1 | | - | | Seattle Kraken (+2): I think the Kraken will take the best player available. Power currently has the most odds of going first overall. |
2 | | - | | Choix au repêchage retiréNew York Rangers (+4): Defense has been struggling for the Rangers this season. They are set on the right-side, so they grab the best left-handed defenseman available. In terms of draft rankings, Edvinsson is one of two of the biggest risers. |
3 | | - | | Vancouver Canucks (+9): Drafting Hughes would create some great team chemistry in a couple of seasons. Luke’s brother Quinn also plays for Vancouver, so having both brothers on the same defensive pairing would be dangerous. |
4 | | - | | Ottawa Senators: Ottawa already has a deep prospect pool, so I think they grab the best player available. Clarke currently has the second-most odds of going No. 1 in the draft. This would mark the first steal of the draft as Clarke is projected to go between 1 and 3. |
5 | | - | | Detroit Red Wings: The Red Wings immediately get their future 2nd line center behind Larkin. The Red Wings have been great defensively, so they shouldn’t lean on a defenseman here. |
6 | | - | | San Jose Sharks: The Sharks have a defenseman in Merkley near NHL-ready but not many top-end forward prospects. Johnson is considered the best playmaker in the draft. |
7 | | - | Pick Forfeited | Arizona Coyotes |
8 | | - | | Nashville Predators: Another steal here, Guenther is projected to be a top 5 pick. The Predators also need scoring help and they get the best goal-scorer in the draft. |
9 | | - | | Los Angeles Kings: The Kings have a lot of promising forward prospects (Kaliyev, Byfield, Anderson-Dolan, and Turcotte), so they should lean on a defenseman here. I see Lambos being taken between 5 and 20. |
10 | | - | | New York Islanders: This is the lowest spot that Eklund should be taken. Currently projected to be a top 10 pick. Another big riser in terms of draft rankings. |
11 | | - | | Chicago Blackhawks: Lankinen has shown some promise, but he doesn’t have potential to be a franchise goalie. Wallstedt has that type of potential, and he and Lankinen would be a great tandem in the near future. |
12 | | - | | Anaheim Ducks: The Ducks need goal-scorers and Lucius is the best available. He mostly plays center, but he can also play the wing. Him and Zegras would be a dangerous duo going forward. |
13 | | - | | Buffalo Sabres: With the Sabres doing great defensively and being very deep in the center position, they lean on a winger. Lysell is a left winger and he brings a lot of skill on the ice. He currently has potential to go in the top 10 but it is more unlikely he goes there. |
14 | | - | | Columbus Blue Jackets: Raty has been the biggest faller in terms of draft rankings. He was once the consensus No. 1 pick in the draft but with his underwhelming play this season, that won’t be the case anyone. But he is the perfect fit for Columbus as he could be their Dubois replacement. He is a great playmaker and putting him alongside Laine in the future would make a dangerous duo. |
15 | | - | | Calgary Flames: The Flames have struggled to execute plays on the rush, and that is Bolduc’s biggest strength. There have also been some trade talks regarding Bennett, and Bolduc could potentially replace him. |
16 | | - | | Minnesota Wild (via Pittsburgh Penguins): I think the Wild should load up their center core. Sillinger is a center, but he can also play the wing. Most of their centers are either in their prime or about to retire. Their only young centers are Kunin and Rossi. |
17 | | - | | Edmonton Oilers: Ideally the Oilers need a goalie, but Wallstedt is no longer available. Instead they address their forward depth. L’Heureux is the best power forward in the draft and the Oilers don’t really have any grit in their lineup. |
18 | | - | | Minnesota Wild: Once again, the Wild load up on centers. |
19 | | - | | New Jersey Devils: The Devils have done great defensively this season and are deep with centers. They take a winger with this pick. |
20 | | - | | Winnipeg Jets: For the second straight season, the Jets get a steal. Chayka could go top 10 but it is very unlikely. The highest he should go is 15. Getting him at 20 is huge. Plus this is a player that the Jets need, they are struggling defensively. |
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