For the first time in NHL draft history, the top two picks went to American born players with the first pick going to South Buffalo native Patrick Kane. Kane spent last season destroying the competition in the OHL playing for the London Knights (62 goals, 83 assists) and was picked number one by the recently struggling Chicago Blackhawks.
Despite ambiguous reports in the Buffalo News today regarding a last ditch effort by Darcy Regeir to try to "converse" with Chicago about trading the first pick, Kane went to a team that desperately needs something to get back to a tradition that seems to have been lost for some years. Kane brings a youthful spirit to Chicago that should create some optimism in the Chicago organization in a way similar to the youth invasion in Pittsburgh. Chicago has had some bad luck trying to rebuild with aged free agents so Kane should be a breath of fresh air.
It is great to see a lot of Buffalo success these days, even though its not the Sabres. With former Sabre Brad May hoisting the Cup along with Buffalo native Todd Marchant, and now Kane going first, at least Buffalonians can take some pride knowing that our tradition goes beyond wings and beef on weck. Of course, these are all consolation prizes and the real joy would be the Cup and only the Cup. Until then, we still have our local boy, who perhaps one day will wear the blue and gold. We all should remember the Versus interview with Kane during game 2 of the Rangers series, standing ice level wearing the Sabres hat. It fit just fine and so would a blue and gold sweater. Maybe some day.
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