1 | | - | | Now with Jones on the team (see trade above), regardless the Sabres should draft a forward. Preferably a center because now Eichel is gone. Beniers is NHL-ready and can fit perfectly on Buffalo's 1st line. |
2 | | - | | After the lottery, Francis said that he won't be addressing a team need during the draft. He goes BPA and gets a steal here in Power. |
3 | | - | | Toss-up between Edvinsson and Guenther. The Ducks already have several promising forwards, their only promising defenseman is Drysdale. So I think the best option for the Ducks is defense. Preferably a LD since Drysdale is a RD, and Edvinsson is the best LD available. |
4 | | - | | Why not have two Hughes brothers on the same team? |
5 | | - | | Now with Eichel on the team (see trade above), the Blue Jackets center depth is fixed. Eichel and Laine would be a dynamic duo. With Merzlikins being involved in the trade, the Blue Jackets should take either Wallstedt or a defenseman. I think they go Wallstedt here. Could end up being the best player in the draft within a couple of seasons. |
6 | | - | | The Red Wings struggled more offensively than defensively this season, so the first position they address is forwards. If Guenther is still on the board, its a no-brainer as I don't see him falling out of the top five. |
7 | | - | | The Sharks need everything, so they go for BPA available, regardless of position. |
8 | | - | | The Kings have a deep prospect pool, but not much youth on the wing. Lysell's play style complements well with Byfield's and Turcotte's. |
9 | | - | | A no-brainer for the Canucks. They don't have much RD for the future, so drafting Clarke is a good start for them. |
10 | | - | | McTavish's goal-scoring touch complements well with Stutzle's elite playmaking skill. Also a good leader as he led Team Canada to the U18 championship as captain. |
11 | | - | | Draft Pick Forfeited |
12 | | - | | I don't see Johnson falling out of the top 10. Because of team need, Johnson falls in Chicago's lap. |
13 | | - | | A no-brainer for the Flames, Lucius has one of the hardest shots in the draft. He complements well with Zary. |
14 | | - | | |
15 | | - | | The Stars need star power behind Gurianov. Sillinger has NHL bloodlines and is also a talented goal-scoring. Great hockey IQ as well as he makes smart decisions with the puck. |
16 | | - | | The Rangers need a 2C. Stankoven may be undersized, but his shooting and skating make up for it. He complements well with Lafreniere. |
17 | | - | | The Canadiens need center depth and Bourgault plus Caufield equals magic. |
18 | | - | | THIS IS THE JETS PICK!!!!!! The Jets should trade up and select a home-grown boy in Lambos. Because he plays in their backyard, Lambos is easy to scout. Also is the best defensive defenseman in the draft. Great gap control and size. |
19 | | - | | THIS IS THE BLUES PICK!!!!! Regardless the Blues should pick a defenseman. Ceulemans is the best available and could fit well beside Krug. |
20 | | - | | The Predators need a quarterback on their power play. Coronato can do just that. |
21 | | - | | The Oilers need physicality up front and a goalie. Holland never likes drafting goalies in round 1, so he instead will go with the physical forward in L'Heureux. |
22 | | | | |
23 | | - | | After the losses of Chara and Krug, the Bruins should draft a defenseman regardless. |
24 | | | | A no-brainer pick for Detroit if he's available. Cossa plays with great size and poise. |
25 | | | | After trading two RD's in Jones and Savard, the Blue Jackets should draft a RD to replace. Schmidt has NHL-ready size and provides a lot of offense. |
26 | | - | | The Wild should draft a reliable center. They also need a reliable penalty killer and Pinelli excels in that situation. |
27 | | | | The Columbus GM continues his trend of drafting Finnish players. The Blue Jackets need star power behind Laine, and Tuomaala has great goal-scoring instincts. |
28 | | - | | The Avalanche should draft a forward here regardless. Robertsson complements well with Newhook. |
29 | | | | The Wild should draft a defenseman to replace Ryan Suter. |
30 | | - | | Defensive depth behind Ekblad is very thin. The Panthers draft the best defenseman available. |
31 | | - | | The Hurricanes traded a LD in Fluery during the trade deadline, so they draft another LD. |
32 | | - | | The Golden Knights are a deep team, so they go with the BPA regardless of position. |