HLOG Mock Draft

Picking will begin Monday June 9; the first pick is due by 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time. Time between picks during rounds 1 and 2 is 15 minutes; time between picks during rounds 3, 4 and 5 is 10 minutes; time between picks during rounds 6 and 7 is 5 minutes. I will report all picks here. Let's have a little fun!

General Managers

Anaheim Ducks –
Atlanta Thrashers – Teka
Boston Bruins –
Buffalo Sabres –
Calgary Flames –
Carolina Hurricanes –
Chicago Blackhawks – Amy
Colorado Avalanche –
Columbus Blue Jackets – Bethany (Assistant: Amy)
Dallas Stars – Cat
Detroit Red Wings – Steph
Edmonton Oilers – Kirsten
Florida Panthers –
Los Angeles Kings –
Minnesota Wild – Kirsten and Elise
Montreal Canadiens – Kirsten
Nashville Predators – Rachel
New Jersey Devils –
New York Islanders –
New York Rangers –
Ottawa Senators – Sherry
Philadelphia Flyers –
Phoenix Coyotes – Tracy
Pittsburgh Penguins – Ellie
San Jose Sharks –
St. Louis Blues –
Tampa Bay Lightning –
Toronto Maple Leafs –
Vancouver Canucks –
Washington Capitals – Shmee

Be aware that if you do not pick by the time slotted for your team, I will pick for you.

Order

Day 1: Monday June 9, 2008 *

ROUND ONE

1. Tampa Bay Lightning (12:00 PM**) - Steven Stamkos (C)
2. Los Angeles Kings (12:15 PM) - Zach Bogosian (D)
3. Atlanta Thrashers (12:30 PM) - Drew Doughty (D)
4. St. Louis Blues (12:45 PM) - Alex Pietrangelo (D)
5. New York Islanders (1:00 PM) - Nikita Filatov (LW)
6. Columbus Blue Jackets (1:15 PM) - Luke Schenn (D)
7. Toronto Maple Leafs (1:30 PM) - Kyle Beach (C)
8. Phoenix Coyotes (1:45 PM) - Tyler Myers (D)
9. Nashville Predators (2:00 PM) - Colin Wilson (C)
10. Vancouver Canucks (2:15 PM) - Mikkel Boedker (LW)
11. Chicago Blackhawks (2:30 PM) - Erik Karlsson (D)
12. Anaheim Ducks (2:45 PM) - Zach Boychuk (C)
13. Buffalo Sabres (3:00 PM) - Luca Sbisa (D)
14. Carolina Hurricanes (3:15 PM) - Cody Hodgson (C)
15. Nashville Predators (3:30 PM) - Mattias Tedenby (LW)
16. Boston Bruins (3:45 PM) - Michael Del Zotto (D)
17. Calgary Flames (4:00 PM) - Colby Robak (D)
18. Ottawa Senators (4:15 PM) - Colten Teubert (D)
19. Columbus Blue Jackets (4:30 PM) - Joshua Bailey (C)
20. New York Rangers (4:45 PM) - John Carlson (D)
21. New Jersey Devils (5:00 PM) - Zac Dalpe (C/RW)
22. Edmonton Oilers (5:15 PM) - Anton Gustafsson (C)
23. Washington Capitals (5:30 PM) - Tyler Cuma (D)
24. Minnesota Wild (5:45 PM) - Jake Gardiner (D)
25. Montreal Canadiens (6:00 PM) - Vyacheslav Voinov (D)
26. Buffalo Sabres (6:15 PM) - Chet Pickard (G)
27. Philadelphia Flyers (6:30 PM) - Jamie Arniel (C)
28. Los Angeles Kings (6:45 PM) - Kirill Petrov (RW)
29. Atlanta Thrashers (7:00 PM) - Jacob Markstrom (G)
30. Detroit Red Wings (7:15 PM) - Philip Larsen (D)

Day 2: Tuesday June 10, 2008

ROUND TWO

31. Nashville Predators (12:00 PM) - Greg Nemisz (C)
32. Los Angeles Kings (12:15 PM) - Roman Josi (D)
33. St. Louis Blues (12:30 PM) - Matthew Calvert (C)
34. St. Louis Blues (12:45 PM) - Viktor Tikhonov (RW)
35. Phoenix Coyotes (1:00 PM) - Nicolas Deschamps (C)
36. New York Islanders (1:15 PM) - Jyri Niemi (D)
37. Columbus Blue Jackets (1:30 PM) - Aaron Ness (D)
38. Phoenix Coyotes (1:45 PM) - Jordan Eberle (C)
39. Phoenix Coyotes (2:00 PM) - Kristoffer Berglund (D)
40. Florida Panthers (2:15 PM) - Maxime Sauve (C)
41. Vancouver Canucks (2:30 PM) - Yann Sauve (D)
42. Ottawa Senators (2:45 PM) - Shawn Lalonde (D)
43. Anaheim Ducks (3:00 PM) - Joe Colborne (C)
44. Buffalo Sabres (3:15 PM) - Nicholas Larson (LW)
45. Carolina Hurricanes (3:30 PM) - Kruise Reddick (C)
46. Nashville Predators (3:45 PM) - Jared Staal (RW)
47. Boston Bruins (4:00 PM) - Jerome Flaake (LW)
48. Los Angeles Kings (4:15 PM) - Danny Kristo (RW)
49. Ottawa Senators (4:30 PM) - Tyler Ennis (C)
50. Colorado Avalanche (4:45 PM) - Evgeny Grachev (C)
51. New York Rangers (5:00 PM) - Dimitri Kugryshev (RW)
52. New Jersey Devils (5:15 PM) - Thomas McCollum (G)
53. New York Islanders (5:30 PM) - James Wright (C)
54. Washington Capitals (5:45 PM) - Derek Grant (C)

55. Minnesota Wild (6:00 PM) - Cody Goloubef (D)
56. Montreal Canadiens (6:15 PM) - Jacob Lagace (LW)
57. Washington Capitals (6:30 PM) - Adam Luke (C)
58. Washington Capitals (6:45 PM) - Harri Sateri (G)
59. Dallas Stars (7:00 PM) - AJ Jenks (LW)
60. Toronto Maple Leafs (7:15 PM) - Nicklas Lasu (LW)
61. Los Angeles Kings (7:30 PM) - Kelsey Tessier (C)

Day 3: Wednesday June 11, 2008

ROUND THREE

62. Tampa Bay Lightning (12:00 PM) - Danick Paquette (RW)
63. Los Angeles Kings (12:10 PM) - Josh Brittain (LW)
64. Atlanta Thrashers (12:20 PM) - Daultan Leveille (C)
65. St. Louis Blues (12:30 PM) - Anders Lindback (G)
66. New York Islanders (12:40 PM) - Adam Comrie (D)
67. Columbus Blue Jackets (12:50 PM) - Michael Stone (D)
68. Toronto Maple Leafs (1:00 PM) - Braden Holtby (G)
69. Phoenix Coyotes (1:10 PM) - Mikko Koskinen (G)
70. Toronto Maple Leafs (1:20 PM) - Sergei Ostapchuk (LW)
71. Vancouver Canucks (1:30 PM) - Corey Fienhage (D)
72. Chicago Blackhawks (1:40 PM) - Dominik Furch (G)
73. Anaheim Ducks (1:50 PM) - Jacob Deserres (G)
74. Buffalo Sabres (2:00 PM) - James Livingston (RW)
75. New York Rangers (2:10 PM) - Justin Schultz (D)
76. Nashville Predators (2:20 PM) - Jake Allen (G)
77. Boston Bruins (2:30 PM) - Brandon Burlon (D)
78. Calgary Flames (2:40 PM) - Dustin Tokarski (G)
79. Ottawa Senators (2:50 PM) - Brandon McMillan (C)
80. Florida Panthers (3:00 PM) - Mikhail Stephanovich (C)
81. New York Rangers (3:10 PM) - David Carle (D)
82. New Jersey Devils (3:20 PM) - Justin Jokinen (RW)
83. New York Islanders (3:30 PM) - Julien Demers (D)
84. Washington Capitals (3:40 PM) - Corey Trivino (C)
85. Anaheim Ducks (3:50 PM) - David Ullstrom (W)
86. Montreal Canadiens (4:00 PM) - Philip McRae (C)
87. St. Louis Blues (4:10 PM) - Geordie Wudrick (LW)
88. Los Angeles Kings (4:20 PM) - Jori Lehtera (C)
89. Dallas Stars (4:30 PM) - Eric O'Dell (C)
90. Phoenix Coyotes (4:40 PM) - Eric Mestery (D)
91. Detroit Red Wings (4:50 PM) - Roman Szturc (RW)
92. Los Angeles Kings (5:00 PM) - Joonas Rask (C)

Day 4: Thursday June 12, 2008

ROUND FOUR

93. Ottawa Senators (12:00 PM) - Samuel Groulx (D)
94. Washington Capitals (12:10 PM) - Derek Stepan (C)
95. Atlanta Thrashers (12:20 PM) - Lukas Stoop (D)
96. St. Louis Blues (12:30 PM) - Colin Long (C)
97. New York Islanders (12:40 PM) - Taylor Stefishen (LW)
98. Columbus Blue Jackets (12:50 PM) - Tomas Halasz (G)
99. Toronto Maple Leafs (1:00 PM) - Matt Delahey (D)
100. Phoenix Coyotes (1:10 PM) - Philippe Cornet (LW)
101. Florida Panthers (1:20 PM) - Dimitri Kostromitin (D)
102. Los Angeles Kings (1:30 PM) - Brady Hjelle (G)
103. Chicago Blackhawks (1:40 PM) - David Toews (C)
104. Edmonton Oilers (1:50 PM) - Marco Scandella (D)
105. Buffalo Sabres (2:00 PM) - David Warsofsky (D)
106. Carolina Hurricanes (2:10 PM) - Andre Petersson (RW)
107. Nashville Predators (2:20 PM) - Henrik Eriksson (C)
108. Boston Bruins (2:30 PM) - Samuel Morneau (LW)
109. Calgary Flames (2:40 PM) - Alexandre Neron (D)
110. Ottawa Senators (2:50 PM) - Michael Condon (G)
111. Colorado Avalanche (3:00 PM) - Christopher Carrozi (G)
112. St. Louis Blues (3:10 PM) - Travis Hamonic (D)
113. New Jersey Devils (3:20 PM) - Mitch Wahl (C)
114. Anaheim Ducks (3:30 PM) - Nathan Moon (C)
115. Calgary Flames (3:40 PM) - Mathieu Brodeur (D)
116. Minnesota Wild (3:50 PM) - Michael Hutchinson (G)
117. Montreal Canadiens (4:00 PM) - Teemu Hartikainen (C)
118. San Jose Sharks (4:10 PM) - Adam Henrique (C)
119. Philadelphia Flyers (4:20 PM) - Dennis Bozic (D)
120. Los Angeles Kings (4:30 PM) - Sergei Sheleg (D)
121. Pittsburgh Penguins (4:40 PM) - Cameron Gaunce (D)
122. Detroit Red Wings (4:50 PM) - Joel Broda (C)

Day 5: Friday June 13, 2008

ROUND FIVE

123. Tampa Bay Lightning (12:00 PM) - Leonardo Genoni (G)
124. Los Angeles Kings (12:10 PM) - Patrick Wiercioch (D)
125. Atlanta Thrashers (12:20 PM) - Anthony Nigro (C)
126. St. Louis Blues (12:30 PM) - Joel Chouinard (D)
127. New York Islanders (12:40 PM) - Marshall Everson (LW)
128. Columbus Blue Jackets (12:50 PM) - Peter Delmas (G)
129. Toronto Maple Leafs (1:00 PM) - Drew Olson (D)
130. Toronto Maple Leafs (1:10 PM) - Johan Motin (D)
131. Toronto Maple Leafs (1:20 PM) - Patrice Cormier (C)
132. Vancouver Canucks (1:30 PM) - Sebastian Erixon (D)
133. Chicago Blackhawks (1:40 PM) - Jan Stransky (W)
134. Edmonton Oilers (1:50 PM) - Max Nicastro (D)
135. Buffalo Sabres (2:00 PM) - Dimitri Sayustov (W)
136. Columbus Blue Jackets (2:10 PM) - Pekka Jormakka (RW)
137. Nashville Predators (2:20 PM) - Patrick Geering (D)
138. Boston Bruins (2:30 PM) - Chad Suer (D)
139. Calgary Flames (2:40 PM) - Justin Florek (LW)
140. Ottawa Senators (2:50 PM) - Stephen Johnston (LW)
141. Colorado Avalanche (3:00 PM) - Lance Bouma (C)
142. New York Rangers (3:10 PM) - Joel Champagne (C)
143. New Jersey Devils (3:20 PM) - Nathan Condon (C)
144. Anaheim Ducks (3:30 PM) - Joacim Eriksson (G)
145. Washington Capitals (3:40 PM) - Jordon Southorn (D)
146. Minnesota Wild (3:50 PM) - Marco Cousineau (G)
147. San Jose Sharks (4:00 PM) - Anton Korolev (RW)
148. San Jose Sharks (4:10 PM) - Brett Theberge (C)
149. New York Islanders (4:20 PM) - Brodie Reid (RW)
150. Dallas Stars (4:30 PM) - Sergei Bobrovsky (G)
151. Pittsburgh Penguins (4:40 PM) - Justin Daniels (C)
152. Detroit Red Wings (4:50 PM) - Mark Goggin (C)

Day 6: Saturday June 14, 2008

ROUND SIX

153. Tampa Bay Lightning (12:05 PM) - Harry Young (D)
154. Los Angeles Kings (12:10 PM) - Antoine Roussel (LW)
155. Atlanta Thrashers (12:15 PM) - Eddie Lack (G)
156. St. Louis Blues (12:20 PM) - Ilmari Pitkanen (LW)
157. New York Islanders (12:25 PM) - Luke Pither (C)
158. Columbus Blue Jackets (12:30 PM) - Marc-Andre Bourdon (D)
159. Toronto Maple Leafs (12:35 PM) - Martin Lundberg (C)
160. Phoenix Coyotes (12:40 PM) - Marek Viedensky (C)
161. Tampa Bay Lightning (12:45 PM) - Mark Barberio (D)
162. Vancouver Canucks (12:50 PM) - Zack Smith (C)
163. Chicago Blackhawks (12:55 PM) - Oskars Cibulskis (D)
164. Edmonton Oilers (1:00 PM) - Lucas Sandstrom (LW)
165. Buffalo Sabres (1:05 PM) - Tomas Kundratek (D)
166. Carolina Hurricanes (1:10 PM) - Benedikt Bruckner (D)
167. Nashville Predators (1:15 PM) - Rasmus Rinne (G)
168. Colorado Avalanche (1:20 PM) - Jan Dalecky (LW)
169. Calgary Flames (1:25 PM) - Etienne Froidevaux (LW)
170. Chicago Blackhawks (1:30 PM) - Andrei Loktionov (C)
171. Colorado Avalanche (1:35 PM) - Martin Ylven (LW)
172. Vancouver Canucks (1:40 PM) - Seth Soley (C)
173. New Jersey Devils (1:45 PM) - Jimmy Hayes (RW)
174. Boston Bruins (1:50 PM) - Matthew Tassone (C)
175. Washington Capitals (1:55 PM) - Neal Prokop (C)
176. New York Islanders (2:00 PM) - Jordan Skellett (LW)
177. Dallas Stars (2:05 PM) - Tim Billingsley (D)
178. San Jose Sharks (2:10 PM) - Matias Myttynen (C)
179. Philadelphia Flyers (2:15 PM) - Greg Burke (LW)
180. Los Angeles Kings (2:20 PM) - Robin Olsson (D)
181. Pittsburgh Penguins (2:25 PM) - Tomas Hricina (W)
182. Detroit Red Wings (2:30 PM) - Emil Bejmo (W)

ROUND SEVEN

183. Tampa Bay Lightning (2:35 PM) - Michael D'Orazio (D)
184. Los Angeles Kings (2:40 PM) - Jordan Samuels-Thomas (LW)
185. Atlanta Thrashers (2:45 PM) - Jaroslav Janus (G)
186. Los Angeles Kings (2:50 PM) - Radko Gudas (D)
187. San Jose Sharks (2:55 PM) - Andrew Perugini (G)
188. Columbus Blue Jackets (3:00 PM) - Steve Hopkins (G)
189. Toronto Maple Leafs (3:05 PM) - Martin Jones (G)
190. Phoenix Coyotes (3:10 PM) - Tomi Sallinen (C)
191. Florida Panthers (3:15 PM) - Artem Demkov (W)
192. Vancouver Canucks (3:20 PM) - Oliver Lauridsen (D)
193. Chicago Blackhawks (3:25 PM) - Janis Straupe (W)
194. Edmonton Oilers (3:30 PM) - Tomas Kubalik (C)
195. San Jose Sharks (3:35 PM) - Nik Pokulok (D)
196. Carolina Hurricanes (3:40 PM) - Patrick Killeen (G)
197. Tampa Bay Lightning (3:45 PM) - Mika Jarvinen (G)
198. Boston Bruins (3:50 PM) - Joakim Mattsson (C)
199. Calgary Flames (3:55 PM) - Tyler Beskorowany (G)
200. Ottawa Senators (4:00 PM) - Robert Czarnik (C)
201. Colorado Avalanche (4:05 PM) - Mihail Churlyayev (D)
202. New York Rangers (4:10 PM) - Johan Erkgards (W)
203. New Jersey Devils (4:15 PM) - Jared Festler (LW)
204. Tampa Bay Lightning (4:20 PM) - Kevin Poulin (G)
205. Washington Capitals (4:25 PM) - Matt Hoyle (G)
206. New Jersey Devils (4:30 PM) - Daniel Despotovic (W)
207. Montreal Canadiens (4:35 PM) - Adam Lapsansky (C)
208. San Jose Sharks (4:40 PM) - Jan Kovar (C)
209. Philadelphia Flyers (4:45 PM) - Roberts Jekimovs (RW)
210. Dallas Stars (4:50 PM) - Jakub Svoboda (RW)
211. Pittsburgh Penguins (4:55 PM) - Roman Lyuduchin (RW)
212. Detroit Red Wings (5:00 PM) - Mattias Ekholm (D)

IT'S DONE!

Be aware that I might not be able to report picks immediately; I might be making a sandwich, feeding my cat, getting yelled out or what not. If you see that I have not reported the last pick and you are due to pick next, just send me two of your top names. This is just to be sure that your pick isn't the same as the previous pick. Keep an eye on this thread; I will report all picks here.

If you are not going to be available for the time that your pick is due, send me a list of, at least, ten of your top names. I will report the top name that hasn't been picked yet.

Here are some scouting links, if you need resources:
http://www.nhlentrydraft2008.com/Default.aspx
http://www.nhl.com/futures/2008/index.html
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/

* Please be aware of dates; rounds 6 and 7 occur on the same day.

** Picks are due BY the time stated and keep in mind that all times are EST.

*** I know this is a hassle in some ways but starting at 6:00 I would like everyone to report a pick along with x number of other possible picks if your pick is already taken (X-number of picks refers to the amount of teams that have passed since the last reported pick, this is so we don't have any double picks). Go Wolves! :)

I apologize for the massiveness of this post, the 'Read More' code got messed up, I tried to fix it and now there is a massive scattering of /span codes and to which source codes they go to, I have no clue.

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Tampa Bay will select first in the 2008 NHL draft..

Draft lottery results..

1. Tampa Bay Lightning
2. Los Angeles Kings
3. Atlanta Thrashers
4. St. Louis Blues
5. New York Islanders

Oh well, at least my Isles didn't move down.

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I take back what I said about Gaineyism

Due to my recent emotional trauma, caused by watching Angelo Esposito get passed up by the Habs at the #12 pick, I am totally forced to convert away from Gaineyism, and am currently left without a sports figure to worship. Maybe Eric Tillman or Kent Austin will leader the Riders to a Grey Cup Championship in November and I'll worship one of them briefly.

In fact, I am so highly traumatized that the only solution I could think of was to get extremely drunk with a bunch of 18 & 19 year olds. Which as we all know, is a solution for and cause of, all of life's problems.

I mean, sure his production dropped off without Radulov, but like, maybe he and Guy Latendresse would like, be good for each other? Put some more points on the board? We could kind of use some more goals.

So, I'm traumatized. Highly.

I actually cried. After dumping Ser-GAY's salary I truly hoped that Gainey had something up his sleeve.

He'd better pull off something huge in the off season, or I might actually pretend to cheer for the Laffs....

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Do we have to call him "the reamer"?

Well, we picked our guy. I have a few concerns:

1) He had trouble putting his jersey on. Now I'm no expert at putting on a hockey jersey, but to me, you put one arm in, the other arm in, and then pop your head through the head hole. This character tried to put it on all at once and ended up all tangled up and gangly looking. Sheesh. Put it on like you've done it before buddy!

2) I heard one news organization call him "the reamer". Um, sorry, but I am pretty sure that nickname is taken by a porn star. Choose again.

3) He is from New Jersey, and is a Devils fan. Can he be trusted?

4) Not entirely related, but does Flyers' GM Paul Holmgren have a pulse? I'm down with the poker face guy, but cmon, get a little excited about stuff! (Great job in the off season so far, btw!)

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Draft Day #1 - The tales from a girl far away

I've been completely knackered lately, and the last thing I remember was telling people that I would be up bright and early to catch the first round pick of the draft and to also destroy all mankind (I'm looking at you Pronger). However, at 11AM, I slowly woke up from a dreamy slumber dreaming about getting a tattoo (now that is all kinds of crazy) and the Jordi household was treated to her screaming "OH MY GOD I MISSED THE DRAFT!", almost breaking her back slipping on a stray piece of note paper (courtesy of exam preparations) and climbing on the computer to type in addresses that I had known like the back of my hand (allrecipes.com didn't help me at all unfortunately).

And that was how the first round draft started, and then ended for me. It was not as exciting as I hoped. Sister Jordi (who shall be from now on be called Bea) calmed me down from my hysterics ("Look, it's your fault for going out so late at night." "IF I DIDN'T GO OUT WOULD TOSKALA HAVE STAYED!?" -- My sources informed me that yes, if I did not go out that night, Toskala and all order would have been saved) and treated me to lunch. I had the salmon, she had the chicken. I don't think she would really get the draft talk so we exhausted the most important topics before we even started.

As Bea drove me home, she decided that she needed to pick up knitting wool for a charity drive she was doing. In order to cheer me up (I think that was it), she helped me purchase a size 11 set of knitting needles, 100grams of orange wool and 100 grams of blue wool in which she would then teach me to knit a basic scarf. It was at that pitiful moment, when I was convincing her that blue and orange were completely beautiful colours, I realised how much I missed hockey. (because nothing says hard hitting checks and goal scoring like a wool scarf)

The offseason is starting girls (and boys), but everyday I wake up wishing it was over already.

Actual draft-related highlights

• As Jocelynn said, the poor Russian kid who wanted to play hockey so hard no one drafted him. (except for the Rangers but they're mythical)
  
• It was either the water cooler or Angelo Esposito. (I kid, I kid)
  
• The five (in total) completely squee-worthy Oilers and Habs picks (Max Pacioretty has a name just begging to be renamed Max Pretty)
• Oh yeah, that Capitals... thingy with the... Sorry.

So how was your draft day?

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Ok girls.

I know it's the off season...but I'm just curious with the Draft coming up and what not...what you think your team is going to be looking for. Are they going for a goalie? A blue liner? Just curious.

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DRAFT

Alright so I was talking to Drew at End of the Bench. He and Michael are planning a blogger get together at the Draft. For any information you need on the draft please go here. They are planning on having the get together on the afternoon of June 22 somewhere close by the arena. If you are interested in going please leave a comment on Michael's mega draft post. I will post more information up on here once it becomes available. I really hope to see you all there!! Also, if you need tickets, I do have extra so feel free to e-mail me

BethanyM85(at)gmail(dot)com

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More info on the Draft

Here is the article that Dispatch put out on the Draft.

Lots of fans, festivities expected for big event
Tuesday, May 22, 2007 4:50 AM
By Aaron Portzline

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

The Blue Jackets own the No. 7 pick in the NHL entry draft, but they're already on the clock.

It's exactly one month until the hockey world gathers in Columbus to welcome the next wave of talent into the NHL. The first round will be held at

7 p.m. June 22 in Nationwide Arena; rounds two through seven will begin at 10 a.m. the following day.

"We're almost ready for the party," said J.D. Kershaw, the Blue Jackets' director of fan development and the point man to the NHL since the draft was awarded to the Blue Jackets more than a year ago.

Here's what's known about "the party" at this point:

• The pop punk band Yellowcard will perform in the plaza in front of Nationwide Arena in the hours leading up to the first pick on Friday.

• It's going to be a big party on Friday. Kershaw isn't sure how big, but he's hoping it's "standing room-only" inside the arena, with a large contingent outside. The Blue Jackets had 12,000-plus requests for tickets through their Web site, and another roughly 11,500 were given to season-ticket holders. The biggest "south of the border" draft crowd in recent memory was 11,000 in Raleigh, N.C., in 2004.

• The plaza in front of Nationwide on Friday will be packed with food and beverage stands, interactive games, etc. Nationwide Boulevard between Front Street and Marconi Boulevard will be blocked to allow spill-over and easy foot traffic.

• The Blue Jackets have yet to decide whether they want to air live draft coverage by TSN or Versus on the huge TV screen that looms over the plaza. The dilemma: If people get too comfortable on the plaza and know they can watch the draft outside, why go inside? The Jackets want the building packed so it looks good on TV.

• Nationwide Arena will open at 4 p.m., with a Hall of Fame Trophy display -- including the Stanley Cup -- and a memorabilia exhibit on the concourse. Season ticket-holders can begin taking their seats at 5:30 p.m., and the general public can fill in around 6:15 p.m. The covered ice surface will be filled with the stage on one end, draft tables for all 30 clubs in the middle, and the media riser on the other end.

"Unless the fire marshal steps in, we won't turn anybody away, even if they don't have a ticket," NHL director of events and entertainment Bill Miller said. "The sense I'm getting is we'll continue the trend of doing well in newer markets, similar to Nashville (2003) and Raleigh, N.C. The key is getting those people who stuffed their tickets into a drawer to dig them out and come on down."

The Blue Jackets are resigned to the fact that the Saturday crowd will be smaller.

"Probably in the 4,000 to 5,000 range if we're lucky," Kershaw said. "Most of our budget is going into Friday."

But the Blue Jackets will have autograph sessions on Saturday morning -- both with draft picks and current Jackets players -- to entice fans.

"And we have two picks in the second round," Kershaw said. "If you're a Blue Jackets fan, that might be kind of interesting."

Link to the Article

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The Draft!!!

Ok, so since I have been slacking off really bad on posting over here I decided to toss up a post on the draft...it's going to be at Nationwide Arena on, June 22-23. If you get tickets they are good for both days. You can check out all the information here. Also, I'm not from the area so I'll have to direct you to Michael over at Army of Ohio...he has an entire draft post here.
Oh, and if anyone needs tickets I ordered 6...not that I need 6 but ya know. If you need tickets just leave a comment or shoot me an e-mail BethanyM85(at)gmail(dot)com Alright, that's all I really have to say!

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