Ladies and gents, the day is finally here! It’s been a long wait, but fear not, the anticipation will be well worth it. The NHL draft is upon us at last, and with the 2009 draft comes not just one of the deepest draft classes in recent memory, but also one of the most variable in terms of selection predictions. Simply put the talent pool is so deep that close to any player could be selected at any position in the first round.
This is most evident at the top where for the first time since 2003 there is no true consensus first pick. Naturally the favorite to go number 1 is the remarkably skilled John Tavares whose highlight reel goals dazzled even the casual ESPN hockey fan during the World Junior Championship last Winter.
However a strong argument can be made for Victor Hedman, Sweden’s own version of Ivan Drago on skates. At 6’6 and 220lbs this 18 year old man-boy has already inspired comparisons to Chris Pronger, and would be a great choice for a team looking to rebuild its team from the net out (Islander fans your prayers have been answered). If Hedman goes first overall, look for teams to try to deal with Tampa for the second pick and a shot at Tavares.
Long shots for the number one pick include Evander Kane, and Matt Duchene, two dynamic centers guaranteed to round out the top four and make a General Manager giddy with excitement.
Normally the Blues’ front office would be salivating for either Duchene or Kane, or both, but Blues fans instead watched the team make a playoff run and drop into the lower half of the first round. Fortunately for Jarmo, and CO, the talent flows like wine. The Blues find themselves at a crossroads for JD’s rebuilding agenda. With the 17th pick anyone from Jordan Schroeder, (an exciting American forward from Minnesota) to Jacob Josefson (an explosive two-way playmaker from Sweden whom Patrik Berglund could benfit from) could be in play. But with the 17th pick and a previously successful season (ahead of schedule mind you) comes the temptation to deal for the quick fix. Over the short offseason, multiple sources and bloggers have mentioned Dan Heatley, Chris Pronger, and even Phil Kessel as players the Blues may take a run at. Andy Strickland of www.Hockeybuzz.com wrote recently that the Blues are looking to make a splash on draft day. With a wealth of prospects, could some blockbuster deals be on the horizon? As the best and only hockey expert employed by From Out of…Right Field, I can confidently say a big deal involving T.J. Oshie, Patrik Berglund, David Perron, or Alex Pietrangelo is a huge mistake at this stage in the rebuilding process. Everyone knows you don’t open a fine bottle of wine in the first two years. You let it age into something you can truly savor. Mark my words, those four players are perennial all stars within three years from now, and probably sooner.
As for my predictions, John Tavares will go number one, and the Blues will select Jacob Josefson with the 17th pick, or will possibly trade up for a shot at Jordan Schroeder. Since it’s my blog, I don’t have to decide for sure.
Finally. I know most of you have torn the last page off of your draft day countdown calendars and have already settled in with your twelve pack of Labatt Blue on ice waiting for Six p.m. But for the rest of you I have developed a checklist of 6 questions to answer before you can enjoy the draft.
1. Do I have Versus?
2. What channel is Versus?
3. Have I seen John Tavares’ brilliance? (see above video)
4. Why would the Blues want Chris Pronger again?
5. How do I actually pronounce Jarmo Kekalainen? Do I know who he is?
6. Why do they boo Gary Bettman so much?
The answers are available online…Enjoy the draft people!
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