1 - 24 - C –
Jack Drury - Waterloo Black Hawks - USHL
3 - 63 - RW -
Bulat Shafigullin - Reaktor Nizhnekamsk - MHL
3 - 86 - RW -
Nando Eggenberger - HC Davos - NLA
3 - 91 - D -
Jacob Ragnarsson - Almtuna IS - Allsvenskan
5 - 148 - LW -
Ryan Chyzowski - Medicine Hat Tigers - WHL
5 - 152 - C -
Colin Schmidt - Wayzata High - USHS
6 - 179 - D -
Cole Krygier - Lincoln Stars - USHL
7 - 210 - G -
Jett Alexander - North York Rangers – OJHL
With 8 selections in the draft the Minnesota Wild had a great opportunity to add some depth to the farm, but with only one selection in the first two rounds the chances of adding impact players was difficult. They believe they found one with the first round selection of
Jack Drury. The Harvard commit comes from NHL bloodlines and has great draft pedigree. He’s one of the hardest workers in the draft, and is a smart and solid two-way center. He doesn’t have other-worldly talent, but he manages to produce at a high rate with his smarts and work ethic. To put it simply, this guy wills himself to score.
Shafigullin is the most talented of the draft choices that the Wild made. He is a first round offensive talent who can skate, and maybe more importantly, he can skate with the puck on his stick. The question for this prospect is consistency of effort. That doesn’t necessarily mean that he isn’t trying, but if he isn’t scoring, he isn’t doing much for his team.
Eggenberger is a big power forward who can flash some skill, but his production has left scouts wanting more. Perhaps he is simply a bottom 6 type forward without the offensive ability. That said, if he makes it as a third liner with size and a little skill, consider this pick a win.
Ragnarsson was the second Wild draftee with NHL bloodlines. His father Marcus was a solid NHL defender for several seasons. Ragnarsson’s game shows a lot of maturity. He is an extremely cerebral player on the back end who is a smooth skater and strong puck mover with good offensive upside.
Ryan Chyzowski has some NHL bloodlines as well, although his father Dave didn’t have the NHL career that many had hoped for. Ryan will likely be a winger at the NHL level, but he took a lot of the important draws for the Tigers this season. His shot is very good, and scouts rave about his work ethic.
Colin Schmidt is a hulking power forward who makes his mark below the hashmarks, setting up in the post or crushing his opponents along the wall. His skating will need to improve, but his physical nature and willingness to go to the dirty areas make him an intriguing prospect.
Another draft pick with NHL bloodlines,
Cole Krygier is a defenseman high on potential. Like K’Andre Miller, Krygier is making the transition from forward to defense. His game on the backend is still quite raw, but he is a dynamic skater who likes to join the rush. He plays a physical game and has all the tools that NHL teams want in a defender.
Jett Alexander is a solid goaltending prospect from the Ontario Junior Hockey League. He is, in this scout’s opinion, the best puckhandling goaltender in the draft. He also has the size at 6’4, and is aggressive in the crease.
2 - 53 - C -
Philipp Kurashev - Quebec Remparts - QMJHL
3 - 64 - RW -
Niklas Nordgren - HIFK - Liiga
5 - 129 - G -
Jacob Ingham - Mississauga Steelheads - OHL
5 - 146 - D -
Toni Utunen - Tappara - Liiga
6 - 177 - D -
Alexander S. Romanov - Krasnaya Armiya Moskva - MHL
7 - 208 - C -
Nathan Smith - Cedar Rapids Rough Riders - USHL
With only six draft choices and none in the top 50, the Pittsburgh Penguins were looking for value in every pick and hoping for prospects high on potential.
Philipp Kurashev turned heads with a very strong performance at the World Junior Championship for the Swiss. He is a creative forward who shows the ability to be a playmaker. He is one of those guys who just always seems to be around the puck and has that innate ability to make things happen every time he is on the ice.
What
Nordgren lacks in size he makes up for in potential. He scored at over a goal per game pace at the Under 18 Championship. His finishing ability is definitely his best attribute and he has fantastic shot.
Ingham, like most of the goaltenders in this class, struggled mightily this season. His numbers were pedestrian at best, but despite that, there is a lot to like in this prospect. His big frame fills the net when he’s in his butterfly, and his reflexes, quickness and competitive nature make him a good bet to have a bounce back season next year.
Toni Utunen captained the Finnish Under 18 squad to a Gold Medal. His skill with the puck is underrated, and he shows good poise and vision. He isn’t the biggest guy, and his skating isn’t elite, but he just seems like one of those prospects you’d be foolish to doubt.
Alexander Romanov was an offensive behemoth for the Russians in international competition. He tallied 4 goals in 4 games at the World Jr. A Championship and followed that up with 3 points in 5 games at the Under 18 Championship. He isn’t the biggest defender, but his play with the puck has his arrow pointed in the right direction.
Nathan Smith is the definition of a late bloomer… at least as far as his exposure to the scouting world goes. The right shot centerman was skipped over in last year’s draft playing high school hockey in the Florida... how could the NHL scouts possibly miss him. Well, he wasn’t about to let it happen again. He walked in to the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders camp a free agent and ended the season as their leading scorer with a commitment to the Minnesota State University(Mankato). Smith has a high compete level and is a strong skater with good hands.
The Minnesota Wild and the Pittsburgh Penguins would like to thank Soli and their fellow draft freaks for a good solid month of entertainment during this mock draft. Despite a few bumps in the road, this draft, the HFOil Draft, once again proved better than any other mock draft on HF Boards. Well done boys. Now let's get on with Making the Oilers Great Again!
select, from the Flint Firebirds of the Ontario Hockey League, Connor Roberts
select Otto Kivenmaki
are proud to select Gavin Hain 
