Draft winners & losers

[A.E]

Winners and Losers at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft

LOS ANGELES -- As the tables and risers at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft were being taken down, a single piece of purple confetti floated down from the rafters.

It was from another event at Staples Center; likely a more festive one than the 36 hours of interesting, if not exactly gripping, building of hockey's future the arena hosted on Friday and Saturday.

Here are some winners and losers for the 2010 Draft, both in players, teams and themes.

Winners

Uncle Sam

There were 59 players born in the USA taken in the Draft, including a record-breaking 22 picked in the first two rounds. RW Beau Bennett became the highest-drafted California-born and bred player in NHL history, taken No. 20 overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Leafs GM Brian Burke, who was the GM of the U.S. Olympic hockey team in Vancouver, credited the U.S. developmental program and the spread of minor league hockey into "non-traditional" markets for the rise in highly-regarded players. So here's to you, Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs.

Taylor Hall

There can be only one No. 1 Number One, and the fact is that Hall outplayed and made more of an impression than Tyler Seguin in the eyes of the Edmonton Oilers. He's the man of the draft, as was supported by his appearance on SportsCenter to introduce the top 10 plays of Friday night. You know he's a big deal if he can get the draft mentioned on ESPN.

Bob Murray

The Anaheim Ducks GM said he had both defenseman Cam Fowler and forward Emerson Etem ranked high on his draft board, and would have considered moving up to draft them. But as the two prospects dropped down the first round, Murray discovered he could hang on to his first-rounders and still end up with the players. Add in No. 42 overall Devante Smith-Pelley, a point-per-game player with Mississauga St. Mike's, and it was a good two days for Murray.

Chicago Blackhawks

The Dustin Byfuglien trade with the Atlanta Thrashers was a productive salary dump. Then, in the Draft, the Stanley Cup champions had 10 selections including five in the first two rounds, which is outstanding. LW Ludvig Rensfeldt, taken at No. 35, was the fifth-ranked European skater via Central Scouting. 'Hawks fans should be happier than Patrick Kane in Vegas with the last week for Stan Bowman.

The Portland 3

The Portland Winterhawks' explosive line of Brad Ross, Ryan Johansen and Nino Niederreiter can dominate games, and made an impact in the 2010 Draft. Johansen, a center, may have been a reach at No. 4 overall, but the Columbus Blue Jackets weren't the only ones interested in him. RW Niederreiter was projected as a Top 10 pick, but the Islanders snagged the human highlight reel at No. 5. LW Ross, who compares himself to Matt Cooke(notes) and Steve Ott(notes), went in the second round to a team that will appreciate his truculence: The Toronto Maple Leafs. The two first-rounders are expected back in Portland next season.

Zach Trotman

What do you mean, "who?" He's the 2010 Mr. Irrelevant of the NHL Entry Draft, a defenseman taken No. 210 overall by the Boston Bruins. You better recognize.

Losers

New York Rangers and Columbus Blue Jackets fans

Both teams rolled the dice in the first round, and many of their fans weren't in a gambling mood.

Blue Jackets fans couldn't understand taking Johansen, a center, at No. 4 with the franchise needing help on the blue line in its system.

The Rangers selected defenseman Dylan McIlrath at No. 10 in a pick that the Rangers Tribune called "shocking". Blogger Derek Felix was angry the Blueshirts passed up Cam Fowler. In defense of the pick, from The Prospect Park:

What McIlrath does is play his position well so right off the bat when he becomes Del Zotto's partner then Del Zotto has a partner who will give him the freedom to be able to pinch; to be able to go end to end on a rush and not worry that his partner is so weak that he can not afford to gamble.

Time will tell on both picks.

Mike Gillis

The Keith Ballard trade with the Florida Panthers could solve some problems on the Vancouver Canucks' blue line, but he has five seasons left on his contract ($4.2 million per season on the cap) and it cost them former first-rounder Michael Grabner going to the Florida Panthers. Plus, Gillis became the first GM in Canucks history to come out of the draft without a player selected in the first three rounds.

Toronto Maple Leafs

GM Brian Burke said he didn't receive any suitable packages for defenseman Tomas Kaberle, so he remains a Leaf. Toronto went European with two Swedes and a Norwegian in a draft that wasn't known for its overseas talent. Plus, they had to watch Tyler Seguin go to the Boston Bruins with a draft pick that was second overall thanks to their own futility.

Calvin Pickard

The Seattle Thunderbirds goalie was projected as the second-best option in the draft at that position. After Jack Campbell went to the Dallas Stars at No. 11, Pickard had to wait through the indignity of seeing the Phoenix Coyotes select Mark Visentin of Niagara in the OHL and then continued waiting until the 49th overall pick, where the Colorado Avalanche took him. "I think he's a really good goalie, really underrated. Good for him," said Pickard of Visentin. Pickard took the frustrating days in stride and seems like a decent guy. Which makes us feel bad for calling him a loser.

The indignity of the Dan Hamhuis affair, in which the team acquired the defenseman's negotiating rights from Nashville only to then trade them to the Pittsburgh Penguins, earns them a place here.

Kirill Kabanov

Years from now, we may look back at this Draft as the beginning of the troubled Russian's maturation and development as a star player. But for now, he's a guy who was projected as a high first rounder whose stock took a nosedive, and he settled for a third-round (No. 65 overall) gamble from the New York Islanders. Not a winner. Even if he is hilarious.

Trades

Finally, when Mike Brown and Bobby Sanguinetti are two of the biggest names traded, you know it wasn't exactly the best draft from a hot stove perspective.

Totally agree with Gene on his winners and losers of this draft. Speaking of winners, the Anaheim Ducks win the best draft night of the NHL. Just when this team is finally spent, aged, in need of rejuvenation...they go out and land 3 HUGE players in the draft. Each player taken is a huge draw and will be making impact on the NHL ice within a year, yes, all of their first 3 picks.

Blackhawks had an outstanding draft and already in good shape to re-tool what they're losing via open market and trades.

And as if the American interest in this past Winter Olympics or the NHL Playoffs wasn't convincing enough...let the record breaking number of US-born players taken in this draft be a symbol for the fact that hockey has made a huge comeback in United States.

What the f_ck were the Rangers (speaking of losers) thinking? Enjoy your big Russian defencemen, we get it, the Rangers like the Russians and Czecks...but passing up Fowler!?! Great job in not drafting potentially the best offensive defencemen you've had since Leetch.

Hey Toronto...do us all a favor...trade freaking Kaberle already and stop beating around the bush on camera about it Brian Burke.

Philadelphia should of at least done their homework with Hamhuis' agent...before giving up Ryan Parent for him, right? Enjoy Pittsburgh Dan!

Food for thought -> Kirill Kabanov was ranked the #4 top prospect for this draft, by most projections, back in October of 2009. Boy, what a difference an attitude makes.

 

[snipezo]

I wouldn't say Canucks were losers but they weren't winners either. Canucks no doubt overpaid for a solid defenseman but he's not a star defenseman that Canucks need. I actually have a feeling he will break out this year. Never liked the deal but it was needed to be done. Gillis also said that he isn't done.

 

[The Guid]

I think it's a bit harsh to knock on the Jackets for taking Johansen. They need blueline help but it's not like they were brimming with playmaking talent at the center position either. I, personally, like the Johansen pick. He played very well for the Winterhawks, compiling 25-44-69 totals. And it will only get better once he has Nash on his wing.

 

[Yankees2772]

I was going to make a nice, lengthy response... But then saw that you said McIlrath was Russian... He's from Canada, and if anything, has irish roots. Sheer stupidity.

Although Fowler is a talent that is very tough to pass up, I can see why we took McIlrath... Well, up until we traded Sangs. We have Michael Del Zotto in the NHL, and a few top prospects (McDonagh, Sangs) that were offensive minded; so perhaps we figured that was too much. Now that we traded Sangs for next to nothing, it makes even less sense.. Anyway, McIlrath won't be that bad - it's just frustrating that we took a 17 year old rugged defenseman who won't see the NHL for another 3 or 4 seasons and by that point who knows what the make up of the team will be.

 

[Mooche]

I was going to make a nice, lengthy response... But then saw that you said McIlrath was Russian... He's from Canada, and if anything, has irish roots. Sheer stupidity.

Although Fowler is a talent that is very tough to pass up, I can see why we took McIlrath... Well, up until we traded Sangs. We have Michael Del Zotto in the NHL, and a few top prospects (McDonagh, Sangs) that were offensive minded; so perhaps we figured that was too much. Now that we traded Sangs for next to nothing, it makes even less sense.. Anyway, McIlrath won't be that bad - it's just frustrating that we took a 17 year old rugged defenseman who won't see the NHL for another 3 or 4 seasons and by that point who knows what the make up of the team will be.

McIlrath is actually from Winnipeg. My city. So yeah, I can confirm he is Canadian... there was a huge write-up in the local paper about him yesterday and being drafted at #10 to New York.

 

[LeafsFan4Life]

Hey Toronto...do us all a favor...trade freaking Kaberle already and stop beating around the bush on camera about it Brian Burke.

Why would the Leafs trade Kaberle if they aren't getting an offer they like? Doesn't make much sense....

 

[LeafsFan4Life]

I was going to make a nice, lengthy response... But then saw that you said McIlrath was Russian... He's from Canada, and if anything, has irish roots. Sheer stupidity.

lol This is the second time now that he has said McIlrath was Russian. I corrected him in the draft thread but he must have missed it.

 

[A.E]

lol This is the second time now that he has said McIlrath was Russian. I corrected him in the draft thread but he must have missed it.

Blame Versus' draft coverage as all they kept referring to was "big Russian skaters", anytime the Rangers were on the clock. Its implanted in my brain. But yea, common sense tells most people that a name like "Dylan McIlrath" isn't russion.

 

[Mr.Baller]

MTL are not huge on this draft but i still believe that we got a great player at 22e

 

[playmaker7]

Alright just gotta say a few things

Ducks win, hands down

Dylan McIlraith will not be better than Gormley or Fowler

Emerson Etem is gonna haunt teams

I read Beau Bennett is a risky player because he's either gonna be a top 6 forward or mediocre and will fade into obscurity...I like it. Just what the Pens needed to do. Draft a risky forward.

 

[cruzg24]

I think the Islanders made a great draft choice in picking Nino, and he is going to be matched up with Tavares for years to come. Man the Islanders future looks very bright right now.

 

[Yankees2772]

Connolly > Nino

 

[playmaker7]

Connolly could be a top 3 player in this draft, its just that hand and his injury this past season that turned teams off

I hope he pans out properly

 

[A.E]

Connolly > Nino

Connolly < Nino

Let's be legit & consider durability into this comparison.