Bjorn Le
Hobocop
I hate posting it here it should still be in the prospects forum...
Standings based on 26 March before the games are all over. As I've said in the others I've done not a scouts opinion I haven't seen all the players.
1 Edmonton Oilers select ADAM LARSSON
SWEDEN DEFENSE SKELLEFTEA AIK SEL
Could go with RNH, but I'd pick Larsson. Franchise defensemen potential everyone knows about him. No real BPA at this pick, plenty of players who could go #1 so Oilers go with something that every championship team needs, a #1 2-way defensemen.
2 Colorado Avalanche select GABRIEL LANDESKOG
SWEDEN WINGER KITCHENER OHL
Colorado dying to pick Landeskog. Definition of a complete player, excellent defensively and contrary to what some people on this board think, he has plenty of offensive potential. Future captain.
3 Ottawa Senators select RYAN NUGENT-HOPKINS
CANADA CENTER RED DEER WHL
Ottawa misses out on Landeskog, but get someone whose still great. The most skilled forward in the draft and a very intelligent player.
4 Florida Panthers select SEAN COUTURIER
CANADA CENTER DRUMMONDVILLE QMJHL
Toss up between me picking Ryan Strome of Couturier. I think Strome has higher upside by Couturier is a very solid 2-way player. Tallon had Toews in Chicago, and while Couturier probably isn't as good, hes still great.
5 New York Islanders select RYAN MURPHY
CANADA DEFENSE KITCHENER OHL
Best offensive defencemen in the draft in a long time IMO. Runs the offense for a team, as demonstrated in Kitchener this year. If he was 6'2 190 lbs he would definitely be in the running for 1st overall. Hes not undersized like many people believe however. Islanders get their future #1 defensemen.
6 New Jersey Devils selecr RYAN STROME
CANADA CENTER NIAGRA OHL
2 huge needs for the Devils. A center and an offensive defensemen. Strome fits the former perfectly and is not a reach. Could be the Skinner of this draft and come into the NHL next year.
7 Atlanta Thrashers select JONATHAN HUBURDEAU
CANADA CENTER ST. JOHN QMJHL
Atlanta could probably use a winger more, but I don't think theres a good enough one to take with this pick so I have them taking the BPA pick. A future top 2 centers of Burmistrov and Huburdeau looks pretty great.
8 St Louis Blues select MIKA ZIBANEJAD
SWEDEN CENTER DJURGARDENS IF SEL
Bit of a reach you may say but I don't beleive it really is. This is where this draft gets interesting and we can really see some surprises. St Louis drafts a great Swedish center who should become a top 6 player for them at the least.
9 Columbus Blue Jackets select DOUGIE HAMILTON
CANADA DEFENSE NIAGRA OHL
Drop too far? Maybe but Colubmus would love if this happens. I don't agree with the offensive potential some people think he has but hes a very strong 2-Way defencemen and should be a solid NHL'er if his offense doesn't develop like I think it won't.
10 Boston Bruins (From Toronto) select DUNCAN SIEMENS
CANADA DEFENSE SASKATOON WHL
Boston just misses out on one of the defensemen they'd like to select. Siemens is a tough, defensive defensemen, who won't be mistaken for an offensive defensemen but he does have some potential there.
11 Minnesota Wild select JOEL ARMIA
FINLAND RIGHT WING ASSAT SMLIGGA
I wouldn't rank Armia this high but theres so much ambiguity here I beleive Minnie will go with Armia. They've had luck with Finnish players and Armia should develop well with them. Good goal scorer who has to work on other areas.
12 Carolina Hurricanes select BRANDON SAAD
USA LEFT WING SAGINAW OHL
Saad has dropped quite a bit, probably because hes got the prime Powerforward size, and hes very skilled, but hes it's almost tragic hes so soft. It's a hope he'll develop a physical side as its very possbile but he'll never have that mean streak. Carolina gets a big player with great upside regardless however.
13 Calgary Flames select MARK MCNEIL
CANADA CENTER PRINCE ALBERT WHL
Big physical powerforward esque center, his stats tell of a game that he doesn't quite have but he does have more offensive upside then some think IMO. Calgary gets their center and their bleak prospect polls looks a bit better now.
14 Dallas Stars select JAMIE OLEKSIAK
USA/CANADA DEFENSE NORTHEASTERN NCAA
I hope Dallas makes the playoffs but if they don't I really hope they get Oleksiak. Like another big man Myers, he is an excellent skater at the same age, but Oleksiak is huge. With that skating and that height, he has immense upside. Dallas loves this pick.
15 Buffalo Sabres select ALEXANDER KHOKHLACHEV
RUSSIA CENTER WINDSOR OHL
The Sabres miss out on both centers they would like to pick after the Top 4 centers in Zibanejad and McNeil, but they pick Khokhlachev. They don't gennerally pick Russians but cycles can always be broken. Commited to North America and if not rushed will stay.
16 New York Rangers select MATT PEUMPAL
CANADA LEFT WING PETERBOUROUGH OHL
Fell quite a bit because of a percieved lack luster season and the injury, but Puempal still is an excellent sniper and was orginally the Jeff Skinner of this draft. New York gets a good one.
17 Montreal Canadiens select TYLER BIGGS
USA WINGER US NTDP
A lot of people would put Biggs a lot higher than me. I don't agree. Very safe NHL pick, should be an NHL player with that size and tenacity, but I think he has to work more to have the potential to be a top 6 player, and I don't think he'll ever be a 1st liner. Great pick for Montreal though.
18 Anahiem Ducks select SVEN BAERTSCHI
SWITZERLAND LEFT WING PORTLAND WHL
Becoming a Swiss haven, Anahiem selects Baertschi. Hes very talented and had an excellent rookie season in Portland. Anahiem has weak scoring depth and once Selanee is gone they'll have almost no winger depth outside the top line. Baerstchi is good to solve that problem.
19 Chicago Blawkhawks select SCOTT MAYFIELD
USA DEFENSE YOUNGSTOWN USHL
A John Carlson like defencemen, he has a lot of potential and would likely be higher if he went to Kitchener which he likely will next year. Chicago gets a good defensemen with significant potential, we'll see how he handles harder competition however.
20 Tampa Bay Lightning select NATHAN BEAULIEU
CANADA DEFENSE ST. JOHN QMHL
I am not high on Beaulieu at all and would have him ranked outside the top 30. But for a mock draft. He's a solid defensemen, but hes not anything with high potential IMO. But he's solid and moves the puck well.
21 Ottawa Senators (From Nashville) select NIKLAS JENSEN
DENMARK RIGHT WING OSHAWA OHL
Big winger who has powerforward potential, people expected at a bit more from him this season but hes got better as it went on. Ottawa gets a good winger here whose got the potential to be a top 6 powerforward.
22 Edmonton Oilers (From Los Angelas) select DMITRIJ JASKIN
CZECH RIGHT WING SLAVIA PRAHA O2
Jaskins a bit of an enimga. We don't here much about him but what we do its good. Edmonton gets another good Euro player who is better than his draft location suggests.
23 Torotno Maple Leafs (From Boston) select ZACK PHILLIPS
CANADA CENTER ST. JOHN QMJHL
Having a great year, riding a the unbeatable St John team and Huburdeau, stats don' tell the story here however. Good player with offense potential. Leafs fans really around the board with who they want, some will not like this pick.
24 Phoenix Coyotes select VLADISLAV NAMESNIKOV
RUSSIA CENTER LONDON OHL
Was much higher prior to the season, hes dropped quite a bit but there isn't a Russian factor with him. Had a solid 30+ goal season with London and has good upside. Phoenix isn't afraid to take him anyway even if he had a Russian factor however.
25 San Jose Sharks select ADAM CLENDENING
USA DEFENSE BOSTON U NCAA
San Jose goes off the board with this pick to get something they need. A PMD. Clendendings really had an underwhelming year. Was in the first round prior and now hes just dropped out. Based on that , he shouldn't be here, but San Jose takes him anyway and hopes he can develop
26 Detroit Red Wings select TOMAS JURCO
SLOVAKIA RIGHT WING ST. JOHN QMJHL
Dropped quite a bit due to an inconsistent year, he makes a lot of highlight real plays, but thats because the skills there. His work ethic suffers but regardless he has the desire and Detroit is very patient and if anyteam can develop a kid right its Detroit.
27 Pittsburgh Penguins select TY RATTIE
CANADA RIGHT WING PORTLAND WHL
I hate to have him this low, but I do. Started off strong and subsided a bit, hes still very talented Pittsburgh gets another good winger for their prospect pools.
28 Washington Capitals select JONAS BRODIN
SWEDEN DEFENSE FARGESTAD SEL
Washington is again a team with no direct need in their prospect pools, but Brodin regardless is a good pick. He’ll probably stay for a year or two in the SEL before coming over but he should solidify their prospect pools .
29 Toronto Maple Leafs (From Phillidelphia) select MARK SCHEIFELE
CANADA CENTER BARRIE OHL
One of the few picks that Leafs fans love no matter what. Scheifele has talent and hes solid on both sides of the puck. Burke loves to get him.
30 Vancouver Canucks select DAVID MUSIL
CZECH DEFENSE VANCOUVER WHL
Playing with the Giants in the same city, Vancouvers probably seen him a lot and automatically takes him. In the top 10 prior to the season hes dropped not due to bad play but because others have surpassed. Safe pick but not so much upside.
Standings based on 26 March before the games are all over. As I've said in the others I've done not a scouts opinion I haven't seen all the players.
1 Edmonton Oilers select ADAM LARSSON
SWEDEN DEFENSE SKELLEFTEA AIK SEL
Could go with RNH, but I'd pick Larsson. Franchise defensemen potential everyone knows about him. No real BPA at this pick, plenty of players who could go #1 so Oilers go with something that every championship team needs, a #1 2-way defensemen.
2 Colorado Avalanche select GABRIEL LANDESKOG
SWEDEN WINGER KITCHENER OHL
Colorado dying to pick Landeskog. Definition of a complete player, excellent defensively and contrary to what some people on this board think, he has plenty of offensive potential. Future captain.
3 Ottawa Senators select RYAN NUGENT-HOPKINS
CANADA CENTER RED DEER WHL
Ottawa misses out on Landeskog, but get someone whose still great. The most skilled forward in the draft and a very intelligent player.
4 Florida Panthers select SEAN COUTURIER
CANADA CENTER DRUMMONDVILLE QMJHL
Toss up between me picking Ryan Strome of Couturier. I think Strome has higher upside by Couturier is a very solid 2-way player. Tallon had Toews in Chicago, and while Couturier probably isn't as good, hes still great.
5 New York Islanders select RYAN MURPHY
CANADA DEFENSE KITCHENER OHL
Best offensive defencemen in the draft in a long time IMO. Runs the offense for a team, as demonstrated in Kitchener this year. If he was 6'2 190 lbs he would definitely be in the running for 1st overall. Hes not undersized like many people believe however. Islanders get their future #1 defensemen.
6 New Jersey Devils selecr RYAN STROME
CANADA CENTER NIAGRA OHL
2 huge needs for the Devils. A center and an offensive defensemen. Strome fits the former perfectly and is not a reach. Could be the Skinner of this draft and come into the NHL next year.
7 Atlanta Thrashers select JONATHAN HUBURDEAU
CANADA CENTER ST. JOHN QMJHL
Atlanta could probably use a winger more, but I don't think theres a good enough one to take with this pick so I have them taking the BPA pick. A future top 2 centers of Burmistrov and Huburdeau looks pretty great.
8 St Louis Blues select MIKA ZIBANEJAD
SWEDEN CENTER DJURGARDENS IF SEL
Bit of a reach you may say but I don't beleive it really is. This is where this draft gets interesting and we can really see some surprises. St Louis drafts a great Swedish center who should become a top 6 player for them at the least.
9 Columbus Blue Jackets select DOUGIE HAMILTON
CANADA DEFENSE NIAGRA OHL
Drop too far? Maybe but Colubmus would love if this happens. I don't agree with the offensive potential some people think he has but hes a very strong 2-Way defencemen and should be a solid NHL'er if his offense doesn't develop like I think it won't.
10 Boston Bruins (From Toronto) select DUNCAN SIEMENS
CANADA DEFENSE SASKATOON WHL
Boston just misses out on one of the defensemen they'd like to select. Siemens is a tough, defensive defensemen, who won't be mistaken for an offensive defensemen but he does have some potential there.
11 Minnesota Wild select JOEL ARMIA
FINLAND RIGHT WING ASSAT SMLIGGA
I wouldn't rank Armia this high but theres so much ambiguity here I beleive Minnie will go with Armia. They've had luck with Finnish players and Armia should develop well with them. Good goal scorer who has to work on other areas.
12 Carolina Hurricanes select BRANDON SAAD
USA LEFT WING SAGINAW OHL
Saad has dropped quite a bit, probably because hes got the prime Powerforward size, and hes very skilled, but hes it's almost tragic hes so soft. It's a hope he'll develop a physical side as its very possbile but he'll never have that mean streak. Carolina gets a big player with great upside regardless however.
13 Calgary Flames select MARK MCNEIL
CANADA CENTER PRINCE ALBERT WHL
Big physical powerforward esque center, his stats tell of a game that he doesn't quite have but he does have more offensive upside then some think IMO. Calgary gets their center and their bleak prospect polls looks a bit better now.
14 Dallas Stars select JAMIE OLEKSIAK
USA/CANADA DEFENSE NORTHEASTERN NCAA
I hope Dallas makes the playoffs but if they don't I really hope they get Oleksiak. Like another big man Myers, he is an excellent skater at the same age, but Oleksiak is huge. With that skating and that height, he has immense upside. Dallas loves this pick.
15 Buffalo Sabres select ALEXANDER KHOKHLACHEV
RUSSIA CENTER WINDSOR OHL
The Sabres miss out on both centers they would like to pick after the Top 4 centers in Zibanejad and McNeil, but they pick Khokhlachev. They don't gennerally pick Russians but cycles can always be broken. Commited to North America and if not rushed will stay.
16 New York Rangers select MATT PEUMPAL
CANADA LEFT WING PETERBOUROUGH OHL
Fell quite a bit because of a percieved lack luster season and the injury, but Puempal still is an excellent sniper and was orginally the Jeff Skinner of this draft. New York gets a good one.
17 Montreal Canadiens select TYLER BIGGS
USA WINGER US NTDP
A lot of people would put Biggs a lot higher than me. I don't agree. Very safe NHL pick, should be an NHL player with that size and tenacity, but I think he has to work more to have the potential to be a top 6 player, and I don't think he'll ever be a 1st liner. Great pick for Montreal though.
18 Anahiem Ducks select SVEN BAERTSCHI
SWITZERLAND LEFT WING PORTLAND WHL
Becoming a Swiss haven, Anahiem selects Baertschi. Hes very talented and had an excellent rookie season in Portland. Anahiem has weak scoring depth and once Selanee is gone they'll have almost no winger depth outside the top line. Baerstchi is good to solve that problem.
19 Chicago Blawkhawks select SCOTT MAYFIELD
USA DEFENSE YOUNGSTOWN USHL
A John Carlson like defencemen, he has a lot of potential and would likely be higher if he went to Kitchener which he likely will next year. Chicago gets a good defensemen with significant potential, we'll see how he handles harder competition however.
20 Tampa Bay Lightning select NATHAN BEAULIEU
CANADA DEFENSE ST. JOHN QMHL
I am not high on Beaulieu at all and would have him ranked outside the top 30. But for a mock draft. He's a solid defensemen, but hes not anything with high potential IMO. But he's solid and moves the puck well.
21 Ottawa Senators (From Nashville) select NIKLAS JENSEN
DENMARK RIGHT WING OSHAWA OHL
Big winger who has powerforward potential, people expected at a bit more from him this season but hes got better as it went on. Ottawa gets a good winger here whose got the potential to be a top 6 powerforward.
22 Edmonton Oilers (From Los Angelas) select DMITRIJ JASKIN
CZECH RIGHT WING SLAVIA PRAHA O2
Jaskins a bit of an enimga. We don't here much about him but what we do its good. Edmonton gets another good Euro player who is better than his draft location suggests.
23 Torotno Maple Leafs (From Boston) select ZACK PHILLIPS
CANADA CENTER ST. JOHN QMJHL
Having a great year, riding a the unbeatable St John team and Huburdeau, stats don' tell the story here however. Good player with offense potential. Leafs fans really around the board with who they want, some will not like this pick.
24 Phoenix Coyotes select VLADISLAV NAMESNIKOV
RUSSIA CENTER LONDON OHL
Was much higher prior to the season, hes dropped quite a bit but there isn't a Russian factor with him. Had a solid 30+ goal season with London and has good upside. Phoenix isn't afraid to take him anyway even if he had a Russian factor however.
25 San Jose Sharks select ADAM CLENDENING
USA DEFENSE BOSTON U NCAA
San Jose goes off the board with this pick to get something they need. A PMD. Clendendings really had an underwhelming year. Was in the first round prior and now hes just dropped out. Based on that , he shouldn't be here, but San Jose takes him anyway and hopes he can develop
26 Detroit Red Wings select TOMAS JURCO
SLOVAKIA RIGHT WING ST. JOHN QMJHL
Dropped quite a bit due to an inconsistent year, he makes a lot of highlight real plays, but thats because the skills there. His work ethic suffers but regardless he has the desire and Detroit is very patient and if anyteam can develop a kid right its Detroit.
27 Pittsburgh Penguins select TY RATTIE
CANADA RIGHT WING PORTLAND WHL
I hate to have him this low, but I do. Started off strong and subsided a bit, hes still very talented Pittsburgh gets another good winger for their prospect pools.
28 Washington Capitals select JONAS BRODIN
SWEDEN DEFENSE FARGESTAD SEL
Washington is again a team with no direct need in their prospect pools, but Brodin regardless is a good pick. He’ll probably stay for a year or two in the SEL before coming over but he should solidify their prospect pools .
29 Toronto Maple Leafs (From Phillidelphia) select MARK SCHEIFELE
CANADA CENTER BARRIE OHL
One of the few picks that Leafs fans love no matter what. Scheifele has talent and hes solid on both sides of the puck. Burke loves to get him.
30 Vancouver Canucks select DAVID MUSIL
CZECH DEFENSE VANCOUVER WHL
Playing with the Giants in the same city, Vancouvers probably seen him a lot and automatically takes him. In the top 10 prior to the season hes dropped not due to bad play but because others have surpassed. Safe pick but not so much upside.