NHL draft 2006 - top 14 predictions

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Bossy22

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Lets hear what people think! (or hope!)

1. St. Louis Blues - Jordan Staal
2. Pittsburgh Penguins - Erik Johnston
3. Chicago Blackhawks - Jonathan Toews
4. Washington Capitals - Derick Brassard
5. Boston Bruins - Phil Kessel
6. Columbus Blue Jackets - Nicklas Backstrom
7. New York Islanders - Peter Mueller
8. Phoenix Coyotes - Michael Frolik
9. Minnesota Wild - James Sheppard
10. Florida Panthers - Bryan Little
11. Los Angeles Kings - Chris Stewart
12. Atlanta Thrashers - Bobby Sanguinetti
13. Toronto Maple Leafs - Jiri Tlusty
14. Vancouver Canucks - Jonathan Bernier

Didn't quite make the cut but will be on the brink: Cory Emmerton, Kyle Okposo, Ondrej Fiala
 
I don't know much of those player but how those the ranking of the draft work this year, last one first or is it a lotto with the team out of the playoff like bball
 
I'd put Okposo in the top 14-15 ahead of Chris Stewart... Maybe even as high as in the top 10.
I also think Sanguinetti will probably go a bit earlier too, with this draft being pretty shallow in terms of impact blueliners.
 
According to the Hockey News:

1- Erik Johnson
2- Phil Kessel
3- Jonathan Toews
4- Jordan Staal
5- Nicklas Backstrom
6- Peter Mueller
7- Derick Brassard
8- Jiri Tlusty
9- Bryan Little
10- Kyle Okopso
11- Nigel Williams
12- Michael Frolik
13- James Sheppard
14- Chris Stewart
 
If I were a top 5 team and Johnson and Staal were both gone, I'd take a chance on Bryan Little. He's been in the picture since his very first season with Barrie. Looks like a good kid with a lot of skill and a lot of heart.

I'd put Frolik a bit higher than THN did though, 12th is a bit low. Nigel Williams is definitely a little high as well. Don't see him going top 15.
Also if THN doesn't think Sanguinetti's going top 10, they're on glue. There's a veritable drought in terms of solid defensemen in this year's draft, so guys like Johnson and Sanguinetti will be at a premium.
 
i would rather the canucks draft Okposo than Bernier actually

im actually praying to god that they find a way to pull off a trade to get Jordan Staal, but thats unrealistic probably....
 
moosejaw said:
If St.Louis doesnt draft Staal they are making a mistake of Milbury proportion.
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Yeah, Jordan is said to have more upside than any of the Staal brothers, including Eric. That mere consideration boggles my mind.
 
The Blues should (hopefully) realize that a defenseman like Johnson is a nice pickup, but won't make the cornerstone that a big centre like Staal will. Johnson or Toews would fit nicely on the Penguins though, so they shoudl be in good shape at #2.

As for the Leafs @ 14, I'm not holding my breath that they will do anything productive.
 
leafschik1967 said:
As for the Leafs @ 14, I'm not holding my breath that they will do anything productive.
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Well, normally I'd be on board with that line of thinking, but the one positive that JFJ has brought to the Leafs organization is a strong scouting staff which should lead to a better draft philosophy for the next few years at least. After like 10 years of horrendous picks, the Leafies finally woke up and drafted for need. Rask will ultimately be better than Pogge in my opinion.
The only problem is, with Belfour gone, the Leafs have two solid prospects in the system, and two above-average-yet-inconsistent vets on the big club and nothing to speak of in the AHL. The lack of foresight during the late-90's and early 2000's (while the team was content with Potvin, and then Joseph, and then Belfour) could hurt the Leafs in the 2-3 years it will take for Pogge and/or Rask to be NHL-ready.
The middle of the 1st round is usually pretty wishy-washy with a bunch of up-and-down prospects... If I was the Leafs this past season, I would have forgotten about the playoffs early and just played the youngsters in key roles down the stretch. Get them experience for next season and possibly gain valuable draft position.
 
WesM44 said:
Well, normally I'd be on board with that line of thinking, but the one positive that JFJ has brought to the Leafs organization is a strong scouting staff which should lead to a better draft philosophy for the next few years at least. After like 10 years of horrendous picks, the Leafies finally woke up and drafted for need. Rask will ultimately be better than Pogge in my opinion.
The only problem is, with Belfour gone, the Leafs have two solid prospects in the system, and two above-average-yet-inconsistent vets on the big club and nothing to speak of in the AHL. The lack of foresight during the late-90's and early 2000's (while the team was content with Potvin, and then Joseph, and then Belfour) could hurt the Leafs in the 2-3 years it will take for Pogge and/or Rask to be NHL-ready.
The middle of the 1st round is usually pretty wishy-washy with a bunch of up-and-down prospects... If I was the Leafs this past season, I would have forgotten about the playoffs early and just played the youngsters in key roles down the stretch. Get them experience for next season and possibly gain valuable draft position.
Click to expand...

Oh, don't get me wrong, nothing would make me happier than if the Leafs drafted a solid player out of the CHL or NCAA. It just seems that in the past they have put too much thought into the process of drafting, and they end up worse off for it. After about #5 or 6 in this draft, there doesn't seem to be a lot to choose from though, so hopefully they make a safe, solid pick.
 
Locally, the talk is that the 'Hawks have zoned in on Kessel - as long as the Pens don't go for him (which I hope they do). They need a draw like a....well, I can't find an apt comparison, but they need someone to put fannies in the seats and make Blackhawk hockey relevant in this town again. But, this is the Bill Wirtz owned-Blackhawks, so I would expect them to take an unknown Euro, continue to not broadcast any home games, and put the final nail in hockey here. :)
 
As an Isles fan I also wish (and hope) that Brassard slips to them!!! Wouldn't mind having Bernier in the system either but think Isles need some offense.
 

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