Random thoughts from the draft

[blny]

Aside from our pick. There was some interesting events in the first round.

• Phoenix's pick
• Schwarz dropping as far as he did
• Schrempf dropping even further
• The raucus crowd was really nice to see
• Dallas trading down twice
• NJ trading up again to get the player they wanted

Blake Wheeler is really off the board. I realize that in a weaker draft it's more likely that one would see an off the board pick, but at #5 I think there were a lot smarter choices to have made. Wheeler may turn into a fine player, but I think he's far too big a gamble for a top five pick.

As the commentators mentioned once Schwarz was taken, let the debate begin. Edmonton had the chance to take him and chose Dubnyk. Devan is enormous, but does he have the athleticism Marek has? Not likely. Edmonton needed to take a goalie in the worst way. I think the pick of Dubnyk shows a lack of strength in European scouting.

Taking Schrempf when Lowe did is an interesting pick. No doubts Robbies ability, but I thought it interesting the comparisons to Bonsignore. I remember all the hype around him, and the question marks about his attitude. With two first round picks, and Robbie being the latter, it might deflect some of the pressure from him.

The atmosphere in Raleigh was fantastic. Standing ovations for Gretz, and regular cheers and jubilation for all the picks. Ovechkin fed off this. I loved the waves he was giving the fans. I think it speaks wonders to his attitude and personality. He's not the typical stoic Russian.

Dallas trading down twice was interesting. They end up with a raft of picks for it, and project.

New Jersey trading up again to get the player they wanted speaks to Zajac's quality. I can't help but think that he'll come back to haunt the teams that didn't pick him (like so many other NJ picks).

[NWTHabsFan]

Conti is a wizard at the draft, no doubt about it. Usually in the later rounds, but they pulled Parise out of the hat last year and they usually get the last laugh each year despite never drafting early.

Edmonton picks both raised a few eyebrows. Dubnyk is a good goalie, he was a stand out at the CWG last year where I saw him play a fair bit, and has been a standout in junior...but how do you pass up on Schwarz? Oh well, Lowe seemed happy and did mention that his gang has seen big Devan play lots. As for Schemp, some team was finally going to bite, and Edmonton likes the free wheeling back and forth game that might suit an offensive first player like Schremp just fine.

As for Phoenix...all I can say is HUGE gamble. Big kid, but an obscure high school hockey team that make judging his upside far more difficult than the BCJHL guys that were picked high this year. Second round maybe, but fifth overall when consensus BPA's like Tukonone and Montoya were up for grabs. Things that make you go HMMMMMMMMMM.

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

Why are we trading good players for UFA's who may not sign?
I liked Chipchura but I like Shremp more. Then again we have Locke who is better than Shremp.
What a line, "Moe, Curly and Shremp"?

[blny]

One thing I forgot to mention was something I heard Macguire say when the Rangers made one of their picks. He suggested that they have no real sure fire NHL prospects waiting in the wings, and even mentioned Balej as a sort of question mark with regard to him making it. That sort of caught me by surprise.

[seventeen]

That makes me question McGuire more than the Rangers. They have Hugh Jessiman and Fedor Tjutin, two guys I wouldn't mind having, and if you include Dan Blackburn as a prospect, it gets better. And there's that Balej kid too.

[BadCompany]

BLNY said:

Aside from our pick. There was some interesting events in the first round.

• Phoenix's pick
• Schwarz dropping as far as he did
• Schrempf dropping even further
• The raucus crowd was really nice to see
• Dallas trading down twice
• NJ trading up again to get the player they wanted

I don't think anybody saw Phoenix's pick coming. Talk about screwing up everybody's mock drafts! Even Wheeler himself said he thought Phoenix might take him with the 5th pick - of the 2nd round!!

I thought Schwarz would fall. My mock draft (which I got slaughtered in, by the way, I hope nobody bet any houses) had him falling all the way to St. Louis (okay, got that one right). I just didn't have Dubnyk being picked ahead of him. Personally, I think Edmonton could have managed that one a little better. They could have taken a skill player at 14, and Dubnyk probably still would have been on the board when they picked again in the 1st round. But, as they say, if you think you have the best player available, don't screw around, take him right away, because somebody else might be thinking the same thing, and you might not get him if you get too cute. Could have been what Phoenix was thinking too.

I thought Schremp would fall as well. No matter what fans say, character IS an issue. Its a large part of the reason as to why we drafted Chipchura, and its why teams conduct interviews before hand. To get "gut feelings" on the character of the player. Cam Barker said the Blackhawks made him spend 3 hours with the team psychologist before they drafted him - you don't do that if you are only concerned with a guy's talent level. Actually, I think that if Edmonton doesn't have two picks in the 1st round, they pass on him and Schremp might have fallen to the 2nd round.

Personally, I'm stunned at how far Wes O'Neill has fallen. 4th round?? Many people had this guy going in the 1st, including myself. I'm kind of disappointed we didn't take him in the 3rd or 4th round. Okay, very disappointed...

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

BadCompany said:

Personally, I'm stunned at how far Wes O'Neill has fallen. 4th round?? Many people had this guy going in the 1st, including myself. I'm kind of disappointed we didn't take him in the 3rd or 4th round. Okay, very disappointed...

4th round is today and we have 2nd pick. I hope we grab either O'Neill or Seitsonen.

[BadCompany]

We passed on both O'Neill and Churchill. They're into the 6th round now.

Lots of guys I would have taken chances on, before going for the relative unknowns we're picking. O'Neill, Churchill, McGrath, Hedman... Oh well. In Savard we trust...

[Bob]

Weird draft for the Habs. From the NHL.com it looks like Mtl grabbed two players born in 84 and one born in 77

Detroit grabbed Haskins with something like the 176th pick. Did anyone see if Ruggeri was drafted again. If not, the Habs might think about offering him a tryout.