Blues eyeing Schenn at 4?

That is what Andy Stickland is reporting on Hockeybuzz.com. Check it out:

Sources say the LA Kings will select Guelph D-man Drew Doughty with the 2nd overall pick.

I’m told the Thrashers will also take a D-man with the 3rd selection and they are leaning towards Peterborough stud Zach Bogosian.

Don’t be surprised if St.Louis takes Kelowna D-man Luke Schenn at number 4. He may not be as offensive as the other top D-men in the draft, but anybody who paid attention to the World Junior Championships last spring knows he was a stalwart and was a huge part of Canada’s success. One scout recently told me he’s the total package who can control the pace of the game. He’s calm with the puck, makes a terrific first pass, and is being compared to Hall of Famer Scott Stevens.

There is a lot of hype for Russian star Nikita Filatov, but the combination of his lack of size and speed is scaring a few teams away. Small players without explosiveness don’t normally turn into superstars in the NHL. One person recently told me that people need to understand that this
isn’t Ovechkin or Malkin. Scouts have told me Nikolai Zherdev is a stronger comparison.

According to Stickland it would be:

Tampa - Stamkos
LA - Doughty
Atlanta - Bogosian
St. Louis - Schenn
NYI - ?
Columbus ?

One thing about Andy Strickland is that he is usually bang on with his info on the Blues considering he is their beat guy.

So if Schenn is gone at 4 then that leaves two of the big 6 remaining - Russian forward Nikita Filatov and Canadian defensemen Alex Pietrangelo.

If the Jackets were to hold onto this pick you would have to think they would be crossing every finger and toe that the Islanders go with the dynamic forward and that Pietrangelo slides to them. It has been rumored heavily that the Islanders are very high on Filatov. I think the Jackets would be thrilled to get any one of the big four in Doughty, Bogosian, Pietrangelo or Schenn. Until now most thought it would Schenn who slides.

If the Islanders opt for Pietrangelo and Filatov is the guy left standing what do the Jackets do? I would think they'd have to trade down or out of the pick all together. I just don't think they have an interest in anyone who is comparable to Nik Zherdev at thus point. If they did stay in that slot I really hope they'd draft Colin Wilson but they may opt for the 6'7" tower defensemen Tyler Myers.

Pietrangelo Profile:
Pietrangelo is showing why most 'experts' think he is a lock to be a top 5 pick in the 2008 NHL Draft in Ottawa.

The only knock on him was that he was not physical enough. We agreed with that and it's clear to us that Alex heard the talk.

He has stepped up his physical game a bit but it's his smarts and poise that we love so much. It almost seems like he's not trying at times because he makes it all look so easy. Alex is so smart with and without the puck. He is one of those players that seems to slow the game down, his vision on the ice is outstanding. He makes great reads on when to hold the blueline and has a knack for keeping the puck in.

He consistantly sports a great plus/minus and averages almost a point per game. He makes great reads on the powerplay and like all great players, he makes players around him better. Petro's top end potential ceiling is very high, we expect him to be a top end NHL'er for many years.

Through all hype Alex just keeps everything under control and puts the team first. He is the most mature 17 year old I have ever met, I swear he's 27.

Season Team GP G A PTS +/- PIM
2006-07 Regular Season Mississauga IceDogs 59 7 45 52 40 45
2007-08 Regular Season Niagara IceDogs 60 13 40 53 29 94

Yeah, I think I'd be pretty happy with that at 6. No question.

Still over 40 days until we'll find out.

-LTL