1A" type C and they're (in possession terms) right there with LA in the Final.  I wouldn't say they have another #1A or even an exceptional #2 either.

I think Stastny is a #1.  He hasn't exactly had stellar linemates his 3 years previous to this season.

In 2010-11 his most common linemates were David Jones and Christ Stewart.  Not bad players, but not 1st liners.

In 2011-12 it was David Jones and Milan Hejduk (35 year old version).  Again, not 1st liners.

In 2012-13 it was David Jones and Jamie McGinn.  Again, as above.

This past season?  His most common linemates were Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan McKinnon and/or P.A. Parenteau.

During that time he has continued to be used in all situations - PP, PK, ES.  I think if you give him quality linemates then he'll continue to put up points.

 

[Kin]

I think the biggest knock against Stastny is that he's a very good center, but not necessarily a #1.  Quite frankly I don't think any of the guys on Colorado have really established themselves as legitimate #1 guys just yet.

Well, I think when we say this it's important to keep a pretty clear picture of what we mean when we say someone is a #1 center. I think Stastny is the kind of guy who absolutely can score enough points in the right situation with the right linemates to make people think of him as a credible first liner.

The problem there is that I look at a guy like Jonathan Toews where he's had a lot of different linemates over the years and it kind of looks like it has no impact whatsoever on his scoring. Sid Crosby is a little like that too. Mats was like that a bit.

Now, it's probably unfair to hold any prospective 1st line centers up to that standard but I think that it then raises the question of how much value the Leafs should really place on replacing a guy like Bozak, who could probably score 60-65 points in the ideal situation, with someone like Stastny who could probably score 75-80 points in that similar situation. Like you say, it really needs to be a significant value to be worth what Stastny is likely to sign for.

 

[Redleaf]

I think the biggest knock against Stastny is that he's a very good center, but not necessarily a #1.  Quite frankly I don't think any of the guys on Colorado have really established themselves as legitimate #1 guys just yet.

I think that it then raises the question of how much value the Leafs should really place on replacing a guy like Bozak, who could probably score 60-65 points in the ideal situation, with someone like Stastny who could probably score 75-80 points in that similar situation. Like you say, it really needs to be a significant value to be worth what Stastny is likely to sign for.

Agreed. Personally, if Statsny could be had, I'd try him on the first line, but I think it would ultimately shake out with him playing on the second line with Kadri and Lupul. It would help to spread the scoring out a bit, and would allow the Leafs to have two solid lines moving forward.

 

[Redleaf]

The Leafs want to move up the draft.

Not too much new here. Just that they did do last minute interviews with Ekblad and Bennett last week at the combine, around the time the Berger rumour came out....

http://www.torontosun.com/2014/06/10/maple-leafs-confirm-theyre-looking-to-move-up-in-june-draft?utm_source=hootsuite&utm_campaign=hootsuite

And, things could heat up tomorrow at the GMs meeting in NY....

http://www.torontosun.com/2014/06/10/maple-leafs-phones-ringing-as-trade-talk-heats-up?utm_source=hootsuite&utm_campaign=hootsuite

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Agreed. Personally, if Statsny could be had, I'd try him on the first line, but I think it would ultimately shake out with him playing on the second line with Kadri and Lupul. It would help to spread the scoring out a bit, and would allow the Leafs to have two solid lines moving forward.

Well Bozak is a career 0.62 PPG, which translates to 50 pts/82 playing exclusively with Kessel et al.  Stastny is a career 0.85 PPG.  They're only separated by a few months in age.  I've already highlighted that I think Stastny has had some suspect (to say the least) linemates in Colorado, whereas Bozak has not.  So I'd be far more comfortable going forward with Stastny than Bozak, as I think the former is more likely to help drive a #1 line than the latter.  I can't comment on his defensive ability, but I think Bozak's is generally overstated so I imagine it would be fairly similar at least.

I guess the best way I could describe it is that I don't think Bozak can put up the numbers he has without Kessel and/or JVR whereas I think Stastny has proven he can, and if I had the choice would much rather the Leafs top line be centre'd by someone like that than vice versa.

Wait, this is the draft thread?

 

[Tigger]

Wouldn't the notion of adding Stastny be to create a solid second scoring line?

 

[Kin]

Wouldn't the notion of adding Stastny be to create a solid second scoring line?

I don't think so. Or, at the very least, I don't think you pay the sort of money Stastny seems likely to want to put him on a second line that has two pretty good offensive players already. It would certainly make for a better second line, assuming that Stastny fits in, but considering the kind of holes the Leafs have elsewhere that's not where they should be looking to invest 6.5-7 million.

Adding him as a Bozak replacement, however, probably bears some discussion. The issue is just putting that discussion in the right context. Bozak has produced at a .74 PPG rate between Kessel and JVR which is around 60 points a season. This year, Bozak scored at a nearly identical rate to Stastny with Landeskog and Mackinnon.

So, again, there's merit there. The question is just what price tag you want to put on it.

 

[Boston Leaf]

So if we stay at #8 who will we pick?

 

[bustaheims]

So if we stay at #8 who will we pick?

Nylander, if he's available. If not, Ehlers or Ritchie.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

So if we stay at #8 who will we pick?

Nylander, if he's available. If not, Ehlers or Ritchie.

Nylander-Ehlers should definitely be 1-2 on our list. I've flip-flopped on the 3rd with someone like Virtanen but I've warmed up to the idea of drafting Ritchie if those 2 are gone.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

I'd be very happy with Nylander.  I can't remember who it was, but I've definitely read a few scouts raving about his offensive game being elite.

EDIT: Here's some stuff on him from a quick search:

Brendan Ross (McKeen's)

7th: William Nylander (@Sodertaljesk) - arguably the top offensive forward...could go anywhere from 1st-10th...elite hockey sense/vision

...

William Nylander is perhaps the most skilled dynamic forward available. The knock against Nylander is that he hasn?t shown the willingness to utilize his teammates leaving scouts to question his dedication to the team game. Without a doubt, Nylander possesses the puck skills and timely offensive instincts to become a game-breaker but it?s still fairly uncertain how high teams are willing to gamble on such a talent.

ISS Hockey ‏

#5 William Nylander
Proven to be amongst top talents in the Draft. Offensive weapons are game changing.

"A consistent threat; incredible skater & quickness combined w/ elite stickhandling." - Dec. 20th, 2013

"William exudes confidence when he plays. Exceptional poise with the puck and is always looking to make threatening plays in the offensive zone. Excellent skater who is very difficult to check because of his agility and because he is always changing pace. Can make pinpoint passes in traffic and if you are his line mate, best be ready, as he will provide opportunities. Top line type player."
-Craig Button

Corey Pronman:

-"from pure skill to overall upside Nylander is the best player in this draft"
-"Nylander is an elite skill forward with great speed who can take over a game with his offense"

 

[Chev-boyar-sky]

So if we stay at #8 who will we pick?

Nylander, if he's available. If not, Ehlers or Ritchie.

From what I've seen he looks like a player in the Kessel/Granlund/Bure mould (obviously 3 very different players but all have skating and stickhandling as strengths).

I guess if he's available and has the highest ceiling, you take him, but I just wonder if the Leafs already have enough of that player with Kessel here (knock is his defence has a long way to go, he's not very strong, and he doesn't always use his teammates well).

Not to say that I don't really like the look of the player, but I just wonder if drafting for need is better this time around.....(though I guess if he pans out the team can always move Kessel).

 

[bustaheims]

Nylander-Ehlers should definitely be 1-2 on our list. I've flip-flopped on the 3rd with someone like Virtanen but I've warmed up to the idea of drafting Ritchie if those 2 are gone.

I don't love the idea of drafting Ritchie, either (though, I don't hate it). It's more that, if Nylander and Ehlers are off the board by the time the Leafs draft, I expect they'll take Ritchie.

 

[Boston Leaf]

so no to Perlini or Kapanen?

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I'd be very happy with Nylander.  I can't remember who it was, but I've definitely read a few scouts raving about his offensive game being elite.

He sounds so good that I just can't understand why he would even be available at 8. But we've seen Euros who were expected to be top picks drop before (Teravainen and Forsberg come to mind) so here's hoping it happens again.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

so no to Perlini or Kapanen?

Perlini really doesn't interest me. Kapanen I would have liked had we been drafting somewhere in the 10-14 range but I just think that Nylander/Ehlers/Virtanen and maybe even Ritchie are better options.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

I'd be very happy with Nylander.  I can't remember who it was, but I've definitely read a few scouts raving about his offensive game being elite.

He sounds so good that I just can't understand why he would even be available at 8. But we've seen Euros who were expected to be top picks drop before (Teravainen and Forsberg come to mind) so here's hoping it happens again.

Wouldn't surprise me if it comes down to the fact he doesn't play in NA so isn't seen as often.

 

[Boston Leaf]

If Nylander and Ehlers are gone by 8. Maybe we could move down a few spots and pick up a 2nd round pick in process? Just a thought

 

[bustaheims]

If Nylander and Ehlers are gone by 8. Maybe we could move down a few spots and pick up a 2nd round pick in process? Just a thought

Maybe, but my guess is the team would be more interested in taking someone like Ritchie or Virtanen instead of adding a 2nd round pick in what isn't supposed to be a particularly deep draft.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

If Nylander and Ehlers are gone by 8. Maybe we could move down a few spots and pick up a 2nd round pick in process? Just a thought

I wouldn't really be opposed to that. 13 is probably the lowest that I would feel comfortable dropping though, and I'm not sure we could get a 2nd rounder in a swap like that.