Good day for Malmo fans

[scoop 3,426]

Despite going 2-4 in day two of the lottery tournament, finishing in fourth and failing to increase their odds of getting the first overall pick, the Malmo Nighthawks were the big winners in the S89 Draft Lottery. They had finished with the third worst record in the regular season, giving them a 17.5% chance to win the pick. Luck was on their side tonight as their name was called, giving them their pick of the draftees. There isn't a consensus number one in the draft, but Malmo has options for a top player at every position except goalie. As of a few hours before the draft lottery, goalie is not currently a need for the Nighthawks.

 

 

The Nighthawks made one of the first trades of the off-season, acquiring goaltender Ash Sparks from the Seattle Bears. Sparks, the 6th overall pick in the S86 draft, has been Seattle's backup for the past two seasons. To get Sparks, along with four future draft picks, the Nighthawks gave up Ilya Bryzgalov and Rex Wolffe Gregor. Bryzgalov has been a serviceable backup for the past two seasons, but given his age and stunted development, he was not a good replacement as starter for the retiring Boris Tsezar. Gregor led the team in points last season, but indications were that he was not going to re-sign with the Nighthawks.

 

Both the draft lottery and the trade give the Nighthawks and their fans a lot to be excited about. In addition to first overall, they have the seventh overall pick which they had previously acquired from Riga. They almost certainly won't be contending next season, but they have the building blocks for a good future.