Opinions on Whether to attend the NHL Draft???????

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pssteve

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This years draft is in LA in June. I'm considering getting tix from Kings and attending.
I'd be interested in hearing from those of you who have attended previous drafts. Is it worth the time and effort to battle LA traffic or is it something better watched on TV??
 
It was one of the most boring things I have ever been too! However, there was a small card show and we did manage to get some pretty good autos. So it depends on what you are expecting when you go.
 
I went to the one in Pittsburgh a few years back. It's boring because nothing happens between picks except for highlights on the scoreboard. You see so much more on TV and it wasn't being simulcasted anywhere in the arena. After round 1, even less happens, and almost everyone left.
 
Kings have 6 picks in first 3 rounds this year. Looks like just 1 in the first round which should be in the last 8-10 picks unless they fold in last 24 games. So it could be 3 hours of tedium while other teams make their picks, especially picks 5 thru 20. Thanks for comments folks.
 
Here is why you go:
1. You get to boo Gary Bettman
2. You get to boo teams who are drafting you really dont like
3. Watch your teams draft
4. Hang out with people who may actually know their hockey
5. Free autographs and card show

Philly just sent a proposal to the NHL for an NHL draft and All Star Game.
 
DXFlyers said:
Here is why you go:
1. You get to boo Gary Bettman
2. You get to boo teams who are drafting you really dont like
3. Watch your teams draft
4. Hang out with people who may actually know their hockey
5. Free autographs and card show

Philly just sent a proposal to the NHL for an NHL draft and All Star Game.
Click to expand...

This

I'll add #6...you get to see how passionate junior hockey fans are in and around the area, which in a strange way is kind of cool. 4 years ago in Vancouver, an assload of people came up from Everett to see Peter Mueller, Leland Irving and Ondrej Fiala get drafted.

Entry drafts aren't the most exciting thing in the world, but don't forget the other benefit -- The team store will probably be open and stuff will probably be on sale because it's the offseason :D
 
Has anyone gotten any updates from the Kings website. I remember there was a sign up before Christmas (maybe), but I haven't received anything, not even a "Thanks for your interest in..."
 
DXFlyers said:
Here is why you go:
1. You get to boo Gary Bettman
2. You get to boo teams who are drafting you really dont like
3. Watch your teams draft
4. Hang out with people who may actually know their hockey
5. Free autographs and card show

Philly just sent a proposal to the NHL for an NHL draft and All Star Game.
Click to expand...

I just had to wipe away the drool. Id be stoked if we get it. And I woudl definitely go.
 
I had a blast when I went to the one in Raleigh, NC.

I had a chance to meet a bunch of the draftees in person (including Ovechkin, Schremp, Ladd, etc). The card show was small but fun, and it included Pacific doing a show redemption. I think its worth it myself.
Daniel
 
Unless your team has the first overall pick, its nothing special.

Personally, Id rather sit on my couch and listen to the commentators talk about each player. Even then, you only watch the first round.


If the tix are cheap and the arena is close, I say go for it. But if you are debating it, its probably better to stay home.
 
I went the year Dipietro, Heatley and Gaborik went 1,2,3. Only went to see if a friend of mine would go in the first round (He didn't, went in the second). Besides that it was ok. Wouldn't go out of my way to do it again.
 
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I can tell you from experience the draft is a lot of fun. I dressed up in a suit and tie and headed down to the ACC and sat amongst the players pretending to be one of them. It was a blast. At that time I saw Alex Steen get drafted, and I sat next to Petr Taticek who was a florida draft pick. Bouwmeester was drafted that year too. I got a boat load of autographs and i would do it again in a heart beat. I went for all three days too..
i say Go and have a blast..
 
It's probably only going to happen once every twenty years at the most, so if you are a hockey fan you should go. I went when it was here in Vancouver and while it was not the most exciting way to spend an afternoon itwas fun.


My best,

Ken
 
I'm leaning on going if only to see if Upper Deck makes an appearance. If they have a deal worked on an extension I would expect a big presence. If there is no deal corporate might not show at all.
May spend a few days prior to draft at the beach to see if any draftees are working on their tans or working out with Chelios' trainer at Venice.
 
I went to the one in Vancouver (2006) and enjoyed myself. As mentioned, a lot of people left after the Canucks drafted Grabner, but my friend and I stayed until the end of the first round and left at that point because the Canucks had no 2nd round pick.

The card show tied into the event was terrible. The UD booth was a cluster[blank].

It was cool that the draftees were walking around with the family. I believe Derek [burebuyer] ended up taking an elevator with AO while he (Derek) was wearing his Caps jersey.
 
I went in 2006 and it was a great experience! I got to meet guys like Ovechkin, Sanguinetti, and Frolik (and the Stanley Cup)! I would highly recommend attending.
 

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