Alfie has already spoiled some of the surprise when he suggested that if he has the first pick, he will take Erik Karlsson.
Not only is the All Star Game built for a guy as skilled as Karlsson, but Alfie is has been pushed in that direction by his kids. After that, it is up in the air. Will Alfie follow a Karlsson pick with his other teammates Spezza and Michalek? Would Chara take Karlsson if he had the first pick just to mess with his opponent? And who takes Brian Elliott?
And then you have the drama of who goes last. I’m going to go on record and predict Jason Pominville as the last pick. He is in the tough spot of having two division rivals as team captains.
A few rules to note for tonight.
- A coin toss will decide first pick, with Alfredsson and Chara, joined by their assistant captains, alternately drafting the 38 remaining All-Stars through 19 rounds
- Each team will consist of three goaltenders, six defensemen and 12 forwards
- Each team's three goalies must be picked by the end of Round 10 and each team's six defensemen must be picked by the conclusion of Round 15.
- The NHL Foundation and the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund each will donate $10,000 on behalf of the All-Star selected with the final pick of the Draft to the grassroots hockey program of his choice.
While all the attention will be on the Fantasy Draft later tonight, there are a few events to take in today. The NHL Trophy Procession is set to take place on the Rideau Canal from 2:30 PM-3:00 PM and immediately after that, the NHL Fan Fair opens up at the Rideau Convention Centre.
So how do you see tonight unfolding? Who goes first? Who goes last? And will Alfie try to unite the four Senators players for this weekend's festivities?
Also I heard that michalek, Karlsson, and greening are going to be there signing autographs !
GO SENS GO
I will go with Hartnell as last pick...
http://senators.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=77179
Would owe a lifetime debt to a fellow Sens fan that could pick me up an autograph!
ooooo, any details like that for the other days? I need to know whether it is more worth it to skip out on work later today, or tomorrow...
http://watch.tsn.ca/featured/#clip607684
I'd like to see Chara take the twins with his 1st and 2nd picks. Sure, it's not going to happen, but THAT is the ridiculous part, not the suggestion itself.
It really would be the pinnacle of sportsmanship and a great example at the perfect time/place. Just consider it...
Also, I asked the Ottawa Senators FB feed if Alfie and/or Spezza will be signing tomorrow and they've said yes but schedule not out until tomorrow
Too late?
EEEYYOORRRREEEE EE!
Sounds like it's sold out. You could check around the net for people that are selling theirs. Could be tough though.
Waay too late unless you can win them in a contest or something but I haven't heard of any.
Sold out fast.
Any idea what might be going on at SBP before the skills comp? Should I get there really early?
Thats because Steve Kouleas runs that show! Steve has always showed some love for ottawa
He's not stupid and he has a co-captain to advise him. Put it this way, if Zdeno's team wins, he gets TEAM CHARA forever in the history books as the winner of the ASG this year.
That alone should be pretty good incentive for both captains to try and ice the best team possible.
You can get them on UsedOttawa or Kijiji but for insane amounts of $$$.
Like that really means anything, its a politically driven event. Captains will chose their guys first, to show loyalty. You can bet your ass Chara will NOT select a Canucks player...
Winning the ASG or even the skills means absolutely nothing to these guys. They get nothing for it except for paid trip to Ottawa, lol.
Maybe you are right, we'll see! I am not a big fan of theirs either, but I've learned to regret avoiding them in my hockey pools.
I can't find any with a price attached to them.
I do however regret not purchasing the two I had in my cart. It was a sudden sale and I didn't have time to figure out if I actually wanted to go or not. Worst case scenario could have made some $$$ off them.
Ha I've done the same and got burned a few years back. Now for sure they are #1-2 on my draft board for pools!
Call the person, you never know and you may get an idiot who doesnt know what they are worth and sell them to you cheap. (like $100 each), those that were there before we're all around $250-300 a pop, some up to $1000, lol.
I for one agree. I really don't buy this hype that Chara will avoid the Sedins in the draft. I consider both Alfie and Chara classy guys and they will pick whatever makes sense in each round. I'll actually even predict that as soon as Alfie picks a Sedin brother, that Chara will respond by picking the other....just to shut everyone up.
Yeah but Lupul is an alternate captain for Chara, you would think they get Kessel and Phaneuf to play with Lupul. Thats my guess.
Although, with Lupul as an assistant captain, I'm guessing Phaneuf and Kessel are picked earlier on. Probably why they picked him as an 'A'. To ensure the Laffs didn't all go last.
Pominville seems like a likely last pick...
Maybe get him on re-entry?
All hail King Chirp!
Haha got a thumbs up from me!
Yeah I could see that.
I could see Jamie Benn, Eberle even Neal maybe last pick.
I think the last pick is somebody who is steady and reliable. A good player but unspectacular. Somebody like Pominville or Neal.
True, Ebs got some moves! Cant wait! I'm gonna try and heckle Kessel!!
throw a waffle at him...priceless ...probably not worth getting thrown out though.
I would also expect the Sedins end up on the same team this year as they've already done the whole split them up angle now.
Should be an interesting draft!
The Fan Fair and probably every bar in the Ottawa region!! lol
Online?...for those of us not able to come into Ottawa
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Ottawa/2012/01/25/19294986.html
can't say i'm normally a fan, but good on someone to voice up!
GSG!
TSN will be streaming it... Not sure if it's free or not though...
Yes they will have TV's set up through out the Fan Fair and they have a Molson zone that will have beer and TV's...
too bad it will be Molson beer...blech... you guys need some Alpine up there.
Oh I agree... LOL
Love some Alpine! Wife is from Dalhousie.. Too bad they don't sell it up here, but the in laws always bring some up at Christmas...
Chirp, you should setup a pool on this and a prize can go to the person who has the closest results as far as final teams are concerned.
you think they would...have seen some newfie beer up there, but mind you, there are way more newfies up that way than new brunswickers lol.
The term start, really doesn't mean that these players will be on a starting line or on either team. I think it reflects more along the lines of them starting, by already being selected to the ASG. That's about it really, nothing to do with position or line combo's.
Supposedly Suter is off the market as Nashville has decided to try and make a run this year.
East Coast born and raised, Alpine is my beer of choice. I make sure to bring it back to Ottawa with me every time I make a trip home. Mmmmmmm... now I'm thirsty.
There is one set and they already have the names and numbers on them.
The fix is in!!!
WHAT, HE COULDVE HAD THE OTHER SEDIN. DAMMIT HENDRIK
edit:
thanks for the link
by the way, if you havent already. make sure everyone goes down to the convention center with their friends/familie s. it is really something. i went with a couple buddies. got autographs from greening michalek karlsson. lots of fun events and free stuff everywhere. i also recommend you go attend the interviews they do in the xm theatre (in the convention center) i got to watch the michalek interview, lots of fun.
tomorrow at 11:30 is the interview with karlsson. spezza autographs at noon then interviews at 2:30. hossa signing at 1. alfie interview at 1 and signings at 2:15. gordie howe singings at 3 and chara signings at 6:30.
i havent found what the following days complete schedule but i know that iginla will be signing autographs at 10 and corey perry will be at i beleive noon.
Really hoping for Eberle on Alfie's team... but Chara got to him first.
One thing I will say... we haggled Lupul every time he took to the mike and he handled it really well... was impressed -- even though he is a Leaf.
Bumped into Bryan Murray & Paul McLean at the Convention Centre... hoping to go again tomorrow.
At the end of day, was given an autographed Karlsson photo. Nice.
Of course Lupul handled it well, he's a class act and always has been. I'm not surprised. I wasn't surprised at how well Phaneuf and Kessel handled it in their interviews as well. I hate the blue and white, but these three guys are here as individuals to celebrate the game of hockey and the great seasons that they're having. I can put my hate aside for the weekend lol
Also I thought the booing was funny at first but t hen it really got obnoxious and tiresome.
The draft surprised me with Dat's going 1st overall, but then again what's not to like about that pick. I think anyone of those guys could have been a legit top pick, minus Hartnell. No disrespect but he's not your typical all star forward. Final analysis, I think team Alfie wins. Goalies are almost an even lock, but in a none physical none contact type of game, Alfie has the more skilled and better puck moving and offensive D. Throw in two brothers who have lead the league in the last few years as well as the top goal scoring forward in Stamkos (who I can't wait to see being set up Spezza) and this game has highlight real all over it. Team Alfie takes it on Sunday.
Guys on Sportsnet brought up an idea and I thought it sounded like a very good future plan, have the fans pick the top 6 players in the next all star voting. Then split them 3 on each team and have the players pick there team from all the available players in the NHL. This would eliminate that 'you got picked last ' issue and just being honored as being selected to the ASG by a selection of your peers would be enough. It would be interesting to see who each captain would choose if they had the pick of the litter.
Looking forward to the skills comp.
Let's put the boot on the other foot. The ASG is in Toronto. Spezza is an assistant captain and gets booed every time he speaks. Karlsson gets picked abd is booed as he walks out. Alfie gets picked and walks out to chants of Alfie Sucks.
Pretty sure we'd be all over this board talking about how classless leaf fans are.
I really don't think so...
You really think if the game was in Toronto they wouldn't get booed?
The booing is fine, it's part of the rivalry and part of sports and it's not like it was really that bad...
The "pick Wade Belak" though was pretty stupid...
The Belak comment was completely unacceptable. Plain and simple.
Although I dont think we can assume that was necessarily a Sens fan that said it and if it was, I think we all know there are idiots in every fan base. No need to paint the entire fan base as classless because one goof yelled out something stupid.
No definitely not.. I was just pointing out it was dumb, but by no means that guy represents Ottawa, as so many people are claiming...
also the best comment of the night had to be Kane with his "That blonde is unbelieveable" LMAO!
Spezza was also his usual goofiness.
Long time no post, I've been lurking for a year or more though, thanks for the great work chirp.
C-Mac
No kidding that blonde was MINT.
That "Belak" comment disgusts me and I really hope it wasn't a SENS fan that yelled that out. Total disrespect and classless. That guy's head needs a check.
I'm not saying it was that bad, just tiresome and unimaginative after two hours - shouting that the key was for Kessel's car was much funnier
and you're kind of missing the point of my post, i wasn't suggesting sens players wouldn't get booed in Toronto - of course they would - and we'd be up in arms about it saying it was classless, which is exactly what the leaf fans are saying about us right now.
It's fine, it's the hypocrisy of being a sports fan.
Had to be a Sens fan, I mean 90% of the room was, bad taste, probably a bandwagon Sens fan.
Had some good times with JR after the show, guy is a blast!
Kessel is pretty wooden, you know they get paid for their hockey skills and not everyone is a great public speaker or interviewee.
Phaneuf I was almost surprised handled the whole booing and rivalry thing very well, said all of the right things in how passionate Ottawa fans are, how this is a great city and how it's a terrific rivalry with the B&W pukes.
I heard someone yell that but couldn't quite make out what was said, hopefully most other people couldn't hear that either.
Absolutely terrible and classless beyond words.
Not surprised its the politically right thing to say, not like Kane and or Spezza, those guys are off in left field. And Seguin, I mean come on kid, show your interested, I think he said "I dont know we'll see" like 5 times in a 1 minute interview.
I don't want to continue on this topic but bandwagon or not that guy is classless and needs to grow up. It wasn't funny. The NHL lost some good guys this past summer. Sorry I'm dragging this but I met Belak one time at a Charity event and the guy is a class act.
Anyways by looking at the teams, Team Chara looks like the favorite to win. Man they are stacked.
What was wrong with Spezza? Seemed like he was into it and having a good time
Yeah thats what I meant, they werent robots, they were having fun out there. No holding back.
"The way this season is going, if I'm still healthy after this season, I'm hoping I can go one more," said Alfredsson. "This year has been so good. If we can make the playoffs, that would almost be a dream come true."
Yeah, it's nice to see. That look Spezza gave after Alfie drafted Karl was pretty funny.
That's great news. Let's hope his body doesn't feel too rough in the off season. Keep Yoga-ing Alfie !!
Greening - Spezza - Silverberg
Zibanejad - Turris - Alfie
Not bad at all. I like it.
Shame on you morons...you know who you are.
Sorry Ice Surfas, but other than the Belak thing, it was pretty funny. It sounded like the NFL draft in NYC when the Eagles hit the podium . Loved it. If it wasnt for the hecklers it would have been dead silent and Ottawa would be labelled as quiet deadbeats with no sense of humour so lighten up buddy. Good job by the fans to give Leaf players grief. Theyèd do teh same or worse if it was in TO.
Oh Leafs fans must even come onto Sens fans websites to whine about being booed, go away. Leafs fans are the rudest, most ignorant, and hate filled people in the world, its not an opinion, its simple fact, if it was in Toronto, they would have to have bodyguards around Alfie.
Well that doesnt really end all speculation, he didnt say outright he would come back, he said is his health allowed him to. Who knows how he will feel after going 1 or maybe 2 rounds of playoffs.
I hope he does comeback tho!
@ Spinorama,
Excellent projected lineup for next year.
Why would you not include Michalek, but slot in
3 young guys ahead of Milan ??
Are you suggesting that A- he drops to 3rdor 4th line
or B- that he is not on Sens roster, but traded ??
Funny how people say "those people are not true fanbase" haha yet dont even go to the events...I'm assuming you did not attend the draft event Icy?
If it wasnt for us, the people in attendance and especially the ones booing or chanting all night, it would have been one boring ass show. It was kinda sad the applause guy had to remind us to cheer while going in and out of commercials.
Typical of some Sens fans to not want to boo or cheer to loudly, we might disturb the show they are listening to.
Stick to watching TV.
Excellent projected lineup for next year.
Why would you not include Michalek, but slot in
3 young guys ahead of Milan ??
Are you suggesting that A- he drops to 3rdor 4th line
or B- that he is not on Sens roster, but traded ??
hahaha Sorry Snoopy,
I had originally inserted Milan with Turris and Alfie and got excited at the thought of also having Silverberg here.
Let me re-arrange it.
Silverberg - Spezza - Michalek
Zibanejad - Turris - Alfie
Greening - Smith - Neil
Although Foligno is playing Great this year I do beleive that at this trade deadline it will be time to let him go.
Sometimes having too much depth forces you to let go to some real good players.
Not bad, not bad at all, since next year we could possibly make noise in the playoffs, I could see us adding a FA stud top 6 player.
I also think Murray will look to move somebody out either this year or the next.
Geez, you would think they shot a live puppy on stage or something...
They were booing some Leaf players, did you people really expect different?
I'd hate to see you guys go to a Jets/Giants, Steelers/Ravens or Habs/Bruins game or any of the leagues in Europe..
I think it's more likely he moves out a body or 2 at the draft. You don't wanna deal away depth before the playoffs, but at the draft he can recoup a couple 2nd rounders and leave a couple spots open for silfverberg/zib /filly(yes him!)/FA stud
Regin is out, but who else goes? Michalek's value is at an all time high...