Big centers like Byfield take longer to develop, He was also one of the youngest players in the 2020 draft.

So you'd still take Byfield?

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised. They LOVE taking late risers (both Stutzle and Sanderson had their stock rise tremendously over the course of their draft year for example, I think guys like Sokolov and Pinto would probably fall into that category as well). At least Gauthier looks like he could be a 2nd line goal scorer. He's also big, physical, a good skater, and a decent 2-way guy, which Dorion loves. So if we end up slipping to like 10th I could definitely see them taking him, and I'd probably be disappointed, but if they take him top 7 that's near inexcusable when 3 of Wright, Cooley, Nemec, Jiricek, Slafkovsky, Kemell, Savoie, Kemell, or Nazar would still be on the board. Based on what Lambert's downsides are, I would be kinda surprised if they took him tbh. Plus Dorion hates guys that fall on draft day/in their draft year (passing on Kaliyev, Raty twice, Chibrikov, etc.). Like at least Gauthier looks like the next Kreider. The Sens clearly thought Boucher looked like the next Tom Wilson, when he actually looked (and continues to look) like the next William Carrier, if he even stays healthy long enough to make it to the NHL lol. I hope he has a huge breakout over the next couple years and capitalizes on the exciting elements he has (huge physicality, good speed, just needs to develop his skill to a high level) but I'm not holding my breath.

at 2? definitely. He is 19 YO. Raymond and Stutzle are both older and in better situations than Byfield.

Stutzle looks like he has 75-90pt top line potential. At the time no one knew if he was a winger or centre but now it’s clear he’s a centre

Stutzle is definitely going to be a top line center, I would still take Byfield at 2. I think he's going to be special, he has the full package - his makeup/skillset is so rare.

Wow.

Well looks like Colorado gonna 3 peat it lul

RIP Kuemper

The kid compares to players like Thorton and Spezza in their D-1 - D+2 seasons, I have no doubt Byfield will be a star center.

Why wasn't Kallgren pulled last night against the Bolts? Any idea?

Leafs were resting Campbell for Saturday. To Keefe despite the play made no sense to put Campbell in late.

It sucked but even if he went in as relief probs would have saw what happened with Florida. Come in cold and not do great anyways so why bother

Toronto wasnt in the mood this game and we know what they can do when they are so its a whatever loss that nobody was really bugged by. As we did show that we wont take no nonsense at the net or during plays anymore. Like 92PIM that game. Got to be a record for a leafs game lul.

Hopefully this does not phase Kallgren and he puts up a good performance against Washington and this time gets support. As ironically for 30mins he looked good then it all fell apart. Our PK especially was not the greatest.

Evander Kane hat trick!

#Oilers transaction: Ken Holland has announced a 6 year 36 million dollar contract for Evander Kane.

They cant afford that.

They got other guys to sign.

all the things being said from the EDM media leads me to believe Holland is capable of doing something stupid, like prioritizing Kane.

If he does hes leading them into multiple problems

I would focus on getting a younger starting goaltender who you can trust to play 45 games in a season.

As while Smith has been good hes also gotten injured quite a bit. Skinner has been good relief but is he capable of playing 40 games should Smith get hurt.

To me extend Yamamoto, JP, Mcleod and use the remaining money to sign a guy like Husso. Smith could mentor him and potentially his game could go to the next level

Gonna be tricky as those guys wont be cheap to extend.

Oilers are playing some fantastic hockey rn, and have been for weeks, but sure go ahead and make your Ken Holland jokes. Duncan Kieth was +5 last game, Kane is on a 41 goal pace, and the Oilers are the front runners for Kuzmemko, and Ceci has been great this year, Hyman has fit like a glove and has put up career highs across the board.

This game isn't over but honestly there's kind of a magic and a whimsy surrounding the Oilers right now.

They're going to win the Stanley Cup. I don't believe for a second they've been the best team this year. I just have this completely unshakable feeling that I haven't had since the day the Oilers won the 2015 lottery. It feels like when the sun breaks through after really bad weather with these guys. Can't explain it.

Man I hope I'm right.

Ryan McLeod does not get talked about enough, he is great

The hope never dies, it NEVER dies

One could honestly apply that feeling to all fan bases whose playoff team is doing well against strong opponents.

Honestly you may have just created a slogan for all playoff fanbases to use for the foreseeable future

To bad we cant pin comments but you better copyright it before some NHL bozo steals it

It isn’t the NHL Schedule makers fault u live in Finland

He bet the over on goals today

Lol it’s 5-2 Oilers now on Yamo’s 19th, Jay Woodcroft is amazing

McDavid also has 116 points now which ties his career high

I didn't blame it. I just stated a fact.