First draft pick!

[gp3r 0]

Who do you guys think will be the first player to be drafted this summer?

My thoughts:

1. Johnson

2. Kessel

3. Toews

4. Staal

5. Brassard

Eveything depends on which team goes first. Look for Pittsburgh or Washington to get a good d-man (Johnson), if they get the first pick. But if Chicago or St-Louis go first, they might be looked for little more offensive punch. The likes of Kessel and Toews could then be considered for number one.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

I honestly don't think a D-man is a caps priority at the minute.

That sounds stupid, but hear me out.

McPhee has already said they will be going for a free agent d-man this off season. Thats one, Yonkman is signed for another year, and has shown improvement in very limited minutes this season, thats 2. Heward has been resigned, thats 3. Eminger and Morrisson have shown they can play in the NHL, thats 4 & 5, and Green has shown he is near the point of making the jump. Thats 6. They also have Muir for another year making 7.

They have a few D men in the system that are tracking nicely, Jeff Shultz for one is really improving, and will probably go from Juniors to the AHL next year, with some intermittent callups to the big team. He had a really good training camp last year, and was one of the last to get send back down, it was a tough decision, but the right one if they want him to develop properly.

They also have Johnny Oduya over in the SEL, who plays with a mean streak and is getting very close to being ready

Also in the system (although I don't know much about them) are Joe Finley, Sasha Pokoluk (ahl allstar this year), Sami Lepisto and oscar hedman.

I think what the caps really need is a center, and I would like to see them take Toews if he is there when they get there. The pens are loaded at center, so I expect them to take Johnson.

Of course, my scenario is based on the D in the system actually panning out, but so far it looks like at least 4 or 5 are going to be solid if not spectacular D-men at the NHL level.

I like my d men solid first, spectacular second.

I think the caps will be picking #4, don't think they will win the lottery, so at that spot, hopefully toews will be there, if not staal will, but he is a little smaller, not that thats always a bad thing, but they already have a small center with Bourque.

I also hope they spend one of their 5 picks in the first 2 rounds on a solid goaltending prospect

[TBLfan 25]

I think Chicago definitely needs defense!!!!! Poor Habby :( lol

[Eazy_b97 1]

1. Johnson

2. Toews

3. Staal

4. Kessel

[Michael9 57]

1. Johnson

2. Toews

3. Staal

4. Kessel

IMO, there is no way kessel is going number 4, i defently see him at top 2, but i guess it all depends on who gets the first pick, and so fourth.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

1. Johnson

2. Toews

3. Staal

4. Kessel

IMO, there is no way kessel is going number 4, i defently see him at top 2, but i guess it all depends on who gets the first pick, and so fourth.

I think thats where he was ranked in the latest release. I find it very doubtful he will go at 4, but it is what it is as they say

[Michael9 57]

1. Johnson

2. Toews

3. Staal

4. Kessel

IMO, there is no way kessel is going number 4, i defently see him at top 2, but i guess it all depends on who gets the first pick, and so fourth.

I think thats where he was ranked in the latest release. I find it very doubtful he will go at 4, but it is what it is as they say

Could very well be, i haven't had the privalige to watch any of these guys this year other than the WJC. I was only baising my opinion on what i have read.

[sc37 0]

Kessel might fall to 4 I think. Just like how Gilbert Brule the supposed #2 rank fell. Columbus fans were def happy about that. And nvr know..someone might fall in love with Nik Backstrom and take him instead. Backstrom is rising quick!

Erik Johnson

Jon Toews

Jordan Staal

Phil Kessel

Nik Backstrom

Peter Mueller

Derick Brassard

Michael Frolik

Kyle Okposo

Bryan Little

James Sheppard

Jiri Tlusty

Bob Saguinetti

[Michael9 57]

I guess Kessel's status has dropped greatley just recently, a year ago people were calling the 2006 draft the Phil Kessel jackpot, as they did with Crosby last year.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

There were grumblings (again this is in the media, so should be taken with a pinch of salt) about his attitude as a team mate and also his work ethic in his own end.

I don't know how much truth there is to this. Just media grumblings as I said. No one denys his talent, but what is his work ethic like now, similar to how people viewed Robbie Shremp (think that was his name) as a reason to how he fell down into the late first round

[jrhky36 1]

is this question just concerning NA players or first overall. because evny malkin will be #1 overall

[jrhky36 1]

is this question just concerning NA players or first overall. because evny malkin will be #1 overall

[sc37 0]

Don't think its cause Kessel's stock has dropped...everyone elses stock has risen. Like Erik Johnson...he had an outstanding WJC and boosted him up. And apparently Backstrom is on fire over in Sweden playing against men.

[Chadd 916]

is this question just concerning NA players or first overall. because evny malkin will be #1 overall

Malkin was drafted #2, right after Ovechkin

Don't think its cause Kessel's stock has dropped...everyone elses stock has risen. Like Erik Johnson...he had an outstanding WJC and boosted him up.

A little of both. Kessel dropped because of his play at the WJC, Johnson went way up.

[J-Shera 0]

is this question just concerning NA players or first overall. because evny malkin will be #1 overall

Hes allready drafted.

[cabreezy 0]

is this question just concerning NA players or first overall. because evny malkin will be #1 overall

edit: lol 2 other people jumped on it at the same time

and good god i hope players can't get drafted twice, he's penguins property! <_<

[Guest Muck]

Columbus will have the #5 with a loss to Dallas tonight. Maybe another diamond in the draft in Backstrom?

[Eazy_b97 1]

Frolik could give them alot more offensive upside as well.

Zherdev - Nash

Brule - Frolik

gives them a nice match-up of skill and toughness upfront. Although they could use a D-man to help that group.

[sc37 0]

Yeah, bad situation for tonite. I'd wanna win the game, but I'd also want a shot at the #1 pick.

A d-man wouldn't be bad, got some 2,3,4,5 sorta defensemen, but no real #1 guy in the system. Erik Johnson would be awesome.

Some say Backstrom is probably the only one who could play in the NHL next year, if C-Bus got him we might have found a scorer we need to add to the lineup.

[Duder84 0]

we talked about kessel back during wjc, i saw him as a one move wonder with lots of speed, i don't watch him play regularly though....can anyone point out why he's good?

[Guest Muck]

So we got a win, tied for points with Boston for the #5. What determines the winner of the 5th spot?

[Eazy_b97 1]

First tie break - Wins

Second tie breaker - Most points in the season series

third tie breaker - GF-GA

There is a lottery too. You can move up a maximum of 4 spots, but can't move down more than 1 (maybe 2) spots.

[milbs06 0]

1. Johnson

2. Toews

3. Staal

4. Kessel

yes first thing ive agreed with ever since i started posting..kessel is mad over rated for everyone out there who said hes the american crosby. your all kidding urself kessel will be an average nhl player

[Guest Muck]

Thanks, Eazy B.

[gp3r 0]

From was I was told, people compare him to Mike Gartner.