- ESPN's mock draft has Calgary picking the Regina Pats Jordan Eberle. The Regina native is a center that has put up 70 goals in his first two seasons in the dub, so it's not a bad choice. Here's a little blurb on him:
Jordan Eberle possesses hockey sense and skill that cannot be taught. Both intelligent and creative, he stands head and shoulders above most of the Pats’ forwards and won numerous accolades for his play as a 17-year old. Can make plays out of almost nothing and sees the ice as well as anyone in the WHL.
I skipped over Eberle in my own musings because the Flames have pivots coming out the ass (Langkow, Lomabrdi, Boyd, Backlund) and are in desperate need of skill on the wings at both the NHL and AHL levels. However, if Eberle is still around at 17 and seems like "the best player available", it's not ridiculous to think the Flames will grab him, logjam be damned.
- Sutter has almost never made a major trade at the trade deadline. He has, however, been very active during draft day, twice dealing for major players (Tanguay, Aucoin) and almost always making other minor swaps for futures. With the Flames desperately needing to unload some salary and lacking a 2nd rounder, expect Sutter to try to deal an established NHLer for a pick or two. My guess is, at least one of Eriksson, Primeau or Nilsson will be someone else's property come Sunday. Potential partners include:
- LA: 15 (!) picks means they have futures to spare.
- WAS: The caps are flush with second rounders and could prove amenable to parting with one of them.
- CAR: The Hurricanes have cap room and need NHL defensemen in the worst way - even defensemen as crappy as Eriksson.
- How great is it that the Edmonton Oilers only have 5 picks in this deep draft?? Thank you Kevin Lowe (and Dustin Penner).
