More draft stuff
TSN.com's draft stuff is out. They have Karl Alzner ranked as the fourth-best prospect but they have the Kings selecing Alexei Cherepanov in their mock draft.
Also, I got a hard copy of McKeen's Draft Guide. Good stuff. They have the Kings picking Alzner and they also have him as the fourth-ranked prospect.
They also had an interesting breakdown of draft-eligible players, based on their leagues they're coming out of. The categories are: smartest player, best skater, fastest skater, best shot, hardest shot, best body checker, hardest worker, best defensive forward and best hands.
In the WHL, Alzner ranked as the smartest player but wasn't in the top three in any other category. In the QMJHL, Voracek ranked as the No. 2 smartest player, the No. 2 hardest worker and was No. 2 in best hands. In the ``best of the rest'' category, Cherepanov ranked No. 3 in fastest skater, No. 1 in best shot and No. 1 in best hands.
I mention those three since they're the presumed top choices for the Kings if they keep the pick. I'm hoping to get Lombardi on the phone tomorrow for my Daily News draft preview story.
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About Rich Hammond
Rich Hammond has covered the Kings, on a full-time or part-time basis, since the 2000-01 season. He was the beat writer for the entire John Torchetti era and has witnessed Bob Miller singing country music in a Nashville honky-tonk bar. A native of Los Angeles, Rich has worked at the Daily News since 1999 and also serves as the paper's deputy sports editor. E-mail Rich at rich.hammond@dailynews.com.
Thanks Rich. When you get Dean on the phone, please remind him that in 1998 he took unspectacular defenseman Brad Stuart over the likes of Simon Gagne, Scott Gomez and Alex Tanguay. We don't want a repeat performance! Thanks.
Rich, is there anyplace in LA where you can get the hard copy of McKeen's Draft Guide, without going to Canada, eh ?
Ask Dean if he's opposed to drafting Russians. Seems like they stayed away from drafting players from the Iron Curtain when he was with the Sharks.
Ed...Good question. Unfortunately, I highly doubt you'd find a copy around here. I have a hard enough time finding The Hockey News! The Kings gave me a copy of it yesterday. If I should happen to see it around I'll post info.
You can order McKeen's Draft Preview online (in print or PDF format), http://mckeenshockey.rivals.com/
I know it isn't directly realted to the entry draft, but any chance you can find out from Dean or perhaps you already know, whether there has been any progress in getting a contract for finalized for Aaron Miller?
Thanks.
I would also like to know whether the team intends to re-sign Lundmark, Kostopoulos and/or Weaver.
Also, would Dean care to share any conversations with his buddy Paul Holmgren? The Timonen signing obviously will make it very hard to re-sign Visnovsky. And what do the Flyers want for Pitkanen?
I sure hope he doesn't go for Alzner and goes in the direction of Voracek instead. I would rather have Ellerby than Alzner.
I am in favor of letting Kostopoulos go and opening a roster spot for somebody from Manchester. Pitkanen appears to be a good pick up. But like many have said, is he just another Janne Niinimaa that Philly is offing. Good first couple years. Rapid decline.......
Regarding draft: That Russian kid sounds to tempting to pass up. Its worth the gamble. He would be #1 if he was in North America.
You want to "not" draft a defenseman who can step right in and help this team...and take a risk on a guy who we could fill immediately via free agency?...
Agreements with Russia are iffy, i'd rather not take the risk on that pick.