Now of all the major league sports drafts, the NHL draft is the most difficult to predict. Teams will draft based on Best Player Available rather than team needs and rightly so. The one area I see the Panthers see ignoring unless we get an absolute steal is netminder.
Now this ideal draft depends on one thing: Taylor Hall being drafted by the Oilers, left Tyler Seguin to go to the Bruins.
No3: Trade to the Bruins for David Krejci and No15; Dylan McIlrath D 6ft5, 215lbs, Moose Jaw WHL
The Bruins will be loaded down the middle and in need of moving some salary. Krejci could get the most out of Olesz and Frolik. McIlrath is not too far behind the big three, one of whom the Bruins have been looking to move up to try to get, but offers something our current team lack, a willingness to drop their gloves and adminster several slaps against opponents who target our players.
No33: Petr Straka LW 6ft1, 184lbs. Rimouski Oceanics QMJHL
Played in the QMJHL for the Oceanics, fast, good hands, good vision, 28goals and a total of 64pts in 62games
No36: Greg McKegg C/LW 6ft0, 185lbs Erie Otters OHL
I did consider Ivan Telegin who is slightly bigger but decided 37goals and 85pts in 67games was too good to pass on. He is very slippery and has breakaway speed, but also is defensively responsible, and just a little more dynamic than Telegin
No50: Jacub Culek C 6ft4, 195lbs Rimouski Oceanics QMJHL
Joined at the hip with Straka. They played together in the Czech Republic and now at Rimouski. The big Center we need in the prospects, he is the set up man for Straka though posts respectable enough totals himself in 13 goals and 47pts over 63 games
No92: Curtis Hamilton LW 6ft2, 211lbs Saskatoon Blades WHL
He falls because of injury over the last season but definitely a steal at the top of the 4th
No93: Andrew Yogan C 6ft3, 200lbs Erie Otters OHL
The Panthers fan from Boca Raton, Fl., this has as much to do with marketing as it does with talent. Lacks the hockey sense to be any more than a Checking center, but will hopefully create some positive publicity
No123: Mark Stone RW 6ft2, 201lbs Brandon WHL
Similar to AJ Jenks was considered a high pick early on, but with a senior season marred by hand injuries, didn't kick on. Would have been noticed on the same team as Robak
No153: Adam Polasek D 6ft1, 180lbs PEI Rocket QMJHL
Undrafted last year, he won't suffer the same fate this year. Does not excel in any one area, he is steady and solid and has plenty of room to grow into a late round steal.
No183: Adam Janosik D 5ft11, 176lbs Gatineau Olympics QMJHL
A tidy you Czech who still has room to grow and could form a nice pairing as his career develops.
I think that the team will stick to the CHL as we've enjoyed success drafting here, there is huge talent available here, and many of the players are closer to the EHCL/AHL than some other players


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