The past few weeks I posted what I thought were going to be the top ten draft picks come this Friday. Now I thought I’d share with you, the rest of the first round. I won’t go into detail about why I picked these players, but I assure you, I had a system and tried to select who I thought was best for each team, based on who was available, and the information I had. I don’t know how accurate it will be, but I guess we’ll find out on Friday! If you feel that I’m way off base on any of the picks, feel free to drop a comment, I’d love to hear your opinion. So without further ado, I give you, the first round of the 2009 NHL entry draft:

1. NYI – John Tavares
2. TB – Victor Hedman
3. COL – Matt Duchene
4. ATL – Jared Cowan
5. LA – Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson
6. PHX – Brayden Schenn
7. TOR – Evander Kane
8. DAL – Oliver Ekman-Larsson
9. OTT – Nazem Kadri
10. EDM – Jacob Josefson
11. NSH – Jordan Schroeder
12. MIN – Simon Despres
13. BUF – Scott Glennie
14. FLA – John Moore
15. ANA – David Rundblad
16. CLB – Zack Kassian
17. STL – Carl Klingberg
18. MTL – Ryan Ellis
19. NYR – Carter Ashton
20. PHX(From CGY Conditionally) – Olivier Roy
21. PHI – Peter Holland
22. VAN – Dmitry Kulikov
23. NJ – Louis Leblanc
24. WSH – Nick Leddy
25. BOS – Kyle Palmieri
26. NYI(From SJ) – Calvin De Haan
27. CAR – Chris Kreider
28. CHI – Marcus Johansson
29. DET – Stefan Elliott
30. PIT – Tim Erixon

A few notes of interest, the number 20 pick is conditional. Phoenix can either choose to use Calgary’s first round pick this year, or next year, and will wait until the pick comes up to decide. I have a strong feeling that they will choose to use it this year, based on Calgary’s poor playoff performance (they now have a somewhat lower pick) so they may think that this is the best pick they can get. Also, they are desparate for a goaltending prospect, so I think the time would be right to select Olivier Roy. He’s not neccesarily first round talent, but he’s my #1 ranked goalie, and I think they would be willing to take a stab at him, especially since they also have the #6 pick.

Tags: canadiens, draft, hedman, Leafs, mock draft, NHL, penguins, preview, rangers, red wings, tavares

Well, we are in the finals now. Good luck to both Pittsburgh and Detroit in their quest for the 08-09 crown. Detroit is up 3 games to 2 and looks to be well on their way towards back-to-back Stanley Cups. Too bad it seems like most people I know are cheering for Sidney Crosby and his Penguins to win. I would like to see that as well, but more importantly, I want to see good hockey, and 7 games. Hopefully some overtime as well, if that’s not too much to ask.

Now, without further ado, here are picks #6-#10 in the Everything Hockey Mock Draft 09:

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Tags: 2009, dallas stars, draft, edmonton oilers, Ekman-Larsson, josefson, kadri, Kane, NHL, ottawa senators, phoenix coyotes, preview, Schenn, toronto maple leafs

Yes, believe it or not, it’s true. The New York Yankees’ Third Baseman was quoted in a recent interview saying that his time off earlier this month due to a hip injury has made him interested in hockey.

“I’ve watched more hockey in the last two months than my whole life, combined,” said Rodriguez. “I never knew anything about hockey before, but I think I have a new appreciation for Canadians and the passion they have for hockey. It’s been awesome. I can’t get enough of it.”

Well, I can’t say that it makes me a fan of his, especially since the heat is still on because of his admission of taking steroids, but it is a small victory in the fight to earn my respect. Maybe he can get some of the other Yankees interested as well. Could we see him in the stands of the Madison Square Garden next season, taking in a Rangers game? Who knows. Rodriguez went on to say:

“I like that Alex guy, No. 8 (Ovechkin) and I love (Sidney) Crosby and I like the Rangers. So many of the (Canadian) baseball players were former hockey players. I like talking to them about it now.”

He’ll learn the names eventually, I guess. That got me thinking, though. What if A-Rod tries to become the next multi-sport athlete? He’ll likely stay in New York, so…

Tags: alex, baseball, fan, hockey, mlb, new york rangers, new york yankees, NHL, rodriguez

So it’s that time of year again, the playoffs are getting close to finishing, and fans of teams that are out of it are getting excited for the upcoming draft on June 26th. Each team must evaluate where they need immediate help, where they are lacking in depth, and what they can do to fix each issue. The draft is a great way to fix many of those problems. One good draft can turn a franchise around, especially if you have a top five pick. Almost every single player in the league today was drafted, so I can’t help but wonder who the next superstar might be that comes from this draft (aside from Tavares).

I have evaluated each team, and have a pretty good idea of who they plan on going after in this draft. Some teams need desperate help in a certain area, others will just draft who they think is the best available player at the time. Of course, all of this is barring any kind of trade where a team moves up, which is very possible. I can only go up to the first 14 picks, because the playoffs decide where all of the other teams pick. Here are the first 5 picks in this years’ draft, including a detailed explanation:

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Tags: 2009, avalanche, cowen, draft, duchene, hedman, islanders, kings, lightning, NHL, paajarvi-svensson, tavares, thrashers

Standings don’t get any tighter than the way it is in the Western Conference right now. The Minnesota Wild are currently hanging on to the last playoff spot with 55 points, but are in a 3-way tie with Edmonton and Columbus. Dead last in the West? St. Louis with 50, count ‘em, 50 points. The difference between 5th and 15th is a mere 9 points.  You may remember an article TSN had on January 21, talking about Phoenix being 5th, and how they will be top contenders the rest of the way. Now, barely 3 weeks since the posting of that article the Coyotes sit 13th. Remember when we all thought Dallas was down and out? Well, since the Avery feud the Stars have rebounded with a 17-8-3 record and find themselves right back in the playoff picture.

Things certainly change quickly in the West. Does it have to do with the East playing the West more often, because of the re-worked schedule? The West seems to be taking points away from Eastern conference teams, making things very tight.

I’m interested in seeing how this plays into the upcoming trade deadline. Teams may think they are close and are still in it, but the reality is, 8 teams from the east make it, and 8 teams from the west make it. I have a hunch that Western teams may choose to bulk up on the deadline, and legitimate tanking teams like the New York Islanders and the Leafs will clean up. More buyers means a higher price for players like Doug Weight, Bill Guerin, and Nik Antropov. Brian Burke must be licking his lips in anticipation.

Who are the legitimate contenders in the West, and who do I see falling out of contention shortly after the deadline? If Steve Mason can return from his bout with Mononucleosis (and from what I’ve heard, it can zap the energy from even the healthiest of people) Columbus certainly stick around until the end. I think Anaheim is in there for good. They have battled through injuries the entire year, and have really come together as a team these past few weeks. Jonas Hiller is looking like one of the best signings Brian Burke has ever made. LA, believe it or not, is picking up steam. With shooters like Oscar Moller, and Anze Kopitar, young stud Drew Doughty on defence and an acrobatic Jonathan Quick backstopping them, I can see them turning a few heads. I don’t believe that Nashville has the horses to pull off a comeback, and Colorado simply doesn’t have the goaltending.

With that all said, only 2 teams that were out of the playoffs at the All-Star break last year were in the playoffs at the end of the year. Washington and their miraculous stretch of games at the end was one of them, so it will take an effort similar to that to make it in.

It will be an interesting few weeks indeed, and I’m really looking forward to it. I apologize for the lack of podcasts lately, but school has been very hectic, especially on Thursdays when we are supposed to do the podcast. I promise that Andy and I will drag ourselves to the studio sooner or later, and we’ll get one done before the trade deadline. We will have a trade deadline recap show for sure.

Tags: NHL, playoffs, podcast, predictions, trade deadline, western conference

The NHL’s rookie camps open this week, and is anyone else as excited as I am? Every season has tingly sensation to it for every hockey fan, but after witnessing the 07-08 playoffs, I think we’re in for something special. Every team starts on the same level, so many surprises and unexpected events are sure to occur.

I love reading the previews like The Hockey News Yearbook and The Score Forecaster, not to take any of the predictions to heart or for the fantastic articles, but just so I can look back and see how wrong they were! Sure they may get a few things right, but it’s the unexpected twists that we as hockey fans live for. Definitely pick up one of the magazines I mentioned above if you want a quick refresher on what to expect for the upcoming year, or if you just want a head-start for your fantasy pool.

If you’re like me and you need something to hold you over until the season starts, I suggest you pick up a copy of NHL 09. It was rated 9.0/10 by IGN, making it not only one of the best hockey games ever made, but also one of the best sports games ever made. Take that, Madden! It’s extremely addicting, with great new features building on NHL 08’s success. I really enjoy the new custom soundtrack feature that’s on the Xbox 360 version. It lets you choose songs for goals, breaks in play, penalties, the whole bit. It makes the game much more realistic hearing “Vertigo” blasted after the Habs score a goal.

So there you go ladies and gentlemen. The pre-season is just around the corner believe it or not. I can’t wait for this season to get started! How about you?

(PS: Mats Sundin, hurry the f**k up already!)

(PSS: Podcast is still being worked on! I’m swamped with work for college. Please be patient!)

Tags: 08-09 Season, NHL, NHL 09, The Hockey News, The Score Forecaster

While Steven Stamkos’ name is being mentioned frequently when speaking of the Calder Trophy, it would be a mistake not to consider the likes of Patrik Berglund, Kyle Okposo, Shawn Matthias, Bobby Ryan, Fabian Brunnstrom and Kyle Turris, among others.

Turris, drafted third overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft by Phoenix, is coming off a remarkable season with the Wisconsin Badgers from the WHCA (Western Collegiate Hockey Association). In 38 games, he garnered 11 goals and 35 points which were high enough to lead his team in scoring. He also played in the 2007 Super Series, an eight-game challenge series between Russia and Canada’s national under-20 teams. He went on to lead the series in goal scoring with 7 as Canada won the series 7-0-1. He finished the series in his hometown of Vancouver where he scored 2 goals and was named MVP. Turris also led Team Canada at the World Junior Championships in the Czech Republic, placing as the team’s top point producer after successfully capturing the gold medal.

Turris is said to be a dynamic player with offensive skills matched by few in his age category. He’s fast on his feet, has a very accurate shot and can handle the puck very well. A balanced offensive player, Turris has the ability to either take the shot himself or set-up a teammate. All this combined with his defensive awareness and ability to find holes are surfacing comparisons of a young Steve Yzerman or Joe Sakic.

While he’s not an overly physical player, his endurance and hockey sense allow him to avoid being rattled by the opposition. His 6-1, 170 pound frame will help him adjust to the NHL game in a smoother transition too.

At age 19, there are concerns he may start slow with the Coyotes, but Turris will be moved as the teams #2 center — moving teammate and possible linemate Peter Mueller to the wing — so playing behind Olli Jokinen should help his confidence.

Turris is no stranger to success either, accumulating many awards and honors throughout his short hockey career:

• 2006 BCHL Coastal Division Rookie of the Year
• 2006 World Junior A Challenge Most Valuable Player Award
• 2006 World Junior A Challenge All-Star Team
• 2006 World Junior A Challenge Scoring Champion
• 2007 RBC Financial Group Canadian Junior A Player of the Year
• 2007 BCHL Player of the Year
• 2007 WCHA Preseason Freshman of the Year
• 2008 All-WCHA Third Team All-star
• 2008 WCHA All-Rookie Team

All in consideration, it will be an interesting competition for the Calder Trophy. While there are candidates who might break-out and surprise, this year’s crop is expected to be led by Stamkos and Turris.

I choose Turris.

Predicted stats for Kyle Turris:

GP 80

G 24

PTS 66

Tags: NHL, rookies, Turris