http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=271827& ... dlines_nhlRimouski C Olivier Fortier has been signed to a 3 year entry level deal, starting next year. If Rimouski gets eliminated from the QMJHL playoffs in the first two rounds, he'll likely join Hamilton for their playoff run.
Fortier was picked 65th overall in 2007. He's a legit prospect in my books, and could be a good defensive centre down the line. He had a setback this year with a major injury of some kind (don't know what) but kept up a point per game pace when healthy.
He's one of those guys I've had a "gut feeling for" right from the draft. Here's a summary of those guys since 2002:
2002:
Higgins - easy call, definitely a NHLer despite the unfortunate history with the last Higgins we picked in 1st round
Ferland - missed on this one a little. Looked legit for several years before stagnating at AHL level.
Korneev - developed the gut feeling upon the WJC's, not right from the draft. He might come over this summer.
2003:
Lapierre - seemed like a bonfaide NHLer from the get go. Liked him immediately.
O'Byrne - boy, he sounded like a find right from the draft. Huge, good mobility, going to a good collegiate program... definitely thought he projected well.
Oskari Korpikari - sounded good at the time. Figured with a name like that, he'd make it. Didn't happen, though he's apparently a pretty solid Finnish pro.
Halak - I wanted to see him play, but late round goalies always catch my eye. Liked him from the '04 WJCs on, definitely more than Lindberg, the other goalie we took that draft.
For the record, I liked that we picked Kostitsyn, because it was a home run swing. I also really liked Getzlaf. We didn't make a bad pick, but man... option 2 became so much better than we could've imagined.
2004:
Chipchura - was lobbying for Green or Chipchura, looks like they made the wrong choice for sure here. Still, I liked this pick, and still like the player.
I didn't get a warm and fuzzy feeling from this draft. I didn't know what to make of Emelin although Timmins loved him. Grabovski was out of left field, Wyman was a huge project, Stewart didn't seem like anything at all at the time and Streit could've gone either way. I didn't like this class, and we've likely already gotten rid of the two best players from it (Streit and Grabovski). It actually is a good draft, just not that productive for us in the long haul.
2005:
Latendresse - after bitching about the Price pick, it was nice to hear we got Gui in Round 2. Was shocked he was available, and still am.
D'Agostini - Sounded like he was a riser/late developer. Great pick.
2006:
Maxwell - Was a first round talent still available in Round 2, and a C. Feared he might be soft, though.
Carle - Liked this pick at the time, although he's pretty much flatlined as a sophmore in the AHL.
2007:
McDonagh - Laughed to myself when they made this pick. Everyone thought/feared Espo was coming, but not me. Thought this was the route they'd go and was not disappointed.
Subban - Won everyone over with his post-draft interview. Hasn't lost any fans since.
Fortier - I quite liked this draft, though that Pacioretty pick seemed out there. Fortier reminded me of Lapierre, so I liked it.
Weber - Always like the offensive d-men. Just wish they had went this route in Round 1 in 2004.
'07 looks like a freaking amazing draft.
2008:
???
I didn't have a "guy" from that draft. I guess Missiaen because of his ridiculous height. Trunev sounds talented. Kristo sounds like a lot of guys we've had before. A wait and see draft for sure, and it'll be 4-5 years before we know anything about these guys.
Pretty good record on my gut feelings. Now that I think of it, I think I also liked Michael Lambert in 2002, that didn't work out. Corey Locke I figured something had to be wrong with him, but thought was good given how late he was picked. I also quite liked Yann Danis when we signed him as a UFA.
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Injustice? Cobain died and Eddy Fucking Vedder lived to haunt us with his shitty fucking voice, trite lyrics and his Eddy Vedderness.
- Ancient Chinese Proverb