The big “day” is coming…
Draft day is coming in less than 3 days, will Atlanta GM, Don Wadell trade the pick? “There is now a 75% chance that I will keep the pick,” Waddell says. “That’s based on the fact that when you have more time to do your homework and review your options, this player begins to grow on you. It just gets harder and harder to trade this pick.”
Wadell had about 1 or 2 tempting offers, to trade the 1st overall draft pick. The best offer he had received came from the Montreal Canadiens, who have 2 draft picks in the first round and 3 goalies. (Jeff Hackett, Jose Theodore and Mathieu Garon.) The Thrashers would be most interested in Mathieu Garon.
Don Wadell says he had never discussed with the Sabres organization on acquiring Mike Peca and a goalie.
Wadell has interviewed both Kovalchuck and Svitov, and is interested in both of them. But he is more likely to select Kovalchuck. Kovalchuck, 6’2 – 207 pounds, is an incredibly skilled player with amazing puck handling and checking abilities. “He is a high-skilled player who can go around players, but he can also go over them,” Waddell says. “He’s a force. He can take the hit to make the play, but he is also the guy who can give a hit”
Many compare Kovalchuck to Pavel Bure, except Kovalchuck plays a bit more physical.
” NHL Central Scouting described him as someone who already has “shown the potential to be a franchise player.” “Ilja has all the physical and technical qualities to become a top-class player, and he’s a strong character,” said Evgeni Zimin, a former Soviet hockey player and commentator. “Kovalchuk leads any team he’s on and never gives up.” ”
If the Thrashers were to keep the pick, they could still add some veteran scoring touch on July 1st when free agency comes along. Names such as Yanic Perreault or Rob Zamuner come up in signing rumors.
Will Kovalchuck become the 1st ever Russian to be selected 1st overall in the entry Draft? Will Wadell keep the pick, or trade it? If he keeps it, will Kovalchuck make a big step to the nhl next season?
As these questions are on my mind, I’m sure they are on Don Wadell’s mind constantly, lately.
Let’s wait and see…
Quotes courtesy of: (nhl.com – usa today – fox sports – rds – cnnsi.com)
Simon Gamache named top player in Canada
Simon Gamache, 1st line center of the “Foreurs de Val d’Or” a junior team in the LHJMQ, was named “Best player in Canadian Junior Hockey”. The 2 other candidates for this trophy were Brad Boyes and Justin Mapletoft.
Gamache, a native Quebecer, was awarded Most valuable player in Canadian Junior hockey yesterday. This year he led his team to the memorial cup finals, and beat Mario Lemieux’s playoff record in the LHJMQ with 57 points. Gamache finished the regular season with 184 points in 72 games, the top scorer in the LHJMQ. He had more points than anyone in the LHJMQ, OHL and CHL (Canada’s 3 main junior hockey league’s.) Gamache, 20 years old, is only 5′ 10 and 185 pounds. He was selected 290th overall in the 2000 entry draft by the Atlanta Thrashers. The reason he was selected so low in the draft is due to his size. Most scouts and fans aren’t expecting Gamache to make it to the pro’s next season. In fact, some say he might never make the nhl as a regular. But all the attention he’s had in the past year could earn him to a spot on the Thrashers team next season.
(The winner of the Best goalie in Canadian Junior hockey was Dan Blackburn.)
