BOSTON, MA – Based upon the PHN Mock Draft it is highly unlikely the Bruins would keep this pick. Almost all of the top-puck moving defensemen have been taken (there are plenty of talks the Bruins are trying to move up in the draft to get one of them). The Bruins snagged Tyler Seguin with their first pick and are pretty set up front. If there is not a forward who has fallen whom the club is in love with still on the board, the Bruins will probably trade down and select Dylan McIlrath a few picks later.
All speculation on McIlrath is that he is a tough-as-nails defenseman from Portland (WHL), but it comes down to the fact that Cam Neely was recently named President of the Bruins. The parallel being that Neely was a tough-guy from Western Canada, and McIlrath is supposed to go in the middle of the first round so it is a marriage made in heaven.
That speculation cheapens McIlrath’s potential. Most, if not all, players in the WHL gave McIlrath a wide berth and when he was given a chance to produce some offense he was able to do so.
McIlrath also fills a need for the Bruins, but highly-rated forwards Ryan Johansen and Jeff Skinner are still on the board and the Bruins might be tempted. However, based upon their previous drafts it would appear the Bruins need to focus on defense in this draft, but it’s never smart business to draft for need in the NHL. A lot can happen in the two to three years before most drafted players are ready for the NHL. Yet, seven of the Bruins last nine first and second round picks (including Seguin) in the Entry Draft have been forwards. The club has high hopes for their top picks in the last three drafts, Zach Hamill, Joe Colborne and Jordan Caron, respectively, and they’ll need roster spots soon. It would be a huge surprise if Seguin wasn’t on the team too. Additionally Boston also has Marc Savard, David Krejci, Milan Lucic, Marco Sturm, Patrice Bergeron and Blake Wheeler at the NHL level, so the club is stocked up front.
It’s different on defense. The club has had players such as Eddie Shore, Bobby Orr and Ray Bourque throughout its storied history and Zdeno Chara is the club’s captain and is one of the best defenseman in the league. Yet, Chara is only signed through the 2011 season. Next on the depth chart for the Bruins are Dennis Wideman and Andrew Ference, and although they are fine players neither of them should be confused with a number one defensemen. Frankly, defense should be an area for concern for the Bruins this off-season and certainly the 2011 off-season should provide the Bruins with some help unless Chara re-signs earlier. Looking at the club’s cap situation Chara is going to probably need to take something less than the $7.5 million he is scheduled to make this year. If Chara is a mercenary the Bruins will find themselves in deeper cap trouble or looking for a new captain. It might be time for insurance.
“With the 15th pick in the NHL Entry Draft, the Boston Bruins select, Dylan McIlrath.”
To learn more about Dylan McIlrath click on his name. Contact the author at Tom.Schettino@prohockeynews.com
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