Draftees Burmistrov, Skinner at MSG tonight, Friday

When we held our mock drafts here this summer, two of the biggest names that kept popping up for the Rangers' first-round pick at No. 10 overall were Alex Burmistrov and Jeff Skinner. And Vladimir Tarasenko, of course, who I loved and is playing in the K, and slipped to 18, where he was taken by the Blues.

Skinner was grabbed at 7 by the Hurricane, who visit on Friday night; the Russian forward was chosen by the Thrashers, who are in town tonight, at No. 8. Skinner is 1-3-4 in 7 and will stick. Burmistrov is scoreless in 8. Early numbers don't mean that much, however. Very interested in seeing both.

Overall No. 1 pick Taylor Hall has one assist in seven games and a minus 4 for Oilers. Cam Fowler, the d-man who was available when NYR took Dylan McIlrath at 10, is 1-2-3 in 6, but injured. EL Nino, of course, is with the Isles.

(Just FYI, in our fantasy league, which includes old pal John Dellapina of the News and now with the NHL, I have three of the top seven rookie scorers: John Carlson, Jordan Eberle and Matt Taormina, so no Blue Noters out there should be raggin' on me saying that I'm against playing the kids....Hahah... )