Hoping Kessel can slip to the Wild
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=300 align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%"><TABLE style="BORDER-RIGHT: #666 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #666 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #666 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #666 1px solid" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width=554 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=topper colSpan=8>Mock NHL Draft</TD></TR><TR><TD class=categories>Pick</TD><TD class=categories>Team</TD><TD class=categories>Pos.</TD><TD class=categories>Player</TD><TD class=categories colSpan=2>Team</TD><TD class=categories>Ht.</TD><TD class=categories>Wt.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=pick>1</TD><TD class=player>St.Louis</TD><TD class=player>D</TD><TD class=player_name>Erik Johnson</TD><TD class=player colSpan=2>U.S. National</TD><TD class=player>6-4</TD><TD class=weight>222</TD></TR><TR><TD class=analysis colSpan=8>It may or may not be St. Louis calling his name, but it would be a stunner if Johnson wasn't the first player selected. He was the best player on Team USA at the World Juniors, and has continued to impress scouts since the tournament. Smaller than Chris Pronger but bigger than Barret Jackman, Johnson is smart, skilled and tough as nails. He'll be a 25-minute man someday soon.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=pick_a>2</TD><TD class=player_a>Pittsburgh</TD><TD class=player_a>C</TD><TD class=player_name_a>Jonathan Toews</TD><TD class=player_a colSpan=2>North Dakota</TD><TD class=player_a>6-1</TD><TD class=weight_a>195</TD></TR><TR><TD class=analysis_a colSpan=8>Already loaded with centers, the Penguins can't pass up Toews, the best all-around forward in the draft. Think of a slightly more gifted Trevor Linden and you'll understand his appeal. When it comes to the forwards, he's the safest pick in the draft.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=pick>3</TD><TD class=player>Chicago</TD><TD class=player>C</TD><TD class=player_name>Jordan Staal</TD><TD class=player colSpan=2>Peterborough (OHL)</TD><TD class=player>6-4</TD><TD class=weight>215</TD></TR><TR><TD class=analysis colSpan=8>The Hawks have needs up and down the roster, but the chance to acquire a dependable No. 1 center doesn't come along every year. Staal's value might be overly hyped by virtue of his Cup-toting brother, but after drafting several Euro-failures in the past (where have you gone Mikhail Yakubov and Dmitri Nabokov?), Chicago is likely to play it safe with this oversized, potential-packed Canadian.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=pick_a>4</TD><TD class=player_a>Washington</TD><TD class=player_a>C</TD><TD class=player_name_a>Nicklas Backstrom</TD><TD class=player_a colSpan=2>Brynas (Swedish Elitserien)</TD><TD class=player_a>6-0</TD><TD class=weight_a>183</TD></TR><TR><TD class=analysis_a colSpan=8>No player has done more for his draft ranking in the last three months than Backstrom, a player who some say is the best to come out of Sweden since Peter Forsberg. He was an elite member of his club team and part of the Swedish squad that took the men's world championship. With sweet hands and sublime hockey sense, he'll be Alexander Ovechkin's new best buddy in no time.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=pick>5</TD><TD class=player>Boston</TD><TD class=player_a>RW</TD><TD class=player_name_a>Kyle Okposo</TD><TD class=player_a colSpan=2>Des Moines (USHL)</TD><TD class=player_a>6-0</TD><TD class=weight_a>195</TD></TR><TR><TD class=analysis colSpan=8>With Backstrom off the board, it wouldn't surprise me if the Bruins traded down to get the player they want. But if they keep the pick, expect the unexpected from a team that has marched to its own beat -- not always successfully, I might add -- in the last few drafts. A mini power forward like Brenden Morrow, Okposo's stock has risen steadily, thanks to his undeniable gifts around the net and his character -- a trait prized by incoming GM Peter Chiarelli.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=pick_a>6</TD><TD class=player_a>Columbus</TD><TD class=player_a>C</TD><TD class=player_name_a>Phil Kessel</TD><TD class=player_a colSpan=2>Minnesota</TD><TD class=player_a>6-0</TD><TD class=weight_a>189</TD></TR><TR><TD class=analysis_a colSpan=8>With more natural talent than any forward in the draft, Kessel could go as high as second, but questions about his character and drive may drop him into the lap of the Blue Jackets. Whoever gets him will add a world-class speedster with the potential to dominate games with creativity and moxie.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=pick>7</TD><TD class=player_a>NY islanders</TD><TD class=player>C</TD><TD class=player_name>Derick Brassard</TD><TD class=player colSpan=2>Drummondville (QMJHL)</TD><TD class=player>6-0</TD><TD class=weight>172</TD></TR><TR><TD class=analysis colSpan=8>His wheels can't match Kessel's, but Brassard could equal him on the scoreboard. He has the offensive gifts -- particularly on-ice vision and the ability to get the puck to the man who seems covered -- to key a first line and a will to win that'll endear him to new coach Ted Nolan.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=pick_a>8</TD><TD class=player_a>Phoenix</TD><TD class=player_a>C</TD><TD class=player_name_a>Peter Mueller</TD><TD class=player_a colSpan=2>Everett (WHL)</TD><TD class=player_a>6-2</TD><TD class=weight_a>205</TD><TD _implied_="true"></TD></TR><TR><TD class=analysis_a colSpan=8>Whoever grabs him will get the complete package. Mueller plays a smart, determined two-way game, and has shown enough in the scoring department to project as a reliable 30-goal man in the NHL.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=pick>9</TD><TD class=player>Minnesota</TD><TD class=player_a>RW</TD><TD class=player_name_a>Michael Frolik</TD><TD class=player_a colSpan=2>Kladno (Czech Extraliga</TD><TD class=player_a>6-1</TD><TD class=weight_a>185</TD></TR><TR><TD class=analysis colSpan=8>The Wild swing for the fences with Frolik, a player who dazzled scouts in 2004-05 to the point that he earned mention as a possible first overall pick. His progress stalled this season, but no one has forgotten his puck-handling skills and creativity, or the fact that he's already played two years in the top Czech league.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=pick_a>10</TD><TD class=player_a>Tampa Bay</TD><TD class=player_a>G</TD><TD class=player_name_a>Jonathan Bernier</TD><TD class=player_a colSpan=2>Lewiston (QMJHL)</TD><TD class=player_a>5-11</TD><TD class=weight_a>177</TD></TR><TR><TD class=analysis_a colSpan=8>Tampa Bay discovered this spring that you can't win with a platoon situation in net, at least not when both halves of the platoon are spares. While some of the defenders on the board will get a long look from the Bolts, it'll be impossible to pass on Bernier, a goaltender with an excellent chance to become a No. 1 before long.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
</TD></TR><TR><TD width="100%">More Mock draft
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/allan_muir/06/23/mock.draft/index.html
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=300 align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%"><TABLE style="BORDER-RIGHT: #666 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #666 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #666 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #666 1px solid" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width=554 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=topper colSpan=8>Mock NHL Draft</TD></TR><TR><TD class=categories>Pick</TD><TD class=categories>Team</TD><TD class=categories>Pos.</TD><TD class=categories>Player</TD><TD class=categories colSpan=2>Team</TD><TD class=categories>Ht.</TD><TD class=categories>Wt.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=pick>1</TD><TD class=player>St.Louis</TD><TD class=player>D</TD><TD class=player_name>Erik Johnson</TD><TD class=player colSpan=2>U.S. National</TD><TD class=player>6-4</TD><TD class=weight>222</TD></TR><TR><TD class=analysis colSpan=8>It may or may not be St. Louis calling his name, but it would be a stunner if Johnson wasn't the first player selected. He was the best player on Team USA at the World Juniors, and has continued to impress scouts since the tournament. Smaller than Chris Pronger but bigger than Barret Jackman, Johnson is smart, skilled and tough as nails. He'll be a 25-minute man someday soon.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=pick_a>2</TD><TD class=player_a>Pittsburgh</TD><TD class=player_a>C</TD><TD class=player_name_a>Jonathan Toews</TD><TD class=player_a colSpan=2>North Dakota</TD><TD class=player_a>6-1</TD><TD class=weight_a>195</TD></TR><TR><TD class=analysis_a colSpan=8>Already loaded with centers, the Penguins can't pass up Toews, the best all-around forward in the draft. Think of a slightly more gifted Trevor Linden and you'll understand his appeal. When it comes to the forwards, he's the safest pick in the draft.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=pick>3</TD><TD class=player>Chicago</TD><TD class=player>C</TD><TD class=player_name>Jordan Staal</TD><TD class=player colSpan=2>Peterborough (OHL)</TD><TD class=player>6-4</TD><TD class=weight>215</TD></TR><TR><TD class=analysis colSpan=8>The Hawks have needs up and down the roster, but the chance to acquire a dependable No. 1 center doesn't come along every year. Staal's value might be overly hyped by virtue of his Cup-toting brother, but after drafting several Euro-failures in the past (where have you gone Mikhail Yakubov and Dmitri Nabokov?), Chicago is likely to play it safe with this oversized, potential-packed Canadian.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=pick_a>4</TD><TD class=player_a>Washington</TD><TD class=player_a>C</TD><TD class=player_name_a>Nicklas Backstrom</TD><TD class=player_a colSpan=2>Brynas (Swedish Elitserien)</TD><TD class=player_a>6-0</TD><TD class=weight_a>183</TD></TR><TR><TD class=analysis_a colSpan=8>No player has done more for his draft ranking in the last three months than Backstrom, a player who some say is the best to come out of Sweden since Peter Forsberg. He was an elite member of his club team and part of the Swedish squad that took the men's world championship. With sweet hands and sublime hockey sense, he'll be Alexander Ovechkin's new best buddy in no time.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=pick>5</TD><TD class=player>Boston</TD><TD class=player_a>RW</TD><TD class=player_name_a>Kyle Okposo</TD><TD class=player_a colSpan=2>Des Moines (USHL)</TD><TD class=player_a>6-0</TD><TD class=weight_a>195</TD></TR><TR><TD class=analysis colSpan=8>With Backstrom off the board, it wouldn't surprise me if the Bruins traded down to get the player they want. But if they keep the pick, expect the unexpected from a team that has marched to its own beat -- not always successfully, I might add -- in the last few drafts. A mini power forward like Brenden Morrow, Okposo's stock has risen steadily, thanks to his undeniable gifts around the net and his character -- a trait prized by incoming GM Peter Chiarelli.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=pick_a>6</TD><TD class=player_a>Columbus</TD><TD class=player_a>C</TD><TD class=player_name_a>Phil Kessel</TD><TD class=player_a colSpan=2>Minnesota</TD><TD class=player_a>6-0</TD><TD class=weight_a>189</TD></TR><TR><TD class=analysis_a colSpan=8>With more natural talent than any forward in the draft, Kessel could go as high as second, but questions about his character and drive may drop him into the lap of the Blue Jackets. Whoever gets him will add a world-class speedster with the potential to dominate games with creativity and moxie.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=pick>7</TD><TD class=player_a>NY islanders</TD><TD class=player>C</TD><TD class=player_name>Derick Brassard</TD><TD class=player colSpan=2>Drummondville (QMJHL)</TD><TD class=player>6-0</TD><TD class=weight>172</TD></TR><TR><TD class=analysis colSpan=8>His wheels can't match Kessel's, but Brassard could equal him on the scoreboard. He has the offensive gifts -- particularly on-ice vision and the ability to get the puck to the man who seems covered -- to key a first line and a will to win that'll endear him to new coach Ted Nolan.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=pick_a>8</TD><TD class=player_a>Phoenix</TD><TD class=player_a>C</TD><TD class=player_name_a>Peter Mueller</TD><TD class=player_a colSpan=2>Everett (WHL)</TD><TD class=player_a>6-2</TD><TD class=weight_a>205</TD><TD _implied_="true"></TD></TR><TR><TD class=analysis_a colSpan=8>Whoever grabs him will get the complete package. Mueller plays a smart, determined two-way game, and has shown enough in the scoring department to project as a reliable 30-goal man in the NHL.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=pick>9</TD><TD class=player>Minnesota</TD><TD class=player_a>RW</TD><TD class=player_name_a>Michael Frolik</TD><TD class=player_a colSpan=2>Kladno (Czech Extraliga</TD><TD class=player_a>6-1</TD><TD class=weight_a>185</TD></TR><TR><TD class=analysis colSpan=8>The Wild swing for the fences with Frolik, a player who dazzled scouts in 2004-05 to the point that he earned mention as a possible first overall pick. His progress stalled this season, but no one has forgotten his puck-handling skills and creativity, or the fact that he's already played two years in the top Czech league.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=pick_a>10</TD><TD class=player_a>Tampa Bay</TD><TD class=player_a>G</TD><TD class=player_name_a>Jonathan Bernier</TD><TD class=player_a colSpan=2>Lewiston (QMJHL)</TD><TD class=player_a>5-11</TD><TD class=weight_a>177</TD></TR><TR><TD class=analysis_a colSpan=8>Tampa Bay discovered this spring that you can't win with a platoon situation in net, at least not when both halves of the platoon are spares. While some of the defenders on the board will get a long look from the Bolts, it'll be impossible to pass on Bernier, a goaltender with an excellent chance to become a No. 1 before long.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
</TD></TR><TR><TD width="100%">More Mock draft
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/allan_muir/06/23/mock.draft/index.html
