NHL Entry Draft: JVF's Monthly 2 Round Mock Draft

[QJL]

Now that we're 6 months away from the draft, I'm flipping to a monthly 2 round mock. As always, I used a simulator on the top 3 picks.

December 22nd

1. Detroit Red Wings– D Rasmus Dahlin, Frolunda (SHL)
2. Buffalo Sabres – D Quinn Hughes, University of Michigan (NCAA)
3. Arizona Coyotes – RW Andrei Svechnikov, Barrie Colts (OHL)
4. Ottawa Senators – RW Filip Zadina, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
5. Florida Pantheres – D Adam Boqvist, Brynas IF (SHL)
6. Edmonton Oilers – D Bode Wilde, US National U18 Team (USNTDP)
7. Vancouver Canucks – C/RW Oliver Wahlstrom US National U18 Team (USNTDP)
8. Colorado Avalanche – C Joel Farabee US National U18 Team (USNTDP)
9. Montreal Canadiens – D Ty Smith, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
10. Philadelphia Flyers – D Evan Bouchard, London Knights (OHL)
11. Carolina Hurricanes – C Joseph Veleno, Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
12. Anaheim Ducks – LW/RW Dominik Bokk, Vaxjo Lakers (SHL)
13. Pittsburgh Penguins – LW/C Isac Lundestrom, Lulea HF (SHL)
14. New York Islanders (via CGY) – D Jared McIsaac, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
15. Minnesota Wild – C Akil Thomas, Niagara Ice Dogs (OHL)
16. Chicago Blackhawks – C Jesper Kotkaniemi, Assat (Liiga)
17. New York Islanders – D Jett Woo, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
18. San Jose Sharks – C Jack McBain, Toronto Jr. Canadiens (OJHL)
19. Dallas Stars – LW/C Brady Tkachuk, Boston University (NCAA)
20. Boston Bruins – C Jacob Olofsson, Timra IK (Allsvenskan)
21. New York Rangers – D Noah Dobson, Acadie-Bathurst Titan (QMJHL)
22. Toronto Maple Leafs – D Rasmus Sandin, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
23. Columbus Blue Jackets – LW Filip Hallander, Timra IK (Allsvenskan)
24. New Jersey Devils – C Ryan McLeod, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
25. St. Louis Blues – LW Grigori Denisenko, Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)
26. Winnipeg Jets – C Benoit Olivier-Groulx, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
27. Washington Capitals – LW/C Vitali Kravtsov, Traktor Chelyabinsk (KHL)
28. Philadelphia Flyers (via STL) – C Rasmus Kupari, Hermes (Mestis)
29. Vegas Golden Knights – D Mattias Samuelsson, US National U18 Team (USNTDP)
30. Los Angeles Kings – C Alexander Khovanov, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
31. Tampa Bay Lightning – C Milos Roman, Vancouver Giants (WHL)

Round 2
32. Florida Panthers (via ARZ) – G Jakub Skarek, HC Dulka Jihlava (Extraliga)
33. Buffalo Sabres – RW/C Jonatan Berggren, Skelleftea AIK (SHL)
34. Detroit Red Wings (via OTT/NYR) – LW Nando Eggenberger, HC Davos (NLA)
35. Washington Capitals (via FLA/NJD) – D Calen Addison, Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)
36. Detroit Red Wings – D Ryan Merkley, Guelph Storm (OHL)
37. Edmonton Oilers – C David Gustafsson, HV71 (SHL)
38. Vancouver Canucks – D Jonathan Tychonick, Penticton Vees (BCHL)
39. Colorado Avalanche – D Alexander Alexeyev, Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
40. Montreal Canadiens – C Nathan Dunkley, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
41. Philadelphia Flyers – LW Anderson MacDonald, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
42. Carolina Hurricanes – D Adam Ginning, Linkoping HC (SHL)
43. Anaheim Ducks – D Martin Fehevary, IK Oskarshamn (Allsvenskan)
44. New York Islanders (via CGY) – C Ty Dellandrea, Flint Firebirds (OHL)
45. Pittsburgh Penguins – LW/C Philipp Kurashev, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
46. Arizona Coyotes (via MIN) – D K’Andre Miller, US National U18 Team (USNTDP)
47. Montreal Canadiens (via CHI) – D Nicolas Beaudin, Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
48. New York Islanders – C Jakub Lauko, Pirati Comutov (Extraliga)
49. Toronto Maple Leafs (via SJS) – C Blake McLaughlin, Chicago Steel (USHL)
50. Dallas Stars – C Dmitry Zavgorodniy, Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)
51. Boston Bruins – D Sean Durzi, Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
52. New York Rangers – LW/C Marcus Westfalt, Brynas IF (SHL)
53. Toronto Maple Leafs – C Barrett Hayton, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
54. Columbus Blue Jackets – D Toni Utunen, LeKi (Mestis)
55. New Jersey Devils – D Filip Kral, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
56. St. Louis Blues – C Allan McShane, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
57. Winnipeg Jets – LW Adam Liska, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
58. Montreal Canadiens (via WSH) – LW/C Hugo Leufvenius, Sarnia Sting (OHL)
59. Colorado Avalanche (via NSH) – D Danila Zhuravlyov, Irbis Kazan (MHL)
60. Vegas Golden Knights – RW Serron Noel, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
61. Los Angeles Kings – D Adam Samuelsson, US National U18 Team (USNTDP)
62. Tampa Bay Lightning – LW/RW Samuel Fagemo, Sodertalje (Allsvenskan)

Click to read more...

 

[Dan Kelly]

i'd be surprised if the forward centric Edmonton Oilers passed on Oliver Wahlstrom ! in recent years only d-men Darnell Nurse and Oscar Klefbom have been taken in the 1st round and Klefbom likely because the Oilers took a forward, Nuge, with their other 1st round pick.

 

[QJL]

i'd be surprised if the forward centric Edmonton Oilers passed on Oliver Wahlstrom ! in recent years only d-men Darnell Nurse and Oscar Klefbom have been taken in the 1st round and Klefbom likely because the Oilers took a forward, Nuge, with their other 1st round pick.

Agreed. I write my mocks as if I was in the shoes of the GM. After Larsson, the Oilers have question marks on the right side with an aging Russell and not much behind him. Wilde has top-pairing potential and projects to be ready in his draft +1 year.

I have a feeling the Oilers will move Nuge, hence my Gustafsson selection at #36. He could be a solid 2-way 3C replacement down the line.

 

[Dan Kelly]

this would certainly be the year to try to find the ever elusive offensive d-man but i just don't trust that the Oilers have enough patience to wait for a guy like Wilde or Smith or Merkley to pass on a forward that they can shove into the NHL lineup potentially much sooner.

 

[HabsForHire]

No way tkachuk falls that far lol

 

[Sweoilers]

Agreed. I write my mocks as if I was in the shoes of the GM. After Larsson, the Oilers have question marks on the right side with an aging Russell and not much behind him. Wilde has top-pairing potential and projects to be ready in his draft +1 year.

I have a feeling the Oilers will move Nuge, hence my Gustafsson selection at #36. He could be a solid 2-way 3C replacement down the line.

Oilers have Bear and Jones that has top-4 potential with Bear beeing a RHD. Wahlstrom or Thachuk would probably be the 1rd pick at that spot and hope that Merkley drop to them in the 2nd round.

 

[pezcore]

Habs have Chicago's 2nd round pick in the Fleischmann, Weise trade for Danault
Tampa would have Mtl's 2nd round pick (via Was) in the Drouin for Sergachev trade as Sergachev has not played 40 games yet...although he's at 35 so unless a major injury the pick wouldnt transfert

As for the draft, the only one I think you're way off is Tkachuk. I would take him over Smith for the Habs #9

I also think Hayton is probably not a late 2nd round pick but if he is, I think the Habs would take him in a heartbeat with one of their 3 second round picks

Overall, great job, its not easy doing these, especially 2 rounds

 

[QJL]

Habs have Chicago's 2nd round pick in the Fleischmann, Weise trade for Danault
Tampa would have Mtl's 2nd round pick (via Was) in the Drouin for Sergachev trade as Sergachev has not played 40 games yet...although he's at 35 so unless a major injury the pick wouldnt transfert

As for the draft, the only one I think you're way off is Tkachuk. I would take him over Smith for the Habs #9

I also think Hayton is probably not a late 2nd round pick but if he is, I think the Habs would take him in a heartbeat with one of their 3 second round picks

Overall, great job, its not easy doing these, especially 2 rounds

Thanks for the catch on the 2nd round trade. Thought I got them all but missed that one. I corrected and did not change the pick.

I was aware of the Sergachev asterisk but assumed he would get to 40 games.

I acknowledge I'm lower on Tkachuk than most. I don't see him reaching his brother's level. The skill isn't there. I project him as solid 2nd line power forward in a strong draft.

 

[Habs76]

Thanks for the catch on the 2nd round trade. Thought I got them all but missed that one. I corrected and did not change the pick.

I was aware of the Sergachev asterisk but assumed he would get to 40 games.

I acknowledge I'm lower on Tkachuk than most. I don't see him reaching his brother's level. The skill isn't there. I project him as solid 2nd line power forward in a strong draft.

I really do think that a 2nd line power forward is a far better player than some of those guys ahead of him. Veleno, McBain, Lundestrom, Thomas, McIsaac, etc. But to each their own.

Huge fan of the ranking of Dominik Bokk. Kid is going to be a superstar.


From a Habs fan's perspective, I dont hate Smith but see some preferred options. Tkachuk, Woo, Dobson to name a few. In the second round, a sub-PPG overager from the OHL does not intrigue me. Dunkley strikes me as a late 2nd/early 3rd and not a very high potential pick. Beaudin is one one of the second-round defensemen who interests me the most. If it played out like that though I think I'd go Kurashev-Lauko-Shafigullin/Zhabreyev

 

[Dan Kelly]

Oilers have Bear and Jones that has top-4 potential with Bear beeing a RHD. Wahlstrom or Thachuk would probably be the 1rd pick at that spot and hope that Merkley drop to them in the 2nd round.

i think the Oilers need to take a potential top end scoring d-man with their pick that is likely going to be around the #8 to #12 area. guys like Smith, Merkley, Addison, Miller, Dobson or Wilde if they are still there would fit the bill, and 4 of the 6 are RD too. the Oilers haven't drafted a ton of d-men in the 1st round over the years but when they do, they end up with good NHLers like Nurse and Klefbom.

 

[hawkeerox]

Thanks for the list.
Your first round has a few guys that NHL Central Scouting has in second or third round, like Wilde (at #6??) McBain and Woo.
Are there reasons why you put those guys so much higher than Central Scouting? What do you see?
Also why do Brady Tkachuk and Ryan Merkley rank lower?

 

[QJL]

Thanks for the list.
Your first round has a few guys that NHL Central Scouting has in second or third round, like Wilde (at #6??) McBain and Woo.
Are there reasons why you put those guys so much higher than Central Scouting? What do you see?
Also why do Brady Tkachuk and Ryan Merkley rank lower?

On Wilde, almost every other list out there has him as a top 20 pick - ISS, TSN, McKeen's, HockeyProspect.com, etc.. Outside of Dahlin, he's the most complete defenseman in the draft - size, speed, a big right-handed shot, and a fantastic one-on-one defender. He might not have the offensive upside of Dahlin or Boqvist, but I think he's a safe pick to be a top 4 D at both ends of the ice. He's stylistically in the mold of a John Carlson or Alex Pietrangelo.

Both Woo and McBain are also top 30 on all the aforementioned lists. Woo is actually a very similar player to Wilde and one of the best skating D in the draft. McBain is a two-way horse who I project as a safe pick for a middle 6 center. I'd be shocked if either slipped out of the first round.

Tkachuk has had quite a start to the WJC and I'll be reconsidering my ranking of him on the late January list. He was not producing early in his college season and I didn't see the skill that we're now accustom to with his brother. Against players his own age, not in the NCAA, his physical dominance is shining through more, especially his work in puck battles and in front of the net. I plan to have him back in the 10-15 range based on his performance.

Ryan Merkley has exception puck skills and vision but is a major liability on the defense. Any team that takes him is drafting a boom or bust player. If I were a GM, this draft is too deep with too many surefire picks to take a risk in Round 1. Merkley could very well be a top 15 player in this draft but he could also never see a minute in the NHL if he doesn't improve his decisions and one-on-one defensive play.

 

[Romaniemi]

Toni Utunen N° 54 ! Are you kidding me ?
What kind of scout are reporting this ? Wait for him during next WJC under 18 in Russia and than Toni will be choosen in top 20 draft .

 

[hawkeerox]

[/QUOTE]Both Woo and McBain are also top 30 on all the aforementioned lists. Woo is actually a very similar player to Wilde and one of the best skating D in the draft. McBain is a two-way horse who I project as a safe pick for a middle 6 center. I'd be shocked if either slipped out of the first round
[/QUOTE]

As far as McBain goes, I don't know - if you're not on the list at the Sherwin/Williams game late January, it is hard to see how a Canadian kid can suddenly break into the first round what with all the top-notch European and American talent outside CHL...
Merkley should be able to pull it together as he gets older. Maybe move him to wing to put his defensive deficiencies on the side??

 

[JK2K]

Anyone outside of those playing in the CHL can’t play in that Sherwin WILLIAMS game.
McBain will play in the equivalent game for the CJHL if they have one.

 

[JK2K]

CS and especially Dan Marr has never had him ranked as an A. Even after Hlinka.
He’s just not a fan. Probably due to the league he is in.

 

[Tryamkin]

It’s not just the deficiencies for Merkley. He’s rendered almost uncoachable and has bad temper issues.

 

[hawkeerox]

I did not know that about Merkley - that would be poison on the bench and everywhere else. How did you find out he's that bad at accepting direction from his coaches?

 

[Tryamkin]

I did not know that about Merkley - that would be poison on the bench and everywhere else. How did you find out he's that bad at accepting direction from his coaches?

I may be wrong, but I heard that rumour from when he was younger. His defense is still quite bad. Offense is the polar opposite though.

 

[Patmac40]

I'd do cartwheels if we get Hayton in the 2nd round

 

[Bluesnatic27]

I’d be pretty happy if the Blues ended up with McShane that far into the 2nd round.

 

[boredmale]

It should be noted the Islanders have Calgary's 2nd pick as well as their first

 

[QJL]

It should be noted the Islanders have Calgary's 2nd pick as well as their first

Fixed thanks.