"The 2009 NHL draft set up a windfall of talent not seen in a pro pick 'em since LeBron James, Darko Milicic and Carmelo Anthony went 1-2-3 in the 2003 NBA version.

And, after Milicic became one of the biggest busts in draft history, everybody wondered whether any of the top three from the NHL's '09 draft would flail into obscurity. And who would be king?

Top dog John Tavares? Second pick Victor Hedman? No. 3 Matt Duchene?

One-plus season later, the A-grade has to go to the Avalanche. Its pick of Duchene netted one of the more explosive players in the league.

But Saturday should provide hockey fans further evidence in the comparison. John Tavares and the Islanders come to Denver for an afternoon face-off with the Avs at the Pepsi Center (1 p.m., ALT).

Duchene, with Tomas Fleisch- mann and Milan Hejduk, anchors the top line for one of the highest-scoring teams in the NHL.

Tavares too plays on the Isles' top line. But the Islanders are battling to stay out of their division's basement."