love the puck

Friday, July 22, 2005

With the NHL on the dawn of a completely new era, what better time to weigh in on a situation as relevant and significant as the first ever 30 team draft lottery. It is true that this is bigger than just the 'Sidney Crosby Sweepstakes', as this years draft carries a wide variety of depth and talent. Today shapes the destiny's of all the teams, and the entire league as an entity.

I live near Toronto, and grew up a Leafs fan. This draft carries importance like none previous, as the Leafs are faced with several rebuilding possibilities. With a flooded free agent market, some space in the cap providing a few buyouts, and a talented group of young draftees, the Leafs have an amazing oppurtunity to build for the future, while still having a chance to win the Stanley Cup that's eluded them for so long.

I'd like to see them let Brian Leetch walk, and go after Scott Neidermayer. Leetch is a world class defenseman, but he is getting long in the tooth, and Scotty just came off that big Norris trophy a season ago. Providing the Leafs are able to buy out Owen Nolan, they should be able to commit that money to Neidermayer. I'd like to see them draft a defenseman this year. If we get slated mid first round, go after Ryan Parent. He's a skilled, steady defenseman, and a kid you could build around. Give Scotty someone to mentor.

30. Tampa Bay Lightning- Very appropriate.
29. Florida Panthers- can't help but feel bad for the Panthers. They got screwed.
28. Dallas Stars- no consequence
27. Colorado Avalance- ditto
26. Calgary Flames- This is fine on the surface, when you look at the Calgary Flames as defending cup finalists, but this team needs to add depth, and really wanted to pick higher than 26.
25. Edmonton Oilers- Very badly needed to be higher than 25th. Need goaltending and scoring.
24. St. Louis Blues- no consequence
23. New Jersey Devils- New Jersey will undoubtedly do more with this pick than any other team would have. Their front office management and scouting is second to no one.
22. Boston Bruins- They are going to need a good draft here. No one wants to play in Boston anymore. Murray is unrestricted, Thornton will be next year, and if they want to hold onto Raycroft, they'll have to spend a little money down the road.
21. Toronto Maple Leafs- OUCH! Really wanted to be higher than this, especially this draft year.
20. Philadelphia Flyers- Like a slap in the face to Leafs fans, I hate the Flyers picking ahead of us.
19. Detroit Red Wings- They don't draft often, but they can't complain about this spot.
18. Nashville Predators- Critical draft for a young team that just made the playoffs and want to continue growth.
17. Phoenix Coyotes- So much for the Wayne and Sid fantasy. They'll improve significantly this year though.
16. New York Rangers- Needed to be much higher than this.
15. New York Islanders- Needed to be much much higer than this.
14. Washington Capitals- Their team sucks, but you can get a good player this year at this spot.
13. Buffalo Sabres- Can't complain about the 13 spot.
12. San Jose Sharks- These guys must be elated. After coming so close to the finals, they pick 12th. What a great oppurtunity for the Sharks.
11. Los Angeles Kings- Great chance to get another building block to go with Frolov, Cammaleri.
10. Vancouver Canucks- This is awesome for Vancouver. They already have a great team, time to add a top level talent.
9. Ottawa Senators- Ditto. Get a goalie, or you suck.
8. Atlanta Thrashers- They have awesome prospects already, add a guy who will fit in a crucial role.
7. Chicago Blackhawks- i wanted Sidney here, to help restore an original 6 team. But 7th is a great spot to choose.
6. Columbus Blue Jackets- Sidney and Rick, would've been sick.
5. Montreal Canadiens- The last canadian team hits the board, and they'll be pleased to pick 5th.
4. Minnesota Wild- Sidney would have been great here, but they will get a great prospect here.
3. Carolina Hurricanes- They need all the help they can get, especially witn O'Neill possibly looking to walk.
2. Anaheim Mighty Ducks-It's probably for the best, cause seeing Crosby in their uni's would suck. Would've been nice to see Crosby, Perry and Getzlaf in two or three years.
1. Pittsburgh Penguins- Well, Mario, merry Christmas. Sid the Kid falls into your lap. A great young goalie, and two young potential superstars, means you get some good free agents this summer. Make your team a contender- now.

When all the buyouts start, things will get interesting. It's fun to see what teams want to make some big moves and really shake things up, and really interesting to see who gets left outside because they're overpaid. I'll check back in soon.

Posted by Jon at 12:54 PM | | e-mail me