My 2009 Mock Draft

Here's my 2009 Mock Draft

1. New York Islanders: John Tavares



One NHL Scout told me last season if he wanted to put butts into the seat, he would select Tavares. That's what the New York Islanders need.

2. Tampa Bay Lighting: Victor Hedman



No surprise here. They have their future superstar forward Steven Stamkos and now need their franchise defenseman.

3. Colorado Avalanche: Matt Duchene



At the beginning of the year, everyone thought this where the draft would open up. By the last quarter of the season, Duchene made it the big three.

4. Atlanta Thrashers: Brayden Schenn



I think the Thrashers take Schenn because they need a centerman for Ilya Kovalchuk. I think it would help keep Kovalchuk in Atlanta.

5. Los Angeles Kings: Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson



A flashy winger is what the Kings need.

6. Phoenix Coyotes: Jared Cowen



They go off the board a bit. They like to draft projects with tons of potential. Cowen isn't a project but coming off a ACL injury.

7. Toronto Maple Leafs: Evander Kane



I highly doubt Toronto stays at seven but with Schenn off the board, they pick up the falling Kane.

8. Dallas Stars: Jordan Schroeder



With Mike Modano at the end of his career, the Stars pick up a potential American star.

9. Ottawa Senators: Nazem Kadri



The Senators need to start to get a new crop of forwards into the mix.

10. Edmonton Oilers: Dmitry Kulikov



I think everyone believes the Oilers will take a defenseman.

11. Nashville Predators: Zack Kassian



I think the Predators want to get a guy who has grit but can score.

12. Minnesota Wild: Jacob Josefson



Minnesota doesn't go after the flashy players except for Gaborik. It doesn't change here. Josefson plays a ywo way game.

13. Buffalo Sabres: Scott Glennie



Buffalo gets a centerman who should be ready for the big club in three years.

14. Florida Panthers John Moore



The Panthers look to replace Jay Bouwmeester.

15. Anaheim Ducks: Ryan Ellis

2006-2007 Cambridge Hawks AAA Minor Midget 75 37 56 93 151
2007-2008 Windsor Spitfires OHL 63 15 48 63 51
Canada U18 WJC-18 7 2 4 6 0
2008-2009 Windsor Spitfires OHL 57 22 67 89 57
Canada U20 WJC-20 6 1 6 7 0


The Ducks also look to re-stock the defense.

16. Columbus Blue Jackets: Drew Shore

2006-2007 Detroit Honeybaked MEHL 65 26 48 78 -
2007-2008 U.S. National U17 Team USDP 54 13 25 38 18
2008-2009 U.S. National U18 Team USDP 62 17 32 49 46
USA U18 WJC-18 7 2 7 9 6


Blue Jackets get a safe pick who has potential.

17. St. Louis Blues: Chris Kreider

2007-2008 Phillips Andover USHS 24 26 15 41 -
2008-2009 Phillips Andover USHS 26 33 23 56 10

St. Louis doesn't need an impact player right away in this draft. They jump on Chris Kreider and watch him develop at Boston College.

18. Montreal Canadiens: Jordan Caron



The Candiens play it safe and grab a two-way centerman.

19. New York Rangers: Richard Panik

2007-2008 HC Trinec U20 Czech U20 39 35 27 62 70
HC Trinec Czech 6 0 0 0 0
Slovakia U18 WJC-18 6 4 6 10 0

2008-2009 HC Trinec U20 Czech U20 16 10 9 19 36
HC Trinec Czech 15 1 1 2 4
HC Havirov Czech2 3 2 1 3 0
Slovakia U20 WJC-20 7 2 3 5 4

The Rangers take a gamble.

20. Calgary Flames: David Rundblad



Flames take a stay at home defenseman.

21. Philadelphia Flyers: Olivier Roy



Flyers need a goaltender in their system.

22. Vancouver Canucks Anton Lander



Canucks go to their Swedish pipeline.

23. New Jersey Devils: Kyle Palmieri

2006-2007 New Jersey Devils Midget AAA Midget Major 18 18 19 37 -
2007-2008 U.S. National U17 Team USDP 39 20 10 30 51
U.S. National U18 Team USDP 27 9 9 18 20
USA U18 WJC-18 7 2 2 4 4
2008-2009 U.S. National U18 Team USDP 33 15 15 30 51

New Jersey takes a kid from their own backyard.

24. Washington Capitals Jeremy Morin

2006-2007 Syracuse Stars EJHL 45 26 28 54 80
2007-2008 U.S. National U17 Team USDP 37 28 18 46 30
U.S. National U18 Team USDP 28 20 14 34 36
USA U18 WJC-18 7 6 2 8 6
2008-2009 U.S. National U18 Team USDP 55 33 26 59 107
USA U18 WJC-18 7 6 4 10 8


Capitals take best available in my opinion. The kid will fit great in the Nation's Capital.

25. Boston Bruins: Calvin de Haan



Bruins need a puck moving defenseman in their system.

26. New York Islanders Dylan Olsen



They go get a defenseman with raw ablities.

27. Carolina Huuricanes Simon Despres



Carolina grabs a stay at home defenseman. He still needs to work on his offensive game.

28. Chicago Blackhawks: Louis LeBlanc

.

LeBlanc has a lot of potential. He could be a second line centerman.

29. Detroit Red Wings: Tim Erixon



Detroit going after a Swedish player is liking asking if the Pope is Catholic. See you in five years Erixon.

30. Pittsburgh Penguins Nick Leddy

2007-2008 Eden Prairie USHS - 5 22 27 0
2008-2009 Eden Prairie USHS 25 8 29 37 22


Penguins take a small defenseman that will mature at Minnesota.

That's My Take

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)