Blackdraft Continues To Shake, Rattle And Roll

[goose 0]

Fairly substantial deal, I traded Luc Bourdon, a very solid prospect in the Vancouver system (their #1 prospect), for some current production and a kid with a huge upside.To Ingmen:Luc Bourdon, ml, VANTo Blackdraft:R.J. Umberger, PHIDerick Lapoint, ml, FLAIngmen 3rd, 4th picks in 08/09Ingmen 3rd pick in 09/10I'm excited to get Lapoint, Wayne was the pick before me in the 3rd round, and he took Lapoint (who was going to be my pick). I was pretty annoyed I didn't use my second round pick on him, but I managed to get him back which I'm happy about.He's definately risky, but his offensive potential is monstrous, he's fifth in scoring in the USHL (no, not d-man scoring, overall scoring). Umberger I don't expect a ton from, but if he turns into a consistent 60 point guy I'd be very happy, he's also a goal scorer, which is a nice bonus in the AHL. 3 more draft picks was just butter.Losing a blue chip prospect hurts, but I wanted a solid forward and I've been pissed for months I lost Lapoint in the draft by one spot. Oh, and I also have Edler on VAN defence.

[digitalmonkey 929]

Wow, I can't believe you gave up Bourdon.Nobody will trade with me anymore.

[goose 0]

Yeah it's a risk, definately. Umberger's got an okay upside though, he's producing right now, and if Edler shapes up I'll probably only be losing 20-25 points a year in production difference between Edler/Bourdon.If Lapoint turns out I'll look like a genius. I've spent hours and hours researching this kid, I think he's going to make it. I'll look like an idiot if he burns out in 3 months and ends up as a career AHL'er, but you've got to gamble sometimes.

[digitalmonkey 929]

Edler just scored his first NHL goal.

[WestcoastCanuck 0]

I think it is still pretty tough to evaluate how Bourdon will turn out. The Canucks really didn't give him much of a chance to succeed during his 9 game "tryout" this season. There is talent there, but the back end is the one area where the Canucks have a reasonable amount of depth (at the NHL level). It might be hard for him to get significant minutes for the next few seasons, meaning he might not develope like he should. It also means it will take a long time for you to find out if you have a dud or a stud on your hands. On top of all of that, the Canucks have an anemic offence that, without some big free agent help, will likely continue to struggle for a few seasons. I think you got pretty good value for him, considering all of the X-factors surrounding him.

[goose 0]

I think it is still pretty tough to evaluate how Bourdon will turn out. The Canucks really didn't give him much of a chance to succeed during his 9 game "tryout" this season. There is talent there, but the back end is the one area where the Canucks have a reasonable amount of depth (at the NHL level). It might be hard for him to get significant minutes for the next few seasons, meaning he might not develope like he should. It also means it will take a long time for you to find out if you have a dud or a stud on your hands. On top of all of that, the Canucks have an anemic offence that, without some big free agent help, will likely continue to struggle for a few seasons. I think you got pretty good value for him, considering all of the X-factors surrounding him.

Bourdon's not offensively gifted like Barker or the Johnson's IMO, and I agree Bourdon is still a lit bit of an unknown (whereas Umberger is not and still has more upside), plus Bourdon's had some injury careers so I'm always worried about that.