1st ROUND DRAFT PICKS

1. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS- Patrick Kane, RW, London (OHL)
2. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS- James vanRiemsdyk, LW, U.S. U-18
3. PHOENIX COYOTES- Kyle Turris, C, Burnaby (BCHL)
The top 3 picks came to no surprise to anyone. Kane, vanRiemsdyk and Turris were the consensus top 3.
4. LOS ANGELES KINGS- Thomas Hickey, D, Seattle (WHL)
Big surprise here, Hickey a good Calgary boy was projected to go middle of the first round. L.A GM Dean Lombardi said he tried to trade down but the trade fell through.
5. WASHINGTON CAPITALS- Karl Alzner, D, Calgary (WHL)
Another no brainier for the Capitals who also revealed their new jersey and logo, going back to the red, blue and white. Alzner was the top ranked defensemen and will be a solid 3-4 guy for the Caps. Whenever i have watched him, I could easily see why he was the top defensemen in the draft, he was always so calm with the puck and could eat up huge minutes playing in any situation.
6. EDMONTON OILERS- Sam Gagner, C/W, London (OHL)
Good pick for the Oilers and best pick of the 1st round for them. Gagner is a very skilled play and playmaker. Now Edmonton just needs a sniper for Gagner to pass the puck too.
7. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS- Jakub Voracek, RW, Halifax (QMJHL)
One of the most complete players in the draft. Voracek could and probably will challenge for a spot on the Blue Jackets team next year. I just dont understand why Columbus didn't go for a top 2 center men since they have none of them.
8. BOSTON BRUINS- Zach Hamill, C, Everett (WHL)
I think this a very surprise pick. Yes, Hamill did lead the WHL in scoring but it was the lowest point total ever(93 points). There is also questions about his skating. I think Esposito, Sutter or Backlund would have been a better pick.
9. SAN JOSE SHARKS(via STL)- Logan Couture, C, Ottawa (OHL)
I didn't think this guy would go this high, but he sounds like he is a talented player. It wasn't out of this world for him to go that high though.
10. FLORIDA PANTHERS- Keaton Ellerby, D, Kamloops (WHL)
Probably the second best defensemen in the draft. He is big, strong and nasty from what I have heard. Good pick for the Panthers.
11. CAROLINA HURRICANES- Brandon Sutter, C/RW, Red Deer (WHL)
What can i say about this guy, SUTTER...sounds like he was the best 2-way player in the draft so good pick for the Hurricanes because Brind'Amour can play forever.
12. MONTREAL CANADIENS- Ryan McDonagh, D, Cretin-Derham High School, Minnesota
This guy sounds like he is a great two-way defensemen, perfect for the "New NHL" Good pick for the Canadiens they need depth on the blueline, especially if they loose Souray.
13. ST.LOUIS BLUES(via SJ)- Lars Eller, C/W, Frolunda (Sweden Jr.)
The Dane sounds like he is a great 2-way player and good playmaker. Good pick for the re-building Blues.
14. COLORADO AVALANCHE- Kevin Shattenkirk, D, U.S. U-18
Has some leadership qualities and sounds like a good offensive defensemen. Colorado always seems to need defensive depth.
15. EDMONTON OILERS- Alex Plante, D, Calgary (WHL)
A surprise pick here. Was projected to go in the late 1st round or early 2nd. Plante is a big strong smooth skating defensemen. From what I have seen, I didn't think this guy was a 1st round draft pick.
16. MINNESOTA WILD(via ANA)- Colton Gillies, C, Saskatoon (WHL)
He was one of the fastest skaters in the draft if not the fastest. Doesn't sound like he has a lot of offensive skill but I think anyone with alot of speed in the "New NHL" has a ton of potential. I was hoping the Flames took this guy.
17. NEW YORK RANGERS- Alexei Cherepanov, RW, Omsk (Russia)
Huge slip for this guy, who was probably in the top 5 talent wise. The non-agreement between the NHL and the Russian Hockey Federation was what caused this guy to slip. Good pick for the Rangers though because Cherepanov said he only wants to play in Russia for one more year. He could easily pull a "Malkin" and come play in the NHL. Another Russian that slipped was Maxim Mayorov who was projected to go in the late 1st round to early 2nd slipped all the way to the 4th round, 94th pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets.
18. ST.LOUIS BLUES(via CGY)- Ian Cole, D, U.S. U-18
An defensive defensemen, who in a couple of years if he pans out could look could on the Blues blueline alongside Erik Johnson.
19. ANAHEIM DUCKS(via MIN)- Logan MacMillan, C, Halifax (QMJHL)
Sounds like a solid pick for the Ducks. MacMillan is a solid 2-way player who gets the job done.
20. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS- Angelo Esposito, C, Quebec (QMJHL)
If this guy pans out this pick could be scary and was another player who dropped big time. Esposito now joins the likes of Crosby, Malkin, Staal, Fleury and Whitney as the Penguins top picks. Whenever he does make it to the NHL and pans out he will have to be moved to the wing if he wants to stick with the Pens and the Pens will be one scary offensive team.
21. EDMONTON OILERS(via PHO)- Riley Nash, C, Salmon Arm(BCHL)
Another surprise pick, wasn't projected to go in the 1st round but obviously the Oiler's liked him. I'm surprised the Oiler's weren't able to trade the pick considering they had 3, too weak of a draft I guess. Just another reason to laugh at the Oiler fans and their franchise!
22. MONTREAL CANADIENS- Max Pacioretty, LW, Sioux City (USHL)
Sounds like he could be a great 3rd-4th liner for the Canadiens and also a character player. Good pick.
23. NASHVILLE PREDATORS- Jonathon Blum, D, Vancouver (WHL)
Has lots of skill but has to put on some weight if he wants to make it to the NHL.
24. CALGARY FLAMES(via STL)- Mikael Backlund, C, Vasteras (Sweden-2)
See Above Post.
25. VANCOUVER CANUCKS- Patrick White, C, Tri-City (USHL)
Once again a surprise pick, wasn't projected to go in the 1st round. Plays a hard game and has the ability to make a difference in the game.
26. ST.LOUIS BLUES- David Perron, LW, Lewiston (QMJHL)
Has a ton of skill. Very good pick for the Blues. I dont think it should matter that he came out of the blue, he proved that he has got the skill so then why should it matter.
27. DETRIOT RED WINGS- Brendan Smith, D, St.Micheal's(OPJHL)
Has lots of puck moving ability and a good skater. Scouts think he has lots of potential.
28. SAN JOSE(via WSH)- Nicholas Petrecki, D, Omaha (USHL)
Huge hitter and very aggressive defensemen. I thought the Flames should of taken him before they traded the 18th pick and if Backlund had already gone. Very good pick for the San Jose Sharks.
29. OTTAWA SENATORS- Jim O'Brien, C, Minnesota
Youngest player to play in the NCAA. Can play either forward or defense.
30. PHOENIX COYOTES(via EDM)- Nick Ross, D, Regina (WHL)
Very good playmaking defensemen who can read the play well. Sound good for the Coyotes. Also he was the only 1st round draft pick that wasn't at the draft.

Looks like I got 6 of 30 of my predicts in my mock draft correct. For more information on the 1st round draft picks, click here.