1. Edmonton Oilers Adam Larsson Defenseman
With the first pick in the draft, the Oil compliment their young forwards with a puck-moving defensemen while smaller, plays a similar style to Victor Hedman.
2. Colorado Avalanche Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Center
Although they are fully loaded at center, the Avs just can’t let “the Nudge” pass. Imagine Duchene, Nugent-Hopkins, and O’Reilly over the next decade. Nugent-Hopkins has been compared to Joe Sakic, but the player he really resembles is Matt Duchene. Two Matt Duchene-s on one team?
3. Florida Panthers Sean Couturier Center
The Panthers rebuild their forwards with Couturier. This long, rangy center proved he can do it all when he scored 36 goals with 60 assists in 58 games this season with the Drummondville Voltigeurs. Reminds many of Eric Staal.
4. New Jersey Devils Gabriel Landeskog Left Wing
Landeskog fits New Jersey’s system perfectly because while he can contribute offensively, his hard-nosed play and reliability defensively is second to none in the draft.
5. New York Islanders Dougie Hamilton Defenseman
Hamilton fills the Islanders’ need at defense. He is a big-bodied two-way defenseman who can really munch some minutes. Other than Larsson, Hamilton is the most NHL-ready defenseman in the draft.
6. Ottawa Senators Brandon Saad Left Wing
With the drafting of Saad, Ottawa adds a big (6-2, 200lbs), strong left winger to play with Spezza. If they pass on Saad, Ottawa would likely take another top 6 forward or defenseman.
7. Atlanta Thrashers / Winnipeg Jets Jonathan Huberdeau Center
With possibly the first pick since relocation, the franchise will select the best player available as they have numerous needs except goaltender.
8. Columbus Blue Jackets Nathan Beaulieu Defenseman
The Blue Jackets address a long-time organizational need for a solid two-war defensemen in Beaulieu. Some mock drafts have him as high as top 5, but I expect him to be taken anywhere from 8-15.
9. Boston Bruins Ryan Strome Center
The small forward has a great skill set and can do it all. Protection from 6’9” Chara could allow Strome to really blossom with Seguin and Caron on Boston’s line of the future.
10. Minnesota Wild Joel Armia Right Wing
Some may consider this pick a little off the board, but Armia is a big forward who would team up nicely with fellow Fins Mikko Koivu and Mikael Granlund.
11. Colorado Avalanche (from STL) Matthew Puempel Left Wing
With all the centers the Avs have already in the system, they need some top-level wingers to skate with. If Puempel is still available, Colorado should wait to address their defense issues via trade or free agency.
12. Carolina Hurricanes Tyler Biggs Right Wing
The Canes will take who ever is the best available at #12. If Biggs is still around don’t expect Carolina to pass on taking him.
13. Calgary Flames Duncan Siemens Defenseman
Since Phaneuf was sent packing, Calgary hasn’t had an elite defenseman. Siemens would be a good fit on Calgary’s blueline. He projects as a solid two-way defenseman.
14. Dallas Stars Seth Ambroz Right Wing
Big American can fill the next. Scouts are concerned that he didn’t dominate the USHL with his talents.
15. New York Rangers Zack Phillips Center
The Sea Dogs forward has great vision to go along with a great shot. He piled up 95 points this season and has been compared to Adam Oates by his coach.
16. Buffalo Sabres Ryan Murphy Defenseman
At one point, Murphy was considered the best defenseman in the draft. While he is a very skilled, offensive defenseman, questions about his size (5’11”, 175 lbs) will scare some teams off. Imagine a smaller Mike Green.
17. Montreal Canadiens Mika Zibanejad Center
Zibanejad is a classic power forward with an above average skill set. Montreal will take the best available player in Zibanejad.
18. Chicago Blackhawks Ty Rattie Right Wing
Rattie was rated higher to start the season and could end up being a bit of a gamble. How much of his success was from playing on the draft-pick-loaded Portland Winterhawks of the WHL.
19. Edmonton Oilers (from LA) Christopher Gibson Goaltender
Edmonton can’t resist taking the best goaltender in the draft. They drafted Oliver Roy last year, but after taking Larsson, they can take a bit of a gamble.
20. Phoenix Coyotes David Musil Defenseman
Musil is a nice shut-down defenseman who would made a great defensive pair with former #3 pick Oliver Ekman-Larsson on Phoenix’s blue line.
21. Ottawa Senators (from NSH) Sven Baertschi Left Wing
As with Rattie, Baertschi could fall on draft day because of concerns of whether his production was due to playing alongside other talented Winterhawks.
22. Anaheim Ducks Nicklas Jensen L / R Wing
Big winger can really skate. Anaheim likes their forwards with some size and skill.
23. Pittsburgh Penguins Jamieson Oleksiak Defenseman
Oleksiak is a bit of a question mark as to where he will go. He has one of the higher ceilings in the draft in terms of potential (largely due to his 6’9” frame), but playing college in the Hockey-East hurts his stock somewhat.
24. Detroit Red Wings Tomas Jurco Right Wing
Skillful Swede screams Detroit Red Wings. Detroit loves talented Europeans, so what’s not to love about Jurco?
25. Toronto Maple Leafs (from PHI) Boone Jenner Center
Jenner is a big, skilled center with no glaring holes in his game. The Leafs need all the help they can get at every position.
26. Washington Capitals Mark McNeill Center
McNeill would be an ideal center behind Backstrom in Washington’s lineup for years to come with his solid two-way play.
27. Toronto Maple Leafs (from BOS) Mark Scheifele Center
If the Barrie Colts center is still available at #27, expect Toronto to run up to the draft podium.
28. San Jose Sharks Daniel Catenacci Center
The former #1 overall pick in the OHL draft has slid a little bit in the last year. He is still loaded with talent and can light the lamp.
29. Vancouver Canucks Joe Morrow Defenseman
The offensive minded defenseman would greatly help Vancouver’s aging defensive corps.
30. Tampa Bay Lightning John Gibson Goaltender
Gibson is the second best goalie behind Christopher Gibson (no relation). He is big, skilled, and could be Tampa’s long-term solution in net.
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