2006 NHL Entry Draft

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Okay, the Stanley Cup finals are over, and the Carolina Hurricanes are the new champs. (Man, it hurts to say that.) Anyway, there is more hockey related events coming up including the 2006 NHL Awards and the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, which is going to be on TSN.ca, here in Canada, on Saturday, June 24th.

The St. Loius Blues won the draft lottery, and get to pick first. Here's a link to an interesting column posted on their website, by Larry Wigge.

Here are the first 14 picks...

1. St. Louis Blues

2. Pittsburgh Penguins.

3. Chicago Blackhawks

4. Washington Capitals

5. Boston Bruins

6. Columbus Blue Jackets

7. NY Islanders

8. Phoenix Coyotes

9. Minnesota Wild

10. Florida Panthers

11. Los Angeles Kings

12. Atlanta Thrashers

13. Toronto Maple Leafs

14. Vancouver Canucks

 

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Here's a link to a list of 30 NHL Prospects for 2006.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?fid=7322&hubname=

Notables include Erik Johnson, Phil Kessel, Jordan Staal, and Jonathan Toews, IMO.

KF72

 

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And here is the 2006 CSB Final Rankings...

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?fid=7327&hubname=

Oilers don't have a pick until the 2ns round, as they sent their 1st rounder to the Minnesota Wild for Roloson. (Considering where the Oilers ended up in the playoffs, I consider that a fair trade.)

I think the Oilers fist pick is either 45th or 46th, but I'm not sure. Still trying to find a complete draft order list.

KF72

 

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The Edmonton Oilers needs...

As per TSN.ca

Edmonton Oilers

NEEDS: En route to their first Stanley Cup Final appearance since 1990, the Oilers dealt away several 2006 picks this past season. They sent their first-round selection to Minnesota for goaltender Dwayne Roloson and also shipped a second-rounder to Boston for left wing Sergei Samsonov *. While Roloson and Samsonov helped fill holes on the roster, both will become unrestricted free agents on July 1. Edmonton has tremendous depth up front, but with multiple forwards eligible to leave via free agency, the club may have to reload offensively in the draft. The potential loss of Roloson also would present a problem, since backups Jussi Markkanen and Ty Conklin could still be on the outside looking in.

RECENT FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICKS:

2005 - ANDREW COGLIANO, C - The 25th overall pick possesses tremendous skill and lightning speed. Collected 12 goals and 16 assists in 39 games during his freshman year at the University of Michigan this past season.

2004 - DEVAN DUBNYK, G - Edmonton's best goaltending prospect went 27-26-1 with a .912 save percentage in 54 games this past season with Kamloops of the Western Hockey League. The 20-year-old recorded a total of 12 shutouts over the 2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons.

2004 - ROB SCHREMP, C - The top prospect in Edmonton's farm system. Scored an eye-popping 57 goals and 145 points in just 57 games with London of the Ontario Hockey League in 2005-06 before being called up to the Oilers to experience their playoff run.

2003 - MARC-ANTOINE POULIOT, C - After registering 15 goals and 30 assists in 65 games with Hamilton of the American Hockey League this past season, Pouliot was called up to Edmonton, where he tallied once in eight games. Taken 22nd overall, he dominated the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in 2004-05, scoring 114 points in 70 games with Rimouski.

* Doh! I forgot they traded away the 2nd rounder too.

 

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From TSN.ca. Doing all the Canadian teams..

Calgary Flames

NEEDS: The Flames feature one of the league's most physical blue lines, and Vezina Trophy finalist Miikka Kiprusoff is a rock in goal. But aside from captain and 2004 Maurice Richard Trophy co-winner Jarome Iginla, Calgary lacks offensive firepower. This past season, the Flames tallied just 216 times, the fourth-lowest total in the NHL. Iginla led the club with 35 goals and Daymond Langkow added 25 and a team-high 34 assists, but they need help *.

RECENT FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICKS:

2005 - MATT PELECH, D - Split 2005-06 between Sarnia and London of the Ontario Hockey League, scoring one goal and 10 points in 52 games during an injury-shortened campaign.

2004 - KRIS CHUCKO, LW - Collected four goals and nine assists in 33 games with the University of Minnesota this past season.

2003 - DION PHANEUF, D - Enjoyed a brilliant season with the Flames, leading all rookie defensemen with 20 goals and 49 points. Rugged blue-liner possesses a wicked slap shot and skates very well.

* That's an understatement.

 

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From TSN.ca

Montreal Canadiens

NEEDS: The Canadiens received big offensive performances from rookie Chris Higgins and sophomore Michael Ryder last season. But only two others scored more than 17 goals, leaving offense in need of an upgrade. Cristobal Huet played so well in goal, the team traded former Hart and Vezina Trophy winner Jose Theodore. A physical defenseman tops Montreal's wish list. At 6-4, 241 pounds, Mike Komisarek is being counted on to provide a presence on the blue line down the road, but only the oft-injured Sheldon Souray used the body on a regular basis in 2005-06.

RECENT FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICKS:

2005 - CAREY PRICE *, G - Posted a 21-25-3 record and 2.87 goals-against average for Tri-City of the Western Hockey League last season. With Huet and Yann Danis in tow, the Canadiens have no need to rush the 18-year-old.

2004 - KYLE CHIPCHURA, C - Rebounding from an Achilles injury suffered in 2004-05, the 20-year-old recorded 55 points in 59 games with Prince Albert of the WHL before joining Hamilton of the American Hockey League, where he notched a goal and two assists in eight contests.

2003 - ANDREI KOSTITSYN, RW - Made his NHL debut this past season, registering two goals and an assist in 12 games. Added 18 tallies and 47 points in 64 contests with Hamilton. Brother Sergei was a seventh-round pick of Montreal in 2005.

* Price could be the next Cam Ward. He's that good.

 

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From TSN.ca

Toronto Maple Leafs

NEEDS: After missing the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons, the Maple Leafs have an abundance of holes to fill. Beyond Bryan McCabe and Tomas Kaberle, their defense corps is among the league's worst, as evidenced by the NHL debut of five blue-liners last season. And McCabe can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. At 41, Ed Belfour suffered a season-ending back injury in March and likely will not return, leaving Mikael Tellqvist and Jean-Sebastien Aubin to tend goal. An aging offense also underachieved, with just three forwards reaching the 60-point plateau.

RECENT FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICKS:

2005 - TUUKKA RASK, G - Became the first goalie selected in the first round by Toronto since 1994, although the team had four years during the span without a first-round pick. The 19-year-old Finn had a strong showing at this year's World Junior Championship, posting a 2.11 goals-against average and .939 save percentage en route to a bronze medal and the tournament's top goaltender honors.

2004 - None *.

2003 - None *.

* Yikes! Why did Toronto give away 2 consecutive #1 picks? Who did they trade them for? Anyone know?

 

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From TSN.ca

Vancouver Canucks

NEEDS: Despite possessing two dangerous forward lines and a more than capable defense corps, Vancouver deploys one of the weaker goaltending tandems in the game in Alex Auld and Dan Cloutier - who missed all but 13 games in 2005-06 with a knee injury. Cory Schneider, the team's first-round pick in 2004, is coming off an impressive sophomore season at Boston College and could be the answer for the future. The Canucks also may need to address their blue line, as veteran defenseman Ed Jovanovski is a potential candidate to leave via free agency *.

RECENT FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICKS:

2005 - LUC BOURDON, D - Tenth overall selection collected three goals and 25 assists in just 30 games with Moncton and Val-d'Or of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League this past season. Suffered a broken ankle and missed the entire second half of the campaign.

2004 - CORY SCHNEIDER, G - Helped lead Boston College to the NCAA Frozen Four and made 37 saves in the national championship game, a 2-1 loss to Wisconsin. Went 24-13-2 while posting a .929 save percentage in 39 games with the Eagles.

2003 - RYAN KESLER, C - Scored 10 goals and 23 points for the Canucks in 2005-06, his first full campaign in the NHL. Rebounded from a slow start to register six tallies and 12 assists over his final 40 games.

* Any news on Ed?

 

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From TSN.ca. And now, the Champs... this one is for Shemmy.

We'll see you and the Canes next year in the final.

Carolina Hurricanes

NEEDS: The Hurricanes came out of nowhere to win the Southeast Division title, finishing one point behind Ottawa for the top spot in the Eastern Conference and reaching the Stanley Cup Final. Rookie Cam Ward established himself as the team's top goaltender in the postseason and Eric Staal followed a superb regular season with a strong performance in the playoffs. But the solid but unspectacular defense corps is growing old quickly and veteran forwards Doug Weight and Mark Recchi, who were brought in for the run to the Cup have very few seasons left.

RECENT FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICKS:

2005 - JACK JOHNSON *, D - Completed his first year at the University of Michigan, recording 10 goals, 22 assists and 149 penalty minutes in 38 games. The 19-year-old is believed to be on the verge of turning pro over the summer, but his agent indicated he likely will return to the school for his sophomore season.

2004 - ANDREW LADD, LW - The 20-year-old made his NHL debut this season, registering six goals and 11 points in 29 regular-season games. Has played an important role in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, collecting five points in 15 contests while skating on the team's third line. Was instrumental in Edmonton's loss of Dwayne Roloson in Game one of the Finals, as he was checked into the starting goaltender, causing him to suffer a right knee injury. Uses his physical attributes to his advantage.

2003 - ERIC STAAL, C - After a mediocre rookie season in 2003-04, the 21-year-old broke out this past campaign, scoring 45 goals and 100 points. Was kept off the scoresheet in Carolina's Eastern Conference quarterfinals opener against Montreal but went on to notch a point in the next 15 contests. Figures to be the face of the franchise for many years to come.

* Carolina fans can look forward to Jack Johnson becoming the leader of their team's blueline in the not so distant future. He's a tough kid, who has been compared to Chris Pronger.

 

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From TSN.ca. This one is for that "other" Nightfall guy...

Philadelphia Flyers

NEEDS: General manager Bob Clarke thought he made some astute moves by signing defensemen Derian Hatcher, Mike Rathje and Chris Therien last summer. But the NHL's new rules, which allow for an emphasis on speed, saw opposing forwards exploit the larger, lumbering blue-liners. The Flyers must add agility and quickness to their defense corps. Philadelphia is solid up the middle with superstar Peter Forsberg and youngsters Jeff Carter, Mike Richards and R.J. Umberger, who found themselves playing on the wings at times due to a lack of offensive potency at the positions. With the exception of Simon Gagne and Mike Knuble, Philadelphia received little scoring from its wings. The Flyers finally seem to be strong in goal, with U.S. Olympian Robert Esche and Finnish Olympic MVP Antero Niittymaki. Thanks to a league-leading 338 man-games missed due to injuries in 2005-06, Philadelphia was forced to ravage its American Hockey League affiliate's roster. Replenishing its system also is something the team must do.

RECENT FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICKS:

2005 - STEVE DOWNIE *, RW - Found himself in hot water in juniors thanks to a hazing incident, a brawl with a teammate during practice and an attack of an opponent during a game. Still managed to collect 19 goals and 53 points in 35 games. Has the tenacity and grit that conjures memories of the days of the Broad Street Bullies.

2004 - None.

2003 - JEFF CARTER, C - Enjoyed a solid rookie season in the NHL, finishing third on the team with 23 goals - including a club-leading seven game-winners - and sixth with 42 points. Should be a fixture in Philadelphia for many years to come.

2003 - MIKE RICHARDS, C - Also was impressive as a rookie in 2005-06, recording 34 points and finishing second on the team with three shorthanded tallies. Took on more of a defensive role and finished with a plus-6 rating.

* Downie is a great young prospect and and he's as mean as a hornet that's just been sat on. He's a perfect fit for the Flyers, IMO.