de Haan

Here were are 11 days away from the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, and the mock drafts are going to start flying at us at a rapid pace.

Over at TSN.ca today, Shane Malloy brings us his picks for the first round next Friday in Montreal. For the Boston Bruins at No. 25, Malloy says the pick will be defenseman Calvin de Haan, who stands 6 feet tall, 170 pounds and just completed his rookie season with Oshawa of the Ontario Hockey League.

Here’s what Malloy writes about de Haan:

“A potential power-play quarterback that might be able to make a difference once he matures, de Haan has a high level of hockey sense and shows the vision to make fast accurate decisions with the puck even with forwards bearing down on him. His passing skills are excellent and he has no trouble making long tape to tape outlet passes. He is a very good skater that can get to full speed quickly and lead the rush. Once he gains some more power to his frame, he should become a little faster and more stable on his blades. Now de Haan is not the sturdiest of defenseman, so it will be important for him to get stronger to play down low more effectively and win 1-on-1puck battles. He has a fine shot from the point that seems to have eyes (because) it (hits) net the often and is easy for forwards to tip. He’s a worthwhile pick in the late first round if a team is willing to be patient as he improves defensively and matures physically.”

We won’t know the identity of the Bruins’ first-round pick until draft night. Right now, all I can pass on is that the Bruins interviewed almost 70 players at the NHL Combine in Toronto a couple weeks ago. And they hosted five invitees — three wingers and two defensemen — in Boston for further interviews, according to general manager Peter Chiarelli.