#3 Overall

[Grinder]

Who would you draft #3 overall in your league from this years draftees? Obviously Hall and Seguin will be the top 2. I have a few different names running through my head and want to see who the majority picks.

[natgeo]

Probably Fowler, especially if your team needs a defenseman. I think El Nino could be third if the team needs an explosive forward. Even Grudbunson could go at that position if the team wants more of a shut-down guy. Not as exciting a pick at 3rd overall of course.

[Markstrom Fan]

tarasenko! he's gunna be sick but will be a few years.

[Grinder]

Probably Fowler, especially if your team needs a defenseman. I think El Nino could be third if the team needs an explosive forward. Even Grudbunson could go at that position if the team wants more of a shut-down guy. Not as exciting a pick at 3rd overall of course.

you don't need a shutdown defensemen in fantasy!

[revengespoon]

Granlund for me. He's closer to being NHL ready and has great upside. I can see him fitting in extremely well on a team like Dallas who has had a lot of success with Finnish players recently.

[Big Ev]

My advice: wait until the draft takes place, then you can get your answer. A lot could change from now until then!

Oh, and I doubt Granlund goes to Dallas, they need a defenceman. I see Granlund to Minnesota or Anaheim, with Anaheim being a good place to play as well, though.

[metaldude26]

Yeah Big_Ev has the right idea here. Obviously you need to consider your own needs as well. Personally, I'd probably steer clear of any of this year's crop of top defensemen. They all look like more of the two-way type than the offensive stud type. I'd be drafting an impact forward and for a lot of these guys it's going to come down to opportunity.

[SeaDawg]

If Connolly wasn't injured, he'd be challenging for first overall. Apparently his injuries are behind him and the team that drafts him will be heavily rewarded, especially when so many of the other forwards available have question marks about them (Tarasenko, Burmistrov, Kabanov are Russian so the KHL is a threat). Granlund is small and no one knows if he will adjust to the NHL. Niederreiter is a solid contributor, and the guy I'd pick right after Connolly, but we are a bit unsure of his offensive upside. I see him more as a third-liner in the NHL. Hard working, shutdown kind of guy with some offensive punch, but nothing insane. Maxing out at maybe 70-75 pts in the NHL, but with decent all around numbers. Might be a poor man's Richards (multi-cat guy). Just my thoughts...but like others have said, a lot depends on who gets drafted by specific teams.

Oh, and if your league uses dman, I think Fowler's ceiling is quite high, especially if he lands in Columbus like I think he will. Imagine that PP in a few years with Filatov, Nash, Brassard, Voracek, Fowler, etc.

[notoriousjim]

I agree with the last post. Go with one of the 2nd etier Forwards. The D all look 2 way and will take 5 years to be impact guys.

[Zorro]

If Connolly wasn't injured, he'd be challenging for first overall. Apparently his injuries are behind him and the team that drafts him will be heavily rewarded, especially when so many of the other forwards available have question marks about them (Tarasenko, Burmistrov, Kabanov are Russian so the KHL is a threat). Granlund is small and no one knows if he will adjust to the NHL. Niederreiter is a solid contributor, and the guy I'd pick right after Connolly, but we are a bit unsure of his offensive upside. I see him more as a third-liner in the NHL. Hard working, shutdown kind of guy with some offensive punch, but nothing insane. Maxing out at maybe 70-75 pts in the NHL, but with decent all around numbers. Might be a poor man's Richards (multi-cat guy). Just my thoughts...but like others have said, a lot depends on who gets drafted by specific teams.

Oh, and if your league uses dman, I think Fowler's ceiling is quite high, especially if he lands in Columbus like I think he will. Imagine that PP in a few years with Filatov, Nash, Brassard, Voracek, Fowler, etc.

You forgot one of the most important pieces of Columbus' puzzle >> Ryan Ellis..

[royalninja]

i like niederietter, and burmistrov. i like tarasenko to, but i get a wierd feeling like he is one of those guys that will pull a "radulov"

also...
zorro, did i miss nashville trading ellis to columbus?

[reeveta]

You forgot one of the most important pieces of Columbus' puzzle >> Ryan Ellis..

You think Columbus and Nashville have a trade brewing?

[TeamRamrod]

You think Columbus and Nashville have a trade brewing?

Maybe he's mistaken Ellis for another 5ft nothing dman, in Russel?

[metaldude26]

Uber fail Z...

[indianapwns]

Maybe he was referring to John Moore?

I have the 2nd and 3rd overall picks in my league and I am a little torn as well...

Seguin for sure at 2 (duh) and its down to Connolly and Tarasenko at 3. I'm 95% certain I'll be taking Tarasenko. He's stated that he wants to play in NA one day and playing in the KHL right now is going to help his development IMMENSELY. Take into account his production there as a 17 year old and you begin to drool at what he will be capable of in the NHL...That being said, Connolly is no slouch either...here is his media interview at the combine - he talks about being injury free at the end of the clip:

http://hockeysfuture.craveonline.com...onnolly-159143

Guy is huge too...I liked his response when asked by a reporter if he would be right up there with Hall and Seguin. Seems like he's got character and confidence.

If you can wait a while, I'd take tarasenko but I don't think you can go wrong either way

Good Luck!