LOS ANGELES — Talk of blockbuster trades overshadowing last night’s NHL Entry Draft was just that — talk.
Which, come to think of it, is exactly what Edmonton GM Steve Tambellini did plenty of in a vain attempt to get Boston’s second overall pick in addition to the first overall selection the Oilers spent on Windsor left wing Taylor Hall.
In the end, though, the Bruins went with the chalk and chose Plymouth center Tyler Seguin second overall. The selection likely means that Boston GM Peter Chiarelli will intensify his effort to deal Marc Savard before the playmaking pivot’s no-trade clause kicks in on July 1.
Tampa Bay’s Steve Yzerman went in the risk/reward route in using the first draft pick of his career as an NHL GM on talented winger Brett Connolly, even though the winger missed nearly all of last season with hip issues.
The Kings’ Staples Center turned into the Duck Pond when Anaheim used the 29th overall pick to select Long Beach native Emerson Etem, who grew up playing in-line hockey.
Chants of “Let’s Go Ducks!” erupted when the selection was made.
Windsor defenseman Cam Fowler, who was projected as a top five selection, slid to 12th overall, where the Ducks selected him. Similarly, Moncton D Brandon Gormley, also projected as a top-seven, went 13th overall, selected by Phoenix.
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The Islanders, who selected Nino Niederreiter fifth overall, traded the 35th and 58th overall selections to Chicago for the 30th and final choice of last night’s first round. GM Garth Snow used that pick on Minnesota high school center Brock Nelson.
Rounds 2-7 will be conducted today. The Devils, who did not have a first round pick after sending it to Atlanta in the Ilya Kovalchuk trade, will select 38th overall.