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2009 NHL Entry Draft Results

Round 1

1. John Tavares, C – New York Islanders. London Knights, Ontario Hockey League
2. Victor Hedman, D – Tampa Bay Lightning. Modo Hockey, Elitserien
3. Matt Duchene, C – Colorado Avalanche. Brampton Battalion, Ontario Hockey League
4. Evander Kane, C – Atlanta Thrashers. Vancouver Giants, Western Hockey League
5. Brayden Schenn, C – Los Angeles Kings. Brandon Wheat Kings, Western Hockey League
6. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, D – Phoenix Coyotes. Leksands IF, HockeyAllsvenskan
7. Nazem Kadri, C – Toronto Maple Leafs. London Knights, Ontario Hockey League
8. Scott Glennie, RW – Dallas Stars. Brandon Wheat Kings, Western Hockey League
9. Jared Cowen, D – Ottawa Senators. Spokane Chiefs, Western Hockey League
10. Magnus Pääjärvi-Svensson, LW – Edmonton Oilers. Timrå IK, Elitserien
11. Ryan Ellis, D – Nashville Predators. Windsor Spitfires, Ontario Hockey League
12. Calvin de Haan, D – New York Islanders. Oshawa Generals, Ontario Hockey League
13. Zack Kassian, RW – Buffalo Sabres. Peterborough Petes, Ontario Hockey League
14. Dmitri Kulikov, D – Florida Panthers. Drummondville Voltigeurs, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
15. Peter Holland, C – Anaheim Ducks. Guelph Storm, Ontario Hockey League
16. Nick Leddy, D – Minnesota Wild. Eden Prairie High School, United States High School
17. David Rundblad, D – St. Louis Blues. Skellefteå AIK, Elitserien
18. Louis Leblanc, C – Montreal Canadiens. Omaha Lancers, United States Hockey League
19. Chris Kreider, C – New York Rangers. Phillips Andover Academy, United States High School
20. Jacob Josefson, C – New Jersey Devils. Djurgårdens IF, Elitserien
21. John Moore, D – Columbus Blue Jackets. Chicago Steel, United States Hockey League
22. Jordan Schroeder, C – Vancouver Canucks. Minnesota Golden Gophers, Western Collegiate Hockey Association
23. Tim Erixon, D – Calgary Flames. Skellefteå AIK, Elitserien
24. Marcus Johansson, C – Washington Capitals. Färjestads BK, Elitserien
25. Jordan Caron, RW – Boston Bruins. Rimouski Océanic, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
26. Kyle Palmieri, C/RW – Anaheim Ducks. U.S. National U18 Team, National Team Development Program
27. Philippe Paradis, C – Carolina Hurricanes. Shawinigan Cataractes, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
28. Dylan Olsen, D – Chicago Blackhawks. Camrose Kodiaks, Alberta Junior Hockey League
29. Carter Ashton, RW – Tampa Bay Lightning. Lethbridge Hurricanes, Western Hockey League
30. Simon Despres, D – Pittsburgh Penguins. Saint John Sea Dogs, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

Read more…

This reflects what I believe will happen, not so much a matter of who the most talented is or who belongs with which team.  Purely for entertainment purposes only.

So, without further ado….

1. New York Islanders: John Tavares, London Knights. They’re not going to trade down.  They’re not going to surprise us with Evander Kane or Matt Duchene.  Garth Snow isn’t Mike Milbury, and he’s not going to give up the sure thing on the risk that someone else could be best.  Frankly, if he chooses Evander Kane, he loses his job before the end of the season.
2. Tampa Bay Lightning: Victor Hedman, Modo. Brian Lawton, unable to pick himself first overall again, decides to go after the mature, puck moving defenseman who can hurt you in any way he chooses.  He’s a keeper.
3. Colorado Avalanche: Matt Duchene, Brampton Battalion. Blah blah blah Joe Sakic, blah blah blah leadership.  There’s no reason they don’t pick Duchene here.
4. Atlanta Thrashers: Brayden Schenn, Brandon Wheat Kings. Atlanta will pick him here, bring him in during 2009-10, and then continue to crush his spirit until he wants out.
5. Los Angeles Kings: Nazem Kadri, London Knights. I expect this pick to be moved, frankly – but I’m not going to speculate every possibility.  That’s silly.  If Dallas moves up, they try to get Jared Cowen.  If Ottawa moves up, they take Evander Kane.  If the Sabres move up, they take Taro Tsujimoto Jr.
6. Phoenix Coyotes: Jared Cowen, Spokane Chiefs. The best talent avilable at number 6, Phoenix picks a defenseman who could join the team within 2 years as they finally assert themselves for a playoff spot.
7. Toronto Maple Leafs: Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Leksand IF. Toronto doesn’t really pick here.  This is really a talent placeholder because this pick gets traded to some defense-hungry Swede lovers that aren’t the Detroit Red Wings.  Maybe Vancouver?
8. Dallas Stars: Evander Kane, Vancouver Giants. Holy crap, Evander Kane is still on the board?  Take him!
9. Ottawa Senators: Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson, Timra IK. Unless they work out a way to grab either Evander Kane or Nazem Kadri, they’re just going to take the best name on the board.  That name just happens to be really long with multiple double-letters.
10. Edmonton Oilers: Ryan Ellis, Windsor Spitfires. How this pick has survived Kevin Lowe’s GM tenure is beyond me.  It did, so Edmonton takes a defensive quarterback that recently added Memorial Cup champion to his resume. Read more…

From upperdeck.com:

Excitement Stirs for Upper Deck Events During NHL All-Star Weekend in Montreal

Three NHL up-and-comers to sign free autographs at company’s booth!

North Las Vegas, NV (January 15, 2009)– Just like in years past, Upper Deck’s presence will be felt in many phases of the fast-approaching 2009 NHL All-Star Game festivities in Montreal next week. Besides serving as co-sponsor of the NHL All-Star Trading Card and Memorabilia Show, Upper Deck is once again happy to present the annual NHL YoungStars Game, which will be held on Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Bell Centre. The actual NHL All-Star Game, which will be celebrating the centennial season of the Montreal Canadiens, will be held on Sunday, Jan. 25.

The Trading Card and Memorabilia Show takes place as part of the Lay’s NHL All-Star Jamboree across the street from Montreal’s Bell Centre and Windsor Station. Tickets to the NHL All-Star Jamboree will be $10 apiece and show hours will be from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on both Thursday, Jan. 22, and Friday, Jan. 23, and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24. Read more…

Taken in full from itgtradingcards.com:

2008-09 Superlative™ Bleu Blanc et Rouge™

History of the Bleu Blanc et Rouge

The franchise was granted to J. Ambrose O’Brien in 1909 and it was one of the four teams that formed the National Hockey League in 1917. The team was officially named Le Club athlétique canadien in 1911 and was composed entirely of francophone players until the 1912-13 season. Led by Newsy Lalonde, Jack Laviolette and goalie Georges Vezina, the Canadiens won their first Stanley Cup in 1915-16.

The team established its reputation for flair, speed and offensive power personified by Howie Morenz the most exciting player of the 1920s and 1930s.

The Canadiens won the Stanley Cup in 1923-24, 1929-30 and 1930-31, but not again until 1943-44 and 1945-46, when the explosive Maurice Richard, goalie Bill Durnan, Toe Blake and Elmer Lach led the team.

In 1955-56 the team began an era of success unmatched in the history of professional hockey. The team won 5 straight Stanley Cups to 1959-60, 4 out of 5 from 1964-65 to 1968-69, again in 1970-71 and 1972-73, and another 4 straight 1975-76 to 1978-79 – an amazing record of 15 Stanley Cups in 24 years.

Individual stars of the period include; Maurice Richard, Jacques Plante, Doug Harvey, Jean Beliveau, Bernie Geoffrion, Henri Richard, Ken Dryden, Larry Robinson, Guy Lapointe, Serge Savard and Guy Lafleur.

The Canadiens moved into the Montreal Forum in 1924 (rebuilt in 1968). Their new arena, the Molson Centre, opened in 1996.

Throughout their history the Canadiens have been a symbol of pride and excellence for the sporting public of Québec. The Canadiens won their 23rd Stanley Cup in the 1985-86 season, setting a new record for professional sports championships, and their 24th Cup in 1992-93. Read more…