Draft Focus: The Top Three

June 22, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

In only four more days, we’ll finally know who will go first at Montreal in the much anticipated 2009 NHL Entry Draft. If the past few years since the lockout have lacked drama leading into the big day, that shouldn’t be the case this week when Garth Snow and the New York Islanders finally make the most important organizational decision moving forward in their rebuild.

So, who will it be? What we do know at this point is that it’s between three talented players who can all help starting next Fall. What the Islanders do could impact what the Lightning and Avalanche do.

Here’s a closer look at the three top rated prospects in a deep draft:

1.John Tavares

Last Junior Team: London Knights, OHL

Pos: Center

Ht: 6-0  Wt: 195

Shoots: Left

Born: Mississaugua, Ontario (CAN)

DOB: September 20, 1990

Hometown: Oakville, ON

Final Rk: 1

2008-09 Stats:  Oshawa/London 56 GP, 58-46-104, +10, 54 PIM

2008-09 Playoffs: London 14 GP, 10-11-21, -2, 8 PIM

*2009 WJC: 6 GP, 8-7-15, +7, 0 PIM, 5 PPG

*Named Tournament MVP

Video Profile:

2.Victor Hedman

Last Pro Team: Modo, Swedish Elite League

Pos: Defenseman

Ht: 6-6  Wt: 220

Shoots: Left

Born: Ornskoldsvik, SWE (Sweden)

DOB: December 18, 1990

Hometown: Ornskoldsvik, SWE

Final Rk: 2

2008-09 Stats: Modo SWE Jr. 2 GP, 0-2-2, 10 PIM, Modo SWE 43 GP, 7-14-21, +21, 52 PIM

2008-09 Playoffs: None

2009 WJC: 6 GP, 0-2-2, +4, 6 PIM, 19 SOG

Video Profile:

3.Matt Duchene

Last Junior Team: Brampton Battalion, OHL

Pos: Center

Ht: 5-11  Wt: 200

Shoots: Left

Born: Peterborough, Ontario (CAN)

DOB: January 16, 1991

Hometown: Haliburton, ON

Final Rk: 3

2008-09 Stats: Brampton 57 GP, 31-48-79, +32, 42 PIM

2008-09 Playoffs: Brampton 21 GP, 14-12-26, +1, 21 PIM

2009 WJC: DNP

Video Profile: Interestingly enough, Duchene’s the only one of the three to include comments from YouTubers with strong support. Is this a tell tale sign?

Recent No.1 Overall Picks (Since Lockout)

2005-Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins

2006-Erik Johnson, St. Louis Blues

2007-Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks

2008-Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning

Note: Prior to the lockout in 2004, Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin went 1-2 to the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins respectively.