Habs could trade their 1st pick
Jul 28, 2005 16:25:28 GMT -5
Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Jul 28, 2005 16:25:28 GMT -5
Habs could trade their 1st pick
Thursday July 28, 2005 - (CP) - The Canadiens are assured of a quality player at the NHL draft in Ottawa Saturday. The Habs were lucky to draw number 5 at the "Sidney Crosby Lottery", and will thus be able to pick a promising prospect.
Crosby will be claimed by Pittsburgh. But after that the draft becomes more nebulous. Defenseman Jack Johnson, an American, left winger Benoit Pouliot of the Sudbury Wolves, center Gilbert Brulé of the Vancouver Giants, left winger Bobby Ryan of the Owen Sound Attack, and center Anze Kopitar, a Slovenian, should be among the first to go.
"They are great prospects", recognizes Trevor Timmins, the Canadiens personnel manager.
"But there are others", he asserts. "I'm thinking of the goalie Carey Price, left winger Jack Skille, and the defenseman Marc Staal. All these players have comparable talents. Their level of play is about the same. It's like comparing apples and oranges. Their selection will ultimately depend on each team's preferences."
According to insiders this year's draft is excellent for the team that chooses fifth.
"Fifth place is always good, it doesn't matter what year", corrects Timmins, obviously excited with the idea of claiming a player so early in the draft.
Options
According to Timmins fifth place gives the Canadiens various options.
"By being likely to draft a good player, we will be able to compromise in order to improve our position", he explains. "It's not a disaster if we drop by a place or two, if the offer is interesting. In any event we will have to seriously study all the proposals which will be made."
Already, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim announced that their second choice is available if new general manager Brian Burke receives an offer that he cannot refuse.
"This year's draft is difficult to gauge because of the parity", says Timmins. "There isn't yet any tendency that has revealed itself. We will undoubtedly have a better idea Friday when rumours start to circulate.
"The Canadiens of course have their own list", he adds. "But we don't have any idea of the preferences of the other teams. We don't know which players will still be available when our turn comes."
Timmins makes the point that the draft is all the more random because the young players can have progressed during the summer, after having taken part in hockey schools of or training camps.
"We saw these young guys for the last time in March or April", he says. "Several months have passed. Some could have improved in the meantime."
Benoît Pouliot is a great example.
"I will always remember the first time that I saw Pouliot", Timmins recounts. "He was playing Tier 2. He was a frail player, almost weak. Then I saw him again last September with Sudbury. I couldn't believe my eyes. He was a player who, physically, was completely transformed. A young person at this age can change very quickly."
- texte français original
Thursday July 28, 2005 - (CP) - The Canadiens are assured of a quality player at the NHL draft in Ottawa Saturday. The Habs were lucky to draw number 5 at the "Sidney Crosby Lottery", and will thus be able to pick a promising prospect.
Crosby will be claimed by Pittsburgh. But after that the draft becomes more nebulous. Defenseman Jack Johnson, an American, left winger Benoit Pouliot of the Sudbury Wolves, center Gilbert Brulé of the Vancouver Giants, left winger Bobby Ryan of the Owen Sound Attack, and center Anze Kopitar, a Slovenian, should be among the first to go.
"They are great prospects", recognizes Trevor Timmins, the Canadiens personnel manager.
"But there are others", he asserts. "I'm thinking of the goalie Carey Price, left winger Jack Skille, and the defenseman Marc Staal. All these players have comparable talents. Their level of play is about the same. It's like comparing apples and oranges. Their selection will ultimately depend on each team's preferences."
According to insiders this year's draft is excellent for the team that chooses fifth.
"Fifth place is always good, it doesn't matter what year", corrects Timmins, obviously excited with the idea of claiming a player so early in the draft.
Options
According to Timmins fifth place gives the Canadiens various options.
"By being likely to draft a good player, we will be able to compromise in order to improve our position", he explains. "It's not a disaster if we drop by a place or two, if the offer is interesting. In any event we will have to seriously study all the proposals which will be made."
Already, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim announced that their second choice is available if new general manager Brian Burke receives an offer that he cannot refuse.
"This year's draft is difficult to gauge because of the parity", says Timmins. "There isn't yet any tendency that has revealed itself. We will undoubtedly have a better idea Friday when rumours start to circulate.
"The Canadiens of course have their own list", he adds. "But we don't have any idea of the preferences of the other teams. We don't know which players will still be available when our turn comes."
Timmins makes the point that the draft is all the more random because the young players can have progressed during the summer, after having taken part in hockey schools of or training camps.
"We saw these young guys for the last time in March or April", he says. "Several months have passed. Some could have improved in the meantime."
Benoît Pouliot is a great example.
"I will always remember the first time that I saw Pouliot", Timmins recounts. "He was playing Tier 2. He was a frail player, almost weak. Then I saw him again last September with Sudbury. I couldn't believe my eyes. He was a player who, physically, was completely transformed. A young person at this age can change very quickly."
- texte français original
