Let the record show.

The consensus number one pick in the NHL draft this year was Taylor Hall. Tyler Seguin is basically a year younger, put up similar offensive numbers and could possibly end up being much better than Hall. Let the record show that like the Edmonton Oilers did, I would have drafted Hall with the first pick. He played well at the world juniors, back to back memorial cup MVPs and he plays a little tougher. If Seguin turns into a star, and Hall a bust, I won't be one of the people using hindsight to criticizing the Oiler's pick.

Also let the record show:

I think Micheal Grabner is really fucking speedy. Grabner plus the first round pick is a lot to give up for Ballard, but it's time for the Vancouver Canucks to try to win the cup. I'd do this trade. It could end up being a lighter version of Dallas trading Joe Nieuwendyk to the Calgary for a prospect in 95. As it turns out they traded away Jerome Iginla which is only fine because the Stars won a cup and Nieuwendyke the playoff MVP.

I think the NY Rangers out thought themselves on draft day. They never thought Fowler(projected 4) and Gormley(projected 5) would be there at ten, they looked at the rest of the D men and fell in love with McIlrath. Their drafting history isn't good enough to be making leaps like that. Given McIlrath's pre-draft ranked around 15, I think this was the worst pick of the day. Even if you're going to draft McIlrath have the presence to trade down.

If I were running the Leafs I would have drafted Kirill Kabanov in the third round. He's got lottery talent but dropped to the third round because he's been an asshole all year, dropped by two teams and an agency. Given that historically 26% of picks 61-75 go on to play 100 games in the show (Numbers Game), I'd be inclined to see if the kid learned anything on his fall from grace. Too bad he went to the Islanders and we'll never get to see if he could have turned into anything.

I think that Pittsburgh trading a conditional 7th round pick for the negotiating rights to Hamhuis is the most understated great move of the week. Even if they don't sign Hamhuis, this puts a shit tonne of pressure on Gonchar and his agent.

Hockey or Die pointed it out somewhere and I agree. Erik Gudbranson the third overall pick sounded like a very smart dude for his age. Since I don't really know jack about any of these players that's enough to sway me to thinking that was the best pick at that spot.

I've been slow posting lately but will probably have something hockey related for free agency, check back later in the week.