TSN potential 2003 1st rounders in nhl this year

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Whether this means there's a chance 18-year-old Marc-Andre Fleury will actually be tending goal for the Penguins this season depends first upon how well he plays in some upcoming exhibition games and second, weather the Penguins can sign him to a contract. But the Penguins would do well to look at Dan Blackburn’s development, or lack thereof, with the New York Rangers and how the 20-years-old Blackburn is a strong candidate to start this season -- in the American League.



Fleury is one of a surprisingly high number of 2003 first round picks who are making strong bids to play in the NHL this season.



Carolina Hurricanes have been thoroughly impressed by centre Eric Staal, the number two overall pick, and he's going to get a very long look to the point where the 'Canes might try Josef Vasicek or Ron Francis on the wing to open up a spot at centre for him. Staal will play Friday night against the Florida Panthers in a preseason game and he'll be up against two more first round picks who are making strong bids to stick around in Florida; number three overall Nathan Horton and the number 25 pick Anthony Stewart.





Horton and Stewart are big, fast and strong - something both Mike Keenan and Rick Dudley are looking for. Florida has more depth than in the past but Dudley said that if the kids impress in the preseason games, he would gladly make room for them.



The preseason games will tell the tale and so too will be weather the respective teams can get contracts done for these players. That may be the bigger issue with this being the final year of the collective bargaining agreement than otherwise would be.



The Columbus Blue Jackets hope to learn by this weekend weather there's any chance of them getting number four overall pick, Nikolai Zherdev, in their lineup this season. The Jackets desperately want to the speedy Russian but he's under contract with the Central Army and may have to stay in Russia for another year.



San Jose Sharks first rounder, Milan Michalek, is billed as the most ready to play in the NHL this season and he's showing that at Sharks camp. Michalek’s physical testing was amongst the very best in the entire Sharks camp and he's a decent bet to play in the NHL this season.



Of all the first round picks, none came as more of a surprise than Minnesota's selection of Brampton Battalion forward Brent Burns with the 20th pick. And now he's the surprise at their entire camp. At 6'4" and 200 lbs., Burns led the Wilds preseason tourney in scoring.



At the time he was drafted, Burns was probably 100-1 shot to make the NHL this season. By the time camp started, he was probably down to 50-1. Now, the Wild are going to give him a long hard look and if he continues to impress, he's got a realistic shot to stay in the NHL this season.



For the record, these first round picks have to be signed by October 7th or they get returned to their junior clubs.



For TSN.CA, I'm Bob McKenzie.

Whether this means there's a chance 18-year-old Marc-Andre Fleury will actually be tending goal for the Penguins this season depends first upon how well he plays in some upcoming exhibition games and second, weather the Penguins can sign him to a contract. But the Penguins would do well to look at Dan Blackburn’s development, or lack thereof, with the New York Rangers and how the 20-years-old Blackburn is a strong candidate to start this season -- in the American League.



Fleury is one of a surprisingly high number of 2003 first round picks who are making strong bids to play in the NHL this season.



Carolina Hurricanes have been thoroughly impressed by centre Eric Staal, the number two overall pick, and he's going to get a very long look to the point where the 'Canes might try Josef Vasicek or Ron Francis on the wing to open up a spot at centre for him. Staal will play Friday night against the Florida Panthers in a preseason game and he'll be up against two more first round picks who are making strong bids to stick around in Florida; number three overall Nathan Horton and the number 25 pick Anthony Stewart.





Horton and Stewart are big, fast and strong - something both Mike Keenan and Rick Dudley are looking for. Florida has more depth than in the past but Dudley said that if the kids impress in the preseason games, he would gladly make room for them.



The preseason games will tell the tale and so too will be weather the respective teams can get contracts done for these players. That may be the bigger issue with this being the final year of the collective bargaining agreement than otherwise would be.



The Columbus Blue Jackets hope to learn by this weekend weather there's any chance of them getting number four overall pick, Nikolai Zherdev, in their lineup this season. The Jackets desperately want to the speedy Russian but he's under contract with the Central Army and may have to stay in Russia for another year.



San Jose Sharks first rounder, Milan Michalek, is billed as the most ready to play in the NHL this season and he's showing that at Sharks camp. Michalek’s physical testing was amongst the very best in the entire Sharks camp and he's a decent bet to play in the NHL this season.



Of all the first round picks, none came as more of a surprise than Minnesota's selection of Brampton Battalion forward Brent Burns with the 20th pick. And now he's the surprise at their entire camp. At 6'4" and 200 lbs., Burns led the Wilds preseason tourney in scoring.



At the time he was drafted, Burns was probably 100-1 shot to make the NHL this season. By the time camp started, he was probably down to 50-1. Now, the Wild are going to give him a long hard look and if he continues to impress, he's got a realistic shot to stay in the NHL this season.



For the record, these first round picks have to be signed by October 7th or they get returned to their junior clubs.



For TSN.CA, I'm Bob McKenzie.

He forgot Kesler, who has already signed with the 'Nucks and left college. Although, he seems destined for the Moose, you never know what will happen in preseason games.