I'm hoping every passes on Merkley b/c of his defense and Caps grab him late. So please don't draft him.

When is he expected tob drafted? What rank?

of all those defenseman named he's predicted to go last. Somewhere in the 13-20 range probably

I don't understand your trade with Dallas. Edmonthon is receiving the 10th pic and Stephen Johns? I think you have things confused. I am assuming you meant that Edmonton, who currently has the 10th overall pick, would trade that pic to Dallas for their #13 pick and Stephen Johns? There is no way Merkley is going in the top 20, so the Oilers would have plenty of opportunity to trade.

I really like this. However, I think it makes too much sense for Oilers management to pull it off, sadly.

Then the smart thing to do is trade down because I’m sure there are teams in that range that really want a top 10 pick

He is that polarizing dman that say NHL execs may shy away from. But with that being said his offensive numbers are excellent

Don't know why CGY does that. Lazar has all the value of dirt, but at least he's not expensive dirt like Kris Russell

I had them backwards thank you... but i wouldnt be so sure that Merkely will make it past 13-15 range.

He tends to be very high on himself, but not his teammates. So people are worried about a situation where he's going to cause personal issues within the locker room. Similar to Tyler Seguin in Boston

Well if I'm Edmonton i'm offering Puljujarvi and the 10th pick to move up to someone who needs forward help more than RHD (Montreal?)

Well this may come about based on Calgary dealing a dman (Hamilton or Brodie) to add to their top 6 forward group and Russell was loved in Calgary

But if Mtl needed forward help, they’d keep #3 and draft Tkachuk or Zadina. I think it’s too early for Edmonton to trade Pulj or Yam. Everyone’s doing it, but I disagree with it.

I am 100% positive that Ryan Merkely will not be drafted in the top 15.

A 2nd and a cond. 4th, both over a year out? If that's all that Fabbri is worth to other teams, the Blues would just keep him and see what he can do.

The problem with dealing Pulijujarvi right now is you are dealing at a low point for him. I would love if EDM could scoop Zadina but are MTL or CAR willing to move that far back?

but he's such expensive dirt.

Thats not highway robbery , in fact i think its quite fair. STL has lots of money tied up for 2019 and with expansion looming they may see the value in adding draft picks for the future

I initially had edmonton retaining 1,000,000 of the Russell cap hit

Merkley has a ton of potential, but like Ho-Sang, has character problems which will bump him down big time. He'll more than likely be available way later than 13. I've got him 26th in my mock draft

Well I disagree. We have plenty of room and we need more skilled guys for our top 9. Fabbri will sign a 1-yr deal for around 1.5m - it's best for both sides. The team doesn't know what he'll look like after the injury and Fabbri will have a chance to cash in if he plays well. If it was a 2018 2nd (pick #40) and there was a guy that the Blues really liked, maybe it's reasonable, but I doubt they just move on from him for picks when they're trying to improve the roster.

Puljujarvi hasn't fully panned out but they do have Yamamoto. Plus, forwards are easier to find than good defenseman

Montreal yes. Carolina no.

If he played an ounce of defense, he'd be a top 5 pick. He might be the best offensive dman in the draft besides Dahlin. He's a mini Karlsson. Unreal in the ozone a ghost in the dzone, though Karlsson is now great in the dzone.