NHL Entry Draft June 24, 2006

2006-05-23T15:18:00.000-07:00

CHEAP NHL JERSEYS

# 1 St. Louis Blues

Erik Johnson (Defensemen)

USA National Progam

Born: March 21, 1988 Bloomington, Min.

Ht 6-4 Wt 222 Shoots Right

Johnson is the type of player that you can build a team around, a two-way defensemen that is in a class by himself a "Franchise" player. The Blues with holes all over the place will need a franchise player and this is the man will remind Blues fans of Pronger.

# 2 Pittsburgh Penguins

Jonathan Toews (Centre)

North Dakota (WCHA)

Born: April 29, 1988 Winnipeg, Man.

Ht 6-1 Wt 195 Shoots Left

Toews makes scouts droll, size, speed, skills and he shows up for the big games, the Penguins are in need of scoring and wouldn't Toews look good behind Crosby in Pittsburgh a 1-2 punch that could dominate the league for years.

# 3 Chicago Black Hawks

Phil Kessel (Centre)

Minnesota (WCHA)

Born: October 2, 1987 Madison, Wisc.

Ht 6-0 Wt 189 Shoots Right

Kessel touted as the #1 pick for the past couple of years slipped a bit in his draft year but that doesnt make him a bad player. The Hawks need scoring and Kessel will provide and being from Wisconsin will put some fans in the seats that still could develop into best player taken in draft as long as his head stays on straight.

# 4 Washington Capitals

Jordan Staal (Centre)

Peterborough Petes (OHL)

Born: September 10, 1988 Thunder Bay, Ont.

Ht 6-4 Wt 209 Shoots Left

Staal is the third of four brothers to make the jump into the NHL, similiar to his Hurricane brother Eric in style and great skater for his size. The Capitals must be dreaming of a centre of Staal's calibre to place with Ovechkin which could mean a Calder trophy win for this Staal brother.

# 5 Boston Bruins

Nicklas Backstrom (Centre)

Brynas (Sweden)

Born: November 23, 1987 Gavle, Sweden

Ht 6-0 Wt 183 Shoots Left

Backstrom is the rookie of the year in the Swedish Elite League and has on occasion been mentioned in the same breath as Forsberg. He isnt Forsberg but could develop awfully close.

The Bruins need a top 6 potential forward in this draft and if they dont trade up Backstrom is best available at #5.

# 6 Columbus Blue Jackets

Derick Brassard (Centre)

Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)

Born: September 22, 1987 Hull, Que.

Ht 6-0 Wt 174 Shoots Left

Brassard is another top centre in this draft, he has accurate shot, quick on his feet and draws plenty of penalties his one downside is his weight but when he fills that in watchout. The Jackets have learned over the years that when Nash goes down their is no one to pick up the scoring Brassard should help with that problem.

# 7 New York Islanders

Jiri Tlusty (Left Wing)

Klado (Czech Republic)

Born: March 16, 1988 Slany, Czech

Ht 6-1 Wt 185 Shoots Left

Tlusty is a hard working two-way player with good speed and passing, played this season as a teenager in Czech Elite so gained experience. The Islanders who are thin on defense might just swap this pick for help in that department but if not Tlusty is a player with heart and grit something lacking in Long Island.

#8 Phoenix Coyotes

Michael Frolik (Right Wing)

Kladno (Czech Republic)

Born: February 17, 1988 Klado, Czech

Ht 6-1 Wt 187 Shoots Left

Frolik had potential to be #1 pick overall but may have let press clippings get to his head, he has all the tools to be a superstar and the Coyotes might just be the fix it up for this kid. The Coyotes need offensive help and who better then Gretzky to straighten Frolik out, he could potentially be the steal of the draft need we say more.

# 9 Minnesota Wild

Bryan Little (Centre)

Barrie Colts (OHL)

Born: November 12, 1987 Edmonton, Albe.

Ht 5-10 Wt 194 Shoots Right

Little won awards in four categories in the OHL this season and his leadership and competitiveness will be an asset to any team. The Wild need scoring bad as they where in the bottom third of the league for the fifth straight season and need some punch up front in the new NHL.

# 10 Florida Panthers

Nigel Williams (Defensemen)

USA National Program

Born: April 18, 1988 Montgomery, Ill.

Ht 6-4 Wt 226 Shoots Left

Williams is a big defensemen and with a couple of years development could be a Pronger, Hatcher type of defensemen. The Panthers could use another blueliner as with their core prospects in the system their isnt one.

# 11 Los Angeles Kings

Jonathan Bernier (Goalie)

Lewiston Maineiacs (QMJHL)

Born: August 7, 1988 Laval, Que.

Ht 5-11 Wt: 180 Catches Left

Bernier will be the first goalie taken in the draft, he is a butterfly goalie with a good glove hand and he covers the angles well. The Kings do not have a star goalie prospect in the system and with their inconsistent NHL goalies, Bernier could be fast tracked to the NHL if the Kings dont fix their problem in the big leagues.

# 12 Atlanta Thrashers

Peter Mueller (Centre)

Everett Silvertips (WHL)

Born: April 14, 1988 Bloomington, Minn.

Ht 6-2 Wt 200 Shoots Right

Mueller is the best two way player in the draft and his services will be great to any team has a Lehtinen quality to him. The Thrashers are currently an old team at the forward position and would benefit from his offensive potential and defensive skills, their arent many teenagers youd put out with game on the line but this kid could handle that kind of pressure.

# 13 Toronto Maple Leafs

Patrik Berglund (Centre)

Allsvenskan (Sweden)

Born: June 2, 1988 Vasteras, Swe.

Ht 6-3 Wt 187 Shoots Left

Berglund has all the tools for a great NHL career, size, speed, toughness, scoring touch and heart. He would be taken a bit early at this slot but has the potential for stardom if he can fill in his size. The Leafs need some depth at the forward position and could take a chance on Berglund with Sundin's career running down could this be his Swedish replacement?

# 14 Vancouver Canucks

James Sheppard (Left Wing)

Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL)

Born: April 25, 1988 Sackville, N.S.

Ht 6-2 Wt 201 Shoots Left

Sheppard has been the go to guy for Cape Breton all season he has a good set of hands but lacks some foot speed this should come but his size 15 is by far the biggest feet in the draft. The Canucks lack good young forwards in their system and Sheppard can play all three forward positions if needed.

# 15 New York Rangers

Kyle Okposo (Right Wing)

Des Moines (USHL)

Born: April 16, 1988 St. Paul, Min.

Ht 6-0 Wt 195 Shoots Right

Okoposo skated away with rookie of the year honours in the USHL, he is a strong skater and a solid two way player, he isnt afraid to get into traffic and can give and take a hit.

The Rangers lack prospects at the forward position and would love to get their hands on this power/two way forward.

# 16 Tampa Bay Lightning

Bob Sanguinetti (Defensemen)

Owen Sound Attack (OHL)

Born: February 29, 1988 Lumberton, N.J.

Ht 6-1 Wt 182 Shoots Right

Sanguinetti plays a solid two way game he is a great skater and moves the puck well, Sanguinetti is of the perfect mold in the new NHL and could develop into a #1 Defensemen.

The Lightning need goaltending and defense and if they dont trade up to take a goalie then they will take the best available defensemen at this spot.

# 17 Dallas Stars

Cory Emmerton (Centre)

Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)

Born: June 1, 1988 St. Thomas, ON

Ht 5-11 Wt 181 Shoots Left

Emmerton seems to like challenges, he wasnt suppose to make the Frontenacs or dominate in the OHL and he did both, he has offensive talent that cant be taught.

The Stars are one team loaded with prospects so they can take any positioned player with this pick and why not take the best offensive player at this point.

# 18 Nashville Predators

Alexander Vasyunov (Left Wing)

Yaroslavi-2 (Russia)

Born: April 22, 1988 Yaroslavi, Rus.

Ht 6-0 Wt 187 Shoots Right

Vasyunov is a pure scorer, he can turn many players inside out 1 on 1 and has moves that will make your jaw drop but the downside is he seems to play on and off.

The Predators need a scorer and if they can get Vasyunov to play hard every night they will have a great talent and possibly a sleeper pick in this draft.

# 19 Detroit Red Wings

Ty Wishart (Defensemen)

Prince George Cougars (WHL)

Born: May 19, 1988 Comox, B.C.

Ht 6-4 Wt 214 Shoots Left

Wishart is a big strong and steady defensemen he isnt fancy but you can count on him just like you can count on facial hair and he is hard to beat 1 on 1, the downside right now is his skating bu that should come with age. The Red Wings have few prospects on the point and could use nothing more then a steady defensemen.

# 20 Montreal Canadiens

Chris Stewart (Right Wing)

Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)

Born: October 30, 1987 Toronto, ON

Ht 6-1 Wt 227 Shoots Right

Stewart like his centremen Emmerton was also a walk on with the Frontenacs and made the most of it. Scouts love Stewarts character and hard work and understands the concept of working together coming from a household with 5 sisters and brother Anthony a first round pick of the Panthers. The Habs are a team with not enough grit and Stewart has plenty a perfect match.

# 21 Philadelphia Flyers

Mike Forney (Left Wing)

Thief River (USHS)

Born: May 14, 1988 Thief River Falls, Min.

Ht 6-2 Wt 185 Shoots Right

Forney played high school hockey this season leading his school to the state hockey championship but Forney missed a year of development he will play catchup with North Dakota next year. The Flyers lack scoring prospects on the wing and Forney can fill the net he needs to add muscle to his big frame but is in the mold of the Flyers type of player a big guy.

# 22 Calgary Flames

John Armstrong (Centre)

Plymouth Whalers (OHL)

Born: February 26, 1988 Unionville, ON

Ht 6-2 Wt 201 Shoots Right

Armstrong came into the OHL off a 150 point season in the GTA hockey league but hasnt lived up to expectations yet but he does have size and speed and good hockey sense.

The Flames dont have many prospects at forward with the potential of scoring 30 goals and if groomed right Armstrong can give the Flames that and more.

# 23 Colorado Avalanche

Ben Maxwell (Centre)

Kootenay Ice (WHL)

Born: March 30, 1988 Vancouver, B.C.

Ht 6-0 Wt 175 Shoots Left

Maxwell has potential to be a #1 Centre or a bust it all depends on how hard he decides to work, he has speed, hockey sense but he needs to get stronger. The Avalanche are a team full of grey beards at the centre position so they would like nothing better to develop Maxwell into that # 1 centre that he has potential for.

# 24 Ottawa Senators

Ivan Vishnevsky (Defensemen)

Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)

Born: February 18, 1988 Barnaul, Rus.

Ht 6-0 Wt 178 Shoots Left

Vishnevsky is all offence from the blueline and would bring a great powerplay presence but he needs to remember that he needs to play defense as well. The Senators cant keep all their defense core with the salary cap so will be looking to get defensive prospects with this pick.

# 25 New Jersey Devils

Michael Grabner (Right Wing)

Spokane Chiefs (WHL)

Born: October 5, 1987 Villach, Aust.

Ht 6-0 Wt 188 Shoots Left

Grabner likes to score highlight reel goals and put up good numbers on a bad team, he has the skills but needs to be a bit more consistent. The Devils usually go into the draft taking the best player available dont see why that would change this year.

# 26 San Jose Sharks

Ryan White (Centre)

Calgary Hitmen (WHL)

Born: March 17, 1988 Brandon, Man.

Ht 6-0 Wt 204 Shoots Right

White will not put up big numbers but he's a winner, White can be used in any sitaution and has the heart and grit of a lion exactly what a team needs at playoff time. The Sharks are set at the #1 and #2 slot at centre but what they lacked these playoffs was the grit that Edmonton showed and White can provide that.

# 27 Anaheim Ducks

Mark Mitera (Defensemen)

Michigan (CCHA)

Born: October 22, 1987 Livonia, Mic.

Ht 6-3 Wt 175 Shoots Left

Mitera combines size and strength with a great character as the season progressed he got better and better and moved from #7 on the USA junior chart to #3. The Ducks could use defensemen and you can beat they will take a defensemen with this pick.

# 28 Buffalo Sabres

Chris Summers (Defensemen)

USA Junior Program

Born: February 5, 1988 Ypsilanti, Mic.

Ht 6-1 Wt 180 Shoots Left

Summers will suit up next season for Michigan and is a great skater some say he glides faster then some NHLers skate and is a steay stay a t home defensemen. The Sabres lack prospects as this position so you can beat the farm they will be getting their hands on one here.

# 29 Edmonton Oilers

Joe Ryan (Defensemen)

Quebec Rampards (QMJHL)

Born: October 19, 2006 Malden, Que.

Ht 6-1 Wt 186 Shoots Right

Ryan plays for Patrick Roy and what better mentor to tell you what you need to do to get to the show. It seems like Ryan listened and had a great year for the Rampards a solid defensive defensemen. The Oilers dont have many prospects and are looking to find a gem in the draft Ryan could be it.

# 30 Carlina Hurricanes

Ondrej Fiala (Centre)

Everett Silvertips (WHL)

Born: November 4, 1987, Stenberk, Czech

Ht 6-2 Wt 190 Shoots Left

Fiala has a great attitude and is a real sound player his learned to play the North American type of game in the WHL and teams will like that. What can you say about the Stanley Cup champs they will take the best player in the draft thats remain and Fiala could be it.

2006 NHL MOCK DRAFT

NHL Entry Draft June 24, 2006