HF Radio Host Dustin Nielson takes a look back at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and also a quick look at the first couple of days of NHL Free Agency.

This Week’s Guests:

Mike Oke, ISS Hockey: Mike will chat with Dustin about the top picks of the ‘09 Draft, surprising selections like Kadri and Dehaan. Mike will also give his thought’s on any attitude problems with Jordan Schroeder and give a little insight into top prospects for the 2010 Draft.

Douglas Davidson, NYI Blog Box: The New York Islanders have their man, so what do the fans and those who follow the team think about? How much pressure does Tavares face? What are the expectations on him for next season? Did the Islanders give up to much to land Dehaan?

Adam Kimmelman, NHL.com: Adam will chime in on the major overhaul in Montreal and what he thinks about the whole Dany Heatley fiasco. Should the Oilers even want Heatley now? What about Cogliano, Penner and Smid? Should the NHL take a closer look at how No-Trade Clauses are used?

Adam Kempenaar, Chicago Blackhawks: The Blackhawks wasted not time hopping into the deep end of the free agency pool by landing Marian Hossa courtesy of a 12-year deal. They also added John Madden and Tomas Kopecky, where do they fit in? Can this team afford to keep Toews, Kane, Keith and Seabrook? At the same time can they afford to lose them? Are the Hawks the Western Conference Favourite?

This week’s edition of Hockey’s Future Radio is now available. Please click below to listen.

Hockey’s Future Radio: Draft and Free Agency Review Show

Thank you for your continued to support of Hockey’s Future and HF Radio.

Here is the audio from the Brian Burke scrum from abut 6:00 PM on Thursday night.

Brian Burke scrum

Our coverage of the 2009 Draft is now underway, from what I now understand is that we may end up having some video coverage after all….but for now here are some pretty good clips from the top prospects and EJ Mcguire from NHL Central Scouting. Just click below to listen.

JOHN TAVARES
John Tavares media scrum

VICTOR HEDMAN
Victor Hedman media scrum

MATT DUCHENE
Matt Duchene media scrum

EVANDER KANE
Evander Kane media scrum

MAGNUS PAAJARVI-SVENSSON
Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson One on One

BRAYDEN SCHENN
Brayden Schenn Media Scrum

EJ MCGUIRE – NHL Central Scouting

EJ MCGUIRE – Long Media Scrum

Saw Evander Kane at the airport today, he was coming off a plane from Vancouver as I was landing on my trip from Calgary.

He is much more solid than I thought he was…from watching him play etc. I didn’t know how solid he was…looks like he has NHL size already. He was hanging out with Stefan Elliot…and they bumped into Landon Ferraro and Tommi Kivisto who were on the flight in from Calgary.

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Was thinking today…what happens if the Thrashers go with Brayden Schenn at 4? Does that make the Kings pick at 5 worth a little more with Kane still on the board. Could make things interesting.

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Random thought: First overall pick…

Tavares 65 %, Hedman 30 %, Duchene 5 %

That’s what I would say it is right now…although for the state of the franchise for the Islanders it should be Tavares 100 %

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Team most likely to steal the show this weekend…

Toronto or Montreal….Leafs because of Burke, Habs because of being at home. Top five would be.

1. Toronto
2. Montreal
3. Los Angeles
4. Islanders
5. Tampa

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Less than 48 hours until round 1….pumped in Montreal.

Take it easy,
Nielson

Here’s my 2009 NHL MOCK Draft.

1. Islanders – John Tavares, F

2. Tampa Bay – Victor Hedman, D

3. Colorado – Matt Duchene, F

4. Atlanta – Evander Kane, F

5. Los Angeles – Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson, F

6. Phoenix – Dmitry Kulikov, D

7. Toronto – Brayden Schenn

8. Dallas – Jared Cowen, D

9. Ottawa – Nazem Kadri, F

10. Edmonton – Scott Glennie, F

11. Nashville – Oliver Ekman-Larsson, D

12. Minnesota – Jordan Schroeder, F

13. Buffalo – John Moore, D

14. Florida – Zach Kassian, F

15. Anaheim – Jacob Josefson, F

16. Columbus – Ryan Ellis, D

17. St. Louis – Louis Leblanc, F

18. Montreal – Carter Ashton, F

19. Rangers – Peter Holland, F

20. Calgary – Landon Ferraro, F

21. Philadelphia – Drew Shore, F

22. Vancouver – David Runblad, D

23. New Jersey – Chris Kreider, F

24. Washington – Simon Despres, D

25. Boston – Jordan Caron, F

26. Islanders – Tim Erixon, F

27. Carolina – Ethan Werek, F

28. Chicago – Dylan Olsen, D

29. Detroit – Toni Rajala, F

30. Pittsburgh – Jeremy Morin, F

Unfortunately, due to the economy, we have had to cut back our draft coverage and will not be able to provide video.

However we will have as much audio coverage as your ears can handle. Watch for blog updates constantly over the next four days.

As Team USA forward Jeremy Morin get ready to closeout the 2009 IIHF u18 World Championships tonight in Fargo, North Dakota, they’ve quite possibly saved their best for last.

Set to face to Team Russia in the gold medal game, Morin and the rest the USA squad are ready to bring their “A” game in front of what should be the most electric home crowds in the Urban Plains Center’s short history.

Looking forward to this summer and the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Morin is one of six U.S. NTDP players listed in the top 60 of the NHL’s final Central Scouting list.

Jeff caught up with Morin before the big match up. The two talked about his young, yet impressive career, playing with the U.S. NTDP and Team USA, and what the future may hold.

Jeff Dahlia with 2009 Propect Jeremy Morin

Swedish forward Magnus Svensson-Paajarvi and Team Sweden closed out play at the 2009 IIHF u18 World Championships Saturday night in Fargo, North Dakota.

Team Sweden defeated the Czech Republic to take the fifth overall spot, while the 2009 draft eligible forward finished the tournament scoring 10 points (5 goals, 5 assist) and registered a plus-4  rating in five games.

Jeff Dahlia caught up with Svensson-Paajarvi, who’s final NHL Central Scouting European ranking puts him second only to fellow countryman Victor Hedman.

In an interview from the 2009 IIHF u18 World Championships, Svensson-Paajarvi  talked about tournament play, playing hockey all over the globe this past year, his development and the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Jeff Dahlia with 2009 Prospect Magnus Svensson-Paajarvi

Team USA and Team Russia square off in the gold medal game of the 2009 IIHF u18 World Junior Championships in Fargo tonight.

Jeff Dahlia caught up with Team USA head coach Ron Rolston and Team Russia head coach Vladimir Plyushchev. The coaches weighed in on tonight’s final showdown.

Team USA head coach Ron Rolston

Team Russia head coach Vladimir Plyushchev

Team USA and Team Canada square off in the semifinal round of the 2009 IIHF u18 World Junior Championships in Fargo tonight.

Jeff Dahlia caught up with head coach Ron Rolston and forward Drew Shore from Team USA. He also spoke with Team Canada head coach Mike Johnston. The three weighed in on tonight’s big match up.

Team USA Head Coach Ron Rolston and  forward Drew Shore

Team Canada Head Coach Mike Johnston