by Andy P
A lot of experts say this draft isn't
filled with any Sidney Crosby's
or Alexander the Greats and this is
a weak draft compared to the last
few drafts. I think we will look back
on this draft in five years and
disagree. There is no clear number one
and no Sidney Crosby but a lot
of future first liners will be in this
draft. I've been going back and
forth about Kane going number 1 or
Turris going number one or wild
card number 1. I believe Kane is the best
prospect but sometimes the best prospect
doesn't get taken number
1. It won't be the first time
or the last. I know one thing, any team that passes on Patrick Kane
will regret this decision much like the Portland Trail Blazers have
since Air Jordan walked away with a bunch of rings and Sam Bowie
walked into journey man role for the rest of his career. I think
Turris, Toews, and Skille would make a awesome line and the same with
Kane on that line. I think Philadelphia is going to get a great deal.
My take on Esposito is that he with make every team punish for passing
on him. I can't honestly imagine him falling passing the 10th pick and
if he does Montreal will take him. This isn't the NFL where most
prospects have more street cred than they have college credits, NHL
prospects don't have kids, families to support, know gang signs, or
have run ins with the law. NHL prospects just chew too much and drink
too much. Most kids playing hockey are good kids that come from good
families, so minus all the psychology problems, although their are
rare cases (Patrick O'Sullivan getting a court order on his old man)
these kids only will be judge what they can and can't do on the ice.
We will also strongly judge what Saint Louis does in this draft
because it will huge impact on their franchise future. They have three
picks in the first thirty could mean, A) a trade into the top 10 B)
Building a Dynasty C) Hopefully we didn't mess up and set the
franchise back another five years. I believe Saint Louis will draft
three NHL players and we will be talking about winning the Cup in four
years.
1. Chicago PATRICK KANE London (OHL)
I was really tossing and turning on this pick but from my past experience and history
of the Blackhakws organization they make a lot of bad decisions and the bad decisions
will end with this pick, The Chicago Blackhawks are working on the longest Stanley Cup
drought in the NHL, having gone without since 1961. Why the Blackhawks suck - the 1972
defection of Bobby Hull to the WHA, the loss of both Dominik Hasek and Ed Belfour,
the trade of Chris Chelios to Detroit, the awful trade of Jeremy Roenick, and lastly the
trade of Phil Esposito. This all leads
me to belief Pat Kane will be selected, they can't pass on this kid. I'm not knocking
Turris play, I've only scene a few highlite videos on him but Kane is by far the best
player in the draft. BCHL is less superior league than the OHL and Kane is the ready
for the NHL tomorrow. I've seen Pat play many times, growing up in Buffalo, I think
him being listed at 5'9 is still a strecth, more like 5'7" but he has everything you want
in a player and his best assest is his heart. Being told you can't do something or being
told you are too small is enough to motivate this kid to push himself as the greatest
American player to ever hit the ice. Yes, it's a bold prediction by this blogger but it's
going to happen if the game gets called as it has been the past two years, this kid is
going to tear up the NHL ie Sidney Crosby. Like Roger Dangerfield once said
"I get no respect" and this should be Pat's motto, he'll tear up the NHL as soon as he hits the ice.
2. Philadelphia KYLE TURRIS Burnaby (BCHL)
Kyle Turris is going to be a player but is still at least two years away from playing
in the NHL. With the recent moves Philadelphia has made, Turris is going to help
this team into the future, not now, and will look great next to Richards and Carter.
3. Phoenix SAM GAGNER London (OHL)
Wayne hates Russian's and is always willing to take a gamble, so it
wouldn't surprise me is Van Riemsdyk wasn't selected here. I really
think he is going to take Gagner here if Turris is off
the board at this point. If Turris is on the board still, Gagner is
the pick. No question this pick will be from North America.
4. Los Angeles JAMES VAN RIEMSDYK U-18 (USNTDP)
I think LA will trade out of this pick but if they stay at #4, a
number of possibilites could exist. Van Riemsdyk has a lot of
potential, you can't teach size, and he has it.
5. Washington ALEXEI CHEREPANOV Omsk (RUS)
I would say if Alexei falls at 5, no question will he be a steal, his
work ethic is questioned but what foreign player isn't questioned by a
US or Canadian? I'm 100% position Alexander the
Great is vouching for him and probably knows a lot more about him than
any scout. Washington is going to take a gamble and select him.
6. Edmonton KARL ALZNER Calgary (WHL)
I really wanted to Esposito here since Edmonton is all about taking
talent and not worrying about what the player does off the ice. They
got a steal or at least I thought in Robbie Schremp
at 25, trust me Robbie is going to be a baller. Edmonton needs a young
defensmen.
7. Columbus JAKUB VORACEK Halifax (QMJHL)
Labeled as a safe pick and Columbus is all about taking the safe pick
as they are the Houston Texans of the NHL. Voracek will be a nice fit
for Columbus. Again, I really wanted to take
Esposito here.
8. Boston BRANDON SUTTER Red Deer (WHL)
I think the Blues want a skilled forward, so Sutter is the pick. I
wouldn't be surprised with Ellerby landing here. He has a good blood
line.
9. Saint Louis KEATON ELLERBY Kamloops (WHL)
I like what JD is doing in StL. I think he is building a team of hard
working players and AE isn't his player and Sutter is off the board at
this point . He is mobile, big, and tough and some
would even say nasty, a JD type of player.
10. Florida ANGELO ESPOSITO Quebec (QMJHL)
I know Florida has selected a center in the first round, two out of
the last three but Roy coached this kid, I'm sure a phone call has
been made to Carbonneau or he may not have. Esposito
would be huge pick for the french speaking kid for the french speaking
land (Montreal) but he is too good to pass up. Esposito has fallen
farther than Quinn did in the NFL draft. Esposito
was ranked #1 at one point during the season.
11. Carolina NICK PETRECKI Omaha (USHL)
12. Montreal KEVIN SHATTENKIRK U-18 (USNTDP)
13. Toronto ZACH HAMILL Everett (WHL)
14. Colorado RYAN McDONAGH Cretin-Derham (HS-MN)
15. Edmonton MIKAEL BACKLUND Vasteras (SWE)
16. Anaheim DAVID PERRON Lewiston (QMJHL)
17. New York Rangers THOMAS HICKEY Seattle (WHL)
18. Calgary COLTON GILLIES Saskatoon (WHL)
19. Minnesota LOGAN COUTURE Ottawa (OHL)
20. Pittsburgh BILL SWEATT Colorado College (NCAA)
21. Phoenix BRETT MacLEAN Oshawa (OHL)
22. Montreal LARS ELLER (SWE)
23. Nashville MAXIM MAYOROV (RUS)
24. Saint Louis TOMMY CROSS Westminster (HS-CT)
25. Vancouver MAX PACIORETTY Sioux City (USHL)
26. Saint Louis BRENDAN SMITH St. Michael's (OPJHL)
27. Detroit JONATHAN BLUM Vancouver (WHL)
28. Washington OSCAR MOLLER Chilliwack (WHL)
29. Ottawa ALEX PLANTE Calgary (WHL)
30. Edmonton AKIM ALIU London (OHL)
A lot of experts say this draft isn't
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