The Puck Stops Here : “There are a few things we can say about the draft which are probably true”
Yep.
On average three players selected in the draft will go on to have Hall of Fame careers. It is hard to identify them at this point. It is a reasonable guess that John Tavares may be one of them, but that is far a certainty. Probably at least one of them is not yet selected after the first day of the draft and may be found in the very late rounds of the draft. Several more players will go on to have significant careers, but fall short of Hall of Fame level. Again, identifying them is all but impossible. Some players who are highly rated and have scouts gushing over them today will fail to have any significant NHL career. Your guess is as good as mine for their identity.
It was NOT a surprise that the New York Islanders selected John Tavares with the first overall pick. I don’t care what was written by the media in the days leading up to the draft that suggested it wasn’t a given and tried to create a false controversy to gather further interest in draft coverage. Tavares looks like the best player at this point, he has looked like the best player for quite a while, he outplayed Victor Hedman at the World Junior Championships, if you are paying attention there is no reason not to pick him.
In terms of impact next season, this draft will have little. Maybe a handful of players selected will play an NHL game next year. About two of them will remain in the league all season, while the rest get quickly returned to their junior teams. I think the news that makes the biggest impact next season is the trade of Chris Pronger. The Anaheim Ducks traded Chris Pronger and Ryan Dingle, an AHL forward with little potential to make an NHL impact to the Philadelphia Flyers for Joffrey Lupul, Luca Sbisa, two first round draft picks (this year’s and next) and a third round pick to be taken in 2010 or 2011. It is a hefty price for Pronger, who will be 35 this October. I am surprised the Flyers believe they have salary cap room for Pronger. I don’t think they do. I think they are forced to make further moves to make the salary cap. I think this means Daniel Briere will be moved, likely for limited return, in order to do this. Anaheim will likely win this deal over the long term, but they should be weaker next year as much of their take is futures that won’t be ready to make an impact yet. I am not convinced Philadelphia will be any better with Pronger in the line up, given the other moves that will be necessary to make the salary cap. I think the big winner next year could be the team that gets Philadelphia assets (like Briere) at a cut rate price. If Briere can be healthy, that team will see a big benefit.
James Mirtle (mirtle) on Twitter
Eric Duhatschek says: “Almost everyone here thinks Matt Duchene is going to go No. 1 to the Isles now” http://www.theglobeandmail….
Right. Sure.
I assume that’s wishful thinking on the part of Toronto sports media people. Because if Tavares doesn’t go first, there’s an infinitesimal chance Burke can trade up and grab him. Or is it that I am still hoping DL trades up and grabs Duchene? Or-or…is Duchene Pat Falloon? What time is it?
THN Draft Preview 2009
1. Tavares
2. Hedman
3. Duchene
4. Cowen
5. Kane
6. Schenn
7. Paajarvi-Svensson
8. Kadri
9. Schroeder
10. Rundblad
OHL Scoring: Loktionov #4 Overall, Leads All Rookies; Tavares peaks at #7 Before Being Sidetracked by Losing; Kings Prospect Bryan Cameron at #20
Windsor will play either Brampton or Bellville. London will play nobody. 
Loktionov Scores in OT to lead Windsor over London/Tavares
For the fourth time in the series, the Spitfires and Knights took the game to overtime and for the third time, the Spitfires were victorious. Just 59 seconds into overtime, Andrei Loktionov scored his 6th goal of the playoffs to give the Spits the win.
via Windsor Spitfires Hockey Club | Ontario Hockey League.
Loktionov is fourth overall in the league in playoff scoring, with 23 points. Tavares has 19 points. Windsor is up 3-1 in the series.
OHL Playoff Leaders: Loktionov #3, Duchene #9, Tavares #14
GP G A Pts PIM
1 Taylor Hall Windsor Spitfires 12 10 14 24 10
2 Ryan Ellis Windsor Spitfires 12 8 14 22 12
3 * Andrei Loktionov Windsor 12 5 17 22 2
4 Dale Mitchell Windsor 12 11 10 21 12
5 Eric Tangradi Belleville Bulls 13 8 13 21 12
6 Cody Hodgson Brampton 12 6 15 21 10
7 Nazem Kadri London 11 9 10 19 18
8 * Evgeny Grachev Brampton 12 9 10 19 4
9 Matt Duchene Brampton 12 9 9 18 10
10 Luke Pither Belleville Bulls 13 6 12 18 2
11 * John Carlson London Knights 11 5 13 18 12
12 Michael Del Zotto London 11 2 16 18 8
13 Phil Varone London Knights 11 9 8 17 19
14 John Tavares London Knights 11 8 8 16 6
via Ontario Hockey League ◊ Official Website .
Loktionov leads all players in assists, with 17. He’s third overall in points. Potential King pick Duchene is ninth, certain number one pick Tavares is fourteenth. Also, Loktionov is a rookie in the OHL.
leave a comment