In the last decade, the Devils were a scouting machine: they found Brian Rafalski in Europe. They drafted Zach Parise after the Rangers and Islanders both passed him over. They signed Mad Dog as a free agent out of the University of Michigan. In 1994, after drafting the ever-popular Sherriff (Vadim Sharifijanov, one in a long line of guys who wore #8 and shares the distinction of being trade bait for Mogilny in 2000), they picked up some Czech dude named Elias in the 2nd round (Elias was the 54th player drafted that year). What does all of this mean? The draft isn’t a sure-fire thing, unless you look at the few 2-3 players in the last few years. Even Milan Lucic, who gives hope to the spoked B in the Hub of the universe, was a 2nd round, #50 pick by the Bruins in 2006. It’s about scouting, talent development, and picking up young free agents — guys out of college, guys with grit, guys who are going to fight for ice time. Guys who don’t let their season slip away because they’ve banked their money; guys who need every penny of the entry-level salary because they’ve been thrust into a spotlight that might not last.
Why not spend more time scouting the ECAC and Hockey East players? The Flyers managed to sign Darroll Powe out of Princeton, who not only played 60 regular season games but had 3 points in the Flyers’ first-round playoff series. That makes him the equal of Langenbrunner, Elias and Shanahan in terms of production, and the kid can skate, hit, and has an attitude. Being 5′ 11″, undrafted, and having to survive a season and a half in the Philadelphia AHL system would do that to you.
Let’s stop discussing this year’s John Madden. I want the Devils to find the John Madden graduating this year. And sign him as a free agent. Let’s stock the shelves with young guns.
