NHL Draft (Alex Ovechkin)

Freak

So the NHL Draft is this Friday, and Washington holds the #1 pick, also known as the rights to Russian superstar Alexander Ovechkin. AO is miles ahead of the next best player, another Russian forward, and teams are supposedly bombarding the Caps with offers for the top pick. Right now the most serious bidder is said to be Chicago.

I think I'd rather the kid went to a good organization with a player or two that can make him better. Chicago might be a nice fit, if he was put on a line with Ruuttu or Arnason, but then again, one of those players would have to be dealt in order to acquire Ovechkin.

Bouchie

Well since I feel this thread speaks only to me (unless there's some unknown Washington fan in existence), I'll throw in my two cents. I'd like to see Chicago get him, obviously; however, I don't think they should be dealing away anymore players from the current roster in order to get him. They already traded half the team away last year (Sullivan, Zhamnov, Nieminen, Klemm, Dempsey, Karpovtsev). Ideally, I'd say use some of the many draft picks the hawks have this year in exchange for Ovechkin.

Another problem, though, is that as he becomes one of the NHL's best he will undoubtily "out-grow" the hawk's low budget and he will most likely be traded away for - you guessed it - more draft picks.

So in closing, I still say "go get him", but I really don't see the point long-term.

IRALB

The point long term is a few years with the next Ilya Kovalchuk. It wouldn't be for another 4-5 years that he would leave Chicago, if he goes there.

However guys Ovechkin isn't miles ahead of the next player in the draft, which is viewed as the weakest in years. Magnitogorsk Russia centre Evgeni Malkin is right up there with Ovechkin as skilled in everyway, the only thing that could keep him from being picked is a history of concussions.

I would hate to see Washington trade away the Ovechkin pick, just imagine the team they would have in a few years, Ouelette and Stana in net, Ovechkin, Aulin, Tomas Fleischmann (from the Lang trade, incredible player), Jonas Johannson, Brooks Laich. So much more future talent than the Hawks, who I think would be better picking Malkin, or Medicine Hat Tigers blueliner Cam Barker.

Needless to say it looks like a pretty sad crop of players for the 2004 draft, which I'll be mainly tuning in to see what insane trades take place, if any.

Freak

As value goes, Ovechkin IS miles ahead of Malkin, and Malkin is miles ahead of the next-best guy. What I mean is that there isn't any sliver of doubt that AO is going 1st overall.

Bouchie, the Caps already have something like 75 picks in this year's draft, after last year's firesale, and the draft is weak enough as is. They'd need players in exchange, guys like Bell, McCarthy, Arnason, or even Ruuttu if they really want Ovechkin.

Dr. Giganto

Sports Moderator

I saw my cousin (who works for the Rangers) on tv at the draft. He was shaking hands with the Rangers first pick

IRALB

Yeah, Al Montoya, the Rangers' hope for the next Mike Richter.

Whats your cousins' name?

Bouchie

The Rangers can't seem to get anywhere no matter who's on the roster, or how big their payroll is.

Mr. Hyde

I live in America. We like football and baseball. What is this hockey you speak of?

Dr. Giganto

Sports Moderator

My cousin isnt anyone you would have ever heard of. he's not very high up in the organization (he's only 28 years old, so he doesnt have much seniority in the front office), but the last two years he's gone with the team to the draft and sat at the table with them. he's hoping he'll be able to work his way all the way up to GM in 10-20 years, so if he does, remember the name Victor Saljanin and that you heard it here first