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Thursday, June 19, 2008
NHL Draft-A-Paloosa
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m a day early with this blog, I know…but I wanted to give you all time to post your predictions of draft order and/or possible deals. Then, as the weekend unfolds, we can discuss how it all pans out.
Although we were led to believe that a coach would be in place prior to the draft…it looks like that won’t be the case. In fact, the first three picks will be from teams currently without a coach.
Regardless…NHL Draft-A-Paloosa 2008 is ON!!
Here are three entries regarding this weekend’s activities for your review and discussion…one from ESPN…another from The Hockey News…and then this one from TSN. All three… surprise, surprise… have Steven Stamkos slipping on a Lightning jersey to start things off…pretty safe bet there.
Depending on which way the L.A. Kings go, the Thrashers will have either Drew Doughty or Zach Bogosian available to select with their third pick. Some have deemed Doughty the defenseman most ready to play in the NHL off the bat and Bogy looks to have the edge in physicality. Either would be a solid pick…and could help the Thrashers defense right away.
But there are other prospects out there that could be considered. Staying with the blueline theme, Alex Pietrangelo and Luke Schenn most likely won’t last past the first half dozen or so picks. And then there is Russian Nikita Filatov, who will probably be the first non-defender picked right after Stamkos. If the Thrashers are looking to choose a center with their first pick, there is Colin Wilson of Boston University.
But, when you have the needs on defense as the Thrashers do, and you have such promising players available…you gotta pick a blueline player.
If I had to render a guess, I’d say Bogosian would be the one who gets his ticket stamped for Blueland.
Also in the first round, the Thrashers are scheduled to pick 29th…the selection gained in the trade deadline deal with Pittsburgh. Personally, I would like to see the team continue addressing defense…maybe a center. But that also depends on what talent is still out there pending the previous 28 decisions.
Oh, and don’t forget the draft party at Philips Friday night. Doors open at 6:00 and the draft begins at 7:00. See ya there.
And In Other News…
How many of you felt a cold chill run down your spine when you read between the lines of Ilya Kovalchuk’s agent in Jeff Shultz’s latest article?
If you were hoping the Thrasher might be able to provide Ilya Kovalchuk with a top line center by the name of Daymond Langkow…sorry.
Igor Larionov and Glenn Anderson are heading to The Hall of Fame!
New to the Vancouver Canucks coaching staff…Ryan Walter as an assistant.
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