Welcome to the Thursday Ramblings. I still have no idea what to write about and I really do not make it easy on myself by following my news twitter instead of my hockey one. Also listen, for next week I want to answer questions so can you all send me twitter questions to @FHPQuinn. Also throw some in the comments and I will hopefully remind myself to read them!
This week I will create the top 11 draft picks and the teams that will pick them based on current standings.
But first my #GoodTweet of the week:
I do not have a good tweet because I have been bad at twitter. So, I will just say: Stay safe out there, don’t spread this thing and enjoy the indoors. I know I have enough video games, movies/shows, books, and hobbies to do. I am also fortunate enough to still have a job, so I am quite thankful for that.
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Ok here we go…………………..
First overall for the Detroit Red Wings …
- Do I need to write anything here? Detroit gets the best player available. If I was Detroit, I would keep the Bertuzzi-Larkin-Mantha line and mix in Lafreniere, Fabbri, Zadina, Veleno, Hirose, and Timashov. Holy does this team need a 2/3C to work with Veleno because Glendening, Helm, and Filppula all stink. If Jeff Blashill is still head coach, I can see those six listed above fighting for fourth line ice time only (I hope this is just a joke!)
Second overall for the Ottawa Senators …
- I mean how do you not? He is the future 1C for Ottawa jumping Brown, Norris, and White
Third overall to the Ottawa Senators from the San Jose Sharks who in hindsight really wish they still had this pick …
Marco Rossi, C – 67s
- Ottawa picks Rossi as he is so skilled and right in the team’s backyard, considering how cheap the franchise is with scouting budgets Rossi would cost the minimal cost prospect. My only concern on them passing on him is that he is on the smaller side, but drafting a 6-4 centre ahead should make this pick quite easy
Fourth overall to the Los Angeles Kings …
Cole Perfetti, C/LW
- I am having the Kings select Cole Perfetti (Mom’s Spaghetti) with the fourth overall selection as I believe they prefer the North American players to the European (and definitely Russian) ones, unless there is a European kid that slides a crazy amount (Hi Sam Fagemo). Also, Turcotte, Perfetti, Kupari and Kopitar down the middle… good luck rest of NHL
Fifth overall to the Anaheim Ducks …
Lucas Raymond, RW/LW
- The Ducks love Swedes and Raymond would be a great pick at five. They are pretty set at centre for the future with Zegras, Steel and Lundestrom. If anything, the Ducks are lacking on defense and the wings for future great players so why not add a stud in Raymond
Sixth overall to the New Jersey Devils, who since they no longer have Taylor Hall likely are not moving up to first overall and you know what, as a Devils fan I will take them moving to third overall as I cannot be too greedy …
Alexander Holtz, RW/LW
- The Devils could use a big-time goal scorer and Holtz fits that mold perfectly. Considering they are set with Hischer, Hughes, and Zacha (yes, I still believe) down the middle they need a big goal scorer to set up perfectly with Hughes. Imagine this: UFA-Hicher-Palmieri; Boqvist-Hughes-Holtz; and Gusev-Zacha-Bratt
Seventh overall to the Buffalo Sabres …
Tim Stutzle, C/W
- The Sabres could really use a player like Stutzle, and to some he somehow drops to seventh but most can see him going in the three to nine range. They would prefer he comes to North America sooner than the 2022-2023 season to help but he would sure look great next to Dylan Cozens (or if Mittlestadt can pan out)
Eight overall to the Montreal Canadiens as this was for sure in Bergevin’s long term plan …
Anton Lundell, C/LW
- Stop me if you heard this before, Montreal drafts another really good player but not a game breaking type player that went earlier in the draft. Lundell is very good and does everything very well, there is no messing around with this selection
Ninth overall to the Chicago Blackhawks …
- Chicago is great at finding overseas gems at forward, and they have an impressive depth of young defense coming, so why not grab the best goalie available at nine. I would say it is risky to select any goalie this high, but if you are Chicago why not select the kid who could be a stud NHL goaltender by 22 years old?
Tenth overall to the New Jersey Devils from the Arizona Coyotes …
- The Devils defense cupboard is pretty bare after Ty Smith (sorry Bahl fans), and I do like Reilly Walsh, but Drysdale could add another dimension to the Devils for the future. Severson, Butcher, Smith, and Drysdale would be a great top four in the future
Eleventh overall to the Minnesota Wild …
Noel Gunler, RW/LW
- Poor Minnesota they get stuck with the incredibly underrate Noel Gunler. Sure, he is not a centre but he would greatly add to the team’s soon to be envious depth at wing. I would bet Minnesota would hope Askarov would fall out of the top 10 but it is not like they are going with a subpar option here. Kaprizov, Fiala, Firstov, Boldy, and Greenway could terrorize the league for years
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Thanks for reading. Now send me questions to @FHPQuinn