The Pittsburgh Penguins were very proud to host the 2012 NHL Draft at the beautiful CONSOLE Energy Center. They did not have a 1st round pick, traded away to who knows because GM Bern trades like a facken whore. Heading into day 2, they did not have a 2nd round pick either, nor a 3rd, 4th, 5th. So, GM Bern decided he was bored and wanted to jump into the action. Kevin Shattenkirk was the price to pay for GM Bern's boredom. He was sent to Calgary in exchange for #40 and # 59. Shattenkirk was known as the team's quarterback on the PP and it was a surprise to everyone to see him move. But, hockey is a business and Shattenkirk's hefty raise this season took him off of the ''untouchables'' of GM Bern. Another trade was made with Chicago, acquiring their 2nd round pick #48 in exchange for a 2nd, 3rd, 4th and a 5th next year. Scouts really wanted some guys that fell off the chart in their books.
With #40, GM Bern stepped up to the podium with last year's 1st round pick J.T. Miller to announce that they had drafted big centerman Scott Laughton, from the OHL's Oshawa Generals. The crowd went crazy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c020wUFs3oo (You can see the crow's reaction on this link). Scott Laughton is tough as nails. He dives in front of shots with his teeth first and cuts at the blueline getting rocked to make plays. That's the type of player we want here in Pittsburgh. He's also got a great playmaking vision along with great positioning. Basically, his hockey sense is above average. To add to that, he skates very fast. At the combine, he was the draftie that excelled the best at ''Squats''. He squatted 3 plates 30 fucking times! What a beast. Lastly, he had the highest faceoff percentage in the OHL last year. The kid is compared to a younger Yannick Perreault, but with grit to his game. You send him in for key faceoffs at the end of the game.
With #49, GM Bern was delighted to pick up swedish sensation Hampus Lindholm. ''Hoompa Hoompa'' is a few years project, as he's planning on staying in his swedish club untill he's 20 to honour his contract. We respect his decision and we are pretty sure that is why some teams may have passed on him. He's got the offensive skill set to play in the NHL right away, but his defensive game lacks a bit and he is not a mean mug type of D. He's a smart, poised, calm defenseman. It would be a bit much to compare him to Nicklas Lidstrom, but some scouts see a lot of glimpses of that swedish legend in Lindholm. He should play a big role for Team Sweden in the next few years of the WJC of hockey.
With # 59, GM Bern decided to draft a tender. Jake Allen is still young and capable, but it won't hurt to have someone in the back pushing him to excel not to lose his spot. Joonas Korpisalo was the chosen one. The big man is another one of those finnish goalies with a lot of potential. With Oscar Dansk and Anthony Stolarz being picked up earlier in the round, he was the last goalie left to pick that is ranked to be a future #1 goalie. Korpisalo will be brought in right away as a ''U-20'' to patrol the fort down in Wilkes-Barre. He's got the flow of a swedish dj, he's got size, he's fast, he has no excuses not to flash.
So that was it for rounds 1-5. 3 2nd round picks. On the 3rd day, round 6-7, GM Bern was nowhere to be found. Rumours say he got way too facken high with the team's 3 picks at a Mac Miller concert down in Pittsburgh for the draft weekend festivities and didn't wake up. Assistant GM, the great Mario Lemieux went on to pick Zachary Stepan and Raphael Bussieres. No expectations to make the big club out of these 2 kids, but you never know! Bussieres got genital herpes from banging too many french puck sluts up in Baie-Comeau so girls, watch out...
