June 26, 2004
Thoughts On The NHL Draft
I knew I said I wouldn't be watching the NHL Draft, but I flipped on the television just as soon as I got back from the gym to watch for a few minutes.
Just a few thoughts:
The NHL needs to take the lead from the NBA and the NFL when it comes to their draft telecast. I've had enough of every team sending up five or six guys in monkey suits to announce a draft pick. Instead, send up one guy, and set aside a spot just off the dais where you can take all of your publicity photos.
And enough with thanking the local fans for their fantastic hospitality. Let Gary Bettman do it once, and then everyone needs to keep it simple. After hearing how great Raleigh is for the tenth time, it gets a little old.
As for the guys being picked, could somebody seat them closer to the stage? If I was producing this broadcast, I'd tell every pick that they need to get up there faster than a contestant on The Price Is Right. "CAM BARKER, COME ON DOWN, YOUR THE NEXT CHOICE IN THE 2004 NHL ENTRY DRAFT!"
UPDATE: Al Montoya's selection by the Rangers was a nice moment. Son of Cuban refugees makes it to the NHL, and gets chosen by one of the most famous sports franchises in the world. And that's what America is all about.
Phoenix suprised plenty of folks when they took U.S. high school junior Blake Wheeler with the fifth pick. The Central Scouting Bureau had Wheeler ranked as the 17th best skater, and TSN's Bob Mackenzie had him ranked 31st overall.
You'd figure that Phoenix would have moved down in order to get some more picks or maybe a player, and wait around till a little later to snag Wheeler. You have to wonder if Phoenix got wind of the possibility that somebody else wanted to snag him.
ANOTHER UPDATE: Though Ben Wright beat me to it, I think it bears repeating -- a few minutes ago the Caps selected Chris Bourque with the 33rd overall pick. According to the CSB, Bourque is rated as the 74th best skater in this year's draft. And yes, he is Ray's son and just graduated from high school.
With the Caps also owning a pick at the end of the second round, General Manager George McPhee ought to be explaining why he took Bourque so early. At 5'7", 170 lbs, he isn't exactly an imposing physical specimen. Granted, he dominated Massachusetts prep hockey, and will attend Boston University in the Fall, but I'm scratching my head here.
Furthermore, you've got two years to sign a prospect after you take him in the draft -- otherwise he goes back into the pool. Does McPhee really believe that Bourque is going to be ready for the NHL by 2006, and that he'll be willing to forfeit his last two years of college eligibility at BU?
That's a lot to write about a second round draft pick, but like I said, I'm a little puzzled.
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