Hockey fans enjoyed an exciting weekend, watching their favourite teams draft another young crop of talent that'll hopefully play for their respective organization one day. From the fantasy perspective, it's all about potential and when that prospective star power might be realized.

With that in mind, let's take a look at the top 15 first round picks with comments from both the team and the players themselves to give you an idea of both the talent and the timeline. John Tavares and Victor Hedman are seemingly locks to make the NHL in '09-10, but what about the rest?

Depending on how long the action in the upcoming free agent frenzy runs, we may pick this subject up after the main flurry of signings and trades are finished. The live blog on that theme will kick off before Canada Day and will run through the end of the weekend (longer, if needed), so check back often to get immediate fantasy takes on all of the fun.

1. John Tavares, C, New York Islanders (Post)

The Post notes that Tavares can play both centre and wing and that GM Garth Snow said that he would leave it to head coach Scott Gordon to determine where he best fits once training camp commences.

Snow: "I think our fans will be happy we selected the best player in our minds. "We're ecstatic to have John in our organization. The way he's talked about by Hockey Canada and his teammates -- we got glowing reports on him as a person and a player. Bottom line, in our eyes, he was the best player in the draft."

Owner Charles Wang: "He's another building block, but it's not a saviour type of thing. It's a big deal for all of us, for him and the fans, but hockey is a team game, so it isn't like getting LeBron James, even as good as [Tavares] is."

Tavares: "There's a great tradition there and [opportunity] to bring the winning tradition back to Long Island and bring the success back that Long Island deserves. I have the opportunity to start with a young core of guys and grow into the future.

"I'm very thankful to be going there and I appreciate the opportunity to be part of Long Island. It's going to be great and I can't wait to get things going, knowing where it's headed. It's going to be a great future for all of us."

2. Victor Hedman, D, Tampa Bay Lightning (St. Petersburg Times)

Coach Rick Tocchet: "When you have a 6-6 defenseman who can skate with a long reach, it's a premium in the NHL. It's something we're excited about."

But... "I don't want people getting into thinking he's going to come in and play 25 minutes. We're going to insulate him the right way and get him into the right situations and nurture him."

GM Brian Lawton: "It definitely addresses our biggest weakness. We're going to dive into it in free agency, but that's a limited market, so this is a great start in rebuilding that portion of the club."

Hedman: "My expectation is to make the team right away."

He also reflected back on his experience in the Swedish Elite League. "It helped me a lot playing two years in the men's league," Hedman said. "I know what it's all about. But the NHL, that's another level. I need to bring my game to another level as well. That's what I'm looking to as a challenge as well."

On the early childhood teasing of the red birthmark on the side of his face: "But then I became bigger," he said, "and they stopped doing that." Classic.

3. Matt Duchene, C, Colorado Avalanche (Denver Post)

Chief scout Rick Pracey: "I think it was an easy choice, but that's not diminishing the other players that were still available. "We went through quite a process with all five players (including Evander Kane and Brayden Schenn), with home visits. But we're ecstatic getting Matt. Going into his basement and seeing the Avalanche jerseys and his love of the Colorado franchise, it's something special."

Duchene: "I think my skill set is definitely ready. We'll see what happens. Obviously, it's tough as any 18-year-old to go in and start playing with men, and we'll see how I handle that. Obviously, it's something I can't say I'm ready for yet, because I haven't been there. Whatever Colorado decides for me, I've got a great team in junior to play for. If that's the case, I'll be happy either way."

"Every kid dreams of playing for his boyhood team. "It's crazy. They have not had a top pick in many years and the one year I'm available and rated up there, they have it. It's kind of fate, I guess."

4. Evander Kane, C, Atlanta Thrashers (Journal-Constitution)

The AJC notes that the Thrashers project the centre as a power winger in the NHL.

GM Don Waddell, on the possibility of Kane playing alongside Ilya Kovalchuk on L1 this fall: "That is our belief, that if he continues to get stronger in the next eight or 10 weeks, he has a very good chance to be with us."

Kane: "There is a little bit of pressure, but I like to embrace that pressure. I use it as a positive. ... I'm definitely expecting to make the team. I go into any camp with that goal. I think if I continue to get bigger and get better as a player, I can do it."

5. Brayden Schenn, C, Los Angeles Kings (Daily News)

GM Dean Lombardi: "The No. 1 attribute for Brayden is his competitiveness. He's a playoff-type player."

Lombardi, joking about Brian Burke's anticipated desire to land Luke's younger brother: "That was the main reason we took him, knowing that it would totally piss off Burkie. It was worth it.".

Lombardi, on how Schenn projects: "You can never say (for sure), but I think you're looking at a playoff (team)-type No. 2 (centre). There's a little Mike Ricci in his game. That's the way most people characterize him."

Schenn: "It feels great to be a part of an organization that is going forward. They are going in the right direction, which is the main thing, and they have some good young guys like (Drew) Doughty and (Thomas) Hickey that are building blocks as well. I am happy to be a piece of the puzzle."

On the possibility of playing in the NHL this fall: "I am only going to first worry about having a good summer. I can't get my hopes up too high. I want to come in with a good attitude and I want to come in good shape too."

6. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, D, Phoenix Coyotes (AZCentral.com)

GM Don Maloney: "We've got to fatten him up." Ekman-Larsson will remain in Sweden next season and hopes to put on some muscle.

"He is a multi-talented defenceman with tremendous potential and we believe he'll play a big role in the future of the Coyotes."

Ekman-Larsson: "It's the biggest day of my life so far."

7. Nazem Kadri, C, Toronto Maple Leafs (Canadian Press, Sun)

GM Brian Burke, on drafting size over the weekend, where he indicates he doesn't expect any of his picks to play for the Leafs this fall: "I don't think any of these guys will make us bigger immediately. Virtually all of these guys, including our first pick, are going to need some time. Some of them are downright raw -- these are guys that are two, three, four years away."

Burkie being Burkie: "I will tell you this -- the best hockey fans on the planet are not in Montreal, they're in Toronto. When we host this event in a couple years this will seem like child's play for the booing they get in Toronto."

Florida Panthers coach Peter DeBoer, who coached the London native with the OHL's Kitchener Rangers: "He and Luke Schenn could be cornerstones of that franchise for a long time. "They both are stand-up guys both on and off the ice. The Leafs are lucky to have them."

Kadri, who was a diehard Habs fan growing up: "Hopefully when I get some experience under my belt, I'll become one of those impact players. I think I can be. I'll just bring everything to the table, everything that I possibly can. Hopefully, I can be fortunate to win a Stanley Cup with the Leafs."

On being of Lebanese descent: "It's nice to be a role model for those young kids and it's nice to have them look up to you," said Kadri. "You know, I think definitely me playing with the Leafs and being in this organization will help that out."

Burke agrees: "If this has a ripple effect on young players in the Muslim community to take up hockey, that's a wonderful side effect. "If that increases our player pool and touches a part of society we're not talking enough now, that's great."

8. Scott Glennie, RW, Dallas Stars (Morning News)

Chief Dallas scout Tim Bernhardt, who indicated he sees two more WHL campaigns for the youngster: "He's a great kid with great skills, but one of the things we like about him is we believe he has plenty of room to mature. "He has the opportunity to get some great experiences going forward, and we think he can get bigger and better."

Glennie: "They're a great organization with a great history, and I know they did a lot of research. "I'm just very excited to be a part of this team and to be taken this early. It means a lot to me."

9. Jared Cowen, D, Ottawa Senators (Citizen, Canadian Press)

Pierre Dorian, Sens chief amateur scout: "We obviously know with our team drafting (defenceman) Eric Karlsson last year, we have skill. And we traded for Chris Campoli. They're both skill guys, so we felt the need, as a group, was that we needed to get bigger, and Jared Cowen is a big defenceman that is more defensive-minded, but he'll log a lot of minutes for us in the future."

Dorian, talking about the 6-5, 220-pound blueliner and any thoughts of Ottawa fans comparing him to former Sens rearguard Zdeno Chara: "No one compares to Chara, not taking anything from Jared Cowen. Jared Cowen will be a solid defensive-minded defencemen, he'll play in our top four in the future and log a lot of minutes for us."

Cowen, on his January knee injury (torn ACL, MCL, partial meniscus tear): "I didn't really know what to expect (in terms of teams being wary of drafting him), I didn't know if it would affect me too much. I think it has a little bit but I'm definitely not disappointed right now. I'm happy to be going to Ottawa, so I think it was a blessing in disguise."

10. Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson, LW, Edmonton Oilers (Journal)

GM Steve Tambellini: "He plays what we think is Oilers hockey. I like the fact he finds a way to get to the net. I also like the fact he plays with emotion. It was a very easy decision. He's reckless getting to the net. He's not a perimeter guy."

Head amateur scout Stu MacGregor: "He'll play in the Swedish Elite League (he has one year left on his contract there), then we'll see where his progress is at, and probably bring him over. He's a great skater. He plays with a competitive edge. He's a player who plays at a high tempo."

Paajarvi-Svensson: "Just before the pick, (Oilers scout) Kent (Nilsson) looked at me and just pointed, so I knew then. That was pretty cool. "I got shaky after that. I just started hugging every person I knew."

11. Ryan Ellis, D, Nashville Predators (Tennessean)

GM David Poile: "He's probably the most dynamic player in the draft and by far the best offensive defenceman in the draft. If his game translates as he gets older a few years from junior to minor pros to the National Hockey League, this is a guy that will be a great offensive defenceman in the NHL. He'll be running our power play and we'll be a much better offensive team."

Ellis, on being only 5-9, 173 pounds: "Even though you're a small guy, it doesn't mean you can't lay a hit. "I try to lay a hit whenever I can and mix it up physically whenever I'm called to. Stick-positioning and body-positioning are very key for someone of my size. I think that's going to be a big factor for me moving forward."

12. Calvin de Haan, D, New York Islanders (NHL.com, Newsday)

GM Garth Snow: "Calvin was a player we identified coming out of our meetings. We made a significant jump from 26 to 16 and wanted to make sure we still were in a position to draft Calvin and we did that with Minnesota."

de Haan: "I don't think another year or two in junior would hurt my development at all. I actually wouldn't mind playing in Oshawa again. The ice time might be more beneficial."

Projecting himself: "I think I could be a power play guy for the Islanders, a puck-moving type of guy, a guy like Mark Streit. That's probably a pretty good guy to model my game after. And I also try to play like Scott Niedermayer, who has been my idol since [Anaheim] went on a Cup run a few years ago."

13. Zack Kassian, RW, Buffalo Sabres (News)

GM Darcy Regier : "He was a player that we felt strongly about. You're always talking about taking the best player, but it's tough to ignore when the needs match up with what you feel is the best player. I think he'll be a real good fit." He also noted, "it's a reach" to expect Kassian to make the Sabres' roster this fall.

Kassian: "The work's just starting now. It's a whole new chapter. I'm going to have to get bigger, stronger, faster and more consistent. Everything in my game is going to have to improve, but I'm willing to work at it in the summer. If I do that, I think I can go to camp and do my best and try to wow them."

14. Dmitry Kulikov, D, Florida Panthers (Miami Herald)

Scouting Director Scott Luce, who projects Kulikov as a PP QB who might even compete for a spot in camp: ''He's mature beyond his years, a very worldly young man. His adjustment to North America was very quick and that speaks to his character. This guy can rush the puck, run the power play and is good defensively. We did extensive due diligence on this, with his coaches here and with his coaches in Russia. He's a very motivated young man to come to North America, and when he turns pro, bring his family to North America.''

Kulikov: ''I'm an offensive defenceman who never forgets my responsibility in my own zone. I'm defence first but if I see a chance, I can do it.''

On what awaits him this fall: ''My goal is to play in the NHL next year. We'll see what's going on. I love the hard work. To make an NHL team you have to be better than someone else. That's my goal, to be better and make the NHL team this year.''

15. Peter Holland, C, Anaheim Ducks (Orange County Register, NHL.com)

GM Bob Murray: "Holland is a skilled kid with good hands and he can skate. He has a good frame to him, so he's going to get bigger and have decent size."

Guelph Storm head coach Jason Brooks: "I think he has the potential to be a power forward in the sense he's got a great shot, skates well, big body, strong kid. He sees the ice well, good playmaker, and a scoring threat when he's on the ice. Defensively, he's pretty responsible in his game."

Holland: "Being in the first round was a goal of mine. I met with Anaheim at the (scouting) combine and again (before the draft). I was really hoping they were going to take me. My goal is to get there as quickly as possible, further my development and help the Ducks win another Stanley Cup."

On patterning his game: "I've heard some comparisons towards Mike Modano. He's a great player; that's definitely someone I would like to take after. But for me, I like to model my game after guys like Joe Sakic, Rick Nash, Joe Thornton, who are great hockey players in themselves."