Mark Seidel's Blog: Early mock draft

Pick

NHL Team

Player

Pos

Thumbnail Report

1

Islanders

John Tavares; London (OHL)

C

The no-brainer pick that will hopefully lead the Isles back to respectability. Expect big pressure to deal the pick, but they will keep it.

2

Atlanta

Victor Hedman; Modo (SEL)

LD

This pick could also be moved because Atlanta needs and wants more immediate help, but Hedman is a potential franchise defender.

3

Ottawa

Matt Duchene; Brampton (OHL)

C

Ottawa picks up the talented speedster who will help with its rebuild. Ottawa wants to get back to being a fast team and Duchene is one of the fastest players in the draft.

4

Tampa Bay

Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson; Timra (SEL)

LW

Had a great world junior tournament and showed he'll go into traffic – or anywhere else – to get points.

5

St. Louis

Evander Kane; Vancouver (OHL)

C

With the back end in good shape for the future, the Blues get one of the best finishers in the draft.

6

Toronto 

Brayden Schenn; Brandon (WHL)

C

Brian Burke has shown an interest in brother acts before. The younger brother of Luke can play in all situations and is the type of player Burke loves.

7

Colorado

Jared Cowen; Spokane (WHL)

LD

Colorado needs help everywhere and some think Cowen is the third-best prospect in the draft, so they would be ecstatic to get him here.

8

Nashville

Jordan Schroeder; Minnesota (NCAA)

RW

Another team that has their back end set, so they could go for the U.S.-born Schroeder, who has been very good at Minnesota.

9

Los Angeles

Nazem Kadri; London (OHL)

C

L.A. has put a premium on character and this kid oozes it along with some elite skills.

10

Vancouver

Simon Despres; Saint John (QMJHL)

LD

This kid has really picked it up in the past two months and was arguably the best defenseman at the Top Prospects Game.

11

Phoenix

Dmitry Kulikov; Drummondville (QMJHL)

RD

The Coyotes are loaded up front and the best remaining defenseman is the skilled Russian.

12

Pittsburgh

Ryan Ellis; Windsor (OHL)

RD

Sergei Gonchar is reaching the end of the road and this offensive whiz will capably take over his role.

13

Columbus 

Jeremy Morin; U.S. NTDP

C

Another pure goal-scorer who will continue that hobby in the NHL.

14

Edmonton

John Moore; Chicago (USHL)

LD

A bit of a reach, but this kid just keeps getting better every day and the Oilers need a stud prospect on the blueline.

15

Minnesota

Peter Holland; Guelph (OHL)

C

If Jacques Lemaire is still the coach in June, this kid with a high hockey IQ would be a great fit for the Wild's system.

16

Dallas

Jacob Josefson; Djurgarden (SEL)

C

The skilled Swede played well leading up to and in the world juniors and his play against men in the Swedish League has caught everyone’s eye.

17

Florida

Zack Kassian; Peterborough (OHL)

RW

Coach Peter DeBoer knows Kassian well and will urge the team to take this talented and tough winger.

18

Anaheim

Louis Leblanc; Omaha (USHL)

C

His great speed and ability to finish is impressive, but does anyone remember Trevor Lewis? We do, and Leblanc reminds us of him.

19

Carolina

Landon Ferraro; Red Deer (WHL)

C

The next in line of sons of former NHL greats is strong at both ends and his ability to finish is underrated.

20

Buffalo

Kyle Palmieri; U.S. NTDP

C

This future Notre Dame star has really picked up his play and is producing points on a nightly basis.

21

Philadelphia

Scott Glennie; Brandon (WHL)

C

One of our favorite players in the draft. The Flyers’ recent string of great picks will continue with this hidden gem.

22

Rangers

Ethan Werek; Kingston (OHL)

LW

Another team that has been fantastic of late at the draft table. The Rangers will scoop up this skilled winger currently being tutored by Doug Gilmour.

23

Montreal

Dylan Olsen; Camrose (AJHL)

LD

This stud defender is shooting up everyone’s draft chart, while playing in the Alberta Junior League.

24

Chicago

Calvin de Haan; Oshawa (OHL)

LD

The Hawks are loaded up front, so this super-skilled defender would be a great fit. Once he gets there, de Haan can learn from Brian Campbell and then take over when the veteran leaves.

25

Calgary

Ryan O'Reilly; Erie (OHL)

C

Smooth skills and sharp smarts are keys to having long careers in the NHL and this kid has that. He reminds us of Darryl Sutter's kid Brett in a lot of ways.

26

New Jersey

Stefan Elliott; Saskatoon (WHL)

RD

David Conte, the Devils’ director of pro scouting, has been quiet lately, but if New Jersey can get Elliot at No. 26, they will be extremely pleased, because this puck-moving defender has huge upside.

27

Washington

Tim Erixon; Skelleftea (SEL)

LD

Another team loaded up front that would like to take a defenseman. Expect the European invasion to continue for the Capitals with the selection of this blueliner.

28

Detroit

Tyson Barrie; Kelowna (OHL)

LD

Once again, the Wings think outside of the box and get this highly-skilled defender out of Kelowna. Barrie has some work to do on his defensive game, but his vision and first pass are already at an NHL level.

29

Ottawa (from S.J.)

Zach Budish; Edina HS (Minn.)

C

A future power forward will get some seasoning at the University of Minnesota before he joins the Sens organization. Will miss this entire season due to a knee injury, however.

30

Boston

Taylor Doherty; Kingston (OHL)

RD

Doherty is a behemoth with a lot of potential. He is limited offensively, but could become a shutdown defender.