Sports Logic

Written by Shaun Deering

Before we get into today's topic, I just want to toot my own horn. In the Power Rankings on Sunday, I believe some handsome gentleman predicted that the Maple Leafs would get their first win of the season against the Anaheim Ducks. No big deal or anything, but if you stick with us at Sports Logic, you'll go far baby.

Today's topic is about Brian Burke...again. It's ironic in a way that one of our reasons for starting this blog was to give a league-wide perspective instead of the Toronto-centric media, but any chance I get a chance to prove Brian Burke wrong, I will take it. That is what we call in the business "foreshadowing".

After trading away two first round draft picks and subsequently starting the season quite poorly, the media asked Burke if he would make the trade again if he knew his team would start so poorly. In typical Burke fashion, his response was to say something to the effect of "In the pre-lockout era teams rebuilt through the draft. I don't think you can do that anymore, with the exception of a top 3-4 pick." If only there were a way to research the post-lockout drafts to fact-check this theory...like a website that was hockey database, perhaps shortened to hockeydb...

As it turns out, such a website exists. So I have taken the time to check every team's draft history, and here is a list of a team or seven who have rebuilt through the draft in the post-lockout era. The names in brackets are the team's first round draft picks in order from 2005-2008. I have left 2009 draft picks off this list because it's far too early to judge those players.

Chicago Blackhaws (Jack Skille, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Kyle Beach) – This is pretty much the gold standard of rebuilding through the draft, but Burke himself admitted that you can do it with lottery picks. And it's not like Burke would have a lottery pick in June, right guys? Right?

Columbus Blue Jackets (Gilbert Brule, Derick Brassard, Jakub Voracek, Nikita Filatov) – Brule was traded for a veteran presence in Raffi Torres, and Filatov is in and out of the lineup. Brassard and Voracek are key pieces to Columbus' success and ultimate resurgence to respectability in the NHL. Also, not one of those players was a top 5 pick.

Los Angeles Kings (Anze Kopitar, Jonathan Bernier, Thomas Hickey, Drew Doughty) – Bernier and Hickey are still in the minors and will probably be a part of the Kings in the next 2-3 years. As for Kopitar, he only leads the NHL in scoring, and Drew Doughty is being touted as the best Canadian defenseman in the last 15 years...no big deal.

New York Rangers (Mark Staal, Bob Sanguinetti, Alexei Cherepanov, Michael Del Zotto) – While they obviously aren't to the level of the previous three teams, the Rangers have rebuilt quite nicely with a couple of these picks. Staal and Del Zotto have been revelations on the back-end for the Rangers, who desperately needed it. I don't know who Bob Sanguinetti is, and I don't think I ever will. The Rangers had a gem in Cherepanov, unfortunately he passed away due to a heart defect last year.

Ottawa Senators (Brian Lee, Nick Foligno, Jim O'Brien, Erik Karlsson) – Again, they are a step below in terms of impact, but Foligno and Karlsson are still important players for the Senators this season. Foligno offers a grit factor and net presence that the Senators have lacked since 1918. Karlsson may still get sent back to junior, but with an injury to Filip Kuba, he has stepped up nicely despite his team worst -4 rating.

Philadelphia Flyers (Steve Downie, Claude Giroux, James Van Riemsdyk, Luca Sbisa) – Sometimes players can be used as trade bait to lure better players, as is the case with Downie and Sbisa who were traded for Matt Carle and Chris Pronger respectively. All those guys have done in Philadelphia is combine for 17 points and a +12 in 9 games. Van Riemsdyk has been a point-per-game this season, and Giroux is a very effective grinder. Philadelphia went from the worst team in the league in 2006 to a legitimate cup contender in 2009 and they can thank their first round picks for that. But who am I to argue with Brian Burke?

St. Louis Blues (TJ Oshie, Erik Johnson, Lars Eller, Alex Pietrangelo) – In the category of "Whoops", TJ Oshie was drafted 23^rd overall in 2005. Do you think there are 15ish GMs who wouldn't want a mulligan on that one? Oshie is a big, strong, gritty, fast power forward with magic hands and he goes 23^rd? I'm sure Buffalo is enjoying Marek Zagrapan, or Atlanta can't contain their excitement for Alex Bourret. What's that? Zagrapan is in the KHL and Bourret is playing in the Czech league now? Whoopsee

Stay tuned for tomorrow when I do the worst drafting teams of the post lockout era...

One Timers

* Scott Niedermayer delivered a clean body check last night on Mikael Grabovski of the Leafs. An interference penalty was called on the play causing Leafs TV "analyst" Greg Millen to say "No doubt about this one; look at where the puck is." The funny part was that the puck was literally in Grabovski's skates at the time of contact. Nice work Gregory.

* While on the topic of the Leafs one last time (I promise), how hard is it to win a game when you are on the power play for 14 minutes? Tomas Kaberle had more power play time in that game (9:48) than 7 other players had in the entire game.

* Chicago is quickly becoming my favourite team in the league to watch, but only at home. Not only because they are very entertaining, but that goal song is so damn catchy, I find myself hoping they score every time they touch the puck. For those who want to legally download it, it's called Chelsea Dagger by the Fratellis.

* Game of the night tonight, Philadelphia vs. Washington. Last time they played, it was a 6-5 OT win for Philadelphia, but the game was hands down the best game I've seen this year. The best part is that it's on TSN2 (Le Deux) so there's no excuse not to watch it.

* Line of the week goes to Elliotte Friedman who said "Were the Blue Jackets competing at Wimbledon last week? They lost three out of four: 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 2-6." That's one of those lines you just want to steal and claim as your own. I'll credit him this time, but from now on, I'm plagiarizing on a Green Day/Red Hot Chili Peppers level.