Before I get to draft day, I read the Bruins have qualified 9 players. They are Andrew Alberts, Patrice Bergeron, Brad Boyes, Nick Boynton, Milan Jurcina, Nathan Robinson, Martin Samuelsson, Jordan Sigalet and David Tanabe. I find it depressing that Colton Orr isn’t on that list. I am still really bummed about him being a Ranger. He’s a guy that was a poster boy Bruin, and they let him go. Sad. Here’s hoping they sign UFA Georges Laraque July 1. I know I have a better chance of becoming President, but I can dream.
Speaking of guys being let go, that brings me to draft day. I really like the move to ship Rayzor off to Toronto. I said all Summer before his Rookie Season I didn’t feel he was ready for the NHL. I was pleasantly surprised by him putting up the kind of season that he did, but I think some true colors were shown in the playoffs. Then the lockout came, and he didn’t play much. He started this season as the Bruins go to guy, and from opening night, did not look good. Eventually Rayzor lost the job to Hannu Toivonen, and even later on Tim Thomas. I think Rayzor’s confidence is way down, and a fresh start with a new team may be just what the doctor ordered. Apparently the kid they got back, Tuukka Rask, is supposed to be legit. I saw him a bit at the World Juniors, and I must say he looked pretty darn good to me. The Bruins have a bit of a log jam in goal right now with Toivonen, Thomas, Sigalet, and now Rask. Brian Eklund was not offered a contract, and will be free to seek employment elsewhere. I think Toivonen and Thomas do the heavy lifting in Boston, while Sigalet and Rask tend the farm. Look for Sigalet and Rask on a possible call up to get a look in the show if Thomas’ game goes to shit.
The big Bruins news on draft day, was the number 5 overall pick, Phil Kessel. Last year a scout said if Kessel were available he’d take him over Sidney Crosby. For two years, Phil was the consensus number one pick. There was no question about it. Then the World Juniors came along this year, and his stock fell off in a big way. Scouts didn’t like how he didn’t make anyone around him any better. That is a problem when you are a center. Hell, just ask Jonathan Cheechoo. He had a career year thanks to Joe Thornton. The word on Kessel is he can beat you one on one, and is a good finisher, but needs to work on playmaking, and hockey sense without the puck. Some say the latter is an issue because he is flakier than a Toaster Strudel, and if that’s the case, Phil will not handle the media here in Boston well. If he returns to the can’t miss prospect he once was, and can translate that to the NHL, people around here will be asking Thornton who? In no time at all.
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