The second mock Hockey Buzz mock draft driven by the readers and a few special guests is all but set. Thanks to all who have agreed to participate. This approach was driven by what I wrote last year with those who participated then having similar interest this season, “I thought a mock draft with some of the commenters taking a team and making a pick. But not only making a pick but providing the rationale for the pick. If that selector wants to propose a trade as opposed to making a pick, then they have that right. But the key has to be what works for that team and not just the Rangers."
Overall Rules and Process:
After the pick or trade is made, a poll will be posted to rate the selection or deal. If the majority of people like the pick or trade, that selection stands and it moves on to the next team’s picks. If not, the majority rules and that’s what happens with that team and pick. I have the last right of refusal to keep everything on the up and up and avoid ballot box stuffing. My request to you is that you take this serious and not make a mockery of the mock draft, because that would be an insult to the others who are participating and makes the whole process a sham. But by playing this out, we get to have healthy debate and conversation to remain engaged up and possibly beyond the draft. If teams make deals and they occur before a team’s selection is due, that deal will play a part as to when each person’s selection occurs.Here how this is working: each evening (for now, one pick per day, but we will go to two when we get to second half of the mock draft and possibly even before that, so that we complete on time) the team’s selector emails me their pick and rationale for that selection to jan.levine@gmail.com. If making a trade, the same applies, and all the selectors have been listed below along with their screen name if from this site or their twitter handle if external to help facilitate making trades. I am posting that pick and rationale on the site and create a voting poll. For now, we are using just a yes or no vote for the poll, but if people want me to list other options for the selection at that pick number in cases of a no vote, I am happy to do so, to help make it more robust.
Below are those who agreed to participate. If your name is below, please make sure I have your real name to go with your Hockey Buzz ID. In addition, please PM me or email me to jan.levine@gmail.com to confirm you are in and will definitely be drafted. As Game 4 just completed and the series will go at least six, the earliest the finals will end is June 9. That leaves us less than two weeks until the actual draft.
I ask the readers and those picking if we want to start before the finals end or want to wait. If the latter, that's fine, just realize that we may not start until June 13. We started last year on June 6 and the draft was June 22, so starting this week is not unprecedented, but I am open to whatever you guys want.
2019 NHL DRAFT FIRST-ROUND ORDER AND GMs
1. New Jersey Devils - redmonsters, Kevin Barrett 2. New York Rangers - Jan Levine 3. Chicago Blackhawks - kevin6, Kevin Braeunle 4. Colorado Avalanche (from Ottawa Senators) - optimus-reim, Luke Herrington 5. Los Angeles Kings - slimtj, TJ Reilly 6. Detroit Red Wings - Feds91Stammer 7. Buffalo Sabres - lonsabres, Paul Schott and Jerryj22, Jerry Janiga 8. Edmonton Oilers - Reveen, Curtis Lavoie 9. Anaheim Ducks - climbdenali12, Ryan Armstrong 10. Vancouver Canucks - Carol Schram, Canucks blogger on the site 11. Philadelphia Flyers - Flyerfan328, Philip Brunner and Streit2ThePoint, Ryan Snyder 12. Minnesota Wild - MaximumBone, Silas Bengtsson 13. Florida Panthers - jimbo, Jimmy Reilly 14. Arizona Coyotes - jediman, and if he is unsable to draft, then phantom19, Norm Braeunle 15. Montreal Canadiens - Karine Hains, Canadiens blogger on the website 16. Colorado Avalanche - optimus-reim, Luke Herrington 17. Vegas Golden Knights - Jeff Paul, Vegas blogger for Hockey Buzz 18. Dallas Stars - Panarin27, Mark Choate 19. Ottawa Senators (from Columbus Blue Jackets) - Trevor Shackles, Ottawa blogger on the site 20. New York Rangers (from Winnipeg Jets) - Jan Levine 21. Pittsburgh Penguins - Datools55, Julien Michel 22. Los Angeles Kings (from Toronto Maple Leafs) - slimtj, TJ Reilly 23. New York Islanders - eichiefs9 24. Nashville Predators - Russ Cohen, sportsology 25. Washington Capitals - nyrangers9479, if he wants to make the pick 26. Calgary Flames - beandip, Andrew Horenbein 27. Tampa Bay Lightning - Panarin27, Mark Choate 28. Carolina Hurricanes - Bingo, Chris Cote 29. Buffalo Sabres [or Anaheim Ducks] (from San Jose Sharks) - lonsabres, Paul Schott and Jerryj22, Jerry Janiga
St. Louis’ pick is owner by Buffalo, pick to be made by lonsabres, Paul Schott and Jerryj22, Jerry Janiga
Boston to be covered by Anthony Travalgia, HB Bruins blogger
30. Stanley Cup Final losing team 31. Stanley Cup winner