I know we were discussing a future Kris Versteeg earlier, but I think this kid is as close as it comes. He's so solidly built for a little guy, possesses NHL-caliber acceleration, plays great defense- even blocks shots- and he LOVES to fight for position and pucks. Oh yeah, and he's got a wicked release.
With the 192nd overall selection, the Nashville Predators select;
from the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL, David Savard.
One of three nominees for the QMJHL's Best Defensive Defenseman (Kevin Lowe Trophy).
Good size at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds. Plays a physical game, with good positioning.
All-around defender with exceptional hockey sense. Can play in all situations.
Played a big role on the 1st pairing, while his team set a QMJHL record 2.16 GAA.
Finished 10th in scoring for defensemen in the Q, notching 9 goals and 35 assists.
Lead his team in plus/minus with a plus 29.
Stepped his game up in the playoffs. In 10 games he scored 5 goals and 5 assists, and was a plus 9.
with their last and final pick, the Philadelphia Flyers are happy to select a bit of a project player, and a guy who suffered because of of injury:
D Nico Manelius of JOKERIT JR. of the Finnish JR league.
He's a 5'11 guy who is sound positionally and loves to play the body. Him and Tommy Kvisto were a good pair in the U18's, where he played well in his 2 games there. He was slated as a 2nd or 3rd rounder at the start of the draft, but having a knee injury and not being able to move the puck as well as he could hurt his status. None the less, we like what we see in him, and having a guy who's good in his own zone is never a bad thing.
We'd also like Mr Bugg to comment on this pick, as we feel, he's the draft guru.
next GM will be PMed. (sorry about last time though Ottawa)
With the 200th pick in the NHL Entry Draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs select Jeremy Goodwin of the OJHL Hamilton Red Wings.
Not rated by Central Scouting, this 65, 220lb. blueliner put up 6-17-23 points and 42 PIMs in 53 games, but his presence behind his own blueline is his strength. Considered a stay-at-home defender, his enormous wingspan and mobility contribute to his ever active stick and make life difficult for attackers in his own zone. He possesses good poise with the puck and the vision to throw crisp stretch passes up ice to his forwards. Goodwin's rights are held by the Sudbury Wolves, but he has committed to Princeton University in 2010.
With the 203rd overall selection, the Nashville Predators select;
from the Missisauga St. Michael's Majors of the OHL, William Wallén.
Recovered from a serious brain aneurysm, and came back to score 11 goals and 11 assists in 30 games.
After being eliminated from the OHL playoffs, he joined the Swedish U18 team and racked up 8 points in 4 games.
He's small at only 5-foot-8 and 175 pounds, but he's not afraid to go into the tough areas of the ice.
Highly skilled with good vision and hockey sense. Exceptional passer with great hands.
A smallish forward with brilliant qualities as a hockey player.
Wallén is a decent skater and a great goal scorer with soft hands.
Shows great attitude on the ice and skates hard.
Always dangerous and creative with the puck.
Is among the most talented Swedish players born 1991.
With the 203rd overall selection, the Nashville Predators select;
from the Missisauga St. Michael's Majors of the OHL, William Wallén.
Awesome to see him go. Seems like a great kid with mounds of heart and talent who got dealt a terrible hand in the health department... he's got the potential to be a monster steal.
I really wanted to take him but already had too many smaller boom/bust types.
With their final pick in the 2009 Mock Entry Draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs select Gabriel Bourque from Baie-Comeau Drakkar of the QMJHL.
Undersized heart and soul, tenacious gritty player that has the potential to translate his offense to the next level. Project for now, but worth it at this stage of the draft. Helps that he's attending the Canadian WJC summer development camp.
