After much speculation over who the New York Islanders would choose as their number #1 draft pick, they have selected John Tavares!!!  Right up until the very last second, people weren’t sure if the Isles would choose Victor Hedman.

I think the Islanders really have struggled to create an identity and presence on the ice and I think that Tavares is the right player at the right time for them.  I think he’s an incredible player (this year he had 58 goals in 56 games) and I’m really looking forward to watching the Islanders next season.
image: TSN

The Los Angeles Kings have selected Brayden Schenn fifth overall who joins his older brother, Luke Schenn, in the NHL.  Luke was also selected fifth overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs at last year’s Entry Draft. 
Last season with the Brandon Wheat Kings, Brayden Schenn notched 88 points (including 32 goals) in the 70 games that he played during the regular season.  He was also great in the postseason scoring 8 goals and 10 assists in 12 games.

The Atlanta Thrashers have added Evander Kane to their lineup after picking him fourth overall at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.  I really enjoyed watching him during the World Junior championships and I think that he could be a real asset. 
I know a lot of people have been wondering if he’s coachable after some reports suggested he was hard to work with but I am hoping it’s just a matter of him being very competitive.  I think a good coach could give him the direction he needs.  He led the WHL with 23 power-play goals with the Vancouver Giants …read more

The Colorado Avalanche haven’t picked this high since 1991 when they chose Eric Lindros and, today, they chose Matt Duchene third overall.  Duchene was great with Brampton this year and I think that he will fit in well with the Avs.  He’s a good goal scorer and is a nice well-rounded player.
In his post draft interview, he talked about how much he loves the Avalanche (he has autographed jerseys from Patrick Roy and Joe Sakic) and they showed a picture of him in his room with all of his fan gear.  It doesn’t always happen so it’s pretty cool …read more

The Tampa Bay Lightning have selected Victor Hedman #2 overall and I really have mixed feelings about it.  I think that Hedman is an incredible player and could be a huge asset to any team he joins but the Lightning are really having some trouble.  I have felt somewhat sorry for Steven Stamkos who was drafted first overall by the Bolts last.  Still, they had some defensive issues so a strong defenseman might really turn things around for them.

The 2009 NHL Entry Draft is tonight and what better way to celebrate a new addition to your team than to pick up and Entry Draft hat from NHL.com.  If you don’t want or need any more hats, there are those cool lamps that they put on the draft day tables.  I’m actually thinking about picking up one of those.
I’m really excited.  In less than an hour, we’ll know who the #1 draft pick is.  Do you think it’s John Tavares or Victor Hedman?
 
image: Shops.NHL.com

The National Hockey League Draft Drawing, will take place today so, by tonight, the order of selection for the first 14 picks at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft will be determined.  Clubs that did not qualify for this season’s Stanley Cup Playoffs, or clubs that acquired the first-round picks of those non-playoff clubs, will participate.
The results will be televised (on TSN in Canada and VERSUS in the United States) during a live, 30-minute program.  If you don’t get either of those channels, you can see a live stream on NHL.com or TSN.ca.
To keep things fair and in the …read more

Two of the biggest stars at the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship, Canada’s, John Tavares, and Sweden’s, Victor Hedman, sat down and talked with NHL.com.

It’s going to be really interesting to see where these two end up at the upcoming NHL Entry Draft.  They’re atop the NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings so I’m sure they will be battling for the #1 draft spot in just a few months.