Day 5: MIssed call. Finally got a copy of the script today. Turns out I’m not playing St. Thomas Aquinas – I’m supposed to be some kinda freakin’ wizard.
The aftermath of the draft continues to settle through the NHL as teams begin to prepare for prospect camps on one hand, and the start of free agency on the other. (Columbus’ prospect camp begins Monday, but on-ice workouts don’t start until Tuesday, concluding with a scrimmage Saturday afternoon.)
In addition to our own recap, take a look at how our Division Mates think they did?
- Here’s the Day 2 recap from OTF looking at the Predators
- Two Takes on the Blackhawks from Second City Hockey
- A look at Detroit’s moves from Winging It In Motown.
- No overall recap from St. Louis Game Time, but they’ve got a bunch of threads for each pick.
Of course, the other question is, how long will they -be- our division mates? Talk of a major realignment next season is near certain, and we may start hearing about the new shape of the NHL as soon as December. The four division model seems to be the most likely candidate, by all accounts – it’ll be interesting to see what turns out when all is said and done.
Around the Blue Jackets, despite the odd claim from Puck Daddy that the team was a “loser” in this year’s draft due to trading their first round pick and Nikita Filatov, the fanbase has continued to be at a high pitch of energy – perhaps the highest I can remember around the NHL draft since Columbus hosted it in 2007 – and one of the clearest signs is that we’ve seen a new blog spring up and take off. Blue Jackets’ Pucks & Stuff is dedicated to “bringing the quirky history of the Blue Jackets to life”, and will be dedicated to letting CBJ fans show off their various forms of gear – and the stories that go with them. Neat idea, and I look forward to seeing more show up there!
A deal to send Ryan Smyth back to the Oilers appeared to be a done deal, but the health of Gilbert Brule, whom the Kings apparently would plan to buy out, has kiboshed the trade. If Smyth still wants to be moved out of LA, you have to wonder if Dean Lombardi may have to look for a third team to get involved to help take pieces from one or both sides to help the money work out for both the Kings and the Oilers.
Jonathan Bernier would look great in Union Blue. I’m just saying.
There’s more talk about the Filatov deal at Puck Rakers, ESPN (warning, autoplaying ad / video), and the Dispatch. “It was just time for everybody to move on” is really about all you can say, at this point.
After finding themselves unable to buy out Chris Drury, the New York Rangers are looking at options for free agency, including qualifying (but not re-signing) most of their RFAs, and choosing to part ways with d-man Matt Gilroy and forward Evgeny Grachev. Gilroy, who will be a UFA, played two seasons in New York, was defensively solid, and though not a big scorer so far in his NHL career, he is a right handed shot. Scott Howson could do worse than kick the tires on the former Boston University blueliner.
After his friend Connor Murphy was taken in the first round, Dublin native Sean Kuraly finally heard his name called in the fifth round, when he was drafted by San Jose. Congratulations, Sean, and good luck!
Pro Hockey Talk takes a look at the draft by the numbers.
A look at a pair of prospects who fell further than expected, but were snatched up by Scott Howson: Boone Jenner, profiled by the Dispatch, and Seth Ambroz, covered by PHT.
Icethetics has a look at all the new uniforms and patches unveiled at the draft this weekend, while Puck Daddy asks for a Pass Or Fail? on the new Florida and Nashville jerseys.
Will the Penguins and Jaromir Jagr come to a deal? Perhaps, but the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review suggests that both sides need to make some concessions.
That seems like a good start for the morning. Have a bagel and we’ll be back later.