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The Hockey News' 2009 Draft Prospect Rankings

John Tavares was a beast at the WJC, scoring eight goals and 15 points in six games. (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)

2009-01-20 13:05:00

Let the countdown to the 2009 NHL Entry Draft begin.

With a little more than six months to go until the next wave of NHL futures are ushered into the spotlight when the hockey world descends in Montreal, it’s time to look at who the top prospects are.

We polled scouts from across the NHL on who they had ranked among the top prospects eligible for this summer’s selection process. In turn, we used a formula to amalgamate all the lists into one master ranking for you to analyze and debate.

As expected, London’s John Tavares tops the charts fresh off a tremendous showing at the World Junior Championship. Victor Hedman, Tavares’ running mate for the No. 1 slot, came in at No. 2 in convincing fashion.

The following rankings are based on best player available and not based on team needs.

THE HOCKEY NEWS 2009 NHL ENTRY DRAFT PROSPECT RANKINGS
RK.	PLAYER	TEAM	LEAGUE	POS.	HT.	WT.	THE BUZZ
1	John Tavares	London	OHL	C	6-foot	200	Impressive WJC and scoring prowess comparable to Brett Hull
2	Victor Hedman	Modo	SEL	D	6-foot-6	220	A physical specimen who will intimidate, especially if he develops a mean streak
3	Matt Duchene	Brampton	OHL	C	5-foot-11	196	Tons of speed and a great release; blowing away last season’s offensive totals
4	Magnus Svensson-Paajarvi	Timra	SEL	LW	6-foot-1	200	Powerful skater is a nightmare to knock off the puck, but needs to finish more often
5	Jared Cowen	Spokane	WHL	D	6-foot-5	218	A towering stay-at-home defender with plenty of experience for a junior player and a Memorial Cup ring
6	Evander Kane	Vancouver	WHL	C	6-foot-1	180	A powerful frame with lots of room to grow; has become an offensive force this season
7	Brayden Schenn	Brandon	WHL	C	6-foot	193	Excellent playmaker has a solid NHL frame to work with; brother Luke plays for the Leafs
8	Jordan Schroeder	Minnesota	WCHA	RW	5-foot-9	175	Small figure, but quick skating ability and soft hands translate well into “new NHL”
9	Jacob Josefson	Djugardens	SEL	C	6-foot	187	Well-rounded player who doesn't shy away from rough stuff; held scoreless at WJC
10	Simon Despres	Saint John	QMJHL	D	6-foot-4	214	An imposing figure, Despres will be looked upon more for his shutdown ability over his offensive prowess
11	Nazem Kadri	London	OHL	C	6-foot	180	Continues to improve rapidly since his rookie season; will benefit further from another long playoff run
12	Dmitri Kulikov	Drummond.	QMJHL	D	6-foot	190	One of the best offensive defenseman in the ‘Q’ this year; Kulikov is deadly on the power play
13	David Rundblad	Skelleftea	SEL	D	6-foot-2	189	Tough defender to deal with down low also possesses wicked offensive potential
14	John Moore	Chicago	USHL	D	6-foot-2	189	Committed to Colorado College, Moore has the complete package of skills, plus great size
15	Ryan Ellis	Windsor	OHL	D	5-foot-9	183	Undersized offensive wizard can do anything and everything from the point on the power play
16	Peter Holland	Guelph	OHL	C	6-foot-2	188	Hardworking student of the game skates well and is producing at a steady clip
17	Tim Erixon	Skelleftea	SEL	D	6-foot-2	189	Has ability to create offense from the backend; skates well for his size
18	Landon Ferraro	Red Deer	WHL	RW	5-foot-11	169	Fastest skater at CHL skills competition, father Ray was an NHLer; scoring prowess clearly inherited
19	Jeremy Morin	U.S NTDP	NAHL	C	6-foot-1	189	American phenom is a prodigious scorer who excels on the power play
20	Scott Glennie	Brandon	WHL	C	6-foot-1	180	A consistent scorer with the Wheat Kings, but can he do it without Schenn on his line?

Related Links

For a regular look at prospects and players we can't wait to see in the NHL some day, check out Rory Boylen's A Scout's Life and Ryan Kennedy's The Hot List.

For more great profiles, news and views from the world of hockey, Subscribe to The Hockey News magazine.

COMMENTS (35)

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Andrew Posted
(2009-04-30 08:20:15)

I'm surprised Eckman-Larson isn't on the list. The guys on tsn were all over this guy saying he deserves to go as high as 7th. As a Sens fan I noticed this because they draft 9th and I'd like them to take a blueliner. Ellis...Eckman...Kulikov...Despres...there's too many for me to keep track of.

lucas wheeler Posted
(2009-04-30 08:13:42)

brayden schen is so good he should be the 1 round pick

Liam TR Posted
(2009-04-30 08:05:17)

I've had the opportunity to watch Ellis play on a number of occasions and although he has a fairly strong presence in the OHL (Ontario Height League) I still think he is too small to have a successful career in the NHL. He has great puck sense and can read the game well but when he is forced to play with elite players, like at the WJHC, it was clear that he wasn't ready. I know he will probably be taken in the top 15 or so but teams are making a mistake ranking him this high because he's going to need at least 2 more years in the O and then he still might not be ready...

Chris Williams Posted
(2009-04-30 07:59:06)

What about brett parnham second in the ohl in scoring with 42 goals??????

wayne p Posted
(2009-04-30 07:45:16)

if the leafs get the 3rd pick they should draft matt duschene, he might turn out to be a franchise player

Keith Posted
(2009-04-30 07:43:20)

John Moore will make one hell of an NHLer someday.

Ryan Posted
(2009-04-30 07:43:14)

ryan ellis should be a 5-10 first round pick. amazing skater with great vision an puck-moving abilities. a lot of teams could use him, especially the leafs. if they get him, they could finally trade kaberle and get some more first round picks and prospects.

Steve henderson Posted
(2009-04-30 07:43:09)

I had to smile as i had a wild thought of what if all the OHL & WHL prospects could all play & be on the same team. Of course i know from the positisions many of them play wouldn't always work out on some line combinations...but man what a team one could have ...only if !! How about the sluggfest with the Lethbridge Hurricanes last night ?

Larry Bucklin Posted
(2009-04-30 07:43:02)

What aboutRyan O'reilly.The best pk man in the OHL!A beast on faceoffs.And the leading scorer on the Otters at age 17.If he played for London or Windsor or any other Canadian team,scouts would be salivating over him.Go ahead,take Ryan Ellis and Matt D.He will come back to haunt you.I have been a huge hockey fan since 1978.I have seen great players.O'Reilly is a great player with character.Sherry Bassin isnt wrong very often.

IceamiGO Posted
(2009-04-30 07:43:02)

I played briefly with Ryan O'Reilly in high school. He was 2 years younger than me at the time. But I'll tell ya, the kid was good. From what I saw, Larry isn't wrong and I think he's a sure fire 1st rounder.