The Heated Skates 2009 NHL draft preview. This is our full mock draft of the 1st round including the teams picking and a quick scouting report on each player. We’ve also included what NHL player the draft pick compares to in terms of style of play. We’re not saying that the pick will ever achieve the success of the NHL player listed but his game currently can be compared to that style of play. We feel our list will give you a quick and easy reference point / cheat sheet on draft day.

#1 - New York Islanders

Projected #1 Pick	Scouting Report	Compared To
John Tavares Center 6′0″/198lbs	Pure goal scorer blessed with both great hands and hockey sense. NHL ready.	Mike Bossy

 

#2 - Tampa Bay Lightning

Projected #2 Pick	Scouting Report	Compared To
Victor Hedman Defense 6′6″/225lbs	Huge, physical defenseman. Smooth skater that’s great at both ends of the ice.	Chris Progner’s physical play / Niklas Lidstrom’s smooth puck handling

 

#3 - Colorado Avalanche

Projected #3 Pick	Scouting Report	Compared To
Matt Duchene Center 5′11″/190lbs	Soft hands, great skater, quick release. Well rounded player at both ends.	Joe Sakic

 

#4 - Atlanta Thrashers

Projected #4 Pick	Scouting Report	Compared To
Evander Kane Center 6′0″/170lbs	Tough to play against, likes to battle and has goal-scoring instincts. Good shot, solid two way player.	Jarome Iginla

 

#5 - Los Angeles Kings

Projected #5 Pick	Scouting Report	Compared To
Magnus Svensson-Paajarvi - LW 6′1″/201lbs	Very spectacular speed, gifted playmaker, very dangerous 1-on-1. Needs to work on defensive game.	Peter Forsberg

 

#6 - Phoenix Coyotes

Projected #6 Pick	Scouting Report	Compared To
Jared Cowen Defense 6′5″/215lbs	Big, mobile defenseman who is great in his own end. Has offensive potential. Season cut short in Feb. with a knee injury.	Brayden Coburn / Robyn Regehr

 

#7 - Toronto Maple Leafs

Projected #7 Pick	Scouting Report	Compared To
Brayden Schenn Center 6′0″/195lbs	Tough, physical two-way forward. Good wrist shot and has leadership qualities. Luke Schenn’s brother.	Mike Richards

 

#8 - Dallas Stars

Projected #8 Pick	Scouting Report	Compared To
Dmitry Kulikov Defense 6′1″/195lbs	Talented puck moving defenseman. Effortless skater, confident player with excellent hockey sense. Powerplay QB.	Sergei Zubov

 

#9 - Ottawa Senators

Projected #9 Pick	Scouting Report	Compared To
Oliver Ekman-Larsson Defense 6′2″/176lbs	Great skater with good hands and a hard shot. Had a great year and quickly rose up the board throughout the year.	Niklas Kronwall

 

#10 - Edmonton Oilers

Projected #10 Pick	Scouting Report	Compared To
Nazem Kadri Center 6′0″/175lbs	A creative playmaker who puts up big points and sees the ice well. Sometimes tries to be too fancy.	Marc Savard

 

#11 - Nashville Predators

Projected #11 Pick	Scouting Report	Compared To
Jordan Schroeder Right Wing 5′9″/180lbs	What he lacks in size he makes up with his skating, intelligence and soft hands.	Paul Kariya

 

#12 - Minnesota Wild

Projected #12 Pick	Scouting Report	Compared To
Jacob Josefson Center 6′0″/187bs	Strong with the puck, reads the play well, good two-way player, doesn’t shy away from contact.	Brad Richards

 

#13 - Buffalo Sabres

Projected #13 Pick	Scouting Report	Compared To
Ryan Ellis Defense 5′9″/183lbs	Offensive defenseman. Smart, good passer, natural powerplay QB. Size and defensive play is an issue.	Dan Boyle

 

#14 - Florida Panthers

Projected #14 Pick	Scouting Report	Compared To
John Moore Defense 6′2″/180lbs	Great skater, excellent puck skills, can play physical game. Boom or bust type of a pick.	A lesser defensively Duncan Keith

 

#15 - Anaheim Ducks

Projected #15 Pick	Scouting Report	Compared To
Simon Despres Defense 6′3″/208lbs	Good all-around defenseman, solid skater, decent puck handler, keeps things simple. Needs to play with more confidence.	Better skating Eric Brewer

 

#16 - Columbus Blue Jackets

Projected #16 Pick	Scouting Report	Compared To
Scott Glennie Center 6′1″/208lbs	Speedy offensive forward that’s always a threat to score.	Jeff Carter Geoff Sanderson

 

#17 - St. Louis Blues

Projected #17 Pick	Scouting Report	Compared To
Peter Holland Center 6′2″/190lbs	Power forward, can camp out in front of the net, very responsible defensively	Jason Arnott

 

#18 - Montreal Canadiens

Projected #18 Pick	Scouting Report	Compared To
Louis Leblanc Center 6′0″/178lbs	Speedy offensive forward with good hands and good hockey vision.	Patrick Marleau

 

#19 - New York Rangers

Projected #19 Pick	Scouting Report	Compared To
David Rundblad Defense 6′2″/190lbs	Smooth skater, very good puck-moving defenseman. Loves to go coast-to-coast with the puck.	Mark Streit

 

#20 - Calgary Flames

Projected #20 Pick	Scouting Report	Compared To
Zack Kassian Right Wing 6′3″/205lbs	Big power forward, one of the toughest players in the draft. Needs to work on skating and discipline.	Milan Lucic

 

#21 - Philadelphia Flyers

 

#22 - Vancouver Canucks

 

#23 - New Jersey Devils

 

#24 - Washington Capitals

 

#25 - Boston Bruins

 

#26 - New York Islanders

Projected #26 Pick	Scouting Report	Compared To
Nick Leddy Defense 5′11″/185lbs	Fast skater, good playmaking d-man. Sees the ice well and makes smart plays.	Brian Rafalski

 

#27 - Carolina Hurricanes

Projected #27 Pick	Scouting Report	Compared To
Stefan Elliot Defense 6′1″/180lbs	Good all around defenseman, can lead the rush and plays solid defense. Good vision.	Tomas Kaberle

 

#28 - Chicago Blackhawks

Projected #28 Pick	Scouting Report	Compared To
Drew Shore Center 6′2″/190lbs	Solid playmaking center with good vision and size.	Patrick Marleau

 

#29 - Pittsburgh Penguins

Projected #29 Pick	Scouting Report	Compared To
Jordan Caron Center 6′2″/195lbs	Steady and dependable two-way player who works hard and gets his fair share of points. Has had injury troubles in the past.	Ryan Kesler

 

#30 - Detroit Red Wings

Projected #30 Pick	Scouting Report	Compared To
Ethan Werek Left Wing 6′2″/195lbs	Gritty power forward with good hands and ability to play in front of net. Needs to work on his discipline.	Ryan Smyth