1. Columbus Blue Jackets - RW - Nail Yakupov, Sarnia Sting
There is no other option for the Blue Jackets if they keep the number one pick. Yakupov is the cream of the crop and to overlook him would be a huge mistake.
2. Montreal Canadians - C -Mikhail Grigorenko, Quebec Ramparts
They want a big centreman, and by falling to 29th spot, they get him. Now the question is, will Grigorenko play big in the NHL? The Patrick Roy connection makes this pick a no-brainer for the Habs.
3. Edmonton Oilers - D - Ryan Murray, Everett Silvertips
Edmonton has a lot of solid defensive prospects, but Murray is a stud, and should make the jump straight to the big club next year. He may not help right away, but in a couple of years he will be the cornerstone of the defense.
4. Minnesota Wild - LW - Filip Forsberg, Leksands
The Wild need to address the lack of goal scoring on the big club, and with Forsberg, Coyle, Granlund now in the mix, they may have a solution to their problem. However, Forsberg is likely a couple years away from making a difference.
5. New York Islanders - D - Mathew Dumba, Red Deer Rebels
The Islanders have a lot of good prospects on defense and forward. Dumba has the ability to be a top pairing defender and would likely be a great complement to de Haan.
6. Carolina Hurricanes - C - Radek Faksa, Kitchener Rangers
The Hurricanes have missed Rod Brind'Amour since he retired, and I see a lot of Brind'Amour's two-way ability in Faksa. He should be a very solid option for them behind Staal.
7. Anaheim Ducks - RW - Sebastian Collberg, Frolunda Jr.
The Ducks may blow things up if they believe Ryan Getzlaf is a 10 goal/season centre. If that's the case they likely take Galchenyuk here. For now though, I have them taking the goal scoring Swede. He has elite offensive skills, and along with Etem and Holland will give them a second line behind the big three.
8. Toronto Maple Leafs - C - Alex Galchenyuk, Sarnia Sting
The Leafs couldn't be happier. Galchenyuk is a top three talent, but the knee injury has knocked him down a bit. He is definitely better than an eighth pick, but he will have to show something in the playoffs to nail down a higher spot.
9. Tampa Bay Lightning - D - Morgan Rielly, Moose Jaw Warriors
Imagine a Rielly/Hedman combo. Tampa can't pass that up, and even with Rielly's injury history they take a chance on his immense skillset. They have shown the willingness in the past to draft an injured player... see Brett Connolly.
10. Winnipeg Jets - RW - Teuvo Teravainen, Jokerit
Off the board goes Chevaldayoff for the second straight year. Winnipeg is a battling team. They have solid defense, great goaltending, but they lack offense. Teravainen has been called by some the best offensive player in this draft behind Yakupov, and that is what the Jets are hoping for. Perhaps he can become the next Selanne for them.
11. Calgary Flames - C - Brendan Gaunce, Belleville Bulls
Gaunce is a solid bet to become a third line centre in the NHL. He has the ability however to be something better than that. He needs to improve his skating, but if he does, Calgary may have found their big centreman.
12. Buffalo Sabres - C - Zemgus Girgensons, Dubuque
The Sabres want to get bigger, and Girgensons addresses that need. He also fills the void that was left when Paul Gaustad was traded. A sure-bet to be an NHLer, the only question is if his offense will translate into a top six role.
13. Washington Capitals(Colorado) - D - Jacob Trouba, USNTDP
I can't believe that I have Trouba falling this far, but we all know the tendancy of teams to draft forwards, and with such a deep prospect pool in this draft on defence, I see many teams trying to grab forwards early. Washington is the benefactor of that tendancy as they get a solid defenseman at 13.
14. San Jose Sharks - D - Griffin Reinhart, Edmonton Oil Kings
I love Reinhart's game, and it should translate well to the NHL. I doubt the Sharks end up out of the playoffs, but if they do, they'll be ecstatic to land Reinhart at 14.
15. Washington Capitals - C - Tomas Hertl, Slavia
He's already playing with men in the Czech Republic and showing well, so the likelihood of that translating across the pond is quite good. He may end up on the wing, but his tenacious style of play should be welcome in Washington.
16. Ottawa Senators - D - Cody Ceci, Ottawa 67’s
The fans are ecstatic because the Senators draft a kid from their hometown team. The Sens are ecstatic because he is a solid defenseman.
17. Los Angeles Kings - D - Derrick Pouliot, Portland Winterhawks
Voynov has graduated, Hickey has plateaued, and Teubert was traded away. The Kings need to stock the shelf on defense, and Pouliot proved at the Top Prospects Game that he can be a solid defenseman.
18. Phoenix Coyotes - RW - Colton Sissons, Kelowna Rockets
I really don’t know where the Coyotes will look as they have a solid stable of prospects and young players at all positions. I believe Sissons could hold Doan’s torch as captain when he is gone, and their styles of play are quite similar.
19. New Jersey Devils - G - Andrei Vasilevski, Ufa 2
He’s got all the skills. He very much reminds me of Kiprusoff in his style. Will he cross the pond? Having Kovalchuk locked up for the long term could help Jersey’s case.
20. Chicago Blackhawks - LW - Pontus Aberg, Djurgarden
A creative winger who can play in tight spaces. Works hard at both ends of the ice.
21. Tampa Bay Lightning(Detroit) - G - Malcolm Subban, Belleville Bulls
I’m not sold on Tokarski, and I don’t know if the Lightning can pass up the opportunity to get a franchise goaltender of the future.
22. Buffalo Sabres(Nashville) - RW - Thomas Wilson, Plymouth Whalers
I honestly don’t see Wilson’s talents as first round talents at this point, so I think the team that drafts him is going to have to wait quite some time to reap the rewards. The Sabres waited on Kassian and Adam, so I can see they have patience, and Wilson just might replace Kassian’s skillset if he adds offense to his game. Seeing as he is their second first rounder, the fans should be able to wait for Wilson to develop also.
23. Philadelphia Flyers - D - Olli Maatta, London Knights
Philly needs defensive prospects, and if Maatta’s game continues to grow, they have a gem at 23. Defensively, he is already among the best in this draft class.
24. Pittsburgh Penguins - C - Henrik Samuelsson, Edmonton Oil Kings
Big and skilled. The Penguins have drafted some wingers to play with their big centremen. At some point, I have to think one of their centres will be moved, and that is when Henrik will be ready to play at this level.
25. Florida Panthers - RW - Martin Frk, Halifax Mooseheads
The Panthers have such a great stable of prospects that they can afford to draft Frk and allow him to develop and fine-tune his skills in the Q after missing much of this season to injury.
26. Dallas Stars - D - Slater Koekkoek, Peterborough Petes
He falls due to injury, but with the Stars prospect pool on defense, it is a pretty good situation to fall into.
27. Boston Bruins - D - Brady Skjei, USNTDP
The second dman to be drafted from the USNTDP in the first round, he will take some time to develop, but the Bruins are deep at the NHL level, and have time to let their prospects develop right now.
28. Vancouver Canucks - D - Matt Finn, Guelph Storm
Solid all-around defenseman should round out the Canucks prospect pool quite nicely after selecting Jensen last year. Salo’s days are numbered, and Rome will likely not be back next season, so the farm will start to get depleted.
29. New York Rangers - G - Oscar Dansk, Brynas
By the time Lundqvist’s time in New York is up, Dansk should have a couple of years under him as the backup, much like the Schneider/Luongo or Thomas/Rask situations right now. A smart move for the Rangers to address the position well in advance of it becoming an issue.
30. St.Louis Blues - D - Hampus Lindholm, Rogle
A smart player who plays a solid 2-way game. I couldn’t imagine a first-round go by without someone getting to call a Swedish defenseman the next Lidstrom, so the Blues throw the panel a bone here. They are getting a nice prospect at the same time.
Last edited by PKSpecialist: 03-27-2012 at 10:55 PM.
To comment on this draft, I must say I have studied a lot of footage and read a ton about this years prospects. The knock on this draft in my opinion is a lack of high-end offensive talent. Their appears to be a handful of offensive forwards, but most of the prospects are more likely to become good third liners or average second liners as opposed to top line players. The draft is deep with players who should become solid bottom six forwards though, and I think there are several sleepers on defense who could be had in the second and third rounds.
Good Islanders pick considering how the previous picks fall. I don't think Faska goes before Galchenyuk or Reilly goes before Trouba, but we've all been wrong before when it comes to guaranteeing one player won't be drafted ahead of another.
You wanna throw out any names for these defensive sleepers who could be had in the 2nd or 3rd?
Good Islanders pick considering how the previous picks fall. I don't think Faska goes before Galchenyuk or Reilly goes before Trouba, but we've all been wrong before when it comes to guaranteeing one player won't be drafted ahead of another.
You wanna throw out any names for these defensive sleepers who could be had in the 2nd or 3rd?
I will post my 2nd and 3rd rounds today or tomorrow, but just to throw out a handful of names: Ludvig Bystrom, Dalton Thrower, Dillon Fournier, Damon Severson and Gianluca Curcuruto.
with guys like maata, finn and Koekkoek possibly on the board, and having to forfiet a pick this or next year I don't know if the devils will take a goalie in the first round, specially one that may not come over, when they have wedgewood and kinkaid in the system already. i see more goalies taken in the 3 or 4th round for them.
They'd take Galchenyuk in a heart-beat if they got the chance. And if he wasn't available, Trouba. And if he wasn't available, Ceci. Ducks don't pick Collberg unless they're picking with a playoff pick.
31. Columbus Blue Jackets - D - Ludvig Bystrom, MoDo
Will take a while to develop, but another solid Swedish defense prospect.
32. Montreal Canadians - LW - Daniil Zharkov, Belleville Bulls
A big goal scoring Russian. Could develop chemistry with Grigorenko.
33. Edmonton Oilers - LW - Phil di Giuseppe, Michigan
The Oilers need forward depth, and they like speed.
34. Tampa Bay Lightning(Minnesota) - LW - Stefan Matteau, USNTDP
Good character and leadership qualities.
35. New York Islanders - LW - Nicolas Kerdiles, USNTDP
Probably the best offensive player on the USNTDP.
36. Carolina Hurricanes - D - Damon Severson, Kelowna Rockets
My personal favorite defenseman of the draft. Could go as high as 25 if more teams go defense in the first round.
37. Anaheim Ducks - D - Ville Pokka, Karpat
Two way defender who will play the body.
38. Toronto Maple Leafs - RW - Brian Hart, Exeter
Another American for Burke?
39. Tampa Bay Lightning - C - Matia Marcantuoni, Kitchener Rangers
Can absolutely fly down the ice. He'd be a great fit in Tampa.
40. Winnipeg Jets - LW - Jarrod Maidens, Owen Sound Attack
Big forward with a heavy shot. Could form a solid unit with Scheifele and Teravainen down the road.
41. Buffalo Sabres(Calgary) - LW - Tanner Pearson, Barrie Colts
The Sabres will take the chance that he is still developing, not just a man playing among boys.
42. Buffalo Sabres - D - Jordan Schmaltz, Green Bay
Has a chance to be real good if he adds a mean streak to his game.
43. Colorado Avalanche - RW - Scott Kosmachuk, Guelph Storm
Can score and make plays. A bit of an agitator.
44. Carolina Hurricanes(San Jose) - LW - Gemel Smith, Owen Sound Attack
Competes hard. Has been compared to Brad Marchand. The Hurricanes will hope that comes to fruition.
45. Minnesota Wild(Washington) - D - Michael Matheson, Dubuque
Really good carrying the puck. Can quarterback the powerplay.
46. Columbus Blue Jackets(Ottawa) -LW - Charles Hudon, Chicoutimi Sagueneens
In my opinion, Hudon is in the top five players in this draft on offensive talent alone. His size may limit him, and along with his defensive play is his biggest liability.
47. Dallas Stars(Los Angeles) - C - Mike Winther, Prince Albert Raiders
The North Stars drafted a centre from Prince Albert and now the Stars hope to duplicate that success. Unlikely, but Winther could be a good second line centre down the road. He's got wheels and an offensive nose.
48. Phoenix Coyotes - C - Scott Laughton, Oshawa Generals
He's solid at everything, spectacular at nothing. Will likely be a captain one day.
49. New Jersey Devils - LW - Coda Gordon, Swift Current Broncos
Really came on late in the season for the Broncos.
50. Chicago Blackhawks - LW - Brady Vail, Windsor Spitfires
Sound 2-way player. Will likely play on a checking line in a shutdown role.
51. Detroit Red Wings - LW - Nikolai Prokhorkin, CSKA 2
Long reach to go along with good vision and hands. His skating needs work, but Detroit has found success in the Franzen's and Holmstrom's of the world.
52. Montreal Canadians(Nashville) - LW - Anton Slepyshev, Novokuznetsk
Great shot and likes to use it. I love that I have the Habs drafting 3 Russians. Don Cherry would have an aneurysm.
53. Tampa Bay Lightning(Philadelphia) - LW - Tim Bozon, Kamloops Blazers
He's a game breaker in the WHL, might struggle to translate at the NHL level, but a good risk at this point in the draft.
54. Pittsburgh Penguins - D - Patrick Sieloff, USNTDP
Plays the game at a fast pace, which is exactly what defensemen on the talent rich Penguins need to do.
55. San Jose Sharks - LW - Andreas Athanasiou, London Knights
Needs to be more consistent, but the talent is there.
56. Florida Panthers - G - Jon Gillies, Indiana
The Panthers are deep in prospects at every position. They will have lots of time to allow Gillies to develop with Markstrom just now preparing to become an NHL netminder.
57. Dallas Stars - LW - Raphael Bussieres, Baie-Comeau Drakkar
Not great at the defensive end, but he has an offensive flair, and isn't afraid to drop his gloves.
58. Colorado Avalanche(Boston) - C - Dane Fox, Erie Otters
Plays well in all zones, and is a bit of an agitator. Very similar to their first pick in Kosmachuk. Those two could help form a bottom six that would be very tough to play against.
59. Vancouver Canucks - D - Dalton Thrower, Saskatoon Blades
I hesitate to see Thrower this low, and I'm sure he'll go higher in my final mock draft. Problem is that there are a lot of good players ahead of him, and a lot more to come. This draft is deep through 2 and a half rounds.
60. New York Rangers - C - Mathew Campagna, Sudbury Wolves
Put up some numbers late in the year for Sudbury. He's a hard worker, and Tortorella will love him for that.
61. St. Louis Blues - D - Valeri Vasilyev, Spartak Moscow
He plays nasty and hits like a tank.
I apologize in advance if I have any mistakes as far as who drafts where. Some of the selections are conditional picks which makes it tough. By the time I do my final draft I will have it all figured out.
They'd take Galchenyuk in a heart-beat if they got the chance. And if he wasn't available, Trouba. And if he wasn't available, Ceci. Ducks don't pick Collberg unless they're picking with a playoff pick.
These are the comments I hate DuckJet and I had to say this to you in Mathletics draft post also. You have zero idea of what the Ducks will do come draft day. We can all sit here and say they will or won't, but we don't know. We aren't at their draft table and we don't get their scouting reports. This is your opinion, don't post it as if it is fact.
These are the comments I hate DuckJet and I had to say this to you in Mathletics draft post also. You have zero idea of what the Ducks will do come draft day. We can all sit here and say they will or won't, but we don't know. We aren't at their draft table and we don't get their scouting reports. This is your opinion, don't post it as if it is fact.
Oh really? My opinions have been pulled out of my ass, yeah? Last year Murray told the fans he wanted a center and was looking to trade up. Obviously who he wanted got taken so he traded down. He picked Rakell, a winger. So he never addressed the team need. If Galchenyuk is available, he'll take him. He's also been quoted as being interested in the physical shutdown defenders in this year's draft. We can assume that would include Trouba and Reinhart.
I'd be willing to bet you money that if Galchenyuk, Trouba, Reinhart, and Collberg are available where Anaheim is picking, their pick won't be Collberg. You don't have to pay me if I'm right.
Oh really? My opinions have been pulled out of my ass, yeah? Last year Murray told the fans he wanted a center and was looking to trade up. Obviously who he wanted got taken so he traded down. He picked Rakell, a winger. So he never addressed the team need. If Galchenyuk is available, he'll take him. He's also been quoted as being interested in the physical shutdown defenders in this year's draft. We can assume that would include Trouba and Reinhart.
I'd be willing to bet you money that if Galchenyuk, Trouba, Reinhart, and Collberg are available where Anaheim is picking, their pick won't be Collberg. You don't have to pay me if I'm right.
GM's say things all the time to appease fans and media. Doesn't mean they are telling the truth. Do the Ducks need a centre? Yes, if they believe Getzlaf is the player he was this year, and yes if they don't believe in Holland. If they still believe in both of those players, they have a few years before centre is an actual need. When it comes down to it, I think they probably go defense. This is a March mock draft. And at this point, no one.....and that includes the GM's, know who they are going to take. A lot can happen between now and the draft.
GM's say things all the time to appease fans and media. Doesn't mean they are telling the truth. Do the Ducks need a centre? Yes, if they believe Getzlaf is the player he was this year, and yes if they don't believe in Holland. If they still believe in both of those players, they have a few years before centre is an actual need. When it comes down to it, I think they probably go defense. This is a March mock draft. And at this point, no one.....and that includes the GM's, know who they are going to take. A lot can happen between now and the draft.
That's fine. Obviously I don't know for sure what Murray will do. But if I'm a gambling man I would bet that the only way the ducks pick Collberg is if Yak, Grig, Galchenyuk, Forsberg, Murray, Trouba, Dumba, Reinhart, Faksa, maybe Rielly and Gance are off the board. It isn't completely baseless to say that we'd pick Collberg because Murray loves Swedes, but I just can't see it happening if we're picking top 10
I will post my 2nd and 3rd rounds today or tomorrow, but just to throw out a handful of names: Ludvig Bystrom, Dalton Thrower, Dillon Fournier, Damon Severson and Gianluca Curcuruto.
Personally I'd be shocked if Brett Kulak wasn't at least a third pairing defenseman at some point in his career.
These are the comments I hate DuckJet and I had to say this to you in Mathletics draft post also. You have zero idea of what the Ducks will do come draft day. We can all sit here and say they will or won't, but we don't know. We aren't at their draft table and we don't get their scouting reports. This is your opinion, don't post it as if it is fact.
Sorry there but I agree with Jet. There is no way the Ducks pass on Galchenyuk if he available when they pick.
