ROUND 1 | TEAM | ORIGINAL | PLAYER | DETAILS |
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1 | - | Not saying anything here. | ||
2 | - | LA already has decent depth at center with Vilardi, Turcotte and Kupari among others so I don't see them taking Byfield here. Carter and Brown are getting older so getting top six minutes shouldn't be an issue for Tim in the near future. | ||
3 | Simply going BPA with this pick, yes they've got interesting prospects down the middle but I can't see Ottawa passing up on Byfield. | |||
4 | - | Some might be surprised but base on pure skills he's number one on my board this year yet his height hurts his stock. In the end guys like Braydon Point don't seem to have a hard time making an impact in this league so there goes Rossi, Detroit adds a blue chip prospect to a shallow center depth. | ||
5 | - | Ottawa just missed out on the 67's player but can be happy to pick Raymond! Elite IQ playmaker playing with all cylinders running at all time, he'll become a top six spark plug for years to come. | ||
6 | - | Bob Murray's prayers are answered and the top defender in the draft falls onto his lap. Anaheim has good prospect all accross the board BUT that RD position could really need a little help and with Drysdale in town it obviously look way better. | ||
7 | - | Back to back defenders! Jersey gets themselves a shutdown defender in the making, it may not be the pretty pick but it's an excellent one nonetheless. | ||
8 | - | You can never have too many centers so Buffalo grabs Perfetti, a deadly weapon with elite IQ. | ||
9 | - | Fine Chicago I won't give you Askarov, but surprise pick as your team goes a little off the board to get Mercer! Don't think that's a bad pick because he backchecks and forechecks with intensity, his stick and feet are always moving and he does everything the right way. | ||
10 | *Trade to announce. Ottawa trades picks 21, 33 and 49 for pick 10 and 130. After missing out on Rossi they don't wait for a team to steal another 67's player from them and trade up to get Quinn! Ottawa gets out of the first ten picks with what could become a first line some years down the line, what a draft for Dorion! | |||
11 | - | Minnesota puts their hopes on Lundell at the 11th spot. Once again it may not be the pretty pick when Holtz's still on the board but he'll be able to take over some of Staal/Koivu's duties for years to come and with great wingers in the making the Wild can afford to go with a safe pick here. | ||
12 | - | *Winnipeg. No he wasn't forgotten and this is where Holtz landslide stops, Winnipeg takes the BPA here. I value multitalented players higher than unidimensional ones and in this year's top twelve he's clearly the guy that I shy away from, yes he's a deadly weapon from the opponents blueline up to the goal line but his defensive effort's average at best and his skating could use some work. | ||
13 | - | *Ranger. This team's loaded with prospects so they go with a boom-or-bust pick in Lapierre, if he can stay healthy he'll be a steal here at 13. | ||
14 | - | Yandle and Stralman aren't getting any younger so the Panthers take a shot on Guhle. He's already able to do everything the right way and possess NHL size even at his young age, top-pairing potential here. | ||
15 | - | *Trade to announce. Carolina's trading picks 19 and 52 for Columbus' 15th selection. The Hurricanes are going up the board to select Seth Jarvis as he won't be there at pick 19 and with two seconds they can afford to move up. He needs time to bulk up but even if he's a long term project it'll be worth the wait for Carolina. | ||
16 | - | *Calgary. The wait is over for Askarov. There's not much to say about him but teams may regret passing on him in a couple of years. | ||
17 | - | *New Jersey. The Devils double down on safe picks with Amirov. He may not project to be your top line winger but his work ethic and attitude paired with his skillset are going to make him an excellent second line forward that can contribute on the PP and PK. | ||
18 | *Nashville. Nashville has built their defense with first rounders for years, starting all the way back from the Weber years and then followed by Josi, Ellis, Jones and Fabbro, they just don't seem to miss with these picks. They now hope that Schneider can become their next guy, he's got a strong frame and is a very intelligent two-way defenseman. | |||
19 | - | *Columbus from Carolina. Columbus made the deal as they were missing second and third rounders this year and with this pick they select Holloway, a versatile power forward able to do it all. | ||
20 | *Edmonton. We'll have a German duo in Edmonton! Reichel could become the perfect complement to Drai, he holds excellent work ethic and does the dirty work around the net when needed. | |||
21 | *New Jersey from Ottawa. Jersey dropped in the draft to acquire much needed second rounders and Ottawa's offer was hard to refuse. They end up taking one of the best (If not the best) skater in the draft, Perreault's just gliding on the ice and paired to his high hockey IQ he could easily become a top six winger. He'll need to work overtime on his defensive awareness before coming to the big league. | |||
22 | - | Dallas could have a spot waiting for Barron in the coming years behing Klingberg and he could become an important part of that defense! There's no big knock on his game other than having a weak 3rd junior year but considering Halifax lost lots of great players it's understandable. | ||
23 | - | *NY Ranger. NY took a shot with Hendrix earlier in the draft so now they take a safer guy with Zary. This kid can bring grit on both sides of the ice and he'll be loved by the coaches for his work ethic. | ||
24 | - | *Minnesota. After going safe earlier with Lundell the Wild goes after a defender with a very raw game but for who sky's the limit. Wallinder can become a top pairing defender if the stars align. | ||
25 | *Philadelphia. What not to love about Neighbours' game? Need to work on skating but he brings his heart to the ice every shift, I think Gallagher with a better release when I look at him. He's the kind of player made for the battle of Pennsylvania. | |||
26 | - | *San Jose. Why not take a long term project that could pay big? Peterka has everything needed to become a top six winger but he'll need time to polish all the aspects of his game. | ||
27 | - | *Colorado. Sakic is going BPA and grabs Bourque. Some gym sessions will do him good before coming into the league, give the kid about three years before coming to pros. Kid has high IQ and good vision. | ||
28 | *Las Vegas. The Knights gets an excellent prospect in Grans, he already has good size and speed, the rest is up for improvement. | |||
29 | - | *Washington. With three centers over thirty years old and only McMichael in the pipeline the Caps take a chance and select Marat. He's a nice gamble considering that skill wise he'd be a top 15 pick this year but only time will tell if he can adjust his game to an NHL size rink, we'll see in a couple years down the road. | ||
30 | - | St-Louis likes to draft big centers early and often but this year they go for a jack of all trades defender. O'Rourke projects to become a minute muncher number 2-3 defenseman in the NHL with his defensive awareness and mobility being his best assets he has to give. On the other hand even if he as a solid slapshot the goal production hasn't shown up yet, if his offense opens up next year with the Soo the Blues got a steal here at 30. | ||
31 | Anaheim wraps up the first round with Brisson, a guy able to play all three forward positions. A 200 feet player with smooth hands and good hockey IQ, the NCAA route will give him time to bulk up. |
ROUND 2 | TEAM | ORIGINAL | PLAYER | DETAILS |
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32 | - | Detroit doubles down on safe picks by taking Kleven with the first pick of day two. His offensive ceiling prevents him from being seen as a first pairing defender but he can become a solid top four shutdown dman along the way. | ||
33 | - | *New Jersey from Ottawa. New Jersey takes a shot on Gunler, a deceptive shooter with buttery smooth hands. A riskier pick considering he's inconsistent in his defensive zone but if he can overcome some of it he could very well become a top six forward and PP specialist with the Devils. | ||
34 | - | Doug goes with a safe pick to start his second day with Smilanic. You know you're drafting an NHLer but he could play anywhere in a top nine at this point. The lack of production isn't a concern as the USDP rolled all four lines this year and his two-way game's already at another level. | ||
35 | - | Foerster's an amazing goal scorer but his raw skating abilities and defensive woes does put a barrier to his upside, if both of those aspects are fixed in the coming years look for a steady 30+ goal top six winger. | ||
36 | - | Ozzy's a high-motor forward who displays an excellent 200 feet game. Safe pick. | ||
37 | Nashville goes BPA and stops Greig from sliding any further. Greig is a first round talent but while being undersized he isn't the fastest skater out there, if he can become stronger/bigger without loosing one once of speed he could be a middle six forward that the coaches trust in all situations. Number one trash talker in this draft. | |||
38 | - | *Trade to announce, Carolina sends picks 47 and 83 for Buffalo's 38th overall. Waddell wasn't done wheeling and dealing and uses his extra third rounder to hop over Montreal and steal Niemelä away from them. A new age defenseman made in the same mold as Hugues, Girard and Mete, his high IQ and effortless skating should take him earlier than people expects into the NHL. | ||
39 | - | After shedding a tear for Topi Bergevin quickly goes back to work and picks Jan Mysak which was surprisingly still available. An excellent all around player with a weird skating motion that needs to be worked on, long road before coming to pros. Goal scoring machine. | ||
40 | *Trade to announce. Now that Topi's off the board Montreal sends the 40th overall pick to Florida for picks 45 and 91. The Panthers are taking a risk here but one that could pay big! Peterson could be the next elite power forward to come in the league if his offense opens up in the next two years, at worst he'll be a serviceable bottom six player with powerplay time. | |||
41 | - | Draft Pick ForfeitedWith their first pick of 2020 the Coyotes get Justin Sourdif from the Giants. Even if he doesn't projects as an top line player his versatility could make him a minute muncher second liner in the NHL, he's the kind of complementary piece you want in your top six. | ||
42 | - | Colangelo -even if he wasn't on the power play for most of the season- ended up as one of the best point producers of the USHL. Good pick here by Minny, could be a steal if he develops well. Needs to work his skating and defensive positioning. | ||
43 | Poirier's a boom-or-bust pick but at this point in the draft and with another second round pick left LA can take a chance on him. Offensively poised but at times can be awful in his own zone. | |||
44 | - | High upside as soon as he brings his offense to the next level, at worst would become an excellent middle six two-way player. | ||
45 | - | *Montreal from Florida. Bergevin aims for upside on this one, safer guys are available at this point but he's aiming for Luke's long term ceiling. I would've loved to see Montreal take cormier here but with the LD depth it's hard to see another one coming in, he'd be my second choice at this spot. | ||
46 | - | Lots of upside here but he needs to get the scoring going if he wants to be a top six player. | ||
47 | *Buffalo from Carolina. Safe pick here (BPA), you know he'll be in the NHL in a couple years but it's left to know if he'll be better or not than his brother. | |||
48 | - | *Trade to announce. Detroit gets the 48th selection from Winnipeg in exchange for their 58th and 116th picks. Detroit has lots of young blood in the pipeline but they need to add better goaltenders to their pool and with Daws they could've found their next starting goalie. | ||
49 | *New Jersey from Ottawa. Even if New Jersey just grabbed Sanderson earlier they can't pass up on Shakir. They're taking a -close to- sure shot NHLer here, just hard to see if he reaches his top pairing ceiling or his third pairing floor. | |||
50 | Ottawa usually has good luck with Quebec born defenseman so they take a shot on Cormier and hope they just got their own Hugues/Girard. | |||
51 | - | Toronto gets a great prospect in Bednar, very raw but excellent pick. | ||
52 | - | Viro has outstanding defensive instincts but lacks the offensive arsenal to be seen as a first rounder, nonetheless he can develop into a very good top four defender. | ||
53 | After going for back to back sure picks in the first round Ottawa takes a risk here with Javertie. His defensive issues are there and need to be worked on BUT he does have a lot of talent on the other end of the ice and paired with his big frame it's worth the risk. | |||
54 | Bordeleau may not have your beloved size for the NHL but he's an astounding player having elite IQ and great skating/shooting skills to pair with. Detroit picks an excellent player here at 54! | |||
55 | LA takes Faber with their third second rounder, a defensive defenseman with good size. He may have untapped offense but his defense is why he's being picked here in the second round. | |||
56 | Every time you draft a goaltender it comes with risks but Blomqvist already has excellent technique at his young age and has shown a good mental game. The young goalie will be promoted to the Liiga next year. | |||
57 | - | *Trade to announce. Montreal gives Philadelphia picks 70 and 132 in exchange for the 57th selection. Montreal may not look to add centers in this draft but Finley's special and trading up to grab him is worth it. A guy who nearly tripled his offensive totals from last year and who's able to give a strong defensive effort every shifts's worth it at this point of the draft. | ||
58 | *Winnipeg from Detroit. The Jets takes a little more risk with this pick in Hunt. The sample size's small thanks to a shortened season due to an injury and Covid but this two-way, big bodied defenseman has very good NHL potential. | |||
59 | - | With Killhorn maybe being a cap casualty soon and not much prospects to replace him the Lightning takes the best winger on the board, a guy doing everything good but nothing great who projects as a middle-six winger. | ||
60 | After going back to back with very good versatile forwards the Sharks are taking their first defender of the draft. Sebrango could become a steady two-way defenseman with big PK minutes down the line. | |||
61 | Robins' an undervalued player and Montreal secures him with their last second rounder. He excels in all three zones and tripled his offensive numbers from last year, his high energy and accurate shot are welcomed in the Montreal pipeline. | |||
62 | - | Coe's a big winger with an excellent skills set, he fits the Bruins mold and could become an excellent middle six power forward. |
ROUND 3 | TEAM | ORIGINAL | PLAYER | DETAILS |
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63 | - | With the amount of high end prospect already taken in this draft Detroit takes a shot on boom or bust Gushchin, excellent hands and offensive flair but he's a liability from time to time in his defensive zone. | ||
64 | - | Chromiak can play both wings and has an excellent shot but scouts aren't sold on his overall game because of his playtime with 2022 draft phenom Shane Wright, a bet that could pay big. | ||
65 | A big bodied right defenseman with excellent skating abilities that showed a lot a promess with St-Mark's, he is a long term project but could become a good second pairing with PP contribution. | |||
66 | - | A power forward playing big, his offensive numbers aren't on par with his skills thanks to a low TOI in the KHL this year. | ||
67 | - | Kusnetsov could become an excellent top four defensive defenseman. | ||
68 | Vegas goes with Andrae's upside with their first third round pick, even if he's undersized he fits the new age defenseman mold. He can walk the line with ease and still play physical in his own end while not being the biggest. | |||
69 | Two-way center that adapted very well to the NA ice in his first year here, he's a got a cannon of a wrist shot. | |||
70 | - | *Philadelphia from Montreal. Good mobile defender for his size that has to work on his decision-making. | ||
71 | - | Simontaival has the potential to be a top six forward with his speed and IQ but has to polish his defensive presence. Could be comparable to Yamamoto if everything goes well. | ||
72 | Dynamic forward that hasn't shown much consistency this season but could become top six worthy if he fixes his defensive issues. | |||
73 | An all around good forward that needs to work on his skating a lot, could become a top six if fixed. | |||
74 | - | Took a while for Vancouver to get on the board but here they are with Hirvonen! Excellent skater and playmaker that needs to add strengh on the long run. | ||
75 | - | *Trade to announce. Nashville trades the 75th selection to Montreal in return for picks 101 and 138. Bergevin's thrilled to find a Swedish version of Caufield in the third round and trades up to get him here. Not much to say other than he's got about everything but size in his toolbox. | ||
76 | - | Already an excellent two-way forward that plays with all cylinders firing on every shifts. Needs to work the lower body to get more out of his strides. | ||
77 | Chicago's estatic to be able to get Powell with this pick, he's the best skater in this draft period but he needs to work on his shooting motion. Right defender with top four potential could be seen as a steal that late in the third. | |||
78 | - | Gorton takes the safe route here and grab Heineman, he's very likely to make the NHL at least as an offensively talented bottom six winger. Biggest knock on his game, was this 2019-20 season just an offensive fluke? | ||
79 | *Trade to announce. Ottawa sends the 79th overall pick to San Jose for Pittsburgh's 2021 3rd round pick, in the event of Pittsburgh winning the Stanley cup Ottawa will receive the Capitals 2021 3rd round pick. Pytlik shows an excellent 200-foot game on possess strong offensive skills, he could become a solid middle six forward in the NHL. | |||
80 | - | With not much to say in this year's draft the Islanders are taking the player left on the board that offers the best ceiling with Niederbach. He isn't going to be the player to get pucks out of the corner but once on his stick he'll know what to do with it. He needs to trust his repaired knee and work to become a better skater. | ||
81 | Kings going BPA here with Berard still there they get a very good middle six prospect to add to the pool. The most dynamic player of the USDP this year. | |||
82 | Farrell's an undersized forward that brings his energy in all three zones and has an NHL caliber shot. Needs to work on his top speed and bulk up, low risk but high reward player. | |||
83 | - | *Buffalo from Carolina. The unknown GM aims for Pashin's ceiling on this one. As it stands now Pashin would project to be a third liner with PP minutes but if he can become less of a liability in his own zone he could become a top six winger. Needs to work on his engagement away from the puck. | ||
84 | Long-term project with middle six upside. Savoie has an elite shot and good IQ but needs to work his defensive hiccups where he's seen flying out of the zone way too early. | |||
85 | - | *Trade to announce. Edmonton sends their 85th overall selection to Montreal for pick 101 and Philadelphia's 2021 5th round pick. Nickl's a big bodied defender with a fast and crisp first pass. Must work on skating with the puck and add muscle to his 6'2'' frame. | ||
86 | - | While Rolston hasn't dominated at any level he was always able to be a solid contributor at every level. Excellent skater and shooter but a weak playmaker who will lose time and energy to find plays that aren't there. | ||
87 | - | The Penguins are already seen to be losing yet another starting caliber goaltender to the upcoming expansion draft so they draft Clang with hope he can continue his progression. Pittsburgh has been good at developing good goalies, Clang has to work on his rebound control and refine his overall technique. | ||
88 | Back to back goalies! Tampa Bay thinks ahead of time and grabs Commesso who projects as a long term project (5-6 years) but who could come in through the final years of Vasi's contract and create a steady 1a-1b tandem. What the Price situation in Montreal has shown is that it isn't too early for Tampa to start looking for the next guy. | |||
89 | Suni doesn't have major upside to his game but has a pretty high floor where'as it should be easy with his size and skills to become a defensive middle six forward. Comparable to Lehkonen he'll play hard to retrieve pucks and has a nice arsenal of shots but add that Suni won't be afraid to throw hits here and there. | |||
90 | - | A guy who'll bring you a spark if needed, very aggressive play style and net presence, but needs to refine his skating. Think of a smaller Clifford with a better offensive flair. | ||
91 | *Montreal from Florida. If Villeneuve's there at 91 Montreal has to pull the trigger on the Quebec player. Villeneuve's an underrated right defenseman that does everything well in all three zones and should be in Montreal's radar, he does need to add some weight but already isn't scared of dishing out hits in the Q. | |||
92 | - | Vierling is a defensively responsible center that isn't afraid to retrieve pucks from dirty areas and if his offense translate to the pros could become a middle six center with PK work. At worst he becomes a steady fourth liner able to grind out big minutes so a safe pick here for St-Louis. | ||
93 | - | To close out the third round -and also my mock draft- the Boston Bruins selects Wyatt Kaiser a transitional defender who doesn't shine under the lights but will make good first passes and has a excellent flair to control the play from the point. Not the biggest but very mobile and poised player that doesn't give many odd-man breaks. |