2014 NHL Draft Winners and Losers
With the 2014 NHL Draft wrapped up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the report card must come out. This draft may have been deep, but deep with potential talent. When the analysts state repeatedly, "There is no clear choice for the number one pick," one has to assume that's because there is not that true stand-out talent in this draft. Of course, like most drafts, one's fate is not decided once their name is read aloud. They have to prove themselves in the big dance and prove their draft team right or other teams wrong in how talented they truly are. First up, the winners, who are listed in no particular order.
Winners
New York Islanders
The Islanders had two first round picks (5th and 28th overall) and made the best of them. Their first selection was Michael Dal Colle, a left winger from the Oshawa Generals. Dal Colle's personal back story will let alone make him a sentimental fan favorite, but his explosive skill and overall knowledge of the game is what will truly win the Island crowd over. John Tavares will have a field day working with Dal Colle in the near future.
Their later pick was a bit of a gamble. Forward Joshua Ho-Sang from the Windsor Spitfires is as offensively talented as they come, but his character was called into question by several general managers. Islanders shot caller Garth Snow took a risk on the youngster and drafted the outspoken forward late in the first round. When TSN analyst James Duthie asked Ho-Sang about his comments stating that if he was an NHL GM, he would take himself first, Ho-Sang rightfully defended himself. He claimed that if you're a player who is confident in his skill set, why shouldn't you believe you'd be a number one pick? I agree and will be rooting for the kid.
St. Louis Blues
With one selection in round one, the St. Louis Blues took my favorite player in the draft, Robert Fabbri of the Guelph Storm. Fabbri is an offensive dynamo with a wicked shot. His vision on the ice, patience, and ability to find open ice are all traits that are essential in the NHL, but even more so in the Western Conference. I believe he has one more year before he's ready for the big squad, but Fabbri brings an offensive element to the Blues that they have not had in quite a long time.
Also, the Blues resigned big, rugged center Patrick Berglund to a three year extension. Berglund is a crucial part of that team, providing excellent two-way play. Overall, a good day for the Blues.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Arguably the winner of the draft for "Rookie with Best Hair". Sonny Milano of the USA U-18 squad is filthy with his hands. He probably should wash them more often, he's that dirty. Milano is as creative with the puck as Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks and that's saying something. Just like Fabbri, Milano will not be playing this upcoming year, barring an amazing training camp, but his arrival to the team will be impactful.
Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks were awful busy on draft day, trading away Ryan Kesler to the Anaheim Ducks and Jason Garrison to the Tampa Bay Lightning. In those deals, the major acquisitions were Nick Bonino and Luca Sbisa. In another deal with the New York Rangers, they also acquired Derek Dorsett.
The rumor all day was that the Canucks were fighting desperately for the number one pick, but ultimately, Florida retained and drafted defenseman, Aaron Ekblad. With their first of two picks (6th and 24th), the Canucks selected Jake Virtanen, a raw and rugged right winger from the Calgary Hitmen. With their second selection, they focused on getting a center in Jared McCann. Both are solid players who will contribute greatly to the organization in a couple of years, but ultimately, the moves made by the Canucks allow them to rebuild and be players for Free Agent Frenzy on July 1st.
The Islanders had two first round picks (5th and 28th overall) and made the best of them. Their first selection was Michael Dal Colle, a left winger from the Oshawa Generals. Dal Colle's personal back story will let alone make him a sentimental fan favorite, but his explosive skill and overall knowledge of the game is what will truly win the Island crowd over. John Tavares will have a field day working with Dal Colle in the near future.
Their later pick was a bit of a gamble. Forward Joshua Ho-Sang from the Windsor Spitfires is as offensively talented as they come, but his character was called into question by several general managers. Islanders shot caller Garth Snow took a risk on the youngster and drafted the outspoken forward late in the first round. When TSN analyst James Duthie asked Ho-Sang about his comments stating that if he was an NHL GM, he would take himself first, Ho-Sang rightfully defended himself. He claimed that if you're a player who is confident in his skill set, why shouldn't you believe you'd be a number one pick? I agree and will be rooting for the kid.
St. Louis Blues
With one selection in round one, the St. Louis Blues took my favorite player in the draft, Robert Fabbri of the Guelph Storm. Fabbri is an offensive dynamo with a wicked shot. His vision on the ice, patience, and ability to find open ice are all traits that are essential in the NHL, but even more so in the Western Conference. I believe he has one more year before he's ready for the big squad, but Fabbri brings an offensive element to the Blues that they have not had in quite a long time.
Also, the Blues resigned big, rugged center Patrick Berglund to a three year extension. Berglund is a crucial part of that team, providing excellent two-way play. Overall, a good day for the Blues.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Arguably the winner of the draft for "Rookie with Best Hair". Sonny Milano of the USA U-18 squad is filthy with his hands. He probably should wash them more often, he's that dirty. Milano is as creative with the puck as Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks and that's saying something. Just like Fabbri, Milano will not be playing this upcoming year, barring an amazing training camp, but his arrival to the team will be impactful.
Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks were awful busy on draft day, trading away Ryan Kesler to the Anaheim Ducks and Jason Garrison to the Tampa Bay Lightning. In those deals, the major acquisitions were Nick Bonino and Luca Sbisa. In another deal with the New York Rangers, they also acquired Derek Dorsett.
The rumor all day was that the Canucks were fighting desperately for the number one pick, but ultimately, Florida retained and drafted defenseman, Aaron Ekblad. With their first of two picks (6th and 24th), the Canucks selected Jake Virtanen, a raw and rugged right winger from the Calgary Hitmen. With their second selection, they focused on getting a center in Jared McCann. Both are solid players who will contribute greatly to the organization in a couple of years, but ultimately, the moves made by the Canucks allow them to rebuild and be players for Free Agent Frenzy on July 1st.
Losers
Washington Capitals
The Capitals have a tendency to draft wingers from either Russia or the Czech Republic in hopes of them panning out. Other than Alexander Ovechkin, that system has not played out too well. Evgeny Kuznetsov and Alexander Semin come to mind as players who have yet to live up to their true potential.
Hopefully for Jakub Vrana who played for Linkoping in Sweden last season, his story will be different. The Capitals are a mediocre defensive team who can score with the best of them. One has to assume that focus should have been on defense with prospects like Julius Honka, Anthony DeAngelo, and Travis Sanheim still available on the board at that point in the draft (Pick 13). The Capitals, yet again, have failed to address a primary concern and opted for flash.
Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago selected, from the USHL, center Nick Schmaltz. Schmaltz, according to many analysts, is an enigmatic player who can be night-and-day from game-to-game. On some nights, he is the only player the crowd can focus on because of his brilliant skill and intelligence on the ice. Other nights, some might not even know he suited up. This seems to be a coin toss for the Blackhawks, but looking back on their draft history as of late (Duncan Keith, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, etc.), they may know what they're doing.
New Jersey Devils
I'm sure John Quennville is a great kid who will be a contributing member to this organization down the road, but his selection in the first round was a bit surprising. He is a center from the WHL's Brandon Wheat Kings who is best comparable to New Jersey Devils' center, Adam Henrique. My question is why draft someone who is most comparable to someone on your own roster now that is flailing? Granted, Henrique is an outstanding young talent, but the lack of offensive firepower for the Devils is what needed to be addressed.
The Capitals have a tendency to draft wingers from either Russia or the Czech Republic in hopes of them panning out. Other than Alexander Ovechkin, that system has not played out too well. Evgeny Kuznetsov and Alexander Semin come to mind as players who have yet to live up to their true potential.
Hopefully for Jakub Vrana who played for Linkoping in Sweden last season, his story will be different. The Capitals are a mediocre defensive team who can score with the best of them. One has to assume that focus should have been on defense with prospects like Julius Honka, Anthony DeAngelo, and Travis Sanheim still available on the board at that point in the draft (Pick 13). The Capitals, yet again, have failed to address a primary concern and opted for flash.
Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago selected, from the USHL, center Nick Schmaltz. Schmaltz, according to many analysts, is an enigmatic player who can be night-and-day from game-to-game. On some nights, he is the only player the crowd can focus on because of his brilliant skill and intelligence on the ice. Other nights, some might not even know he suited up. This seems to be a coin toss for the Blackhawks, but looking back on their draft history as of late (Duncan Keith, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, etc.), they may know what they're doing.
New Jersey Devils
I'm sure John Quennville is a great kid who will be a contributing member to this organization down the road, but his selection in the first round was a bit surprising. He is a center from the WHL's Brandon Wheat Kings who is best comparable to New Jersey Devils' center, Adam Henrique. My question is why draft someone who is most comparable to someone on your own roster now that is flailing? Granted, Henrique is an outstanding young talent, but the lack of offensive firepower for the Devils is what needed to be addressed.
Notables
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins traded James Neal to Nashville for Patric Hornqvist and Nick Spaling. Not exactly a cap dumping move, but a statement made to the locker room. Immediately, Penguins' fans were furious with the trade, but until the season starts in October, one cannot know how this trade will pan out. Personally, I like the deal and expect a very different looking Penguins team this season.
They also selected Kasperi Kapanen with the 22nd overall pick. Kapanen, a Finnish winger, is an offensive talent that is needed in the organization. He's fast, smart with the puck and can finish, no pun intended.
Edmonton Oilers
I absolutely love the Oilers third overall pick by choosing the highest drafted German born player ever, Leon Draisaitl. He's fast, he's tall, he's big and strong, plus his offensive talent is almost unmatched from this draft class. He is the exact piece of the puzzle the Oilers need now to get over this losing slump and begin their official rebuild.
Montreal Canadiens
Nikita Scherbak is a Russian winger who has already won me over. A big winger who is absolutely raw will be something special for the Montreal Canadiens several years down the road. It was his post draft interview with TSN's James Duthie that was his greatest moment of the night. I'll be pulling for this kid for many years to come.
The Penguins traded James Neal to Nashville for Patric Hornqvist and Nick Spaling. Not exactly a cap dumping move, but a statement made to the locker room. Immediately, Penguins' fans were furious with the trade, but until the season starts in October, one cannot know how this trade will pan out. Personally, I like the deal and expect a very different looking Penguins team this season.
They also selected Kasperi Kapanen with the 22nd overall pick. Kapanen, a Finnish winger, is an offensive talent that is needed in the organization. He's fast, smart with the puck and can finish, no pun intended.
Edmonton Oilers
I absolutely love the Oilers third overall pick by choosing the highest drafted German born player ever, Leon Draisaitl. He's fast, he's tall, he's big and strong, plus his offensive talent is almost unmatched from this draft class. He is the exact piece of the puzzle the Oilers need now to get over this losing slump and begin their official rebuild.
Montreal Canadiens
Nikita Scherbak is a Russian winger who has already won me over. A big winger who is absolutely raw will be something special for the Montreal Canadiens several years down the road. It was his post draft interview with TSN's James Duthie that was his greatest moment of the night. I'll be pulling for this kid for many years to come.