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Here's the way I see it going down
Pick Team Player Position Explaination School Height Weight
1
Colorado
Nathan MacKinnon
C
Natural goal scorer, Sakic knows that putting the puck in the net is the most important element of a winning hockey team. MacKinnon is a simply fantastic prospect who has all the tools a GM would want in a high draft choice. His body and skills are advanced, relative to the fact he is a tad over two weeks away from being bumped to the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. MacKinnon is an elite skater, and possibly a generational one, easily the best in this draft class. He has an unbelievable first few steps, and he generates a ridiculous amount of power from his legs. Roy would trade this pick away but Aves fans will be thrilled to watch MacKinnon dazzle crowds for years to come Halifax (QMJHL)
5' 11.5" 181
2
Florida
Seth Jones
D
This is the consolation prize in this draft, moving Brennen to the Predators opens the Defensive spot on the roster for the most promising Defensive prospect on the board. He is a special defense prospect, and as I outlined in the previous section, he nearly made me break my tendency of preferring an elite forward to a defenseman. Jones is a high-end (arguably an elite) skater, who moves at a unique and unusual level for such a large man. With his very large wingspan and mobility, Jones closes gaps with high efficiency, and he can be difficult to get around. Portland (WHL)
6' 3.5" 205
3
Tampa Bay
Jonathan Drouin
LW
A Martin St Louis clone with St Louis on site to train the diminutive winger, Drouin is an absolute magician with the puck and is very disciplined without it. Drouin is special offensive talent, with upside through the roof—a prototypical elite, puck possession forward. Drouin has unique puck skills, with the ability to show consistent offensive creativity. The sniper of the draft lands in Tampa Halifax (QMJHL)
5' 10.75" 185
4
Nashville
Valery Nichushkin
RW
Forsberg to Nichushkin will be a common phrase by Nashville play by play announcers for many years to come. Nichushkin is a physical player who will win the battles in the corners and provide the grind that is coveted by NHL managers, couple that with these offensive skills and Nashville has added a significant piece to the puzzle. Chelyabinsk (KHL)
6' 2.75" 194
5
Carolina
Sasha Alexsander Barkov
C
Jim Rutherford thinks he has struck Gold when Barkov, who many think should be a number 1 pick falls to him at the #5 slot, the greater need is on defence but Rutherford cant pass on this kind of talent. Tappara Tampere(SM-liiga) 6' 2" 205
6
Calgary
Sean Monahan
C
Feaster and the Flames gather in the most promising Center on the board keeping in mind that they need the size and grit to make it harder to play against the Flames. Monahan is gifted enough that in most years he would be a top three overall pick. Ottawa 67's (OHL)
6' 1.5" 190
7
Edmonton
Darnell Nurse
D
After years of picking forwards the Kevin Lowe and crew in Edmonton selects the best Dman left on the board. . He is a gifted physical player who has all the natural tools a scout could want from a defender. He has slowly begun to emerge as a two-way player, but his value comes from his high-end work in his own end. A character player who is seldom caught out of position. Dallas Eakins is thrilled to add some defensive depth to the extremely talented offensive team Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
6' 3.25" 185
8
Buffalo
Elias Lindholm
LW
Darcy Regier lands a serious talent to play along side Mikhail Grigoenko for years to come. Many consider the big Swede a top five talent. He has high-end offensive skills, plus a tremendous skating ability. He regularly shows his speed in transition, and he can pressure defensemen quickly on the fore check. Brynas IF (SEL)
6' 0" 181
9
New Jersey
Nikita Zadorov
D
The New Jersy Devils keep their first round pick in this years draft and select a dynamic defender in Zadorov. Zadorov is an elite physical player who possesses many tools for future success. He has a 6'4", 205-pound frame, and he is unusually strong for a player his age London (OHL)
6' 3.5" 205
10
Dallas
Bo Horvat
C
Jim Nil in Dallas finds a gem in the 10th spot. Bo Horvat is one of the most complete forwards in this draft. He is tough, hard working, and defensively skilled, with enough offensive ability to project as a scoring line player. London (OHL)
6' 0" 198
11
Anehiem from Philadelphia
Rasmus Ristolainen
D
Paul Holmgren and Harry Sinden’s win right now and all costs disposition and their penchant for offseason moves, coupled with the latest set of Bobby Ryan rumours comes to pass. Bob Murray pulls the trigger on the Bobby Ryan deal landing Aneheim the #11 pick and Braydon Coburn this is a serious upgrade the Ducks defence by grabbing the very dynamic and what many call the most NHL ready defenseman in the draft: Rasms Ristolainen. He best skill is his hockey sense. He thinks the game at a level well beyond his years, and he does not make many mistakes on the ice. He is an aware, effective defenseman who can close gaps with his body or with his stick. With the puck, he shows calmness, but he can process the game quickly when the situation calls for it. He can man the point on the power play. TPS Turku (SM-liiga)
6' 3" 197
12
Phoenix
Curtis Lazar
C
The pipeline from the Edmonton Oil Kings to the Coyotes continues with the selection of Curtis Lazar. He is an above-average skater who can flash plus ability in that area. He covers a lot of ice due to his tremendous work ethic, as he is always moving his feet. Edmonton Oil Kings(WHL)
5' 11.25" 191
13
Winnipeg
Ryan Pulock
D
Kevin Cheveldayoff selects a local talent to fit in with the offensive mindset with the Jets
Pulock always seems to make the right decisions, whether it is to rush, pass, or shoot. Defensively, he is strong on his checks, controls his gaps well, and generally stays with his assignments. Brandon (WHL)
6' 1" 210
14
Columbus
Hunter Shinkaruk
LW
Kerkalinen adds one of the most skilled skaters in the draft. He moves effortlessly as a skater, showing the ability to gain power from each stride. That allows him to divert more energy to playmaking. His agility makes him tough to check in open ice. He possesses a skill set very similar to that of a young Ryan Getzlaf, making this an incredible long term selection Medicine Hat (WHL)
5' 10" 178
15
Calgary from NY Islanders
Alexander Wennberg
C
In yet another exceedingly bold and very questionable move by Feaster and the Flames, The Flames take over the ridiculous Rick Dipietro contract. This exchange sends Ryan Strome, and the #15 pick to the Flames in exchange for Joey McDonald, available because of the Kari Ramo signing, to the Isles. Feaster then selects Alexander Wennberg is a versatile player, capable of lining up at all three forward positions. One NHL executive described him as really hard to knock. His skating is above average, and some scouts have classified it as high end because of his speed and elusiveness Djurgardens IF (SEL)
6' 1.5" 186
16
Buffalo
Andre' Burakowsky
LW
Regier and the buffalo brain trust, after many failed attempts to trade up for a franchise player, take a long look at Fucale at this position however last summers signing of Markov out of Saskatoon sways the vote in favour of a skilled skater. One NHL executive said that Burakowsky's skating is comparable to some of the top Swedes to come out of the draft recently. He gains efficient power from his stride, and he has a great top gear. His skill level allows him to regularly make above-average to high-end dekes and passes. Malmö (Sweden)
6' 1" 177
17
Detroit
Frédérik Gauthier
C
Detroit takes a minor risk with the selection of Gauthier, the potential far outweighs the risk with this skill set. He is an above-average skater, well above-average for a player his size, as he has a real easiness to his stride. He exerts little effort in his pushoffs, and he picks up speed very well. He is very agile, given his size. He had good offensive numbers this season, despite lining up against the opposition's best players and taking a lot of defensive zone draws. Rimouski (QMJHL)
6' 5" 210
18
Ottawa
Valentin Zykov
LW
Bryan Murray adds depth to the front lines with a very capable future learder in Zykov. He is a skilled player, showing nice touch with the puck. He is able to make plays in tight spaces, flashing high-end skill at times. He can distribute the puck at a quality level, showing quick decision-making, with good offensive instincts. Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)
6' 0" 208
19
Calgary from Columbus
Adam Erne
RW
Kerkelinen picks up Mike Cammalleri from the Flames in exchange for this pick, lining Cammalleri up with Gaborik creates huge opportunities for both players to excel. The Flames get another significant player for the rebuild/retool project. Adam Erne is a big, strong forward that likes to drive to the net to create scoring chances. He's not your typical power forward, though, in that he has a high hockey IQ and also can use his body to make space for teammates. His best attribute is his skating; he frequently bursts through the neutral zone, drawing penalties, creating chances, and downright embarrassing defensemen with his speed and acceleration. Quebec (QMJHL)
6' 0" 205
20
San Jose
Kerby Rychel
LW
Doug Wilson adds Rychel, the son of former NHL player Warren Rychel, has been a productive OHL forward the past two seasons, averaging over a point per game during that span. He has above-average puck skills, good offensive instincts, and a great shot Windsor (OHL)
6' 0.5" 198
21
Toronto
Josh Morrissey
D
Toronto who was exposed in the playoffs as having a weak defence looks for long term skills at this pick and takes the best left on the board in Morrissey. Morrissey's skating skills are elite. He's quick and knows how to use his wheels to get the puck out of trouble and down the ice in a hurry. Prince Albert (WHL)
6' 0" 184
22
Calgary
Anthony Mantha
LW
Feaster continues to acquire skills and grit on the front end by adding a winger with a shot to replace the departed Iginla. A very cerebral player with a bullet for a shot. A physical specimen with huge upside. Val-d'Or (QMJHL)
6' 3" 178
23
Washington
Pavel Buchnevich
RW
The obvious aspect of his game is his skill level. He has high-end puck possession skills, with top-of-the-line hands and hockey sense. He shows good offensive instincts, standing out through his reads and creative decisions. A skilled scorer to line up opposite Alec Ovechkin providing an additional scoring threat with the Capitals. Cherepovets (KHL)
6' 1" 170
24
Vancouver
Madison Bowey
D
Bowey is a gifted defenseman with a lot of upside. He still has a few kinks in his game, but there are some scouts who rave about him. He is a quality skater with a powerful stride, good balance, four-way bursts, and above-average top speed that enables him to close gaps quickly. He shows a willingness to engage, that along with a solid strength level, can help him erase checks off of pucks effectively. Kelowna (WHL)
6' 0.5" 194
25
Montreal
Max Domi
C
Marc Bergevin brings Max Domi and his unique skills the Habs. Max is a highly-skilled player who can impact an offense in multiple ways. One NHL source said he possesses clearly high-end playmaking abilities. He controls the puck, and he can make quality passes in a multitude of ways: slowing the game from the sideboards, through tight spaces in pressure, or saucers over a defender's stick. London (OHL)
5' 9" 175
26
Anaheim
J.T. Compher
C
J.T. Compher loves to have the puck on his stick and he doesn't tend to give it up until he's created some room for an open teammate. His passes are outstanding, as is his vision. Compher also has a deceptive release, making him a genuinely dangerous player every time he enters the slot. He is a great all-around player, above average or better at just about every area of the game, despite his 5'11" frame. He is a good skater who picks up speed well, and he has a high-energy element in his play.
US-Under-18 (USAH-NTDP) 6' 0" 171
27
Columbus
Artturi Lehkonen
RW
Lehkonen is a good all-around offensive talent. He possesses every desirable tool except size. His skating might not be explosive, but it is quality, and he displays solid speed and elusiveness. He has above-average puck skills, with quick movements and good coordination KalPa Kuopio (SM-liiga) 5' 10" 163
28
Calgary
Robert Hägg
D
With his last move in the first round Feaster delivers his final stroke by selecting Hagg. He is a high-end skater, possessing an effortless stride and quick acceleration. He appears to glide when he is on the ice, with a high amount of offensive ability. He makes quality rushes, and he displays great puck movement in every zone. MoDo U-20 (Sweden)
6' 2.25" 204
29
Boston
Nic Petan
C
Like Max Domi, the 5'9'' frame might scare some teams off. But 120 points through 71 games with the Portland Winterhawks should go a long way toward alleviating those concerns. Nicolas Petan has a ton of talent and isn't afraid of the rough areas like some smallish forwards. Portland (WHL)
5' 9" 166
30
Chicago
Mirco Müller
D
Smooth-skating, offensive-minded defenders are always in high demand at the NHL level, and that's exactly what Mirco Mueller brings to the table. He's slick with the puck and knows how to skate it out of trouble. He also doesn't typically turn it over and usually makes the right choices with the puck. The most impressive aspect of his game is his hockey sense. He is a top-end thinker with and without the puck. He slows down the game on breakouts, making good decisions with the puck.
Everett (WHL)
6' 2" 176
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