2009 NHL Draft: Round One Picks and Trades

2009 NHL Entry Draft: Round One

Comments on players are based on media scouting reports and mock drafts.

1. John Tavares, forward, London Knights (OHL)
   New York Islanders
   Since anyone can remember, Tavares has been ranked at the top of this year's draft class. Questions have been raised about his skating and overall game. But he projects as an elite NHL goal scorer.
2. Victor Hedman, defenseman, Modo (Sweden)
   Tampa Bay Lightning
   Huge, good skater, and skilled enough to put up points and work the power play. Compared to Pronger and Bouwmeester.

   Trade:
   To Anaheim: F Joffrey Lupul, D Luca Sbisa, 2009 1st-round pick, 2010 first-round pick, conditional draft pick
   To Philadelphia: D Chris Pronger, F Ryan Dingle

3. Matt Duchene, forward, Brampton Battalion (OHL)
   Colorado Avalanche
   An all-around forward. Great speed, good scorer and playmaker. If you believe the reports, some believe he'll be a more complete player than Tavares.
4. Evander Kane, forward, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
   Atlanta Thrashers
   Physical power forward with a great touch around the net. Needs to mature physically to play that kind of game in the NHL.
5. Brayden Schenn, forward, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
   Los Angeles Kings
   Strong two-way player, should be able the second or third line, kill penalties.

   Trade:
   To Columbus: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th-round draft picks in 2009
   To Islanders: 1st and 3rd-round draft picks in 2009

6. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, defenseman, Leksand (Sweden)
   Phoenix Coyotes
   Rushing defenseman with good offensive skills. Solid in own zone becaus eof hsi mobility and ability to play the angles.
7. Nazem Kadri, forward, London Knights (OHL)
   Toronto Maple Leafs
   Size and skill and a reputation as a great stickhandler. Some questions abut his consistency.
8. Scott Glennie, forward, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
   Dallas Stars
   Has played center and wing. Is he a playmaker or a goal scorer? More a finesse than physical player.
9. Jared Cowan, defenseman, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
   Ottawa Senators
   Huge, physical defenseman who hits. Blew out a knee last season, so he's looking for a big comeback season.
10. Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson, forward, Timra (Sweden)
    Edmonton Oilers
    Very fast winger, plenty of outside speed and offensive flair.
11. Ryan Ellis, defenseman, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
    Nashville Predators
    Small (5-foot-9) defenseman who relies on puck movement and a great point shot. Can he play in the NHL at that size?

    Trade:
    To Islanders: 1st-round draft pick in 2009
    To Wild: 1st-round draft pick in 2009, plus

12. Calvin de Haan, defenseman, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
    New York Islanders (from Minnesota Wild)
    Surprise pick of a guy ranked as a late first-rounder. Strengths are reading the play, passing, shooting and moving the puck. Just turned 18. A long way from the NHL.
13. Zach Kassian, forward, Peterborough Petes (OHL)
    Buffalo Sabres
    Supposed to have good puck-handling skills. But he's really made his reputation as a forechecker and a fighter.
14. Dmitri Kulikov, defenseman, Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
    Florida Panthers
    All-around defenseman ranked in the top ten on many lists.
15. Peter Holland, forward, Guelph Storm (OHL)
    Anaheim Ducks
    Big centerman with lots of skill. Some question as to whether he'll play physical enough to be effective.
16. Nick Leddy, defenseman, Eden Prairie (Minnesota high school)
    Minnesota Wild (from New York Islanders/Columbus Blue Jackets)
    Offensive defenseman, strong skater and passer. Young and small.
17. David Rundblad, defenseman, Skelleftea (Sweden)
    St. Louis Blues
    Offensive defenseman. Needs work on physical game.
18. Louis LeBlanc, forward, Omaha (USHL)
    Montreal Canadiens
    Centerman with good instincts and puck skills.
19. Chris Kreider, forward, Andover (Massachusetts high school)
    New York Rangers
    Reputed to be one of the fastest skaters in the draft. Centerman with a good shot.

    Trade:
    To New Jersey: 1st-round draft pick in 2009
    To Calgary: 1st-round and 3rd-round draft picks in 2009

20. Jacob Josefson, forward, Djurgarden (Sweden)
    New Jersey Devils (from Calgary Flames)
    Two-way forward and playmaker.

    Trade:
    To Anaheim: 1st and 2nd-round draft pick in 2009
    To Columbus: 1st-round draft pick in 2009

21. John Moore, forward, Chicago (USHL)
    Columbus Blue Jackets (from Anaheim Ducks/Philadelphia Flyers)
    Another offensive defenseman with plenty of speed. Physical game needs work.
22. Jordan Schroeder, forward, Minnesota (NCAA)
    Vancouver Canucks
    Two-way centerman with scoring and playmaking ability.
23. Tim Erixon, defenseman, Skelleftea (Sweden)
    Calgary Flames (from New Jersey Devils)
    Defenseman who can lead the rush. Father Jan played 500 NHL games.
24. Marcus Johansson, defenseman, Farjestad (Sweden)
    Washington Capitals
    Playmaking centerman.
25. Jordan Caron, forward, Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)
    Boston Bruins
    Projects as a checking forward and penalty killer with a nasty streak.
26. Kyle Palmieri, forward, U.S. U-18 Team
    Anaheim Ducks (from Columbus Blue Jackets/New York Islanders)*
    
27. Philippe Paradis, forward, Shawinigan Cataracts (QMJHL)
    Carolina Hurricanes
    
28. Dylan Olsen, defenseman, Camrose (Alberta Jr. A)
    Chicago Blackhawks
    

    Trade:
    To Tampa Bay: 1st-round draft pick in 2009
    To Detroit: 2nd and 3rd-round draft picks in 2009

29. Carter Ashton, forward, Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)
    Tampa Bay Lightning (from Detroit Red Wings)
    
30. Simon Despres, forward, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
    Pittsburgh Penguins

*Pick traded from San Jose to Tampa Bay, from Tampa Bay to Ottawa, from Ottawa to Islanders, from Islanders to Blue Jackets, from Blue Jackets to Ducks.