NHL First Round Mock Draft

Today the BSN Avalanche staff unveils the First Round Mock Draft we’ve been hard at work on in recent days. Each of the 6 writers was randomly assigned 4 teams, with one of their teams picking twice in the first round, and given several days to familiarize themselves with their assigned teams prospect pools.

What follows is the result of research on the teams and many scouting hours on a lot of players. Hope you all enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed writing it!

1. Edmonton Oilers – Connor McDavid, C, Erie Otters (OHL)

Cole says:  The Edmonton Oilers made this pick weeks ago when they won the 2015 NHL Draft Lottery. Connor McDavid is undisputed #1 pick in this draft and most consider him to be the best draft age prospect since the Pittsburgh Penguins selected Sidney Crosby in 2005. Connor McDavid is the complete hockey package and will make an instant impact on the Oilers next season.

Connor McDavid is the kind of generational player who the Oilers hope will transform their franchise on the ice, but the OHL’s Top Prospect has already made an impact on the Oilers organization off the ice. On draft lottery night the Oilers were instantly transformed from one of the NHL’s least desirable cities to a top destination. The Oilers are already reaping the benefits of Connor McDavid as it helped them to bring in a cup winning GM in Peter Chiarelli and a well respected coach in Todd McLellan.

2. Buffalo Sabres – Jack Eichel, C, Boston University (NCAA)

Austin says: The Sabres may have missed out on Connor McDavid and head coach Mike Babcock this summer, but the consolation prize is pretty fantastic. Jack Eichel would be a consensus first-overall selection if it weren’t for the generational McDavid. Eichel possesses all the tools you want from a number one center: size, speed, hockey sense, work ethic, and an ability to take over games on both ends of the rink.

The future of American hockey is Jack Eichel, who some consider the best United States born prospect to enter the draft since Mike Modano. The Sabres will build their identity around the curly haired kid from Chelmsford, Massachusetts, who joins an ever-growing crop of excellent prospects in Buffalo.

3. Arizona Coyotes – Dylan Strome, C, Erie Otters (OHL)

AJ says: Arizona’s need for a front-line forward goes back seemingly forever as they haven’t had very many dynamic forwards come through Phoenix (Glendale?) in a long time. Fun fact: The Coyotes have been led in scoring by defensemen for three straight seasons. The offense finally bottomed out this past season after Radim Vrbata and Ray Whitney left town last summer and drafting Strome solves the issue of who their first line center is moving forward.

Strome led the OHL in scoring this year and put up the kind of elite production that has almost always translated into NHL stardom. While he still needs work on his skating and all-around game, Strome’s offense should be good enough to justify him pushing for a roster spot immediately.

4. Toronto Maple Leafs – Noah Hanifin, D, Boston College (NCAA)

Cheryl says: Toronto needs a home run in this first of two Round 1 picks, and Noah Hanifin certainly fits the bill. The top defensive prospect in 2015 has everything—size, skill, smarts, and skating—and his presence will bolster a shaky Toronto blueline, giving them a young two-way d-man who excels in all situations. Hanifin projects to be a top-pairing defenseman who will most likely hit the NHL by the 2016-17 season, giving the Leafs the help they need sooner rather than later.

5. Carolina Hurricanes – Lawson Crouse, LW, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)

Casey says: Carolina has a solid pick in either Marner or Crouse, but in the end they need physical players and solid wings moreso than an additional scoring centerman. Crouse can put up the points, to be sure–his 29G and 22A in 56 games with the Kingston Frontenacs is nothing to sneeze at — but what attracts the Hurricanes to a player like Crouse is that he is a power forward in every definition.

The Hurricanes have few players that can provide a true physical challenge to the opposition, and Crouse, with his 6’3″, 212lb frame and his brutally physical style of play, would hopefully be able to transition into an NHL role sooner than other power forward prospects this draft. He is considered high-risk high-reward, but if I were in Ron Francis’ shoes, I’d consider the risks worth it for the potential of shoring up my NHL roster sooner rather than later with a player who fills a very specific need for the ‘Canes.

6. New Jersey Devils – Mitch Marner, C, London Knights (OHL)

AJ says: For new Devils GM Ray Shero, this is Christmas. Getting maybe the draft’s 3rd or 4th best player at the 6th overall pick while simultaneously filling an organizational need is a draft day coup. The prolific scoring of Marner, who averaged 2 points per game last season in the OHL, would give the Devils the kind of dynamic scoring threat they haven’t had since Zach Parise decided moving to Minnesota was actually a good idea and Ilya Kovalchuk defected to Russia.

Despite the presence of Travis Zajac and Adam Henrique at the NHL level, neither player has the kind of offensive ability Marner possesses. Marner likely needs one more year in the OHL but his time as an offensive force for the Devils should come sooner rather than later.

7. Philadelphia Flyers – Ivan Provorov, D, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

Andi says: It’s almost a running meme at this point that Philadelphia needs a defenseman. While they do have a few good blueline prospects in Samuel Morin, Shayne Gostisbehere, and Travis Sanheim, Provorov would likely jump to the head of the class. His steady, smart, two-way play would help bring stability to a struggling blueline, and the City of Brotherly Love wouldn’t have to wait long to see him decked out in orange since there’s a chance he’ll make the NHL next year.

If winning teams are built from the blueline out, there are certainly worse foundations for the Flyers than this capable Russian.

8. Columbus Blue Jackets – Zachary Werenski, D, University of Michigan (NCAA)

Cheryl says: After trading James Wisniewski this season, Columbus was left with two gaping holes on the blueline. The team now needs to shore up its defense as well as bring in some offense from the backend, so going with a strong, two-way defenseman with NHL written all over him is the best approach. Enter Zach Werenski. A talented puck mover with high hockey sense, Werenski gives Columbus a star to QB the power play and to provide a clean transition from the d-zone.

He has the size and skill to defend against NHL players right now, and he’s confident enough to handle the pro-level as soon as this season. He’ll be a first-pairing defenseman for Columbus in just a few short years when Jack Johnson’s age catches up with him.

9. San Jose Sharks – Pavel Zacha, C, Sarnia Sting (OHL)

Casey says: The Sharks are hurting for just about everything, so they’d likely go best player available. The best player available also fills a need: the Sharks have no solid centers from the third line down and Zacha could be NHL-ready sooner than others. Zacha is the type of player who could benefit immensely from mentorship from guys like Patrick Marleau and Logan Couture, given the similarities in their overall game.

Sharks GM Doug Wilson has made it known quite publicly that he isn’t happy with the team as-is and if the Sharks undergo an overhaul in the next couple offseasons, a centerman like Zacha is a great addition to a young core of up-and-comers for the Sharks.

10. Colorado Avalanche – Evgeny Svechnikov, LW, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL)

Austin says: I lucked into the honor of making the selection under the biggest microscope in this Mock Draft and decided to deliver on the rumors of a Russian coming to Denver. Svechnikov at tenth overall is a bit higher than his 17th overall rating from CSS, but I’m extremely confident in this pick, especially considering several of my priority picks for the Avs just came off the board.

Svechnikov’s skill level is as high as any winger in this draft class in my opinion, and his ceiling is NHL star. His ratings are undoubtedly clouded by the “Russian Factor” that currently accompanies any player from the Motherland.

Given his knack for finding soft spots in the defense and finishing off plays, Svechnikov figures to be an excellent fit in Colorado. The Avalanche have some elite playmakers such as Matt Duchene, Ryan O’Reilly, and Nathan MacKinnon. Svechnikov will bring great hockey sense, exceptional stick-handling and puck protection skills, and a little Russian flare to the lineup. I want to re-iterate that this guy is a play-finisher and loves to score goals. The Avalanche NEED a guy like this for the present and the future.

Roy and Sakic probably have fond memories of playing with Valeri Kamensky, and hope that an equally dynamic Russian LW can help elevate the current Avs back to the NHL’s elite. Svechnikov may need another year in the Q with his Screaming Eagles of Cape Breton, but in the end, I think he’s going to be well worth the wait.

11. Florida Panthers – Travis Konecny, RW, Ottawa 67s (OHL)

Cheryl says: While Florida isn’t dominating the NHL scene, it’s not for a lack of balance in the roster. Unlike other teams in the top half of the draft, Florida doesn’t really have any glaring weaknesses positionally. The team simply needs to put the pieces together; however, it never hurts to add some offensive sparks.

Travis Konecny is a dynamic top-six winger whose offensive instincts are grounded in smart place, quick hands, fast skates, and more than anything, sheer determination. While he’s small in stature, Konecny is massive in heart. The Panthers could use that kind of attitude on their forward lines. Konecny’s will makes him a tide turner in lopsided games; add his talent into the mix, and you’ve got yourself a game changer.

12. Dallas Stars – Mikko Rantanen, RW, HC TPS (Finnish Liiga)

Austin says: Dallas probably wasn’t expecting Mikko Rantanen to fall into their laps at 12th overall, but sometimes funny things happen in the draft. The Stars had a terrific season of offensive production last year, but still could use an influx of talent on the wing. Rantanen brings the size and skill NHL GMs drool over on draft day. A future line of Benn – Seguin – Rantanen is a terrifying thought for the rest of the NHL.

Defensive help could also be targeted at this point in the draft for Dallas, who gave up the fourth-most goals per game in the NHL last season, but with such a clear best-player-available situation presenting itself, the selection took care of itself. Jeremy Roy and Jakub Zboril would be options on defense at this point, if a tantalizing forward wasn’t available.

13. Los Angeles Kings – Mathew Barzal, C, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

Cole says: The Los Angeles Kings can’t sprint to the podium fast enough when they see Mathew Barzal available at 13th overall. Barzal’s is an absolutely electric offensive player whose talent is undeniable and he only slips this far due to his small stature and injury shortened draft year. Many scouts rank Barzal’s vision and playmaking abilities among the top 3-5 players in the draft and he’s without question the best value pick in our BSN Mock Draft so far.

With Mike Richards’ career coming to an underwhelming conclusion, the Los Angeles Kings need to retool their forward group behind superstar Anze Kopitar. As one of the most offensively gifted players in the draft, Barzal has the potential to re-establish the Kings’ 1-2 punch down the center for years to come. The influx of talent breathes new life into an organization that’s struggled to score goals for years and slipped out of the Western Conference playoff picture.

Barzal will need some development time before he’s ready to play in the NHL, giving the Kings plenty of time to sort out their messy cap situation and open a roster spot for the game changing center.

14. Boston Bruins – Jakub Zboril, D, Saint John (QMJHL)

Cole says: No two ways about it, Zdeno Chara is getting old in Boston. After a decade of league dominance Boston’s defensive rock is starting to decline and while Dougie Hamilton and Torey Krug provide a good base to move forward, the Bruins must continue rebuilding their defensive unit through the draft.

The Bruins have been a defense first organization for a long time and as such they pass up on the offensively gifted Jeremy Roy in order to draft the larger, more defense-oriented Jakub Zboril. The 6’2” Czech defenseman has some growing up to do before he plays in the NHL, but if he can find better consistency and refine his physical game, he should help the Bruins restock their formidable blueline for years to come.

15. Calgary Flames – Timo Meier, RW/C, Halifax (QMJHL)

Andi says: While the Flames might consider one of the 2-way defensemen still on the board, the physical, power-forward game of Meier will likely be too good to pass up.  In addition to not being afraid to drive the net, the right wing is a known sniper, competent at both ends of the ice, and would act as a great complement to the Flames’ emerging Bennet- Monahan- Gaudreau core.

While it might take a couple years for him to refine his game, Calgary has been missing a true finisher since the departure of Jarome Iginla.  Meier’s goal-scoring abilities could help ease this need and provide an important part of Calgary’s rebuilding puzzle moving forward.

16. Edmonton Oilers (From PIT) – Jeremy Roy, D, Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL)

Cole says: With Connor McDavid joining an already talented group of young forwards, the Edmonton Oilers will look to Sherbrooke to build out their defense. Darnell Nurse remains the Oilers top prospect on defense and the big left-handed shooter should make his way to the NHL this season. In Jeremy Roy, the Oilers will draft an incredibly skilled and dynamic right-shooting offensive defenseman who they hope can one day share duties with Nurse on the top pairing.

17. Winnipeg Jets – Paul Bittner, LW, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

Casey says: Bittner suits the Jets’ style perfectly: he’s a big-bodied forechecker who plays aggressively and has a reputation for being frustrating to the opposition. Sounds like GM Kevin Cheveldayoff’s ideal man. Since the Jets have two first-round picks, it makes sense they’d spend the higher one on quality forward talent as they are a tad more stacked on defense.

Seventeenth overall is the highest the Jets have ever drafted and this has led to rumours that Cheveldayoff might try to trade one of his first-rounders and some assets up into the top 10. While it isn’t out of the question, the Jets would have to sacrifice a lot to get into one of those top 10 picks and unless they have their eyes on someone specific, they aren’t losing much by simply drafting seventeenth and selecting a high-ceiling forward like Bittner.

18. Ottawa Senators – Kyle Connor, C, Youngstown (USHL)

Andi says: You’ll be hard pressed to find a team that can’t use a 2-way center with great vision and hockey IQ.  With the graduation of Curtis Lazar, Ottawa’s prospect system is running a little dry, so the lanky, agile, puck-handling Connor would instantly jump to near the top of the list.

He’s a University of Michigan recruit, so it will likely be a few years before he’s ready to make the jump to the NHL. However, that gives him time to continue refining his defensive game and adding strength. Overall, Kyle Conner is a fairly safe pick and probably the best bang-for-your-buck selection at this point of the draft.

19. Detroit Red Wings – Joel Eriksson Ek, C, Farjestad, (SHL)

AJ says: This is the classic Red Wings pick that Ken Holland has been making for years. While the elite, flashy talents are selected all around him, Holland patiently and quietly takes the solid and unspectacular Eriksson Ek from Sweden. A big-bodied center known for his responsible two-way play, Eriksson Ek won’t bring the same buzz Anthony Mantha or Dylan Larkin have in recent years but he will see them in the NHL someday when he continues the tradition of Detroit’s European draft excellence.

20. Minnesota Wild – Brock Boeser, C, Waterloo (USHL)

Andi says:  The bulk of Minnesota’s goal-scoring talent currently resides in players who, short of finding the magical fountain of youth somewhere up in lake country, will be retiring somewhat soon (haha). The Wild need someone who can put the biscuit in the basket and, unfortunately, they might be able to find him in Brock Boeser.

As a product of the USHL, he’s a bit under the radar, but still posted 68pts in 57 games for Waterloo this year.  He has decent size, plays a strong game, and is a good passer, but his defense still needs some work.  However, his deadly shot could easily bring the goal scoring pop the Wild seem to think they need (pfft, Division rivals and their silly ideas), plus he’s from the oh-so-humbly-named State of Hockey.

Even when their youth have (wrongfully, I assume) committed to the rival University of North Dakota, it’ll be hard for Minny to pass up on someone who fits both their needs and their odd, homerific “ALL THE MINNESOTANS MUST PLAY FOR THE WILD!!!” mandate.

21. Buffalo Sabres (From NYI) – Daniel Sprong, RW, Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)

Austin says: The Sabres scored Jack Eichel at the center-ice position earlier in this draft and have Sam Reinhart knocking on the NHL door. This duo figures to be a force up the middle for the next decade in Buffalo, although the Sabres still are a bit thin on the wing in their prospect pool.

Daniel Sprong addresses an organizational need, and brings a heavy dose of goal-scoring ability to the fold. While raw in some areas, the Dutch born right wing possesses incredible speed and skill, and figures to be a big-time scorer in the NHL. Eichel and Reinhart will love having a flashy sniper to play with, and the offensive-minded Sprong will love having the playmaking ability and defensive responsibility of Eichel or Reinhart on the ice with him.

Buffalo has to be pleased that they potentially just drafted two-thirds of a game changing line in the first round of this year’s draft.

22. Washington Capitals – Nick Merkley, RW, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)

Cole Says: With a competitive NHL squad and recent prospects Evgeni Kuznetzov and Andrei Burakovsky graduating to the NHL, the Capitals don’t have a single glaring weakpoint in their prospect pool the way many teams picking ahead of them do. Instead the Capitals need a little of everything. For that reason Washington moves to select the best player available on their draft board in Nick Merkley.

An excellent passer and a big part of the WHL’s best Kelowna Rockets, Merkley will need time before playing in the NHL, but when he does reach the pros he could finally provide  the Caps with adequate scoring depth behind Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom.

23. Vancouver Canucks – Thomas Chabot, D, Saint John (QMJHL)

Casey says: Vancouver has a need for chippy players on the blue line, and if I were Jim Benning, I couldn’t pass up Thomas Chabot. Though the Canucks could also use scoring depth, Chabot is a powerful skater and an excellent passer, traits that if utilized properly could open up more scoring opportunities for players already on the roster.

Chabot’s defensive talents are numerous and he is considered almost universally as one of this draft’s best defensive prospects and given a few more seasons to develop, he could cement himself a place at the core of Vancouver’s defense.

24. Toronto Maple Leafs (from NSH) –  Filip Chlapik, C, Charlottetown (QMJHL)

Cheryl says: After shoring up the defense with the 4th pick, Toronto needs to add defensively-sound firepower. The team also needs a player who can crack the lineup quickly. Picking this late in the first round makes that difficult, but they’ve found it in Czech native Filip Chlapik.

An electric, intelligent player with quick hands and a nose for the puck, Chlapik will give Toronto a player who has excelled at every level he’s played. While he’s only one year into playing the North American game, he killed it immediately with 75 points (33g, 42a) in only 64 games. Chlapik is a 200-foot player with a wicked scoring touch, exactly what the Maple Leafs need to jump start the rebuild.

25. Winnipeg Jets  (from STL via BUF) – Noah Juulsen, D, Everett Silvertips (WHL)

Casey says: Juulsen is a solid defensive player who works to take guys off the puck like his life depends on it. Hits smarter rather than harder. He’s got a decent offensive upside but primarily functions as a shutdown guy who focuses on removing an opponent’s options. Sound familiar? He’s basically a mini-Jet already. Only downside is he isn’t the biggest guy on the block, but his play is tenacious and he’s got room to grow.

He’s the sort of defenseman who fits into the team Cheveldayoff has already built and could excel under the leadership of players like Tyler Myers, Tobias Enström, and Dustin Byfuglien.

26. Montreal Canadiens – Anthony Beauvillier, C, Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)

Austin says: Anthony Beauvillier to the Canadiens makes sense on so many levels. He gives them an impact center to shore up a thin prospect pool, is French-Canadian, and after getting carved up by Tyler Johnson in this year’s playoffs, Montreal shouldn’t be scared of drafting a little guy.

Great speed and shiftiness, and a knack for scoring goals are Beauvillier’s strongest attributes. He has also proven to be a dominant face-off guy in the Q, utilizing his quick hands on the dots. With Tomas Plekanec entering his mid-30s, Alex Galchenyuk as the only other clear top-six center option on the NHL roster, and no shining gems in the system, Beauvillier is a step towards solidifying and securing the center-ice position in Montreal for the future.

27. Anaheim Ducks – Denis Guryanov, RW, Ladia Togliatti (MHL)

Cheryl says: The Ducks have a solid team filled with players either right in their prime or young and promising. There are no glaring holes in the Anaheim roster, which gives the team a rare luxury when it comes to draft day: a high risk, high reward selection. Of all the players left on the board, Russian winger Denis Guryanov is far and away the biggest question mark with the most potential.

Guryanov is an elite talent who has it all. He’s a strong, fast skater with a skilled transition game. He has a piercing, accurate shot and hands that make stickhandling through defenders look easy. He is a big guy who is not afraid to throw his body around and can punish anyone stupid enough to try to stop him in the crease. His compete level is through the roof, and he plays a full 200 feet of ice. As an 18-year-old, he’s already seen professional league minutes.

So why didn’t he go higher in the draft? Geography and nationality. Guryanov has not committed to coming to the NHL yet. He’s expected to continue playing in the KHL next season. Oh, and he’s Russian. As Future Considerations put it, “If his name was John Smith from Toronto, he would likely be considered a top 10 pick by many teams.” But it’s not John Smith, and he’s not from Toronto.

If he decides to go to the NHL, he’ll be a star. If he doesn’t, he’ll be unknown in North America. Big risk, big reward.

28. Tampa Bay Lightning (from NYR) – Oliver Kylington, D, Farjestad, (SHL)

AJ says: The Lightning are deep in the NHL and in their pipeline at just about every position so they simply take the best player they have left on their board in Kylington. An elite skater who was considered a potential top-10 pick early in the season, Kylington’s stock dropped due to injuries and ineffectiveness as teams simply didn’t get a chance to see the electric blueliner play very often this season.

Kylington still has excellent upside and if he can revert to his early-season form, this could be the steal of the entire draft.

29. Philadelphia Flyers (from TB) – Colin White, US NTDP (USHL)

Andi says:  As the second first round pick owned by Philly, it made sense to focus on a forward to complement #7, Ivan Provorov.  Luckily, USNTDP product Colin White fits the bill.  While the BC commit’s game isn’t the flashiest, he’s a competent, 2-way center with a good shot, good puck possession, and a good hockey IQ.  The hard worker posted 54 pts in 54 games this past season, and his mature game means he could jump to the NHL sooner than later.

While he probably wouldn’t be skating with Giroux, he’d help the Flyers immensely on their primary shut-down line and add some points to go with it.

30. Arizona Coyotes (from CHI) – Ilya Samsonov, G, Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk (MHL)

AJ says: This is purely a luxury pick. The Coyotes are set to pick again at 32 and Buffalo, picking 31st, needs goaltending prospects so Arizona jumps the gun and snatches up the consensus top goaltender in this year’s draft. Samsonov is an elite athlete with elite size and is just beginning his reign of terror over in Russia. With a significant drop between top goaltending prospects, Arizona plays the board to their advantage and walks out of the first round with their future first line center and starting goaltender.