Montreal Canadiens - Shane Wright, Center Slafkovsky might have heard that Caufield and Suzuki are in need of a left winger but it's unlikely that newly appointed General Manager Kent Hughes is going to pass up on the opportunity to draft a player of Shane Wright's caliber. Wright seems to be one of those all around, complete package type of players that brings just as much off the ice as he does on. He's a natural leader, competitve, has a great shot, is a strong skater and is one of the best two way players in this years draft class. The perfect type of player to center your rebuild around which is exactly what the Canadiens will be looking to do. A 1-2 punch of Wright and Suzuki is going to be lethal down the road as the Canadiens will hope for them to lead the way in getting this franchise back to where it once was.
New Jersey Devils - Juraj Slafkovsky, Left Wing The Devils certainly aren't getting a consolation prize in Jurarj Slafkovsky as some see him competing with Wright at the first overall selection. Safkovsky is a big-bodied, natural left winger who has the skill of a sniper but plays like a power forward. He has the advantage of playing against grown men in the Finnish league whereas Wright has been playing mostly with and against players of his age. Slafkovsky had a great showing in this years Olympics which is a rare opportuinity for a prospect to be able to showcase in a draft year. If I'm the Devils, I almost hope that the Canadiens are set on Wright as Slafkovsky would be the perfect fit in their top six as they already have Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes locked in at center. Assuming all goes according to plan, the Devils are going to be scary good by the time Salfkovsky fully develops.
Arizona Coyotes - Logan Cooley - Center The Coyotes have yet to really find that franchise number one center. As of right now, it's still Nick Schmaltz and Barret Hayton sort of grinding out for it. However, Arizona may finally get that guy in Logan Cooley. A product of the United States National Deveopment Program, Cooley is an exceptional two way skater whose speed and hockey IQ make him stand out in this years entry draft. There is plenty of praise and belief that he can become a nunmber one center at the NHL level which is certainly good news for Bill Armstrong and the Arizona Coyotes organization. It's pretty safe to assume Cooley will fall to them at third overall but will spent some time at the University of Minnesota before making that jump to the NHL. Hey, at least he'll have experience playing on college ice if Arizona's going to pick him... Too soon?
Seattle Kraken - David Jiricek - RHD It's pretty much a toss up between Jiricek and Simon Nemec for which defenseman gets picked first in this years draft but I'm going to give Jiricek the upper hand, placing him with the Kraken. If there's one thing NHL GM's love it's big bodied, right handed defensemen and that's exactly what David Jiricek is. The Czech defender suffered a knee injury during the World Junior Championship however, I don't see that affecting his value all that much. On top of being a big body, Jiricek is great with the puck, has an absolute rocket of a shot, can quarterback the power play and is strongly effective in both ends of the ice. It's obvious Seattle has been playing the long game ever since entering the league and Jiricek is exactly the kind of piece you want to have for the long haul. I wouldn't rush him to the NHL and would absolutely ensure he has enough time to rehab the knee, but assuming it isn't a serious recurring issue, Seattle's making a great decision in selecting David Jiricek.
Philadelphia Flyers - Simon Nemec - RHD While Jiricek may have the advantage in his size and shot, Simon Nemec is probably the most NHL ready defenseman in this draft class which would be great for Philidalphia if he falls to fifth overall. Similarly to Jiricek, Nemec is a two way, right handed shot defender with great vision, hockey sense and ability to make significant impact in both ends of the ice. He too can run a power play and be just as effective on the penalty kill. He put up 26 points with HK Nitra in Slovakia this season, 25 of those points being assists. He's definitely a pass first type of player which is also why I give the edge to Jiricek in being selected first. Nevertheless, Nemec is going to make a tremendous impact to whichever team drafts him and could be a great example of why passing the puck could be valued just as much, if not more than shooting it.
Columbus Blue Jackets - Joakim Kemmel RW As I indicated earlier, NHL general managers are very consistent and predictable and for those reasons alone, I have Jarmo Kekalainen taking fellow Finn, Joakim Kemmel sixth overall. Kemmel is one of the better goalscorers in this draft and assuming Kekalainen gets a deal worked out with Patrik Laine, he could have a pretty good long term Finn Duo in Kemmel and Laine. Put a guy like Kent Johnson or Cole Sillinger in the middle of those two and you're going to have yourself an incredible top line down the road. Kemmel is one of the younger players in the draft, having just turned 18 a couple months ago. However, similarly to Slafkovsky, Kemmel has the advantage of experience playing against grown men in the Finnish Elite League. Kemmel will likely benefit from another season of development but could very much be a great pick for the Blue Jackets in the big picture.
Ottawa Senators - Matthew Savoie C/RW Matthew Savoie is coming off a 90 point season in the WHL so if he remains available at the seventh overall pick as I predict he will, the Ottawa Senators could be getting an absolute steal. Like the Coyotes, the Senators are still trying to figure out their number one center situation with Josh Norris really being the only candidate at the moment. That being said, Savoie would have a great opportunity at becoming that top line center in Ottawa. He's a smaller guy at 5"9 which is also why I could see some General Managers being fooled into passing on him but from what scouts say, he doesn't play like he's 5"9 at all. He's aggresive, isn't afraid to play the game with a physical presense and is highly regarded by scouts. Some of which even claim he is one of the most dynamic players in the draft and could even have been in the discussion for first overall.
Detroit Red Wings - Cutter Gauthier C/LW Another product of the U.S. National Development Program, Cutter Gauthier is a versitle power forward that could be a fantastic player in the NHL with the right development. Despite being 6"2, he still has plenty of room to add some bulk to his size however, his shot and ability to get involved offesively while bringing a phsyical edge are enough to raise plenty of GM's eyebrows when their time to make a pick comes around.
Buffalo Sabres - Marco Kasper C Ever since the exit of Jack Eichel, the Buffalo Sabres have had a bit of a hole down the middle, specifically when it comes to a natural center. Marco Kasper seems to have a very strong all around game, strong skating ability, athleticism, speed, hands, vision, a little bit of everything. Scouts see him as a top two center who isn't too far off from being NHL ready. While Buffalo could role the dice and hope he's available at 16, I'd advise placing your bets on Kasper vs betting on him being available six picks from now.
Anaheim Ducks -Frank Nazar - C/RW If I go ten for ten on my predictions, Frank Nazar would be the third USNDP product to go in the top ten of this years draft. Nazar shares a lot of similarilties with his teammate Logan Cooley but has a bit more energy and speed to his game. While scouts have said he can be careless with the puck and at times, tries to do too much, he works hard on the ice and does everything he can to make his opponenets night hell all while being able to play big minutes, being used on special teams and relied on to score big goals.
San Jose Sharks - Kevin Korchinski - LHD Korchinski led the WHL rookie defensmen in points, almost averaging a point a game (65 in 67 games). He's got solid size to him, is more of an offensive defenseman and plays with the ability to make or break a play, never shying away from rushing the puck out on his own doing what he can to change a play. He'd be a great mentee for Marc-Edouard Vlasic to take on as the core of San Jose's defenders aren't getting any younger.
Columbus Blue Jackets - Pavel Mintyukov LHD The Russian defender is an unreal skater with great hockey IQ that reminds some of an Erik Karlsson type of player. He could be a perfect long term pairing with Adam Boqvist as the Blue Jackets are in quite the position to build a very dangerous team down the road.
NY Islanders - Denton Mateyuchuk - LHD Keeping with the drafting defenseman train, Denton Mateyuchuk is projected to go a little later in the draft but the Islanders are no stranger to reaching if they like a guy. Mateyuchuk is a strong skater and a dynamic defenseman that can fit in with the Islanders D group very well if he continues to develop.
Winnipeg Jets - Brad Lambert - C One of the more interesting stories in this years draft is Brad Lambert. The Finnish center was once expected to be competing with Shane Wright for the first overall selection and now, many folks don't even see Lambert going in the first round. He's an elite skater that plays with elite skill but many scouts have serious doubts regarding his hockey IQ, compete levels and ability to play the game without the puck. The fact that he struggled last season really doesn't help his cause as he really hasn't had a great season since 2020. Nevertheless, there's at least a handful of General Managers that would be willing to roll the dice with him and I'm confident Kevin Chevaldayoff is one of those guys.
Vancouver Canucks - Conor Geekie C A pretty good value pick in the middle of the first round, Conor Geekie is similar to Lambert in the sense that some scouts have concerns with his skating ability but with the right development, he has the potential to become an effective top two center in the NHL.
Buffalo Sabres - Jonathan Lekkerimaki C/RW Most mock drafts have Jonathan Lekkerimaki going much higher than 16th overall but there always seems to be one of those players that falls deeper in the draft for seemingly no reason. That being said, Lekkerimaki would be a sensational pick up this late in the draft. He's a pure sniper who can score goals and be an absolute threat in the offensive zone all while playing a strong two way game.
Nashville Predators - Jiri Kulich C Sometimes I just get feelings about certain players with teams and for some reason, I envision Jiri Kulich in a Nashville sweater. The left handed center can score goals, move the puck and be a real character guy for a franchise. He stood out this year in the World U18 tournament which only adds some value to his stock price.
Dallas Stars - Rutger McGroarty C A hard working, versitile player that scouts compared to Islanders Captain Anders Lee, McGroarty could be a great late round pick that with the right franchise, could develop into a Chris Kreider type of player.
Minnesota Wild - Jimmy Snuggerud RW Similar to Jiri Kulich, I just see Jimmy Snuggerud in Minnesota, being a University of Minnesota commit from a hockey family certainly backs that theory. According to scouting reports, Snuggerud has bettered himself, especially in the back nine of this past season. Along with McGroarty, could be a very good value pick this late in the draft.
Washington Capitals - Owen Pickering LHD A big bodied, strong defenseman with a ton of upside, Owen Pickering is a great pick for any team, especially one like Washington that has a very, seasoned group of defensemen.
Pittsburgh Penguins - Danilla Yurov RW It'll be interesting to see how willing NHL GM's are willing to draft players out of Russia with everything going on but politics aside, Yurov has elite talent, plays the game hard and coming out of the KHL, could be more NHL ready than some. Although, his struggles last season could very well counter that argument.
Anaheim Ducks - Lian Bischel LHD Another big bodied left handed defender, Lian Bischel has battled some injuries but assuming he can overcome that, he has the potential to be one of the better defensemen in this years draft class.
St. Louis Blues - Liam Ohgren LW A lot of scouts love Liam Ohgren, he's smart, has a great shot and an even better work ethic. He forechecks hard, plays the game with great intensity and does so confidently in both ends of the ice.
Minnesota Wild - Calle Odelius LHD A strong, mobile defender that can confidently break the puck out and play an all around game, Calle Odelius could be a great late round pick up with the right development.
Toronto Maple Leafs - Nathan Gaucher C/RW Gaucher could be a great pick up for the Leafs if available at this point in the draft. Toronto could use a boost to their center depth and Gaucher has a ton of promise. I could very much see him becomming a middle six role player type of center that Toronto could definitely benefit from.
Montreal Canadiens - Ryan Chesley RHD With Montreal having the first overall pick, getting their guy in Shane Wright, it's liklely they'll look for a defender unless there are any really intriguing names still available. Ryan Chesley is a right handed shot who can play either side that is extremely reliable on defense but isn't afraid to join the rush when needed.
Arizona Coyotes - Tristan Luneau RHD Another bigger bodied, right handed defenseman with a high ceiling, Tristan Luneau is great with the puck but has some room to grow defensively. Assuming the Coyotes get Cooley at third overall, they'll probably look for a defnder and Luneau very well could be the best available one this late in the draft.
Buffalo Sabres - Owen Beck C Can never have too many centers, especially ones OHL coaches voted best in the league on face-offs. He doesn't produce a ton offesively but could be a very reliable bottom six center who can win important face-offs and play north-south hockey.
Edmonton Oilers - Filip Mesar C/RW A smaller sized, great skates, Filip Mesar sees the ice real well and plays with great hockey IQ. If he bulks up and can show a little more flash, he has potential to make an impact in a bottom six type of role.
Winnipeg Jets - Jagger Firkus RW What a name. Adam Kimelman of NHL . com said that "one scout said among Firkus' best traits is his ability to hide in plain sight, almost appearing out of nowhere, then finding the back of the net with a quick, hard, accurate shot." Kind of sounds like Artemi Panarin maybe not as skilled but if the potentials there, Firkus could be a great late round pick.
Tampa Bay Lightning - Noah Ostlund C A highly praised player among scouts, Ostlund has plenty of room to grow but with his two way ability and hockey sense, could develop into quite the player.
Arizona Coyotes - Isaac Howard LW Another US National Development Program product, Howard would be a good pick up for Arizona, especially if they land Logan Cooley at third overall. Howard will spend time developing at the University of Minnesota-Duluth but has a lot of upside as well as speed and stength.
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