Cornwall ON – It’s draft time! Edmonton didn’t surprise anyone by choosing Ryan Nugent Hopkins with the first draft pick. 106 points in 69 games; the lithe centre will need to put some weight on. What you see is what you get; a high point 1st line centre. Colorado grabbed Gabriel Landeskog and the big winger looks ready to rock in the NHL. 3rd over all went to Dale Tallon and the Florida Panthers who selected Jonathan Huberdeau who had gaudier stats than Hopkins, but isn’t quite as thought of.
NJ grabbed the first Defenseman of the draft in Sweden’s 18 year old Adam Larsson. The 6’3 200 pounder looks like a strong D man who’s not too far from the big show.
Centre’s are hot as the Islanders grabbed Ryan Strome. Ottawa grabbed Sweden’s Mika Zibanejad who’s actually part Finnish and part Iranian. He’s got size and potential and should be an interesting addition to the Sens.
Winnipeg’s first draft pick since returning was another centre; 18 year old Kitchener native Mark Scheifele. Philadelphia used that 1st round pick they swapped for on Sean Couturier who had probably the must buzz as a point producer. The 6’4 centre had 96 points in 58 games. The Bruins close the book on the Kessell deal by grabbing Doug Hamilton, a high scoring 6’4 18 year old.
Minnesota just confused the heck out of me by drafting another Swede; Jonas Brodin. The 17 year old D man 4 points in 42 games last year in Sweden. That’s why scouts get the big bucks, for seeing things the average hockey fan doesn’t see….
Colorado continues their reload with D man Duncan Siemens who some compare to Scott Stevens. Carolina grabbed offensive D man Ryan Murphy and with the 13th pick Calgary picked up Swiss winger Sven Bartschi.
Dallas got their big man on D by drafting Jamie Oleksiak. The Rangers grab college player; the first of the draft; power forward J.T. Miller. New Buffalo owner called Rick Martin Rico? Then picked big Finn winger Joel Armia. Montreal’s first pick has a French name although he’s from Ontario. The Habs pick 6’2 offensive D man Nathan Beaulieu who’s 18 and had back to back 45 point season for Saint John in the QMJHL.
We’ll be updating through the first round. What do you think Hockey fans? You can post your comments below.
What do you think Hockey fans? So far no draft trades after yesterday’s Philly pyrotechnics. Earlier in the day Toronto grabbed an older D man in Jean Marc Lilies from Colorado for a 2nd.