Draft Watch ’09: Part One – The NHL Combine
Alright, here we go! As the scouting world shifts its gaze to the NHL Combine, which kicks off today in Toronto, this will signal the beginning of the home stretch for this year’s crop of draft hopefuls. The draft itself may be just two days long, but the process and preparation for it will include hundreds upon hundreds of viewing hours for the scouts, and months of training for the players.
The Combine is organized by the NHL’s Central Scouting Service, and invites the top 100 names on its list to Toronto where these players are given one last opportunity to make a lasting impression on the NHL GM’s. The process includes a variety of grueling physical tests, as well as intense one-on-one interviews
The Combine can tell GM’s and scouts a whole lot of different things. It can give them a general idea of a player’s work ethic, how much time and effort they’ve put in to prepare for this event. The extensive medical tests may also alert scouts of possible anatomical issues that might lead to injury concerns down the road; this is especially important with groin issues as they can be potentially detrimental and nagging throughout a player’s career.
As for the interviews, it allows management the opportunity to follow up on questions about a player’s past, character, and personal makeup off the ice. Does he get along well with teammates and coaches? Why did he choose to play in the league he did? What does he think his strengths/weaknesses are and does he have the drive to improve? Are there any potential red flags to be aware of? Sometimes some of the biggest “signs” aren’t the numbers or the interview answers themselves, but rather the little subtleties to be picked up, that matter the most. Watching how a player interacts with his peers at the Combine and watching him urge on a complete stranger during the physical tests for example, might signal the potential for future leadership ability down the road. Here’s another strange little concept: Puke is good. Even if a player might not have achieved the results that they were hoping for, puke will tell scouts that a player has pushed himself to the limit.
Sometimes it’s even what a player DOESN’T do that can serve as an important indicator of character. Does a highly ranked player give the courtesy of accepting interviews from teams lower in the draft order? The process of scouting is hardly an exact science, and it’s understanding all of the amount of work and consideration that goes into the minute or so that it takes to announce a pick, that really allows you to gain a deeper appreciation of the draft and development process.
TSN has a blog up with details about this year’s Combine, and here are some notable quotes that may pertain to the Leafs and the seventh overall draft position:
-2:25 pm et - Some of the big boys were in this group and there were some big men on hand to watch. NHLPA agent Pat Brisson, Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke, Leafs’ Senior VP of Hockey Operations Dave Nonis, Leafs’ Senior Advisor Cliff Fletcher, Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson and Panthers GM Jacques Martin are all in attendance.
-Possible #1 selection and OHL leading scorer John Tavares did not do upper-body exercises at all, leading to speculation that he has an upper-body injury. He did do 46 sit-ups, which is one of the highest totals seen on the day. Tavares is fit but there’s obviously something going on – possibly a shoulder injury – as he did not do push-ups or the bench press. Tavares did do cycling and is looking good.
-Evander Kane (#3) had an excellent workout. He had 17 bench presses, which ties the unofficial high for the day. Kane also did 47 push-ups, which seems to be far and away the best so far. In general, the 17-year-old looks like he’s in really good shape. Kane has lots of room to grow but was certainly ready for this judging by his workout.
-Zack Kassian (#10) did an impressive 16 lifts on the bench.
3:24 pm et - Schenn came in and did the same thing as Tavares, skipping the upper-body exercises and leaving onlookers to speculate that he may have an upper-body/shoulder injury.
-Highly-touted centre Matt Duchene (#2) looked relatively solid but he will need to get much stronger. The 18-year-old’s body also needs to mature a little more for him to be an NHLer.
-No. 1-ranked European Victor Hedman is huge, measuring in at close to 6’7. Jared Cowen (#9 overall, according to NHL Central Scouting) is 6’5. Obviously both players have long limbs which enabled them to have good all-around workouts.
Alex’s note: And one of my favorite prospects…
-39th-ranked Ryan O’Reilly had a fantastic workout, excelling in everything – he had a good vertical, he was solid on the bike, great on the bench press and seems overall to have more of a mature body than most of the other players in attendance. He is physically stronger than the vast majority of players that have been seen already.
Some parting notes:
Last year, Zach Bogosian and Colin Wilson blew away their competition with fantastic results at the combine and reaped the rewards of being the 4th and 7th overall selections respectively. Back in 2006, Jordin Staal was a bit of a surprise pick at 2nd overall to Pittsburgh and Phil Kessel took a tumble to 5th overall, both based on their workouts and interviews in Toronto.
This is just Part One of an exciting series of feature articles on the upcoming June Draft here on MLHS.
Always a pleasure,
Alex Tran
alex.tran@mapleleafshotstove.com
May 29th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
You know, if you’re going to copy your article almost word for word from tsn’s article, you should quote them, instead of plaigirizing.
May 29th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
@ Derek, here are my exact words before TSN’s work:
“TSN has a blog up with details about this year’s Combine, and here are some notable quotes that may pertain to the Leafs and the seventh overall draft position:”
May 29th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Brian Burke was met at the Combine and was asked of his desire to move up in the draft. “I got nowhere with it so far,” said Burke. “I didn’t think I would so early. There’s no progress to report, but I’m not discouraged yet. So far I got nothing to report and no reason to feel positive or encouraged in any way, but that’s how it is. The two times I’ve done this was on the floor. I’m not surprised there’s no progress yet. We’ve got a month. If we have to stay and pick at seven we’re content to do that. We’re going to try to move up but we’re not going to overpay to do it. We think we can get a good player at seven. We’re going to try to hit it out of the park like we always do. The fact that we’ve put a few top prospects in the system doesn’t change the desperation that I think you have to have when you go to the draft. Your mentality has to be we have to be successful here. The fact that we added Bozak, Christian … doesn’t change that. It doesn’t change that hunger you have to have gong into the draft. We have to get better today.”
May 29th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
You should learn how to read Derek, he fully attributed TSN in his article.
“TSN has a blog up with details about this year’s Combine, and here are some notable quotes that may pertain to the Leafs and the seventh overall draft position:”
May 29th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Didn’t see your post before I did mine Alex
May 29th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Kris Kreider, an American power forward projected in the early-mid teen’s, also interviewed with Toronto. If Burke chose to trade down, I think there’s a very good chance that Kreider would be very high on his list:
http://www.hockeyjournal.com/Article.php?ArtID=1000034
May 29th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
You need to get some Press Credentials little man !!
I think you would do a much better job with the insight directly from the floor of the combine and then we dont need to read TSN crap. Although their blog was pretty solid.
oh and Derek…..relax dude, Ace has some of the best research and information going on hockey prospects so cut him some slack.
May 29th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
derek…even if Alex had plagiarized, who gives a shit. This is a hockey site. You’re not our English teacher. It makes it even more embarassing that you’re comment was completely wrong.
If you’re going to accuse one of the writers of plagiarism, be sure to read the article really well before doing so. At least this way you’ll maintain an ounce of credibility.
May 29th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
When all is said in done, Brian Burke will be prime minister one day. They would probably just give him the job if the Leafs win the cup under his leadership, but he really could earn the spot, too. I hope he’s Liberal.
May 29th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
EAT SHIT DEREK!
May 29th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Nice, good detail. What exactly was one “bench press” though. Did they have to bench a certain ratio to their body weight?
May 29th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
How does one get ‘press credentials’? It would be really wicked to get Alex at the combine, draft etc… I’m sure there would be a lot more details about the actual event and atmosphere than TSN conveys to us. Either way, I try to do my part by letting other people know about the site to help it grow. Once it gets big enough, you will make the bigs Alex. …As Gibby would say.. “write that down”…
Anyways… Burke better not be trading down in the draft unless it is for one hell of a hefty package. We can’t afford to give up a 7th overall pick unless it’s for young impact players that will contribute right away. I don’t see him trading down, I am not too worried… but you never know, Burkie seems like he is going to make a splash one way or another.
I’m happy to pick at 7… word is Schenn is going to go around 4?? That would have to mean that Kane will likely go 5th… MPS at 6th and Cowen coming in at 7th? I know Cowen was ranked in the top 5 earlier, but I have a real problem picking injured draftees. I guess I am hoping if we don’t trade up, that somebody in the top 6 takes Kadri, Cowen, or Ekman-Larsson… I don’t think the chances are good, but I would love to draft MPS or Kane.
May 29th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Thanks for the kind comments guys.
Brian Burke interview at the Combine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpihIv91Yqg
May 29th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Evander Kane interview at the Combine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOVu7yaBHws
May 29th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
[...] Draft Watch '09: Part One – The NHL Combine : Maple Leafs Hot Stove [...]
May 29th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
We need to get L.A.’s pick and take Schenn/Cowen….then I will lay down and hail to Burke. On another note completely off topic, but is anyone else here stoked out of their mind like me that Machida is fighting Shogun in October instead of Rampage?
May 29th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
@Blair
Burke does have a tendency to contradict himself alot, so yea, he’d probably be a Liberal
May 29th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
“It’s going to be interesting to watch where top free-agent netminder Jonas Gustavsson ends up. Speculation is rampant about which team the talented 24-year-old netminder will ultimately sign with. But his agent, Joe Resnick, told ESPN.com on Monday there are a host of factors that will go into the final decision, and not just whether he’ll get to compete for a starting job next fall in training camp.
Although some reports suggested Colorado has guaranteed Gustavsson the starting job with the Avalanche, Resnick said none of the 20 teams that have expressed interest in the 6-foot-3 goaltender has made such a promise. Who would? Even as bad as the Avs’ goaltending has been, it’s hard to imagine anyone making such a promise to a young man who’s never played a single NHL game.
That said, the Avs are definitely in the hunt. Opportunity to play, stability of the organization and the possibility of learning from a proven netminder or top goaltending coach will be in the mix before Gustavsson makes his final decision.
Toronto GM Brian Burke covets the man some think could be the next Henrik Lundqvist. San Jose is also in the mix. Gustavsson had hoped to complete this process by the end of May, but his mother was gravely ill and died a few days ago from cancer, so the timetable for him to make a decision is now less certain.
Gustavsson is attractive to teams on a host of levels, not just because he is considered one of the top goaltenders not playing in the NHL right now and led his Swedish Elite League team to a championship. Because he is undrafted, he can sign with any team at any time. Because he is still subject to an entry-level deal, his salary will be capped next season and he will also be subject to being sent to the minors. Stay tuned.”
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4205377&name=09cupplayoffsblog
May 29th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
“Jonas Gustavsson, a Swedish goalie considered one of the best in the world not currently playing in the NHL, has narrowed the list of NHL teams he’ll consider playing for next season. The Avalanche is one of them, and former Avs star Peter Forsberg said Denver is just the place for him.
“I think Colorado would be a great fit. It’s a great city to play hockey in, even if they had a rough season,” Forsberg told Swedish reporters. “I think it would be less pressure for him there than Toronto or Philadelphia or New York.”
The Avs confirmed they have interest in Gustavsson, 24, and that the feeling is mutual. A 6-foot-3, 192-pound goalie, Gustavsson led Farjestad to the championship of the Swedish Elite League this year. He posted a
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1.96 goals-against average and .932 save percentage in the regular season, and said he will jump to the NHL in 2009-10.
While he is an unrestricted free agent, Gustavsson would be subject to a “rookie max” salary for one year, at a maximum of $900,000. That makes it likely his first NHL contract will be for one season, because after he turns 25 he won’t be subject to entry-level salary bylaws. Unlike traditional unrestricted free agents, Gustavsson can be signed at any time rather than needing to wait for the July 1 start of free agency. Other teams on Gustavsson’s short list include Toronto, Dallas and San Jose.
Gustavsson is expected to travel to Denver to meet with Avalanche management soon, but plans have not been finalized. Gustavsson may have interest in the Avalanche partly because Patrick Roy — one of his idols — is considering joining the team as a coach or in management. Multiple NHL sources have said Roy can have, at minimum, the Avalanche’s head coaching job if he wants it, but he hasn’t made up his mind.
Wherever he plays, television hockey analyst Pierre McGuire said Gustavsson could be a difference-maker.
“He’s a talented player. He’s got huge upside,” said McGuire, who was a finalist for the Minnesota Wild’s general manager job that was filled Friday by Pittsburgh assistant GM Chuck Fletcher.
“It will take him some time to get used to the smaller rinks in the NHL from those in Europe. But he has the talent to excel here.”
Gustavsson’s best attributes are said to be his lateral quickness and hockey smarts, and his size helps him fill more of the net.
The rookie maximum bylaw is a boon to the Avs in this case, as they have nearly $44 million committed to 14 players for next season (one of the 14 being rookie center T.J. Galiardi), and the NHL’s salary cap is not expected to change much from its current $56.7 million.
Gustavsson’s mother is seriously ill, which could complicate his schedule visiting NHL teams”
http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_12433878
May 29th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Really impressed with Evander Kane. I know there are many who feel he is a bust player but I will be over the moon if he is available at #7. He seems to be a smart kid and very sure of himself. He has skill, can hit and drop the mitts when needed. I think he has all the elements to be a skill-full NHLer who can be a physical precence on the ice.
If Schenn is indeed a top 5 pick, T.O. will have to hope another defenceman other than Hedman is chosen in the top-5 in order for Kane to fall to #7. However, I don’t think Kane did much to cause his stock to drop, in fact might have ’cause it to rise.
May 29th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
@ Daniel, Kane’s already a projected top 5 pick among most scouting services.
Atlanta has him among the 3 forwards they admitted to be targetting with their 4th overall pick (Duchene and Schenn being other 2).
Combine that with an excellent showing at the Combine and I’d be very surprised if he falls past #4.
May 29th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
Zinger! Carlton
May 30th, 2009 at 8:34 am
Derek May… Maybe you want to learn how to spell before you take ridiculous shots at people. Knob.
May 30th, 2009 at 8:45 am
Jordan… I too would like to know what 17 bench presses are? How many lbs? And yes, I too am pumped about Shogun vs. Machida. I just don’t think Rampage is the right match up for Machida. Truth is, I’m not sure Shogun can beat him either…?
May 30th, 2009 at 8:58 am
If Shogun is %100, I can see him beating Machida. Still underdog but a higher chance then anyone because his Muay Thai is burtal, in a good way.
I think the bench was 150 lbs. That doesnt seem all that much to be honest if so. Im not a HUGE gym guy but I work chest once a week and I use 135 to do a burner of 25 reps. I would guess 150 I could hit 20 easily. Although I do top out at 220
May 30th, 2009 at 9:02 am
Also, did anyone watch the TSN interview with Lawton? He seems like a damn idiot, like he is slo or something lol. Im sure Burke can get that pick
May 30th, 2009 at 9:51 am
I believe the Bench Press is 150-155 around there, it isn’t the weight that is hard for these guys, but the method they make them lift because the rhythm is slow so they burn out quicker or something.
May 30th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Day Two wrap-up:
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=280388
May 30th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
From TSN:
“The second group brought a return of Victor Hedman, this time as a spectator, watching his Swedish compatriots go through the paces, while Hedman mentioned that he was glad the combine torture was over for him.”
Nice indication of character there.
May 30th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
I think from what I saw at the combine yesterday, based on Lawton’s and Burke’s comments, it seems pointless to speculate on the Leafs getting any of the top 5 forwards in the draft.
Until the day of the draft, we really won’t know if the Leafs can move up so it might best to speculate on those players who are going to be 99% available when the Leafs pick at #7.
As far as forwards go, the ones that will be there 100% at #7 will be Kadri, Schroeder and Kassian. Which of those three are most likely to be a NHLer? I am not too hot on Kadri (not that it matters but his performance at the combine was weak) and I think Shroeder has a high ceiling but many will point to his size. However, keep in mind because he is playing in the NCAA, he will be playing at least another 2-3 years there before coming to the NHL. In other words, a team will have to be patient on him. As for Kassian, in regards to skill, I don’t think he is a player you take in the top-10. He is a player more suited to be chosen between 11-15.
Therefore, it seems to me that Toronto would be left to choose from defencemen rather than forwards at #7 (unless Cowen is taken at #6 and MPS is still sitting at #7). Remember, last year Nikita Filatov fell to #6 Columbus (Although that was due to all the talented defencemen that were available ahead of him). This year’s draft is more forward heavy in the top-5 versus last year’s top-5.
I think the BPA at # 7 will be a defenceman and if Cowen is already gone, unless the Leafs are not high on MPS, then they will choose between players like Kulikov or OEL.
As far as the second rounders, it is starting to show how not having their own second round pick is hurting the Leafs from not drafting high in the second round. They had no second rounder in 2007. In 2008, they didn’t have their own second rounder and the one used from the Pens was the last pick in the second round, thus missing out on better players to draft then Jimmy Hayes.
This year, we don’t have our own and the 2 picks we do have are VERY LOW in the second round and all the players people are dreaming of getting in the second round will be long gone by the time the Leafs use the Rangers or the ‘Canes picks. Not to mention, NEXT year we don’t have our own second round pick (Used to trade for Grabovski).
It seems to me if Burke is going to trade up, please use Grabo as bait as his worth can on the trade market can make up for upgraded talent by getting any of the top-4 forwards in this year’s draft.
But what becomes more evident is the Leafs certainly need more picks in the top-60.
Drafting #7 overall and then your next picks are not till #50 and #58 is ridiculous for a rebuilding team.
I am sure Burke is well aware of this and will try his best on the eve of the draft and draft day to remedy this situation.
May 30th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
@ Alex
Based on my comments, who do you think will be the BPA at #7?
And don’t you think it is ridicuous that a rebuilding team that finished low in the standings and missed the playoffs, like the Leafs, don’t have a pick in the early thirties of the second round?
Where the Leafs stand, they will miss out on players who were projected to go in the first round but dropped to the second round, only to be scooped up by those teams drafting 31-40 in the second round.
May 30th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
@daniel marois
Wow, you sound as if the Leafs are doomed to failure simply because the team’s second round pick isn’t super high. Burke has the ability to trade and the ammunition of two second round picks. If there is a player the Leafs need to grab early in the second or late in the first round, it’s not out of the realm of impossibility that Burke can conjure up a trade package. While this upcoming draft is critical to the rebuild, Burke isn’t earning the big bucks so he can make selections based on high picks. He was hired to make the most of his situation and creatively make this team into a Stanley Cup contender through whatever means. If Burke can’t achieve this without the aid of high draft picks and/or gift-wrapped prospects, then his hiring is a mistake. The rebuild isn’t for naught simply because Burke can’t secure multiple high first and second round picks. This draft isn’t a make or break proposition a lot of people believe it to be, but rather it’s part of a process. Is the draft important? Absolutely, but this rebuild isn’t going to be done overnight.
May 30th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
@ bkblades
Oh I know it is not a overnight rebuild and yes this draft is not the end all or be all, but if you are a rebuilding team, you do the need the high picks. And I am sure Burke will do his best to move up, whether it is in the first, second round or later rounds. But in the cap world, drafting players that can become NHLers is vital.
I think as Burke said, if the Leafs are successful in getting Gustavsson, adding players like Bozak and Hanson are like having a draft in of itself, in which all 3 of those players look NHL ready.
Add to that with a player drafted in the first round who could play this year, then this rebuild just got a whole lot better.
May 30th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Hey Alex.
I was wonderin if you could fill us in on who GABRIEL LEMIEUX is. he seems to have killed all test thus far. Any reason why he isnt mentioned by gms or scouts ?
May 30th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
@bkblades. Doomed to failure LOOL!!!!
May 30th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
He is right though, it does suck not picking around the 30-40 mark. Thats where all the potential 1st round guys fall to when a team picks a different, more surprising guy in the first rounder.
May 30th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
He is right though, it does suck not picking around the 30-40 mark. Thats where all the potential 1st round guys fall to when a team picks a different, more surprising guy in the first rounder.
May 30th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
@ Daniel, Cowen and Kulikov are likely the BPA’s at #7, with my leaning towards Kulikov. Outside chance that MSP falls to that spot too.
May 30th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
@ Ryan,
Gabriel Lemieux is a skinny offensive defenseman from Shawnigan of the QMJHL. He opened some eyes early into the season with a torrid start and was at one point considered a potential late 1st round pick. His struggles have since dropped him to NHL CS’s current ranking of 46th among N.A. skaters, so somewhere in the 3rd round.
But my feeling is that at least one team will look at his flashes of offensive potential, projectable frame and strong combine and perhaps take him off the board in the 2nd round.
May 31st, 2009 at 11:05 am
@danielmarios
I too am very impressed by Evander Kane. I can’t see him falling to seven though. I think we will have a chance at Cowan, and only because of his injury. I do agree somewhat with Alex that at 7 spot we may go with Kulikov over Cowan because of injury concerns. Personally I would take a chance on Cowan, give him another year in junior. Having said that the advavtage of taking Kulikov is that his overall game fits the profile of a top pair defenceman a little better. Hard to know what Burke is going to do. It could be that he is very high on Cowan and that all his comments are gesturing to make teams below think that drafting Cowan is a mistake. Or he may want to see what teams below are willing to give up for him if he falls to seven.
Regarding the Leafs lack of picks, I strongly suspect that a Kaberle and/or Kubina deal will secure more top picks. If Burke is able to do that then he will spend money on Beauchemin to add to the defense.
People are not going to like this but I am not overly confident that Burke will fair well. I would rather have Fletcher making the final call on talent (See Schenn, Grabovski, Hagman, Stephanovich, and Champagne in 08). Burke was responsible for bringing in Gerber and calling up Devereaux that ultimately led to the Leafs losing out on Duchene, Kane, or Schenn. Burke has not done one thing yet that really has helped this team that anybody else couldn’t have done. I actually am happy he has been patient. But I will not sing his praises until I see him do something significant.
Burke will have to turn Kaberle and Kubina into rebuilding blocks for me to be happy, and he will have to draft well. Also he will have to be wise when it comes to free agents. Lets see what he can do. All the best Brian!!!
May 31st, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Your saying Burke is to blame because he call up BOYD DEVEREAUX and MARTIN GERBER give me a brake man…. two guys who have stuggled to stay in the nhl are to blame… thats a stupid comment
May 31st, 2009 at 8:44 pm
@Josh
My point is this. What has Burke done, so far?? Before I sing his praises, lets see. Fletcher did a great job last year, can Burke do the same??
Last year at one point the Leafs were 2nd last and are now drafting 7th when the whole year was supposed to be for acquiring a top pick and developing talent. As GM Burke didn’t really get the draft position that was targeted and that was his job. Results are how he should be judged.
May 31st, 2009 at 9:46 pm
you cant judge by where the team finishes he traded moore and nik probably there 2 best forwards… he cant help if other teams are worst..
June 1st, 2009 at 12:12 pm
I’d be pissed if the Leafs passed on Cowen, and they had the chance to take him at 7th! Good D-men don’t come along that easily. It shows how good he is when he maintains his top ten status despite a serious injury. The only other player I’d be interested in at that range is Schenn if Cowen falls through.
.
@B Leaf When you say “injury concerns” about Cowen, what do you mean? I haven’t read anywhere about him having a recurring history of injuries, so I just don’t see what you see. The combine will address any concerns about his recent injury, so I see Burke making the right choice about him.
June 1st, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Ya I wouldnt be complaining if we drafted Cowen at 7th. He looks like he will be pretty solid
June 1st, 2009 at 6:01 pm
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=280564
Yet another reason why one should not sell the farm (including draft picks) for that elusive top three draft pick. This is not because Detroit is “different” or that they are an exception to the rule. Look at the winners of the cup for the last five years and tell me how many of the “in-house drafted top-five picks” had a major role. Eric Staal is the only example I can think of, and Vinnie didn’t have much a role in 2003-04. Look at the list of the the Conn Smythe Trophy winners. One trend that clearly emerges from the winners is that they had solid depth and an outstanding goaltender: overpaying to move up (while the worst you can do Cowen or MPS) in a super deep draft goes against these proven factors. Just look at the year that Eric Staal was drafted in the 2nd position: Phaneuf, Carter, Parise, Getzlaf, Richards and many more were all drafted outside the top 8 positions. The facts dictate that top draft picks do not win you a cup, and it isn’t just Detroit we are talking about. We need to keep that 7th overall pick, sign some quality UFAs and extend our own RFAs, and trade for mid-late 1st round picks.
.
Having said that, if you want to do okay in the playoffs, the facts dictate that top five picks could help.
June 1st, 2009 at 7:41 pm
@Blue max
I am a big fan of the Leafs taking Cowan, but he is a risk because he broke his leg this season. He should recover but you never know for sure. Just before he went down with his injury scouts had him third overall and some were saying he might be second ahead of Hedman. If he fully heals, whoever gets him is going to be very happy.
June 2nd, 2009 at 6:34 am
My question is that if Cowen was taken by, say the Leafs, at #7 before his ACL injury, people would have been rejoicing that he fell thatfar.
Then, if he had sustained that leg injury in training camp and lost for the season, then what?
I am sure his doctors have re-assured teams he will be ready to go by this August. Players who have gotten this injury have recovered before.
But I would like Burke to get another pick somewhere in the first round so he can take a forward, which the Leafs need more high-end forward prospects.
As much as I like Luke, it still hurts we passed on Filatov and Hodgson when we had the chance last year.
June 5th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
@ daniel marois
You can always look back on drafts and say man we should of or if fletcher only would of…. lets just hope luke stays as a solid nhler thats all a gm can hope for is that the player becomes a nhler
October 30th, 2009 at 4:13 am
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