I randomized the draft order through nhldraftsimulator:
1.
- Austen Matthews
- Doesn't need much explaination. Columbus won't pass on the chance to take Matthews and replace what they gave up in RyJo.
2.
- Patrik Laine
- I think the leafs will look at some other options but they will ultimately take Laine and continue to build their prospect base. Also after JVR they don't have much depth on the LW.
3.
- Jesse Puljujarvi
- Buffalo will go BPA and take the big Finnish winger. Man adding him makes their team look real scary in the future.
4.
- Matthew Tkachuk
- Here is where I think the draft gets interesting. I honestly want to believe the Oilers would take a defenseman but I know they won't. Pete Chiarelli will try and add who he thinks is the next Lucic.
5.
- Michael McLeod
- To be honest I think the Flames flirt with the idea of bringing Alex Nylander home, but then they quickly realize that they need a #2 center behind Monahan.
6.
- Alexander Nylander
- With the Jets potentially losing Ladd to UFA, they will attempt to replace him quickly and swiftly. Nylander may not provide the same physical game Ladd does but he should be able to bring a highly powered offensive game.
7.
- Olli Juolevi
- No question the Avs need to improve their defensive core. I think they look to add Juolevi who is a mobile dman who can control the pace of play and fit right in with the fast paced Avalanche squad.
8.
- Julien Gauthier
- For me I think this is just a match made in heaven. The ducks like to play a heavy game and Gauthier fits that role. He reminds me of a young Perry. Big, right hand shot who isn't afraid to play physical.
9.
- Jakob Chychrun
- For the second year in a row, Ron Francis runs up to the podium to call and welcome yet another Franchise dman (who falls in their lap) to their hockey club. A pairing of Hanifin - Chychrun for years to come is a dream come true.
10.
- Pierre-Luc Dubois
- I think the Canucks go BPA and take the highly skilled Dubois. He is NHL ready and could be apart of the new wave of young Canucks ready to take the league by storm.
11.
- Kieffer Bellows
- No secret around the league that the Sens really need a #1 center. I think Kieffer Bellows has a ton of talent and could be that #1 Center that the Sens have been searching for.
12.
- Dante Fabbro
- The Devils have been playing fairly well this year, but they could really use everything haha. I think they take Fabbro and hope he develops into a cornerstone defenseman for them.
13.
- Max Jones
- I can't even believe I'm seeing the Habs here. But I believe they would take Max Jones. They need a big forward who can finish. Jones would be just that and he could slot right after Max Pacioretty. Taking a big American forward worked for them once, don't see why they wouldn't try it again.
14.
- Mikhail Sergachyov
- They need defense bad. Sergachyov would become a staple for their d-core and fit in nicely. I think Sergachyov is probably the most underrated dman in the draft and the Russian factor kinda contributes. But I think the Pens could use a guy with Sergachyov's skill on the back end.
1.
- Austen Matthews- Doesn't need much explaination. Columbus won't pass on the chance to take Matthews and replace what they gave up in RyJo.
2.
- Patrik Laine- I think the leafs will look at some other options but they will ultimately take Laine and continue to build their prospect base. Also after JVR they don't have much depth on the LW.
3.
- Jesse Puljujarvi - Buffalo will go BPA and take the big Finnish winger. Man adding him makes their team look real scary in the future.
4.
- Matthew Tkachuk- Here is where I think the draft gets interesting. I honestly want to believe the Oilers would take a defenseman but I know they won't. Pete Chiarelli will try and add who he thinks is the next Lucic.
5.
- Michael McLeod- To be honest I think the Flames flirt with the idea of bringing Alex Nylander home, but then they quickly realize that they need a #2 center behind Monahan.
6.
- Alexander Nylander- With the Jets potentially losing Ladd to UFA, they will attempt to replace him quickly and swiftly. Nylander may not provide the same physical game Ladd does but he should be able to bring a highly powered offensive game.
7.
- Olli Juolevi- No question the Avs need to improve their defensive core. I think they look to add Juolevi who is a mobile dman who can control the pace of play and fit right in with the fast paced Avalanche squad.
8.
- Julien Gauthier- For me I think this is just a match made in heaven. The ducks like to play a heavy game and Gauthier fits that role. He reminds me of a young Perry. Big, right hand shot who isn't afraid to play physical.
9.
- Jakob Chychrun- For the second year in a row, Ron Francis runs up to the podium to call and welcome yet another Franchise dman (who falls in their lap) to their hockey club. A pairing of Hanifin - Chychrun for years to come is a dream come true.
10.
- Pierre-Luc Dubois- I think the Canucks go BPA and take the highly skilled Dubois. He is NHL ready and could be apart of the new wave of young Canucks ready to take the league by storm.
11.
- Kieffer Bellows- No secret around the league that the Sens really need a #1 center. I think Kieffer Bellows has a ton of talent and could be that #1 Center that the Sens have been searching for.
12.
- Dante Fabbro- The Devils have been playing fairly well this year, but they could really use everything haha. I think they take Fabbro and hope he develops into a cornerstone defenseman for them.
13.
- Max Jones- I can't even believe I'm seeing the Habs here. But I believe they would take Max Jones. They need a big forward who can finish. Jones would be just that and he could slot right after Max Pacioretty. Taking a big American forward worked for them once, don't see why they wouldn't try it again.
14.
- Mikhail Sergachyov- They need defense bad. Sergachyov would become a staple for their d-core and fit in nicely. I think Sergachyov is probably the most underrated dman in the draft and the Russian factor kinda contributes. But I think the Pens could use a guy with Sergachyov's skill on the back end.
