As good as Tippett would be to get, no way he gets out of the Top 5 (unless you think we get into the Top 5).

I would think about (depending on how players fall and who they think will make the team next year) getting another D-man with the first round pick. I was looking at a few of the mock draft sites and they have a lot of defensemen going around where we are picking (FanRag has us taking Callan Foote right now and I wouldn't be mad about that).

Why are the Lighting likely to trade Gusev for a 4th rounder? He seems like a pretty decent player from a quick check but it's the first I've ever heard of him, is there more to it?

I'm hoping they sign Vecchione too but I think he'd start in the AHL - I'd rather that and have Lindblom from the start up. They Flyers certainly aren't far from being able to ice 3 good lines from their top 9.

I think this is what makes this draft interesting, I've read a few different rankings and Tippet is going anywhere from 3rd to 12th, same with Eeli Tolvanen (7th to 14th) who I'd be interested in. Realistically I think the Flyers can only hope for 11th pick (but probably 12th or 13th) - if they could get into that top 10 and snag either of those guys it's be great but I suspect it's a pipe dream!

Well if you look I created Cody Glass because I don't think Tippett falls either so I agree with you on that.



Maybe it would take more to get him, but I think they realize that their top-9 is set in stone and he is already 24 and probably not getting a shot with them. They haven't even signed him to a contract and he is going to be a UFA soon I believe. I saw some highlights of him from watching the KHL playoffs and like what I see. Don't know why he hasn't signed with Tampa but I would be willing to give up a 3rd for him. I think the issue has been trying to convince him to come over to the U.S. - most Russians want to go straight to the NHL and aren't willing to play in the minors so that might be why he hasn't come over. I would have put Lindblom up, but with Gusev I didn't want to put him on the 4th line and Gusev isn't going to go to the minors. Therefore, Lindblom would play down in the AHL and I'd like to put him on a line with Rubtsov centering it.

I want Lindblom to start too this is just another route. Gusev on the top line and Vecchione on the 4th makes sense. Then we Have our top line in LHV of: Lindblom - Rubtsov - Laughton... get their chemistry and familiarity up and then hopefully we have a decent 3rd line the following year with guys that could move anywhere in the lineup

Ah, didn't realise he was that 'old'. Makes more sense to me now. Certainly might be worth a shot, that's for sure.