Top 2009 NHL Rookie: Victor Hedman or John Tavares?

When you look at the contestants for the number one spot in the 2009 NHL draft, you don't see a whole lot of talent — compare that to the 2008 draft, where the entire first round was loaded with skill.

Although this year's crop won't be as exciting, there is an interesting battle for the position of best rookie and clearly the choice is between John Tavares or Victor Hedman.

In 2005, at only 14-years-old, Taveres was selected first overall by the Oshawa Generals in the OHL Priority Draft.

Two years later, he broke a record held by Wayne Gretzky, scoring 72 goals in a season as a 16-year-old. In 2007-08, he registered 118 points in only 59 games and led team Canada to the gold at the 2008 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Ottawa.

Hedman from Sweden stands at 6’7’, 220 and currently plays for MoDo of the Swedish Elite League.

Hedman is a solid shut down defender that any National Hockey League club would love to have. Most could say he's the Swedish Pronger.

Hedman helped lead Sweden to a silver medal at the 2009 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships, losing to who else, Tavares and Team Canada in the championship game.

Other notable players in the 2009 entry draft are Brayden Schenn, Nazem Kadri, Jordan Schroeder and Evander Kane.

As it stands right now, the bottom five NHL clubs in the Draft Lottery are the New York Islanders, Atlanta Thrashers, Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightening and the Toronto Maple Leafs.