Western College Hockey Blog: FanPosts

Win a PowerSkater from PoweringAthletics and Cyclone Hockey!

2010-02-10T21:52:20Z

Hello everyone,

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Cyclone Hockey is raffling off a PowerSkater by PoweringAthletics worth $1500. The PowerSkater has been designed to teach proper skating technique, improve balance and develop stride. Other prizes include a SkinnerShooter, an autographed jersey and gift cards. Raffle tickets are $5 each. For more information and to purchase tickets click here! http://bit.ly/7vCSsy

28th Overall Chicago Blackhawks Select: Dylan Olsen

2009-06-27T03:23:51Z

With the 28th pick in the NHL Draft, the Chicago Blackhawks select Dylan Olsen of the Camrose Kodiaks.

Dylan Olsen

Height:6'2.25"

Weight: 206 lbs.

2008-2009 stats: 53 games, 10 goals, 19 assists, 29 assists

Dylan Olsen profile by Western College Hockey

Dylan Olsen profile by In Lou We Trust

Analysis:

An excellent pick by the Blackhawks. I thought Olsen was one of the better defenseman available in the mid-to-late part of the first round and the Blackhawks got him without having to trade up. Olsen will go to Minnesota-Duluth but could be NHL ready in just a year or two.

27th Overall Carolina Hurricanes Select: Philippe Paradis

2009-06-27T03:18:19Z

With the 27th overall pick in the NHL Draft, the Carolina Hurricanes select Philippe Paradis of Shawnigan of the QMJHL

Philippe Paradis

Height:6'1.25"

Weight:196 lbs.

2008-2009 stats: 66 games, 19, 31 assists, 50 points

Analysis:

A lot of good defenseman had gone before the 27th pick, but Carolina still must have felt pretty confident in Paradis' abilities. They passed on higher ranked Simon Despres and Dylan Olsen in order to take the defenseman with a huge shot.

26th Overall Anaheim Ducks Select: Kyle Palmieri

2009-06-27T03:12:41Z

With the 26th overall pick in the NHL Draft, the Anaheim Ducks select Kyle Palmieri of the US NTDP team.

Kyle Palmieri

Height:5'10"

Weight:191 lbs.

2008-2009 stats: 33 games, 15 goals, 15 assists, 30 points

Kyle Palmieri preview by In Lou We Trust

Analysis:

Palmieri is a pick with amazing potential. He's not big, but he's very strong. There were some character concerns, but he's worth taking the risk on.

25th Overall Boston Bruins Select: Jordan Caron

2009-06-27T03:04:59Z

With the 25th overall pick in the NHL Draft, the Boston Bruins select Jordan Caron from Rimouski Oceanic of the QMJHL.

Jordan Caron

Height; 6'2.25"

Weight: 205 lbs.

2008-2009 stats: 56 games, 36 goals, 31 assists

Jordan Caron profile by Copper and Blue

Analysis:

Not a bad pick by the Bruins. Caron adds some toughness to their lineup. He's not the most exciting player, but has the potential to be a real grinder that can really play in front of the net.

24th Overall Washington Capitals Select: Marcus Johansson

2009-06-27T02:50:40Z

With the 24th Overall pick in the NHL Draft, the Washington Capitals select Marcus Johansson from Sweden.

Marcus Johansson

Height:5'11"

Weight: 189

2008-2009 stats: 45 games, 5 goals, 5 assists, 10 points

Analysis:

Johansson is a bit of a mystery to me. He was considered a solid second round pick, so Washington took a little bit of a reach, but they've had good success in Sweden in recent years, so it might not be a bad pick.

23rd Overall Calgary Flames Select: Tim Erixon

2009-06-27T02:38:03Z

With the 23rd overall pick in the NHL Draft, the Calgary Flames select Tim Erixon of Skelleftea in Sweden.

Tim Erixon

Height:6'2"

Weight:180 lbs.

2008-2009 stats: 45 games, 2 goals, 5 assists, 7 points

Tim Erixon profile by On the Forecheck

Analysis:

Erixon isn't overly flashy, but he's an offensive defenseman that loves to bring the puck up the ice. It will take him a couple years to reach the NHL level, but the Flames add a nice prospect that could some day put up consistent points for them.

22nd Overall Vancouver Canucks Select: Jordan Schroeder

2009-06-27T02:26:03Z

With the 22nd pick in the NHL Draft, the Vancouver Canucks select Jordan Schroeder from the University of Minnesota

Jordan Schroeder

Height:5'8.25

Weight:175 lbs.

2008-2009 stats: 32 games, 13 goals, 27 assists, 40 points

Jordan Schroeder profile by Western College Hockey

Jordan Schroeder profile by Blueshirt Banter

Jordan Schroeder profile by Copper & Blue

Analysis:

The Vancouver Canucks got the absolute steal of the draft when Schroeder fell into their laps. Schroeder could be one of the best scorers in this draft class, and could even step into the Canucks lineup starting next season. In a few years, a lot of people will be wondering why Schroeder was passed on by so many teams.

21st Overall Columbus Blue Jackets Select: John Moore

2009-06-27T02:18:18Z

With the 21st overall pick in the NHL Draft, the Columbus Blue Jackets select John Moore of the Chicago Steel in the USHL.

John Moore

Height:6'2"

Weight: 189 lbs.

2008-2009 stats: 57 games, 14 goals, 25 assists, 39 points

John Moore profile by Die by the Blade

John Moore profile by On the Forecheck

Analysis:

Columbus does a great job by trading down and still getting a player that most people had pegged for the middle of the first round. John Moore will have a tough choice between Colorado College and the Kitchener Rangers, but either way, he's a very smooth defenseman with a great future ahead of him.

20th Overall New Jersey Devils Select: Jacob Josefson

2009-06-27T02:10:16Z

With the 20th overall pick in the NHL Draft, the New Jersey Devils take forward Jacob Josefson of Djurgarden in Sweden

Jacob Josefson

Height:6'0"

Weight:187 lbs.

2008-2009 stats: 50 games 5 goals, 11 assists, 16 points

Jacob Josefson profile by Blueshirt Banter

Jacob Josefson profile by Die By the Blade

Analysis:

Josefson is a super slick stickhandler that has the talent to make plays at the NHL level. There's concerns about how he performend in international tournaments. Another year or two to add some strength should turn him into a solid NHL player.

19th Overall New York Rangers Select: Chris Kreider

2009-06-27T02:02:01Z

With the 19th overall selection, the New York Rangers take forward Chris Kreider from Andover Academy Chris Kreider

Height: 6'2"

Weight:201 lbs.

2008-2009 stats: 26 games, 33 goals, 23 assists, 56 points

Chris Kreider profile by Matchsticks and Gasoline

ris Kreider profile by Habs Eyes on the Prize

Analysis: The Rangers take a chance on Kreider, who may be the best pure skater in the draft, but is relatively untested against quality competition. The Rangers will get a chance to let him develop at Boston College and hope he blooms into the player everything thinks he has the potential to be.

18th Overall Montreal Canadiens Select: Louis Leblanc

2009-06-27T01:49:05Z

With the 18th overall pick, Montreal selects forward Louis Leblanc from the Omaha Lancers of the USHL.

Louis Leblanc

Height:6'0"

Weight: 178 lbs.

2008-2009 stats; 60 games, 28 goals, 31 assists, 59 points

Louis Leblanc profile from Habs Eyes on the Prize

Louis Leblanc profile by Copper & Blue

Louis Leblanc profile by In Lou We Trust

Analysis:

The Canadiens pick the hometown kid and get a huge positive reaction from their crowd. It's a very solid pick as well. Leblanc is a talented centerman that can put the puck in the net. The Canadiens continue their trend of taking top college prospects.

17th Overall St. Louis Blues Select: David Rundblad

2009-06-27T01:40:46Z

With the 17th overall pick, the St. Louis Blues select defenseman David Rundblad of Skelleftea in Sweden

David Rundblad

Height:6'2"

Weight: 189 lbs.

2008-2009 stats: 45 games, 0 goals, 10 assists, 10 points

David Rundblad profile by Matchsticks and Gasoline

David Rundblad profile by In Lou We Trust

Analysis:

The Blues select a defenseman with a lot of potential. Rundblad had good size, is a right-handed shot, and can put up points on the poewrplay. The Blues continue to stockpile very skilled, young players.

16th Overall Minnesota Wild Select: Nick Leddy

2009-06-27T01:33:55Z

With the 16th overall pick the Minnesota Wild select defenseman Nick Leddy from Eden Prairie HS in Minnesota.

Nick Leddy

Height:5'11"

Weight:179 lbs.

2008-2009 stats: 25 games, 8 goals, 29 assists, 37 points

Nick Leddy profile by Western College Hockey

Nick Leddy profile by Stanley Cup of Chowder

Analysis:

The Wild finally take a Minnesota kid, but not Jordan Schroeder, who most fans would have wanted, but instead reach a little bit to get their guy in Leddy. The Wild were able to trade down once, knowing they were going a little off the board, but not able to make another trade. They still end up with a solid player that should be able to help them out some time down the line.

15th Overall Anaheim Ducks Select: Peter Holland

2009-06-27T01:26:00Z

The Anaheim Ducks selected forward Peter Holland of the Guelph Storm with the 15th overall pick.

Peter Holland

Height:6'2"

Weight: 185 lbs.

2008-2009 stats: 68 games, 28 goals, 39 assists, 67 points

Peter Holland profile by Habs Eyes on the Prize

Peter Holland profile by Stanley Cup of Chowder

Peter Holland profile by Matchsticks and Gasoline

Peter Holland profile by Die by the Blade

Analysis:

Holland has some high-end potential, but is a very risky pick at 15th overall. There's a lot of questions about his consistency and if he will be able to score points consistently at the NHL level.

14th Overall Florida Panthers Select: Dmitri Kulikov

2009-06-27T01:18:01Z

With the 14th overall pick, the Panthers take Dmitri Kulikov from Drummondville of the QMJHL

Dmitri Kulikov

Height: 6' 0.5"

Weight: 183 lbs.

2008-2009 stats: 57 games, 12 goals, 50 assists, 62 points.

Dmitri Kulikov profile by Defending Big D

Analysis:

Florida has to be thrilled that Kulikov fell all the way to them at 14th overall. There's a chance Kulikov won't be in the NHL because he'll go to Russia, but to be honest, there's probably an equally good chance the Panthers won't be around in a couple years either. Kulikov is a top ten talent and the Panthers made a great pick by getting him at 14.

13th Overall Buffalo Sabres Select: Zack Kassian

2009-06-27T01:10:25Z

With the 13th Overall pick, the Buffalo Sabres select Zack Kassian, a forward from the Peterborough Petes of the OHL.

Zack Kassian

Height:6' 2.75"

Weight: 210 lbs.

2008-2009 stats: 61 games, 24 goals, 39 assists, 63 assists

Zack Kassian profile by Blueshirt Banter

Zack Kassian profile by Matchsticks and Gasoline

Zack Kassian profile by Die by the Blade

Zack Kassian profile by Copper & Blue

Zack Kassian profile by Defending Big D

Analysis:

The Sabres add some toughness to their forward lineup with the toughest player in the draft. Kassian has the potential to be a great power forward, but there's questions about whether or not he'll reach it. At worst, he should be a tough lower line guy that can always drop the gloves.

12th Overall New York Islanders Select: Calvin De Haan

2009-06-27T00:58:22Z

With the 12th pick in the NHL Draft, the New York Islanders select defenseman Calvin De Haan of the Oshawa Generals of the OHL.

Calvin De Haan

Height: 5' 11.75"

Weight: 170 lbs.

2008-2009 stats: 68 games, 8 goals, 55 assists, 63 points

A Calvin De Haan profile by In Lou We Trust

Analysis:

I have idea why the Islanders traded up twice to take a player selected to go at the end of the first round. They could have gotten a player just as good or better with any of the second round picks they dealt away. They're banking on De Haan's offensive abilities and potential to run a powerplay some day.

11th Overall Nashville Predators Select: Ryan Ellis

2009-06-27T00:48:40Z

With the 11th overall pick in the NHL Draft, the Nashville Predators select defenseman Ryan Ellis of the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL.

Ryan Ellis

Height: 5'9.25"

Weight: 173 lbs.

2008-2009 stats: 57 games, 22 goals, 67 assists, 89 points

Ryan Ellis profile by Blueshirt Banter

Ryan Ellis profile by Defending Big D

Ryan Ellis profile by Die by the Blade

Analysis:

Ellis is a risky pick in that he's very small and reliant on picking up powerplay points, but he's got a great shot and great hockey smarts, which should allow him to put up a lot of points at the NHL level. The Predators add a player that can someday be their quarterback powerplay.

10th Overall Edmonton Oilers Select: Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson

2009-06-27T00:39:36Z

With the 10th overall selection in the NHL Draft, the Edmonton Oilers select forward Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson of Timra in Sweden.

Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson

Height: 6'1"

Weight:201 lbs.

2008-2009 stats: 50 games, 7 goals, 10 assists, 17 points

Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson profile by Pension Plan Puppets

Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson profile by Blueshirt Banter

Analysis:

Paajarvi-Svensson fell from 3rd overall all the way down to 10th after a rough World U18s, but a player with his size, and his speed is going to be a top prospect, regardless of any concerns about his scoring ability. Given some time to develop that touch, he could be a very good player some day. The Oilers got great value on their 10th pick.