1 | | - | | Columbus Blue Jackets: Yes, Power is the front runner for first overall, but the Blue Jackets immediately get their Dubois replacement with this pick. Johnson is a reach, but he is the best center and playmaker in the draft. Between Johnson and Beniers, Johnson has the higher ceiling. Laine’s goal production could increase if Johnson gets put on his line. |
2 | | - | | Choix au repêchage retiréSeattle Kraken: I expect the Kraken to take the best player available, regardless of position at this point. Getting Power at No. 2 is amazing, considering he is the front runner for first overall. Out of all of the defenseman available in the top 20, Power is the biggest (6’6’’). |
3 | | - | | Detroit Red Wings: The Red Wings are doing better defensively than offensively, so they lean on a forward. Plus they have Seider in their system, so grabbing a forward would be smart. They could go Wallstedt, but it is definitely a reach. The Red Wings would trade down if they wanted him. At this point Beniers is the best forward available, he has potential to become the future No. 2 center behind Larkin. He’s well known for his two-way game and he excelled most during the World Juniors playing in the top-six for USA. |
4 | | - | | Ottawa Senators: Because Ottawa already has a deep prospect pool, mostly forward, they take the defenseman with the highest ceiling. Currently it is Clarke, who is better offensively than Power. However, he is smaller in size than Power (6’1’’). Currently scoring more goals than assists playing on loan in Slovakia. Most Slovakian players are projected to go in the top ten in the 2022 NHL Draft, so Clarke is currently playing with some top-end talent. |
5 | | - | | New York Rangers: I expect the Rangers to take either a center or a left-shot defenseman. Right now it would be an off-the-board pick if they go with a center, so instead they take the defenseman. Edvinsson is a left-shot defenseman who is very mobile with the puck. He is able to get into the dirty areas and score goals in there. |
6 | | - | | Vancouver Canucks: I know they have Quinn as a left-shot defenseman, but why not bring in his brother in the organization? |
7 | | - | | Nashville Predators: Guenther could easily solve the Predators scoring woes. He is the best goal-scorer in the draft. |
8 | | - | | Buffalo Sabres: With the Sabres deep at center and doing well defensively, they lean on the best winger available. They could take Lysell but Eklund can play center or wing, although he mostly plays on the wing. Plus Eklund has the higher ceiling. |
9 | | - | | San Jose Sharks: The Sharks have a top-end defensive prospect in Merkley, so they take a top-end forward with this pick. Lysell is probably the best player available at this point, so the Sharks will take him. His size isn’t appealing but has a great two-way game. He can score in multiple areas in the offensive zone. |
10 | | - | | Los Angeles Kings: Out of all the defenseman in the draft, including the ones already taken, Chayka has the best amount of poise, meaning that he plays well in high-pressure situations. He just doesn’t have as high of a ceiling as the defenseman already taken. The Kings could take Lambos, but because of the poise, the Kings should pass on him. I feel like poise is important than anything. I don’t think they will take Coulemans either because they have Doughty on the right side. |
11 | | - | | Anaheim Ducks: I think the Ducks take either Lucius or Pastujov, who are both goal-scorers. Like Lysell and Eklund, Lucius has the higher ceiling. And he can also play center or wing. The Ducks have struggled to score goals, so drafting a sniper would be the best option. They are set defensively with Lindholm, Manson, Fowler, Shattenkirk, and Drysdale. Lucius and Zegras would be dangerous against the opposition. |
12 | | - | | Minnesota Wild: Goaltending hasn’t been great for the past two seasons, so the Wild should draft a franchise potential goalie. Kahkonen is young, but he doesn’t have as high of potential as Wallstedt. |
13 | | - | | New Jersey Devils (via Edmonton Oilers): The Devils trade up and get a defenseman. They have gone heavy with forwards for the past two drafts so they should draft a defenseman. Preferably a right-shot defenseman as they are set on the left side. |
14 | | - | | Minnesota Wild (via Pittsburgh Penguins): After drafting Wallstedt, the Wild should draft the best center available. Raty is the best available, within a few seasons, him and Rossi would be a great 1-2 punch. |
15 | | - | | Winnipeg Jets (via Dallas Stars): The Jets trade up and immediately fill a team need, which is a top-end defenseman. It is also the perfect fit for Lambos as he plays in Winnipeg’s backyard, although is he on loan in Finland. Lambos plays a great two-way game, he is also a smooth skater. |
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