ATLANTA/WINNIPEG/MANITOBA THRASHERS - 7th Overall
Note: With the expectations that Winnipeg will soon be named the new home for Atlanta I will be referring to this team as Winnipeg
Team Need(s):
- Second Line Center
- Top 4 Defenseman
- Future Backup Goaltender
Breaking it Down:
Atlanta Winnipeg will get a fresh breath of air once the legal paperwork is complete and the league (officially) announces that the team will begin next season playing in front of Winnipeg's loyal fanbase. What better way to start fresh than welcoming another top prospect to your organization a few weeks later. The Thrashers franchise has been stockpiling prospects for the past few years that include Alexander Burmistrov (2010), Ivan Telegin (2010), Evander Kane (2009), Carl Klingberg (2009) and Zach Bogosian (2008). General Manager Rick Dudley has the luxury of picking the best player available with no glaring holes in their organizational depth chart. In saying that, Winnipeg would probably pounce on one of the top centers if Huberdeau, Couturier or Strome fell to them.
The Decision:
Rick Dudley will appear at the podium with a masked-man wearing the jersey of the newly named Winnipeg franchise,
"On behalf of the fans of Winnipeg that have waited so long for the return of an NHL franchise I would like to reveal the identity of the masked-man. Please remove your mask sir."
The man slowly turns around as his #8 jersey faces the draft floor. He peels off his mask and turns around throwing it into the air. The crowd explodes in applause as Teemu Selanne shoots the flying mask circa 1992-93.
Teemu speaks,
"Winnipeg, I will be returning to your city for one more season." Epic applause.
After an eight minute standing ovation, Teemu continues,
"With the 7th pick of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, the Winnipeg ________s are pleased to make defenseman Dougie Hamilton from the Niagara IceDogs the first ever draft pick of this new franchise"
Why Dougie Hamilton?
Hamilton might not be available at seventh as he's a difficult prospect to read. There are some people who believe Hamilton could be drafted as high as fourth and others who feel he may slide late into the first round (no chance). Dougie Hamilton is a defenseman who projects to be a top four defenseman capable of logging big minutes. He owns a smooth powerful skating stride to combine with good size and good hockey IQ. To add, Dougie Hamilton recently took home the CHLs 2011 Scholastic Player of the Year award after finishing with a 94% average and that intelligence shouldn't be overlooked.
In all likelihood, Hamilton will likely develop into a defender similar to Calgary's Jay Bouwmeester. Hamilton has good offensive instincts that will allow him to play effectively on the powerplay but also plays a good sound defensive game. Hamilton would join a talented defence core that features Tobias Enstrom, Dustin Byfuglien, and Zach Bogosian. It's been rumoured for a while that Bogosian might be on the move which would make the Hamilton-pick look like a good fit as his replacement.
Dougie Hamilton,Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
Position: Defenseman
Shoots: Right
Height: 6'4, Weight: 187 lbs
Hometown: St. Catharines, ON
67GP-12G-46A-58P
DY as GM: Hamilton is a solid prospect who I believe is one of the more sure-fire NHLers. But, with Atlanta moving to Winnipeg, I would love to see the new franchise make a huge splash by trading up. As I stated in the Winnipeg introduction, I feel that Atlanta will pick the best player available. In my opinion, Dougie Hamilton would be a good pick if he fell to seventh.