HabsWorld.net -- 

The 2009 NHL Entry Draft will be held at the
Bell Centre in Montreal this coming Friday and Saturday.  As is tradition,
here is our official mock draft.  Will the Habs go for another defenceman
as they have in years past, or will they aim to stock the forward cupboard? 
Keep reading to find the answer.

Like last season, we’ve done this by a panel, consisting of 4 people this year. 
Joining myself were HW writers Jason Brisebois and Michael Bitton, as well as
saskhab representing our forum contingent.

Other notes:  The conference to determine our mock draft was held on
Monday, June 15th.  Player bios were written by Brian La Rose and Norman
Szcyrek.  To the right of the draft history/how acquired section is a
compilation of ratings from 4 other sources (Central Scouting Bureau,
International Scouting Services, The Hockey News, and The Sports Network). 
Below the drafting history, we’ve listed other players that we feel could go in
each spot, unless the selection was unanimous.  For readability purposes,
this page is best viewed in Internet Explorer.


Season stats and player position/height/weight are
from the CSB’s final rankings list.



With the 1st overall pick, the
Islanders will select:

John Tavares,
C, London (OHL), 6’0.25", 195 lbs
56 GP, 58 goals, 46 assists, 104 points, 54 PIMS
When you have the top pick in
a draft, you’re going to get a franchise player and Tavares is just that.
His detractors will argue that his skating and defensive play are sometimes
suspect, but there’s no denying his exceptional offensive abilities. 
He’ll be able to step into the New York lineup immediately and play a top-6
role, and will be a dominating player for years to come.  Even the
Isles can’t screw this pick up…we think.
Recent
Top Picks:

2008: Josh Bailey, C (9th overall)
2007:
Mark Katic, D (62nd overall)
2006:
Kyle Okposo, RW (7th overall)
CSB:
#1 (NA)
ISS: #1
THN:
#1
TSN: #1
Other players
discussed here:
None, unanimous selection



With the 2nd overall pick, the
Lightning will select:

Victor Hedman,
D, Modo (SWE), 6’6", 220 lbs
43 GP, 7 goals, 14 assists, 21 points, 52 PIMS
Without a doubt the top
defender in the draft, you’d be hard pressed to find a major hole in his
game.  His offensive game is developing, but many feel his defensive
play is up to NHL standards now, and that’s as a 17-year old.  He
played on the top pairing with Modo as well as the top PK group, and is
clearly NHL ready.  Considering the Lightning desperately need help on
defence, expect him to be thrust into the spotlight even faster than last
year’s top pick was.
Recent
Top Picks:

2008: Steven Stamkos, C (1st overall)
2007:
Dana Tyrell, C (47th overall)
2006:
Riku Helenius, G (15th overall)
CSB:
#1 (Euro)
ISS: #3
THN:
#2
TSN: #2
Other players
discussed here:
None, unanimous
selection



With the 3rd overall pick, the
Avalanche will select:

Matt Duchene,
C, Brampton (OHL), 5’11", 200 lbs
57 GP, 31 goals, 48 assists, 79 points, 42 PIMS
The final skater of the
triumvirate that could go #1 overall, Duchene is more well rounded than his
counterpart in Tavares.  Scouts love his skating ability, as well as
the fact that he was utilized in every situation for the Battalion this
season.  While not the elite offensive threat that Tavares is, he does all
of the little things well and will help the Avs in every facet in the
not-too-distant future.  One more OHL year may be beneficial, as
Duchene played behind highly touted Cody Hodgson; it would allow him to play
as a #1 C which will be his expected role with Colorado.
Recent
Top Picks:

2008: Cameron Gaunce, D (50th overall)
2007:
Kevin Shattenkirk, D (14th overall)
2006:
Chris Stewart, RW (18th overall)
CSB:
#2 (NA)
ISS: #2
THN:
#4
TSN: #3
Other players
discussed here:
None, unanimous
selection



With the 4th overall pick, the
Thrashers will select:

Evander Kane,
C, Vancouver (WHL), 6’1.25", 176 lbs
61 GP, 48 goals, 48 assists, 96 points, 89 PIMS
A hard checking forward
already, many are giddy over how good Kane can be when he fills out. 
He’s strong at all ends of the ice, plays in every situation, and has a real
nose for the net as his 48 goals attests to.  Consistency is also a
strength for him unlike many others at his age, as is his speed. 
Although the strength of Atlanta’s youth is at C, the team would be best
suited to draft the BPA, which Kane is here. 
Recent
Top Picks:

2008: Zach Bogosian, D (3rd overall)
2007:
Spencer Machacek, RW (67th overall)
2006:
Bryan Little, C (12th overall)
CSB:
#3 (NA)
ISS: #5
THN:
#5
TSN: #4
Other players
discussed here:
Schenn



With the 5th overall pick, the
Kings will select:

Magnus
Paajarvi-Svensson,
LW, Timra (SWE), 6’1", 201 lbs
50 GP, 7 goals, 10 assists, 17 points, 4 PIMS
Arguably the quickest forward
the draft, this Swede fared well playing a regular shift in the highest
level in Swedish hockey as a 17 year old.  He uses his speed to
generate lots of scoring opportunities, though one knock on his game is that
he’s hesitant to drive to the net.  Assuming he can overcome that, he
has the potential to be one of the top game-breakers in the draft with
creativity to burn.  The Kings are loaded with defensive projects,
"MPS" will help improve their stable of forwards greatly.
Recent
Top Picks:

2008: Drew Doughty, D (2nd overall)
2007:
Thomas Hickey, D (4th overall)
2006:
Jonathan Bernier, G (11th overall)
CSB:
#2 (Euro)
ISS: #4
THN:
#7
TSN: #10
Other players
discussed here:
Schenn



With the 6th overall pick, the
Coyotes will select:

Jared Cowen,
D, Spokane (WHL), 6’5.25", 220 lbs
48 GP, 7 goals, 14 assists, 21 points, 45 PIMS
While some teams may be
scared off because of his mid-season injury, the Coyotes simply can’t afford
to.  He brings the full package to the table though his defensive game
is his biggest strength.  As a result, he will be able to play in every
role in the NHL, the same can’t be said for most of the defenders in this
draft class.  The Coyotes are well stocked up front, Cowen would bring
some much needed high-end depth to their defenceman prospect pool. 
Recent
Top Picks:

2008: Mikkel Boedker, RW (8th overall)
2007:
Kyle Turris, C (3rd overall)
2006:
Peter Mueller, C (8th overall)
CSB:
#9 (NA)
ISS: #7
THN:
#4
TSN: #7
Other players
discussed here:
Schenn, Kulikov



With the 7th overall pick, the
Maple Leafs will select:

Brayden Schenn, C,
Brandon (WHL), 6’0", 198 lbs
70 GP, 32 goals, 56 assists, 88 points, 82 PIMS
Though we have Schenn listed
here, it would not surprise any of the panelists to see him selected a few
picks earlier…still by Toronto.  Ignoring the obvious family ties,
there’s several elements in his game that endear him to the scouts – he
plays a physical game, is well-rounded on offence and can play in his own
end.  Considering the holes in Toronto’s lineup, it’s not beyond the
realm of possibility that he too gets fast tracked to the NHL like his older
brother.
Recent
Top Picks:

2008: Luke Schenn, D (5th overall)
2007:
Dale Mitchell, RW (74th overall)
2006:
Jiri Tlusty, LW (13th overall)
CSB:
#4 (NA)
ISS: #6
THN:
#6
TSN: #5
Other players
discussed here:
Kadri



With the 8th overall pick, the
Stars will select:

Dmitry Kulikov,
D, Drummondville (QMJHL), 6’0.5", 183 lbs
57 GP, 12 goals, 50 assists, 62 points, 46 PIMS
Kulikov adapted very well to
the Quebec League in his first season, including the language barriers as he
learned both English and French.  Although you won’t see him winning
awards for being the best defender, he does hold his own in the defensive
zone, and his offensive game and mobility has scouts drooling. 
Considering Sergei Zubov is on his last legs in Dallas, it seems fitting for
the Stars to select Kulikov as his replacement as their games are somewhat
similar.
Recent
Top Picks:

2008: Tyler Beskorowany, G (59th overall)
2007:
Nico Sacchetti, C (50th overall)
2006:
Ivan Vishnevskiy, D (27th overall)
CSB:
#11 (NA)
ISS: #10
THN:
#11
TSN: #9
Other players
discussed here:
Schroeder



With the 9th overall pick, the
Senators will select:

Jordan Schroeder,
C, Minnesota (WCHA), 5’8.25", 175 lbs
32 GP, 13 goals, 32 assists, 45 points, 29 PIMS
The biggest weakness in
Ottawa’s system is up front, particularly in terms of impact forwards. 
The WCHA Rookie of the Year, Schroeder is very fleet of foot with a booming
shot.  His size limits his physical abilities, but he’s not the easiest
to separate from the puck either.  At times this season he had a
tendency to look for the pass rather than the shot, but many feel he has the
‘whole package’, and that his size is the primary reason he’ll still be
available when the Sens hit the podium.
Recent
Top Picks:

2008: Erik Karlsson, D (15th overall)
2007:
James O’Brien, C (29th overall)
2006:
Nick Foligno, C (25th overall)
CSB:
#5 (NA)
ISS: #14
THN:
#9
TSN: #15
Other players
discussed here:
Glennie, Ekman-Larsson, Kadri



With the 10th overall pick, the
Oilers will select:

Oliver Ekman-Larsson,
D, Leksand (SWE-2), 6’2", 176 lbs
39 GP, 3 goals, 14 assists, 17 points, 32 PIMS
Quickly rising in the
rankings throughout the course of the season, Ekman-Larsson is a
mobile, offensive minded defenseman that Edmonton currently lacks in their
system.  Despite his frame, physical play does not play a big role in
his game, although many expect that to improve as he fills out over time. 
His defensive game is also somewhat underrated, as he led all under-18
players with a +44 rating.  Though he may not be a top defender, he’ll
certainly fit in well in Edmonton’s top-3.
Recent
Top Picks:

2008: Jordan Eberle, C (22nd overall)
2007:
Sam Gagner, C (6th overall)
2006:
Jeff Petry, D (45th overall)
CSB:
#4 (Euro)
ISS: #9
THN:
#13
TSN: #6
Other players
discussed here:
Glennie, Kadri



With the 11th overall pick, the
Predators will select:

Nazem Kadri,
C, London (OHL), 5’11.5", 167 lbs
56 GP, 23 goals, 53 assists, 78 points, 31 PIMS
The Predators have done well
replenishing their prospect pool over the years, so there aren’t really any
glaring holes.  But when you consider that several of their top
forwards are getting a little long in the tooth, it may be time to pick a
replacement.  Kadri is a quick skater with above average offensive
skills and despite his size, he plays a gritty style.  Some say he
regressed when dealt to London, but he’ll still be a bonafide top-6 forward
down the road.
Recent
Top Picks:

2008: Colin Wilson, C (7th overall)
2007:
Jonathan Blum, D (23rd overall)
2006:
Blake Geoffrion, LW (56th overall)
CSB:
#15 (NA)
ISS: #8
THN:
#8
TSN: #8
Other players
discussed here:
Glennie



With the 12th overall pick, the
Wild will select:

Scott Glennie,
RW, Brandon (WHL), 6’1.25", 177 lbs
55 GP, 28 goals, 42 assists, 70 points, 25 PIMS
It’s the dawn of a new era in
Minnesota, and what better way to celebrate it than with a player pegged to
be a dynamic offensive forward?  Glennie certainly isn’t a player
you’ll mistake for a Selke candidate, but he has a plethora of offensive
weapons in his arsenal as well as being a strong skater.  With Marian
Gaborik set to leave in less than 2 weeks, Glennie will be a good start in
beginning to replace what he brought to the table.
Recent
Top Picks:

2008: Tyler Cuma, D (23rd overall)
2007:
Colton Gillies, C (16th overall)
2006:
James Sheppard, C (9th overall)
CSB:
#7 (NA)
ISS: #19
THN:
#14
TSN: #11
Other players
discussed here:
Kassian, Josefson



With the 13th overall pick, the
Sabres will select:

Ryan Ellis,
D, Windsor (OHL), 5’9.25", 173 lbs
57 GP, 22 goals, 67 assists, 89 points, 57 PIMS
When you look below and see
d-men taken first the last 3 years, drafting another one seems illogical. 
But when you consider who these prospects are, it makes some sense. 
Ellis is never going to be a hard hitter, but his offensive skills are top
notch in the OHL.  His defensive game is also underrated, but his niche
in the NHL will be as that puck moving offensive threat.  The Sabres
may have lots of D in the system, but none quite like Ellis.
Recent
Top Picks:

2008: Tyler Myers, D (12th overall)
2007:
T.J. Brennan, D (31st overall)
2006:
Dennis Persson, D (24th overall)
CSB:
#16 (NA)
ISS: #13
THN:
#17
TSN: #12
Other players
discussed here:
Kassian, Josefson, Leblanc



With the 14th overall pick, the
Panthers will select:

Simon Despres,
D, Saint John (QMJHL), 6’3.5", 205 lbs
66 GP, 2 goals, 30 assists, 32 points, 74 PIMS
While he won’t remind Panther
fans of the soon to be former Florida defenceman Jay Bouwmeester, Despres is
a strong prospect in his own right.  Surprisingly mobile for his size,
he also plays a decent physical game and moves the puck well.  He
likely won’t be a staple on the powerplay in the NHL, but he’ll block shots
and do all the little things that a team needs to win.  Not a
top-pairing blueliner, but he’ll fit in nicely within the Panthers’ top-4
down the road.  
Recent
Top Picks:

2008: Jacob Markstrom, G (31st overall)
2007:
Keaton Ellerby, D (10th overall)
2006:
Michael Frolik, C (10th overall)
CSB:
#8 (NA)
ISS: #30
THN:
#12
TSN: #18
Other players
discussed here:
Josefson, Moore



With the 15th overall pick, the
Ducks will select:

Zack Kassian,
RW, Peterborough (OHL), 6’2.75", 210 lbs
61 GP, 24 goals, 39 assists, 63 points, 136 PIMS
Easily one of the toughest
players in the draft, Kassian was the biggest riser in the final rankings of
the CSB ratings.  He uses his NHL-ready frame well and showed a knack
for scoring some key goals.  As is the case with a lot of the draft
eligible forwards, skating is a concern, but it shouldn’t stop him from
being a core power forward at the NHL level.  Although Brian Burke now
runs the Leafs, the Ducks’ prospect system is still set up for a player like
Kassian to make an impact in the near future.
Recent
Top Picks:

2008: Jake Gardiner, D (17th overall)
2007:
Logan MacMillan, C (19th overall)
2006:
Mark Mitera, D (19th overall)
CSB:
#10 (NA)
ISS: #20
THN:
#16
TSN: #14
Other players
discussed here:
Moore, Rundblad, Holland



With the 16th overall pick, the
Blue Jackets will select:

John Moore,
D, Chicago (USHL), 6’2", 189 lbs
57 GP, 14 goals, 25 assists, 39 points, 50 PIMS
The blueline in Columbus
lately has resembled a patchwork crew, and there is little in the system
moving forward.  This is why it’s paramount for them to draft a
defender, and Moore fits the "new NHL" perfectly.  Mobility is his
greatest asset, and he does not hesitate to join the rush.  His
defensive play isn’t entirely up to par, but steadily improved throughout
the season.  Moore looks to be a future PP quarterback and will
instantly fill a couple of needs for the Blue Jackets.
Recent
Top Picks:

2008: Nikita Filatov, LW (6th overall)
2007:
Jakub Voracek, RW (7th overall)
2006:
Derick Brassard, C (6th overall)
CSB:
#6 (NA)
ISS: #16
THN:
#18
TSN: #13
Other players
discussed here:
de Haan, Rundblad



With the 17th overall pick, the
Blues will select:

Louis Leblanc,
C, Omaha (USHL), 6’0", 178 lbs
60 GP, 28 goals, 31 assists, 59 points, 78 PIMS
The Blues have drafted a lot
of scoring depth recently, but their system still lacks that legitimate
two-way centre.  Enter Leblanc, who was nearly a point-per-game player
as a rookie in the USHL with a league high +33 en route to rookie of the
year.  Tenacious and hard working, he’s the type of player every team
can use, as that 3rd line centre who can shut down the opponent while
lighting the lamp. 
Recent
Top Picks:

2008: Alex Pietrangelo, D (4th overall)
2007:
Lars Eller, C (13th overall)
2006:
Erik Johnson, D (1st overall)
CSB:
#13 (NA)
ISS: #12
THN:
#29
TSN: #17
Other players
discussed here:
Josefson, Ashton, Holland



With the 18th overall pick, the
Canadiens will select:

Peter Holland,
C, Guelph (OHL), 6’2", 185 lbs
68 GP, 28 goals, 39 assists, 67 points, 42 PIMS
Over the years, the Habs have
always lacked a prototypical offensive power forward.  Holland has the
potential to become such a player, but has a long way to go to get there. 
His compete level and consistency waver at times, but when he’s focused, he
can be a real threat.  His skating isn’t the strongest, but he possesses a
good hockey sense which helps compensate for this.  This pick solves a
myriad of needs for the Habs, who need size and strength, as well as depth
down the middle. 
Recent
Top Picks:

2008: Danny Kristo, RW (56th overall)
2007:
Ryan McDonagh, D (12th overall)
2006:
David Fischer, D (20th overall)
CSB:
#19 (NA)
ISS: #15
THN:
#19
TSN: #24
Other players
discussed here:
Caron, Ashton



With the 19th overall pick, the
Rangers will select:

Chris Kreider,
C, Andover (USHS), 6’2", 201 lbs
26 GP, 33 goals, 23 assists, 56 points, 10 PIMS
Having played at a lower
level this year, scouts are struggling to determine how good he actually is,
particularly in terms of his offensive game.  The one thing they all
agree on is that he’s easily the best pure skater in the draft. 
Considering he’s still eligible for another year at the high school level,
he’s going to be a long-term project.  The Rangers, who have some
talented young forwards in the system, can afford to let him develop as a
sniper who easily could be a steal at #19.
Recent
Top Picks:

2008: Michael Del Zotto, D (20th overall)
2007:
Alexei Cherepanov, RW (17th overall)
2006:
Bob Sanguinetti, D (21st overall)
CSB:
#14 (NA)
ISS: #24
THN:
#24
TSN: #19
Other players
discussed here:
Shore, Palmieri



With the 20th overall pick, the
Flames will select:

David Rundblad,
D, Skelleftea (SWE), 6’2", 189 lbs
45 GP, 0 goals, 10 assists, 10 points, 8 PIMS
Rundblad is one of the few
players who seems to fall anywhere between about picks 10 and 40.  His
proponents love his two-way game and drool over his offensive instincts, but
his detractors question his physical play and defensive positioning.  A
regular in the Swedish Elite League, he will need some more seasoning before
being NHL ready.  With the Flames getting hit with the injury bug on
the back end this year, replenishing that end of the cupboard appears to be
in their best interest.
Recent
Top Picks:

2008: Greg Nemisz, C (25th overall)
2007:
Mikael Backlund, C (24th overall)
2006:
Leland Irving, G (26th overall)
CSB:
#6 (Euro)
ISS: #22
THN:
#10
TSN: #21
Other players
discussed here:
Elliott



With the 21st overall pick, the
Flyers will select:

Jacob Josefson,
C, Djurgarden (SWE), 6’0", 187 lbs
50 GP, 5 goals, 11 assists, 16 points, 14 PIMS
Josefson is an excellent two
way player, who plays a very intelligent game in both zones.  He’s very
creative, and has playmaking skills to spare.  Projected by some to go
higher, his stock may fall due to a poor showing at the WJC’s, and the fact
he had limited ice time in the Elitserien.  The Flyers are deep at the
pivot position already, but with the cap crunch about to hit them, Josefson
will represent a cheap replacement when one of Philly’s high priced players
gets moved out.
Recent
Top Picks:

2008: Luca Sbisa, D (19th overall)
2007:
James van Riemsdyk, LW (2nd overall)
2006:
Claude Giroux, RW (22nd overall)
CSB:
#3 (Euro)
ISS: #11
THN:
#15
TSN: #16
Other players
discussed here:
Ashton, Morin



With the 22nd overall pick, the
Canucks will select:

Calvin de Haan,
D, Oshawa (OHL), 5’11.75", 170 lbs
68 GP, 8 goals, 55 assists, 63 points, 40 PIMS
This blueliner’s style is
quite similar to Brian Rafalski.  de Haan has strong hockey sense, both
offensively and defensively, rarely making mistakes in either zone, but is
undersized in terms of most NHL defenders.  Scouts have raved about his
decision making and ability to slow the game down, a pair of critical
elements in the modern day NHL.  The Canucks can use a good replacement
after the Luc Bourdon tragedy, especially with many of their current
defencemen getting a little long in the tooth.
Recent
Top Picks:

2008: Cody Hodgson, C (10th overall)
2007:
Patrick White, C (25th overall)
2006:
Michael Grabner, RW (14th overall)
CSB:
#25 (NA)
ISS: #36
THN:
#22
TSN: #23
Other players
discussed here:
Elliott, Ferraro



With the 23rd overall pick, the
Devils will select:

Landon Ferraro,
C, Red Deer (WHL), 5’11.25", 165 lbs
68 GP, 37 goals, 18 assists, 55 points, 99 PIMS
Ferraro, the son of former
NHL’er Ray Ferraro, is a gifted offensive forward.  Despite playing on
a young, struggling team, he led his team in scoring, with some spunk and a
scoring touch around the net.  He is a very good skater, with excellent
acceleration, and great patience when holding on to the puck. Aggressive on
the forecheck and very willing to throw the body around despite his small
stature, he also has an underrated defensive game.  Down the road, he
may project to be a better winger than a centre.
Recent
Top Picks:

2008: Mattias Tedenby, LW (24th overall)
2007:
Mike Hoeffel, LW (57th overall)
2006:
Matt Corrente, D (30th overall)
CSB:
#18 (NA)
ISS: #17
THN:
#28
TSN: #26
Other players
discussed here:
Caron, Erixon, Palmieri



With the 24th overall pick, the
Capitals will select:

Carter Ashton,
RW, Lethbridge (WHL), 6’2.5", 205 lbs
70 GP, 30 goals, 20 assists, 50 points, 93 PIMS
Ashton, the son of former
NHL’er Brent Ashton, is a big specimen that uses his size to his advantage
through his physical play and aggression.  His skating is still a work
in progress, as his stride appears too long with little acceleration. 
His offensive game is average, and combined with his skating, his role in
the pros will likely be in a bottom 6 checking position.  Fortunately
for the Caps, they have plenty of offence, but could require some beefing up
past their top 2 lines, where Ashton would fit in quite nicely.
Recent
Top Picks:

2008: Anton Gustafsson, C (21st overall)
2007:
Karl Alzner, D (5th overall)
2006:
Nicklas Backstrom, C (4th overall)
CSB:
#12 (NA)
ISS: #33
THN:
#20
TSN: #20
Other players
discussed here:
Elliott, Morin



With the 25th overall pick, the
Bruins will select:

Stefan Elliott,
D, Saskatoon (WHL), 6’0.5", 180 lbs
71 GP, 16 goals, 39 assists, 55 points, 26 PIMS
Elliott represents an
emerging two-way defenceman.  Blessed with fantastic speed, he also has
great passing ability and regularly handles both the top power play and
penalty killing tasks.  His size is likely the only deterrent to teams
in drafting him earlier in the round, although some scouts remain concerned
with his defensive zone play.  The Bruins would be a good fit for him
with their depth on the blueline starting to look a little thin.
Recent
Top Picks:

2008: Joe Colborne, LW (16th overall)
2007:
Zach Hamill, C (8th overall)
2006:
Phil Kessel, LW (5th overall)
CSB:
#17 (NA)
ISS: #38
THN:
#27
TSN: #35
Other players
discussed here:
Erixon, Leddy



With the 26th overall pick, the
Islanders will select:

Tim Erixon,
D, Skelleftea (SWE), 6’2", 190 lbs
45 GP, 2 goals, 5 assists, 7 points, 12 PIMS
Erixon is another strong two-way
defenceman.  His skating is already pro level, as is his decision
making with and without the puck.  He is a steady, dependable player,
albeit with limited flash to his offensive game.  His size has helped
acquit himself to playing at the pro level in Sweden, where he spent the
majority of this season.  The Islanders need help in all areas of the
team, and would welcome a close to NHL ready blueliner in Erixon to help
expedite the rebuilding process.
How
acquired
:

From Ottawa (via Tampa Bay via San Jose) with Dean McAmmond in exchange for
C Mike Comrie and D Chris Campoli.
CSB:
#5 (Euro)
ISS: #55
THN:
#32
TSN: #28
Other players
discussed here:
Klingberg, Budish



With the 27th overall pick, the
Hurricanes will select:

Jeremy Morin,
LW, USA U-18 (USDP), 6’0.5", 189 lbs
46 GP, 26 goals, 22 assists, 48 points, 99 PIMS
Morin represents an
intriguing prospect for the Canes.  He has pro-level goal scoring
ability now, but his consistency and work ethic have been off and on this
season.  When he is on, he has shown natural goal scoring hands, and
good offensive forechecking.  When he’s off, his skating looks average
at best with little acceleration, and a high dependency on his teammates to
make him better.  His style seems similar to Jonathan Cheechoo or Brett
Hull, but he is a high risk, high reward given his inconsistency.
Recent
Top Picks:

2008: Zach Boychuk, C (14th overall)
2007:
Brandon Sutter, C (11th overall)
2006:
Jamie McBain, D (63rd overall)
CSB:
#33 (NA)
ISS: #27
THN:
#21
TSN: #31
Other players
discussed here:
Shore, Olsen

 



With the 28th overall pick, the Blackhawks will select:
Jordan Caron, RW,
Rimouski (QMJHL), 6’2.25", 202 lbs
56 GP, 36 goals, 31 assists, 67 points, 66 PIMS
Caron has a good mix of
talent, size and abilities for a centre.  He has very good hockey
sense, and is a natural leader on his team.  He understands the
defensive game well, and has good hockey sense and a good shot.  His
coach uses him in all situations, and he is always a hard worker.  The
biggest flaw in his game is that he is not a very quick skater.  The
Blackhawks represent a good organization for Caron, since they can afford to
be patient with him.  Caron could reach the NHL level relatively early,
given his potential to fit in well at the 3rd or 4th line, to start.
Recent
Top Picks:

2008: Kyle Beach, LW (11th overall)
2007:
Patrick Kane, RW (1st overall)
2006:
Jonathan Toews, C (3rd overall)
CSB:
#21 (NA)
ISS: #25
THN:
#33
TSN: #22
Other players
discussed here:
Palmieri

 



With the 29th overall pick, the
Red Wings will select:

Ryan O’Reilly,
C, Erie (OHL), 6’0", 200 lbs
68 GP, 16 goals, 50 assists, 66 points, 26 PIMS
A real character player in
the best sense of the word.  He has excellent hockey sense and
anticipates the play very well while being strong on the draw.  His
positioning is exceptional in all zones, and he is a good passer and
playmaker.  He captained Team Canada’s U-18 squad, which shows his
leadership ability.  His primary drawback is his skating which is
average, with little quickness.  If that improves, he could become a
2nd line centre in the pros or he could excel at a checking role. With
Detroit’s talent level up front, they could use this type of player for 3rd
and 4th line duty down the road.
Recent
Top Picks:

2008: Thomas McCollum, G (30th overall)
2007:
Brendan Smith, D (27th overall)
2006:
Cory Emmerton, C (41st overall)
CSB:
#39 (NA)
ISS: #50
THN:
#39
TSN: #27
Other players
discussed here:
Palmieri, Werek, Klingberg, Olsen



With the 30th overall pick, the
Penguins will select:

Drew Shore,
C, USA U-18 (USDP), 6’2.5", 190 lbs
53 GP, 14 goals, 23 assists, 37 points, 38 PIMS
A solid two-way centre, with
a mix of good size and skill; he uses his size well and battles hard
consistently.  His passing, shooting and vision are all very good, and
he also handles penalty killing tasks well.  His skating is not fluid; he is
the type of player that must keep his feet moving at the pro level to be
effective.  A project pick, the Penguins would be best suited to allow him
to develop in college for a while before signing him.
Recent
Top Picks:

2008: Nathan Moon, C (120th overall)
2007:
Angelo Esposito, C (20th overall)
2006:
Carl Sneep, D (32nd overall)
CSB:
#28 (NA)
ISS: #18
THN:
#23
TSN: #30
Other players
discussed here:
Olsen, Klingberg, Panik