10 replies to this topic

[DropThePuck]

FOX Sports look at teams' prospects and draft needs ...

Anaheim Mighty Ducks

Key prospects: (G) Ilja Bryzgalov, (D) Mark Popovic, © Ryan Getzlaf, (RW) Corey Perry, (D) Ladislav Smid

Needs: No glaring needs, but with the second pick, either (D) Jack Johnson or © Gilbert Brule would be a great addition.

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[Just Duckie]

I don't know if I agree with their analysis that the Ducks don't have any glaring needs. We know that the Ducks may not have Bryzgalov (although I can't see them using the #2 pick to get a goalie anyway) and I can't see either Popovic or Smid as their future #1 defenseman. I would rather see Jack Johnson in that role.

[hockey2k]

Here is the same sort of article from TSN.

MIGHTY DUCKS OF ANAHEIM
Top Newcomers: Ryan Getzlaf, C; Ilya Bryzgalov, G
Next in Line: Corey Perry, RW; Chris Kunitz, LW; Ladislav Smid, D
Possible Buyouts: Sergei Fedorov, C ($6.08M); Petr Sykora, RW ($3.116M)
Notable restricted free agents potentially not tendered: Ruslan Salei, D ($1.824M); Rob Niedermayer, C ($1.596M); Mike LeClerc, LW ($1.14M)
Needs: #1 defenceman; 3 top six forwards;
Projected cap position: $22M (14 players)
If Ozolinsh is not re-signed, the Ducks will need an offensive defenceman because none of the blueline returnees are particularly adept at quarterbacking the power play, though the Ducks will have some stay-at-home types like Keith Carney and Vitali Vishnevski to mind the store leaving Martin Skoula as the most offensive rearguard slated to return. Up front, it seems unlikely that Brian Burke can make the cash-costly decision to turn Fedorov loose, but the same can't necessarily be said for Sykora, leaving the Ducks in need of three more scorers (to join Fedorov, Rucchin and Lupul) on the top two lines. The Ducks might have even more cap room, depending on how many of their restricted free agents they decide to bring back.

2005 Summer Status

[DropThePuck]

With the down-sized draft in Ottawa this year, they also get the 2008 event. <link>

Still looking for word on if it'll be televised.

[DropThePuck]

So, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim have the second pick and some people think they may take me. That would be fine, if they do. Obviously, they have a very good general manager in Brian Burke. Back here in Ontario, we don't hear a lot about the Western Conference teams, but they were in the Stanley Cup Finals a couple years ago, so they have a lot of talent.

I've been working out every day with Vincent Lecavalier of the Tampa Bay Lightning. We have the same agent, Kent Hughes. Vinnie told me Anaheim is a great place to play and to live. If it's Anaheim, that will be great. I wouldn't mind going there at all.

But some of the hockey writers have said Anaheim may take a defenseman, like Jack Johnson. So, you never know.

Benoit Pouliot's blog

He seems like a very well-grounded kid, and even writes well ... or at least has enough sense to find himself a good editor.

[DropThePuck]

NHL.com's 2005 Draft website

Lots of great information here including the CSS rankings.

[hockey2k]

It's nice that Ben and Vinnie had some good things to say about Anaheim!

[DropThePuck]

Just a bit of humorous history between the top picks:

Johnson, the top-ranked defenceman for Saturday's NHL entry draft, related the story Friday. "I wasn't very good, but Sidney was actually a really good baseball player," Johnson said. "He was pitching and the other team's pitcher was giving him a hard time for the bench because Sidney was having a really good game.

"Sidney was sick of it and I said 'don't worry, I'll take care of it.' I went up and crowded the plate so he'd hit me and give me a reason to go after him. So I took off when he hit me."

Johnson said he and Crosby thought it would be a story they would have a laugh about sometime in the future.

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[DropThePuck]

Benoit Pouliot has a new blog entry on today's "draft eve" events: <link>

When I their age, my goal was to play in the National Hockey League, but I wasn't really focused. It's always been a dream and now it has almost come true. I was right about having sleepless nights. Last night was rough and tonight's going to be worse. I don't even know if I'll make it through tomorrow!

[DucksintheDesert]

i know we are talking about the ducks but the penguins need Crosby if anyone doesn't know.

[DropThePuck]

This is like freaky weird ... "like father, like son" ??

Both father and son were drafted 179th overall, 27 years apart. "Really? Wow. Are you serious?" Sutter said. "Wow. That's pretty neat. ... That is weird. Maybe there's some fate there."

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