Zack22
Registered User
- Dec 6, 2016
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- 102
HFNHL Mock Draft:
I doubt I will get more than 3 picks right for this mock draft, but have fun reading!
1. Anaheim Ducks (Via DAL): C Shane Wright, Kingston
The biggest question for this pick is whether GM Roy keeps the first overall pick. If he does there is no question that Wright is his guy. He has the potential to be a top-six centre in this sim for a very long time.
2. New York Rangers: C Logan Cooley, USNTDP
After winning the HFNHL lottery, the Rangers take advantage by taking the second-best centre in this draft class in Logan Cooley. He is a phenomenal playmaker who can make plays on both sides of the ice. After focusing on defence last year, the next step in the rebuild is shoring up down the middle.
3. Detroit Red Wings: LW Juraj Slafkovsky, TPS
In hopes of being the final year of a lengthy rebuild, Detroit elects to add the towering Slovak winger in Salfkovsky. Some see Slafkovsky as the most NHL ready in this draft class due to his speed and size combo, Detroit hopes he can take that step and contribute immediately.
4. Seattle Kraken: D Simon Nemec, HK Nitra
After selecting a franchise centre in Beniers last year, the Kraken elect to add to their blueline. Taking offensive minded Simon Nemec. Nemec has experience and has been relied on to play heavy minutes in meaningful games, can turn out to be a solid fixture in the Kraken blueline for a while.
5. Edmonton Oilers: D David Jiricek, HC Plzen
After focusing on goaltending in the last draft and having promising options up the middle with Marco Rossi and Peyton Krebs, the oilers turn to the back end for Jiricek. The combination of size and speed will allow Jiricek to be a force in the HFNHL. He has the potential to be a top-pairing defenceman for the Oilers.
6. New York Islanders: C/W Cutter Gauthier, USNTDP
With all the talk at the combine on how Gauthier will play centre, it makes sense for the Islanders to add a scoring centre like Gauthier to their system. Gauthier has great finishing ability and will fit in nicely receiving passes from Kent Johnson, William Eklund and William Nylander for years to come.
7. Pittsburgh Penguins: RW Joakim Kemell, JYP
The Penguins with a top-10 pick look to add a future linemate for Nathan MacKinnon and pick up one of the best scorers in this draft in Kemell. Kemell started the year hot producing insane numbers in Liiga before an injury cooled him off. While there are concerns on Kemell’s overall game, he can undeniably wire the puck.
8. Vegas Golden Knights: C/W Matthew Savoie, Winnipeg
The Golden Knights have been drafting up a storm recently, securing a top pair on their blueline of Michigan defenders in Hughes and Power. On top of that adding more talent with Svechkov and Lucius in the previous draft’s first round. Adding Savoie will give the Knights a forward who can play both centre and the wing and has elite speed and skill to compliment his other prospects.
9. Arizona Coyotes: C/W Brad Lambert, Pelicans
Coyotes take a swing on Finnish prospect Brad Lambert. While his production was not great this year in Liiga, the skills definitely were on display. If Lambert can regain his scoring touch he could be the perfect piece either down the middle or on the wing. Arizona could elect to go with safer opitons like Lekkerimaki or Nazar.
10. Buffalo Sabres: C/W Frank Nazar, USNTDP
To finish off the top 10, the Sabres select a small king in Frank Nazar. After reaping the benefits of Brayden Point, it makes sense for the Sabres to take a gamble on another small player with a ton of speed and skill in Nazar. If Nazar reaches his potential he would be a deadly second-line centre behind Point.
11. Chicago Blackhawks: D Denton Mateychuck, Moose Jaw
With youth on the wings coming up for the Blackhawks, they shift their focus to adding an impact defenceman. Mateychuck had a phenomenal year with Moose Jaw and produced scoring almost at a ppg rate. Adding Mateychuck could provide Chicago a solid top defenceman for years to come.
12. Montreal Canadiens: RW Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Djurgardens
While the Canadiens’ roster is solid, a down year will allow GM George to continue to add scoring depth to the team’s future. With a young core of Dubios, Aho, Necas and Holtz adding Lekkerimaki will only bring more skill to the table. After entering the year as a goal scoring threat, Lekkerimaki rounded his game out as a playmaker climbing through rankings.
13. Nashville Predators: D Pavel Mintyukov, Saginaw
Although the Predators just made a splash acquiring Miro Heiskanen, it never hurts to add depth on the back end. Mintyukov is one of if not the most creative defenceman in this draft. With the addition of Heiskanen it makes sense for the predators to take the gamble on Mintyukov and hope his defensive game can round out.
14. Minnesota Wild: D Kevin Korchinski, Seattle
With their first of three picks in the first round, GM Hasnain snags the last defenceman in this range of players in Korchinski. With the Wild’s next pick being at 16 it makes sense to take the defenceman here and not gamble on hoping Solly passes on him at 15. Adding Korchinski will provide the Wild with a offensive defenceman who can replace Erik Karlsson as powerplay quarterback in a few years.
15. Carolina Hurricanes: RW Danila Yurov, Metallurg
I believe the Hurricanes are after a defenceman in this range, but if that fails they will take best winger available and at this point it is Yurov. While there are some concerns on if/when Yurov will come over, the skill is undeniable and not worth passing for GM Solly. With depth down the middle of the ice in Barkov, Erikson Ek, Kotkaniemi, Johnston and more adding a winger like Yurov will allow Solly to have someone to pair with all that talent.
16. Minnesota Wild (Via NJD): C Connor Geekie, Winnipeg
The Wild add to their pool of centres by taking the towering Connor Geekie. Geekie although has some skating concerns has the skill and size to become an impact centre in the NHL. With already strong depth down the middle with Cerelli, McTavish, Raty and Mercer, the gamble on Geekie is worth it as worst case he is a solid third line centre on a team with tremendous centre depth.
17. Arizona Coyotes (Via SJS): C Jiri Kulich, HC Energie
After adding Lambert earlier in this mock draft, the Coyotes grad another European centre in Kulich. After his MVP performance in the U18’s, Kulich’s draft stock has been rising. His shot is his best quality and exactly what Arizona is looking for. Unlike Lambert, Kulich is almost a lock to stay down the middle as a centre.
18. Ottawa Senators (Via ANA): LW Ivan Miroshnichenko, Omsk
The HFNHL president trophy winners are not in need of much looking at their current roster. With few picks in the coming years I am curious to see if GM Ray moves down in the draft to pick up more picks. If he does stay here I wouldn’t be shocked to see him take a swing on Miroshnichenko. While there are definitely risks taking him due to his health concerns and the Russian factor, with a team as stacked as the sens are, why not take the gamble and see if in a few years Miroshnichenko turns into a cheap and important piece.
19. New York Rangers (Via CGY): C Marco Kasper, Rogle
With the second pick in their first round, the Rangers take another centre to complement their first pick in Cooley. Kasper has a good chance of hearing his name called earlier in both the NHL and HFNHL draft. He fills the rangers centre depth as they continue to strengthen their prospect pool.
20. Washington Capitals: D Lian Bichsel, Leksands
After making the tough decision to trade away Miro Heiskanen, it may make sense for the caps to add another defenceman. Bichsel is a big-bodied hard hitting defenceman who will most likely have some solid ratings in the sim.
21. Vegas Golden Knights (Via TOR): D Owen Pickering, Swift Current
After focusing on offence with their first pick in Savoie, the Knights focus switches to defence and add Pickering. With the future of their blueline in the hands of offensively gifted Owen Power and Luke Hughes, the Golden Knights add a more defensive defenceman in Owen Pickering. It brings the number of Owen’s on their blueline from one to two as well.
22. Florida Panthers (Via WPG): LW Liam Ohgren, Djurgardens
Firstly, to those giving Brock more picks please stop. With an already plethora of talent on the roster and in the pipeline, the Panthers can afford to go BPA on their draft list and take the skillful Swedish winger in Liam Ohgren.
23. Boston Bruins: C Noah Ostlund, Djurgardens
In this mock we have back to back Djurgardens teammates going. Who knows what the new GM is thinking in terms of the draft, but the chance to add a talented playmaking centre like Ostlund is too much to pass up.
24. Florida Panthers: C David Goyette, Sudbury
I have a feeling whether it is at this pick or a bit later that the Panthers are interested in adding Goyette to their prospect pool. Goyette put up the second most points in the OHL out of all draft eligible behind Wright, while on a poor Sudbury team. This just adds to Brock’s insane prospect depth.
25. Los Angeles Kings: D Ryan Chesley, USNTDP
The Kings don’t really have many needs on their roster so they choose to continue to fill their blueline depth. Chesley may not have the most dazzling offensive game, however he seems like the perfect player to stick next to the most creative defenceman on a team. He will be a solidly rated HFNHL defenceman one day.
26. St. Louis Blues: LW Isaac Howard, USNTDP
With the Blues keeping their 2022 first round pick, they decide to add to the wings and take NTDP star Howard. He led the team in points finishing with 82 in 60 games. Adding Howard could give the blues the perfect complementary winger to their deep centre pool.
27. Nashville Predators (Via CBJ): C Filip Mesar, HK Poprad
With their second pick in the first round, the Predators elect to take the speedy, skillful centre out of Slovakia in Mesar. Whether Mesar stays down the middle at his size is the big question. His position is irrelevant to GM Tony as he is just looking to fill his squad with the most talent possible.
28. Minnesota Wild (Via OTT): LW Rutger McGroarty, USNTDP
With their final pick in the first round, the Wild add the captain of the USNTDP in Rutger McGroarty. McGroarty has a lot working for him, strong hockey IQ, good shot, physical player, he can use some improvement on his skating though. In all the Wild grab a future NHL captain and an impact player all over the ice.
29. Anaheim Ducks (Via PHI): RW Jagger Firkus, Moose Jaw
I don’t know if Roy will keep this pick or move it before the draft (Yes, I already made this joke). If he does decide to keep it I could see him going to the WHL and taking one of the biggest boom or bust prospects in this draft in Firkus. The skill on this kid is crazy but will he be able to bring his game to the next level is the big question.
30. Vancouver Canucks: D Sam Rinzel, Waterloo
The Canucks are another team that seems to constantly have talent coming out of nowhere. They don’t have many needs on their roster, but their defencemen are getting expensive. They elect to take a bit of a project in Rinzel who has the size, speed and skill to turn into an impact defenceman if he can put it all together.
31. Detroit Red Wings (Via COL): D Calle Odelius, Djurgardens
The Red Wings may have taken a scouting trip or two to Sweden and come out of it with a mobile two-way defenceman in Odelius. His skating, scaning ability and playmaking will carry him into being a long time NHL defenceman.
32. Tampa Bay Lightning: C Owen Beck, Mississauga
The Lightning have a strong team with a ton of talent on the wings. They decide to go with a safer pick and take Owen Beck out of the OHL. Beck can do almost anything, he plays defence extremely well, can transition the puck and be a factor in the offensive end. The big question is will he be more than a third line swiss army knife.
I doubt I will get more than 3 picks right for this mock draft, but have fun reading!
1. Anaheim Ducks (Via DAL): C Shane Wright, Kingston
The biggest question for this pick is whether GM Roy keeps the first overall pick. If he does there is no question that Wright is his guy. He has the potential to be a top-six centre in this sim for a very long time.
2. New York Rangers: C Logan Cooley, USNTDP
After winning the HFNHL lottery, the Rangers take advantage by taking the second-best centre in this draft class in Logan Cooley. He is a phenomenal playmaker who can make plays on both sides of the ice. After focusing on defence last year, the next step in the rebuild is shoring up down the middle.
3. Detroit Red Wings: LW Juraj Slafkovsky, TPS
In hopes of being the final year of a lengthy rebuild, Detroit elects to add the towering Slovak winger in Salfkovsky. Some see Slafkovsky as the most NHL ready in this draft class due to his speed and size combo, Detroit hopes he can take that step and contribute immediately.
4. Seattle Kraken: D Simon Nemec, HK Nitra
After selecting a franchise centre in Beniers last year, the Kraken elect to add to their blueline. Taking offensive minded Simon Nemec. Nemec has experience and has been relied on to play heavy minutes in meaningful games, can turn out to be a solid fixture in the Kraken blueline for a while.
5. Edmonton Oilers: D David Jiricek, HC Plzen
After focusing on goaltending in the last draft and having promising options up the middle with Marco Rossi and Peyton Krebs, the oilers turn to the back end for Jiricek. The combination of size and speed will allow Jiricek to be a force in the HFNHL. He has the potential to be a top-pairing defenceman for the Oilers.
6. New York Islanders: C/W Cutter Gauthier, USNTDP
With all the talk at the combine on how Gauthier will play centre, it makes sense for the Islanders to add a scoring centre like Gauthier to their system. Gauthier has great finishing ability and will fit in nicely receiving passes from Kent Johnson, William Eklund and William Nylander for years to come.
7. Pittsburgh Penguins: RW Joakim Kemell, JYP
The Penguins with a top-10 pick look to add a future linemate for Nathan MacKinnon and pick up one of the best scorers in this draft in Kemell. Kemell started the year hot producing insane numbers in Liiga before an injury cooled him off. While there are concerns on Kemell’s overall game, he can undeniably wire the puck.
8. Vegas Golden Knights: C/W Matthew Savoie, Winnipeg
The Golden Knights have been drafting up a storm recently, securing a top pair on their blueline of Michigan defenders in Hughes and Power. On top of that adding more talent with Svechkov and Lucius in the previous draft’s first round. Adding Savoie will give the Knights a forward who can play both centre and the wing and has elite speed and skill to compliment his other prospects.
9. Arizona Coyotes: C/W Brad Lambert, Pelicans
Coyotes take a swing on Finnish prospect Brad Lambert. While his production was not great this year in Liiga, the skills definitely were on display. If Lambert can regain his scoring touch he could be the perfect piece either down the middle or on the wing. Arizona could elect to go with safer opitons like Lekkerimaki or Nazar.
10. Buffalo Sabres: C/W Frank Nazar, USNTDP
To finish off the top 10, the Sabres select a small king in Frank Nazar. After reaping the benefits of Brayden Point, it makes sense for the Sabres to take a gamble on another small player with a ton of speed and skill in Nazar. If Nazar reaches his potential he would be a deadly second-line centre behind Point.
11. Chicago Blackhawks: D Denton Mateychuck, Moose Jaw
With youth on the wings coming up for the Blackhawks, they shift their focus to adding an impact defenceman. Mateychuck had a phenomenal year with Moose Jaw and produced scoring almost at a ppg rate. Adding Mateychuck could provide Chicago a solid top defenceman for years to come.
12. Montreal Canadiens: RW Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Djurgardens
While the Canadiens’ roster is solid, a down year will allow GM George to continue to add scoring depth to the team’s future. With a young core of Dubios, Aho, Necas and Holtz adding Lekkerimaki will only bring more skill to the table. After entering the year as a goal scoring threat, Lekkerimaki rounded his game out as a playmaker climbing through rankings.
13. Nashville Predators: D Pavel Mintyukov, Saginaw
Although the Predators just made a splash acquiring Miro Heiskanen, it never hurts to add depth on the back end. Mintyukov is one of if not the most creative defenceman in this draft. With the addition of Heiskanen it makes sense for the predators to take the gamble on Mintyukov and hope his defensive game can round out.
14. Minnesota Wild: D Kevin Korchinski, Seattle
With their first of three picks in the first round, GM Hasnain snags the last defenceman in this range of players in Korchinski. With the Wild’s next pick being at 16 it makes sense to take the defenceman here and not gamble on hoping Solly passes on him at 15. Adding Korchinski will provide the Wild with a offensive defenceman who can replace Erik Karlsson as powerplay quarterback in a few years.
15. Carolina Hurricanes: RW Danila Yurov, Metallurg
I believe the Hurricanes are after a defenceman in this range, but if that fails they will take best winger available and at this point it is Yurov. While there are some concerns on if/when Yurov will come over, the skill is undeniable and not worth passing for GM Solly. With depth down the middle of the ice in Barkov, Erikson Ek, Kotkaniemi, Johnston and more adding a winger like Yurov will allow Solly to have someone to pair with all that talent.
16. Minnesota Wild (Via NJD): C Connor Geekie, Winnipeg
The Wild add to their pool of centres by taking the towering Connor Geekie. Geekie although has some skating concerns has the skill and size to become an impact centre in the NHL. With already strong depth down the middle with Cerelli, McTavish, Raty and Mercer, the gamble on Geekie is worth it as worst case he is a solid third line centre on a team with tremendous centre depth.
17. Arizona Coyotes (Via SJS): C Jiri Kulich, HC Energie
After adding Lambert earlier in this mock draft, the Coyotes grad another European centre in Kulich. After his MVP performance in the U18’s, Kulich’s draft stock has been rising. His shot is his best quality and exactly what Arizona is looking for. Unlike Lambert, Kulich is almost a lock to stay down the middle as a centre.
18. Ottawa Senators (Via ANA): LW Ivan Miroshnichenko, Omsk
The HFNHL president trophy winners are not in need of much looking at their current roster. With few picks in the coming years I am curious to see if GM Ray moves down in the draft to pick up more picks. If he does stay here I wouldn’t be shocked to see him take a swing on Miroshnichenko. While there are definitely risks taking him due to his health concerns and the Russian factor, with a team as stacked as the sens are, why not take the gamble and see if in a few years Miroshnichenko turns into a cheap and important piece.
19. New York Rangers (Via CGY): C Marco Kasper, Rogle
With the second pick in their first round, the Rangers take another centre to complement their first pick in Cooley. Kasper has a good chance of hearing his name called earlier in both the NHL and HFNHL draft. He fills the rangers centre depth as they continue to strengthen their prospect pool.
20. Washington Capitals: D Lian Bichsel, Leksands
After making the tough decision to trade away Miro Heiskanen, it may make sense for the caps to add another defenceman. Bichsel is a big-bodied hard hitting defenceman who will most likely have some solid ratings in the sim.
21. Vegas Golden Knights (Via TOR): D Owen Pickering, Swift Current
After focusing on offence with their first pick in Savoie, the Knights focus switches to defence and add Pickering. With the future of their blueline in the hands of offensively gifted Owen Power and Luke Hughes, the Golden Knights add a more defensive defenceman in Owen Pickering. It brings the number of Owen’s on their blueline from one to two as well.
22. Florida Panthers (Via WPG): LW Liam Ohgren, Djurgardens
Firstly, to those giving Brock more picks please stop. With an already plethora of talent on the roster and in the pipeline, the Panthers can afford to go BPA on their draft list and take the skillful Swedish winger in Liam Ohgren.
23. Boston Bruins: C Noah Ostlund, Djurgardens
In this mock we have back to back Djurgardens teammates going. Who knows what the new GM is thinking in terms of the draft, but the chance to add a talented playmaking centre like Ostlund is too much to pass up.
24. Florida Panthers: C David Goyette, Sudbury
I have a feeling whether it is at this pick or a bit later that the Panthers are interested in adding Goyette to their prospect pool. Goyette put up the second most points in the OHL out of all draft eligible behind Wright, while on a poor Sudbury team. This just adds to Brock’s insane prospect depth.
25. Los Angeles Kings: D Ryan Chesley, USNTDP
The Kings don’t really have many needs on their roster so they choose to continue to fill their blueline depth. Chesley may not have the most dazzling offensive game, however he seems like the perfect player to stick next to the most creative defenceman on a team. He will be a solidly rated HFNHL defenceman one day.
26. St. Louis Blues: LW Isaac Howard, USNTDP
With the Blues keeping their 2022 first round pick, they decide to add to the wings and take NTDP star Howard. He led the team in points finishing with 82 in 60 games. Adding Howard could give the blues the perfect complementary winger to their deep centre pool.
27. Nashville Predators (Via CBJ): C Filip Mesar, HK Poprad
With their second pick in the first round, the Predators elect to take the speedy, skillful centre out of Slovakia in Mesar. Whether Mesar stays down the middle at his size is the big question. His position is irrelevant to GM Tony as he is just looking to fill his squad with the most talent possible.
28. Minnesota Wild (Via OTT): LW Rutger McGroarty, USNTDP
With their final pick in the first round, the Wild add the captain of the USNTDP in Rutger McGroarty. McGroarty has a lot working for him, strong hockey IQ, good shot, physical player, he can use some improvement on his skating though. In all the Wild grab a future NHL captain and an impact player all over the ice.
29. Anaheim Ducks (Via PHI): RW Jagger Firkus, Moose Jaw
I don’t know if Roy will keep this pick or move it before the draft (Yes, I already made this joke). If he does decide to keep it I could see him going to the WHL and taking one of the biggest boom or bust prospects in this draft in Firkus. The skill on this kid is crazy but will he be able to bring his game to the next level is the big question.
30. Vancouver Canucks: D Sam Rinzel, Waterloo
The Canucks are another team that seems to constantly have talent coming out of nowhere. They don’t have many needs on their roster, but their defencemen are getting expensive. They elect to take a bit of a project in Rinzel who has the size, speed and skill to turn into an impact defenceman if he can put it all together.
31. Detroit Red Wings (Via COL): D Calle Odelius, Djurgardens
The Red Wings may have taken a scouting trip or two to Sweden and come out of it with a mobile two-way defenceman in Odelius. His skating, scaning ability and playmaking will carry him into being a long time NHL defenceman.
32. Tampa Bay Lightning: C Owen Beck, Mississauga
The Lightning have a strong team with a ton of talent on the wings. They decide to go with a safer pick and take Owen Beck out of the OHL. Beck can do almost anything, he plays defence extremely well, can transition the puck and be a factor in the offensive end. The big question is will he be more than a third line swiss army knife.
