Blue Blood: The Draft

On June 22, 2012 it will be the the most anticipated day on Leafs fan calendars across the world since 2008.

4 years ago the Leafs held the 7th overall pick which was then traded up two spots to no. 5 for two conditional picks. Pick no. 6 turned out to be a massive bust, (Nikita Filatov) while no. 7 is still in the works. (Colin Wilson) With the 5th overall pick the Leafs chose Luke Schenn who is now the longest serving Maple Leaf on the team.

The pick did not turn out to be too bad considering Schenn has lead defenseman in categories like blocked shots and hits each of his 4 seasons.

Enough about the past though. In Leafs nation it is all about the future because we all know how dark and sad the past has been to us (45 years to be exact). This time around the Maple Leafs hold their own 5th overall pick in what some are calling a 'strong draft'. Of course the rumors go around with who is going to take who, and who is going to make a big shakeup. I can tell you I am here to add more suspense to those rumors. It has been said that the top 2 picks are made out to be NHL superstars one day, while pick 3 is said to become a very good NHL player. Picks 4 and 5 usually are key members on their teams in the future, and picks 6 through the end of the draft is all risk. This is why picking 5th is such an important factor in the Leafs system. This player could be the next Luke Schenn or Phil Kessel who were also picked 5th overall in their perspective years.

Tambellini, Howsen, Beregevin, Snow and Burke have been very busy for the past couple of months, because they were not even close to the playoffs their main focus has been the draft. Each and every one of the top 5 teams are said move up which can not play out, but I did hear one thing. Burke who is known for his ridiculous trades in the 1999 NHL draft in which he selected 2 and 3 and landed the Sedin twins. We all know how that turned out to be. The 2012 NHL draft is the closest thing to the 1999 one where two teammates could go right next to each other. Nail Yakupov and Alex Galchenyuk are teammates on the Sarnia Sting. Both are said to go in the top 5. Nail at no. 1 and Alex is anywhere from 2-5. If any team were to land both it could be the next best thing to the Sedin draft.

All there is, is speculation up until your favorite team announces who they will be picking. I will and you should too, watch the draft throughout the entire first round and watch the madness happen. You could be seeing the next Crosby or the next Patrik Stefan (Biggest bust in NHL history). To round this off I will leave you with a NHL mock draft supplied to us by mynhldraft.com where you can check out full details on this years draft and where the Toronto Maple Leafs will be picking. The next Wendel Clarke, maybe?