Ottawa PP QB

[PittPens1787]

Doing our prospect draft (league in signature) where any player with fewer than 9 GP is eligible. Got the #9 pick and my top thoughts are currently Brannstrom, Merzlikins, Podzolkin, Zegras.

In win-now mode so Brannstrom is particularly interesting.

My question: Does Brannstrom have a chance to unseat Chabot on PP1?

Thanks!

EDIT:

FWIW First 8 picks went:
Hughes
Kakko
Dach
Turcotte
Caufield
Gusev
Cozens
Byram

[lucafen4]

seeing as Chabot put up over 50pts and Brannstrom toiled in the AHL... the choice is rather clear.

Brannstrom could/should get some PP2 time.

[SeaDawg]

Chabot will run the PP, imo. Brannstrom is really good, but so is Chabot and teams tend to go with the tried and true option over a rookie.

FWIW, Gusev's situation is very murky. It sounds like he might be traded, so hard to know what to expect from him.

Have you considered that Merzlikins is likely, imo, to be the starter in Columbus, if not partway through this season then almost certainly next year? This is not a certainty, but I'm confident he will outplay Korpisalo. I guess there is a risk there, but all the players you are considering have risk associated with them.

[Axeman33]

I am pretty confident when I say that it's Chabots show there. I like Brannstrom too but Chabot is the man there. What do the first 8 picks look like before you pick? I am curious who from this years draft class has been drafted vs others from previous drafts.

[PittPens1787]

FWIW, Gusev's situation is very murky. It sounds like he might be traded, so hard to know what to expect from him.

I messed up, Gusev had already been taken when I posted this. Edited the original post.

Have you considered that Merzlikins is likely, imo, to be the starter in Columbus, if not partway through this season then almost certainly next year? This is not a certainty, but I'm confident he will outplay Korpisalo. I guess there is a risk there, but all the players you are considering have risk associated with them.

Yeah, the risk of splitting time with Korpisalo, coupled with a likely crappy team when he does take over has me hesitant.

- - - Updated - - -

I am pretty confident when I say that it's Chabots show there. I like Brannstrom too but Chabot is the man there. What do the first 8 picks look like before you pick? I am curious who from this years draft class has been drafted vs others from previous drafts.

Here are the first 8 picks:
Capture.PNG

Since it uploaded an image for ants, they are:
Hughes
Kakko
Dach
Turcotte
Caufield
Gusev
Cozens
Byram


So 7 from the latest draft, plus Gusev

[Axeman33]

Right on.

Knowing now what I know, I'd probably go with Zegras or Brannstrom, depending on your team needs.

[PittPens1787]

Right on.

Knowing now what I know, I'd probably go with Zegras or Brannstrom, depending on your team needs.

Thanks Axe

[fungchen3]

I think Brannstrom will be a nice player but that main PP job belongs to Chabot.

I like Podkolzin here--he should come over in 2 years--which will be when Zegras, etc. are on the verge of making their teams anyway.

Swing for the fences with Pod.

[mounD]

If guys like Brannstrom and Gusev were still available, is Kirill Kaprizov available to draft?

I'd certainly take him ahead of any of these 2019 eligible guys you're considering.

[PittPens1787]

If guys like Brannstrom and Gusev were still available, is Kirill Kaprizov available to draft?

I'd certainly take him ahead of any of these 2019 eligible guys you're considering.

He is owned by the guy who took Gusev

[mounD]

Assuming there aren't any other big time prospects still available from previous drafts, then I think it comes down to Zegras or Brannstrom. The latter is further ahead in his development, but I think Zegras has the inside track to potentially QB the Ducks powerplay in the future with his playmaking wizardry. Brannstrom is firmly behind Chabot for the prime PP minutes, so that definitely affects his value both in the short and long term.

I think either one would be a fine choice, and I'll leave that up to you depending on your team needs. Personally, I would go with Zegras, but I wouldn't blame you for reaching the conclusion that Brannstrom has much more value right now.

[SeaDawg]

Assuming there aren't any other big time prospects still available from previous drafts, then I think it comes down to Zegras or Brannstrom. The latter is further ahead in his development, but I think Zegras has the inside track to potentially QB the Ducks powerplay in the future with his playmaking wizardry. Brannstrom is firmly behind Chabot for the prime PP minutes, so that definitely affects his value both in the short and long term.

I think either one would be a fine choice, and I'll leave that up to you depending on your team needs. Personally, I would go with Zegras, but I wouldn't blame you for reaching the conclusion that Brannstrom has much more value right now.

Zegras is a forward, isn't he? Or do you mean he'd QB the power play as a forward on the point?

[mounD]

Zegras is a forward, isn't he? Or do you mean he'd QB the power play as a forward on the point?

I just mean that the powerplay would run through him, probably off the half-wall. His vision and playmaking ability is just astounding. Sorry for the confusion there.

[SeaDawg]

I just mean that the powerplay would run through him, probably off the half-wall. His vision and playmaking ability is just astounding. Sorry for the confusion there.

no worries...makes sense.

I actually know very little about Zegras, so that's why I asked the question...good to know he has that potential.

[PittPens1787]

Assuming there aren't any other big time prospects still available from previous drafts, then I think it comes down to Zegras or Brannstrom. The latter is further ahead in his development, but I think Zegras has the inside track to potentially QB the Ducks powerplay in the future with his playmaking wizardry. Brannstrom is firmly behind Chabot for the prime PP minutes, so that definitely affects his value both in the short and long term.

I think either one would be a fine choice, and I'll leave that up to you depending on your team needs. Personally, I would go with Zegras, but I wouldn't blame you for reaching the conclusion that Brannstrom has much more value right now.

Thanks for the advice. A lot of my keepers are on the wrong side of 30 (and 3 of 4 on the backend, though I have Q Hughes) so Brannstrom's NOW value is very intriguing