I’ll tell you something folks. You saved this blog tonight.

I was very unsure whether this blog would stick around through next season. I just didn’t feel like we had enough writers who could sustain it on a daily basis. It’s been very spotty since the Conf. Finals started, and it’s mostly my fault. This draft liveblog was really a last resort to see how much interest we could draw.

And frankly folks, you saved it. We’re well over a 1,000 hits, double our previous record in one day. The site has never been busier. You have made us a hockey destination.

Since I have your attention, here are my plans for the future:

-I will be liveblogging Free agent signing Sunday from 11:30 Am – 3PM on Sunday, July 1. Hopefully you’ll all join me for that.

-I will be updating free agent news daily from July 1 – July 8.

-After that, I am vacationing. Not just from blogging, but from all my commitments to columns and whatnots. I do not plan to return until I’ve moved into the dorms at college, August 28th will re-set.

-As for the staff, this is a big one!

-I will be back. Derek and Rob have an open invitation to return in their curret capacities. I have a feeling Derek might want to scale back to a couple days a week, and Rob is only around once a week. So this is an open call, ANYONE WHO IS A RANGERS or ISLANDERS fan willing to blog on each team at least once a day during the regular season, please E-Mail me at SMLepore@comcast.net. All we require is a sample blog and writing skills. If you’d like to be a part of liveblogs like this, you’ll be included if you join the Battle of New York team.

– I am also looking for a weekly Devils columnist. Someone who’s interested in writing a weekly roundup of all things red & black, a la Rob’s column. Again, e-mail at SMLepore@comcast.net if interested.

-With that, I give you the first 30 picks of the NHL draft:

1 – Patrick Kane – Chicago Blackhawks – RW
2 – James Van Riemsdyk -Philadelphia Flyers – LW
3 – Kyle Turris – Phoenix Coyotes – C
4 – Thomas Hickey – Los Angeles Kings – D
5 – Karl Alzner – Washington Capitals – D
6 – Sam Gagner – Edmonton Oilers – C
7 – Jakob Voracek – Columbus Blue Jackets – C
8 – Zach Hamill – Boston Bruins – C
9 – Logan Couture – San Jose Sharks – C
10 – Keaton Ellerby – Florida Panthers – D
11 – Brandon Sutter – Carolina Hurricanes – C
12 – Ryan McDonagh – Montreal Canadiens – D
13 – Lars Eller – St. Louis Blues – LW
14 – Kevin Shattenkirk – Colorado Avalanche – D
15 – Alex Plante – Edmonton Oilers – D
16 – Colton Gillies – Minnesota Wild – C
17 – Alexei Cherepanov – New York Rangers – RW
18 – Ian Cole – St. Louis Blues – D
19 – Logan MacMillan – Anaheim Ducks – C
20 – Angelo Esposito – Pittsburgh Penguins – C
21 – Riley Nash – Edmonton Oilers – C
22 – Max Pacioretty – Montreal Canadiens – LW
23 – Jonathan Blum – Nashville Predators – D
24 – Mikael Backlund – Calgary Flames – D
25 – Patrick White – Vancouver Canucks – C
26 – David Perron – St. Louis Blues – LW
27 – Brendan Smith – Detroit Red Wings – D
28 – Nick Petrecki – San Jose Sharks – D
29 – Jim O’Brien – Ottawa Senators – C
30 – Nick Ross – Phoenix Coyotes – D

Have a great night!