1 | | - | | Coyotes finally get a real star player to build around. Rekindle the Lafreniere-Hayton magic from the WJC |
2 | | - | | Byfield has the higher ceiling, but I think they go Stutzle. Electrifying in every sense of the word, and would be the perfect player to throw on a line with Turcotte and Kaliyev |
3 | | | | Potential elite 1C that Ottawa needs for their rebuild. Has everything you need to dominate. Should go back to the OHL for another year to round out his game more and light up the WJC |
4 | | - | | This was rumored right after the lottery, but the more I think about it the more I love it. Already a complete offensive threat that will only get better as his skating improves. I believe it's either Perfetti or Sanderson here |
5 | | - | | Tkachuk-Byfield-Raymond. That could easily be the line that terrorizes the East for decades. They look hard at Drysdale and Rossi but they bet on the upside of Raymond |
6 | | - | | Match made in heaven. Anaheim needs defense so badly, and a potential #1 falls in their lap. He controls the pace so well offensively and cancels any 1-on-1s defensively |
7 | | - | | They take a long look at either Holtz or Rossi here as well, but I'd think they'd go for the defenseman. He's as close to a perfect defender as it gets for this age and is only going to get stronger and more confident offensively. |
8 | | - | | He's too good to pass up on here. Cozens can move to wing and Rossi can be one of the best 2Cs behind Eichel. Plus Rossi is pro-ready |
9 | | - | | Having two high end goal scorers in Caufield and Holtz on separate lines down the road is terrifying. |
10 | | - | | They get their goalie of the future, banking on him to carry the load shortly to make one last run with Toews/Kane in a few years |
11 | | - | | Heir apparent to Koivu. Has the potential to be an elite two-way center, like a hybrid of Kopitar and Dubois. More likely that he settles into a 2C role, but 1C definitely isn't out of the question |
12 | | - | | Boeser's replacement. Lol but in all seriousness, he'd be a great second line goal scorer to pair with Horvat long-term. I could also see them moving back at this pick to grab a defenseman like Schneider, or just taking him outright if they aren't comfortable moving back. |
13 | | - | | One of my personal favorites. High end skater, great playmaking and a motor that doesn't stop. He should dominate the WHL next year before coming to the NHL the year after |
14 | | - | | I wouldn't take him anywhere near this high, but we all know teams always reach for defensemen at the draft. He's a very good skater for his size and loves to hit, but I don't see a lot of upside with him. |
15 | | - | | Holloway just looks like a Flame to me. He plays a really strong two way game, has a high IQ and has more offense to his game than his production showed at Wisconsin |
16 | | - | | They need a guy to slot in down the middle with Zibanejad and Chytil long term, and Zary has the right play style to go along with their high skill wingers. |
17 | | - | | Big, physical defenseman that doesn't give an inch. Excellent shutdown defenseman with a good first pass. Give him another year in the WHL to improve his skating and he'll be NHL ready |
18 | | | | It seems crazy that they'd take three forwards, but if they don't love any of the defensemen on the board, why not take a shot at Lapierre? High risk high reward, but worthwhile for a pick they got for a pending UFA |
19 | | - | | Another one of my favorites for the draft, he's incredibly smart and responsible, but also oozes with offensive skill. I wish more were as high on him as I was |
20 | | | | One of the better goal scorers of the draft, questions about consistency drop him. A great value pick at 20 as there's 30 goal upside |
21 | | | | Incredible motor to pair with a lot of skill, Mercer falls right into their laps. An excellent player to add to the mix of Panarin, Kakko, Zibanejad, Kravstov, Kreider and Zary |
22 | | - | | Very raw two-way winger. Excellent skater, but some question his offensive upside. I think he's going to explode offensively next year and Dallas will have a great Swiss Army knife |
23 | | - | | High IQ player that has some untapped offensive potential. Could stand to get stronger, but will make an excellent complement in the top-six |
24 | | - | | A project defenseman, but there's a lot of upside. He skates well and moves the puck effectively, but needs to sharpen his decision making a bit |
25 | | | | A mobile, shutdown defender that could jump up in the attack a bit more. He's a very safe bet, could be Brodin's replacement if he gets dealt. |
26 | | - | | Plays a simple game, but looks as if there's some more wow factor that he could unlock as he gets older and gains some experience. A safe bet for to be a solid defender |
27 | | - | | Another guy I'm quite high on compared to the general consensus. His skating needs work, but it's nowhere near as bad as some make it out to be. Potential for a well rounded top six forward |
28 | | | | Dynamic offensive threat, but needs to develop more of a work ethic and play with consistency. There's a lot of upside with Perreault at this spot |
29 | | - | | A very raw player with a lot of skill. Chromiak will develop alongside to Shane Wright for the next two years, so he'll be able to play with high end talent in either Mackinnon or Newhook |
30 | | - | | A big guy that's an incredible skater. He's definitely a project pick, but there could be a really nice top four defenseman in three-five years |
31 | | | | Elite shot that will pair beautifully with Zegras' playmaking ability. He needs a lot of improvement to his skating, but if that's able to come along, there's 30 goal upside here |