MONTREAL – The 2009 NHL Entry Draft’s first round was completed Friday night with surprises, stunners, head-scratchers, and obvious picks. Pro Hockey News covered the draft pick by pick and reviews the night’s activities here.
2009 NHL Entry Draft – First round analysis
1 NY Islanders – John Tavares – C – London
Analysis: While drafting Tavares won’t be the team’s savior, he is a huge piece of the puzzle to restoring the Islanders road back to recovery. It was the right choice and realistically the only choice that had to be made by the team.
2 Tampa Bay – Victor Hedman – D – Modo
Analysis: An impact defenseman who will be on the Tampa blueline for years to come. This is one year it doesn’t hurt to draft at #2.
3 Colorado – Matt Duchene – C – Brampton
Analysis: He grew up an Avs fan, and plays in the mold of Joe Sakic. A perfect fit.
4 Atlanta – Evander Kane – C – Vancouver
Analysis: While the Thrashers have a serious need for defensive help, Kane’s offensive ability was tough to pass up.
5 Los Angeles – Brayden Schenn – C – Brandon
Analysis: Once again the Kings draft a quality young player with a ton of upside. GM Dean Lombardi is proving why he is one of the better GM’s in the league. Beware of the Kings.
6 Phoenix – Oliver Ekman-Larsson – D – Leksand
Analysis: The Yotes needed both offense and defense but Phoenix could not pass up on someone who has been compared to Nicklas Lidstrom. Enough said.
7 Toronto – Nazem Kadri – C – London
Analysis: While Tavares garnered most of the attention at London, Kadri more than held his own in the OHL playoffs. Good pickup
8 Dallas – Scott Glennie – RW – Brandon
Analysis: Got picked higher than his ranking. It will take a couple of years before you see him in a Stars uniform. A solid playmaker.
9 Ottawa – Jared Cowen – D – Spokane
Analysis: Last season the Sens went for a smallish defenseman. This year they go for size. He is a proven leader. His knee is the key to have a long-term future in the NHL.
10 Edmonton – Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson – LW – Timra
Analysis: Leave it to the Edmonton Oilers to go for someone who might be the fastest player in the draft. On Edmonton’s fast ice surface, he is a perfect fit.
11 Nashville – Ryan Ellis – D – Windsor
Analysis: The Preds tend to go for selecting very good young defenseman. Ellis is a steal at 11 and will be a heck of an addition to Nashville’s blueline that already has Suter, Hamhuis, Klein and Weber.
12 NY Islanders (from MIN) – Calvin De Haan – D – Oshawa
Analysis: He is a bit of a project and he needs to get stronger. A worthwhile pick but was taken way to high.
13 Buffalo – Zack Kassian – RW – Peterborough
Analysis: Think Milan Lucic in a Sabres uniform. The Sabres go for size after years of taking smallish players.
14 Florida – Dmitry Kulikov – D – Drummondville
Analysis: With the impending loss of Bouwmeester the need for D was inevitable. He’s a smooth skater with offensive upside.
15 Anaheim – Peter Holland – C – Guelph
Analysis: If Holland’s head and heart can match his talent the Ducks will have a steal. Patience will be important for him.
16 Minnesota (from NYI – CLB) – Nick Leddy – D – Eden Prairie
Analysis: The Wild takes a local boy who did good. He’s a puck-moving defenseman who should be solid for years to come. The only question, why did the Wild go for D when they need offense?
17 St. Louis – David Rundblad – D – Skelleftea
Analysis: Sort of the same situation that the Wild were in but the Blues are in good situation with so many quality prospects. Looks like they made another solid pick.
18 Montreal – Louis Leblanc – C – Omaha
Analysis: If Leblanc never felt pressure before he’s about too. Something tells me he will be just fine. With Koivu apparently a goner in a couple of years he could be a first or second line center.
19 NY Rangers – Chris Kreider – C – Andover
Analysis: A smart kid with great speed. One can’t argue with the Rangers’ need for taking someone who can actually score for a change.
20 New Jersey (from CGY) – Jacob Josefson – C – Djurgarden
Analysis: Here is a shock, the Devils take someone who is a solid two way forward. The shock here is that he’s not short and an American which is something the Devs are known for taking.
21 Columbus (from ANA – PHI) – John Moore – D – Chicago
Analysis: An offensive defenseman with speed to burn. Another solid draft pick by the Blue Jackets.
22 Vancouver – Jordan Schroeder – C – Minnesota
Analysis: Schroeder’s size allowed him to fall. The Canucks were more than happy to see him fall to 22. With the Sedins future in doubt, and Cody Hodgson waiting in the wings, Vancouver gets an exciting player for years to come.
23 Calgary (from NJ) – Tim Erixon – D – Skelleftea
Analysis: A solid no frills defenseman on a team that usually prides itself on defense. A good pick but it will take time for him to get into the lineup.
24 Washington – Marcus Johansson – C – Farjestad
Analysis: A bit small at 5′ 11″ but the Caps are not afraid to take a flier on him. Size is not a problem in Washington where only one other player on the Caps roster is below six foot tall. A risky pick that could pan out.
25 Boston – Jordan Caron – RW – Rimouski
Analysis: The Bruins go for another smash mouth player who will fit well in Beantown.
26 Anaheim (from CLB – NYI) – Kyle Palmieri – RW/C – USA-18
Analysis: Tested very well at the combines but he can play wing or center. The Ducks get an athletic player with speed.
27 Carolina – Philippe Paradis – C – Shawinigan
Analysis: All you need to know about Paradis is he won the hardest shot competition at the CHL Top Prospects event. Another solid forward who will be a part of the Canes organization for years to come.
28 Chicago – Dylan Olsen – D – Camrose
Analysis: A physical player who plays with an edge. Chicago will love someone who’s favorites in life are: Scott Stevens, the movie Slap Shot, and the video game Call of Duty 5. Enough said.
29 Tampa Bay (from DET) – Carter Ashton – RW – Lethbridge
Analysis: He fell in the draft, but Tampa was more than happy to trade up to get him after taking Hedmen earlier; a goal scorer, who will fit with Stamkos, already on the roster.
30 Pittsburgh – Simon Despres – D – Saint John
Analysis: The Pens add size to their blueline. Another player who fell far in the draft, but Pittsburgh needed to get younger on defense. A good shot-blocker who will fit in well on the Pens’ blueline one day.
Contact the author at Brian.Jennings@prohockeynews.com
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