He can explain the players in a
little bit better detail than me
but I thought the guys put a lot
of work into that list and it was
it was I said a little bit nerve
wracking a couple of those picks.
But we we had a really nice day.
I really think you got some
calls at 10 was it tough to say
stay or easy? Yeah, yeah I had
one crazy I've been at just as
soon as the 9th pick was and.
Didn't really have enough.
As I said earlier, you know,
you want time to to make sure you can vet it
and I didn't have time to vet that that call.
So we we made the pick and we were
really excited about the pick.
Also, were you expecting maybe more
talk tonight about any of your picks?
No, I I think I might have
talked about that earlier today.
It just it seemed like everything got quiet.
They're quiet around the league.
We didn't see anything today.
Usually you see picks flying back and forth
and everything was just a quiet night.
People were I think,
excited about the depth of the draft.
Everyone felt comfortable.
That, you know, the old,
I can't believe he was there when we picked.
And I think that that that played
out tonight and there might be
a little more movement tomorrow.
But for me,
I thought tonight went for for Saint
Louis the way we expected it to.
Was there any consideration about
moving one of those first back and
getting a couple seconds? Yeah,
that that that was brought up.
And again, the old,
I we can't believe he was there.
We were down actually to 25 and
29 I think 20 with one player.
So if if that player that
we took it that was gone,
we would have moved back And so it was,
it was close on a couple of those but we
were excited those players were there.
What what excited you the
most about Devorsky? Well,
he's a tremendous player with
character two way ability he proved
at the U18 versus his age group.
His scoring ability makes tremendous plays,
makes players around himself better.
Lots of potential there really like the
player surprised he maybe he was do
you think he'd go soon or no Nepatak.
We he was in an area on our list that
we were more than happy to take him
at 10 so we're all good with that.
What about Stenberg?
Terrific player leadership,
two way ability with some scoring finish.
Also combined with top end line mate,
smart player, two way detail,
good competitiveness.
Yeah you you might say not 6 feet but
he plays plays big enough all around.
Good hockey player
divorce can stember projected
centers in the
NHL. That's it to be determined.
Both are capable of.
We've seen them both play the wing
also again they can contribute in
numerous ways so and while we're
going through and Wednesday Theo
real intelligent hockey player,
puck moving defenseman.
Combined with Sandy Palika to form
a a tremendous duo for the Swedish
U18 team and all the tournaments
we've attended through the season.
Very efficient player with his puck
movement and his and his hockey sense smarts.
It's a physical maturity,
but he'll get that in due course. So
I mean, no divorce.
Key is a Slovakian,
but he plays in Sweden.
Was there a thing here
tonight with guys you
playing well? You know,
we have probably almost experienced
European development coaches
in the history of the game,
so we wanted to put him to work.
We didn't get a chance to talk to you
about that higher. Just, you know,
what's that mean to the organization.
I I think it's always great when you can
bring in champion players into your group.
He's been very connected with
our team since he's retired.
We talked quite a bit.
He's excited to to get back into
the game on a more regular basis.
He's done a lot of work for his
home team and when Tony and I
talked about bringing him in,
he's such a great mentor
for our younger players.
He's helping the Swedish Under
20 team to pick that team.
So he's connected with this,
this age group and it's it's a real bonus
for us to have him back in the fold.
So there were multiple picks
at each one of the slots
you had that you guys were sort
of agonizing about
I guess. Yeah.
And I said it is that type of draft where.
Where the the left hand column,
our first column was getting
it was going like very quick.
Usually have some crazy ones that come
in from the second or third column,
but today it was a lot of a lot
of mocks were were pretty bang on.
I
know this isn't a big factor when
you're selecting the players,
but all three of them seem to
know each other pretty well.
How most of that help in their transition?
Well, I think it helps them
tomorrow and then Saturday when
we get to development camp.
But ultimately they're they're going
to make a whole group of new friends
and new teammates and I think it,
you know having Tommy Shodeen and and
and Steener there is going to be good.
We got you on Bowpat there.
So what will make them comfortable?
But I think when you're familiar
with people, it does help. It
looks like you gave Steen
a lot of homework now.
Yes, he's he's got some work to do and
he'll be in Saint Louis and we can start
that up when we get home on Friday.
As it relates to your NHL roster,
I mean you you did the train to
get haze and went through the first
round picks and kept them all.
When you look at the NHL side,
what do you feel like it's
left for you guys to to
accomplish? Well as I said we we
wanted nine we wanted top nine forward.
We did as I said earlier to you guys today,
I I know our defense gets a lot of.
Scrutiny from from the media,
but we need them to play to back to
their their best of their capability and
that that's our focus now for the for
to get into training camp.