I heard again this morning the Hawks are going bargain-shopping in free agency.

They will stock up on mid-range and lower priced free agents, or perhaps a quality player willing to do a cap friendly deal to be in Chicago. They will not get into any bidding wars, so anyone looking for the Hawks to pursue the "name" free agents out there, forget about it. Like I said, if a "name" is willing to seriously play ball to be in Chicago, that could happen.

Because . . .

I am also hearing very faint noises that the Hawks might be working on a big move— this could be a significant trade, or an offer sheet to another teams' RFA, as it runs contrary to the game-plan for free agency. But the team is being very quiet about this.

There's something possibly in the works, the team is excited about it, but they aren't letting anything out— from the same source who tipped me on a trade that almost happened last spring, that I later found out was completely valid.

Another thought, that was thrown out by my friend Al Cimaglia recently, is the notion of the Hawks extending an offer sheet to St. Louis RFA, T.J. Oshie. If you want a clone of fellow North Dakota Fighting Sioux centerman Jonathan Toews to anchor your second line, or an emerging Ryan Kesler, you could do worse than this young American warrior.

It helps the Hawks, and it also hurts the division-rival Blues. Yes, the draft-pick compensation would be steep, but the Hawks have a stacked talent pipeline after the last two years' mega-hauls in the draft.

Another possibility is that a name UFA is open to a cap friendly deal to be in Chicago. Could it be a center with elite set-up skills who wants to play with Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp? An 80 assist season and a trip to the Cup Finals is possible for the right player.

But definitely look for the Hawks to be busy on Friday. My guess is, with all the dollars available, the Hawks will move fast on their mid-lower range shopping list—before too many names get snatched up and those players' prices are driven up. In fact, I could see the Hawks signing 2-3 players on Friday. Not big names, but guys in the $1-3 million salary range.

Or, if the Hawks are looking at a big name for a cap friendly number, look for that to happen first thing Friday— again, before other teams can sway said UFA with big dollars. "You want to run with the big dogs, here's your deal, let's roll." (See: July 1, 2009, Hossa, M.)


Here are Wiz' draft grades for all NHL clubs. Fire away. The debate should be lively on this!

By Bill Placzek


It sounds a silly, doesn't it? To try as a non-professional expert to determine letter grades about players that in general are three to five years away from making any sort of an impact, except for a few picks who will either be thrust into early duty to fill a Cap need, or who show early they belong in the big show.


Biggest Surprises

Clearly the biggest surprises were Sean Coiuturier's drop to pick eight, and Winnipeg feeling both he and Doug Hamilton were less advantageous picks than their selection of Mark Scheifele. I honestly love Scheifele's upside of possibly being a goal scoring big body, but the other two players in my opinion are going to be better pros and the Jets will look back at this new kid in a candy store selection with a bit of a tummy ache. If they wanted Scheifele they could have traded down to slot ten to him. After that the first round, the second rounds ran true to for until Nashville felt compelled to take Swedish Goaler Magnus Hellberg. A trained eye can easily see when the developing prospect picks end. Just look and see where names you weren't expecting to see start staring back at you. Teams suddenly went in the directions of filling team organizational needs around pick 50. That made the next 160 picks lots of fun and divergent thinking with time as the the deciding factor on which team truly helped themselves late.


I will try and explain what I think is the reasoning for the grades I have assigned all the NHL teams alphabetically. I will also try to not give the highest grades to the teams with the lowest picks but sometimes it is difficult to see past the promise of youth when it comes in multiples. Finally, I will grade a team high if I feel they did superbly with the picks they were able to not squander away like the ones they were missing.

Let's begin:

Anaheim Ducks Grade: C+

GM Bob Murray took Brian Burke up on two pick for one drop out of slot 22 (where Burke took Tyler Biggs) and he was able to secure Rickard Rackell at 30 and secure goaltender John Gibson with 39, which was great way to shore up their goaltending stable as the Ducks true starter continue to have health issues.William Karlsson , a slight-bodied developmental forward who who skates well but his energy play disappears when grit needs application. Joe Camarossa, on the other hand is a gritty, still developing forward who is starting to use his size speed and jam. Andy Welinski is a long term project that could develop into a tough defender, but so far his decisions tell you that long might mean eternity, and although Max Friberg is pretty much a developed fireplug and will bring an aggressive forecheck and finish checks, but have very little upside. Grade: C+ as only Rackell looks to be the closest to a sure-fire choice to see some NHL at some point. Grade: C+


Boston Bruins Grade: A-
No one can ever take away from what the Bruins accomplished to win the Stanley Cup but all teams do need a bit of luck down that road. Well, the luck never ended for Boston as Doug Hamilton falls into their laps at unbelievably slot nine! Teams wait decades to hope for a defenseman this size and all around skill set and in one swoop Boston has a Chara replacement. The luck didn't end there, as Alexandre Khokhlachev was still there in the first third of the second. He is an undersized offensive player with great instincts, a full set of gears and real speed. Is a team guy, much like many of the present Bruins cast. He may end up solely as a winger, but there is plenty to like and worth waiting for. After that, I felt both big hard-nosed agitator Anthony Camara and big Brian Ferlin were reaches at wing that the Boston scouts felt were perfect long range prospects, that had room to get taller and fill out as well as become rounded weapons. High schooler Rob O'Gara is also a wait for guy who is already tall and needs to better co-ordinated and improve all aspects. Lars Volden adds a developmental goaler to the organization. All and all, they used each round well to stock possibles with one grand prize in the first, probably worth giving them a high grade without going into their other choices. Grade: A-



Buffalo Sabres Grade: B
New ownership is ready to help in anyway, and the teams wanted to try and impress and although their were no guarantees in their first three picks. Joel Armia, is a fluid big man who has slot area presence, a power elements to his game, soft hands and an outstanding shot release. He has top end abilities but has to dispel rumors of lack of him not giving 60 minute effort, or caring much for the defensive zone. Dan Catenacci ,and Colin Jacobs also look like very good long term prospects and vaery well could have been gone in the second round. Dan Catenacci is a thick undersized fireball with great stick skills, superb vision, and speed. Colin Jacobs projects as a bigger strong skating centre with good jump in his stride. He is learning to be a better defensive centre, and is committed to all-around improvement of his game, including his shot and offensive abilities. Giant goalie Nathan Liewen wasn't last year but they took himthis time, and he fills a need at development goaltender, and both giant defenseman Alex Lepkowski and big high school forward Brad Navin are developmentals at this juncture.. Grade: B

Calgary Flames Grade: C
In what was supposed to be the start of the new face of the Flames of the future, they came off with little in terms of guarranteed help. In my opinion, Sven Bärtschi will have a lot less room as a pro, and will have to fight his way up through with hard work to attempt to remain the excellence he has displayed in junior. Markus Granlund is not his brother… a reach at pick 45, Tyler Wotherspoon is big and a long range project who can only be a small space defender, as he is in junior. John Gaudreau is tiny and Laurent Brossoit does fill a need at developmental goaltender. I just don't feel they helped themselves and they probably fell in love with Sven Bärtschi and were afraid to trade down in the first. That might have helped put them in a better position to select a bit better players. Grade: C


Carolina Hurricanes Grade: B
Carolina left Minny with the chance the possibly all their picks could eventually play some in the big league. The question remains to what impact they will make. Going completely contrary to their philosophy to not take dee-men early, because they take so much longer to get them ready to play, Carolina not only took one, they took Ryan Murphy who will never ever be a great defensive defenseman, who they will have to pair with a strong defensive defender. The took this route because this kid has uncanny offensive abilities that will translate to the pro game. He is what he is. Victor Rask on the other hand, you hope, is what we thought he was, a solid first rounder. Keegan Lowe is a great long term prospect at dee. Gregory Hofmann, a 19 year old Swiss pivot has hockey IQ, skill and I feel was a steal in the 4th round. Matt Mahalak is a much needed goalie prospect who will there if Justin Peter's continues to stall. Big Brody Sutter, Duane's son, finally gets picked this year and don't count him out. Grade: B

Chicago Blackhawks Grade: A+
The idea of the draft is to not only fill your cupboard, but to fill areas of need, and although at this point, none of the Chicago Blackhawk choices project to more than possible second line players, the Hawks have managed to provide at least a half-dozen possible roster replacements down the road. We all were sure Mark McNeill would be gone before the Hawks 18th pick and his selection there fills a need for a big bodied centre-wing who has edge and scoring prowess. Scouts were so unsure of Philip Danault upside, that most were only willing to project him as an energy player. He is smaller in the Denis Savard vein, and is a high-motoring flying Frenchman who never quits on any play, and who i think has a much bigger upside than predicted. Two second rounders provided the luxury of Adam Clendening another puck carrying offensiveman in the Hawk mold. The best value in the draft came to the Hawks with pick 43 where Brandon Saad, a player once considered a top ten player, fell in their laps. He already has man-sized body and may be the all around left wing the hawks have been looking for for awhile. In Mike Paliotta , the Hawks added big tough defender and with Klas Dahlbeck, they added a workmanlike unspectacular defenseman who is solid in his own zone and not a liability anywhere. With the selection of Maxim Shalunov ,the hawks took arguably the best stickhandler of the draft, and a huge offensive weapon, who gets dis-interested when play goes back to his defensive zone, or he doesn't have the puck on his stick. Forward Andrew Shaw is a hard as nails fighter who plays well in every zone and never stops working. College bound defenseman Sam Jardine will develop at Ohio State, skinny complimentary forward Alexander Broadhurst will go to the University of Nebraska at Omaha. They added a Swedish goaler with the draft's last pick for good measure. Lacking an impact player selection, the Hawks board still is overstocked with quality possibilities that seemed destined to make it to the NHL. Few teams can say that. And isn't that what the draft is truly about? Grade: A+

Colorado Avalanche Grade: A
The Avalanche strengthened the wing position with almost ready to play Gabriel Landeskog, who can slide play any role on any line. Duncan Siemens is not going to be a number one, but he will provide a large presence on the Colorado blue line Hard working two way center Joachim Nermark has good touch, but is not a burner and makes up for it with leg drive and creativity with the puck. Solid in all phases, he is a threat whether he shoots or passes. After that Garrett Meurs, Gabriel Beaupre and Dillon Donnelly have a long way to go. Donnelly is Son of former NHLer Gord has shown some puck skills and a whole lot of nastiness but he will have to take a developmental leap to be groomed as 6 - 7 pro defenseman. Grade: A


Columbus Blue Jackets Grade: D
One might argue what happened before the draft for the Columbus Blue Jackets was more important than their selections, but I cannot cut them slack because they relinquished their first rounder. Boone Jenner is a strong team player that needs to get faster, T. J. Tynan doesn't have to get faster, but I don't think he gets any bigger, and neither does Mike Reilly get any bigger. Seth Ambroz has been dropping in this draft for months, and both Lukas Sedlak and Anton Forsberg have a ways to go. Grade: D


Dallas Stars Grade: D+
Dallas Stars were able to leave Minnesota with a possible six foot seven defender Jamie Oleksiak. Big forward Brett Ritchie is a much more iffy projection but has shown soft hands for a bigger guy, and exceptional wall work. If he was able to get quicker, he would be an even bigger force to contend with when he goes to the net/slot area. Other than these two, the rest of their selections all are long term developmental guesses at this point. Jyrki Jokipakka is a late bloomer who might see the bigs before the rest. Grade: D+


Detroit Red Wings Grade: A-
After trading out of the first round, The Detroit Red Wings did what they always do: draft well. Tomas Jurco looks like a perfect guy to play wing there. I do think that Xavier Ouellet is very overrated and plays consistently average, and that Ryan Sproul can shoot the puck from the point even though he has room for 25 + pounds on that frame. Alan Quine is a smart skilled playmaker with excellent skill package. And Marek Tvrdon, injured much of the season, but in his brief season he showed had a wicked wrister, good hands, and impressive strength to go with his size. To think they were able to pluck Philippe Hudon at this juncture is amazing, he is a Czech Import with size, speed, and hands. Mattias Nedomlel is a Slovak giant defenseman, but their best value came with their last pick where they selected 19 year old Alexei Marchenko, who, if he were to come across, is a big prototypical Russian defenseman who can play all phases and skate well against the better opponents. A blood disorder slowed him this season, and if he was bit more physical, he could be special. Wonderful lateral mobility, and excellent passer, with great hands to receive them too. Smart all over the ice, strong in front of his nets, and solid in all phases. Grade: A


Edmonton Oilers Grade: A+
Edmonton may have had their strongest draft ever, one which might see almost all the selections eventually playing in the NHL. Not only were they able to get the most gifted offensive generator, in Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, they also secured in the first round, a defender who may end up as good an all-around defenseman as the big two of Larsson and Hamilton. Starting the second round, they added stay at home defenseman David Musil, who might have limited upside to a top pairing, but will eventually make an NHL roster nonetheless. Goaler Samu Perhonen fills an organizational need. Although "just" a third or fourth line centre, Travis Ewanyk wins face-offs, finish checks and does all the gritty things you need to win. I had defenseman Dillon Simpson off the board in the early third. Tobias Rieder from Germany may not be the biggest guy, but fits the category of a long term prospect who needs plenty of growth, strength, and fill-in, but already exhibits very good puck-handling skills, pass and play-making abilities, and willingness to be involved in play with gusto. Slovakian Martin Gernat is a developing big defender and has decent feet and lateral agility and good puck skills. Grade: A+


Florida Panthers Grade: B+
Dale Tallon's biggest take-home item might have been Brian Campbell, but no one can find fault in Jonathan Huberdeau, except for the fact he may not be a true impact player in the NHL, and that will not take a roster spot from him. Rocco Grimaldi deserves a chance and it will be fun to see if he can make it. Ramus Bengtsson might have slow skates but is a stay at home defender with a shot. Vincent Trocheck is a big three-zone winger who has some power game, and is very active all over the ice. Logan Shaw skates well and has shown he can score and create. He is mobile and able to jump up or simple make the safe outlet pass. Jonathan Racine is a work in progress. And Eddie Wittchow? I thought this physical high school d-man who displays a shot, speed, smarts and snarl, would go in the late third. I am not sure about the depth of impact these selections will make, but this is a real nice group to try and grow. Grade: B

Los Angeles Kings Grade: C-
Maybe the smoke from the flaming addition of Mike Richards clouded the air, but Dean Lombardi's staff drafted a group of players filled with missing pieces. Christopher Gibson might develop as capable netminder, but I thought they were fairly strong in their organization in goal, and the pick should have been used at another position. Although he is a scorer with an accurate shot that he needs little room to launch, Nick Shore needs more to his game. I love Michael Mersch's potential, but he skates like he is in snowshoes. Hard driving winger Joe Lowry leads by never taking a shift off. Unfortunately the Kings scouting staff did, by passing on other prospects to select these. Grade: C-


Minnesota Wild Grade: B+
Some good days are really good days. Not only did the Wild get San Jose to overpay in the form of three number one drafted players for Brent Burns, they were able to secure to two high-end prospects at defense and centre. Jonas Brodin and Zack Phillips are not ready but each looks to have attributes any club can add. While Brodin is solid all over the pond, but not a highlight reel attacker he is not given the respect his abilities deserve, and Phillips, despite the concerns of his feet, and weight room absence, puts the puck in the net. I had Mario Lucia off the board in the mid-second. Stephan Michalek is a great development goaler. Tyler Graovac has good skating ability and once he has bulked a bit must play with more grit. It is all about drafting as a strength and they did so as the host of the event. Grade: B+

Montreal Canadiens Grade: C+
Every year I root for the Habs to be able to add a good francophone prospect. This year they did, but it may be more in name only, as Nathan Beaulieu was Ontario-raised and lacking in his conversational French. The burgeoning up-ice abilities of Nathan Beaulieu have seduced entire scouting staffs into thinking he will be able to handle d-man duties against NHL forwards once he is graduated to the NHL My feeling is similar to that of Ryan Murphy: you will have to pair with a strong defensive defender and scheme to protect him from many of the mismatches that occur game in and game out. I certainly hope he progresses and eases my concerns of his defensive liabilities. After that the Habs board is filled with "wait & sees." Josiah Didier is a strong raw defender who skates and moves well but still needs to play a tougher style and improve in judgment, skating, and offensive acumen. I think Oliver Archambault is a timid undersized RW who is weak defensively, but displays some offensive quickness and flair. Magnus Nygren is their scouting staffs attempt at find a puck rusher and polish it into a diamond. Darren Dietz projects as big 3rd pairing defender. Big forward Daniel Pribyl was a steal late in the draft and has good puck abilities, scoring prowess but needs to continue to work on his skating. He continues to develop defensively with the hopes he is that big two-way up and down winger every club looks for. Colin Sullivan is a developmental d-man prospect, who has great speed and balance, and has a nice point shot and will jump in to the rush, but presently his abilities in his own end are his strength. Grade: C+


Nashville Predators Grade: C-
Presently set in goal with two large large bodied outstanding players, but no first rounder because they succeed in acquiring welcomed addition Mike Fisher. So what do they do when their second round pick is on the clock? They take…a goalie? He must have been the best player available on the board, but nonetheless there were teams holding multiple picks that may have been willing to move up and a five slot drop might have been advisable. Nonetheless, Magnus Hellburg has a large calm presence who shows good flexibility and has excellent technique. He squares up, covers the bottom and his shoulders cover the top. Quick feet and really good long term project. Mikka Salomaki can be an effective supplementary defensive player who reads the entire ice and situation very well, but is a short strider with little speed and limited offensive abilities as his hands and stick have not caught up with high tempo game speed. Over-aged winger Josh Shalla looks good on paper always putting up good numbers but his skating still is the weak link. Defenseman Garrett Noonan of Boston U. and Simon Karlsson of Malmö are long term projects and Chasen Balisy is a former USA program player with some skills. Grade: C-


New Jersey Devils Grade: B+
The Devils took very little time to start to further rejuvenate their franchise. Adam Larsson is a steal at the fourth spot. No matter how much you love the three forwards taken before him, he seems ready to began NHL service as an NHL defenseman capable of big minutes and a career that will easily last a decade. A no-brainer. The Isles liked USHL star Blake Coleman well enough to reach for him with the 75th pick overall. Reid Boucher is pure and simple a go to scorer but an undersized wing. He has good speed and net drive, where he understands body position, and takes it. Although still not a strong finisher, Blake Pietila is a strong hard driving winger who plays bigger than he is. Another possible draft steal is Reece Scarlet a long-term project and is learning in all facets. He is very mobile player who pivots and jumps into the empty spaces no matter if they are 270 degrees turnabouts. He could be a gem if he starts polishing up. Plays big, although his present size may hamper his chances. Patrick Daly is a college-bound developmental d-man prospect. Grade: B+



New York Islanders Grade: B+
All hockey fans wish that a team like the Isles will draft well and eventually have a well-stocked supply of NHL-ready prospects. This draft seems to have helped to aid in that endeavor. No one can argue with the selection of Ryan Strome, as he has shown both a poised play-making and scoring ability at high speed. Smart & opportunistic, he is destined to first line status due to his vision and fearlessness in going to the net. And there was a cherry with Scott Mayfield still on the board when they chose again. Although we haven't seen him in play at higher levels to gauge where his upside falls, we already know he is huge, tough and can skate. Johan Sundström is a promising net crasher who keeps his time with puck short and simple. Has a strong stride and is a physical presence that flies in to the jams and disrupts, using his stick almost as well as his body. Andrei Pedan will use the OHL as a springboard. He already displays well-coordinated balance and feet, gap-control, due to his lateral skating ability. Good skill package and a huge upside, and will make the NHL as keep it simple make that first outlet pass player. Robbie Russo plays his position effectively and has no apparent weaknesses in his abilities to move the puck up ice. He isn't the best skater so he will have to improve to move to higher levels. John Persson, Brendan Kichton and Mitchell Theoret are all thought of as long term guys at this point. Grade: B+

New York Rangers Grade: B
The Rangers came into this draft with organizational needs in various areas. They used their picks to shore most of them up. J. T. Miller is a centre-wing who plays a nice puck possession game with grit and body work. He is a good shooter and decent passer and good in his own zone . He is very creative on his carries, and is solid in all zones. Steven Fogarty is more of a long term project who needs to work to get his feet to move faster, but understands the game and the attack and is a good offense generator who also needs to get more involved in the attack zone. He is solid defensively and strong on the puck once moving. Michael St. Croix is an undersized opportunistic scorer with great stick skills and superb vision, and some jump. It remains to be seen if he can become a stronger player with a 60-minute involvement. Shane McColgan is a California-born skilled smaller wing who plays fearlessly as a Kelowna Rocket with a great speed/skill ratio puck and does so at top end speed, maybe faster than anyone in this draft class. He has a nice snap shot, and passes well, but what sets him apart is the quick first step and the gears. Not big, and needs heaps of weight-room strength. Never the less, he brings all he does have in the attack zone. Samuel Noreau Strong man-mountain fist-fighter who might round out a pro line-up if his feet catch up to his size. Peter Ceresnak is a physical hard hitting stay-at-home defender, who has a hard point shot, and makes a nice first pass, and even more importantly is a terrific wall player. Grade: B


Ottawa Senators Grade: A+
Let the rebuild begin! The Senators were determined to take the plunge and select players that will aid in a steady facelift of the franchise. Mika Zibanejad is a high-motor power centre with size and soft hands good two-way play, vision, crease presence, and corner work and toolbox. Stefan Noesen is a physical big-bodied player who works at taking pucks away from the winger position with good jam. A very good penalty-killer, he has shown offensive upside at right wing versatile hard working forward plays centre too. Matt Puempel is pretty much a natural in the offensive zone because he has a nice feel for play there. and has a tremendous heavy shot, and a player who is good in tight. Shane Prince was a steal late in the second. An excellent transition player, who is able defensively and even can kill penalties, who displays excellent skills with the puck and his stick. Combined with his superb skating and compete level he has huge upside. Jean-Gabriel Pageau is a small shifty top line centreman. Fredrik Claesson is a reliable defender and puck mover but generally not physical.




Philadelphia Flyers Grade: B-

What better way to deflect the negative energy their recent roster have caused: having Sean Couturier fall to them in the 8th spot. He will be a pro fairly soon, but in the back of my mind, I think this high character kid might make monkeys out of the four teams above that passed on him. His goal is to be a strong NHL player and a first line centre. Whether reaches that goal, or becomes a second line winger, he still has amazing gifts and determination and will be successful. During the World U-18s, Nick Cousins is u undersized but a solid smart and opportunistic performer, and could play on any line in any role. He may have been selected taken a tad high. Colin Suellentrop is a stay-at-home defender that uses his body on the wall and in front. Makes the good first pass and is a good skater with mobility. Marcel Nobles shows agility but is raw due and needs time to get stronger, fill-in and get a bit more coordinated, balanced and hungrier. Petr Placek is a huge kid who prior to injury, that has shown spurts of advanced offensive prowess.


Phoenix Coyotes Grade: C+
I have never questioned GM Maloney's abilities but their draft board is full of possibles…but very few solid probables. Don't get me wrong, because I simply love the upside of Conner Murphy, but I also know back problems have a way of recurring. As much as I want to be as enthusiastic about Alexander Ruuttu, the 51st pick is quite high. The son of former NHL player Christian, he is improving his face-offs, checking and feet. They must love his progress or were convinced he be gone before the pick FIVE slots later! Enigmatic Lucas Lessio plummeted down the ranking as the season progressed. Not a polished scorer, nor backchecker, or energy player, he can show intensity and drive that seems missing if you watch him a couple games in a row. Defenseman Harrison Ruopp is an developing open-ice hitter and physical presence. Kale Kessy is one of my favorite sleeper in the draft. He is surging untapped skill set and is an improving all-around player besides being a real fist-fighter. Andy Fritsch is a quick-footed, scoring wing who is improving his defensive coverages and wall work, and h a good head for the attack zone and is a good long-term prospect. Darian Dziurzynski is a Western Junior tough guy who can score at that level. Zac Larazza was a steal toward the end of the draft. A long-term forward project, he has enough skill to finish and has size. And is an effective fore-checker. I look at the entire group and really like it, but I also see that it has much chance to not deliver results to the major league roster as being a fruitful harvest. That is the really difficult thing about trying to grade drafts hours after they end. This group could adequately fill the cupboard if the scouting staff's hopes are realized.

Pittsburgh Penguins Grade: B-
The Penguins wanted to add a rushing defenseman and were able to snag Joe Morrow in the first. He will not be rushed and may even get a lot big in the next few years. Scott Harrington is one of the top stay-at-home defenders in the draft. There is upside, but teams will be delighted with the toolbox that he already possesses. Very good long term potential as a top 4 -6 defender. The Pens didn't pick again until the last three rounds sleeting drafting Dominik Uher, a Russian-born centre current honing his game in the WHL, high school forward Josh Archibald and Scott Wilson, a Canadian-born forward, presently attending the UMass.-Lowell.

San Jose Sharks Grade: C-
Call it organizational hangover. The Sharks were so desperate to add the one last piece to their defense they ran contrary to all logic and basically traded three numbers one for Brett Burns. This left them is one pick in the range to be in that good developmental group of 50, where teams select and bring along their prospect, but do get NHL games out of him.. Matt Nieto may have been their only guy, but who is light and thin but one of the fastest player in the draft, currently at BU. Justin Sexton is a big defender who seeks out opportunities to throw big hits and punches, and has shown an offensive side. Sean Kuraly is a long shot due to lack of good hands & puck skills, and is only decent skater at this juncture, but plays big. Daniil Sobchenko is a huge Centre playing in Russia. Dylan Demelo is an aggressive defenseman with good offensive skills and demeanor. He needs to grow bigger and refine is decision-making allowing himself to be patient when in the attack. Strength will determine he can improve enough to reach higher levels. Colin Blackwell is a smallish scoring centre. There first and last picks were smaller players, who were sandwiched by selections that where much larger prospects. Grade: C-


St. Louis Blues Grade: B+
In selecting Ty Rattie, the Blues may not have gotten the biggest player available but he certainly is skilled, quick and good enough with the puck to eventually fit with the Blues were devastated by young Perron's concussion. Rattie may be the most under-rated pick in the draft. Dmitri Jaskin may have been a first round rife his feet where already a bit quicker. Large physical power wing type with a nice hard wrist shot, good vision and decent hands. Joel Edmundson was one of the draft's risers after showing good offensive prowess to go along with his solid defensive prowess and ability to drop the gloves. Goalie Jordan Binnington is also a riser after his standout Memorial Cup showing. The Blues are hoping that time, the once highly touted Yannick Veilleux will be able to be more than the checking line player is upside projection has been downgrade to. Ryan Tesink is an undersized two-way wing who has a hockey smarts, good vision, feet, and offensive skills. The two Euros, goalie Niklas Lundström and Teemu Eronen are scouting staff developmentals. Grade: B+


Tampa Bay Lightning Grade: C
In a draft that I personally felt the Lightning might be thinking rushing defenseman early, but the 1st round hopefuls were off the board before their pick. Then they went Russian Russian Russian. Vladislav Namestnikov is a great value that high in the first. More a native of the Detroit Michigan area than mother Russia, he is very similar to Winnipeg's Alexander Burmisitrov, who spent the year with the team at 18. Any energetic player, Namestnikov has great hands and plays fast. After his offensive display at the World U-18's, the highly skilled but undersized Nikita Kucherov must have sold Tampa with good gears and a nose for the net who is learning to play entire games without taking time off. Before I pick him in the late second, I want to make sure he is planning to make the jump to a North American junior team. The rest are long term developmentals with Mike's son Matt Peca projected as an energy forward sometime down the road. Grade: C


Toronto Maple Leafs Grade: C+
Ask any one what the Maple Leafs need and then decide if this draft satisfies the need. Brian Burke had his finger on the trade trigger since the combine, intent upon taking his two number ones, and turning them into a lower one. He was able to turn the higher one, at pick 30, into an eight slot jump down by adding pick 39. This was done to be able to select Tyler Biggs, and still have late first rounder to take a chance on Stuart Percy. Inasmuch as I love the damage that Biggs can do, i wonder if there actually is a good chance he can develop into a 20 goal scorer. Percy, who is a bit less than 6-foot-1, shows he can add to a team’s offense and handle most situations defensively supporting the puck in all three zones. I think the leafs need scoring. Let's assume Percy goes off the board before the 30th pick, so you cannot use that 25th pick to bolster the offensive forward. I am not sold that trading the 30th and 39th pick for the 22nd and selecting Tyler Biggs aids your organizational need.
Taking two chances on offensive help may have helped more since five forwards were selected in that area, and the next Leaf picked wasn't until way in the
fishing areas of the late third where potential power forward Josh Leivo was available. He skates well and makes space for his line mates, finally showed in the playoffs he could had latent offensive ability. Tom Nilsson is an undersized Swedish d-man who loves to hit. Tony Cameranesi is a small high school centre, David Broll is an edgy "long term Biggs" if you will, and Max Everson is basically the "U.S. Stuart Percy-lite" Dee-man Dennis Robertson and goalie Dennis Robertson are players their scouts specifically felt compelled to roll the dice about. Grade: C+


Vancouver Canucks Grade: C
Despite the disappointing implosion in the Cup Final, the Canucks were able to secure a big bodied scorer in Nicklas Jensen who has a ways to go before he is viewed as more than a one zone offensive generator. It is an interesting parallel that scouts think he lacks intensity, and many thought the Canucks already had twins that played that way. Much will be said about their selection of goalie David Honzik, but he was an excellent value at slot 71. Alexander Grenier might be a developing giant in the Quebec league but it is too soon to say. High schooler Joseph Labate is also excellent value at this late a juncture, and he has a real nice quick & heavy shot, and uses the size he already has to his advantage in front and in the battle areas, and projects as a solid big forward when he adds size to his already wide-bodied frame. The three late Swedish picks Ludwig Blomstrand, Patrik Westerholm, and Henrik Tommernes are attempts at possible roster fillers when and if they do put their games together. Frank Corrado is an OHA defender who is thick, not tall and also a guy they hope develops…. Grade: C+


Washington Capitals Grade: B-
By trading their only pick in the first 117, the Capitals decided to sit the draft out. Even more curious was that their first pick was a Norwegian goalie Steffen Soberg whose Worlds U-18 highlight reel must be stuck in the Caps DVD machine. So…you presently have (had) THREE young goalies that you still need to develop, but this smaller goalie with a big glove, good movement, superb agility & reflexes, and a strong low game caught your eye, and what by far the best guy on the board at 117? You may correct! Patrick Koudys, taken in the next round, is a hard working smart and skilled long term project, who has good North-South speed, and room for growth on his frame. His feet have to catch up to his growth spurt. Travis Boyd is a smaller USA developmental player and Garrett Haar is a work in progress. Both are going to college in hopes of developing. Grade: B-



Winnipeg Jets Grade: B
I love that the Jets were able to steal away part of the draft show. Their new GM Kevin Cheveldayoff, may have brought the Chicago draft list with him. Regardless, the Jets, iMO, felt they had to target a forward that could grow into a role as a franchise offensive speed type player. They had to take a leap of faith to by-pass four players who clearly were ranked further along than Mark Scheifele . Rumors suggest Chicago might have been trying to move into the early teens to secure this developing offensive talent, who clearly has excellent skill and will be a bigger man by the time he is ready to play. So, the Jets surprised the crowd by elevating his status. Adam Lowry is a in a work in progress. The size is there, but the skating balance, strength and snarl need tweaking. A big guy who will get bigger. Plays with jam. The wall is where he works and with continued filling out and work on his skating. Brennan Serville is a lanky mobile defender with good balance who has puck skills and up-ice strengths. Zackey Yuen works as a shutdown defender with some up-ice offensive abilities, Austen Brassard is a big three zone winger who has some power game, is very active all over the ice, with limited offensive prowess, Jason Kasdorf is a lanky netminder who lead his team to the Manitoba Junior playoffs, and Aaron Harstad is a mobile defenseman with PP experience. Grade: B

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