Mock Draft 2009

With the draft tomorrow, here is my annual Mock Draft.

1. NEW YORK ISLANDERS- John Tavares, C, London (OHL)
2. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING- Victor Hedman, D, MoDo (Swe.)
3. COLORADO AVALANCHE- Matt Duchene, C, Brampton (OHL)
4. ATLANTA THRASHERS- Evander Kane, C, Vancouver (WHL)
5. LOS ANGELES KINGS- Magnus Paajarvi-Svenson, LW, Timra (Swe.)
6. PHOENIX COYOTES- Jared Cowan, D, Spokane (WHL)
7. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS- Brayden Schenn, C, Brandon (WHL)
8. DALLAS STARS- Oliver Ekman-Larsson, D, Leksand (Swe.)
9. OTTAWA SENATORS- Nazem Kadri, C, London (OHL)
10. EDMONTON OILERS- Zach Kassian, RW, Peterbrough (OHL)
11. NASHVILLE PREDATORS- Jordan Schroeder, RW, Minnesota (WCHA)
12. MINNESOTA WILD- Scott Glennie, C, Brandon (WHL)
13. BUFFALO SABRES- Dmitri Kulikov, D, Drummondville (QMJHL)
14. FLORIDA PANTHERS- John Moore, D, Chicago (USHL)
15. ANAHEIM DUCKS- Carter Ashton, LW, Lethbridge (WHL)
16. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS- Ryan Ellis, D, Windsor (OHL)
17. ST.LOUIS BLUES- David Rundblad, D, Skelleftea (Swe.)
18. MONTREAL CANADIENS- Drew Shore, C, USA (U18)
19. NEW YORK RANGERS- Zach Budish, RW, Edina (USHS)
20. CALGARY FLAMES- Dylan Olsen, D, Camrose (AJHL)
21. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS- Tim Erixon, D, Skelleftea (USHS)
22. VANCOUVER CANUCKS- Simon Despres, D, Saint John (QMJHL)
23. NEW JERSEY DEVILS- Jacob Josefson, C, Djurgarden
24. WASHINGTON CAPITALS- Louis Leblanc, C, Omaha (USHL)
25. BOSTON BRUINS- Calvin De Haan, D, Oshawa (OHL)
26. NEW YORK ISLANDERS(SJ-OTT)- Stefan Elliot, D, Saskatoon (WHL)
27. CAROLINA HURRICANES- Nick Leddy, D, Eden Prairie (USHS)
28. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS- Seth Helgeson, D, Sioux City (USHL)
29. DETROIT RED WINGS- Carl Klingberg, LW, Vastra Frolunda (Swe.)
30. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS- Landon Ferraro, RW, Red Deer (WHL)

Some Predictions:

- I think Brian Burke will move the Leafs up to either select John Tavares or Brayden Schenn, Schenn more likely than Tavares, I cant truly see Schenn still being available at 7th to fall right into the Leafs hands.
- I think the Kings will make a strong push for Dany Heatley, possibly giving up the 5th overall pick to give the Senators 2 picks in the top 10.
- I think Montreal will make a very strong push for Vinny Lecavalier, even though the 'experts' dont think it will happen, I think the pressure from the home town crowd and the possibility of the Lightning having a shot at Tavares could bring Vinny to Montreal.
- Finally, even with all the Flames cap troubles, I still like their chances of landing negotiating rights to Jay Bouwmeester. It would take some salary going the other way but I think it is worth it if your not giving up the core (Iggy, Langkow, Phaneuf, Reggie and Kipper).

**Update- I got 6 of 30 picks correct doubling my score from last year.