Introduction
My very first mock draft! Well technically, it’s the first one on a blog; last year a friend and I would watch the draft and over Skype we made a spread sheet of who would go where.
I think I ended up with 9 or 10 picks correct out of 30.
I’ve followed the draft pretty religiously for the past ten years: the first NHL draft I really paid attention to was in 2007 where the Oilers bungled three first round picks (Gagner was alright, but Plante was a monumental bust and Nash never played here). I will say this: I am no expert. There are some of these guys I have not watched play much at all.
I used a variety of resources such as the Hockey News Draft Preview (which is a must buy every year.) Corey Pronman’s 2016 Draft Rankings (which gives some good details, some really interesting and out there rankings of players, EliteProspects.com and Craig Button’s Rankings on TSN.ca
Hope you guys enjoy!
1. Toronto Maple Leafs: C Auston Matthews, Zurich
While there is a media “controversy” that Laine might over take Matthews, I do not believe it. Matthews represents both a need and best player available for the Maple Leafs. While he is no Connor McDavid, Matthews is a big, sound two way centre. Teams drool for this type of player. He’s been the favorite from day one for the 2016 draft and I cannot see how this changes. The Maple Leafs are going to have an exciting team with Matthews, Nylander and Marner all playing there.
2.Winnipeg Jets, LW Patrik Laine, Tappara
This was the guy I wanted the Oilers to draft, despite having Matthews rated higher. Regardless, Winnipeg climbed up the draft lottery and have the chance to draft an Alex Ovechkin light player in Laine, who teared up the Finnish League playoffs and the World Championship. Big and plays to his size, Laine has a great shot and awesome offensive flair. The Jets get a keeper here. After losing Andrew Ladd, it’s no shock that Laine could slide easily into the top line. Would it be a stretch to expect 25 goals from him in his rookie year? I don’t think so.
3.Columbus Blue Jackets: RW Jesse Puljujarvi, Karpat
Puljujarvi is the faller due to his Finnish Friend in Laine, but he is no slouch. When compared to Laine, Puljuarvi is the player you want to hold a one goal lead. He is better in the 200 foot game and is more of a playmaker than a pure goalscorer. Laine will have a greater offensive impact but Puljujarvi will be better all around. I would not be surprised if Columbus tried him at centre, given his stellar two way play. There’s a big hole in the middle after the Ryan Johansen trade, although Brandon Dubinsky and Boone Jenner have filled it admirably.
4. Edmonton Oilers: LW/C Pierre-Luc Dubois, Cape Breton
While there are a couple of honorable mentions, I take Dubois over the likes of Matthew Tkachuk. Dubois had some solid production minus the stellar cast that Tkachuk had in London. Dubois is a big player: 6’3, 201 pounds and has a nasty edge to him (where he was suspended at the end of the season for a check from behind). The beauty of Dubois is his versatility: he could play anywhere on a line and is a complete 200 foot player, which is something the Oilers lack in their top six at times. If the Oilers do take him at number four, I imagine he would be on the left wing. He’s just so good all around, which makes it hard for me to pass on him.
5. Vancouver Canucks: LW Matthew Tkachuk, London
Tkachuk is the son of former NHLer Keith Tkachuk and is enjoying a great memorial cup run with the London Knights. While he has size and can be imposing, Matthew is not as mean as his father Keith. Playing with the likes of Mitch Marner and Christian Dvorak, Tkachuk is not the driver on his line, but has shown that he can be a great complimentary player by not mholding his line mates back. Hello Sedins? Remember when you guys had a great Left Wing playing with you? Tkachuk can be that guy and boy, how about a couple of great mentors in Vancouver.
6. Calgary Flames RW: Alexander Nylander, Mississauga
Nylander is a skilled playmaking winger, not too unlike his brother William of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Was dominant during the World Juniors on the top line with Timashov and Asplund. He’s a very good skater with great vision. A bit on the lighter side (listed at 176) and interesting was considered an import to the AHL on a loan: He would need to be in the AHL next season rather than the OHL. A Nylander, Monahan, Bennett and Gaudreau core would be exciting, fast and dynamic.
7.Arizona Coyotes D Olli Juolevi, London
Jumping over Sergachev and Chychrun, Juolevi has benefited from playing on a loaded London Knights team. The part that stands out is his intelligence and smoothness in all aspects of his game. Had little troubles from Finnish hockey to OHL hockey. Projected to be a solid two way defender who does everything right. Arizona after drafting some high end skilled forwards, desperately needs some solid defenders in the system. Juolevi is the best one on the board. How bad is Arizona’s defenceman prospects? Not one was listed in The Hockey News Future Watch for the top ten Coyotes Prospects.
8. Buffalo Sabres: D Mikhail Sergachev, Windsor
I don’t know why, but I really like Sergachev. He’s more of an offensive defenceman, especially compared to Juolevi and Chychrun. Compared to fellow Russian defender, Ivan Provorov of the Flyers, scouts are drooling over his combination of size and skill making him one of the most NHL ready prospects in this draft. Can move the puck very well but his best feature is his booming slapshot.
9. Montreal Canadiens: C Logan Brown, Windsor
Montreal finally gets some huge size for their potential top six in Logan Brown, who stands in at 6’6. Brown features an enormous reach and very fine play making skills. Extremely good vision but tends to over pass rather than shoot (like most playmakers, like McDavid in this World Championship!). Interestingly enough, suffers a bit of big man syndrome, sometimes does not play up to his size. Regardless, he has skill and is hard to knock off the puck.
10. Colorado Avalanche: LD Jakob Chychrun, Sarnia
Chychrun has fallen during this NHL draft. Once projected to be the number three pick at one point, I have him at the 10th spot. It’s not unusual to see someone drop (Washington was thrilled when Filip Forsberg fell). Chychrun has excellent mobility and puts up points like it’s nobody’s business. Has awesome on ice poise. He didn’t do anything wrong to fall: Sergachev and Juolevi just shot up.
Final Comments
In this version of my mock draft, the top three picks stay the same as anyone else: Matthews goes to Toronto, Laine goes to Winnipeg and Puljujarvi. At number four it becomes wide open as there are two high quality forwards between Dubois and Tkachuk to choose from. I went with the more versatile Dubois in this case, while Tkachuk goes to Vancouver. I had the skilled Nylander going to Calgary, while the first defender goes to Arizona in the form of London’s Olli Juolevi, followed by Sergachev to Buffalo. Wrapping up the top ten picks are Logan Brown the giant 6’6 forward going to Montreal and Jacob Chychrun rounding it up at number ten to Colorado.
Stay tuned in the upcoming days for my 11-20 picks tomorrow followed by picks 21-30 after that.
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