1 | | - | | Obvious number 1 pick, Sharks get great center prospect. |
2 | | - | | Could not happen due to the Russian factor, but Demidov would make a great young line mate for Bedard. |
3 | | - | | Seeing as how the Ducks acquired Gauthier for Drysdale, it opens up a bit more space to add another high level RHD. Could also pair nicely with one of their younger LHDs given time. |
4 | | - | | Though defensemen may not be Columbus' most immediate need, at this spot in the draft you either take a defenseman or a center (unless you are THAT high on Helenius), and frankly, Columbus already has quite a few younger centers rostered currently, so I think this pick will work for them (especially taking into consideration that their current rostered defensemen are no younger that 23). |
5 | | - | | I think Montreal goes for a center here with their current young defensemen like Guhle and Hutson coming up to play NHL minutes. They could definitely use another young center to play behind Suzuki, and Lindstrom can 100% be that guy. |
6 | | - | | Arizona (not for much longer, very sorry) is probably the most unpredictable in my opinion. Because of the relocation, I think they would most likely take the best player available, which for the sake of this mock draft, we will assume is Sam Dickinson on their boards. |
7 | | - | | With the idea that the Senators might trade Chychrun this offseason, this opens up room for another defenseman to join the organization, and with Yakemchuk being a RDH, he could make a good partner to Sanderson in a few years. |
8 | | - | | While getting another young center to join Wright and Beniers wouldn't hurt, I think a much larger team need is getting younger on defense. Right now the youngest rostered defenseman is 27, and with the Kraken missing the playoffs again this season, it might be time to move some pieces and get some youngers guys playing. |
9 | | - | | This pick would just kind of be a lay up for the Flames. You get a solid young center who just so happens to be the son of your franchise-leading scorer. |
10 | | - | | Realistically, the Devils may straight up trade this pick in a package for a goalie, but if they can't make a deal work, I could see them taking Parekh. With Hughes and Nemec moving into NHL slots, there are very few defensemen in their system (unless my sources are wrong) and even less being RHDs. This would also help really bolster the defense core if a few years and the Devils can be a threat for a long time. |
11 | | - | | Okay this is honestly the pick that matters most. I think it's a 50/50 here between Helenius and Catton, but what I think could push Helenius to be Buffalo's pick over Catton is the fact that they already have a great number of higher quality center prospects, with a less amount of high quality right wing prospects. On the other hand, the Sabres may try to further improve their center depth. |
12 | | - | | Ans with that, the Flyers select (maybe) Berkly Catton, a great addition for a team that desperately needs a 1C. |
13 | | - | | |
14 | | | | |
15 | | - | | |
16 | | - | | |
17 | | - | | |
18 | | - | | |
19 | | - | | |
20 | | | | |
21 | | - | | |
22 | | - | | |
23 | | - | | |
24 | | | | |
25 | | - | | |
26 | | | | |
27 | | | | |
28 | | | | |
29 | | | | |
30 | | - | | |
31 | | - | | |
32 | | - | | |