Countdown to Mock Draft, Deep Ellum Blues and Versteeg

By Steve ZipayMay 4, 2010

When you go down to Deep Ellum
To have a little fun...
Have your 20 dollars ready
When those policemen come

----Deep Ellum Blues (trad.), Jerry Garcia Band

Deep Ellum is a section of Dallas, but somehow it connected with me when I thought of the Nashville flooding. Regretfully, the deaths recorded in Tennesee are climbing; can only hope some of the Nashville clubs and honky-tonks like Tootsie's, the Station Inn, Robert's Western World, 12th & Porter and the Bluebird are surviving the rising rivers.

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Always liked Kris Verteeg, who was acquired by Hawks from B's for Brandon Bochenski in Feb. 2007 (nice deal huh?) and scored the game-winner last night. His numbers were down slightly this season, his second full one with Chicago, but at 23, he should be a solid 50-55 point player for years. If the cap-strapped Hawks want to trade his salary ($6.16 mil over the next two seasons), I'd listen

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On to the mock draft. I'd like Icehole to make Edmonton's pick at 9 AM Thursday if possible, and then continue down the line at whatever pace is feasible, although we should aim to finish by Thursday evening.

I'll post the board on a fresh entry here on Blue Notes and update through the day. Either send me your pick---when due---on the comments board (with a short reason why) or via e-mail (steve.zipay@newsday.com) or http://twitter.com/stevezipay and I'll cut n paste and toss in a reaction.

That way we'll be on the record with an initial template with which to tinker during the Worlds. I'm sure that will spark some conversation about prospects rising and falling.(MikeNJ, I understand that work prevents you from joining the parade, no prob, I'm sure you'll be critiquing the selections)

Pay attention now:

Ice, if it's possible, I'd like you to handle No. 1 and the Isles No. 5. I'd like to shift Vancouver's and Montreal's picks to a reader out West, Mr. Borne. Toponlol, you're also being bequeathed the Capitals. I'm taking Ottawa and Buffalo.

So here's the final order (unless there's a major objection on Wednesday)

Edmonton (Icehole)

Boston (Rang9)

Florida (Buke)

Columbus (Tony)

Isles (Icehole)

Tampa (TomOrtiz71)

Carolina (Tony)

Atlanta (Buke)

Minnesota (Toponol)

NYR (we all weigh in)

Dallas (LI Joe)