Giacomin

Did you guys see this tweet? Shesterkin has allowed one goal over his last four appearances (4-0-0 record, 0.25 GAA, .989 SV%, 3 SO in his last four appearances). He has posted a 6-0-0 record, along with a 0.83 GAA, a .966 SV%, and 3 SO in six KHL appearances in 2018-19

Yep, and those two will have some expectations to make the club out of camp. The 3 others could (and as of now should) start in Hartford. We need a good AHL farm system and we have to believe the new coaches and Drury/Gorton will make it a good place to develop. There is no reason, if they are deemed "ready" to not call them up. Maybe one before xmas and another around the deadline. That would be a good thing and slightly optimistic. Future, giving Chytil and Andersson their 9 games was the best move. They weren't ready, the team was a shit show and we got another ELC year. How can you argue the contrary. Odd post by you.

You're being funny, haha. Back to the other point, weren't you (and someone else here) saying no one gets gifted a spot, you have to earn it? Wouldn't that be even more relevent for 19 and 20 year olds? Maybe I'm mixing you up with someone, regardless I like the approach. Good precedent for coach to set. If kids start at Hartford they should have direction, goals and areas to work on. As they demonstrate progress they get called up. Unless your a franchise player, it is a natural progression. What is it about Hartford you don't trust. I assume you are not talking about the city. The A is the A. Hartford got new coaches last year. Is it the new coaches?

Rather see one of the kids get promoted around Thanksgiving and another in Jan/Feb. It is good for them to get a taste of the A and earn it. In the long run they'll appreciate it more. Highly doubt Shesty comes over and starts. Rykov and Lindgren are no locks to make the team. Hajek and Howden project more optimistically and should be here for good by 2019-20. I would guess Kravtsov too, if he has a strong year in the KHL.

Great news for Chelyabinsk (where Kuz played) and us. He can enjoy one last year home and take English lessons,

Yes, he needs some experience with the Chelyabinsk babes to get warmed up for lovely lasses of NY who will eat him alive.

Pressure can be managed with good mgmt. The pressure picks up once mgmt handles expectations poorly and doesn't put a wet blanket on any hype. Josh, times they are a changing. No reason to think talented fast physical 1st rounders need five years before being able to break into the league. Even raw defenders... and he is not raw or immature in a number of areas. He'll have no problem with the speed of the game or the size, something a lot of kids can't say.

Ha ha, right. But that is why you keep some of our vets and make a few short term sensible signings like Grabs and de Haan to fill some holes and add quality depth. Not Holland, DD and other guys I already forgot. The coach and players go into the season with some hope and talent and build from there. When planning who is taking the ice in the opener, forget about our 1st rounders and even Howden and Hajek, who may get some hype from the beat, but should start (and likely spend a year) in Hartford.

Yes yes, you're right and I wanted to clarify better. Accelerated, meaning 2 years in Sweden then come over and see how he does in camp. If its apparent he needs to start in Hartford, no biggie. But yeah, they are doing it right in Sweden and if it is best he spend 3 years in the SHL, so be it. His game is more refined than most Dmen his age. His body is immature.

Love this idea, but by no means want to suggest it is the best thing because I don't know enough. For instance, how would staying in the KHL versus AHL burn an extra year? What is the kids timeframe, is he interested in learning the language here, right away? Is he just jacked to get out of Russia or would he think it is good to stay home another year? Those should be the biggest factors.

That's fair. Wisconsin is a perfect place for him to be and we can see what he does this year against older kids. He'll learn a good D system and get the fundamentals down this year. No pressure, just listen to your coaches learn and enjoy. He improved nicely throughout the year on the USNT. He won't have Oliver the closer to pass it to, though. He's really dedicated and willing, he had a real good rep. I have a good feeling about his hockey aptitude. But yeah, he'll make mistakes every time he jumps a level and we shouldn't rush anyone up here. Miller, Lundkvist, Krav, Hajek, Howden in particular.

There was no way he was getting past the Isles or Dallas, the Stars had interest. Many teams (according to a scout survey) had him in the top 12, i think the worst was 17. The only question is will he be better than Wahlstrom and Dobson, who were the only guys consistently ranked higher by scouts. And for this discussion, are two guys most experts and fans were very high on. We'll get to compare right here in our backyard. If we want to add that mgmt had him higher than Zadina, then we'll keep an eye on him too and see which guy is the next Laine. Or Kuz in Krat's case. If we are to be honest though, Islander and Red Wing fans have reason to be overjoyed.

He's already playing with men and holding his own. Will be fun to track him in the SHL next year.

You know I'm not one to rush 18 y/o's let alone a kid who is still 17. Yet, this kid should be on the accelerated dev track of Lindberg and Fast, cause he has more skill and mature game. He should be fine with just one more year in the SHL. Then I'd like to get him over here for strength training and to adjust to the NA ice/game. Nice and normal. Barring any setbacks, he gets a full year in Hartford, then reports to camp to try and make the team in 2020,

Yes calm, very poised. Mature game. So much so that I disagree about 3-4 years. Physically, I can't wait for him to have a professional strength/weight training program. Hockey wise, when I watch him I think all he needs is 1 more year in the SHL and 1 year in the A and he is ready for the Garden.

Does not play small and very quick and slick to the puck on D. I like how he grabs loose pucks like a vet and does something productive with it. He's a kid who's #s will get better with more experience because he shows some good skill and tools. Plus his base defensive game is strong already and he will start focusing on O. He's built for a transition game and won't make stupid mistakes. Vert reliable defensively, but when you see him in a game he moves really well and has a sense for what is happening on ice.

Absolutely my #1 pick for 26 and a lot of fans, experts and scouts think the same. We woulda screw up 48 anyway :) His weaknesses are that he is still learning the position, having been a converted forward. That is not a weakness of his doing and he is growing into the position nicely. After that I can't find a serious weakness, everything is improvable. Burns/Buff is a good comparison if he reaches his potential. Good driven kids with strong work ethic are the best bets to achieve their potential. Go US

Gorton said he believed he was not going to be there at 26. That always raises the price, but also makes it worth it. If you like a player a lot, think he is BPA with impact player potential and think he'll be gone, then the 48th pick shouldn't hold you back. Sucks, but I'm gonna convince myself Anaheim knows D and was going to take him. Not far fetched.

Byfield is only 15 and he's a lean 6'4" 205 freak. 1st overall pick in the OHL, averaged about 3 points per game last season. He is a real good kid too (heard interviews with him and people who know/follow him), looks and acts like a man. His stick handling, passing, boardwork are exceptional. Don't sleep on him. Reminds me of when Lindros was 16 (for those who remember) and this kid is still 15.

Byfield #1 and Lefreniere goes #2. But you can take whoever you think is the top prospect and you get till that draft to decide.

Then again season tickets for life would feed the family for life. How much income would I get every year?

That cheap Orange color is not a good look and 95% of the fun is in the journey. So the question is down to would I rather have McDavid ( I assume with his current contract) or build our own powerhouse with Jack Hughes and Quinton Byfield on ELCs. Tough one

That's probably right. I'm hoping he's in Hartford and playing every night, improving his game. We'll reconnect around US Thanksgiving.

An even better way to look at it is to ask the question: Would the Rangers still make the same pick? The answer is a resounding yes. Only picks after 81 that have seen any time in the NHL are Mete (4th round) and Bratt and Maxim (6th). Add that many Dmen needs years to develop after the draft, why are we so quick to judge? He's improved. He played consistently well in the playoffs. He needs to keep improving, that is the key. He needs that and some time.

He may well struggle in the AHL in his 1st year. However, many NHL Dmen (and forwards - look at Tampa) need a couple of years to learn to think the game, make better decisions, anticipate and play better defense. He has many of the tools. Blue may be right, in that he is a project. Possibly a good project. His exceptional status built unreasonable expectations and actually hurts his perception. His development should be slow.