Let the countdown to the 2009 NHL Entry Draft begin.

With a little more than six months to go until the next wave of NHL futures are ushered into the spotlight when the hockey world descends in Montreal, it’s time to look at who the top prospects are.

We polled scouts from across the NHL on who they had ranked among the top prospects eligible for this summer’s selection process. In turn, we used a formula to amalgamate all the lists into one master ranking for you to analyze and debate.

As expected, London’s John Tavares tops the charts fresh off a tremendous showing at the World Junior Championship. Victor Hedman, Tavares’ running mate for the No. 1 slot, came in at No. 2 in convincing fashion.

The following rankings are based on best player available and not based on team needs.

For a regular look at prospects and players we can't wait to see in the NHL some day, check out Rory Boylen's A Scout's Life and Ryan Kennedy's The Hot List.

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