The World Juniors are in the books, the CHL trade deadline is over and teams all around the world are gearing up for the stretch drive. Who tops this month’s extended mock draft?

 

Midway Mock

1. Carolina Hurricanes- RW Tyler Seguin (Plymouth Whalers OHL)
Ht/Wt: 6’1, 186 lbs     2009-10: 38 GP, 28-36-64, +4, 42 PIM

We’re going to keep running with this. As of Friday night, Seguin was just three points- or, for him, a game- away from matching his entire total from 2008-09… and he was above a point a game in 2008-09! It took the World Juniors for Seguin to jump Hall in the OHL scoring race but with little run support (see: a combined 65 points from Plymouth’s next highest scorers) it’s tough to say he hasn’t rightfully earned it.

As for why Carolina selects him first, as we’ve mentioned every other time Seguin has come up, Canes owner Peter Karmanos also happens to own the Whalers. After one-and-a-half years in a Plymouth uniform, Carolina likely knows Seguin better than any other player in the Draft. The Canes have taken advantage of this pipeline numerous in the past and it makes sense to do so with such a critical selection as #1.

IF GM Jim Rutherford sees he and Hall as equal, why take a chance on someone you can’t do as much homework on? There is another added bonus: if Seguin doesn’t make the jump next season, Rutherford will essentially control his development in the junior ranks, a rarity. Ask the Blues what they thought of Niagara’s handling Alex Pietrangelo, for example.

In the Future:
Cole-Staal-Seguin
Bowman-Sutter-Ruutu

2. Edmonton Oilers- LW Taylor Hall (Windsor Spitfires OHL)
Ht/Wt: 6’1, 185 lbs     2009-10: 35 GP, 28-34-62, +25, 21 PIM

Depending on the scout, the World Juniors either did a lot for Taylor Hall’s stock, or it just proved how far he is away from having an immediate impact. The good: Hall nailed 2 PPG in his draft year at the prestigious tourney, something Sidney Crosby never did. The bad: he was rag-dolled at times by Team USA’s blueline and that raises questions about how he’ll handle the NHL.

However, season ticker holder surveys are out for the Oilers, and the results are not going to be pretty. Short of bringing in a Hossa, Heatley, Jagr or Kovalchuk- three of which the team has struck out on, and that’s only because Kovy hasn’t had a chance to dick them around yet- Hall is the closest thing to a star Edmonton can bring in next season to appease a thoroughly annoyed and impatient fanbase.

In the Future:

Penner-Horcoff-Hemsky
Hall-Gagner-Brule

3. Boston Bruins (from Toronto)- D Cam Fowler
Ht/Wt: 6’2, 190 lbs     2009-10: 33 GP, 3-37-40, +27, 8 PIM

Bruins fans have loudly voiced their displeasure concerning the play of one-time hero Dennis Wideman. If that’s the worst thing they have to endure this season enroute to Cam Fowler-remember, they can win the Cup and still pick top three- it’s really not that bad.

A pairing of Zdeno Chara and the slick-skating American doesn’t assure a Finals appearance at any point of Marc Savard’s extension, but they’d immediately become one of only a couple teams with the depth capable of shutting down and thus beating the Penguins.

In the Future:

Lucic-Savard-Ryder
Chara-Fowler

4. Florida Panthers- LW Vladimir Tarasenko
Ht/Wt: 6’0, 185 lbs     2009-10: 28 GP, 10-7-17, 6 PIM

Lost in the multiple storylines of the 2010 World Juniors was the strong performance of first-time eligible Vladimir Tarasenko. His elusive but not ultra fast wheels and quick, accurate shot endeared him to more than a couple scouts, and though the ‘Russian Factor’ could come into play, it won’t so long as a team willing to take that chance picks high enough. The Panthers risked a high first round draft choice on Dmitri Kulikov and ended up with an immediate NHL player. They could easily get the same with Tarasenko.

In the Future:

Booth-Reinprecht-Horton
Tarasenko-Weiss-Frolik

5. St. Louis Blues- LW Nino Niederreiter
Ht/Wt: 6’2, 203 lbs     2009-10: 37 GP, 23-18-41, +7, 50 PIM

Crazy, we know. But the Blues covert hard-working talent above everything else- see Eller, Lars and Perron, David for proof. ‘El Nino’ has earned a place inside the top ten after his truly gutsy World Junior performance. At times he resembled Rick Nash with his ability to shrug off one or two back-checkers with his strength, reach and skill.

In the Future:

Perron-McDonald-Boyes
Niederreiter-Oshie-Backes

6. Tampa Bay Lightning- LW/RW Kirill Kabanov
Ht/Wt: 6’2, 175 lbs     2009-10: 11 GP, 5-9-14, +0, 12 PIM

Like the Panthers, the Lightning have no problem scooping up impact Russians with early picks. An unfortunate injury and an immediate flight home has caused Kirill Kabanov as many problems as his birth certificate has, to be sure, but the Lightning won’t care. He’s a premier talent who was starting to find his place on North American ice before his hand injury.

In the Future:

Kabanov-Lecavalier-St. Louis
Malone-Stamkos-Ashton

7. Columbus Blue Jackets- C/RW Mikael Granlund (HIFK, SM-Liiga)
Ht/Wt: 5’10, 172 lbs    2009-10: 20 GP, 5-14-19, 0 PIM

Who the Jackets pick depends on whether or not coach Ken Hitchcock remains head coach. His style demands team players who can learn a complicated system quickly and follow orders- not exactly the best one for a roster of free-wheelers like Derick Brassard, Kristian Huselius and eventually Nikita Filatov.

If the team cans him- like is expected- the focus likely shifts to a more up-tempo style that takes advantage of the team’s skill. Mikael Granlund didn’t have the greatest medal round at the World Juniors, but he’s been playing with men for six months and has been a premier offensive threat there every night. That the Jackets lack first line caliber prospects makes this pick palpable despite Granlund’s under-developed size and strength.

In the Future:

Nash-Brassard-Huselius
Filatov-Vermette-Granlund

8. Anaheim Ducks- D Brandon Gormley (Moncton Wildcats QMJHL)
Ht/Wt: 6’2, 190 lbs     2009-10: 35 GP, 6-20-26, +10, 34 PIM

The Ducks are a Niedermayer trade away from fighting for Cam Fowler, but Brandon Gormley would be a fine consolation prize. A smooth-skating rearguard, Gormley has recently shown a bit of that competitive fire we wish he’d play with more. Likely feeling slighted by Team Canada’s decision to cut him almost immediately, the 6’2 defender registered four points, four PIM and a +7 rating in four games back home in Moncton after being let go.

In the Future:

Ryan-Getzlaf-Perry

Sbisa-Gormley

9. New York Islanders- D Erik Gudbranson (Kingston Frontenacs OHL)
Ht/Wt: 6’3, 199 lbs     2009-10: 25 GP, 2-15-17, +7, 43 PIM

Another long-standing pick on our board, the Islanders have steadily risen up the draft rankings- but so has Gudbranson. He’s safely within top ten territory but just how high he goes will be determined how strong he finishes the year.  The 6’3, 199 lbs rearguard is currently out with mono and was playing with it for a long time even beforehand. The disease (likely) won’t have any long-lasting effects, and as such the Isles might walk away with a steal because of it.

In the Future:

Moulson-Tavares-Okposo
Joensuu-Bailey-Petrov

Streit-Gudbranson
de Haan-Hamonic

10. Atlanta Thrashers- C Alexander Burmistrov (Barrie Colts OHL)
Ht/Wt: 6’0, 170 lbs     2009-10: 32 GP, 14-27-41, +21, 24 PIM

After all that’s happened between the NHL, the IIHF and Russia, could three Russians really crack the top twelve? It’s a rare feat and didn’t exactly work out the two times it occurred previously (see: Alexeev/Yakubov/Vorobiev/Smirnov in ’00 and Kovalchuk/Svitov/Chistov in ’01) but a lot of things separate those classes. First thing: work ethic. Burmistrov has been a true team player for Barrie in 08-09, playing in critical situations and fighting through traffic to score and make plays. The Thrashers have no reservations about drafting Russians and he’d feature prominently in their burgeoning core.

In the Future:

Kovalchuk-Little-Peverley
Kane-Burmistrov-Antropov

11. Minnesota Wild- D Mark Pysyk (Edmonton Oil Kings WHL)
Ht/Wt: 6’2, 178 lbs     2009-10: 36 GP, 7-16-23, -6, 33 PIM

2003 is the high-water mark for the Wild when it comes to GP by their draft choices- and only two of them made the NHL. Their first selection was a gangly 6’3 defender who skated like the wind and played a physical brand of hockey. That sounds like exactly Pysyk. Minnesota needs a ton of help in the form of ELCs on the blueline as contracts rapidly expire, and the first-ever pick of the Oil Kings reboot era could be there in two years. Let’s hope his brain doesn’t get scrambled along the way, though.

12. Anaheim Ducks (from Philadelphia)- D Jon Merrill (USNTDP U18)
Ht/Wt: 6’3, 190 lbs     2009-10: 28 GP, 4-16-20, 8 PIM

A longer-term project than Gormley, NTDP product Jon Merrill nevertheless may very well end up the better player. Just as good a skater despite being an inch and perhaps two taller, Merrill is far and away the NTDP blueline assist leader with ten more than the next guy. He’s the kind of tall, mobile American defender that Brian Burke bred an appreciation for in Anaheim.

13. Montreal Canadiens- C Riley Sheahan (Notre Dame NCAA)
Ht/Wt: 6’2, 200 lbs     2009-10: 21 GP, 5-8-13, 8 PIM

Now that there are no high-profile French Canadians in 2010, the Habs can go back to drafting players out of American prep and Junior… wait a minute. Sheahan is a continuation of head scout Trevor Timmins’ lust for college-bound talent, but it’d be tough to argue with the choice. The name Jeff Carter is as clear in French as it is in English, the stocky pivot is a stud that dominates college defenses with his sheer strength and soft hands.

14. New York Rangers- C Emerson Etem (Medicine Hat Tigers WHL)
Ht/Wt: 6’0, 194 lbs     2009-10: 45 GP, 28-15-43, +0, 14 PIM

Built for the pros: Check. Fast: Check. A natural scorer: Check. The Rangers have swept in and made hay with both early and late picks over the last three seasons, netting power forwards like Evgney Grachev and Ethan Werek as if they do in fact grow on trees. Etem is a high-compete forward that would make the Blue and White that much more of a high-octane threat in the future. He’s not as mean as Evander Kane but the rest of his game is extremely similar.

15. Ottawa Senators- C/W Jeff Skinner (Kitchener Rangers OHL)
Ht/Wt: 5’10, 197 lbs    2009-10: 40 GP, 34-21-55, +3, 38 PIM

The Senators are one of the most creative and varied teams at the draft table, dipping into Sweden, Junior B, US high school and even Latvia to find gamebreakers. However, they won’t have look that far for their next steal. Playing some five and a half hours away in Kitchener, diminutive forward Jeff Skinner is having one of the most unheralded junior seasons perhaps ever. On pace for 60 goals in 70 games, Skinner is a dazzling offensive dynamo who has that Hull-esque knowledge of where to be. Although small his one-timer is among the hardest and most accurate ever to grace the OHL and his wrister just as heavy. If Jordan Eberle were just a little bit quicker- and a whole lot more filled out- you’d have a player just like Skinner.  

Depending on how Kirill Kabanov finishes the season, the scouting community may have to seriously consider switching them.

16. Dallas Stars- G Jack Campbell (USNTDP U18)
Ht/Wt: 6’2, 185     2009-10: 15 GP, 8-6-1, 2.19 GAA, 0.918 Sv%

Marty Turco might quite be on his last legs as was feared, but a little advance planning wouldn’t hurt, no? The Stars are quite thin throughout the organization in net and Jack Campbell would be a fitting future replacement as Dallas’ next great American goaltender. The acrobatic 17-year-old’s performance at the World Juniors was merely a continuation of his fantastic season with the USNTDP. Like the last American goalie to dominate the WJC, Campbell could go as high as five or six if the Blues or another team have an interest in adding a bluechip goaltending prospect. However, 10-15 is a safer bet.

17. Detroit Red Wings- RW Brett Connolly (Prince George Cougars WHL)
Ht/Wt: 6’2, 181 lbs     2009-10: 12 GP, 7-6-13, +2, 8 PIM
The Wings have shown you can fix almost any issue if a player possesses the requisite talent and drive, but what about a bad hip? Brett Connolly’s stock has taken a substantial hit thanks to recurring issues with a hip flexor injury suffered in the summer. If a player like Landon Ferraro can slip outside the first round, what hope does a similar forward who will play less than fifty games this season have? Still, Detroit’s philosophy is to draft players who have things you simply can’t teach and let time sort the rest out. Being selected by the Wings would be an added blessing as their no-rush policy ensures Connolly has all the time in the world to recuperate.

18. Boston Bruins- LW Quinton Howden (Moose Jaw Warriors WHL)
Ht/Wt: 6’3, 183 lbs     2009-10: 39 GP, 17-25-42, +14, 26 PIM

As the Joe Colborne selection in 2007 demonstrated, the Bruins have not shied away from their decades-long fascination with power forwards despite the Joe Thornton Saga. Featuring a rich history of players like Terry O’Reilly, Cam Neely and now Milan Lucic, the Bs may have some of the game’s great skill players like Marc Savard but they’ll always covet big men. Howden plays a position the Bs are rich at but that shouldn’t matter. He’s a hulking winger that can cycle  the puck and thread needles like a 5’10 forward, a useful trait no matter who is on your roster.

19. Los Angeles Kings- LW Brad Ross (Portland Winterhawks WHL)
Ht/Wt: 6’1, 173 lbs     2009-10: 43 GP, 22-26-48, +18, 115 PIM

The Kings and GM Dean Lombardi have a favorite kind of player: big, strapping left wings who can provide grit, leadership and a touch of skill. They traded for Ryan Smyth and drafted Wayne Simmonds and Kyle Clifford because they fit this philosophy. Alex Frolov simply doesn’t, and the Kings will be looking to replace him in the off-season. Enter Brad Ross. Not an immediate fix by any means, he’s nevertheless the perfect bridge between Smyth and Simmonds. He’s a future top six power winger that can net 20-25 goals.

20. Colorado Avalanche- LW Stanislav Galiev (Saint John QMJHL)
Ht/Wt: 6’1, 177 lbs     2009-10: 40 GP, 10-30-40, +33, 22 PIM

Fun fact: The Avalance haven’t used a first round selection on a player from the QMJHL since taking gangly puck wizard Alex Tanguay 12th in 1998. It’s fitting, then, that a similar available player will be BPA in the 20-30 range. Like Tanguay, Russian winger Stanislav Galiev is primarily a playmaker, quarterbacking the powerplay from the left boards with his great vision and precise passes. Galiev makes Tanguay look like Mike Bossy, though, so that’s a concern; NHL teams will quickly learn the book on him if all he can do is thread needles and kill penalties.

21. Pittsburgh Penguins- C John McFarland (Sudbury Wolves OHL)
Ht/Wt: 6’1, 195     2009-10: 36 GP, 13-17-30, -9, 36 PIM

So long as the Penguins continue to draft high, they’ll need to find a way to make the most of their picks. Starting out with a strategy akin to Detroit- skill no matter the package it comes- the Pens briefly eschewed that M.O. in 2009, filling needs rather than taking flyers. 2010 might see them go back to their old ways, especially if John McFarland is still around.

Like Rob Schremp in his draft year, the Sudbury star is a top-ten player in skill but a seventh-rounder in attitude and commitment. Seven points in seven games since being cut from Team Canada is a good sign that he has taken some pride in his play but he’ll need to do more to avoid dropping out of the top 30 altogether. Nevertheless his vision, soft hands and laser-quick one-timer are all skills built for a powerplay run by Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby.  

22. Phoenix Coyotes (from Calgary)- C Jaden Schwartz (Tri-City Storm USHL)
Ht/Wt: 5’10, 193 lbs     2009-10: 30 GP, 16-30-46, +0, 10 PIM

The Wayne Gretzky Era may be over in Phoenix, but his brother Keith still runs the scouting department. He’ll find it hard not to love Jaden Schwartz, a crafty playmaker whose quickness and intelligence have helped him average over an assist a game- this despite less-than-ideal vitals. Sound like anyone in his family?

Schwartz is of course nowhere near the same kind of talent as 99 was but he’s an intriguing player whose stock just might be higher if he was in major junior; think if Sam Gagner had stayed in the USHL instead of jumping to London to play with Patrick Kane. The Coyotes could really use some more big bodies to insulate the likes of Boedker, Turris and eventually OEL, but…

23. Nashville Predators- C Joey Hishon (Owen Sound Attack OHL)
Ht/Wt: 5’10, 190 lbs     2009-10: 20 GP, 8-15-23, +4, 12 PIM
While the Predators have drafted and acquired a cadre of big, blue-collar forwards over the last few years and it’s helped push them back into playoff relevance, smaller players can play just as physical while also making a huge difference on the scoresheet. The closest thing to a Mike Richards clone you’ll ever see, Hishon may give up a couple inches and pounds but his terrific playmaking skills are on-par with the Flyers pivot at the same age. Hishon is a gutsy, vocal leader we raved about in the Mid-Season Guide and he has the heart to be an impact center.

24. Vancouver Canucks- C/LW Ryan Spooner (Peterborough Petes OHL)
Ht/Wt: 5’10, 175 lbs     2009-10: 43 GP, 18-32-50, -11, 12 PIM

Although Alex Burrows appears to be working out okay next to the Sedins and Jordan Schroeder is in the pipeline, adding another 5’10 forward with sublime puck skills is never a bad idea. Ryan Spooner is an extremely creative winger that could set up almost anyone- as proven by the motley crew he plays alongside in Peterborough. Weight is of particular concern but if you’re a speedy, talented forward who works hard, the Canucks and GM Mike Gillis don’t care too much.

25. Phoenix Coyotes- C Ryan Martindale (Ottawa 67’s OHL)
Ht/Wt: 6’3, 190 lbs     2009-10: 42 GP, 15-31-46, +0, 33 PIM

…of course, with two first rounders, that doesn’t mean the Coyotes can’t address both needs. Ryan Martindale is a player we’ve raved about all year for his blend of size, hustle and deceptive speed. Kyle Turris may never be a hulking beast but with a Martindale and Martin Hanzal around, he can focus on the things that will make him a star NHL player in due time.

26. Washington Capitals- RW Evgeny Kuznetsov (Traktor Chelyabinsk KHL)
Ht/Wt: 6’0, 174 lbs     2009-10: 22 GP, 0-2-2, 8 PIM

Back in 2002, the Capitals took a flyer on a 6’2 forward with all-world skill but a seemingly 10-cent head. That player has since developed into one of the game’s most electrifying talents, over-shadowing even Alexander Ovechkin some nights. That player is of course Alexander Semin.

While there’s no guarantee lightning strikes twice, Evgeny Kuznetsov possesses some big-league skills of his own. For starters, he’s perhaps the best skater in the Draft, capable of reaching a sixth gear with the puck on his stick. Although he only scored twice during the WJC, Kuznetsov generated ten times as many breakaway chances with his speed and soft hands.

27. Buffalo Sabres- C Ryan Johansen (Portland Winterhawks WHL)
Ht/Wt: 6’3, 188 lbs    2009-10: 43 GP, 16-29-45, +9, 25 PIM

Although a team should never draft for immediate need as the majority of draft picks won’t become regulars until three or four years later, it’s impossible to fill holes on your team if you continually avoid them. It was with that mindset that the Sabres bucked theri trend of going small skilled in 2007, selecting gritty winger Zack Kassian. However, they likely aren’t done getting bigger just yet.

Power centers are present in great numbers throughout the 2010 Draft and even if they don’t land WHL stud Ryan Johansen, there will be two or three others available. However, Johansen makes sense in a lot of ways: no stranger to playing the babysitter and playmaker for two other skilled wingers, he is a durable, sturdy pivot who can log a lot of ice-time in critical situations. He’d be the perfect eventual replacement for Tim Connolly. See the article ‘Western Super (Physical) Powers’ for more info on Johansen.

28. New Jersey Devils- D Alex Petrovic (Red Deer Rebels WHL)
Ht/Wt: 6’4, 193 lbs     2009-10: 27 GP, 4-10-14, +1, 39 PIM

Another player you can read about more in the Western Super Powers feature, Alex Petrovic is the kind of player the Devils wish they could draft every year. A strong, dependable defender who can stand up and steer even the most skilled players out of danger, Petrovic isn’t as fast as Paul Martin or as crafty with the puck as Andy Greene, but he’s a horse and a character player, two things the Devils covet in spades.  

29. San Jose Sharks- D Derek Forbort (USNTDP U18)
Ht/Wt: 6’4, 195 lbs     2009-10: 28 GP, 1-9-10, 12 PIM

How’s this for a stat: since 2005, the Sharks have used thirteen picks on rearguards, a full 38%. In 2009 alone 60% of their picks were spent on defencemen. However, with the slow development of Nick Petrecki and the seeming regression of ME Vlasic, San Jose may have no choice but to continue with that trend as they seek cheap (re: entry level) contracts to fill out their roster in the coming years.

Derek Forbort still hasn’t created a ton of separation between himself and fellow NTDPer Stephen Johns and a lot of the same problems still remain- too much skating with the puck, too little in his end- but he’s the right pick for a Sharks team who lack not only depth but starpower on defense in the pipeline. His upside is probably the highest of the d-men from 25 on.

30. Chicago Blackhawks- C Martin Olsson (HV71 J20 SuperElit)
Ht/Wt: 6’0, 194 lbs     2009-10: 27 GP, 18-23-41, 8 PIM

Another new one in our top thirty, Detroit has seen their monopoly in Sweden gradually erode as other teams have caught on. First, it was Vancouver snatching Alex Edler and then Anton Rodin from their clutches. Last summer, Chicago nabbed current Elitserien stand-out Marcus Kruger in the fifth. The player the Canucks, Wings and Hawks will be chasing this summer is 1991-born Martin Olsson. The current J20 points leader, Olsson’s breakout year is almost identical to the one Kruger enjoyed in 08-09.

Olsson is already well-built and plays an extremely slippery style of game, wandering away from coverage in the offensive zone so that he can get open to continue the cycle. He’s also proven to be a top-rate penalty killer because of his ability to read the play and pick off passes. After scoring just one goal in his first SuperElit season, he’s compiled 15 and now 18 goals in Sweden’s top junior league. He’s the perfect homerun pick for a team loaded at every position.

31. Carolina Hurricanes- D John Ramage (U. Wisconsin NCAA)
Ht/Wt: 6’0, 195 lbs     2009-10: 18 GP, 2-5-7, 14 PIM

Another player passed over entirely in 2009, steady rearguard John Ramage was a revelation for Team USA at the World Juniors. However, for fans of the University of Wisconsin hockey club, Ramage was anything but a surprise. The youngest player on the roster been a calming presence for a Badgers blueline loaded with offensive talent like Brendan Smith, Ryan McDonagh and Cody Goloubef. Ramage’s strength, excellent balance and light feet would fit in well in Carolina where the defense is meant more as an in-and-out group rather than one that catches the eye.

32. Edmonton Oilers- LW Victor Öhman (Malmö Allsvenskan)
Ht/Wt: 6’1, 203 lbs    2009-10: 15 GP, 0-3-3, 0 PIM

With all the talk that Swedish prospects have garnered in recent years, it’s simply mystifying that a legitimate power forward like Victor Öhman has gone so unnoticed. Not as flashy or fast as Magnus Pääjärvi, he was a force in SuperElit early on. Prior to being promoted to the Allsvenskan- where he’s played fourth line minutes and basically been forgotten about- Öhman had 12 goals in 15 games. A willing competitor along the boards, the big winger needs to improve his acceleration by quite a bit but he’s a wrecking ball at full speed.

33. Boston Bruins (from Toronto)- D Dylan McIlrath (Moose Jaw Warriors WHL)
Ht/Wt: 6’5, 215 lbs     2009-10: 39 GP, 2-9-11, 123 PIM

What a long, strange trip for this draft pick. Initially traded to Montreal back when John Ferguson Jr. was still Leafs GM, Toronto’s 2nd round pick landed in Chicago for Robert Lang. New Leafs GM Brian Burke then had to go out and re-acquire the pick in order to land Phil Kessel.

McIlrath, who you can also read more about in today’s companion WHL feature, is the kind of player Boston could certainly use more of on their blueline. If he were to stop developing offensively today, he might top out as a Ryan O’Byrne or Hal Gill-type defender. However, when he’s gotten to around to touching the puck, McIlrath has shown the ability to make hard, crisp passes from the point. He could be a special player.

34. Florida Panthers- LW Maxim Kitsyn (Metallurg KHL)
Ht/Wt: 6’2, 181 lbs    2009-10: 8 GP, 0-0-0, 6 PIM

Even if they don’t select Tarasenko in the first round, the Panthers will have plenty of cracks at Russian forwards other teams will not want to touch. One example is Maxim Kitsyn. As North American a player as you’ll find born outside of NA, as we talked about in the Mid-Season Guide, he never stopped moving his feet in order to fight through defensive coverage at the WJC. A long, graceful stickhandler from the Vincent Lecavalier school, Kitsyn plays a simple north-south style but could perhaps be coaxed to do a bit more with the puck.

35. St. Louis Blues- G Calvin Pickard (Seattle Thunderbirds WHL)
Ht/Wt: 6’0, 202 lbs     2009-10: 36 GP, 11-19-2, 2.81 GAA, 0.920 SV%

There’s a very real chance goaltender Calvin Pickard challenges his brother’s draft position, but for now it’s safest to prognosticate that he gets selected in that second round ‘sweet spot’ of 30-35. Jacob Markstrom, Jake Allen and Michal Neuvirth have all been selected there as teams eschew keepers in favor of players with quicker development curves. The Blues will see Allen graduate to the AHL next fall and that leaves them without a goalie in the junior ranks- never a good spot to be in no matter how much depth a team has in the pros.