The NHL Draft is an exciting time to add players and it is always fun to look ahead into who might be drafted. Here is the 2021 NHL June Mock Draft.
- Buffalo Sabres – Owen Power, LHD
Owen Power is the consensus #1 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. Power is a big defenseman standing at 6’5 and can play in any situation. Power has one of the highest ceilings in this draft and is projected to be a top-pairing defenseman in the NHL. Power would be a great fit behind Rasmus Dahlin in Buffalo.
2. Seattle Kraken – Matthew Beniers, C
With their first selection in franchise history, the Seattle Kraken take Beniers who is a very safe and smart pick. Beniers is an excellent two-way center that has a 200-foot game. Beniers has the potential to be a top 6 center in the NHL and be the Kraken’s future first-line center in a few years.
3. Anaheim Ducks – Dylan Guenther, LW
The Ducks are in desperate need of scoring and Guenther would be the best choice available. Guenther is a fast skater and is one of the best scoring wingers of the draft class. Guenther has the potential to be a top 6 winger in the NHL and would be a perfect fit next to Trevor Zegras.
4. New Jersey Devils – Luke Hughes, LHD
The Devils decide to reunite the brothers by drafting Luke Hughes, brother of Devils center Jack Hughes. Luke Hughes is the best offensive defenseman in this draft class and has an extremely high ceiling. Hughes is projected to be a top-pairing defenseman in the NHL and would fix the Devils need for a top-pairing defenseman.
5. Columbus Blue Jackets – William Eklund, C/LW
The Blue Jackets are in desperate need of a center after moving Pierre-Luc Dubois earlier in the season William Eklund would be the perfect replacement and complementary fit next to Patrick Laine. Eklund is a fast and smart player with incredible puck skills. Eklund is projected to be a top 6 center or winger in the NHL.
6. Detroit Red Wings – Simon Edvinsson, LHD
Simon Edvinsson seems like a perfect match for Steve Yzerman and the Detroit Red Wings. Similar to the Moritz Seider selection in 2019, Edvinsson is a high-risk prospect, but has some serious upside. Edvinsson is a big defenseman with good skating and a great two-way game. Edvinsson is projected to be a top 4 defenseman in the NHL.
7. San Jose Sharks – Jesper Wallstedt, G
The Sharks have many needs to fill during the offseason, but their most important need is goaltending. The Sharks should take Jesper Wallstedt, who many consider as the best goalie prospect in recent memory. Wallstedt has been a beast in the SHL and could jump into the NHL right now, but will likely take one more year to develop. Wallstedt is projected to be an elite goalie in the NHL and will be a great piece to start the Sharks’ rebuild.
8. Los Angeles Kings – Kent Johnson, LW/C
The Kings are stacked with young centers, including Quinton Byfield, Alex Turcotte, and more. Now they need wingers to surround those young centers. Kent Johnson is the best playmaker in the draft. Even though Johnson isn’t strong defensively, his offensive creativity and playmaking ability make up for it. Johnson is projected to be a top 6 winger in the NHL.
9. Vancouver Canucks – Brandt Clarke, RHD
After a disappointing season, the Canucks are looking to rebound by upgrading their team, especially defensively. Brandt Clarke is one of the best defensemen in the class with great offensive potential, but great defensively as well. Clarke is projected to be a top-pairing defenseman in the NHL and will fit perfectly next to Quinn Hughes in Vancouver.
10. Ottawa Senators – Mason McTavish, C
Mason McTavish draft stock has skyrocketed in the last few weeks with his impressive performance in the U18s. McTavish is the best pure sniper in the draft class and can score from anywhere. He’s solid defensively and can pass as well. McTavish is projected to be a middle-six center in the NHL and would be a great addition to the Senators’ young forward core.
11. Chicago Blackhawks – Fabian Lysell, LW
Just like the Kings, the Blackhawks have a great young center core featuring Kirby Dach and Dylan Strome, so they need wingers to surround those centers. Lysell is an elusive winger with a great blend of speed and skill. Lysell is known for his playmaking and puck handling abilities. Lysell is projected to be a top 6 winger in the NHL.
12. Calgary Flames – Chaz Lucius, CÂ
The Flames main need is to add to their top 6 with players like Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan rumored to be traded soon. Lucius could be a fantastic replacement with his wicked shot which is one of the best in the class. Lucius is projected to be a top 6 winger in the NHL but his injury history and defensive play might limit his role.
13. Philadelphia Flyers – Carson Lambos, LHD
The Flyers biggest downfall last season was their defense/goaltending. Lambos is the best defensive defenseman in the draft class with his excellent size and defensive play. Lambos is great in his own end of the ice and can sometimes pitch in offensively. Lambos is projected to be a top 4 defenseman in the NHL but his offensive game is holding back his potential.
14. Dallas Stars – Cole Sillinger, C/L
The Stars just had a very disappointing season from being in the Stanley Cup Finals last year to missing the playoffs entirely this year. The Stars are looking to add help immediately by going for the best player available in Cole Sillinger. Sillinger has a lot of offensive potential with his good shot, quick hands, and playmaking ability. Sillinger is projected to be a second-line player in the NHL
15. New York Rangers – Aatu Raty, C
At the start of last year, Aatu Raty was projected to be the 1st pick in the 2021 Draft. But after a very disappointing season, Raty dropped heavily in the draft, going from the first pick all the way to a mid-first round pick. Raty is a high-risk, high-reward prospect and projected to be a good two-way center with a great shot.
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