NHL Draft Thread 2009

[T.Dot]

The draft is tonight in Montreal and there are tons of storylines leading up...

Who will the Isles pick?
Will the Leafs move up for Taveras?

Leafs GM Brian Burke went on the show Off the Record yesterday and said he thought the Isles would pick Matt Duchene, wouldn't surprise me actually.

Lots of trade speculation as well with Tomas Kaberle, Jay Bouwmeester and Dany Heatley all being offered by their teams and teams like the Kings looking for a star.

 

[killgod]

i did make a free agency thread with all the rumors already. :lulz:


Regarding the draft......

Considering the Isles will have a packed arena tonight and are flying out the #1 pick to see everyone, I can't see how it's not Tavares. He's been touted as the next great one. It makes sense.

 

[Spidey]

Yeah, I have a hard time seeing how the Isles pass on Tavares. Fans will murder someone.

As an Avs fan, I know we are getting one of the big 3 which makes me quite happy. I'm expecting Duchene which is great. I love Duchene and think he's gonna be a great player. If it's not Duchene, I hope its Tavares. Nothing wrong with Hedman at all. I think he'll be great as well. I just think we already have a strong stable of defensive prospects.

All in all though, can't go wrong with any of them.

I'll also be interested to see if there are any other trades made by the Avs. They are said to be shopping Ryan Smyth, Scott Hannan, and John-Michael Liles.

 

[Spidey]

Not going out on much of a limb but despite all the drama I think it goes as predicted..

1. Tavares
2. Hedman
3. Duchene

And I don't think Toronto gets into the top 3. They may trade up but the top 3 remain the same.

 

[T.Dot]

I think it goes

1. Duchene
2. Hedman
3. Tavares

Duchene is the most complete of the three and Tampa doesnt need another forward

 

[Spidey]

Thats the second most likely scenario to me. I really don't see Hedman going first. The main reason I see Tavares going first is simply cause of the backlash that would happen if he didn't. If any team would do it though, it would be the Islanders.

I like Duchene a lot though. Tavares is a stud but I'm hoping the Avs wind up with Duchene. As I said though. Outside of trading out of the spot, theres no real way I'll be disappointed.

 

[Spidey]

Tavares, just as expected. They really couldn't do anything else in my opinion.

 

[T.Dot]

Tavares first, Hedman second, Duchene prob third

Also Chris Pronger traded to Philly from Anaheim for Joffrey Lupul, Luca Sbisa and two first rounders

 

[chazmaniandevil]

yay for pronger leaving anaheim

 

[Spidey]

Im quite happy right now. Avs are gonna get Duchene who grew up an Avs fan and judging by his little fist pump when Hedman got selected, really wants to be an Av. Welcome to Colorado Matt Duchene.








Avs, please don't do anything stupid and make this post look retarded

 

[Spidey]

WOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

 

[Spidey]

Damn, awesome on the ice and the absolute man for NHL stick trivia. Matt freakin Duchene!!

 

[chazmaniandevil]

as a sharks fan, im watching for the trades

 

[T.Dot]

Nice move getting Duchene, interested to see what the Leafs do, whether they move up to get Schenn

 

[T.Dot]

Kadri is a solid pick

 

[killgod]

yay for pronger leaving anaheim

so awesome. so glad he's over in the east now. i hate that dirty mfer (outside of int'l competition)

 

[calgaryballer]

Edmonton got MPS in the first round, quite happy with the pick. Sounds like he might stay in Sweden for another year, but everyone seems to quite like him. Comparisons to Sundin and Forsberg are always good

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

I thought the Cats had a great draft...seriously. This is the second year in a row where I thought their draft was pretty damned good.

Kulikov was good value...Moore and Schroeder were other guys I wanted/thought would happen that were available (Kassian was the main guy I wanted but he went right before our pick).

Trading J-Bo and getting back Leopold (player I wanted in FA...played well with Ballard) and a third rounder that turned into Josh Birkholtz who will play for Minnesota for a few years isn't bad at all for a player that was GONE. Will have to sign Leopold, but I do like the deal for a guy that was essentially gone.

Also love the pick of Drew Shore. Love what his scouting report tells me.

Overall, not too shabby for Florida...I'll take it.

I just want to see the team add an impact forward for Christ's sake.

 

[.RoCkEtS1]

I'm interested to see how Tavares does with the Islanders. He's no Crosby or Ovechkin but he could be good.

 

[TDAUG]

.....