1 | | - | | The logical pick for the Rangers. I would be shocked if Lafreniere doesn’t get picked here. |
2 | | - | | THIS IS THE JETS PICK!!!! This may be a shock to all seeing Drysdale go this high, but the No. 1 defenseman of the draft is going to a team that needs one. Depth at defense was lacking for the Jets this season, so getting one here is crucial. Also with the trade, Winnipeg clears out cap space to maybe sign an elite defenseman if Drysdale isn’t ready to crack the lineup year 1. |
3 | | | | This may be another shocking pick because Rossi isn’t projected to be selected in the top 3, but it is a player that is easy for Ottawa to scout. Rossi plays in Ottawa, so the Senators would know Rossi’s play style more than anyone else’s. Plus, some scouts have said that Rossi is NHL-ready right now, more than Byfield. What sets Rossi apart from Byfield is the size, but some scouts say that Rossi plays bigger than his size. I would not be surprised if Byfield or even Stutzle gets selected with this pick. |
4 | | - | | Detroit would immediately lose interest in Perfetti and Raymond when both Byfield and Stutzle is available to them. I have Byfield being drafted lower than people think because of the Kings-Jets trade as well as how well Ottawa knows Rossi’s play style. Also, Byfield’s NHL readiness is questionable as I think that Byfield may need another year in the OHL. But Detroit has no depth anywhere, meaning there is a better chance that Byfield could make the jump to the NHL right away. He would likely become Detroit’s second line center to start off. I would not be surprised if Detroit takes Stutzle instead, but I have heard that Detroit loves Perfetti and Raymond. |
5 | | - | | With Rossi as the playmaker, they would make sense to take the goal-scorer in Alexander Holtz. But with Stutzle being available at this spot, there is no way that Ottawa passes on him. Stutzle is also a playmaker, but he can play at any position. |
6 | | - | | The obvious choice would be a defenseman, but Sanderson is not NHL-ready yet. So their second option would be a goal-scorer, and Holtz is the best one in the draft. Holtz’s playmaking skills aren’t bad either as some scouts have said that Holtz can be creative with the puck as well. |
7 | | - | | New Jersey’s roster is more solid than they have showed this year. I think that everyone underachieved this season in terms of production. With some forwards such as Hughes and Hischier developing, as well as defenseman like Severson and Butcher developing as well, also Subban looking to have a bounce-back season, the Devils really need a goalie for the future. Askarov is the best goalie prospect like Carey Price. |
8 | | - | | Perfetti and Raymond both have a higher ceiling than Lundell, but some scouts say that Lundell has more capability to make the NHL right away. The experience is much better as well as Lundell played with men in Finland this year. He is the best two-way player in the draft and can not only play at center, but can fit on the wing as well. |
9 | | - | | With the report of Koivu going to free agency as well as the trade involving Staal, the Wild don’t have any center depth. Perfetti is mostly known for playing center more than the wing. He has excellent creativity and great point production. |
10 | | - | | This draft is deep, so players projected to be taken in the top 5 could fall. In this case, Raymond is that player. The Jets get a steal here, especially after taking Drysdale. Raymond could take Laine’s spot on the top-six in the future. Since the Jets are a deep team, they could take their time to develop Raymond into a solid NHL player. I’d say one year in the SHL would be suitable. |
11 | | - | | The Predators offense is deep, but they don’t have a forward that specializes in special teams. Mercer is that type of forward. Since the offense is deep, Nashville is one of those teams that can go off-the-board. Their defense is somewhat deep with Josi, Ellis, Ekholm. Goaltending is the main issue, but it wouldn’t work as Askarov isn’t available anymore. |
12 | | - | | With Dadonov and Hoffman both going to free agency, potentially, the Panthers need insurance. Quinn is an underrated goal-scorer. I would not be surprised if the Panthers take Sanderson with this pick. |
13 | | | | The Hurricanes have one of the deepest defensive cores in the NHL. Askarov would be the logical pick, but he isn’t available. So I think that the Hurricanes could go off-the-board and take Gunler, an underrated offensive player. |
14 | | - | | This is a steal at No. 14 as some scouts say that Sanderson could go in the top 10, maybe the top 5 if teams are willing to take risks. Sanderson has a better defensive game than Drysdale, but a worse offensive game. Defense for the Oilers lacked somewhat. |
15 | | | | Schneider could be the pick here, but Guhle has a higher ceiling than him. Guhle is apparently the No. 1 WHL prospect in the draft. Once again, I would not be surprised if Schneider gets taken here. |
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