Predators Draft Report
The Nashville Predators drafted a number of players this week and then excitedly watched the results roll in from the NHL...unfortunately some of this involved more waiting than in the CPHL draft! Here is a synopsis of our picks:
Nikita Filatov: #4 CPHL, #6 NHL: I was happy to take Filatov with the fourth pick. Various reports classify him as the second most talented player in the draft, with the obvious issue being the transfer agreement. Buoyed by him being fluent in english, stating that he wants to play in North America this year and his parents being educated outside Russia we took the gamble.
Tyler Meyers: #15 CPHL, #12 NHL: Meyers is a goliath, and skates very well for his size. He says that he had his first fight this year and will be doing more as he goes forward...we're thrilled to add him to the blueline!
Viktor Tikhonov: #28 NHL: OK, I didn't draft him, but he is on our AHL roster and was picked by the Coyotes this weekend. Hopefully he comes over and lights it up against everyone but Calgary!
Maxime Sauve: #18 CPHL, #47 NHL: This was probably the worst use of a 1st round pick this year. I think that he is a good player and hopefully he'll be a surprise to the pro-scouts! Otherwise, we picked up another first round pick with Tikhonov above, so we are looking at the bright side here.
Tyler Cuma: #35 CPHL, #23 NHL: This pick turned out well for us. I like Cuma and think that he'll get some good development in Minny!
Jesse Arniel: #36 CPHL, #95 NHL: After the Cuma pick this one hurts a little! The scouts giveth and then taketh away I suppose.
Vjacheslav Voinov: #100 CPHL, #32 NHL: I am thrilled to get this kind of a steal...if he comes over and plays in North America. I also realise that this would never have happened if there was a transfer agreement in place. Hopefully the LA scouts know something about this likelihood that we are not aware of.
Tyler Beskorowany: #105 CPHL, #59 NHL: With our last pick we got on the goalie train a little late. Hopefully the Stars picked him as the successor for Turco in Dallas!
I also wanted to echo the sentiments of other GM's that this is probably one of the most exciting times of the year. I like the draft anyway, but when you have your picks to match-up its even cooler!
|
