Defensemen Should Dominate Nhl Draft

Though there are varying opinions about the quality of Saturday’s NHL draft, it’s generally agreed that defensemen will be the players of choice.

At least, that will be true in the first round, where defensive standouts like Bryan Berard and Wade Redden and Finland’s Aki-Petteri Berg are expected to go early.

Ottawa has the No. 1 selection in the nine-round draft.

The New York Islanders pick second, followed by the Los Angeles Kings, who moved up four spots by winning the league’s first draft lottery last month.

“There’s not a consensus No. 1 pick this year,” said Senators general manager Randy Sexton, adding that he didn’t see much difference between the three defensemen. “There’s a wider group of people to choose from.”

Berard, the top-rated American in the field from Woonsocket, R.I., played with the Detroit Jr. Red Wings of the Ontario Hockey League. Redden, a native of Hillmond, Saskatchewan, starred for Brandon of the estern Hockey League.

Both are offensive-minded defensemen, with Berard considered the more dynamic player.

“He’s explosive,” said Kevin Prendergast, director of hockey operations for the Edmonton Oilers. “He practically gives a team a fourth forward.”

At 6-foot-3, 196 pounds, Berg is the biggest of the three. And the most physical.

“Berg is not a typical European,” said Prendergast, whose Oilers have the No. 6 pick. “He’s a Kjell Samuelsson type who gets involved. He’s not afraid to hit people. In fact, he likes to.”

Berard and Redden are ranked 1-2 in North America, while Berg is the top-rated European defenseman.

The question of quality has several answers.

“Most years, there are more quality forwards than defensemen,” said Tom Thompson, director of amateur scouting for the Calgary Flames. “We picked 19th last year and will be 20th this year. There’s the same quality of players available.”

Sexton disagreed.

“I don’t think the draft is as deep as it has been in other years,” he said. “It will thin out considerably, especially when you get into the fourth and fifth rounds.”

Some talent will be excluded because of a change in age policy.

The draft age has been raised from 18 to 19 in North America. There is an “opt-in” clause for U.S. high school players who are 18, but if they decide to go the draft route they will forfeit their first year of NCAA eligibility.

There is no age limit on non-North American players.