BT and Bass' 2009 Mock NHL Entry Draft: Picks Eight Through Fourteen

BT started the mock draft and had his whole "schpiel" prepared, as we Jews like to do. Crap, not even one line into my article and already a Jew joke.

Okay, you know the drill, I have the even picks, BT has the odd picks.  Which is ironic, because his picks are indeed odd.  Where is Ron Burgundy when you need him?

Click here to check out picks one through seven of the mock draft.

8. Dallas Stars
Dmitri Kulikov, D, Drummondville (QMJHL)- Bass

The highest ranked Russian player in this year’s draft, Kulikov is an unbelievable skater with a great deal of competitiveness and the ability to make plays. He averaged more than a point per game during the season and two points per game at the start of the playoffs.

The Stars struggled greatly this year, mainly due to injury, but with some great, young young guys coming up in Fabian Brunnstrom, James Neal, and Loui Eriksson, the Stars need help on defense. Sergei Zubov and Darryl Sydor will both be retiring soon, and Robidas cannot handle the defensive roles himself. Kulikov could be a great complement to Robidas’ game, possibly becoming a top two NHL defenseman.

9. Zack Kassian-Ottawa Senators (Peterborough-OHL)- BT

Whenever the Senators lost to the Leafs in the playoffs, the word was they "didn't have enough grit". Over the past few years, the Sens have gone back and forth between adding skilled players and grit. In Kassian, they get the entire package.

Kassian had 136 penalty minutes in the OHL this season, but also potted sixty three points and thirteen power play goals, alleviating the knock against Ottawa with regards to secondary scoring.

Kassian is also going to lay the body fairly frequently without any signs of remorse. You may remember him as the man who had Knights' fans holding their breath, as he sent John Tavares packing in an ALL STAR GAME.

Think it's time for an attitude adjustment in Canada's capital? Yes please.

Other considerations: Ryan Ellis and Scott Glennie. Glennie would also help to address the secondary scoring issues in Ottawa, and his speed would be a huge asset to the team. For a team that already has Brian Lee playing NHL minutes, Erik Karlsson on his way, and Anton Volechenkov, Chris Phillips, and Filip Kuba holding down the NHL fort, Ellis' development could have him right in line to take the NHL reigns with the departure of one of the later two.

10. Edmonton Oilers
Ryan Ellis, D, Windsor (OHL)- Bass

Ellis is arguably the most talented Canadian defenseman in the draft. He has a powerful slap shot, great speed and agility and the hockey sense needed to succeed at the NHL level. He lead all of the OHL defenseman with eighty nine points this year and was named the top offensive defenseman, the hardest shot, and the fastest skater in the OHL this year by a coaches’ poll.

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