Thrashers

By Bob

February 28, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this

Since I started off the grading on the other blog, I’ll just copy and paste here what I wrote yesterday:

I give him an A+ for effort, a C- for execution (he overpaid, but he had to do it to save his job and seize the moment to re-energize the fan base and get this town psyched about a playoff run), an A for the resulting lineup as he improved the PP, PK, and our defense, and a D for timing (if he’d made these moves a while ago, we’d still have a comfortable lead, but better late than never).

Overall grade for his deadline deals = A- (hey, like my Calculus prof used to say “it’s my curve” and I overweighted how he improved the club, cause now we make the playoffs and can make some noise once there).

Good job, Fiddler.

Better late than never.

Let’s have fun with this run, kids.

Also, adding this fresh today, I have a feeling Hartley will try Dupuis on the Tkachuk/Kovy line, Dupuis has the wheels to skate with Kovy and the defensive responsibility to get back on that line, can he skate RW though? Let us know if you see any practices this week, dying to know about that as I’m going to miss Friday’s game (don’t ask!).

By Brad

February 28, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this

I give Waddell an A- as well. Tkachuk is just the big body Kovalchuk needs on his line, creating traffic in front on his blasts from the point and cleaning up the large number of rebounds he leaves and he brings toughness (see that hit he had in the first period Monday) to our forwards on the first 2 lines. Zhitnik, from what we saw in Monday’s game, is a stud. He played great on the Power Play moving the puck, did well on Penalty Kill (that play where he had his stick down blocking the Bruins winger from getting a corner shot on Lehtonen), and made a huge sliding block that I believe saved a goal in the first. Dupuis is a strong pickup to help maintain our PK as well, taking pressure off of our star forwards from having to take on those responsibilities as much. Don’t forget Belanger, who has been brilliant between Hossa and Kozlov. He is a perfect fit for that line, and I hope we can get a few more good years out of those 3 playing together.

Aside from giving up Bourrett, our future is now, and we needed to move some draft picks to get what we got. Coburn for Zhitnik was a beauty seeing as how we got a guy who is on contract for a few more seasons for a guy who is a few seasons away from being a productive defensemen in the NHL.

We’d get an A only if Waddell had found a way to get Forsberg.

By Buzilla Baby Blues

February 28, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this

Kovy/TK/Sim Hossa/Belanger/Kozzie Dupuis/Holik/Slater VJ/Mellanby/Boulton

Zhitnik/Havelid X/McCarthy Hnidy/Sutton

A+ on the fiddlers moves.

By silverpork

February 28, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this

For the most part, I am thrilled with the trades. Yes, we all know the price was high. But there is no question the team today is better than it was (at least on paper) a week ago.

Obviously we all want the trades to translate to good things on the ice, but I also think a huge and positive effect is the renewed sense of hope and excitement about hockey in Atlanta. The franchise needs that and so does the city. It will take a playoff run, hopefully a long one, to really establish this team in Atlanta. With the exception of the people reading your blog and those of us filling the seats at Philips, the Thrashers are invisible in this town. Critics are calling DW desperate, but I think the franchise is at a desperate point in many respects. If nothing else, the fact that these moves have made as much noise as they have will help put this team on the map in a city that seems to be trying very hard to ignore it. Hopefully a playoff run will do that and more.

DW gets an A-

By Brian

February 28, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this

I am going to do a Bob here and copy and paste as well. Make a list of who we obtained and who we gave up.

From that list, I am going to cross of Krog, we already cut him once, no value added (I know there is some, but play along here). I am also going to cross off Kapanen & Hamel for the same reason - no value lost. Now I am going to cross off the 3rd round pick on each side. Next, cross off Belanger & Metro. I know, an argument can be made here but overall pretty equal. Now cross off Dupuis & Vish. One F and one D, but both gritty and not going to start - keep going here.

So what are we left with? Tkachuk & Zhitnik for Bourret, Coburn, a 1st and a 2nd. I am already on record as being in favor of all these trades but when I look at it like this, YOU BET I’M HAPPY. 2 proven Olympians/all-stars for 2 guys who are showing signs of busting and 2 picks that might help us in 7 years from now? Great moves. A

By kracker

February 28, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this

I like the deals, the experienced vets will help a lot of course. I am also hopeful we get pleasantly surprised by the younger acquisitions DW brought in.

We should know on Dupuis by next Monday, heck, we’ll know on all the new players and the new team chemistry/effectiveness by Monday.

As for Dupuis, I felt we got hosed at first, mostly because TSN screwed up the report by saying DW traded Bourret and a 3rd for Dupuis. “Waddell paniced” “Waddell got fleeced” etc. the TSN guys said, really yucking it up.

After hearing that actually Waddell got a 3rd round pick from NYR, replacing one traded for Tkachuk, and that Dupuis played a good defensive game in the Wild style of play, suppressing his scoring talents to some degree, plus he has great speed and is called a PK specialist — well Waddell did OK: he traded an as yet unrealized talent and so far an uninpressive 1st round pick for a proven 3rd line defensive winger with speed and good offensive upside potential plus he got a draft pick.

And for Belanger, thought by some to be a superior talent underutilized and languishing behind Staal and Brindamour in Carolina and who is looking good between Hoss and the Professor, we have another player with good upside potential ready to rock.

I predict we finally win a weekend sold-out game on Friday vs the Senators.

By Poosay

February 28, 2007 3:29 PM | Link to this

I give Wadell a B-. Waited too long to make deals, therefore teams could abuse him in the exchange. Should have gotten a draft pick along with Zhitnik, Philly would have given it. I really dont care about the draft picks overall because Wadell can’t draft worth a crap and our scouting amatuer talent is a joke. I think Tkachuck will do well with Kovy, it’s about time we got someone who can play on the same level as Kovy. Belanger has been a suprise, lets hope he keeps it up. I would liked to have seen another d man rather than Dupuis, Havelid has been garbage all year, along with Devries.

By Brian

February 28, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this

Craig, again, thanks for all the updates and the blogs. I think I disagree with you on your criticism though. I would actually flip-flop the needs the way you had them. I would have gone after the forwards (Tkachuk & Belanger) a long time ago, we always needed help up front. The D-men though, we had a bunch of guys hurt plus we where calling up guys like Coburn & Popovic. What if the callups worked out this year? What if Sutton came back better? Shouldn’t a GM at least answer those health questions & callups before pulling a trade? I am glad he waited on the D trade, but I wish the C came earlier.

By Brendan

February 28, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this

Taking into consideration everything - salary cap, the future, the recent slide, the necessity for this team to make the playoffs, I give Don’s moves an “A-.” I loved the EFFORT he put into this. Clearly, he logged some long and desperate hours. He made good moves. I still can’t believe he someone to take Bourret and Coburn off our hands. “Hallelujah!”

Now, the price for Tkachuk might not actually be that high, if Atlanta can advance into the Conference Finals. Then, we’re talkin’ about pick #27 or #28 in the draft. I can live with that, as well as some “throw away” 3rd rounder. The 2nd round pick next year is anyone’s guess. But it’s beyond Don’s accumen to land a serious player at some mid-30’s, early 40’s pick. Well, maybe Pavelec might have been one. But the guy’s been drafting for 8 years. Give ‘im enough tries, something’s bound to click.

Good cap management. The future should be fine.

By LAC

February 28, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this

Bob is… as always,100% correct in his take on the trade front.

Despite the trades, I really feel this team, the WHOLE thing needs NEW direction next season.

Waddell, yes I used a capital this time, has had 8 years,minus one, to get his five year plan work… It has not. Albeit, last season’s goalie problem did not help, his off season moves and lack of KEY signings and resignings put him in panic mode the last two weeks.

No matter where we end up, a change is needed, it is time the owners woke up and admitted it is time to move forward not spinning our wheels like the past years.

If the feelings we see on these blogs are true, then what arethe casual fan thinking ? We need them too, but consistant losing…ie NOT MAKING PLAYOFFS, will scare them off to other venues to spend their money.

These owners, Like Jeff said, are in WAY over their heads, But there comes a time to become men and do what is RIGHT for the organization, not one man, and lacking THE STANLEY CUP… This shouldbe the last season of Don Waddell, we just need a change,

Remember this.. We are NOW the second OLDEST team in the NHL… and only a couple years ago SI or some publication stated we were an up and coming young hockey club…

These ownersjust need to face facts, the quick fix signings of marginal players at the start of the season have caught up with us and a couple resignings for what we have already out there would likely rendered this a moot point.

By Russ

February 28, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this

The Zhitnik and Dupuis trades were great trades as far as seeing a team weakness (the Penalty kill) and tweaking the roster to address it without giving up too much. I think the Zhitnik trade was enough to ensure at least making the playoffs. I still think they gave up too much for Tkachuk. As I said in a previous blog, when you give up 3 or 4 players/prospects/draft picks for one player that is only going to play around 20 regular season games plus playoffs the only way you come out ahead in that trade is if you win it all this year. I would categorize the Forsberg, Guerin, and Smyth trades the same way.

My initial thoughts on the trades starting with the Belanger trade through the deadline would be to give them a “B”.

Now looking into the future with hindsight vision always being 20/20 I would give the following grades based on the following possible outcomes to this season:

A+ - Stanley Cup Champions

B - Advance beyond the first round of the playoffs.

D - Miss the playoffs or are eliminated in the first round.

By silverpork

February 28, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this

A lot of people are saying he should have moved sooner on some of the trades. Maybe, but why would ST Louis trade Tkachuk earlier in the season? Until teams are firmly established as sellers or buyers, they don’t know what the market is. If I’m Pleau, my price for Tkachuk would not necessarily have been lower had DW come to me early on, because I wouldn’t be able to get an accurate feel for the real market. If Pleau, or any GM, knows he has a shot at a bidding war, why would he let an asset go sooner than necessary? I would have loved to have seen some of the moves happen sooner, but it’s not as if it was entirely up to DW as to when these trades went down.

By GaVaHokie

February 28, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this

I disagree on the timing criticism… you wait until the deadline to deal unless you’re trying to get a Forsberg type player.

With the teams slump aside, you won’t to be on the hook for as little salary as possible, especially with a $3.5 million guy like Zhitnik.

I give the deals an A+, this team has two faces… big and physical, as well as, fast and gifted. We can match up with anybody.

By pondscum

February 28, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this

Well I give DW an A grade.And I’m not one of his biggest supporters by any means,but I’ll give credit where it’s due.

Belanger-He’s picking up points,good in the face-off circles and on the PK.He has given Hossa and Kozlov a legit center,capable of playing both ways. I’d like to see him return next season.

Zhitnik- Has can really help both our special teams units out,and considering where both of them had fallen to…..it makes sense.Plus he can play at even strength pretty well in his own end. Not to forget he can QB the PP. Only draw back his his cap number.

Tkachuk- a power forward at the now center position,something this team has never had.He also brings a physical edge,and not afriad to go to the front of the net.A plus for our PP when you consider Mellanby can slide down to the #2 unit and do the same. And his mere presence will open up the ice for Kovy alot, once those 2 get their chemistry down…they’ll give us another legit scoring line.Teams won’t be able to solely focus on the Hossa-Belanger-Kozlov line anymore.

Dupuis- A defensive forward with speed and some scoring ability. He adds to Belanger and Zhitnik on the PK getting alot better.With Vigier now healthy,our PK should be alot better.

Waddell addressed both our special teams units in all 4 moves,while also adding a capable #1 defenseman and top-6 forward.Belanger looks like he could be also capable of being a top-6 forward. And as alot of folks here and other places have said this draft isn’t that great and it’s really only this draft that we lost the picks for,so no big lose there.

Bourret and Coburn could turn out ok,but how much longer would it take for them to really have an impact here? No one knows and hind sight is 20-20. We still have capable prospects at the blueline and forward spots,not every draft pick is gonna play at the NHL level.

Now,if Hartley would sit Sutton and keep McCarthy in the line up…..we’ll be ok.

By Brian

February 28, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this

silverpork - nice point. You can’t always trade for something sooner. As well, what if we never hit that Jan slump, why trade for Tkachuk or Zhitnik. If our winning % was in Jan what it was in Oct - Dec, trading would’ve been the stupidest thing in the world.

By farthammer

February 28, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this

Craig, no this is not my real name, and certainly not what my mother calls me. As for the grade on DW’s trades, while at first thinking that he did overpay wildly, I now think he got some pretty good deals. I’ll give him a high B just because I’m not ready to give up on Bourret just yet. I can care less about Coburn after reading what Kari said about Zhitnik after the game vs the B’s: “I’m just so happy to have him here. He showed why he’s a world class player.” Anything that makes Kari happy makes me happy. And the Tkachuk trade… man I remember him being a stud in the old NHL games. Yeah he might have character issues and be alot older than he used to be, but he’s a legit star. Even though I was over the moon when we got Vish this summer, after seeing both him and Belanger as Thrashers there’s no doubt who we need more, and that trade sure looks like a steal. Belanger was the key piece of the trade that sent Jack Johnson and Tverdovsky to the Kings, least we forget.

By kracker

February 28, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this

“Belanger was the key piece of the trade that sent Jack Johnson and Tverdovsky to the Kings, least we forget.”

Interesting, I’m liking Belanger even more.

By Ryan

February 28, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this

I don’t want to seem negative…that is not my point. Consistency is what makes the playoffs and gets teams far in the playoffs. If these new acquisitions can help the fact the Thrash have been inconsistent then a grade of A+ is in store. If not, then it will be chalked up to be another of DW “plans” that backfired in the face of the fans. Lets remember that one game, one win, with these new players is not consistency. I will wait a few more games to see if these trades have been good for the Thrash.

By Tony C.

February 28, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this

He gets the ” A- “

LET’S GO BLUE !!!

By Jim

February 28, 2007 5:28 PM | Link to this

Love the trades and the moves. The timing was what you’d expect with salary cap constraints. The story on Bourret is that he may not want to continue to play professionally. And, Coburn’s got an overinflated sense of his capabilities right now and sulked when sent down. DW pulled off a sold “A” on these moves.

By Tony C.

February 28, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this

He gets the ” A- “

LET’S GO BLUE !!!

By Poosay

February 28, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this

Brian, I’m not sure I understand your post. Are you saying that this teams defense wasn’t a pressing issue?

By Brian

February 28, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this

Poosay - not at all. I’m saying that it was a pressing issue, but earlier in the season we don’t know how some of the callups would’ve responded. Sure, now we know that Coburn isn’t the answer this year and that Popovic is a year away. But hindsight is 20/20. What if either one of those 2 took off, would we need Zhitnik as badly? No. But as it turns out, they didn’t do so well, so now you can say make the trade.

What I am basically saying is that earlier in the season we had different circumstances and we didn’t know then what we know now, so it wouldn’t be smart to do a D trade earlier.

By Poosay

February 28, 2007 7:03 PM | Link to this

Our defense besides XLB and now Zhitnik, are awful. Has anybody been watching Havelid, he is a liability. He has been on the ice for last 9 goals against. He acts like the puck is radioactive.

By Bob

February 28, 2007 9:17 PM | Link to this

Poosay, I agree, our d has been awful all year. I’ve been begging for a center since early in the year, but someone on here, mabye Russ, has been saying the defense was our most pressing need. I think you guys were right with that. But hey, Waddell made the moves, Zhitnik is a huge improvement and I think Havelid’s play will benefit from not having to play 28 minutes a night, killing every penalty, QB’ing every PP.

Craig, already read your article for tomorrow, good scoop that Dupuis can play either wing. Let us know if Dupuis’ skates show up and if Hartley trys him a line with Tkachuk and Kovy.

Kozlov-Belanger-Hossa Kovy-Tkachuk-Dupuis Larsen-Holik-Vigier Sim-Slater-Mellanby

Roll those 4 lines, give the 4th 12 minutes a night too. Get ready for some playoff hockey.

Can’t believe I’m cheering for Heatley tonight. It’s cathartic, he’s helping us get in the playoffs. Time to let that past go with the kid and let’s just focus on taking his club down Friday night, and in the playoffs, should we meet.

By michael

February 28, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this

Belanger, Zhitnik, Tkachuck, and Dupuis. Is it the trade deadline or did we just add these guys in free agency in the offseason?

By Brendan

February 28, 2007 11:17 PM | Link to this

Michael, Zhitnik is under contract for two more seasons. Tkachuk is a straight up rental, and so is Dupuis. Though, both “could” theoretically be re-signed. If Tkachuk is re-signed, it costs the Thrashers their 1st round pick in 2008. Belanger should be re-signed. That probably should become a priority in the offseason. Belanger should get a lot of good looks as opposing teams focus on his linemates, Kozlov and Hossa. Belanger will play a big role in what happens between now and the end of the season. I love that Belanger probably has an ax to grind with Carolina.

Ottawa 2, Carolina 0. That’s a final. Niiice.

By michael

February 28, 2007 11:21 PM | Link to this

Brendan, I was making a joke as it seems our team just got a makeover.

By j nes

March 1, 2007 1:23 AM | Link to this

I don’t know enough about Dupuis yet, but as long as he is better than Kappanen (or my grandmother), I give Wadell an A for his efforts.

By Bob

March 1, 2007 9:10 AM | Link to this

Dupuis > Kapanen who is < Grandma

By Blueliner

March 1, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this

Jim, that’s quite a statement about Bourett’s future. Where does that come from?

By Thrasher_Ed

March 1, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

Ok Bloggers time to focus in on what is really important. Think we all agree that moves needed to be made. The next 5 weeks will determine whether or not the moves dandy Don Waddell made were good for the organization. I like the moves because it shows we want to win and now. I personally will reserve judgement on what players I would like to re-sign until after the season is over. Kozlov certainly would merit being resigned right away maybe we can get him without breaking the bank. Belanger keeps up his current pace and he becomes a must sign.
Dupuis was signed this year for an affordable $798K, so he might be a good trade off salary wise since we had Niko Kapanen for 2yrs at 800K & 900K, plus Dupuis is younger.
Let’s Go Thrashers!!

By Thrasher_Ed

March 1, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this

Brendan or anybody else have the link to the site with the updated salary cap hits by team. Can’t remember who posted it originally, but if anyone has the link please repost. Thanks!! Not the one from The Hockey News.com .

By Matt H

March 1, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this

Bob, I’ve been saying that the D has been the Thrashers most pressing need for most of the season, even above a center.

I think the board’s done an excellent job of analyzing the trades thusfar, so I won’t get into it any further other than to say I like that Waddell acted.

I am concerned like Brendan and LAC, though, about the team’s age, and I haven’t seen enough hard-nosed play to stop questioning their heart yet. I really want a leader to step up and carry the team, and I really want that person to be Marian Hossa.

By David-ATL14

March 1, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this

The actual parts would equal an A, but the lack of urgency makes the overall grade a B. Two weeks earlier would have been sweet.

By Brian

March 1, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this

Matt H - I agree that the age for this team is high, but I wouldn’t worry about it. There are so many UFAs on this team right now that we can have a complete makeover this offseason. The core is still going to be Kovvy/Hoss/Lehts. They are young. I don’t even want to start analyzing that until after the playoffs though.

Thrasher_Ed - I have a couple links for player salaries. The only problem is that after a trade you only take on a prorated amount of the newly acquired player, not his entire salary. No one updates it to that degree with the exception of GMs themselves. I don’t even know the official rules on such matters.

By Tom

March 1, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this

Thrasher Ed

This is the best one I have come across.

http://www.nhlnumbers.com/

It is not perfect but does the job for me.

By Brian

March 1, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this

Tom - great link!!! Even though the salaries aren’t accurate, it quickly illustrates this: this summer we will only have 8 players still under contract (7 UFAs and 1 RFA, don’t count Kapanen even though he is on this list. Remember he was waived). That leaves 11 UFAs and 3 RFAs who may or may not be here at the start of next season.

Matt H - this is why I said earlier that I wasn’t worried about age. We can have an entirely different team after this offseason.

By Brendan

March 1, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this

You’re absolutely right, Thrasher_Ed, the time is at hand. Tampa’s on their road swing. This represents, perhaps, Atlanta’s best chance to reclaim the division lead and keep it. We’re at home. They’re on that difficult road swing that (poster) Jenn pointed out in her blog. She said, “none of the SE division has fared well over there.” I think Atlanta just might have done the best so far, and what we did was dysmal.

So, … Blueland must get rockin’. And there must be wins or at least points out of these games. Our guys aren’t young this season. So, I am a bit worried about fresh legs. But, they’re long on EXPERIENCE. And experience is valuable at this time of year and in the playoffs. One can argue that the playoffs have already started.

By silverpork

March 1, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this

Brendan,

There is no doubt the playoffs have already started. Come April 8, the difference between first place in the SE and 9th place in the conference may in fact be very, very slim. Barring a collapse on the part of TB and Carolina, every single game is huge, huge, huge.

By Brian

March 1, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this

What’s most interesting is that the last game of the year is in Philips - against the Bolts.

By Brendan

March 1, 2007 3:29 PM | Link to this

Silverpork, I love what the salary cap has done to the standings. The difference between #4 and #12 might be 10-points. But look what else the cap has done? It allows teams that fail to QUICKLY restock via these trade deadline deals and to grab a lottery pick. I doubt it should take but three years to go from WORST to at least playoff-bound. Keep your eye on St. Louis. One year removed from WORST in the league, they are hovering around .500.

The Thrashers have to make sure they don’t stay in the “middle of pack,” year-after-year, never really able to replenish the ranks/farm system with top picks. I have to believe the rise and fall of clubs is cyclical. You must have “bad seasons” to reload. Look at Carolina after 2002. The tanked in 2003. Worst record. It allowed them to go get Staal, Ladd, Jack Johnson (whom they traded,) etc.

With all our UFA’s this summer, this team can be completely re-made in the offseason, with a GM of “vision” at the helm. There ought to be emphasis on youth and speed. The average team age should never again be over 30.

By Mark

March 1, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this

I like the trades in a “we have to win now” sense. Waddell payed a lot though. You can say what you want about Coburn but he never really got a chance with Hartley for whatever reason. A roster player, a 1st, and a 3rd is a lot to give up for a rental and I would be very surprised if Tkachuk signs here. His home and family is in St. Louis and they like it there apparently.

One more thought, do you guys realize that Waddell passed up on Dion Phanuef to draft Coburn? Man, was that a huge miss. I would think that our defensive problems would not be nearly as significant if we had Phanuef in our line-up.

By Bob

March 1, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this

Matt, my apologies. That was you, and full props to you for calling it right. D was the most pressing need, good call.

Mark, don’t remind me about Phaneuf! You’re spot on with Tkachuk, he is a straight rental going back to the club that traded him, as you point out, his family loves St. Louis (don’t ask me why).

You think Smyth will go back to Edmonton, the team that traded him? That’s a no brainer that he would have until what his GM pulled on him over $100k per year, but I bet he still goes back to the Oil this summer. Wonder if his GM gives him the $5.5 and no trade now as a thank you for giving him what he got in return for renting him out to the Isle.

By Brendan

March 1, 2007 10:27 PM | Link to this

Mark, it is unfortunate how the 2003 draft unfolded for Atlanta. Hindsight always make a draft clearer to evaluate. There are two things to consider. One is … Waddell was on the rules committee and should have known that a 6’5” guy isn’t especially the way the “new NHL” was headed. The other thing is that Central scouting and Hockey News had Coburn ranked ahead of Phaneuf, with Ryan Suter as the #1 blueliner prospect.

Do I fault the Preds’ GM for not taking Phaneuf? With “hindsight” … yes. But at the time, it was reasonable to select Suter. And it can be argued that Waddell was just following “consensus” type draft reporting. But, I still says his participation in the rules committee should have influenced his selection.

Drafting is an inexact science. Sometimes, even the top overall pick is a bust. (Stefan, Daigle, etc.) But you’re right, it’s frustrating to think how a player of Phaneuf’s caliber was there for the taking. Another way to look at that draft is that … well … certainly some team with salary cap issues might have parted with a proven commoditity defenseman to take the #8 overall pick. That is another strategy some teams use on draft day. Don wanted a D-man. He could have shopped it for a player of someone’s roster.