Silver Nuggets: An Eye Towards the Draft
Now that the Senators' season has been both completed and dissected, its time to really come to grips with the fact that it is summer time. However, the draft is in the summer, and that can be exciting!
The NHL draft, the most important day of the NHL calendar year. It used to be free agent day, or perhaps even trade deadline day, but in the era of the salary cap, draft day reigns supreme. Teams can ill afford to blow any selection, specifically early round selections. Interestingly enough, it has also become a forum in which big time trades are made, much more frequently than at the trade deadline. With names like Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Dustin Byfuglien and Chris Pronger moving on draft day in the last few years, it has become a day to watch.
This year, the Ottawa Senators hold the 17th overall selection in the first round. While I am familiar with many of the names expected to go in the top 10 or 12, something about this team this season stopped me from obsessing over this year's draft. Perhaps it is because the team has such a stockpile of young players right now. Much digital ink has been given to the fact that the Senators had 14 players make debuts this season, an incredible number. More incredible to me is the fact that Cody Ceci, Matt Puempel and Stefan Noesen were not among those 14, which means there are three first rounders on their way. Another quality prospect, Shane Prince, is still in the pipeline as well.
This all lead me to a thought that I figured might spark a little discussion: could the 17th overall pick be used in a package on draft day to acquire the kind of scorer that Bryan Murray talked about trying to get in his exit conference? Sure, it would have to be a hell of a player coming back to move the first (especially with the team lacking a second round pick), but with such a stocked cupboard, it could be a piece that is dangled, especially with the history of trades on draft day.
Something to think about!
Sens Links
- Mark Sutcliffe column that had me laughing yesterday about whether
Alfieany player should retire. [Citizen] - Memorable Monday (a new series on the Official Site) looks at Jakob Silfverberg's first NHL goal. [Sens]
- Ian Mendes wonders if Senators fans are having trouble watching Zdeno Chara and Marian Hossa this time of year. [Mendes]
League Links
- One reporter's perspective on dealing with John Tortorella in New York during his time as the Rangers bench boss. [TBHS]
- Central Scouting has Nate MacKinnon ahead of Seth Jones, but I think the Avalanche will take Jones anyways. [TSN]
Could you see the Senators moving their first round pick in the upcoming draft?
| Yes - in package for established talent | 270 |
| Yes - only to move up or down in the draft | 58 |
| No | 44 |