RealGM

Since the finals are over I thought it'd be a good idea to start a draft discussion thread. The draft's less than a week away (June 24th) and its going to be an interesting one. There's still no clear cut #1 pick and there's a ton of intriguing prospects.

The draft order looks like this:

1. Edmonton
2. Colorado
3. Florida
4. New Jersey
5. New York Islanders
6. Ottawa
7.Winnipeg
8. Columbus
9. Boston
10. Minnesota
11. Colorado
12. Carolina
13. Calgary
14. Dallas
15. New York Rangers
16. Buffalo
17. Montreal
18. Chicago
19. Edmonton
20. Phoenix
21. Ottawa
22. Anaheim
23. Pittsburgh
24. Detroit
25. Toronto
26. Washington
27. Tampa Bay
28. San Jose
29. Vancouver
30. Toronto

And here's a list of some of the top prospects:

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Right now he's the favorite to go #1 and for good reason. He's an amazing playmaker with great vision, he's got an excellent understanding of the game, he's ready to contribute right now and he's got a ton of upside. The only real knock on him is his size (6-1, 164), but if he can add some weight and get stronger he has the potential to be a #1 center and one of the best playmakers in the game.

Adam Larsson - Has a great combination of size (6-3, 220) and skill and the potential to be a top tier two way defenseman. He's a great puck handler, great positioning, tons of poise and he just makes his teammates better on both ends. He's the other contender to be the #1 pick

Jonathan Huberdeau - He's coming off a great season and he was amazing in the Memorial Cup. He's made a name for himself as being one of the best clutch players in junior hockey. He's a solid all around center and a difference maker on both ends.

Gabriel Landeskog - He's a great leader and a great two way player that does anything to win the game. He blocks shots, crashes the net, he's a great forechecker and he plays with a ton of passion and intensity. He doesn't have a ton of upside and he isn't exactly a big guy. But he has all of those intangibles that teams look for.

Dougie Hamilton - He's a big (6-4, 193) smooth skating two way defenseman and with a cannon for a shot and a lot of upside. He might need another a year or two in the minors to polish his game but he looks like he'll be a future #1 defenseman capable of logging major minutes.

So which prospects do you like/dislike, who do you think will go #1, who do you want your team to draft and so on.

As an Oilers fan i'm torn between Nugent-Hopkins and Larrson. Nugent-Hopkins is cleary the most talented player in the draft and him and Hall together would just be scary, but if we pick him we're going to have to make a few moves. We already have a ton of smaller young forwards (Hall, Eberle, Gagner, Cogliano and Brule) we'd have to move a couple of them to get some size up front.

On the other hand Larrson is exactly what this team needs right now. A #1 defenseman capable of playing big minutes and contributing on both ends.

I'd love to see us try to get both guys but I just don't think its possible.

Honestly, if I was Edmonton I'd do anything to get Colorado's pick. Package Cogliano, Brule or Gagner together to try and get it. I'd even do an Eberle for Nugent Hopkins straight up if Colorado wanted it. Because Edmonton needs Larsson in the worst way but I can't see how they can pass up Nugent Hopkins.

If they can't land Nugent, they had better try to get Dougie Hamilton with Larsson, because that would be one of the scariest bluelines combos in a few years.

^
It really sounds like we're going to take Nugent-Hopkins with #1 but I agree with you that we should do everything possible to get Larrson or even Hamilton. I'd be fine with giving up some combination of Gagner, Brule, and or Colgliano. I'm a little weary of about giving up Eberle, but if it was him straight up for the 2nd or 3rd pick i'd be all for it.

Bob McKenzie's Draft Ranking

http://tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=44969

Top 5:

1. Ryab Nugent-Hopkins
2. Adam Larsson
3. Jonathan Huberdeau
4. Gabriel Landeskog
5. Sean Couturier

^
Sounds about right to me. But I might be tempted to put Hamilton above Couturier.

Nolan wrote:^
Sounds about right to me. But I might be tempted to put Hamilton above Couturier.

Hamilton is #3 for me. Looks like a Scott Stevens clone.

^
I could definitely see Florida taking him at 3 and i'm sure New Jerseys going to be interested in him at 4.

Tonights the nights ladies and gentleman.

Classy move by the NHL with the tribute to EJ McGuire.

Welcome to Edmonton Ryan Nugent-Hopkins!!!! He's the guy I wanted and i'm glad we got him.

Gabriel Landeskog goes 2nd overall to Colorado. He'll be a great fit on that team.

Jonathan Huberdeau goes number 3 to the Panthers. I'm guessing New Jersey is going to go with Couturier.

The Panthers core of young talent is looking pretty solid right now with Huberdeau. They have a ton of balance in their system now. Their going to be a very good team in a couple years.

And I guess I was wrong New Jersey picks Adam Larsson. Great pick for them, this kid is going to be a stud.

The Flyers go with Sean Couturier at 8. I like the kid but I like Dougie Hamilton even more. I'm really hoping the Oilers are trying to find a way to get Hamilton right now, I have no idea how he's dropped this far.

Boston gets Dougie Hamilton at 9, this is an absolute steal for them. That Kessel trade is looking really really bad right now. Segin, Knight and Hamilton for Phil Kessel...

There was a rumor that Nashville was going to trade Ryan Ellis to Boston for the 9th pick if Couturier was there.

Nolan wrote:Boston gets Dougie Hamilton at 9, this is an absolute steal for them. That Kessel trade is looking really really bad right now. Segin, Knight and Hamilton for Phil Kessel...

Do you think he goes back 2 juniors or should he start in providence.

Justin33 wrote:

Nolan wrote:Boston gets Dougie Hamilton at 9, this is an absolute steal for them. That Kessel trade is looking really really bad right now. Segin, Knight and Hamilton for Phil Kessel...

Do you think he goes back 2 juniors or should he start in providence.

I definitely think he should be heading back to Niagara. Whether he does or not remains to be seen, but I believe in moving defenseman slowly through the ranks. He put up unreal stats in the OHL last season, a +35 with with 58 points in 67 games? Wow.