The Hockey Spy's 1st 2009 Mock NHL Entry Draft (Part 1 of 3)

Players Ranked 21-30:

Notes up front:

- The mock draft at this point is based on teams drafting BPA (Best Player Available). I will begin with a first round mock and expand from there leading up to the June Entry Draft, likely including three rounds or 100 players.
- I am not a big fan of drafting a goalie in first round unless the talent and potential are simply undeniable. Last year, for instance, given the astronomical odds of actually being a NHL GM, I would have considered selecting Jacob Markstrom and Chet Pitkard in the first round. This year, I would not select a netminder at all. Olivier Roy would be the closest thing to a 1st-round talent goalie, but I seem him more as an early to mid second rounder.
- NHL Player Comparisons are simply to give the reader a feel for the players' style and ultimately likely equal the player's ceiling potential being reached. It is often an exercise in futility, but does offer up some value. If I add the suffix "-lite" or "Jr." After a NHL player comparison, it simply refers to the fact the prospect likely has no chance to reach that high a potential, but rather resembles or plays a style reminiscent of the respective NHLer.
- "One-Timer" heading is meant to be a quick synopsis of the prospect. As we move closer to the June entry draft, The Hockey Spy will reveal more detailed information on the prospective players.
- NHL teams not listed at hits point. I'll wait until positions are set after April 16th.
- Stats are from hockeydb.com where available.

# - Name - Hometown - Height - Weight - Amateur League - Amateur Club - Position

21. Landon Ferraro - Burnaby, BC - 6'0"- 170 lbs - WHL - Red Deer - C
One-Timer: Son of former NHLer Ray Ferraro, Landon has wheels - as evident by his winning the fastest skater event at the Top Prospects Game's Skill Competition. Other than his skating, Landon's hockey smarts and hard work make him a solid NHL prospect, even setting bloodlines aside. The young Ferraro also knows a thing or two about scoring.
NHL Player(s) Comparison: David Krejci
ISS: 18
CSB: 13-NA
TSN: 24
NACS: 18


22. Louis Leblanc - Kirkland, PQ - 6'0" - 178 lbs - USHL - Omaha - C
One-Timer: The fast, offensive centerman was actually considered to be a top 10 prospect coming into this hockey season. He is Harvard-bound next season.
NHL Player(s) Comparison: Patrick Marleau Jr.
ISS: 16
CSB: 18-NA
TSN: 22
NACS: 37


23. Charles-Oliver Roussel - St-Eustache, PQ - 6'1" - 200 lbs - OMJHL - Shawinigan - D
One-Timer: The two-way blueliner is extremely poised and very versatile. Whether you need him to man the powerplay, shut-down the opposing key players, or play a nasty physical game - Roussel will be making the NHL team's scouting department who decides to select him look very good!
NHL Player(s) Comparison: Shea Weber-Lite
ISS: N/A
CSB: 30-NA
TSN: not ranked
NACS: 53


24. Carter Ashton - Saskatoon, SK - 6'4" - 212 lbs - WHL - Lethbridge - RW
One-Timer: The son of former NHLer, Brent Ashton, who played 2 games shy of 1000 in the NHL. The budding 2-way power forward out of the "Dub" has seen his stock rocket as this season went on. The physical forward doesn't shy away from the rough stuff and established himself as a 30-goal scorer this year. He has great character and quite versatile as well.
NHL Player(s) Comparison: Mike Knuble, Ryan Malone
ISS: 22
CSB: 10-NA
TSN: 19
NACS: 39


25. Nick Leddy - Eden Prairie, MN - 5'11" - 180 lbs - MN-HS - Eden Prairie - D
One-Timer: The recently crowned "Mr. Hockey", as the best high-school player in Minnesota high school, is a tad on the small side, but boy is he fast! He is a very poised player and an uncanny ability to make plays at high speeds. He posses very good vision and thus makes intelligent decisions on both sides of the rink.
NHL Player(s) Comparison: Kris Russell, Dan Boyle, Brian Rafalski
ISS: N/A
CSB: 25-NA
TSN: not ranked
NACS: 34


26. Chris Kreider - Boxford, MASS - 6'2'' - 200 lbs - HS-MASS - Andover - LW
One-Timer: High schooler has NHL frame and possesses a great touch around the net. The power forward is also a beautiful skater. He'll need some time to develop, but is an intriguing sleeper.
NHL Player(s) Comparison: Travis Zajac
ISS: 30
CSB: 14-NA
TSN: 20
NACS: 42

27. Jeremy Morin - Auburn, NY - 6'0" - 190 lbs - USA-U18 - NTDP - C
One-Timer: One word: Sniper! There are some issues with his attitude and certain aspects of his game (skating and physical fitness), but he has tons of potential and the kid simply knows how to fill the back of the net. He had 26 goals and 22 assists in 46 games with the U18 team this year.
NHL Player(s) Comparison: Alexei Kovalec Jr.-Lite
ISS: 23
CSB: 21-NA
TSN: 25
NACS: 20

28. Ethan Werek - Stouffville, ONT - 6'2'' - 195 lbs - OHL - Kingston - LW
One-Timer: With 64 points in 66 games in his OHL rookie season, Werek displays a combination of offense and grit. He utilizes his good hands, strength and reach in close, scoring most of his goals in the "dirty" areas. Ethan has a decent shot with better-than-average passing ability. He does need work on the defensive side and on his discipline, as he sometimes takes needless penalties.
NHL Player(s) Comparison: John Leclair
ISS: 24
CSB: 43-NA
TSN: not ranked
NACS: 15


29. Kyle Palmieri - Montvale, NJ - 5'11" - 191 lbs - USA-U18 - NTDP - C
One-Timer: Palmieri is an explosive skater with and without the puck. He has very good vision and uses the this to distribute the puck to his teammates effectively. Kyle had 30 points in 33 games with the U18 team this season.
NHL Player(s) Comparison: Chris Drury
ISS: 21
CSB: 19-NA
TSN: 29
NACS: 22

30. Tomas Tatar - Slovakia - 5'11" - 176 lbs - Slovakia - HKM Zvolen- C
One-Timer: Possessing tremendous hands and a great shot, Tatar, who had an unbelievable WJC breakout performance, also has an uncanny ability to be at the right place at the right time.
NHL Player(s) Comparison: Jiri Hudler, Zach Parise-lite
ISS: N/A
CSB: 17-E
TSN: not ranked
NACS: 47

Legend:
ISS = International Scouting Services
CSB = Central Scouting Bureau (NA = North America , E = Europe)
TSN = Bob McKenzie's mid-season rankings
NACS = North American Central Scouting - Mark Seidel

Next up...players ranked 11-20

The Hockey Spy: your quintessential resource for the NHL Entry Draft!