NHL Draftapalooza 2009
At last…the 2009 NHL draft day is finally upon us. I went to bed early last night so that today would come sooner!
I’ll make my way to TJ’s at about 6-is or so and have had thoughts of updating from there as well…although that could prove difficult if I’m just having too good of a time.
However, as we wait for all the fun to begin…let me start the morning off with a question or two for you.
What team do you think will most likely be the first to trade their way up in the draft order? Me…I’ve got my eye on the Toronto Maple Leafs. I just think Brain Burke wants to make a major splash tonight…and he’d just love to get John Taveres into a Leafs jersey.
Also, what about Atlanta’s pair of picks in the second round. How likely is it that Waddell/Dudley use one of them…along with a current player…to land a top-four blueliner or a top-six forward? If I’m a betting man, I would wager that they will try and do just that.
Update – June 26 7:45 am: Per Chris Vivlamore…the Thrashers are eying centers at tonight’s draft.
Update – June 26 8:55am: I keep hearing stories of Brian Burke admitting that there has been an offer made that includes dealing Kaberle in order to move up from the 7th spot. But he’s denying Atlanta is that team…although he has spoken with Waddell about a possible deal.
Also…I heard on HTM that 25,000 fans are expected at Long Island’s Nassau Coliseum. WOW!
Update – June 26 1:35 pm: TSN is reporting that the salary cap will be going up by $100,000.
Update – June 26 8:00 pm: In case you haven’t heard … Don didn’t screw up and he did indeed pick Evander Kane!!!!
Update – June 26 11:40 pm: Just got back in from TJ’s…what an absolutely great draft party…so many people there! It was such a pleasure meeting all the readers who came out for the first time! More in th morning…I’m pooped!
Upadte – June 27 10:45 am: The Thrashers’ second-round pick is Carl Klinsberg, a 6′-3″ 205 pound left-winger from Sweden.
Update – June 27 11:15 am: With their second pick in the second round, (45th overall), Atlanta takes Jeremy Morin, a 6′-1″ 189 pound left winger who has played with team USA’s u-18 squad. He’s from Auburn, NY.
Update – June 27 11:30 am: The Thrashers have traded their 4th round, (95th overall), pick to L.A.
Update June 27 11:51 am: In the 4th round…first with 117th pick, Atlanta get’s a goalie…Edward Pasqual of Saginaw’s OHL team. Then with the 120th overall pick, Atlanta selects Ben Chairot of the Ontario League’s Guelph. He’s a 6′-2″ 211 pound defender.
Update June 27 12:03 pm: The Thrasher take another defender with their 5th-round pick, (125th overall). 6′-4″, 215 pound Cody Sol. He’s a teammate of Pasqual, the netminder we took in the 4th round.
Update June 27 12:34 pm: The 6th round pick by Atlanta is Jimmy Bubnick…a 6′-2″ 194-pound centerman who plays with Kamloop Blazers of the WHL.
Update June 27 12:50 pm: The Florida Panthers traded the negotiating rights for Jay Bouwmeester to the Calgary Flames for Jordan Leopold, a UFA, and a 2009 third-round draft pick…with the pick the Panthers chose right wing Josh Birkholz.
Update June 27 1:09 pm: With the 4th selection of the 7th round…185th overall…Levko Koper was the choice of the Thrashers. He’s a six-foot, 180-pound left wing from Edmonton, AB who is playing with Spokan of the WHL. The Thrashers also have the 22nd pick of this round.
Update June 27 1:37 pm: And with the 203rd and final pick for Atlanta, Don Waddell has chosen another left winger…Jordan Samuels-Thomas out of Hartford, CT. He’s 6′-3″, 198 pounds and plays for Waterloo of the USHL.
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158 comments Add your comment
Chris Vivlamore
June 26th, 2009
11:58 am
Sorry to invade Rawhide’s blog, but I just got a report from Montreal. No serious trade talks, just some kicking of the tires, is what I’m told.
Rawhide
June 26th, 2009
12:00 pm
No prob, Chris…pop in anytime!
kracker
June 26th, 2009
12:06 pm
Now I’m even more of a nerd. I signed up for a twitter account to follow draft “reports.”
ranallo10 (in AT)
June 26th, 2009
12:09 pm
Yes kracker, yes you are.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-elliott-nhl-draft26-2009jun26,0,6999847.column
Apparently LA has spoken about the #4 pick…I wonder what they offered just to get a chance to draft Schenn?
Rawhide
June 26th, 2009
12:30 pm
kracker – I signed up for a twitter account to follow draft “reports.”
OK then…you get to sit next to me tonight!
World Be Free
June 26th, 2009
12:31 pm
We do not need any more defenseman, unless his name in Bouwmeester.
This club needs an impact center and Toronto does not have one to give. Stick with the plan and don’t fall for the temptation of dealing with Brian Burke. Burke is more desperate than we are! He has to make a splash here to satisfy the loonies in Toronto.
Kracker-what does Edmonton have to offer for #4?
You can get help in the UFA market.
Rawhide
June 26th, 2009
12:46 pm
The cap will remain at about the same level it was last season.
Smitty
June 26th, 2009
12:49 pm
Other than Thachuk what older player has helped the Thrashers on a short term basis? Our young guys came through the end of last year. It seems to me the plan is to go with the young guys. Hopefully Kovy will see the progress and re-up.
I have said before this is the most important summer in Thrasher history. It would appear ASG thinks along those lines due to Dudley coming on board. Build through the draft, develop the kids and then add some not too old veterans. I am as impatient as anyone here for a winning team, but I think maybe the Thrasher higher ups are finally getting the picture.
I cannot remember any draft with this much anticipation. Hope I can make it to TJ’s.
World Be Free
June 26th, 2009
12:55 pm
Here’s another name to toss out there, one that could help the Thrashers right now-Olli Jokinen.
Olli is available. Calgary has no hope of keeping their current UFA’s or obtaining new ones, unless they move salary.
Olli has 1 more year on his current contract. He would be a great dance partner for Kovy, good penalty killer.
I have not read this anywhere, other than knowing he is available.
What do you think folks?
ranallo10 (in AT)
June 26th, 2009
12:58 pm
1 year of Jokinen is not worth it, in my opinion. He has no reason to stay in Atlanta and would almost assuredly test the UFA waters. I wouldn’t make such a move for anything more than a second round pick.
World Be Free
June 26th, 2009
1:06 pm
Exactly-I was thinking our 2nd – second round pick, the one from Montreal. Jokinen would be a hit with Kovy, might want to resign. He’s had some tough times in Phoenix and Calgary, not sure his stature is the same as it was 1-2 years ago.
and he’s a no. 1 center-all for a 2nd round pick.
Darkhorse
June 26th, 2009
1:10 pm
Grant Stevenson has signed to play in the Swiss League next campaign.
http://www.dobberhockey.com/content/view/2038/1/
ranallo10 (in AT)
June 26th, 2009
1:12 pm
I doubt he would re-sign, and I also doubt that a second round pick would get him (I’m sure other teams would offer more), but I wouldn’t complain if they brought Jokinen to Atlanta.
R. Stroz
June 26th, 2009
1:54 pm
tsn link on cap figures for next season.
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=282925
Text:
On a day when the biggest decisions appear to be made on the floor of the 2009 NHL Draft, the National Hockey League is expected to finalize their salary cap for the 2009-2010 season.
NHLPA executive-director Paul Kelly has confirmed to TSN that the salary cap will be set at a maximum of $56.8-million, with the minimum being $40.8-million. The move represents an increase of $100,000 from last year’s totals.
Both the NHL and the NHLPA confirmed the players have voted to apply the five percent inflator, which allowed the salary cap for next season to rise slightly.
The league has been telling general managers and owners that the cap number could be $57.1-million, up a few hundred thousand from last season’s maximum of $56.7-million.
Since it was introduced, the NHL salary cap has risen each year, starting from the original $39-million set at the end of the NHL Lockout.
ranallo10 (in AT)
June 26th, 2009
2:06 pm
Well it’s official, $40.8M is my vote for next season’s opening night salary.
h
June 26th, 2009
2:08 pm
Not that his posts mean crap, but this is from an Ek posting 2 hours ago. See below.
* The Oilers are closing in on dealing for the #4 overall.
I find it interesting that Waddell has talked so much about keeping this pick, which leads me to believe he may be shopping it for a great offer….only a few hours away.
R. Stroz
June 26th, 2009
2:10 pm
ranallo10 – According to Ben Wright, the draft will be streamlined on atlantatharshers.com
R. Stroz
June 26th, 2009
2:11 pm
Remember my axiom, NEVER TRUST WADDELL!
Beevis (or is it Butthead)
June 26th, 2009
2:12 pm
He he, he he, Sara said “3-way”. He, he, he he.
R. Stroz
June 26th, 2009
2:34 pm
Everyone, go on the Falconer’s blog and look at the 6th and 7th picture down for a good laugh.
http://www.birdwatchersanonymous.com/
Alan
June 26th, 2009
2:51 pm
I’m not sure how anyone missed that version of the logo. It’s been around for a while now.
Daniel
June 26th, 2009
3:08 pm
I think Tavares will be drafted in the first 10 but unfortunately he can’t skate. But then either could Gretzky.
Daniel ………………. Toronto
GaVaHokie
June 26th, 2009
3:24 pm
Andy Strickland is reporting that Colorado is shopping Ryan Smyth and Scott Hannan.
Tony C.
June 26th, 2009
3:35 pm
I’d send them a 2nd-round pick and Sterling NOW if I got Jokinen.
StateBird
June 26th, 2009
3:45 pm
Russian is right. Unfortunately we have neither the brains (DW) nor the budget (ASG) to execute his plan.
jc
June 26th, 2009
4:52 pm
Does not matter about the Thrashers…….Red Wings are best team bottom Line.
Tony C.
June 26th, 2009
4:55 pm
and that logo is the ugliest thing in Thrasher-ville since they let stendec audition for the blue-crew(e)
Patrick
June 26th, 2009
5:28 pm
TSN is reporting on it’s Draft blog that the Thrash are making the 4th pick available, and the Oilers have interest.
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=282946
You need flash player, but click the blog thing where it says and you’ll see.
Sage of Bluesland
June 26th, 2009
6:42 pm
Our bumbling little fraud of a GM has been burned far too many times for him to even begin wheeling-and-dealing…Simply look at our record of futility over the past decade under his “leadership”.
Hey, Hey, Lambchops–it’s the annual Don Waddell-Draft Lottery day!!! His bluster and empty promises make me keep my wallet closed…
Jared
June 26th, 2009
6:53 pm
My god you’re a broken record dude.
Matt
June 26th, 2009
7:14 pm
To be a “Sage” don’t you actually have to be right?
(insert favorite “flaming” troll response here)
Personally, I don’t think that DW has done a good job either, but give it a rest as he is clearly not going anywhere anytime soon. I saw enough at the end of the season to give me hope and actually spent my money on a game. After all, if we lose this franchise, we ain’t getting another one.
ranallo10 (in AT)
June 26th, 2009
7:18 pm
There’s a shocker…
Glovesave29
June 26th, 2009
7:19 pm
Ah, give it up Sage. We’re kinda sick of hearing the same thing from you over and over.
TSN is reporting that Chris Pronger is now a Flyer
Tom
June 26th, 2009
7:28 pm
Wow Pronger and Coburn. Think we could have gotten Pronger for our #1 and Koslov. or Little?
Dudley
June 26th, 2009
7:34 pm
No Don I don’t think you can draft Patrik Stefan again.
DON WADDELL
June 26th, 2009
7:35 pm
WHAT?!?!?!? I CAN’T DRAFT PATRIK? DARN!
Pen
June 26th, 2009
7:37 pm
Pen
June 26th, 2009
7:40 pm
WE’RE UP! COME ON TRADE OR KANE!
Pen
June 26th, 2009
7:52 pm
KANE!
LAC
June 26th, 2009
7:54 pm
Thank GOD,waddell kept the pick and picked Kane… Finally a decent move by waddell !
bigjohnthrashfan
June 26th, 2009
7:54 pm
Yes! Thrashers draft Citizen Kane!!!
StateBird
June 26th, 2009
7:57 pm
Relief …. DW got it right.
PUTTING ON THE FOIL
June 26th, 2009
7:58 pm
Now that that’s out of the way, lets find us a RWer.
Buzzeng
June 26th, 2009
7:59 pm
I was too afraid to type it for fear it would come true… but who would have been completely shcoked to hear “The Thrashers have traded Pick #4 to Ottawa for Dany Heatley!” *shudder*
Chris
June 26th, 2009
8:05 pm
I am doing standing backflips over this!
Pete
June 26th, 2009
8:07 pm
Right Heatley with out a contract. That would not surprise me.
It looks like Atlanta could have traded down and still had Kane
Rawhide
June 26th, 2009
9:18 pm
Greeting from TJ’s where the 65+ in the party room are very happy indeed with the selection of Kane.
Most here also think that Philly gave up waaaaay too much for Pronger.
Bob
June 26th, 2009
10:00 pm
Yeah, but Philly is stout on the blueline now (don’t they have Timmonen?) and they have firepower up front already, Pens have a challenger not only in-state, but for the Conference
Ice Meister
June 26th, 2009
10:21 pm
Philly’s biggest problem now is the cap. They are way over the max on the cap. Now is the time to sloop in and grab a player that could help us without giving up anything. Philly has to make a move because they MUST get under the cap.
We can talk about the past all we want, but it is time to look forward. If you don’t look to the future, you are just wasting your time.
Sara
June 26th, 2009
10:26 pm
Well if there was any doubt about Waddell’s intentions, the “KANE” already sewn onto the jersey should put that to rest.
So excited.
That Pronger trade is insane.