I usually don't do these but being I'm completly bored beyond belief tonight at work so I put one together with the top 14 set draft picks.
Opinions and Bashings are indeed welcome!!
2004 NHL Mock Draft
#1 Washington - Alexander Ovechkin
The Capitals take the best player of the draft. No question on who to select…the only question is to keep the pick or not. Depends on the return but I doubt the pick is traded.
#2 Pittsburgh - Evgeni Malkin
They don’t get Ovechkin…but Malkin will help the Penguins down the line. Not only does he have the skills…he has room to grow and become more of a force at the next level.
#3 Chicago - Cam Barker
Here’s where the fun begins. Chicago doesn’t really need to draft defense here…but they go for the best player on the board. Barker could become an elite blue line player in the NHL…he has all the tools. Babchuk and Seabrooke are already in the fold and provide the size needed for the defenvise corps…Barker brings the offense and the game breaking skill that could give Chicago one of the most feared young defenses in the NHL in about 2-3 years. Other players will be available here…but the Hawks go with the sure thing.
# 4 Columbus - Rob Schremp
Tons of talent…tons of baggage. If Schremp plays without the attitude the Blue Jackets find themselves with an impact center to someday work between the likes of Nash and Zherdev. Olesz could be an option but take the attitude over the injury. They want Barker…but settle for Schremp.
#5 Phoenix - Rostislav Olesz
Although concussion is an issue and the reason for his fall…Phoenix gets a player they cannot pass up at #5. Already with a lot of depth at center…I still don’t see the Yotes passing on this guy at this spot.
# 6 NY Rangers - Wojtek Wolski
Ahh….The Rangers. Last year it was Jessman…this year it will be Wolski. Ladd is probably the best player to take at this spot but I see the Rangers going for some size and thinking they are getting a future power forward (which Wolski is not). I just see this as a spot where the Rangers take the wrong player for what they need. Sorry NY fans.
# 7 Florida - Andrew Ladd
I still think Florida had the best first round last year in getting Stewart and Horton. And this time they get another winger with a big upside in Ladd. Great pick for the Panthers.
# 8 Carolina – Wes O’Neill
Defense, Defense, and more Defense. The Canes indeed get some needed defense at this pick with the member of the Fighting Irish squad. O’Neill has great size and will get better over time. Some may think goalie here…but I think it too high to take anyone from this draft.
# 9 Anaheim - AJ Thelen
The Ducks go with defense as well and pick the MUS blue liner. He’s a big kid, with room to grow and develop into his huge 6’3 210 lb frame. Thelen brings a bit more offense than O’Neill but may not be as steady defensivly in the long run.
# 10 Atlanta – Alexandre Picard
Left Winger with a upside that could make him a steal at 10. Could go defense or goalie at this spot (O’Neill and Thelen would be ideal but gone at this point and it most likey too soon to pick Mike Green)…I don’t see the Trashers passing on this talent. He would make a great compliment to Ilya and Heatley down the line. I think they take a risk with this pick…and a good one.
#11 Los Angeles - Alvaro Montoya
If there was ever a team in need of some young goaltending talent…it’s the Kings. They take the best goalie on the board at this pick…and it’s the first goalie taken of the day in Montoya.
#12 Minnesota – Lauri Tukonen
Minnesota needs scoring but needs a player that will still play a solid two way game. Can’t go wrong at this pick with Tukonen. Big skilled Finnish forward would fit right into the style of play Minnesota likes to teach and play.
#13 Buffalo – Mike Green
Buffalo goes D with this pick. He might not be the best player available at this spot (Stafford, Chipchura, Radulov, Salmonsson) but he’s a position that the Sabers are going to want to upgrade with the possible departure of Zhitnik and others.
# 14 Edmonton - Marek Schwarz
I think the Oilers would want to go with some defense here…but I don’t think they could pass on Schwarz. It would be ideal to pick a player that could put the puck in the net or a blue liner that could move the puck…but this Goalie just cannot be passed at this point.
Opinions and Bashings are indeed welcome!!
2004 NHL Mock Draft
#1 Washington - Alexander Ovechkin
The Capitals take the best player of the draft. No question on who to select…the only question is to keep the pick or not. Depends on the return but I doubt the pick is traded.
#2 Pittsburgh - Evgeni Malkin
They don’t get Ovechkin…but Malkin will help the Penguins down the line. Not only does he have the skills…he has room to grow and become more of a force at the next level.
#3 Chicago - Cam Barker
Here’s where the fun begins. Chicago doesn’t really need to draft defense here…but they go for the best player on the board. Barker could become an elite blue line player in the NHL…he has all the tools. Babchuk and Seabrooke are already in the fold and provide the size needed for the defenvise corps…Barker brings the offense and the game breaking skill that could give Chicago one of the most feared young defenses in the NHL in about 2-3 years. Other players will be available here…but the Hawks go with the sure thing.
# 4 Columbus - Rob Schremp
Tons of talent…tons of baggage. If Schremp plays without the attitude the Blue Jackets find themselves with an impact center to someday work between the likes of Nash and Zherdev. Olesz could be an option but take the attitude over the injury. They want Barker…but settle for Schremp.
#5 Phoenix - Rostislav Olesz
Although concussion is an issue and the reason for his fall…Phoenix gets a player they cannot pass up at #5. Already with a lot of depth at center…I still don’t see the Yotes passing on this guy at this spot.
# 6 NY Rangers - Wojtek Wolski
Ahh….The Rangers. Last year it was Jessman…this year it will be Wolski. Ladd is probably the best player to take at this spot but I see the Rangers going for some size and thinking they are getting a future power forward (which Wolski is not). I just see this as a spot where the Rangers take the wrong player for what they need. Sorry NY fans.
# 7 Florida - Andrew Ladd
I still think Florida had the best first round last year in getting Stewart and Horton. And this time they get another winger with a big upside in Ladd. Great pick for the Panthers.
# 8 Carolina – Wes O’Neill
Defense, Defense, and more Defense. The Canes indeed get some needed defense at this pick with the member of the Fighting Irish squad. O’Neill has great size and will get better over time. Some may think goalie here…but I think it too high to take anyone from this draft.
# 9 Anaheim - AJ Thelen
The Ducks go with defense as well and pick the MUS blue liner. He’s a big kid, with room to grow and develop into his huge 6’3 210 lb frame. Thelen brings a bit more offense than O’Neill but may not be as steady defensivly in the long run.
# 10 Atlanta – Alexandre Picard
Left Winger with a upside that could make him a steal at 10. Could go defense or goalie at this spot (O’Neill and Thelen would be ideal but gone at this point and it most likey too soon to pick Mike Green)…I don’t see the Trashers passing on this talent. He would make a great compliment to Ilya and Heatley down the line. I think they take a risk with this pick…and a good one.
#11 Los Angeles - Alvaro Montoya
If there was ever a team in need of some young goaltending talent…it’s the Kings. They take the best goalie on the board at this pick…and it’s the first goalie taken of the day in Montoya.
#12 Minnesota – Lauri Tukonen
Minnesota needs scoring but needs a player that will still play a solid two way game. Can’t go wrong at this pick with Tukonen. Big skilled Finnish forward would fit right into the style of play Minnesota likes to teach and play.
#13 Buffalo – Mike Green
Buffalo goes D with this pick. He might not be the best player available at this spot (Stafford, Chipchura, Radulov, Salmonsson) but he’s a position that the Sabers are going to want to upgrade with the possible departure of Zhitnik and others.
# 14 Edmonton - Marek Schwarz
I think the Oilers would want to go with some defense here…but I don’t think they could pass on Schwarz. It would be ideal to pick a player that could put the puck in the net or a blue liner that could move the puck…but this Goalie just cannot be passed at this point.
