With the NHL draft less than a week away, it’s time to play the role of general manager.
Our first-round mock takes draft tendencies, team needs and the best player available all into consideration.
Here we go!
1. Edmonton Oilers – Connor McDavid (C, 6-0/195, Erie)
The prize for winning the draft lottery is rich indeed. McDavid is a generational talent and will immediately become the face of a proud but floundering Oilers franchise. He recorded 65 goals and 104 assists in just 66 total games last season. Not a bad situation for Peter Chiarelli and Todd McLellan to be walking into, eh?
2. Buffalo Sabres – Jack Eichel (C, 6-2/196, Boston University)
Eichel is another potential franchise star in the making. He burst onto the NCAA scene in 2014-15, scoring 26 goals and 71 points in just 40 games en route to becoming the first freshman to win the Hobey Baker Award since 1993 (Paul Kariya). With last year’s top pick, Sam Reinhart, and Eichel manning the center of the ice, the Sabres will be set down the middle for years to come.
3. Arizona Coyotes – Noah Hanifin (D, 6-2/203, Boston College)
The Coyotes dealt away several key assets last season in hopes of aiding their team rebuild. Then they were the biggest loser at the draft lottery, dropping down to third overall and missing out on a chance to grab McDavid or Eichel. And now their future in Arizona is in question. From a hockey standpoint, however, they are still in a position to land a game-changing player. They may be tempted to go with one of the many flashy centers available in this draft, but they will ultimately take Hanifin, who makes for a dream defensive pairing with Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
4. Toronto Maple Leafs – Dylan Strome (C, 6-3/185, Erie)
The Leafs will be thrilled to see Strome, a big, skilled center with a ton of creativity, drop to fourth overall. Strome, who led the OHL in scoring last season, will give new head coach Mike Babcock some much-needed offensive ammo for the future on offense.
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5. Carolina Hurricanes – Mitch Marner (C, 5-11/160, London)
Though some will question Marner’s size, the Hurricanes will jump at the opportunity to select the young center, who has tremendous hands, a lightning-quick stride and a finisher’s mentality.
6. New Jersey Devils –Mathew Barzal (C, 5-11/175, Seattle)
If Barzal didn’t suffer a serious knee injury last season, he could have been in a position to battle Strome and Marner for one of the top-five spots. He compares his style to the Flyers’ Claude Giroux and could be a hidden gem for the Devils, who desperately need to improve their depth at center.
7. Philadelphia Flyers – Ivan Provorov (D, 6-0/201, Brandon)
Provorov would fall under the category of “best player available” in this scenario and would be an excellent pick for GM Ron Hextall. The young Russian would join the likes of Travis Sanheim, Sam Morin, Shayne Gostisbehere and Robert Hagg to give the Flyers arguably the most coveted crop of young defensemen in the league. He’s strong and savvy with the puck and could be exactly the impact blueliner new head coach Dave Hakstol is looking for.
8. Columbus Blue Jackets – Mikko Rantanen (RW, 6-3/211, TPS)
The top-ranked European skater by NHL Central Scouting makes the leap to North America after playing against strong competition overseas the past two seasons. Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen and Rantanen are both natives of Finland, so you can bank on Columbus having a strong scouting report on the big-bodied winger.
9. San Jose Sharks – Timo Meier (RW, 6-1/209, Halifax)
The Sharks are one of the NHL’s strongest drafting teams as they have quality prospects at each position. But after missing the playoffs last season, they’ll nab Meier, a Swiss power forward who tore up the QMJHL in 2014-15. He may even earn a roster spot out of training camp this fall.
10. Colorado Avalanche – Zach Werenski (D, 6-2/206, University of Michigan)
The Avs are loaded with talented offensive prospects, so they will be ecstatic to see Werenski still on the board. He has the potential to be a top-pair defenseman if developed properly.
11. Florida Panthers – Lawson Crouse (LW, 6-4/215, Kingston)
Crouse doesn’t possess as much talent as other forwards available in the first round but is still a highly-touted power winger. He scored 29 goals last season and would bring a vital physical element to Florida’s offense.
12. Dallas Stars – Kyle Connor (LW/C, 6-1/177, Youngstown)
Hoping to bolster its forward group, Dallas adds Connor, who has the ability to play the wing and center. He owns high-octane speed and is widely-regarded as a playmaker.
13. Los Angeles Kings – Jakub Zboril (D, 6-0/184, Saint John)
Looking to plug a hole on defense, the Kings take Zboril, a dynamic skater with a booming shot. He’s a bit of a project but could be NHL-ready in two to three years.
14. Boston Bruins – Pavel Zacha (C/LW, 6-3/210, Sarnia)
Didn’t produce as much offense as Sarnia expected last season because of an injury and suspension, but Boston gambles on Zacha. His size, speed and skill will make a significant impact for the Bruins, who failed to reach the postseason last year.
15. Calgary Flames – Travis Konecny (C, 5-9/175, Ottawa)
Konecny plays a big man’s game despite his small frame, much like Calgary’s Johnny Gaudreau. His charisma and determination make him a perfect pick for the Flames.
16. Edmonton Oilers (from Pittsburgh Penguins) – Oliver Kylington (D, 6-0/180, Farjestad)
After already landing a highly-skilled forward, the Oilers take a defenseman with their second pick in the first round. Kylington provides the organization with an intelligent, puck-moving blueliner who can quarterback the power play.
17. Winnipeg Jets – Evgeny Svechnikov (LW, 6-1/199, Cape Breton)
Svechnikov has soft hands and a quick release but needs to round out his two-way game. The Jets have been excellent at the draft and developing their prospects since moving north of the border, and offer a great system for the winger to grow in.
18. Ottawa Senators – Nick Merkley (RW, 5-10/191, Kelowna)
The Senators could use a shifty second-line winger, and that’s exactly why they’ll pluck Merkley with the 18th pick. He’s a gritty, hard-working forward who sees the ice very well.
19. Detroit Red Wings – Jansen Harkins (C, 6-1/182, Prince George)
Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk aren’t getting any younger, so Detroit decides to use its first-rounder on a dynamic center. Harkins still needs to grow into his frame but is responsible in all three zones. Sounds like a Red Wing, right?
20. Minnesota Wild – Gabriel Carlsson (D, 6-4/183, Linkoping Jr.)
The Wild should be looking to shore up their back end, and Carlsson would be a great option for the club. He plays a cool, mature two-way game and is a solid passer. Potential partner for Matt Dumba?
21. Buffalo Sabres (from New York Islanders) – Brock Boeser (RW, 6-0/191, Waterloo)
The Sabres already took Eichel, so why not grab a north-south winger to pair along with him? Boeser is a pure sniper who can also distribute the puck. Deadly combination.
22. Washington Capitals – Thomas Chabot (D, 6-1/180, Saint John)
With impending free agent Mike Green’s status up in the air, the Captials select an effective defenseman in Chabot. He’s a smooth skater and can move the puck with ease. Could very well be Green’s replacement.
23. Vancouver Canucks – Filip Chlapik (C, 6-1/177, Charlottetown)
Chlapik doesn’t stand out in any one particular area of the ice, but does all the little things well. The Canucks pluck him with their first rounder and hope he and Bo Horvat provide a nice 1-2 punch for the future.
24. Toronto Maple Leafs (from Nashville Predators) – Jeremy Roy (D, 6-0/188, Sherbrooke)
The Leafs got their coveted center in Strome with the fourth pick, so they turn their attention to defense. Roy is a rugged defender but surprisingly efficient in the offensive zone. May require some patience, though.
25. Winnipeg Jets (from St. Louis Blues via Buffalo Sabres) – Colin White (6-0/183, USA U-18)
The Jets continue to stockpile forwards, selecting White with their second choice in the first round. He’s a difference maker on the ice and doesn’t lose many battles. Winnipeg would welcome him with open arms.
26. Montreal Canadiens – Joel Eriksson Ek (C, 6-1/180, Farjestad)
Eriksson Ek has the competitive nature that will endear him to Montreal fans. He’s responsible defensively and is still getting bigger and stronger. Easy pick for the Habs, who could use some forward depth.
27. Anaheim Ducks – Paul Bittner (LW, 6-4/204, Portland)
Bittner is meant to play in Anaheim. He’s a big, strong, bruising winger with an accurate shot and terrific awareness. Exactly what the Ducks are searching for.
28. Tampa Bay Lightning (from New York Rangers) – Brandon Carlo (D, 6-5/196, Tri-City)
With a slew of offensive prospects already in their system, the Lightning go with Carlo, a towering defenseman who excels at shutting down the opposition’s top players. Also plays a sound physical game.
29. Philadelphia Flyers (from Tampa Bay Lightning) – Daniel Sprong (RW, 6-0/180, Charlottetown)
Taking the best player available earlier in the first round, the Flyers land one of the more skilled wingers available in the draft with their second pick. Sprong needs to improve his two-way game but is a flashy forward with the kind of offensive talent the Flyers desperately need. He’s an excellent skater with a knack for setting up highlight-reel goals.
30. Arizona Coyotes (from Chicago Blackhawks) – Jake DeBrusk (LW, 5-11/174, Swift Current)
Like the Flyers, the Coyotes take a forward after drafting an impact blueliner earlier in the draft. DeBrusk shows great creativity and deception with the puck, something Arizona’s offense could certainly use.