I've got the first 14 picks of my Mock NHL Draft ready, so I figured I'd post them. I'll post the remaining 16 picks sometime later this week, although that will probably be a complete crapshoot.
1. St Louis Blues- Erik Johnson, Defenseman, USA NTDP U18
Comment: The Blues could also use a talented scoring forward, but they need so much help right now that they have to take the best available player.
2. Pittsburgh Penguins- Jordan Staal, Forward, Peterborough(OHL)
Comment: The Staal's are like the Canadian version of the Kennedys. After seeing the way Eric has developed, and his impressive fitness tests, I think Jordan goes a little higher than most people think. If Johnson doesn't go first, he'll definitely be picked here.
3. Chicago Blackhawks- Jonathan Toews, Forward, North Dakota
Comment: Toews is a very good all-around player and should be a good NHLer for a very long time. Chicago has said that they want to sign their pick right away, so this is bad news for North Dakota fans.
4. Washington Capitals- Phil Kessel, Forward, Minnesota
Comment: The Caps want an elite offensive talent to play alongside of Alexander Ovechkin.
5. Boston Bruins- Nicklas Backstrom, Forward, Brynas(Sweden)
Comment: The Bruins would probably like to pick a defenseman, but there's no defenseman available worth picking this high. They may try to trade down. Backstrom would an incredible value for a 5th pick though.
6. Columbus Blue Jackets-Peter Mueller, Forward, Everett(WHL)
Comment: There seems to be a bit of a gap between the top 5 players, and the next group of 5 players, but Mueller seems to be considered the best of that next group.
7. New York Islanders-Derick Brassard, Forward, Drummondville(QMJHL)
Comment: The Islanders need scoring help, and Brassard should be able to help with that.
8. Phoenix Coyotes- Michael Frolik, Forward, Kladno(Czech Republic)
Comment: Frolik's stock has dropped a lot this year, but the Coyotes need a high-scoring forward, and while I don't think Frolik is a sure thing, he's got that potential.
9. Minnesota Wild-Jiri Tlusty, Forward, Kladno(Czech Republic)
Comment: The Wild could pick local kid Kyle Okposo, but they'll probably be more interested in picking the best two-way player available. There's also the possibility of the Wild trying to move up to take one of the top forwards, but I don't think they'll make the deal.
10. Florida Panthers- Nigel Williams, Defenseman, USA NTDP U18
Comment: Mike Keenan will be looking to add a defenseman, and while Williams might be a bit of a stretch this early, he has a better physical upside than Bobby Sanguinetti or Chris Summers.
11. Los Angeles Kings- Jonathan Bernier, Goalie, Lewiston(QMJHL)
Comment: Matt Zaba is rated as the best goalie in the Kings system. That's not good. They could also use a defenseman, but will decide to take the best goalie in the draft instead.
12. Atlanta Thrashers- James Sheppard, Forward, Cape Breton(QMJHL)
Comment: Atlanta could use a skilled center, and Sheppard could easily be a top 6 or 7 pick.
13. Toronto Maple Leafs- Kyle Okposo, Forward, Des Moines(USHL)
Comment: The three things Hockey's Future feels the Leafs need: 1. A goal scorer to play with their finishers. 2. Young guys to play on the wings 3. A player with speed and toughness. That describes Okposo perfectly.
14. Vancouver Canucks- Bryan Little, Forward, Barrie(OHL)
Comment: Little has the potential to go much earlier in the draft, but with the number of quality forwards available, I'm guessing he gets shuffled to the bottom.
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4 comments:
Okposo to the wild at 9. Bernier wont go that high either.
there is a rumor that Carolina will trade up to #2 and take Jordan. I have heard they would part with Jack Johnson to move up.
That'd be a big mistake, IMO. But for the Penguins it'd be a good deal...they need Dmen awfully bad.
If the Carolina rumor doesn't happen (which would be very bad news for Michigan fans since I think Jack would be very tempted to leave and play with his good friend Crosby), I don't think the Penguins take Staal. He's another center and with Malkin coming over from Russia next year the Pens are loaded down the middle.
I think the Pens are more likely to take Kessel, since I think (along with others) that he projects as a winger in the NHL and would be ideal to finish off Crosby's passes. Washington desperately needs a true center to play with Ovechkin and I think it's more likely Staal goes there.
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