While most Senators fans are anxiously waiting to see whether the organization will be trading up in the draft to land the coveted prospect that they like, I’ll be doing a lot of handwringing this afternoon trying to determine the best way to break the news to my girlfriend, who has spent the past two weeks in Italy, that I want to spend tonight watching the draft instead of belatedly celebrating our anniversary. Keep in mind that I don’t have much time to work with either – her plane lands sometime at around 5:30pm-6:00pm tonight – so wish me luck. If you have any suggestions, put them in the comment thread. If I like it, use it and it works – I’ll be sure to send some swag your way.
Yes, today’s the day for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft and like I mentioned in the previous paragraph, it’s a pretty big deal. While I may not use hyperbole to describe it as a draft that some are calling the biggest in the history of the Ottawa Senators franchise (it’s not), you cannot help but get caught up in the player activity and anticipation that accompanies the it. Well, unless you’re a Flyers fan – in that case, I wouldn’t blame you from spending the day in hockey purgatory trying to shake off the numbness that comes from being blindsided by yesterday’s trades.
In talking with Tim earlier today, I realized that The 6th Sens never published its own mock draft. Had we, it would have looked a little something like this:
- The player that the Oilers like is chosen
- Depends on who the Oilers take at #1.
- Depends on who Colorado passes up at #2.
- Blah blah blah
- Repeat
- Ottawa selects a player and inevitably offends some sect of the fan base that has never seen “said” prospect play.
“Karlsson was a garbage pick!”
I have to admit, I love seeing a fan base get itself all up in arms because the player that they preferred – an opinion based loosely from YouTube video highlight montages (that feature sick black metal overlays) and message board innuendo – was passed over.
It’s part of the romance and beauty of the draft – In spite of the 1,204,149 mock drafts that exist in circulation, today is still a day filled with intrigue and drama for armchair GMs everywhere.
Will the Senators will keep the sixth overall selection? Who they will take if they stay pat? Who could slide to them at six? Will they package the 21st overall selection with a secound rounder or two to get another early 1st round selection? And will I actually be able to watch the events unfold live?
Stay tuned…
If you’re up in the air as to what to do for tonight’s festivities, why not attend the unofficial Sens Draft Party at St. Louis’ Bar & Grill on Elgin Street? The details are below:
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