Compared to past seasons, where we saw the likes of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal, Jonathan Toews and Jack Johnson selected early in the first round, the 2007 NHL entry draft is considered ?weak?. There is no clear cut #1 pick, and a variation of 3 players could very well go first overall come Friday, June 22nd .These players include Kyle Turris, Patrick Kane and James VanRiemsdyk. After pick 10, the draft is a crapshoot. Players have been placed all over the first round by several mock drafts throughout the internet. Why is the draft such a crapshoot this season? Each player brings something unique this draft, and teams will certainly draft the players based on what they see fit. For example, one mock draft had Red Deer?s Brandon Sutter placed in the early 20?s, another mock had him in the mid teens, while TSN?s mock draft had him going #9 to the St. Louis Blues. That?s the type of draft it is this season, which could lead excitement and disappointment once June 22nd arrives. Let?s break down this years NHL draft into several ?top 5? rankings. Top 5 players in the 2007 NHL Draft: 1. Patrick Kane Patrick Kane is considered as one of the best offensive players in the draft. After scoring close to 150 points for the London Knights this season, he certainly put on a display next to fellow potential draftee Sam Gagner. Kane is considered rather small standing at approximately 5?9/5?10, but his offensive upside is too good to pass up. 2. Kyle Turris Like Kane, Kyle Turris is a fantastic offensive player. With smooth skating abilities, and good overall offensive talent, Turris could potentially go #1 to the Chicago Blackhawks. After playing Junior in Burnaby, Turris is considered the player with the most potential out of the other potential top picks. 3. James VanRiemsdyk Standing 6?3, 200 pounds, this smooth skating power forward has all the tools in order to be successful in the NHL in the near future. James is a tough, strong quick forward that can accumulate points in a hurry. 4. Alexei Cherepanov Cherepanov was at one time considered the consensus #1 overall draft pick. However, the transfer agreement amongst the NHL and Russia may scare teams away with this soon to be offensive star. Cherepanov is an extremely good skater, and has tremendous offensive upside, something any NHL team would gladly welcome. 5. Karl Alzner Choosing the 5th best player in the draft was difficult, but you can?t go wrong with Alzner. He?s an extremely dependable defenseman, and takes pride what he does back there. Alzner will be a good defenseman in the NHL one day, and will most definitely lead a team?s blueline in the near future. Honorable Mention: Jakub Voracek and Sam Gagner 5 Potential Surprise Picks: 1. Maxim Mayorov Mayorov is expected to be drafted late in the first round. However, don?t be surprised if Mayorov finds himself selected earlier, as his size and offensive production may be too difficult to pass up. 2. Bill Sweatt Sweatt is considered the fastest player in the NHL draft. That speed will come in handy, especially for a young player. Sweatt could find himself drafted as late as the 2nd round, and as early as the late teens. 3. Max Pacioretty Pacioretty has extreme upside, and NHL teams tend to like big power forwards that can put the puck in the net. Pacioretty will be a good NHL player once his speed improves. 4. Michal Repik As it stands, Repik is expected to be selected somewhere in the 2nd round. However, after playing Vancouver Giants, and leading them to a successful season, Repik could very well find himself selected in the first round. 5. Alex Plante Like Repik, Plante currently stands as a potential 2nd round draft selection, which could sneak into the 1st round. Standing 6?4, Plante is a large defenseman who can move the puck in a hurry. Plante will one day be a good NHL defenseman. 5 Potential Steals: 1. Angelo Esposito Esposito was at one time considered the consensus #1 overall pick, even when he wasn?t eligible to be drafted. Angelo has always been hyped, and for a good reason. Even though his draft stock has decreased, his potential and talent still remains. His attitude may prevent him from reaching that potential, but if it doesn?t, you?re going to get a steal with Esposito. 2. Akim Aliu Aliu has talent and potential written all over him. However, his history and attitude scares teams away. After playing for multiple teams in the OHL, trouble seems to follow Aliu wherever he goes. Aliu is a power forward type of player that can score goals, and plays with a chip on his shoulder. If teams can work with Aliu after draft night, he could be a very good player one day. 3. Colby Cohen Cohen has tremendous potential, and could see himself selected in the first round. Colby Cohen plays with great offensive talent, which is his biggest strength. If Cohen can figure out his defensive issues, he?ll be a productive player in the NHL one day. 4. Luca Cunti Cunti is an extremely skilled forward. The Swiss star is an effective offensive player, but rumored attitude problems may limit his draft stock. Like some of the players mentioned above, he could be a steal if teams can fix it. 5. Brett Maclean Several scouts and individuals throughout the hockey world attribute Maclean?s success with the Oshawa Generals to John Tavares. However, that?s not the case with this 6?1 right winger. If Maclean can improve his speed, he could be a big time steal in this year?s draft. Top 5 Defensemen: 1. Karl Alzner Alzner is hands down the best defenseman in this year?s draft, and that may not change once everyone develops as well. Alzner has the potential to be a top 5 pick this season, and will help teams out for years to come. 2. Ryan McDonagh McDonagh had just come off an excellent season playing in the high school rankings in Minnesota. McDonagh is a fantastic offensive defenseman, with a bit of an edge to him. Expect McDonagh to be drafted amongst the premiere players come June 22nd. 3. Kevin Shattenkirk Although he lacks size, Shattenkirk is the real deal. Kevin is an excellent puck moving defenseman and excels in the offensive aspect of the game. Shattenkirk possesses a solid, hard shot, but needs to work on his overall speed in order to be successful in the next level. 4. Keaton Ellerby It?s unclear where Ellerby will end up in the draft, but one thing is certain, he?ll be a safe pick for whoever selects him. This 6?4 defenseman needs to add a bit of strength and weight to his frame to be consistent in the NHL. His offensive awareness is what may propel Ellerby up the defensive rankings on draft day. 5. Nick Petrecki Unlike the above defenseman, Petrecki excels in the defensive aspect of this position. This tough, smooth skating defenseman enjoys hitting players hard and often. With 177 PIMs this past season, Petrecki doesn?t shy away from contact. Top 5 Goaltenders: 1. Tyson Sexsmith After completely dominating the WHL this past season, expect to hear Sexsmith?s name first amongst goaltenders in the draft. While compiling a 31-12-8 record for the Giants, he led them to an excellent run at the Memorial Cup. Sexsmith excelled in his first season as a starter, and has loads of potential. 2. Jeremy Smith Another player that may go first amongst goaltenders is Jeremy Smith from the Plymouth Whalers. Smith is a quick goaltender that can take the bottom portion of the net away real quick. Whoever drafts this young goalie will be pleased. 3. Trevor Cann Trevor Cann has had success in big games, proven by his excellent statistics in international competition while playing for Team Canada. Cann did not have a good year statistically for the Petes this past season, but his talent cannot go unnoticed. 4. Linden Rowat Cann, Smith and Sexsmith are considered the top 3 goaltenders in the draft. After the three, the consensus is that there is a slight drop-off. Rowat is out to prove the critics wrong, and played fairly well for the Pats this season. Rowat covers the bottom portion of the net well, and still aims to improve other aspects of his game. 5. Mark Owuya While playing over in Sweden this past season, Owuya possesses good qualities teams look for in goaltenders. Standing 6?2, Owuya can cover a great portion of the net with his size. However, Owuya is extremely athletic and tends to play in the butterfly position. Expect Owuya to suit up in the NHL one day.