You couldn’t get Cooley with ALL the players and pieces you are trading here!

Burkie and Hextall running a draft has got to be one of the most dangerous combo's in hockey.

No way they move Cooley

that really is the sad truth. not enough even if they wanted to.

So this is basicallly Cooley for 2 first. That doesn't cut it

Cooley was drafted 3rd overall! Arizona aren't trading him for two middling 1sts.

You’re gonna have to pay to move that Dumo contract

you call them middling but by the time Hextall is done with this team it might be top 10 picks

That could be true. But quality over quantity IMO.

I’m a diehard Gopher Hockey fan and I’ve watched ever game of Cooley’s this year (some of them twice) and he is an absolute stud! His game is elite in every category and improving by the second!

the thought process on going after Cooley is the fan base is going to need to cheer for something coming in the next two years. a very good hometown star would do the trick. that would help fill the seats when the really dark time come. pre Crosby era is right around the corner.

What do you think of Knies game, will it translate to nhll level this year? Many Leafs fans think he will be playing top 6 minutes in playoff. What's your take on his situation?

Wings pass not close at all

Leafs fan overrate him.

I think so too, but just haven't have the chance to see him play much, therefore my questions to someone who has

Kapanen is on waivers today so I don't think Pittsburg will be getting anything for him.

Knies definitely has a bright future in the NHL, but I will caution you (Leafs fans in general) that I do not see him as a top line guy…maybe not even a great 2nd liner. I see him as a great 3rd liner who can be moved up and down to fill in for injuries, matchups, etc., or as an average-ish 2nd liner. What he brings in spades is size, speed, strength, toughness, and effort! His hands are good, not great and I would describe his shot the same. Where I think he might struggle to reach expectations is his processor speed (hockey IQ). He’s a long ways from being a dumb hockey player, but compared to the rest of the package, this is what I think might limit him from being a 10-12 year top 6 player. Regardless, you have a nice future piece and every team in the league would want in in their cupboards!

Editing because I forgot to answer your actual question…
Because of his size, strength, effort, etc, I think it will be a fairly easy transition for him to play right away in the NHL. For the reasons I stated above, I think he will start out as a role player on the 3rd or 4th line (higher if the coach wants balance throughout the lineup…)

However, my gut tells me that if the Gophers don’t win it all this year, he might consider returning to school for one more year. I feel like he and Cooley and Snuggerud might have some unfinished business to attend to.

Sir, Thank you very much for this great explanation, I truly appreciate your time and insight. Have a great day