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Some pics from my visit to this year's NHL Entry Draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.
Step into FanFest and who’s the first Devils fan I see: the guy in the Sergei Nemchinov jersey. Yes, only the hardest of the hardcore come to see the NHL Draft live and in person.
Call me a skeptic, but I’m not sure the “Ferris Wheel Without Seats” is an idea that’s going to take off.
Islanders fans were well-represented in the crowd, but when I first arrived, I was afraid that this young man would be the only one I’d see.
The life-sized statue of Zdeno Chara is a nice, if curious, touch.
These guys are more inflated than Bo Horvat’s draft stock! (ugh)
On the main concourse was this cool display of all the individual NHL awards. The Stanley Cup was there, too, but you had to wait on line to see it.
A big highlight were these banners of past first overall picks. Love the old North Stars uniform Mike Modano is sporting.
Our man John Tavares next to one of the all-time greats, Buffalo’s Gilbert Perreault. Oh, and some other guy on the other side, too. Bonus: is that Darren Dreger? I didn't even realize until I saw this picture at home.
Pierre Turgeon was so smooth, he made everyone forget he was drafted first overall by the Sabres.
Too bad Potvin wasn’t turned the other way. It would look like he was devilishly stalking an unsuspecting Sidney Crosby.
The NHL Network draft crew, including Kathryn Tappen and E.J. Hradek, who always sounds like he’s shouting.
The general admission seats were all in the upper deck. Here’s a pair of shots of the busy draft floor.
I hate when teams put the player’s years with the club on their retired numbers. It makes the banners look like tombstones. “RIP Ken Daneyko. Died: 2003. Except he’s on TV somewhere every day.”
The Islanders draft table.
Close-up. Astute observers will notice Jack Capuano sans jacket, with Doug Weight ready to “shirt him” at any moment.
Commissioner Bettman welcomes everyone to the draft. Everyone welcomes him back with an unyielding and impenetrable chorus of boos. He is welcomed this way every single time he takes the stage all day.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Joe Sakic and the Avalanche brain trust announcing the first overall pick, Nathan McKinnon.
Joe Sakic from EA Sports’ NHL 93 also announcing the first overall pick, Nathan McKinnon.
“This hat’s too tight. Can I get another one?” “Sure Nathan. That’ll be $26.”
TSN Draft Day Crew. Doug McLean in the light suit, no doubt calling all 210 picks “a franchise player.”
The moment a thousand mock drafts died: Florida selects Alexander “Sasha” Barkov second overall.
Jonathan Drouin meets his new bosses, collectively known as the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Islanders (nope), Flyers (nope), Avalanche (sorry, no), Panthers (wait, what?), ... um, Predators select Seth Jones.
“I thought you guys were changing your jerseys this year?” “We did, Elias.” “Oh…”
Defenseman Darnell Nurse is welcomed to Edmonton by the Oilers' Director of Community Relations and Planned Giving, Little Orphan Annie.
The moment the Cory Schneider trade was announced. Image 7,000 people all saying “wow” simultaneously. That’s what it sounded like. Devils fans seemed excited.
“The Philadelphia Flyers are pleased to select defenseman Samuel Morin, who we expect to buy out in 2019.”
Coyotes general manager and Academy Award winning actor Peter O’Toole announces the team’s pick.
Garth Snow at the podium ready to announce their pick, defenseman Ryan Pulock.
“Welcome to Long Island, Ryan. You like Chipotle?”
Somewhere, Colin McDonald wonders if he has to pick a new number this season.
“ThisisawesomeI’msoexcitedIcan’tbelieveitohmygodohmygodhmygod…. Sooooooooo, now what?”
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!