The Ultimate Fantasy Hockey Weekend

I've wondered before about the frenzy surrounding the NHL Entry Draft.

The draft is mostly a massive dose of empty hype.

History shows that the majority of the players picked, first-rounders included, won't become NHL players of any real consequence.

Most will never be heard from again.

So pouring over scouting reports of 18-year-olds is a waste of time.

If the goal is to evaluate the future of an NHL team, it makes more sense to examine the performance of the minor league affiliate, and how prospects progress in the three-to-five years after they're drafted.

But who am I to rain on the summer parade?

The Entry Draft is essentially fantasy hockey. For many fans, the endless possibilities of the future beats the mundane mediocrity of the present.

The 2009 NHL Entry Draft begins with Round One on Friday night at 7:00 PM Eastern time. It will be televised by TSN in Canada and Versus in the United States.

The draft continues with another six rounds on Saturday.

The pressure of the first pick falls on Garth Snow and his New York Islanders. All reports suggest Garth won't be tipping his hand until he's at the podium.

I'll post the opening round picks as they happen on Friday, with any trades noted.

If you want more in-depth coverage, plenty of bloggers will be working overtime. Here's a good place to sort through the options.