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10:17 pm ET

Mattias Tedenby
HV71 (Sweden)
Left wing.
Shoots Left.
5′10″, 176 lbs.
Born: Vetlanda, Sweden, February 21, 1990.

The Devils knew who they wanted all the way along (it appears) and get their man in the Swede.  This is not a broken record - Tedenby is a small, skilled forward that has drawn several comparisons to former Canadien Mats Naslund.  He is very competitive during each shift.  What he lacks in size, he makes up for in effort.  He likely won’t fill out much and has a lot to prove in making it to the NHL someday.  It’s a pick that helps the Devils as they desperately need offence.

10:12 pm ET

For the 67th time tonight, the Red Wings have been congratulated on winning the Stanley Cup. On to the Wild’s draft pick.

Tyler Cuma
Ottawa 67’s (OHL)
Defense.
Shoots Left.
6′2″, 180 lbs.
Born: Toronto, Ontario, January 19, 1990.
Hometown: Bowmanville, Ontario

The Wild take Toronto boy Tyler Cuma - a solid defenceman at both ends of the ice.  Minnesota adds another mobile defenceman who competes on every shift.  He plays a smart game and should help the Wild as they get a bit younger on the blueline in the coming years.

10:08 pm ET

For the second time tonight, the Devils have traded down in this year’s draft,

To NJ 24th overall pick & 3rd round pick in 2009
To MIN 23rd pick overall pick

10:02 pm ET

Jordan Eberle
Regina St. Pats (WHL)
Centre.
Shoots Right.
5′10″, 174 lbs.
Born: Regina, Saskatchewan, May 15, 1990.
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta

The Oilers selected an Alberta boy in Eberle, a player that they hoped to select heading into today’s draft.  A small forward with plenty of speed and skill he was greeted by Sam Gagner as he approached the stage, a similar player to Eberle himself.  The Oilers continue to stock up on forwards, as they selected Gagner along with Riley Nash in the first round of last year’s draft.  Eberle grew up dreaming of playing for the Oilers and one day, that dream may come true.

 9:55 pm ET

Anton Gustaffson
Frolunda (Sweden Jr)
Center.
Shoots Left.
6′2″, 194 lbs.
Born: Karlskoga, Sweden, February 25, 1990.  

The Caps select the son of former Cap Bengt-Ake Gustaffson. Some thought Gustaffson had the ability to be taken much earlier in the draft, but injury concerns hurt his stock. He’s had lower back problems, but has strong puckhandling skills and playmaking ability, reminiscent of Niklas Backstrom, a former first round selection by Washington.  He has the bloodlines and the skill, the only question is his health.

9:53 pm ET

To NJ 23rd overall pick & 54th overall pick
To WSH 21st overall pick

9:47 pm ET

Michael Del Zotto
Oshawa Generals (OHL)
Defense.
Shoots Left.
6′0″, 211 lbs.
Born: North York, Ontario, June 24, 1990.
Hometown: Stouffville, Ontario

Del Zotto was highly sought after when he entered the OHL a couple of years ago and his stock dropped over the past couple of seasons and at this year’s draft.  Along with Marc Staal and Bobby Sanguienetti, the Rangers have a solid trio of young defenceman on their hands.  The GTA native has all the tools to become very solid NHL defenceman, but it’s just a matter of putting everything together. He loves to jump in the rush and plays a game that is suited for today’s NHL.

9:40 pm ET

Luca Sbisa
Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)
Defense.
Shoots Left.
6′2″, 190 lbs.
Born: Ozleri, Italy, January 30, 1990.
Hometown: Oberageri, Switzerland

With plenty of talent and depth up front, the Flyers selected the smooth skating Swiss defenceman.  Sbisa is very poised, but needs to continue to develop to the North American game. He is similar to Tomas Kaberle in his demeanor.  Though he put up some pretty good numbers with Lethbridge he isn’t considered to be a hugely talented offensive player. The Flyers needed to tweak their blueline a bit as Hatcher gets older and Jason Smith is a UFA July 1st.

9:36 pm ET

Chet Pickard
Tri-City Americans (WHL)
Goaltender.
Catches Left.
6′2″, 210 lbs.
Born: Moncton , New Brunswick, November 29, 1989.
Hometown: Winnipeg , Manitoba

The first goaltender taken in the NHL draft, the Predators fill a need in goal by selecting Pickard.  Generally thought of as the best goalie in this year’s draft and was a teammate of Carey Price in his early playing days with Tri-City.  He plays a fundamentally strong game and doesn’t lack confidence, two of the more important traits in a goaltender. His is consistent and comes with a positive attitude.

9:29 pm ET

Jake Gardiner
Minnetonka High School (Minnesota)
Defense.
Shoots Left.
6′0″, 173 lbs.
Born: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, July 4, 1990.
Hometown: Minnetonka, Minnesota

Brian Burke steps up to the podium to make an announcement.  He is selecting Jake Gardiner.  No Leaf fans, it’s not that announcement you may have been hoping for.  Gardiner is a smooth skating defenceman.  He is exactly the kind of defenceman that excels in today’s game.  He is headed to the University of Wisconsin and is described as having some of the best wheels in the draft (along with Zach Boychuk).  By all accounts, Gardiner will take some time to make it to the NHL as he develops a stronger hockey sense but it’s a necessary pick by a team with great defence that isn’t getting any younger.