redwing77

NJ picks in 2 slots. Any bets on Vandie getting selected?

What a great day for Sioux hockey thus far! Well, it's official: UND's recruiting class: 3 1st rounders 1 potential 2006 first rounder 2 2nd rounders Through 2.5 Rounds anyways. Better than UofMN. In some respects, better overall than Michigan's. Those three schools are the only ones that are really close to UND.

They have been playing this really really smart. I'm impressed with Atlanta. I am less than impressed with the likes of the commentators on nhl.com, and San Jose. They went up in the draft to draft someone that they didn't have to trade up to get.

Not anymore. I can't count.

LEE AT 8th!!!!

Skille goes to the Blackhawks at 6th overall.

Spoke too soon. Johnson to the Hurricanes. They are debating whether or not he will show up to Michigan! They concede that, if he does report, he'll only be around 1 year.

Live webcast free from nhl.com too. Anaheim chooses Bobby Ryan. Meanwhile over on USCHO, Hobart Higgins cries because Jack Johnson didn't go second overall. Next up Carolina.

I couldn't agree more.

It should be a pretty even matchup. IMO, bot the Wild and the Panthers are great in goal, have ok (Wild may have a little better) at D, and both have nothing for scorers (when Gaborik isn't on the ice). This is going to be a wild 3-2 Wild win. And that's being generous with the goals.

Any idea on who the captains will be? Greene may be gone, so, for the sake of this discussion, we can assume he signs. I don't think Marvin would be captain material. I'd guess that the C would be worn by Stafford. A's to Prpich and Porter? Gosh, I really have no idea on this. What do you all think?

I find the losers quip laughable. It's interesting that, despite their lack of success, the Cubs have the second largest fan base in major league baseball (the Yanqueens have the largest). Fascinating, no? Cubs merchandise is the third highest selling in professional sports behind Yanqueen and LaQu..(you get the picture) gear. They sell out more often than the White Sox, they routinely sell out all of their season tickets, Wrigley Field is consistently one of the highest ranked ballparks for visitors to visit in the world, Food Network and the Travel channel list Wrigley as being superior in their markets for nostalgia and must sees (travel network) and their hotdogs and beef sandwiches (Food Network). The fans are everywhere! They buy out nearly all of Milwaukee's ball park when the Cubs are in town. They show up strong in St. Louis. There are Cubs fans everywhere! For perrenial losers, they certainly defy that label attendance and sales wise.

More goals scored per game. More shots on goal per game. More shots on our goal per game. Those are a few things. I expect our defense to be raw but good. Not going to be as stifling as last two years. It will take some acclimation before it really clicks in. Inexperience will be our biggest weakness. Penalties will be the second biggest. Forgot to add: I am not sure what the fall out will be should Adam ref at the Ralph anytime this year... Perhaps we should figure out what kinds of suspensions fans and players could get if they "accidentally" drove Adam off the ice for whatever reason.

This is the most interesting aspect to me regarding how things are going to be in the CBA. Developing talent may now be emphasized now. At the end of the last NHL season played, Sather was cleaning house and bringing up young talent. ESPN labelled it the beginning of their youth movement. This perhaps continues that trend. In any case, it's remarkable that a top 10 draft pick has lasted until his junior year was completed anyways. Like I've said before, this off season is going to be interesting to watch.

THis is not unexpected. The only goaltender more likely to go than Montoya would be Howard. Still, the Rangers need goaltending like fish need water. So it's good for both parties.

I'm all for added offense, but games going into the double digits in score is more of a possibility with these rules and, quite frankly, if I want to watch points over 10 I'll watch football, basketball, and baseball.

I'd love to, but I have no money and I'd never make it in time. Also, I've only seen Maddux live once and we lost to the White Sox. It was a great atmosphere though.

There's a lot of strange quirks in different mock drafts. Cogliano is a first rounder in one and excluded entirely on others. Lee goes as high as 11th overall and as low as 15th overall. Johnson goes as high as 2nd overall and as low as 6th overall. Really, the only consensus pick is Crosby at #1. This draft is going to be odd. I wouldn't be surprised if Lee cracks the top 10 and, likewise, I wouldn't be surprised if he dropped down to the later half of the first round. WHo knows what is going to happen. Maybe Phoenix will go off the board and draft Vandie I wonder which one of our recruits New Jersey will draft?