Western Conference Scout Mock Draft

Note: Final draft order to be determined at conclusion of Stanley Cup Final.

1. Florida Panthers - Seth Jones, D, Portland (WHL)

Impossible to pass on him.

2. Washington Capitals - Nathan MacKinnon, C, Halifax (QMJHL)

Has very good skill level and tons of character to go with it.

3. Buffalo Sabres - Valeri Nichushkin, RW, Chelyabinsk-2 (RUS-JR)

Most talented player in the draft; eventually will play alongside Mikhail Grigorenko.

4. Tampa Bay Lightning - Jonathan Drouin, LW, Halifax (QMJHL)

Could be a Patrick Kane clone.

5. Colorado Avalanche - Darnell Nurse, D, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

Will be a horse on their blue line for years to come.

6. Calgary Flames - Aleksander Barkov, C, Tappara (FIN)

Already playing with men and he could be NHL ready next season.

7. Philadelphia Flyers - Sean Monahan, C, Ottawa 67's (OHL)

Slips a little just like Sean Couturier did in his year. Same team; similar player.

8. Columbus Blue Jackets - Elias Lindholm, C, Brynas (SWE)

One of three first-rounders. They'll start with a highly-skilled Euro for the new general manager.

9. Edmonton Oilers - Nikita Zadorov, D, London (OHL)

Time to start filling in on the blue line. Not a bad start with this stud.

10. New York Islanders - Hunter Shinkaruk, C/LW, Medicine Hat (WHL)

Another talented forward to add to their stable.

11. Dallas Stars - Jason Dickinson, C, Guelph (OHL)

Once he grows into a man's body, he will be dominant.

12. Nashville Predators - Alexander Wennberg, C, Djurgarden Jr. (SWE-JR.)

They have a good Swedish presence and this guy has huge upside.

13. Winnipeg Jets - Anthony Mantha, RW, Val-D'Or (QMJHL)

Once he fills out, he'll be hard to shut down. Very good player to complement 2011 pick Mark Scheifele.

14. San Jose Sharks - Michael McCarron, RW, USA-U18 (USHL)

Fits the bill for the Sharks -- he's a big and mobile player.

15. Minnesota Wild - Joshua Morrissey, D, Prince Albert (WHL)

Size is the only knock, but what a pairing it would be with Jonas Brodin.

16. Columbus Blue Jackets (via N.Y. Rangers) - Rasmus Ristolainen, D, TPS (FIN)

The second pick of three for Columbus. You figure it out. (By the way, he is a stud).

17. Detroit Red Wings - Frederik Gauthier, C, Rimouski (QMJHL)

Big guy that plays both ends of the ice equally as well. Adds some more size to Wings' lineup.

18. Phoenix Coyotes - Ryan Pulock, D, Brandon (WHL)

A solid character defenseman with a bomb of a shot.

19. St. Louis Blues (belongs to Calgary Flames if Blues make playoffs) - Adam Erne, LW, Quebec (QMJHL)

Another skilled forward to add to a very talented group of prospects.

20. Vancouver Canucks - Morgan Klimchuk, LW, Regina (WHL)

Skilled guy with a good touch around the net.

21. Columbus Blue Jackets (via Los Angeles) - Curtis Lazar, C/RW, Edmonton (WHL)

A player you win with. He'll be a solid addition to their lineup.

22. New Jersey Devils - Justin Bailey, RW, Kitchener (OHL)

Solid two-way, Devils-style player with a good upside -- and a New Yorker to boot.

23. Toronto Maple Leafs - Ryan Hartman, RW, Plymouth (OHL)

Very tough player to play against, and has the skill to back it up.

24. Carolina Hurricanes - Max Domi, C/LW, London (OHL)

Plays a foot taller than he actually is and has very good skill; a competitor.

25. Ottawa Senators - Bo Horvat, C, London (OHL)

Solid two-way player that every team covets.

26. Boston Bruins - Kerby Rychel, LW, Windsor (OHL)

Another player to score for them -- like they need it.

27. Calgary Flames (via Pittsburgh) - Mirco Mueller, D, Everett (WHL)

Smooth, composed defenseman capable of playing in all situations.

28. Montreal Canadiens - Anthony Duclair, LW, Quebec (QMJHL)

Canadiens would luck out by getting this very good Quebec-born player.

29. Anaheim Ducks - Jacob de la Rose, LW, Leksand (SWE-2)

Another big forward that will be tough on the opponents' defense.

30. Chicago Blackhawks - Robert Hagg, D, Modo Jr. (SWE-JR.)

Good-size, skilled defenseman with a bomb of a shot to help out their power play.