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Draft Preview 2013
The Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions about the NHL and leagues across North America and the world.
THE SKY’S THE LIMIT
AS CAPTAIN DANIEL ALFREDSSON approached his 40th birthday, there was a sense Ottawa was in need of a youth movement. Well, Alfredsson turns 41 in December and that movement is in full swing: top prospects Mika Zibanejad and Jakob Silfverberg are NHLers, budding superstar Erik Karlsson is a force on the blueline and highly touted goalie Robin Lehner is ready to play in the NHL full time. The best part? The Sens ice a competitive product with the league’s fifth-lowest payroll. SHORT-TERM NEEDS Even with the injuries to Karlsson and star center Jason Spezza, the Sens need help with their offense. Getting Cory Conacher from Tampa Bay is a step in the right direction. But scoring depth at forward and on defense is still an issue. The eventual loss of Alfredsson…
BACKTESTING OUR 1999 DRAFT RANKINGS
Here’s how our first round ranking from 1999 compares with the actual. Nine players taken in the first round went on to be among the 28 best careers. 1999 THN RANKINGS 1. Pavel Brendl 2. Daniel Sedin 3. Patrik Stefan 4. Henrik Sedin 5. Jamie Lundmark 6. Kris Beech 7. Tim Connolly 8. Denis Shvidki 9. Oleg Saprykin 10. Taylor Pyatt 11. Brian Finley 12. Jani Rita 13. Kirill Safronov 14. Jeff Jillson 15. Scott Kelman 16. Steve McCarthy 17. Michal Sivek 18. Barret Jackman 19. Barrett Heisten 20. Martin Havlat 21. Maxime Ouellet 22. Branislav Mezei 23. Konstantin Koltsov 24. Ross Lupaschuk 25. Martin Grenier 26. Evgeny Konstantinov 27. Brett Lysak 28. Mikhail Kuleshov ACTUAL 1999 DRAFT PICKS 1. Patrik Stefan 2. Daniel Sedin 3. Henrik Sedin 4. Pavel Brendl 5. Tim Connolly 6. Brian Finley 7. Kris Beech 8. Taylor Pyatt 9. Jamie Lundmark 10. Branislav Mezei 11. Oleg Saprykin 12. Denis Shvidki 13. Jani Rita 14. Jeff Jillson 15. Scott Kelman 16. Dave Tanabe 17. Barret Jackman 18. Konstantin Koltsov 19. Kirill Safronov 20. Barrett Heisten 21. Nick…
MUSIC CITY NEEDS SCORE
NASHVILLE’S OFF-SEASON will be far less eventful than last year’s, when Ryan Suter left for Minnesota in free agency and it took a 14-year, $110-million contract to pry Shea Weber from the Philadelphia Flyers and their offer sheet. It’s back to business as usual for GM David Poile, who always gets a lot out of teams that don’t look like much on paper. SHORT-TERM NEEDS Nashville was eighth in offense in 2011-12, but that was an anomaly. The Preds tumbled to bottom third in goals this season and have finished in the lower half four of the past five years. They struggle to find bona fide first-line scorers and when they have them – see Radulov, Alexander – it’s for fleeting moments. LONG-TERM NEEDS Though first-rounder Colin Wilson showed flashes and Patric…
PORTLAND’S TRAILBLAZER
Race is going to be a topic at this year’s draft, even if it’s not an issue for top prospect Seth Jones. If Jones is indeed the first player selected in the 2013 draft, he’ll join a small group of Americans to accomplish the feat. In the past 20 years, only Bryan Berard, Rick DiPietro, Erik Johnson and Patrick Kane can claim membership in the clique, but Jones can also establish an historical first: the first visible minority to go No. 1. The high watermark right now belongs to Evander Kane, who was drafted fourth overall by Atlanta in 2009. Even Jarome Iginla wasn’t taken until the 11th slot back in 1995, and Hall of Famer Grant Fuhr went eighth in 1981. It’s something Jones is aware of and not afraid to…
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