In addition to being an album by Live, which is one of my favorite alternative bands in the 90's, the distance to here for my informal mock draft (and my first round draft spotlight profiles) is thus:
1. Taylor Hall, LW- Edmonton Oilers
2. Tyler Seguin, C- Boston Bruins
3. Cam Fowler, D- Florida Panthers
4. Erik Gudbranson, D- Columbus Blue Jackets
5. Brandon Gormley, D- New York Islanders
6. Jack Campbell, G- Tampa Bay Lightning
7. Mikael Granlund, C- Carolina Hurricanes
8. Jeff Skinner, C- Atlanta Thrashers
9. Nino Niederreiter, RW- Minnesota Wild
10. Vladimir Tarasenko, RW- New York Rangers
11. Brett Connolly, LW- Dallas Stars
12. Ryan Johansen, C- Anaheim Ducks
13. Alexander Burmistrov, C- Phoenix Coyotes
14. Derek Forbort, D- St. Louis Blues
15. Austin Watson, LW- Boston Bruins
16. Emerson Etem, C- Ottawa Senators
17. Dylan McIlrath, D- Colorado Avalanche
18. Nick Bjugstad, C- Nashville Predators
19. Jaden Schwartz, C- Los Angeles Kings
20. Evgeny Kuznetsov, C/LW- Pittsburgh Penguins
I'll post the rest of the round with quick writeups on the picks 21-30. I hope you enjoyed the spotlight series- it was a lot of fun writing them, and a labor of love, but not the easiest project in the world to pull off.
A quick look tells me that I probably have Jack Campbell too high and Brett Connolly too low. But, what's the point of having a mock that looks like everyone else's though? The great thing about the NHL draft is that every year, at least one guy who is often considered a "lock" to go a certain place drops, while there is usually someone surprising who goes a lot higher than predicted. No one could have seen Phoenix taking Blake Wheeler fifth overall in 2004, and you never know if you'll have another big surprise off-the-board pick.
In one week, we'll know for sure, as we're literally exactly a week from seeing what should be Taylor Hall walking up on stage first at the Staples Center.
I did talk to Emerson Etem and Austin Watson today, so watch for features on them this weekend over at hockeyjournal.com. I have a piece on Brandon Gormley up now for those interested.
Next week, I plan to keep the posts coming. Thanks to all who have stuck with me from the beginning and those who showed up during the course of things. It's been a lot of fun and I appreciate you getting the word out about this blog. Next year, the Bruins 2011 Draft Watch should be even more streamlined and informative. But for now, we're entering that last furlong before the draft is in the books.
Then, in July, I'll be up in Boston to see the new guys at development camp (along with the rest of the usual suspects) and we'll close out B2010DW and roll out B2011DW and start it all over again.
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If the Bruins hold onto #15, do you think they might go off the board and grab someone who isn't in your top 20? Or top 30 for that matter?
ReplyDeleteSure. Anything's possible. But that's my call as I see it. Since the Bruins never share their intentions with me, that's all I have.
ReplyDeleteI would really like that Gormely kid in Boston.In my opinion, he will become a bonified star D man in the NHL.The Bruins need a QB at that blue line.It will take a major move to get him.I guess i'm asking for too much to see that done, but the Bruins need it.Either way, they have to hit big on their first 2 picks, and hopefully both players play for them this season.
ReplyDeleteif you had a choice of 1 of these players who
ReplyDeletewould you take? There is a rumor of the Bs
trading for Florida s Nathan Horton. With that
in mind of these players..........
1. Ausrin Watson
2. Derek Forbort
3. Dylan McIlrath
I would take Watson.I wouldn't mind Mcllrath.I hope the Bruins brass don't make a trade for Horton.If they make trades, i'm hoping its to move up in the draft.The Bruins have a lot of bait.Hopefully, a team with the 4th-7th pick, take a bite.
ReplyDeleteKirk , I dont see ST Louis taking Forbort at
ReplyDelete14 they have a few D propects ..Pieterangelo
Cole..ect:....losing Eller or should I say..
STEALING Halak for Eller...they should replace
a fwd....ala.....Watson.....good honest player
then the B s take Derek Forbort....a steal at
15...after seeing a few youtube s clips on
McIlrath....Boston...would love this kid. But
Forbort...has a better offensive upside..another cant lose situation for the B.s
Makes sense, Steve. But teams normally don't draft for need that early in the draft.
ReplyDeleteIf St. Louis sees Forbort as the BPA, they'll take him there. They can then do deals to flip the surplus of assets for needs elsewhere.
Don't make the mistake of looking at what they have and don't have and using that as drafting rationale. NHL teams don't operate that way, and unless they have Watson very close to Forbort in terms of where they value him, they're not simply going to opt for a forward just because they dealt Eller.