Kings Keep #5 Pick, Draft Schenn
June 26th, 2009 by puremetal33Amidst speculation there would be a deal for a proven scorer on draft day, the Kings decided to keep the #5 overall pick and draft center Brayden Schenn on Friday. While I was initially a little disappointed in the team not acquiring a player who would add scoring NOW, I do love the pick. Schenn is a kid with a lot of heart who will make a solid 2nd line center in the future. He’s gritty and he can put the puck in the net. I think he’ll be a good one.
It’ll be interesting to hear the post-draft comments from Dean Lombardi. I have to imagine that the Kings were thinking deal maybe even all the way up till today. With Ottawa asking WAY too much for Heatley, especially given some possible character issues, it probably became clear that picking was the best option available. Despite comments made by Hextall and Lombardi for the past week or so, I still thought that when the rubber met the road on draft day, Heatley would end up coming to the Kings for the #5 overall pick and possibly a prospect. The idea of the Kings giving up two roster players and the pick for a guy who requested a trade is ludicrous to me. I have a feeling Heatley is stuck in Ottawa until Bryan Murray can wrap his head around a reasonable asking price for the prolific sniper.
12 more draft picks to go Saturday, and there’s always a possibility that some wheeling and dealing could go down.
More tomorrow
-JS
