2003 NHL Entry Draft Team Needs
Don't let their remarkable run to the Stanley Cup finals fool you, the Ducks have holes to fill. Jean-Sebastien Giguere's Conn Smythe Trophy performance helped gloss over a defense that could use another stay-at-home player to complement Keith Carney. Youngsters Stanislav Chistov and Alexei Smirnov had respectable rookie campaigns and 2002 first-round pick Joffrey Lupul could crack the lineup next season. Goaltending is set, unless Giguere gets a serious offer as a restricted free agent. If he does, his replacement isn't going to be found at 19th overall.
Atlanta has not yet drafted a defenseman, and now is the time. The Thrashers were fourth in the Eastern Conference with 226 goals, sparked largely by youngsters Dany Heatley and Ilya Kovalchuk. But they surrendered a league-high 284 goals. Atlanta improved its defense by signing veteran goaltender Byron Dafoe and drafting Finnish standout Kari Lehtonen. Adding a physical defenseman should help reduce that number. The Thrashers will not have the first or second overall pick for the first time in team history. But the No. 8 selection still could yield an imposing blueliner like Braydon Coburn or Ryan Suter.
The Bruins are desperate for goaltending, a need general manager Mike O'Connell hopes to fill by trading the 16th overall pick. Boston managed to get to the All-Star break with a 26-19-5-2 record last season, despite a holdout by Byron Dafoe. But once the Bruins solidified their goaltending situation with Steve Shields and Jeff Hackett splitting time, the results were mixed and they went 10-12-6-2 over the final 30 games. Boston has discussed the possibility of trading its first-round choice to Phoenix for former All-Star Sean Burke. It is believed to be one of several teams talking with the Florida Panthers for the No. 1 choice, then selecting top-ranked goalie prospect Marc-Andre Fleury.
With the exception of 2002, Buffalo's recent draft history has been less than impressive. Of the team's five No. 1 picks since 1999, one player has been traded and two have not developed. With a deep draft and the fifth overall pick, general manager Darcy Regier can put those failures in the past. The only area in which the Sabres appeare set is in net, with Martin Biron, Mika Noronen and Ryan Miller competing for time. But Buffalo would benefit greatly from a player with size and a physical edge or a playmaking forward. Considering Buffalo has parted with two captains in three years, finding a youngster who possesses leadership qualities wouldn't hurt, either.
Beginning his first season as both general manager and coach, Darryl Sutter seems to be leaning toward taking a defenseman with the ninth overall pick. Calgary had pretty good success the last time it used its first-round pick on a defenseman, taking Derek Morris at No. 13 in 1996. The Flames should have some familiarity with two of the top defense prospects since Ryan Suter is the nephew of Gary Suter and Dion Phaneuf played for Sutter's brother, Brent, in juniors. Subsequent first-round selections, however, have been near-disastrous -- Daniel Tkaczuk, Rico Fata and Brent Krahn. Calgary could use the help up front since only Nashville scored fewer goals among Western Conference teams.
General manager Jim Rutherford built the Hurricanes into a Stanley Cup finalist in 2002. Now he has to do it again from scratch. The Hurricanes went from the top of the Eastern Conference to last in the NHL, scoring a league-low 170 goals while allowing the third highest (240). But what makes Carolina's situation even worse is the overassessment of its farm system. Since 1994, only first-rounders Jeff O'Neill and David Tanabe have contributed regularly. While the 'Canes drafted a goaltender in Cam Ward last year, they can improve their future by using the No. 2 pick to draft Marc-Andre Fleury. Adding a pure goal-scorer in Nikolai Zherdev, Eric Staal or Nathan Horton also wouldn't hurt.
Embattled general manager Mike Smith pretty much can go anywhere with the 14th overall pick. The Blackhawks' top prospects are forwards Tuomo Ruutu, Mikhail Yakubov and Pavel Vorobiev, although Chicago is not close to signing the younger brother of Vancouver pest Jarkko Ruutu. That means defense could be a priority. It's been a few years since the Blackhawks boasted the deepest blue line corps in the NHL. With an abundance of finesse players, Chicago also could use some size at all positions.
General manager Pierre Lacroix has had the luxury of looking long-term at recent drafts. But the needs are more immediate this time as the Avalanche try to fill the void left by Patrick Roy's retirement and the possible return to Sweden of Hart Trophy winner Peter Forsberg. Lacroix also may lose defenseman Greg de Vries to unrestricted free agency. Making matters worse, Colorado does not have a first-round pick for the second time in three years. As recently as 1998, the Avs had four selections in the opening round. But they're paying the price for the acquisition of Rob Blake. Colorado's depth players have not performed to expectations, so Lacroix could go for forwards who can play well at both ends of the rink.
One thing is certain -- the Blue Jackets are set in net. Marc Denis made an astounding 77 appearances last season and 2001 first-round pick Pascal Leclaire is waiting in the wings. There are needs virtually everywhere else. The most pressing is on defense after Columbus yielded a Western Conference-high 263 goals. And that was after general manager-turned-coach Doug MacLean added free agents Scott Lachance and Luke Richardson. MacLean has done well in the first round, grabbing defenseman Rostislav Klesla in 2000 and Calder Trophy finalist Rick Nash last year. Another dynamic scorer like Nash or someone with Klesla's size would be a good fit.
The Stars' defense is expected to look a little different next season, whether that means the departure of captain Derian Hatcher or former partner Richard Matvichuk. But Dallas can reload with prospect John Erskine this year and Trevor Daley down the road. That means general manager Doug Armstrong likely will look up front with the 28th overall pick. The Stars have more than their share of 30-something forwards in Bill Guerin, Mike Modano, Scott Young, Jere Lehtinen and Stu Barnes. One area that appears set is goaltending, where Marty Turco figures to be the No. 1 for years to come. Dallas also used high draft picks on Jason Bacashihua in 2001 and Tobias Stephan last year.
For the third straight year and the fifth time since 1997, the Red Wings do not own a first-round pick. This one was traded to Los Angeles before the March 11 deadline for Mathieu Schneider. But Detroit has shown an uncanny ability to find gems in the later rounds. Calder Trophy finalist Henrik Zetterberg was taken 210th overall in 1999, Pavel Datsyuk was drafted 171st a year earlier and Tomas Holmstrom was picked 257th in 1994. The next big star, Igor Grigorenko, was the next-to-last selection in the second round in 2001. Expect the Red Wings to go for the best available player since they're showing signs of age on defense and up the middle.
Because the Oilers are a small-market Canadian team with limited financial resources, drafting well is essential. But they've been able to contend for playoff spots despite a recent history of underachieving first-round picks -- Jason Bonsignore, Steve Kelly, Michel Riesen, Michael Henrich and Alexei Mikhnov. Edmonton, however, has used later rounds to grab Tom Poti, Shawn Horcoff, Mike Comrie and Jussi Markkanen. Picking as low as
17th overall for just the second time since 1988, the Oilers will look for some size to complement its corps of speedy forwards. Eventually, they also must find a successor for 32-year-old goaltender Tommy Salo.
General manager Rick Dudley plans to use the top overall pick to improve his offense through the draft -- or a trade. The Panthers scored just 176 goals last season, the second-fewest in the NHL. They were held to two goals or fewer 51 times and to one goal or fewer 32 times. Dudley has gone through the usual pre-draft motions, focusing on forwards Eric Staal, Nathan Horton, Nikolai Zherdev and Milan Michalek as possible selections. But Dudley, known for his history of draft day dealing, also could swap the pick for players who can help immediately. He got calls from at least five teams, most looking to draft goaltending phenom Marc-Andre Fleury. Dudley has not ruled out drafting Fleury, but Florida's commitment to Roberto Luongo may lead other general managers to call his bluff.
The unrestricted free agency of Felix Potvin muddled the Kings' goaltending picture until general manager Dave Taylor sacrificed a second-round pick for regular-season warrior Roman Cechmanek. Alexander Frolov is coming off an impressive rookie season and two of Los Angeles' top prospects are centers Mike Cammalleri and Jared Aulin. With veteran defensemen Rob Blake and Mathieu Schneider traded away in a span of three years, the Kings eventually will need help on the blue line. Mathieu Biron and Aki Berg, two of the last three defensemen they got in the first round, did not exactly work out. For the first time in team history, Los Angeles has three picks in the first round.
General manager Doug Risebrough has not deviated from the plan on which he embarked four years ago, and an unexpected playoff run should not deter him. In just their third season, the Wild had four homegrown draft picks getting regular playing time. Prospects like Kyle Wanvig and Stephane Veilleux helped Houston capture the Calder Cup, and 2001 first-round pick Mikko Koivu is probably a year away from the NHL. Minnesota ranked fourth in the league in goals-against average, but much of that was due to coach Jacques Lemaire's stifling defensive-oriented system. The team could use a No. 1-type defenseman or even a defenseman who can quarterback a power play that ranked 23rd. Risebrough, however, will be unaccustomed to waiting so long to make his first-round pick at 20th overall.
The Canadiens have some of the best prospects in the NHL but lack a pure scorer and an imposing presence. Montreal boasted just three 20-goal scorers, and while two-thirds of the Canadiens' lineup is comprised of skaters at least 6 feet tall, none play an overly physical game. Richard Zednik was the only player who filled those voids with 31 goals and a meager 79 penalty minutes. Finding a player who can contribute immediately also is something Montreal should pursue, considering some of the Canadiens' youngsters are not ready to play at the NHL level.
Offense. Offense. Offense. The Predators scored a Western Conference-low 183 goals last season and fell apart down the stretch when their only legitimate scoring threat, David Legwand, went down with a broken collarbone. The draft host, Nashville is slated to pick seventh overall. But general manager David Poile has four selections among the top 49 and eight in the first three rounds, putting him in position to move up. Goaltender Tomas Vokoun played so well that Poile traded away Mike Dunham. But the slow development of 1999 first-round pick Brian Finley is of concern. While 2001 first-rounder Dan Hamhuis is close to cracking the lineup, the Preds lack a big,physical defenseman.
The Devils won another Stanley Cup championship without a legitimate scoring threat and don't have one waiting in the wings. While the focus traditionally has been on defense, don't forget that New Jersey has parted with players like Brendan Morrison and Petr Sykora in recent trades. In David Conte, general manager Lou Lamoriello has one of the keenest talent evaluators in the business. He knows that defensemen like Ken Daneyko, Scott Stevens, Tommy Albelin are closing in on 40 and that Oleg Tverdovsky is a restricted free agent. But 2000 first-round pick David Hale is on the way. So expect New Jersey to again go for the best player, regardless of position.
At first glance, offense would appear to be the direction the Islanders will go with the 15th overall pick. Only two players posted more than one point in their five-game loss to Ottawa in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals and Alexei Yashin desperately needs help on the wings. But some of New York's top prospects are forwards like Trent Hunter, Justin Mapletoft and 2002 first-round pick Sean Bergenheim. Few teams boast four quality defensemen like Janne Niinimaa, Adrian Aucoin, Roman Hamrlik and Kenny Jonsson, but all four could become free agents at the end of the 2003-04 season. Goaltending appears set with 2000 top overall pick Rick DiPietro, but you never really know what general manager Mike Milbury might do on draft day.
A veteran-laden team that's missed the playoffs six straight years can pretty much go in any direction. And during that postseason drought, the Rangers have used their first-round picks on two centers, a right wing, a defenseman and a goaltender. There also are plenty of questions marks in New York: Will goalie Mike Richter and right wing Pavel Bure be able to return from their injuries? Will center Mark Messier be back for a 25th NHL season? And can center Eric Lindros bounce back from a healthy yet disappointing season? More than anything, the Rangers could use a rock-solid defensive defenseman. At 12th overall, they could do worse than select hard-hitting Dion Phaneuf.
The model franchise when it comes to developing talent with a limited budget, Ottawa has made few bad draft picks. But general manager John Muckler's task this year is a new one -- maintaining the Senators' lofty position atop the NHL. The 29th overall pick is the worst in team history. Adding help up the middle became a somewhat less urgent need with the postseason performance of 2001 first-round pick Jason Spezza. Ottawa is loaded with right wings -- Marian Hossa, Daniel Alfredsson and Martin Havlat -- but needs scoring help on the left side. Muckler also might consider adding some defensive depth since he traded away Sami Salo. Goaltending is set for years to come with Patrick Lalime and Martin Prusek.
If nothing else, the Flyers have pretty good timing. In a draft considered the deepest in years, they own two first-round picks for only the fourth time in team history. Selecting 11th and 24th overall, Philadelphia has a gaping hole in the net after trading away Roman Cechmanek. General manager Bob Clarke, who dealt goalie prospect Maxime Ouellet to Washington in the Adam Oates trade, is likely to fill the void through free agency. That means offense could be the way to go. The Flyers' top prospects are all defensemen -- Jeff Woywitka, Jim Vandermeer and 2002 first-round pick Joni Pitkanen.
For the first time since 1997, the Coyotes do not have a pick in the first round. They sent it to Philadelphia in the 2001 trade involving Daymond Langkow. They could get one back, however, if trade talk involving goaltender Sean Burke pans out. Burke may be expendable because Phoenix used last year's second-round pick on Cornell phenom David LeNeveu. The Coyotes are pretty solid up the middle but could use help on the wings following the failure of the Tony Amonte experiment. Phoenix has used just one of its last seven first-round picks on a defenseman.
Where do you want to start? The cash-strapped Penguins are expected to trade away Martin Straka, one of few legitimate scoring threats. And if Mario Lemieux steps back into retirement, rookie coach Ed Olczyk will have trouble finding anyone who can put the puck in the net. Pittsburgh's top prospects are defensemen Brooks Orpik and Ryan Whitney, both former first-round picks. At third overall, the Penguins havetheir highest selection since 1985, when they took winger Craig Simpson at No. 2. And there has been talk general manager Craig Patrick wants to move up to pick goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.
There's no need to panic, but the Blues are getting a little gray up front. Keith Tkachuk, Scott Mellanby, Martin Rucinsky, Doug Weight, Dallas Drake and unrestricted free agent Shjon Podein all are over 30. St. Louis will pick 27th overall after going without a first-round selection each of the previous two years. They struck gold in 1999 in defenseman Barret Jackman, who won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year. And two more defensemen, 1998 first-rounder Christian Backman and third-rounder Matt Walker, will slide into the lineup sooner rather than later. With Chris Osgood re-signed, St. Louis filled the short-term need for a goaltender. But a long-term need persists.
Even though they traded away Owen Nolan, the Sharks continue to get older. And as they do, they're getting slower. Patrick Marleau is just about the only forward with speed, so quickness is a priority. With his goaltending set and youngsters like Brad Stuart, Kyle McLaren, Scott Hannan and Jim Fahey on defense, rookie general manager Doug Wilson is expected to focus on offense. San Jose has two picks in the first round for the third time in team history. At sixth overall, the Sharks are in their best draft position since 1998, when they took Stuart with the No. 3 pick.
The Lightning could use help on defense, a shortcoming acknowledged when general manager Jay Feaster added journeymen like Janne Laukkanen and Marc Bergevin for last season's playoff push. But drafting at No. 25 isn't going to provide the kind of player Tampa Bay needs. There's been talk of trading All-Star goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin, who was not in the nets for the finale of the Eastern Conference semifinals at New Jersey. The Bolts never have selected a goalie in the first round. Tampa Bay appears to have an abundance of speed. And with contract talks with Dave Andreychuk sputtering, adding size could be a priority.
With a rapidly aging roster, any infusion of youth will be welcome. But defense is a particularly glaring need. The Maple Leafs were pushed around by Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals and could not prevent veteran Robert Svehla from announcing his retirement. Late-season pickup Glen Wesley was effective in the playoffs but is eligible for unrestricted free agency. And no one else on the roster is a physical defenseman. While Ed Belfour was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy in his first season in Toronto, long-term help is needed in the nets unless Mikael Tellqvist is the answer. This corps of forwards isn't exactly oozing with teen spirit, either. But without a first-round pick for the first time since 1997, the Maple Leafs cannot expect to find instant help.
The success of the No. 1 line of Hart Trophy finalist Markus Naslund, Todd Bertuzzi and Brendan Morrison is a double-edged sword. First, the Canucks could use anyone to step up and take the scoring pressure off the dangerous trio. More importantly, however, Bertuzzi is entering the final year of his contract, and Vancouver will be hard-pressed to meet his rapidly escalating price tag. The Canucks used their first three picks last year on defensemen, another reason to expect a forward to be taken with the 23rd selection. Players, coaches and executives insist they have not lost confidence in goaltender Dan Cloutier, but in case they have, 22-year-old Alex Auld appears ready to make the jump to the NHL.
Not so obvious. If the rumors are true and the Capitals unload underachieving and overpaid Jaromir Jagr, they'll need some scoring. Veteran Calle Johansson is gone and Ken Klee is eligible for free agency, so there will be holes to fill on defense, particularly if Washington does not keep some of its restricted free agents. Steve Eminger, last year's first-round pick should help. He started last season in the NHL and should stick this time around. Olaf Kolzig remains a workhorse in the nets, but he'll be 34 by the time the playoffs roll around. The Caps liked what they saw in backup Sebastien Charpentier, and Maxime Ouellet -- a 1999 first-round pick of Philadelphia -- who led the American Hockey League with seven shutouts and was third with a .929 save percentage.
© 2003 SportsTicker Enterprises, LP
|
