So since Mock Drafts are posted often here on RSEN I thought I’d try my hand at one. I basically tried to look at what I thought teams might need going into the draft instead of just ranking the prospects 1 though 30. I did plenty of my own research for players that I have not seen with my own eyes as well as took a peak at other mock drafts and consulted with my friend Miles Ngo who I often talk prospects with and want to thank him for the time he put in to help me out on any teams I kind of got stuck on. Although I’m sure I’ll repeat this very often I want to point out that comparable’s are based on style and I’m not saying that these players will develop into the players they are being compared too with the exception of McDavid and Eichel. Feel free to leave me your feedback and enjoy.
1) Edmonton Oilers – Connor McDavid (C), Erie Otters (OHL)
Shoots: Left, Height: 6’1″, Weight: 194 lbs., Nationality: Canada
Why: What can I say about Connor McDavid that you haven’t heard 100 times already. The guy is a generational talent who many are calling the best player in the draft since Mario Lemieux, it is widely debated who would go first if he and Crosby were in the same draft class. Aside from Crosby there isn’t a single player drafted 1st overall in the last 10 years who would be taken ahead of McDavid should they share the same class. He has phenomenal speed, and has a very high hockey IQ.
2) Buffalo Sabres – Jack Eichel (C), Boston University (NCAA)
Shoots: Right, Height: 6’2″, Weight: 196 lbs., Nationality: United States
Why: Jack Eichel is not a consolation prize for not drafting McDavid. A generational talent in his own right if not for McDavid he’d be a sure fire first overall pick in any other year aside from this year and 2005 (Crosby). I think that Eichel is probably the best fit in Buffalo as well and will look pretty good on a line with Evander Kane. I have heard him compared to a mix of Jonathan Toews and Ryan Getzlaf
3) Arizona Coyotes – Dylan Strome (C), Erie Otters (OHL)
Shoots: Left, Height: 6’3″, Weight: 185 lbs., Nationality: Canada
Why: Now I know some people are going to look at this and say how do you not take Noah Hanifin, it’s something I struggled with a great deal, but to succeed in the west you need to be deep down the middle. The idea of a Strome and Domi making a one, two punch down the middle terrifies me as a guy who cheers for a Pacific Division Team. I have heard Dylan Strome be compared to Ron Francis and Anze Kopitar.
4) Toronto Maple Leafs – Mitchel Marner (RW), London Knights (OHL)
Shoots: Right, Height 5’11”, Weight: 163 lbs., Nationality: Canada
Why: Assistant GM Kyle Dubas has mentioned Mitch Marner a lot when speaking about prospects and recent hiring of Sheldon Keefe to coach the AHL Marlies speaks to the pull he has in that group right now. They may also feel they have enough prospect depth at defence to pass on Hanifin. While not the biggest guy I think that Marner possesses the better skill set between he and Strome. Marner has drawn a lot of comparisons to Patrick Kane
5) Carolina Hurricanes – Noah Hanifin (D), Boston College (NCAA)
Shoots: Left, Height: 6’2″, Weight: 205 lbs., Nationality: United States
Why: Kind of like Seth Jones a few years back I think Hanifin slides for the reasons I mentioned above. I think the Hurricanes will be happy to have Noah Hanifin fall into their lap. Hanifin projects to be a guy who play a ton of minutes, he excels in his own end of the ice but knows when to pinch in on offence. He is has been compared to the likes of Brent Seabrook and Ryan Suter.
6) New Jersey Devils – Pavel Zacha (C), Sarnia Sting (OHL)
Shoots: Left, Height: 6’3″. Weight: 212 lbs., Nationality: Czech Republic
Why: I really think the Devils in this case have to take the best guy on the board as they have needs at just about every position and to me that guy is Pavel Zacha. I think that while he has the potential to be a number one centre he could probably be a first line winger in the NHL. He has great offensive instincts and is the prototypical power forward. There are parts of his game that could be compared to Ovechkin but Zacha does not have that level of upside. Another comparable would be Eric Staal.
7) Philadelphia Flyers – Lawson Crouse (LW), Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
Shoots: Left, Height: 6’4″, Weight: 216 lbs., Nationality: Canada
Why: This is where things get interesting because I think that there is a decent chance that the Flyers could select Provorov with this pick however I don’t know if anyone in the draft screams Flyers like big Lawson Crouse. He may not become a prolific scorer but he has not problem using his body to open up space to make plays. Crouse in my opinion is the big wild card in the draft and could be the biggest boom or bust prospect in the top 15. His NHL comparable is Milan Lucic should he reach his boom potential.
8) Columbus Blue Jackets – Ivan Provorov (D), Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
Shoots: Left, Height: 6’0″, Weight: 201 lbs., Nationality: Russia
Why: I have no doubt that the Jackets will draft the best available defenceman on the board when it comes their time to step to the podium and based on the picks in the mock draft so far that is easily Ivan Provorov. Many will debate for a long time if he will become a superior player to Noah Hanifin and while his ceiling may not be as high, Provorov is in my mind the most NHL ready defenceman in the draft this year. He plays with a great deal of poise and is very competitive. I have seen comparisons all over the board for Provorov the one I feel is probably most accurate maybe a mix between Mark Giordano and Alex Pietrangelo.
9) San Jose Sharks – Mathew Barzal (C), Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
Shoots: Right, Height 6’0″, Weight: 181 lbs., Nationality: Canada
Why: While I personally would like to see the Sharks take a defenceman with this pick in Zach Werenski it can’t be denied that they will soon be in need of their next wave of top centres to fill the void that will be left by Joe Thornton as soon as the end of his current deal and I don’t know if Logan Couture as much as I like him is that solution. That is why I think the Sharks will select Mathew Barzal who is noted for his strong stick handling and ability to make excellent scoring chances. He has been compared to the likes of Pavel Datsyuk and Joe Thornton for his stick handling and play making skills his ceiling isn’t to the level of either of those players, it’s still good company to be in.
10) Colorado Avalanche – Timo Meier (RW), Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Shoots: Left, Height: 6’1″ Weight: 209 lbs., Nationality: Switzerland
Why: The Avalanche in my opinion have to prepare for the possibility of life after Ryan O’Reilly and in my opinion no one is more suited to what the Avalanche needs then Timo Meier. This is a guy who can beat you in multiple ways by either going through you or dance around you and seems to have an uncanny ability to adjust his game to fit in with different line mates. In my opinion a comparable would be Jarome Iginla in his prime.
11) Florida Panthers – Mikko Rantanen (RW), TPS (SM Liiga)
Shoots: Left, Height: 6’4″, Weight: 212 lbs. Nationallity: Finland
Why: I feel like the Panthers probably feel they are OK enough in the defence department that they can pass on Zach Werenski. The Panthers have a lot of talent in the pipe line and this will continue to be a tomorrow team in my mind but they could use a little more forward depth so I see them taking a guy like Mikko Rantanen. He’s a solid two way forward who may not wow you with his play but he generally knows where to be and when to be there. I have a hard time trying to come up with a comparable but I’d say he is very similar to Jakub Voracek.
12) Dallas Stars – Zach Werenski (D), Michigan (NCAA)
Shoots: Left, Height: 6’2″, Weight: 207 lbs., Nationality: United States
Why: Dallas seems to have a nice mix of developing talent but I think that they would probably take Werenski here. This is a guy who could prove to be a very effective power play quarterback. He is an excellent skater who can create plays by being able to make a good first pass or carry the puck out of his zone himself. His shot definitely needs improvement but its still a decent threat and he can distribute the puck very well from the blue line. He has often been compared to the likes of Jack Johnson and Keith Yandle.
13) Los Angeles Kings – Kyle Connor (C/LW), Youngstown (USHL)
Shoots: Left, Height: 6’1″, Weight 183 lbs. Nationality: United States
Why: Another team with an absolute spoil of riches when it comes to depth I could see them taking a player like Kyle Connor who would fit very well into their forward system. Now I wouldn’t be shocked to see them making a play for defencemen as well especially with the great unknown that is Slava Voynov. Connor is a very smart 2 way forward that shows a great deal of poise and with the puck he is also an excellent puck distributor. Many people compare his style of play to Jonathan Toews.
14) Boston Bruins – Travis Konecny (C), Ottawa 67’s (OHL)
Shoots: Right, Height: 5’10”, Weight: 176 lbs., Nationality: Canada
Why: Konecny is a guy who has a great shot that can burn you from the point but more importantly he’s not afraid to get in the dirty area’s to fight for the puck and earn his space on the ice. I think his hard nosed work ethic will endear himself with the Boston Bruin fans as the organization feels it has lost some of its identity despite the fact that he only stands at 5’10”. Hes a solid 2 way player who has drawn comparisons to Zach Parise.
15) Calgary Flames – Nick Merkely (C/RW), Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
Shoots: Right, Height: 5’10” Weight: 192 lbs. Nationality: Canada
Why: I think that Nick Merkley will complement some of the players the Flames already have in place or in the system on in their rebuild. I’m not sure if he will end up as a centre in the NHL, Nick Merkley has and incredible work ethic and elite play making skills. While not always the most defensively responsible he was a huge force for the Rockets and was frankly you always knew he was on the ice during the Memorial Cup tournament. Merkley has drawn comparisons to the likes of Brad Richards and Niklas Backstrom.
16) Edmonton Oilers (from Pitt) – Jacub Zboril (D), Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
Shoots: Left, Height: 6’1″, Weight: 185 lbs., Nationality: Czech Republic
Why: Edmonton obviously needs some defence but they also need some nastiness and Jacub Zboril fills both of those needs. He plays a difficult in your face game that at times can play a little over the line. The discipline will need work but he is a great stay at home defender that can make a great first pass or carry the puck. He does not have a great shot so he may end up being a better distributor than shooter on the power play but he is an excellent penalty killer. He has drawn comparisons to the likes of Dan Hamhuis and Nicklas Hjalmarsson.
17) Winnipeg Jets – Colin White (C), USA NTDP (USHL)
Shoots: Right, Height: 6′, Weight: 183 lbs. Nationality: United States
Why: Although not the most exciting guy to watch, Colin White is a very good hockey player with a very high hockey IQ and I think this would interest the Jets a great deal as they try to beef up their centre depth. This is the kind of player that can make everyone around him better as he is an excellent play maker who excels on both ends of the ice. His game has been compared to the likes of Ryan Callahan.
18) Ottawa Senators – Evgeny Svechnikov (RW), Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL)
Shoots: Left, Height: 6’2″ Weight: 199 lbs., Nationality: Russia
Why: While I think that the Senators would be better off taking a centre having Svechnikov available when they step up to the podium is too good to pass up. considered by many to be one of the safest picks among forwards in the draft. I think that he would be an almost ready much needed scoring threat on the team and pay dividends almost immediately. I have seen him compared to the likes of Rick Nash, Evgeni Malkin and Mike Cammalleri.
19) Detroit Red Wings – Thomas Chabot (D), Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
Shoots: Left, Height: 6’2, Weight: 180 lbs., Nationality: Canada
Why: This is a player that has made great strides to becoming a more complete player. In the past he had excelled at offence while being barely adequate in his own end of the ice. He’s a guy that will need some seasoning before he can make the jump but I think the Red Wings would be a great spot for him to develop into the kind of defenceman that most think he can be. I have seen him compared to the likes of Kieth Yandle and Alex Edler.
20) Minnesota Wild – Ilya Samsonov (G), Magnitogorsk (MHL)
Catches: Left, Height: 6’4″, Weight: 200 lbs., Nationality: Russia
Why: In my opinion while the wild have a lot of young players currently on the active NHL roster they lack have a pretty soft prospect pool but the place that is most evident is probably in goal. Samsonov in my opinion is the best goalie in the draft and while he may be a stretch in the first round it definitely addresses a need. He fits the mould of a current NHL goaltender perfectly standing at 6-4 while being very athletic for his size and projects to be a #1 goalie. He does need to work on his rebound control.
21) Buffalo Sabres (from NYI) – Brock Boeser (RW), Waterloo (USHL)
Shoots: Right, Height: 6’0″, Weight: 192 lbs., Nationality: United States
Why: As a rebuilding team that is already going to have Jack Eichel as it’s main piece, the Sabres will need to fill out not only complementary players but offensive depth and I think that Boeser could fill both these roles. He is a natural goal scorer on the wing with great instincts and positional awareness with an excellent shot. Boeser has been compared to both Patrick Sharp and Kyle Okposo.
22) Washington Capitals – Jansen Harkens (C), Prince George Cougars (WHL)
Shoots: Left, Height: 6’1″, Weight: 183 lbs., Nationality: Canada
Why: The capitols have some significant prospect depth at all positions with the exception of centre. So with that in mind I think that Jansen Harkins could be a guy worth looking at for them. He is a hard working 2 way centre who can play in all three zones and is a decent skater. He projects as a number 2 centre. He has been compared to the likes of David Krejci and Ryan O’Reilly.
23) Vancouver Canucks – Jeremy Roy (D), Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL)
Shoots: Right, Height: 6’0″, Weight: 187 lbs., Nationality: Canada
Why: I think Vancouver would like a guy like Roy because he has the potential to be a power play quarterback that makes very good decisions with the puck and has an exceptional hockey IQ which makes him a threat in all three zones. He has a decent shot but his play making ability is what really makes him stand out as he seems to know where all his teammates can be found on the ice. I have seen his game compared to the likes of Duncan Keith, Ryan Suter and Dan Boyle.
24) Toronto Maple Leafs (from Nash) – Jake DeBrusk (LW), Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
Shoots: Left, Height: 6’0″, 176 Lbs., Nationality: Canada
Why: Toronto is very thin across the board in their prospect pool due to poor drafting in general and while they have a developing young defence corps that will not need re-enforcement from the farm system any time soon they lack top end forwards that are under development so a guy like Jake DeBrusk would be a good addition to this team. He is a very competitive two way player although he could use his size better he has a scorers touch and always makes the right play. I have seen him compared to the likes of Ondrej Palat and James Van Riemsdyk.
25) Winnipeg Jets (from StL via Buff) – Joel Erikson Ek (C), Färjestad J20
Shots: Left, Height: 6’2″, Weight: 183 lbs. Nationality: Swedon
Why: I think the Jets would be very interested in adding a 200 ft. player to their team especially one with such a high hockey IQ, great vision and an excellent shot. He would be an excellent 2nd line shutdown forward but could find his way to the top line as well. I have seen him compared to Derick Brassard and Nino Niederreiter.
26) Montreal Canadians – Paul Bittner (LW), Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
Shoots: Left, Height: 6’4″ Weight: 203 lbs. Nationality: United States
Why: This is a player who would give the Canadiens much needed size as well as some serious bite to their forecheck. He can make space around the net that can allow him to score opportunistic goals but also has a cannon of a shot. I have seen him compared to Scott Hartnell.
27) Anaheim Ducks – Denis Gurianov (RW), Ladia Togliatti (MHL)
Shoots: Left, Height: 6’2″ Weight: 187 lbs. Nationality: Russia
Why: To me this is a guy that would fit right into the Ducks style of punishing and relentless forecheck. He’s very strong on his skates with a heavy shot that is very accurate. He does need to work on playing in his own end but that is offset by his value in the offensive zone. I have seen his style compared somewhat to Chris Kreider with a man streak.
28) Tampa Bay Lightning (from NYR) – Oliver Kylington (D), Färjestad (SHL)
Shoots: Left, Height: 6’0″, Weight: 181 lbs., Nationality: Sweden
Why: Aside from Anthony DeAngelo the Lightning are very barren of offensive minded defenceman and while Kylington excels in both ends of the ice he is capable of being a power play quarterback. He also has excellent skating ability as well as the ability to not only shoot but distribute the puck and a height level. I have seen him compared to Tyson Barrie and Keith Yandle.
??) Philadelphia (from TB) – Dylan Sprong (RW), Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)
Shoots: Right, Height: 6’0″, Weight: 183 lbs., Nationality: Russian
Why: A prolific scorer in Jr. this move would give the flyers some much needed forward depth. Sprong is good in both ends of the ice, has a good work ethic as well as skating and puck handling ability. I have seen him compared to Alex Semin.
??) Arizona (from CHI) – Brandon Carlo (D), Tri-City Americans (WHL)
Shoots: Right,, Height: 6’5″, Weight 196 lbs., Nationality: United States
Why: This is a smooth skating shut down defenceman who has a good hockey IQ and often can see the play develop before it actually has. There is not very much upside to his offensive game but his large 6’5″ frame will make attacking players lives misurable especially once he finishes growing into it. I have seen him compared to Braydon Coburn as well as Jared Cowen.
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