GKJ
Global Moderator
- Feb 27, 2002
- 185,675
- 37,463
Here is my mock draft, right before the draft per usual! Lottery picks I will give explinations for, the rest I will just go.
1Washington CapitalsAlexander Ovechkin
I think it is rather clear by now. No explination really needed.
2Pittsburgh PenguinsEvgeny Malkin
This is rather clear as well. Malkin is the 2nd best player in this draft, he's big, he's a center, and he is what Pittsburgh needs.
3Chicago BlackhawksCam Barker
The consensus best defenseman in this draft, he fills a rather large hole on defense for Chicago, some people are thinking a foward, I do not.
4Columbus Blue JacketsRostislav Olesz
I actually think Columbus will trade down, because they need a defenseman too. Maybe Florida, Anaheim, LA, Minnesota. Columbus' bigger need is a defenseman, and there is no one at 4 who warrents that. However if they keep the pick, I think Olesz is the guy they take. With Svitov brought in, Olesz would provide a good cast down the middle for the Blue Jackets.
5Phoenix CoyotesAlvaro Montoya
The best goalie in the draft. If you see the Kings move in front of them, then they will probably go with a foward, however I see, and I think many others see Montoya as a better prospect than LeNeveu, and some say you can't have too many goalie prospects, but he fills a legit need in Phoenix
6New York RangersAndrew Ladd
I see Ladd and Tukonen as almost even, but Ladd is more offense which the Rangers could use at this spot.
7Florida PanthersLauri Tukonen
Tukonen is a big guy, with a good touch, and Mike Keenan loves players like this, and Jacques Martin can excel with guys like this in Florida. I projected him to slip because Montoya jumped and the Rangers don't take many trips to Finland. This pick would be almost as good as moving up 3 spots for the Panthers
8Carolina HurricanesA.J. Thelen
Carolina has a glaring need for big, solid defensemen, espically after trading Malec now, I think it is a lock they will take a d-man with this pick.
9Anaheim Mighty DucksRobbie Schremp
Some people think he is a top 5 or 6 pick. I do not. In fact, I would not be suprised to see him drop further because of various issues he had during the season. If he keeps his head cool he will be a great pick.
10Atlanta ThrashersAndrej Meszaros
I think Meszaros is an awsome player, and an awsome fit for the Thrashers along side of Braydon Coburn. The Thrashers have a need at center and at D, I think he is too good to pass up, and is really underrated.
11Los Angeles KingsMarek Schwarz
Whether the Kings get Montoya or Schwarz, it is a great pick for a team sorely lacking goalie prospects. I personally think they shouldn't trade up because these 2 goalies are really close, Montoya just had a great WJC.
12Minnesota WildLadislav Smid
The Wild have a blue line need, as Brent Burns is not a true defenseman. Smid has a good offensive game the Wild could use
13Buffalo SabresDrew Stafford
I think the Sabres are happy Stafford falls to them. They have a big need for defense as well, but at this point, he is the best player available.
14Edmonton OilersAlexandre Picard
Picard is a good prospect, I think he is a great fit for the Oilers system. He's pretty big, he will be a good 2nd liner behind Ryan Smyth as they are the same type of player
15Nashville PredatorsTravis Zajac
16New York IslandersMike Green
17St. Louis BluesWojtek Wolski
18Montreal CanadiensKyle Chipchura
19Calgary FlamesAlexander Radulov
20Dallas StarsEnver Lisin
21Colorado AvalancheDave Bolland
22New Jersey DevilsJakub Sindel
23Ottawa SenatorsBoris Valabik
24New York Rangers (from Toronto)Jeff Schultz
25Edmonton Oilers (from Philadelphia)Devan Dubnyk
26Vancouver CanucksRoman Voloshenko
27Washington Capitals (from Boston)Lauri Korpikoski
28San Jose SharksKirill Lyamin
29Washington Capitals (from Detroit)Johan Fransson
30Tampa Bay LightningPetteri Nokelainen
1Washington CapitalsAlexander Ovechkin
I think it is rather clear by now. No explination really needed.
2Pittsburgh PenguinsEvgeny Malkin
This is rather clear as well. Malkin is the 2nd best player in this draft, he's big, he's a center, and he is what Pittsburgh needs.
3Chicago BlackhawksCam Barker
The consensus best defenseman in this draft, he fills a rather large hole on defense for Chicago, some people are thinking a foward, I do not.
4Columbus Blue JacketsRostislav Olesz
I actually think Columbus will trade down, because they need a defenseman too. Maybe Florida, Anaheim, LA, Minnesota. Columbus' bigger need is a defenseman, and there is no one at 4 who warrents that. However if they keep the pick, I think Olesz is the guy they take. With Svitov brought in, Olesz would provide a good cast down the middle for the Blue Jackets.
5Phoenix CoyotesAlvaro Montoya
The best goalie in the draft. If you see the Kings move in front of them, then they will probably go with a foward, however I see, and I think many others see Montoya as a better prospect than LeNeveu, and some say you can't have too many goalie prospects, but he fills a legit need in Phoenix
6New York RangersAndrew Ladd
I see Ladd and Tukonen as almost even, but Ladd is more offense which the Rangers could use at this spot.
7Florida PanthersLauri Tukonen
Tukonen is a big guy, with a good touch, and Mike Keenan loves players like this, and Jacques Martin can excel with guys like this in Florida. I projected him to slip because Montoya jumped and the Rangers don't take many trips to Finland. This pick would be almost as good as moving up 3 spots for the Panthers
8Carolina HurricanesA.J. Thelen
Carolina has a glaring need for big, solid defensemen, espically after trading Malec now, I think it is a lock they will take a d-man with this pick.
9Anaheim Mighty DucksRobbie Schremp
Some people think he is a top 5 or 6 pick. I do not. In fact, I would not be suprised to see him drop further because of various issues he had during the season. If he keeps his head cool he will be a great pick.
10Atlanta ThrashersAndrej Meszaros
I think Meszaros is an awsome player, and an awsome fit for the Thrashers along side of Braydon Coburn. The Thrashers have a need at center and at D, I think he is too good to pass up, and is really underrated.
11Los Angeles KingsMarek Schwarz
Whether the Kings get Montoya or Schwarz, it is a great pick for a team sorely lacking goalie prospects. I personally think they shouldn't trade up because these 2 goalies are really close, Montoya just had a great WJC.
12Minnesota WildLadislav Smid
The Wild have a blue line need, as Brent Burns is not a true defenseman. Smid has a good offensive game the Wild could use
13Buffalo SabresDrew Stafford
I think the Sabres are happy Stafford falls to them. They have a big need for defense as well, but at this point, he is the best player available.
14Edmonton OilersAlexandre Picard
Picard is a good prospect, I think he is a great fit for the Oilers system. He's pretty big, he will be a good 2nd liner behind Ryan Smyth as they are the same type of player
15Nashville PredatorsTravis Zajac
16New York IslandersMike Green
17St. Louis BluesWojtek Wolski
18Montreal CanadiensKyle Chipchura
19Calgary FlamesAlexander Radulov
20Dallas StarsEnver Lisin
21Colorado AvalancheDave Bolland
22New Jersey DevilsJakub Sindel
23Ottawa SenatorsBoris Valabik
24New York Rangers (from Toronto)Jeff Schultz
25Edmonton Oilers (from Philadelphia)Devan Dubnyk
26Vancouver CanucksRoman Voloshenko
27Washington Capitals (from Boston)Lauri Korpikoski
28San Jose SharksKirill Lyamin
29Washington Capitals (from Detroit)Johan Fransson
30Tampa Bay LightningPetteri Nokelainen