This is Greg Vaydik, one of a stunning number of top 10 picks the Chicago Blackhawks have enjoyed since 1975. Vaydik is from Yellowknife, played in 5 NHL games and suffered a pretty bad knee injury just a few months after being drafted (it was November 1975). He played for the Medicine Hat Tigers, and was in the second ever World Junior Championships.The Hawks picked 7th in 1975, 9th in 1976, 6th in 1977, 10th in 1978, 7th in 1979 and 3rd in 1980. They picked 7th in 1982, 3rd in 1984, 8th in 1987 and 1988, 6th in 1989. Chicago enjoyed the 8th pick in 1998, 10th in 2000, 9th in 2001, 3rd in 2004, 7th in 2005, 3rd in 2006 and they pick 1st in 2007.
In the past 33 seasons, Chicago has picked in the top 10 a grand total of 18 times. As a comparable, since 1979 the Oilers have selected a player in the top 10 seven times.
This season the Hawks get to choose first overall, and GM Dale Tallon has already narrowed it down to Patrick Kane, Kyle Turris or James vanRiemsdyk.
Philadelphia chooses second, and GM Paul Holmgren has been quoted very often and Tim Panaccio has written that the Flyers have targeted Turris.
Phoenix selects third this year and VanRiemsdyk would be an obvious choice for them, but they have no idea what they're doing so there's a chance they just take the biggest guy available (there is a big defenseman named Juraj Valach who is 6-6, 220 in this draft) or some guy who has rocketed up the charts (Pat White).
Based on what we can read, the top 3 picks one week from tonight will be Patrick Kane, Kyle Turris and James VanRiemsdyk.
After that, it's a little harder to track. Los Angeles has some real nice things and their draft record since 2000 has been exceptional (Frolov in '00, Cammelleri in '01, Dustin Brown in '03, Anze Kopitar in '05, Trevor Lewis in '06). Dean Lombardi is the GM in LA now, and if there Oilers were going to deal up to grab Voracek this would be the spot. I think Los Angeles is more likely to grab Alexei Cherepanov or Karl Alzner if they keep the pick.
Washington is up next, and it's pure guesswork as to where they'll go. The Caps have a lot of holes and may deal this pick for a lower 1st rounder and some help on the blueline (or a young goalie prospect, has Vancouver dealt the rights to Cory Schneider yet?).
Next up is Edmonton, and I think they take Voracek if available, with Alzner second and Sam Gagner third. They are the one team certain not to take Cherepanov even if available.
One final note: I still think they pull a deal with the Flyers if Turris is available at #2, possibly getting Pitkanen in the bargain.
My prediction for Oilers pick at #6: Jakub Voracek.
The two big possibilities you mention for the Oilers are a) trading up to get Turris, with Pitkanen possibly involved, and b) getting Voracek at #6.
ReplyDeleteSince these are just about the two best things I can picture the Oilers doing short of "signing 1990-vintage Mark Messier after he travels 17 years into the future while speeding down Highway 2 in a tricked-out De Lorean", I hereby declare you my favourite blogger of the day.
Pitkanen and the 2nd? I'm betting it'd be expensive just to trade up from the 6th to the 2nd, let alone adding Pitkanen into the bargain. I'm not convinced they have any intention of moving him, but what do you feel would be likely to go the other way?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure Philly wants picks/prospects unless their ready to play now... they want to jump back into the playoff hunt immediately.
I don't see Edmonton can afford the NHL players + the 6th that would go into a 2nd + Pitkanen package.
Philly strikes me as smart enough to pass on Lupul.
rand: I'm pretty certain it would cost them Jason Smith or Raffi Torres, plus the 6th and a young player/prospect/pick (not all, but a combination).
ReplyDeleteOilers are going to have to give to get, and the one thing all of us agree on (I think) it's that Lowe can find defensive defensemen at midnight in a snowstorm so dealing Smith might not be as painful if he can replace those minutes efficiently.
Torres is a tougher guy to give up, but there's no way they can really trade Lupul in a deal like this because of his poor season.
Get Pitkanen, sign Hartnell, give Lupul another season of the soft parade and hope he pots 30 (and then deal him).
This is definitely a period of transition for the Oilers. I'd be just as happy keeping Torres and getting Voracek at #6 (I think he might be there) but the Oilers have followed Turris for over a year now (and that I do know) which I understand is somewhat rare for NHL teams (which makes no sense to me, you'd think they would have reports on these kids including medical dating back to 15yr).
I read at Battle of California that HF, I believe, has pegged Alzner as the man the Kings want, for what its worth.
ReplyDeleteI will flip if Voracek drops to 6 for the Oilers. That would be fabulous because he's probably the best player in the draft.
ReplyDeleteI'm strongly leaning towards standing pat with the first pick. Things appear to be going the Oilers' way regarding Voracek and Gagner is a decent consolation prize if that doesn't pan out. The benefit of moving up is pretty small this time IMO.
Voracek indeed would be a great pick, definitely a safe bet to be a quality NHL player. As for who will potentially be the best player of this draft (at least when looking at consensus top 10 picks), probably have to say that would be Turris. Voracek would be a great pick though, think Hemsky without the blazing speed and extraordinary stickhandling.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to mention that I don't believe we'll get either player though. If Gagner is available he's a shoe-in to be picked by Lowe. Gagner is actually a player I think could surprise and maybe go in the top 5, as he's a hardworker with a mature attitude who also happens to be one of the youngest players at the draft. Something to keep in mind.
ReplyDeleteVoracek dropping to sixth would be unbelievably fantastic. What I have heard though, is that Phoenix absolutely loves him. Could they do something right for once? If Phoenix drafts him at the 3 spot, Gagner would likely be the only other player available at that spot I'd entertain, as I can't imagine Turris is still there, and the Oilers (sadly) won't take Cherry at 6th.
ReplyDeleteGagner won me over the minute he said Forsberg was his favourite player because he makes everyone around him better, and that's what he wants to do in the league. Meanwhile Kane and JVR were rambling about pretty goals ;).
I agree with Riv that moving up likely doesnt make sense this year and if Voracek is there at #6 - I'll laugh my head off. All the kid needs is a bit of work on his skating and strength training - both things the Oilers org provides quite well for it's prospects. Voracek has talent, size, a good work ethic, and smarts - best all-round player in the draft IMHO. And for those of you who think Turris is better - consider how many points Voracek would have had in the BCHL.
ReplyDeleteHere is a question - what would Lupul and the #15 pick get us in terms of moving up? If we could pull Alzner and Voracek out of this draft - well that would be something.
Voracek would be great if he's still availible at the 6th pick. But if he's taken, i wouldn't be disappointed in Sam Gagner at all. The Oilers need another offense-first prospect to develop. It's hard to pick up snipers in free agency, as they usually command top dollar.
ReplyDeleteI'd rather take a defensive prospect with the Islanders pick rather than our own pick. I'm really high on Karl Alzner's partner in Calgary, Alex Plante. The kid's a giant, and his offensive numbers were comparable to Alzner.