First off let me start by saying, it's only October so this blog is more of a "what if" article.  If the NHL season were to end today, the Toronto Maple Leafs would have finished dead last in the entire NHL meaning that the Boston Bruins would be in VERY good position to receive the 1st overall pick in the 2010 NHL entry draft, depending on how the draft lottery went for the B's.  Lets say they win the lottery and do indeed pick 1st overall, who would the Bruins pick?  I have 3 players whom should be consideration for the Bruins should such a thing happen.

Taylor Hall (Windsor Spitfires - OHL)

Hall hoisting the Memorial Cup.

Early prospect ratings have Taylor Hall going first overall in the 2010 entry draft.  Hall is an exciting player who is one of the best pure skaters I have ever seen.  He's currently playing for Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League a team which also happens to be my hometown team and other hockey love besides the Bruins.  As such I get to see a lot of Hall, either on local TV or in person.  There is no doubting Hall's talent, he's one hell of a hockey player.  In 16 games so far, Hall has 16 goals and 18 assists (34 pts) and is a +16 with 10 PIM.  The only knock I have on Hall is that he is a very selfish player.  Hall would rather try to take the puck through 3 guys than pass.  He is also a defensive liability.  He'll do all he can to get to the net but when he doesn't or gets knocked on his ass, he doesn't hustle to get back and help out in his end.  Hall is a frustrating player to watch because he is just so good but has a lot of bad habits.  If Hall learns to share the puck and play both ends of the ice, he could very well be a super star in the NHL.  If the Bruins are looking for a potential super star, then Hall is their man but they need to be ready to develop this kid into more than just an pure offensive threat.

Cam Fowler (Windsor Spitfires - OHL)

Fowler with the US hockey developement team.

Fowler has been slated to go either 2nd or 3rd overall depending on what the team that drafts him needs.  Fowler is currently playing for the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League.  In 16 games with the Spits, Fowler has 2 goals and 19 assists (21 pts) with a +18 rating and 4 PIM.  Fowler has great vision.  He see's the ice like few other players I have seen in my life.  His shot leaves something to be desired but if he works on it, he could be a good left handed shot on the point for the Bruins.  Personally I think Fowler is the safe pick.  I think this kid is going to be a solid NHL defense-man but may not be the dominant type of defense-man the Bruins will be looking for should (and when I say should I mean probably) Zdeno Chara move on for more money.  Judging by the Bruins lack of fire power so far this season, I would be very surprised to see the Bruins take Fowler although, personally I would love to see Fowler in a B's jersey.

Tyler Seguin (Plymouth Whalers - OHL)

Seguin with the Whalers

Seguin, in his second season in the OHL, is slated to get picked either 2nd or 3rd in the draft, behind Taylor Hall.  Seguin and Hall have similar numbers when it comes to points.  So far in 14 games Seguin has 17 goals and 13 assists (30 pts) with a +5 rating and 18 PIM.  Seguin is only in his second season in the OHL while Hall is in his third.  Seguin is a power forward with a nice scoring touch, who should become a dominant player after a couple of years of development.  I don't think he's ready to make the transition to the NHL right now, he's still a young kid and would benefit from either being sent back to his junior team or playing in the AHL for a season or two.  I don't think Seguin is a bad pick, I just don't know if he's the type of player the Bruins need right now, although I think Seguin has more potential to become a better player than Hall.

Now let me remind you again, this is only October.  There is still a lot of hockey to be played and the Maple Leafs could very well climb out of the cellar and destroy any hope the Bruins have of the first overall pick.  Phil Kessel is expected to join the Leafs in November and could add that little bit of scoring the Leafs need to become competitive (although IMO I still don't think Kessel is going to be the 30 goal scorer the Leafs are expecting).  Should the Leafs continue on this path and, as a Bruins fan I hope they do, these 3 players are just a few of the players the Bruins could be looking at drafting.

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