TOP 5 PICK!!!

[Bender]

Afternoon chaps. I'm quite keen on us obtaining another top 10 pick in the 6-10 range. What are our chances of that and who of these teams would be the most likely trading partner?

I read something about the Carolina pick maybe being in play, but I don't know what they want for it. That pick is #8 I think.

Jordan Staal 

Puck Daddy did a good piece/interview/FAQ on Grigorenko this morning.  It addresses some of the usual questions with answers from the man/boy himself:

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/mikhail-grigorenko-puck-daddy-2012-nhl-draft-faq-150840949--nhl.html

I thought Cox's tweet re. Western GM saying he believes Grigorenko is 20 and not 18 (adding to diminshed trust of GMs).  Don't know if there is any validity to it

As far as someone stating he didn't visit Toronto as part of his exploratory tour, I'm guessing he got a good look at the city during the combine as his twitter feed aludes to:

Mikhail Grigorenko‏@MGriggy25
"Had a great time in Toronto at the #NHLcombine but feels good to be going back home till the draft!!"

https://twitter.com/#%21/MGriggy25/

This has turned into a witchhunt. It's nuts. And in regards to the Angelo Esposito comparison, Esposito saw his numbers stagnate ever since he tore up the Q in his rookie season. There was a good reason why he fell: His production never increased. Whether this was due to effort or if he hit his peak or what have you.

I personally have no idea why Grigorenko is being singled out when most of the big names in this draft struggled in the playoffs this year. He still put up impressive numbers and looks very dangerous with the puck. If the Leafs feel they can improve his compete level then why not go for a potential home run swing? I think a high risk high reward player is exactly what the doctor ordered.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Burke is in no position to roll the dice on what looks to be the biggest risk/reward pick of the entire draft in Grigorenko.

I don't see how that follows. The Leafs have, by most accounts, a lot of depth in the system. They've drafted a lot of safe guys in recent years. They have a pressing need for elite talent. To me that says a team that's almost uniquely suited to draft a high risk/high reward prospect.

I also think that since this is ideally the last time we'll be drafting this high for a long time it means we really need to take advantage of a top-5 pick.

 

[LuncheonMeat]

Afternoon chaps. I'm quite keen on us obtaining another top 10 pick in the 6-10 range. What are our chances of that and who of these teams would be the most likely trading partner?

I read something about the Carolina pick maybe being in play, but I don't know what they want for it. That pick is #8 I think.

Jordan Staal 

Puck Daddy did a good piece/interview/FAQ on Grigorenko this morning.  It addresses some of the usual questions with answers from the man/boy himself:

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/mikhail-grigorenko-puck-daddy-2012-nhl-draft-faq-150840949--nhl.html

I thought Cox's tweet re. Western GM saying he believes Grigorenko is 20 and not 18 (adding to diminshed trust of GMs).  Don't know if there is any validity to it

As far as someone stating he didn't visit Toronto as part of his exploratory tour, I'm guessing he got a good look at the city during the combine as his twitter feed aludes to:

Mikhail Grigorenko‏@MGriggy25
"Had a great time in Toronto at the #NHLcombine but feels good to be going back home till the draft!!"

https://twitter.com/#%21/MGriggy25/

This has turned into a witchhunt. It's nuts. And in regards to the Angelo Esposito comparison, Esposito saw his numbers stagnate ever since he tore up the Q in his rookie season. There was a good reason why he fell: His production never increased. Whether this was due to effort or if he hit his peak or what have you.

I personally have no idea why Grigorenko is being singled out when most of the big names in this draft struggled in the playoffs this year. He still put up impressive numbers and looks very dangerous with the puck. If the Leafs feel they can improve his compete level then why not go for a potential home run swing? I think a high risk high reward player is exactly what the doctor ordered.

I agree.  I'd take him if he's still there at 5 if Galchenyuk is gone.  I actually liked his interview and am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.  I'm wondering what another year under Roy will do for his work ethic as he was a pretty fierce competitor.  Hopefully it rubs off.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

This has turned into a witchhunt. It's nuts.

Agreed. Four months ago people were debating whether it would be Yakupov or Grigorenko going first overall. It's like one scout questioned his work ethic and it just spiraled out of control since then.

 

[Redleaf]

Burke is in no position to roll the dice on what looks to be the biggest risk/reward pick of the entire draft in Grigorenko.

I don't see how that follows. The Leafs have, by most accounts, a lot of depth in the system. They've drafted a lot of safe guys in recent years. They have a pressing need for elite talent. To me that says a team that's almost uniquely suited to draft a high risk/high reward prospect.

I also think that since this is ideally the last time we'll be drafting this high for a long time it means we really need to take advantage of a top-5 pick.

Right now it looks as though he could be had in the top 20.

 

[maplesyrup]

Right now it looks as though he could be had in the top 20.

I'll believe that when I see it. A huge potential first line centre ranked 3rd by NHL's central scouting and 4th by ISS who's being challenged on his age because he's apparently too good of a physical specimen. C'mon, good lord! Isn't that supposed to be a good thing? I'm still going to be shocked if he falls out of the top 5 and just completely gobsmacked if he falls out of the top 10. 

 

[bustaheims]

Right now it looks as though he could be had in the top 20.

Only if you believe that NHL head scouts and GMs believe the same things that media rags trying to create a story do.

 

[KW Sluggo]

I don't think I'm going out on a limb by saying I think we'll wind up with either Grigorenko, Galchenyuk, or Forsberg (assuming we keep the pick) and perhaps rather oddly, I really can't say I feel more strongly about one over another. I suppose that's a good thing.

Burke is in no position to roll the dice on what looks to be the biggest risk/reward pick of the entire draft in Grigorenko. I would be very surprised if he took the gamble on this guy myself.

My guess is that their short list includes:
Yakupov
Galchenyuk
Forsberg
Murray
Dumba

Your top-5 list includes a forward who missed pretty much an entire season with a knee injury and a defenceman who plays a style of game is suited for somebody 20lbs bigger than he is. I'd say both are biggest risks than a big, dominant 18-year old centre who might be lazy.

You are quite likely both correct.

Outside of Yakupov, there are warts. In the case of Grirgorenko, perhaps it was sloth, but maybe, just maybe, it was mono. As with all entry drafts, it is a roll of the dice.

I was pleased to hear BB's comment today that other than moving up or down depending on who remains available, he does not intend to trade the pick.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Outside of Yakupov, there are warts. In the case of Grirgorenko, perhaps it was sloth, but maybe, just maybe, it was mono. As with all entry drafts, it is a roll of the dice.

I just don't get the maybe part here. There's no denying he had mono. It's amazing he even played all the playoff games. Mono in the CHL is somewhat common and players often miss about a month when dealing with it. If a Canadian player played with mono in the playoffs he'd be called a warrior and a future captain. Grigorenko does it, and well you all know how that ends.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

While I've liked Galchenyuk the whole time, I'd have no problem taking Grigorenko.

As he said himself: "If I wanted to go in the KHL, why would I come here? ? It would have been easier to stay in Russia. For my mom, it was really hard. For me it was really hard, too, but I had teammates and hockey. When I went to some road trips, she was alone. I worked for this all my life. Hopefully someone will give me a chance to play in the NHL. That's all I want."

Hard to argue with that.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/mikhail-grigorenko-puck-daddy-2012-nhl-draft-faq-150840949--nhl.html

 

[Sudafederov]

Grigorenko reminds me of Malkin when he was younger.

I'd take him at 5

Besides, if he started to dog it, he might have to face the wrath of The Kool Lemon.

 

[ZBBM]

If this guy is still there at 5 you take him, period. I love the comparison to Semin, as if Semin's a complete bust.

And yeah room him with Kulemin when he finally makes it up.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Anyone put any stock in the rumor that Grigorenko is actually 20?

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

If this guy is still there at 5 you take him, period. I love the comparison to Semin, as if Semin's a complete bust.

I don't think Semin is someone you really want to hope to help build around though.  He is one of the few that I think is rightly criticized for long periods of indifferent play, because he has all the offensive skill to dominate consistently.

 

[bustaheims]

Anyone put any stock in the rumor that Grigorenko is actually 20?

No. This isn't Cold War era Russia we're dealing with here. This is someone trying to stir things up.

 

[Corn Flake]

Anyone put any stock in the rumor that Grigorenko is actually 20?

No. This isn't Cold War era Russia we're dealing with here. This is someone trying to stir things up.

Starting to feel like one team is planting this stuff to get his stock to drop.  Probably the Islanders.

 

[LeafsInSeven]

Anyone put any stock in the rumor that Grigorenko is actually 20?

No. This isn't Cold War era Russia we're dealing with here. This is someone trying to stir things up.

Starting to feel like one team is planting this stuff to get his stock to drop.  Probably the Islanders.

One team planting negative reports about a player doesn't cause a player to plummet on lists like Bob McKenzie's list which is based on the opinions of many hockey people.

 

[Redleaf]

Anyone put any stock in the rumor that Grigorenko is actually 20?

No. This isn't Cold War era Russia we're dealing with here. This is someone trying to stir things up.

Starting to feel like one team is planting this stuff to get his stock to drop.  Probably the Islanders.

One team planting negative reports about a player doesn't cause a player to plummet on lists like Bob McKenzie's list which is based on the opinions of many hockey people.

Agreed. There is legitimate concern across the board regarding Grigorenko. I'd pick Dumba ahead of him if it were my choice.

 

[Erndog]

I am preparing for the absolute worst case scenario tomorrow- because knowing our luck... anyways...

I would say the worst case scenario would be if the top 4 picks go (in some order):  Yakupov, Murray, Forsberg and Galchenyuk.

Then what do we do at #5?  Probably too late to trade the pick for an established player.  No time to get that deal into place.

a) Draft Reilly?
b) Draft Grigorenko?
c) Draft Dumba?
d) Draft someone else?
e) Trade down and pick someone like a Faksa and get an extra 2nd rounder.

What do you think?  Personally, I want no part of Grigorenko... I would either take Reilly or trade down (draft Faksa) and get an additional 2nd I guess.

 

[maplesyrup]

I am preparing for the absolute worst case scenario tomorrow- because knowing our luck... anyways...

I would say the worst case scenario would be if the top 4 picks go (in some order):  Yakupov, Murray, Forsberg and Galchenyuk.

Then what do we do at #5?  Probably too late to trade the pick for an established player.  No time to get that deal into place.

a) Draft Reilly?
b) Draft Grigorenko?
c) Draft Dumba?
d) Draft someone else?
e) Trade down and pick someone like a Faksa and get an extra 2nd rounder.

What do you think?  Personally, I want no part of Grigorenko... I would either take Reilly or trade down (draft Faksa) and get an additional 2nd I guess.

My preference;

B. By quite a large margin
C./A. Tied. Largely interchangeable though different types of guys.
D. Draft Reinhart
E. Trade down.