1) Chicago Blackhawks- Patrick Kane-RW

A smaller winger whos known for his great hands but there are questions about his 5-9 160 lbs. frame but in the new NHL this raises far less of a question than ever before. Leading the OHL in points with 145 helps too. Kane is an offensive stud who has the ability to make opposing players look silly. If he carries over his obvious skill he could become one of the greatest of all-time.

 2) Philadelphia Flyers- Kyle Turris- C

Kyle Turris is a groundbreaking player, deciding to play for the Burnaby Express of the BCHL (British Columbia Hockey League) rather than play Canadian Junior, Turris has had his playmaking ability compared to Joe Sakic one of the all time greats. There were rumours that if the Flyers had won the #1 pick they would take Turris but with the #2 they're surely to take him.

3) Phoenix Coyotes- James VanRiemsdyk- LW

VanRiemsdyk has great size as a 6-3 190 lbs. winger who led his USA U-18 team in points this season with 63 but to go along with his size he also has fantastic speed and a killer offensive ability. If he really uses his size to his advantage he could become another great power forward.

4) Los Angeles Kings- Alexei Cherepanov- RW

Cherepanov may have had the chance to go first overall if it wasnt for the fact the NHL and Russia have no agreement for sending players over but Cherepanov still has the skill to be a great NHL player and showed that in the WJC where he scored 8 points in 6 games. Cherepanov also scored 29 points in 47 Russian Super League games which is more than Ovechkin, Kovalchuk, and Malkin all had as a freshman, his 18 goals were also more than Pavel Bure had as a rookie.

5) Washington Capitals- Jakub Voracek- RW

Ranked #1 by the ISS, Voracek has some serious skill there he managed 86 points in his rookie season with the Halifax Mooseheads. Voracek has one of the hardest shots in the top 5 and is looked at as a solid player who should have no problem evenutally making an NHL roster, whether or not its as a 1st liner or a 3-4 liner he should eventually make it, thanks to his passion for the game and how hard he is always working hes a guy you want on your team.

6) Edmonton Oilers- Sam Gagner- C

Sam Gagner (son of ex-NHLer Dave Gagner) is another of the playmaking breed along with Turris. Gagner managed 118 points in his rookie season in the OHL, but 81 of those being assists. Hes a very skilled skater and is great at moving the puck around for his team to get a shot on goal. Unfortunetly Gagner was unable to register a single point in the WJC but the fact that he made the team over the likes of Esposito, and Tavares did enough for him.

7) Columbus Blue Jackets- Karl Alzner- D

Alzner is a exactly what every team needs and thats a defensive defenceman. Hes not going to put up 60-70 points a season but he will be a plus player, he'll be the guy you put out in the last minutes of game 7 in the stanley cup final to make sure you dont give up a goal. With a 6-2 206 lbs body and should be able to add to the weight Alzner is a safe bet to be a good reliable NHL defenceman. Not only that but he is a complete workhorse who averages 30 minutes a game now in the WHL, he's goin places fast.

8) Boston Bruins- Logan Couture- C

Many have said Couture could have gone #1 in '05 if Tavares hadnt been granted exceptional player status. But he did fall to #12 because of rumours saying he would not report to his team. His point totals have not been that of a #1 pick that is for sure when he scored just 76 poinnts although in just 54 games. He needs to work on some technical skills before he has a chance to become a real impact player but hes a guy whos doing well, he hasnt shown anything spectacular but hes still a very skilled player.

9) St. Louis Blues- Angelo Esposito- C

 The player expected to be a #1 pick this year has fallen thanks to scoring 19 points less in 3 more games this season for the Quebec Remparts and then being cut from the Canadian WJ team which he had almost made as a 16 year old. But because of his obvious skill he may turn out to have the skill of that #1 pick but because of an offseason we've seen him fall to #9. Its unfortunate for Esposito to see his stock fall and toss him almost out of the top 10.

10) Florida Panthers- Maxim Mayorov- LW

Mayorov is a very flashy player who looks forward to making his opposition look bad. He has plent of tricks up his sleeve. He has been compared to Nashville young russian Alex Radulov. He has the potential to be a first line big time scorer if he can develop and use his 6-2 186 lbs. body more to his advantage.

11) Carolina Hurricanes- Keaton Ellerby- D

Ellerby has been compared to another big name first round defenceman named Jay Bouwmeester. Ellerby whos a huge 6-4 186 lbs. defenceman but has had serious trouble scoring, he managed 25 points this season but in his previous 2 season he scored 9 points in 128 games played. Ellerby did win the CHL's Hardest Shot at the Prospects game which gives many teams hope that he could become a not only good defensive defenceman but also a good offensive defenceman.

12) Montreal Canadiens- Zach Hamill- C

Hamill is a complete surprise to me, he led the WHL in scoring with 93 points (the least ever by a WHL scoring champion). He has been compared to the Daniel Briere because of his great playmaking abiliby and how he is able to create scoring oppotunities so willingly and yet because he's not the greatest skater and is 5-10 180 lbs. he will not even be picked in the top 10. Hes bigger than Kane but is not up to that calibur yet but in the new NHL maybe players like Hamill will become more and more valuable.

13) Toronto Maple Leafs- COlton Gillies- C

Gillies is not the scorer the Saskatoon Blades wanted scoring just 13 goals this season but he has fantastic speed and should be able to generate opportunities in the NHL because of that. Also if he works on his offensive skills. Also being 6-3 and 189 lbs. hes a rock solid player who isnt afraid to punish players. He'll play everywhere for you.

14) Colorado Avalanche- Nick Petricki- D

Petricki was picked in the first round of the OHL draft by the Plymouth Whalers but decided to play for the Omaha Lancers of the USHL instead. Being 6-3 and 213 lbs. Petricki is looked at as already being NHL size. It has also been pondered that had Petricki gone to the OHL he would be looked at as possible being a much higher pick. Hes a great 2-way talent and will be great at both ends of the ice for whatever team he plays for.

15) Edmonton Oilers- Alex Plante- D

Plante is not the most offensive defenseman but he plays a very well rounded style. Hes not the most spectacular in any one particular area but he gets the job done as ugly as it may appear. He appears to be a player who will be a character defenseman who will be out in key situations and isnt afraid to get his nose dirty with his huge 6-3 225 lbs frame you better watch out when hes coming at you.

16) Anaheim Ducks- Trevor Cann- G

Cann became the starting goalie for the Peterburough Petes this season after David Shantz graduated. Cann also won gold with the Canadian U-18 team as the starter. Although the Petes season did not go as well as they'd hoped Cann managed 23-32-1 record with 4 shutouts. Cann also has great size in the net and is great with his angles.

17) New York Rangers- Jonathon Blum- D

Blum isnt the biggest defenceman but he's great with the puck. Blum is a little more risky than the likes of Plante and Petricki but if he can add some weight to his current 160 lbs he may have a better chance of becoming a good NHL player. Right now its hard to say whether Blum is going to become and NHLer or not but the potential is there its just whether or not he can find it.

18) Calgary Flames- Oscar Moller- RW

Moller showed fantastic abilitly on a very poor Chilliwack Bruins team. Moller manahed 69 points in 68 games as a rookie. Moller plays well on both sides of the ice and knows what to do when hes out on the ice. There are questions about his skating and skooting abilities, those are things he needs to be able to improve at  if he wants to become an impact player in the NHL.

19) Minnesota Wild- Joakim Andersson- C

Andersson is not expected to be a prolific scorer but is expected to be a skilled defensive forward. Hes not the fastest nor does he have fantastic skill but his hockey sence is one of the greatest, he understands the game and is very smart. He wont cost you bad goals but want teams want to see from him is to have a well rounded game style.

20) Pittsburgh Penguins- Brett MacLean- LW

MacLean played alongside stud OHL scorer John Tavares which made some teams question his 100 point season. Yet he was still able to score 47 times thats something a player does manly from his own skill. His skating does like something to be desired but theres no doubt, this kid knows how to put the puck in the net and move it around.

21) Phoenix Coyotes- Mike Hoeffel- LW

Hoeffel missed most of this season with a knee injury  but still scored 23 points in 44 games with the USA U-18 team. Hoeffel is set to go to the U of Minnesota next year. Hoeffel is not expected to be a big scorer but hes a great skater but there are questions about his general hockey sense and that scares some teams. Hoeffel will be a definate roll playing forward but hopfully he'll begin to understand the game a little better.

22) Montreal Canadiens- Thomas Hickey- D

Hickey is a very smooth skater who moves the puck up well. One problem is his size (5-10 182 lbs.) There are alot of similar defenceman in the early rounds but his offensive abilitly is something others are not quite as developed at. Hickey scored 50 points this season with the Seattle Thunderbirds and thats something thats always nice to see from a defenceman.

23) Philadelphia Flyers- Brandon Sutter- C

Sutter (son of ex-NHLer Brent Sutter, also his coach at Red Deer) whos a big kid at 6-2 170 lbs. is a great physical player but his offensive abilitly is something that needs work. Managing only 57 points in 71 games this season his offensive output is something that needs to be looked at. But defensively Brandon is great and isnt afraid to knock guys around to get the puck. If he can show more offensive abilitly he'llbe a great 2-way talent to have.

24) St.Louis Blues- Kevin Shattenkirk- D

 Shattenkirk is known for his leadership as he was the captain of the USA U-18 team. Hes a good offensive defenseman and is perfect for the new NHL. At 5-11 190 lbs. Shattenkirk isnt big but he isnt small either. He attacks loose pucks and is a great competitor. Hes a truly solid defenseman.

25) Vancouver Canucks- Dana Tyrell- C

Tyrell isnt the most skilled forward but he has fantastic leadership qualities. He did manage to score 56 points for a poor Prince George team. He's a very competitive player and thats something that could transform him into a great player in the NHL.

26) St. Louis Blues- David Perron- RW

Perron has great offensive skill and is great at stickhandling and is very quick. He isn't very strong and thats something he needs to work at so he wont be physically overpowered in the next level. Perron has the offensive skill to play in the new NHL but he does need to work some more on his physical strenght.

27) TBD

28) Washington Capitals

29) TBD

30) TBD