The Running Blog Post Throughout Day 1 Of The NHL Draft

I figured that I would do this for giggles.  Why not?

A Trade for the #45 pick and 2 fourth rounders from the Columbus Blue Jackets for Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.  Finally a deal that I can understand from Columbus GM Scott Howson.  I expect that Bobrovsky will be the starting goaltender for the Blue jackets come opening night.  He is 23 years old and has played somewhat decently while in Philly.  He is an upgrade in net.  For the Flyers, I expect that two possibly all three will be packaged with other players or picks for a chance for Philly to become a team drafting in the Top 5 of the draft.

A few non-draft items:

1. Reports out of Pittsburgh say that Ray Shiro is "livid" that Jordan Staal rejected the 10-year extension that has the salary at between $5 and $6 million per year.  Well, it might be that Jordan doesn't want to be a third-line center for the rest of his career.  I don't see Malkin or Crosby going anywhere anytime soon.
2. Reports out of Boston are saying that Tim Thomas has agreed to waive his no movement clause in case the Bruins can trade him during the draft.  He was protected until July 1st from being moved.  The reason that he might be moved is for salary cap reasons on both sides.
3. Anaheim gets a 2013 2nd Round Pick from the Islanders for Defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky.  Visnovsky had 68 points last year.  The Isles have found their veteran defenseman that they wanted, but I don't believe that will help them get into the playoffs next year.  For the Ducks, it gets over $5 Million off the Salary Cap and allows them a bit more room to improve down the line.

Dallas has traded Center Mike Ribiero to the Washington Capitals for Center Cody Eakin and the 54th Pick in this years draft.   For the Capitals, it stabilizes the 2nd Line Center position.  For the Stars, it eliminates the $5 Million cap hit and eliminates the logjam that the Stars had at center for their top two lines as well.


The L.A. Kings resigned Jared Stoll to a 3-year $9.75 Million contract.  The Kings needed to do this deal.  Stoll is part of the foundation of the Stanley Cup Champions.

Oh boy.  The scuttlebutt out of Pittsburgh is that they want to make a play for Zach Parise.  I don't think that is going to happen.  How many 1st line Centers do you need on a team?  Maybe the Penguins should look at the playoffs and see what there defense was doing during the Flyers series.  I believe that they were water skiing on the Mongahela River while the games were being played.

The Picks:

1. Edmonton - RW Nail Yakupov.  The Overall #1 player in the draft.  Big thing that separated him from the rest of the players in this draft is that almost every shift he created excitement.  He has top end speed and very good hands.  He also has lots of skill controlling the puck.  Another top end player in the forward ranks.  A very good pick, but Edmonton needs help on the Blueline.                    
2. Columbus - D Ryan Murray.  He fills a need in Columbus.  The Blue Jackets were the worst team in the league but especially poor was the defensive end of the rink.  Add to the fact that the Blue Jackets added their Goalie of the future earlier in a trade with Philadelphia and you see where the Blue Jackets have decided to rebuild.  Murray is a great positional defenseman and should be on the top pairing for the Jackets for the next decade.                                                                                                   
3. Montreal - C Alex Galchenyuk.  I believe that this is a mistake.  He was limited to 8 games last year because of injury.  He is the teammate of Nail Yakupov.  Galchenyuk has lead leagues in scoring.  Might be a Top 6 forward for the Canadiens, but won't be the most physical player on the team.                  
4. NY Islanders - D Griffin Reinhart.  Looks like he will be a defensive defenseman.  Has the pedigree to be an NHL player.  His father played in the NHL for over 600 games.  His brothers play in the WHL at the current time.  He is already 6'4" and 210 pounds.  Watch for him to be a physical force in the NHL.                                                                                                                                                                 
5. Toronto - D Morgan Reilly.  Has exceptional vision and instincts for the game.  Recovering from an ACL tear in 2011-12.  Has exhibited leadership skills in the past.  Might need to continue to show those leadership skills because he will be playing in the hotbed of hockey that is desperate for a winner.  Might get several looks before he is ready because of his playmaking skills.                                
6. Anaheim - D Hampus Lindholm.  At 6'2", 200 lbs., he would appear to be a defenseman that could control things in his end.  He might be able to do that, but the history of Swedish defensemen doing that seems to argue against that.                                                                                                          
7. Minnesota - D Mathew Dumba.   The Team Canada 18 and Under Team Captain.  Averaged over a point a game at his prep hockey team league and almost averaged a point a game in the WHL.  His 9 Power Play goals lead the Rebels in the WHL.  A respected leader, he should bring stability to the blue line of the Wild when he progresses to the NHL.  A physical presence.                                                                                                                                                    Trade:  Carolina gets C Jordan Staal from Pittsburgh for Carolina's 1st Round pick (8th overall), C Brandon Sutter and D Brian Dumoulin.  The Canes might have over payed for Staal, but if we can get a True Second line Center, the Canes will start to look dangerous.  A First Line of Skinner-J.Staal-E.Staal.  A Second line of Jokinen-TBD-Ruutu.  I will take that Top 6.  Dumolin is expendable because of the depth of young defensemen in the system.  And the 8th pick overall could cause the loss of a top end forward that could help in two or three years.  For the Penguins, they get rid of a headache in Staal who was chomping at the bit for an expanded role.  Sutter is a real nice Centerman that will not make waves playing the 3rd line.  Dumoulin will bring more physicality to the Pens blue line if he can stick in the NHL.                                                                                             
8. Pittsburgh - D Derrick Pouliot.  An offensive defenseman, he has played in the more advanced leagues at an early age.  He started playing with the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL when he was 15.  He will fill out to about 6' and 205 lbs.  Not physically imposing but can stand his ground in the defensive end.                                                                                                                                     
9. Winnipeg - D Jacob Trouba.  A developmental project.  He is a two way player that has some fine offensive skills.  Will be playing for the Michigan Wolverines next year.  Might not have his size translate in the NHL because of the mindset of being on offense for a defenseman.                               
10. Tampa Bay - D Slater Koekkoek.  Is an two way defenseman.  Coming off a season-ending shoulder injury.  Koekkoek is physical and has averaged a point a game for Peterborough in the OHL.  Could be a mainstay for the Lightning for years to come.                                                                                                                                          
11. Washington - C Filip Forsberg.  Is only 17 years old.  Looks like he will become a power forward type player.  Has a nose for the big goal and has good straight line speed.  Is a leader and has a great attitude according to teammates and coaches.                                                                                      
12. Buffalo - C Mikhail Grigorenko.  Fell in the eyes of the teams coming into the draft.  Could become the best player taken in this draft.  According to scouts, he has the rare ability to influence the game with his presence.  The pace that he plays the game is the same whether or not he is controlling the puck.  At 6'3" and 200 lbs, he should be a physical force in front of the net and able to do things that only the prototypical power forward can excel at.                                                                                
13. Dallas - C Radek Faska.  Projects to a point a game player.  Led the OHL for rookies in Points, assists, goals, gamne winning goals, and plus/minus for the 2011-12 season.  Came over to North America at the age of 11 to further his hockey skills.  Shows mental toughness.  Will get to Dallas in time to restock the center position.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             TRADE:  Calgary trades 14th Pick for Buffalo's 21st Pick and a 2nd Round Draft Pick.  Is there a more irrelevant team in the NHL right now than the Calgary Flames?                                        
14. Buffalo - C Zemgus Girgensons.  Toughness is known.  Has some great size.  Projected to become a solid #2 Center, has some qualities that you look for in a power forward.                                             
15. Ottawa - D Cody Ceci.  Needs to toughen up a little bit.  Power Play Quarterback.  Real hard slap shot.  Projected as a Top 2 or 3 Defenseman who can play an all-around game.                                  
16. Washington - RW Tom Wilson.  Hard shooting Winger.  Is tough.  6'4" and 200 lbs already.  Likes to hit hard and fight.  Isn't afraid of anything.  Possibility of limited offensive skill.  Could be a staple on the 3rd line if he can't find that offensive touch.                                                                                
17. San Jose - C Tomas Hertl.  Great hands.  Looks to be an offensive center.  Is on the side of a bigger body.  Going to a team that has plenty of veterans and could learn lots of things from those veterans.       
18. Chicago - Teuvo Teravainen.  This kid is a scorer.  Projects to a Top line Center.  Will never be confused with a tough guy.  Possibly the best hands in the draft.  Adding him to Toews and Kane makes the Blackhawks a possible offensive juggernaut in a couple of years.  Needs to develop physically.                                                                                                                                                           
19. Tampa Bay - G Andrei Vasilevski.  The top rated goalie in the draft.  Could be the starter in goal in a couple of years.  Steve Yzerman is bolstering up the last line of defense.  Say goodbye to Mike Smith.                                                                                                                                                     
20. Philadelphia - C Scott Laughton.  Can be a shut down centerman.  Also has some offensive skills.  Going through the Flyers system, he will become better offensively and become even nastier than he is now.  Could become the protector for Claude Giroux and the other skill players of the Flyers.  A definite third line center and could become a second liner.                                                                               
21. Calgary - C Mark Jankowski.  Projected as a 1st 2nd line Center way into the future.  A reach in the 1st Round.  A project, hasn't played in the Major Minor Canadian Hockey leagues.  Might need to work on becoming more coordinated because of the large growth spurt he has had in the last couple of years.  He has offensive skill.  What is the braintrust in Calgary thinking?  A sign that they are throwing in the towel for the next 3 to 4 years?  I wonder if Jerome Iginla needs to buy a new HD TV after this pick or if he called Jay Feaster and demanded a trade.                                                          
22. Pittsburgh - D Olli Maatta.  An overall defenseman.  Has had a few concussions already.  Probably won't ever be the guy to be the shutdown defenseman, but won't be a liability in any facet of the game.                                                                                                                                                            
23. Florida - D Mike Matheson.  Is an agitator.  Decent size.  Good skater.  Likes to play tough and nasty.  Will go to college and play at Boston College.  Has a high hockey IQ.                                      
24. Boston - G Malcolm Subban.  With his brother P.K. playing in Montreal and P.K. alleging that the Boston fans have racially taunted him, this is an interesting pick.  Very athletic.  Not the most confident player.  Has a great glove hand.  Loves the game.  Quick, calm, and poised when playing.        
25. St. Louis - D Jordan Schmaltz.  Will attend North Dakota come the fall.  An offensive defenseman.  Great passer.  Might need to worry a little more about his defensive responsibilities.  Should become a solid Top 4 defenseman.  Possible Power Play specialist.                                                                         
26. Vancouver - C Brendan Gaunce.  Big strong two-way centerman.  Trustworthy, averaged a point a game.  Smart.  Could become the steady centerman that you turn to when the game is on the line.  Should become a solid #2 centerman.  Skaes well.  Strong character.                                                         
27. Phoenix - RW Henrik Samuelsson - Nasty player.  Loves the physicality of hockey.  6'3" over 200 lbs.  Son of Ulf Samuelsson.  Has a knack of becoming noticed during big games.  A power forward type and will get into his share of fights.  Needs to work on his skating.                                                          
28. NY Rangers - D Brady Skjei.  Has size and can skate.  Looks like he will be a steady defenseman that can contribute offensively sometimes.  Plays physically.  Will never be confused with an offensive defenseman.                                                                                                                                               
29. New Jersey -  D Stefan Matteau.  Has the pedigree, father Stephane played in the NHL.  Has the size and strength.  Very high hockey I.Q.  Plays like his father, nasty and proud of it.  Obtained 166 penalty minutes last year for the U-18 U.S. Team.                                                                                      
30. Los Angeles - LW Tanner Pearson.  Goal scorer.  91 points in only 60 games in juniors.    Has been around hockey all his life.  Father works for Bauer Hockey.  More of a skilled forward, should be a top 6 forward.  Defensive skills aren't anything to write home about.

That is the end of the 1st Round.  No Nash or Bobby Ryan trade.  J. Staal was traded and that was the only blockbuster trade made today.  Ray Shero made another storyline tonight.  He has stated that he wants the rights to Ryan Suter from Nashville.  If he does that, then Zach Parise isn't going to become a Panguin.  Rounds 2 through 7 is on Saturday starting at 10 AM EST on NBC Sports Network.