Losing arguably our best player kind of sucks.  As a result the season can turn out one of several ways:

1. Isles perform worse than expected...and even worse without MS.

2. Isles perform as expected...and slightly worse without MS.

3. Isles perform better than expected...and narrowly miss the playoffs #@$%!

4. Stanley Cup!

The corresponding draft positions are as such:

1. A pick out of 1-4

2. 5-8

3. 9-14

4. 30

As you can see there is only one possible outcome if we make the playoffs.

Considering our chances of attaining another high draft pick are that much higher now, it's been fun reading up on the possible next addition(s) to Garth Snow's stable of rebuilding materials.

Here are some of the places I've been on my travels:

TSN surveys scouts resulting in a three-way tie for #1. (Sept. 14)

The Hockey Writers sets a ranked list of the top 60 players. (Sept. 14)

MyNHLDraft has a mock draft based on player rankings and team odds to win it all. (updated Sept. 20)

HFBoards has a 150 player ranking (hey, 5 rounds!), but that link goes to the latest variation that consists of unlinked names.  So here is the thread starting with the Jan. 4 ranks, regional ranks, and tons and tons of user comments. (updated Sept. 15)

and finally, Wikipedia's 2011 NHL Entry Draft page with ISS's July 1st top 10, listings of teams' traded picks, and conditional picks.  Quick, let's give the Isles the first 15 picks!

Now we can deliberate over who best would fit into Snow and Gordon's plan and system, where we'll finish,...and prospects in general.  Please post any other links on prospects in comments...anything to get our minds off Streit.