GARRIOCH: The talk is heating up with the first round of the NHL draft set for Tuesday | Ottawa Sun
"While most feel the Los Angeles Kings are going to take centre Quinton Byfield of the Sudbury Wolves No. 2 overall after the New York Rangers make Alexis Lafreniere of the Rimouski Oceanic the No. 1 selection, there’s a growing sentiment general manager Rob Blake might surprise everybody".
"With assistant GM Mike Futa shown the door earlier this year, the belief is the Kings thinking may have changed where the draft is concerned and the club might be leaning towards forward Tim Stutzle of Mannheim in the German league with the No. 2 pick".
Blake will run the draft with director of player personnel Nelson Emerson and top scout Mark Yanetti.
“That thinking may be out there because Futa isn’t there anymore,” a league executive said Saturday. “It’s not that Blake and Emerson aren’t Ontario guys, but Futa was more of an OHL guy. Blake and Emerson are from Ontario, but they’re less OHL-slanted because they’re both Bowling State University guys.”
"The executive also said the Kings may be fuelling these rumours of taking Stutzle to see if they can get the Senators to pay something to move to No. 2. Dorion has stated publicly he’d be pleased to get either Stutzle or Byfield at No. 3 so it’s doubtful you’re going to see a switch of picks.
One aspect you have to realize is projections change daily. One day you hear the Kings are taking the 6-foot-4 Byfield and the next you’re told they’re leaning towards Stuztle. By Tuesday afternoon people will have a good idea which way Blake is going to go but until then the guessing game will continue"
"While most feel the Los Angeles Kings are going to take centre Quinton Byfield of the Sudbury Wolves No. 2 overall after the New York Rangers make Alexis Lafreniere of the Rimouski Oceanic the No. 1 selection, there’s a growing sentiment general manager Rob Blake might surprise everybody".
"With assistant GM Mike Futa shown the door earlier this year, the belief is the Kings thinking may have changed where the draft is concerned and the club might be leaning towards forward Tim Stutzle of Mannheim in the German league with the No. 2 pick".
Blake will run the draft with director of player personnel Nelson Emerson and top scout Mark Yanetti.
“That thinking may be out there because Futa isn’t there anymore,” a league executive said Saturday. “It’s not that Blake and Emerson aren’t Ontario guys, but Futa was more of an OHL guy. Blake and Emerson are from Ontario, but they’re less OHL-slanted because they’re both Bowling State University guys.”
"The executive also said the Kings may be fuelling these rumours of taking Stutzle to see if they can get the Senators to pay something to move to No. 2. Dorion has stated publicly he’d be pleased to get either Stutzle or Byfield at No. 3 so it’s doubtful you’re going to see a switch of picks.
One aspect you have to realize is projections change daily. One day you hear the Kings are taking the 6-foot-4 Byfield and the next you’re told they’re leaning towards Stuztle. By Tuesday afternoon people will have a good idea which way Blake is going to go but until then the guessing game will continue"