Trying my hand for the first time at a public mock draft. Follow along to see how many end up right — or wrong! As always check out the Draft Center for profiles and shift by shift videos of each player mentioned below.
1. New Jersey Devils — C Jack Hughes
This may have been a debate at one time but Jack is their man.
2. New York Rangers — RW Kappo Kakko
The easiest pick in the draft and the Rangers keep loading up on talent.
3. Chicago Blackhawks — C Alex Turcotte
Even the Blackhawks have pointed out the symbolism of drafting their last franchise center at third overall — in Vancouver.
4. Colorado Avalanche — D Bowen Byram
Taking the consensus BPA and a franchise defenseman is common sense, right?
5. LA Kings — C Dylan Cozens
A team that seems to value centers, grit and the WHL. A match made in heaven.
6. Detroit Red Wings — C Kirby Dach
Another team that likes big centers from the WHL, they can’t resist.
7. Buffalo Sabres — RW Vasili Podkolzin
Under Jason Botterill the Sabres have had an affinity for Europeans and need a dynamic winger to compliment their centers so they go for the best one on the board.
8. Edmonton Oilers — D Philip Broberg
A growing rumor and quite fitting the Oilers would go for the big athletic toolsy player.
9. Anaheim Ducks — D Victor Soderstrom
The Ducks need to restock their back-end pipeline. They should find one of the smartest defensemen in the draft their cup of tea.
10. Vancouver Canucks — C Trevor Zegras
Their string of luck getting players they covet continues and the last time the Canucks took a high skill center it worked out ok.
11. Philadelphia Flyers — D Moritz Seider
With Chuck Fletcher reshaping the defense and a pipeline running thin this defenseman fits the new look Flyers.
12. Minnesota Wild — C Peyton Krebs
In the best position to take whatever falls to them and Paul Fenton cashes on a center that bring some new dimensions.
13. Florida Panthers — RW Cole Caufield
The most unpredictable team at the draft table takes the most unpredictable player and the Panthers can take that chance.
14. Arizona Coyotes — D Thomas Harley
The Coyotes have selected a lot of defensemen in previous drafts but none of them the caliber of Harley for this OHL and analytics focused organization.
15. Montreal Canadiens — C Alex Newhook
The world expects defense at this pick but the Habs can’t pass up this talent at center.
16. Colorado Avalanche — LW Matt Boldy
Perhaps the least talked about top prospect seems fitting could fall to the Avs and they get a player who was considered at four.
17. Vegas Golden Knights — D Cam York
Replacement for what Vegas lost in moving out Erik Brannstrom.
18. Dallas Stars — LW Arthur Kaliyev
The Stars stray off consensus, love the OHL and need some scoring help.
19. Ottawa Senators — LW Raphael Lavoie
With a ton of prospects in the stable already the Sens can focus on need and have had success drafting from the QMJHL.
20. Winnipeg Jets — C Philip Tomasino
After making the Jacob Trouba trade to get their original pick back the Jets go for upside and skill.
21. Pittsburgh Penguins — LW Egor Afanasyev
The Pens haven’t selected in the first round since 2014 and need everything but the USHL is a place they’ve been successful.
22. LA Kings — D Tobias Bjornfot
A dependable defenseman who can contribute soon sounds like something the Kings could use.
23. New York Islanders — RW Bobby Brink
The Isles are unafraid to take big swings on talent and draft often from the USHL.
24. Nashville Predators — D Ryan Johnson
The defense factory knows best and nabs this blueliner with high potential.
25. Washington Capitals — LW Nils Hoglander
After focusing on defense for several years the Caps need to add some skill at forward to the system.
26. Calgary Flames — G Spencer Knight
The Flames are thin on goaltending and could make the right call to take a goaltender if he falls to them.
27. Tampa Bay Lightning — C Ryan Suzuki
The best team to get the most out of this puzzling but high upside talent.
28. Carolina Hurricanes — RW Samuel Poulin
Big forwards are fun and Poulin only adds to a quietly growing prospect powerhouse the Canes are building.
29. Anaheim Ducks — LW Jakob Pelletier
The Ducks just keep mining gems.
30. Boston Bruins — D Ville Heinola
Perhaps the best organization for young defensemen gets another.
31. Buffalo Sabres — RW Simon Holmstrom
Cashing in on more Europeans to end the first round.
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