Roll the dice and hope for the best. That’s what watching the draft feels like, even first round picks may not pan out and 7th rounders can prove to be real steals. So I watched the draft hopefully, despite the fact that my two favorite teams had so few picks – and neither had one in the first round.
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I paid more attention to the Avs than the Pens, because, let’s face it – I am an Avs fan 24/7/365 . . . I’m a Pens fan, for the most part, just during the season (sorry Pens fans, but it’s next to impossible to follow two teams THAT closely unless it’s your job). That said, these are my two favorite draft picks by Colorado: Tessier and Delmas.
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We traded our 2003 draft pick Brad Richardson to LA to grab another pick in the second round. So 61st overall we picked the 3rd rated North American goalie – Peter Delmas. I don’t know why, but I just have a good feeling about this kid – and hope he doesn’t prove me wrong. It will be interesting to see how he develops over the next few years. With the Avs “goalie situation” (as we refer to it – making it sound like an embarassing disease acquired through illicit behavior)it is hard as a fan to patiently wait and see which of our goalie draft picks pans out. We so badly want a franchise goalie – NOW! So I wish Delmas the best of luck as he moves forward in the Avs system – and I hope he might even be able to crack into the Monsters line up next year.
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My next favorite pick is Tessier – there’s a spark in him like Mugsy Bogues (sorry to drop the b-ball reference in there). He’s small, he knows it, and he knows the thing that will make the biggest difference for him is his quickness and speed. I love the fact that he played for Roy, his favorite player is Sakic and his favorite team is the Avs. I think those things will drive him to work harder than other draft picks would – just to have the chance to play for his favorite team – under the rafters of the Can – beneath #19 and #33 (as both jerseys will likely be hanging there in tribute to their great careers by the time Tessier cracks the NHL).
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Aprt from the Avs, the biggest story to catch my eye was that of TB 7th round pick, Carle. Not because I follow Tampa Bay, but because I follow DU – where he was to have played hockey for the Pioneers next year. As we all know, that will no longer happen. But both DU and Tampa Bay proved just how class they are, and the sport of hockey is with what they have done to show their support of the kid’s hard work – in spite of the dream crushing blow he lately suffered. Gwozdecky and the guys at DU are honoring Carle’s scholarship and have said he is welcome to participate with the team in whatever capacity he wishes. Tampa Bay, of course used their final draft pick to take a guy they know will never play in the NHL – just because he EARNED a spot on those boards. I’m sorry, but if that doesn’t get you at least a little misty eyed then you have no soul. Just one more reason I love hockey. (As if I needed another one . . . )
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So all in all a good draft for the NHL in general and the Avs in particular. Only time will tell – and I just have to remind myself to be patient and hope for the best.
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(oh, and just because it’s been a while since I closed a post like this – GO AVS!!!)