Indeed, they speak truth
I am a fan of no team, although I really enjoy watching certain players more than others. Sometimes, when a couple of them are on the same team I will watch a bit more closely. Sometimes, I am mistaken for a Habs fan (because of where I live), a sabres fan (because of my avatar) or a Sens fan (because I was editor of the Sens page at HF for a short while).
I also enjoy certain coaches and will follow them more closely. Overall, though, I print a full NHL schedule and I have a log book. I make sure I watch all 30 teams a certain number of periods per year. Sometimes with certain teams, it sucks because it's boring but I still love to do it.
The short answer to why I manage to stay interested is twofolds. At first, it was about money. I started observing all hockey teams because I got involved in simulation leagues (using the crappy but still fairly accurate Strat-O-Matic boardgame) and pools. With the sim league, there was a thousand bucks for the winner each season. That gets you motivated! I also managed to win most of the pools at the office where I was working in and quickly, it came to a point where former employees who were involved in other pools at other offices were asking me to write draft lists or pick for them in exchange for a percentage of the gain. It was good and easy cash
I just perfected it over time but the office work days are over and now I do it for fun.
The second part of the answer is really the NHL climate. I don't think it is fan-friendly. I admire team fans because they seem more loyal than many players. I think my heart would be broken if my captain was leaving because he wants an obscene salary raise. For instance, it was hard not to feel something for Ducks fan. They supported Kariya for years and then suddenly he bolts with his girlfriend to win a cup on a star-packed team. And he signs for a fraction of what he was earning on his former team. I don't like those things.
I think I'd love a system that is closer to what we see in certain European countries. Where the players are developed carefully in the home farm system and then play for the big team. I have a few ideas I'd like the NHL to explore. Like a quota on the number of trades that can be made yearly, a fair salary structure and a more restrictive free agent system. It's just wrong to see so few players spend their career with one single team.
I'd like some sense of tradition and of commitments.
Regarding the players you asked about, as I have said previously in other threads, this is an unusual year for me. I've seen much less hockey (live and TV) than usual and almost paid no attention to the 2004 prospects, unfortunately.
The only one I know is Andrew Ladd and I think he is very good but I have been spoiled with the 2003 draft. It's unfair but I'm thinking of the 2003 draft too much and it colors my impressions of Ladd. He's hard working and a *good* player. It's just that when you've been spoiled with players that have great upside the year before, it's tough to be excited about him. I see him as a sort of poor man's Scott Hartnell. That can be good or bad. Lots of people are high on Scott Hartnell, I'm not that much. A damn nice hockey player but nothing truly special.
I have a buddy who speaks highly of Stafford but isn't sold on AJ Thelen. I read on this board that AJ was rising and my friend still says he is not convinced.
For Alexander Radulov, you'll have to ask someone else too.
You've talked about the 9th pick. I dunno what the Ducks will do but expect a few nice players to be available there. The four names you mention could well be in this ballpark, although I have no idea who the teams are (and those who pretend they do usually fool themselves). If the Ducks follow the BPA strategy, there might be a nice goalie there. Or Chipchura. Lots of people say Chipchura is overrated but I really like him. I think he doesn't get the credit he deserves. He's a smart hockey player and the skills are not flashy but he does offer you something. Could be coachable guy you can plug from one line to the other seemlessly.
This is extremely valuable in today's hockey. As a top 5 pick he'd be a mistake but at 9th overall, it's not bad.
If the Rangers are serious about building a new atmosphere where COLLECTIVE play is emphasized, they might also want to look at Chipchura.
I'm flattered by the thread, guys. I didn't want to respond because I was hoping it would get to the second page
I check my PM box frequently and personal questions like these are probably best to be taken by PM if you ask me. I'm just a guy like every other and I don't come reading HF for nothing: It's because I think there are a lot of GREAT posters here. For instance, you can find some info regarding Ladd by Brock on some other recent thread.