My final take on the top 3 rounds

[S E P H]

1. Edmonton Oilers – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
[Oilers get a franchise playmaking centre which will help their team in the long future.]
[Comparison: Pavel Datsyuk]

2. Colorado Avalanche – Gabriel Landeskog
[Avs get a gritty, powerforward with all those intangibles which makes losing Chris Stewart affordable.]
[Comparison: Jonathan Toews]

3. Florida Panthers – Jonathan Huberdeau
[Panthers get a offensive powerhouse player with fantastic vision to go alongside a deep prospect system.]
[Comparison: Claude Grioux]

4. New Jersey Devils – Adam Larsson
[Devils get a extremely well rounded defenseman with amazing IQ and vision which could make him franchise.]
[Comparison: Alexander Edler]

5. NY Islanders – Sean Couturier
[Islanders get a big bodied, 2-way centre with a great shot and toughness of a bull which can play in all situations.]
[Comparison: Jordan Staal]

6. Ottawa Senators – Ryan Strome
[Sens get a offensively gifted player with amazing playmaking abilities and NHL ready release.]
[Comparison: Henrik Sedin]

7. Winnipeg H.C. – Mika Zibanejad
[Winnipeg reaches for Zibanejad and won’t be disappointed. They get a big bodied player which can play all positions who drives to the net hard.]
[Comparison: David Backes]

8. Columbus Blue Jackets – Doug Hamilton
[Jackets get a big frame defender who plays physical and can put up the numbers offensively.]
[Comparison: Alexander Pietrangelo]

9. Boston Bruins – Ryan Murphy
[B’s get a dynamic offensive player from the back end which will boost their PP struggles to nonexistent.]
[Comparison: Bryan Rafalski]

10. Minnesota Wild – Sven Bartschi
[The Wild Unicorns get a gritty player who drives to the net hard and plays a solid 2-way game with good vision.]
[Comparison: Mike Ribiero]

11. Colorado Avalanche [From STL] – Duncan Siemens
[Avs get a physical shutdown defenseman they haven’t had since the prime days of Adam Foote. Also is a fantastic skater.]
[Comparison Ed Jovanovski]

12. Carolina Hurricanes – Matt Puempel
[Canes get a goal-scoring maniac with great compete level with Eric Staal and Jeff Skinner. Amazing top 6.]
[Comparison: Steven Stamkos]

13. Calgary Flames – Joel Armia
[Flames get a typical powerforward to replace Iginla down the road with a great shot and goal scoring.]
[Comparison: Corey Perry]

14. Dallas Stars – Rocco Grimaldi
[Stars get a insanely talented, character player who has all the drive to make it to the NHL. He has the heart and that’s what you need.]
[Comparison: Martin St. Louis]

15. NY Rangers – Nathan Beaulieu
[Rangers get a offensively gifted player with solid skating, but bad defense. Will look good alongside Staal.]
[Comparison: Christian Ehrhoff]

16. Buffalo Sabres – Mark McNeill
[Sabres get a great 2-way forward with a fantastic compete level and talent in the offensive zone.]
[Comparison: Ryan Kesler]

17. Montral Canadiens – Mark Scheifele
[Habs get a fantastic big framed playmaker with great hands and vision.]
[Comparison: Joe Thornton]

18. Chicago Blackhawks – John Gibson
[Yes I know what you’re going to say, but Hawks get a 6’3, 205 pound goaler who has all the talent to become the next big thing.]
[Comparison: Roberto Luongo]

19. Edmonton Oilers [From LA] – Jamieson Oleksiak
[Oilers get a huge framed shutdown defenseman who surprisingly has very good skating.]
[Comparison: Brett Seabrook]

20. Phoenix Coyotes – Zack Phillips
[Yotes get a good 2-way player with great goal scoring ability who can play in a good defensive system.]
[Comparison: Patrick Marleau]

21. Ottawa Senators [From NSH] – Nicklas Jensen
[Sens get a player with dynamic offensive game and one of the best shots in the draft.]
[Comparison: Patrick Sharp]

22. Anaheim Ducks – Oscar Klefbolm
[Ducks get a fantastic skating shutdown defenseman with very good positioning.]
[Comparison: Scott Hannan]

23. Pittsburgh Penguins – Brandon Saad
[Pens get a big bodied winger who has very good skill set and will do wonders under Bylsma.]
[Comparison: Wojtek Wolski]

24. Detroit Red Wings – Jonas Brodin
[Wings get a solid 2-way defenseman with good skating and very high hockey IQ.]
[Comparison: Tobias Enstrom]

25. Toronto Maple Leafs [From PHI] – Boone Jenner
[Leafs get Burke’s type of player in Jenner. He has a great frame to go alongside a fantastic 2-way game.]
[Comparison: Jordan Staal]

26. Washington Capitals – JT Miller
[Caps get a character player who excessive in the defensive game, but has the potential for a solid offensive game as well.]
[Comparison: Loui Eriksson]

27. Tampa Bay Lightning – Joseph Morrow
[Bolts get a great 2-way defenseman who has good skating and good offensive game.]
[Comparison: Matt Carle]

28. San Jose Sharks – Alexander Khokhlachev
[Sharks get a shifty offensively talent player with good hands and vision.]
[Comparison: Alex Tanguay]

29. Toronto Maple Leafs [From BOS] – Stuart Percy
[Leafs then get a 2-way defender who can play any situation and has a solid frame.]
[Comparison: Brett Burns/James Wisniewiski]

30. Vancouver Canucks – Scott Mayfield
[Canucks get a fantastic skating defenseman with solid defense, but questionable offensive game. Potential is there though.]
[Comparison: Ryan Suter/Dennis Wideman]

2nd Round
31. Edmonton Oilers – Ryan Sproul
32. St. Louis Blues [From COL] – Dmitiri Jaskin
33. Florida Panthers – Tyler Biggs
34. NY Islanders – Brett Ritchie
35. Ottawa Senators – Christopher Gibson
36. Chicago Blackhawks [From WPG] – Ty Rattie
37. Columbus Blue Jackets – Vladislav Namestnikov
38. Nashville Predators [From NJ] – Phillip Danault
39. Toronto Maple Leafs – Daniel Catenacci
40. Boston Bruins [From MIN] – Tomas Jurco
41. St. Louis Blues – Mario Lucia
42. Carolina Hurricanes – David Musil
43. Chicago Blackhawks [From CAL] – Shane Prince
44. Dallas Stars – Rickard Rakell
45. Calgary Flames [From NYR] – Lucas Lessio
46. St. Louis Blues [From BUF] – Stefan Noesen
47. Florida Panthers [From MTL] – Connor Murphy
48. Chicago Blackhawks – Scott Harrington
49. Los Angeles Kings – Nikita Kucherov
50. NY Islanders [From MTL] – Michael St. Croix
51. Phoenix Coyotes – Matt Nieto
52. Nashville Predators – Nick Cousins
53. Anaheim Ducks – Nick Shore
54. Pittsburgh Penguins – Joel Edmundson
55. Detroit Red Wings – Victor Rask
56. Phoenix Coyotes [From PHI] – Adam Clendening
57. Calgary Flames [From NYR] – Reece Scarlett
58. Tampa Bay Lightning – Vincent Trocheck
59. San Jose Sharks – Seth Ambroz
60. Ottawa Senators [From BOS] – Rasmus Bengtsson
61. Vancouver Canucks – Philippe Hudon

3rd Round
62. Edmonton Oilers – Adam Lowry
63. NY Islanders [From COL] – Tyler Wotherspoon
64. Florida Panthers – Colin Jacobs
65. NY Islanders – Markus Granlund
66. Ottawa Senators – Marcel Noebels
67. Winnipeg H.C. – Keegan Lowe
68. Columbus Blue Jackets – Austen Brassard
69. Forfeit [New Jersey Devils]
70. Chicago Blackhawks [From TOR] – Jesse Forsberg
71. Minnesota Wild – Robbie Russo
72. St. Louis Blues – Reid Boucher
73. Carolina Hurricanes – Shane McColgan
74. Edmonton Oilers [From CAL] – Joachim Nermark
75. Dallas Stars – Samu Perhonen
76. Florida Panthers [From NYR] – Xavier Ouellet
77. Buffalo Sabres – Adam Reid
78. Montreal Canadiens – Olivier Archambault
80. Los Angeles Kings – Patrick Koudys
81. Boston Bruins [From PHX] – Tobias Rieder
82. Nashville Predators – Alan Quine
83. Anaheim Ducks – Magus Hellberg
84. Philadelphia Flyers [From PIT] – Michael Mersch
85. Detroit Red Wings – Travis Ewanyk
86. Toronto Maple Leafs [From PHI] – Max Friberg
87. Florida Panthers [From WAS] – Zakhar Arzamastsev
88. San Jose Sharks – Dillon Simpson
89. Florida Panthers [BOS] – Kale Kessy
90. Vancouver Canucks – Andrej Stastny

Click to read more...

 

[Future]

I think it is good for the most part but I think Toronto will take Ty Rattie if he is still there at 29. They are very high on him, showed him around town after the combine aswell not gonna let that offensive talent go past them.

EDIT: And I also don't think Jurco will fall that far to the Bruins. Someone I think, will take a chance on him in the first round.

 

[STL fan in MN]

You seem to be missing the 3rd rounder that the Blues got from TB but otherwise, really nice work.

 

[Sarava]

Nice work - though I'll throw up if the Hawks take a goaltender at #18. If they want a goaltender so bad (and they shouldn't), they could probably get him at #43.

 

[Macch]

Nice job - Starting to get the feeling that the Isles could go for the home run pick with Strome at 5.

I think they'd grab Edmundson at 50 instead of St. Croix

 

[markuswelby]

Really nice mock draft but i hope that Mtl will take Travis Ewanik in the third round

 

[jmelm]

Some of your player comparisons are really off:

Phillips--Marleau (Marleau's strengths are his staking & size, which are Phillips weaknesses)

Klefbom--Hannon (Hannon is a pure defensive defenseman who is short on mobility and has zero offense; Klefbom has tremendous mobility and is more of an offensive defenseman)

Huberdeau--Giroux (aside from being 2 or 3 inches taller than Giroux, he is also a very fast skater, which Giroux isn't)

Khokhalachev--Tanguay (Tanguay plays more of a perimeter game and doesn't have "blazing" speed; Khokhlachev has absolutely blazing speed and goes to the net like a lunatic)

Percy--Burns/Wisniewski (Percy is much smaller than Burns, and doesn't have the physical game or the big shot of either of those guys. His game is based on positional play and he doesn't engage any more than he has to in the physical game. Think of Paul Martin, but not as good of a skater, or a better playmaking version of Mark Eaton).

Also, zero chance the Rangers take a Dman; zero chance Klefbom, Scheifele or Miller goes that low (and I don't think Khokhlachev will either), and I think the Canes go D.

Otherwise, solid effort though

 

[Granlund2Pulkkinen*]

It's Brent not Brett Seabrook

Plus Armia isn't a powerforward at all.

 

[thestonedkoala]

Terrible for Minnesota.

We don't need another gritty two way player.

 

[HabsFanFromOntario]

Some of your player comparisons are really off:

Phillips--Marleau (Marleau's strengths are his staking & size, which are Phillips weaknesses)

Klefbom--Hannon (Hannon is a pure defensive defenseman who is short on mobility and has zero offense; Klefbom has tremendous mobility and is more of an offensive defenseman)

Huberdeau--Giroux (aside from being 2 or 3 inches taller than Giroux, he is also a very fast skater, which Giroux isn't)

Khokhalachev--Tanguay (Tanguay plays more of a perimeter game and doesn't have "blazing" speed; Khokhlachev has absolutely blazing speed and goes to the net like a lunatic)

Percy--Burns/Wisniewski (Percy is much smaller than Burns, and doesn't have the physical game or the big shot of either of those guys. His game is based on positional play and he doesn't engage any more than he has to in the physical game. Think of Paul Martin, but not as good of a skater, or a better playmaking version of Mark Eaton).

Also, zero chance the Rangers take a Dman; zero chance Klefbom, Scheifele or Miller goes that low (and I don't think Khokhlachev will either), and I think the Canes go D.

Otherwise, solid effort though

Let a man dream?

 

[Dosing]

Comparing zibanejad to david backes? Also klefbom is an offensive dman.

 

[S E P H]

Nice work - though I'll throw up if the Hawks take a goaltender at #18. If they want a goaltender so bad (and they shouldn't), they could probably get him at #43.

John Gibson is really that good.

Some of your player comparisons are really off:

Phillips--Marleau (Marleau's strengths are his staking & size, which are Phillips weaknesses)

Alright.

Klefbom--Hannon (Hannon is a pure defensive defenseman who is short on mobility and has zero offense; Klefbom has tremendous mobility and is more of an offensive defenseman)

I was talking about about his defense positioning on the ice.

Huberdeau--Giroux (aside from being 2 or 3 inches taller than Giroux, he is also a very fast skater, which Giroux isn't)

Doesn't matter about skating, playing style I see a lot of Giroux in Huberdeau. Especially vision, hockey sense, and shot.

Khokhalachev--Tanguay (Tanguay plays more of a perimeter game and doesn't have "blazing" speed; Khokhlachev has absolutely blazing speed and goes to the net like a lunatic)

I disagree here. They're both small and they're playmakers with good vision.

Percy--Burns/Wisniewski (Percy is much smaller than Burns, and doesn't have the physical game or the big shot of either of those guys. His game is based on positional play and he doesn't engage any more than he has to in the physical game. Think of Paul Martin, but not as good of a skater, or a better playmaking version of Mark Eaton).

His playing style reminds me a lot of Burns, but that's why I also include Wisniewiski who plays similar to Martin.

Also, zero chance the Rangers take a Dman; zero chance Klefbom, Scheifele or Miller goes that low (and I don't think Khokhlachev will either), and I think the Canes go D.

For the Rangers I also include needs taken into consideration and their biggest need is offensive defenseman. Beaulieu @ 15 would be a good for the Rangers.

Scheifele, Klefbom, and Miller were all around 16-30 in every mock draft I saw so I don't understand how you think they're this low.

Otherwise, solid effort though

Thank you.

Terrible for Minnesota.

We don't need another gritty two way player.

Anything will help your prospect system and Bartschi has very good knack at driving to the net and scoring those goals. You can always pick Rocco at 10 if you want. There is your highly skilled player.

 

[MBTendy]

Really don't see Dallas getting Grimaldi (who the hell is he anyways?? Never seen him in any of the 1st round mock drafts). If Mark McNeill is still available that will be our guy.

 

[jmelm]

I disagree here. They're both small and they're playmakers with good vision.

I'm just beginning to think you haven't actually watched Khokhlachev play very much. Tanguay is not small, he's 6'1. He just plays small. Khokhlachev IS small, but he plays like a much bigger player. He's also more of a goal-scorer than Tanguay, and picks up a lot of garbage goals.

His playing style reminds me a lot of Burns, but that's why I also include Wisniewiski who plays similar to Martin.

I could not imagine 3 more dissimilar players. Burns is a bruising, 2-way defenseman who is 6'4. Wisniewski is a high-risk offensive defenseman with a big slap shot, who often gets exposed positionally. And Martin is a fantastic positional defenseman who barely plays physical and isn't a great shooter.

Scheifele, Klefbom, and Miller were all around 16-30 in every mock draft I saw so I don't understand how you think they're this low.

It doesn't really matter what the mock drafts say. According to professional scouting services, like RedLine & ISS, Klefbom is knocking on the door of the top 10, and Scheifele & Miller may be also.

 

[boredmale]

65. NY Islanders – Markus Granlund

This is the pick the Islanders gave up to Anaheim for Wisniewski

 

[shaner8989]

Really don't see Dallas getting Grimaldi (who the hell is he anyways?? Never seen him in any of the 1st round mock drafts). If Mark McNeill is still available that will be our guy.

Grimaldi is in every single persons 1st rd mocks and he is the most skilled player in the draft bro. Just tiny and thats why he might slide in the second half of the 1st rd.

 

[MBTendy]

I'm sorry I've only seen him in 2-3 mock drafts out of the 6 I looked at so far. And both of those times he went in the bottom 5. Therefore I highly doubt he will go that high and if he does Dallas will not be the team picking him. At 5'6 I see him being picked either by Tampa in the first round if not, somewhere in the 2nd round.
Dallas is looking for a gritty center men who can score, or a solid D prospect.

 

[HockeySauce]

I like the Hawks walking away with Rattie and Gibson, I'm just not sure that they'd take Gibson at 18. As Sarava said, if they take a goalie, it's likely in the 2nd round. Not really a fan of Prince. I'd much rather see them take Connor Murphy, Nikita Kucherov, or Victor Rask in that spot (if they're available).

Also, Chicago's 48th overall goes to OTT in the Campoli trade, and you're also missing Chicago's 3rd (79th).

 

[Robin Lehner*]

IMO I hope of it's down to Strome or Zibenajad at #6, I hope Ottawa takes Zib.

Solid draft however

 

[CerebralGenesis]

Great work. Much appreciated and the devils will probably have dallas's 3rd.

 

[YEGJuniorFan]

im likin the oilers picks

 

[AwesomePanthers]

There should be 91 picks in the first three rounds (but Devils forfeit their 3rd). I think you forgot TBs 3rd, just for info.

Great work though. Hope Florida takes Namestnikov over Biggs at 33. But Biggs is a player I could see Tallon like.

 

[Jayevs]

this could end up being on of the biggest drafts in carolina's history, picking up Puempel, Musil, and McColgan would be huge for them

 

[chewey]

I disagree with the Gibson pick. I don't think that the Hawks will use it on a goalie personally. I could be wrong but he doesn't seem like the BPA to me there. He certainly may for the Hawks but I am sure they could move down and still get him.

 

[Stanleyjub]

Can't see Rattie,Biggs or Namestnikov fall out of 1st round. Also i think Jeremy Boyce-Rotevall and Miikka Salomäki will go in either 2nd or 3rd round. Otherwise nice list If hawks should go with Gibson (he could be even available on their 2nd round pick), they should trade down imo.