Quoting: TheJonSnow
Using draft class ranks as a comparison doesn't really work. Each draft class is different, some being better and others being worse.
Caps decline. Pulijujarvi has been one of the more disappointing high draft picks of recent years. Would rather have Burakovsky on my team.
Quoting: TheJonSnow
Using draft class ranks as a comparison doesn't really work. Each draft class is different, some being better and others being worse.
Caps decline. Pulijujarvi has been one of the more disappointing high draft picks of recent years. Would rather have Burakovsky on my team.
Well said, and I mostly agree, but Burakovsky's already in new head coach Reirden's doghouse, and the Caps already have a bunch of Swedes and no German speakers, so it's about finding the right guys to work together.
In looking up those dubious numbers I noticed Burakovsky is outscoring Drouin, Domi, and Mantha, at evens. I wasn't familiar with the guys Puljujarvi is ahead of, but at least he's showing a little potential.
With Shumakov in the system, though, the Caps could trade Burakovsky for picks and still contend. They'd be some high picks, though.
Edmonton's the ideal fit because Burakovsky's from Austria, where they speak Draisaitl and Rieder's language. He played in Sweden for a while, but doesn't seem to have clicked with Backstrom. Bringing back a native Swede could work for team chemistry reasons, even though Pool Party's stock is plummeting.
Edmonton has tried ignoring nationality, drafting a Russian kid first overall and not signing anyone else who spoke his language for the six years that they wasted his time on their third line, got no production out of him, and wrecked his career. Signing Rieder to complement Draisaitl's native German speaking ability shows they might have turned a corner on that approach. Adding Burakovsky means they can all three speak their native language on the ice, for the first time in their careers. Clear communication should mean a career year for each of them. I'd look for 50, 50, and 80 points, because sports are easier when you can talk to your teammates.
Quoting: LobbysOilers
he's 20
And Swedish, with 14 goals and 29 points in his career. Yes. Burakovsky's 23 and Austrian, with 50 and 120, plus a championship he played a huge role in. Which one is going to bring out the best in Drai?