Here's my interpretation of how the first round will play out. Enjoy!
1. Edmonton: Taylor Hall – Too much hype surrounding the kid for him not to be selected 1st overall. Although Edmonton could get away with drafting Seguin, Hall has to be the pick here I think.
2. Boston: Tyler Seguin – The logical choice in the number 2 spot. Boston has strength down the middle, but Krecji could be moved and Bergeron is a UFA after next season.
3. Florida: Erik Gudbrandson – A rock in which they can build around. Gudbrandson brings a different dynamic to a rebuilding Florida team.
4. Columbus: Brandon Gormley – can play in any situation and will provide good offensive contribution that Columbus needs on the D.
5. NYI: Cam Fowler – Will make a great addition to a building Islander group. The best available offensive-defender to a team that needs a blue-chip defender.
6. Tampa Bay: Nino Niederreiter– Yzerman adds some size in this U-20 power-forward sensation. Add's a serious power-forward to a team that requires quality wingers.
7. Carolina: Ryan Johansson – Best player available at this point. Adds more size up the middle, and while they’d like to add a defender they can’t pass up on Johansson.
8. Atlanta Thrashers: Jack Campbell – A surprise pick, but with Bogosian and Kane, a potential franchise goalie is needed going forward.
9. Minnesota Wild: Jeffrey Skinner – A pure offensive talent that hasn't been around since Gaborik.
10. New York Rangers: Brett Connolly – Rangers think they can afford to gamble on this talent who may be a steal at this point.
11. Dallas Stars: Derek Forbort - After selecting Glennie last season, Dallas looks to add a blue-chip defensive talent at 11th overall.
12. Anaheim Ducks: Austin Watson – A big forward who will be an NHL player someday. A safe pick and fits the style the Ducks play.
13. Phoenix Coyotes: Alex Burmistrov – Can’t pass up this top-end talent like Burmistrov. Russian factor is there, but not a concern for the developing Phoenix team. Plays a strong two-way game similar to Pavel Datsyuk.
14. St. Louis Blues: Mikeal Grandlund – Another top talent, although not big he’s worth the gamble to a team that is loaded with young talent.
15. Boston Bruins: Mark Pysyk – After selecting a forward with their 2nd overall pick, the Bruins take a safe selection in two-way defender Mark Pysyk.
16. Ottawa Senators: Nick Bjugstad – Adding Bjugstad gives Ottawa some needed size down the middle, and a potential for top-two center who can make a dangerous 1-2 with Spezza (if they don’t trade him).
17. Colorado Avalanche: Dylan McIlrath – One of the most intimidating presences in the draft, McIlrath with join a growing group of talent with the Avalanche.
18. Nashville Predators: Emerson Etem – A highly skilled, fast player who will be a welcomed addition to a Nashville team that lacks pure skill in their forward group.
19. Los Angeles Kings: Beau Bennett – Maybe a political choice, but there is no doubting that Bennett has top-end skill and could be a great choice as a future top-six winger.
20. Pittsburgh Penguins: Vladimir Tarasenko – Considered a draft wild-card the Penguins gamble on him and could win big. Top-ten skill.
21. Detroit Red Wings: Jared Tinordi – A big, character defender with leadership qualities. Adds a different, but welcomed element to the Detroit defensive core.
22. Phoenix Coyotes: Riley Sheehan – Big two-way center who may not develop into a top-six talent, but a safe selection to be an NHL player who fits the Phoenix style of game.
23. Buffalo Sabres: Tyler Pitlick - Look to add size to their center depth. Pitlick is a natural selection for a Sabres group looking to add size to their system.
24. Atlanta Thrashers: Quinton Howden – Sizable winger, who looks to be a safe selection late in the first. Can play in all situations.
25. Vancouver Canucks: Jonathan Merril – Best available defender at this point in the draft with top-four potential.
26. Washington Capitals: John McFarland – Washington gambles on this enigma in hopes that he'll pay off.
27. Montreal Canadiens: Brock Nelson - Montreal adds another NCAA bound forward with size. Nelson has second line potential, and plays on the edge.
28. San Jose Sharks: – Charlie Coyle – Adds a power forward to the San Jose system, fits the style of game the Sharks like to play.
29. Anaheim Ducks – Jayden Schwartz – Willing to gamble on a player who absolutely dominated the USHL although a bit small the skill is undeniable.
30. Chicago Blackhawks – Calvin Pickard – Need for goalie prospects, Pickard is the obvious choice at 30th for the cup winners.
...
Thoughts on the first round:
- Don't think either of the first selections will be moved. Edmonton needs a Hall player, Boston needs a prime forward so either Seguin or Hall will do.
- There could be movement between 3-8 as it seems pretty wide open after that.
- I think teams with more than one first round selection may move the second picks to acquire roster players - Atlanta, Boston and Anaheim specifically. Phoenix may hold onto both because their team is fairly solid as is.
- There always seems to be shuffling towards the end of the first round, so expect that to happen also.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Draft week! And other thoughts ...
Here we are a few days until the 2010 NHL Draft! Very excited to see where everyone goes both in the draft and through the trades that seem like they'll inevitably happen.
And as we approach the draft, here are a few general thoughts:
...
Horton to Boston?
I'd actually be surprised if this didn't happen. It just seems to make a lot of sense given both teams needs. It makes me jealous to know that Boston may be (will be?) adding a potential 30 goal scorer like Horton AND a top-pick in this years draft. I mean, Boston's not a bad team by any stretch so to add this type of talent to a playoff team is pretty dangerous.
Florida's going to explode?
I'm really interested in seeing the direction Tallon goes. He wants to rebuild/restock, but he doesn't want to bottom out. It should be interesting to see the type of return he gets seeing as he'll likely want roster players back for players such as Weiss and Horton.
Halak feeling Blue..
Like most, I was taken back by this deal. I thought for sure Halak would come to some sort of agreement with Montreal, but it just proves how crazy the NHL can be at times. The return wasn't amazing in respect to what Halak did for Montreal this past year, but it wasn't totally lopsided. Lars Eller is a good prospect in his own right, and Ian Shultz, if he develops, will be valuable to a club like Montreal who is seeking size. This move however is risky, very risky. It ultimately could be Gauthiers undoing if Price flops next season.
Deals with the Devils?
Had to say I was a bit surprised to see Lou Lamoriello shell out more future assets to acquire an old center like Jason Arnott. I mean, he didn't give a kings ransom, but Arnott's on the downside of his career and is starting to become more injury prone. This signals that the Devils want to make one last strong push for the playoffs ... Kaberle rumours anyone?
Kaberle could be dealt by the draft ... or he may not be.
Pierre LeBrun mentioned that he feels Kaberle will be dealt by Saturday, then Darren Dreger pointed out that he feels Burke won't set Saturday as a deadline. The truth of the matter is both of them are probably right, but you have to think Burke feels a little bit pressure to make a deal by Saturday. If Burke wants to play with fire, try and hold out for a deal that may never come, he may end up burning himself. If the offers aren't remotely close to what Burke would accept for Kaberle, I don't see how the price would dramatically increase given there's a bit of defensive depth on the free-agent market.
Draft Day direction?
If all else fails, it'll be interesting to see who the Maple Leafs select with their six picks. There's some good talent that is bound to slip out of the top-60 and hopefully the Maple Leafs are there to pick up the left overs. Does your teams direction change when you don't have a top-60 selection? Are you as a GM more persuaded to take a player who may have re-entered the draft? In a sense that you gain a year of development on the other 18-year-old's to try and compensate for the lack of a 1st? (Similar to how the Maple Leafs took Nikolai Kulemin as an over-age player in the draft). Either way, I'm excited to welcome new Maple Leafs into the fold.
Trade bait?
We all know Kaberle's name has been rumored on the block, but what other Maple Leafs will be on the way out? Here are some names I think may be involved in potential trades:
John Mitchell - Yeah, he had a bad year. But he did also have a strong rookie-year and that can't be ignored either. It's not impossible to believe that he suffered from a sophomore slump like so many have before him. He protects the puck well, isn't afraid to skate with the puck, and has decent offensive ability. In the long-run he probably doesn't fit in with the type of team Burke is trying to assemble. Would any team take a shot on him for a draft pick?
James Reimer - Burke bringing in Ben Scrivens and Jussi Rynnas makes James Reimer an odd man out I think. Not that he's a lock to be moved, but I think Burke wouldn't hesitate to include him in a deal now that he's added some depth to the position.
Mikhail Grabovski - Comes with a bit of a price-tag, but a team looking for cheap secondary offensive production may find him useful. On the other hand, he's still useful to the Maple Leafs, but he's another player I don't see as a long-term solution as the clubs second-line center. Opening up cap-space may be more important at this point if Burke has big dreams.
Those are just three players that I wouldn't be surprised to see leave by this time next week.
...
Hopefully we do see some action lead up to the draft. I'll be posting my draft favourites on Thursday for each Maple Leaf selection for the 2010 Draft.
And as we approach the draft, here are a few general thoughts:
...
Horton to Boston?
I'd actually be surprised if this didn't happen. It just seems to make a lot of sense given both teams needs. It makes me jealous to know that Boston may be (will be?) adding a potential 30 goal scorer like Horton AND a top-pick in this years draft. I mean, Boston's not a bad team by any stretch so to add this type of talent to a playoff team is pretty dangerous.
Florida's going to explode?
I'm really interested in seeing the direction Tallon goes. He wants to rebuild/restock, but he doesn't want to bottom out. It should be interesting to see the type of return he gets seeing as he'll likely want roster players back for players such as Weiss and Horton.
Halak feeling Blue..
Like most, I was taken back by this deal. I thought for sure Halak would come to some sort of agreement with Montreal, but it just proves how crazy the NHL can be at times. The return wasn't amazing in respect to what Halak did for Montreal this past year, but it wasn't totally lopsided. Lars Eller is a good prospect in his own right, and Ian Shultz, if he develops, will be valuable to a club like Montreal who is seeking size. This move however is risky, very risky. It ultimately could be Gauthiers undoing if Price flops next season.
Deals with the Devils?
Had to say I was a bit surprised to see Lou Lamoriello shell out more future assets to acquire an old center like Jason Arnott. I mean, he didn't give a kings ransom, but Arnott's on the downside of his career and is starting to become more injury prone. This signals that the Devils want to make one last strong push for the playoffs ... Kaberle rumours anyone?
Kaberle could be dealt by the draft ... or he may not be.
Pierre LeBrun mentioned that he feels Kaberle will be dealt by Saturday, then Darren Dreger pointed out that he feels Burke won't set Saturday as a deadline. The truth of the matter is both of them are probably right, but you have to think Burke feels a little bit pressure to make a deal by Saturday. If Burke wants to play with fire, try and hold out for a deal that may never come, he may end up burning himself. If the offers aren't remotely close to what Burke would accept for Kaberle, I don't see how the price would dramatically increase given there's a bit of defensive depth on the free-agent market.
Draft Day direction?
If all else fails, it'll be interesting to see who the Maple Leafs select with their six picks. There's some good talent that is bound to slip out of the top-60 and hopefully the Maple Leafs are there to pick up the left overs. Does your teams direction change when you don't have a top-60 selection? Are you as a GM more persuaded to take a player who may have re-entered the draft? In a sense that you gain a year of development on the other 18-year-old's to try and compensate for the lack of a 1st? (Similar to how the Maple Leafs took Nikolai Kulemin as an over-age player in the draft). Either way, I'm excited to welcome new Maple Leafs into the fold.
Trade bait?
We all know Kaberle's name has been rumored on the block, but what other Maple Leafs will be on the way out? Here are some names I think may be involved in potential trades:
John Mitchell - Yeah, he had a bad year. But he did also have a strong rookie-year and that can't be ignored either. It's not impossible to believe that he suffered from a sophomore slump like so many have before him. He protects the puck well, isn't afraid to skate with the puck, and has decent offensive ability. In the long-run he probably doesn't fit in with the type of team Burke is trying to assemble. Would any team take a shot on him for a draft pick?
James Reimer - Burke bringing in Ben Scrivens and Jussi Rynnas makes James Reimer an odd man out I think. Not that he's a lock to be moved, but I think Burke wouldn't hesitate to include him in a deal now that he's added some depth to the position.
Mikhail Grabovski - Comes with a bit of a price-tag, but a team looking for cheap secondary offensive production may find him useful. On the other hand, he's still useful to the Maple Leafs, but he's another player I don't see as a long-term solution as the clubs second-line center. Opening up cap-space may be more important at this point if Burke has big dreams.
Those are just three players that I wouldn't be surprised to see leave by this time next week.
...
Hopefully we do see some action lead up to the draft. I'll be posting my draft favourites on Thursday for each Maple Leaf selection for the 2010 Draft.
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