Post by hockeyfreak (Hurricanes GM) on Aug 8, 2011 22:34:02 GMT -5
A DRAFT FOR THE AGES
With the conclusion of the "deepest 1st round" in recent memory, many teams walked away pleased with their new crop of young talent
PITTSBURGH, PA - With the draft frenzy here and gone, it would seem that all the hysteria was much ado about nothing. Only two trades involving 1st round picks took place this evening.
Maybe that was to be expected in a draft class considered to be the best since the legendary 2003 entry draft.
In what was the "Fail for Nail" campaign this season, the Anaheim Ducks took a surprise 1st overall pick with Ryan Murray. Certainly not a reach, but an interesting turn nonetheless that left the Minnesota Wild ready to welcome Yakupov in open arms at #2. The 6' defender from the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League, Murray put up 45 points as an 18 year old to make himself the consensus top defender in a draft stacked with good young blueliners. Yakupov, the native of Nizhnekamsk, Russia put up only 38 goals and 18 assists in an injury shortened season for the Sarnia Sting.
Nick Ebert was selected at #3 by the Carolina Hurricanes followed by Mikhail Grigorenko and Parjeet Lilja to the Colorado Avalanche and Phoenix Coyotes respectively.
But through the top 10, one prospect in particular was left waiting. Soon the frenzy surrounded Alex Galchenyuk who pundits believed had a very real chance of being taken in the top 5. Sources have confirmed that the Carolina Hurricanes were deliberating between Galchenyuk and Ebert before opting for the latter.
Briefly, the Islanders took offers on the pick, but ultimately, the Islanders could not pass up on the forward who scouts dubbed the "most complete" player in the draft. Rumors buzzed throughout the draft quickly that the Islanders had been offered Rick Nash in exchange for the pick and an unnamed player. These rumors remain unsubstantiated, however they reveal how highly coveted Galchenyuk was.
Stealing the show was most definitely the New York Islanders and Winnipeg Jets with four 1st round picks each. With their first of four, the Islanders chose to select Nabby Jamal, a rugged 6'2" winger from Canada. The Islanders GM made remarks following the draft about seeing future captain material in Jamal.
Also making headlines was a trade between the Pittsburgh Penguins and St. Louis Blues that saw the 20th overall pick traded in conjunction with TJ Galiardi in return for James Neal from the Pens. With the pick, the Pens selected Martin Frk who has tumbled down a couple spots from his initial draft ranking.
The other blockbuster move of the draft included the Montreal Canadiens and the Carolina Hurricanes. In a move that had Habs fans going berserk, GM habsfan acquired all star center Danny Briere in return for Andrew Cogliano and the 25th overall pick. Briere was rumored to have been on the move for days leading up to the draft as his cumbersome salary conflicted with that of Rick Nash. The Montreal native should quickly find himself a fan favorite in Hab land centering a star studded first line that already features Marian Hossa and Thomas Vanek.
With the pick the Hurricanes selected the 6', 175lb centerman from the OHL, David Damarro. Damarro took a tumble in this draft as many were concerned with rumors that were making their rounds of Damarro's character issues. Many would consider Damarro to be one of the most naturally talented prospects in the draft and could even be ready for NHL action if he could get his act together. The Hurricanes GM, hockeyfreak, commented on the streaky centerman that it was not often to find an NHL ready player so late in the first round. Certainly the Canes hope he can soften the blow of losing Danny Briere.
The Winnipeg Jets received the favor of many pundits for a more than pleasing first round which saw them select two forwards, one defender and the consensus top goalie in the draft. With their first selection, GM Beau took a flyer on the shortest player in the draft Claude Snipre. A native of France, Snipre's skill set certainly lives up to his sir name. Boasting one of the best wrist shots of all the draftees, Snipre was projected to be selected even higher than he was, but he slipped due to concerns over his defensive awareness. These concerns especially did not concern Beau when he made his next selection either. The Jets then took a a reach and selected Alex Bure, one of the most lethal offensive players in the draft. Bure's smooth hands and laser of a wrist shot seem reminiscent of a certain Bure from generations past.
Beau made his next pick the most humorous of the draft. In a slip of the tongue that reminded viewers of Bobby Clarke's "Claude Gir- who?"moment in 2007, Beau walked up to the podium and selected defenseman Matthew Dumba. Only problem was, Dumba had been selected seven picks earlier by the Boston Bruins. It was apparent that Beau meant to select Jacob Truba instead.
In what may very well be considered the deepest draft in NHL history one day, there was no shortage of excitement and anticipation that made this 1st round a success for all those GMs involved.
Stay tuned for our next addition of Draft Day Winners and Losers at the conclusion of the draft.
With the conclusion of the "deepest 1st round" in recent memory, many teams walked away pleased with their new crop of young talent
PITTSBURGH, PA - With the draft frenzy here and gone, it would seem that all the hysteria was much ado about nothing. Only two trades involving 1st round picks took place this evening.
Maybe that was to be expected in a draft class considered to be the best since the legendary 2003 entry draft.
In what was the "Fail for Nail" campaign this season, the Anaheim Ducks took a surprise 1st overall pick with Ryan Murray. Certainly not a reach, but an interesting turn nonetheless that left the Minnesota Wild ready to welcome Yakupov in open arms at #2. The 6' defender from the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League, Murray put up 45 points as an 18 year old to make himself the consensus top defender in a draft stacked with good young blueliners. Yakupov, the native of Nizhnekamsk, Russia put up only 38 goals and 18 assists in an injury shortened season for the Sarnia Sting.
Nick Ebert was selected at #3 by the Carolina Hurricanes followed by Mikhail Grigorenko and Parjeet Lilja to the Colorado Avalanche and Phoenix Coyotes respectively.
But through the top 10, one prospect in particular was left waiting. Soon the frenzy surrounded Alex Galchenyuk who pundits believed had a very real chance of being taken in the top 5. Sources have confirmed that the Carolina Hurricanes were deliberating between Galchenyuk and Ebert before opting for the latter.
Briefly, the Islanders took offers on the pick, but ultimately, the Islanders could not pass up on the forward who scouts dubbed the "most complete" player in the draft. Rumors buzzed throughout the draft quickly that the Islanders had been offered Rick Nash in exchange for the pick and an unnamed player. These rumors remain unsubstantiated, however they reveal how highly coveted Galchenyuk was.
Stealing the show was most definitely the New York Islanders and Winnipeg Jets with four 1st round picks each. With their first of four, the Islanders chose to select Nabby Jamal, a rugged 6'2" winger from Canada. The Islanders GM made remarks following the draft about seeing future captain material in Jamal.
Also making headlines was a trade between the Pittsburgh Penguins and St. Louis Blues that saw the 20th overall pick traded in conjunction with TJ Galiardi in return for James Neal from the Pens. With the pick, the Pens selected Martin Frk who has tumbled down a couple spots from his initial draft ranking.
The other blockbuster move of the draft included the Montreal Canadiens and the Carolina Hurricanes. In a move that had Habs fans going berserk, GM habsfan acquired all star center Danny Briere in return for Andrew Cogliano and the 25th overall pick. Briere was rumored to have been on the move for days leading up to the draft as his cumbersome salary conflicted with that of Rick Nash. The Montreal native should quickly find himself a fan favorite in Hab land centering a star studded first line that already features Marian Hossa and Thomas Vanek.
With the pick the Hurricanes selected the 6', 175lb centerman from the OHL, David Damarro. Damarro took a tumble in this draft as many were concerned with rumors that were making their rounds of Damarro's character issues. Many would consider Damarro to be one of the most naturally talented prospects in the draft and could even be ready for NHL action if he could get his act together. The Hurricanes GM, hockeyfreak, commented on the streaky centerman that it was not often to find an NHL ready player so late in the first round. Certainly the Canes hope he can soften the blow of losing Danny Briere.
The Winnipeg Jets received the favor of many pundits for a more than pleasing first round which saw them select two forwards, one defender and the consensus top goalie in the draft. With their first selection, GM Beau took a flyer on the shortest player in the draft Claude Snipre. A native of France, Snipre's skill set certainly lives up to his sir name. Boasting one of the best wrist shots of all the draftees, Snipre was projected to be selected even higher than he was, but he slipped due to concerns over his defensive awareness. These concerns especially did not concern Beau when he made his next selection either. The Jets then took a a reach and selected Alex Bure, one of the most lethal offensive players in the draft. Bure's smooth hands and laser of a wrist shot seem reminiscent of a certain Bure from generations past.
Beau made his next pick the most humorous of the draft. In a slip of the tongue that reminded viewers of Bobby Clarke's "Claude Gir- who?"moment in 2007, Beau walked up to the podium and selected defenseman Matthew Dumba. Only problem was, Dumba had been selected seven picks earlier by the Boston Bruins. It was apparent that Beau meant to select Jacob Truba instead.
In what may very well be considered the deepest draft in NHL history one day, there was no shortage of excitement and anticipation that made this 1st round a success for all those GMs involved.
Stay tuned for our next addition of Draft Day Winners and Losers at the conclusion of the draft.