NHL Entry Draft Coverage

Written by Nichols

Tuesday, 24 June 2008 12:14

I find it a bit ironic that many Canadians complain about the length of the average baseball game yet an NHL awards show or the NHL Entry Draft. While I was offered tickets to go watch the event live, I thought it would be more productive to cover the draft and catch the Jays game while drinking with a bunch of baseball teammates.

7:02: The Draft kicks off and there is already news of a blockbuster trade between the Flames, Ducks and Kings. The fact that the Kings got another first round draft pick from this year leads me to think that the Sens may have a deal in place for the 2nd overall pick. I can’t help but get a little bit excited. We flip over to the Jays game; Roy Halladay is throwing against the Pirates. I like the direction that this night could take.

7:05 We get bored of watching the draft and flick the TV to the lobby channel where we can watch people entering the building. More importantly, the camera picks up on our teammate “Vagg” as he enters the building followed by four women. Assuming that he’s with them, we were disappointed to see a confused Vagg wait to be buzzed in while the girls proceeded to enter the apartment. Our disappointment quickly waned once one of the girls was kind enough to open the door and let him into the lobby.

7:16 Gary Bettman finally takes the stage to a chorus of loud boos. Thankfully, I’m happy because Bettman’s appearance means that after 15 minutes too many of listening to Pierre Maguire, I no longer feel the need to punch myself in the stomach. After a brief speech, Bettman turns the mic over to new Lightning owner, Oren Koules.

7:18 The Tampa Bay Lightning draft Steven Stamkos. There hasn't been a more anti-climatic television moment since Tori Spelling lost her v-card to Brian Austin Green's character on 90210. We quickly flip to the Jays game to get our first glimpse of Cito Gaston. Maybe the Jays can wear their powder blues for every home game since they're kicking it old school.

7:25 I couldn’t help but empathize for the Sens fans that were in attendance at SBP. Not only were these fans (non-season ticket holders) line up prior to the draft just to get in the doors (season ticket holders were given priority), they couldn’t benefit from trade updates being given by TSN. The most unintentionally funny moment of the draft came when that dick Bettman announced a trade prior to the selection of the 2nd overall draft pick. Amid rumors that the Sens were contemplating trading Jason Spezza to LA to move up in the draft, the Sens fans in SBP were giddy with anticipation that Ottawa had just made a move. Meanwhile fans at home already knew that Olli Jokinen had been dealt to the Coyotes.

To fully comprehend the reaction let out by the crowd, just recall the movie Wild Things. You probably only saw the flick because you heard there was a sex scene involving Denise Richards and Neve Campbell. Pretty sweet right? Now remember your reaction when Kevin Bacon gets out of the shower and flaps his junk around.

Olli Jokinen + Phoenix = Kevin Bacon frontal nudity

7:28 The lack of any more trade news has me thinking that the Sens were unable to reach a deal with LA. Right on cue, Kings GM Dean Lombardi makes his way to the stage and selects Drew Doughty. Shit…nice double-whammy. The Sens probably aren’t going to move up and the draft is already thirty minutes in and there have been two selections. WNBA games have been more exciting than this.

7:38 The Thrashers take Zach Bogosian. I’m now convinced that the Sens are not going to be picking in the top 10. Depressed, we tune into the Jays game and it’s still tied 0-0. Typical, the Jays never give Doc any run support. I'm starting to get that sinking feeling that I had mid-January when I knew that the Sens were floundering and that the season was going down the tubes.

7:43 Bettman announces that Alex Tanguay has been dealt to the Habs by the Flames for their first round pick. Nice, if there was anything Montreal didn’t need more of; it was skilled perimeter players who refrain from physical contact. I’m now resigned to the fact that Tanguay will probably torch the Sens because of what I just said.

7:47 The Blues draft Alex Pietrangelo. I like John Davidson and all but I’m already sick of watching teams come up to the podium with an entourage of 5-8 people. I realize that the league’s hierarchy is essentially an “old boy’s club” and that they want their face time on television but get over yourselves. There’s no need for every team to thank their fans and the city of Ottawa. Bettman congratulated the Red Wings and thanked us at the beginning of the draft, there’s no need to hear it 30 times.

Like every other sports league, let the Commissioner announce every pick. At least it would give the fans the chance to boo him 30 times over the course of the evening.

8:00 The Leafs have just switched picks with the NYI and have picked Luke Schenn. I think Pierre Maguire just creamed his pants…like most rumors; I’ll wait for Darren Dreger to confirm it. At the current rate of five picks per hour, this thing will be done by midnight.

8:05 RJ Umberger was just dealt for a first and third round pick. Amazing to see what teams are willing to spend on a guy who earned his money with a strong playoff performance. Smart GMs will capitalize on the market when a player’s value is at its highest point. Oh…and did I mention that the Sens have taken the first steps to buy out Ray Emery?

Francois brings up a good point when he refers to an infamous Bill Polian (GM of the Colts) quote when he says, "When you build a successfull franchise and you achieve success, everyone thinks that they've contributed and usually guys who are no more than role players think that they contributed more than they actually ever did."

Hindsight's always 20/20 but everyone knew (especially those in the organization) that Emery was a douchebag before this year's shenanigans became well documented. After the Cup run, Murray should have maximized his value via a trade or just letting Emery walk via an offer sheet.

8:11 The Blue Jackets take the Russian kid, Filatov. Apparently scouts are enamored with him because he can speak three languages and he knows the lyrics to every Fall Out Boy song. Memo to the Blue Jackets: If you want to improve the kid’s marketability, let Kerry Fraser fix his hair. Right now, he looks like Zac Effron from High School Musical (and my buddy Trev is probably the only one who gets this).

8:24 Wayne Gretzky takes the podium and the SBP crowd eats it up. It’s safe to say that Gretzky could do anything in Canada and people would still give him a standing ovation. Seriously, Gretzky could have gone on stage, pulled his pants down and taken a dump on stage and he’d still be revered as a Canadian icon. As one of the few hockey personalities that American’s know, Gretzky’s the only reason why Bettman doesn’t announce every pick.

8:40 Vagg is trying to play catch up, he’s going from zero to drunk faster than a 35 year old Theo Fleury. Vagg waits for a lull in the conversation to randomly announce, “Johnny Damon’s .331 average. Don’t even worry about it.”

9:13 Nothing has happened in the last 45 minutes but Bettman just announced that the Sens have moved up from 18th to 15th and Alfie is taking the stage to make the announcement of the next pick. The crowd is going nuts but Alfredsson doesn’t know how to bask in the moment and enjoy it. He looked more comfortable when he presented at the 2003 Juno Awards. Perhaps it was just because he was underwhelmed by the likes of Nickelback and Simple Plan? Anyways, he cuts the crowd off and announces the selection of ….ERIK KARLSSON.

The crowd and I don’t know what to make of this selection. I’m a little torn: Obviously Murray traded up because they knew that either Boston or Anaheim was going to select Karlsson so you can’t knock Murray for moving up to get him. As a fan, I have to applaud the Sens for taking the initiative to get the guy that they want.

On the other hand, I’m a little disappointed that we couldn’t get one of the top defencemen who could make a quick jump into the NHL. As a 5’8, 157lb defenceman, Karlsson will not be expected to play at this level for at least two seasons. Heading towards the July 1st Free Agent Market, I have no idea whether or not the Sens will be status quo.

9:34 The Jays game is still tied 0-0 in the bottom of the 7th. Doc got himself into trouble by giving up two quick singles. With one out, Halladay intentionally loaded the bases and proceeded to strike out Chris Gomez for the second out. In the “What the F$#$?!?!” Moment of the Year, Nyjer Morgan proceeds to hit a line drive that ricochets off of the Doc’s head into the glove of Scott Rolen. Only Doc could induce an out by having a ball lop off his dome. After the game, Roy had this gem, "I'd rather take a ball off the head than give up two runs.” – Isn’t Halladay a beaut?

10:00 Just when the night cannot get any worse, Edmonton’s is scheduled to make the next selection. Apparently the newly HOF-inducted Glenn Anderson has been given the honor of making the selection. I don’t know why but the words “Train Wreck!” kept repeating in my head. Anderson nervously waded through the next 10 minutes trying to explain how he was scouted by a guy who recently passed away. The only way I want to listen to Anderson speak is if he explains how his best friend was found dead in his pool. I wouldn’t have blamed Bettman if he had stepped in and cut Anderson off, it probably would have marked the first time Bettman’s been cheered in an NHL arena.

I still don’t understand why the NHL can’t put together a montage together that pays homage to all the hockey-related personnel who passed away within a given year. On the other hand, watching Anderson speak tonight means I’m definitely not tuning into the HOF inductions. No thanks, I’d rather tune into the Saskatchewan Legislative Network.

I don’t even remember when: Jesse Carlson came in to pitch the bottom of the 11th for the Jays. After and John MacDonald butchered a play at short which lead to the final run crossing the plate. After the loss and some Yager bomb shots, we left for the bar but not before Vagg felt compelled to urinate in public. Good times…

On Another Note:

Everyone knows by now that I love watching athletes in commercials. That being said, there’s nothing better than watching middle aged men rap.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNGSuuHnS_w&hl=en]