2008 NHL Mock Draft

The 2008 National Hockey League entry draft will take place in Ottawa at Scotia Bank Place and the first pick looks like it will belong to either the Los Angeles Kings or Tampa Bay Lightning.

This draft features one of the most dynamic prospects, since Sidney Crosby, in Steven Stamkos and one of the best defenseman, since Dion Phaneuf, in Drew Doughty.

All teams have different needs going into draft day, and with only about 5 games remaining for most teams it is about time to look into possible draft positions and who is available there.

#1 L.A. Kings: The L.A. Kings are no strangers to the top of the draft board over the last couple of years and are in need of serious goaltending, but having the first overall pick, will take the best available player and look for a good goaltender in the later rounds.
SELECTION: Steven Stamkos--He is a dynamic centreman who would look good in any NHL uniform. He recorded 92 points his rookie year and 105 points this past year playing in sixty-three and sixty-one games respectively. Stamkos is highly touted and is the concensus number one pick in this year's draft.

#2 Tampa Bay Lightning: The Lightning tend to draft swift skating playmakers, with high ceilings. The Lightning need a defender to play in the #3 whole on the blueline and accompany Dan Boyle on the Powerplay.
SELECTION: Alex Pietrangelo--Petro is the best puck-moving defender in this draft, and in the Ontario Hockey League he is a point-per-game guy. His downfall though is his unwillingness to play physically, especially with a 6'3" frame. There is no ceiling that is higher than Pietrangelo in this draft, other than Stamkos.

#3 Atlanta Thrashers: The Thrashers need a centre to replace Hossa with but also want to take the best player available. Lucky for them, they can kill two birds with one stone. 
SELECTION: Kyle Beach--is a fantastic centreman who has great visibility and is the best playmaking centre in the Western Hockey League. He uses his size to his advantage and draws many comparisons to Mats Sundin, although, it is far too early to tell if this is what he will develop into.

#4 St. Louis Blues: The Blues have a lot of young and talented players and do not have a glaring need other than team depth. At this position in the draft they will take the best player available and lucky for them a pretty good defenseman should still be available.
SELECTION: Drew Doughty

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