NHL Draft: Go Time for GMs

By Jesse Liebman

Editorial. Photos by AP News

There's something to be said for the immense pressure that teenaged hockey players face while they work at achieving their dreams of becoming the next great NHL superstar. But there is an equal amount of pressure on an NHL team's scouting department on draft day. This year's edition of the NHL Entry Draft begins Friday at the Bell Centre in Montreal, and is regarded by many as the deepest draft in years.

Here's how the first five picks in the first round will likely pan out:

1) New York Islanders - John Tavares - C - 6'0", 195 lbs. - London Knights (OHL)

Every few years, some fresh-faced teen from Canada is anointed "The Next One." First it was Mario Lemeiux, then Eric Lindros, then Sidney Crosby. John Tavares is certainly no exception and his junior career resume fully warrants the title. Tavares benefited from an "exceptional player" clause that allowed him to step into the lineup of the "O's" Oshawa Generals three day's after his fifteenth birthday. Tavares is the OHL's all-time leading goal scorer with 215 goals in 247 games. He has all the tools that would enable him to immediately step onto an NHL team's opening night roster in the fall.

There are some who say the extended time spent in the OHL has made Tavares lazy. But that's not the case, according to his former coach, Chris DePiero. "His willingness to be the player he wants to be is there," DePiero says. "And to me that supersedes anything that could be perceived as a negative."

The recurring knock on Tavares is that he isn't the fastest skater. But then again, neither was Wayne Gretzky. With time, Tavares should mature into a bona-fide superstar for the Islanders.

And that's exactly what the Islanders need. Although GM Garth Snow has been glib on who his scouting staff plans on taking, it's clear Tavares is what the Islanders need. They currently play in the third-oldest building in the league, and years of poor management decisions have decimated the team's fan base. That can all change with Tavares.

With an already existing prospect core of Kyle Okposo, Blake Comeau and Jeff Tambellini, Tavares is the perfect prospect in this year's pool for the Islanders to build around if they hope to return to the glory days of Bossy, Potvin and Smith.

2) Tampa Bay Lightning - Victor Hedman - D - 6'6", 220 lbs. - Modo (Sweden)

There was a time when the hulking Hedman had warranted a look as a potential No. 1 selection. His world junior performance was solid, but Tavares simply elevated his game and outshone every prospect in the winter tournament. While he certainly has all the desireables that GM's look for in a first overall pick, the addition of Tavares to the draft pool means that Hedman will likely have to settle for second.

After selecting Steve Stamkos with the No. 1 pick last June and then going after every free agent forward on the open market, Hedman is a solid selection to anchor the Tampa Bay blueline.

With the news that Tampa's co-owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie are at odds with what to do with captain and franchise center Vincent Lecavalier, there also remains the scenario that the Lightning might be willing to trade down in the draft. Should the Lightning hold on to the pick, look for them to grab Hedman.

3) Colorado Avalanche - Matt Duchene - C - 5'11", 200 lbs. - Brampton Battalion (OHL)

A lot of talk has been made lately of Brampton's Matt Duchene, who has risen through the ranks in the past months. Duchene is described by many as most complete player in the draft.

Duchene tries to pattern his game after the game's biggest star, Sidney Crosby, but a more appropriate comparison may be Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk. Already boasting spectacular offensive skills, Duchene has also emerged as a fantastic penalty-killer. NHL Central Scouting's Chris Edwards notes that while Duchene's shot is impressive, his true asset is "his speed and ability to beat defensemen to the middle or outside."

With Joe Sakic's career winding down, it may be wise for Colorado management to grab Duchene to play with Paul Stastny. Of course, with the recent firing of Avalanche GM Francois Giguere, Colorado could also be in a position to make some moves at the draft.

4) Atlanta Thrashers - Evander Kane - C - 6'1", 176 lbs. - Vancouver Giants (WHL)

As Kane fills out his frame, he is projected to max out at approximately 200 lbs., and could even add another inch or two. That may be just the perfect combination for Kane, who has all the makings of a future power forward.

With Thrashers captain Ilya Kovalchuk scheduled to be headed for free agency after next year, the onus is on Atlanta GM Don Waddell to fill his roster with young talented players to entice his prized Russian sniper to stay. Kane may be a key piece to that puzzle .

5) L.A. Kings - Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson - LW - 6'1", 201 lbs. - Timra (Sweden)

If trying to stop the speedy Swede won't kill you, trying to pronounce his name might. Director of NHL Central Scouting E.J. McGuire had this to say about Paajarvi-Svensson: "Magnus perhaps is the stereotype of the skilled Swede coming over here in recent years – outside speed extraordinaire, ability to freeze defenders and make all his good moves work even more effectively."

Already boasting a cupboard of young roster players and prospects that includes Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown, Drew Doughty, Jack Johnson and Jonathan Bernier, Kings GM Dean Lombardi and his scouting staff will want to add Paajarvi-Svensson to play alongside Kopitar or center Brian Boyle in two to three years.