Yes, folks. It’s that time of the year again. Many “experts” start watching CHL, NCAA, and all those other junior leagues to see who actually might go not only No.1 overall, but in the 1st Round. This is the first of three mock drafts I anually make before the actualy entry draft itself, so remember, it’s still a bit early!

1. Edmonton Oilers- F Taylor Hall
2. Boston Bruins (from Toronto)- F Tyler Seguin
3. Carolina Hurricanes- D Cam Fowler
4. New York Islanders- F Brett Connolly
5. Florida Panthers- D Erik Gudbranson
6. Columbus Blue Jackets- D Brandon Gormley
7. Atlanta Thrashers- F Riley Sheahan
8. New York Rangers- F Nino Niederreiter
9. Tampa Bay Lightning- D Mark Pysyk
10. Montreal Canadiens- F Kirill Kabanov
11. Minnesota Wild- F Alexander Burmistrov
12. St.Louis Blues- D Derek Forbort
13. Boston Bruins- D Jon Merrill
14. Anaheim Ducks- F Mikael Granlund
15. Anaheim Ducks (from Philadelphia)- G Jack Campbell
16.  Dallas Stars- D Jarred Tinordi
17. Phoenix Coyotes (from Calgary)- F Nick Bjugstad
18. Detroit Red Wings- G Calvin Pickard
19. Nashville Predators- F John McFarland
20. Ottawa Senators- F Tyler Toffoli
21. New Jersey Devils- F Brock Nelson
22. Buffalo Sabres- F Vladimir Tarasenko
23. Pittsburgh Penguns- D Stephen Johns
24. Colorado Avalanche- F Emerson Etem
25. Los Angeles Kings- F Ryan Johansen
26. Phoenix Coyotes- D Dylan McIlrath
27. Vancouver Canucks- F Tyler Pitlick
28. Chicago Blackhawks- D Alex Petrovic
29. San Jose Sharks- F Charlie Coyle
30. Washington Capitals- F Joey Hishon

Discuss!

Last night was a shame to watch. A team that was soaring and rocking to new heights a month ago is now facing a losing streak since the 5-game down streak back in the beginning of January. Two straight 4-1 losses to teams like the New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes who have struggled to score this season is pretty bad if you think about it. I’m still in the faith that’s it’s a post-apocalyptic Olympic hangover, but if they keep losing like this, there will be critics and cynics that start barking on the tail.

I must say CC made a great decision to put Pascal Leclaire in yesterday against the Canes. Good chance for him to step up and a re-thinker for Brian Elliott. Well, it didn’t work, and to wake up this team, Clouston needed to pull Leclaire. Brian Elliott will start against Toronto, and don’t be surprised if he rides the pine for the rest of the season with the exception of back-to-back games where Leclaire could be put in for one of the 2.

Now, onto happier stuff. Matt Cullen + Daniel Alfredsson = magic. Those two were paired together along with Mike Fisher late in the 3rd and you could clearly see the results. Hard work, forechecking, balanced play, and a goal for Cullen. Those three should be paired together on the first line on Saturday. Leave Milan Michalek and Jason Spezza with Jesse Winchester, while pair together Alex Kovalev, Ryan Shannon, and Peter Regin. Andy Sutton and Erik Karlsson play surprisingly well together, so that’s always good.

One last thing. Brian Lee is done in Ottawa, book it.

First off, last night’s game against the New York Rangers was a bit sad to see a loss, but I don’t think Ottawa Senators fans should be very nervous from that game. It was right after the Olympic Break, and lots of players were rusty. Heck, even the Rangers didn’t looks so good in their game except for 3 minutes in the 2nd period when they scored 3 goals. Now that they’re back in the game, the players will continue where they left off before the break.

Today was Canada Day #2, also known as Trade Deadline Day. And I must say, I’m a bit surprised there were a lot of trades today. However, I correctly predicted to big-name guys would be on the move. The players acquired were known names, but not superstar names. That’s why team like the Washington Capitals and Phoenix Coyotes were not their usual self and were active today. In my opinion, the Yotes were the best team today. They made smart, calculated moves by acquiring help on the blueline (Derek Morris), and help up front (Lee Stempniak, Wojtek Wolski). I can’t wait until they play they’re first playoff game in more than 8 years (yes, I’m predicting that).

As expected, the Ottawa Senators didn’t do anything today as they already acquired Matt Cullen and Andy Sutton before today, which now looks smart since acquiring people before the crazy day of Trade Deadline Day, which Pierre LeBrun also commented on ESPN today. It was the right move, and even though some will say we need scoring from the backend, I’ve been told that has been Bryan Murray’s plan—for the summer.

As many people predicted, the Ottawa Senators acquired some blueline help in the name of Andy Sutton. Sutton was acquird from the New York Islanders (sound familiar?) for San Jose’s 2nd round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. At first when I read this trade, I was excited. Excited that headed into the playoffs we may have the most truculent (yes, ripping a page from Big-Heaed Burkie) defense in the whole Eastern Conference, or at least out of the teams that have a shot of makign the big ticket. Bryan Murray essentially got a guy that can pair up on the 3rd pairing with Matt Carkner and form a bad-boy tandem. It also relieves some of the weight on Carkner’s shoulders to provide that grit from the bottom up.

But yet, when I read it all over again, I’m becoming a bit more skeptic. I know that Sutton’s a huge guy and is second in blocked shots so far this year in the NHL, and logs big minutes, but a second round pick? I know some Islander fans across the web say it the return should have been even more, but it seems like NHL teams are treating second-rounder like waste. Do remember that the Senators drafted Patrick Wiercioch, Jakob Silfverberg, and Robin Lehner in the 2nd Round, so it does matter. Now that both second rounders for the Sens are gone, we have to hit the nail on the first-rounder to salvage that Draft.

I will say this though. Bryan Murray is done, and I will be very surprised if he makes any deals tomorrow. If he does, it will likely be trying to clear up some clogs up front on forward, where the return of Nick Foligno may make it an interesting situation.

Asa bit of a prediction, I think Deadline Day tomorrow will not be very busy at all. Here’s why. The bulk of teams in the East are in the playoff picture, and likely won’t be budgeting the future and trying to keep some chemistry going, such as in Tampa Bay. You may see some movement in the West as teams try to get in the playoffs, but don’t expect too much tomorrow.

Too much things going on that I forgot to mention the game tonight. I know, I know, it fells a bit weird after a long break. Supposedly Ryan Callahan and Marian Gaborik will not play for the New York Rangers, so that’s always an added bonus. Erik Karlsson will draw back in the lineup while Andy Sutton won’t play tonight.

GO SENS GO!!!

Ryan Shannon is a very fast, versatile, and useful player. In my opinion though, he isn’t having the best of seasons on the campaign. Only 5 goals after blowing winds when the top line was out. He’s been on a line with Alex Kovalev and Peter Regin for some time, so it looks like Cory Clouston thinks those three have developed chemistry. The Sens re-signed Shannon yesterday to a one-year, $675,000 contract. A bit surprising, garnering he has been subject in some trade talks. Murray has previously been against the idea of sign-and-trade, so don’t expect him to be moved.

With RS now off the market, who could be heading the other way if in fact rumors stay true and Bryan Murray does acquire a defenseman? Chris Kelly, not a chance. Too valuable for this team in many ways. Jarkko Ruutu, same story, you can’t let this guy go. Jesse Winchester, maybe, and even though I don’t see a specific role for him on this team that can’t be filled by Zack Smith over in Binghamton. But is he garnering interest? I don’t think so, but things can happen over the next few days.

I’m still confident Bryan Murray will get a guy on TD Day. It’s still a mystery of who it will be, but my money is on German Olympian and Florida Panthers Dennis Seidenberg. The next days could be interesting as the Vancouver Olympics come to a close and GM’s starting fielding phone calls once again.

GO USA!!!