NHL Entry Draft: Mad March Mock

[TinordiandSubban]

This time of year I have a powerful compulsion to post mock drafts.

Standings will change tomorrow, maybe I'll do another one then.

1 1-1

Blue Jackets – Nail Yakupov, RW, Sarnia (OHL)
After Filatov and Zherdev, Jackets hope third time is the charm.

2 1-2

Canadiens – Mikhail Grigorenko, C, Quebec (QMJHL)
Big, smart, skilled, charismatic and plays in the Q. How can they not pick him?

3 1-3

Oilers – Ryan Murray, D, Everett (WHL)
Makes the Oilers better right away with his savvy two-way game.

4 1-4

Wild – Filip Forsberg, RW, Leksands (SWE)
Can choose from Koivu, Granlund and Larsson for his center.

5 1-5

Islanders – Alex Galchenyuk, C, Sarnia (OHL)
Isles may need D but Gally has star power and can entice fans to pay for tickets.

6 1-6

Maple Leafs - Malcolm Subban, G, Belleville (OHL)
Jaws drop, but he has the ability to solve Leafs biggest need very soon.

7 1-7

Ducks - Matt Dumba, D, Red Deer (WHL)
After Schultz defects, Dumba gives them an explosive blue line talent to replace him.

8 1-8

Hurricanes – Radek Faksa, C, Kitchener (OHL)
Third Ranger in a row plays smart two-way game and can shift to the wing if needed.

9 1-9

Lightning – Jacob Trouba, D, USNTP (USHL)
Will very soon make an ideal partner for Hedman on the top pairing.

10 1-10

Jets – Griffin Reinhart, D, Edmonton (WHL)
Size and mobility makes a nice complement to Buff and Bogo on the Jets D.

11 1-11

Sabres – Teuvo Teravainen, LW, Jokerit (FIN)
Smallish sniper plays a feisty game and could line up well with Armia and Hodgson.

12 1-12

Capitals- Sebastian Collberg, RW, Vastra (SWE)
Sniper’s instincts and blazing speed, could give the Caps another 30goal scorer.

13 1-13

Flames – Morgan Rielly, D, Moose Jaw (WHL)
Lost a season to injury but has the elite puck-moving skills they hoped JBow would bring.

14 1-14

Kings – Martin Frk, RW, Halifax ( QMJHL)
Up the board but Kings gamble a bit with big Czech as they need scoring wingers.

15 1-15
- Brendan Gaunce, C, Belleville (OHL)
Bullish center gives the Caps some size and sandpaper down the middle.

16 1-16

Coyotes – Zemgus Girgensons, C, Dubuque, (USHL)
Plays a solid all around game and is very coachable, perfect for the Phoenix system.

17 1-17

Stars – Cody Ceci, D, Ottawa (OHL)
Big defender can carry the mail and has a heavy shot from the point.

18 1-18

Panthers – Derrick Pouliot, D, Portland (WHL)
Very mobile and active puck-mover, next in line behind Jovo and Campbell.

19 1-19
-
Senators – Olli Maatta, D, London (OHL)
Solid and safe defender, heir apparent to Phillips as shutdown D in Ottawa.

20 1-20

Sharks - Matt Finn, D, Guelph (OHL)
Future fan favorite, a Shark named Finn is a potential gold mine in merchandising.

21 1-21

Devils – Hampus Lindholm, D, Rogle (SWE)
Devils can’t forfeit this pick when a perfect partner for Larsson is on the board.

22 1-22

Bruins – Dalton Thrower, D, Saskatoon (WHL)
Fan favorite for his name alone, wait till Bruins fans see him actually throw ‘em.

23 1-23

Blackhawks – Andrei Vasilevski, G, UFA (RUS)
Showed flashes of stunning form and technique at WJC, worth the risk at this point.

24 1-24

Sabres – Scott Kosmachuk, RW, Guelph (OHL)
Big winger can shoot em down and drop em, replaces some toughness left by Kassian.

25 1-25

Flyers – Henrik Samuelsson, RW, Edmonton, (WHL)
Son of former Penguin plays a hard checking two way game and has room to grow.

26 1-26

Lightning – Boo Nieves, LW, Indiana (USHL)
Will play at Michigan with Trouba, has size and great wheels, could grow into a Top6 role.

27 1-27

Penguins – Thomas Hertl, LW, Slavia Prague (CZE)
Could be a steal based on his strong play in Czech league, future winger for Malkin.

28 1-28

Canucks - Pontus Aberg, LW, Djugarden (SWE)
Top 10 talent slides to Canucks, could be the sniper for Sedins’ line.

29 1-29

Rangers - Stefan Matteau, C, USNTP (USHL)
Son of former Ranger reclaimed for more than his name. He’s a Torts kind of guy!

30 1-30

Blues – Slater Koekoek, D, Peterborough (OHL)
Solid character missed most of the season but is a home run at this point for Blues.

Early 2nd round Gems:
Colton Sissons, C, Kelowna (WHL)
Ludvik Bystrom, D, MoDo (SWE)
Ville Pokka, D, Karpat (FIN)
Jarrod Maidens, C, Owen Sound (OHL)
Mike Winther, C, Prince Albert (WHL)
Nic Kerdiles, C, USNTP (USHL)
Tim Bozon, LW, Kamloops. (WHL)

[Joey Moss]

Leafs fans would rage.

[DuckJet]

Originally Posted by Joey Moss

Leafs fans would rage.

I think they'd rage about anyone not named Galchenyuk.

[TribalPhoenix]

Quick question... if the Leafs wanted to take Subban, why wouldn't they trade down to the 20-25 spot, and take him there? Hell, could probably get both 9 and 26 from Tampa or 11 and 24 from Buffalo for a spot at 6th overall.

Hell, maybe even Pittsburgh would want to make a splash in their own barn and come up with some crazy package for it (i.e. 27th, 57th, and 2013 1st for it).

Unlikely for the Pens, but wouldn't surprise me at all for them to move down with Tampa or Buffalo if they wanted a guy like Subban who may not even go in the 1st.

[Evgeni Giroux]

Just curious what you guys think this package could move buffalo to for draft poistion

2012 1st BUF (11th)
2012 1st NSH (20th)
Luke Adam

could this get them top 5?

[SeenSchenn2]

Originally Posted by DuckJet

I think they'd rage about anyone not named Galchenyuk.

We're pretty content with Galchenyuk, Forsberg, Grigorenko, Murray, or Rielly.

Subban at 6... Toronto would be in flames.

[grits207]

The Leafs need an established goalie who can play now, not another prospect for Francois Allaire to ruin.

Originally Posted by Evgeni Giroux

Just curious what you guys think this package could move buffalo to for draft poistion

2012 1st BUF (11th)
2012 1st NSH (20th)
Luke Adam

could this get them top 5?

I think the Leafs would be willing to trade the 5th or 6th pick for that if Galchenyuk is gone. It would allow them to get Faksa, Gaunce or Girgensons with the 11th pick and then use the 20th pick for either a goalie or a guy like Tom Wilson (not saying he would be worth being drafted 20th, but you know Brian Burke would at least consider it).

Not sure why the Sabres would want to do that trade though.

[pooleboy]

Originally Posted by DuckJet

I think they'd rage about anyone not named Galchenyuk.

This

[pooleboy]

Originally Posted by grits207

The Leafs need an established goalie who can play now, not another prospect for Francois Allaire to ruin.



I think the Leafs would be willing to trade the 5th or 6th pick for that if Galchenyuk is gone. It would allow them to get Faksa, Gaunce or Girgensons with the 11th pick and then use the 20th pick for either a goalie or a guy like Tom Wilson (not saying he would be worth being drafted 20th, but you know Brian Burke would at least consider it).

Not sure why the Sabres would want to do that trade though.

Yea I can see this as well. I hope Burke grabs Galchenyuck tho, I don't think he will go for a goalie, the Leafs are looking for a more imediate solution at goal

[Nasty Nazem]

Leafs are not going to draft a goaltender with their 1st pick or really anywhere in the first round if they had another pick because you would have to wait at least 4-5 years before that goaltender becomes good, if he does ever.

While Leafs do need a goaltender, they have quite a few in their pipeline (Scrivens, Owuya, Rynnas, Sparks and Reimer on the NHL roster). These are all young goalies with potential. They are more likely to trade for a more established goaltender or sign one if there is a good one available.

If those 4 big forwards aren't available, Leafs will likely either trade down for Gaunce or Faksa or draft a high end defensemen (Dumba, Murray, Trouba etc..).

I would honestly rage if Leafs selected Subban. If you wanna do it, fine but get a late 1st rounder and do it.

[MPStoEberletoHall]

Originally Posted by Evgeni Giroux

Just curious what you guys think this package could move buffalo to for draft poistion

2012 1st BUF (11th)
2012 1st NSH (20th)
Luke Adam

could this get them top 5?

I'd trade the oilers pick for that