The NHL shines again

The 2011 NHL Entry Draft has been a lot of fun. It's been a lot of fun for many reasons and although there was no clear cut number one, or even a duo like last years Taylor or Tyler, the league will reap another ratings win.

From the moment the draft began, with the Edmonton Oilers selection of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to the honoring of E.J. McGuire, the NHL does such a classy job year in and year out with their draft process. The New York Rangers chipped in with a great moment having Aaron Boogaard call their selection, to honor the tragic passing of his brother, Derek Boogaard.

Christopher Gibson, Chicoutimi Sangueneens

As the second round began, the Los Angeles Kings selected goaltender Christopher Gibson and with that choice another great moment as NHL Networks Deb Placey had a brief, teary eyed moment with Gibson's mother and father.

The Columbus Blue Jackets shocked many with their trade of Nikita Filatov, to the Senators for a 3rd round pick. Filatov was drafted 6th overall in the 2008 Draft. What a fall from grace as that makes three former top picks for the Jackets to falter, counting Jakub Voracek (7th ov 2007) and Nikolai Zherdev (4th ov 2003) all European born players.

It's been a compelling draft thus far, and now as I'm writing this,  the New York Rangers have traded one of their top prospects, Evgeny Grachev, for a third round draft choice from St. Louis, taking another American born center, Steven Fogarty.