June 20, 2007

You want to talk underwhelmed, let's talk 'bout those BlackHawks. This once proud franchise is ignored, especially in Chicago. It has been run (into the ground) by the ownership of Dollar Bill Wirtz and the general incompetence of Bob Pulford. Whomever they draft would be wise to sign no more than a 3 year contract, then get the hell out. You can't tell I'm bitter, can you?

posted by wdminott at 10:24 PM CDT on June 20

Doug MacLean was still GM, the Blue Jackets would draft someone positively underwhelming.

During a mock draft on TSN, he went "maverick" and picked Turris first overall.

posted by grum@work at 8:59 AM CDT on June 21

I see all these junior leagues and the Europeans in the NHL Draft, but no mention of NCAA players.Is the field just thin or do collegiate players have to go to farm clubs first?

The draft is of 18 year-olds, who haven't had a chance to be in college yet. A good percentage of those drafted will go on to NCAA schools after the draft. There are some NCAA rules about who is eligible, and generally if you see an elite prospect not in the CHL (e.g., Kyle Turris ranked #3 from the BC Junior Hockey League (Junior B) it is so they can retain scholarship and NCAA eligibility, in his case, he is going to Wisconsin (and often the Junior B teams are closer to home with less travel so the players can have a normal high school life. But you ahve to be very confident in your abilities since the Junior B may not be as challenging and scouts may devalue you accordingly). American elite 18 year olds are often drafted out of high school. If the 18 year olds amaze at training camp, they can always jump straight to the NHL. Other 18 year olds will stay in Junior A for a year or two (age limit is 20), then go to the AHL or ECHL or other pro league on the way to the NHL.

posted by rumple at 11:14 AM CDT on June 21

One draft hopeful had a rather twisted road to Columbus. This article by Kevin Paul DuPont in today's Boston Globe is a nice human interest piece.

posted by Howard_T at 11:39 AM CDT on June 21

The Leafs have just made their first deal of the draft weekend, acquiring Vesa Toskala and Mark Bell from San Jose for (maybe)their first-round pick at No. 13 this season, a second rounder and a fourth-round pick in 2009.

I'm not thrilled about the loss of the first-round pick, but Toskala is the real deal. He was 26-10-1 with a 2.35 GAA and a .908 save percentage last year, and he'll only be better if he's the main man. The pick also can switch to the 2008 draft if the Sharks don't like who is available this year, but Toronto has Top 10 protection in that case.

Where this leaves Andrew Raycroft is up for debate. Raycroft wasn't the problem last season (hello, Kubina and McCabe!), but he wasn't the solution either. Dealing him or relegating him to the back-up spot would be an admission of defeat for Toronto GM John Ferguson, Jr., in the trade that sent Tuukka Rask to Boston last year. I have to think (and hope and pray) JFJ has a deal in place to move Razor and a defenseman.

It also makes you wonder whether the Leafs have already soured on Justin Pogge. I didn't hear anyone come away from last year's Marlies games saying they were overly impressed with Pogge, and the organization has been pretty mum. Pogge's way too young to write off, but if the right package came down the pike to move him and acquire either a high pick or a solid scorer, I think the Leafs would jump.

As for Mark Bell, he can't possibly play down to the lousy level of last year again, can he? Bell's 6-4, 205, so he's got the size Toronto needs in the corners and to free up Mats Sundin (hint hint), and he's only $2M a year. Wjat's the harm?

This is definitely a nice move by Ferguson, but keep your fingers crossed that another deal's coming.

posted by wfrazerjr at 1:20 PM CDT on June 22

I thought Raytrough was totally the problem last year. He's awful. Toskala is a great pick-up. Bell wasn't working in San Jose, he scored 25 on a shit awful Chicago team two years ago, but we'll see how that works out.

However, yet again the Leafs deal away picks. Not sure that's such a good thing. San Jose didn't want ANY of our players?

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 8:09 PM CDT on June 22

Not sure if you dicks know, but Raycroft used to tend goal for the Bruins. Ergo, he's awesome.

posted by yerfatma at 9:04 PM CDT on June 22

Not sure if you dicks know, but Raycroft used to tend goal for the Bruins. Ergo, he's awesome.

Jim Carey awesome?

posted by mkn at 10:10 PM CDT on June 22

If Mark Bell can suck on Thronton's wing, I'll bet he can suck on Sundin's wing too.

And Toskala -- good, maybe, but maybe a goalie that looked good playing for a really good team. I hope he's the next Hasek and all, but maybe he won't look so good behind the newly signed for $1.3 million per year Colaiacovo.

posted by fabulon7 at 1:17 PM CDT on June 23

fabulon7, I immediately wondered the same thing, and this provides a factual comparison of Raycroft and Toskala. Toskala should improve the goaltending.

As was linked in the locker room before (by grum?), Leafs Defence Doesn’t Suck.
I feel like Rodney Dangerfield of spofi Leafs fans.

posted by garfield at 9:23 AM CDT on June 25