Philadelphia, PA -- By Matt Canamucio, Sports Network NHL Editor

Five years from now the 2004 NHL Entry Draft could be looked upon as a gold mine.

Could is the operative word, and the chances are very slim. At least that's how it reads going in.

On the heels of its 2003 predecessor, which produced seven players who were in the league this past season, the 2004 Draft is relatively weak in terms of top-notch talent. At first glance it features a pair of blue chip Russians, then a bunch of other players who are by no means guaranteed for stardom.

That being said there are some players who stand out, and below is a list, in no particular order, of 10 to mark with your highlighter.

ALEXANDER OVECHKIN, LW, Dynamo (RUS) - While the draft is an extremely open field full of uncertainty, the one sure thing is this kid. Ovechkin already has NHL size at 6-2, 212 pounds and many believe he would have held his own in the league last season. The multi-tooled Russian has been compared to countryman Ilya Kovalchuk, except he actually can play two-way hockey. Ovechkin is so good that he was selected to play on his country's World Cup team this summer, alongside names like Sergei Fedorov, Alexei Yashin, Kovalchuk, etc.

EVGENI MALKIN, C, Magnitogorsk (RUS) - The next closest player to a sure thing in the field, Malkin is also expected to be a franchise player. After the Capitals take Ovechkin, it's almost a certainty that Pittsburgh will bolster its rebuilding process with him. Many scouts have tagged Malkin 1A if Ovechkin is 1. He isn't the goal-scorer Ovechkin is, but is a superb puckhandler and playmaker.

MAREK SCHWARTZ, G, Sparta (CZE) - The top-rated European netminder in the field, Schwartz will likely be the first goalie taken in the draft. However, he doesn't have the blue chip pedigree of last year's top pick, Marc-Andre Fleury. Schwartz, a pure butterfly netminder, impressed with a solid effort at the World Junior Championships on a Czech club that was overall abysmal.

ALVARO MONTOYA, G, Michigan (CCHA) - The Wolverine is the top-ranked North American goaltender in the draft after backstopping the United States to the gold medal in the WJCs. Montoya, who plays a flashy style and likes making the highlight reel saves, had a terrific freshman season at Michigan and an even better sophomore one.

CAM BARKER, D, Medicine Hat (WHL) - Barker is the top defenseman in the field, and many have him going third behind Ovechkin and Malkin. Barker already has the size -- 6-3, 214 pounds -- to play on an NHL blueline. And in addition to his frame and ability to shut down the opposition, Barker has offensive talent as well -- scored 21 goals in Juniors this past season.

LAURI TUKONEN, RW, Espoo (FIN) - The highest-rated Finn on the board, Tukonen is projected to be a legitimate power forward. He is coming off his first season in the Finnish Elite League, but showed how good he is against his peers with a terrific performance in the World Under-18 tournament -- five goals and six assists in six games.

ANDREW LADD, LW, Calgary (WHL) - The left wing is the top-ranked North American skater available after making a huge splash in his first season of Major Junior with the Calgary Hitmen. Ladd, who created much of his offense along the boards and in front of the net, scored 30 goals with 45 assists in 71 games this past season, adding 119 penalty minutes as well.

DREW STAFFORD, RW, North Dakota (WCHA) - Stafford isn't expected to be a superstar when all is said and done, but he's slated to be one of those players who contributes to a team with a powerful motor that doesn't stop. Stafford completed his freshman year at North Dakota this past season, tallying 11 goals and 21 assists in 36 games.

ROTISLAV OLESZ, C, Viktovice (CZE) - Olesz, the third-rated European forward by NHLCS, is a very good all-around centerman who does everything well from playmaking to backchecking. Unfortunately this Czech is more known for the thunderous hit he took from Canada's Dion Phaneauf during the 2004 WJCs. Perhaps he will just have to learn about keeping his head up in the NHL.

LADISLAV SMID, D, Liberec (CZE) - He is the top European rearguard available, fresh off his first season in the Czech Extraleague. Smid is still growing into his 6-3 frame, and it remains to be seen how physical he will be in the NHL. The 202-pounder isn't projected to be a franchise defenseman, but has the tools to be a versatile top four blueliner who can contribute both on the power play and penalty kill.