Below is a little spreadsheet I threw together that ranks the top 10 players from each of the major prospect guides out there.
Both ISS and Central Scouting have released their final rankings but I think both Redline and MacKeens may still release their finals. If so, I'll modify this and re-post.
No surprise who the consensus top 2 are however things get real interesting after that. There isn't one player from slots 3 to 5 that is listed across all four guides - Fowler and Gormley are close however. Gudbranson seems to be all over the place - I've read his upside could be from Dion Phaneuf to Bryan Allen to Kyle MacLaren.
Unfortunately this isn't the best situation for the Jackets as the mix up could hurt the value of that 4th overall pick. That said I'd much rather be 4th than sitting at 6th or 7th right now (still mad we lost those Detroit games at the end of they year?).
Still like Fowler if we stay at #4 but I'm all about trading this pick. Here are a couple more scenarios to consider:
1. Trade down to the Hurricanes for the 7th overall and 37th overall. That would give the Jackets picks numbers 7th, 32nd, 37th and 55th. Quantify of course is not quality but at 7th overall they should still be able to get a quality player (Connolly?) and then with 3 picks in the 2nd round there is a lot of ammo use to get a player that can help now --- e.g. package some picks to get back up into the 1st round and then deal that pick for a player (Kaberle?) or package a couple of 2nd rounders for a player to help now.
2. There are a few teams that own two 1st round picks. The Thrashers own the 8th and 24th picks. Coyotes own 13th and 22nd. Ducks own 12th and 29th. The Bruins own 2nd and 15th. I'd have dedicated lines to each of these teams to see what they would offer up for the 4th. The Bruins are one team that also has depth at center with Savard, Kreci, Bergeron and soon to be Seguin (or maybe Hall). Maybe there is a deal to be made.
Howson needs to get real creative here and work the phones. Personally I'll be disappointed if we stand pat and make all of our picks.
Remember teams are re-made in the offseason starting at the draft. Rarely are in season hockey trades made any longer under the cap system. The trade deadline is all about the haves acquiring depth for their playoff pushes and the have-nots unloading rental player salaries.
Into mock drafts? I definitely am. Check out this link for an entire database of em!
Also NHL.com has posted 3 new mock drafts on their site which you can find here!
**SPOILER ALERT**
Each have the Jackets selecting Fowler:
Kimelman: Cam Fowler - Most skilled defenseman in draft will fill giant blue-line need for Jackets
Holland: Cam Fowler - With young forwards (Nash, Voracek, Brassard, etc.), Jackets look to the back end; Fowler is best available
Morreale: Cam Folwer - Is probably the most mobile defender available and exhibits plenty of poise
-LTL
