Comments on: 2009 Entry Draft… Penguin Prediction 1st and 2nd round

By: Boombastic

Boombastic — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 11:39:45 +0000

We are Family! Ulfy’s kid – could Ulfy be that far behind? Andy Bathgate – Randy Velischek’s kid – a couple of forwards that can score. All-in-all a pretty good day at the draft table. 4 defensemen and 3 forwards – where’s that goalie!

By: DR Hook

DR Hook — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 10:28:51 +0000

The Penguins selected Defenseman, Simon Despres 6’- 4, 215… who played for the Saint John Sea Dogs in the QMJHL. The International Scouting Service had him rated #15, THN #12, and Central Scouting Bureau #8.
Some downside comments from scouts (pre draft) were that: “He was a big disappointment; his play didn’t seem to improve.” — “There are tons of tools there, but there’s got to be a heck of a lot more commitment to being a better player. It’s not going to just happen.” — “After what I saw in the summer, I expected a better year.”
Despres game may have been hurt by playing on a very lousy Saint John’s team plus he played with a nagging hip injury all season.
After being selected Bob McKenzie said, “He’s a good shot-blocker with a great attitude, but scouts wonder about his game when it comes to reading the play and his play away from the puck.”
On the upside: Last summer although he was one of the best defenseman during the Ivan Hlinka memorial Tournament. He’s a good skater, plays a physical game, has good size and isn’t close to filling out yet, has tons on untapped potential.
When picking 30th it has to be pretty hard to pass on someone rated so high by the scouting services.

By: A Slick

A Slick — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:08:07 +0000

When you draft last in the first round you tend to take a chance. I think Jeremy Morin from the US Under18 team might fall because of the problems where he got suspended from the Five Nations Tournament. This kid is supposedly the BEST SHOOTER in the draft. Recruited by both North Dakota and BU he’s supposedly off to the Kitchener Rangers. Hello – and welcome to the Penguins. Anyhow that’s my pick.

By: Ron Malore

Ron Malore — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:27:10 +0000

I believe that starting late tonight and then in to tomorrow afternoon we are going to see a lot of trading. We already know that the best way to build a team is through the draft and I also believe that the salary cap (I don’t think the Player Association vote has been announced yet) but it is either going to be around what it was this year, or less. Older teams are going to have to be very creative to shed payroll and I think we might see some interesting trade maneuvers by the Capitals, Rangers, Flyers and Bruins trading players for draft picks. Players involved could be Gomez, Nylander, Briere, and Kessel. None of these teams can afford these contracts. I think the Penguins will sit tight and just watch. They have three of the first 63 picks and this will put our new scouting group to the test. Staal’s ($4 mil) and Malkin’s ($8.7 mil) kick in and that’s why I don’t think Krundle’s “Gonchar may be traded” isn’t so far fetched.
How about a Gonchar to Minnesota?
Gonchar and our third round pick to the Wild for Minnesota’s P-M Bouchard.

By: MS FORECZECH

MS FORECZECH — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:46:08 +0000

Speed is a key and so is the right-handed shot that’s why I think the Pens will select Kyle Palmieri. He’s both. In the private Q & A sessions during the combine if he answered his reasoning for being kicked off the team well I think he’s picked. While other teams don’t like the controversy around what happened and we (all positions considered) don’t need a center it still gets down to the best player available.
The Penguins then have the last pick (61st) and 2nd pick in the third round (63rd)- My picks here are: defensive- defenseman Seth Helgeson who is 6’3″, 225 and still growing. Big, physical, strong. He played for Sioux City in the USHL and is already set to play for the Minnesota Gophers this year. The Penguins take a short breath and then select with the Lightning’s 3rd round pick (via Malone trade) goalie and Robin Lehner, 6′-3″, 225 with the Vastra Frölunda Indians.
(30) Kyle Palmieri,C
(61) Seth Helgeson,D
(63) Robin Lehner,G

(If this happens I’ll start my own blog site)

By: McLovin

McLovin — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:14:41 +0000

I think speed will be a key issue, but getting a few players with right handed shots might be of importance also, someone who could one time one on the powerplay or on Crosby’s line.

I’m surprised the Shero isn’t signing more players, I imagine the players want to wait ’til free agency and see what they can get since they won the cup, or Shero is saving his funds for a big free agent.

Because the Penguins are so far down the draft, they most likely will take best player available, and throw him into a trade at deadline to get a rental player for another run at the cup, it seems to be the way you have to do it in this age of salary cap.

By: Boombastic

Boombastic — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:05:07 +0000

I don’t think Krieder will be available at 30th——– but Kyle Palmieri off the USNTDP may be and he went through some shit being kicked off the team for not ratting out some teammates.
I think they may nab a goalie but not until the 4th round where a couple of those two you mentioned might still be available. I think Zach Budish out of Edina HS, MN might be worth a shot.
I see you are bailing on the signing of Fedotenko—– why’s that?