NHL Draft

[Doctor G 0]

I wasn't one of those down on the selection of Michael Smith, he is a great skater. Yes he played in a smaller league, but he has potential to be very good. Now in my opinion I would have selected Nick Petrecki, but Smith has a higher ceiling. Petrecki would have given the Wings something they do not have in their farm system, a big, tough, hard hitting d-man. Yes I know his limitations in skating and doesn't have a great shot, but neither does Smith for that matter. But I really can not complain about their selection, because I understand the route they are going. I do have to say their 3rd round selection of Anderson could be the steal of the draft. In just about every publication this kid was a late 1st or early 2nd round selection. To get him late in the 3rd round is just great luck and great scouting on their part. The rest of the draft we will have to wait and see how these young guys develop, but their first 2 picks were very good.

[Andy Pred 48 337]

2 D and 3 C picks, we do seem well stacked in the prospect's with these position's. My concern is the lack of wingers we have in the system.

[Doctor G 0]

2 D and 3 C picks, we do seem well stacked in the prospect's with these position's. My concern is the lack of wingers we have in the system.

Agreed, they do have a need for wingers and for goalies. The later rounds were not very helpful, because most were little guys. Unless they can skate like the wind, again we will need to sign bigger forwards in free agency. It will be interesting to see how these forwards drafted after the 27th pick do in 3 to 4 years.

Editor Note: It is Brendan Smith who played for St. Micheal's not Michael Smith, sorry for the the mix-up.

[Earthhuman 8]

Later in the draft, it's a crapshoot.

You take the best player available and hope he fills out, or practices defense, or learns to shoot, or gets better hockey sense... if he makes it, great, you trade him for what you need or put him on the roster.

So good choices throughout.