Yes, Another NHL Mock Draft

       There are so many mock drafts on the internet these days it almost seems pointless to add another one. Your head spins with all the different scenarios.

      But, I will do the first Hockey Tampa mock anyways. The reason? They are fun to do.

      I have done some unofficial projections in the past, but I can never remember a more difficult year to predict. Part of that is because movement is expected. The other is that the players have been universally rated very close. As Lightning Director of Amateur Scouting Al Murray said, all the teams picking in the top 12-15 could get a player they say they have ranked near the top of their board and they won’t be fibbing.

      The big story is whether Edmonton will deal the top pick or select winger Nail Yakupov. The Oilers badly need a top-level defenseman to add to an impressive group of young forwards. You wonder if Montreal or Toronto will make that big splash. I have also read Dallas might want to get up 3-5 spots to grab a big center like Radek Faksa as well. I haven’t seen this rumor, but what if Edmonton can trade Sam Gagner to Anaheim for the sixth pick in a package?

      I expect a lot of drama and may have to edit this mock in a couple days if trades are made ahead of Friday’s first round in Pittsburgh. I wish I could have traveled around to see them all, but this is just an educated guess after reading about the players, seeing highlights and a little of the Memorial Cup.

      If everything stays the same, here’s my take on the first round -- plus.

    

      Edmonton: Nail Yakupov LW, Sarnia (OHL): Whether it’s the Oilers or someone else, it’s hard to pass up this offensive wizard.

      Columbus: Filip Forsberg RW, Sweden: The Blue Jackets will likely to be leery of taking a Russian here after the Nikita Filatov debacle. They can’t go wrong with a competitive, future power forward who could take Rick Nash’s place.

      Montreal: Alex Galchenyuk C, Sarnia (OHL): The Habs need a center and they settle on the one with a little more offensive upside.

      N.Y. Islanders: Ryan Murray D, Everett (WHL): Who knows what Garth Snow is going to do? But expect him to be boring this time around by taking the solid future captain.

      Toronto: Matt Dumba D, Red Deer (WHL): GM Brian Burke could go for defenseman Jacob Trouba here, but instead takes the hard-hitting Calgary native with offensive talent.

      Anaheim: Mikhail Grigorenko C, Quebec (QHL): Some have him going second, others have him outside the top 10. We’ll put him in the middle. Saku Koivu can’t play forever and perhaps Ryan Getzlaf gets traded.

      Minnesota: Jacob Trouba D, Michigan: The Wild could go a number of ways, but circle back around to the Minnesota native who will become a Wolverine.

      Carolina: Tuevo Teravainen LW, Finland: Have a feeling the Hurricanes might trade down from here or include this pick in a Nash or Jordan Staal deal, but if they don’t the former Whalers need some offensive talent.

      Winnipeg: Griffin Reinhart D, Edmonton (WHL): The Jets have four or five defensemen to choose from here and they go with the two-way rearguard with size and NHL pedigree.

      Tampa Bay: Morgan Rielly D, Moose Jaw (WHL): A very creative offensive player, who could probably go as high as third (if Edmonton trades down) or fourth. Might slip because teams from 5-9 may be looking for a different type of defenseman. If there is no problem with his knee after recovering from an ACL, could fit nicely in Bolts future.

      Washington (from Colorado): Radek Faksa C Kitchener (OHL): This is a tough one. The Caps could go for an offensive-leaning defenseman, but think they go for the best player available if Dallas does not deal up to nab him. Faksa could make teams wonder why he went this low some day.

      Buffalo: Cody Ceci D Ottawa (OHL): The Sabres add another of the top defensemen. They have another selection later in the first that they can use on a forward.

      Dallas: Zemgus Girgensons C Vermont: If the Stars stay here and Teravainen and Faksa are gone, they either trade down or grab the Latvian Locomotive who will play at Marty St. Louis’ alma mater.

      Calgary: Olli Maatta D London (OHL): Not spectacular, but a solid two-way guy who can help in all situations down the road. The Flames need everything, so wouldn’t be surprised if they moved down to add extra picks.

      Ottawa: Hampus Lindholm D Sweden: Could grab a forward with size, but there is an organization need on the blue line and why not another Swede?

      Washington: Derrick Pouliot D Portland (WHL): If the Caps take a forward like Faksa or Grigorenko at No. 11, they likely will look to this outstanding skater. Could he replace Mike Green in the future?

      San Jose: Pontus Aberg LW Sweden: The Sharks scouts slam the table after Pouliot is picked, but might need a forward for the pipeline more anyways.

      Chicago: Malcolm Subban G Belleville (OHL): The Blackhawks are also upset Pouliot is gone, so why not pick a goalie for the future with high upside? Could go with netminder Oscar Dansk here, too, or a big center like Brendan Gaunce.

      Tampa Bay (from Detroit): Thomas Wilson RW Plymouth (OHL): Have no clue where the Lightning goes here, but could use a power forward with an edge. He appears to be the type of player that can help a team, even if he is not scoring.

      Philadelphia: Brady Skjei D Minnesota: The Flyers could take a forward like Gaunce or Sebastian Collberg, but go for the big, swift-skating defenseman.

      Buffalo (from Nashville): Brendan Gaunce C Belleville (OHL): The Sabres could go with Collberg or take a chance with a Mark Jankowski, but settle for the hulking pivot.

     Pittsburgh: Stefan Matteau LW Blainville-Boisbrand (QHL): Matteau, Matteau, Matteau. OK, sorry, with Wilson gone the Pens go with the next best power forward.

     Florida: Sebastian Collberg RW Sweden: The Panthers might add a goalie like Dansk, but grab the offensively-talented Collberg.

     Boston: Scott Laughton C Oshawa (OHL): The Bruins could use another all-around forward in the pipeline if they do not go for a goalie.

     St. Louis: Matt Finn D Guelph (OHL): The Blues are likely looking for a player who falls a bit here or to take a chance. Finn might fit the bill as a solid two-way guy who could have snuck into the top 20.

     Vancouver: Slater Koekkoek D Peterborugh (OHL): The Canucks need a young defenseman in the system. Has great upside, but was injured a lot this season.

     Phoenix: Martin Frk RW Halifax (QHL): Had concussion problems, but Coyotes take a chance on a Czech that was once thought of as a possible top-10 pick.

     N.Y. Rangers: Colton Sissons RW Kelowna (WHL): The Rangers have a choice of all different types of forwards and decide to take this versatile, solid performer. 

     New Jersey: Andrei Vasilevski G Russia: Unless the Devils have designs on trading for a young goalie who they can groom to replace Marty Brodeur or they love Scott Wedgewood, this might be a good place to take a puck stopper like this.

     Columbus (from Los Angeles): Oscar Dansk G Sweden: The Blue Jackets breathe a sigh of relief after the Devils take Vasilevski. Jackets could defer to next year for pick received in Jeff Carter deal. If this is the Kings pick, they likely take the best player available.

      SECOND ROUND

      Columbus: Tim Bozon LW Kamloops (WHL): The Jackets could go with someone who has more offensive upside, but if they take Forsberg and Dansk maybe a hard-nosed guy like Bozon adds another element.

      Edmonton: Ludvig Bystrom D Sweden: Even if the Oilers end up with a defenseman in the first round, they likely pick another here since he is probably the best player available.

      Montreal: Tomas Hertl C Czech Republic: The Habs add another playmaker, unless there is a winger like Sissons that slips down to this spot.

      N.Y. Islanders: Phillip Di Giuseppe LW Michigan: Performed quite well in his freshman season with the Wolverines, netting 11 goals.

      Toronto: Mark Jankowski C Providence: Dominated against lesser competition and the Leafs could take a chance he really is that good. He has committed to the Friars.

      Anaheim: Adam Pelech D Erie (OHL): Safe type of pick. Smart player. Could also go with California-born winger Nicolas Keridiles.

      Nashville (from Tampa Bay via Minnesota): Henrik Samuelsson C Edmonton (WHL): Ulfie’s son is said to have some good hockey IQ, has good size and needs to improve his skating.

      Carolina: Nicolas Keridiles LW Wisconsin: Power forward who goes to the net and engages well.

      Winnipeg: Tomas Hyka RW Gatineau (QHL): If Jets pick a defenseman at No. 9, they probably will want to add a skilled offensive player who can skate and this Czech fits the bill.

      Tampa Bay: Jordan Schmaltz D North Dakota: Again, the Bolts could go in any number of ways at this position, but this lanky rearguard could develop well after a few years in college hockey.

      Enough. There are several other players that are intriguing for the Bolts in the second round and at No. 71 (or 53 if Florida surrenders the conditional pick). We will see what happens.

      Can’t wait.

      Mark Pukalo