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Now that the draft order is set and there isn’t a Canucks game until tomorrow, what better time than now for a mock draft? Draft is based on final regular season standings after draft lotto.


30-Chicago- Adam Erne, Quebec, RW, 6'0 210
The Blackhawks have one of the draft's faller falls right into their laps. Erne is an explosive skater who can hit and score.

29-Calgary (via Pit)-Shea Théodore, Seattle, D, 6'2 178
After upgrading their skill up front with their first two selections, Calgary takes one of the better offensive defencman in the draft.

28-Anaheim-Joshua Morrissey, Prince Albert, D, 6'0 186
He's slipped a little as the season has gone on, but Morrissey is one of those players that makes the right play all the time.

27-Montréal-John Hayden, USDP, C, 6'2 220
Montreal needs to add some size, skill and toughness. Hayden has been a quick riser because he plays a north/south game and isn't afraid to mix it up.

26-Boston-Max Domi, London, C, 5'9 185
The feisty little centre reminds some people of Mike Richards. He slips because of his size, but believe me, he's a hell of a player.

25-Calgary (via Stl)-Alexander Wennberg, Djurgarden, C, 6'1 176
The talented Swede can play all three forward positions and upgrades Calgary's forward prospects.

24-Columbus (via LA)-Mirco Mueller, Everett, D, 6'3 180
After addressing their need for offence early, the Blue Jackets take a defenceman with a lot of upside, who played with Murray.

23-Vancouver-Justin Bailey, Kitchener, C, 6'3 186
Mike Gillis seems set on adding size and Bailey has that and a ton of athletic ability. He's a little ways away, but the sky may be the limit for him once he develops. Gillis has also shown he is willing to wait on players.

22-Toronto-Zachary Fucale, Halifax, G, 6'1 180
The Leafs need a goalie of the future and Fucale is the best in the draft. He will be able to play another two years of junior and one or two in the AHL and then he will be ready to take the reins.

21-Washington-Ryan Hartman, Plymouth, RW, 5'11 185
The Caps traded away a talented young forward at the deadline so they replace him here. Hartman is a fire plug who can chip in with his excellent speed, big hits or big goals.

20-San Jose-Ian McCoshen, Waterloo, D, 6'2 207
The Sharks could use help everywhere in their prospect pool, but they may need the most help on D. McCoshen is a smooth skating D that can do a little bit of everything and should be a top 4 guy down the road.

19-Columbus (via NYR)-Nicolas Petan, Portland, C, 5'8 165
When you have three first round picks you can swing for the fences on one of them. Petan is a risky pick, but he has shown he can score and play a solid two-way game at every level.

18-Detroit-Valentin Zykov, Baie Comeau, LW, 6'0 208
The Wings like skilled players and Zykov has that. He scored 40 goals in his first year in the Q and isn't afraid of going to the dirty areas.

17-Ottawa-Frederik Gauthier, Rimouski, LW/RW, 6'4 195
One of the better players left on the board, the Sens take a player that will add size and two-way play to their team.

16-Buffalo (via Min)-Kerby Rychel, Windsor, LW, 6'1 205
The Sabres need offence and toughness to compete in the Northeast Division. Rychel has a ton of character, heart and he can score.

15-NY Islanders-Curtis Lazar, Edmonton, C/RW, 6'0 190
Never afraid to reach a little the Islanders take the gritty winger out of Edmonton, who they have likely seen a number of times because he plays with Reinhart.

14-Columbus-Anthony Mantha, Val d'Or, RW, 6'4 190
The Blue Jackets were so close to getting in this year, but lacked at times another scorer. With a 50 goal guy sitting there at 14 it makes sense to take him.

13-Winnipeg-Bo Horvat, London, C, 6'0 206
A little off the board, but Horvat is in the same mold as Jets Captain Andrew Ladd. He has one of the highest compete levels in the draft and can handle a little bit of everything.

12-Phoenix-Elias Lindholm, Brynas, C, 6'0 181
The Coyotes need to add some skill to their lineup and Lindholm is a guy who could do that as soon as next season. The speedy Swede had 30 points in the SEL this season and is too good to pass on.

11-Philadelphia-Nikita Zadorov, London, D, 6'6 230
Zadorov just screams like he is a perfect fit for the Flyers. They like them tough and need D, he is a D and might be the toughest player in the draft. Some have him falling because of the Russian factor, but I bet he doesn't get too far.

10-Dallas-Ryan Pulock, Brandon, D, 6'0 211
Dallas scouts like the west and they also could use an offensive defencman to pair with their stay-at-home type prospects. Pulock may be the best scoring defencman in this year's draft.

09-New Jersey-Hunter Shinkaruk, Medicine Hat, C/LW, 5'10 181
The Devils didn't score much this year and they haven't exactly had a whole lot of success drafting out of Europe as of late. Lou has never worried about size and Shinkaruk is the best North American player on the board.

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08-Buffalo-Rasmus Ristolainen, TPS, D, 6’3 201
The Sabres have some good prospects on D but Ristolainen is better than all of them. They also finished 24th in the NHL in goals against so it is something they could use help with.

07-Edmonton-Darnell Nurse, S.S. Marie, D, 6’4 185
He’s a bit of a project but he could turn out to be the best D in the Oiler’s system. He also adds the size and grit that they need with some solid offensive upside.

06-Calgary-Sean Monahan, Ottawa, C , 6’2 187
Calgary has two big holes: one at centre and one at captain. Monahan has the potential to fill both those needs sooner rather than later.

05-Carolina-Aleksander Barkov, Tappara, C, 6’2 205
Aside from Jones, Barkov might be the most NHL ready prospect. The Canes like their Fins so he would fit right in and add some more fire-power.

04-Nashville-Jonathan Drouin, Halifax , LW, 5’10 186
Nashville is ecstatic to have the Q’s best draft prospect land in their lap.

03-Tampa Bay-Valeri Nichushkin, Chelyabinsk , RW, 6’4 196lbs
There might be a little concern with his contract situation in Russia , but the Lightning haven’t been scared off in the past. They also need size, which is why they take the big Russian. Wouldn’t shock me to see them move back to get him on draft day.

02-Florida-Nathan MacKinnon, Halifax, C, 6’0 182lbs
Both him a Drouin keep flipping, back and forth, but MacKinnon is a little safer, bigger and a better all-around player.

01-Colorado-Seth Jones, Portland , D, 6’4 205lbs
This is a no-brainer. Jones can do it all and is the best player in the draft.


Thoughts?


Get Ready!

This video was made by the talented Samir Javer. Enjoy.




Canucks Playoff Pool Draft

The draft is on tonight at 6:30p.m. PST time. If you haven't heard from the Office pools site, get in touch with 1970Vintage via PM. Looking forward to this guys.


Well that's a wrap.

Ian


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