- Buffalo Sabres – Owen Power. LHD, Michigan
The Sabres select current consensus #1 pick Owen Power who is a big 6’5 defensemen with an amazing offensive game. There are some questions about his defensive play and his consistency in the defensive zone, but Power could develop those skills with his size. Power could be a great #2 defenseman on the Sabres behind Rasmus Dahlin.
2. Anaheim Ducks – Dylan Guenther, LW, Edmonton
The Ducks could go several different ways with the 2nd overall pick. But with the amount of center depth the Ducks have and drafting Drysdale last year, they should draft the best winger in the class. Guenther is a great goal-scoring winger and will fit perfectly next to Trevor Zegras.
3. Seattle Kraken – Matthew Beniers, C, Michigan
In their first-ever draft, the Seattle Kraken select their potential future #1 center in Matthew Beniers. Beniers is a great all-around center with good skating, great playmaking abilities, and very responsible in his own end. Beniers doesn’t have as much potential compared to other players in this class, but he will be very consistent for the newest 32nd team in the NHL.
4. New Jersey Devils – Luke Hughes, LHD, USDP
The Devils decide to reunite the Hughes brothers by selecting the youngest brother, Luke Hughes. Luke Hughes is a two-way defender and is solid on both ends of the ice. The Devils are looking to add to their future defense and Hughes could end up being the Devils’ future #1 defensemen.
5. Columbus Blue Jackets – Kent Johnson, C, Michigan
The Blue Jackets are having a very disappointing season and may be entering a rebuild. One of the biggest problems with the Blue Jackets this season was their lack of center depth after trading away Pierre-Luc Dubois. The Blue Jackets are be looking to fix that gap by picking Johnson who would be a fantastic playmaker next to Patrik Laine.Â
6. Detroit Red Wings – Simon Edvinsson, LHD, Frolunda
The Red Wings have a very bright future and are looking to add to it. Edvinsson is an intriguing prospect with strong skating and a big frame. Edvinsson has an extremely high ceiling but he is a huge risk. The Red Wings could turn Edvinsson into a top pair shutdown defensemen next to Moritz Seider.
7. Ottawa Senators – William Eklund, C/LW, Djurgardens IF
The Senators are in an interesting position with most of their future team mapped out. They have a solid young core of centers, and defensemen, but they could add to their winger depth. Eklund has elite puck skills, has a high hockey IQ, and would be a great fit with the young players in Ottawa.
8. San Jose Sharks – Jesper Wallstedt, G, Lulea HF
The Sharks are headed into a rebuild and the first position they need to address is their goaltending. Jesper Wallstedt has the potential to be an elite goaltender in the NHL and he would be a great addition to the Sharks dry prospect pool. Unlike most goalies, Wallstedt won’t take many years to develop and could make the jump to the NHL in 1-2 years.
9. Los Angeles Kings – Fabian Lysell, LW, Frolunda
The Kings have a loaded center core featuring Quinton Byfield, Alex Turcotte, and more. Now they need to add wingers and Lysell would be a great fit. He’s an elusive playmaking winger and had great skating and puck handling abilities. Lysell has the potential to be a future top-6 winger for the Kings.
10. Vancouver Canucks – Brandt Clarke, RHD, Barrie
The Canucks are another team that has had an underwhelming year and they are looking to mainly address their defensive concerns. Clarke is a great two-way defenseman that is solid both offensively and defensively. He has slipped in the draft rankings, but he can end up as a good #2 defensemen next to Quinn Hughes in Vancouver.
*Note: Order is based on points percentage
1 Comment
Nice work! Do you plan doing a full 1st round mock draft?