2015 NHL Draft

[The B’s Knees]

[SIZE=10pt]Just 3 days until the draft.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]The 10-20 slots in most draft rankings and mock drafts I’ve seen seem to mostly have the same core of players. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]Kyle Connor seems to be the player that we land most often in the mock drafts (otherwise he gets picked earlier), with a spattering of Merkley, Meier, Konecny, Barzal, and others. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]Hopefully the B’s scouting team have done their homework and come away with a nice pick.[/SIZE]

 

[McDrew]

Last year, the Boston Bruins were one of 6 teams that had a 1st round pick play a game in the NHL.  Sam Bennet (4, CAL), Kevin Fiala (11, NSH), and Sam Reinhart(2, BUF) all played 10 or less.  Only Aaron Ekblad (1, FLA), Leon Draisaitl (3, EDM) and David Pastrnak(25, BOS) played more than 10.  Ekblad was an all-star and played the entire season.  Draisaitl and Pastrnak were mid-season callups that stayed. 
 
That being said, not a single 2013 draft pick has played a game in the NHL yet. and only Subban(1 game) and Griffith (30 games) have appeared from the 2012 draft. 
 
This team has not drafted well (we know that).  Let's hope this draft goes better.  . 

 

[Schnerres]

Last year, the Boston Bruins were one of 6 teams that had a 1st round pick play a game in the NHL.  Sam Bennet (4, CAL), Kevin Fiala (11, NSH), and Sam Reinhart(2, BUF) all played 10 or less.  Only Aaron Ekblad (1, FLA), Leon Draisaitl (3, EDM) and David Pastrnak(25, BOS) played more than 10.  Ekblad was an all-star and played the entire season.  Draisaitl and Pastrnak were mid-season callups that stayed.

 
Draisaitl was another case of Edmonton mismanagement. He started the season at Edmonton, was overmatched and sent down to the Juniors. He killed it there, was MVP.
I´m not much of a NHL expert, but i would guess that the other way around (start at Juniors, racking up huge points there like he did actually after his poor NHL showing, then bring him up for 30-40 NHL games) would have helped him more, brought a better development and better stats (37games, 2goals, 7 assists).

 

[cshea]

The rumor mill is starting to pick up before the draft. Don Maloney said he's received 2 offers for the #3 pick that have given him "pause to consider." McKenzie says 1 offer was for a player good enough that Arizona wouldn't receive a later first, they'd be trading straight out. The other was a trade down with a team in the top 10. Nobody seems to know who it is, but Friedman hypothesized that CBJ was one of the teams.

 

[FelixMantilla]

http://www.si.com/nhl/2015/06/24/boston-bruins-arizona-coyotes-trade-rumor-third-pick-nhl-draft-malcolm-subban
 

The Bruins are rumored to be in discussions with Arizona about the third pick in the annual talent grab. Coming off a disappointing season, and with new general manager Don Sweeney ready to put his stamp on the roster, it makes sense that they’d be looking to make some kind of splash by adding someone like Boston College star defenseman Noah Hanifin or explosive winger Mitch Marner.

 

[TFP]

Lucic, Subban, and the 14? Would Arizona laugh and hang up at that offer?

 

[burstnbloom]

I don't think Lucic holds enough value on a 1 year to give up 8 years of Hanifin. I'd love the move if they could pull it off but I'm struggling to see how. Dougie and Hanifin would be the Bruins answer to Pietrangelo and Shattenkirk.

 

[cshea]

It's hard to place a value on that pick. A top 3 pick hasn't been traded (willingly-Seguin was the only one) in over 10 years. The last top 5 pick traded on draft day was in 2004 when CBJ traded #4 to Carolina for #8 and #59.

I'd guess Arizona would want young, established, controllable players for the pick. I don't think Lucic or Eriksson moves the needle for Arizona since they are impending UFA's. I think we would probably have to include Pastrnak. Savard is probably very attractive to Arizona, so they can include him. Maybe Savard, Pastrnak, Subban for #3? Or even add Reilly Smith? I thought about Hamilton straight up, but I don't think that makes too much sense for either side, especially if the Bruins target is Hanifin.

 

[McDrew]

I didn't put it together that Savard could be used as a chip.  His salary isn't 100% covered by insurance, but he still counts against the cap the same.  I like the idea of Pastrnak, Subban, Savard for the #3

 

[Salem's Lot]

I didn't put it together that Savard could be used as a chip.  His salary isn't 100% covered by insurance, but he still counts against the cap the same.  I like the idea of Pastrnak, Subban, Savard for the #3

 
There is no way that I would deal Pastrnak to move up to #3 to take Hanifin. I'd rather just take Zboril at 14 or trade up 2-3 spots for Provorov. If they'd bite on Krug, Subban, Savard & #14 I'd do it, but I think another team would beat that package. 

 

[The B’s Knees]

Here are the #3 vs #14 picks in the last dozen or so drafts.
Unless it's 2006, I'm not sure I'd sell the farm to move up to #3.
 
 
 2003 Nathan Horton | Brent Seabrook 
 2004 Cam Barker | Devan Dubnyk 
 2005 Jack Johnson | Sasha Pokulok 
 2006 Jonathan Toews | Michael Grabner 
 2007 Kyle Turris | Kevin Shattenkirk 
 2008 Zach Bogosian  | Zach Boychuk 
 2009 Matt Duchene | Dmitri Kulikov
 2010 Erik Gudbranson | Jaden Schwartz 
 2011 Jonathan Huberdeau  | Jamie Oleksiak 
 2012 Alex Galchenyuk  | Zemgus Girgensons
 2013 Jonathan Drouin  | Alexander Wennberg 
 2014 Leon Draisaitl  | Julius Honka 

 

[AgentOrange]

It's going to take a lot more than a jump of 2-3 spots to get Provorov. He probably goes in the 5-7 range.

 

[j44thor]

It's hard to place a value on that pick. A top 3 pick hasn't been traded (willingly-Seguin was the only one) in over 10 years. The last top 5 pick traded on draft day was in 2004 when CBJ traded #4 to Carolina for #8 and #59.

I'd guess Arizona would want young, established, controllable players for the pick. I don't think Lucic or Eriksson moves the needle for Arizona since they are impending UFA's. I think we would probably have to include Pastrnak. Savard is probably very attractive to Arizona, so they can include him. Maybe Savard, Pastrnak, Subban for #3? Or even add Reilly Smith? I thought about Hamilton straight up, but I don't think that makes too much sense for either side, especially if the Bruins target is Hanifin.

 
Define very attractive. I don't think AZ is giving up much of anything for the right to pay Savard for cap floor purposes.  My guess is they will take him but not at a meaningful cost.  Perhaps they give up a very late round pick, either way I doubt he is even a throw in as part of a deal for the 3rd overall pick.

 

[cshea]

Bruins chatter heating up this am. I can't link the tweets, but here's a summary from McKenzie and Dreger:

- McKenzie says Arizona is leaning towards #3. BOS, CBJ, WPG seem to be the main players, with others interested too.
- B's listening hard on Lucic.
- Hamilton situation is dicey, and had led to ensuing rumors.
- Dreger says the belief is we've offered Hamilton to Arizona for #3, and would use the pick on Noah Hanifin.

Personally, I'd hate it.

 

[BoSoxFink]

Bruins chatter heating up this am. I can't link the tweets, but here's a summary from McKenzie and Dreger:

- McKenzie says Arizona is leaning towards #3. BOS, CBJ, WPG seem to be the main players, with others interested too.
- B's listening hard on Lucic.
- Hamilton situation is dicey, and had led to ensuing rumors.
- Dreger says the belief is we've offered Hamilton to Arizona for #3, and would use the pick on Noah Hanifin.

Personally, I'd hate it.

Only the Bruins continue to trade away stud players who are in their early 20's. What a horrific mismanagement it would be if they end up trading away both Seguin and Hamilton.

 

[jsinger121]

Only the Bruins continue to trade away stud players who are in their early 20's. What a horrific mismanagement it would be if they end up trading away both Seguin and Hamilton.

We can thank Chiarelli for fucking our salary cap.

 

[TFP]

Oh give me a break the salary cap isn't an excuse. They have the room to sign Dougie. If they trade him it's a hockey decision not a salary cap decision.

I would never understand why they would trade Dougie to draft a player they hope turns into Dougie. Makes no sense to me.

Gonna be a long day sweating through this.

 

[FelixMantilla]

I'm not even sure Hanifan will play in the NHL for a few seasons. He started last year at BC as a 17 year old freshman.

 

[cshea]

Oh give me a break the salary cap isn't an excuse. They have the room to sign Dougie. If they trade him it's a hockey decision not a salary cap decision.

I would never understand why they would trade Dougie to draft a player they hope turns into Dougie. Makes no sense to me.

Gonna be a long day sweating through this.

Ditto on the Arizona side. Why pay Dougie $50-$60 million, especially given their financial situation, when they could just draft Hanifin and get him on an ELC for 3-years? That doesn't make sense to me.

What has me most worried is if they actually did make that offer to Arizona. Wouldn't really be a great sign for getting him under contract.

 

[TheRealness]

Ditto on then Arizona side. Why pay Dougie $50-$60 million, especially given their financial situation, when they could just draft Hanifin and get him on an ELC for 3-years? That doesn't make sense to me.
ye
What has me most worried is if they actually did make that offer to Arizona.

 
I don't see the logic in making the offer, and generally distrust any rumor on draft day in any sport. 
 
Trading Hamilton would be a mistake. Let us hope the Bruins recognize that, because if they do trade him, they should blow everything up. Chara, Krejci, Marchand, everything, just trade the whole team if you're going to trade Hamilton. This is also why it shouldn't happen. It makes zero sense.

 

[cshea]

IMO, any trade of Hamilton has to net something of value greater than 2 1st, 2nd and 3rd. That's the compensation for an offer sheet above $7.3 million, which is where Dougie's price tag appears to be. I'd still want the Bruins to match, but if they insist on trading him, the return needs to be comparable to that value.

A lone #3 overall isn't enough for me. And I'd hate to attach a bad contract to Hamilton and devalue the return just to dump cap space. I'd rather deal with Edmonton and get some combo of their available assets. Hall, RNH, #16, Draisaitl, Nurse, Kelfbom, etc. Some mix in there.

 

[j44thor]

I'm not even sure Hanifan will play in the NHL for a few seasons. He started last year at BC as a 17 year old freshman.

He might not be a lock to start in the nhl but at 6'3" 205 he is certainly physically ready.

 

[j44thor]

IMO, any trade of Hamilton has to net something of value greater than 2 1st, 2nd and 3rd. That's the compensation for an offer sheet above $7.3 million, which is where Dougie's price tag appears to be. I'd still want the Bruins to match, but if they insist on trading him, the return needs to be comparable to that value.

A lone #3 overall isn't enough for me. And I'd hate to attach a bad contract to Hamilton and devalue the return just to dump cap space. I'd rather deal with Edmonton and get some combo of their available assets. Hall, RNH, #16, Draisaitl, Nurse, Kelfbom, etc. Some mix in there.

While I agree a lone #1 does seem a bit light it is the #3. What would it take say anh to move up to #3? Most likely more than their 1,2,3 and next year's 1? That is the risk with an offer sheet that a good team signs him and you end up with lousy picks in return.

 

[RedOctober3829]

I can't believe they'd trade Hamilton straight up for Noah Hanifin.  That screams an attempt to sell off all their expensive parts and try to rebuild the core and I don't think Sweeney is about to do that.

 

[TFP]

Outside of the Dougie rumors, who should I read up on for the Bruins pick at 14? I've done less than zero research this year on the draft so not sure what to look for. Any have a quick primer on the top candidates?

 

[kenneycb]

He might not be a lock to start in the nhl but at 6'3" 205 he is certainly physically ready.

By body type.  IIRC he wasn't the most physical player in college, however.  Extremely smooth though.

 

[Red Right Ankle]

Outside of the Dougie rumors, who should I read up on for the Bruins pick at 14? I've done less than zero research this year on the draft so not sure what to look for. Any have a quick primer on the top candidates?

Just do what we all do, read up on one guy and then tout him as the next great thing and cry like a baby when they don't draft him.  It's FUN

 

[cshea]

Outside of the Dougie rumors, who should I read up on for the Bruins pick at 14? I've done less than zero research this year on the draft so not sure what to look for. Any have a quick primer on the top candidates?

The two I've read about, and like, are Timo Meier and Kyle Connor. Meier is a shoot first wing and Connor is a 2-way center. Meier is bigger and plays a physical game, Connor is more of a complete all around game. I've also heard Travis Konecny may be a possibility but I haven't read much about him. He's a playmaking forward, I believe.

 

[PedroSpecialK]

If they stay at 14 my money's on Timo Meier. At least, I'd hope

 

[Dummy Hoy]

Let's ask an expert!
 
Edit: and Kirk says he's hearing that Meier almost certainly gone by 14. Sorry PSK  :gonk:
 
Edit 2: Kirk's three guys...
 
Jakub Zboril
 
Jake DeBrusk
 
Jansen Harkins

 

[cshea]

http://www.tsn.ca/mcdavid-tops-mckenzie-s-final-draft-ranking-1.300634

McKenzie's final rankings. It is not a mock, his rankings are based on his polling of scouts, gm's, etc. The list includes player profiles. He has Zboril at 14, but things can get crazy (Scheifele in 2011). Meier and Connor at 12 and 13. Ouch.

 

[PedroSpecialK]

Ottawa heists Buffalo - they dump Legwand and trade Lehner for the 21st overall pick.

 

[j44thor]

Ottawa heists Buffalo - they dump Legwand and trade Lehner for the 21st overall pick.

 
Uncle takes advantage of nephew.  Must be something coming Tim's way through back channels for that one.

 

[PedroSpecialK]

Let's ask an expert!
 
Edit: and Kirk says he's hearing that Meier almost certainly gone by 14. Sorry PSK  :gonk:
 
Edit 2: Kirk's three guys...
 
Jakub Zboril
 
Jake DeBrusk
 
Jansen Harkins

 
 

 

[Greg29fan]

Ottawa heists Buffalo - they dump Legwand and trade Lehner for the 21st overall pick.

https://twitter.com/frank_seravalli/status/614459835879297024

 

[RedOctober3829]

TSN Radio making it sound like Vancouver will be maneuvering today to trade for Lucic tonight.

 

[FL4WL3SS]

I'd be willing to center a trade around Bieksa and #23 as a starting point.

 

[cshea]

Bieksa is supposedly going to San Jose.

No idea what to ask for from Vancouver. Virtanen and #23?

 

[RedOctober3829]

Haven't they always liked Edler?

 

[TFP]

If they bring Edler back that means Dougie is almost certainly gone (which is why I don't think that's the target). That'd be all the money tied up in Chara, Dougie, Seidenberg, Krug, and Edler. Assuming $7 mill for Dougie, that's $27 million for 5 players on D. Yikes.

 

[cshea]

They were apparently going to trade for Edler at the deadline in 2014. Maybe they still have interest, but who knows.

If the Bruins are trading Lucic, I think it will be to alleviate the cap problem. Edler has 4 years left @5 million AAV. They've added a top 4 D, but haven't solved the cap problem. They gain an extra million, but it still leaves them in a precarious position with Dougie. I think if Lucic goes it will be for futures. Vancouver can't take on his contract without clearing some money. Bieksa to SJ would clear $4.6, which leaves them ~$10 million in space. Enough to fit Lucic.

 

[RedOctober3829]

If Edler is the target, then Hamilton for 3 is in play(which I hope it isnt) and the target at 3 could be the London center or Hanifin.

 

[FL4WL3SS]

Bieksa, Kassian and #23 for Lucic and Seidenberg.

 

[cshea]

That doesn't work cap wise for Vancouver. They're up against it too.

 

[timlinin8th]

That doesn't work cap wise for Vancouver. They're up against it too.

What is the endgame for VAN in all this? In your last post you said Lucic will be moved for futures but does VAN think they're a Lucic away from a deep playoff run, esp being up against the cap? Or are they starting to look for futures themselves? (I'm really asking)

If they spin Bieksa off to SJ for picks, would they send Edler and #23 to BOS in exchange for Lucic, Seidenberg, and #14? VAN improves their pick stockpile, they get weaker in the short term but Lucic either signs a hometown discount with them (caveat: he was pissed at his hometown after how his family was treated by fans there post cup run) or hes gone in a year, Seidenberg is what he is I guess but they could hope he somewhat returns to form a year removed from his injury. It gives the Bruins Edler as Dougie insurance should they not be able to resign him (trading him for this year's #3 as a fallback) but they'd have the space to fit both Dougie and Edler now, maybe they think they can eventually move Chara. Yes, they'd still have to replace Lucic in this scenario but they'd have a little wiggle room to do so by moving both Seidenberg and Lucic in the trade w VAN, bring in a ~4mil winger to balance the cap out? The Bruins would still be tight to the cap but an improved team.

(a lot of questions, and yes I'm kinda throwing stuff at the wall I'm just trying to figure out how a lot of the rumors out there would work for the teams involved... Edit for brainstorm clarity)

 

[cshea]

Just a guess, but I'd imagine Vancouver is trying to squeeze in one or two more Cup runs with the Sedin's. They'll be 35 when the season start, so time is running out. Lucic wouldn't be the single missing piece to put them over the top, but he'd help, and maybe they think they can extend Looch and make it a medium-term game. I know he said he'd never play for them, but he's obviously reconsidered since they're not on his NTC list.

 

[TSC]

Lucic playing with the Sedins would be pretty lethal. They made Kassian look like a legit scorer. Hell - they made Burroughs a 35 goal scorer. I wouldn't be shocked at all to see Lucic put up 35 goals with them.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Any of the Lucic to Rangers rumors still out there? They're a fast team that could use more toughness.

 

[cshea]

Friedman says LA is in the Lucic mix. They've talked before but it fell apart due to the cap. Revisiting now.

Bidding war is good.

 

[FL4WL3SS]

Fuckin' Right (TM) it is!
 
If Sweeney trades Lucic, it will tell us a lot about his ability as a GM. This will be a tough trade to pull off because he'll need to accomplish multiple things here - get fair value back and gain some salary cap flexibility.