I don't see it. Teams value centers and dman more highly.. ofc Drouin could switch to C starting from next game and tear it up. and with his hockey IQ he certainly could play C but we'll see. Maybe he'll next season?
Imo there are questions how well his game will translate to next level. I don't see him busting but I think Nate will be better in the Show.
Don't see him passing Jones either, those tools are just too awesome to ignore.
Maybe he could go over Barkov.
It's the draft anyway, weirder things have happened.
Agree with you, he is talented and if whoever is picking first thinks he is the next Pat Kane then he might go first but I think the center or stud dman goes first.
If MacKinnon doesn't go first then it'll be Jones.
Centers and defenseman just have more value than wingers. If there are two players of equal value in a vaccuum, you go for the one that plays the more important position more often than not.
Mind you if my team held the first overall pick Drouin being a left winger would be a huge plus...but we're not going to be drafting 1st and there's no way in hell Ray Shero would pass up Jones anyway.
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“The most terrifying fact about the universe is not that it is hostile, but that it is indifferent. If we can come to terms with this indifference and accept the challenges of life within the boundaries of death, our existence as a species can have genuine meaning and fulfillment. However vast the darkness, we must supply our own light.” - Stanley Kubrick
Drouin's going to be a great player. He's a really good talent. That said I can't see him passing Mackinnon and Jones on the draft list by June.
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Exhibit A as to how hockey doesn't matter on ESPN:
Last night an ESPN program was discussing how the Detroit Pistons needed a hero citing the heroes on the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions and no mention of the Detroit Red Wings. All this despite the Red Wings probably being the most succesful team in Detroit right now.
I don't get all the Seth Jones love for #1 pick... Way too many hyped big sized dman have disappointed and didn't reach expectations lately, especially offensively, some of them is too early to tell, but I wouldn't pass on Drouin or MacKinnon for Jones.
#3 Bouwmeester in 2002 (was ranked #1 almost all year)
#3 Barker in 2004
#3 J.Johnson in 2005
#1 E.Johnson in 2006
#4 T.Hickey in 2007
#5 K.Alzner in 2007
#2 D. Doughty in 2008 (That one is actually well deserved)
#3 Z.Bogosian in 2008
#4 A.Pietrangelo in 2008 (Another one deserved)
#2 V. Hedman in 2009 (Hyped like crazy over the year..now nobody would touch him to be ahead of Tavares, when a lot of poster here thought he was better than Tavares)
#3 E.Grudbranson in 2010 (too early to tell,
#4 A. Larsson in 2012 (Was also hyped like crazy, was the consensus number 1 at some point, too early to tell tho)
The 2012 draft was full of D drafted early too. We will see.
Very tall dman, with great skating and PPG in the WHL before his draft years, his scouting report reminds me of Jay Bouwmeester, textbook.
It's turning into a three way race for sure. I think Drouin has the highest IQ and ceiling. All three players have that number one overall feel to them though. Such a great draft class.
Only thing that worries me is that he could turn into another Alexandre Diagle. All the skill in the world, a tremendous skater, great IQ, but for some reason can't translate that game into the NHL. I think Jones and MacKinnon are the safer picks, but Drouin could be the best of the draft.
Only thing that worries me is that he could turn into another Alexandre Diagle. All the skill in the world, a tremendous skater, great IQ, but for some reason can't translate that game into the NHL. I think Jones and MacKinnon are the safer picks, but Drouin could be the best of the draft.
I will not shun on your thesis, because it is not without merit, but make no mistake about Daigle: if he gave a damn, he would have been a star.
Not really. It all depends who wins the lottery. Edmonton would take Jones if they're smart. But a team like Toronto, who has a decent pool of young d-men, would likely take Mackinnon over Jones (or Drouin depending how the team views the two prospects).
Not really. It all depends who wins the lottery. Edmonton would take Jones if they're smart. But a team like Toronto, who has a decent pool of young d-men, would likely take Mackinnon over Jones (or Drouin depending how the team views the two prospects).
Exactly. I see Columbus and Florida taking a forward as well. Obviously take the BPA. But if Mackinnon, Drouin, Jones are neck and neck in the souts eyes, then some teams will go for offence.
