Former NHL coach, assistant GM and scout Pierre McGuire and former NHL GM Craig Button unveil their mock versions of the first round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
| No. |
Team |
McGuire |
Button |
| 1. |
Islanders |
John Tavares |
Victor Hedman |
|
McGuire: "He knows how to change the flow of the game and can break the game open. They also need an image and a new building. Tavares is their guy." Button: "If you're in the Eastern Conference, you need a guy who can control forwards like Ovechkin, Malkin, Crosby and Eric Staal."
|
| 2. |
Lightning |
Victor Hedman |
John Tavares |
|
McGuire: "Hedman's got the offence and the skating and is growing into his 6-6 frame." Button: "Tavares can finish well and can work well with Tavares and Lecavalier in Tampa."
|
| 3. |
Avalanche |
Matt Duchene |
Matt Duchene |
|
McGuire: "He's the Bryan Trottier of this draft. Duchene and Paul Stastny could get along great in Denver."
|
| 4. |
Thrashers |
Evander Kane |
Evander Kane |
|
McGuire: "He's awesome on the boards, knows how to win and was well-coached with the Vancouver Giants."
|
| 5. |
Kings |
Brayden Schenn |
M. Paajarvi-Svensson |
|
McGuire: "Schenn will bring smashmouth hockey with Dustin Brown. If you want to win in L.A., you'll need a player like Schenn who's a leader and can win along the boards." Button: "Svensson reminds me of John Tonelli. He'll get to the net and make a difference for the Kings."
|
| 6. |
Coyotes |
O. Ekman-Larsson |
Jared Cowen |
|
McGuire: "He's got skills, he's got smarts and he can play the game very well." Button: "Cowan reminds me of Robyn Regehr and with a Memorial Cup championship, he knows how to win."
|
| 7. |
Maple Leafs |
Jared Cowen |
Brayden Schenn |
|
McGuire: "Brian Burke loves smashmouth defencemen and this guy fits the bill." Button: "Schenn reminds me of Mike Richards - a guy who provides a offence and can play any situations in a game."
|
| 8. |
Stars |
M. Paajarvi-Svensson |
Jacob Josefson |
|
McGuire: "He's a younger Jere Lehtinen - he gets it offensively, works well in his own end and is strong as a house." Button: "A bit of a surprise, but I see a bit of Jordan Staal in him with more offensive upside."
|
| 9. |
Senators |
Nazem Kadri |
O. Ekman-Larsson |
|
McGuire: "The Sens need quick-strike offence - especially if they have to move Dany Heatley." Button: "Sergei Zubov comes to my mind when talking about this defenceman - one of the smoothest players in the draft."
|
| 10. |
Oilers |
Scott Glennie |
Scott Glennie |
|
McGuire: "He's a great player, but the injury to his elbow doesn't help." Button: "Think of David Backes in St. Louis - just a big strong presence who can score and play nasty."
|
| 11. |
Predators |
Jordan Schroeder |
Chris Kreider |
|
McGuire: "Nashville loves American players and Schroeder is the perfect fit." Button: "Kreider will one day compliment first-rounder Colin Wilson perfectly."
|
| 12. |
Wild |
Ryan Ellis |
Nazem Kadri |
|
McGuire: "Ellis and the Wild are a match made in heaven." Button: "He's a great player and I think he has great potential."
|
| 13. |
Sabres |
Zach Kassian |
Dmitry Kulikov |
|
McGuire: "The Sabres need smashmouth presence and Kassian brings that with plenty of size." Button: "He's a complete player at both ends of the rink - offensively and defensively."
|
| 14. |
Panthers |
John Moore |
Zach Kassian |
|
McGuire: "There is no better skater on defence and Moore brings mobility to the blueline." Button: "Kassian reminds me a bit of Mike Knuble."
|
| 15. |
Ducks |
David Rundblad |
David Rundblad |
|
McGuire: "It's the perfect fit - he's about a year away from being NHL-ready." Button: "He reminds me of another solid guy - Fredrik Olausson."
|
| 16. |
Blue Jackets |
Dmitry Kulikov |
John Moore |
|
McGuire: "They need some offence from the back end in Columbus." Button: "He's a quick skater that loves to get into the attack."
|
| 17. |
Blues |
Jacob Josefson |
Jordan Schroeder |
|
McGuire: "Blues scout Jarmo Kekalainen knows Swedish talent as well as anybody." Button: "He's a dynamic player that the Blues would like to put alongside Patrick Berglund."
|
| 18. |
Canadiens |
Louis Leblanc |
Jordan Caron |
|
McGuire: "He's hometown presence - right from Kirkland on the West Island. He's got great skill and presence." Button: "The Canadiens go for the hometown one here - he reminds me of John LeClair."
|
| 19. |
Rangers |
Tim Erixon |
Ryan Ellis |
|
McGuire: "He's the hardest charger in the draft and his father Jan played there." Button: "He an exciting player and Glen Sather loves these types of guys."
|
| 20. |
Flames |
Dylan Olsen |
Dylan Olsen |
|
McGuire: "I agree with Craig - the hometown kid is a perfect fit." Button: "It fits well - the Calgary kid going right to the Flames."
|
| 21. |
Flyers |
Drew Shore |
Tim Erixon |
|
McGuire: "He's got hockey sense, game saavy and understands the sport." Button: "I think he's an excellent player - reminds me of Mattias Ohlund."
|
| 22. |
Canucks |
Stefan Elliott |
Carter Ashton |
|
McGuire: "The Canucks will be looking for some depth on defence - he fancies himself as a version of Mike Green." Button: "Think of David Booth of the Florida Panthers - good on the boards and a good finisher."
|
| 23. |
Devils |
Chris Kreider |
Louis Leblanc |
|
McGuire: "The Devils love the college kids and Kreider's going to Boston next season." Button: "He's a complete player - and going to Harvard to develop doesn't scare me one bit."
|
| 24. |
Capitals |
Landon Ferraro |
Dmitri Orlov |
|
McGuire: "Ray's son is a pure sniper and Washington loves skilled players." Button: "A great fit with fellow Russians Ovechkin and Semin."
|
| 25. |
Bruins |
Calvin De Haan |
Nick Leddy |
|
Button: "He's a real dynamic player - the type of player they need in Boston to get the puck up to the forwards."
|
| 26. |
Islanders (SJ-OTT) |
Jeremy Morin |
Calvin De Haan |
|
McGuire: "I played with Jeremy's father and he has a lot of his hockey skills." Button: "De Haan reminds me of Jordan Leopold in Calgary."
|
| 27. |
Hurricanes |
Carter Ashton |
Landon Ferraro |
|
Button: "He's a great pick for Carolina and just needs to physically mature."
|
| 28. |
Blackhawks |
Jordan Caron |
Drew Shore |
|
McGuire: "The Blackhawks have had a lot of success going into the province of Quebec and Caron should follow suit." Button: "Shore is a great skater and a great fit in Chicago."
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| 29. |
Red Wings |
Peter Holland |
Carl Klingberg |
|
McGuire: "Holland's skill level is the perfect fit for the Red Wings." Button: "A big, strong rugged winger - a great fit in the Motor City."
|
| 30. |
Penguins |
Simon Despres |
Jeremy Morin |
|
McGuire: "He's been an underachiever in junior, but his size and speed have much potential." Button: "He's a great finisher, and no better way than to finish with the 2009 champions."
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