In a draft weekend filled with trades and trickery, Boston Bruins GM Mike O’Connell, by no surprise, fell short on a done deal. A top on the Bruins agenda was to deal Captain Jason Allison to the New York Islanders for behemoth defenseman Zdeno Chara, center Dave Scatchard and the rights to the Islanders #2 overall pick which would have used to select OHL superstar Jason Spezza. Vying for a trade up until the last minute, O’Connell was still unable to unload the salary of Jason Allison to the Islanders.

 

The motivation behind this deal was two fold. First, in the Bruins case, was to avoid giving Allison a huge contract in the neighborhood of 5 million per year for tying for fifth in the NHL scoring race last season. Secondly, in the Islanders case, was to reunite Allison with ex-Bruin assistant coach Peter Laviolette; whom was given the Islanders head-coaching job after being denied the same honor in Boston to Robbie Ftorek.

 

The only trade the Bruins made all weekend sent underachieving winger Cameron Mann to the Dallas Stars for defenseman Richard Jackman. A trade that O’Connell believes is a “good fit for both teams.”

 

After the events that transpired on June 1^st involving prospects Kyle Wanvig, Seamus Kotyk, Martin Grenier and Donald Choukulas. Was anyone really surprised when the Bruins announced defenseman Shaone Morrisonn with the 19^th pick overall?

 

Morrisonn was rated 41^st among North American skaters according to the Central Scouting Bureau. Jumping a head 22 positions, do the Bruins know something about Shaone Morrisonn that the entire CSB and 30 other NHL scouts don’t know?

 

Very doubtful!

 

 

The importance of a strong draft can never be understated. The Bruins have had difficulties in the past with other such blundered 1^st round picks like: Jon Aitken (1996), Evegeny Ryabchikov (1994), Dmitri Kvartalonov (1992), and Shayne Stevenson (1989).  One would certainly question the motives of the Bruins behind this selection, especially when other top defensive prospects like Jeff Woywtika, Mark Popovic, and Tim Gleason were all still available.

 

Here is a breakdown of the Bruins selections over draft weekend.

 

 

Shaone Morrisonn

Kamloops Blazers (WHL)

Defense, Shoots Left

6’3” , 197 lbs.

Born: December 23, 1982 in Vancouver, B.C.

The Bruins 1^st pick, 19^th overall

GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
61	13	25	38	132

Moving up 17 positions on Central Scouting’s final rankings, Shaone Morrisonn is a two-way defenseman with decent upside. A great skater for a player of his size, he has shown good agility and lateral movement in the defensive zone. He possesses a rocket for a shot on the point with good accuracy, but lacks mass to his 6’3” frame.  His hockeysense and decision-making are questionable and is a non-intimidating factor on the ice.  A high risk pick at 19^th overall, the lanky defenseman should be considered as a long-term project.

 

 

Darren McLachlan

Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

Left Wing, Shoots Left

6’1” , 230 lbs.

Born: February 16, 1983 in Penticton, B.C.

The Bruins 2^nd pick, 77^th overall

GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
42	10	9	19	161

Dropping 6 positions to 32^nd on Central Scouting’s final rankings for North American players, Darren McLachlan is a strong winger who excels at the physical game. A deceptive skater with decent passing skills, McLachlan is a force to contend with in front of the net. His style of play resembles that of Darren McCarty of the Detroit Red Wings. With a blend of size, strength, grit and decent hands, Bruin Nation should expect to see McLachlan as early as the 2003-2004 season.

 

 

Matti Kaltiainen

Blues, Espoo Jr. (Finland)

Goalie, Catches Left

6’2” , 188 lbs.

Born: April 30, 1982 in Espoo, Finland

The Bruins 3rd pick, 111^th overall

GP	W	L	T	GAA	SV%
25	NA	NA	NA	2.60	.901

Matti Kaltiainen is the unknown commodity of the 2001 NHL draft class.  According to Bruins Assistant General Manager Jeff Gorton, Kaltiainen impressed the Bruins with his size and aggressiveness.

 

 "He’s a big goalie, he’s quick, he’s very good at challenging the shooters and he can handle the puck," said Gorton. "He’s very confident and polished. We saw him play at the Five Nations Tournament in St. Petersburg in April and he played very well, three or four solid games. We just like the way he challenges, he’s got a good glove and the fact that he’s 6’2 and aggressive."

 

 

Jiri Jakes

Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

Left Wing, Shoots Left

6’4” , 225 lbs.

Born: October 4, 1982 in Prague, Czech Republic

The Bruins 4^th pick, 147^th overall

GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
64	22	16	38	73

Dropping 21 positions to 43^rd on Central Scouting’s final rankings for North American players, Jiri Jakes is a solid two-way winger with great hockeysense. A composed player who doesn’t panic in tense situations, Jakes is a tough competitor who’s very effective in front of the net. For a European playing in the rugged Western Hockey League, the physical aspects of the game do not intimidate him. Jakes is the type of player who will sacrifice himself to make the play. Jakes has a very bright future a head of him. Why he fell to the fifth round of the draft is a blessing in disguise for the Bruins. Before making the jump to the NHL, Jakes must improve his skating. He’s quite agile for a big man, but would be more effective if he could add some quickness and improve on his first step.

 

 

Andrew Alberts

Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)

Defense, Shoots Left

6’5” , 220 lbs.

Born:  June 30, 1981 in Minneapolis, Minnesota

The Bruins 5^th pick, 179^th overall

GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
54	4	10	14	128

Dropping 8 positions to 86^th on Central Scouting’s final rankings for North American players, Andrew Alberts, THE A TRAIN, is a determined defensive defenseman who works hard all over the ice. Punishing opponents in the corners and in front of the net with bone crunching hits, Alberts is one of the most intimidating players in the USHL.  A deceptive skater with good mobility and lateral movement, Alberts is a decent puckhandler who effectively initiates the breakout. His development will continue under the tutelage of Jerry York at Boston College this fall. 

 

 

Jordan Sigalet

Victoria Salsa (BCHL)

Goalie, Catches Left

6’1” , 180 lbs.

Born:  February 19, 1981 in New Westminister, B.C.

The Bruins 6^th pick, 209^th overall

GP	W	L	T	GAA	SV%
48	23	22	2	3.03	.919

Finishing at 28^th on Central Scoutings’s final rankings for North American goalies, Jordan Sigalet is a project for the future. The 20 year old netminder will play at Bowling Green State University next season in the CCHA. Sigalet is a decent puck handler who covers a lot of the net with his size. He’s one of those goalies that will show you how he’ll play in the first five minutes in a game. When he’s hot, he’s really hot for the night. When he’s not, his game is way off. Sigalet’s mechanics are very good, but his mental play must improve if he wants to play professionally in the future. He has often been compared to Martin Brodeur, but he’s actually a lot closer to an   un-matured Byron Dafoe.

 

 

Milan Jurcina

Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)

Defense, Shoots Right

6’4” , 200 lbs.

Born:  June 7, 1983 in Liptovsky Mikulas, Slovakia

The Bruins 7^th pick, 241^st overall

GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
74	0	7	7	68

Milan Jurcina is a big stay-at-home defenseman with good mobility and lateral movement. His skating is very good for a player of his size and is very strong physically. He plays a very basic style of game that will need further development in the minors after completing his junior career. With the depth on defense in the Bruins organization, Jurcina will be an extreme longshot prospect to crack the Bruins lineup. He could have a very successful career, as a 5^th defenseman in the minors. He still needs to develop and elevate his entire play to get there.

 

 

Marcel Rodman

Peterborough Pete’s (OHL)

Right Wing, Shoots Right

6’0” , 180 lbs.

Born:  September 25, 1981 in Jesenice, Slovenia

The Bruins 8^th pick, 282^nd overall

GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
61	36	35	71	14

Finishing the season as the 152^nd player on Central Scouting’s final rankings for North American players, Marcel Rodman has a knack for putting points on the scoreboard.  He’s not a physical player, but he’s not afraid to muck it up in the corners either. He has a very good shot with a quick release, and his hockeysense is exceptional. He plays with flair, getting open, and has shown that he has a nose for the net. Because of his 1981 birth date, Rodman has the opportunity to play for Boston’s AHL affiliate in Providence next season. In order for Rodman to do that, he must show at training camp that he cannot be intimidated.

 

 

Overall the Bruins draft was mediocre in comparison to the last few years. With the depth and skill level available in this draft, the question still remains if the Bruins made the right decisions with all of their draft picks. Shaone Morrisonn will remain a wild card much like Jonathan Aitken was until he can prove if he infact belongs in the NHL.  Bruin nation should also be excited that players like McLachlan, Jakes, and Alberts are now part of the system. While none of these players are ready to step in immediately, it shouldn’t be too long before we’ll see them wearing a spoked B.