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Tavares to the Isles
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OHL's prospect tops Mock Draft board
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The New York Islanders will, in all probability, make their first No. 1 overall selection in the NHL entry draft since 2000 on Friday evening, but they are keeping their cards very closely to their vest. Nine years ago, they made goaltender Rick DiPietro the first pick overall. The only certainty this time around is that the Isles will not take another goalie with the first pick. However, will it be scoring sensation John Tavares, towering blueliner Victor Hedman or all-around center Matt Duchene?
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1. New York Islanders: John Tavares, C, London Knights (OHL)
The Isles can't go wrong with either Tavares or Hedman, but take the sniper with greater star appeal.
2. Tampa Bay Lightning: Victor Hedman, D, MoDo Hockey (Swedish Elitserien)
If the Isles take Hedman, Tampa Bay may deal out of No. 2 in their quest for a blueliner.
3. Colorado Avalanche: Matt Duchene, C, Brampton Battalion (OHL)
The consensus No. 3 pick is an ideal heir apparent for Colorado captain Joe Sakic--sooner or later.
4. Atlanta Thrashers: Brayden Schenn, C, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
If the Thrashers don't trade out of No. 4, they'll have to choose between Schenn and Evander Kane.
5. Los Angeles Kings: Evander Kane, C, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
The Kings will either take Kane, Schenn, Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson or trade down. Toronto could move up.
6. Phoenix Coyotes: Jared Cowen, D, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
The Coyotes have a great stable of forwards but are lacking a physical presence like Cowen along the blueline.
7. Toronto Maple Leafs: Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson, LW, Timra IK (Swedish Elitserien)
There could be a deal in the works here, since the Maple Leafs covet Tavares and Schenn.
8. Dallas Stars: Dmitry Kulikov, D, Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
The Stars will in all likelihood take a defenseman here, so it'll either be Kulikov or Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
9. Ottawa Senators: Oliver Ekman-Larsson, D, Leksands IF (Swedish Elitserien)
Ottawa may choose a forward here but, if they go with the best player available, Ekman-Larsson is it.
10. Edmonton Oilers: Scott Glennie, RW, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
The Oilers could use more size and work ethic up front, so choosing Glennie looks like a no-brainer.
11. Nashville Predators: Jordan Schroeder, RW, University of Minnesota (WCHA)
The Predators need more offense, so Schroeder should be the perfect pick for the franchise at No. 11.
12. Minnesota Wild: Nick Leddy, D, Eden Prairie (Minnesota high school)
The Minnesota product is the preferred pick for the Wild, but they may trade down and pick him later.
13. Buffalo Sabres: Zack Kassian, RW, Peterborough Petes (OHL)
The Sabres lack size up front, so the addition of Kassian should be an ideal scenario for the club.
14. Florida Panthers: Nazem Kadri, C, London Knights (OHL)
The Panthers could look for a blueliner to replace Jay Bouwmeester eventually, or a capable scoring center.
15. Anaheim Ducks: Louis Leblanc, C, Omaha Lancers (USHL)
The Ducks need more secondary scoring, especially at center, so Leblanc could be a future fit in Anaheim.
16. Columbus Blue Jackets: John Moore, D, Chicago Steel (USHL)
The Jackets like their forward depth but will look for the best defenseman available at No. 16.
17. St. Louis Blues: Jacob Josefson, C, Djurgardens IF (Swedish Elitserien)
The Blues usually draft European or American talent for the future in the early going, so Josefson fits that criteria.
18. Montreal Canadiens: Jordan Caron, RW/C, Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)
The Canadiens will likely take Leblanc if he falls to No. 18, or they'll take a big forward like Caron.
19. New York Rangers: Jeremy Morin, LW/RW, USNTDP (under-18)
The Blueshirts need goals, so future Kitchener Ranger Morin is a nice fit as a future New York Ranger.
20. Calgary Flames: Landon Ferraro, RW, Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
Now that Brent Sutter has joined Calgary, Ferraro looks like a lock due to the Red Deer connection.
21. Philadelphia Flyers: Ryan Ellis, D, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Philly is looking at several defensemen with the No. 21 pick, but Ellis would be too good to pass up.
22. Vancouver Canucks: Carter Ashton, RW/LW, Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)
The Canucks could use offensive forwards with size, so Ashton looks like a perfect fit for them.
23. New Jersey Devils: David Rundblad, D, Skelleftea AIK (Swedish Elitserien)
The Devils need more puck-moving defensemen, so Rundblad would be an ideal selection at No. 23.
24. Washington Capitals: Zach Budish, RW, Edina (Minnesota high school)
While Washington has a ton of scoring up front, they don't have the type of power game Budish provides.
25. Boston Bruins: Chris Kreider, LW, Andover (Massachusetts high school)
Boston hasn't taken a local product in Round 1 in years, so Kreider may get them back to their roots.
26. New York Islanders (from San Jose via Ottawa): Calvin de Haan, D, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
After grabbing Tavares, the Isles may opt to select former Oshawa teammate de Haan with their second pick.
27. Carolina Hurricanes: Carl Klingberg, LW, Vastra Frolunda HC (Swedish Elitserien)
The Hurricanes are making no secret of the fact they want a power forward in Round 1. Klingberg fits.
28. Chicago Blackhawks: Simon Despres, D, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
The Blackhawks have a lot of offensive defensemen but could use a bigger, more rugged type like Despres.
29. Detroit Red Wings: Tim Erixon, D, Skelleftea AIK (Swedish Elitserien)
The Wings like Swedes, so why not grab the son of former NHLer Jan Erixon with the 29th pick?
30. Pittsburgh Penguins: Toni Rajala, LW/RW, Ilves Tampere (Finnish SM-Liiga)
The Stanley Cup champions could take a gamble on the diminutive Rajala's great offensive potential here.
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