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Leaf Rumours

Likelyhood is, 7th pick produces a 2nd liner. Gunnarsson is already a quality 2nd pairing guy + whatever comes of #21. I think the Leafs would end up losing this deal, or at best coming out even.

But I agree, draft picks tend to be overrated and you typically have to overpay to get them.
 
I don't disagree that it would make Edmonton a better team and their odds of getting a better player are probably less than they would like to believe.

But its just how high picks are valued in the NHL. That potential, unlikely as it may be, is valued very, very highly. We all know we aren't getting the 7th pick for a guy like Gunnar.

Which is why I started off by saying moving up to 7 isn't worth it. If you can get a bit higher to get a guy like Barkov, who offers the very rare package of being a big, skilled center then maybe you can think about paying the price. But I wouldn't move up to 7 and hope a guy like Monahan or Lindholm becomes a averaged sized #1 center.
 
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A bird in hand >

Don't chase another pick from the Oilers. It'd be worthwhile to move up at the right price, but Reiley or Gardiner or Kadri are untouchables.

Now, re: Bernier. Here's the deal. I am a big believer of Reimer as #1. I also believe Scrivens can be a competent backup. I do not, however, believe Scrivens will be a starter in the NHL.

Bernier, OTOH, has a very good chance of becoming a good full-time starter goalie in this league, and a decent chance of being great.

If we end up with 2 1A starters, I think that's an excellent and enviable position to be in. Would I be actively going for an upgrade in G? No. But at the right price, I don't mind.

Frattin +, say, Blacker ... I'd call that a fair price. A pretty good price actually.
 
I'm not sold on Bernier at all... the guy has only played 62 games in 5 years in the NHL and his career save percentage still isn't as good as Reimers... where exactly is the proof that this guy projects to be such a great starter?
 
leafman101 said:
I don't think you'd be able to get it without trading Gardiner or Rielly. And I might consider moving one of them for a shot at Barkov, but not Monahan or Lindholm. So I'd forget about #7.
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I think that Monahan is a better player than Barkov, and Lindolm is probably more skilled in any event, but still, if the guy you like is there it's something reasonable to think about.
 
I disagree. Barkov played at a ppg in the Finish elite league against men, up there with Granlund for some of the best numbers ever for a 17 year old in the finish league. Plus he was a ppg guy at the WJC, outperforming Lindholm who is a year older.

There is a reason he is a consensus top 4 pick and getting mentioned among the first 3 picks and those other guys aren't.
 
Honestly, IMO he doesn't have limited skating at all. He's not like Tavares or anything like that.

He has the complete package of size, playmaking and goalscoring ability that hasn't really come along in the draft since Kopitar IMO. A 17 year old that is 6'3 210 and has it all offensively speaking.
 
leafman101 said:
Honestly, IMO he doesn't have limited skating at all. He's not like Tavares or anything like that.

He has the complete package of size, playmaking and goalscoring ability that hasn't really come along in the draft since Kopitar IMO.
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Honestly, I think you're pumping his tires needlessly a bit.

He's a tremendous talent and one of the better ones in terms of his play in all three zones, but he's not as big as Kopitar (Anze is a solid 6'4 and close to 230 pounds while Barkov is 6'2, 200ish) and I don't think that he has the same skill. The player I think he projects well as is a Rod Brind'Amour. A conscientious defensive player with a lot of strength and great at puck possession, very good shot and play-making skills, but maybe not quite as high-end potential as some of the other top centres in the draft.
 
Cojo said:
I'm not sold on Bernier at all... the guy has only played 62 games in 5 years in the NHL and his career save percentage still isn't as good as Reimers... where exactly is the proof that this guy projects to be such a great starter?
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You don't have to be sold on Bernier, and he doesn't have to be better than Reimer either.

If we can believe Bernier will be better than Scrivens (which I do) then this trade will indeed improve the Leafs' goaltending. Maybe it will improve it a lot (if Bernier can develop into an elite starter) or maybe it will improve it a little (if he develops into a competent 1B) ... but it will improve.

Is goaltending a primary area of concern we need to address this summer? No. Is Bernier gonna be worth the price? Depending on what it is, most likely not really. But it is an improvement nevertheless.

And if Bernier is going to cost us Frattin + 2nd rounder, then I'd say sure, go for it.

The only thing I'd be very cautious with, is what is the mindset of Bernier. He's whined a bit in LA, is he ready to come in and share the net with Reimer, and potentially playing 1B to Reimer's 1A? Can he share the net? If he expects to be the starter and play 60+ games from this point on, then I'd say no to him, regardless of his asking price. I'd much rather go with Reimer + Scrivens if I know Bernier can't share the net.
 
JaysCyYoung said:
Honestly, I think you're pumping his tires needlessly a bit.

He's a tremendous talent and one of the better ones in terms of his play in all three zones, but he's not as big as Kopitar (Anze is a solid 6'4 and close to 230 pounds while Barkov is 6'2, 200ish) and I don't think that he has the same skill. The player I think he projects well as is a Rod Brind'Amour. A conscientious defensive player with a lot of strength and great at puck possession, very good shot and play-making skills, but maybe not quite as high-end potential as some of the other top centres in the draft.
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Couldn't disagree more. Skill and talent wise he was one of the best 17 year olds ever to come out of Finland. Think about that for a second. You are selling his skill short and making him sound like an Armia type prospect who is just big and has offensive limitations. Its more impressive than the other guys you are comparing him to.

Like I said, there is a reason he is a consensus top 4 pick and getting thrown in with the top 3.

And size wise he is 6'3 210 at 17. Kopitar wasn't 230 when he was drafted. A year younger and he has a good 20 pounds on Monahan and Lindholm who are both around 190.
 
Hey, we all have favourites in the draft.

I know you're not going to agree where Irish and I have him ranked on our top fifty list we're working on though.
 
So according to Doug Maclean, Bernier starts with a first rounder. This is like the Rick Nash situation. We will hear how Bernier will fetch this huge package and he'll be acquired for far less.
 
There's always GMs willing to trade a ton for goalies. Someone will offer up a Toskala-type package for Bernier. Hopefully he works out better for them than toskala.
 
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