Just thought for fun's sake (and to get some discussion going) I'd post some thoughts on last night's activities. Hope nobody takes offence to my takes. Enjoy.
Thoughts…
*Murphy2: Blaine Stoughton had several seasons in which he ranked among the top offensive right wings in the league. I had Craig Simpson as the second-best left winger in the draft, behind Bun Cook. I think he would have been the 1990s answer to Glenn Anderson if not for his back injury. 56-goal scorer, 1990 playoff scoring leader and a solid agitator. There aren’t many defensive defencemen in this draft better than Bill Hajt. Jason Smith went a little early for my liking (OK, a lot early) but hopefully he’ll be the captain of a Stanley Cup champion after tonight.
*Spitfire11: Dave Poulin is, bar none, the best defensive centre available in the minor league draft. Combined outstanding poise, anticipation and instincts to become one of the best defensive forwards in the post-Gainey era. Decent offensive instincts, too. Only injuries held him back. This team will be tough to play against with Poulin, Draper and Holik. Those guys have some rings, too. Harry Watson is one of the top wingers available. I didn’t have Gustafson that high, but he’s a good player for this draft.
*Hedberg: I think we know all we need to know about Henderson. Bergman was one of my top-rated available defencemen. Gary “Suitcase†Smith is as good of a goalie that there is in the draft. Those make up nicely for the selection of Ray Ferraro.
*BM67: There isn’t much to choose between the goalies available in this draft. But any time you can nab an HHOF goalie in the seventh round, you’re doing well. Hap Holmes was one of the best pre-Original 6 goaltenders. Jean Pronovost was a highly skilled offensive forward who had some excellent seasons. Not many four-time all-star game participants available. Albany police will be asking for a raise knowing that Derek Sanderson is in town.
*raleh: They could have renamed the Lady Byng Award the Clint Smith Award and nobody would have complained. Embodied the traits of skill and sportsmanship. Not much info on raleh’s other selections, but it’s not the first time that raleh’s gone off the board. (They can’t be any worse than Martin Straka, though. Sorry, raleh).
*jtuzzi: I’m shocked five-time Cup champion Charlie Huddy slipped this far. He was one of my top-five defencemen for this draft. Very underrated, he was a defensive backbone for the Oilers, and he could chip in offensively, too. Jt, from one diehard Canuck fan to another, how can you pass up Captain Kirk to pick JS Giguere? Team toughness won’t be a problem with Dave Samenko.
*Leaf Lander: If the Leafs couldn’t make the playoffs with Kabarle and McCabe as their top defensive pairing, how can the Marlies go far? Bob Davidson is a nice pickup, a little early for my liking, but he’s a steady, reliable defensive forward with an offensive upside. Not many of those available for the checking line. Spezza’s selection appears to be as much for what he will do in the future as what he is now.
*reckoning: reckoning may be the only GM in minor draft history to get the steal of the draft in the first round. (Bernie Nichols). We won’t be saying the same thing about his 11th round pick. I’m a big Carney fan, he was stellar for Anaheim in 2003, but he’s nowhere near 94th in the farm draft good. Mackell’s a solid addition. Not many former first-team all-stars out there. Dallas Smith played his junior hockey where I live, so that gives him instant credibility in my eyes. Strong defensive defenceman.
Thoughts…
*Murphy2: Blaine Stoughton had several seasons in which he ranked among the top offensive right wings in the league. I had Craig Simpson as the second-best left winger in the draft, behind Bun Cook. I think he would have been the 1990s answer to Glenn Anderson if not for his back injury. 56-goal scorer, 1990 playoff scoring leader and a solid agitator. There aren’t many defensive defencemen in this draft better than Bill Hajt. Jason Smith went a little early for my liking (OK, a lot early) but hopefully he’ll be the captain of a Stanley Cup champion after tonight.
*Spitfire11: Dave Poulin is, bar none, the best defensive centre available in the minor league draft. Combined outstanding poise, anticipation and instincts to become one of the best defensive forwards in the post-Gainey era. Decent offensive instincts, too. Only injuries held him back. This team will be tough to play against with Poulin, Draper and Holik. Those guys have some rings, too. Harry Watson is one of the top wingers available. I didn’t have Gustafson that high, but he’s a good player for this draft.
*Hedberg: I think we know all we need to know about Henderson. Bergman was one of my top-rated available defencemen. Gary “Suitcase†Smith is as good of a goalie that there is in the draft. Those make up nicely for the selection of Ray Ferraro.
*BM67: There isn’t much to choose between the goalies available in this draft. But any time you can nab an HHOF goalie in the seventh round, you’re doing well. Hap Holmes was one of the best pre-Original 6 goaltenders. Jean Pronovost was a highly skilled offensive forward who had some excellent seasons. Not many four-time all-star game participants available. Albany police will be asking for a raise knowing that Derek Sanderson is in town.
*raleh: They could have renamed the Lady Byng Award the Clint Smith Award and nobody would have complained. Embodied the traits of skill and sportsmanship. Not much info on raleh’s other selections, but it’s not the first time that raleh’s gone off the board. (They can’t be any worse than Martin Straka, though. Sorry, raleh).
*jtuzzi: I’m shocked five-time Cup champion Charlie Huddy slipped this far. He was one of my top-five defencemen for this draft. Very underrated, he was a defensive backbone for the Oilers, and he could chip in offensively, too. Jt, from one diehard Canuck fan to another, how can you pass up Captain Kirk to pick JS Giguere? Team toughness won’t be a problem with Dave Samenko.
*Leaf Lander: If the Leafs couldn’t make the playoffs with Kabarle and McCabe as their top defensive pairing, how can the Marlies go far? Bob Davidson is a nice pickup, a little early for my liking, but he’s a steady, reliable defensive forward with an offensive upside. Not many of those available for the checking line. Spezza’s selection appears to be as much for what he will do in the future as what he is now.
*reckoning: reckoning may be the only GM in minor draft history to get the steal of the draft in the first round. (Bernie Nichols). We won’t be saying the same thing about his 11th round pick. I’m a big Carney fan, he was stellar for Anaheim in 2003, but he’s nowhere near 94th in the farm draft good. Mackell’s a solid addition. Not many former first-team all-stars out there. Dallas Smith played his junior hockey where I live, so that gives him instant credibility in my eyes. Strong defensive defenceman.
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