From one draft to another, we are on the day of the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft. Lot's of talent in this draft, here are my predictions as well as some thoughts behind the first half of the first round of where the world's best young players end up.
1. Buffalo Sabres - Owen Power LHD
Shouldn't come as much of a surprise, Owen Power is a safe bet to go first overall. At 6"5, 214 lbs, the University of Michigan product will certainly help the struggling Sabres as they will now have two first overall draft pick defenseman in their system, the other being Rasmus Dahlin. With those two in your top four, you're building a pretty strong base for the blueline on your team for years to come.
2. Seattle Kraken - Matthew Beniers - C/LW
Seattle is set up to be a defensive team right out of the gate. Other than Yanne Gourde and Jordan Eberle, they didn't really draft any really big name forwards. There is plenty of room on the left wing and center ice position to make Seattle better. With that being said, they have to already have the decision to draft Matthew Beniers made. Another University of Michigan product, Beniers had 24 points in 24 games with the Wolverines and helped team USA with the championship at the World Juniors. A lot of people say he is a complete player who can win faceoffs and skate as good as anyone in the league. Seattle will certainly get their guy in Matthew Beniers.
3. Anaheim Ducks - Luke Hughes LHD
The last of the Hughes brothers to enter the draft, the Ducks can definitely use a defenseman like him in Anaheim. According to scouts, his development has increased at a rapid rate and his numbers back it up. With the U.S, National Development Program, Hughes jumped from 28 points with the U17 team, to 34 points with the U18 team. Another great skater who can handle the puck confidently and be a threat in both ends of the ice. Start him on a pair with Shattenkirk to start but pretty soon you'll have a Drysdale - Hughes top pairing to head your defense for a long time.
4. New Jersey Devils - Brandt Clarke RHD
Everyone loves a right handed defenseman and I think New Jersey is going to be pretty happy with Brandt Clarke. Another offensive defenseman who can confidently clear the zone, even if he has to take the puck and do it himself. Clarke went and played in the Slovak league this season since the OHL was shutdown due to Covid and put up an impressive 15 points in 26 games. Not bad in an unusual season. Clarke could be a great addition to the Devils group of defensmen, especially since they just picked up Ryan Graves. Pair those two up and you have a solid third pair to start the season with plenty of room to grow.
5. Columbus Blue Jackets - Mason McTavish C
Mason McTavish is one of the best centers in the draft who plays a physical game and compares himself to Ryan Getzlaf. Others have compared him to Patrice Bergeron, this is a kid a team like Columbus needs to take a chance on. McTavish is ranked a little lower in the draft but I think it's worth reaching for him as his potential seems to be through the roof. Another OHLer forced to go abroad in a pro league, McTavish had 11 points in 7 games. A smalll sample size but still pretty darn impressive, and the fact that scouts say he was more than able to hold his own and bring his physical game against grown men proves that he could be NHL ready out of the gate.
6. Detroit Red Wings - William Eklund C/LW
Something about William Eklund just screams Detroit and I think there's a very good chance he's available at the number six spot. He can play the wing or center ice position, scouts say he competes well, can fit into several different roles and plays a real creative game. I think Detroit can absolutely benefit with some versatility in their line up and that's something Eklund can bring. In 40 games in the SHL, Eklund had 23 points but those numbers don't necessarily do him justice. He's a type of player that is going to find a home in whatever franchise picks him and make an impact there for a long time.
7. San Jose Sharks - Jesper Wallstedt G
Jesper Wallstedt is the top goalie in this draft and arguably the most regarded goalie in any draft since Marc-Andre Fleury. Goalies tend to get picked later in the draft but Wallstedt isn't your typical goalie prospect. All the scouting reports have nothing but immaculate things to say about the kid, he can stop pucks and plays with a calm and poised attitude. San Jose can without a doubt use a goalie since the decline of Martin Jones, I don't see how they pass up on Wallstedt.
8. Los Angeles Kings - Dylan Guenther RW
Dylan Guenther could probably go higher but given San Jose's need of a goaltending fix and the amount of high end defenders and centers, I have Guenther going eighth to LA. Scouts say he is an elite winger who can very clearly score goals and has a great hockey IQ. The Edmonton Oil King winger averaged two points a game in this past, shortened WHL season and prior to that put up 59 points in 58 games. Wherever he lands in this draft, he will make the franchise better off and if it is LA, he will be a great addition to an already insane prospect pool.
9. Vancouver Canucks - Kent Johnson C
Yet another University of Michigan product, Kent Johnson is one of the top offensive prospects in this draft. His defensive game on the other hand has yet to be seen as much. Nevertheless, scouts say he's a great puck handler, great hands and creativity. He averaged more than a point a game this past season with the Wolverines, 27 in 26 games. Prior to that, he put up over 100 points in 52 games in the BCHL therefore he can certainly put up points. With the right development, Johnson can really thrive with whichever organization ends up picking him, Vancouver could definitely benefit from his talents.
10. Ottawa Senators - Chaz Lucius C
University of Minnesota commit Chaz Lucius probably won't be NHL ready any time soon but as an alumni of the U.S. Development Program he will certainly continue to develop at the U. He has a hard shot, a lot of skill and can win faceoffs, however a significant knee injury did set him back a bit. For that, I won't be surprised if he falls deeper into this draft but wherever he lands they have a great project on their hands that in the long run, could result in a really good centerman.
11. Arizona Coyotes - *
*The Coyotes forfeit their pick for violating NHL combine testing policies.
12. Calgary Flames - Simon Edvinsson LHD
What isn't appealing about a big bodied, swedish defender that plays a physical game and can be very effective at both ends of the ice? As I type that sentence I wouldn't be surprised if Detroit picks him instead.. Either way, Edvinsson is going to be a heck of a player in the National Hockey League. He's got experience playing all over Sweden, he's physical, has great hands, he does his job. Still, there is plenty of room for growth as his skating needs improvements and scouts say his decision making isn't always great.
13. Chicago Blackhawks - Sebastian Cossa G
Scouts describe the Edmonton Oil Kings netminder as a "tower" in net. Clocking in at 6'6, Cossa doesn't let his size slow him down. He moves around the crease quickly, has great athleticism, is pretty darn good at stopping pucks. If anything I'd say it could be a toss up on who gets drafted first him or Wallstedt. In his last two seasons with the Oil Kings, he's put up .941 and .921 save percentages.
14. Buffalo Sabres - Fyodor Svechkov C
Of course as I make my final edits on this the Flyers trade this pick to Buffalo along with Robert Hagg and another pick for Rasmus Ristolainen... Not a good trade for Philly but anyway I had them taking Carson Lambos here but now that Buffalo has the pick I think they'll go Svechkov. Buffalo can certainly use more center depth, especially if Eichel gets traded and Svehkov is one of the top defensive centers in this class, lot's of potential in this structured player with high hockey IQ.
15. Dallas Stars - Fabian Lysel RW
I could totally see Dallas taking the defensive forward with great skills and speed. He's a bit on the smaller side and definitely has room to get stronger but what he lacks in size he makes up for in other areas. Scouts have labeled him as a little inconsistent but some more seasoning in the SHL could help his development. He won't be an NHL ready selection but overtime, he could grow to play a big role with whichever team picks him.
As a primarily Rangers writer, I'll briefly go over what I think happens with the Rangers pick and then I'll just list my predictions for the back half of the first round. Whether you're a Rangers fan or not you have to think they are looking to move this pick. There's been rumors about moving up in the draft to trade for Eichel, Strome for 10th overall was something floating around, bottom line is few teams have more rumors going on then the New York Rangers. I don't think they'll have this pick by the time we get to it but if they do, I think they go either Cole Sillinger or take a chance on Aatu Raty. Nevertheless, with the 16th pick the Rangers, or whomever, will take:
16. New York Rangers - Cole Sillinger C/LW
As for the rest of the draft, I'm going with:
17. St. Louis Blues - Corson Ceulemans RHD
18. Winnipeg Jets - Carson Lambos LHD
19. Nashville Predators - Simon Robertson RW
20. Edmonton Oilers - Aatu Raty C
21. Boston Bruins - Zachary L'Heureux C/LW
22. Minnesota WIld - Isak Rosen LW/RW
23. Detroit Red Wings - Oskar Olausson LW/RW
24. Florida Panthers - Francesco Pinello C
25. Columbus Blue Jackets - Matthew Coronato LW/RW
26. Minnesota Wild - Zachary Bolduc C
27. Carolina Hurricanes - Brendan Othmann LW
28. Colorado Avalanche - Samu Tuomaala RW
29. New Jersey Devils - Sasha Pastujov LW
30. Vegas Golden Knights - Xavier Bourgault C
31. Montreal Canadiens - Zach Dean C
32. Columbus Blue Jackets - Daniel Chayka LHD
Chris Feldman
Comments