Mercalius Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 Starts tomorrow (Sunday) at 2 P.M. Central Time. The whole draft will be taking place in one day. Airing on NBCSN and TSN. Live streams will be available (PM me if you want one). The last week has been a blur of rumors, smoke, and mirrors. Legit free-agents have been bought out, trade speculation has ramped up to ridiculous levels, and there's a lot of uncertainty on how the top 10 will play out. The Preds pick 4th, and here's how I currently think it will go. 1.) Avalanche - MacKinnon 2.) Panthers - Jones 3.) Tampa - Drouin 4.) Predators - Barkov. I don't see Jones lasting past Florida, let alone past Tampa - however, Barkov could be taken before Drouin, and if that happens, I have no doubt that would be our pick. I said over a month ago I believed Barkov would be the pick, and all of the talking/speculation since then has definitely shaken things up, but current mocks and leaks from the media are hinting that the top 4 will largely reset to where they were prior to the last couple of weeks. Regardless, we're very likely getting an elite player tomorrow (barring no trade) and if it's Barkov or Drouin, I'm going to be ecstatic. I will be very happy with Jones, but I'd definitely prefer one of the forwards. However, if by some miracle Jones does slip to 4, we have to be extremely happy as most consider him the best overall prospect in the draft - even if he doesn't immediately fill a position of need. We would have a ridiculously stacked defense in a season or two and could potentially leverage one of our players for a king's ransom in a future trade. Still though, I don't see how he isn't gone within the first 2, let alone 3, picks. Anyhoo, let's use this thread to discuss the madness that will take place tomorrow. I'm expecting at least one huge trade, though I really don't think it will involve anyone picking in the top 5. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KogaShuko Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 Hearing rumours the Canucks might consider moving Schneider now. To Edmonton for a player and possibly 7th overall. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercalius Posted June 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 Poile and the GM of the Panthers were just seen chatting. Seemed pretty casual. New rumors are that Tampa Bay wouldn't pick Barkov - Nichushkin is being talked about as a darkhorse for pick no. 3 if Drouin was off the board. Will be interesting if that plays out as it would leave the Preds with (likely) their choice between Barkov or Jones. Still don't see how Mac and Jones aren't the first two picks though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercalius Posted June 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 Flames apparently offered Colorado all three of their 1st round picks but were turned down. Speculation on the draft room floor is that 10+ trades could be made early today. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercalius Posted June 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 Not sure the source but was just posted on HF forum: * Several sources are telling me that at least 5 teams have put forward mega offers to Colorado and at least 1 is "worth extra consideratiion." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercalius Posted June 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 Pretty decent sign the Preds are locked in at 4 and not interested in trading out. Darren Dreger @DarrenDreger 1m Canes have 2 firm offers and a 3rd nibbling on 5th overall. Toronto is out. Carolina may wait until 4th pick to make a deal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 This is going to be crazy. I haven't been this excited about a Predators draft since, well, ever. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercalius Posted June 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 So long as we don't trade down, I'm basically happy assuming Poile's draft board matches consensus opinion. You can't go wrong with Mac, Jones, Drouin, or Barkov. Nich/Monohan/Lindholm are the picks that are inherently riskier though they could be just as good - just not quite on the same level. I won't go on a rampage if any of those guys are the pick, but it will be so much better to nab one of the first four. I really, really hope Jones goes before us though and that Poile doesn't do anything crazy. He seems pretty set at sticking at 4. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercalius Posted June 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 Oh, and just to add some interesting tidbits - Darnell Nurse, the consensus 2nd best defenseman in the draft and likely top 8 pick, in addition to being Donovan McNabb's nephew, says Shea Weber is his favorite hockey player and the Titans (not the Eagles) are his favorite NFL team. Was interesting to hear that, but I don't see him really being on our radar. Maybe one day when he hits FA, but I don't see us trading down at all, especially to take a D-man. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercalius Posted June 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 Poile giving an interview - sounds set in stone we're staying at 4. Asked about traditionally drafting defense, said Jones was a great guy to go first overall and he'd really have to think if he was there at 4, however, he can't deny that common sense lends us to taking a forward. Also, he got named the Team USA GM for the coming year. Great news for him and our franchise. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercalius Posted June 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 Trade news. @penguins: #Pens acquire 2013 2nd-round pick (50th overall) from San Jose in exchange for Tyler Kennedy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercalius Posted June 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 Uh oh. adater @adater 11mFor what it's worth, hearing Florida would take Barkov at No. 2, after Mac at No. 1 with Avs. We shall see in a few Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 Yeah, it's awesome for Polie. I guarantee if Jones is on the board he's our pick. Like everyone else, I'd be thrilled with a forward. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 I'm honestly warming up to the idea of Jones. He's maybe the best player in the draft and it's harder to find stud defense men. It seems like I've heard from Polie about him more than anyone--maybe he knows something we don't? I'd be happy with Drouin too. Paul Kariya was my favorite player when he was here and it seems like Drouin could be that kind of guy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercalius Posted June 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 I'm honestly warming up to the idea of Jones. He's maybe the best player in the draft and it's harder to find stud defense men. It seems like I've heard from Polie about him more than anyone--maybe he knows something we don't? I'd be happy with Drouin too. Paul Kariya was my favorite player when he was here and it seems like Drouin could be that kind of guy. My preference of the four is actually MacKinnon/Barkov/Drouin - though they're all seriously a coinflip to me. I've looked so much into Barkov lately, that's it's probably partially homerism, but I do think if he played in Canada as opposed to Europe - he'd be more in the mix for 1 overall. Drouin is barely, just BARELY, below both of them and I fully admit his offensive potential would be so fucking exciting to watch. Jones is what he is, one of the best defensive prospects that has come out in a decade. People forget how ridiculous his offensive game is too. He averaged almost a PPG this last season with all the measurables/intangibles you could want out of a franchise D-man. Team need just makes me not be able to be *as* excited about landing him as the other three, though if we were a blank team without Weber/Josi, I'd likely put him ahead of all the three and be foaming at the mouth for him. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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