The case for trading the first overall pick

With Edmonton winning the NHL Draft Lottery, the question now is Hall or Seguin?  I say neither, and here is why:

The Oilers are a team full of Halls and Seguins.  The last thing they need to do is get younger.  Look at their current core group:

Player                               Age
Dustin Penner                     26
Andrew Cogliano               22
Sam Gagner                       20
Patrick O'Sullivan               24
Ales Hemsky                      25
Robert Nilsson                   24
Gilbert Brule                       22
Ryan Potulny                      24
Tom Gilbert                       26
Ladislav Smid                    23
Ryan Whitney                    26

To me, it is fairly evident that this team desperately needs a top-tier VETERAN forward who can come in and take over the room, and put these kids on his shoulders.  I'm talking a top-line guy who can take over a game, something Ales Hemsky and Shawn Horcoff simply cannot do.

So what better way to add one or even two top-six forwards by trading this pick away?  Is it just me or does this make too much sense?  Packaging in Sheldon Souray would be an easier way to get his salary off the books as well.

So a couple options, for what its worth...

Alexander Semin of the Capitals is a UFA after next season.  The Caps can spare some offense and Souray fits their mould as an offensive blueliner.  Semin may be young, but put him on the Oilers roster, and he immediately becomes far and beyond their best player.  Semin is slated to make $6 million this year, and with Souray off the books, he could be affordable.  Nicklas Backstrom is entering his RFA year in Washington as well.  His entry level contract will be expiring and you have to wonder if the Caps will be able to re-sign both him and Semin.  To me, Backstrom is head and shoulders above Semin in terms of an all around game.  If I were in the Caps' shoes, I'd throw the money at the Swede and send the Russian packing.

Now, stay with me here... how is this for intriguing?  Let's bring the Calgary Flames into the discussion.  Right now, nobody knows what direction the Flames are heading in.  Could be stay-the-course, could be a rebuild.

There was talk today that Jarome Iginla could consider waving his no-trade clause.  He's from St. Albert, a literal stones throw away from Edmonton.  Before you start your hate mail (LaToya), think about it.  A monstrous deal which send Iginla to Calgary for Souray and the first overall pick.  Mind you, both teams would have to make some other moves as well.  The Flames would/should  move one of Jay Bouwmeester or Robyn Regehr, and the Oilers would have to find a way to unload the ridiculous contract tied to Shawn Horcoff.  Other intangible pieces could be moved in this deal too.  Hey, I'm just putting it out there

Jays should be thankful to play in A.L. East

The Toronto Blue Jays started their 2010 season on a high note, starting 5-1 before coming back to the Rogers Centre for their home opener against the White Sox.  While ultimately losing that game, the Rogers Centre was at least buzzing with an announced sellout crowd of 46,321. 

What a difference a day made.

Just one night later, a then record low 12,167 saw Ricky Romero take a no-hit bid into the eight inning to help the Jays even up the series.  It was a sight for sore eyes and from a life long Jays fan's perspective, straight up depressing.

The crowds continued to diminish throughout team's ten game homestand.  To a point, I guess you can say the Kansas City Royals are partly to blame for that.

For years, fans have been wondering what it would be like if the Blue Jays were in a different division, where they could avoid the powerhouse Yankees and Red Sox.  Many Jays fans hark the tired excuse that if the team were in the A.L. Central, they'd have a greater chance for on field success, to which I quip back that if fourth grader were in Kindergarten, he'd have straight A's.

Fact of the matter is, looking from an attendance standpoint, the Blue Jays and their faithful should be thanking their lucky stars they play in the same division as those two aforementioned powerhouses.  Aside from a possible Roy Halladay homecoming in late June, the fifteen combined times the Yankees and Red Sox visit the Rogers Centre will be the only times the stadium won't look like a cavernous concrete abomination.  And, like it or not, a good chunk of those fans will be root, root, rooting for the away team.

Obviously, with greater attendance comes greater revenue, and almost just as importantly, the Jays organization won't be the brunt of jokes for at least a couple dozen games this season.  Nothing looks worse than 10,000 fans scattered throughout a 45,000 seat stadium.

So while devoted Blue Jays fans will boo the Beantowners and Bronx Bombers are in town, you can bet the club's accounting staff will be all smiles.

Playoff Predictions

No intro needed.  Best time of the  year to be a sports fan... MLB just getting underway and the NHL playoffs in full force.

Without further ado, here are my first round predictions:

1. Washington Capitals vs 8. Montreal Canadiens

It's no secret that I hate the Caps.  I really can't see their style of play holding up against a good team in a playoff series.  However, they shouldn't have a problem dispatching the Habs, who backed into the playoffs.  Of the three teams the Caps could have faced in the opening round (Philly and the Rangers being the other two), the Habs present the easiest challenge.  Who is going to score goals for Montreal?

The Habs win the first game, and that wakes the Caps up.  Washington in 5.

2. New Jersey Devils vs 7. Philadelphia Flyers

It's no secret that I hate the Flyers.  Would have loved the see them take on the Caps in the first round, so at least one of them had to lose. Anyways, bias aside, the Flyers have no chance of doing anything with Brian Boucher in net.  Then again, Martin Brodeur has been sub-par in recent playoffs.  Something just tells me the Devils are going deep this spring.  New Jersey in 6.

3. Buffalo Sabres vs 6. Boston Bruins

An old Adam's Division clash.  Too bad these games weren't played at the Boston Garden and the Aud in Buffalo.  Seems like the Bruins are betting on Rask in net and they will need him to stand on his head to be able to compete in this series.  Boston is a proud bunch and they are going to have to find a way to put some pucks on net, and I don't know how they are going to do that.  Buffalo needs Tim Connolly back and healthy, he was really the main cog in the wheel for the Sabres this season.  Buffalo in 6.

4. Pittsburgh Penguins vs 5. Ottawa Senators

This is turning into a nice little rivalry.  Third time in four years these teams will meet in the first round and this is the rubber match (Sens won in 5 in '07, Pens swept in '08).  Chris Phillips and Anton Volchenkov have had success shutting down Crosby, in the regular season anyway.  Playoffs have been a different story, Sid averages over a point per game vs the Senators in the post season.  This just comes down to depth, and the Pens just simply have more of it.  It won't be a cakewalk though.  Pittsburgh in 6.

1. San Jose Sharks vs. 8. Colorado Avalanche

Is this the year for the Sharks?  People have been asking that question in April for the better part of a decade.  They draw a favourable match-up here, the Avs are spent after battling for the last playoff spot.  Colorado has a bright future, but the Sharks shouldn't have a problem dismantling them here.  Craig Anderson is going to have to be on PCP for the Avalanche to have a fighting chance.  San Jose in 4.

2. Chicago Blackhawks vs. 7. Nashville Predators

Too many people are giving the Hawks a free pass in the West.  More so than the Caps in the East, goaltending is a serious problem in the Windy City.  Pekka Rinne gives the Predators the edge in that department and that is what its going to come down to here.  This is going to be a helluva series.  Something in me is making me pick Nashville.  Sorry, Leezer.  Nashville in 6.

3. Vancouver Canucks vs. 6. Los Angeles Kings

Two points separate these two points in the standings.  This is going to be the most entertaining series of all the first round match-ups.  Vancouver is really looking to shake the "choker" moniker, and they finally have the secondary scoring to do so.  Luongo stepped up at the Olympics, but there is a big question mark surrounding the Canucks' goalie heading into the playoffs.  Since the Olympic break, he has been pedestrian at best.  He needs to find his game of the Kings can take this series. Can't wait to stay up late to watch all these games.  Vancouver in 7.

4. Phoenix Coyotes vs 5. Detroit Red Wings

Poor Phoenix.  I'm pulling for ya, I really am.  Somebody had to draw the Wings and unfortunately it had to be the Cinderella Yotes.  I'm not sure whats stopping Detroit from returning to the Finals for the third straight season (vomit), but I don't think it will be the Coyotes.  The Red Wings are just a well oiled machine right now.  Nobody is giving Phoenix a chance.  Most least respected 107 point team ever.  It will be a good series, but man, just too hard to bet against Detroit.  Detroit in 6.