NHL’s first-round draft order
Posted on May 6th, 2008 – 12:24 PMBy Kent Youngblood
The Minnesota Wild will draft 24th in the first round of the 2008 entry draft, according to an order of selection released Tuesday by the league.
The draft will take place June 20-21 at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, Canada. Picks 1-14 are the result of the draft drawing held April 7. Picks 15-22 are for teams eliminated in the first two rounds of the Stanley Cup playoffs that didn’t win a regular season division titles, in inverse order of points. Picks 23-26 are for teams that won division titles but were elimininated in the first two rounds of the playoffs, in inverse order of points. The final four picks will be decided as the playoffs progress. Here is the first-round order for picks 1-16:
1. Tampa Bay; 2. Los Angeles; 3. Atlanta; 4. St. Louis; 5. New York Islanders; 6. Columbus; 7. Toronto; 8. Phoenix; 9. Nashville (from Florida); 10. Vancouver; 11. Chicago; 12. Anaheim (from Edmonton); 13. Buffalo; 14. Carolina; 15. Nashville; 16. Boston; 17. Calgary; 18. Ottawa; 19. Columbus (from Colorado); 20. New York Rangers; 21. New Jersey; 22. Edmonton (from Anaheim); 23. Washington; 24. Minnesota; 25. Montreal; 26. Buffalo (from San Jose).
Picks 27 and 28 will go to the teams eliminated in the conference finals. The Stanley Cup final runner-up will draft 29th and the champions wil draft No. 30.
168 Responses to "NHL’s first-round draft order"
Thanks for the rundown Don Russo. I always kinda wondered how that was figured out.
I wonder what players will be available around then. I have little knowledge of the Europeans and Canadian prospects. Know the college and high school guys a bit more.
Lapper:
Wow! Ice level for the 5-goal game. How cool was that?
#24, I hope the scouts are doing their jobs.
Nice little piece on the coming of Brent Burns.
Nice little piece on the coming of Brent Burns.
Some nice comments from Hitch. DR and Co. deserve props for this pick: Burns was definitely a stretch at that point in time, according to CSS and Redline Report.
I have to admit, with a talent like this, you’ve got to hope that JL will allow Burnzie to maximize his offensive potential. Last years numbers are only the beginning.
Yeah, I think he was projected middle to end of 2nd round.
Burns is only at the cusp. I am looking forward to seeing more out of him. He was one of the highlights this past season.
DR picked him but you got to give props to JL, Tremblay, and Ramsey. I read somewhere that JL was the first to see Burnsie’s potential on the blueline.
The development of Gaborik, Koivu, PMB, Burns, and now Sheppard have been great and exciting to see.
It was truly amazing Sunshine. I swore he had his 6th, but he hesitated a split second on that shot.
Burnsie is an amazing player, and he works his you know what off every chance he gets.
I saw this first hand at the end of a practice working with Mario Tremblay one day at Parade. Burns was standing in the slot, facing Mario and the pucks at the blue line. Mario would rifle a pass, anyhwere but on the tape, and Burns pivoted 180 degrees and fired a nasty wrister top cheese, upper left….post and in every time. Tink…Tink…Tink… It was a sight to see. It might not sound that difficult, but Brent was doing it “full speed” and with a high level of intensity. He rarely missed, and when he did, Mario gave it to him good.
Pick 24…There should be a decent Defensmen available there.
http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=page&page=NHLPage&id=21732
I would have to say that Burns is THE success story for the DR/JL era of the Wild so far.
Great job scouting his potential and having the stones to draft up for him (and then stand by it), and a great job identifying his ability to learn a new position, excel at it, and still contribute on offense.
The fact that he signed for a reasonable amount speaks first to his character, but also indicates a good job scouting and a good job fostering ownership of the team by the coaches too.
So with a pick at 24, do you go with the holes in the organization or the best player left?
I’m not sure which way is best for the Wild but I don’t get paid to decide either.
Just wanted to point out that the last post wasn’t by Russo, twas by Mr. Youngblood.
IIRC, there was some love for Elisha Cuthbert around here a bit ago (which I participated in).
Question: would you love her less if you knew she had a thing for Calgary Flames’ defenseman Dion Phaneuf?
http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2008/05/elisha-cuthbert-gets-wet-with-dion-phaneuf/
(scroll down a ways)
USA-Canada!!!
Time to drop the $#@&ing Puck!!!
would you love her less if you knew she had a thing for Calgary Flames’ defenseman Dion Phaneuf?
Should be no problem as I can’t see dion damaging anything, if you know what i mean.
Isn’t at 3:30 CST for the USA vs. Canada game?
Nashville with 2 picks in the top 15 ain’t bad.
NiNY: You make a great point.
Burns should be lauded for taking on new challenges and having a great attitude as he was shifted from forward to defense and back for a couple of years.
BJs at #6 and #19 also ain’t bad. The Avs sure don’t have much to show for no pick in the 1st round.
Cuthbert was also linked with Avery last year. She loves’m hockey players.
Sabres have #13 and #26…wonder if someone (TB?) would trade one high pick for two lower picks?
Sunshine…
3:25 EST / 2:25 CST
USA had back to back PP’s to start, Burns took an Elbowing penalty :30 in. Then Getzlaf took a Hook. Team USA failed to capitalize.
Question: would you love her less if you knew she had a thing for Calgary Flames’ defenseman Dion Phaneuf?
She sure knows how to pick-em. She was with Sean Avery before this rumor came out. I love puck bunnies!
Brent Burns 1 - Team USA 0
Burnsy scores with a wrister from the point, Toews screen.
Beadwench, go with the best player and fill holes with FA’s or trades.
One minute before that goal Team USA clanked one off the post.
Thanks for the update. When I checked the IIHF’s webpage, it said 16:30 EST.
Alrighty Burnsie!!
Iceman:
Is that true for everyone or just us?
I could see us filling a hole if it looked like the kid would be at the NHL level right away but with a pick at 24 that doesn’t seem likely.
I’m trying to get a handle on the concept so I can participate in a fantasy hockey league next season. I’m thinking going with the cutest team isn’t going to win very many games in the long run unless I get lucky and I’m not that lucky! 
The Avs sure don’t have much to show for no pick in the 1st round.
If they can sign Foote to a decent contract the trade was solid. If not, it goes into the file DR keeps on deadline deals
Arghhh. Canada scores with 10 seconds left in the period. Tournament leading scorer Dany Heatley buries a rebound.
Team USA out-shot, out-chanced, and genarally out-played Team Canada in the first period. They just couldn’t put one away. It was eerily reminiscent of a Wild playoff game this year.
thanks for tearing the scab off that wound, Lapper! 
Sorry Nick…you’re right…Bad Lapper.
Interesting stuff from the IIHF website
Canada 1.63% of population plays
United States .15% of population plays
United Arab Emirates .0044% of population plays
Wow…action right off the bat to start the 2nd.
Toews scores from the high slot :20 seconds in.
Zach Parise answers 1:00 later with a nice goal from the top of the crease.
3-1 Canada.
Patrick O’Sullivan makes it 3-2 with a breakaway goal. Huge goal for Team USA!
uh oh…cue the DR sucks chant again!
uh oh…cue the DR sucks chant again!
LMAO
LOL, NiNY.
Was Burns on any of those goals? I am listening to it on Ottawa’s sports radio.
speaking of UAE, whatever happened to our chopper-flying, Dubai-visiting Wild contingent?
I don’t think so Sunshine. Not sure though.
Canada botched a 4 on 1 with too many passes.
Burns just rang one off the crossbar.
They just mentioned J Bouw but not the other defender.
I was checking Russia’s roster and guess who is on there Max Sushinsky and he is wearing the A.
so, the UAE had an estimated population of 2.26M in 1997. Lets say that’s grown to 3M since then.
0.0044% of 3M is still 13,200 hockey playing souls in the UAE. That’s not that bad.
wikipedia tells me the population there was more like 4.6M in 2006. So lets say it’s 4.75M now, that’s about 20,900 hockey players.
Am I being myopic when I say that I am surprised at how big that number is?
- Did Sushinsky ever repay the Wild that $100k signing bonus?
- I am surprised the DR haters don’t include letting Sushinsky walk in their litany of rips.
if you’re into hockey fiction, and have at least a literary wanderlust, I HIGHLY recommend Dave Bidini’s book “The Tropic of Hockey” about searching for and finding hockey all over the world. Outstanding, easy, humorous read.
oops…should have been NON-fiction…
NiNY, is the 4.6M the population in UAE, or is that in the world?
Goofy: UAE.
I mean the population in UAE as opposed to citizens that live elsewhere?
Still, A lot more than I would have thought that play.
Hey - watching the USA / Can game and our boys (including Burnsy) are looking good. Still 3-2 after two periods, but USA had some pretty good rushes. Shots: USA 21 - Can 17.
Has anyone seen this? Cherry and MacLain hired by ESPN. Would they have the Mullet and Grapes on at the same time?
oh I see, Goofy…not sure. Wiki’s 4.588M in 2006 was off of census data so I GUESS that’s inconclusive?? I don’t know.
Mikkos got 5 points (2-3) for Finland too.
Julien Sprunger, the Wild’s Swiss prospect, has 3 goals.
4-4 Team USA scores back to back PP goals to tie the game. 13:00 left in the third.
5-4 Canada. Heatley goal.
A Maxim Sushinsky sighting! That’s wonderful…Now if we can just find Sergei Krivokrasov……
…we could put them on a line with Roman Simicek, put Lubomir Sekeras and Ladislav Benysek on D and let the good times roll!
And Noodles in goal, of course!
If you would, pray tell, who was/is Noodles?
I’m drawing a blank…
DR sux. Not to disappoint.
Jamie McLennan, who was Manny’s backup the first year, was a little bit crazy, and was known as Noodles. He ended his career, I beleive, with two of the softest backup jobs in hockey….backing up Luongo in Florida and Kipper in Calgary.
Noodles ended his NHL career by going postal in the playoffs last year with the Flames and two-hand axe-chopping a guy. I believe he went overseas for a bit early this season but is now back in Alberta chillin.
Oh him, forgot about him. Although I’m pretty sure all goalies are little bit crazy so if Noodles was a little bit crazy do you mean for a goalie or a little bit crazy for a normal person?
Anyone who stands in front of pucks and tries to stop them is a little crazy. I don’t care what they are wearing or how much they get paid.
I sort of remember there being questions about how good Luongo was in Florida so it couldn’t have been that easy or Florida’s Defense was really that bad.
Either way, thank you!
Oh, by Nick in New York’s info, that answers my question. Noodles was crazy even for a goalie.
If you check out either tsn.ca/nhl or cbc.ca/nhl, they have a feature or column from Noodles.
I didn’t read it.
Beadwench, the reason it was easy work is that Luongo played 75 games a year. Then Noodles went to the Flames, where Kipper played every night, and Noodles only had to play 9 games.
In 05-06 and 06-07 he made something like $1.1 million total, and only played 1,209 minutes (the equivalent of about 20 games.)
And yes, he was crazy even by goalie standards. But for the most part it was a “fun” crazy, not a “Nicholson in the Shining” crazy.
Just back from Quebec City. Unfortunately, USA and Canada are playing in Halifax, but we were able to see Russia-Italy (route) and Russia-Czech Republic (great game). Awesome environment. Can’t wait for Vancouver in two years.
Good Old Wallys favorite player is Demitra. Good Old Wally would rather see Rolston gone. Take a look at Demitra and Hossa on the link
Sorry GOW. Your wish is unlikely to be granted.
But we could be wrong!
Just got back from the movie’s, highly recommend Iron Man. Very very very very good.
My Western Conference prediction is that a team from a city starting with D and formerly of the Norris Division will win. And for the East a city starting with P from Penn. will have the winning team. I don’t see how I can lose this one.
And yes, he was crazy even by goalie standards. But for the most part it was a “fun” crazy, not a “Nicholson in the Shining” crazy.
Tell that to the recipient of the chop!
GoW…I am shocked that you’re enamored with the softest of the soft. Even Huggy Bear showed more fortitude than our former player Demitra.
I think his Egg Beaters have been scrambled a few too many times and shies away from contact.
Oh, he’ll fit in with the Nuks with that kind of game. Henrietta and Danielle will have a new dance partner.
Bye. So long. Pavel, we hardly knew ye.
Bandgeek…go out on a limb next time…
I liked your prediction bandgeek! And completely agree with the recommendation of Ironman. Excellent movie.
Good Old Wally has gone soft on Russoville!
What!?!?!? The Mr thought my prediction was funny. Besides kj. I don’t like heights so no limbs for me.
From Youngblood:
Wild’s Lemaire waiting to decide on future
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/18711969.html
JL thinks he will know in a week or two after a Wild Brain Trust session in Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay.
Well, Bandgeek, you will not go wrong with your prediction.
So does that mean that we will be on pins and needles for the next 4 weeks? I kind of forgot that he might decide to retire.
I’m happy to see Bandgeek read the “KiPA’s Guide to Surefire Predicting.”
Beadwench, my opinion on your earlier question is that teams always draft for ability, not need.
As a for instance, if you have a stellar goalie, and at your draft choice is clearly the best GT prospect in years you take him anyway. Because what is to say your existing GT won’t get injured?
Baseball, may be the exception because there are so many rounds and lots of draft choices are not even signed. If you need pitching, maybe that is what you draft.
A little late weighing in on this, but I also really enjoyed “Tropic of Hockey” by Dave Bidini. It’s a great, entertaining read, perfect for reading a chapter here and there while traveling. Of course, I’m only saying that because I read it while traveling, a chapter or two here and there. I’m sure it would also be a great read while doing other things. I wouldn’t recommend reading it while crossing the street or showering, say, but I would otherwise recommend it unreservedly.
I suppose you could just sit on your couch and read it, too. Huh. I never thought of that.
Man, I’m bored.
Kevin- If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Dave: would you, could you on a train?
Risebrough (& Lemaire) has too many Veilleux, & Voros type-players. Recently, Lemaire said that Risebrough brings in players that Jacques likes. Well, it’s time for a new plan.
As it stands, the Wild have 0 players from Russia. The last time I checked even the vaunted Montreal Canadiens have a couple Russian guys that are doing well. Besides Sid the Kid, most of the top players in the NHL are Russian (Ovechkin, Malkin, etc). It’s time for L & R to realize what this league is becoming, and change with it. The Wild NEED playmakers!
It’s not just about bringing in the top Canadian players (along with a couple Slovaks), and thinking that will be enough.
Drafting or acquiring the rights to Russian players is a VERY risky business in the NHL right now. It’s hard enough to get them out of Russia to begin with, but if they get this superleage up and running - with the deep pockets of the oil cartel that would own the teams - they will be offering salaries that would more than incent any Russian player on the fence about staying home and being a God or moving to North America, not knowing the language and getting bounced around by the brutes from Canada and the US.
more than incent that player to stay at home and be a God, that is.
NiNY,
I would not read it in a box
I would not read it with a fox
Besides Sid the Kid, most of the top players in the NHL are Russian (Ovechkin, Malkin, etc).
I count 4 of the top 30 point getters in the NHL this season as from Russia.
I count 2 of the top 30 defensemen (by points) as from Russia.
Out of the top goalies the only Russian I can think of is Nabokov.
Question: how do you define “most”?
Dave: nice!
Were you familiar with the band Moxy Fruvous?
NiNY…I must apologize. I have not had time to get your t-shirt in the mail. I need to make a post office run on Friday and will send it out at that time.
Tampa Bay has the #1 pick and unloaded Richards at the deadline (i.e. cap space). Perhaps that draft day move I mentioned might include trading a certain Slovakian winger for another player and that #1 pick to use on Stamkos. Of course that would be contingent upon that Slovakian player wanting to play in the Eastern Conference. And a willingness to live in sunshine all year round. Plus wanting to get out of the JL system. Lastly signing a contract extension.
Won’t take much, will it???
Yes, I love Moxy Fruvous, NiNY! The Bargainville” album was my introduction to them and I liked it a lot, and then it seemed like they went downhill after that. They changed their style and started getting more and more political, which I hate even when I agree with an artist’s political stance.
Why? Do they have a Dr. Seuss-ish song somewhere that I’m not aware of?
NiNY…I know it isn’t a big deal, but I don’t want to be this summer’s Laksoness…
NiNY et. al.,
Here is where I got my population and player data. I figured the % from their numbers.
http://www.iihf.com/iihf-home/countries/united-arab-emirates.html
195 players
4,444,011 population
195/4,444,011*100=.0044%
Recently, Lemaire said that Risebrough brings in players that Jacques likes.
Really?
Dave: yeah, they used to do GE&H as a song in concert…it was hilarious.
I got into them right around the same time (Bargainville release) and had the same experience. They were great in concert though.
Goody: that looks a little more realistic, thanks!
kj: funny, I have had a similar thought. I even extended my daydream to include either a sign & trade or a tacit agreement with Demo’s agent that the Bolts get first dibs on him in FA.
The question is: do you really want to go from Richards, Lecavalier, Prospal and St. Louis to St. Louis and a couple Slovakians up front? Cursory analysis of the projected first round picks shows depth in defensemen in the lower third of the round (ie #24). Is Gaby and (maybe) Demo plus a defenseman enough to offset Lecavalier and Stamkos? And, would Gaby + (maybe) Demo even cost LESS than VL (ie address their cap issue)??
Isn’t that one of the reason why there is so much doubt about Filatov, who is ranked by most in the top 5? The riskiness of the Russians.
Even when Malkin was drafted, I remember him having to reassure folks that he will come and play in the US. Was it him that they had to “sneak” out of Russia?
sunshine: yes I think it is…I think it was Cherepanov last year that fell off the table on draft day and the speculation was that it was at least a small part due to concerns over getting him out of Russia in the first place.
Russians–let’s see–Sushinsky, Voloshenko–not too much luck there.
I’ve been thinking about what Lemaire could be doing if he decides to retire.
He could run a 3 weeklong camp for NHL players or prospects who need help in defense positioning or how to see the game. This will allow him to work and teach up and coming NHLers without actually coaching.
He’s always enjoyed the teaching aspect of coaching. What do you think?
I think it was Cherepanov last year that fell off the table on draft day and the speculation was that it was at least a small part due to concerns over getting him out of Russia in the first place.
Yes, Cherepanov. But, the plot thickens…..
I can’t believe this hasn’t been a topic of discussion. Did I miss it on a previous thread?
Anyone else see this as fairly significant?
bfw: I had heard something about Sweden or Finland (both?) also opting out of the current agreement. Not sure if that ever came to fruition.
If I’m understanding this right, the risk factor of a young hockey player just got higher. You have to decide before you draft a kid, the odds of that kid wanting to stay home and play for money/godhood or playing in the USA/Canada with some of the best players in the world. If too many players decide to stay home, the NHL will not have the best players in the world and we’ll go to parallel leagues with a lot of speculation over who is the best. Didn’t we do this already?
Sorry, I’m about two days behind on comments here, but I’d like to make this observation in regard to the hockey player population in the UAE.
A little math correction here:
.0044 perCENT of 4,600,000 is actually about 202.
You forgot to divide by 100, Nick. 
200 hockey players makes a little more sense.
sunshine,
If JL were to do that can we limit it to future Wild players only?
Seriously though, I think JL’s coaching abilities could be well used elsewhere. I think the team would be much better off with him coaching in the AHL and teaching players there what it takes to play in the big club. I think that would really develop some depth in the system. Once they get the call up they’d be ready to go and the coach wouldn’t need to do as much teaching.
And I see someone already made that correction. Nevermind.
Right. That is what the Russian SuperLeauge is counting on. They’re sittin’ on a ton o’ dough over there, so it’s not completely out of the questions.
NiNY: You are correct. Looks like Sweden pulled out of the TA last November:
http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2007/11/sweden_to_opt_out_of_nhliihf_t.html
Time to stock up on American talent!! lol
Does that mean there will be more talented Swedes available for Detroit in the 3857017th round???
Leafs can Maurice:
The Maurice firing was not unexpected. However, I thought they would have waited until a new GM came in.
I thought the Sharks campaigning to keep the team together was much more interesting article.
Truth is you do not need the best players to win a SC, you need the best team.
The best team is composed of some of the most highly skilled players that compliment each other.
For me, I hope JL stays another five years or more. I think he blends what we have very smartly.
For me, I hope JL stays another five years or more.
THAT outta elicit a few responses!
“Baseball, may be the exception because there are so many rounds and lots of draft choices are not even signed. If you need pitching, maybe that is what you draft.”
No, individual picks in baseball are rarely based on need. Players are so far from the majors that it just doesn’t make sense to draft a guy based on their position. Your example of pitching is really the only need-based drafting you’ll see; a team stocked at position players or pitchers might take the other early on.
Drafts as a whole might address positions. For example, a team with no catchers with potential might make an effort to draft catchers throughout, but not necessarily with any given pick.
For me, I hope JL stays another five years or more.
+1 - With apologies to Dominic Moore, I would let JL have more say on players too.
I wonder what GMs would think if they ever came here and read all the posts about people wanting to trade Gaborik…
They would be salivating and getting ready with their offers.
Nanne after the All Star break was on Barrio’s show and said that alot of teams would covet getting Gaborik, including Sather of the Rangers.
The offers would be an overpriced marginal veteran and a 3rd round draft pick, since if he doesn’t re-sign they know they can get him in the FA market next year. Scoring 5 against your squad in one game would want you to covet that player.
You don’t give Gaborik enough respect — marginal veteran and 3rd.
He will get more …definitely a 1st round pick.
If Gabby were to be traded, he is certainly worth much more to whatever team it is than Demitra was to us isn’t he?
I do not feel Gabby is a disappointment in any way.
But, I do see a situation where the team has other holes that they may not be able to fill with the size of his next contract.
If that turns out to be the situtation, I would demand a strong NHL player that seemed to fit the team needs and philosophy, and also add a high draft choice and a prospect.
You cannot make a mistake of accepting too small a value if you decide to have to trade Gabby.
Scoring 5 against your squad in one game would want you to covet that player.
That’s why nobody wants Skouba. They have all seen the inverse….
My caveat was that if he didn’t re-sign. The owners know DR will be up a creek, either take what we offer or we can get him in the FA market in the off season. Remember, teams weren’t lining up to give any center help to us at the deadline without PMB, Burns or Koivu being included in the deal, but other teams managed to land players with trading draft choices. The other GM’s know how conservative DR is and will take full advantage of that. The failure of the Demeitra deal will make him even more gun shy.
They might know that El Gato, but remember this is an auction and there would potentially be 29 bidders.
I think some GM is licking his lips over Gabby and will be willing to pay market value if it comes to that. They would be foolish not to because if they want him bad enough some other team could offer more.
Lots can happen in a year, but mostly if you want something you want it on your payroll sooner than later.
NBA and NFL players certainly are having their PR troubles.
Yesterday, there was a Tribune report of an ex-Viking putting his kids head in a plastic bag.
Today, I see that a New Jersey Net player is accused of choking him until he briefly lost consciousness.
Recall how Souhan and Ruesse were so down on DR and the Wild for getting Simon?
They, and other journalists, were pretty sanctimonious about Simon if anyone remembers.
I wonder if they will bother to notice either of these incidents?
The failure of the Demeitra deal will make him even more gun shy.
Really? I’m not so sure. The Gilmour Trade evidently didn’t prevent him from acquiring Demo:
I hear ya Ice, but I doubt these incidents will get the attention from our local “journalists” that would offer their “opinions” on these matters.
But its expected in NBA and NFL. The shocking thing is that there is a David Robinson in the mix or a Pat Tilman who left millions to serve and die for his country.
I am not opening the door to that controversy — the What really happened to Pat Tilman? I am only using him as an example of an upstanding guy.
Upset City at the Worlds.
Team Switzerland just beat Team Sweden 4-2. They win Group A.
HUGE win for the Swiss. They’ve been coming on for a few years now at the international level…and are starting to put some players in the NHL (Aebischer, Gerber, Hiller, and hopefully Julien Sprunger soon…with the Wild)
Lapper: did Streit join the team (he’s Swiss, right??)
I didn’t hear his name being called…so I dont’ think so.
BUT…I never knew that Nicklas Backstrom joined Team Finland. He’s in the nets today against Peter Budaj and Team Slovakia.
Finns up 1-0 early on a Niko Kapenen goal.
Let me clarify Nick. Yes he’s Swiss, and no, I don’t know if he was added to the roster.
Big surprise for Sweden to lose Lapper.
I guess so Iceman. Team Sweden lost their marbles toward the end of the game.
Nickolas Wallin from the Hurricanes took a really stupid major penalty (5 + 20) for Head Contact with 5:00 to play.
Then 2 minutes later Alxender Edler from the Cantnucks took a 2+10 checking from behind.
Lapper,
You see any of the Swiss game? How does Sprunger look?
I saw parts of it, BFW. I saw him against Belarus who had Salei, Gorbovsky, and Kosistitsyn Brothers. He had a two goal game, one was a nice wrister, and the other a nifty deflection.
He’s more than held his own. Sweden seemed to play against him very hard, like you would against a top line. Lots of physical play on him, and he did fine.
After 3 games he leads his squad in Scoring (4 points) and Goals Scored (3). I think he’s playing on the Wing, but I didn’t watch close enough. The announcer calls his name often, and he’s very involved in the play. He’s tall but a little on the skinny side. I think he’ll bulk up just fine for the big show.
Anyone see the firing of Maurice as a possible double-whammy to get DR and JL in TO?
No, I do not think it is any premonition at this point BAbe.
Anyone see the firing of Maurice as a possible double-whammy to get DR and JL in TO?
The six goalie system AND zero meaningful trade deadline acquisitions in Maple Leaf land? I like the odds of a Jim Dowd v. Pascal Dupuis fight in the East final more.
I don’t think I remember Sprunger, has he been playing in Europe? Or was he in Houston?
JL in TO? He’s not enamored with the hockey paparazzi media in that town. I highly doubt he sees that position as a coveted one as others do.
I don’t doubt that TO would think it would be a coup to get JL. However, they might not like his boring style of hockey. The Eastern Conference will put up a fight to not get him there. Having the Devils be a trapping team is enough but to do it to TO, too?! That’s blasphemy.
Plus, Moore will get waived again.
Sprunger is playing in Europe. Someone from the Wild board posted that Sprunger’s agent is in talks with the Wild. I don’t know how likely that is but I bet some of the Wild scouts are at the IIHF. If he is not signed soon, he can be added to the draft.
He’s tall but a little on the skinny side. I think he’ll bulk up just fine for the big show.
Game photos seem to support that assessment. Sounds as if we don’t sign him soon, we’ll lose his rights, and he could then re-enter the draft.
If he has potential, wonder why they’re waiting to sign him? Is he adverse to playing in Houston or what?
Is Sprunger old enough to play in Houston? He might not be ready for NHL, and if he’s under 20 they can’t assign him to the AHL, so staying in Europe might be his way of playing in juniors. Just a thought.
I think he is over 20. He was drafted in 2004.
Or does the under 20 rule not apply to European players, and I’m just halucinating?
from wild.com — Sprunger is 22.
Hmmm if he’s over 20 than maybe he just would rather develope at home and not in Houston. Guess we’ll never really know will we.
Sprunger is 22.
Interesting….check out who Spungers teammates (+ stats) were at HC Fribourg-Grotteren this past season…
Julien Sprunger
GP: 54
Goals: 29
Assists: 21
Points: 50
PIM: 54
Led team in Goals scored, and tied for lead in Points.
Marc Chouinard
GP: 53
Goals: 15
Assits: 17
Points: 32
PIM: 60
Antii Laaksonen
GP:52
Goals: 13
Assists: 14
Points: 27
PIM: 58
How weird is that? Maybe next year, Nummy will be on his team.
According to the NHL Newsletter that the Mr gets, the youngest Staal brother is set to enter the draft this year.
I’ll miss Nummy’s shoulder shimmy next year.
Sprunger was a breakout star in the Swiss-A league this past season, which is respectable for sure. I have no idea what his thoughts are in coming over with the possibility that he could end up toiling in Houston when he’s a rock star back home. I’ve seen it posted on various msg boards that he wants to play in the NHL. Don’t know if that means he’s willing to first play in the AHL to get there, though.
With the Wild system as offensively challenged as it is though, I have to think they’re pushing hard to get this guy signed. At least I would hope so.
That’s not to say I think he would end up in Houston for sure. Depending on what direction the Wild want to go, there’s currently a lot of job openings on the roster, you know?
I’ve been pondering this question for a while, and I’m starting to wonder if maybe Riser has the idea of bringing in the next batch of kids for a pass-fail year in the NHL while the team maybe takes a step backwards. I’m thinking specifically of guys like Pouliot, Stoner, Belle, possibly Irmen and Olvecky… Certainly not all of these guys, but you know what I mean.
Could be way off, but the idea did occur to me. Seems like they’ve got a bit of a backlog of guys that they need to make decisions on, but really couldn’t test this past season because there just wasn’t any spots available.
I suppose we’ll know soon enough.
Kind of go the Oilers route?
Didn’t DR do that in the spring of 2004? He traded away all the veterans and let the kids play that last half because they knew they weren’t going to make the playoffs.
I don’t expect to see Belle or Irmen here. Pouliot and Gillies, yes. Reitz, probably. Maybe even Sprunger. I think they will be looking at free agent signings.
Slow going this morning.
More like no going this morning.
More like no going this morning.
Thank gaaaahd, I thought I was the only one in here!!
Decent article by Powers in SPPP:
Well i guess we are gonna have to come up with our own topic this morning.
BFW. That was a good article.
For me, this was the best part of the Powers article:
As time passes, Lemaire appears to be feeling a bit better about last season. He knows, for example, that the team came together down the stretch. And whenever he talks about any of the Wild’s accomplishments, there is excitement in his voice.
Also, based on this and what Russo has put out, I wonder how big of a problem Demo was in the locker room.
That was a very good article.
Here is youtube video. Minnesota Wild Thanks for the Memories, created by a Wild board poster. Its actually really good.
Why do you assume it was Demo?
I think at times it could be almost any player. In the press it was Gaborik and Parrish for sure since they were publicly in Lemaire’s doghouse.
Demo and Rolston are the top UFAs and DR keeps saying he had too many UFAs on the team. JL heart Rolston so you know it wasn’t him and I am not saying Demo or anyone was a problem - just wondering based on what has been reported.
Food.
