Staples Center, Los Angeles Ca,- The 2010 NHL entry draft was one of the dullest drafts in recent memory.  Going into Friday, there were two large trades, and several star players on the block.  After Friday, every one of those players were still with their current clubs.

There was no surprise at the top as the Oilers took Taylor Hall, and Boston followed that with Tyler Seguin.

The Florida Panthers traded Keith Ballard to Vancouver then took Erik Gudbranson with the 3rd pick.   The first surprise of the draft  came  when third overall rated player Cam Fowler began to freefall down the draft board.  Teams between picks four through nine decided to take scoring forwards rather then defensemen.

The Rangers stunned a lot by passing on Fowler and taking D Dyllan Mcllrath.  Finally, at 12, the Anaheim Ducks selected Fowler amongst the boos from longtime rival Kings fans.

I was able to speak with Ducks GM Bob Murray moments after the pick, and he told me, “I tried to trade up four times and was thrilled to get the guy I wanted without having to move at all”.

The Kings traded up to 15, and selected Derek Forbort to the loud cheers of the local fans.  The Ottawa Senators traded  pick #16 to the St Louis Blues for highly regarded prospect David Rundbland.  The surprise of the 20’s was Phoenix taking goaltender Mark Visiten ahead of higher- rated Calvin Pickard.

So- Cal born Beau Bennitt went 20th overall to the Pittsburgh Penguins .  I was blown away by what occurred  at pick 28.  Emerson Etem was taken by the Ducks, and met loud cheers. This will be the only time he will be cheered in Staples Center.  Bob Murray was again thrilled that a player he had ranked in the top 15 fall to him at 28th.

Day 2 was very quiet.  Calvin Pickard did not need to wait long when Colorado took him 49th overall.  I have a in -depth interview coming soon with Calvin. So stay tuned.

The Islanders took the wild card of the draft at pick 65 with the selection of  Kirill Kabanov, who might be the best player overall in the draft.

Finally, the Kings took Maxim Kitsyn a player rated in the top 40 who  fell to the 5th round.

Overall, the Kings did a fantastic job as host.  I asked GM Rick Dudley of the Atlanta Thrashers why there was a lack of movement in this year’s draft, and he told me, “The teams with cash have no cap space, and the teams with cap space have no cash”.  It seems that no cap space and no cash equals a static entry draft.

Mike Murangi
NHLHS Entry Draft Correspondent
mmurangi@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @Draft_Mike