For starters, every team comes away loving their picks. Five days later, I still can't get over what Chicago and Tampa Bay did. To make matters worse in TB, the Lightning had to hand over Rob Zamuner and other considerations just for the privilege of hiring Rick Dudley. But there I go, being a cynical and negative writer again. I have to stop that.
Today is for saluting the winners of the draft.
While every team thinks they had a great day Saturday, these teams actually did. Whether they go to the Hall of Fame, as one Islanders scout predicts, or not, the Sedins are a great story for the game, the league and the Canucks. Brian Burke should be applauded for pulling all the involved teams together and getting it done on draft day. Neil Smith had an incredible 24 hours in Beantown. Now when the club signs Theo Fleury, Stephane Quintal, Ulf Samuelsson and whomever else in the next few days, it can still boast three awesome teenagers in Brendl, Lundmark and Malhotra.