1. New York Islanders – John Tavares, C-6′0-195. Most anticipated draftee since Sidney Crosby.  Tavares lit it up in the WJC and scored 58 goals in 56 games last season in the OHL.  While Victor Hedman may be the smart/safe pick, the Isles get themself a piece to build around for years to come.
2. Tampa Bay Lightning – Victor Hedman, D-6′6-220.  Chris Pronger, Zdeno Chara…etc, etc….while Tavares is the sexy pick, Hedman may be the best pick in the draft.  Likely to be NHL ready upon arrival, the Lightning now have two cornerstones for a long time with Hedman and last years top pick, Steven Stamkos.
3. Colorado Avalanche – Matt Duchene, C-5′11-200.  Perhaps the most complete player in the draft.  Scores a ton and is smart in his own end.  If this was last seasons draft, he likely would have been picked 1st.
4. Atlanta Thrashers – Evander Kane, C-5′11-160.  Scored 48 goals in 61 games in the WHL and had six points in the WJC.  At 160 pounds, he will only get bigger — a great skater as well.
5. Los Angeles Kings – Magnus Paajarvi-Svenson, LW-6′1-198.  Ranked 3rd best player by the ISS coming into the draft.  Has great speed and hands, and his playmaking ability will add depth to a young Kings team.
6. Phoenix Coyotes – Nazem Kadri, C-5′11-175. Can move to the wing if need be.  Had 78 points in 56 games in the OHL.  Added to a young core of Peter Mueller and Kyle Turris, the Coyotes offense could soon be potent.
7. Toronto Maple Leafs – Jared Cowen, D-6′5-218.  It’s still up in the air what the Leafs do with this pick, but adding the big defenseman will give them a top pair with Luke Schenn.
8. Dallas Stars – Brayden Shenn, C-6′0-192.  Good on both ends of the ice, but can really do it all.  Can play on the PP, PK and put up points.
9. Ottawa Senators – Dmitri Kulikov, D-6′1-195.  Over a point-per-game defenseman in Russia, can help start the rebuilding process for the Sens.
10. Edmonton Oilers – David Runblad, D-6′2-190.  Along with Jeff Petry, having Runblad on the blueline would add two long-term NHL defenseman, Runblad being the puckmover, Petry being the stopper.
11. Nashville Predators – Jordan Schroeder, RW-5′9-180.  The best US born prospect this year.  Schroeder had a monster WJC and was over a point-per-game with Minnesota last season.
12. Minnesota Wild – Simon Depres, D-6′4-214.  While still a little bit of a project, a 6′4 defenseman is too tough to pass up.  Had 30 assists in 66 games with his QMJHL squad last year.  Can learn from Brent Burns.
13. Buffalo Sabres – Ryan Ellis, D-5′10-173.  Think Brian Rafalski, but better on the PP.  Notched 89 points in 57 games with Windsor last season, along with seven points in the WJC for Canada.
14. Florida Panthers – Scott Glennie, C-6′1-182.  After breaking his elbow in January, scored 15 points in eight playoff games with his WHL squad.  Whoever the new GM of the Panthers is, they will be dumb not to grab this kid.
15. Anaheim Ducks – John Moore, D-6′2-180.  With the futures of Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer in question, it will be tough for the Ducks to pass on a 39 points in 57 games defenseman.  Can skate with the best of them.
16. Columbus Blue Jackets – Oliver Ekman-Larsson, D-6′2-176.  Caught in the shadows of Victor Hedman and David Runblad, Ekman-Larsson may be the best passer out of all three.
17. St. Louis Blues – Zack Kassian, RW-6′3-205.  Think Bobby Holik, but more offensive.  The Blues have a top minor league system, and adding Kassian will only make them more potent in years to come.
18. Montreal Canadiens – Peter Holland, C-6′2-190.   The Habs may be in trouble.  They have no real exciting prospects, but when Holland is at his best, Holland is an exciting, goal scoring center.
19. New York Rangers – Landon Ferraro, RW-6′0-170.  Ranked 18th by the ISS, Ferraro scored 37 goals with Red Deer last season.  Needs to be better in the defensive end.  If he can master that, will be a complete player.
20. Calgary Flames – Calvin De Haan, D-6′0-173.  55 assists in 68 games with Oshawa last season and a great skater.  Pairing him with Dion Phaneuf can be very scary for years to come.
21. Philadelphia Flyers – Drew Shore, C-6′2-198.  A great forechecker, who can contribute offensively as well.  Would be a great role player on a team with Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Claude Girioux and the upcoming James Van Riemsdyk.
22. Vancouver Canucks – Carter Ashton, LW-6′3-200.  The Canucks have a gem in Cody Hodgson, adding a 6′3 Ashton will start to build a core of goal scoring forwards.  Ashton could be a little more physical with his size, but that could come with experience.
23. New Jersey Devils – Jacob Josefson, C-6′0-187.  The Devils may not re-sign John Madden.  If that’s the case, this guy would replace him.  Plays at both ends, and is a solid skater.
24. Washington Capitals – Jeremy Morin, C-6′0-185.  Great hands and an ability to put the puck in the net.  Needs the puck when he is on the ice.  Playing on a line behind AO could be a scary thing.
25. Boston Bruins – Kyle Palmeiri, C-5′10-193.  Showed character after a shady incident with teammates of his under-18 team, refusing to rat out players.  Can beat defenseman skating and is tough to move.
26. New York Islanders (from SJ) – Chris Kreider, LW-6′2-201.  Reading a quote from a scout, saying that few players currently in the NHL are better skaters caught my eye.  With the additions of Tavares and Kreider, the Islanders begin to build a scoring core for years to come.
27. Carolina Hurricanes – Stefan Elliott, D-6′1-184.  Better offensively then defensively, Elliott reminds a few scouts of Mike Green.  The Hurricanes have seen plenty of Green…
28. Chicago Blackhawks – Nick Leddy, D-5′11-179.  The offense is there with Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Kris Versteeg, now adding a puck moving defenseman to a core of Brian Campbell and Duncan Keith will fortify a top team for years to come.
29. Detriot Red Wings – Louis LeBlanc, C-6′0-178.  Scored over a point-per-game in the USCHL, and was named rookie of the year.  LeBlanc can no doubt be good in his zone and on the other teams.
30. Pittsburgh Penguins – Tim Erixon, D-6′2-190.  Son of former Ranger Jan Erixon, Tim Erixon is a shut down guy who will be a perfect compliment to highly offensive players like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

Monzo: Well, that took me forever, but there is an immense amount of talent in the draft this season.  The Rangers will also get the 47th pick in the draft, due to the untimely, tragic death of Alexei Cherepanov.  If Tomas Tatar out of Slovakia is available, he may be a must-take.  He is a little small, at 5′10 and 165 pounds, but he had seven goals in seven WJC games.

Click here for the mock drafts of Pierre McGuire and Craig Button.