DRAFT REVIEW
The top two players under consideration for the second overall pick in the draft last Sunday, where C David McIntyre and D Andrew Bodnarchuk. So with McIntyre going first overall to the Owls, it appear certain that Bodnarchuk was going to be select by the Misconducts. However, when the card was turned it, the name was not Bodnarchuk. Instead the player chosen by the Misconducts was LW Andy Sackrison. When reached for comment as to why Sackrison was the selection over Bodnarchuk, GM Robby Blaze stated the following
" Andy Sackrison was always the focus of the team. In fact we had rated first on our board by a wide margain. We believe he is an eventual star in this league and we really like his scoring potential. He is going to look nice on our second line There were some pretty goalies available this year as well, but with Carey Price already on board there was no need to select a goalie high in the draft. Don't get me wrong we liked Andrew Bodnarchuk a lot and believe he will end up being one of the best dmen out this years group. However, we also had two other dmen ranked right up there with him . . and believed . . and were right . . . that could get one of those dmen at number 14. " That defenseman he illued to was Cody Wild. A big strong dman who will be a force for years to come with the Misconducts. He is a little prone to taking penalties but that doesn't seem to bother the GM or coach Jacques Lemaire. Coach Lemaire had this to say about the draft. " Our GM did a great job in this draft class . . . Sackrison should be a valueable addition to our team . . we had a lot of trouble putting the puck in the net last year . . . He'll step right in and help us in that department. Wild on the other . . will be one of our top four dmen right out of the bat . . .last year we traded away a lot of our toughness on defense it showed a lot. We needed that big nasty dmen to clear the front of the net and make sure no one takes advantage of Price. We pick up some other decent prospects too . . .that maybe in a year or two will really help this origanization move forward. "
" Andy Sackrison was always the focus of the team. In fact we had rated first on our board by a wide margain. We believe he is an eventual star in this league and we really like his scoring potential. He is going to look nice on our second line There were some pretty goalies available this year as well, but with Carey Price already on board there was no need to select a goalie high in the draft. Don't get me wrong we liked Andrew Bodnarchuk a lot and believe he will end up being one of the best dmen out this years group. However, we also had two other dmen ranked right up there with him . . and believed . . and were right . . . that could get one of those dmen at number 14. " That defenseman he illued to was Cody Wild. A big strong dman who will be a force for years to come with the Misconducts. He is a little prone to taking penalties but that doesn't seem to bother the GM or coach Jacques Lemaire. Coach Lemaire had this to say about the draft. " Our GM did a great job in this draft class . . . Sackrison should be a valueable addition to our team . . we had a lot of trouble putting the puck in the net last year . . . He'll step right in and help us in that department. Wild on the other . . will be one of our top four dmen right out of the bat . . .last year we traded away a lot of our toughness on defense it showed a lot. We needed that big nasty dmen to clear the front of the net and make sure no one takes advantage of Price. We pick up some other decent prospects too . . .that maybe in a year or two will really help this origanization move forward. "
As predicted the day before the draft, the Misconducts did make a move in the draft with all of there picks. In fact they made two trades on draft day. One saw them move a 2nd round pick and two 3rd round picks to jump back into the late first round. With that selection they select C Brent Gwidt. He is a year or two away from making the pro team. They believe he will eventually develop into a 1st or 2nd line center. In fact rumors have it that Gwidt was the number one ranked C on their draft board even ahead of McIntyre who went 1st OV. They believe they could have landed one of the steals of the draft when they grabbed him at 22. Their other trade saw they ship out D Filip Kuba for a 3rd pick. Other selections included C Tony Romano , LW Devin Didiomete , RW Lukas Zeliska , D Kyle Henegan , D Joe Charlebois , and D Myles Stoesz . All are expect to at least start the year out in Phoenix for the Felony, with Didiomete, Gwidt, and Romano the most likely to get called up if someone goes down for a long period of time.
FA PREVIEW
Up until a few hours ago, The Misconducts Cap Strategiest as told to work on constructing a contract for a RFA that could not be matched by the other team. The documents were thought to be drawn up a few days ago and upper management was trying to decide between six RFA. The feeling was that it made more sense for the present and future to bring in a young superstar who is in the same age range of Sackrison, Wild, Price, Eric Nystrom, and Matt Ellison. However, upper management has now decide to focus on securring a few UFA to round out there roster. The reason being floated around for this change in strategy is that the Misconducts have struck a deal with an unnamed team for a young budding superstar. GM Blaze would not comment on trade rumors as he said league rules prohibit him for discussing players on other teams. He did say however that the team is looking for a veteran to play left wing on the third line, a backup goalie, and a fourth line center. He did however say that if they don't get the left wing or center that they can fill the positions within. Also, when questioned about defensemen he stated that you can never have too much, but that he is pretty much content to go into the season playing the guys he has here. With plenty of cap room to spend and with lots of good young prospects , don't be surprised to see the Misconducts go after a few players before the preseason starts. And with the way that the Eastern Conference was last season one or two good additions could put the Misconducts right back in the playoff hunt.
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