Originally Posted by
Hollywood
Now that the lottery has been made, I think it can be fun to put in this thread our mock draft and see them change over the next two months. I'll go first with my picks 1-14 and provide my comments (fantasy-related). Feel free to join in or comment...
1. TOR- Matthews- The only reason he doesn't end up with the Leafs is because they trade the pick. I don't see that happening at all.
2. WPG- Laine- Great player, good team on the rise with Scheifele, Ehlers, Morrissey, but with Wheeler, I was expecting another landing spot for this stud.
3. CBJ- Puljujarvi- The Finnish connection is on! He won't have too many competition on the wing but the CBJ are thin at center.
4. EDM- Tkachuk- Tough choice here because the Oilers contemplate 3 D prospects, but end up with the LW to put beside McJesus for the next decade.
5. VAN- Dubois- I think this one is a great fit for both short and long term. He can be that next #1 C for the Canucks and can be under the wing of A.Burrows for the first couple of seasons because the two of them are from Quebec.
6. CAL- Nylander- I might change this pick on my next one. For now, I'll go with him. He can complement either Bennett or Monahan on the first 2 lines in a couple of years from now.
7. ARI- Juolevi- The Yotes are looking at Matthews with tears in their eyes and make Juolevi their selection. By doing that, they just selected the next OEL... not a bad consolation prize, butnot the $$$ that Matthews would have brought to the franchise.
8. BUF- Chychrun- I think that the Sabres are a candidate for a trade-down this year. If they stand still, they go with the big D almost NHL-ready next year. Not a bad move!
9. MTL- Jost- I might surprise a bit with this pick, but I have a feeling for this one. The Habs need a C at all costs and the other prospects in line are all D. They go with the kid that turn heads at the end of the year.
10. COL- Bean- Great fit, but I really hesitated between him and Sergachev. I think they go D, but either way, they win.
11. NJ- Mcleod- Great center, good real-life player, but fantasy-wise, I think we shouldn't expect too many pts from him. Still, the Devils need offence and they have glaring needs at all 3 F positions.
12. OTT- Sergachev- He probably won't be available at this spot, but for the prupose of this first mock, he is and the sens are happy about it!
13. CAR- Brown- The hardest one here for me. Brown will be tough to play against and with his size, he can be an asset for the Canes. This pick will probably change in my next one.
14. BOS- Keller- Tough to say what Sweeney will do after last year, but Keller might be great asset at this spot. I personnally like him but, like almost everybody, I question his size going forward.