DAY 10 RECAP
I know some of you may feel like this is going at a snails pace but we just finished two rounds in 10 days with 17 more days to go! We will be able to get quite far in this mock!
But today, the Nashville Predators GM No O in Predators! was able to hook HW up with an exclusive interview they did with TSN's Bob Mckenzie:
Why Lindholm over Drouin?
First off, Lindholm was the guy we wanted all along. We would have loved to trade down and pick him up at 5,6,7 or 8 but do to extenuating circumstances we were just not able to make that happen.
Again, why Lindholm over Drouin?
Lindholm is a perfect fit for what we try and do here in Nashville. Our forwards are required to play sound defense, be solid two way players or they can go back to Russia. The problem that has occurred here in Nashville is that we lack some truly gifted offensive players in our top 6. That is where Lindholm comes into play. Combining his offensive prowess and defensive responsibility, he creates a position of strength at the center position going forward.
Do you project Lindholm to skate alongside newly acquired Filip Forsberg?
On a different note Bob, what do you think of the coup we pulled off to acquire Forsberg from the Capitols? Talk about highway robbery! Makes you wonder how some GMs keep their jobs, right WANG and GARTH? Anyways, back to your question... what was your question again?
Do you project Lindholm to skate alongside newly acquired Filip Forsberg?
Without a doubt, we see these two as being the top line core of our hockey team for the next 10-15 years. While it was not a deciding factor, it is very good for our club that both of the players are from Sweden and will be playing together internationally for the next decade or so. That will only help to make them and our hockey club that much better in the long run.
What did you see in Bjorkstrand that made you trade up to take him with the 55th pick?
We had him as an end of the first round talent. While he could surprise us and end up being a first line talent, we really see him as a second line player with 1st unit power play specialist written all over him. He gets to the dirty areas, has a lot of fight and a booming shot. He has a very quick release and can score from anywhere, in any situation. Very smart kid. To get him at the back end of the second round is a big win for us.
So are you happy with your draft so far?
Besides not being able to trade down and still get Lindholm, I am very happy. Our goal as an organization was to grab 2 offensive threats with our first two picks that still fit into our scheme of what we are trying to do. I think we hit a home run in accomplishing that.
What are your plans for the rest of the draft?
I know I shouldn't tell you incase my fellow GMs pick up on this interview, but we plan on taking a goalie with every pick we have left. What's the old saying? "You can never have to many goalies"?
DAY 10 SELECTIONS
55TH OVERALL - The Nashville Predators select Oliver Bjorkstrand, goal-scoring forward from the Porltand Winterhawks of the WHL.
General Manager No O in Predators!:
56TH OVERALL - The Edmonton Oilers select defenseman Brett Pesce from University of New Hampshire.
General Manager ThatGuy22:
57TH OVERALL - The Los Angeles Kings select Slovakian forward Marko Dano from HC Slovan Bratislava,
General Manager wildfansec108row11:
Fast and physical forward that is similar to the "Grumpy Swede." He can add a little offense with good stickhandling and a good shot. Could be a good replacement for Dustin Brown when he becomes a FA.58TH OVERALL - The Boston Bruins select offensive defenseman Jordan Subban from Belleville Bulls
General Manager sarahconnors:
Oversized "you mad?" pic59TH OVERALL - The Winnipeg Jets selected skilled forward Connor Hurley from Edina.
HW Danccchan's Take
60TH OVERALL - The San Jose Sharks select Ryan Kujawinski from the Kingston Frontenacs
General Manager J.A.Berty1330:
DRAFT BOARD
ROUND 1
ROUND 2
ROUND 3
ROUND 4
ROUND 5
ROUND 6
ROUND 7
We will be updating the picks as the draft goes along so check this post as well as our twitter, @hockeywildernes, for updates.
For a complete list of draft picks, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_NHL_Entry_Draft
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