After the long weekend we're back (well I am, still trying to get MDK to help out). the draft was held last Saturday in New Jersey, and while the one-day draft was a ridiculous idea, it turned out to be pretty good. Here is our (re: my) take on the draft.
Round 1
1. Colorado Avalanche - Nathan MacKinnon
First off: YEAH! HALIFAX MOOSEHEADS PLAYER DRAFTED #1! For the most part I think Colorado should have picked Jones mostly on need, and they really didn't need another forward. That being said, hard to go wrong with MacKinnon. Watching him this year, it was automatic that he stood out amongst the rest in the Q.
2. Florida Panthers - Aleksander Barkov
Barkov was considered the 4th-best prospect heading into the draft and end up going second. He has been considered the most complete player in the draft. Playing in the SM-liiga definitely helps his chances of making it in the NHL this year.
3. Tampa Bay Lightning - Jonathan Drouin
Again: YEAH! ANOTHER HALIFAX MOOSEHEADS PLAYER DRAFTED IN THE TOP 3! He looked a lot like Pavel Datsyuk. The hands on him are fricken amazing. Him and Stamkos should be a great 1-2 punch when St. Louis retires.
4. Nashville Predators - Seth Jones
Lose Ryan Suter, get Seth Jones. Not a bad trade off. Going to the defense factory like Nashville will definitely help Jones' game round into top form.
5. Carolina Hurricanes - Elias Lindholm
6. Calgary Flames - Sean Monahan
Two things: 1. How does Feaster make a good pick? and 2. Finally, the center Iginla may need (too soon?)
7. Edmonton Oilers - Darnel Nurse
Hellooooooooooooo Nurse! Edmonton gets rid of Tambellini and they draft a guy who they could build their defense around. Once he develops and makes the roster, Edmonton should be a solid contender.
8. Buffalo Sabres - Rasmus Ristolainen
Like Barkov, played in the SM-liiga. As a defenseman, this does give Ristolainen a leg-up on development over the other 2 D-men that went before him. He should be NHL-ready for next season.
9. Vancouver Canucks - Bo Horvat
Trade analysis post tomorrow. For now, they got a guy top help at the center position. Hopefully, they don't give him the Hodgson treatment.
10. Dallas Stars - Valeri Nichushkin
Russian Factor dropped him down this far. It does sound like he does want to play in the NHL. If so, great pick by the Stars.
11. Philadelphia Flyers - Samuel Morin
Philly drafting size over skill? Colour me unsurprised.
12. Phoenix Coyotes - Max Domi
Another Domi plays for the (original) Jets Franchise.
13. Winnipeg Jets - Josh Morrissey
14. Columbus Blue Jackets - Alexander Wennberg
15. New York Islanders - Ryan Pulock
16. Buffalo Sabres - Nikita Zadorov
17. Ottawa Senators - Curtis Lazar
18. San Jose Sharks - Mirco Mueller
San Jose: Conquer of Central-ish Europe (Hertl [CZE] last year, Mueller [SWI] this year)
19. Columbus Blue Jackets - Kerby Rychel
Another former NHLers kid gets drafted in the first round.
20. Detroit Red Wings - Anthony Mantha
21. Toronto Maple Leafs - Frederik Gauthier
The Leafs draft a French guy? That's unpossible!
22. Calgary Flames - Emile Poirier
There's the Feaster we all know and love (minus Flames fans). A guy ranked to go in the mid-second round gets to go in the first.
23. Washington Capitals - Andre Burakovsky
24. Vancouver Canucks - Hunter Shinkaruk
One of Vancouver's troll picks. Takes the Calgary guy to burn the Flames (no pun intended).
25. Montreal Canadiens - Michael McCarron
Top nominee for the Hugh Jessiman Award.
26. Anaheim Ducks - Shea Theodore
27. Columbus Blue Jackets - Marko Dano
28. Calgary Flames - Morgan Klimchuk
Feaster goes 2/3 in sensible picks. Ain't bad.
29. Dallas Stars - Jason Dickenson
30. Chicago Blackhawks - Ryan Hartman
I didn't think Hartman would escape the first round and he didn't. Kind of surprised though that he went this late in the round.
Other notable picks
36. Montreal Canadiens - Zach Fucale
ANOTHER HALIFAX MOOSEHEAD! Fucale was the first goalie to go in the draft. Down the road, he should be a great heir to the goalie throne for the Habs after Price is off.
58. Detroit Red Wings - Tyler Bertuzzi
He gets the chance to play with his uncle Todd in Detroit.
71. Montreal Canadiens - Connor Crisp
Nice to see the Habs adding depth in goal in this draft.
83. Edmonton Oilers - Bogdan Yakimov
Yakimov was a teammate of Yakupov's in Nizhnekamsk, this will be entertaining.
86. Montreal Canadiens - Sven Andrighetto
Nothing notable, I just like him.
91. Winnipeg Jets - J.C. Lipon
Leave it to the Jets to draft him.
115. Vancouver Canucks - Jordan Subban
Picked him right before the Habs next pick. F*** you Vancouver.
163. Phoenix Coyotes - Brendan Burke
Goalie coach Sean Burke's son. Still not the best Father-Son combo of this draft (FORESHADOWING ALERT).
206. Florida Panthers - Mackenzie Weegar
One last time: ANOTHER HALIFAX MOOSEHEADS PLAYER DRAFTED!
208. New Jersey Devils - Anthony Brodeur
With Marty announcing the pick: Best. Draft Moment. Ever.
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