NHL Entry Draft: PKSpecialist 7 Round Draft

[PKSpecialist]

Round 1

1. Edmonton Oilers - C - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Red Deer
Oilers need a skilled centre man who can dish the puck for Hall. Lucky for them he is BPA.
2. Colorado Avalanche - W - Jonathan Huberdeau - Saint John
I like Larsson a lot, but Colorado traded Chris Stewart and now need someone for Stastny/Duchene to play with.
3. Florida Panthers - RW - Gabriel Landeskog - Kitchener
Another rebuild. Great way to start is by drafting a leader and future captain.
4. New Jersey Devils - D - Adam Larsson - Skelleftea
Ecstatic that Larsson falls this far. Probably the top player on the Devils board and they get him at 4.
5. New York Islanders - C - Sean Couturier - Drummondville
Must take BPA to continue making a push. If Couturier reaches offensive potential Islanders will have a great 1-2 punch
6. Ottawa Senators - C - Mika Zibanejad - Djurgarden Jr.
Great all-around game will make Zibanejad the perfect second line centre behind Spezza and may one day take over on the top line.
7. Winnipeg Jets - C - Ryan Strome - Niagara
The Jets will be solid from the net out, but need some offensive firepower. Strome provides that.
8. Columbus Blue Jackets - D - Dougie Hamilton - Niagara
Everyone likes Murphy here, but I think Columbus plays it safe. Hamilton could become a very solid all-around defenseman in this league.
9. Boston Bruins - RW - Joel Armia - Assat
Recchi retired, Horton seriously injured, Ryder a UFA, Boston struggles to put the puck in the net(don‘t tell Luongo). Armia is a sniper who likes to shoot, and should be a welcome addition to the Cup champs.
10. Minnesota Wild - LW - Sven Baertschi - Portland
They just can’t score enough to compete. Must take best offensive player on the board. That is Baertschi.
11. Colorado Avalanche - D - Duncan Siemens - Saskatoon
Adam Foote’s replacement. Those are big skates to fill, but Siemens plays that kind of game.
12. Carolina Hurricanes - LW - Matt Puempel - Peterborough
Puempel has been described as the best goalscorer in the draft, but falls due to injury concern. Carolina rounds out their top two lines with another young sniper.
13. Calgary Flames - C - Mark Scheifele - Barrie
Calgary needs to find a #1 center, and Scheifele’s most recent body of work shows he could become one.
14. Dallas Stars - D - Ryan Murphy - Kitchener
Murphy is likely a few years away, which leads the Stars to believe he might take over Robidas’ spot. He falls due to his size and defensive flaws. There is no doubt in my mind that this is the biggest boom/bust prospect in the draft.
15. N.Y. Rangers - C - Mark McNeill - Prince Albert
A big power forward with the work ethic and determination to succeed.
16. Buffalo Sabres - C - Zack Phillips - Saint John
The skating isn’t great, but he keeps putting up points. Buffalo needs depth down the middle.
17. Montreal Canadians - D - Nathan Beaulieu - Saint John
Good all-around defenseman. Will be a great compliment to Tinordi and Subban down the line.
18. Chicago Blackhawks - LW - Brandon Saad - Saginaw
Chicago needs help now, and Saad is one of the most NHL-ready prospects in the draft.
19. Edmonton Oilers - D - Oscar Klefbom - Farjestad Jr.
99% of mocks have the Oil going d-man here. Klefbom, Petry and Marincin would give the Oilers three two-way defensemen to build around for the future.
20. Phoenix Coyotes - D - Jamieson Oleksiak - Northeastern
The ‘Yotes have some good D prospects, but some will graduate this year, and Aucoin and Morris are not getting any younger. Comparisons range from Hal Gill to Zdeno Chara, but Oleksiak will likely fall somewhere in between.
21. Ottawa Senators - LW - Nicklas Jensen - Oshawa
A big forward who could be a game breaker if he develops more of an edge.

Click to read more...

 

[Bubba88]

Chicago needs help now,

lol

do you really think this?

 

[PKSpecialist]

22. Anaheim Ducks - C - Jonathan Miller - USA U-18
Marchant, Koivu, Blake and Selanne’s careers are winding down. Miller adds some of the grit and savvy that the Ducks will lose when those players move on.
23. Pittsburgh Penguins - RW - Ty Rattie - Portland
The Penguins are stacked down the middle, but need to add players on the wings to compliment the big 3. Rattie is a skilled winger who could put up a lot of points flanking Crosby or Malkin.
24. Detroit Red Wings - D - Jonas Brodin - Farjestad
Lidstrom is coming back for one more year, but with Rafalski already gone, the Wings need to stock the cupboard.
25. Toronto Maple Leafs - C - Vladislav Namestnikov - London
Toronto is in full rebuild mode(at least they should be), and Namestnikov is a great value at this point of the first round.
26. Washington Capitals - C - Boone Jenner - Oshawa
The Caps love their Russians, but they just aren’t getting the job done in the post-season. Enter Boone Jenner whose grit and character and ability to do everything well should make the complimentary parts better in Washington.
27. Tampa Bay Lightning - D - Joseph Morrow - Portland
Tampa Bay needs depth at all positions, and Morrow could become a top pairing defender. Good value here.
28. San Jose Sharks - RW - Tyler Biggs - USA U-18
What’s the missing piece that the Sharks need to get over the hump? Perhaps an energy guy like Biggs who will chip in offensively, but the big hits are what intrigues most.
29. Vancouver Canucks - D - David Musil - Vancouver
Injuries have ravaged the ‘Nucks D for years. Alberts, Bieksa, Ehrhoff and Salo are all UFA’s so it would not be a stretch to think that one or two prospects might make the jump(Tanev + ?). Musil is a solid stay at home defender who played his junior hockey in Vancouver.
30. Toronto Maple Leafs - RW - Brett Ritchie - Sarnia
A safe pick in the ‘Brian Burke’ mold. Good hands but not overly physical.

 

[PKSpecialist]

Round 2

31. Edmonton Oilers - C - Viktor Rask - Leksand Jr.
1st round talent falls due to lack of playing time, but Oilers see the skill set and add another skilled forward.
32. St.Louis Blues - C - Alexander Khoklachev - Windsor
Without a first round pick the Blues are happy to get a projected first round talent who could be in their top six forwards in the future.
33. Florida Panthers - LW - Tomas Jurco - Saint John
The Panthers need skilled hockey players and Jurco is very talented with the puck.
34. New York Islanders - D - Connor Murphy - USA U-18
Murphy is a physically imposing d-man.
35. Ottawa Senators - G - John Gibson - USA U-18
With Lehner in the picture this pick doesn’t look right, but Ottawa has struggled at this position for too long to let the best goalie in this draft class fall past them when Lehner is yet to prove himself.
36. Chicago Blackhawks - LW - Dmitri Jaskin - Slavia Jr.
A big bodied skilled winger who knows how to use his size.
37. Columbus Blue Jackets - C - Rocco Grimaldi - USA U-18
Talented small forward who can light the lamp.
38. Nashville Predators - RW - Rickard Rackell - Plymouth
Prototypical Predator forward. Skilled 2-way player.
39. Toronto Maple Leafs - D - Stuart Percy - Mississauga St.Michael’s
Just too many reports that Burke loves this kid to see him fall past the Leafs.
40. Boston Bruins - D - Scott Mayfield - Youngstown
Bruins need to add depth on defense.
41. St.Louis Blues - RW - Nikita Kucherov - CSKA Moscow
Blues won’t let this whiz kid fall any further. Could be the steal of the draft.
42. Carolina Hurricanes - C - Shane Prince - Ottawa
Canes love OHL players, and Prince adds more depth to a young forward group.
43. Chicago Blackhawks - D - Adam Clendening - Boston University
Offensive d-man will take a while to develop, and Campbell’s contract will be winding down by then.
44. Dallas Stars - C - Daniel Catenacci - Sault Ste. Marie
Need talent up front and take a chance on smooth skating forward.
45. Calgary Flames - D - Xavier Ouellet - Montreal
Offensive d-man may become power play quarterback in the future.
46. St.Louis Blues - RW - Seth Ambroz - Omaha
Big-bodied winger has the size and power to be a pro.
47. Florida Panthers - LW - Phillip Danault - Victoriaville
Another character player to help with the Panthers rebuild.
48. Chicago Blackhawks - G - Christopher Gibson - Chicoutimi
Will have ample time to develop with Crawford grabbing the reigns in Chicago.
49. Los Angeles Kings - LW - Mario Lucia - Wayzata
It’s tough to draft an impact player when your first pick of the draft is this late. Lucia is more of a checking type forward with a big body.
50. New York Islanders - LW - Lucas Lessio - Oshawa
The Isles have built some top end talent in Grabner, Bailey, Tavares, Okposo and Couturier, so grabbing a checker like Lessio is a great value.
51. Phoenix Coyotes - RW - Michael St. Croix - Edmonton
Could become a sniper in the NHL, but will need to add strength.
52. Nashville Predators - RW - Stefan Noesen - Plymouth
The Preds end up with Whaler linemates Noesen and Rackell with their pair of second round picks.
53. Anaheim Ducks - D - Ryan Sproul - Sault Ste. Marie
Forward prospect in round one, D prospect in round 2.
54. Pittsburgh Penguins - RW - Miika Salomaki - Karpat
An energy line winger.
55. Detroit Red Wings - C - Joseph Labate - Holy Angels
Big centre man will have time to develop skills in Detroit’s system.
56. Phoenix Coyotes - LW - Matthew Nieto - Boston University
Small, fast and good offensive instincts.
57. Calgary Flames - C - Vincent Trocheck - Saginaw
Calgary’s third line centre man of the future.
58. Tampa Bay Lightning - C - Joachim Nermark - Linkoping Jr.
Big Swede will need time to develop. Has good skills one on one.
59. San Jose Sharks - G - Samu Perhonen - Jyp Jr.
Revolving door of prospects at Worcester this past season leads one to believe the Sharks will look for stability throughout the organization.
60.Vancouver Canucks - RW - Nicholas Shore - U of Denver
Good character. Gritty energy-line type player.
61. Ottawa Senators - D Tyler Wotherspoon - Portland
A shut down defender who is big, strong and reliable.

 

[PKSpecialist]

Round 3

62. Edmonton Oilers - D - Joel Edmundson - Moose Jaw
63. New York Islanders - C - Phillipe Hudon - Choate Rosemary
64. Florida Panthers - D - Reece Scarlet - Swift Current
65. Anaheim Ducks - LW - Adam Lowry - Swift Current
66. Ottawa Senators - LW - Max Friberg - Skovde
67. Winnipeg Jets - RW - Logan Shaw - Cape Breton
68. Columbus Blue Jackets - G - Magnus Hellberg - Frolunda Jr.
69. Chicago Blackhawks - LW - Marcel Noebels - Seattle
70. Minnesota Wild - C - Markus Granlund - HIFK Jr.
71. St.Louis Blues - D - Andy Welinski - Green Bay
72. Carolina Hurricanes - C - Nick Cousins - Sault Ste. Marie
73. Edmonton Oilers - D - Robbie Russo - USA U-18
74. Dallas Stars - C - Colin Jacobs - Seattle
75. Florida Panthers - C - Tobias Rieder - Kitchener
76. Buffalo Sabres - D - Mike Reilly - Shat. St. Mary’s
77. Montreal Canadians - G - Jordan Binnington - Owen Sound
78. Chicago Blackhawks - LW - Zac Larraza - USA U-18
79. Los Angeles Kings - C - Gregory Hofmann - Ambri Jr.
80. Boston Bruins - LW - Olivier Archibald - Val D’Or
81. Nashville Predators - C - Ryan Tesink - Saint John
82. Anaheim Ducks - G - Jaroslav Pavelka - Hr. Kralove
83. Philadelphia Flyers - D - Rasmus Bentgssen - Rogle Jr.
84. Detroit Red Wings - C - Sean Kuraly - Indiana
85. Toronto Maple Leafs - RW - Andrew Fritsch - Owen Sound
86. Florida Panthers - D - Patrick Koudys - Rensselaer
87. St.Louis Blues - C - Alexander Ruuttu - Jokerit Jr.
88. San Jose Sharks - C - Joseph Cramerossa - Mississauga St.Michael’s
89. Vancouver Canucks - D - Myles Bell - Regina
90. Florida Panthers - C - Alan Quine - Peterborough

Notes: Edmonton nabs two more defensemen. Minnesota gets Mikael Granlund’s younger brother with the 70th pick. Philadelphia makes their first selection of the draft by taking a big stay at home Swedish defender. Myles Bell is no doubt the best player selected in this round, but the issue that surrounds him causes him to fall. Canucks have the depth to take a chance on him.
Best pick of the round: Islanders. Phillipe Hudon is going to be a player in the NHL. Any time you can be definitive when saying that about a 3rd rounder is impressive.

 

[PKSpecialist]

Round 4

91. Edmonton Oilers - LW - Adam Reid - USA U-18
92. Colorado Avalanche - G - Matt McNeely - USA U-18
93. Florida Panthers - RW - Austin Brassard - Belleville
94. New York Islanders - D - Scott Harrington - London
95. Ottawa Senators - LW - Travis Ewanyk - Edmonton
96. Winnipeg Jets - D - Michael Paliotta - USA U-18
97. Columbus Blue Jackets - C - Destry Straight - Coquitlam
98. New Jersey Devils - LW - Jeremy Boyce Rotevall - Timra Jr.
99. Toronto Maple Leafs - D - Keegan Lowe - Edmonton
100. Minnesota Wild - D - Zakhar Arzamastsev - Novokuznetsk
101. St.Louis Blues - LW - Kale Kessy - Medicine Hat
102. Carolina Hurricanes - D - Andrei Pedan - Guelph
103. Calgary Flames - LW - Scott Oke - Saint John
104. Dallas Stars - C - Jean-Francois Leblanc - Val D’Or
105. New York Rangers - RW - Luke Lockhart - Seattle
106. Buffalo Sabres - LW - Michael Mersch - U of Wisconsin
107. Winnipeg Jets - D - Zachery Yuen - Tri-City
108. Chicago Blackhawks - D - Jonathan Racine - Shawinigan
109. Los Angeles Kings - RW - Austin Wuthrich - USA U-18
110. Phoenix Coyotes - D - Justin Sefton - Sudbury
111. Nashville Predators - D - Keevin Cutting - Owen Sound
112. Montreal Canadians - C - Reid Boucher - USA U-18
113. Edmonton Oilers - C - Steven Fogarty - Edina High
114. Detroit Red Wings - D - Matt Killian - Delbarton
115. Philadelphia Flyers - LW - Anthony Camara - Saginaw
116. Washington Capitals - LW - Sergei Barbate - CSKA Moscow
117. Philadelphia Flyers - C - Garrett Meurs - Plymouth
118. Anaheim Ducks - LW - Joel Lowry - Victoria
119. Vancouver Canucks - C - Joel Mustonen - Skelleftea
120. Boston Bruins - D - Gabriel Bourret - Saint John

Notes: Brian Burke steals the headlines in Round 4. He drafts Kevin Lowe’s son. James Duthie and crew are ecstatic because they get to relive the Kevin Lowe versus Brian Burke saga to kill time as the draft starts to wear thin.
Best pick of the round: Sabres. Michael Mersch has the size and hands to be a goal scorer. If his skating improves, he just might realize that potential.

 

[PKSpecialist]

Round 5

121. Edmonton Oilers - G - Benjamin Conz - Langnau
122. Colorado Avalanche - RW - Maximilien Le Sieur - Shawinigan
123. Florida Panthers - D - Karl Johansson - Brynas Jr.
124. New York Islanders - D - Michael McKee - Kent School
125. Ottawa Senators - D - Sam Grist - Tri-City
126. New York Islanders - C - Colten St. Clair - Fargo
127. Columbus Blue Jackets - C - William Carlson - Vasteras Jr.
128. New Jersey Devils - D - Max Everson - Edina High
129. Toronto Maple Leafs - C - Andrej Stastny - Vancouver
130. Minnesota Wild - C - Kyle Rau - Eden Prairie
131. St.Louis Blues - D - Colin Sullivan - Avon Old Farms
132. Winnipeg Jets - C - Colin Smith - Kamloops
133. Calgary Flames - RW - Maxim Shalunov - Chelyabinsk 2
134. Dallas Stars - D - Klas Dahl beck - Linkoping
135. New York Rangers - G - Johan Mattsson - Sodertalje
136. Buffalo Sabres - D - Garrett Haar - Fargo
137. Montreal Canadians - C - Johan Sundtrom - Frolunda Jr.
138. Chicago Blackhawks - C - Brent Benson - Saskatoon
139. Los Angeles Kings - D - Victor Berglund - Brynas Jr.
140. Phoenix Coyotes - C - Tyler Graovac - Ottawa
141. Nashville Predators - C - Dylan Wruck - Edmonton
142. Anaheim Ducks - LW - Blake Pietila - USA U-18
143. Pittsburgh Penguins - D - Joseph Didier - Cedar Rapids
144. Detroit Red Wings - D - Michael King - Westside
145. Detroit Red Wings - RW - Shane McColgan - Kelowna
146. Washington Capitals - LW - Viktor Arvidsson - Skelleftea Jr.
147. Tampa Bay Lightning - C - Aidan Kelly - Saint John
148. Winnipeg Jets - G - Michael Morrison - Kitchener
149. Vancouver Canucks - RW - Matej Stransky - Saskatoon
150. Boston Bruins - LW - Michael Curtis - Belleville


Notes: Benjamin Conz does not go undrafted for a second consecutive season as the Oilers take him with the first pick of the round.
Best Pick of the Round: Flames. Big Russian winger is good with the puck. Flames need guys who can play for them, and Shalunov could be a player once he fills out his large frame.

 

[PKSpecialist]

Round 6

151. Toronto Maple Leafs - LW - Mike Pereira - Umass
152. Colorado Avalanche - LW - Barclay Goodrow - Brampton
153. Florida Panthers - LW - Carter Sandlak - Belleville
154. Phoenix Coyotes - D - Dylan Demelo - Mississauga St. Michael’s
155. Ottawa Senators - D - Peter Ceresnak - Slovakia U-20
156. Winnipeg Jets - RW - Brian Ferlin - Indiana
157. Columbus Blue Jackets - D - Dillon Simpson - North Dakota
158. New Jersey Devils - Dominik Uher - Spokane
159. Toronto Maple Leafs - LW - Stephen Miller - Nobles
160. Minnesota Wild - RW - Jonathan Parker - Prince Albert
161. St.Louis Blues - D - Harrison Ruopp - Regina
162. Carolina Hurricanes - G - Stephen Michalek - Loomis-Chaffee
163. Calgary Flames - D - Tyler Hansen - Kamloops
164. Dallas Stars - LW - Zachery Franko - Kelowna
165. San Jose Sharks - D - Rob O’Gara - Milton Academy
166. Buffalo Sabres - G - Lars Volden - Blues Jr.
167. Montreal Canadians - LW - Yannick Veilleux - Shawinigan
168. Chicago Blackhawks - LW - Sergei Shmelev - Mytischi 2
169. Los Angeles Kings - RW - Adam Pettersson - Skelleftea Jr.
170. Ottawa Senators - RW - Luke Hietkamp - Saginaw
171. Nashville Predators - D - Alexei Marchenko - CSKA 2
172. Toronto Maple Leafs - LW - David Broll - Sault Ste. Marie
173. Pittsburgh Penguins - LW - Brent Andrews - Halifax
174. Detroit Red Wings - G - Matej Machovsky - Brampton
175. Philadelphia Flyers - D - Troy Vance - Philadelphia
176. Washington Capitals - D - Dillon Donnelly - Shawinigan
177. Tampa Bay Lightning - LW - Mitch Elliot - Seattle
178. San Jose Sharks - D - Edward Wittchow - Burnsville
179. Vancouver Canucks - LW - Kevin Morris - Salisbury
180. Boston Bruins - RW - Zach Saar - Chicago


Notes: Obviously this is where things get tough. Not a lot of information out there on the lesser known players who fall to the sixth round and later.
Best Pick of round: Predators. The Preds draft a Russian defenseman which means they must be really high on him. Number one, they always seem to have a good feel for defensemen, and number two, they don’t like to pick Russians, so to take him here shows you something.

 

[PKSpecialist]

Round 7

181. Edmonton Oilers - RW - Sami Salminen - HIFK Jr.
182. Colorado Avalanche - D - Guillaume Cloutier - Chicoutimi
183. Florida Panthers - C - Anthony Bardaro - Spokane
184. New York Islanders - D - Fredrik Claesson - Djurgarden Jr.
185. Ottawa Senators - LW - Daniel Prybil - Sparta Jr.
186. Winnipeg Jets - D - Frankie Simonelli - U of Wisconsin
187. Columbus Blue Jackets - LW - Max McCormick - Sioux City
188. New Jersey Devils - C - Sahir Gill - Boston University
189. Toronto Maple Leafs - D - Craig Wyszomirski - The Gunnery
190. Minnesota Wild - G - Frans Tuohimaa - Jokerit Jr.
191. St.Louis Blues - LW - Samuel Henley - Lewiston
192. Carolina Hurricanes - D - Alex Roach - Calgary
193. Winnipeg Jets - LW - Todd Fiddler - Prince Albert
194. Dallas Stars - C - Jason Cameron - Saint John
195. Phoenix Coyotes - C - Brad Navin - Waupaca
196. Buffalo Sabres - LW - Dan Carlson - USA U-18
197. Montreal Canadians - D - Garrett Clarke - Acadie Bathurst
198. Chicago Blackhawks - D - Pascal Zerressen - Krefeld
199. Los Angeles Kings - D - Nikita Nesterov - Chelyabinsk Jr.
200. Phoenix Coyotes - D - Nikita Zaytsev - Novosibirsk
201. Nashville Predators - RW - Marek Tvrdon - Vancouver
202. Toronto Maple Leafs - C - Pathrik Westerholm- Malmo
203. Ottawa Senators - D - Darren Dietz - Saskatoon
204. Detroit Red Wings - LW - Matthew Harlow - Nobles
205. Philadelphia Flyers - LW - Olivier D’Aoust - Moncton
206. Washington Capitals - D - Mattias Backman - Linkoping
207. Tampa Bay Lightning - D - Henri Auvinen - Jyp Jr.
208. Pittsburgh Penguins - LW - Brendan Woods - Muskegon
209. Vancouver Canucks - C - Logan Nelson - Des Moines
210. Chicago Blackhawks - LW - Anton Burdasov - Chelyabinsk

Best Pick of the Round: Jets. Simonelli is a good defenseman, but is limited by his stature. It is not unheard of for small defenseman to make an impact in the NHL, it’s just a steeper mountain to climb.

 

[PKSpecialist]

lol

do you really think this?

A team that went from Stanley Cup champs to making the playoffs on the last day of the regular season? Ya, I really think this. Due to salary cap restriction they had to butcher a good lineup. Getting young players on ELC who are NHL ready would be much more productive than playing Fernando Pisani for 60 games.

edit: It's not like the only reason I think they pick Saad is because he is NHL ready either. He is probably the BPA at this point, especially in terms of wingers.

 

[southsidehawks]

18. Chicago Blackhawks - LW - Brandon Saad - Saginaw

would prefer Olesiak but really like the 2nd round Hawks picks & Noebels in the 3rd. awesome job putting this all together

 

[HanSolo]

Anaheim takes California born McColgan 5th round if he's available without the slightest hesitation.

 

[Prussian_Blue]

Best pick of the round: Sabres. Michael Mersch has the size and hands to be a goal scorer. If his skating improves, he just might realize that potential.

Which is why I believe the Blues would take him at 101st rather than Kessey.

The Blues have a long history of drafting collegians and college-bound juniors, and the ownership situation right now dictates that the Blues try to load up on longer-term projects that can develop without being paid a salary by the Blues. That means collegians and Euros.

 

[boredmale]

29. Vancouver Canucks - D - Connor Murphy - USA U-18
Injuries have ravaged the ‘Nucks D for years. Alberts, Bieksa, Ehrhoff and Salo are all UFA’s so it would not be a stretch to think that one or two prospects might make the jump(Tanev + ?). Murphy helps restock a pretty bare cupboard with his physically imposing style of play.

34. New York Islanders - D - Connor Murphy - USA U-18
Murphy is a physically imposing d-man.

You have this guy twice

 

[PKSpecialist]

You have this guy twice

Thanks for noticing. I decided as I was commenting on the picks that the Canucks would likely not draft Connor Murphy because he has been injured three straight seasons, so I decided to slot in David Musil there instead, and dropped Murphy to round 2. Just forgot to change Murphy to Musil. Edited now.