The Sports Corner

TSC’s Final NHL Mock Draft 2009

With the NHL draft taking place in Montreal on June 25-26, the TSC brings you the final mock draft for this upcoming event.

The first prospect ranking for this draft by TSC was done in November, listing the top-10. The earlier one this month featuring the top 14 picks can be read here, but a couple changes have been made to that order, including Jared Cowen possibly dropping down a couple spots - considering Evander Kane’s stock has risen due to his strong showing at the combine. This one below is the entire first round.

Based on team needs and availability, here is TSC’s final NHL mock draft of 2009 (included with the name is position and 08-09 team):

1. New York Islanders - John Tavares, C, London: The consensus number one pick all year long, it would be a shock if the Islanders pass on JT. His skating is the biggest question to his game but the pure scoring talent makes up for it. The man can turn the goal light on, that’s for sure. Rumours are circulating in this final week that Islanders might go with Hedman but Tavares is a definite franchise building block, one that NYI desparately needs.

2. Tampa Bay Lightning - Victor Hedman, D, MoDo: Hedman would be a perfect fit in Tampa Bay. With a strong young group on offense, the Lightning need help on the blueline and the 6′6″, 220 lbs Swedish monster would be a great fit. He’s already playing in a men’s league in Sweden, and scouts are saying he has the potential to be a 40 to 50 point defensemen. If Hedman is taken, Tampa will no doubt go for Tavares and possibly trade Vincent Lecavalier.

3. Colorado Avalanche - Matt Duchene, C, Brampton: No doubt the fastest skater in the draft, Duchene is a game changer. One scout I talked to compared him to an early Mike Modano, while others have named Steve Yzerman as a comparison. Duchene is skilled, fast, smart, and a complete hockey player. Northwest Division teams beware because Colorado is getting the next Joe Sakic.

4. Atlanta Thrashers - Evander Kane, C, Vancouver: This pick could either be Cowen or Kane, depending on what route the Thrashers want to go. But with his recent combine showing, Kane just might be the better pickup. The Vancouver native is a consistent scorer with great speed that isn’t afraid to get in the dirty areas. Although he’s not the biggest guy, Kane can make things happen, and that’s something they need in Atlanta. 

5. Los Angeles Kings -  Brayden Schenn, C, Brandon: L.A. will most definitely be looking to get a forward this time around after stocking up on defensemen the last couple drafts, and Schenn would definitely add grit to a skilled young offensive group. The younger brother of Toronto’s Luke Schenn, Brayden is a great two-way forward, with some comparing him to Mike Richards. In other words, he’s the typical Canadian player, who plays a gritty style and has a good track record of putting up points.

6. Phoenix Coyotes - Jared Cowen, D, Spokane: Another organization prospering from stocking up on young talent, the Coyotes should be looking for a blueliner this time around. Cowen is a defensive d-men - something that Phoenix needs in their prospect pool. Don’t let Cowen’s season-ending knee injury in February fool you, the 6′5″, 218-lber is still a force on the backend.

7. Toronto Maple Leafs - Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson, LW, Timra: With all the rumours of Brian Burke wanting to trade up in the draft, the Maple Leafs might not end up at seven. But if Paajarvi is still available, as plenty of scouts have him in their top five, then Burke would be getting himself one highly-skilled Swedish winger. It’ll be hard to not draft Paajarvi, who is listed as a playmaking forward. As shown during the WJC, this 18-year-old is a tremendous skater who can go around players and draw penalties, not to mention the typical Swedish skills he possesses.

8. Dallas Stars - Oliver Ekman-Larsson, D, Leksand: A question mark is probably surrounding Larsson as to how high he should be drafted, but Dallas would be making the right move picking up the slick puck-moving Swedish defender. The Stars have one blueliner prospect worthy of mentioning (Ivan Vishnevskiy), so adding Larsson to that list would not be a mistake. The 6′2″ defensemen is noted to being one of the best tape-to-tape passers in the draft, and has tremendous offensive talent, how Swedish of him.

9. Ottawa Senators - Nazem Kadri, C, London: Kadri was ranked as high as top-five at one point for the draft but a jaw-injury might have knocked him down a few notches. Although listed as a centre, Kadri was put on the wing quite a bit with the Knights and with the Senators probably targeting a forward, Kadri would make a good fore-checking speedster in the years to come. His skating is his biggest plus and he put up 78 points with London in 56 games, so the offensive skill is obviously also there.

10. Edmonton Oilers - Dmitri Kulikov, D, Drummondville: Probably the first Russian who will be chosen at this draft, Kulikov showed he can produce more then a point-per-game all regular season long in the QMJHL. He also proved that he’s not the type to run back to Russia, much like a few of his fellow-countrymen, when things get tough in North America. Kulikov is an offensive defensemen and the Oilers could definitely use a future blueliner that can jump into the rush and has a decent all-around game.

11. Nashville Predators - Jordan Schroeder, RW, U of Minnesota: Most likely the first American player taken this draft, Schroeder could potentially join another countrymen in the Predators system, their first round pick from last year, Colin Wilson. The two had great chemistry for Team USA at the WJC and could reunite in Nashville. Schroeder puts up offensively and does so consistently, racking up 45 points in 35 games as one of the youngest players in college. Although he’s small in size, it hasn’t seemed to affect him yet with some comparing him to Brian Gionta.

12. Minnesota Wild - John Moore, D, Chicago (USHL): There are better players then Moore in the draft that Minnesota can take at number 12 but the Wild will need a puck-moving defensemen in the future. Besides Duchene of course, Moore just might be the second best skater in this draft. Think Scott Neidermayer. It’s unlikely Moore will make the jump to the NHL right away, as he has areas he needs to work on -such as confidence - and maybe playing a year in the OHL might help. This American defender’s skill level is high and could be a big plus for Minny’s prospect pool.

13. Buffalo Sabres - Scott Glennie, C, Brandon: To sum up the Sabres’ need in one word, everything. So it would be best for Buffalo to just get the next best player, in this case it would be another Brandon Wheat Kings product, Glennie. Having played alongside Brayden Schenn in the WHL, Glennie has been compared to his linemate most of his draft year. Despite breaking his elbow in January, Glennie should rebound from it, and possibly even make him a better player. He’s a better scorer and skater then Schenn but is not as gritty. A complete player who could very well be considered a steal at the 13th spot.

14. Florida Panthers - Ryan Ellis, D, Windsor: If Florida wants to take the best player available at this spot, they’ll chose Swede’s Jacob Josefson, but they have a few centres lined up already in the system. If they want the grittiest player, a Milan Lucic clone, they’ll take Zack Kassian with this pick. But with Jay Bouwmeester possibly gone this offseason, the Panthers will need to revamp their blueline for the future, and that means picking up the small powerplay specialist Ryan Ellis. Canadians all saw his magic at the World Juniors and Ellis is incredible at controlling the puck.

15. Anaheim Ducks - Zack Kassian, RW, Peterborough: Many have compared Kassian to Milan Lucic or Todd Bertuzzi, as this power forward could very well be the toughest guy in this draft. It’s also a style that fits very well in the Anaheim system, considering their knack to draft big forwards who can also score. The 6′3″, 210-lbs winger racked up 136 PIM last season in the OHL, while putting up 63 points in 61 games.

16. Columbus Blue Jackets - Jacob Josefson, C, Djurgarden: It’ll be hard to judge how Colombus drafts later in the first round considering this is their first time not picking in the top eight. But Josefson is a two-way forward, who can be counted on defensively -in a sense like Henrik Zetterberg. The Blue Jackets have pumped up their scoring talent in recent drafts so choosing a reliable forward would be the smart way to go.

17. St. Louis Blues - David Rundblad, D, Skelleftea: St. Louis is one of those teams that won’t be picky with position, as they are strong in all areas of their prospect pool. So it might be a best-player-available scenario and in this case, Rundblad would help out the blueline a lot, especially offensively. With a great shot and strong puck-moving ability, some scouts has his offensive aspect ranked higher then Hedman.

18. Montreal Canadiens - Louis Leblanc, C, Omaha: Having selected an American in the first round in the last three draft, the Canadiens might pickup a Quebec boy playing in the USHL this time around. The two-way centre will need to add on size, but it’s his on-ice responsibility and vision that has impressed scouts. Playing in the USHL makes it hard to judge Leblanc’s offensive talent so he’ll have something to prove in order to make it onto the Habs.

19. New York Rangers - Carter Ashton, LW, Lethbridge: The Rangers could use a future power forward and that’s exactly what Ashton is touted to be. However, he should focus on being even more physical considering his 6′3″, 200-lbs frame. Labeled as a shooter, the Saskatoon native had 30 goals compared to 20 assists last season, and a big part of that offensive production was his ability to drive to the net.

20. Calgary Flames - Simon Despres, D, Saint John: With a pretty strong contingent of defensemen in this year’s draft, the Flames would be foolish to choose from a different position, as they are lacking in the prospect blueliner department. Despres is a typical defensive-defenseman: big bodied, shot-blocker, and strong on the puck and in his own end. He’s a non-scoring version of Dion Phaneuf or Jay Bouwmeester.

21. Philadelphia Flyers - Chris Kreider, LW, Andover Academy: Kreider just might be picked even higher then this mostly because of his speed. Along with Duchene and Moore, Kreider could very well be in the top-three in skating in this draft. This American is all about offense as well and the Flyers, with a history of drafting forwards early, won’t want to pass on this speedster.

22. Vancouver Canucks - Calvin De Haan, D, Oshawa: Unless Vancouver decides to stray a different direction, the priority for this pick should be an offensive defensemen, especially after the death of Luc Bourdon last May. And De Haan fits that role perfectly. He has a complete package of shot, puck-movement, speed, skill, agility and most importantly, hockey sense. The main downside to De Haan is his size, something that could hinder him in the NHL.

23. New Jersey Devils - Stefan Elliott, D, Saskatoon: There are better players at this position that New Jersey can pick up but they want a defensemen who can step in as soon as possible. Having traded top prospect Anssi Salmela in March, the Devils want to re-fill that position and Elliott could be the man. The offensive-minded defensemen would be a perfect powerplay quarterback in New Jersey, especially with his shoot-first mentality. However, he is another blueliner needing to add more upper body strength.

24. Washington Capitals - Peter Holland, C, Guelph: A smooth-skating centre is on Washington’s list, and they can fill that need with Holland. Compared to Patrick Marleau, the point-a-game forward has good hands and is a strong skater. His competitive level is often questioned but when he is playing with high energy, Holland is very noticeable on the ice.

25. Boston Bruins - Landon Ferraro, RW, Red Deer: A team that drafts whoever they like with no real regards to position, the Boston Bruins could potentially be picking a late treasure in Ferraro. A pure goal-scorer, the son of former NHLer Ray Ferraro recorded 37 goals and 18 assists with Red Deer last season. He’s a player that does everything well, but it’s his knack for scoring that makes him an attractive pick.

26. New York Islanders (from San Jose)* - Nick Leddy, D, Eden Prairie: With two first round picks, the Islanders might focus on their defense with the latter choice. Although it’ll probably take a few years before Leddy makes his NHL debut, the Minnesota native is also considered one of the better skaters in this draft. His size is an issue but a combination of his skill, speed, and ability to control the puck makes him tough to play against.

27. Carolina Hurricanes - Kyle Palmieri, C, U.S. NTDP: The Hurricanes like to focus on North American forwards in the first round, and Palmieri fits that requirement. Having gotten kicked off the U.S. under-18 team will be an issue for teams drafting him but his on-ice game will be hard to pass on. He’s a good skater with a very slick shot, along with a good eye for the right plays.

28. Chicago Blackhawks - Jordan Caron, C, Rimouski: With plenty of success in past draft, the Blackhawks can add to that by drafting Caron, another power forward. He has decent offensive ability but it’s his size and ability around the net that has helped his game. However, Caron is injury-proned and the team that picks him up would need to have plenty of depth and patience.

29. Detroit Red Wings - Drew Shore, C, U.S. NTDP: Whoever the Red Wings pick, it’ll be safe to say that they did their homework. With probably the best drafting crew in the NHL, Detroit has uncovered plenty of gems in these entry drafts. With a late first round pick, they might turn to Shore, an energy player that provides a relentless forecheck -sounds like a great future replacement for when Draper and Maltby decide to hang up the skates.

30. Pittsburgh Penguins - Tim Erixon, D, Skelleftea: It’s hard to decide where Erixon should be chosen but the Swedish defensemen is a safe pick. He’s not the most offensive blueliner while he’s steady in his own end of the rink. He’s big and skilled, yet unpredictable, with some comparing him to Mattias Ohlund.