The 2007 NHL Entry Draft is later this week in
Columbus, and as always, fans everywhere have started the debate about who
should go where, and who their team should pick. The following is our opinions
on how the first round will shake down. Each pick will have biographical
information, some general comments, recent draft history, and a summary of
rankings from the Hockey News, International Scouting Services, and the NHL’s
Central Scouting Bureau.
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The Hawks are looking to get back to some winning ways, and Kane’s the best guy to fill an immediate void. He’ll fit in well with what’s quickly becoming a very dynamic offence. |
| Recent Draft History: 2006: Jonathan Toews, C (3rd overall) 2005: Jack Skille, RW (7th overall) 2004: Cam Barker, D (3rd overall) |
Other Rankings: CSB: 2nd (NA) ISS: 2nd THN: 1st |
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A late entry into the elite of the draft, but Van Riemsdyk has high potential that could see him go as high as #1. Is several years away from being fully developed though. |
| Recent Draft History: 2006: Claude Giroux, RW (22nd overall) 2005: Steve Downie, RW (29th overall) 2004: Rob Bellamy, RW (92nd overall) |
Other Rankings: CSB: 3rd (NA) ISS: 5th THN: 2nd |
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Some see Turris going at #1, but it’s hard to see him pass the two we have above him. Although the Coyotes have several centres already, you can’t pass up that potential. |
| Recent Draft History: 2006: Peter Mueller, C (8th overall) 2005: Martin Hanzal, C (17th overall) 2004: Blake Wheeler, RW (5th overall) |
Other Rankings: CSB: 1st (NA) ISS: 4th THN: 3rd |
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The Kings going into the season were short on defence, but after adding Jack Johnson and Joe Piskula, they’re okay for now. Nothing flashy from Voracek, very safe pick. |
| Recent Draft History: 2006: Jonathan Bernier, G (11th overall) 2005: Anze Kopitar, C (11th overall) 2004: Lauri Tukonen, RW (11th overall) |
Other Rankings: CSB: 7th (NA) ISS: 1st THN: 4th |
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Some teams may be scared off by the transfer issue, but Washington should be drooling over the prospects of an all Russian trio of Ovechkin, Semin, and Cherepanov. |
| Recent Draft History: 2006: Nicklas Backstrom, C (4th overall) 2005: Sasha Pokulok, D (14th overall) 2004: Alexander Ovechkin, LW (1st overall) |
Other Rankings: CSB: 1st (Euro) ISS: 3rd THN: 5th |
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The Oilers were bad overall this year, but the loss of Pronger was really felt. The team badly needs a solid defender in their system, Alzner’s the top one in the draft. |
| Recent Draft History: 2006: Jeff Petry, D (45th overall) 2005: Andrew Cogliano, C (25th overall) 2004: Devan Dubnyk, G (14th overall) |
Other Rankings: CSB: 5th (NA) ISS: 6th THN: 8th |
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This may surprise some, given that they’ve drafted C’s the past 2 years, but Gagner does play some wing, and besides, Fedorov’s contract mercifully is almost over. |
| Recent Draft History: 2006: Derick Brassard, C (6th overall) 2005: Gilbert Brule, C (6th overall) 2004: Alexandre Picard, RW (8th overall) |
Other Rankings: CSB: 6th (NA) ISS: 7th THN: 6th |
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The Bruins have always had an affinity for big defenders, and have improved their forward depth recently, allowing them to reach a little to pick up the big and strong Ellerby. |
| Recent Draft History: 2006: Phil Kessel, C (5th overall) 2005: Matt Lashoff, D (22nd overall) 2004: David Krejci, C (63rd overall) |
Other Rankings: CSB: 4th (NA) ISS: 9th THN: 11th |
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To the chagrin of many Canadiens fans (and writers), this is as far as he falls. The Blues’ offence is shoddy at best, and badly need someone as talented and creative as Esposito. |
| Recent Draft History: 2006: Erik Johnson, D (1st overall) 2005: T.J. Oshie, C (24th overall) 2004: Marek Schwarz, G (17th overall) |
Other Rankings: CSB: 8th (NA) ISS: 11th THN: 9th |
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The Panthers system is full of promising forwards, but lacks depth on the back end. Petrecki has good size and has intriguing potential, but needs to stay out of the box. |
| Recent Draft History: 2006: Michael Frolik, C (10th overall) 2005: Kenndal McArdle, LW (20th overall) 2004: Rostislav Olesz, C (7th overall) |
Other Rankings: CSB: 21st (NA) ISS: 13th THN: 15th |
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The trickle down effect hits here, as BPA for most teams go out the window. The Canes too are short at D, and Plante is a steady and reliable defender with NHL size already. |
| Recent Draft History: 2006: Jamie McBain, D (63rd overall) 2005: Jack Johnson, D (3rd overall) 2004: Andrew Ladd, LW (4th overall) |
Other Rankings: CSB: 72nd (NA) ISS: 15th THN: 16th |
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Couture has an all around game that he plays with high energy on every shift. His vision, playmaking and soft hands are his key assets . Skating is a concern, but a solid pick in any draft year. |
| Recent Draft History: 2006: David Fischer, D (20th overall) 2005: Carey Price, G (5th overall) 2004: Kyle Chipchura, C (18th overall) |
Other Rankings: CSB: 19th (NA) ISS: 10th THN: 7th |
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The Leafs need help everywhere, but forward depth is their greatest concern. Hamill can put the puck in the net and would immediately become their top pivot prospect. |
| Recent Draft History: 2006: Jiri Tlusty, LW (13th overall) 2005: Tuukka Rask, G (21st overall) 2004: Justin Pogge, G (90th overall) |
Other Rankings: CSB: 9th (NA) ISS: 18th THN: 12th |
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Every year, we keep thinking this will be the year Colorado will take a defender in the 1st round. Blum’s an intriguing prospect, a little undersized now, but is very mobile. |
| Recent Draft History: 2006: Chris Stewart, RW (18th overall) 2005: Ryan Stoa, C (34th overall) 2004: Wojtek Wolski, LW (21st overall) |
Other Rankings: CSB: 17th (NA) ISS: 16th THN: 17th |
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Although they have several C’s in the system already, it’s hard to see them taking another d-man, and there aren’t many wingers projected to go here either. |
| How Acquired: Along with F Robert Nilsson and F Ryan O’Marra from the New York Islanders in exchange for F Ryan Smyth. |
Other Rankings: CSB: 30th (NA) ISS: 12th THN: 13th |
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With Niedermayer soon to be retiring, and solid young depth up front, it’s time to add to the defender pile. He’s mobile and a good leader, a type of player Burke likes. |
| Recent Draft History: 2006: Mark Mitera, D (19th overall) 2005: Bobby Ryan, RW (2nd overall) 2004: Ladislav Smid, D (8th overall) |
Other Rankings: CSB: 35th (NA) ISS: 21st THN: 18th |
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Just like the Sutters of before, this one brings lots of grit to the table, with decent offensive abilities. Can also play the wing, important given the Rangers are getting older there. |
| Recent Draft History: 2006: Bob Sanguinetti, D (21st overall) 2005: Mark Staal, D (12th overall) 2004: Al Montoya, G (6th overall) |
Other Rankings: CSB: 28th (NA) ISS: 20th THN: 10th |
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Likely the one player who’s stock rose the most at the U-18’s, Sweatt is the gritty player that both GM Sutter and Coach Keenan love. Not first line potential, maybe second. |
| Recent Draft History: 2006: Leland Irving, G (26th overall) 2005: Matt Pelech, D (26th overall) 2004: Kris Chucko, LW (24th overall) |
Other Rankings: CSB: 27th (NA) ISS: 33rd THN: 28th |
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Not the greatest offensively, but is already above average defensively and could easily adapt to the "defensive system that looks like the trap, but it’s not called that anymore." |
| Recent Draft History: 2006: James Sheppard, C (9th overall) 2005: Benoit Pouliot, C (4th overall) 2004: A.J. Thelen, D (12th overall) |
Other Rankings: CSB: 5th (Euro) ISS: 14th THN: 21st |
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Like David Fischer last year, this year’s "Mr. Hockey" falls into the similar range. With all the talent at forward, the Pens now need to focus on strengthening their back end. |
| Recent Draft History: 2006: Jordan Staal, C (2nd overall) 2005: Sidney Crosby, C, (1st overall) 2004: Evgeni Malkin, C (2nd overall) |
Other Rankings: CSB: 11th (NA) ISS: 58th THN: 30th |
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As the recent draft history will show, Phoenix has opted for forwards in the high round each year. This pick allows them to add a defender, Hickey’s small, but skilled, like Ballard. |
| How Acquired: Along with F Mathias Tjarnqvist from the Dallas Stars in exchange for F Ladislav Nagy. |
Other Rankings: CSB: 26th (NA) ISS: 17th THN: 22nd |
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A hard working, highly skilled forward that went undrafted last year before making a name for himself this season. His stickhandling skills, hockey smarts, and forechecking abilities are impressive. Perron plays a high energy game, but his skating and his ability to fight through checks needs work. |
| How Acquired: Along with D Josh Gorges from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for D Craig Rivet. |
Other Rankings: CSB: 10th (NA) ISS: 32nd THN: 31st |
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The Predators have always been a team that drafts for high-end skill. Eller certainly has that, but doesn’t always play the team style…reminds me of Radulov…how’s he doing? |
| Recent Draft History: 2006: Blake Geoffrion, LW (56th overall) 2005: Ryan Parent, D (18th overall) 2004: Alexander Radulov, RW (15th overall) |
Other Rankings: CSB: 3rd (Euro) ISS: 43rd THN: 35th |
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A bit off the board, but projects to be a solid two-way defender, if he pans out. Even with Erik Johnson, the Blues back end needs some work, this will be risky though. |
| How Acquired: Along with F Glen Metropolit, a 3rd round pick, and a 2008 2nd round pick from the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for F Keith Tkachuk. |
Other Rankings: CSB: ISS: THN: |
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If there was a transfer agreement, he’s gone way earlier, so this could be a huge steal. Canucks need a pure scorer, Mayorov is that, not great in his own end though. |
| Recent Draft History: 2006: Michael Grabner, RW (14th overall) 2005: Luc Bourdon, D (10th overall) 2004: Cory Schneider, G (26th overall) |
Other Rankings: CSB: 4th (Euro) ISS: 8th THN: 14th |
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Big and strong on his feet, but didn’t put up the greatest of numbers in the USHL after moving up from prep school. Could blossom into a strong 2nd line power forward though. |
| How Acquired: Along with F Ville Nieminen and F Jay Barriball from the San Jose Sharks (pick first acquired from New Jersey) in exchange for Bill Guerin. |
Other Rankings: CSB: 16th (NA) ISS: 68th THN: 24th |
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A very skilled, offensive minded defenceman with a cannon for a shot. Led the league in points by a d-man, however his defence needs a lot of work. |
| Recent Draft History: 2006: Cory Emmerton, C (41st overall) 2005: Jakub Kindl, D (19th overall) 2004: Johan Franzen, C (97th overall) |
Other Rankings: CSB: 25th (NA) ISS: 42nd THN: 54th |
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A knee injury dropped him out of the top-20 this year, but he is still a very gifted offensive player. Caps likely would prefer a defender here, but so many will have gone by now. |
| How Acquired: Along with F Jiri Novotny from the Washington Capitals in exchange for F Dainius Zubrus and D Timo Helbling. |
Other Rankings: CSB: 2nd (Euro) ISS: 31st THN: 37th |
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The Sens are in a position to draft BPA here…and no one has the slightest who that is at this point. Repik’s a skilled forward who saw his stock rise with a strong Memorial Cup. |
| Recent Draft History: 2006: Nick Foligno, C (26th overall) 2005: Brian Lee, D (9th overall) 2004: Andrej Meszaros, D (23rd overall) |
Other Rankings: CSB: 58th (NA) ISS: 53rd THN: 33rd |
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Something tells me he may go a little higher, but he falls here in this go-round. Good player on a bad team, still didn’t put up great numbers, but still has some intrigue. |
| How Acquired: Along with F Joffrey Lupul, D Ladislav Smid, and a conditional 2008 2nd round pick from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for D Chris Pronger. |
Other Rankings: CSB: 20th (NA) ISS: 24th THN: 19th |
Other Ranking Notes:
Central Scouting (CSB): Breaks down skaters and goalies by North America and
Europe.
International Scouting Services (ISS): Separates skaters from goalies, but does
not factor in nationality.
Hockey News (THN): No separation of position or nations, strictly an overall
breakdown.
Having been ranking the draft for a few years now since HabsWorld’s inception,
this is by far the toughest draft that I’ve had to rank. Scouts can’t even
get a consensus on the first few picks, let alone after #10. We used bio
info from NHL’s Central Scouting database after they were updated to reflect
information from the draft combine. We hope you enjoy the read.