A nice story came out of this past weekend’s NHL Entry Draft, from none other than my erstwhile hometeam Tampa Bay Lightning:

Projected first/second-rounder David Carle abruptly withdrew from the draft, after a physical diagnosed him with a potentially fatal heart ailment. In response, the Bolts’ new ownership used the team’s final selection, in the seventh round, to take Carle. It was a token action, basically so that Carle could fulfill his dream to “make” the National Hockey League, even if only symbolically.

While it’s hard to critique the sentiment, this fuzzy use of a potentially valuable asset like a draft pick raises questions. It’s not the first time in draft history that late-round picks have been “misused”, and there have been far more frivolous applications, starting with the Buffalo Sabres’ 1974 selection of the fictional Taro Tsujimoto of the fictional Tokyo Kanatas in the then-nonfictional 11th round. Frankly, a tail-end draft slot is almost purely a crapshoot — a team could uncover a hidden gem, but more likely read off a name with the longest of longshots. It’s really not a significant organizational loss to use that pick for ceremonial purposes.

Anyway, good for Oren Koules and the rest of the new Lightning ownership for a thoughtful move. A sport’s talent-dispersement draft is purely business, but there’s a little room for some niceties.