BT and Bass' 2009 Mock NHL Entry Draft: Picks Fifteen Through Twenty-Two

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Well the first annual BT and Bass' 2009 Mock NHL Entry Draft is in full flight. We've had picks 1-7 done by me and 8-14 by Bass.

Alan even started his part of the article off with terrible jokes, so you know this thing is legitimate.

But before we begin, let's talk a bit about the NHL awards:

1) Jeremy Roenick should host everything NHL-related from now until forever. Even if he's just a floating head like in Futurama. Throw in Dennis Leary and it becomes all the better.

Needless to say it easily tops Bettman's self-deprecation and Tim Thomas asking Manny Fernandez "Should I thank your wife?".

Actually, it doesn't top that last one. Each interview of an NHL personality should finish with the interviewer asking "And while we're at it...should I thank your wife for you?". More awkward comedy? Yes please.

2) This has nothing to do with the NHL or it's awards but Chad (Johnson) Ochocinco is going to be living with Quarterback Carson Palmer this offseason. AND WHERE IS REALITY TV ON THIS?!?!

We're overrun with shows featuring large families; people of different heights, weights, ethnic backgrounds,and sexual orientations; and Kathy Griffin, and no one is recording this?

Better yet, throw Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in a house together. Or Claude Lemieux and Kris Draper. What about Ken Daneyko and George Parros? Then let's make an NHL award for that. (See? I knew we'd get back on topic...)

3. Shaka Khan....really. I mean, is the NHL really that out of touch with "popular culture" that everyone was forced to sit through this? Poor Drew Doughty and Luke Schenn just finished their first years in the NHL, and now they'll never play well enough for an award for fear of this.

At least she didn't eat Bettman's toupee.

On to the draft....but first this. Just so you all remember the worst decision in NHL history.

15. Carter Ashton—Anaheim Ducks (Lethbridge-WHL)-BT

The Pick: Carter Ashton is a big kid, and a big kid has to have the right guy to pattern his game after. That guy is Cam Neely.

Ashton always enjoyed watching Neely's style of play, and now the 6'3 native of Winnipeg is looking to exert his own dominance at the NHL level.

Ashton had a great bounce-back season last year with his first 30-goal campaign, and he's smart enough to address the needs in his game, already having worked on his skating.

The Ducks were able to get younger on the blueline with the additions of Ryan Whitney and James Wisniewski at the trade deadline while Brandon Mikkelson played some solid hockey down the stretch. Names like Brian Salcido, Mark Mitera, and Brett Festerling are already strengthening the sound of the blueline for the Ducks, so taking Ashton—who could be fun to watch alongside Corey Perry—would be a good fit for Anaheim.

Other Considerations: Jacob Josefson, Chris Kreider. Both possess offensive abilities that would be interesting to watch develop alongside some of the bigger, more-powerful Ducks (specifically Kreider). If this team keeps drafting big, talented bodies, they'll only get harder to play against.

16. Jacob Josefson—Columbus Blue Jackets (Djurgarden-SEL)-Bass

Although the Blue Jackets need a defenseman more than they need a forward, Scott Howson will not be able to pass up on this talented young Swede, who managed to put up 16 points in the top league in Europe. Although his WJC performance was terrible, going pointless on a strong Swedish squad, his draft stock is still high, due to his great skating ability, offensive talent, and the fact that he was playing in the World Juniors with a stomach flu.

Columbus is weak on the back end but could go for some upgrades everywhere. With Derick Brassard coming back from injury next year, Jakub Voracek, Nikita Filatov, RJ Umberger, and Maksim Mayorov, the Blue Jackets have all sorts of talent on offense. By adding Josefson to the pack, Rick Nash and Co. will simply have another weapon to use.

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