1 | | - | | Welcome to the 2021 NHL draft! The Buffalo Sabres kick things off with the projected first overall pick Owen Power. Although this years first overall pick isn't as solidified as other years, Power has been able to seperate himself from the rest of the competition, and is drawing comparisons to Victor Headman. The Sabres look like they are going back into full rebuild mode, so they can use help everywhere. |
2 | | - | | The first selection in Kraken history, and GM Ron Francis goes up to the podium and selects potential 1st line 2 way stud Matty Berniers. Berniers played a massive defensive role for the gold medal Americans at the WJC, and his offensive game is nothing to laugh at either. Although Berniers might not be the best player available skill wise, it is hard to pass up on a potential 1c who possesses great leadership abilities. |
3 | | - | | The Ducks have done a very nice job the last few seasons in restocking their prospect cupboard, but they could sure use a bonified sniper, and Guenther is exactly that. Arguably the best shot in the draft, Guenther will be able to put up monster numbers with Trevor Zegras setting him up. Although Eklund might be the best player available, the ducks decided to go with the winger who fits their team the best. |
4 | | - | | The Devils are up, and I'm certain they will go with a defender, it just depends which one between Edvinsson, Clarke, and Hughes. In the end, Jack's influence over the team wins out, and they select his brother Luke who is heading to Michigan. Although Luke has a lot of things to sort out in the defensive end, he has the skill set to be a fantastic two way defender, something his brother Quinn is not. Luke and Jack will lead the Devils for years to come. |
5 | | - | | The Jackets get an absolute steal in Simon Edvinsson at 5. IMO, the best defender in the draft, with the uncertanity of Seth Jones, the Blue Jackets can fill the hole he will leave almost immediately, and he most likely will be better than the notorious Jones. At 6'5 207, Edvinsson still has time to grow, and once he does, watch out. His skating and puck handeling are already at an elite level. |
6 | | - | | Another steal, and the off-season just keeps getting better for Stevie Y. Eklund is smaller at 5'10, but boy is he good. He is equally as good of a playmaker as he is a goal scorer, and he can play at both ends of the ice since he played in the SHL this season. Eklund could be the best player to come out of this draft. |
7 | | - | | Loaned from the OHL, Clarke played in the Slovakian league for Nove Zamkey, and he didn't disappoint. After picking Wiesblatt and Bordeleau with their first two picks last year, the sharks go to the back end and pick up one of the best defenders in the class. |
8 | | - | | The rich get richer, and the LA Kings select offensive mastermind Kent Johnson. Although Johnson can tend to do too much with the puck at times, this is coachable, and he should be able to join the likes of Byfield and Turcotte at the top of the Kings prospect pool. Expect one more year at UMich before stepping up into the pros. |
9 | | - | | The Canucks select the big framed, hardnosed center / winger in McTavish. Mason played for Olten in the second tier swiss league, and put up very respectable numbers. McTavish isn't affraid to go to the dirty areas, and the Canucks can use a player of his versitility. If the Canucks do not go McTavish, expect them to look at Lucius. |
10 | | - | | The first goaltender goes off the board at 10, and the Senators grab their goalie of the future in Wallstedt. He actually has "wall" in his name, and that just shows how good this kid is. He is a bigger goalie, however he doens't just let the puck hit him, but instead is very technically controlled like a Carey Price. In terms of NHL readiness, Wallstedt unlike most goalie prospects is closer to making the NHL than not making the NHL. Expect Wallstedt to go very high in this years draft. |
11 | | - | | Draft Pick Forfeited |
12 | | - | | I was deciding between Svechkov and Lucius for this pick, however I think the Blackhawks surprise a lot of people with this pick and pick the two way Svechkov. Fedor is arguably the best defensive minded player in the draft, however his offence is top notch as well. He can be an elite player on the PP and PK, making him a valuable asset to all teams. Despite some critics who are down on his offensive game, Fyodor was still able to put up a PPG in Russia's Jr. ranks. |
13 | | - | | Potentially the first big surprise of the draft, the Flames select skilled defender Corson Ceulemans from the AJHL's Brooks Bandits. With Corson playing right in the Flames backyard, this will have given them all the time in the world to scout him, but even if you take that away, Ceulemans remains one of the top prospects in this draft. The Flames used their last two first round picks on forwards, and other than Connor Mackey there is no defense help on the way. The loss of their captain Mark Giorodano will also force them to go to the backend. |
14 | | - | | Chaz Lucius from the USNTDP falls right into the Flyers hands at 14, and they will grab him as fast as they can. Chaz called himself the best goal scorer in the draft, and although some may say that's not true, others would say that is completely correct. Lucius went down at the beginning of the season with a knee injury, but once he came back after the surgery, he had improved, and was back to dominating the league. |
15 | | - | | The Stars drafted physical Mavrik Bourque with their 2020 1st, however they elect to go back to the forward well, and select the KHL winger Chibrikov. He's not the biggest guy at 5'10, however he is crafty and can score. Scouts liked what they saw from him playing against men all season. |
16 | | - | | It's no secret the Rangers got thrown around a ton and beaten up last year. The Rangers know they need to get tougher, hence why they signed Goodrow to the deal they did. That trend will continue, when they select the dirty, physical player. Despite this, L'Heureux can score and put up points, and he can join the Rangers as a winger, or a center. |
17 | | - | | Sillinger drops in my mock draft, and St.Louis will be more than happy to add him to their ranks. His skating is a concern, however Sillinger scores goals, and nobody can argue with that. His shot is something scouts love, and Sillinger will be a great top six center for the Blues down the road. |
18 | | - | | The Jets are in need of help on the backend, and Lambos is the best available defender. Although some people don't like the idea of drafting by position, this waive of players are all so close, that picking Lambos at 18 is a great pick. With the WHL season uncertain, Lambos joined JYP Jr. and struggled to find his game, however the once projected top 3 pick still has a ton of upside, and if he puts everything together, he can easily be a top pairing defender. |
19 | | - | | Another surprise this draft, as I have the Predators selected Shattucks St. Mary's defender Scott Morrow. David Poile and the Predators philosophy has always been to build from the back, and after trading Ryan Ellias, and Ekholm potentially being next, they need to restock the defensive depth. Out of the remaining defenders, Morrow has the most raw potential, and I think the Preds will like have the confidence to turn Morrow into a top pairing defender. |
20 | | - | | With the Oilers defense ready to be injected with youth in Bouchard and Broberg, all signs point to a forward or goalie, and with Cossa on the board, they select the kid who played in Edmonton last year. Cossa is a big, BIG goalie, but he is also very athletic, and is always in the right position. Although Wallstadt is projected to go higher, don't be surprised if Cossa ends up being the first goalie off the board. |
21 | | - | | The Bruins should be looking to go forward at 21, and although Logan Stankoven would be a great option for them, Raty seems to be a more Sweeney pick. Raty was once projected to be the first overall pick, but he only put up 6 points in 35 games for Karapat. However, he was only getting bottom six minutes, and many people believe he still has 1st line center potential. Great value pick for the Bruins |
22 | | - | | It's between Olausson and Othmann imo, but with Kaprizov and Boldy on the left, the Wild select the RW in Olausson. He's got the size and skating combination that is so intriguing, and if he adds some weight, he could be a tremendous top six option for the Wild. |
23 | | | | Well well well. The Red Wings pick up the falling Fabian Lysell at 23, and this could be a boom or bust pick. Similar to Noel Gunler, Lysell had a lot of off ice issues this season with Lulea, and scouts have questioned his character. Despite this, he is one of the elite offensive players in this draft, and if I'm right and he does drop, my money is on the Wings or Hurricanes to grab him up. |
24 | | - | | One of the steals in the draft IMO, Othmann, just like McTavish, played for Olten in the second tier swiss league, however he actually had more points. He competes hard every shift, and the Panthers will look forward to him joining their forward group in the near future. |
25 | | | | A favorite of mine, Pinelli could potentially be a top 15 pick, however if he falls to the Jackets, I think they will take him. Pinelli has the potential to be an elite playmaking center whos very responsible defensively. The Jackets are also in desperate need of centers. |
26 | | | | With the Wild selecting Olausson with the 22nd pick, they switch to the backend and select Russian defensive defender Daniil Chayka. Chayka played in the KHL, for CSKA Moscow, and played very solid. He doesn't have a ton of offensive upside, however his defensive game is top notch. |
27 | | - | | What a surprise. An elite talent dropping because of his size. Carolina has done a tremendous job drafting the last few years, and they will pick up another potential star in Logan Stankoven. Stank stands at 5'7, however that doesn't stop him from being an elite offensive, defensive, and forechecking threat. He might not have the same fire power as Cole Caufield, but his overall game is much more complete. If GMs have learned from Debrincat and Caufield, expect Stankoven to go much higher. However, I don't believe they have. |
28 | | - | | The Avalanche are one of the deepest teams in the NHL, and have put together a very nice, well rounded, prospect pool. This allows them to go with the best player available, and in my opinion, that is Samu Tuomaala. Tuomaala has one of the highest offensive ceilings in the draft, and with the uncertantily behind Landeskog, this is a perfect pick for Joe Sakic. |
29 | | | | Arguably the best goal scorer in the draft, Coronato drops to the Devils at 29 and they are pumped. Although they drafted Holtz last year, there is no rule that states you can only have 1 elite goal scorer on their team, and with Hughes and Hischier down the middle, Holtz and Coronato can light up the league together. |
30 | | - | | I'm sure the Golden Knights will be looking for defenders at 30, but with Pastujov on the board, I think this is a perfect pick for Vegas. His skating is a weakness, but when you lead the USNTDP in goals, you're doing something right. Sasha is a Notre Dame commit. |
31 | | - | | The Habs are in desperate need of D prospects even after selecting Guhle last year, and although they are looking for RHD, non are available at this point in the draft, so they go with Sean Behrens from the USNTDP. Behrens has elite offensive instincts, but is also great defensively, and can play in all situations. Behrens gave Luke Hughes the freedom to play up the ice. It will be another year where the Canadiens ignor the "Q", and don't pick Bolduc or Bourgault. |
32 | | | | To finish off the first round, I have the Jackets selecting another Russian, Prohkor Poltapov. We are well aware that Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen loves players from across the sea, and Poltapov has a ton of potential. One of my favorite players in the class, Poltapov is one of the hardest working players in the draft, and on top of that has a crazy amount of skill. Great final pick by the Jackets to end off day 1. |