Ramo or Trouba

[The Hockey Hitman]

I am not competing for a couple years

In that case, I definitely would've taken Kuznetsov. If Kuz was taken, I would've suggested taken Nikita Kucherov next, but what do I know I'm just a Lightning fan.

[TBizzle]

So it's come back to me and I am picking 35th overall. You guys have had some great suggestions on who to take so I am asking once again who I should take. These are some of the players available:

Ceci
Nurse
Johnson (TB)
Zucker
Belov
Kuznetsov
Muzzin
Anisimov
Zajac
Frattin
Kucherov
Lazar
Jenner
Omark
Subban.M
Ramo
Mason.S

Tim Thomas is also available and has just signed with Florida. Wondering if I should pick him and could be good trade value as the season progress.

[Mattp913]

Kuznetsov!!!!! This isn't even close...it's a no brainer. He is way more talented than anyone else on that list and I heard that he just had lunch with Capitals coach and said he wants to prove himself against better competition...sounds to me like he'll be in the NHL by this time next year.

[Big Ev]

Have to go with proven talent in Zajac or Anisimov

[TBizzle]

Have to go with proven talent in Zajac or Anisimov

Im not competing for a couple years so which of the two would be a better fit for my rebuild?

[Mattp913]

Have to go with proven talent in Zajac or Anisimov

The OP is rebuilding so why would he take a 28 year old with 70 pts in his last 145 games(Zajac)? Anisimov is solid he had 29 pts in 36 games in the KHL during the lockout at age 24. Kuznetsov had 44 pts in 51 pts in the KHL at age 20. There's no comparison here. Kuznetsov is 4 years younger and is already the far superior player. You are suggesting older guys that are far less talented than Kuznetsov and that doesn't make sense to me.

[Big Ev]

The OP is rebuilding so why would he take a 28 year old with 70 pts in his last 145 games(Zajac)? Anisimov is solid he had 29 pts in 36 games in the KHL during the lockout at age 24. Kuznetsov had 44 pts in 51 pts in the KHL at age 20. There's no comparison here. Kuznetsov is 4 years younger and is already the far superior player. You are suggesting older guys that are far less talented than Kuznetsov and that doesn't make sense to me.

28 years old is the perfect age. Entering his prime. 1st line centre on the Devils compared to a guy not even in the NHL.

Saying Kuznetsov is already superior is completely premature.

Talent means ZILCH if he's not HERE.

[Big Ev]

Im not competing for a couple years so which of the two would be a better fit for my rebuild?

Zajac. That contract and situation will guarantee him plenty of opportunity to score, and he's young.

[Mattp913]

28 years old is the perfect age. Entering his prime. 1st line centre on the Devils compared to a guy not even in the NHL.

Saying Kuznetsov is already superior is completely premature.

Talent means ZILCH if he's not HERE.

Entering his prime? He has regressed as he gets older. He put up 129 pts in 164 games ages 23-24 and at ages 25-27 he put up 70 points in 145 games. Doesn't look to me like that's much of a prime. And yes it's very obvious that Kuznetsov is FAR superior to Zajac. There are tons of guys than can put up Zajac's numbers so when the OP is rebuilding why would he not go for the home run?

[Axeman33]

The OP is rebuilding so why would he take a 28 year old with 70 pts in his last 145 games(Zajac)? Anisimov is solid he had 29 pts in 36 games in the KHL during the lockout at age 24. Kuznetsov had 44 pts in 51 pts in the KHL at age 20. There's no comparison here. Kuznetsov is 4 years younger and is already the far superior player. You are suggesting older guys that are far less talented than Kuznetsov and that doesn't make sense to me.

Kuznetsov is still a pretty big risk to pick right now. He hasn't commited to coming to the NHL other then a few interviews that were translated (and god knows nothing ever gets confused in translation) and people reading too much into things (like eating lunch with the coach?).

Personally, I would be targetting Anisimov. He has a great opportunity in front of him in CBJ.

[Big Ev]

Entering his prime? He has regressed as he gets older. He put up 129 pts in 164 games ages 23-24 and at ages 25-27 he put up 70 points in 145 games. Doesn't look to me like that's much of a prime. And yes it's very obvious that Kuznetsov is FAR superior to Zajac. There are tons of guys than can put up Zajac's numbers so when the OP is rebuilding why would he not go for the home run?

How many points has Kuznetsov put up in the NHL from age 23-24 and age 25-27?

[Mattp913]

How many points has Kuznetsov put up in the NHL from age 23-24 and age 25-27?

That's the beauty of Kuznetsov in a rebuild. He's only 21 years old. But to answer your question, the same as MacKinnon. 0 because they are still very young.

[Axeman33]

That's the beauty of Kuznetsov in a rebuild. He's only 21 years old. But to answer your question, the same as MacKinnon. 0 because they are still very young.

MacKinnon is in Colorado. Where is Kuznetsov?

[Big Ev]

Entering his prime? He has regressed as he gets older. He put up 129 pts in 164 games ages 23-24 and at ages 25-27 he put up 70 points in 145 games. Doesn't look to me like that's much of a prime. And yes it's very obvious that Kuznetsov is FAR superior to Zajac. There are tons of guys than can put up Zajac's numbers so when the OP is rebuilding why would he not go for the home run?

It's only obvious in fantasy dreamland where we all reap the benefits of players who have never stepped foot on NHL ice.

Zajac is entering his prime and will put up the points in the coming years while little Genia sulks away in Siberia playing shinny hockey with other washed up losers.

And you're failing to factor in Zajac's injury. Like in the Strome vs Yakupov thread, your research is pretty juvenile.

[TBizzle]

I think Kuz will still be there at my pick in RD 5. I don't think he is getting much notice from the teams that are competing. I can take Zajac or Anisimov now if they will make my team better and probably grab Kuz in a few picks.