A player with speed will definitely fit in to the Habs lineup and their make up for the

A player with speed will definitely fit in to the Habs lineup and their make up for the years to come.Ideal pick: Nicolas Deschamps, Chicoutimi, (QMJHL) Nashville Predators The Predators will be looking for a highly-skilled forward and a goaltender in this draft. They hold two first round picks, including number 9 from the Panthers from the Vokoun deal. That should be the pick they use to lock up a potent goal scorer who can help the Preds offence, and could possibly use him next season.Ideal pick: Zac Boychuk, Lethbridge (WHL) New Jersey Devils Sorry Lou Lamoreillo, but your team needs goal-scoring. New Jersey has relied too much on Martin Brodeur, and without having virtually any defence in front of him, doesn’t serve too well.

Drafting Zach Parise and Travis Zajac is a step in the right direction, but the team needs to pick wisely and choose a two-way forward who can contribute on both sides of the puck.Ideal pick: Zac Dalpe, Penticton (BCHL) New York Islanders The Isles are up at number 5 and could also use some offence. The team needs both forwards and defencemen, but will need to draft a forward first to insure that they have firepower on the way to help as early as next year. Garth Snow and the rest of NYI management has to weigh their options carefully before hitting the podium Friday night.Ideal pick: Nikita Filatov, Moscow CSKA-2 (Russia) New York Rangers The blue shirts are going to have to improve their weak blue line, and in a hurry. The Rangers have to utilize the 20thpick to draft a solid defenceman, or they should trade that pick for an established NHL defenceman in order to insert him in the roster next season. Regardless, the Rangers need a reliable D-man.Ideal pick: John Carlson, Indiana (USHL) Ottawa Senators The Senators went from league powerhouse to a sorry excuse for a team in the course of one season. Goaltending is not a problem in the future with Brian Elliott and Jeff Glass at the helm.

An solid defenceman would be realistic with the departure of long-time Senator Wade Redden. With the draft in Ottawa, don’t be surprised to see the Sens climb up the chart to get a cheer out of the hometown crowd and make a smart selection. They’re currently at number 18.Ideal pick: Colten Teubert, Regina (WHL) Philadelphia Flyers Philly sits at number 27 after enjoying a great season which seen them in the conference finals against their cross-state rivals in Pittsburgh. The Flyers have great offensive and defensive depth, but in goal they’re lacking talent. Behind Martin Biron is Antero Nittymaki, and behind him is…well, exactly. The Flyers’ best bet would be to select a goaltender.Ideal pick: Thomas McCollum, Guelph (OHL) Phoenix Coyotes There’s plenty to talk about when it comes to the forwards on Wayne Gretzky’s squad. Goaltending also looks solid with Ilya Bryzgalov between the pipes Choosing a defenceman would be wise.

Someone who can be a physical presence while generating offence when called upon. The Desert Dogs are selecting 8th overall.Ideal pick: Tyler Myers, Kelowna (WHL) Pittsburgh Penguins The Penguins dealt their 29thoverall pick to the Thrashers as part of the Marian Hossa deal at the trade deadline. With Ray Shero and his staff picking at the bottom of the 2ndround, the best move would to select the best player available. Both the Pens and their minor-league affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) both made the finals of each of their leagues. It is easy to say that the Penguins can use this pick on anybody and know that it most likely won’t impact the team whatsoever.Ideal pick:. I’m a lucky person  Flat out lucky as can be.

 Lucky enough to have kept friendships that have lasted more than 2/3 of my life.  Lucky enough to have a family that still supports me blindly regardless of the circumstances.I’m also lucky enough to have the ability to drive to Athens at least once every summer so I can take the time to slow down and remember what “home” feels like.  This weekend is the weekend of the Unofficial Official Event.  Redcoats that I marched with, marched before me and marched after me will all meet on the 3rd floor of The Village Idiot somewhere around 8:00 pm.