Comments on: Blue Jackets, Oilers, Habs, Isles and Leafs have a shot at first pick

By: miketoasty

miketoasty — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 13:25:45 +0000

I would like to see Columbus get the first pick then trade Nash for the 2nd or 3rd overall pick (If those teams are either Edmonton, Montreal, or Toronto; all of which teams should have much better records next year if they don’t falter (Montreal, Toronto) or their young talent starts to take charge (Edmonton)). Of course this is more of a Video Game scenario but it could make things very interesting come draft day if Columbus can get a couple early picks.

By: iamanidiotfan

iamanidiotfan — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 07:37:20 +0000

leafs, just for the entertainment value of watching people blow up if they win.

By: gbiscottagecheesefatties

gbiscottagecheesefatties — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 23:28:59 +0000

I am so mad with my Wild finally finding their game again in the last week of the year. They were on pace to have the #2 or at worst #3… Now we are looking at Forsberg if he falls, Trouba, Reinhart

Wild will be throwing huge money at Suter and Parise this summer, need to land one of them!!!

By: bcisleman

bcisleman — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 21:29:16 +0000

Teams that are in it have the same wish: either they win it or Columbus. In the latter case, at least they do not slip a space. That happened to the Isles last year and, although it likely didnt change their pick, you could argue that they are due.

Garth Snow has shown a propensity to spurn defensemen with his first pick as much as many think he needs an elite defenseman. He prefers to develop defense prospects such as Travis Hamonic, a late second rounder, Andrew MacDonald, a fifth rounder, and now Matt Donovan, a fourth rounder. Scott Mayfield, a second rounder, Andrei Pedan, a third rounder, Robbie Russo, a fourth rounder, and Brendan Kichton, a fifth rounder. Defensemen take time to develop. The Isles’ defense will develop from later picks.

Yakupov and Grigorenko will be gone when the Isles pick unless they win the lottery. Their likely picks will be either Alex Galchenyuk or Filip Forsberg. The Isles have a bit of a glut of centers and power forwards. Galchenyuk, however, could be an elite second line center and drafting him would allow the Isles to add Ryan Strome to the first line with his buddies JT & Matt. It might also punch Kirill Petrov’s ticket to cross the pond.