Fan In Van

Canucks at the Draft

Before proceeding, it should go without saying that the Pittsburgh Penguins earned the Stanley Cup on Friday night; coming together in the second half of the game despite losing captain Sidney Crosby says a lot about how much the team grew over the postseason and the type of discipline and poise Cup-winning coach Dan Bylsma reverberated throughout his squad after the second period. Marc-Andre Fleury stole the game and the series and character players like Max Talbot, Jordan Staal and Brooks Orpik were the reason why Pittsburgh got over the hump this time around.

Now, to the results of the 2009 Playoff Predictions Contest! It was a close race throughout the entire playoffs and came down to the end of the postseason to decide a winner. But in the end, this is how the standings stood when all was said and done:

1. Leon - 27 points
2. Matt Lee - 25 points
3. Ray Ray Superstar - 24 points
4. Chad Klassen - 22 points
5. Travis and Raph - 21 points
6. Jack and Shawn - 20 points
7. Kyle Gagan and Alex Strohschein - 19 points

The fact that Leon picked the Penguins over the Red Wings in the Cup final was enough to keep him ahead of the rest of the pack. Congratulations to Leon for winning this year’s playoff prediction!

Leon then proceeded to celebrate his victory with a burger and fries. Here’s his celebratory picture:

But let’s get right down to the next thing which is going to be making waves in the hockey world: THE 2009 NHL ENTRY DRAFT. The time for talk is over; since last year’s draft we’ve heard a lot of talk and debate about the next brand of young superstars ready to make their mark on the world. John Tavares and Victor Hedman have solidified themselves as the 1-2 selections, but it may never become clear until Draft Day who will be selected first. In addition, players like Matt Duchene have seen their stock skyrocket, while some players such as Jordan Schroeder’s World Junior performance coincided with their dropoff. In any event, the first round is sure to be chock full of future NHL talent.

For the Vancouver Canucks, who will be selecting 22nd overall this year, it’s unknown which direction they will pursue on June 26th when the NHL clubs converge in Montreal.

The Canucks continue to hold their crowned jewel Cody Hodgson in the centre slot, but after the CHL Player of the Year the talent wears thin: Patrick White’s value has plummeted after two sub-par performances with the University of Minnesota, and other centres Prab Rai and Mario Bliznak are project centres at best. On the wings, Michael Grabner and newly-signed Sergei Shirokov are the team’s best, but after that, the talent isn’t sublime.

On the blueline things aren’t much bright; last year’s second-round selection Yann Sauve had a decent season with the QMJHL St. John Sea Dogs, but is two or three years from making his mark. Tough and bruising defenders Taylor Ellington and Nathan McIver continue to improve their skating game with Everett (WHL) and Manitoba (AHL).

It seems about the only position the Canucks are currently set in is between the pipes. While signing franchise netminder Roberto Luongo to an extension will be a high priority this summer, the Canucks boast a nice Plan B with Cory Schneider, who was the AHL’s goalie of the year and has the makings of at least a starting goaltender. Should the Canucks be successful in locking up Luongo long-term, Schneider has good trade value which would allow the club to address other weaknesses in the prospect pool.

The strategy for Mike Gillis and his scouting crew remains unknown. Last year at 10th overall they took the best player available in Hodgson, but at 22nd overall this June it’s uncertain whether the club will take the best player available or a winger or defenceman, two positions which need some attention. Many players ranked 15th to 30th in The Hockey News’ draft preview were defencemen and few are wingers. And even then, there’s no guarantee the Canucks will even hold onto their pick, as they may trade it for immediate help to win now.

That’s where FanInVan.com comes in. Like last year, I’ll provide you with a handful of young talent who could find themselves donning the green, blue and white in Montreal in a week. And similar to that of Cody Hodgson, you’ll get a sneak peek at the kind of player the Canucks will be selecting.

Keep checking FanInVan.com! The first player I’ll be profiling is Swedish defenceman David Rundblad.