LOS ANGELES - The truth about the NHL draft is the determination of which teams' scouts did the best job won't be evident until two, three, four or perhaps even five years elapse.
It's like Emerson Edem, the California kid who was picked by his home-town Anaheim Ducks, said on the eve of this year's draft at the Staples Center: it's not about who's No. 1 now; it's about who's No. 1 five years from now.
Despite that logic, we will unabashedly attempt to project -- with the help of a couple of scouts and assorted interested observers -- which teams might be the winners and the which might look back on draft day 2010 with less than glowing memories.
THE GOOD
Taylor Hall: The Windsor Spitfires winger, despite being ranked second among North American skaters by the NHL's Central Scouting Bureau, wound up being the first selection overall by the Edmonton Oilers who picked him over Tyler Seguin of the Plymouth Whalers. It's up to Hall to justify the selection now and it will be interesting to watch over the next few years if Hall makes the Oilers a winner or loser at the 2010 draft.
Carolina Hurricanes: Maneuvering by general manager Jim Rutherford allowed the 'Canes to wind up with five picks in the first three rounds topped by the selection of Jeff Skinner with the seventh pick overall, a player viewed as perhaps the best natural scorer in this year's draft. They then opted for four defencemen: Justin Faulk from the U.S. U18 team (37th), Minnesota high schooler Mark Alt (53rd); Danny Biega of Harvard University (67th) and Austin Levi of Plymouth (85th). "I think those were some pretty shrewd picks," one scout said.
Chicago Blackhawks: The Stanley Cup champions did a good job of positioning themselves to restock the cupboard after it looks like a couple more members of the champs will have to be shipped out to meet the salary cap next fall. While most teams winding up moving their higher picks for a shot at winning the Cup, the 'Hawks moved up six spots from 24th to 30th in the first round to take winger Kevin Hayes, a high schooler from Boston, and then had four picks in the second round.
The Western Hockey League: The "Dub" led the way as the most popular source with 43 players taken Friday and Saturday, one more than the Ontario Hockey League.
Anaheim Ducks: They had Cam Fowler, the Windsor Spitfires defenceman projected by some to go as early as third overall, fall to them in the 12 hole which could wind up being one of the steals of the draft. Or not. The Ducks also used the pick they got from the Philadelphia Flyers in the Chris Pronger deal to scoop up Etem, giving them a local kid that should spark interest among Ducks fans.
THE BAD
Cam Fowler: The kid had heard all the projections like everyone else, so he became one of those players who winds up in the uncomfortable situation of having to sit and squirm while other names are called and he slides down the draft.
Brandon Gormley: Same deal as Fowler. Gormley, of the Monction Wildcats of the QMJHL, went 13th. "I'm not really surprised said one scout. "I didn't think it was a good year for defencemen. I don't think there's was a No. 1 this year. (Fowler and Gormley) might be twos and I don't think Erik Dudbranson (who went third overall to the Florida Panthers) is better than a three."
Vancouver Canucks: The Canucks traded their first pick for defenceman Keith Ballard, so depending on you feel about Ballard, that makes them either a winner or a loser. Certainly Ballard contributes more in the immediate future. But the Canucks then had to wait until the 115th pick to get their first player out of this draft. Odds and history tell you the chances of getting a player (besides Ballard, if you count him) out of this draft for them are pretty thin.
chris.stevenson@sunmedia.ca
