I’d be happy with wolski at third, too. I think without having to face top d pairings he’ll be much better. /crosses fingers and prays.

so it’s feasable to see Duchene-Stas on the ice together. Though I’d much rather see Duchene centering the second scoring line.

yeah, I agree. but that’s based on this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_is_the_Magic_Number_(Blind_Melon_song)

I mentioned this in another thread somewhere here, but was wondering if it was exempt because he had a family member involved. I always thought that was a big no no, too. I’m long since past the time of my nhl dreams, but when the cup came to Denver during the all star game, I didn’t particularly care to be in the line to touch it.

chute

Don’t scare me like that. I’m almost expecting Lacroix to end up screwing this up somehow, so this kind of headline is what I’m dreading.

most opinions I see seem to think Duchene could benefit from one more year in the minors, Jori included. He’s too young to play in the AHL, interestingly enough, so it’s got to be the OHL. but the OHL only allows a certain number of games played as a pro (9? 14?) before you lose your OHL eligibility and MUST stay in the NHL. And I don’t think preseason counts.

So Duchene probably will get a look see at the start of the next season if he impresses in camp. I doubt he plays the whole year though. 2010-11 he should be up full time. But if he DOES stay up next year, hockeymom, here’s a stab at lines if we don’t make many changes. I think Svatos and Lappy will be long gone too, and Hensick a callup.

Smyth – Stastny – Stewart (Not the fastest line, but big and skilled)
Galiardi – Duchene – Hejduk (Both young guys need that vet presence)
McLeod – Wolski – Jones (a true shutdown line, finally. Big, hard-hitting, and with offensive power to boot)
Stoa – Guite – McCormick (this 4th won’t play much, but has PKers)

and of course you’ll see Hensick and the 4th liners get folded in to larger roles as injuries take their toll as well.

since the Avs pick before them.

Atlanta is at 4. TB has a huge need for a D-man, so I think they’ll take Hedman.

as everyone says, it’s TB, not ATL picking at #2, but the question is still a good one: could Hedman or Tavares slip to #3?

TB is going to be in intense talks to trade Lecavalier for the next 2 months. If he is traded, they’ll probably want D in return. the kings, habs, and rangers are the teams rumored to be after him. while it’s hard to imagine a package that would appeal to the lightning from MTL, I could see the kings offering Jack Johnson and Frolov for Lecavalier, or the rangers something around marc staal (staal + a 1st?). then the TBL pick Duchene at #2, and they’ve got their 1 2 punch down the middle, a #1 young D to build around, and they’ve already got decent goaltending - all on the cheap. it really does make some sense in terms of dollars and cents.

we’ll see. I personally think the Avs need Duchene more than they need Hedman, but at the same time, Hedman could be a generational talent in a way Duchene is not. I’ll be happy either way, but it will be interesting to watch.

What do you think it would take for him to swap with the Avs…

I think it would take:

To Colorado:
7th pick
Kaberle
3rd rounder
Pogge

to Toronto:
3rd overall pick
Clark’s $3.5M clearing attempts
Tucker’s contract (can they take this under the cba?).

And if that’s the bounty Colorado is demanding (and they should demand that bounty) why would Burke even make that deal. That would be a coup for Colorado.

Basically for anyone to trade up more than a spot or two in this draft is going to be impossible. The prospects are too good to pass up for anything less than a King’s ransom. I doubt we see much activity by teams within the top-10 picks.

Kinda looks like a young Hensick to me. Is this prophetic? TJ & a 2nd or Pavelec/Lehtonen!!