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Who each team would pick at 1st overall based on team needs

Draft Class: 2021
Created By: sensonfire
Published: May 28, 2021 at 11:13 a.m.
Description
This mock draft post is about who each non-playoff team would pick at 1st overall if addressing their most urgent needs was the main priority instead of picking the best player available. An explanation is provided for each of the 16 teams. Enjoy :D
ROUND 1TEAMORIGINALPLAYERDETAILS
1Logo of the Buffalo Sabres-They already have Rasmus Dahlin and trading Jack Eichel during the offseason will intensify their needs at centre.
2Logo of the Anaheim Ducks-They need a goal scorer who can not only replace Rickard Rakell on the wing but also Ryan Getzlaf at centre. They already have Fowler, Lindholm and Drysdale as part of their Defence.
3Logo of the Seattle Kraken-
Matthew Beniers
Total crapshoot, but when I put my expansion team for Seattle together, people have said indicated that my depth at centre is very shallow. Also, I often find myself selecting Mark Giordano and Brady Skjei from Calgary and Carolina respectively for the expansion draft.
4Logo of the New Jersey Devils-Having two All-Star brothers on the Devils would be awesome. If Luke is playing on the Devils with Jack, there is no way Luke turns into a bust. Also, adding Luke would not take away a roster spot from anybody of significance IMO.
5Logo of the Columbus Blue Jackets-
Matthew Beniers
The Jackets have been searching for a #1C since the beginning of time after having only two in their franchise history that would come anywhere close to that (Ryan Johansen and PLD).
6Logo of the Detroit Red Wings-Within the Red Wings organization, the left side of their defence looks really sketchy, except for maybe William Wallinder. They need somebody who is big, mean, physical and plays well at both ends of the ice. Somebody who will not let opposing teams run the Red Wings over like in 2019-2020. Doesn't hurt that he's playing college hockey in Michigan.
7Logo of the San Jose Sharks-
Owen Power
The Sharks have pressing needs at every position except for RD. That means anybody that's not named Brandt Clarke could be picked. I have the Sharks picking Owen Power at 1st overall because Mario Ferraro is not a #1 defenceman and having Burns/Power as the top defence pairing (both of whom are 6.5) would make the Sharks so much harder to play against.
8Logo of the Los Angeles Kings-
Owen Power
Owen Power would be a much more ideal defence partner for Drew Doughty on the left side than what the Kings currently have within their organization. Also, if they trade for Eichel, there will be less of an incentive for drafting a centreman at 1st overall.
9Logo of the Vancouver Canucks-If Nate Schmidt is playing on the top defence pairing with Quinn Hughes, both of whom shoot left, there's a problem. The only right shot RD of decent quality that Vancouver has is Tyler Myers, who has not met any reasonable expectations whatsoever for someone making 6 million per. The Canucks don't have any blue chip prospects that are right shot RDs, which means they need to address this need in the near future. Also, it doesn't make any sense to have both Quinn and Luke Hughes (or another high quality LD) fight over the same spot on the roster. That means they need to draft Brandt Clarke if they have the chance.
10Logo of the Ottawa Senators-
Matthew Beniers
Ottawa will absolutely be drafting a forward with their 1st round pick. The question is whether it's a centre or a winger. As of right now, Colin White and Tim Stutzle are better suited on the wing than at centre. I'm also not entirely sold on either Norris or Pinto being a bona fide #1C in the NHL. Also, Logan Brown is a bust. Therefore, I have them drafting Beniers at 1st overall because they are pretty set on defence with Chabot, Sanderson, Brannstrom, JBD, Zub and Thomson.
11Logo of the Arizona Coyotes-
Draft Pick Forfeited
12Logo of the Chicago Blackhawks-
Owen Power
I have the Hawks taking a LD 1st overall. Zadorov and De Haan don't have much of a future in Chicago while Duncan Keith is getting close to retirement. The forward depth is fine while picking Jesper Wallstedt is more ideal when you have 10th overall as opposed to 1st overall. Therefore, the Hawks should grab Owen Power if they have the chance.
13Logo of the Calgary Flames-GM Treliving made pretty clear early in the season that the Flames need a Top 6 right shot RW than can score goals. It became even more obvious once Brett Ritchie was placed on the second line with Gaudreau and Monahan for a lengthy stretch. With that said, I have the Flames picking at 1st overall Alberta native Dylan Guenther to address that need.
14Logo of the Philadelphia Flyers-
Brandt Clarke
The Flyers have the same predicament as the Vancouver Canucks, in which their top defensive pairing consists of two left shot LDs. Currently, their best right shot RD is Philippe Myers, which is concerning for the Flyers to say the least. Also, still having Ghost around is a waste of a spot on the roster, considering he was placed on waivers just recently. Therefore, the Flyers should buy out Ghost, draft Brandt Clarke if they have 1st overall and place Sanheim on the second pairing, once Clarke is ready to play with Provorov on the top pairing.
15Logo of the Dallas Stars-
Dylan Guenther
The top RWs on the Stars, Radulov and Pavelski, are ~35 years of age and will be pending UFAs next year. If the Stars don't make the playoffs next year, they'll probably want to play elsewhere or retire. Interestingly, the Stars have very few players on their roster that are right shots, so whoever they take at 1st overall should ideally be a right shot IMO. Therefore, I think Dylan Guenther could be a fit.
16Logo of the New York Rangers-
Owen Power
Aside from K'Andre Miller, the Rangers' defence on the left side looks a little light. If K'Andre doesn't pan out as a #1 defenceman who can play on the top pairing with Fox and is better suited paying on the second pairing with Trouba/Schnieder/Lundkvist, then the Rangers should be drafting a LD at 1st overall. Also, if they trade for Eichel and/or resign one of Strome or Zibanejad, there will be less of an incentive for drafting a centreman at 1st overall. Therefore, I have them drafting Owen Power at 1st overall.
17Logo of the Montreal Canadiens-
18Logo of the St. Louis Blues-
19Logo of the Winnipeg Jets-
20Logo of the Nashville Predators-
21Logo of the Edmonton Oilers-
22Logo of the New Jersey DevilsLogo of the New York Islanders
23Logo of the Boston Bruins-
24Logo of the Detroit Red WingsLogo of the Washington Capitals
25Logo of the Columbus Blue JacketsLogo of the Tampa Bay Lightning
26Logo of the Minnesota Wild-
27Logo of the Columbus Blue JacketsLogo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
28Logo of the Colorado Avalanche-
29Logo of the Minnesota WildLogo of the Pittsburgh Penguins
30Logo of the Florida Panthers-
31Logo of the Carolina Hurricanes-
32Logo of the Vegas Golden Knights-

Top Comments

May 28, 2021 at 11:20 a.m.
#1
Canes fan
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This is a really cool idea! I agree with all of the picks. Well done!
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May 28, 2021 at 11:26 a.m.
#2
Ban Price trades
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The way the new draft lottery works is that a team can only move up a maximum of 10 spots: everything Chicago-south cannot pick 1st overall without trading for the pick. While I agree with most of the exercise (I think Hughes to NJD strictly because they're brothers is a mistake and either Clarke or Power would be the de-facto #1) I just wanted to point out that the best Chicago can pick is 2nd overall, Calgary 3rd, etc.
May 28, 2021 at 11:32 a.m.
#3
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The more I look into Owen Power the more I think the Ducks 100% take him if they get 1st overall, He would be the perfect long term partner for Drysdale and the Ducks have always built from the net out.
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May 28, 2021 at 11:34 a.m.
#4
sensonfire
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Quoting: BeterChiarelli
The way the new draft lottery works is that a team can only move up a maximum of 10 spots: everything Chicago-south cannot pick 1st overall without trading for the pick. While I agree with most of the exercise (I think Hughes to NJD strictly because they're brothers is a mistake and either Clarke or Power would be the de-facto #1) I just wanted to point out that the best Chicago can pick is 2nd overall, Calgary 3rd, etc.


I thought the rule of moving up a maximum of 10 spots won't be implemented until next year.



The only change that would be implemented for the upcoming draft would be that the 3rd overall pick would no longer be subjected to a lottery draw.



That was my understanding anyway smile
May 28, 2021 at 11:46 a.m.
#5
Ban Price trades
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Quoting: sensonfire
I thought the rule of moving up a maximum of 10 spots won't be implemented until next year.



The only change that would be implemented for the upcoming draft would be that the 3rd overall pick would no longer be subjected to a lottery draw.



That was my understanding anyway smile


Could be (and should be) but even manually selecting these teams in CapFriendly's lottery page only pushes them up most of the way up the list. Tankathon doesn't and still abides by the top-two being completely up for grabs. I'll have to dig in to it a bit more I guess, just a heads up if anything - I agree with the verbiage on who each team should be taking for what it's worth.
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