1            TBL            C Steven Stamkos                        Sarnia Sting (OHL)

            This is a pick made by selecting the best player available. Stamkos has been the number 1 rated player since the beginning of the 2007-2008 season. With the injury of Jeff Halpern at the world championship, TSN’s Pierre McGuire expects him to play immediately. Stamkos, in an interview after his selection, wants to follow guys like Edmonton’s Sam Gagner and Chicago’s Patrick Kane and play next season in the NHL.

 

2            LAK            D Drew Doughty                        Guelph Storm (OHL)

            Los Angeles makes a great selection here because they pick up another young, talented defenseman to go along with Jack Johnson, the 3rd pick in 2005. There is also an experienced player there in Rob Blake. Doughty also wants to play immediately; he wants “to make an impact” on the Kings.

 

3            ATL            D Zach Bogosian                        Peterbourough Petes (OHL)

            TSN’s Pierre McGuire told us that this pick is “to replace Brandon Coburn”, an 8th overall pick that Atlanta traded away for flop Alexei Zhitnik. Bogosian is comparable to tough veteran Rob Blake, according to TSN. FYI: his dad played football at Syracuse.

 

4            STL            D Alex Pietrangelo                        Niagra (OHL)

            TSN says that he’s a “Sergei Zubov-type player…a passing defenseman.” With 53 points in 60 games and 20 points in his last 11 games, Pietrangelo joins 2006 No. 1 overall pick Erik Johnson on the young St. Louis blueline. He bought the bracelet and bumper sticker off the Steven Stamkos website in Tampa Bay, the bumper sticker “to go on my first car,” he said.

 

5            TOR            D Luke Schenn                        Kelowna Rockets (WHL)

            Schenn did not have a single point during the World Junior Championships, yet TSN analysts called him “the best player on the ice.” He is not an offensive defenseman, but more a physical kind of player. Pierre McGuire said that Schenn “is a player that Toronto can build around…is the start of a new beginning.” Toronto traded three picks (two conditional and the 7th overall pick) to get this guy, so interim GM is investing a lot in young Luke Schenn.

 

6            CBJ            F Nikita Filatov                        Central Army-2 (Russia)

            There has been questions about Filatov beause of the “Russian factor”: English-speaking problems, etc. But this Russian was taught English at the age of 5! 5! McGuire says that “this pick makes this team stronger going forward.” He said that he wants to model himself after Canadian Sidney Crosby, not fellow Russians: new teammate Nikolai Zherdev and reigning NHL MVP Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals. “He is a young talented hockey player with a good technique and good speed too,” commented the U-20 Russian Team Coach and two-time Stanley Cup Champion Sergei Nemchinov.

 

7            NAS            C Colin Wilson                        Boston University (Hockey East)

            His dad was an NHL player who played for the Hartford Whalers (now the Carolina Hurricanes). TSN compares Wilson to Hall of Famer and current Hurricanes assistant GM Ron Francis. He racked up 35 points in 37 games at Boston University. He is also compared to Rod Brind’Amour because of his upper body strength.

8            PHX            F Mikkel Boedker                        Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

            Mikkel is considered a very good goal scorer and plays bigger than he is. This is the highest picked Danish player ever. TSN compares him to San Jose Sharks forward Milan Michalek. Coach Wayne Gretzky said that he has a good chance to play next season, along with new acquistion Olli Jokinen and young stars Kyle Turris and Martin Hanzal.

 

9            NYI            C Josh Bailey                                    Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

            Josh had 96 points last year in Windsor, a great number for the 9th pick value. But we must remember that the Islanders dropped four slots to take this guy and gained an abundance of picks in return. McGuire referred to his as a “two-way player with play-making skills,” reminding him of ex-Hurricane Cory Stillman.

 

10            VAN            Cody Hodgson                        Brampton Battalion (OHL)

            Hodgson played his minor hockey with number 1 pick Steven Stamkos, and is considered like him except Hodgson does not have the explosive speed Stamkos has. McGuire compares him to Chris Drury, with a great amount of leadership and clutch performances. This is good because Trevor Linden, Vancouver’s leader, just retired and solid center Brendan Morrison is an unrestricted free agent. Hodgson’s coach called him the type of player that helps win championships.