Starting from scratch
Predators look to build strong foundation
Posted: Wednesday June 24, 1998 01:43 AM
By John Heid, CNN/SI
ATLANTA (CNN/SI) -- A good amateur draft can help expansion teams get off
on the right foot.
While Friday's expansion draft will be important for the Nashville
Predators, the team hasn't forgotten about the NHL Entry Draft to be held
Saturday at the Marine Midland Arena in Buffalo, New York. The nine-round
draft begins at 12:45 p.m. ET.
"We hope to pick 26 guys [in the expansion draft] that will make us an
exciting team this season," said Craig Channel, the chief scout for the
expansion Predators. "But the amateur draft is our bread and butter.
"Those are the young kids you look to build with. If you get a little lucky
you hope you get a great forward or a great defenseman [with the amateur
draft's third pick]."
Nashville, which begins play next fall, owns the third pick in Saturday's
draft. The Tampa Bay
Lightning, who posted the NHL's worst record last year, will pick first
and the San Jose Sharks
own the second selection.
After the Predators select, the first round order is as follows: Vancouver Canucks, Anaheim Mighty Ducks,
Calgary Flames, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Islanders and Chicago Blackhawks, Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers, Phoenix Coyotes, Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens,
Colorado, Buffalo Sabres,
Colorado, Colorado, Los
Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, St. Louis Blues, Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey Devils and the Dallas Stars.
The NHL's Central Scouting Service rates Vincent Lecavalier as the top
skater in North America and first overall in its rankings over 400 players
eligible for the draft. The service scouted over 800 draft eligible players
from the United States, Canada and Europe this past season and compiled its
list.
The other top 10 players from North America are center David Legwand of the
Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League; defenseman Bryan Allen of
the OHL's Oshawa Generals, defenseman Brad Stuart, Western Hockey League's
Regina Pats; right wing Michael Heinrich, OHL's Barrie Colts; center Manny
Malhotra, OHL's Guelph Storm; defenseman Mathieu Biron, QMJHL's Shawinigan
Cataractes; defenseman Martin Skoula, Barrie; defenseman Jiri Fischer,
QMJHL's Hull Olympiques, and center Rico Fata, OHL's London Knights.
"There's some potential stars in this draft," Channel said. "Vincent
Lecavalier -- he's the best prospect."
Channel is also big on Allen and Stuart, who both may be available with the
third pick. "They're both big and strong," Channel said. "Bryan Allen's a
guy who's going to play a lot of minutes [in the NHL]. He's a big
stay-at-home defenseman who moves the puck well.
"Brad Stuart has a great offensive game. They may not become superstars,
but they will play a long time. All the teams that have exceeded [in the
NHL] had defenseman who can carry the puck.
"The New York Islanders were built around Denis Potvin."
The Predators will select 26 players in the expansion draft -- one from
each team. Channel said his team will take three to five goaltenders and
around 10 defensemen and nine to 11 forwards.
"We're looking for two things -- long-term goals and players who will help
us at the same time," Channel said. "Someone who can step in and contribute
right away.
"For the most part [in the amateur draft], you're looking for these kids to
contribute in your system."
Channel, general manager David Poile, head coach Barry Trotz, assistant
coach Paul Gardner, along with help from two pro scouts and 13 amateur
scouts, have been watching NHL and amateur players since September.
It's hard for an expansion team to begin the scouting process, but Channel
is pleased with the Predators' start. "It was such an important year for
us," he said.
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