The Thread Where We've All Got Playoff Beards

[Ruki]

I would still be ok if the Leafs traded up for a forward.

[Guest mr. potato head]

Hmm. Don't think we have any Dallas fans here, but Faksa's a good pick. Amazing improvement from October to April, if he keeps up at that pace he'll be very good in the NHL. Great goalscorer, good playmaker, great skater, and starting to pick up a more physical game. Worst case scenario, he's Robert Reichel.

Will need some time to develop though.

Edited June 23, 2012 by mr. potato head

[NobBe Nobbs]

FYI, Colorado basically traded Filip Forsberg and a second-round pick for Semyon Varlamov.

[Guest mr. potato head]

Pierre McGuire is livid about this Buffalo/Calgary trade. If one of Ceci/Maatta/Finn is still available at 21, I think Pierre can be safely ignored.

Though I don't know any of them will still be on the board then.

And Buffalo continues their march toward becoming a Soviet outpost in upstate New York.

[Mountainous Cleavage]

Buffalo making moves, swapped 1st's with Calgary and added a 2nd to move up to the current pick, then drafts Girgensons.

Cody Ceci to Ottawa. Fitting, being from the 67's and all.

Edited June 23, 2012 by Mountainous Cleavage

[Guest mr. potato head]

Ottawa takes Cody Ceci. Local pick yes, but easily worth a pick even a few slots earlier. Underrated because of there being so many good d-men this year. He'll make a good partner for Karlsson in a couple years.

[Mountainous Cleavage]

I'm calling Washington grabbing Maata.

EDIT: Scratch that, Tom Wilson to the Caps right as I post that.

Damn Wilson's a big guy.

Edited June 23, 2012 by Mountainous Cleavage

[Guest mr. potato head]

I'm calling Washington grabbing Maata.

I thought the same, but they went with Tom Wilson. Guess it being the second pick allowed them to take a bit of a flier. Lots of upside here. Worst case, he's a great physical forward for a shutdown line, but he showed flashes of offence with Plymouth this year.

San Jose surely can't let Maatta go by. He's gonna look like a steal in a couple years' time.

Edited June 23, 2012 by mr. potato head

[Guest mr. potato head]

...and of course, San Jose *does* let Maatta go by, in favour of the guy we should all call Hertl the Turtle.

[Ruki]

....really, Calgary?

[Mountainous Cleavage]

Malcom Subban to BOSTON?! Ohhh shitttt

[Guest mr. potato head]

Not sure I buy into all the Subban hype. Depends how he develops. Can think of 6-7 OHL goalies offhand who were better than him last year, though admittedly they had a year or two on him.

[Guest mr. potato head]

Holy shit, St. Louis WAY off the board taking Jordan Schmaltz. I've heard good things though, heard he could be on part with Maatta.

[Guest mr. potato head]

Holy shit, Tanner Pearson to Los Angeles at #30. THIRD year Pearson was eligible for the draft. Very interesting pick by the Kings. Lots of upside, lots of risk.

Very surprised not to see Matt Finn go in the first round. He has to be one of the first few picks tomorrow, I'd think. Might never become a Norris winner, but he looks like he could be a very good NHL defenceman.

Other names to keep an eye out for tomorrow: Oscar Dansk (best goalie remaining, some say almost as good as Subban and Vasilevski), Martin Frk (good goal scorer, much like Pearson but two years younger), Colton Sissons (dependable but not flashy forward).

Plus a few Kitchener players who could get drafted - Marcantuoni, McEneny, Palazzese, Iafrate, Fanelli in some rough order - that will keep me interested.

[Plubby]

Tweet of the first round:

Bettman: we have a trade to announce

Rick Nash: I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!

[SeanDMan]

Forsberg to Washington!

In what was originally the Avs pick. Can you imagine, the Avs drafting Forsberg?

[Toe]

I like the pick. If Burke ranked him so highly, I trust that. I think forward is a better bet so high in the draft but I still think its good.

[Plubby]

I think Burke does a good job. If he's high on him then I'll give him his chance. The reaction was just golden though.

[Ruki]

Tweet of the first round:

Bettman: we have a trade to announce

Rick Nash: I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!

...bwahahaha. That is the best thing ever.

[Ruki]

After calming down (I really wanted Galy, Forsburg or Grigs...could you tell?), I am ok with the pick. Our D is going to be stacked for years to come.