2006 NHL Entry Draft

From TSN.ca. Oops, forgot Ottawa.

Ottawa Senators

NEEDS: The Senators likely were cursing the Winter Olympics, which claimed six-time Vezina Trophy winner Dominik Hasek. The Czech netminder suffered what proved to be a season-ending injury in the first period of his country's first game of the tournament, leaving 23-year-old rookie Ray Emery as Ottawa's No. 1 goalie. While Emery was not at fault for the team's Eastern Conference semifinal loss to Buffalo, the lack of an experienced goalie may have kept the Senators from a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals *. Ottawa figures to lose one of its top two defensemen (Zdeno Chara and Wade Redden) via free agency, leaving a gaping hole on the blue line.

RECENT FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICKS:

2005 - BRIAN LEE, D - The 19-year-old completed his first season at the University of North Dakota, compiling three goals and 22 assists in 43 games. Led the Fighting Sioux in ice time, was the top-scoring defenseman on the club and was named to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association All-Rookie Team.

2004 - ANDREJ MESZAROS, D - Had an impressive rookie campaign in 2005-06, collecting 10 goals and 39 points in 82 games while posting a plus-34 rating - one off the league lead shared by teammate Redden and Michal Rozsival of the New York Rangers. The 20-year-old Slovakian must avoid the dreaded sophomore slump.

2003 - PATRICK EAVES, RW - The son of former NHLer Mike Eaves, the 22-year-old was up and down from Binghamton of the American Hockey League to Ottawa all season but managed to score 20 goals as a rookie. The Hockey East Player of the Year and Hobey Baker Award finalist in 2005, he added one tally in 10 postseason contests.

* I don't know if I agree with this statement. Buffalo deserved to beat Ottawa.
 

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From TSN.ca. Now for the Eastern Conference runners-up...

Buffalo Sabres

NEEDS: The Sabres surprised many by getting within one win of the Stanley Cup Finals. But the lack of depth on the blue line was exposed when Teppo Numminen, Jay McKee, Henrik Tallinder and Dmitri Kalinin went down with injuries. Their replacements played well but would benefit from more experience. Ryan Miller's breakthrough rookie season ensured Buffalo its goaltending is set for many years to come *.

RECENT FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICKS:

2005 - MAREK ZAGRAPAN, C - Proved to be an offensive star in the making last season, recording 35 goals and 87 points in 59 games with Chicoutimi of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The 19-year-old Slovakian posted a pair of five-point performances and a 16-game points streak along the way.

2004 - DREW STAFFORD, RW - Completed his third season at the University of North Dakota, recording 47 points in 41 games. The 20-year-old Milwaukee native represented the United States at last month's World Championship in Latvia, notching an assist in seven contests.

2003 - THOMAS VANEK, LW-RW - Lost in the huge pool of impressive NHL rookies was the 22-year-old Austrian, who registered 25 goals and 48 points in 81 games with the Sabres. He struggled in the playoffs, however, notching just two tallies in 10 contests while finding himself watching from the sidelines on occasion.

* Expect Buffalo to be even better, next year. They have a good group of core players that are still very young. They are the Oilers of the Eastern Conference, IMO, although it sounds like Oilers fans are "nicer".
 

From TSN.ca. And now the Western Conference runners-up...

Anaheim Ducks

NEEDS: The future already is bright for the Mighty Ducks, who received significant contributions this season from their young core of players that includes Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Dustin Penner and Joffrey Lupul. With seasoned veterans Teemu Selanne and Norris Trophy winner Scott Niedermayer thrown into the mix, the team made a surprising run to the Western Conference finals. Depth on defense is a concern, especially if unrestricted free agent Ruslan Salei leaves.

RECENT FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICKS:

2005 - BOBBY RYAN *, LW - Could follow the paths of his recent predecessors and join Anaheim's lineup next season. Notched 95 points in 59 games with Owen Sound of the Ontario Hockey League in 2005-06 before joining Portland of the American Hockey League and registering a goal and seven assists in 19 postseason contests. The 19-year-old power forward also represented the United States at the World Junior Championship, recording seven points in seven games.

2004 - LADISLAV SMID, D - Spent his first season in North America with Portland, collecting three goals and 28 points in 71 games. The 20-year-old Czech is a strong two-way player who may challenge for a spot with the Mighty Ducks in 2006-07.

2003 - RYAN GETZLAF, C - A major piece of the team's future, the 21-year-old recorded 14 goals and 39 points in 57 games as a rookie. Added seven points in 16 playoff contests.

2003 - COREY PERRY, RW - Selected nine spots after Getzlaf, the 21-year-old - who is six days older - registered 13 tallies and 25 points in 56 regular-season games during his NHL debut. Notched just three assists in 11 postseason games.

* Expect Bobby Ryan to be a force for the Ducks, in the future. He could be for the Ducks what Joe Thornton is to the Sharks, now. However, he needs time to adjust to the big game.
 

From TSN.ca, And now for the bottom of the barrel...

St. Louis Blues

NEEDS: The Blues may have endured their worst season since 1978-79, but the franchise has a chance to regroup quickly this summer. St. Louis' new ownership group, which is headed by Dave Checketts, will be forced to spend some money on free agents under the new collective bargaining agreement. The club also has two first-round picks, including the first overall selection. Still smarting from last summer's trading of former Hart and Norris Trophy winner Chris Pronger *, the Blues can select another future stud in Erik Johnson, who is committed to the University of Minnesota next season. There is a trio of centers that is enticing, including Carolina Hurricanes young star Eric Staal's brother Jordan. Trading down for immediate help also is an option, albeit an unlikely one.

RECENT FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICKS:

2005 - T.J. OSHIE, C - Scored 24 goals and 45 points in 43 games with the University of North Dakota this past season. A skilled center who should eventually bolster St. Louis' anemic offense, which scored a league-worst 193 goals in 2005-06.

2004 - MAREK SCHWARZ, G - Went 7-8-0 with a .920 save percentage in 15 games with Sparta Praha in his native Czech Republic. Signed a contract with the Blues last month.

2003 - SHAWN BELLE, D - Was traded to Dallas in June 2004 before being shipped to Minnesota this past March. Recorded two goals and three assists in 61 games with Iowa and Houston of the American Hockey League.

* Thank you, St. Louis!!! :p
 

From TSN.ca.

Pittsburgh Penguins

NEEDS: While the Sidney Crosby Era kicked off, the Penguins still finished near the bottom of the standings, one point ahead of last-place St. Louis. With the midseason retirements of Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux and Ziggy Palffy and trading of Mark Recchi at the March deadline, offensive help is a priority. With the reported agreement between the NHL and Russian Ice Hockey Federation, top prospect Evgeni Malkin should help fill the net next season. The defense was horrendous in 2005-06, allowing a league-high 316 goals. Marc-Andre Fleury was left out to dry on many occasions.

RECENT FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICKS:

2005 - SIDNEY CROSBY *, C - The 18-year-old lived up to expectations as a rookie, leading the team with 39 goals and 102 points. Is a finalist for the Calder Trophy but likely will lose out to Washington's Alexander Ovechkin. Finished as the top scorer at this year's World Championship in Latvia with 16 points in nine games.

2004 - EVGENI MALKIN, C - Spent a third season in his native Russia with Magnitogorsk, collecting 47 points in 46 games. Added nine points in seven games at World Championship. Figures to give the Penguins an incredible 1-2 punch at center upon his arrival.

2003 - MARC-ANDRE FLEURY, G - Showed flashes of the top goaltender he is expected to be but fell victim to Pittsburgh's porous defense. Went 13-27-6 with one shutout and a 3.25 goals-against average in 50 games.

* Sid the Kid was fun to watch, but he is going to need some serious help if the Penguins are going to try and climb out of the NHL cellar. Malkin will help, but the Pens need some solid D-men or they'll finish 2007 like they did 2006. There was some rumors, before the playoffs started, that Mark Recchi could return to Pittsburgh, but if I was the Pens, I wouldn't count on it, now. :p
 
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From TSN.ca.

Washington Capitals

NEEDS: Calder Trophy lock Alexander Ovechkin was everything he was advertised to be in 2005-06, finishing third in the league in both goals (52) and points (106). Now Washington must build around him. The addition of left wing Alexander Semin will be a good start, but the team must beef up its defense and groom a successor to Olaf Kolzig. Chris Clark and Matt Pettinger each scored 20 goals, but similar production next season is no guarantee. After Ovechkin, the Caps' next leading scorer was Dainius Zubrus, who had 49 fewer points *.

RECENT FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICKS:

2005 - SASHA POKULOK, D - The 6-5, 220-pounder is expected to evolve into a defensive rock. The 20-year-old completed his second season at Cornell, registering four goals and nine assists in 27 games.

2005 - JOE FINLEY, D - Another giant at 6-7, the 18-year-old was selected 27th overall after Washington traded two second-round picks to Colorado in order to get him. Recorded three assists and 94 penalty minutes in 42 games during his first season at the University of North Dakota.

2004 - ALEXANDER OVECHKIN **, LW - Is the favorite to win the Calder Trophy after finishing among the league leaders in goals, points and power-play tallies. At 20, the Russian only figures to get better. Collected nine points in seven games at last month's World Championship, earning a spot on the all-tournament team.

2004 - JEFF SCHULTZ, D - Sparked the Capitals' emphasis on size on the blue line. The 6-6, 212-pound 20-year-old notched 40 points in 68 games with Calgary of the Western Hockey League before joining Hershey of the American Hockey League for its run to the Calder Cup championship.

2004 - MIKE GREEN, D - An offensive defenseman, the 20-year-old made his NHL debut this past season, recording a goal and two assists in 22 games. Played a major role in Hershey's championship win, leading the team's blue-liners with 18 points and posting a plus-16 rating in the playoffs.

2003 - ERIC FEHR, RW - Also helped Hershey to the AHL title, notching eight goals and three assists in 19 postseason games. Netted 25 goals in 70 games with the Bears during the regular season. Also made his Capitals debut in 2005-06, appearing in 11 contests without recording a point.

* Ouch!!! :eek:
** While Sid the Kid was fun to watch, Alexander the Great was awesome to watch!!! He could steal the show every night, but couldn't make Washington a playoff team, by himself. Washington has a better chance to get better, faster, than the Penguins, IMO.
 

From TSN.ca.

Boston Bruins

NEEDS: After trading captain Joe Thornton and Sergei Samsonov* during the 2005-06 season, the Bruins are lacking offense beyond the top line of Patrice Bergeron, Marco Sturm and Brad Boyes. Beyond that trio and Glen Murray, who finished fourth on the team with 24 goals, no forward tallied more than 11 times. The Bruins have some young prospects in Yan Stastny and Ben Walter who saw action this past season, but expecting them to fill the shoes of Thornton and Samsonov is unrealistic.

RECENT FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICKS:

2005 - MATT LASHOFF, D - Collected seven goals, 40 assists and 146 penalty minutes with Kitchener of the Ontario Hockey League before joining Providence of the American Hockey League, where he notched a tally and an assist in seven contests. Boston is hoping the 19-year-old will be a mainstay on the blue line for years to come.

2004 - None.

2003 - MARK STUART, D - After three seasons at Colorado College, the 22-year-old made his professional debut with Providence, recording seven points in 60 games. More of a stay-at-home defenseman, he joined the Bruins late in the campaign and picked up a goal and an assist in 17 contests.

* Thank you, Boston. :p Although, it hurt giving up Marty Reasoner. He was one of my favorite Oilers. Now, the Oilers just have to convince Sergei to stay in Edmonton (he's a UFA).
 


I am impressed with the effort you've put forth. Kudos to you.

Personally I'm only a follower of Penguins information. I can comment on what they're likely to do (or so the fan sites would have you believe). They have a new GM, and it seems fairly unlikely that they will try to move up in the draft unless St. Louis is willing to be easy about it. Johnson appears to be the clear #1 choice, and the Pens would really like to have him. However if they get Staal or Kessel instead at #2 they won't be hurting because they also need good wingers to support Crosby and Malkin. I can see the Pens improving drastically next season with Fleury starting as goalie, and a good coach to run their camp. Also with Mario retired, much of the country club atmosphere should go away.

buzzard
 

buzzard said:
I am impressed with the effort you've put forth. Kudos to you.

Thanks, like I've said before, I'm not just an Edmonton Oiler fan, but a hockey fan. And all aspects of hockey from the minor leagues to the NHL incluiding the draft and free agency. (The NHL Free Agent Frenzy starts July 1st, just FYI.)

Personally I'm only a follower of Penguins information. I can comment on what they're likely to do (or so the fan sites would have you believe). They have a new GM, and it seems fairly unlikely that they will try to move up in the draft unless St. Louis is willing to be easy about it. Johnson appears to be the clear #1 choice, and the Pens would really like to have him. However if they get Staal or Kessel instead at #2 they won't be hurting because they also need good wingers to support Crosby and Malkin. I can see the Pens improving drastically next season with Fleury starting as goalie, and a good coach to run their camp. Also with Mario retired, much of the country club atmosphere should go away.

Fleury is a good young goaltender but the Pens need to put together a good defensive core in front of him, or it's going to be another long year for him. Perhaps the Pens should try to go after Ed Jovanovski.

KF72
 

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