This isn’t a mock. These are my rankings. This has nothing to do with team management, salary cap etc. It does have to do with the fans of that market and the current players. Who’s the best fit in what market. Don’t do the math. Other than where I currently (subject to to change) have these players ranked. The teams I choose may never have a chance to get this player other than in a trading up situation.
Connor McDavid - 6-1, 190 - C - Buffalo Sabres - I love those fans, the city, that rink. The fans REALLY want him more than any other market it seems. He can set that town on fire, be fairly close to Erie, PA where he probably has a lot of friends and he can be paired with Matt Moulson next year and maybe J.T. Compher in the future.
2) Jack Eichel - 6-2, 195 - C - New Jersey Devils - Devils fans would love him. Right now he would give them offensive hope for the future. Something this franchise desperately needs.
3) Dylan Strome - 6-3, 187 - C - Carolina Hurricanes - With Jordan Staal’s career heading south a suitable second line center for this team could be Strome in the future. He could start out as the #3 behind Elias Lindholm in a few years and work his way up.
4) Noah Hanifin - 6-2, 205 - D - Edmonton Oilers - I have a feeling if the Oilers drafted this talented American defenseman their fans would rejoice. They would finally have that blueline building block that Justin Schultz hasn’t been and Hanifin can do it on both sides of the puck.
5) Pavel Zacha - 6-3, 214 - C - Philadelphia Flyers - The Flyers can really use a player with this size and skill down the middle. With Claude Giroux there he can work up the ladder and when he’s ready it’s possible Sean Couturier could be the second line pivot at that point in time.
6) Ivan Provorov - 6-0, 201 - D - Toronto Maple Leafs - If there’s a team that’s screaming for a young, NHL ready defenseman who’s solid in his own end. This is the team. Leaf fans would love to see a young rearguard who can play a complete game down the line.
7) Zach Werenski - 6-2, 214 - D - Columbus Blue Jackets - With the departure of “The Wiz… and the injury woes of Ryan Murray, Werenski could be just what the fan base and team has been looking for. In a few year’s they’d have a top-pairing d-man who can play in all facets of the game.
8) Mitch Marner - 5-11, 163 - C - Arizona Coyotes - This team has some nice offensive prospects but they don’t have an elite, playmaking center, and Marner could be that guy down the road.
9) Jeremy Roy - 6-0, 183 - D - Dallas Stars - The one area that needs upgrading in “big D… is their blueline. In a few year’s he’d help the Stars create some real depth at this important position.
10) Timo Meier - 6-1, 209 - RW - Colorado Avalanche - He’s an exciting offensive player from the “Q… and I hear the coach likes players from that league and Halifax too.
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