2021 Entry Draft

[theohall]

Twitter is f'ed up. Way too many folks blaming the kid Montreal drafted for being drafted, instead of blaming Bergevin and the Canadiens.

[glen a richter]

That pick was so stupid Bergevin should be fired. What the hell was he thinking?

[theohall]

He was thinking "Shea Weber replacement" regardless of the consequences. Horrible decision, IMO. If you really wanted the guy, respect his wishes and make the trades to draft him next season.

[theohall]

NHL Network - players are getting drafted and, combined, the three talking heads rarely say more than 3 sentences about the drafted player. They spend more time talking about what that team "might do" this season, regardless of the pick.

[glen a richter]

To an extent I get the argument that he was a stupid kid who did something stupid but for fugsake I did stupid shit too, but never to the extent of taking compromising photos with a girlfriend and sharing it with everyone I knew. That’s a whole other level. I have two sons, no daughters so I guess I can’t speak for those who have daughters but I’d be pissed to the point that I would probably consider switching my allegiance if I was a Canadiens fan. It was a totally disrespectful selection.

Maybe the kid did learn and legitimately wanted another year to repair his character and if he did then good on him, but 15, 16, 17 year olds to treat them like kids is bull. They’re old enough to know what they’re doing is wrong and he’s probably more sorry he got caught than sorry for what he did to that girl.

[theohall]

The kid was convicted for what he did in Swedish court and has to do something, I don't know what. But it's like a) he was convicted, but b) he should be screwed for the rest of his life?? Absolutely no rehabilitation possible in the minds of a ridiculous number of people even though, it wasn't a "sex crime" in Sweden. She admitted to her act being consensual. The pictures are "defamation" not a sex crime like some folks are saying.

Was the kid wrong? YES. He was convicted and wanted to deal with that conviction without the ridiculousness of being a 1st Rd NHL draft pick.

Marc Bergevin, the more guilty party in this, ignored his request, drafted him anyway, and blew up the crap storm around the kid, who was trying to work through it without having to deal with the NHL. SHAME on Bergevin for not respecting the kid's request.

Given this situation, the NHL needs to implement rules allowing players to officially opt out of the draft under special circumstances. Those rules don't exist. It's a failure on Bergevin's part for not respecting the kid's wishes and a failure on the NHL's part for not having some mechanism to allow a player to opt out given special circumstances.

The kid screwed up. Was convicted. And didn't want or need additional publicity while he dealt with it. Marc Bergevin, the MTL Canadiens, and the NHL completely ignored this, regardless of how it would impact the kid. The result on Twitter - the kid is a rapist/sex offender who should never be forgiven - completely ignorant of what he was actually convicted of which has nothing to do with rape or being a sex offender under Swedish law. If US citizens can't respect a foreign conviction and that foreign country's laws while demanding the kid should never be forgiven??? That's a massively flawed user attitude as if no one has done anything wrong ever, so screw the kid for the rest of his life.

Had MTL respected the kid's wishes, this post and the ridiculousness on Twitter wouldn't be happening. Marc Bergevin is the one who should have a torch to his feet.

[theohall]

To an extent I get the argument that he was a stupid kid who did something stupid but for fugsake I did stupid shit too, but never to the extent of taking compromising photos with a girlfriend and sharing it with everyone I knew. That’s a whole other level. I have two sons, no daughters so I guess I can’t speak for those who have daughters but I’d be pissed to the point that I would probably consider switching my allegiance if I was a Canadiens fan. It was a totally disrespectful selection.

Maybe the kid did learn and legitimately wanted another year to repair his character and if he did then good on him, but 15, 16, 17 year olds to treat them like kids is bull. They’re old enough to know what they’re doing is wrong and he’s probably more sorry he got caught than sorry for what he did to that girl.

And the girl was 18. Were it in the US, she could have been charged for statutory rape - but since it's in Sweden, we're supposed so follow Swedish age laws while ignoring what the kid was convicted for under Swedish Law - if you follow the "this kid is Frankenstein and should burn" logic. Nice hypocrisy, right? Picking and choosing which laws should apply.

[theohall]

G Devon Levi and 2022 1st to Buffalo for Sam Reinhart to FL.

That's a big upgrade for FL.

[glen a richter]

I like this move in the 3rd round. Dump a pointless pick way later in the draft and everything I’m reading about this kid is that he could have been ranked a lot higher except for a lack of playing time against men and he could be a steal, possible top 6 forward. We’ll see, someone to definitely keep an eye on and obviously someone they wanted enough to trade with the effing sharks.

[theohall]

Yep - had he played up and played at even half his current level, Robertsson likely would have been 1st rounder, in this draft. That last part is important.

Good things - he has the size Bolduc lacks right now and apparently has a wicked shot. Negative is he struggles under pressure - which is darn near constant in the O-zone at the NHL level. Positive, he's strong defensively which could put him on the ice in a 3rd/4th line role where his shot becomes more effective.

[glen a richter]

I love some of the Twitter responses to, I believe it was Rutherford. “Never heard of him”. No shit, 3rd round pick out of Europe in a year where everything was fucked up. Of course most people probably never heard of him, and that’s why you’re not an NHL scout. Don’t feel bad.

[theohall]

JR seems "lost" this season trying to write about the draft. There hasn't been anything of quality and he totally missed on the Buchnevich trade which is usually the kind of thing he gets to post 1st. Don't know what's going on in the Lou, other than continued Covid crap, but it seems like it's impacting his ability to communicate with his usual sources which impacts his writing.

[theohall]

I gotta bring this up. Atkinson for Voracek.

Atkinson comes out in an article talking about how the writing is on the wall and CBJ is trading their leaders so he'd be happy somewhere else. So, Cam. Are you happy to be traded for a Flyers veteran whom almost everyone when they see his face will think Flyers? It's not like you are going to a team keeping their vets to keep things going, Cam. Wonder if any reporter will be bold enough to ask that question.

[glen a richter]

On Robertsson: https://lastwordonsports.com/hockey/202 ... ng-report/

We''ll see. If he can be a 3rd or 4th liner who can score some goals and not be a defensive liability I'll be good with that. This team needs a strong 4th line, one that can eat minutes to take the load off the other three lines and can also contribute on the offensive side of the game... you know, kind of like in 2019. We'll probably next hear from this guy in about 2023.

[glen a richter]

#145 LHD Tyson Galloway. Can't find much. Big guy, left side just like the Blues don't need.

[glen a richter]

I took a little walk down memory lane. The last time the Blues drafted someone in the 7th round or later who actually played a game at the NHL level was in 2002 when the draft was 9 rounds and they took Tom Koivisto in the 8th. The last 7th rounder worth a damn? Ladislav Nagy in 1997.

Having said that, welcome the the organization 7th round pick Ivan Vorobyov. Since this is the last time we'll ever hear your name, congratulations?

[theohall]

No need to repeat what I said from the get-go

[flyingnote38]

I like this move in the 3rd round. Dump a pointless pick way later in the draft and everything I’m reading about this kid is that he could have been ranked a lot higher except for a lack of playing time against men and he could be a steal, possible top 6 forward. We’ll see, someone to definitely keep an eye on and obviously someone they wanted enough to trade with the effing sharks.

seems the GMs of teams I follow are extremely fond of trading up. Ryan Pace has the rep of being a dope doing this with taints my view on it. hopefully armie is a little more judicious. felt kind of meh about the first rounder