Round 1, Pick #16, Joe Colborne - Center, Camrose Kodiaks (Alberta JHL):
Considering the round, the team, the name, and the height of Joe Colborne; comparisons with Joe Thornton are inevitable. Colborne's 190 pounds don't quite fill that 6' 5" frame out, though, which is one of the reasons he'll be playing at the University of Denver this winter. He has speed, size, and plays both ways. The one knock on him is that he stays on the outside of plays a bit too much. But if he gets bigger, that should be an easily solved problem.
Round 2, Pick #47, Maxime Sauve - Center, Val D'Or Foreurs (Quebec Major JHL)
The fact that Maxime isn't just French Canadian, but was actually born in France is forgivable because of his amazingly awesome name (I'm going to call him Maxime Suave). He's small at 6' 0" 170 lbs, but makes up for that with amazing quickness and quality skating. He's a proficient scorer, as well. He'll probably stay in the QMJHL for the 08-09 season.
Round 3, Pick #77, Michael Hutchinson - Goalie, Barrie Colts (Ontario HL)
Hutchinson has recently shot up the goaltender rankings thanks to some impressive playoff performances in the OHL. Against the Brampton Battalion, he averaged 44 saves a game (in 5 games), propelling Barrie to victory in the series. Hutchinson will probably return to the Colts for the 08-09 season as he just turned 18.
Round 4, Pick #97, Jamie Arniel - Center, Sarnia Sting (OHL)
The Bruins traded up to meet Arniel, who fell all the way to the 4th round. Many had him ranked higher than Bruins' first-rounder Colborne. Arneil was a teammate in Sarnia with 1st overall pick Steve Stamkos. Arniel will try to fill Stamkos' shoes (or skates I guess) in Sarnia in 08-09.
Round 6, Pick #173, Nicholas Tremblay - Center, Smiths Falls Bears (Central Junior A HL)
Scored 51 goals, and 59 assists in 57 games last year. 5' 11" and 190 lbs.
Round 7, Pick #197, Mark Goggin - Center, Choate Rosemary Hall (Connecticut)
Another player who fell far in the draft and a good steal at 197th overall. He'll be playing in the USHL this season, as well as for Choate. He's committed to Dartmouth after he graduates. He turns 18 in about a month so he has plenty of time to grow.
That's the draft. Not too amazing, but you can see a definite interest in acquiring offense. The Bruins' specialty seemed to be players who fell for one reason or another. That can often be a good place to find value, either that or waste a pick. Not everyone falls for no reason. But trading up for Arniel seems like a solid move.
Sources:
NHL.com
Illegal Curve
HockeysFuture.com
Boston.com's Bruins Blog
Photo Credits:
CamroseKodiaks.com
IIHF/HHoF/Mikael Fritzon
TONY SAXON, GUELPH MERCURY
Andre Ringuette/Getty Images
