SportsLine staff

Now that the 1999 NHL Entry Draft is over, SportsLine NHL editor Dave Doyle (Eastern Conference) and NHL producer Dan David (Western Conference) are breaking out their gradebooks to rate the performance of the league’s 28 general managers.

Only two GMs -- one in each conference -- were awarded the highest grade. In the East, New York Islanders general manager Mike Milbury earned a Grade A rating for a draft in which the Isles had three of the top 10 picks. In the West, Nashville’s David Poile grabbed the best available goalie and then made the most of his 14 other picks.

Taylor Pyatt, Branislav Mezei and Tim Connolly helped the Islanders earn rave reviews.(AP)

Four teams -- Atlanta, Buffalo, Edmonton and Pittsburgh -- received an A-minus for their June 26 efforts, while the next-highest grade, B-plus, went to seven teams.

There was one clear loser. Detroit was left holding the draft-day bag for its March 23 acquisition of veterans Chris Chelios, Ulf Samuelsson and Wendel Clark. It’s conceivable that the Red Wings will never see any benefit from their nine-hour draft exercise.

On the other hand, this sort of thinking doesn’t mean the Islanders and Predators will be facing each other for the Stanley Cup in the near future. But who knows how good these teams will be 10 years from now? Anything can happen when a team makes great draft choices.

The draft report card

MIGHTY DUCKS OF ANAHEIM: Bringing Oleg Tverdovsky back was well worth the first-round pick, but all those other Europeans might never see the NHL. C-

ATLANTA THRASHERS: Got their man in Patrik Stefan, may have gotten sleeper pick with fifth-rounder, center Derek MacKenzie. A-

BOSTON BRUINS: First two picks were players who re-entered the draft pool; didn't address goal-scoring needs adequately. C

BUFFALO SABRES: Buffalo aggressively went after its biggest need -- more offense -- by taking forwards with three of their four picks in the first two rounds. A-

CALGARY FLAMES: Calgary made shrewd trade for Marc Savard before taking future NHL regular Oleg Saprykin. This team has a real eye for young talent. B+

CAROLINA HURRICANES: Might have gotten a steal in second round pick Brett Lysak (39-49-88 at Regina), but otherwise an average draft. B-

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS: Defenseman Steve McCarthy will be a big part of the ‘Hawks someday, and newly acquired Bryan McCabe will be there to offer guidance. B+

COLORADO AVALANCHE: Avs might have a bit too much faith in young Europeans who lack North American experience, but this team is so well-stocked it doesn’t matter. C

DALLAS STARS: Stanley Cup champions rarely get the prime picks, but Stars can afford to take their time with these 11 newcomers. None of them should expect to see NHL for at least two or three years. B

DETROIT RED WINGS: Wings didn’t have a pick until No. 120 because of trading deadline moves. Only Jari Tolsa’s upside prevents this from being an entirely forgettable day in franchise history. D-

EDMONTON OILERS: Glen Sather knows his Finns, and Jani Rita looks like another winner. Minnesota goaltender Adam Hauser was a great third-round value and Michigan center Mike Comrie an even greater steal. A-

FLORIDA PANTHERS: Snagged gifted play-maker in Denis Shvidki and goalie with potential in Alex Auld. B

LOS ANGELES KINGS: Another team without a first-round pick, the Kings still managed to add 10 bodies. Third-rounder Frantisek Kaberle knows all about the Sedin twins, having been their teammate in Sweden. C+

MONTREAL CANADIENSNo first-round pick, and gambled on Russian Alexander Buturlin with first of two second round picks. B-

NASHVILLE PREDATORS: Hats off to David Poile for a 15-player draft that sets a new standard for second-year teams. Goaltender Brian Finley is a superstar in making. Second-rounders Adam Hall and Andrew Hutchinson were freshman sensations at Michigan State. A

NEW JERSEY DEVILS: Many asked "Who?" when they picked Finnish goalie Ari Ahonen, but who wants to question Lou Lamoriello's track record? B+

NEW YORK ISLANDERS:This team's future at least on the ice is so much better than it was at the end of the season it’s almost scary. Off the ice is another matter entirely. A

NEW YORK RANGERS: Made the big grab to land Pavel Brendl and Jamie Lundmark, but might have inflicted big short-term damage to do it. C+

OTTAWA SENATORS: Good snag by Senators in taking Martin Havlat with the 26th pick. B+

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS: Maxime Ouellet could very well be the answer to Ron Hextall and John Vanbiesbrouck in a couple years, but it was their only pick in the top 115. C

PHOENIX COYOTES: Was Scott Kelman really worth losing Oleg Tverdovsky? Only if Kiril Safronov turns out to be as good as some scouts think. B-

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS: Second-rounder Matt Murley (Rensselear) was a great sleeper pick. A-

ST. LOUIS BLUES: How often does a team boasting the Norris Trophy winner and league’s best defensive pairing use its first four picks on defensemen? Blues got some talent, but no immediate help. B

SAN JOSE SHARKS: Sharks only had seven picks, and they made the most of them. Michigan’s Jeff Jillson comes from Bryan Berard’s Rhode Island roots, and fifth-rounder Niko Dimitrakos was an NCAA hero for Maine. B+

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING: Had top pick but ended up with only one pick in the top 65. Only Sheldon Keefe's numbers (51-65-116) at the No. 47 keep this grade from being lower. C-

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS: Luca Cereda at the No. 24 spot? C+

VANCOUVER CANUCKS: Leave it to Brian Burke to have his best day of the year in June. His gamble was both noble and gutsy. Sedin twins will inject enthusiasm into a listless team and make Canucks tickets a hot commodity. B+

WASHINGTON CAPITALS: Three picks in the top 3 and the Caps used all of them well. Kris Beech is for real. B+