The NHL Draft is only about six weeks away, so I guess that means two things are going on right now. One, NHL teams are gathering their Intel on a number of teenagers – does anyone else thing that sounds just a bit creepy? And two, it’s time for another mock draft from yours truly.
Enjoy and tell me you thoughts via comments, twitter, email or carrier pigeon.
1. Edmonton – Connor McDavid, C, Erie
This pick needs no explanation – the Oilers are taking him. I wouldn’t be surprised if they have already asked him where he wants to sit in the locker room next season and stuck his nameplate on the locker.
2. Buffalo – J ack Eichel, C, Boston University
The 1A franchise player in this draft goes to Buffalo, where he might be joined by Mike Babcock. A Reinhart/Eichel PP is going to be unreal.
3. Arizona – Mitchell Marner, C, London
The Coyotes continue to build, adding a dynamic game-breaker to their growing list of good young players. Domi and Marner continue their chemistry in the desert.
4. Toronto – Dylan Strome, C, Erie
He’s the big-time centre this team needs, and as a plus, he’s a Leafs fan. Look for him to be the best centre they’ve had since Sundin.
5. Carolina – Noah Hanifin, D, Boston College
With the big-4 forwards all gone, the Canes take the smooth skating D out of BC. Hanifin will provide them with a plug for their glaring need – defenceman.
6. New Jersey – Kyle Connor, C/LW, Youngstown
The Devils are always good for surprises and they get back to their roots with this pick and take the crafty, two-way centre out of the USHL. No more Swedish first rounders.
7. Philadelphia – Zachary Werenski, D, Michigan
I think he’s the most complete defenceman in the draft and Philly adds him to a growing list of young talent on the back end. Crouse temps them, but they stay with D here.
8. Columbus – Lawson Crouse, LW, Kingston
He just plays that Blue Jackets’ style of hockey to a tee. I cannot imagine Jenner and him grinding teams down in a playoffs series. He’s no fun to play against and Hartnell is the perfect mentor.
9. San Jose – Ivan Provorov, D, Brandon
The Sharks get a player here that some consider to be the best defenceman in the draft. Look for him to be solid for a long time and give them a good puck-mover.
10. Colorado – Thomas Chabot, D, Saint John
The Avs need defence and they take the last of the four defenceman that I consider to be a lock to play good minutes (22-25 min.) in the NHL. Chabot has all the skill and talent to be the best defenceman in this draft.
11. Florida – Timo Meier, RW, Halifax
There are a few guys the Panthers look at here, but they take the guy that is the most NHL ready from that group. Rantanen and Barzal get consideration here.
12. Dallas – Mikko Rantanen, RW, TPS
Dallas loves their big forwards and Jim Nill knows first hand how good European talent is. Look for them to snag the big Fin at No. 12 and add to an impressive group of young talent up front.
13. Los Angeles – Mathew Barzal, C, Seattle
The Kings grab a guy here who might end up being a top-5 player in this years draft if he can stay healthy. Look for him to be the setup man on their power-play.
14. Boston – Jansen Harkins, C, Prince George
Cam Neely likes his western boys and they will need someone to take over from Bergeron down the road. Harkins plays the same type of game and might be the best faceoff guy in the draft.
15. Calgary – Colin White, C, USA U-18
I think the Flames should go defence with this pick, but White is too good to pass on. He also plays the game like the Flames do – never quit, good speed and clutch.
16. Edmonton (from Pittsburgh) – Brandon Carlo, D, Tri-City
This team needs defence and it wouldn’t shock me to see this pick traded for help on the blueline right now. If they do draft, Carlo seems like a likely pick here.
17. Winnipeg – Nick Merkley, RW, Kelowna
The Jets have taken some good players out of the WHL as of late so Merkley makes sense and he’ll fit in nicely with all the big-bodied players the Jets already have.
18. Ottawa – Pavel Zacha, C, Sarnia
Some will tell you Zacha will be a bust, while others will tell you he’s a top-10 player in the draft. The Sens bet on the later here and hope for the best.
19. Detroit – Evgeny Svechnikov, LW, Cape Breton
If Babcock does stay, it would not shock me to see this pick moved for some immediate help – Phaneuf deal anyone? If they keep the pick, Svechnikov has the skill set the Red Wings like.
20. Minnesota – Joel Eriksson Ek, C, Farjestad
The Wild take a real complete player here that will fit their team nicely. Eriksson Ek plays a 200-foot game and can score a bit.
21. Buffalo (from New York Islanders) – Travis Konecny, C, Ottawa
The Sabres swing for the fences here and take the little guy out of the OHL with great character, leadership and skill. This could be the steal of the first round if it works out. There is a lot of risk with this pick, but the Sabres have some much young talent they can take that risk.
22. Washington – Jakub Zboril, D, Saint John
The Capitals take a guy that a lot of people feel is the best on the board at this point. Zboril plays a sold all-around game and moves the puck well. Look for him to be a solid second pairing guy.
23. Vancouver – Vince Dunn, D, Niagara
The Canucks two most glaring holes are defence and defence. Dunn has the speed and skill that Vancouver is looking for and the skillset to grow into a power-play QB down the road. A lot of upside with a guy that some compare to Duncan Keith.
24. Toronto (from Nashville) – Paul Bittner, LW, Portland
The Leafs make a safe, solid pick here. Bittner is going to be a top-9 player in the NHL and the Leafs need all the good young players they can find right now. He’ll also compliment Nylander nicely.
25. Winnipeg (from St. Louis via Buffalo) – Jordan Greenway, LW, USA U-18
They took the smallish skilled guy with their first, first round selection, now they add a one of the biggest wingers in the draft. Greenway is a safe pick and should be a good fit in the Jets top-9 one day.
26. Montreal – Anthony Beauvillier, LW, Shawinigan
While Montréal has a hole up the middle of their team, they also don’t score a ton of goals. Beauvillier can score and it doesn’t hurt that he’s sure to be a fan favourite.
27. Anaheim* – Jake DeBrusk, LW, Swift Current
The Ducks prospect pipeline is loaded so they keep this pick simple and take the best player available. DeBrusk plays with some jam and he can score. Should be a solid top-9 20+ goal guy down the road.
28. Philadelphia (from Tampa Bay)* – Brock Boeser, RW, Waterloo
He’s one of the best pure snipers in the draft and Philly could use a triggerman to go with all the fire-power they already have. Boeser might have the quickest release in the draft.
29. Tampa Bay (from New York Rangers)* – Jeremy Roy, D, Sherbrooke
The Lightning have never been ones to worry about size as long as the player has skill and heart. Roy has an abundance of both those things and should round into a good power-play QB.
30. Arizona (from Chicago)* – Daniel Sprong, RW, Charlottetown
Last but not least, the Coyotes take another pure skill guy to go with their growing group of talented young forwards. Having Marner, Sprong, Duclair, Domi, Perlini and Samuelsson is a pretty good start to a rebuild.
*Still to be decided, but order based on my opinion of how the will finish.
Thanks for reading
Ian @IanEsplen
Enjoy and tell me you thoughts via comments, twitter, email or carrier pigeon.
1. Edmonton – Connor McDavid, C, Erie
This pick needs no explanation – the Oilers are taking him. I wouldn’t be surprised if they have already asked him where he wants to sit in the locker room next season and stuck his nameplate on the locker.
2. Buffalo – J ack Eichel, C, Boston University
The 1A franchise player in this draft goes to Buffalo, where he might be joined by Mike Babcock. A Reinhart/Eichel PP is going to be unreal.
3. Arizona – Mitchell Marner, C, London
The Coyotes continue to build, adding a dynamic game-breaker to their growing list of good young players. Domi and Marner continue their chemistry in the desert.
4. Toronto – Dylan Strome, C, Erie
He’s the big-time centre this team needs, and as a plus, he’s a Leafs fan. Look for him to be the best centre they’ve had since Sundin.
5. Carolina – Noah Hanifin, D, Boston College
With the big-4 forwards all gone, the Canes take the smooth skating D out of BC. Hanifin will provide them with a plug for their glaring need – defenceman.
6. New Jersey – Kyle Connor, C/LW, Youngstown
The Devils are always good for surprises and they get back to their roots with this pick and take the crafty, two-way centre out of the USHL. No more Swedish first rounders.
7. Philadelphia – Zachary Werenski, D, Michigan
I think he’s the most complete defenceman in the draft and Philly adds him to a growing list of young talent on the back end. Crouse temps them, but they stay with D here.
8. Columbus – Lawson Crouse, LW, Kingston
He just plays that Blue Jackets’ style of hockey to a tee. I cannot imagine Jenner and him grinding teams down in a playoffs series. He’s no fun to play against and Hartnell is the perfect mentor.
9. San Jose – Ivan Provorov, D, Brandon
The Sharks get a player here that some consider to be the best defenceman in the draft. Look for him to be solid for a long time and give them a good puck-mover.
10. Colorado – Thomas Chabot, D, Saint John
The Avs need defence and they take the last of the four defenceman that I consider to be a lock to play good minutes (22-25 min.) in the NHL. Chabot has all the skill and talent to be the best defenceman in this draft.
11. Florida – Timo Meier, RW, Halifax
There are a few guys the Panthers look at here, but they take the guy that is the most NHL ready from that group. Rantanen and Barzal get consideration here.
12. Dallas – Mikko Rantanen, RW, TPS
Dallas loves their big forwards and Jim Nill knows first hand how good European talent is. Look for them to snag the big Fin at No. 12 and add to an impressive group of young talent up front.
13. Los Angeles – Mathew Barzal, C, Seattle
The Kings grab a guy here who might end up being a top-5 player in this years draft if he can stay healthy. Look for him to be the setup man on their power-play.
14. Boston – Jansen Harkins, C, Prince George
Cam Neely likes his western boys and they will need someone to take over from Bergeron down the road. Harkins plays the same type of game and might be the best faceoff guy in the draft.
15. Calgary – Colin White, C, USA U-18
I think the Flames should go defence with this pick, but White is too good to pass on. He also plays the game like the Flames do – never quit, good speed and clutch.
16. Edmonton (from Pittsburgh) – Brandon Carlo, D, Tri-City
This team needs defence and it wouldn’t shock me to see this pick traded for help on the blueline right now. If they do draft, Carlo seems like a likely pick here.
17. Winnipeg – Nick Merkley, RW, Kelowna
The Jets have taken some good players out of the WHL as of late so Merkley makes sense and he’ll fit in nicely with all the big-bodied players the Jets already have.
18. Ottawa – Pavel Zacha, C, Sarnia
Some will tell you Zacha will be a bust, while others will tell you he’s a top-10 player in the draft. The Sens bet on the later here and hope for the best.
19. Detroit – Evgeny Svechnikov, LW, Cape Breton
If Babcock does stay, it would not shock me to see this pick moved for some immediate help – Phaneuf deal anyone? If they keep the pick, Svechnikov has the skill set the Red Wings like.
20. Minnesota – Joel Eriksson Ek, C, Farjestad
The Wild take a real complete player here that will fit their team nicely. Eriksson Ek plays a 200-foot game and can score a bit.
21. Buffalo (from New York Islanders) – Travis Konecny, C, Ottawa
The Sabres swing for the fences here and take the little guy out of the OHL with great character, leadership and skill. This could be the steal of the first round if it works out. There is a lot of risk with this pick, but the Sabres have some much young talent they can take that risk.
22. Washington – Jakub Zboril, D, Saint John
The Capitals take a guy that a lot of people feel is the best on the board at this point. Zboril plays a sold all-around game and moves the puck well. Look for him to be a solid second pairing guy.
23. Vancouver – Vince Dunn, D, Niagara
The Canucks two most glaring holes are defence and defence. Dunn has the speed and skill that Vancouver is looking for and the skillset to grow into a power-play QB down the road. A lot of upside with a guy that some compare to Duncan Keith.
24. Toronto (from Nashville) – Paul Bittner, LW, Portland
The Leafs make a safe, solid pick here. Bittner is going to be a top-9 player in the NHL and the Leafs need all the good young players they can find right now. He’ll also compliment Nylander nicely.
25. Winnipeg (from St. Louis via Buffalo) – Jordan Greenway, LW, USA U-18
They took the smallish skilled guy with their first, first round selection, now they add a one of the biggest wingers in the draft. Greenway is a safe pick and should be a good fit in the Jets top-9 one day.
26. Montreal – Anthony Beauvillier, LW, Shawinigan
While Montréal has a hole up the middle of their team, they also don’t score a ton of goals. Beauvillier can score and it doesn’t hurt that he’s sure to be a fan favourite.
27. Anaheim* – Jake DeBrusk, LW, Swift Current
The Ducks prospect pipeline is loaded so they keep this pick simple and take the best player available. DeBrusk plays with some jam and he can score. Should be a solid top-9 20+ goal guy down the road.
28. Philadelphia (from Tampa Bay)* – Brock Boeser, RW, Waterloo
He’s one of the best pure snipers in the draft and Philly could use a triggerman to go with all the fire-power they already have. Boeser might have the quickest release in the draft.
29. Tampa Bay (from New York Rangers)* – Jeremy Roy, D, Sherbrooke
The Lightning have never been ones to worry about size as long as the player has skill and heart. Roy has an abundance of both those things and should round into a good power-play QB.
30. Arizona (from Chicago)* – Daniel Sprong, RW, Charlottetown
Last but not least, the Coyotes take another pure skill guy to go with their growing group of talented young forwards. Having Marner, Sprong, Duclair, Domi, Perlini and Samuelsson is a pretty good start to a rebuild.
*Still to be decided, but order based on my opinion of how the will finish.
Thanks for reading
Ian @IanEsplen