TOP 5 PICK!!!

[Redleaf]

Craig Button's final list is out:

http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=49649

His list is dramatically different than many others. While I'm not sure what to make of some of his choices, I think this does suggest the differences that teams will have in each of their lists and they won't resemble the typical rankings and mock drafts we see that more or less mimic each other with one or two subtle differences.

Incidentally, Dumba is growing on me.

I've been a fan for a while now, and see him as the ultimate Brian Burke defenseman. He may be lacking overall size, but is a big strong player nonetheless.

I would wager that Dumba is extremely high on the Leafs list heading into the draft. I'm guessing in the top 3.

 

[bustaheims]

Craig Button's final list is out:

http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=49649

His list is dramatically different than many others. While I'm not sure what to make of some of his choices, I think this does suggest the differences that teams will have in each of their lists and they won't resemble the typical rankings and mock drafts we see that more or less mimic each other with one or two subtle differences.

Incidentally, Dumba is growing on me.

Having Murray as the 8th ranked defenceman in this draft is just absurd. So is having Subban at 8th. After Yakupov, Button's list really descends into what really appears to be madness.

 

[ZBBM]

That list is a little crazy, no?  Truly, Grigorenko at 20?

I will say this: the team that drafts Slater Koekkoek is getting a player with a name so epic that it should never actually be spoken, out of reverence.

 

[Kin]

That list is a little crazy, no?  Truly, Grigorenko at 20?

I will say this: the team that drafts Slater Koekkoek is getting a player with a name so epic that it should never actually be spoken, out of reverence.

It looks to be a great draft name-wise. Koekkoek, Hampus Lindholm, Griffin Reinhart and the incomparable Martin Frk.

 

[Corn Flake]

That list is a little crazy, no?  Truly, Grigorenko at 20?

I will say this: the team that drafts Slater Koekkoek is getting a player with a name so epic that it should never actually be spoken, out of reverence.

It looks to be a great draft name-wise. Koekkoek, Hampus Lindholm, Griffin Reinhart and the incomparable Martin Frk.

Dumba, yo.

 

[bustaheims]

It looks to be a great draft name-wise. Koekkoek, Hampus Lindholm, Griffin Reinhart and the incomparable Martin Frk.

Teuvo Teravainan sounds like an Olympic skiier, not a hockey player. Zemgus Girgensons cannot be said with a straight face.  Phillip Di Giuseppe sounds like a bad Italian stereotype.

 

[LuncheonMeat]

Craig Button's final list is out:

http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=49649

His list is dramatically different than many others. While I'm not sure what to make of some of his choices, I think this does suggest the differences that teams will have in each of their lists and they won't resemble the typical rankings and mock drafts we see that more or less mimic each other with one or two subtle differences.

Incidentally, Dumba is growing on me.

Having Murray as the 8th ranked defenceman in this draft is just absurd. So is having Subban at 8th. After Yakupov, Button's list really descends into what really appears to be madness.

Teuvo Teravainen 5 Jokerit (FIN) 9/11/94 RW L 5'11/165 40 11 7 18 -5

I got a giggle at Teravainen at number 5 just because I can't see Burke taking a 165 pound winger from Finland with his pick (not to take anything away from the kid).    He wouldn't, would he??

 

[bustaheims]

I got a giggle at Teravainen at number 5 just because I can't see Burke taking a 165 pound winger from Finland with his pick (not to take anything away from the kid).    He wouldn't, would he??

He probably wouldn't, but there's been talk that the Isles might like him at 4 or the Ducks at 6, etc, so, ranking him as the 5th best prospect in the draft is not as big a reach as many others in Button's list.

 

[LuncheonMeat]

I got a giggle at Teravainen at number 5 just because I can't see Burke taking a 165 pound winger from Finland with his pick (not to take anything away from the kid).    He wouldn't, would he??

He probably wouldn't, but there's been talk that the Isles might like him at 4 or the Ducks at 6, etc, so, ranking him as the 5th best prospect in the draft is not as big a reach as many others in Button's list.

I've definitely heard good things about him.  I just got a real kick out of the thought of Burke selecting an undersized winger with his pick.  I don't think I slept enough last night. 

 

[Kin]

I got a giggle at Teravainen at number 5 just because I can't see Burke taking a 165 pound winger from Finland with his pick (not to take anything away from the kid).    He wouldn't, would he??

He might. It's not like Nazem Kadri was a physical powerhouse.

 

[Etiam Vultus]

That list is a little crazy, no?  Truly, Grigorenko at 20?

There are precedents for a top-rated player falling that far:

-  Angelo Esposito was rated # 1 at one point and fell to 20th in 2007; 

-  Alexei Cherepanov RIP, was also rated quite high and fell to 17th.

 

[bustaheims]

There are precedents for a top-rated player falling that far:

-  Angelo Esposito was rated # 1 at one point and fell to 20th in 2007; 

The Esposito situation is a little different. He was ranked #1 going into his draft year, but saw his stock drop at a fairly consistent pace over the course of the season leading up to the draft - to the point where he wasn't considered a top 10 prospect by just about anyone by the time the draft rolled around. Grigorenko is still considered a top 5 talent by most.

 

[Kin]

-  Alexei Cherepanov RIP, was also rated quite high and fell to 17th.

It's should be mentioned, though, that Cherepanov's draft was smack in the middle of NHL teams being worried about signing Russians because of the KHL. Sure, Grigorenko is similarly Russian and that threat still exists to some extent but I don't think that should be reflected in a scout's rankings.

 

[cw]

Saw a recent interview of Burke on Sportsnet. He was talking about normally taking the best player but this year, because the talent gap between the top players wasn't that great, he said that he might draft by position of most need (sounded like the tie breaker to me).

His feelings echo mine in that I'm not blown away by a particular top talent. And that leads me to wonder how hard I would try to trade up since the talent gap between 1st and 5th apparently isn't that great.

EDIT: I should add that that wouldn't normally stop them from trading a young roster player and a second for a first. But at the deadline, Burke didn't want to trade young players for picks so I have some doubts he'd do that now because he's in a hurry to keep his job. I have my doubts many of the first rounders are going to be able to step in and help next season.

 

[ZBBM]

That list is a little crazy, no?  Truly, Grigorenko at 20?

I will say this: the team that drafts Slater Koekkoek is getting a player with a name so epic that it should never actually be spoken, out of reverence.

It looks to be a great draft name-wise. Koekkoek, Hampus Lindholm, Griffin Reinhart and the incomparable Martin Frk.

Dumba, yo.

Frk you, you Dumba.  You can go Hampus my Koekkoek.

 

[Guru Tugginmypuddah]

Use #5 to pick Subban? 

 

[maplesyrup]

Use #5 to pick Subban?

Eff that!

 

[puckhog78]

Use #5 to pick Subban?

Eff that!

I agree. No thanks, at least not that high. but if he's still available at Pick 35?? definately. I know Button ranks him high but ive seen his value all over the map.

 

[bustaheims]

Use #35 to pick Subban?

A more appropriate question.

 

[Tigger]

Craig Button's final list is out:

http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=49649

His list is dramatically different than many others. While I'm not sure what to make of some of his choices, I think this does suggest the differences that teams will have in each of their lists and they won't resemble the typical rankings and mock drafts we see that more or less mimic each other with one or two subtle differences.

Incidentally, Dumba is growing on me.

Yeah, but #2, holy cow. Also, he has Gaunce at #38... hope the Leafs get him at #35....