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In the Crease
By taking 6'7", 212-pound defenseman Boris Valabik with the No.
10 pick and acquiring blueliner Niclas Havelid in a draft-day
trade with the Mighty Ducks, the Thrashers helped solidify their
defense for the future and the present. Valabik, 18, should
develop into a rougher version of the Senators' All-Star
defenseman Zdeno Chara, while Havelid, 31, played many minutes
during Anaheim's run to the finals in 2003.... The Devils
continue to move deftly on draft day: Last year they traded up to
select University of North Dakota star Zach Parise. This year
they traded up to take North Dakota-bound Travis Zajac, a future
star who had 112 points in 59 games in the British Columbia
Hockey League last year.... The Capitals took Chris Bourque, son
of you-know-who, with the 33rd overall pick. Bourque, a 5'7"
170-pound center, was ranked 198th among North American skaters
by the Central Scouting Service in January but jumped to 74th in
May after scoring 37 goals in 31 games at Cushing Academy. The
Capitals, impressed with his edge (and his bloodlines), are
investing for the future: Bourque, 18, is headed to Boston
University before testing the pros.
