Drafting players is an inexact science at the best of the times, and most scouts and general managers around the NHL say this year's process is more unpredictable than usual.
The first two picks have been all but conceded to Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin, two Russian forwards who are the cream of this year's crop and have been labeled by several observers as potential franchise players.
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| Al Montoya could be returning to his native Chicago to tend goal for the Blackhawks. (Provided to SportsLine) |
Still, they are all anxious to get up to the microphone to make their own choices. Here are ours for the first round based on the current order of selection:
1. Washington Capitals: Unless they get the kind of deal that blows their socks off, which is unlikely, the Caps will keep the pick and grab Russian left wing Alexander Ovechkin. He's what scouts call the complete package and one of those rare players who should make a significant impact immediately in the NHL.
2. Pittsburgh Penguins: They lost the lottery, so the Penguins will have to "settle" for center Evgeni Malkin. No one is shedding any tears for Pittsburgh. The big center is considered by many to be as good -- and better by some -- than Ovechkin, and will be a centerpiece of what could be a very good Penguins team in two to three years.
3. Chicago Blackhawks: The Blackhawks have lots of holes to plug in their lineup, and will have the option to start with a quality forward, defenseman or goaltender at this spot. They'll settle on Chicago-born goalie Al Montoya, who has been starring at the University of Michigan and internationally with American national junior teams.
4. Columbus Blue Jackets: Columbus has struck gold in the first round of the past two drafts with forwards Rick Nash and Nikolai Zherdev and hopes its luck extends to the blue line this time around. They need a defenseman who can make an impact, which means they'll go after Medicine Hat's Cam Barker, who is the best player at his position this year.
5. Phoenix Coyotes: The Coyotes are looking to get bigger and more skilled down the middle, preferably in one package, so they should use their pick to grab Czech center Rostislav Olesz, who has shown good offensive capability and is tough to move in front of the net.
6. New York Rangers: They could use a few grittier and hard-working North American types in their lineup, but the Rangers will be unable to resist Finnish right wing Lauri Tukonen, who has the tools to become an impact power forward quickly.
7. Florida Panthers: GM Mike Keenan will try to deal this pick away, but if he keeps it, he will take left wing Andrew Ladd, the highest-rated North American skater in the draft. Ladd is strong on the boards and works hard in the corners, making him Keenan's kind of player.
8. Carolina Hurricanes: The hosts of this year's draft need to do something to get their dwindling fan base excited. A little more offense -- well, a lot more -- would help, which is why the 'Canes will use their pick to select Robbie Schremp of Fulton, N.Y., who is one of the top offensive players available.
9. Anaheim Mighty Ducks: Anaheim's blue line is thin and getting thinner, but fortunately for the Ducks, there are a few options that might improve things down the road. A number of quality defenseman will be there when they pick, but the Ducks will settle on Minnesota native A.J. Thelen, who has size to go along with very good offensive instincts.
10. Atlanta Thrashers: The Thrashers took big steps in the right direction last season but still struggled on defense and with their depth at center. The back line is a bigger concern, so Atlanta will focus on that first by taking Czech defenseman Ladislav Smid.
11. Los Angeles Kings: They have drafted well the past few years, but haven't come up with a goaltender they can say is their future. This time they'll try, and if Montoya is gone by the time they choose, the Kings will latch onto Marek Schwarz, a young Czech whose agility and movement have drawn comparisons to Dominik Hasek.
12. Minnesota Wild: The Wild get a pretty good pick after a season that was over .500 and better than many people realized. Minnesota always needs more scoring, and they have done well with players from the Quebec league, so they'll find themselves comfortable with left wing Alexandre Picard, an 80-point player last year.
13. Buffalo Sabres: The Sabres want a defenseman who is big, tough and plays the game with an edge. That's a fair way of describing Boris Valabik, a 6-foot-7 Slovak who played last season with Kitchener of the Ontario League.
14. Edmonton Oilers: Edmonton always likes speed, and Finnish forward Lauri Korpikoski has plenty to spare, not to mention a pretty good skill set.
15. Nashville Predators: The Predators are starting to become known as a gritty team that can skate, and they need to get deeper at center. That makes Dave Bolland a good target for them. He has a good two-way game and plays bigger than he is.
16. New York Islanders: The Islanders have been looking for a scoring winger to play with Alexei Yashin for several years to no avail. Since they're unlikely to find an immediate solution in this year's draft, New York could start thinking about replacing some of its good defensemen who are getting expensive and take Slovakian blue liner Andrej Meszaros.
17. St. Louis Blues: The Blues need to rebuild their depleted farm system, especially when it comes to potential scorers. They could take a chance on Roman Voleshenko, who has dazzling scoring ability but is not a great skater. He's a high-risk but potentially high-reward player.
18. Montreal Canadiens: Montreal is moving in the right direction, but the team's size deficiencies were obvious in the playoffs. Quebec league center Bruce Graham, who is 6-6 and showed solid two-way skills for Moncton last year, could help.
19. Calgary Flames: They came within a game of the Stanley Cup and realized how much they need a few offensive players to take the pressure off Jarome Iginla. Jakub Sindel of the Czech Republic is an explosive center with excellent skills and doesn't shy away from physical play.
20. Dallas Stars: Dallas is in the process of reshaping its lineup. They tend to surprise people at the draft and could do so again by taking Travis Zajac, who will play at North Dakota next season after tearing up the British Columbia junior league this year.
21. Colorado Avalanche: The Avs need to replenish their stock of forwards. They'll want to get some offense there first, and should be interested in Russian Alexander Radulov, a slippery right wing who can fly.
22. New Jersey Devils: The Devils need a big center and would love Bruce Graham, who could be gone by the time they pick. If he is, look for New Jersey to go a little deeper in the pool for Sweden's Carl Soderberg or Czech Vaclav Meidl.
23. Ottawa Senators: The Senators are an elite team because they have drafted and developed a lot of talented players, but they could use a few more in-your-face types, especially up front. Minnesota-born right wing Drew Stafford fits the bill.
24. New York Rangers: New York gets another first-round pick because they traded Brian Leetch to Toronto and could see 6-6 defenseman Jeff Schultz, who has offensive skills to go with size, as a possible replacement down the road.
25. Edmonton Oilers: Edmonton could use this added first-round choice they got for sending Mike Comrie to the Flyers to deepen their goaltending supply, and will grab Devan Dubnyk, the second-rated goalie in North America.
26. Vancouver Canucks: It's no secret the Canucks want to improve their goaltending, but they won't get immediate help from the draft, so they'll probably try to deal with their next pressing need at center. Kyle Chipchura has the size and defensive ability to fit on a second or third line.
27. Washington Capitals: Washington added this pick in the Sergei Gonchar deal with the Bruins and can think about deepening its blue line from this slot. Mike Green from Saskatoon contributes offense from the back line and would be a good choice.
28. San Jose Sharks: The Sharks are young and well-stocked throughout their system and can afford to think a few years down the road. Fighting Irish defenseman Wes O'Neill is considered a project with lots of upside.
29. Washington Capitals: They have the option of taking this pick from Detroit and they likely will to get another defenseman. Russian Kirill Lyamin is big, stays at home and is seen by most as a top-four defenseman.
30. Tampa Bay Lightning: The Stanley Cup champs could stand to get a little bigger up front, especially if they can find someone who brings skill as well. Wojtek Wolski had more than a point a game in the Ontario junior league last year and stands 6-3 and weighs 200 pounds.
