Draft Day and other musings

Jun 25th, 2009 | By Greener | Category: Greener

I love the NHL entry draft.  When I get my copy of the top 50 prospects from the Hockey News sometime in April, I read it from cover to cover numerous times up to the draft.  Then, as the excitement builds in the week leading up to draft I will have it with me everywhere I go.  I am like a religious zealot and that magazine becomes my bible.  And this year, the draft should reward my devotion.  Not only is the draft class stacked this year with no clear #1 pick (some say Tavares, some say Hedman), but the floor should be ripe with GM’s willing to trade.  Brian Burke wants to make waves, Colorado is having a fire sale of big contracts, the Senators have to trade Dany Heatley, Tampa may trade Vinny Lecavalier, and L.A. may want to bolster a young roster with some veterans.  Needless to say, this draft is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in years.  And to top it off, I found out that the NHL Network will be broadcasting rounds 2 to 7 on Saturday from 10 a.m til the draft is over.  I will be in heaven. 

Speaking of Tampa, it is amazing how quickly they fell from grace.  In 2004 they were the toast of the NHL winning the Stanley Cup.  Five years later, they are a joke.  They should be the study case on how to ruin a sports franchise.

The Calgary Flames went out and did the expected and hired Brent Sutter to be their next coach.  In Flames country everyone is flashing big smiles as the Sutter brothers attempt to take the Flames to the promised land.  While I do think that the Flames will be seriously improved next year (look for Dion Phaneuf to have a monster year now that he is reunited with is coach from junior), I am more worried about the vacancy in Jersey that Sutter left when he fled the marshlands.  The rumor is that the Devils are going to name Jacques Lemaire the next head coach of the team.  That scenario gives me the heebee jeebees.  The Devils guided by Lemaire were the architects of the trap that nearly killed hockey from 1995-2005.  The Minnesota Wild let Lemaire go after the end of this past season because they saw that his brand of hockey was putting the fans in the Excel Center asleep in their seats.  Yet, the Devils want him back behind their bench.  This is a bad omen for hockey.

The Greener \m/

  • JForge
    I dont think its a toss up as to who will go number one. I think ole garth snow is just playing this up to get some life out of the fans on long island and maybe put some asses in the seats. The thought of NYI getting fans to watch the draft in their arena, who have apparently made it very clear they want tavares, only to call the name of hedman, would blow up in Mr snows face unless he makes a huge impact next year. Id say they take tavares and hype him up just like Tamapa did with Stamkos.

    And the case study on how to ruin a sports franchise, that would be a good article. But i would point directly to exhibit A. Mike Milbury. He'll show you how its done first hand.

    Enjoy the draft and the garbage Greener.
    I bet today was a sick day.
  • Patti
    I'm hoping the draft won't disappoint - I'm looking forward to a lot of trades!

    I was waiting for your thoughts on the NHL awards? They are so MUCH better when Ron McLean hosts. One thing I love about the awards though is how the players play such a big part in handing them out - no matter how nervous they come across (which always amazes me when they are surrounded by media all the time) I think it's a nice idea - the 'celebrities' always bother me.
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