After a strong second half to the season, Gavin McKenna has earned being the consensus first overall pick in my eyes. McKenna is the most skilled player in the draft. While he isn’t a perfect all-around product, his 200-foot game has come a long way from the start of the season. McKenna is a great player for the Canucks to build around in their early rebuild stage.
The left side on defense is a bit of a weakness in the Blackhawks prospect pool, and I see them addressing it with the second overall pick. Carson Carels had a great end of the season and playoffs, leading to his stocks rising as a top defender in this draft class. Carels has strong attributes that will lead him to be a great all-around defenseman.
Ivar Stenberg is exactly the type of prospect the Rangers need. Someone who is already very developed and can be an impact player next season. Stenberg is a skilled playmaker, that has great compete.
Caleb Malhotra has had an incredible post season for the Bulldogs. Malhotra is a smart skilled center that plays a strong two-way game. He still needs to grow into his frame, and gain more muscle, but the tools of a top 6 center are certainly there.
If Chase Reid is available at five, I don’t see a world where the Maple Leafs pass on him. The Maple Leafs have lacked mobility, and offensive skill from the backend for some time now, and that is exactly what Chase Reid brings to the table. Chase Reid is my top defenseman in this class. I can see Reid being a elite defender in the NHL one day.
With the Kraken selecting centers with their top pick in 4 of their last 5 drafts, I think it is pretty obvious it is time to prioritize different positions. While I’m not as high on Daxon Rudolph as others, he brings some offensive flair that the Seattle Kraken are desperately needing. The Kraken have made large upside swings in the past, and I think this pick will be no different.
The Jets have taken big physical players recently with their first-round picks. Last season the Jets lacked depth scoring, and I see them trying to fix that by drafting Maddox Dagenais. Dagenais has grown on me as the season has gone on. He uses his big frame effectively, and skates really well for his size. He is very effective in the cycle game.
None of the Florida Panthers top 6 defenseman are under the age of 29. The Panthers D core is in need of some youth. Alberts Smits is a perfect fit for the Panthers with the size and physicality. I can see Smits cracking a roster spot as soon as next season.
Right defenseman is the biggest need for the San Jose Sharks. The NCAA exposed some flaws in Verheoff’s game, like the lack of foot speed and poor decision making under pressure. Getting him at 9 is still incredible value, especially for the Sharks who could use a top right D prospect. Playing in the NCAA as a 17-year defenseman is not easy, and that should not be overlooked.
10. Nashville Predators - Vigo Bjork C Djurgardens IF SHL
While the Predators have recently gone for more physical, projectible forwards in this range, I think Vigo Bjork is too good to pass on. While Bjork is on the smaller side, he plays the center position so well. His hockey IQ is off the charts, and he has strong compete.
11. St. Louis Blues – Ethan Belchetz LW Windsor Spitfires OHL
The Blues love big skilled forwards. Ethan Belchetz is like several players the Blues have acquired recently. The size, physicality, and goal scoring ability all stand out for me. The skating is a bit of a limiter right now, but I think Belchetz is worth the investment as a potential future top 6 power forward winger that is not easy to play against.
12. New Jersey Devils - Tynan Lawrence C Boston University NCAA
The New Jersey Devils are in need of a center that can slide into their top 6. This should allow Jack Hughes to move to wing, which I think is a better fit. Tynan Lawrence had a great start in the USHL but struggled after transferring to a struggling Boston University. He did not meet expectations, leading to him falling from a likely top 5 pick to somewhere in the middle of the first round. He was able to finish strong, somewhat salvaging his rough stint in the NCAA. Lawrence is one of the youngest players in this year's draft, which should tempt numerous teams. I also considered Adam Novotny heavily for this pick.
13. New York Islanders - Adam Novotny LW Peterborough Petes OHL
Adam Novotny is such a Mathieu Darche kind of player. He is a very good skater. He uses his speed and physicality effectively on the forecheck. While the offensive upside is somewhat questionable, he has flashed some solid goal scoring ability in the OHL this season. Novotny is one of the most projectable players in this year's draft. While he isn’t flashy, he is so easy to project into a middle 6 role.
14. Columbous Blue Jackets - Marcus Nordmark RW Djurgardens IF SHL
The Blue Jackets have made a big effort to get bigger ever since hiring Don Waddell as their GM. I can see them taking a gamble on Marcus Nordmark’s size and skill. Nordmark uses his high-end anticipation and puck skills to be an electrifying player at times. Nordmark will be a big project for whatever team drafts him. The compete, skating, and strength are all things that I would like to see improve. Nordmark is very much a boom or bust prospect. However, if he hits, he will be an electrifying NHLer.
15. St. Louis Blues - Xavier Villeneuve LD Blainville-Boisbriand Armada
The Blues need to retool their D core a bit. Xavier Villeneuve is very comparable to Lane Hutson as a small, dynamic defenseman that plays with swagger. In a lot of ways, Villeneuve is better than Hutson was at this stage. Villeneuve offensive game needs to translate to become an NHL player, as his physicality and 2-way game aren't good enough to make him an NHLer alone. This is a gamble that the Blues can definitely afford to take, considering they have 3 first round picks in this year's draft.
16. Washington Capitals - Wyatt Cullen USNTDP
The Capitals go for strong upside players. Cullen is highly skilled. He has great 1 on 1 moves and incredible edges. I considered putting Cullen in the back half of the top 10, and I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up there in future mock drafts of mine. The Capitals are getting great value with this pick