The scout says...
Jul 30, 2005 7:20:59 GMT -5
Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Jul 30, 2005 7:20:59 GMT -5
The scout's prediction for the top 10 picks are:
1. Pittsburgh Penguins. GM Craig Patrick will create the shock of the century in the hockey world if he takes anyone other than Crosby, of Cole Harbour, N.S. Crosby is a smart, slick-passing forward who will take the torch from Mario Lemieux and inject new life into the franchise.
2. Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. If GM Brian Burke does not trade his pick, and our scout is inclined to think he will not, defenceman Jack Johnson of USA Hockey's national program will be his choice. The Ducks need defencemen, but perhaps not badly enough to trade for the expensive Chris Pronger. Johnson is a tough, two-way defenceman who can score. "He can play any style you want," the scout said, and he will play it at the NHL level this season.
3. Carolina Hurricanes. Benoît Pouliot is a left winger from the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League who can run up the points. He is the most talented forward in the draft, but our scout thinks his selection will be a mistake. "They will hope he turns out to be something he isn't and in four years time they'll be trading him." A nice skater and good hands, the scout said, but no passion and intensity.
4. Minnesota Wild. GM Doug Risebrough might trade down in the draft and take local boy and centre Ryan Stoa, another product of the USA Hockey program. The team needs some size at forward, which means Risebrough could take right winger Bobby Ryan from the Owen Sound Attack of the OHL if they stay at No. 4. Ryan is not a great skater, but he is a good scorer.
5. Montreal Canadiens. Most expect GM Bob Gainey to take centre Gilbert Brule of the Western Hockey League's Vancouver Giants, if he still available. But our scout thinks the Habs' need for a defenceman means Gainey will take Marc Staal of the Wolves. The younger brother of the Hurricanes' Eric Staal is a solid defensive defenceman.
6. Columbus Blue Jackets. If Staal goes to Montreal, then Brule should end up in Columbus. He is a Doug Gilmour-type of player, the scout said, a small but feisty centre who is "good on faceoffs, good at both ends of the rink and can score."
7. Chicago Blackhawks. Here is where the top-ranked goaltender in the draft, Carey Price of the WHL's Tri-City Americans, will go, the scout said. But this could be another mistake. The scout said Price has a lot of talent, but he is not convinced Price has the attitude needed to make it in the NHL.
8. Atlanta Thrashers. At this point, the possibility of teams trading their picks becomes greater, since the talent level evens out. The Thrashers need a centre who can play with Dany Heatley and Ilya Kovalchuk, but that is a rare commodity. If GM Don Waddell keeps his pick, Czech centre Martin Hanzal is the closest to his need. At 6 foot 4, he is the biggest forward in the draft.
9. Ottawa Senators. GM John Muckler would like a tough winger who can score a few goals, but he also faces the prospect of losing defencemen Zdeno Chara and Wade Redden to free agency a year from now. If he prefers a defenceman, look for Muckler to take Ryan Parent of the Guelph Storm of the OHL. If he wants a tough forward, Jack Skille from the U.S. junior team fits the bill.
10. Vancouver Canucks. This is GM Dave Nonis's first entry draft, and he may trade his pick to drop lower in the draft. Then he could take local product Kenndal McArdle, a left winger from the lower B.C. mainland who played for the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL. He is quick, with good hands, but needs to be more consistent.
- tinyurl.com/ddm5d
1. Pittsburgh Penguins. GM Craig Patrick will create the shock of the century in the hockey world if he takes anyone other than Crosby, of Cole Harbour, N.S. Crosby is a smart, slick-passing forward who will take the torch from Mario Lemieux and inject new life into the franchise.
2. Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. If GM Brian Burke does not trade his pick, and our scout is inclined to think he will not, defenceman Jack Johnson of USA Hockey's national program will be his choice. The Ducks need defencemen, but perhaps not badly enough to trade for the expensive Chris Pronger. Johnson is a tough, two-way defenceman who can score. "He can play any style you want," the scout said, and he will play it at the NHL level this season.
3. Carolina Hurricanes. Benoît Pouliot is a left winger from the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League who can run up the points. He is the most talented forward in the draft, but our scout thinks his selection will be a mistake. "They will hope he turns out to be something he isn't and in four years time they'll be trading him." A nice skater and good hands, the scout said, but no passion and intensity.
4. Minnesota Wild. GM Doug Risebrough might trade down in the draft and take local boy and centre Ryan Stoa, another product of the USA Hockey program. The team needs some size at forward, which means Risebrough could take right winger Bobby Ryan from the Owen Sound Attack of the OHL if they stay at No. 4. Ryan is not a great skater, but he is a good scorer.
5. Montreal Canadiens. Most expect GM Bob Gainey to take centre Gilbert Brule of the Western Hockey League's Vancouver Giants, if he still available. But our scout thinks the Habs' need for a defenceman means Gainey will take Marc Staal of the Wolves. The younger brother of the Hurricanes' Eric Staal is a solid defensive defenceman.
6. Columbus Blue Jackets. If Staal goes to Montreal, then Brule should end up in Columbus. He is a Doug Gilmour-type of player, the scout said, a small but feisty centre who is "good on faceoffs, good at both ends of the rink and can score."
7. Chicago Blackhawks. Here is where the top-ranked goaltender in the draft, Carey Price of the WHL's Tri-City Americans, will go, the scout said. But this could be another mistake. The scout said Price has a lot of talent, but he is not convinced Price has the attitude needed to make it in the NHL.
8. Atlanta Thrashers. At this point, the possibility of teams trading their picks becomes greater, since the talent level evens out. The Thrashers need a centre who can play with Dany Heatley and Ilya Kovalchuk, but that is a rare commodity. If GM Don Waddell keeps his pick, Czech centre Martin Hanzal is the closest to his need. At 6 foot 4, he is the biggest forward in the draft.
9. Ottawa Senators. GM John Muckler would like a tough winger who can score a few goals, but he also faces the prospect of losing defencemen Zdeno Chara and Wade Redden to free agency a year from now. If he prefers a defenceman, look for Muckler to take Ryan Parent of the Guelph Storm of the OHL. If he wants a tough forward, Jack Skille from the U.S. junior team fits the bill.
10. Vancouver Canucks. This is GM Dave Nonis's first entry draft, and he may trade his pick to drop lower in the draft. Then he could take local product Kenndal McArdle, a left winger from the lower B.C. mainland who played for the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL. He is quick, with good hands, but needs to be more consistent.
- tinyurl.com/ddm5d