MackAttack26
Registered User
On my reading week and had some extra time so decided to my first 2-round mock of the year. Lemme know what you think and if there is any errors.
1. - Auston Matthews (C)
My Rank: 1
Projection: Franchise 1C
Why? Best player in the draft and gives Toronto a sure fire 1C to add to a lethal young forward core already featuring Marner and Nylander.
2. - Patrik Laine (RW)
My Rank: 2
Projection: Elite scoring 1RW
Why? Adds size to Oilers top-6 while also freeing up room to trade Eberle, RNH, etc. for an established top-pairing defenseman.
3. - Jesse Puljujarvi (RW)
My Rank: 3
Projection: Elite two-way 1RW
Why? Rounds out a pretty clear top-3. Columbus needs help at all positions so the obvious BPA is the easy route to take with this pick.
4. - Jakob Chychrun (LHD)
My Rank: 6
Projection: All situations #1 D
Why? Buffalo has no definite top-4 LHD in their system and Gorges leading the way at the NHL level. Chychrun is arguably the best defenseman in the draft.
5. - Olli Juolevi (LHD)
My Rank: 7
Projection: Two-way #1 D
Why? Another team who badly needs LHD and Juolevi is right up there with Chychrun in the debate as the #1 guy. He is as smooth and safe as they come.
6. - Alex Nylander (RW)
My Rank: 8
Projection: Skilled 1RW
Why? Calgary lacks RW skill in their entire organization. Nylander has the elite skill they need to keep up with guys like Gaudreau, Monohan and Bennett.
7. - Matthew Tkachuk (LW)
My Rank: 10
Projection: Gritty, playmaking 2LW
Why? Although I’m not a fan, don’t think Tkachuk (seen as top-5 by most scouts) will fall any further. Projects well to a top-6 role and plays a unique game.
8. - Mikhail Sergachev (LHD)
My Rank: 9
Projection: Offensive #1/2 D
Why? Vancouver has an old core but up front they at least have McCann, Horvat, Boeser, etc. With few good, young D, Sergachev gives them one with #1 upside.
9. - Pierre-Luc Dubois (C)
My Rank: 4
Projection: Offensive 1C
Why? Galchenyuk is very promising but after that, their C talent drops a ton. Dubois would be a good back up plan and at very worst an offensive 2C behind him.
10. - Clayton Keller (C)
My Rank: 5
Projection: Offensive 1C
Why? With Koivu’s slow descent and due to a few prospects not reaching their potential, Minny seems to lack a true #1C. Keller has all the skills to be just that.
11. - Julien Gauthier (RW)
My Rank: 11
Projection: Scoring 2RW
Why? Arizona has 10+ high quality forward prospects but many are smaller/skilled playmakers. Gauthier brings a new element of size + scoring to the top-6.
12. - Kieffer Bellows (LW)
My Rank: 14
Projection: Offensive 2LW
Why? An impressive young defense core should have Philadelphia focusing heavily on offense through this draft, a skilled winger like Bellows is a good place to start.
13. – Michael McLeod (C)
My Rank: 16
Projection: Two-way 3C
Why? Similar situation to Philly in Carolina. Hanifin, Fauk, Fleury, etc. should have them looking to forwards here and McLeod is a safe bet to help them down the road.
14. - Tyson Jost (C)
My Rank: 17
Projection: Offensive 2nd liner
Why? After a few top young guns in the NHL and Rantanen, their forward group gets ugly fast. Hard to judge Jost’s success due to his league, but he has lots of skill.
15. - German Rubstov (C)
My Rank: 15
Projection: Two-way 2C
Why? Adding Johansen was a huge step in the right direction. A reliable, young, two-way 2C for behind him is the next step and I like Rubstov’s chances of doing that.
16. [VIA SJS] - Jake Bean (LHD)
My Rank: 13
Projection: Offensive #3 D
Why? Boston has a deep and balanced group of prospects so they go for BPA here. Bean is seen by many scouts as top-15 and has tremendous offensive upside.
17. - Max Jones (LW)
My Rank: 20
Projection: Tough, 3rd line scorer
Why? Anaheim has so many young top-4 D it is hard to see them taking another d-man this early. Jones isn’t a game breaker but he fits the Ducks heavy style offense.
18. [VIA PIT] - Dante Fabbro (RHD)
My Rank: 12
Projection: Offensive #3 D
Why? They got the franchise C, now it’s time to focus on D. Fabbro has a well rounded game and has a good chance of being a top-4 guy in Toronto.
19. - Charles McAvoy (RHD)
My Rank: 18
Projection: Offensive #3 D
Why? Outside of Hedman and Stralman, their D is starting to get old and slow down. McAvoy gives them an offensive D who is developing very well in the NCAA.
20. - Alex DeBrincat (LW)
My Rank: 21
Projection: Skilled 2LW
Why? NJ’s offense has been much better this year than expected. It still lacks those high end skill pieces however and DeBrincat is worth taking a risk on for them.
21. - Logan Brown (C)
My Rank: 26
Projection: Powerful 3C
Why? Boston has a lot of depth at C, but it is mostly smaller, skilled types. Brown gives them a huge two-way center with a potentially untapped offensive side.
22. - Riley Tufte (LW)
My Rank: 19
Projection: Scoring 2LW
Why? Their best LW prospect by far (Dal Colle) hasn’t developed well. Tufte has been lighting up his league this year with multiple hat tricks so is another shot.
23. - Luke Kunin (C)
My Rank: 30
Projection: Two-way 2C
Why? Their #1 priority (Top-4 D) would have to be a reach here. So their #2 priority (top-6 C) is where they should focus by taking Kunin here.
24. [VIA LAK] - Rasmus Asplund (LW)
My Rank: 23
Projection: Offensive 3LW
Why? Like I said earlier, offense heavy draft for Carloina. Asplund had an impressive offensive showing at the WJC and is reliable in his own zone too.
25. [VIA NYR] - Logan Stanley (LHD)
My Rank: 49
Projection: Shutdown #6 D
Why? He is a massive defender who could turn into something good but is a bit of a project. Arizona needs D prospects and has the time to be patient with him.
26. - Tage Thompson (RW)
My Rank: 27
Projection: Powerful 2RW
Why? Lacking RW severely at the NHL level + in their system, the massive scoring RW who is putting up great numbers in the NCAA this year has to be appealing.
27. - Carl Grundstrom (LW)
My Rank: 25
Projection: Well rounded 3LW
Why? St. Louis has stacked themselves with young D who seem to flourish for them all the time so adding a reliable forward like Grundtsrom is a good idea.
28. - Carter Hart (G)
My Rank: 24
Projection: Good starting goalie
Why? Outside if Crawford, Chicago is very shallow in both skill and depth in net. Hart is the consensus #1 goalie in this draft and a solid choice this late.
29. - Kale Clague (LHD)
My Rank: 34
Projection: Shutdown #5 D
Why? Dallas has some really good offensive defenseman in their organization, but they need more guys like Clague to play well in their own end.
30. - Vitali Abramov (RW)
My Rank: 22
Projection: Skilled 2RW
Why? Russian forwards work out for them all the time. Abramov has been tearing up the QMJHL and despite his size should go first round because of this.
1. - Auston Matthews (C)
My Rank: 1
Projection: Franchise 1C
Why? Best player in the draft and gives Toronto a sure fire 1C to add to a lethal young forward core already featuring Marner and Nylander.
2. - Patrik Laine (RW)
My Rank: 2
Projection: Elite scoring 1RW
Why? Adds size to Oilers top-6 while also freeing up room to trade Eberle, RNH, etc. for an established top-pairing defenseman.
3. - Jesse Puljujarvi (RW)
My Rank: 3
Projection: Elite two-way 1RW
Why? Rounds out a pretty clear top-3. Columbus needs help at all positions so the obvious BPA is the easy route to take with this pick.
4. - Jakob Chychrun (LHD)
My Rank: 6
Projection: All situations #1 D
Why? Buffalo has no definite top-4 LHD in their system and Gorges leading the way at the NHL level. Chychrun is arguably the best defenseman in the draft.
5. - Olli Juolevi (LHD)
My Rank: 7
Projection: Two-way #1 D
Why? Another team who badly needs LHD and Juolevi is right up there with Chychrun in the debate as the #1 guy. He is as smooth and safe as they come.
6. - Alex Nylander (RW)
My Rank: 8
Projection: Skilled 1RW
Why? Calgary lacks RW skill in their entire organization. Nylander has the elite skill they need to keep up with guys like Gaudreau, Monohan and Bennett.
7. - Matthew Tkachuk (LW)
My Rank: 10
Projection: Gritty, playmaking 2LW
Why? Although I’m not a fan, don’t think Tkachuk (seen as top-5 by most scouts) will fall any further. Projects well to a top-6 role and plays a unique game.
8. - Mikhail Sergachev (LHD)
My Rank: 9
Projection: Offensive #1/2 D
Why? Vancouver has an old core but up front they at least have McCann, Horvat, Boeser, etc. With few good, young D, Sergachev gives them one with #1 upside.
9. - Pierre-Luc Dubois (C)
My Rank: 4
Projection: Offensive 1C
Why? Galchenyuk is very promising but after that, their C talent drops a ton. Dubois would be a good back up plan and at very worst an offensive 2C behind him.
10. - Clayton Keller (C)
My Rank: 5
Projection: Offensive 1C
Why? With Koivu’s slow descent and due to a few prospects not reaching their potential, Minny seems to lack a true #1C. Keller has all the skills to be just that.
11. - Julien Gauthier (RW)
My Rank: 11
Projection: Scoring 2RW
Why? Arizona has 10+ high quality forward prospects but many are smaller/skilled playmakers. Gauthier brings a new element of size + scoring to the top-6.
12. - Kieffer Bellows (LW)
My Rank: 14
Projection: Offensive 2LW
Why? An impressive young defense core should have Philadelphia focusing heavily on offense through this draft, a skilled winger like Bellows is a good place to start.
13. – Michael McLeod (C)
My Rank: 16
Projection: Two-way 3C
Why? Similar situation to Philly in Carolina. Hanifin, Fauk, Fleury, etc. should have them looking to forwards here and McLeod is a safe bet to help them down the road.
14. - Tyson Jost (C)
My Rank: 17
Projection: Offensive 2nd liner
Why? After a few top young guns in the NHL and Rantanen, their forward group gets ugly fast. Hard to judge Jost’s success due to his league, but he has lots of skill.
15. - German Rubstov (C)
My Rank: 15
Projection: Two-way 2C
Why? Adding Johansen was a huge step in the right direction. A reliable, young, two-way 2C for behind him is the next step and I like Rubstov’s chances of doing that.
16. [VIA SJS] - Jake Bean (LHD)
My Rank: 13
Projection: Offensive #3 D
Why? Boston has a deep and balanced group of prospects so they go for BPA here. Bean is seen by many scouts as top-15 and has tremendous offensive upside.
17. - Max Jones (LW)
My Rank: 20
Projection: Tough, 3rd line scorer
Why? Anaheim has so many young top-4 D it is hard to see them taking another d-man this early. Jones isn’t a game breaker but he fits the Ducks heavy style offense.
18. [VIA PIT] - Dante Fabbro (RHD)
My Rank: 12
Projection: Offensive #3 D
Why? They got the franchise C, now it’s time to focus on D. Fabbro has a well rounded game and has a good chance of being a top-4 guy in Toronto.
19. - Charles McAvoy (RHD)
My Rank: 18
Projection: Offensive #3 D
Why? Outside of Hedman and Stralman, their D is starting to get old and slow down. McAvoy gives them an offensive D who is developing very well in the NCAA.
20. - Alex DeBrincat (LW)
My Rank: 21
Projection: Skilled 2LW
Why? NJ’s offense has been much better this year than expected. It still lacks those high end skill pieces however and DeBrincat is worth taking a risk on for them.
21. - Logan Brown (C)
My Rank: 26
Projection: Powerful 3C
Why? Boston has a lot of depth at C, but it is mostly smaller, skilled types. Brown gives them a huge two-way center with a potentially untapped offensive side.
22. - Riley Tufte (LW)
My Rank: 19
Projection: Scoring 2LW
Why? Their best LW prospect by far (Dal Colle) hasn’t developed well. Tufte has been lighting up his league this year with multiple hat tricks so is another shot.
23. - Luke Kunin (C)
My Rank: 30
Projection: Two-way 2C
Why? Their #1 priority (Top-4 D) would have to be a reach here. So their #2 priority (top-6 C) is where they should focus by taking Kunin here.
24. [VIA LAK] - Rasmus Asplund (LW)
My Rank: 23
Projection: Offensive 3LW
Why? Like I said earlier, offense heavy draft for Carloina. Asplund had an impressive offensive showing at the WJC and is reliable in his own zone too.
25. [VIA NYR] - Logan Stanley (LHD)
My Rank: 49
Projection: Shutdown #6 D
Why? He is a massive defender who could turn into something good but is a bit of a project. Arizona needs D prospects and has the time to be patient with him.
26. - Tage Thompson (RW)
My Rank: 27
Projection: Powerful 2RW
Why? Lacking RW severely at the NHL level + in their system, the massive scoring RW who is putting up great numbers in the NCAA this year has to be appealing.
27. - Carl Grundstrom (LW)
My Rank: 25
Projection: Well rounded 3LW
Why? St. Louis has stacked themselves with young D who seem to flourish for them all the time so adding a reliable forward like Grundtsrom is a good idea.
28. - Carter Hart (G)
My Rank: 24
Projection: Good starting goalie
Why? Outside if Crawford, Chicago is very shallow in both skill and depth in net. Hart is the consensus #1 goalie in this draft and a solid choice this late.
29. - Kale Clague (LHD)
My Rank: 34
Projection: Shutdown #5 D
Why? Dallas has some really good offensive defenseman in their organization, but they need more guys like Clague to play well in their own end.
30. - Vitali Abramov (RW)
My Rank: 22
Projection: Skilled 2RW
Why? Russian forwards work out for them all the time. Abramov has been tearing up the QMJHL and despite his size should go first round because of this.
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