First Round Wrap Up

Picture courtesy of [mymclife]

1) Hit the road jack, and don’t come back. No “wrap up” would be complete without mentioning this- the pick that got around deserves to start us off today.

July 4th, 2008: San Jose acquires Dan Boyle and Brad Lukowich from Tampa Bay in exchange for Matt Carle, Ty Wishart, the fourth round pick in 2010, and the 26th pick.

July 29th, 2008: Tampa Bay acquires Andrej Meszaros from Ottawa in exchange for Alex Picard, Filip Kuba, and the 26th pick.

February 20th, 2009: Ottawa acquires Mike Comrie and Chris Campoli from New York (Isles) in exchange for Dean McAmmond and the 26th pick.

Today: New York (Isles) acquires a first and a third rounder from Columbus in exchange for three picks and the 26th pick.

Today: Columbus acquires a third and first rounder from Anaheim in exchange for a second rounder, seventh rounder, and the 26th pick.

Anaheim eventually drafts Kyle Palmieri, who was described by TSN as being, “ejected from his team…for having girls up in his room when he was not supposed to.”

Sort of fitting.

[Update 9:42 PM]: I used Daft Logic to calculate the distance this pick traveled. If we are “cheating” by counting each trade in Montreal as the pick moving from city to city (Uniondale to Columbus to Anaheim to Montreal), it amassed 8,889.01 miles across North America. When we take into account that New York was the one who brought the pick to Montreal, it amassed 4,305.09 miles.

Feel free to throw in a few feet for the distance traveled on the draft floor.

2) The New York Islanders draft John Tavares. Garth Snow’s infamous poker-face over the last week results in the pick everyone in Long Island expected him to make. Breakdown of all the draftees can be found on TSN (link).

3) Chris Pronger and Ryan Dingle are traded to Philadelphia for Luca Sbisa, Joffrey Lupul, a 2009 first rounder, and a first rounder in 2010 or 2011. Lupul and Pronger once again are trade partners in a blockbuster deal. Although Philly is getting an excellent defenseman, I have to give a slight nod to Anaheim here as they look to be preparing for the future. Scott Niedermayer‘s announced return made it essential for the Ducks to move a big salary, and I’m assuming Giguere’s NTC and hefty contract wasn’t able to be traded. Pronger was the odd man out, but Francois Beauchemin might be in their price range now.

4) Can you find the way to San Jose? Apparently not. Three hours of watching kids shake hands with opposing GM’s has me a bit tired, but here’s my general feeling on the lack of movement (taken from the NHL Draft thread)

I’m not too disappointed or anything. Sure it would be nice to have a first rounder, but it’s likely we will be giving up a good roster player for a guy who will take years to be on the team (if he even cracks the NHL at all).

Lots of volatility in the draft. Once you get down to this level of picks (Ed. Note: the 17th), no one’s a slam dunk.

Cheech and Buffalo’s second might get us in late, but I don’t think it’s going to happen (i.e. Cheech’s value probably isn’t that high).

At the very least, my pre-draft predictions are staying the course thus far.

How do you feel about the lack of a first rounder? Angry? Understanding? Hoping San Jose makes a big splash tomorrow?

Let us know in the comments.

Go Sharks.