Hockey Wilderness Community 2011 Mock Draft: Atlanta Thrashers

by BReynolds on May 25, 2011 9:00 AM CDT in Features

The Ottawa Senators are among those teams that have absolutely no desire to draft a defenseman. Their fans don't want a d-man, the team probably needs a d-man, and the GM (I think) can spell d-man. They have goaltending issues, aging stars, and defensive corps headlined by Sergei Gonchar and my all time favorite Wild player, Filip Kuba.

Still, the fans agree with me, and the Senators run as far away from the blue line as they can get. With the sixth pick, the Wilderness selected Ryan Strome for the Senators. Here's to hoping he can play defense.

Our Mock Draft thus far:

1. Edmonton Oilers: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
2. Colorado Avalanche: Gabriel Landeskog
3. Florida Panthers: Adam Larsson
4. New Jersey Devils: Sean Couturier
5. New York Islanders: Jonathan Huberdeau
6. Ottawa Senators: Ryan Strome

After the jump, make your pick and make your case for the Atlanta Thrashers.

OK, sure, the Thrashers look to be on their way to Winnipeg. As of this writing, nothing is confirmed, and there was no announcement on the day there was reportedly supposed to be a major announcement. I put zero faith in the world to do the right thing, and this is no different.

Alas, we plug on, making a pick for the franchise. Regardless of where they play their home games next season, the franchise has the organizational depth they have. They do not get a new AHL affiliate, they don't get to re-do past drafts, and they still don't have Ilya Kovalchuk. Thus, they need a draft pick.

The Thrashers made some shrewd moves last offseason, trading for Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien. With Big Buff on the blueline along with Johnny Oduya, Tobias Entrom, and young gun Zach Bogosian, there is absolutely zero chance the Thrashers take a defenseman. If they do, then the GM is showing he has zero desire to move to Winnipeg.

With plenty of offensive talent on the board, Dougie Hamilton and Ryan Murphy will have to wait. If the Thrash do go for an offensive forward, do the take a center or wing? Will a Swiss player do well in the ATL, or do they pick a fine Canadian boy?

The choice is yours.

Tweet Comment 10 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Hmm

Will a Swiss player do well in Ottawa, or do they pick a fine Canadian boy?

Now I am all for moving the Thrashers to Canada, but Is Ottawa getting a 2nd team? :O

An Ottawa Senators supporter in Toronto, Ontario. I am cool like that.

by Adnan on May 25, 2011 9:26 AM CDT reply actions

Whoops. Fixed it. Thanks!

Editor:Hockey Wilderness Editor:In Lax We Trust Now with more Twitterness: ReynoldsSBN

Rule #17: You may not impersonate representatives of Hockey Wilderness and handout NHL themed wrist bands.

by BReynolds on May 25, 2011 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions

downtrodden thrashers fan here. definitely zibanejad. Since Savard, Centers have been a week spot for us. Zibs is supposed to be excellent in the faceoff circle which is something we greatly lacked this last season, has a solid frame unlike Burmistrov who still has plenty of room to fill out, and is is defensively responsible.

Future dream line combo:

Kane-Zibs-Wheeler

He hate me

by dennylambert!! on May 25, 2011 11:02 AM CDT reply actions

would thrasher fans be interested in a D prospect like Hamilton?

A future pairing of Enstrom would be impressive

Hockey Wilderness - Front Page Writer
CircularTheory - Follow me for prospect updates!
General Manager of the Singapore Slings of the Hockey Wilderness League
General Manager of the Asian Invasion of the Bulldog Hockey Leagye

by danccchan on May 25, 2011 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions

no not at all. we/they, most likely they, have enstrom, byfuglien, bogosian, and stuart. the organization has much better D prospects at this point than offensive ones. Guys like Kulda, Postma, and Zubarev could step up very soon. Defense is still an issue with the team, but we really need some offensive help as well and can’t afford to wait another 4 or 5 years for a defenseman to mature (see Bogosian).

He hate me

by dennylambert!! on May 25, 2011 10:11 PM CDT up reply actions