Mock Draft 11-20

Continuing on from this mornings rankings into the middle set. The first 10 doesn’t have many surprises, except that I didn’t have Alex Nylander in my top 10. I really like the player, but I couldn’t really find a theoretical fit for him inside the top 10. He probably goes somewhere in the 7-12 range.

Let’s get to the next set of players.

#11- Devils- LW/RW Alex Nylander

If Nylander falls to the Devils they will be extremely excited. He and Clayton Keller are very close to having the best hands in the draft. Not to troll Leaf fans, but Alex is the better of the Nylander brothers. A very good shot along with good hockey smarts make him a slam dunk option for NJ.

#12- Senators- RD Jake Bean

Jake Bean led the CHL in goals (24) this season from a defencemen. Knows how to get shots through from the point. Excellent skater with excellent offensive instincts. Needs to bulk up a bit. A lot of his downfalls are because he has a slight frame. But once he fills out, he could be a solid pick at 12. A very promising prospect going forward for the Sens.

#13- Hurricanes- C Tyson Jost

I had him a little lower a few weeks ago. After he dominated the under 18’s I bumped him up. He has the hockey skills and intangibles that it takes to win. Some have compared him to Jonathan Toews, which I feel is a fair comparison in terms of style of play. He’s a UND commit; in a few years he’s going to be a very good player for the Hurricanes.

#14- Bruins- RD Charlie McAvoy

Look for the Bruins do some back yard shopping here. Charlie plays a well suited pro game already. He started the year a little shaky but slowly came around. He’s got a very hard slap shot and is a solid passer. He’s a physical player as well, and doesn’t shy away from an opportunity to put someone on their butt. Excellent skater.

#15- Wild- RD Dante Fabbro

I really like Dante Fabbro. I only got the chance to see him live once this winter, but he’s a very solid 2-way defenceman with a lot of offensive upside. He’s very smart, has a solid shot and moves around the ice very well. He’s commited to Boston University next season. Minnesota might not see him for 3 or 4 years, but he’ll be worth the wait.

#16-Wings- C German Rubtsov

This is a very interesting player here. I’m not sure the effect of the Russian doping scandal will have on his draft status. He’s the best 200 foot player available in the first round. He’s mature beyond his years. I’m not overly familiar with this player to be honest, but I’ve liked the rugged game I’ve briefly seen him play.

#17 Predators- LW Keifer Bellows

Keifer is a strong skating power forward. He enjoys doing the “big man” things. Solid forechecker and likes to battle for pucks. He sometimes gets too aggressive and takes a bad penalty, but it’s easier to pull the big guy back once in awhile, instead of having to kick him in the butt. He’s got a strong shot and is built for the pro game.

#18 Flyers- C Michael McLeod

This is a bit lower than most have him. I like his game a lot, but at times he always left me wanting more. He skates very well, can do things with the puck at high speeds. He’s quite competitive and plays a hard game. If he develops well, he could be a steal at 18.

#19 Islanders- RW Julien Gauthier

Big physical power forward. He posted the weirdest stat line in hockey this year – Gauthier blasted 41 goals into the net but only had 16 assists all year. He’s an absolute load to handle around the net. He’s bigger and stronger than everyone else. Gauthier is basically a big bully and reminds me a lot of Rick Nash, although not nearly as pro ready as Rick was in 2002.

#20 Coyotes – C Luke Kunin

Luke has a lot of skill in the offensive end. Moves fairly well and a solid shot. He’s a balanced player, strong scoring and playmaking abilities. Good puck skills and plays an honest game.