2004 NHL CSS rankings

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

www.nhl.com/futures/cssrankings/2004final/na_players_ranking.html

Anyone care to hazard any guesses as to who the Habs should target?

[BadCompany]

Thought this would be more appropriate here, given that we have some Red Line reports, and stuff like that on this forum...

If he lasts until the Habs pick, I think Alexandre Picard would be a slam-dunk pick. He seems like the sexy, flashy offensive dynamo Andre Savard is noted for. Given my druthers though, I'd lean towards Mike Green. Here's an interesting article on him...

slam.canoe.ca/Slam040417/nhl_draft2-mck.html

It would be nice to get one of those power-forward guys, like Ladd or Stafford, but they won't last until we pick, and there doesn't seem to be any sure-fire "big centers" available either. There does however, seem to be some interesting defensemen slotted to go around 15-20, and we do lack some depth in that department...

[blny]

Check out the 6th ranked North American skater.

VALABIK, BORIS OHL KITCHENER 14-Feb-86 6' 7" 212 D L 68 3 12 15 278

Could he be another Chara. ;D

[blaise]

Mr. said:

www.nhl.com/futures/cssrankings/2004final/na_players_ranking.html

Anyone care to hazard any guesses as to who the Habs should target?

I wouldn't hazard any guesses at this point. I plead ignorance about all of them. While I noticed that the touted top 10 NA players are bigger than their 2003 counterparts, this draft is said to be not nearly as deep.

[BadCompany]

BLNY said:

Check out the 6th ranked North American skater.

VALABIK, BORIS OHL KITCHENER 14-Feb-86 6' 7" 212 D L 68 3 12 15 278

Could he be another Chara. ;D

Supposed to be a good skater, with a nasty streak too. Lovely combinations.

On the other hand, he could be one of those players that go higher just because they are, well "higher" than everybody else. I've read that there are probably 3 or 4 other defensemen who are considered better.

Still a nice option, if he falls to us...

[Skilly]

I am hoping we get Alexander Radulov myself. Once they get him on this side of the pond, we can get him bulked up and put more meat on that 178lbs frame.

Heck, do you think Washington would take Theo for a trade for the number one spot and get both Ovechkin and Radulov? Nah.

The only thing I fear about Radulov is what I will call "Troika syndrome". He was a member of the next great Russian line this year. Radulov-Yunkov-Voloshenko. They have been compared to the K-L-M line and the line of Mogilny-Federov-Bure. While 4 of this six guys seemed to go on to enjoy stellar NHL careers, can Radulov thrive seperated form his linemates? All indication point to yes. His linemates in the Div I league have not fared so well without him, whereas he gets promoted and has 31 points. (Ovechkin got 25). But at the five nation tournament these three were unstoppable, and the "finisher" was Radulov - he made the line work.

So imagine a young finisher (winger) on the second line with a pure playmaker like Ribeiro and a gritty guy who is willing to go to the corners like Ryder. If they draft him it is a couple of years away, but another good prospect never hurts a team.


EDIT:

Secretly though I just want him so we can have the 3-R ('s of hockey) Line

[Boston_Habs]

I have a few buddies who went to Dartmouth and they said that Grant Lewis is a terrific young defenseman who could be around when we pick (21st ranked skater; 8th ranked defender). He's 6-3, 190 lbs and is described as a smooth skater and good puck handling defenseman - kind of like Ron Hainsey I guess. Like Chris Higgins, I also like the fact that he goes to an excellent school as it shows that he's a bright kid who cares about his education.

[rhabdo]

Skilly said:

I am hoping we get Alexander Radulov myself. Once they get him on this side of the pond, we can get him bulked up and put more meat on that 178lbs frame.

Heck, do you think Washington would take Theo for a trade for the number one spot and get both Ovechkin and Radulov? Nah.

The only thing I fear about Radulov is what I will call "Troika syndrome". He was a member of the next great Russian line this year. Radulov-Yunkov-Voloshenko. They have been compared to the K-L-M line and the line of Mogilny-Federov-Bure. While 4 of this six guys seemed to go on to enjoy stellar NHL careers, can Radulov thrive seperated form his linemates? All indication point to yes. His linemates in the Div I league have not fared so well without him, whereas he gets promoted and has 31 points. (Ovechkin got 25). But at the five nation tournament these three were unstoppable, and the "finisher" was Radulov - he made the line work.

So imagine a young finisher (winger) on the second line with a pure playmaker like Ribeiro and a gritty guy who is willing to go to the corners like Ryder. If they draft him it is a couple of years away, but another good prospect never hurts a team.


EDIT:

Secretly though I just want him so we can have the 3-R ('s of hockey) Line

Another sub-200 pounder for the Habs? Don't they have enough in their system?

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

Skilly said:

I am hoping we get Alexander Radulov myself. Once they get him on this side of the pond, we can get him bulked up and put more meat on that 178lbs frame.

Heck, do you think Washington would take Theo for a trade for the number one spot and get both Ovechkin and Radulov? Nah.

The only thing I fear about Radulov is what I will call "Troika syndrome". He was a member of the next great Russian line this year. Radulov-Yunkov-Voloshenko. They have been compared to the K-L-M line and the line of Mogilny-Federov-Bure. While 4 of this six guys seemed to go on to enjoy stellar NHL careers, can Radulov thrive seperated form his linemates? All indication point to yes. His linemates in the Div I league have not fared so well without him, whereas he gets promoted and has 31 points. (Ovechkin got 25). But at the five nation tournament these three were unstoppable, and the "finisher" was Radulov - he made the line work.

So imagine a young finisher (winger) on the second line with a pure playmaker like Ribeiro and a gritty guy who is willing to go to the corners like Ryder. If they draft him it is a couple of years away, but another good prospect never hurts a team.


EDIT:

Secretly though I just want him so we can have the 3-R ('s of hockey) Line

I remember the Jr. Habs troika of Gilbert Perrault, Rejean Houle and Marc Tardiff. As a jr, Houle was clearly the best of the three but in the NHL (although all three were very good), the star was Perrault by a mile. Things can change.

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

BLNY said:

Check out the 6th ranked North American skater.

VALABIK, BORIS OHL KITCHENER 14-Feb-86 6' 7" 212 D L 68 3 12 15 278

Could he be another Chara. ;D

Hope so.
Valabik, Graham and Locke average out to 6'3". (unless you go by the 67's publicist who has Locke listed almost the same height as Boris) ;D

[Skilly]

rhabdo said:

Another sub-200 pounder for the Habs? Don't they have enough in their system?

I am sick of drafting out of the college ranks. Some think it is a good ground for comparison, some don't. I don't.

As for sub 200 lbsers. Well this draft is regarded in many respects as a weak draft. If you look atthe top ten North American skaters and the top ten European skaters (one of those will become a Hab) you will notice a very interesting trend. Out of these 20 players, only 5 top the scales at 200+ lbs. And three of them (Ovechkin, Chipchura, and Stafford) are 200 lbs even. So only 2 (10%) are above 200 lbs (Cameron Barker 206, and Boris Valabik 220, both defensemen). If we only limit ourselves to 200lbs players, we might not have anything to chose from. The #1 North American skater is sub-200 (Andrew Ladd). Would you not chose him if available?

The next 5 defensemen rated after Barker and Valabik are under 200 lbs.

The biggest forwards listed that I see are Roman Voloshenko (the same guy who was on Radulov's line) at 220 (ranked 19th in European skaters) and Bruce Graham at 220 (ranked 14th in North American skaters). We might be able to getthem in the second round, but would you have us draftthem in the first based purely on size?

[Rimmer]

Our OHL scout is not buying into all the hype surrounding Kitchener's mammoth (6-foot-6, 220-pound) defenseman Boris Valabik. "The Rangers bowed out in five games of the first round and he didn't step up as expected. For a hot shot prospect who is supposed to challenge for a top-20 position, he surely did exit with a whimper. Normally he throws his weight around like mad, but I didn't see that mean streak from him. His size should not dictate his draft stock."

--full article--

R.

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

Skilly said:

I am sick of drafting out of the college ranks. Some think it is a good ground for comparison, some don't. I don't.

As for sub 200 lbsers. Well this draft is regarded in many respects as a weak draft. If you look atthe top ten North American skaters and the top ten European skaters (one of those will become a Hab) you will notice a very interesting trend. Out of these 20 players, only 5 top the scales at 200+ lbs. And three of them (Ovechkin, Chipchura, and Stafford) are 200 lbs even. So only 2 (10%) are above 200 lbs (Cameron Barker 206, and Boris Valabik 220, both defensemen). If we only limit ourselves to 200lbs players, we might not have anything to chose from. The #1 North American skater is sub-200 (Andrew Ladd). Would you not chose him if available?

The next 5 defensemen rated after Barker and Valabik are under 200 lbs.

The biggest forwards listed that I see are Roman Voloshenko (the same guy who was on Radulov's line) at 220 (ranked 19th in European skaters) and Bruce Graham at 220 (ranked 14th in North American skaters). We might be able to getthem in the second round, but would you have us draftthem in the first based purely on size?

You never know what will happen and who will be available.
I was amazed when Hudler and Locke dropped in their drafts. The only justification for their drops was their size. I remember Alexeev and Bernier moving up in the draft because of their size.
Since there is no super talent in this draft (we won't get a shot at Ovechkin) we should either trade our picks for a #1 next year and a long shot at Crosby or hope to get Graham or Valabik. Graham could be closer to a powerforward than anything we have in Hamilton, and Valabik is big and mean, unlike Komisarek who is big and strong or Hainsey, big and soft. Anything in this years draft will require a waiting period.
Some GM's may want help right now (to save their jobs) instead of waiting to have to deal with signing Crosby to a contract sometime in the future.

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

Skilly said:

I am sick of drafting out of the college ranks. Some think it is a good ground for comparison, some don't. I don't.

As for sub 200 lbsers. Well this draft is regarded in many respects as a weak draft. If you look atthe top ten North American skaters and the top ten European skaters (one of those will become a Hab) you will notice a very interesting trend. Out of these 20 players, only 5 top the scales at 200+ lbs. And three of them (Ovechkin, Chipchura, and Stafford) are 200 lbs even. So only 2 (10%) are above 200 lbs (Cameron Barker 206, and Boris Valabik 220, both defensemen). If we only limit ourselves to 200lbs players, we might not have anything to chose from. The #1 North American skater is sub-200 (Andrew Ladd). Would you not chose him if available?

The next 5 defensemen rated after Barker and Valabik are under 200 lbs.

The biggest forwards listed that I see are Roman Voloshenko (the same guy who was on Radulov's line) at 220 (ranked 19th in European skaters) and Bruce Graham at 220 (ranked 14th in North American skaters). We might be able to getthem in the second round, but would you have us draftthem in the first based purely on size?

According to McKeens, Valabik had a poor showing in the OHL playoffs and his mean streak was absent. They think he may drop out of the top "20" because of his poor playoff showing. If that is the case and he's available when we get to draft, I think we should overlook his last five games and take a flyer. Picking as low as we will, there are no sure fire winners. The Hab's drafting team knows a lot more detail than I do, but I think we have to try a longshot high-risk high-reward rather than a surefire AHL skilled performer.

[BadCompany]

I would be surprised if Valabik was still around when we pick, and think he might even go top 10, poor playoff or not.

I like to do a mock draft every year, up until the Habs pick. I don’t go any further than that, because, well, who cares, right?

Anyways, I spend a lot of time on it, too much time really, for something that a monkey with a dart board could do just as well, but hey, I find it fun. In the past, I have successfully had the Habs picking Kastitsyin, “a Russian with their 2nd draft pick in 2001” (which was Perezhoghin – I had them picking another Russian, but I was clear to point out it was “going to be a Russian”), and Hainsey.

Course, I also had them picking Mikko Koivu, Brooks Orpik and Ales Hemsky, so…

This year, so far (the mock draft is still a work in progress), I have them picking Lauri Korpikoski. That may change between now and the draft, but that’s the way I am leaning towards having the Habs, you know, lean.

(Hehehehe… Lauri… That’s a girl’s name… )

[NWTHabsFan]

BadCompany said:

This year, so far (the mock draft is still a work in progress), I have them picking Lauri Korpikoski. That may change between now and the draft, but that’s the way I am leaning towards having the Habs, you know, lean.

(Hehehehe… Lauri… That’s a girl’s name… )

BC, interesting pick. I know the Habs like "big movers" that show big progress during the season and likely noone in the draft has had their stock move upwards moreso than Korpikoski. He moved up an unbelievable 144 spots from mid-term to final ranking for Euro skaters...to finish at 12th for European skaters. Quite a move, but I guess he and Tukonen put on quite a show in April at the U-18.

[rhabdo]

That would result in too many K's on the Habs.

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

BadCompany said:

I would be surprised if Valabik was still around when we pick, and think he might even go top 10, poor playoff or not.

I like to do a mock draft every year, up until the Habs pick. I don’t go any further than that, because, well, who cares, right?

Anyways, I spend a lot of time on it, too much time really, for something that a monkey with a dart board could do just as well, but hey, I find it fun. In the past, I have successfully had the Habs picking Kastitsyin, “a Russian with their 2nd draft pick in 2001” (which was Perezhoghin – I had them picking another Russian, but I was clear to point out it was “going to be a Russian”), and Hainsey.

Course, I also had them picking Mikko Koivu, Brooks Orpik and Ales Hemsky, so…

This year, so far (the mock draft is still a work in progress), I have them picking Lauri Korpikoski. That may change between now and the draft, but that’s the way I am leaning towards having the Habs, you know, lean.

(Hehehehe… Lauri… That’s a girl’s name… )

With your record for success, I should have you picking my stocks!

I too liked Brooks Orpik and thought they might go for his toughness. It's a gamble, like my stock portfolio. I generally like to see them go for longshots with tremendous upside. Picking where we do, after the cream is gone, it's better to try for a guy who underperformed for some reason but still has a shot at redeeming himself and going on to greatness. I never expected Ryder to improve as much as he did.
We don't get top draft Lemieux's or Gretzky's (or Crosby's) so we have to take chances. We can always trade for third and fourth liners (Begin, Langdon), we need to find some hidden gems with the potential to be superstars. No team wins without players like Begin, but we don't need to draft to find them.

Kastitsyn is a typical superstar or bust. He was the risky pick I like.
Of course you already know I like longshots at greatness like Locke, Hudler and Bernier.

Watch for a big year from Ward and Dagenais next year.

[JFM]

I've been watching this year's Memorial Cup tourney (as I religiously follow every year). I always keep an eye open for Habs prospects (none this year ) or draft elegible players. For those that don't know, the Memorial Cup is the CHL championship tourney. It is junior hockey's "Stanley Cup". This is as intense as it gets for junior players. I always look for players that perform under pressure. In his draft year Shane Doan had a MONSTER tourney and I soooooo hoped that the Habs would pick him. We all kmow what happened. Well this year, the player that has caught my eye is Nick Fugere of the Gatineau Olymipques. He's a big forward (around 6'2 & 230 lbs.) Skates well for his size, shooter/scorer's hands. And drops the the gloves if needed. He has 4 goals so far in the tourney and frankly is dominating. IMHO he's got power forward written all over him. The only note of caution is that he has dropped big time in the CSB ranking. In January he was slotted in the 50's for North America. In CSB's final ranking he dropped all the way down to 118 (or thereabouts). I would like the Habs to nab him if he's still available in the 4th or 5th rounds. He has many qualities that are lacking in the Habs prospects + he's a French Canadian to boot. I wonder if (Montreal/Dan) has seen any more of him and add any further insight.

[montreal]

JFM said:

I've been watching this year's Memorial Cup tourney (as I religiously follow every year). I always keep an eye open for Habs prospects (none this year ) or draft elegible players. For those that don't know, the Memorial Cup is the CHL championship tourney. It is junior hockey's "Stanley Cup". This is as intense as it gets for junior players. I always look for players that perform under pressure. In his draft year Shane Doan had a MONSTER tourney and I soooooo hoped that the Habs would pick him. We all kmow what happened. Well this year, the player that has caught my eye is Nick Fugere of the Gatineau Olymipques. He's a big forward (around 6'2 & 230 lbs.) Skates well for his size, shooter/scorer's hands. And drops the the gloves if needed. He has 4 goals so far in the tourney and frankly is dominating. IMHO he's got power forward written all over him. The only note of caution is that he has dropped big time in the CSB ranking. In January he was slotted in the 50's for North America. In CSB's final ranking he dropped all the way down to 118 (or thereabouts). I would like the Habs to nab him if he's still available in the 4th or 5th rounds. He has many qualities that are lacking in the Habs prospects + he's a French Canadian to boot. I wonder if (Montreal/Dan) has seen any more of him and add any further insight.

I have seen Fugere once this season and I've got someone taping the memorial cup games, so I'll see him there as well. Didn't notice him in the first game I saw him, but his size is interesting. Perhaps he'd be worth a shot in the 5th-6th rounds if still there. With our 2 3rd's and the Hawks 4th, I'm hoping we go for guys like Steber, Cabana, Fredrick Naslund, Mike Lundin, Casey Borer.

[Skilly]

BadCompany said:

I would be surprised if Valabik was still around when we pick, and think he might even go top 10, poor playoff or not.

I like to do a mock draft every year, up until the Habs pick. I don’t go any further than that, because, well, who cares, right?

Anyways, I spend a lot of time on it, too much time really, for something that a monkey with a dart board could do just as well, but hey, I find it fun. In the past, I have successfully had the Habs picking Kastitsyin, “a Russian with their 2nd draft pick in 2001” (which was Perezhoghin – I had them picking another Russian, but I was clear to point out it was “going to be a Russian”), and Hainsey.

Course, I also had them picking Mikko Koivu, Brooks Orpik and Ales Hemsky, so…

This year, so far (the mock draft is still a work in progress), I have them picking Lauri Korpikoski. That may change between now and the draft, but that’s the way I am leaning towards having the Habs, you know, lean.

(Hehehehe… Lauri… That’s a girl’s name… )

I haven't had the luck you have had with your mock drafts. In my drafts I have sucessfully predicted Terry Ryan and Brad Brown being picked in the first round by Montreal. Being from Newfoundland, I sort of had a feeling we would pick people I knew were not all that and a biscuit. (Brad Brown though has turned out to be an adequate defenseman, but still not worthy of a number 1 pick).

I too predicted Mikko Koivu to go to the Habs, (missed that one by a pick or two), and I also had us picking Taylor Pyatt one year.

This year I am confident they will go European in the first round, and then in the third round take the obligatory french Canadien and WHLer they grab every year. I think (as you) that a winger will be selected. I just think it will be a Russian (Radulov or Alexandrov).
I am leaning towards Radulov.

[Rimmer]

Skilly said:

This year I am confident they will go European in the first round, and then in the third round take the obligatory french Canadien and WHLer they grab every year. I think (as you) that a winger will be selected. I just think it will be a Russian (Radulov or Alexandrov).
I am leaning towards Radulov.

I doubt Radulov will still be there when the Habs' get to pick. but Voloshenko might be. he's was the leading scorer at the last U18 WC (tied with the 3 Finns) and had pts in every game except the 1-1 tie against the Czechs. that includes the semi-final and final games. he's got good size 6'1", 190 pounds and he shoots right.

here's a quote from his U18 coach:
"Voloshenko always was a scorer. In all tournaments that we played he was one of our best forwards. He is not a flashy player, but he drives to the net and has a very, very good wrist shot. Voloshenko can play a good passing game and is creative. He is one of the best players on our team."

here's an article, mostly about Radulov, but also saying this about Voloshenko:

"Voloshenko has great hands and having skilled guys on his line does wonders for his confidence and production. He is not the same when he has to do all the work. Yunkov is a pure playmaker and needs guys who can finish. It’s like kismet. But it’s Radulov who truly makes this line work."

note: this was after the five-nations tournament in February.

R.

[franko]

Rimmer said:

he drives to the net

Wouldn't that be a nice addition -- too many of our guys like it safe on the outside.

[StevePenny]

montreal said:

I have seen Fugere once this season and I've got someone taping the memorial cup games, so I'll see him there as well. Didn't notice him in the first game I saw him, but his size is interesting. Perhaps he'd be worth a shot in the 5th-6th rounds if still there. With our 2 3rd's and the Hawks 4th, I'm hoping we go for guys like Steber, Cabana, Fredrick Naslund, Mike Lundin, Casey Borer.

I can see Freddie Cabana turning into a Begin like player he has a lot of heart and can
hit and stuff but can become invisible at times..(I'm from Halifax)..Steber had a really good year in his first in N.A he played some of the year on a line with N.J Devils draft pick and fellow contryman Petr Vrana.. He's big and a has good hockey sense, i can see him scoring alot this up and coming year as he will be surrounded with very good players. Last year was a rebuilding year in halifax so there was alot of young guys.

[BadCompany]

Rimmer said:

I doubt Radulov will still be there when the Habs' get to pick. but Voloshenko might be. he's was the leading scorer at the last U18 WC (tied with the 3 Finns) and had pts in every game except the 1-1 tie against the Czechs. that includes the semi-final and final games. he's got good size 6'1", 190 pounds and he shoots right.

here's a quote from his U18 coach:
"Voloshenko always was a scorer. In all tournaments that we played he was one of our best forwards. He is not a flashy player, but he drives to the net and has a very, very good wrist shot. Voloshenko can play a good passing game and is creative. He is one of the best players on our team."

here's an article, mostly about Radulov, but also saying this about Voloshenko:

"Voloshenko has great hands and having skilled guys on his line does wonders for his confidence and production. He is not the same when he has to do all the work. Yunkov is a pure playmaker and needs guys who can finish. It’s like kismet. But it’s Radulov who truly makes this line work."

note: this was after the five-nations tournament in February.

R.

I'd be shocked if Radulov was still around when we picked. In fact, if he is, my mock draft is going to look VERY silly.

Course, that could happen anyways, but...

I have read that Voloshenko is not a very good skater. More of a Luc Robitaille, sniper type. Not sure he would be a good Savardian pick...

[Cranky]

BadCompany said:

I have read that Voloshenko is not a very good skater. More of a Luc Robitaille, sniper type. Not sure he would be a good Savardian pick...

Don't we have a guy named Rib'bons and his sidekick Tonto Dagenais?

[Skilly]

BadCompany said:

I'd be shocked if Radulov was still around when we picked. In fact, if he is, my mock draft is going to look VERY silly.

Course, that could happen anyways, but...

I have read that Voloshenko is not a very good skater. More of a Luc Robitaille, sniper type. Not sure he would be a good Savardian pick...

I have a feeling Radulaov will be picked anywhere from the number 15-18 spot. He is the ninth ranked European, now that doesn't necessarily mean the nine will be picked in order, but I don't think he is going top ten either.

1) Washington - Ovechkin
2) Pittsburgh - They need everything but will likely select Andrew Ladd or Yvegeny Malkin
3) Chicago - I feel they will select Cameron Baker
4) Columbus - They will end up with Ladd or Malkin depending on who Pittsburgh selects
5) Phoenix - I have them taking Boris Valabik (they don't have a physical presence on D)
6) NY Rangers - They lost alot of their defense at the trade deadline, and Josef Balej is really the number one selection for them on offense, so Ladislav Smid for them
7) Florida - this team is young and has alot of talent already. The defense and goaltending are strong, so I see them going for a scoring forward - Rostislav Olesz
8) Carolina - Alexandre Picard
9) Anaheim - Andrej Meszaros
10) Atlanta - Kyle Chipchura
11) Los Angeles - need to replace Palffy, Allison , Deadmarsh etc ......... Wojtek Wolski
12) Minnesota - Mike reen - they desparately need defense
13) Buffalo - need defense but take best available forward - Drew Stafford
14) Edmonton - Oilers seems to like drafting defensemen in the first round - A.J Thelen

The next 5 picks will be Fransson, Tukonen, Bolland, Alexandrov, and Radulov

There is a chance we can get him. Even more so if someone decides to grab Montoya early.

I know some may think I made illogical choices ..... so critique away!

[Rimmer]

Skilly said:

I have a feeling Radulaov will be picked anywhere from the number 15-18 spot. He is the ninth ranked European, now that doesn't necessarily mean the nine will be picked in order, but I don't think he is going top ten either.

1) Washington - Ovechkin
2) Pittsburgh - They need everything but will likely select Andrew Ladd or Yvegeny Malkin

Malkin is the no.2

3) Chicago - I feel they will select Cameron Baker
4) Columbus - They will end up with Ladd or Malkin depending on who Pittsburgh selects
5) Phoenix - I have them taking Boris Valabik (they don't have a physical presence on D)

funny, but HF lists physical dmen as their no.1 organisational strength. and I doubt Valabik will go this high, anyway. IMO, they will go after Olesz or Picard

6) NY Rangers - They lost alot of their defense at the trade deadline, and Josef Balej is really the number one selection for them on offense, so Ladislav Smid for them

they should pick up who ever is left of Olesz and Picard

7) Florida - this team is young and has alot of talent already. The defense and goaltending are strong, so I see them going for a scoring forward - Rostislav Olesz

I agree, they will go after a fwd, but I doubt Olesz will last this long. my guess is Chipchura or Wolski

8) Carolina - Alexandre Picard

I think they'll go with the best skater available so I'm thinking Chipchura, Smid or Wolski

9) Anaheim - Andrej Meszaros

I agree that they will likely go after a dman, but they could pick Smid if he's available

10) Atlanta - Kyle Chipchura
11) Los Angeles - need to replace Palffy, Allison , Deadmarsh etc ......... Wojtek Wolski

if Schwarz or Montoya are still there, they should pick one of them

12) Minnesota - Mike reen - they desparately need defense

Meszaros (if still available) or Valabik are, IMO, more likely options

13) Buffalo - need defense but take best available forward - Drew Stafford

take whichever dmen is left after the Minnesota pick, i.e. one of Valabik and Meszaros, maybe Green

14) Edmonton - Oilers seems to like drafting defensemen in the first round - A.J Thelen

they don't seem to have a glaring need at any position, so I guess they'll just go for the BPA. my guess, Tukonen or Stafford

The next 5 picks will be Fransson, Tukonen, Bolland, Alexandrov, and Radulov

There is a chance we can get him. Even more so if someone decides to grab Montoya early.

I know some may think I made illogical choices ..... so critique away!

R.

[BadCompany]

Interesting draft. One of the problems of doing a mock this year, is that because its kind of a weak year, guys could fall all over the place, or, some team might (probably) pick some obscure guy they have hidden, like Adrian Foster, Derek Morris, or Shaone Morrisson.

Anywhoo...

I have a feeling Radulaov will be picked anywhere from the number 15-18 spot. He is the ninth ranked European, now that doesn't necessarily mean the nine will be picked in order, but I don't think he is going top ten either.

I think his stock will continue to rise up until draft day. He's too explosive and dynamically skilled. I have him going much, much higher than 15-18.

1) Washington - Ovechkin No brainer.

2) Pittsburgh - They need everything but will likely select Andrew Ladd or Yvegeny Malkin. Like Rimmer says, it will be Malkin. He's actually outplayed Ovechkin in the last couple of tournaments.

3) Chicago - I feel they will select Cameron Baker Wouldn't be a bad choice for them.

4) Columbus - They will end up with Ladd or Malkin depending on who Pittsburgh selects Malkin won't fall this far. Ladd, perhaps.

5) Phoenix - I have them taking Boris Valabik (they don't have a physical presence on D) That's really high for a guy with fairly marginal skills, but big guys rise on draft days.

6) NY Rangers - They lost alot of their defense at the trade deadline, and Josef Balej is really the number one selection for them on offense, so Ladislav Smid for them This is really high for Smid. It wouldn't surprise me if he wasn't in the top 6 defensemen picked, never mind overall players.

7) Florida - this team is young and has alot of talent already. The defense and goaltending are strong, so I see them going for a scoring forward - Rostislav Olesz It will be very interesting to see what Florida does, with Mike Keenan and Jacques Martin at the helms now. I disagree that their defense is strong - I think they have a lot of puck movers, but no real mashers, and thats what they could use in the system. Valabik would be interesting here, but again, its still pretty high for a guy who probably would be a mid-second rounder if he was 3 inches shorter.

8) Carolina - Alexandre Picard Wouldn't be a bad pick for them. I wouldn't mind if he fell to the Habs though.

9) Anaheim - Andrej Meszaros Another defensemen who I'm not sure will go this high. I think Barker, Valabik, Thelen, O'Neill, and Green will be the top 5 defensemen picked (in that order).

10) Atlanta - Kyle Chipchura Not sure Chipchura is there type of player. They draft highly skilled players, and Chipchura seems more like a character, leader type, in the Malhotra/Hartnell category.

11) Los Angeles - need to replace Palffy, Allison , Deadmarsh etc ......... Wojtek Wolski If available, I think they'll grab a goalie.

12) Minnesota - Mike Green - they desparately need defense I think they need just about everything.

13) Buffalo - need defense but take best available forward - Drew Stafford I have them taking a defenseman too, but not sure I would say they need defense.

14) Edmonton - Oilers seems to like drafting defensemen in the first round - A.J Thelen They actually never draft defensemen in the first round. Hardly ever in the second round either.

The next 5 picks will be Fransson, Tukonen, Bolland, Alexandrov, and Radulov

Tukonen will go top ten. Maybe even top 5-6, or in my opinion.

There is a chance we can get him. Even more so if someone decides to grab Montoya early.

One thing to keep in mind is that Savard likes drafting character players, players who are driven to succeed, and who are good team guys. Komisarek, Perezhoghin, Higgins, Kat, Plekanec, Milroy, Lapierre - all known for being great team players, and very coachable. Radulov has a reputation for being a hot-head who fights with teammates, coaches, and referees. I'm not sure he is attractive to a guy like Savard, and perhaps even less so to a guy like Gainey, the ultimate team player.

I know some may think I made illogical choices ..... so critique away! Bah! Wait till you see my choices! Then we can talk about illogical!

[Skilly]

I too thought about giving Los Angeles a goalie. But they got Cechmanek last year, and Huet improved this year, and then they have Hnlinka in the wings waiting for his opportunity. I just feel a forward to replace FA's Robitaille, Pallfy, and Stumpel as well as probable retirements of Deadmarsh and/or Allison is more important.

Edmonton has failed in recent years when drafting first rounders. They have shown a tendency to draft European forwards (last seven years - Riesen, Hinrich, Rita, Miknhov, Hemsky, Niinimaki, Pouliot) in the first round. (I thought Doug Lynch was a first rounder, and obviously Woywitka was acquired by trade ... my bad). This year the lack of defense in the system should prompt them to go for a defenseman.