OTWT NHL Mock Draft

It's draft time and here is OTWT mock NHL Draft. I think I get a couple right and a bunch wrong. 

1. Edmonton: Nail Yakupov, RW, Sarnia (OHL)

Filip Forsberg

2. Columbus: Filip Forsberg, RW, Sweden
3. Montreal: Alex Galchenyuk, Sarnia (OHL)
4. N.Y. Islanders: Ryan Murray, D, Everett (WHL)
5. Toronto: Mikhail Grigorenko, Quebec (QMJHL)
6. Anaheim: Matt Dumba, D, Red Deer (WHL)
7. Minnesota: Morgan Rielly, D, Moose Jaw (WHL)
8. Carolina: Radek Faksa, C, Kitchener (OHL)
9. Winnipeg: Griffin Reinhart, D, Edmonton (WHL)
10. Tampa Bay: Jacob Trouba, D, UNDP
11. Washington (from Colorado): Teuvo Teravainen, LW, Finland
12. Buffalo: Cody Ceci, D, Ottawa (OHL)
13. Dallas: Oli Maatta, D, Finland
14. Calgary: Hampus Lindholm, D, Sweden
15. Ottawa: Zemgus Girgensons, C, USHL
16. Washington: Derrick Pouliot, D, Portland (WHL)
17. San Jose: Sebastian Collberg, RW, Sweden
18. Chicago: Slater Koekkoek, D, Peterborough

Brady Skeji

19. Tampa Bay (from Detroit): Matthew Finn, D, Guelph (OHL)
20. Philadelphia: Brady Skeji, D, UNTDP
21. Buffalo (from Nashville): Malcom Subban, G, Belleville (OHL)
22. Pittsburgh: Thomas Wilson, RW, Guelph (OHL)
23. Florida: Thomas Herti, C, Czech
24. Boston: Brandon Gaunce, C, Belleville (OHL)
25. St. Louis: Stefan Matteau, Center, USHL
26. Vancouver: Michael Matheson, D, USHL
27. Phoenix: Tanner Pearson, LW, Berrie (OHL)
28. N.Y. Rangers: Phillip DiGiuseppe, RW, Michigan
29. New Jersey: Scott Laughton, C, Oshawa
30. Los Angeles (optional to Columbus): Ville Pokka, D, Fineland

The fast lane to the NHL Blueline

For year, people have talked about the amount of time that it takes for an young defensemen to develop into a good player, but several players from the 2008 NHL Draft are making a mockery that view.

This year several defensemen from that group are making major contributions around the league. Drew Doughty, Kings; Zach Bogosian, Thrashers; Luke Schenn, Maple Leafs (above); Tyler Myers, Sabres; Alex Pietrangelo, St. Louis and Michael Del Zotto, Rangers (right) have all made major contributions to their clubs. Luca Sbisa made a contribution last year to the Flyers but during the off season was traded to the Ducks and sent back to Lethbridge of the WHL. There are also a bunch of these young defensemen from the class in the AHL including Erik Karlsson, Ottawa.

While some of these defensemen were expected to do great things, Myers and Del Zotto were not expected to shine this quickly. Myers improved his reputation a ton last year with his performance at the World Junior Championships, while Del Zotto impressed during the training camp and has seen significate time on the Rangers first power play unit.

There are a couple of reasons that these defensemens have grown up quickly in the league. One of the major reasons is they are getting great training in the junior hockey. All of the kids that have made an impact on the back line have come from the Western Hockey League or the Ontario Hockey League. These leagues are almost run like professional programs allowing for the players to grow on and off the ice. Another major for the growth is the NHL salary cap. Teams can not afford veterans as their fourth and fifth defensemen, so they are turning to younger and cheaper talent to fill those voids.

Watching a young player growup is always fun. Sure there are going to ups and downs. With these defensemen its no different, but all of them look like they are going to be in the league for a long time.

The Steal of the 2008 NHL Draft

During the 2008 NHL Draft, Kelowna Rockets defenseman Tyler Myers had to wait till the 12th picks for his name to be called, but during the last years he might be developing into the steal of the draft for the Buffalo Sabres.

The six foot six inches defenseman is a tower of strength in his own end, but what surprises you is that he skates so well for a big man. During the World Junior Championships this year, we was a tower of strength on Canada's drive for their five straight title in the end. Then after he returned to the Rockets he was one of the driving force behind them making to the 2009 MasterCard Memorial Cup.

Myers showed his true class for the Rockets during their opening game 4-1 win over host Rimouski in the Memorial Cup last night. He scored a fantastic goal, and was a tower of power in the Rockets back line.

Every time a defense man stands that tall the comparisons to Chris Pronger start rolling in, but this might not be that far from the truth. Traditionally a man that stands that tall does not move this well, but that is one of Myers best skills.

Before the Memorial Cup started he signed the Sabres and come next year he might be showing people that he might be the best player to come out of last years draft class.