I think that if was healthy and playing this year, then he'd be a surefire top 5 pick, perhaps even top 3. I think his injury pushed him into the top 10 range, and I don't think even this changes that. The only thing that could potentially push him out would be risers, others players on the outside of the top 10 looking in who have stellar draft years. It's a long season, and there are always a few curveballs usually outside of the top 5. Who knows, but it's an interesting situation. How much time did Connolly miss in his draft year?
Brett Connolly only played 16 games his draft year and went top 10.
Right, and he had a history of injuries.
Early to tell right now how things will shake out. But if he plays some games this year (playoffs and/or memorial cup) he should go in that 6-7-8 range.
I haven't really looked things over too much so far regarding the 2012 draft, but, I'd have to say, unlike past years, I would be fully comfortable with either a forward or D-man. Unlike last year, where I really wanted a playmaking center with size, (and we got two of them, to my delight), considering this year is being considered a very good draft year, the best forward or D-man on the board will make me happy).
I haven't really looked things over too much so far regarding the 2012 draft, but, I'd have to say, unlike past years, I would be fully comfortable with either a forward or D-man. Unlike last year, where I really wanted a playmaking center with size, (and we got two of them, to my delight), considering this year is being considered a very good draft year, the best forward or D-man on the board will make me happy).
Agreed. Unless the team can get up into the top-10 to target a specific player, they're best served taking BPA in the first round.
Yeah Galchenyuk, Murray or Grigorenko? I'd die and go to heaven with any of those picks. These early season mocks are always such a tease.
They really should just leave the name of the teams off as it is only 10 games in and no team is going to stay where they are now. Just rank the players on where they think their value is right now.
They really should just leave the name of the teams off as it is only 10 games in and no team is going to stay where they are now. Just raI conk the players on where they think their value is right now.
I completley agree. Does nothing but get fans hopes up. I mean Detroit out of the playoffs? Come on now.
However, in the spirit of getting hopes up, of those three, and all things being equal, I'd take Murray over the other two. I found it interesting that two separate writers both wrote that he is a future NHL captain. Plus he would be the puck moving stud we've been craving (no offense to MDZ, who I love, but let's be honest here, different ceilings for sure).
I completley agree. Does nothing but get fans hopes up. I mean Detroit out of the playoffs? Come on now.
However, in the spirit of getting hopes up, of those three, and all things being equal, I'd take Murray over the other two. I found it interesting that two separate writers both wrote that he is a future NHL captain. Plus he would be the puck moving stud we've been craving (no offense to MDZ, who I love, but let's be honest here, different ceilings for sure).
I would take one of the Russian forwards for sure. The Rangers are going to have a log-jam on the back-end for a while and McDonagh looks to have quite a bit of untapped offensive potential. Staal is still developing and Sauer looks to have good IQ as to when to pinch as well.
MDZ and Erixon have 40+ point ceilings as well. They need skill up front fairly badly.
It's such a deep draft, almost any name on these lists puts a smile on my face, much less those 3.
In some weird way, I wonder if it might actually be easier to trade up into the lottery this season because of the depth of talent and the fact that the team trading down could still conceivably get a player they like later on in the first round.
Although you can get a good player at any point in this first round, I'd still really like to see the Rangers try and put together an enticing package to get an elite offensive defenseman or forward.
I would take one of the Russian forwards for sure. The Rangers are going to have a log-jam on the back-end for a while and McDonagh looks to have quite a bit of untapped offensive potential. Staal is still developing and Sauer looks to have good IQ as to when to pinch as well.
MDZ and Erixon have 40+ point ceilings as well. They need skill up front fairly badly.
My feeling is that if we draft Murray, some of our sought after defensive depth becomes expendable for that other top line scorer we need. I was reading an article that talked about Pitt trading Goligoski for Neal and Whitney for offensive depth as well (forgot who they traded him for) and that their strategy was that it was easier to trade D men for offensive help since they have a surplus, and D depth is usually in higher demand. So more often than not they draft a D.
But obviously I'd take any of those guys in a heartbeat and not complain if all 3 were on the board.
My feeling is that if we draft Murray, some of our sought after defensive depth becomes expendable for that other top line scorer we need. I was reading an article that talked about Pitt trading Goligoski for Neal and Whitney for offensive depth as well (forgot who they traded him for) and that their strategy was that it was easier to trade D men for offensive help since they have a surplus. So more often than not they draft a D.
But obviously I'd take any of those guys in a heartbeat and not complain if all 3 were on the board.
Kunitz. That's a possibility as well. I already see the Rangers needing to do that in the near future anyways though. And that is without any surprises from the likes of Kundratek, Parlett, Valentenko or Noreau.
Kunitz. That's a possibility as well. I already see the Rangers needing to do that in the near future anyways though. And that is without any surprises from the likes of Kundratek, Parlett, Valentenko or Noreau.
Staal
Girardi
Sauer
McDonagh
MDZ
Erixon
McIlrath
I think Murrays potential is #1 dman, and he's going to be good enough to play in the NHL at 18. A lot of those guys become expendable if that's the case, moreso than now. And that's a good problem to have.
I mean let's be honest here, we arent going to draft any of these guys so the point is moot, but it would be a nice choice to have.
I think Murrays potential is #1 dman, and he's going to be good enough to play in the NHL at 18. A lot of those guys become expendable if that's the case, moreso than now. And that's a good problem to have.
I mean let's be honest here, we arent going to draft any of these guys so the point is moot, but it would be a nice choice to have.
Oh I agree. And I wouldn't be up in arms about drafting someone like him, but I would prefer a forward.
LA is having this problem right now except they are trying to win now. Hickey and Voynov are NHL ready defensemen and they have no where to put them with Doughty and JJ not going anywhere and solid vets like Greene, Mitchell, and Scuderi.
Oh I agree. And I wouldn't be up in arms about drafting someone like him, but I would prefer a forward.
LA is having this problem right now except they are trying to win now. Hickey and Voynov are NHL ready defensemen and they have no where to put them with Doughty and JJ not going anywhere and solid vets like Greene, Mitchell, and Scuderi.
If Lombardi was smart he'd be working the phones to flip those guys for his missing pieces. I have more faith in Sather being able to do that than Lombardi.
If Lombardi was smart he'd be working the phones to flip those guys for his missing pieces. I have more faith in Sather being able to do that than Lombardi.
See but who do you move? The vets to make room? They have more value than the prospects everyone knows you have no room for. Or do you move Voynov or Hickey and get .75$ on the 1$?
See but who do you move? The vets to make room? They have more value than the prospects everyone knows you have no room for. Or do you move Voynov or Hickey and get .75$ on the 1$?
You move the guys not on your roster. But like I said, I put my trust in Sather on the trade market. He isnt going to take less than he wants and with Murray drafted, he has a lot more to work with in terms of what is expendable. But hey that's just my feelings, I'm a sucker for a big time D man.
