Wolfy's First Round Mock Draft

[TribalPhoenix]

1st Overall - Aaron Ekblad - Defence - Barrie Colts (OHL)

The Panthers take the BPA here. He's a cornerstone defenceman who is going to be a big part of the team going forward, along with the likes of Erik Gudbranson, Dmitri Kulikov, and Alex Petrovic. Some say he's not a true #1 due to a possible lack of offensive instincts, but a guy with that kind of shot is going to score some goals.



2nd Overall - Sam Bennett - Centre - Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)

The Sabres have guys like Grigorenko, Girgensons, and Hodgson... very good centres... but Bennett is going to bring that kind of 200 foot game and tenacity that is going to put a "C" on his jersey one day, and have him pivoting the top line. Buffalo needs guys who lead by example, and that is going to have Mr. Bennett pulling on the blue and gold this Friday night.



3rd Overall - Leon Draisaitl - Centre/Wing - Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

I know, another skilled forward for the Oilers, but there is one big difference this time : size down the middle. It's one thing that the Oilers have lacked, and a need that Sam Gagner and RNH haven't filled. Draisatl will bring a presence that the Oilers don't have, and they're going to be all over a guy who has been compared as a style similar to Anze Kopitar.



4th Overall - Sam Reinhart - Centre - Kootenay Ice (WHL)

While everyone is going to scream and yell about how Burke like's size and tenacity and truculence and everything, they forget one thing - Burke fully understands the importance of a dynamic centre. He will be very, very happy to reel in Mr. Reinhart who is going to provide a very impressive 1-2 punch with Monahan, which will allow him to focus on perhaps a guy like a Noah Hanfin with another high pick next year.



5th Overall - Nick Ritchie - Right Wing - Peterborough Petes (OHL)

This is the first somewhat off the board pick I see here. One thing that the Isles don't have a whole lot of is high end skill with size up front. While they're looking very good on the back end with the likes of de Haan, Hamonic, Reinhart, etc, a true power forward is something they could definitely use to do some of the dirty work while riding shotgun with Tavares (I know Okposo is kinda big, but Ritchie is a mountain).



6th Overall - Jake Virtanen - Right Wing - Calgary Hitmen (WHL)

The Canucks go for the hometown kid with a nose for the net, as they go to the podium and select a physical forward and pure goal scorer in Jake Virtanen. While there are others they could select with Dal Colle still on the board, I don't think they see a massive difference in ability and go with the the kid from the BC interior to pull on the Canucks jersey this Friday night.



7th Overall - Michael Dal Colle - Left Wing - Oshawa Generals (OHL)

The Hurricanes have talented centres in the system in Elias Lindholm and Victor Rask, and while they could use a blue chip defenceman like Haydn Fleury, they go for a guy in Dal Colle who drops slightly from his originally projected spot. Dal Colle gives them a talented winger that they don't currently have in their system and will inject a great deal of goal scoring ability into their talent base.



8th Overall - William Nylander - Centre - Sodertalje SK (Allsvenskan)

The Leafs need an injection of skill into the club in a big, big way... especially down the middle, with their top centres in the system being topped out as #2 guys at best in Carter Vaerhaege and Greg McKegg. Nylander has been called one of the most purely talented players in the draft, and while he may be on the smaller side, they draft strictly on talent inject some electrifying skill into the prospect base that has the playmaking skills needed for the centre pivot position. They hope his bloodlines give him the necessary lineage to adapt properly to the NHL.



9th Overall - Nikolaj Ehlers - Left Wing - Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)

After doing a great job the past few drafts with the likes of Trouba, Morrissey, and Scheifele, but they lack true elite talent on the wings. Ehlers will provide that in absolute spades, and Winnipeg is thrilled to have him still on the board. While he's slight in size, his talent is beyond compare and he will provide the Jets will absolute top end skill for years to come as he pulls on the Jets jersey for the very first time.



10th Overall - Kevin Fiala - Right Wing - Malmo (Elitesierin)

The Ducks are such a competitive team, and go for just raw skill here. Their prospect base in terms of wingers if pretty weak, so they can afford to go for a id in Fiala who isn't ready to come to the league, but could develop into the steal of the draft. Has had a fantastic season thus far, and will likely continue his development in Europe where he will build off the success he has enjoyed thus far.



11th Overall - Ivan Barbashev - Centre/Wing - Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)

The Preds lack top tier skill in their forward prospects, with Filip Forsberg being the sole exception in terms of potential. The Preds go after a kid who is wildly underrated for his offensive game, and brings what may be considered the highest compete level by some scouts in the entire draft. They love his diversity, and the fact that he can play on both the PP and PK at the junior level and hope to continue that development going forward.



12th Overall - Kasperi Kapanen - Left Wing - Kalpa Kuopio (SM-Liiga)

The Coyotes go after the kind of talent and diversity that brings in a kid with rock solid offensive instincts, but also plays a chippy and grinding kind of game like his dad. He could end up as a second line offensive player, but even if he doesn't evolve to that level he is a safer pick insofar that he could easily develop into a very, very good third line player as well thanks to attention to the defensive side of the game. While he's still raw in a lot of ways, he will be left in Europe to continue developing.



13th Overall - Haydn Fleury - Defence - Red Deer Rebels (WHL)

The Caps grab a potential top pairing defenceman in Haydn Fleury, shoring up a dearth of legitimate blueline prospects and getting easily the 2nd best defenceman that's available in the draft. This is a pick based on need, as well as BPA as both apply, and I think that Caps fans should be extremely happy that Fleury falls out of the top 10 and ends up in their lap when Mr. Leonsis makes his way to the podium.



14th Overall - Sonny Milano - Left Wing - US NTDP

The Stars have a very good prospect base, but Milano will bring some extreme skill to the party as his highlight stickhandling videos have shown. While this may be high for some people, the Stars are willing to gamble that the rest of Milano's game can catch up with his stick handling and turn him into a potential game breaker for the Stars organization. If he develops properly, could be dynamite to ride alongside Seguin & Benn in a few years depending on his learning curve.



15th Overall - Alex Tuch - Right Wing - US NTDP

While they were hoping a guy like Haydn Fleury would fall to them, the Wings turn their attention to the forward ranks. With the exception of Mantha, the Wings have been drafting small-ish guys with skill like Tatar, Frk, and Jurco in recent years with high picks. This time, they go for good size and solid ability in Tuch who could emerge as a 2nd line winger in a power forward mold. He is raw, but one thing the Wings know how to do is develop talent properly - and Tuch could become a very valuable piece of the puzzle for them down the road.

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[TribalPhoenix]

16th Overall - Brendan Perlini - Left Wing - Niagara Ice Dogs (OHL)

The Jackets are happy to get Perlini, who many felt could have been top 10 in his draft year if questions about his work ethic hadn't arisen. The Jackets are more than happy to take him, as the same questions arose about names like Brandon Saad in past years, as Perlini has great bloodlines and will add size and scoring ability on the wings that the Jackets could use more of in their prospect pool.



17th Overall - Jakub Vrana - Right Wing - Linkopings HC (SHL)

The Flyers, those big, bad, bruising Flyers, go for a kid who may not have size but has electrifying skill. Jakub Vrana is a kid who has been on a lot of peoples radars for a long time, and has potential game breaking ability. The Flyers lack some high end talent in their forward ranks of their prospects, and they are more than happy to take a chance on a kid who just oozes offensive potential. He's a boom or bust prospect, but the Flyers are happy to take the chance at this stage of the draft.



18th Overall - Nikolay Goldobin - Right Wing - Sarnia Sting (OHL)

A boom or bust pick, no one can argue with Goldobin's ability. He has been a consistent scorer in his junior career, and his offensive numbers are unquestionable. That said, the Russian factor is one to consider, and he has a lot to learn about playing in his own end. That said, if he had a Canadian passport, he'd be a top 10 talent and the fact that he's been consistent in North America stokes the Wild to take a chance on him.



19th Overall - Jared McCann - Centre - Sault St. Marie Greyhounds

A safe pick here, the Bolts draft a player who is highly likely to develop into an NHL player with decent size, and 200 foot awareness on the ice. He has solid, though unspectacular, offensive numbers though he was draft into junior as an elite offensive talent. If he can find his offensive game, he represents a spectacular #2 centre behind Stamkos, but at very least will be an excellent third liner in a worst case scenario. While the Bolts have other needs, this is a pick they are comfortable making at this point in the draft.



20th Overall - Nikita Scherback - Right Wing - Saskatoon Blades (WHL)

A sleeper pick, the Sharks go for overall talent here and hope everything works out. All in all, he is a very raw talent - no question about that, and will likely need his full few years of development in Junior before going pro so his game and physical frame can develop. That said, with a slow and steady development path, his hockey IQ is fantastic and the Sharks hope to catch lightning in a bottle here to provide a solid forward option to go along with an amazing pick last season in Tomas Hertl.



21st Overall - Robby Fabbri - Centre - Guelph Storm (OHL)

A sexy pick by many since apparently every small, skill player is going to be the next Marty St. Louis, the Blues can't help but take advantage of a great motor and solid skillset that Fabbri brings. Not considered a 1st rounder until the year groaned on, some actually had him as a top 15 pick - that doesn't flesh out on draft day though, and the Blues are more than happy to supplement their prospect depth with the kind of competitive drive and solid hockey IQ that Fabbri brings to their organization.



22nd Overall - Dylan Larkin - Centre - US NTDP

A safe pick on a club where the top 2 centre positions are going to be filled for a very long time, Larkin is a kid who Pittsburgh is going to love to grab. The Penguins farms system is full of guys who could be amazing, but could also be nothing. Larkin is a complete player, although he isn't elite at any aspect of the game. The kind of pick that Pens fans should be happy about, as there is a near sure-fire NHLer that will be their solid #3 centre for a long time.



23rd Overall - Adrian Kempe - Left Wing - Modo (SHL)

Coming from the same club in Sweden that developed some guy they called Foppa, the Avs fortify their wing prospects with a power forward type in Adrian Kempe who will do all the things they want their wingers to do. Like a Landeskog-lite, the Avs will give him time to develop as he is a project in some ways, and needs to add size to his frame to really compete at the pro level. The Avs will give him the time he needs to develop.



24th Overall - Josh Ho-Sang - Centre - Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

A guy who has been said to be as (if not more) electrifying as Connor McDavid, Ho-Sang's question marks have been dubious surrounding his "lone ranger" playing style. While some teams may not want him on their teams, the Ducks are willing to take a chance on him and hope he can realize the changes he needs to make to embrace the greatness that could find him... IF he can make those changes. Is it a risk? Yes... but this pick is almost gravy after drafting at #10, and can afford to take the chance on someone who could become an elite forward.



25th Overall - David Pastrnak - Left Wing - Sodertalje SK (Allsvenskan)

A talented winger, the Bruins go for BPA at this point and add an offensive catalyst in Pastrnak who adds to a talent level in their farm system which has shown great results, but could use an infusion of talent. While Pastrnak is not a sure thing, he is a very solid add and a good value pick at this point in the draft.



26th Overall - Connor Bleackley - Centre - Red Deer Rebels (WHL)

Adding some size and grit to their forward corps has been a focus of past drafts for the Habs, and it doesn't stop here. While he doesn't have amazing offensive instincts, he could easily develop into a very good shutdown 3rd line centre which the Habs could use in their prospect ranks after adding the likes of Galchenyuk.



27th Overall - Thatcher Demko - Goaltender - Boston University (NCAA)

The first goalie to go in the draft, and easily the most highly rated. Demko has great size and agility, and has been sensational this year playing for BU. Without a truly solid goalie prospect in the system, the Hawks are excited to grab Demko and give him all the time he needs to develop into their heir apparent from Corey Crawford when the times comes.



28th Overall - Anthony DeAngelo - Defence - Sarnia Sting (OHL)

Talent-wise, the most dynamic offensive defenceman in the draft. Character-wise? A train wreck. Suspended multiple times for violating league tolerance rules on the ice, as well as verbal abuse of officials. His track record has a lot of teams scared off, and while Tampa Bay may be the worst place to try and have a guy like this with all the possibility in the world of getting tied up in the extra-curriculars of the market, Steve Yzerman is one guy who could possibly straighten the kid out. He understands leadership and sacrifice, and believes he could change the kids attitude.



29th Overall - John Quenneville - Centre - Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

A long term project, but one that could materialize into a very valuable top six centreman in the league. He may need time to fully realize his potential, and refine his game... but what other team has more time to develop than LA? The Kings have very little coming down the pipe at the pivot position, and Quenneville gives them a very good option that could become a valuable piece down the road.



30th Overall - Travis Sanheim - Defence - Calgary Hitmen (WHL)

While the Devils prospect system has holes everywhere but defence, they go for BPA here and end up with a very good one in Sanheim. A very late riser, Lou Lamoriello is happy to land a kid of this ilk, and believes he could be a very solid top 4 option in a few years if his development curve follows as many believe it will.

 

[RR]

12th Overall - Kasperi Kapanen - Left Wing - Kalpa Kuopio (SM-Liiga)

The Coyotes go after the kind of talent and diversity that brings in a kid with rock solid offensive instincts, but also plays a chippy and grinding kind of game like his dad. He could end up as a second line offensive player, but even if he doesn't evolve to that level he is a safer pick insofar that he could easily develop into a very, very good third line player as well thanks to attention to the defensive side of the game. While he's still raw in a lot of ways, he will be left in Europe to continue developing....

I hope not. He's a pedigree with an attitude. Nylander, too.

15th Overall - Alex Tuch - Right Wing - US NTDP

While they were hoping a guy like Haydn Fleury would fall to them, the Wings turn their attention to the forward ranks. With the exception of Mantha, the Wings have been drafting small-ish guys with skill like Tatar, Frk, and Jurco in recent years with high picks. This time, they go for good size and solid ability in Tuch who could emerge as a 2nd line winger in a power forward mold. He is raw, but one thing the Wings know how to do is develop talent properly - and Tuch could become a very valuable piece of the puzzle for them down the road.

If the board plays out as yours does I think Maloney shops the pick to a team that would really want Fleury, and it sounds like Detroit could be that team. Any of Fabbri, McCann, Tuch, or Milano would provide good value for the Coyotes at #15, plus Maloney would collect another asset.

 

[TribalPhoenix]

I hope not. He's a pedigree with an attitude. Nylander, too.



If the board plays out as yours does I think Maloney shops the pick to a team that would really want Fleury, and it sounds like Detroit could be that team. Any of Fabbri, McCann, Tuch, or Milano would provide good value for the Coyotes at #15, plus Maloney would collect another asset.

I'm always careful when it comes to issues like attitude - have to remember that these are 18 year old kids, so they're likely to have a bit of swagger.

That said, I think that Maloney would be a wise man to use that pick to trade down and Detroit would be the ideal candidate. At the end of the day, this is a 1st round FULL of forwards, so there will be a premium to pay if you want to grab one of the better blueliners. And I think Fleury is gonna be dynamite. Solid # 2 defenceman.

 

[Analyzer*]

I think Bleackley would be a solid pick for the habs, but a lot of players seem to work around this pick.