Here we go again - back to the drafting tables. This is the weekend of the year where our amateur scouts earn their money and see payback for all of their time spent on the road.
We have a first round pick and a bunch of second round picks. We can trade up. We can make some trades for more picks. We can use our picks and prospects for a trade of a player that can help us today. We can trade some picks for this year for some picks in an out year. We can stay put and use them all. We have a lot of choices.
George McPhee plays it so close to the vest that even I don’t know what he is thinking. I do know that he listens to his scouts and professionals and that they fight and argue - in a good-hearted fashion - about who are the best players at what positions. I also know that the team’s philosophy is to pick the best available player on the board that is left when it is our time to pick. We don’t usually draft by positional need.
I do know now that we have a lot of fire power; a lot of role players; and a lot of goalie prospects in the pipeline. We have work to do in the off season on finalizing our lineup for next season but the draft will add to our potential lineup. Last year’s #1 pick, Karl Alzner, will be fighting for a spot in the lineup when camp opens. The NHL draft is a time of renewal and of potential and a time for us to hope and dream. Can we find someone who is a steal in the later rounds? Can we package up a pick and a player for a player that impacts our team today? Stay tuned. This is a fun time of year. The draft is how we chose to rebuild the team. It works. It is important and fundamental. Wish George and the scouting team luck this weekend.
