Lordy, Lordy, We Get Jordy?

USAToday.com has a 2006 NHL mock draft up and it has Jordan Staal falling to the Caps who have the fourth pick. Of the potential pick, Kyle Woodlief writes:

4. Washington: Jordan Staal. The Caps count themselves lucky when Staal falls to them at No. 4. Staal will be thrilled to center goal-scoring machine [Alex] Ovechkin for the next 10-12 years. He provides the Caps with a skilled forward who also has some grit, and if he progresses like his brothers, he'll be a steal.

He has brothers? As for the Caps' second pick in the first round, Woodlief has the Caps rolling the dice on a Russian kid:

23. Washington (from Nashville in the Brendan Witt trade): Artem Anisimov. Caps take the first huge gamble of the draft and take the big, skilled Russian forward. If the transfer agreement is cleared up, this will be a great pick. If not, it's a waste.

Well apparently the agreement has been cleared up, so perhaps Anisimov, HF's sixth-rated Russian prospect and ISS's 22nd rated prospect overall, won't be around by the time the Caps make their second pick. Then again, none of the top-five rated Ruskies are projected by USA Today to go before Anisimov so who knows?

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For a good profile of Staal, go here. As for some vitals and commentary on Anisimov:

Artem Anisimov, C

Height: 6'4
Weight: 191 lb
Shoots: Left
Born: 1988-05-24
Birthplace: Yaroslavl, Russia

Artem Anisimov finished his draft year off with an average performance at the U18 WJC. The young center did not deliver a consistent performance, impressing in the game against the Czechs, but failing to make a significant impact in the games either against Canada or the US. He understands the game well and has an impressive vision of the ice. Additionally, he possesses a very impressive wrist shot which is one of his main weapons. Still, besides the strengths, Anisimov needs to bulk up and improve his physical presence, as the young prospect hardly ever competes next to the boards. His lack of mass has also hurt him at the faceoff circle, as he just doesn't yet have the upper body strength. Still, while Anisimov is more raw than some of the other prospects, he has shown a wealth of potential at the international tournaments and even found himself making his Super League debut this season for Lokomotiv.