2004 Entry Draft Thread

I am keeping my fingers crossed that the boards stay up.

From today's Journal News (http://www.thejournalnews.com/newsroom/062604/c03w26devilsforweb.html)

The Devils hold the 22nd overall pick.

"If we could add more size," Lamoriello said, "whether through the draft or through a trade, that's a direction we might look."

20[1] Travis Zajac (C) Salmon Arm (BCHL)
155[5] Alexander Mikhailishin (D) Spartak Moscow
185[6] Josh Disher (G) (http://www.ottershockey.com/Redesign/pages/roster/disher.html) Erie (OHL)
216[7] Pierre-Luc Leblond-Letourneau (LW) Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)
217[7] Tyler Eckford (D) South Surrey (BCHL)
250[8] Nathan Perkovich (RW), Cedar Rapids (USHL)
282[9] Valeri Klimov (D) Spartak Moscow

They traded up two spots to take Zajac.

AND NOT MIKE GREEN.

Lou says everyone was very high on him and he fit the mold of a Devils player. So I really shouldn't be unhappy, but I was hoping that Mike Green would slip...

I love it. On TV they asked Lou how sold were they on him and he said it was consensus to everybody at the table to give up a 3rd rounder for Zajac. I think they did it again, great job.


By the way you gotta love that our two top centers five years from now will be Zack and Zajac. Sounds kinda cool.

"Travis Zajac is an especially smart player who has flown under the radar of most scouts until only several months before the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. An absolute game breaker, he is most of all an offensive player with all the tools you could ask for in a potential NHL scoring line player. A strong skater with amazing top-end speed, but even more impressively, he makes great moves while in top speed; a trait even few NHL players possess. Zajac has an edge to his game both physically and offensively. Not happy unless he's won something, he possesses an innate ability to galvanize his teammates both with his on-ice play and his off-ice leadership, and backs it up with great defensive awareness. His skating allows him to rundown almost anybody on the backcheck. This earned him a great deal of penalty-killing responsibilities as the season wore on. Top tier vision gives Zajac an impressive playmaking ability to go along with his already great package. He doesn't go into traffic as much as you'd like to see, nor is he quite as physical from game to game as you'd want.
Future

Zajac certainly has the talent and gumption to be a difference maker in the NHL. However, we will not know his true offensive potential until he has moved up into the pro ranks. If his offense matures and shows itself to be of professional calibur, Zajac could be a valuable scoring line player in the NHL. If it does not mature as he hopes, it's possible Zajac ends up being a bit more of a character player in a teams' bottom six. "

If you didn't know who this scouting report was written for and you were told it was for a young Mike Modano, would you have a problem believing that? Not suggesting that he will be like another Modano, I'm just saying...........

Kinda stings to give up that 3rd rounder, but I do like the pick of Zajac. Nice work by Lou and Conte today! :handclap:

Couldn't get in till 8:10 EDT. Not surprised.
Zajac could turn pro.
I didn't think so untill yesterday but he might not go to UND afterall,because the head coach just left yesterday for the CBJ.
Not sure it will make a difference, but they prob. won't have a coach for a few weeks.

Two drafts in a row predicted. Not bad after the previous two of Foster and Ahonen which nobody had a clue. Last year I felt strongly that Zach would drop and LL would move up if he had a shot. This year I felt they would go for best available talent [even if it was a Jr.B Fwd] http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20040626/SILVER26//?query=bchl and in the 3 posts I had this week I mentioned Travis in all of them, and said they would have to trade up or he'd have to drop to get it done.

Will he turn out better than Foster? I'd hope that both will be future NJ centermen but I've got my doubts . Hopefully Travis will be NJ's #3 in '06 with Zach #2 . #1 who knows, I like Scott but NJ needs size: We shall see.
For tomorrow:155[5],185[6]216,217[7],250[8],282[9]

OK, OK, I'm not so miffed that Zajac was picked over Green now.

Hopefully those offensive skills will carry over through the WCHA and more hopefully into his game in the NHL.

Wes O'Neill is still there, and we haven't got a 4th, wth is Lou doing???

If you didn't know who this scouting report was written for and you were told it was for a young Mike Modano, would you have a problem believing that? Not suggesting that he will be like another Modano, I'm just saying...........
You know I was thinking that myself, but we are absolutely stacked at center. Parise, Vrana, hell even Khomutov has a lot of potential. Although best player available is the philosophy...

I told you there was a chance O'Neill might drop like a lead balloon. If he is around at 155, Lou might take him. But I have a feeling we will be seeing a lot of Europeans taken by the Devils on Day Two.

Is David Conte looking more and more like Barney Rubble or is it just me? :)

Conte is a genius. :handclap: Hope he stays around for a while. :D

I don't think NJ had a 4th this year to begin with. Though I can't remember what the deal was...

I don't think NJ had a 4th this year to begin with. Though I can't remember what the deal was...
Marshal I'm pretty sure. NJ is going to come out of this draft with 3 players :) .


But seriously, did we really need to trade away a 3rd rounder to get Zajac?

We needed to get bigger up the middle and on D. They must really like this kid to give up a third to move up two spots. In a weak draft, they probably got a player they didn't think would be on the board and figured the Avs would jump on him. I like the pick, just hope we don't have to wait more then two years, instead of 3 or 4!

I heard the Devils were concerned Calgary would pick him up if they didn't make a move.

Calgary traded down by then already though, so they didn't want him. I think they were worried Colorado might pick him up though.

Even though I thought that other positions could have been addressed, with a guy like Mike Green for example, the Devils obviously think that Zajac was worth it. And there is no reason to question that with the success the team has had drafting in the past. He has tremendous upside and now the center ice position is even more deeper than it was. Parise, Zajac, Vrana, Khomutov and Foster? Wow. It just sucks that the Devils next pick isin't until the 5th round :cry: I can't remember anytime any team has had to wait this long inbetween picks. At least my draft review article won't have to be as lengthy. :joker:

You know I was thinking that myself, but we are absolutely stacked at center. Parise, Vrana, hell even Khomutov has a lot of potential. Although best player available is the philosophy...

There's something that hasn't been adressed here......no Adrian Foster, he's a center, but he can play wing too. You look at Parise, Vrana, and Khomutov, they're all lefties, what harm is there in having a 6'2 righty center with tons of potential? Let's just hope he's not the next Kozlov.

and with the 155th overall pick, the Devils finally select a defenseman, Russian ALEXANDER MIKHAILISHIN (http://centralscouting.nhl.com/amplayprofs.nsf/0/7b01dfcbba8dbfda85256c5900490ef3?OpenDocument&ExpandSection=1#_Section1).

http://www.ottawasun.com/Slam040609/nhl_draft-mck.html

Many teams looking to acquire a diamond in the rough late on day one will no doubt have Alexander Mikhailishin's name circled on their respective lists. The 6-foot-4, 195-pound property of Spartak, Moscow is a strapping rearguard who has showcased admirable defensive aptitude and willingness to play a nasty physical game. About as unrefined as they get at nearly every other facet, Mikhailishin is a rough skater and will have to improve his shooting and playmaking skills, as well as his vision. Size makes him impossible to ignore.

and with the 155th overall pick, the Devils finally select a defenseman, Russian ALEXANDER MIKHAILISHIN (http://centralscouting.nhl.com/amplayprofs.nsf/0/7b01dfcbba8dbfda85256c5900490ef3?OpenDocument&ExpandSection=1#_Section1).

http://www.ottawasun.com/Slam040609/nhl_draft-mck.html

Many teams looking to acquire a diamond in the rough late on day one will no doubt have Alexander Mikhailishin's name circled on their respective lists. The 6-foot-4, 195-pound property of Spartak, Moscow is a strapping rearguard who has showcased admirable defensive aptitude and willingness to play a nasty physical game. About as unrefined as they get at nearly every other facet, Mikhailishin is a rough skater and will have to improve his shooting and playmaking skills, as well as his vision. Size makes him impossible to ignore.


ick, 6'4 195, kinda skinny, hopefully he'll develope. Is O'Neill gone?

ick, 6'4 195, kinda skinny, hopefully he'll develope. Is O'Neill gone?

CS has him listed at 207.

yup, o'neill is gone. picked by the Isles in the 4th round.

CS has him listed at 207.

yup, o'neill is gone. picked by the Isles in the 4th round.

Rats, did he go before or after the pick that we traded to Columbus?

Before.

155 N.J ALEXANDER MIKHAILISHIN 2/24/1986 Moscow, Russia RU 6' 4" 207 RPL SPARTAK 2 D L

185 N.J
(from N.J) JOSH DISHER 6/24/1985 Chatham, Ont. CA 6' 1" 164 OHL ERIE G L

216 N.J PIERRE-LUC LEBLOND-LETOURNEAU 6/4/1985 Levis, Que. CA 6' 2" 208 QMJHL BAIE COMEAU LW L

217 N.J TYLER ECKFORD 9/8/1985 Vancouver, B.C. CA 6' 1" 205 BCHL SOUTH SURREY D L

250 N.J
(from N.J) NATHAN PERKOVICH 10/15/1985 Canton, Mich. US 6' 5" 195 USHL CEDAR RAPIDS RW R

And to round out their picks, New Jersey selected Valeri Klimov of Spartak 2. A teammate of our 5th rounder.

282 N.J VALERI KLIMOV 7/17/1986 Moscow, Russia RU 6' 3" 202 RPL SPARTAK 2 D L

So. Seven picks later:

One center...
Three defensemen...
One left winger...
One right winger...
One goalie...

Devils went with size this draft, the smallest guy they picked is Disher (6'1", 164 lbs., should he be a netminder known for passing well because his name is Disher?).

Anyone got any info about Disher, Leblond-Letorneau, Eckford, Perkovich, or Klimov?

Devils went with size this draft, the smallest guy they picked is Disher (6'1", 164 lbs., should he be a netminder known for passing well because his name is Disher?).

Anyone got any info about Disher, Leblond-Letorneau, Eckford, Perkovich, or Klimov?

Here's a thing on Eckford (http://www.uafhockey.com/0304/nm/040504.html)

Eckford, a 6-1, 200-pound defenseman from Langley, British Columbia, has played the last two seasons with the South Surrey Eagles of the BCHL. During the 2003-04 season, he finished with seven goals and 30 assists for 37 points. He had 101 penalty minutes in 58 regular-season games and added two goals and eight assists in 13 playoff games. Eckford earned the Eagles' Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player awards this past season.

"Tyler is a smooth-skating defender who sees the ice well," said UAF assistant coach Jason Lammers. "He's very physical and strong on his skates. I think Tyler will bring a little bit of an attitude to our defense and should be a factor in our power play."

Eckford is commited to Alaska Fairbanks in the NCAA next year, thats all i got.

I'm sure someone around here must have seen Disher play?

Here's a scouting report on him:

http://www.slamsports.com/Slam040417/nhl_draft2-mck.html

Josh Disher - C (Erie) - '85-born goalie emerged as a workhorse in Erie this season, logging a league-high 3,524 minutes, before standing on his head in the first round of the playoffs against the Sarnia Sting, stealing one game for the Otters by himself. Says our OHL scout: "He's an outstanding athlete with superb quickness and a penchant for game-saving stops. His leg quickness is outstanding and he moves very well laterally. He plays the angles effectively and gets on and off his feet quickly and smoothly. Plays very square to the shooter. I'd like to see someone take a chance on him in the mid-to-late rounds. He didn't fare as well against London, however, his overall improvement since the start of this season, especially considering he was just a 12th-round OHL pick, is exactly the kind of progress that NHL scouts are looking for."

But seriously, did we really need to trade away a 3rd rounder to get Zajac?

When I heard the trade, I thought we should have gotten another pick back. Something like the 150ish pick Dallas gave up when they traded the 22nd, but really are we going to miss the 150ish pick?

TSN had him rated at 14th, so if we had moved up to 14th to get him would you mind parting with the 88th pick?

Is the BCHL the same league as the BCJHL that Voros was playing in when he was picked in 2001, or at least the same level?

I saw Leblond-Letorneau play a number of times this year. He's a **** disturber...but what Drakkar player isn't? Not a bad skater and little offensive skills. A pesky 4th liner.

Lou picked up tons of size. Gotta be happy with that.

Late rounders Perkovich and Eckford won't even be going to college untill sept.'05.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++
Lou Lamoriello, Devils general manager, said it's just a coincidence that his team has drafted several UND players high in recent years.

This year marked the second year in a row the Devils have traded up to get a Sioux player. New Jersey had the 22nd choice, but when they saw Zajac available at 20, Lamoriello made a move. [Like others I have to assume Lou knew what Colorado and following pick were likely to do. He didn't want to give the 3rd,but if you feel strongly about a guy you do it] He traded first-round picks with Dallas, and gave the Stars the Devils' third-round pick in the draft.

"Our scouts have been very high on him," Lamoriello said. "(The trade) was something we talked about at the table. Were we willing to give up a third-round pick? I looked (at my staff) and said, 'Do you feel as though it's worth it?' and they said 'Absolutely.'"

ESPN2 commentators said Zajac made a name for himself in Toronto at the NHL Combine, where he was off the chart in his physical testing.

"People compare me to (Toronto's) Joe Nieuwendyk," Zajac said. "I'm an offensive player as much as I am a defensive player. That's one of the better parts of my game."

Zajac had 43 goals and 69 assists for 112 points for the Salmon Arm (B.C.) Silverbacks last season.

Neither Zajac nor Stafford have plans to leave UND for the NHL yet. The Sabres even made it a point to say Stafford will remain in college at least one more year.

Tremendous job, ratsgirl.

Yesterday got me thinking about the future, especially next season, whenever that will be.


Check out this lineup:

Elias--Gomez--Bondra/Gionta
Friesen--Parise/Conroy--Langenbrunner
Madden<-->Hrdina--Gionta/Bondra
Rasmussen/Brylin--Conroy/Parise--Rob Niedermayer/Marshall

Rafalski--Hale
Scott Niedermayer--White
Brown<-->Martin
Giroux or Stevens???

Marty
Ahonen



Anaheim is looking to cut back on salary. I think we could get Rob Niedermayer for Jay Pandolfo and that may get Scotty to sign a long-term deal with us and retire a Devil. We can only hope so!

If we let Kozlov walk, Lou would have the money to sign Craig Conroy. I would like Lou to sign Peter Bondra for one season, even though that is not his m.o. It would give Suglobov a full season to develop in Albany.

If Scott Stevens can come back, Sean Brown becomes the seventh defenseman. If he doesn't, maybe Lou can re-sign Ray Giroux and he'll have a little extra money to play with. By the time Conroy is gone, in say three years, Travis Zajac will be ready to step in. If Ahonen proves not to be the heir apparent, we have Smith and Disher and Lou may draft a top-level goalie like a Montoya when Marty's contract runs out.

BTW, I have a good feeling about this Draft, especially Alex Mikhailishin.

Later... :D

Lou doens't sign big free agents. It doesn't happen. I can't see Bondra or Conroy coming to the swamp.

It is about time Lou breaks with his own tradition and sign a couple of free agents. Especially if he has the money to do so.

It is about time Lou breaks with his own tradition and sign a couple of free agents. Especially if he has the money to do so.
If everyone is going to be money cautious, why would the Devils be any different. Besides the payroll is already around 50 million, not exactly cheap.

That was the first name that popped into my head also after I read that. Pretty cool that the CSB was throwing around phrases like "exceptional hockey sense" along with "go-to-guy in clutch situations" in describing Zajac since last years Devils team really didn't have a proverbial "go-to-guy" you could regularly count on for that game tying or game winning goal. No disrespect to Gionta or Elias intended. Its just become pretty normal to see a different guy every night stepping things up late in games.
I think the reason that Zajac slipped as far as he did was the level of competition he went against, if he played in the top junior leagues I doubt he would have slipped to 20th.

I would be intersted to know why he didn't play in the top juniors and instead played where he did from posters who are more familiar in how these canadian leagues work? PEli. Jmac??

But just like you my first instinct when hearing the scouting reports of a young prospect that the Devils have drafted is try to compare him to a established player in the NHL. When we drated Paul Martin it was hard to compare him to anybody since there was so much little info on him but after watching him play for the Gophers I realized that he reminded me of another american dman Gary Suter, and it's great to see that I might have been right in that call or at least close to that. But for every player that I judge right I also have misjudged others as others have. And I think that's why I am so interested in the future prospects, it's like a game.

Good move by Lou and the Devils in the NHL Draft this weekend! :handclap: Zajac being the 1st round pick was just sweet! :D All players drafted by Lou and the Devils have the size that the Devils need and no one under six feet tall...

Thanks for all the info.

I feel more confident (and knowledgeable) about the Devils' draft this year.

Good move by Lou and the Devils in the NHL Draft this weekend! :handclap: Vajac being the 1st round pick was just sweet! :D All players drafted by Lou and the Devils have the size that the Devils need and no one under six feet tall...

I hope you meant Zajac

Tremendous job, ratsgirl.

Yesterday got me thinking about the future, especially next season, whenever that will be.


Check out this lineup:

Elias--Gomez--Bondra/Gionta
Friesen--Parise/Conroy--Langenbrunner
Madden<-->Hrdina--Gionta/Bondra
Rasmussen/Brylin--Conroy/Parise--Rob Niedermayer/Marshall

Rafalski--Hale
Scott Niedermayer--White
Brown<-->Martin
Giroux or Stevens???

Marty
Ahonen



No way we get Bondra. $$$ issues. I see Friesen on there too. If Lou makes a qualifying offer to Friesen for $3 million, Gomez better ask for $4 million in arbitration. Signing Conroy only to banish him to the 4th line is not a good idea. He is a #1 or #2 center. I like our #1 guy (Gomez) and our #2 (Parise). Conroy should not be a Devil unless Lou truly is planning on trading Gomez. I like the addition of Rob Niedermayer at the loss of Pando, but you might as well put him in Pando's place. Niedermayer isn't a 4th line winger. Here's what I'd like to see.

Gio-Gomez-Elias
Murray (Glenn)-Parise-Langenbruuner
Niedermayer*-Madden-Draper
Rasmussen-Hrdina-Stevenson/Marshall**

Niedermayer-White
Rafy-Stevens
Martin-White

Brodeur
Ahonen***

* If Anaheim wants to trade Niedermayer for Pando and a pick, I'd do it in a heartbeat. It might be the one thing that keeps (Scott) Niedermayer in a Devils sweater next year.
** No Brylin anywhere. I like the little guy, but there is no place on this roster for him if we keep Hrdina. I like a big line for our 4th line, so I don't want the little guy there. If we don't sign Draper (and honestly, we probably won't), I would consider putting him on the third line with Madden and Rob Nieds.
*** I like Ahonen up this year. Clemmensen won't re-sign. If Ahonen wouldn't mind one more year down in Albany, I wouldn't object to signing Chris Osgood to a one-year deal to backup Marty.

That was the first name that popped into my head also after I read that. Pretty cool that the CSB was throwing around phrases like "exceptional hockey sense" along with "go-to-guy in clutch situations" in describing Zajac since last years Devils team really didn't have a proverbial "go-to-guy" you could regularly count on for that game tying or game winning goal. No disrespect to Gionta or Elias intended. Its just become pretty normal to see a different guy every night stepping things up late in games.

I'd have to disagree with you there. ELias is among the most clutch goal scorers in the NHL.

9 GWG, about 4 of them in OT. Regular season other than Sundin, Elias may have been the most clutch player in the league.

Zajac played in the BCHL because if he went WHL he wouldn't be eligible for US colleges like UND ect. It is the same thing Voror did.

I'd rather play in the dub, then in UND

I'd rather play in the dub, then in UND
I wouldn't.......A full four years at a top University for free which is worth upwords of 120 000 american vs 50 bucks a week playing in the CHL.

I wouldn't.......A full four years at a top University for free which is worth upwords of 120 000 american vs 50 bucks a week playing in the CHL.

Rather be in Canada than the States, honestly, but that's just one mans opinion, you don't have to share it.

I wouldn't.......A full four years at a top University for free which is worth upwords of 120 000 american vs 50 bucks a week playing in the CHL.

You do know that teams give players education packages in the CHL, right? A recent example of this is James Sheppard with Cape Breton. He will have post secondary education paid for when he is finished with the Eagles. If he chooses to pursue it, that is.

And it's more than $50 a week.

I hope you meant Zajac



Yes it was a typo error and I meant Zajac... :p:

Problem is, and I should have qualified this further in the original post, in order to advance and make some real playoff noise, you need your best players to be their very best in the second season. Elias, Gomez, and Gionta had decent, albeit inconsistent offensive successes against Philadelphia, but this same Elias clutch factor established over 82 games was nowhere to be found in any of the 5 playoff games. The year before this, it was the same story as well when guys like Langenbrunner, Madden, Niedermayer, and Friesen were undeniably more clutch then Elias was through 4 rounds. Again, not a knock on Elias just for the sake of knocking him mind you as I really enjoy watching him grow and improve year to year with NJ, but his penchant for playoff domination seems to have tapered off pretty significantly since the A line was dismantled.I think it has less to do with Elias and more to do with the Devils' lack of scoring depth. In the playoffs, teams shorten the bench and try to force other teams to beat them with role players. Nobody really stepped up this year. All Philly really had to do was stop the EGG line. They did for the most part, and so endeth the Devils playoff run.

I'm as deadset against scapegoating one player for the teams early playoff demise as much as anyone (by all means its shortsighted to do that), but just for the sake of discussing the clutch factor of Elias over the course of the last 5 Devils postseason rounds, how many times have you found yourself saying "Patrik Elias saves the day again for NJ late in the game" like you may have against a team like the Rangers, Penguins, or Isles in the regular season? He wasn't even contending for the Conn Smythe the year JS Giguere won out over guys like Niedermayer, Madden, and Brodeur and he's the best offensive weapon NJ has not to mention one of the most responsible two way forwards they ice night to night. Somethings strange with that imo when he can be a top MVP during the regular season.

I seem to recall a particular game 7 in the 2000 playoffs.

Final score:

Elias - 2
Flyers - 1

I seem to recall a particular game 7 in the 2000 playoffs.

Final score:

Elias - 2
Flyers - 1

I'm not sure if this is right, but I heard somewhere that Elias has more goals in playoff game 7s then any other active player in the nhl. Anyone know if this is true?

I'm not sure if this is right, but I heard somewhere that Elias has more goals in playoff game 7s then any other active player in the nhl. Anyone know if this is true?

I know he had 2 in 2000 against Philly in that game, and 2 in 2001 against Toronto in 2001 in the conference semis. So that's 4.......what other game 7's has he played? Pittsburgh in 99, the Avs in 2001, Ottawa in 2003, and Anahiem in 2003, yet he didn't score against Colorado, Ottawa and Anahiem, can't recall the 99 Pittsburgh series. Other than that.......he hasn't scored........so I think?

I would be intersted to know why he didn't play in the top juniors and instead played where he did from posters who are more familiar in how these canadian leagues work? PEli. Jmac??

He wanted to go to UND. Once you play in the CHL, you're not allowed to play in the NCAA. Those are NCAA rules. The BCHL is a different league than the CHL and players who want to go to the NCAA generally go through a league like the BCHL.

Disher is an excellent selection for those of you who want some info on him.

He came out of nowhere this year practically to grab the Erie Otters starting goaltending position. And In turn, the Otters came out of nowhere to have a surprising season in which they made it to the second round of the playoffs. The Otters were expected to be a bottom 5 team.

He was the biggest workhorse in the OHL this year and was one of the main reasons for the Otters surprising emergence. He's a very quick butterfly goalie who just improved so much from the beginning of the year to the end. His progression was fantastic.

I think he's a real diamond in the rough and if he continues to show the improvement he did this year, then Conte and the Devs got another steal on their hands.