2018 mock drafts

[reggiebarnes]

Tkachuk is definitely a top-5 prospect - I just wonder if his recent announcement could hurt his stock even a little, especially if a team picking top 5 was hoping to see their 1st pick battle for a starting gig. Teams like Montreal and Ottawa have every incentive to "improve now" ... especially the Sens who have handed the Avs a non-protected 1st round pick.

He hasn?t announced anything, so not sure why you keep saying that .

[DocMcPuffin]

He hasn?t announced anything, so not sure why you keep saying that .

I've yet to see him say it publicly but all reports I've read are saying BU is expecting him to return. They were looking for a replacement but that appears to not be the case now. Pretty sure he's going back.

[reggiebarnes]

I've yet to see him say it publicly but all reports I've read are saying BU is expecting him to return. They were looking for a replacement but that appears to not be the case now. Pretty sure he's going back.

One report said it. But he hasn?t said anything nor has his agent . Once drafted and attends a dev camp, money talks.

[donpaulo]

I know at one point, Tkachuk was number 2 on Button's list. I believe he had Dahlin, Tkachuk and Svechnikov as the top 3.

Its my understanding that Button does not rate players he hasn't seen play live. I could be mistaken but it sometimes tweaks his lists

[DocMcPuffin]

Its my understanding that Button does not rate players he hasn't seen play live. I could be mistaken but it sometimes tweaks his lists

I think he actually mentioned that in his article.

[butch]

Garth Snow is still a GM??

theres alot of smoke , but no fire yet ! lombardi's name resurfaced again yesterday via a tweet from jimmy murphy (murphyslaw) as someone that would join lou lams with new structure .

[fungchen3]

If Lou is going to the Island, I wonder if it's a hail mary pass to try and persuade Tavares to stay.

[lucafen4]

or maybe mark hunter? he traded for Tavares in 08/09 with London, maybe he can convince him to stay as new GM?? (I don't think anyone has heard 'boo' from Hunter since Dubas was named GM)

[fungchen3]

or maybe mark hunter? he traded for Tavares in 08/09 with London, maybe he can convince him to stay as new GM?? (I don't think anyone has heard 'boo' from Hunter since Dubas was named GM)

Good point.

[lucafen4]

Good point.

I'd rather he stay in Tor for at least a few more drafts.

[fungchen3]

I'd rather he stay in Tor for at least a few more drafts.

I think everyone, including Dubas and Shanny, does as well.

[donpaulo]

I think its fair to say that 1 of Wahlstrom/Tkachuk does not last past Chicago at 8

[als_revenge]

nobody? That's not true. Did you not read Bob McKenzues latest rankings? Tkachuk is top 5 in every reputable source. He has first line upside

Yeah, he's top 5 in a Tom Wilson kind of way. Maybe a 50 point center that can throw body checks. Overrated for fantasy, IMO. I'd still rather see Ottawa swing for the fences on upside...

[reggiebarnes]

Yeah, he's top 5 in a Tom Wilson kind of way. Maybe a 50 point center that can throw body checks. Overrated for fantasy, IMO. I'd still rather see Ottawa swing for the fences on upside...

he is not a centre. I?m sorry but that?s an insult to Tkachuk to compare him to Wilson. The skill level is not similar. For fantasy that?s a different story altogether though. I?m just talking about real life

For Ottawa I want upside as well and I think Brady has a lot of it. I don?t want a one dimensional guy like Hoffman or skinner who does nothing else

[Hoopo]

Personally I want to see Ottawa draft a forward. I feel like spending a 4th overall on an offensive defenseman is risky?we can?t be drafting to replace a guy like Karlsson, because the odds are infinitesimal he turns out even half of what Karlsson is. if we had a mid round pick I?d be good with taking that risk but no.

I see it like this: if we lose Karlsson the whole approach in Ottawa changes. In fact with time the approach is gonna have to change. He won?t be young and fast forever. He is who we run our offence around now like it or not. Drafting a scoring forward gives us more options up front to offset a loss of, or decline from, Karlsson.

Gimme Tkachuk or Wahlstrom, I?m happy. I really like the idea of Tkachuk but wahlstrom is really good and almost a full year younger. Gotta think there?s more development to come.