Speedshank
Registered User
Here's my prediction for the Top 10.
Chicago Blackhawks - Patrick Kane
It's a tough choice between Turris and Kane but Kane can make an immediate impact hopefully in the next couple of years where Turris will be a few more. Kane is a Robbie Shremp with wheels. Whats not to like. Maybe Kane can be the next Dennis Savard.
Philadelphia Flyers - James vanRiemsdyk
There's a lot of debate over the order of the top 6 but to me JVR is an obvious choice by Philly. They've been keeping an eye on JVR for awhile, even before he turned it on at the World U18. Philly can't ignore his size and speed. It's the Flyers way.
Phoenix Coyotes - Kyle Turris
Out of the Top 5 teams selecting, the Yotes are in the least rush to see their picks develop. That's what makes Turris a perfect selection, let him develop through the NCAA and wait and see in 3 or 4 years. Don Maloney has been quoting that the Yotes are going the Youth route.
Los Angeles Kings - Alexei Cherepanov
L.A have proven to be gamblers and this year will be no different with Cherepanov. I know he has a bad rap but the potential is off the charts. You simply can't ignore his rookie record in beating Bure's old mark. The Kings are probably in the best position to take the risk with the team they have. The Kings historically rely on signing and trading players than developing them.
Washington Capitals - Sam Gagner
Perhaps a little bit of shocker but the Caps will choose the player with the most character. The Caps are solid with prospects in D with Green and Schultz. It comes down to the best forwards left between Gagner and Voracek. Most of you will never agree that Voracek doesn't go in the top 3 but I'm predicting he's going to drop. Gagner has the skills and speed but most importantly he has proven leadership.
Edmonton Oilers - Jakub Voracek
The Oilers are going need time with this pick with Voracek available. The Oil will be tempted to draft the top defenseman available but Edmonton is going to continue with drafting forwards as oppose to defenseman. It's been a long time since the Oilers have drafted a defenseman with their No. 1. Why start now! Voracek is somewhat a safe bet and has the potential to be a top 6 forward.
Columbus Blue Jackets - Angelo Esposito
Despite the criticisms of Esposito, he still goes in the top 10. Again Columbus drafts what they need as oppose to picking the best defenseman in the draft. Columbus is deep on the blue line with Methot and Tollefsen playing well last year and of course Kris Russell not far behind. Columbus has drafted well over the last few years which is why they can take a chance on Esposito. You just can't ignore what he's capable of.
Boston Bruins - Karl Alzner
Finally Alzner gets selected 8th overall. Boston simply selects the best player available and believe me their ecstatic that Alzner was still there.
St. Louis Blues - Nick Petrecki
The Blues simply love his size and intensity. He may not be the next best defenseman available but he's probably the next best safe pick. The Blues have some depth on the blue line but I have a feeling their going to be moving some prospects this summer in order to get some immediate help up front. Petricki brings a physical presence that Blues couldn't ignore.
Florida Panthers - Zach Hamill
The Panthers go after the next best forward available in Hamil. It's really a crap shoot with the next 10 picks where there is very little to distinguish between players. The big surprise is where does Ellerby finish in the draft.
Chicago Blackhawks - Patrick Kane
It's a tough choice between Turris and Kane but Kane can make an immediate impact hopefully in the next couple of years where Turris will be a few more. Kane is a Robbie Shremp with wheels. Whats not to like. Maybe Kane can be the next Dennis Savard.
Philadelphia Flyers - James vanRiemsdyk
There's a lot of debate over the order of the top 6 but to me JVR is an obvious choice by Philly. They've been keeping an eye on JVR for awhile, even before he turned it on at the World U18. Philly can't ignore his size and speed. It's the Flyers way.
Phoenix Coyotes - Kyle Turris
Out of the Top 5 teams selecting, the Yotes are in the least rush to see their picks develop. That's what makes Turris a perfect selection, let him develop through the NCAA and wait and see in 3 or 4 years. Don Maloney has been quoting that the Yotes are going the Youth route.
Los Angeles Kings - Alexei Cherepanov
L.A have proven to be gamblers and this year will be no different with Cherepanov. I know he has a bad rap but the potential is off the charts. You simply can't ignore his rookie record in beating Bure's old mark. The Kings are probably in the best position to take the risk with the team they have. The Kings historically rely on signing and trading players than developing them.
Washington Capitals - Sam Gagner
Perhaps a little bit of shocker but the Caps will choose the player with the most character. The Caps are solid with prospects in D with Green and Schultz. It comes down to the best forwards left between Gagner and Voracek. Most of you will never agree that Voracek doesn't go in the top 3 but I'm predicting he's going to drop. Gagner has the skills and speed but most importantly he has proven leadership.
Edmonton Oilers - Jakub Voracek
The Oilers are going need time with this pick with Voracek available. The Oil will be tempted to draft the top defenseman available but Edmonton is going to continue with drafting forwards as oppose to defenseman. It's been a long time since the Oilers have drafted a defenseman with their No. 1. Why start now! Voracek is somewhat a safe bet and has the potential to be a top 6 forward.
Columbus Blue Jackets - Angelo Esposito
Despite the criticisms of Esposito, he still goes in the top 10. Again Columbus drafts what they need as oppose to picking the best defenseman in the draft. Columbus is deep on the blue line with Methot and Tollefsen playing well last year and of course Kris Russell not far behind. Columbus has drafted well over the last few years which is why they can take a chance on Esposito. You just can't ignore what he's capable of.
Boston Bruins - Karl Alzner
Finally Alzner gets selected 8th overall. Boston simply selects the best player available and believe me their ecstatic that Alzner was still there.
St. Louis Blues - Nick Petrecki
The Blues simply love his size and intensity. He may not be the next best defenseman available but he's probably the next best safe pick. The Blues have some depth on the blue line but I have a feeling their going to be moving some prospects this summer in order to get some immediate help up front. Petricki brings a physical presence that Blues couldn't ignore.
Florida Panthers - Zach Hamill
The Panthers go after the next best forward available in Hamil. It's really a crap shoot with the next 10 picks where there is very little to distinguish between players. The big surprise is where does Ellerby finish in the draft.
