Bjornar Moxnes
Stem Rødt og Felix Unger Sörum
This is my top 16 mock draft assuming no trades. Will factor both BPA and needs into the discussion.
1. Chicago Blackhawks: Conor Bedard (No need to explain).
2. Anaheim Ducks: Adam Fantilli (I know there's a debate between Michkov or Fantilli since Zegras can play Center, and the Ducks are still a few years from competing. I just think Center is the more important position, and moving Zegras to wing with Fantilli is better than having Michkov on the wings with Zegras as a center).
3. Columbus Blue Jackets: Leo Carlsson (Fits a need for a center prospect. Carlsson has a higher floor and is a more complete player than the Fresh Prince).
4. San Jose Sharks: Billiam Smith (San Jose actually has the means to wait a few years for Michkov to come, but San Jose also needs a game-changing Center. I think Smith is a perfect fit for the Sharks).
5. Montreal Canadiens: Matvei Michkov (Finally Canadiens will take the BPA. Yes, a Suzuki-Dvorsky mix would be a great 1-2 C combo, but I think Michkov has far too much skill to pass up at this point as the BPA. Montreal can afford to wait for his arrival as well).
6. Arizona Coyotes: Ryan Leonard (I was debating between Reinbacher, Benson, and Leonard. Reinbacher fits a need, but at the same time isn't the BPA in this scenario, and I think Leonard would be elite with Cooley).
7. Philadelphia Flyers: Zach Benson (Flyers don't have any game-breaking talent on their team nor in their system, and Benson has the potential to be that. Flyers definitely go for BPA here).
8. Washington Capitals: Dalibor Dvorsky (At this point the BPA isn't as great as the needs and it can be argued Dvorsky is the BPA. Having a Center that can be Kopitar in the future is a huge plus for the Capitals).
9. Detroit Red Wings: Matthew Wood (Red Wings would love a high-end winger to play with Larkin and I feel Wood fits here. His speed might be an issue, but he's great in pretty much all other areas, and can be compensated with a speedy mobile group).
10. St. Louis Blues: Oliver Moore (Debating between Reinbacher and Moore. I think Moore can step in faster and I feel the Blues are going more for a re-tool rather than a rebuild. Moore also gives the Blues much needed Center depth and has an excellent speed for the group).
11. Vancouver Canucks: David Reinbacher (At this point the high end Centers are pretty much gone and Canucks have an abundance of wingers in the system. I see them going for need over BPA in Reinbacher).
12. Arizona Coyotes: Mikhail Gulyayev (With their game-breaking forward talent established, I see the Coyotes going for a elite offensive mobile Dman in Gulyayev).
13. Buffalo Sabres: Axel Sandin-Pelikka (Would love for him to fall to the Flames pick, but unfortunately I don't see it happening. Sabres could use some RHD depth and prospects and ASP would be excellent with their talented youth).
14. Pittsburgh Penguins: Gabe Perreault (Pittsburgh goes for BPA with an elite offensive winger).
15. Nashville Predators: Nate Danielson (It was hard in this field ngl. I could see them going for a more higher offensive potential player in Sale, or a natural scorer like Barlow. But I think Nashville wants a good transition, defensive Center in Danielson).
16. Calgary Flames: Eduard Sale (Sale is the BPA here imho. Has a ton of offensive potential and is ridiculously fast and good in transition).
1. Chicago Blackhawks: Conor Bedard (No need to explain).
2. Anaheim Ducks: Adam Fantilli (I know there's a debate between Michkov or Fantilli since Zegras can play Center, and the Ducks are still a few years from competing. I just think Center is the more important position, and moving Zegras to wing with Fantilli is better than having Michkov on the wings with Zegras as a center).
3. Columbus Blue Jackets: Leo Carlsson (Fits a need for a center prospect. Carlsson has a higher floor and is a more complete player than the Fresh Prince).
4. San Jose Sharks: Billiam Smith (San Jose actually has the means to wait a few years for Michkov to come, but San Jose also needs a game-changing Center. I think Smith is a perfect fit for the Sharks).
5. Montreal Canadiens: Matvei Michkov (Finally Canadiens will take the BPA. Yes, a Suzuki-Dvorsky mix would be a great 1-2 C combo, but I think Michkov has far too much skill to pass up at this point as the BPA. Montreal can afford to wait for his arrival as well).
6. Arizona Coyotes: Ryan Leonard (I was debating between Reinbacher, Benson, and Leonard. Reinbacher fits a need, but at the same time isn't the BPA in this scenario, and I think Leonard would be elite with Cooley).
7. Philadelphia Flyers: Zach Benson (Flyers don't have any game-breaking talent on their team nor in their system, and Benson has the potential to be that. Flyers definitely go for BPA here).
8. Washington Capitals: Dalibor Dvorsky (At this point the BPA isn't as great as the needs and it can be argued Dvorsky is the BPA. Having a Center that can be Kopitar in the future is a huge plus for the Capitals).
9. Detroit Red Wings: Matthew Wood (Red Wings would love a high-end winger to play with Larkin and I feel Wood fits here. His speed might be an issue, but he's great in pretty much all other areas, and can be compensated with a speedy mobile group).
10. St. Louis Blues: Oliver Moore (Debating between Reinbacher and Moore. I think Moore can step in faster and I feel the Blues are going more for a re-tool rather than a rebuild. Moore also gives the Blues much needed Center depth and has an excellent speed for the group).
11. Vancouver Canucks: David Reinbacher (At this point the high end Centers are pretty much gone and Canucks have an abundance of wingers in the system. I see them going for need over BPA in Reinbacher).
12. Arizona Coyotes: Mikhail Gulyayev (With their game-breaking forward talent established, I see the Coyotes going for a elite offensive mobile Dman in Gulyayev).
13. Buffalo Sabres: Axel Sandin-Pelikka (Would love for him to fall to the Flames pick, but unfortunately I don't see it happening. Sabres could use some RHD depth and prospects and ASP would be excellent with their talented youth).
14. Pittsburgh Penguins: Gabe Perreault (Pittsburgh goes for BPA with an elite offensive winger).
15. Nashville Predators: Nate Danielson (It was hard in this field ngl. I could see them going for a more higher offensive potential player in Sale, or a natural scorer like Barlow. But I think Nashville wants a good transition, defensive Center in Danielson).
16. Calgary Flames: Eduard Sale (Sale is the BPA here imho. Has a ton of offensive potential and is ridiculously fast and good in transition).
