Drafty

The 2005 entry draft went by so fast I almost mis-blogged.

Wow, what a dazzling showcase it was, tucked into what looked like a skin-tone colored ballroom in Ottawa. Crammed in tables of teams methodically went about their business. The centerpiece of the production being a big, black order board that looked like an old East European arrival and departure schedule.

The drama of who would go first overall had all the theatrics and excitement of artificial insemination.

But plot lines and funeral parlor esthetics aside, what was the deal with teams having their hockey departments go to the stage, make their selection, then, if said player was not at the draft, have them hold a team jersey in front of the group for a picture?

Was it to remind people what the team emblem and colors look like?

Has the NHL not heard of Photoshop?

Some teams did it right. They had a young kid come onstage in a team jersey and stand with the suited males.

It might have made a little more sense to have a stand-in on stage. Take the photos. Take a head shot of their coveted first round pick. Then Photoshop the kid into the picture of his 'greatest day ever'.

Or, if you prefer the less technologically taxing approach, just get a group photo of the pickers and leave it at that.

In fairness to all involved, especially the city of Ottawa, this year's prospect auction was hastily thrown together...and that included the mayor's awkward, failed- humor laced opening remarks.

Mercifully Ottawa gets another go at it in a couple years.

A do-over, if you will.

The NHL gets their mulligan much earlier.

Next summer, in the jewel city of the Pacific Northwest, Vancouver.

I'll bet they get it right.