I went by standings as of Monday and I also factored in team needs and wants as well to try and be more accurate.
2010 Entry Draft Top 14 Predictions:
1. Carolina - Taylor Hall LW / C (Windsor Spitfires OHL)
No secret here, anybody at number one is going to take this kid at number one no matter what position needs filling. The Canes are tanking hard and the only team they can beat seams to be Ottawa. I figure they'll continue this free fall, tear apart the team and build around Staal, Ward and soon to be Hall. Hall's got all the tools to be a great player in the NHL, although I'm still on the Tavares bandwagon as the better player still.
2. Edmonton - Tyler Seguin C (Plymouth Whalers)
It's hard to pass on Seguin just due to the hype he might over throw Tayler Hall as this years number 1. The Oilers already have Eberle up the middle but I think just due to hype and the fear Kabanov might pull an Omark on them and head back to Europe to play, the Oilers cant refuse Seguin's services. He's a smart player who if developed right being the key words could be a steal at number 2 ala Crosby/Ovechkin draft.
3. Boston via Toronto - Kirill Kabanov LW / RW (Moncton Wildcats QMJHL)
Is Kessel worth giving up 3rd overall? The Leaf's could use another future defenseman to help out Luke Schenn but instead they loose out on Cam Fowler and will have to count on some steals later on in the draft. The Bruins however will pass on Fowler in my predictions and go for the offensive Kabanov. Kabanov isn't just an offensive threat he's pretty reliable in his own zoen as well and continues to get better. Many were predicting him to challange Hall last year and I think only due to injury, his shunning from the World Juniors due to a fued with Russian Management and the obvious "Russian factor" he'd be number 2. The Bruins are bare on the left hand side for prospects so its a perfect fit.
4. Florida - Cam Fowler LD (Windsor Spitfires OHL)
Florida already has had sucess with drafting defensemen in the past (Ellerby, Kulikov, and Garrison) so I think they'll continue the trend and build from the backend up since all 3 have left juniors and are now ether on the big club or in the AHL. The Cats are weak down the middle after Weiss and could use a center man but unless they trade down which I doubt there out of luck. Fowler had a really impressive World Juniors and topped it off with a gold, he looks to be a reliable defenseman and almost NHL ready.
5. St. Louis - Brett Connolly LW (Prince George Cougars WHL)
The Blues are already stacked down the middle for sometime and their defense corps could become one of the best in the NHL once their prospects start to mature. With already three Russians on the right hand side I think the Blues will pass on the next best forward in the draft Terasenko and look to trade down so/or they can/will grab Brett Connolly the next best left winger in the draft who should drop from his rankings. He's produced in an almost offensively challenge WHL. The only test is he's had one good season can he continue?
6. Tampa Bay - Brandon Gormley LD (Moncton wildcats QMJHL)
Tampa Bay is another team with a ton of young D but there still lacking an offensive defenseman to help out Victor Hedman. The Lightning have a pile of physical defensemen and Gormley is the next bext thing to an offensive defenseman in the top 10 and also is no slouch in his own end ether. Having a great start to the season so far.
7. Atlanta - Vladimir Terasenko RW (Novosibirsk KHL)
The Thrashers are a team that wont be scared off by the "Russian Factor" of Terasenko who has been lighting up the KHL this past season and if it wasn't for Nikita Filatov he would have been a lock for KHL rookie of the year. Probably one of the best offensive forces in this years draft but his commitment to making the NHL remains unclear. If the Thrashers still have Ilya Kovalchuk expect him to be a heavy influence or the other way around..
8. Columbus - Mikael Granlund C/LW (HIFK SmLiiga)
The Blue Jacket's are still looking for that center for Rick Nash and they'd rather him sooner than later. Granlund could be that guy as he's almost ready for the show after a season in North America. The Jackets have a packed house on the wing, although he can play both. He's got a nose for the net and he's one of the few bright lights to come out of Finland. Had an impressive World Juniors on an awful squad. He's been playing in a league amongst men and has still managed to shine.
9. New York Islanders - Stanislav Galiev RW (St. John Sea Dogs QMJHL)
You never know what crazy Charles Wang and co are going to do draft day or any other day for that matter. Last year they traded up to get Calvin De Haan and while it looked crazy then it looks like it was a smart draft day move. That's why I'm going off the map here. Stanislav Galiev is going to be a surprise high pick no matter what so I figured the Islanders would be a good candidate especially since they need a right winger badly. Galiev has all the tools to be a factor in the NHL except his little defensive game needs a lot of polish.
10. Anaheim via Philly - Erik Gudbranson RD (Kingston Frontenacs OHL)
Anaheim received this pick in the Pronger deal and lucky for them should be a fairly high pick. In this situation they have back to back picks which should put the Ducks back on pace in a year or so. The Duck's should pick the nect best defenseman Erik Gudbranson to add to their already good young crop. Gudbranson is a complete package although he's struggled a bit in the offensive department recently.
11. Anaheim - John McFarland C (Sudbury Wolves OHL)
Contining with Anaheim's rebuilding plan why not pick John McFarland? He's a great two way player who looked to be a top 5 pick before this years collapse. He's out of the Anaheim mold and although his stocked has dropped drastically since he's entered the league he still has the size and the talent to make it. If you look at most of the Wolves numbers most of the team has dropped dramatically. If he was playing on a better team it might be a different story.
12. Minnesota - Joey Hishon C (Owen Sound Attack OHL)
The Wild would rather have Johnny Mac but since the new era of the Wild is going in the more offensive direction they'll be picking Joey Hishon. the wild have yet to be able to take that offensive step and the lack of a natural scorer hurts. Hishon should be able to fill that void if he projects.
13. Dallas - Quinton Howden LW (Moose Jaw Warriors)
The Dallas Stars are pretty set up the middle and have a pretty decent defense corps as well. They'll be looking to bolster there wing a little and Quinton Howden would be the most likely candidate. He's a great dressing room guy and a character player something Dallas will be needing for the next generation of Stars. He can put up points but his two way play is what most teams will be looking at.
14. Detroit - Alexander Burmistrov C (Barrie Colts OHL)
The Red Wings are known for their incredible drafting and that's the main reason in my opinion that they have had such an impressive team for so many years. The Wings find gems in all places especially in the later rounds. Their cupboards are stocked at almost every position so why not keep going? The Wings need a pure offensive center and a goaltender prospect. i think it's too high and not like Detroit to take a goalie *cough* Jack Campbell *cough* so the Wings will take offensive centerman Alexander Burmistrov who has started turning heads this season in the OHL. He's also played several games in the KHL and didn't look out of place.
4 comments:
Alright Scoopz,
I know you have a crazy hard-on for Russians but seriously, no team is gonna take Kabanov at number 3. In fact, I'll bet you 50 bucks nobody takes him top 5. The Bruins, by the way, won't take a forward with their pick either. They have Jordan Caron, Joe Colborne and Zach Hamill all waiting to come up, I can't see them taking a forward unless they land number one...
By the way Scoopz, Hall is so much better than Tavares its unbelievable. JT has no defensive game, and no speed. He's essentially a powerplay specialist, although I guess he works the cycle pretty well. Hall can play up and down the ice, with speed. He competes hard every shift, plays in every situation, puts up most of his points 5 on 5, and mark it down, he'll outscore JT within 2 or 3 years. If Hall were draft eligible last year, it would have been him over Tavares. Don't judge now. Don't even judge in his first season. Come back to me in 10 years and we'll see who has more cups.
Crosby and Ovechkin were drafted a year apart in separate drafts, the only reason they competed for the Calder together was the lockout. Malkin was taken second to Ovie, but played out his two year contract with Magnitogorsk or wherever before coming over.
CA
I disagree on Kabanov, I think the only reason why he hasn't claimed the number 2 spot is exposure, an injury, and the fact he's Russian. He's an underrated player defensively. All 3 prospects you've named are centermen. The Bruins are bone dry on the left side and unless they land Kovalchuk they'll need help for Lucic. Kabanov fits the bill. He's not likely to bolt back ether as he's at odds with Russia and the KHL after refusing to sign so he can play in the Q. Its a tough call but I think the Bruins will pass on Fowler. They'll have another first rounder to find a defensemen since there are plenty and its not an impressive class.
As for Hall, I like him but he hasn't impressed me as much as JT did in his junior career, He is the more complete player I agree but I still think he's a work in progress. The World Juniors he was trying to be the hero and it clearly didn't work for him or his team. He's still young though and lots of time for him to mature. I don't think he'll be able to step into the league the way JT did and mature that quickly.JT knows his faults and has even suggested moving to the wing. In the end whose guna win more cups? Probably Hall just due to the fact his GM doesn't smoke crack before he makes any decesions.
Good call on the Crosby part, caught me not thinking again. I have to say I was pretty tired while writing most of the comments as I did my picks during the day and left comments for the evenings. Goodwork CA!
Haha I finally caught you napping... but what about my bet? 50 bucks, and I'll sweeten it to Kabanov doesn't make the top 8...
Also I'm really wondering about all the rumours of an Ottawa-Edmonton trade. I heard from one source Lee, O'Brien and a 2nd for Cogliano. Do you think there is any truth to this or is it all hot air? I'm not against getting rid of Lee or O'Brien, but I think them and a 2nd is too much for a ten point player... still it would get Murray his 2nd line centre (with tons of speed!) and maybe clear out some underachievers.
CA
Yo Scoopz, I like your predictions but I want to hear your predictions for the 16 other teams.
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