2008 NHL Entry Mock Draft

It is a day that can shape a franchise and give it hope, while it can also put hope of a franchise in a player everyone thought would bring lots of promise but yet have those hopes quashed. The 2008 NHL Entry Draft is upon us with no shortage of intrigue. This years draft class resembles your image while walking in the backdoor of a weightwatchers exercise session....heavy on the backend. Here are my predictions for the Top 10 picks in detail as well as the remaining Canadian teams. I may be right on all of them, but most likely i'll be wrong on 99% of them (Thank you to Stamkos for being such a sure thing).

1) Tampa Bay Lightning- Steven Stamkos: in reaping the rewards for futility, the cellar dwelling 'Bolts are staring a franchise player in the face and will not hesitate in taking this electric skating, ultra skilled, dynamic leader at #1. Stamkos has been touted to go first overall since Day 1 and has drawn comparisons to the likes of Joe Sakic.

2) Los Angeles Kings- Drew Doughty: Last year the Kings blueline depth was so thin one would have wondered, with a wasted plethora of forwards at their disposal if sticking pylons at each blueline would have done as much damage on the backend. L.A.'s prayers are finally answered as they draft the hard nosed, hard shooting stud who has proclaimed his lifelong fanfare to the team taht will make his dream come true.

3) Atlanta Thrashers- Zach Bogosian: In an imperfect world, Bogosian comes close to being the perfect defenseman. While hockey is a game of mistakes, this steady defender plays nearly mistake-free while playing with an edge. Atlanta has a home run pick in waiting and surely can't go wrong. Based on their depth in the farm system, they can't afford to.

4) St. Louis Blues- Luke Schenn: Any team looking for a player to fill the nets will take a pass on this 'tower of power', who possesses dominance in shutting down other team's top players. The Blues need a defensive parter to compliment Erik Johnson's offensive upside. Look for the two to team up and become a force in the NHL for years to come.

5) N.Y. Islanders- Alex Pietrangelo: Intrigue is the word that describes this big, fast puck moving D-man best. He has many of the same qualities as Doughty but his potential is questioned because of his supposed lack of intensity. Time will tell but the Isles may find it's worth the wait on a player that potentially could become a cause for sleepless nights for many GM's in the future.

6) Columbus Blue Jackets- Cody Hodgson-Will go higher than expected because of one thing that you can't teach and one thing scouts can overlook....hockey sense. Columbus is in need of a play making center and will take a flyer on him.

7) Toronto Maple Leafs- Nikita Filatov- Fans in the center of hockey's universe are screaming for a move up in the draft. The Leafs however will not need to do so. Filatov's uncertainty of coming over to the NHL will keep the other six teams from taking this offensive dynamo with Ovechkin-like skill. Leafs need an exciting player to ignite a lame duck franchise and will gladly take the risk.

8) Pheonix Coyotes- Colin Wilson- As safe a pick as this draft has, Wilson has the drive and skill of an up and coming star, but his lackluster skating keeps him out of elite status. Will still become a very solid NHLer and will make a great 1-2 punch with Peter Mueller.

9) Nashville Predators- Kyle Beach- with the scoring touch of Peter Forsberg, Joe Thornton's size and Owen Nolan-like grittiness, Beach presents the total package, but with an attitude and playing style comparable to Sean Avery, the jury is out on this kid. If that gets toned down, the Preds' have themselves a very special player.

10) Vancouver Canucks- Mikkel Boedker- It is unusual to find a player with the skill level that this Euro possesses still available at this selection. The Canucks need offensive help fast and will get what they wish, hoping someday to team this smooth skaing Swede up with the Sedin twins in the future,

Other Canadian Teams round 1 selections

#17 Calgary Flames- Mattias Tedenby- The 2008 talent pool is filled with players who could be either bust or jump to stardom. Tedenby is no exception. His skill will suggest he's in for a long prosperous career, while his playing style has the ability to cut it short. In a few years, the Flames will either be beaming with pride or shaking their heads in embarrassment at this pick.

#18 Ottawa Senators- Jordan Eberle- An undersized forward who has a knack for the net, the Sens' are a good fit for the freewheeling skater with a lethal wrist shot. His team leading 42 goals on the Reginal Pats (next closest 20) tells you far ahead he was skill-wise to anyone on his team

#22 Edmonton Oilers- Joe Colborne- The Oilers need size up front to go along with skill to help the likes Gagner and Cogliano. His upside is off the charts, and his skill level is up there with any of the top 10 forwards, but how much can he improve.


Report back Friday night for a full analysis on the day June 20th 2008 that could decide YOUR team's future!!.


BleacherBuff