Wouldn't we need to sign Kuba first before we trade.
If we end up between #10-#12, I don't imagine it would take toooo much on top of the 2 picks. Kuba maybe a mid rounder as well. Pittsburgh would have to want to move down to do it. If they had their eye on someone and weren't shopping the pick, it might take more.
personally I would target a center, we don't have any Lemaire type centers in our system outside of Koivu, solid two way guys that can also throw in some points. I would look at Toews, Mueller, and Staal(I think he is sound defensively, correct me if Im wrong), but that's just what I think
I'm all for trying to package the picks. We have enough good, solid 2nd line scoring prospects. An elite 1st line center would be great. I think Belle and why can't I think of his name right now give us the luxury of holding off on defense. I want Backstrom.
Also, who's going to be our next Wes Walz? I know this isn't the kind of role you usually address with a top round pick. But I really hate the idea of Wes Walz starting to show his age just as this team becomes a cup contender. Do we have anyone in the system who has the potential to be a speedy, team-first, defense-first, offensively opportunistic, shut-down centerman. Can be injected into the top line to jump start the offense? A quiet leader who shows up every night? Whenever I try to project an 08/09 lineup for this team, he's the one guy I can never find a replacement for. Maybe Bailey? Wilson? Any other candidates? I don't think we have one, wouldn't mind if they tried to find one in the 2nd round.
Exactly!!!!! I see Mueller being able to play a sound defensive game and become a leader while also contributing offensively. Bakstrom would probably be moved to wing in our system because from what Ive heard he is a wizard offensively but lacking in other areas (unless someone wants to inform otherwise who has seen him). Bakstrom would end up like PO, great offensive center as a youngen but moved to wing to hide his defensive liabilities. But honestly Bakstrom sounds like he will be a stud offensively, too bad thats where most of our prospects currently lie
I definitely don't think I could argue with the Wild if they took him because I hear such good things about him, but I really hope he will be able to play our center role if we somehow land him because we need to add actual talent there instead of relying on White and Chouinard. I love Walz but his time is limited and Koivu can only play so much, I think we need to package our two firsts inside the top 8 and get a legit center or else spend money in FA if there is a good option
toews, backstrom, mueller, staal (center or wing)... one of them would sure be nice to land.
That said a guy like James Sheppard might bot be bad, he's your 6"2 kid who will be about 225 when all is said and done, PF type of guy. He's doing very well in the QMJHL, listed at Center, but probably will switch to winger.
A kid with stupid upside is this Derrick Brassard kid in the qmjhl, probably a top 10 pick. He' sa smaller guy around 6 feet and 175 lbs. Many say he's exactly like simon gagne, plays just like him and their numbers are almost identical, brassards a bit better, in their draft year.
Bryan Little is another guy to look at, he's the stud on his Barrie team thats forsure, he can score, pass....whatever, he's badly outscoring our boy Benoit Pouliot thats forsure, and always outdoes him on head to head match ups like yesterday. He's not big either and not the fastest skater. Some say he's a lot like Marc Savard.
We got options, should be fun..
I was hoping to see more out of Forney on TV, but he got injured in the state tourney..
I dont like little, what does he do for the WIld that PO and PMB cant? we can have all the same kind of wing, some of them have to be PF and some have to be skilled playmakers, we have enough of the latter for the mean time, none of the former(none who will be good at lest) and no centers outside of Koivu. Sorry Little will flat out piss me off if he is in a Wild uni come draft day
Personally I think *if* they do trade up it will be for either Staal or Mueller... both guys have great size, can play center and project to be top liners.
Staal has the bloodlines, he also has the numbers and scouts like him.
Mueller is more of a playmaker then a goal scorer but he can do both obviously.
staal, mueller, sheppard are guys that give you size...if thats what your looking for..
little, brassard, kessel give you that insane skill...
thats 7 guys we should target IMO (not neccessarily in order) we have two picks (low teens & high teens) together they should get us in the top 7 (probably higher than 4 though) so we can definitely get a damn good player. I just wish we could see returns on all these young guys sooner, too bad they are all 18-22 (and Gabby is only 24, I think). So much potential in our Org, but the waiting will be brutal
1.EJ
2.Phil kessel
3.Nicklas Backstrom
4.Staal
5.Toews - no im not as high on him as everyone else
6.Peter Mueller
7.Derrick Brassard
8.Kyle Okposo
9.James Sheppard
10. Bryan Little
and as far as Wes Walz goes...I think we got Kyle Bailey and Kyle Wilson who can be groomed for that role...I think Wilson has more offensive upside, and plays a very good two way game- the kid is really smart, and Bailey is very feisty.
