Around The Boards: July 1, 2013 Draft News And Notes

Welcome to our new daily feature called Around the Boards.  We will take a daily look around the NHL at news, notes and happenings from various teams.  Up first is the fallout from the draft and the upcoming free agency period.

Apr 20, 2013; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goaltender

(35) during the second period against the Detroit Red Wings at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

• The biggest bombshell of draft day was the Cancuks trading Cory Schneider for the 9th overall pick.  The Canucks’ goal seemed to be shift from dealing Roberto Luongo (because they couldn’t), to buying out Luongo (because they couldn’t) to getting what they could for Schneider.  Although apparently Canucks GM Mike Gillis stated it was the plan all along. Then it wasn’t. Then it was again when they couldn’t execute “Plan A”
• Schneider goes from one sticky goaltending situation to another.  He will be a platoon goalie at best for the next year in New Jersey, splitting time with Martin Brodeur.
• Seth Jones dropping to the fourth spot to Nashville was huge.  I wouldn’t want to be Colorado, Florida or Tampa and have to play against a player who was supposed to go first but passed over 3 times.  He stated that it will be motivation to prove them wrong.
• There wasn’t as much trade activity as expected.  The biggest name besides Schneider to move was Stanley Cup winning goal scorer Dave Bolland going from Chicago to Toronto for Picks.  Other names moving included Michael Frolik (Chicago to Winnipeg), Justin Falk (Minnesota to New York Rangers), Andrej Sekera (Buffalo to Carolina), Jamie McBain (Carolina to Buffalo) and Tyler Kennedy (Pittsburgh to San Jose).
• Potential Free Agents also seemingly on the verge of leaving their respective teams are reported to have reached agreements to remain with their clubs.  Sergei Bobrovsky and Mike Smith completed negotiations with Columbus and Phoenix respectively are either done or expected to be completed in short order. The goaltending carousel will continue in the coming days.
• The list of teams in pursuit of recently bought out Vincent Lecavalier is growing and so is the potential contract.  TSN reported that the number right now will be in excess of $5 years/$5M per year and could grow as the number of calls to his agent increases.
• The moving of Bolland and Frolik from Chicago moved enough money for the Hawks to get Bryan Bickell‘s name on a 4 year, $16M contract to remain in the Windy City.

Check back tomorrow for some more fallout from the draft and more hype leading up to the start of Free Agency on Friday.