GM Paul Holmgren’s wise move to ditch Philly’s first round, 23rd pick to Nashville for Kimmo Timonen looks great but I’m not sure he had that in mind all along or it became plan B when Chicago picked up Samsonov. Sorry, the ghosts of Bobby Clarke’s recent, disastrous choices still linger, especially on the blueline with Hatcher (one season left). The forward Philly got with this arrangement is more of a wait-and-see matter. Sure he scored 20 goals, etc. yet somehow they get snakebit after they don the jersey; see Kyle Calder. I think the acquisition of Timonen will also lead to them dealing Pitkanen away for some more new blood.
The draft is this weekend. I figure it’ll be carried on VS…just checked, the first round only and the remainder will be with the NHL Network, a cable channel only available in Canada. One day I hope.