We’re about 20 odd games into the 2008/09 season and our rookie crop has so far been conspicuously absent in terms of impact. Of the top ten drafts, only one, Steve Stamkos, is ranked "HOT" right now by the Hockey News. Two are on the disabled list, two are in the minors and the rest are pretty much ranked equally.

Here’s a breakdown of our top ten draft picks of 2008 and where they sit right now.

Number 1 – Steve Stamkos - C

Tampa Bay Lightning

As mentioned above, Steve is ranked "HOT" right now. He’s had 3 points in his last 2 games played. Steve started out slow with the Lightning but seems to be coming into his own of late, showing that Tampa Bay was on the money when they picked him up. At 6 foot, 178 lbs, he isn’t the biggest player out there but he’s shown he has the grit and aggression to make it in the big leagues. He has 7 assists so far on the season, and is starting to show he can make the plays. As a center, he needs to work on his face offs, and as long as he stays on the roster, he’ll get that opportunity to improve.

Number 2 – Kyle Okposo - RW

New York Islanders

Kyle is sitting in the stands these days, out of the lineup. He has an undisclosed arm injury and was day-to-day for a while, but the Islander’s coach has recalled Mitch Fritz from the minors.

Number 3 – Kyle Turris - C

Phoenix Coyotes

Kyle Turris hails from the town where I was born, New Westminster, British Columbia. At 6’ 1" and 170 lbs, this center for the Phoenix Coyotes has shown he can make it in the majors. He’s a playmaker, a team player and manages to play defensively, even while playing offense. His abilities aren’t shown by his 7 points in 21 games, but once he has a chance to bulk up a little and get used to the physicality of the majors, he has great potential.

Number 4 - Drew Doughty - D

Los Angeles Kings

Drew is another product of Canada, and at 6'1" and 219 lbs is a little bulkier than some of the other young players. He’s only 18 though, so is "still growing". He’s shown himself with poise and composure on the ice and excellent instincts in all three zones. Like the others, he needs to get used to the physicality of the majors, but has managed to score 3 goals and grab 5 assists in his 23 games played. With more ice time, he could be a force to be reckoned with.

Number 5 - Claude Giroux - RW

Philadelphia Flyers

This Canadian is one of the smallest of those drafted at only 5' 11" and 180 lbs. He’s currently playing in the minors, working on gaining some experience and learning the physical play of the NHL. No date at time of writing as to when he might be called up.

Number 6 - Nikita Filatov - LW

Columbus Blue Jackets

Nikita is also playing in the minors at present. He’s also a youngster at 18 and at 6' even, he’s only 172 lbs - in other words he needs to bulk up. Also, like other international drafts, he has to learn the North American game.

Number 7 - Bobby Ryan - RW

Anaheim Mighty Ducks

Bobby is one of the older drafts at 21 and with that has a bit more experience than some of the others. He’s also bulked up a bit to 213 lbs. He’s currently on the roster with the Ducks and in only 8 games played has managed an impressive 2 goals and 4 assists. He’s not a physical player, but is a great playmaker and has tremendous scoring potential - he just needs to shoot the puck a little more often.

Number 8 - Zach Bogosian - D

Atlanta Thrashers

The youngster Zach hails from Massena NY and his start in the NHL has not been a lucky one. He was injured October 29^th and on October 30^th the team announced that he’d broken his left fibula. That’s an odd bone to break - the tibula being the more common. Zach’s raw, aggressive talent will be missed as he recuperates.

Number 9 - Jakub Voracek - RW

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Czech player at 19 has proven to be a clutch player for the Columbus Blue Jackets. He’s scored 4 goals and gained 8 assists in 24 games played and although he’s been scoreless in his last two games, he’s shown he has great hockey sense and a dynamite shot. Like many of the youngsters, he’s in need of some bulk, currently weighing in at only 187 lbs on his 6' 1" frame. While in the QMJHL, however, he grabbed an impressive 101 points in only 53 games played, so look for him to excel.

Number 10 - Nikolai Kulemin - LW

Toronto Maple Leafs

Nik is the oldest of the current year drafts at 22, but at 6' 1" he still needs to get some meat on his bones. He’s a physical player and has shown he can play the game, scoring 4 goals in 24 games played. He needs to get used to the North American style game, though. With new GM Brian Burke heading the team, look for some changes in the Maple Leafs lineups, but I think Nikolai will continue to see time on the ice.

There you have our top ten draft picks for the 2008 season and how they’re looking right now. It’s still early and with the number of injuries and hard hits we’ve seen so far this season, there’s a good chance even the young men playing in the minors may see some time in the majors before we hit the playoffs several months down the road. We’ll have another look at our rookies in the coming weeks and see how they’re making out.