1. Blues (Current Lottery Winner) Ryan Nugent-Hopkins It could be a tough decision between chosing between Nugent-Hopkins and likely Calder Trophy winner, Landeskog. When it comes down to two individuals with such talent, you have to assume that the Blues would be after Ryan Nugent-Hopkins at this spot. With all of the Oilers fans in the league, I wouldn't be surprised if we see a trade for this spot (looking at the Maple Leafs to make some trade action) in the draft at a heavy cost.
2. Lightning Gabriel Landeskog After a tough year in what appears to be an attempt at the #1 overall pick, the Lightning walk away with #2. This may be an easier selection for the Lightning, though. Without the stress and trade offers of the first overall pick, the Lightning can sit back and enjoy their potential rookie of the year in Landeskog.
3. Blue Jackets Jonathan Huberdeau Another tough decision must be made at the 3rd overall position in this draft. After RNH and Landskog are obvious selections at #1 and #2, the Blue Jackets encounter a full different issue. With a very stable defense already, I see the Blue Jackets helping their weak offense with Huberdeau. After a 72 point season in only 37 games in the QMJHL, Huberdeau has added 14 points so far in the 2 sweeps the Sea Dogs have already in the playoffs.
4. Canadiens Adam Larsson Just knowing that the player they want won't be there at 4 (Huberdeau), the Canadiens take the top defenseman in the draft in Larsson. Already in the NHL, Larsson would immediately start for the Canadiens. Larsson will still need some development becoming the player he wants to be (Lidstrom), but the Canadiens will gladly let him develop through their own rebuilding phase.
5. Canadiens (From: Bruins) Ryan Strome Having back-to-back picks this early in the draft isn't where the Canadiens expected to be when they made the Jonathan Quick trade earlier this year. With the offense full of older players and UFAs, the Canadiens need to reconstruct their offensive talent. Larsson gives the Canadiens the defensive future of the squad, and Strome will eventually lead the scoring for the Habs.
6. Penguins Sean Couturier Hurting more than the Canadiens up front, the Penguins need to address their offensive side of the puck now. Couturier offers talent NOW for the Penguins. His dominance on both sides of the puck already in the NHL playoffs makes Couturier an easier selection at the #6 spot.
7. Jets (From: Sharks) Dougie Hamilton One spot that may be considered weak on the Jets roster is their devensive core. They obviously have high-end talent all around, but I see a few gaps in their defense with older players. For this reason, I see the Jets taking Hamilton as a future defenseman for their squad.
8. Jets (From: Capitals) Mark Scheifele Like the real Jets, I see the Jets of BRHL2 taking their first round selection, Scheifele, as well. Always willing to make a move, I don't know if this pick or the prior pick will remain with the Jets, but I could easily see Scheifele taking his time through development and minors while he waits to put on the Jets uniform.
9. Oilers Mika Zibanejad Even though there's only a couple bright spots on their defensive end, I can't see the Oilers not selecting a forward at this position. Zibanejad has touched the NHL, and with an young excellent Senators club, he is looking forward to a great career.
10. Maple Leafs Duncan Siemens Although I am expecting the Maple Leafs to be in play for the #1 or #2 overall picks to strengthen an already strong offense, the Leafs would be expected to select the next Scott Stevens. Siemens has an easier path to the NHL than Jonas Brodin, giving him the 10th overall selection.
11. Flames
Jonas Brodin
If there's anything this team doesn't need, it is more prospects. The Flames organization is ready to burst of all of it's young talent. It's taken multiple suffering years, but the Flames are grabbing pieces to win in the near future. Best player available for the Flames with Jonas Brodin
12. Avalanche (From: Stars)
Ryan Murphy
I can see the Avalanche taking a forward like Armia to increase the talents up front, but I really see the Avalanche addressing it's defense that has a few flaws. Murphy adds an offensive presence to the blue line in Colorado that it is currently lacking.
13. Red Wings
Joe Morrow
Staying consistent with picks from years past, the Red Wings will look to acquire Joe Morrow. Being drafted this high may be a slight stretch, and a trade may occur to gain a few more draft picks. If Morrow is not selected by the Wings or if they end up higher in the draft, they will likely go with best defender.
14. Rangersto
J.T. Miller
After going with Gudbranson last year, I wouldn't be surprised if the Rangers drafted a blue line partner for a great 1-2 punch. However, just like their NHL partners, the Rangers will look at J.T. Miller to give the Rangers a future 1-2 punch down the middle with Couture and Miller.
15. Canucks (From: Jets)
Joel Armia
Another team with a ton of prospects, the Canucks are having a great season with some aged veterans. Expect the Canucks to address their front since their defense looks so promising for the future. Armia is a prospect that may take a while to enter the NHL, but with all of the prospects the Canucks already have about to step in, the Canucks can wait a couple seasons.
16. Boston (From: Hurricanes)
Oscar Klefbom
Another team that may look to keep with their hometown team's roots, expect the Bruins to come home from the draft with the Oiler's Klefbom. I don't think the Bruins keep this current position in the draft, though. With new roots for his family, the Boston GM may make a strong move towards the top 2 picks and go for Landeskog.
17. Wild
Sven Bartschi
The Wild were one of my tougher teams to decide who they choose at this position. If there was a good enough goalie prospect available before their next pick, I would have gone that route. Picking up best player available in Bartschi, the Wild solidify their left side.
18. Islanders
Mark McNeill
One of the surprise teams this year in the BRHL2, the Islanders had enough time in the lottery positions and are in a great position to make the playoffs. The Isles don't quite have a top center, even though Benn can play the position. I see McNeill playing with Benn, though, in the future.
19. Canadiens (From: Panthers)
Tomas Jurco
The Canadiens third first rounder will help build up their own prospect field. Tomas Jurco may already be chosen by this point in the draft, but if he is still available, expect him to be picked up quite quickly by the Canadiens to help replace that old offensive front.
20. Jets (From: Canucks)
Nathan Beaulieu
This is the third Jets first rounder, as well. I expect the Jets to reach deep into the draft on this pick, but to keep things relatively simple for this mock draft, I can see the Jets going back to the blue line and selecting either Beaulieu or Oleksiak.
21. Maple Leafs (From: Senators)
Matt Puempel
It took a few minutes to decide whether or not the Leafs would take their NHL counterpart's selection in Tyler Biggs or not. With Biggs in Miami for college, there's a possibility of him dropping into the late 1st or early 2nd round. Puempel has skated in the AHL already and had put up consistent numbers before signing his contract.
22. Sabres
Jamie Oleksiak
Currently the second ranked team in the East is sitting with the 22nd overall pick, wow. With a full roster of talent, it's really hard to address any needs for this squad now. The only position that the Sabres would be looking for making their defense a little younger. Expect the Sabres to thank everyone else for letting Oleksiak to drop.
23. Coyotes
Connor Murphy
The Coyotes are looking for a rental defenseman in the BRHL2, and they will be looking for a permanent defenseman in the draft as well. I hate having so many teams pick their NHL's teams picks, but to me, this one is a no brainer. Murphy is best defender available for Phoenix
24. Devils
Andrew Shaw
With the current roster, the Devils have defied some projections and shot up the Eastern Conference standings. Contract heavy on the backside, expect the Devils to select a forward here. Although there will be plenty of reaches in every BRHL2 draft, I see the Devils selecting Andrew Shaw for next years stats.
25. Avalanche (From: Ducks)
Stefan Noesen
With this and the next pick, I see the Avalanche going for a few years down the road. They may even take the chance on Tyler Biggs, but I really believe he will be chosen by a Leafs fan early or drop out of the first round. BPA other than Biggs for the Avalanche on this and the next pick.
26. Avalanche
Stuart Percy
Percy could very well be chosen already to a Leafs fan. I like what the Avalanche end up with in this mock draft. Their roster could use a couple tweaks through FA, but with their positions in this first round, they can easily build up their prospect list.
27. Predators
Vladislav Namestnikov
Another team that is just set up pretty well, the Predators have their pickings at this late in the draft. For future face-offs, I expect the Predators to go with a center, Namestnikov. Yzerman can bring Namestnikov down from the OHL in the NHL real easily after his progress he's already shown.
28. Kings
Xavier Ouellet
The Kings are another great story for the BRHL2 season. Their squad, outside of the pipes, wouldn't be one you'd expect in the #2 seed in the Western Conference. I see some defensive assistance in this draft pick. The Kings reach a little farther down and pick up Xavier Ouellet.
29. Flames (From: Flyers)
Tyler Biggs
To no surprise, the Flames have yet another selection in a BRHL2 draft. This is by no means an attack at the Flames. Their squad is STACKED with prospects, and the Flames have the odds in their favor when it comes to pick results. I can see the Flames going after Boone Jenner, but with time to kill on some other prospects in development, Tyler Biggs fits in perfectly.
30. Blackhawks
David Musil
What do the Hawks really need? I don't expect them to go too aggressive in the draft towards forwards. David Musil could grab the attention of the Oilers fans out there. Otherwise, Blackhawks may go BPA.
-- Edited by chimoty on Monday 16th of April 2012 07:49:05 PM
i love the read.. i was hoping other ppl can write more articles.. i seem to do too much of it.. was hoping more ppl have time.. one thing... how did you get boston's first rounder... cause in the prospect page it still shows boston having it..
i love the read.. i was hoping other ppl can write more articles.. i seem to do too much of it.. was hoping more ppl have time.. one thing... how did you get boston's first rounder... cause in the prospect page it still shows boston having it..
It's part of the Quick trade...I have to pay league fees to trade 2 Bos and 3 MTL back to Boston to get it
