End to End Mock Draft 2.0

The End to End hockey Mock Draft is back with a full 32 player mock draft for the 1RD tomorrow as I try and predict who will go where in tomorrow’s draft and I will go through my picks four at a time and give a reason for the team to pick the player I selected and to start I think the Canadiens will draft a Center and not a winger. 



1 Montreal Shane Wright

2 New Jersey Juraj Slafkovsky 

3 Arizona Logan Cooley

4 Seattle Simon Nemec


1-4 Analysis: the top 4 picks in my eyes are set in stone and if one of these four are not drafted in the top 4 I’d be surprised. 


First in Montreal I know that there has been a lot of speculation that maybe they will take Slafkovsky or maybe they will take Cooley but in my eyes there is no other option for Montreal then Shane Wright. I think that while Slafkovsky May have the highest upside, Wright is the best fit for Montreal as he is a outstanding 2-way Center and after the departure last year of 2-way Center Danault via free agency the offense wasn’t the same so getting Wright to fill the void at Center behind Suzuki is I think the best thing they can do sand i still wouldn’t take anyone other then Wright.


In the 2 position is New Jersey now the Devils might not even keep this pick as they have said they could trade the pick for a impact player. But for this mock draft the pick will remain in New Jersey and I think that if the Devils didn’t have Hischier and Hughes as their one two punch down the middle then I would say it would be a difficult decision the Devils would have to make between Cooley and Slafkovsky as I think both could go 2nd overall but with that Center Depth it is a no brainer to take Slafkovsky. Slafkovsky might be the most NHL ready player and might have the highest upside of anyone in this draft as the big power forward winger might be just what the Debils are looking for in their top 6 as someone who can consistently produce and play Left Wing with Hischier or Hughes. 


For Arizona I think that they will take the best player available when it is their turn to draft as they have plenty of holes that they need to fill in their lineup and while I do see a scenario here where the Coyotes go defender instead of forward and draft Nemec, to me they will take Cooley at 3rd overall. He is a great Center with maybe more offensive upside then Wright and is committed to the NCAA next year so he can play in college for a year or two and then come into the lineup and play with some other young players that would be in Arizona at that time. 


And finally Seattle as I think their decision is made for them as I think they will be adding on defence at the top of the draft this year and I personally think that there is a top defensemen in this draft. Nemec should be heading to the Kraken in my opinion as I think that he has legit top 4 talent and with the Kraken not doing too well on defence last year especially with scoring on the defence I think that Nemec could help fill that void and Kraken GM Ron Francis built the deadly Hurricanes defence so I think that Nemec is best suited to go to Seattle. 


5 Philadelphia Matt Savoie 

6 Columbus (VIA CHI) David Jiricek

7 Ottawa Joachim Kemell

8 Detroit Jonathan Lekkerimäki 


5-8 Analysis: don’t think there is much chance that any of the top 8 prospects I predicted here wind up falling past 8 as I think these four are all very likely to go anywhere from 5-8. 


First in Philly and the 5th overall pick and I think that while it is not as likely now as it was in the past few weeks I do think the Flyers could trade their pick but if they keep the pick I think that they will choose one of Savoie, Kemell or Jiricek. Now they have to chose between a middle six scorer, a second line goal scoring Center or a very good top 4 D-Men and while last time I did say they would take Jiricek this time I am saying that Philly will take Matthew Savoie. I honestly don’t think that possibly the best pure goal scorer of this draft will fall past the top 10 and I know he is a bit on the smaller side but there have been too many goal scorers on the smaller side who slid in the draft like Caufield so I think that Philly even though he is a risk gets Savoie to be the Claude Giroux replacement. 


Next is Columbus with the 6th overall and I personally think that which ever player the Flyers don’t take in either Savoie or Jiricek will go to Columbus and with Savoie going to Philadelphia I have Jiricek heading to Columbus. You could argue Jiricek is the best defensemen in this draft even more then Nemec but I think he is second best but might have more offensive appeal then Nemec and after Columbus moves on from Seth Jones last year they could use a top 4 defensemen who can score and in time play on the first line with Wereinski and make a lethal first line of Wereinski-Jiricek so if Jiricek drops to six I think the Jackets would be silly not to take him. 


Next up we have Ottawa at 7 and there has been a lot of speculation recently that the Senators are trending toward trading the 7th overall pick to try and improve their team right now but if they do wins up selecting at the draft I don’t see anyone else other then Joachim Kemell being the selection for Ottawa. Now Kemell is probably a steal at 7 as a lot of the rankings have him higher then 7 but I think he can’t beat any of those other players so he lands in the Sens laps where they get a great winger who could play on their 2nd or 3rd line and be another very productive young forward in the Senators system. 


Now lastly for this part is the 8th overall pick that belongs to the Red Wings and for Detroit they have drafted a lot of Swedish players since Yzerman became the GM of the Red Wings and I think that trend continues with the Wings selecting Lekkerimäki at 8. Lekkerimäki is a great potential middle six forward who could fit in nicely with the Wings younger core and on top of being a real potential point producer I think he would fit in well with the other Swedish players in Detroit and I can’t see Yzerman passing up the opportunity to draft another Swedish player. 


9 Buffalo Cutter Gauthier 

10 Anaheim Kevin Korchinski 

11 Sam Jose Frank Nazar

12 Columbus Marco Kasper


9-12 Analysis: after the top 8 prospects in my opinion it becomes really hard to pick who goes where but based on what everyone is saying and some rising stocks I think these next four are very likely to go 9-12.


First at 9 is Buffalo and while I have thought that Nazar would be a good fit in Buffalo for a long time now I think after a great year in the NCAA and good showings in Junior that the Sabres will take Cutter Gauthier who is the only player I can see throwing a wrench into the top 8 prospects being selected. Gathier has showed just how lethal a forward he is in not only the NCAA but also the Juniors and after a showing like that some have him in the top 7 or 6 but I think the Sabres will get him at 9 as he is a really good and versatile forward as he can play Center and Left wing and I think the Sabres use this pick to add to their ever so stocked cupboard of forward prospects.


Next is 10 and Anaheim has that pick and after last mock draft I really debated them taking a forward or defensemen but with Gauthier now of the board I think they take the best defender available and after raising his stock and leapfrogging Mintyukov I would say the Ducks draft Korchinski. Korchinski was a bit lower in my last mock draft but has surged past Mintyukov and now seems to be the third best defender available in this draft and it is a perfect fit in Anaheim as he is a future top 4 D-Men and showed his scoring prowess in the WHL and after moving Manson and Lindholm before the deadline the Ducks could use another élégie top 4 defensemen and I think Korchinski fits the bill perfectly. 


After Anaheim comes San Jose at 11 and instead of taking a defensemen like I had them doing in the last mock draft I see them taking a great player who has fell a few spots and that is good middle six forward Frank Nazar. Nazar has fallen a bit in most recent mock drafts but I don’t think he will fall too far as he showed just like Gauthier in the NCAA and juniors that he is a great scorer and he is a Center  so he could play on the 3rd line for a team like the Sharks or he could be moved to the Wing and be more of a playmaker but if Nazar falls to 11 I would be surprised if San Jose didn’t draft him. 


And finally at 12 we have the 2nd pick of the draft for the Columbus Blue Jackets and this one is their own and while there is some speculation that it could be traded if the keep this pick, then after drafting D-Men Jiricek they go out and get some Center help in Marco Kasper at 12th overall. Kasper stock has certainly risen rapidly cause earlier I would have pegged him to go in the early to mid 20 Range but now it seems like he could go in the top 15 and that’s where I have him going to Columbus. The Jackets are in need of great Centers and Kasper I think helps the Jackets as he can possibly be a 2nd or 3rd line Center in Columbus and i think would make that Jackets team better



13 New York I Pavel Mintyukov 

14 Winnipeg Connor Geekie 

15 Vancouver Owen Pickering

16 Buffalo (VIA VGK) Danila Yurov


13-16 Analysis: is gets hard the deeper I to the draft you go as there are more and more options but I think these four players could go to round out the picks for the teams who missed the playoffs. 


At 13th overall you have the Islanders and while they could move the pick to try and upgrade in the here and now with getting either a top 6 forward or top 4 defensemen but if they keep the pick I think they get a good defensemen who just happens to fall in their lap at 13 and that is Pavel Mintyukov. After moving Leddy the Islanders were a bit worse on the defensive side and while they could find someone to help them for the next few years I think they need someone for the future and that’s where Mintyukov comes in as he can play on the Left Aide which is the weaker side for NYI and in time maybe play with Dobson on the 2nd pair and help this Islanders team both offensively and defensively. 


Next is 14 with the Winnipeg Jets and I think this is a no brainer as it is the same as the previous mock draft as the Jets take someone who is familiar with Winnipeg and fills a need for them and that is Geekie. Geekie plays his juniors in the WHL in Winnipeg so he is already familiar with the area and on top of that the Jets have big Center questions in Scheifele and Dubois over the next few years and while Geekie is t the most offensively gifted Center he is a big body who could make sense on the Jets second line eventually. 


At 15 we have the Vancouver Canucks and while there is a lot of talk about what the Canucks are going to do with Miller and maybe this pick being included I think that if they were to keep this pick they could use a defender and I think a good fit for them who’s stock is one the rise would be Owen Pickering. Pickering is a big defensemen at 6’4” and his stock is rising quite nicely as I think  that at the least he could be a 3rd pair defensemen but more then likely he could be a top 4 D-Men and playing on the Left side could be a nice player behind Hughes in Vancouver. 


And lastly the Sabres gets their 2nd pick of the draft as they have this pick thanks to Vegas and the Jack Eichel trader and after selecting forward Gauthier with the ninth overall pick they could trade this pick to try and get a Power partner but if they keep this pick I wouldn’t be surprised if they would take Danila Yurov. With all the uncertainty in Russia those players stocks are going g to fall and how far no one knows but for a team like Buffalo who has multiple first round selections could take a chance on a Russian as Yurov played outstanding hockey over in the KHL and if he were to go to Buffalo would be a great top 9 winger who could be a playmaker in Buffalo but with so many 1RD picks in the draft I think taking a gamble on Yorov would actually be a smart move for Buffalo. 


17 Nashville Jimmy Snuggerud 

18 Dallas Denton Mateychuk

19 Minnesota (VIA LA) Liam Ohgren 

20 Washington Jiri Kulich


17-20 Analysis: we are now further then my last mock draft as these are the first teams picks who made the playoffs and I think that all of these players are all able to go in the middle of the draft. 


At 17 we have the Nashville Predators and they could go and get probably a winger or defender in the draft but I think that they go with good versatile forward Jimmy Snuggerud at 17. I always though that Snuggerud would go somewhere after 12 but before 20 and I think the Predators could definitely use his services as he can play on the right side or in the middle but given he is more of a right winger he could help the Preds who don’t have many great Right Wing Prospects and in time after he finishes his time in the NCAA I think that he could play on maybe the second line and bring his offensive abilities to the Predators. 


Next at 18th overall is the Dallas Stars and as they have a pretty good forward prospect group right now I think they make what could be the steal of the draft as I think they will take defender Denton Mateychuk. I saw Mateychuk before as a top 15 maybe even top 10 pick in the running with Mintyukov and Korchinski to be the 3rd best defensemen in this draft but has fallen a bit and I think the future top 4 D-Men will get nabbed by Dallas and with the Stars possibly losing Klingberg and Suter getting older drafting a young defender like this would be the smartest move I think Dallas can make.



Now at number 19 is the Minnesota Wild who have this pick thanks to the Kevin Fiala deal from the Los Angeles Kings and with no more Kevin Fiala and a cap crunch for the next few years they will have to draft someone who can maybe not replicate Fiala’s production but Abe a pretty productive forward and in my opinion the Wild should draft Liam Ohgren. Ohgren is a pretty good good power forward and is definitely top 6 caliber at the NHL level and I don’t think he will be putting up 85 points consistently but in time I think he can emerge as a great pick from this draft and be a very productive top 6 forward in this cap crunch for Minnesota.


And lastly here at number 20 we have the Washington Capitals and with a lot of Center problems as Backstrom is injured and Eller is a year away from being UFA they have questions at Center and even with Lapierre and McMicheal there I don’t think it would be a bad thing if they went out and drafted another Center that is why I have them taking Jiri Kulich. Kulich is someone who I think could be in the later part of the first round but he has seen his stock rise a bit after a spectacular season in Czechia and Juniors and I think that eventually he could be a 2nd or 3rd line Center and a 1-2 punch of Lapierre and Kulich in the future May not be such a bad thing for the Capitals.


21 Pittsburgh Brad Lambert

22 Anaheim (VIA BOS) Isaac Howard

23 St.Louis Lian Bichsel 

24 Minnesota Ivan Miroshnichenko 


21-24 Analysis: these four players are all probably being taken on the first round and I think these teams should definitely take these players that I have listed here. 


At 21 is the Pittsburgh Penguins and they have a really big question at Center with Malkin maybe leaving and  Jeff Carter getting older so I think they too like their rival Caps draft a Center and I think that they will go and get a player who’s stock has decreased drastically I’ve et he last few years and that I’d Brad Lambert. Lambert was once though of as  a top 5 pick and now most see him as a mid to late first round choice but I think the Penguins could risk taking him because while he doesn’t have the best hockey sense he is still a great forward and I think he could eventually be the 2nd line Center behind Crosby so while he isn’t the best choice I think the Penguins will stop Lambert’s fall at 21.


In the 22nd spot we have the Anaheim Ducks again as this is there 2nd pick of the draft and was acquired from the Bruins thanks to the Lindholm trade and after drafting Korchinski with their first pick they will take another good NCAA forward in Isaac Howard. Howard has another good year in the NCAA and is a winger and after a few years in college he can play in Anaheim‘a top nine and as a Left Winger maybe play with McTavish or Zegras and I think he would be a good fit in Anaheim and is another good prospect the Ducks can add to their deep forward prospect pool


At 23 we have the Blues and with a lot of good forwards in their system and some questions on defence I think leads them to drafting a defensemen and I think the big defensemen Lian Bichsel will be drafted by the Blues. Bichsel is another player who is on the rise as I would’ve said a little while ago that he was a 2RD pick but now he could be a later first round pick and with the Blues having a bit of a hole on the left side of the defence and getting the big defender who could eventual play in the top six for St.Louis would be a great win for them. 


And lastly at 24 is the Minnesota Wild again this time with their own pick and I think that they go the forward route again but this time taking one of those question mark Russians as I think because they have multiple picks the will take the uncertain forward Ivan Miroshnichenko. Miroshnichenko has gone through a lot this year as he was a potential top 10 pick but then the Russia stuff happened and he had a disease that he has now recovered from but he is now projected as a late round pick but with the Wild having another Russian in Kaprizov who could be a fellow countryman for Miroshnichenko and with two picks they can take the risk and maybe the high upside of Miroshnichenko. 


25 Toronto Jagger Firkus

26 Montreal (VIA CAL) Rutger McGroarty

27 Arizona (VIA CAR) Ryan Chesley

28 Buffalo (VIA FLO) Tristan Luneau


25-28 Analysis: we are starting to get into the later stage now and some of these players could be late first rounders and some could be early seconds but here are the 4 players I see being drafted here. 


At 25 is the Toronto Maple Leafs and they have a lot of really good prospects but hey are a little bit weak on the wing which is why I think the Maple Leafs will maybe go a little of the board and take Jagger Firkus. Firkus is a bit on the small side at 5’10” but is definitely a good winger and after a stunning performance in the WHL he should definitely be possibly a first round pick and I think that he could eventually play in the Maple Leafs top 9 and be a 2nd or 3rd line Right winger which would be a real win for the Leafs. 


At 26 we have the Canadiens again for the second time in the first round and this pick is courtesy of the Calgary Flames in the Tyler Toffoli trade and after drafting Wright 1st overall I see the Canadiens going after another forward and this one is a bit more versatile as I see them taking Rutger McGroarty. McGroarty is a good versatile forward who is also playing in the NCAA and while he only has a play seaon this past year I think he still has top 9 potential and after a couple of seasons in college I could see the Center play on maybe the 3rd line behind Wright and Suzuki or maybe playing him on the wing to get the most out of him.


At 27 we have another team who is having their 2nd first round pick and that is Arizona that they acquired in the Christian Dvorak deal that was the Canes pick that Montreal got earlier but after taking Cooley 3rd overall they go and get a player who can play on the backend and that is Ryan Chesley. Chesley is a pretty good defensemen and I think can be a good 2nd or 3rd pair defensemen in the future for Arizona and especially since they have question marks for next year as Chychrun and Gostisbehere could both be gone from Arizona so getting a guy like Chesley who can improve their defence in a fiée years would be smart. 



And lastly at 28 we have the Buffalo Sabres with their 3rd pick of the first round and after taking two good quality forwards in Gauthier and Yurov they turn to the backend and draft with the 28th pick Tristan Luneau. Luneau is a good right side defensemen and I think in time could be a top 4 defensemen and even be a Power Partner in the future but with a lot of good left side defensemen in Buffalo like Power and Dahlin I think drafting a right side defensemen for once would be smart and definitely help the Sabres rebuild.


29 Edmonton Noah Östlund 

30 Winnipeg (VIA NYR) Filip Mesar

31 Tampa Bay Calle Odelius

32 Arizona (VIA COL) Glen Trikozov


29-32 Analysis: these guys are now basically late first and early second possibilities but I think these four have a minimal edge for being drafted in the first round. 


At 29 is Edmonton and they have some pretty good players so I think they take the best player available in Noah Östlund. Östlund is a good forward and definitely had top 9 potential and could be the 3rd line Center for Edmonton in the future and with no glaring players to draft at this point I think Edmonton goes the easy route selecting the best available player.


For Winnipeg who is drafting 30th overall this is their second pick after drafting Geekie earlier and with very little good forward prospects in the system I think they take another forward and take Filip Mesar. Mesar is a pretty good and versatile forward who can play in all forward positions and I I think that in a couple of years he could be a good enough forward to play in the middle six and is versatile enough to play wherever the Jets need him to. 


The Bolts have the 2nd to last pick of the first round and with them not having too many prospects in any position but more on the defensive side I think that the Lightning go with a defensemen and draft Calle Odelius. Odelius is another good Swedish player and I think he could eventually be a good fit in Tampa on maybe the 3rd or even 2nd pair and with the Bolts never usually drafting in the first round as of late it I think they will get a good player with this pick and I think that player is Odelius. 


And lastly we have the Arizona Coyotes again with their 3rd pick of the draft and this pick was acquired thanks to the Darcy Kuemper trade yo Colorado and after drafting a forwards and D-Men with the previous 2 picks I think they also take a chance on a Russian prospect and draft Glen Trikozov. I’ll be honest and a couple month ago didn’t even know if he would be a second round but now some are saying he could be a late first rounder and I concur with them as I think Trikozov could eventually make his way to the NHL and be a pretty good forward and once again it is a team with multiple picks that drafts a tussian prospect as I think that is probably what you will see tomorrow and I think it is definitely possible that Trikozov to Arizona at 32 will close out this draft. 



5 other prospects I could also see going in the 1RD

Luca Del Bel Belluz

Nathan Gaucher 

Owen Beck 

Alex Perevalov

Lane Hutson

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