Re:BUGG - Future Draft Selections

Bugg,
Great article on upcoming draft years. I was not suprised to see Tavares as your #1 NHL Draft Pick in 09', nor was anyone else. What I am surprised about is that there was no mention of another 09' draft selection who I think is a sure top 5 pick...Jared Staal. There is not much information out there on him right now, but don't you think if drafts were based on the name alone, he should have been mentioned. The thing is, it is not just his name, but Jared is supposed to be the best of the four Staal boys. I really don't know all that much about him, can you help?
What have you heard about him?
Where do you see him in the 09' draft?
How do you see him making a mark in the NHL if any?
Thanks,
Notch

Post edited by: notch4077, at: 2007/03/31 18:45

Notch, glad you enjoyed it.

You and a lot of other people have likely heard the talk that Jared is the best of the Staals from someone directly/indirectly familiar with a quote from The Hockey News a couple seasons ago. In it, their dad was quoted as saying Jared would be the best. However, THN got it wrong- his dad actually said JORDAN.

So what's the deal with Jared? In 63 games with Sudbury, the lanky winger has three points. Now, he is only 16, and a 6'2 16 year-old at that, but there's cause for concern. Selected high by Sudbury in the Priority Draft, Jared wasn't even the best player on his Minor Bantam team, which is a league that is a step below where the other first rounders came from.

Jared has shown a considerable lack of hockey sense since Bantam. He's got a good shot and good size, but he's an awkward skater still trying to get used to his body.

However, if there's one thing we know about the Staals, it's that they're late bloomers. At the same age, Jordan had 28 points in 66 games; Eric had 49. Jared could very easily erase these doubts next season by practicing hard in the summer.

Post edited by: mrbugg, at: 2007/03/31 19:31