Actually, we're looking pretty thin as far as real goalie prospects go. This kid was a dominating goalie at age 16 and 17 as far as his play. He's been a little off in the past year but he was also elevated to much higher play at the same time despite his young years. Had the draft been held last year, he'd have likely gone in the top 10, and for sure would have gone in the top 15.
Personally, I've got no problem with this pick. By all accounts, Rask has tremendous upside and excellent physical attributes for a goalie.
With what was avaliable, and what our system looks like, we should have gone for a forward like Niklas Bergfors. You know he'll be a good one if New Jersey's picking him.
I'm not very enthusiastic about Rask either, since it'll probably take a good 6 years to groom him into a starter if we're lucky. I also hated the fact that JFJ pointed to his statistics when they asked him what he liked about Rask.
I probably would have taken someone else but it does fill a hole.
Telly and almost every other goalie in our system are 3rd round picks with Telly being our best prospect and his upside being a back-up on a good team or a starter on a bad team.
Pogge and Ford don't look to have the potential Rask does. Tvelly is good, but I don't know if I'd be confident in him for the future.
I don't remember much about Rask at the WJC, I don't think its a "bad" pick, he was rated around there and he seems to be a good prospect, but I would've grabbed a forward and then loaded up on goalies in the later rounds. I would've been happy to move down, get an extra second, grab Bertram and go from there, but its always easier after the fact.
Anyone know why the Habs grabbed Price? I'm pretty well baffled.
They'll sign a veteran for a year or two when Eddie moves on. We aren't suffering the management of yester year. The team is doing the right moves now.
I'm not too sure the reason, but I sure am enjoying the meltdown on the Habs board since the pick!
I know, it's great. Not that price isn't a good goalie, but they passed on Brule, who I thought should have gone 2nd.
I'm not too sure the reason, but I sure am enjoying the meltdown on the Habs board since the pick!
I know, it's great. Not that price isn't a good goalie, but they passed on Brule, who I thought should have gone 2nd.
You should have been in the chatroom. It was insane in there after they took Price.
I, for one, am absolutely thrilled with this pick. Rask was rated a top 10 goalie before the season started. The only reason he went down is his club wouldn't play him. This kid is the real deal and the leafs NEEDED this kid.
After Eddie, I can't see any Maple Leaf Goalie prospects being a #1 in the NHL, including Telvquist. Tuukka Rask is a smart move by the Leafs. You can let this guy develop and become a #1 in the League. They'll have to get someone in the time he develops though, because Eddie's years are numbered. I honestly don't see Telvquist being more than a backup in the NHL.
Tuukka Rask was originally a top 10 pick, until his team barely played him at all this year. If they send him down to the Marlies and let him play this year, he could make huge strides in his development. He has tons of international experience, and should be a great goalie.
Does Rask have any desire to play in the NHL actually? Otherwise no matter how good he is, it could be a wasted pick if he ain't coming over...how does he compared to other finnish goalies, like Ari Ahonen and Mika Noronen?
Tuuka was an excellent pick. I can't see any convincing reason why he fell slightly in people's estimation this season, and I think we may have gotten a steal. My initial preference was for a forward (Cogliano or Latendresse) but upon reflection I am quite happy with this pick.
I do hope, however, that he gets some good ice time this season.
(And then hearing about the O'Neill trade just a few minutes later made it even sweeter )
Tuuka was an excellent pick. I can't see any convincing reason why he fell slightly in people's estimation this season, and I think we may have gotten a steal. My initial preference was for a forward (Cogliano or Latendresse) but upon reflection I am quite happy with this pick.
I do hope, however, that he gets some good ice time this season.
(And then hearing about the O'Neill trade just a few minutes later made it even sweeter )
I think it would've been great if he considered comming to north america to play in the chl. Goalies need playing time more than anything, and he would get tonnes in Canada.
I think it would've been great if he considered comming to north america to play in the chl. Goalies need playing time more than anything, and he would get tonnes in Canada.
I suspect he's making a decent amount of money for a kid, playing in Finland. That's a great place for him to play, as long as he doesn't get stuck behind some vet for another year. Maybe we should sign him and put him with the Marlies? Or is he too young?
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