Now that we have reached a a point in the season where it's clear that at best, we will struggle for the 8th spot, and at worst, we'll slide right on down to the 30th spot (may Jeebus be with you) It's time to look beyond the shit storm right in front of our face, and ahead to a breath of fresh Kanata cow patty air. That's right... the 2009 NHL Draft.
I would love to see those silly bitches in Montreal with their Stanley Cups (praise be to him), and their Hall of Famers, and their poutine, and their crazy women (and drivers) do one over on the festivities the great city of Ottawa held last year. It was madness, it was mayhem. There were trades, and picks flying every which way, and through the middle of it all, the Sens moved up to the 15th spot and took a little 5'11 IKEA lamp name Erik Karlsson.... and the crowd went silent. I thought to myself what the fuck?
Then, 6 months later I sit in the corner of the Powerade Centre in Brampton, 10th row, and watch this kid absolutely dismantle the Czech defense. He moves the puck like Paul Coffey, skates like our beloved captain, and can see the play develop in a split second like a sub captain at periscope depth. He was fucking brilliant. It made me think twice about what I had felt at the Salmon Can back in June. I renewed my faith in what has been a wavering scouting system, and draft day moves.
Now to this year. Ottawa looks like they are destined for a top-10 pick, and EVERYONE is talking about Tavares and Hedman, but this draft is a little deeper than some may think. Once Atlanta takes Hedman, and the Islanders set up another great North American kid to wallow in the wasteland that is LONG ISLAND (sorry Isles fans, but at least you don't have to go to Newark), you still have 217 OTHER picks.
So now what? You are the Bryan, and you, little Lord Fondle Roy, the Euge, and several of your finest are there at the table with your 7th over all pick (because I assume the Leafs will still do worse than we will). At the end of November, ISS released their Top 30 rankings, so lets have a look shall we? Beyond JT and MH, there are very interesting prospects within Ottawa's reach, including a couple home-grown talents, and a couple guys we saw on losing sides in the WJCs over Xmas.
Ranked 4th - Matt Duchene - C - 5'11/196 - OHL Brampton
** Matt is a solid playmaker down the middle, and after finding his scoring touch last year with 30G/20A, he has taken on more of a sharing role with 20G/30A through 32 games.
Ranked 5th - Magnus Svensson-Pääjärvi - LW - 6'1/205 - SweE Timra
** this kid was balls through the WJC . He may have only had 5 pts in 6 games, but he was one of the very few Swedes who didn't come away from the tourney looking like douchbags (ahem Markstrom)
Ranked 8th - Evander Kane - 5'11/160 - WHL Vancouver
** This kid reminds me so much of Ray Ferraro, how he bounces around the ice following the puck, and rolling through anyone who gets near it. As an energy guy, should he be ranked this high? who's to say
Ranked 10 - Brayden Schenn - 6'0/196 - WHL Brandon
** Man, we loves our WHL D-Men. Think his big brother is doing alright in Toronto? think of how good the BETTER brother could be with a little seasoning.
Almost makes me wish the season was over now.
Next up for the Janitors, The Hartford Wha... shit, the Carolina Blurricanes tomorrow night. Good luck boys.
~G
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