Doug's Take on the Mock Draft

Highlanders’ Mock Draft Predictions



1. Edmonton Oilers- C Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Red Deer, WHL)

Personally I think that Larsson will be the Norris Trophy candidate that the Oil will rue passing over but it is hard to not take the slick kid from Burnaby.



2. Colorado Avalanche- D Adam Larsson (Skelleftea, Elitserien)

As late as last night I was still thinking, and telling Bob, that Colorado would draft Landeskog here (and still may, or take Huberdeau as he apparently interviewed well) but I can’t deny the value of taking the potential d-man stud.



3. Florida Panthers- C/LW Jonathan Huberdeau (Saint John, QMJHL)

Talon goes for the fastest climber in the draft class to manage the center slot.



4. New Jersey- RW Gabriel Landeskog (Kitchener, OHL)

Lots of ABBA in the locker room with Swedish countrymen Jacob Josefson, Mattias Tedenby and Alex Urbom all on board. Landeskog will be the piece that helps bring the rest across the pond in spirit as well as body.



5. New York Islanders- C/LW Sean Couturier (Drummondville, QMJHL)

The Islanders should take Hamilton at this point but I don’t believe they are sold on Bailey to line-up behind Tavares. Now they have that true one-two punch at center. Next year’s draft is d-men heavy and, like the Oilers, they will be picking high again in 2012.



6. Ottawa Senators- C Ryan Strome (Niagara, OHL)

This year’s Jeff Skinner goes to a team that needs a true number one pivot, with Spezza’s issues. I understand that Ottawa would love to have Landeskog (and may trade up to get him) but still see Strome going at 6.



7. Winnipeg “Should Be Jets”- D Dougie Hamilton (Niagara, OHL)

Welcome back to the NHL. Here’s a 6’4” d-man in your Welcome Wagon hamper, enjoy.



8. Philadelphia Flyers (from CBS)- D Duncan Siemens (Saskatoon, WHL)

Before the Carter trade I had Columbus taking Murphy but Siemens can take nastiness lessons from Pronger. Great fit.



9. Boston Bruins (from TOR)- D Ryan Murphy (Kitchener, OHL)

It won’t be Ray Bourque II, but it will be another addition to the Kessel bounty – the gift that just keeps giving.



10. Minnesota Wild- C Mika Zibanejad (Djurgarden, Elitserien)

You might expect the Wild to try and trade up but if this goes to plan, the Wild will be rightly celebrating with the hometown fans when they select another piece down the middle.



11. Colorado Avalanche (from STL)- - RW Joel Armia (Assat, Finland)

The Avs need wingers to go with their top pivots, especially after the Stewart trade. I trust that Mr. Stastny senior will approve of the feisty Finn.



12. Carolina Hurricanes- LW Sven Bartschi (Portland, WHL)

Mr. Staal, meet your new winger.



13. Calgary Flames- C Mark McNeill (Prince Albert, WHL)

Of course Iggy will be in need of a walker by the time he hits his prime, I understand that the Flames have need of a center. Talking with Bob last night, he was higher on Scheifele here, and he may be right.



14. Dallas Stars- D Nathan Beaulieu (Saint John, QMJHL)

Would that they had this guy already in the system when Zubov left, he will arrive late to the party but could prove to be a real steal.



15. New York Rangers- C Mark Scheifele (Barrie, OHL)

Another potential steal of the draft, of course Sather will probably do something silly again.



16. Calgary Flames (from BUF)- D Jamie Oleksiak (Northeastern, NCAA)

Hemsky’s joy at the thought of the Reghr to Buffalo trade going through is somewhat mitigated by the thought of watching my smurfy Oilers getting crushed by this man-tree for next decade.



17. Montreal Canadiens- RW Nicklas Jensen (Oshawa, OHL)

The perfect antidote to little-Hab syndrome.



18. Chicago Blackhawks - LW Brandon Saad (Saginaw, OHL)

So, is this the goal scoring machine from the first half of the season or the flat pop of the second half?



19. Edmonton Oilers (from LAK) – D Oscar Klefbom (Farjestad, SWE)

A fine consolation for not getting Larsson.



20. Phoenix Coyotes- RW Tyler Biggs (USNTDP)

Big and beefy. Wonder how is French is should the ‘Yotes move the Quebec?



21. Ottawa Senators (from NSH) - LW Matt Puempel (Peterborough, OHL)

A new trigger man for a new Senators squad, or at least that would be the hope.



22. Anaheim Ducks- D Jonas Brodin (Farjestad, Elitserien)

The overhaul of the Duck blueline continues.



23. Pittsburgh Penguins- RW Tomas Jurco (Saint John, QMJHL)

Pens pick yet another potential partner for Sid and/or Geno. At some point the pasta will stick to the wall.



24. Detroit Red Wings- C/LW J.T. Miller (USNTDP)

This guy deserves to go to Hockeytown, USA.



25. Toronto Maple Leafs (from Philadelphia)- C Zack Phillips (Saint John, QMJHL)

GTA celebrations are old hat for Mr. Phillips, can it continue in the Blue and White?



26. Washington Capitals- C Alexander Khokhlachev (Windsor, OHL)

The Caps cannot get enough Russians, so it would seem.



27. Tampa Bay Lightning- RW Vladislav Namestnikov (London, OHL)

London Knights NHL factory’s latest shipment is ready for delivery.



28. San Jose Sharks- RW Ty Rattie (Portland, WHL)

The Sharks will get there at some point and this may be a further piece.



29. Vancouver Canucks- D Joe Morrow (Portland, WHL)

One can never have enough depth on D, as last week showed.



30. Toronto Maple Leafs (from Boston)- C Rocco Grimaldi (USNTDP)

He may not have the size to impress Burke but I expect that he just loves the heart.