*Official* NHL Draft Thread

[CWSGuy406]

This draft is sure an interesting one. We know who the first two picks are, in order. We know the first defenseman to be taken. What we don't know is who will take them, as their seems to be some serious talk between the Caps and our Blackhawks about pick number one.

 

The Hawks might (this is all from newspaper rumor) be willing to part with Steve McCarthy, Tyler Arnason, Kyle Calder, and the #3 pick to the Caps for pick Number 1, where they would take 'franchise-player' Alexander Ovechkin.

 

That's a hell of a lot to give up for just one player (reminscent of the Lindros trade, but the Hawks aren't giving up as much as Philly here), but here's how I see it:

 

Steve McCarthy, IMO, will be replaced in the system by up and coming guys such as Barinka, Babchuk, Keith, etc. He hasn't really been given a shot here in Chicago, but IMO, at best he'll be a number 3 defenseman on a good team.

 

Arny has a ton of potential too, even more than he showed last season. He can score, he can skate, but IMO, will probably be a number 2 center, never that number 1 guy.

 

Calder would probably hurt the most to lose. He is such a good player, and yet a lot of people don't appreciate the work he puts in. He's not a flashy player, but he'll go into the corners and get the puck. He'll stand in the way of hard slap shot, just hoping he can get his stick on it and tip it in. I would hate to see him in another uni, as he is what appitimizes (sp?) what Chicago is.

 

Cam Barker would most likely be the one taken at 3, he'll probably be a solid defensemen down the line as well.

 

So - two pretty solid defensemen, and two second line players (quality players), for one player who has potential to be simply amazing. Would you do it? I'll comment on it a little later in the week - but this week should be pretty interesting to say the least.