Here's what I'd like to see on draft day:
Trade 1st round pick (5th overall) and 3rd round pick (from Pittsburgh, 83rd overall) to Anaheim for 9th overall pick (from Ottawa) and ~28th overall pick (Anaheim's pick) Why? Still rebuilding, yo - need to fill the cupboards, and I don't think we get a fantastic prospect with the 5th pick. Ducks do it to get a higher pick in this draft and are in a better position to take a chance.
First and second choice picks at each draft position in the first three rounds:
9th - 1) Haydn Fleury, D, Red Deer (WHL) 2) Nick Ritchie, RW, Peterborough (OHL)
28th - 1) Alex Tuch, RW, USNTDP (USHL) 2) Jakub Vrana, RW, Linkoping, (SWE)
35th - 1) Adrian Kempe, C, MoDo U-20 (SWE) 2) Josh Ho-Sang, C, Windsor (OHL)
53rd - 1) Thatcher Demko, G, Boston College (NCAA) 2) Ryan MacInnis, LW, Kitchener (OHL)
65th - 1) Ryan Mantha, D, Indiana (USHL) 2) Keegan Iverson, RW, Portland (WHL)
For arguments sake, here's my personal top ten ranking as of right now:
1. Ekblad
2. Reinhart
3. Bennett
4. Draisatl
5. Dal Colle
6. Perlini
7. Fleury
8. Kapanen
9. Ritchie
10. Nylander
To the question in the post above me, I could definitely see Vrana fall to the early 2nd round.
I wouldn't make that deal to trade down and based on the FC and ISS rankings this month Ritchie and Fleury would be off the board. Ho-Sang would also be off the board at 35th. Also Demko will be a 1st rounder or high 2nd. Love Mantha
Here's my mock draft
a couple quick notes
•since in the NYI GDT poll most people said Isles would get higher pick so the Flames will pick 5th overall
•I'll use FC rankings. Can't pick anyone before that pick. The top 30 is a bit above
•I traded T.J Galiardi for a 4th
•I'll give also if we traded 2nds/3rd for late 1st who I'd pick
Let's start
5th. LEON DRAISAITL C, PRINCE ALBERT WHL
52-26-52-78-20 (GP-G-A-PTS-PIM this year)•6"2, 210 lbs
Draisaitl is an elite two way Centre who's been compared to Joe Thorton and Anze Kopitar. He make the players around him so much better. His awareness and anticipation are at a NHL level. His backhand is the best in the draft. He competes hard and will be in the NHL next year
Option 2: Nick Ritchie
25th. CONNOR BLEACKLEY C, RED DEER WHL
60-26-37-63-43•6"1, 195 lbs
Connor is a trong skater, hard to push off the puck. He uses a combo of size, strength and speed. A very good 200 ft player. Has quick hands. Hard ahot with quick release. Very good at finding open spaces and getting between/behind the defence
Option 2-Anton Karlsson
35th. JACK DOUGHERTY D, USHL
16-4-7-11-14•6"1, 185 lbs
Heading to the U of Wisconsin in 2014/2015 Dougherty is a very smart defenceman. He's quick on skates and knows when to join the rush yet can throw his wait around with a huge hit. Finds lanes on PP and has a strong first breakout pass.
Option 2-Jayce Hawluryuk
54th. MATT MISTELE LW, PLYMOUTH OHL
50-15-18-32-48•6"2, 183 lbs
Big, chippy player that scores around the net. Plays a 200 ft game. Crashes the net hard. Good hand eye. Play on PP and PK. Very effectivly screens goalie. Works hard on and off the ice. Has some offensive upside. One of the best shots in the draft. Typical Burke player.
Option 2-Ben Thomas
65th. JACOB MIDDELTON D, OTTAWA OHL
59-2-20-22-62•6"4, 191 lbs
Good 2 way Dman. Primarily offensive. Can QB the PP. Makes good stretch passes out of the zone. Good offensive vision. Throws his body around. Plus Monahan gets a friend in the locker room
Option 2-Keegan Iverson
86. RYAN MANTHA D, USHL
12-2-2-4-6•6"4, 215 lbs
Great size. Uses it well with long reach. Clears front of the net. Good offensive skill. Good breakout passes, would play on PP on wing. Has to improve mobility and strength. If he does that he'll be a real steal and will be a top 4 Dman
104. C.J FRANKLAND RW, USHL
44-16-27-43-33•5"11, 190 lbs
Franklin is a complete player. Has speed and a nice shot. He's very athletic. Very consistent
179. NOLAN STEVENS C, USHL
18-3-5-8-6•6"3, 183 lbs
Very creative, quick stickhandler. Good passing. Best asset is IQ and work ethic. Not afraid to get dirty
185. SEBATION FUCHS LW, NAHL
39-8-18-26-12•5"10, 170 lbs
Very fast, knows where th puck is going. Soft hands. Long term project
UNDRAFTED FA'S
Duncan MacIntyre D, Quebec QMJHL
Linden Penner RW, Everett WHL
Nikki Petti C, Bellville OHL
And my top 10
1. Ekblad
2. Reinhart
3. Bennett
4. Draisaitl
5. Ritchie
6. Dal Colle
7. Virtanen
8. Fleury
9. Perlini
10. Nylander