NHL.com draft experts: MacKinnon, Jones top picks
| Related mock drafts: Mike G. Morreale | Steven Hoffner | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ORDER | TEAM | PLAYER | SKINNY |
| 1 |  |
Nathan MacKinnon, C, Halifax (QMJHL) | Joe Sakic and Patrick Roy both are touting MacKinnon, and there doesn't seem like much of a reason not to believe them. Roy knows MacKinnon well and already envisions him centering the team's third line. |
| 2 |  |
Seth Jones, D, Portland (WHL) |
Panthers have taken defenseman with top pick two of past three years, but a giant-size pairing of Jones and Erik Gudbranson just too good to pass on. |
| 3 |  |
Aleksander Barkov, C, Tappara (FIN) | Big, strong, well-developed and regarded for having arguably the best hockey IQ in the draft, Barkov could step right into middle of Lightning's second line next season. |
| 4 |  |
Jonathan Drouin, LW, Halifax (QMJHL) | He showcased his sublime offensive skill on a national stage at the Memorial Cup. Predators are stacked with young defense prospects; a high-end offensive talent is just what they need. |
| 5 |  |
Darnell Nurse, D, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) |
The Hurricanes' weakest point last season was its defense, so a big, smart, athletic blueliner with an outstanding pedigree potentially could step right into the lineup next season. |
| 6 |  |
Sean Monahan, C, Ottawa (OHL) |
The Flames can anchor their rebuilding effort around this smart, skilled two-way center who had 31 goals despite being best option on bad team. |
| 7 |  |
Valeri Nichushkin, RW, Chelyabinsk (RUS) | Oilers president Kevin Lowe said you never can have enough talent, and the Russian power forward is too talented to pass on here. |
| 8 |  |
Hunter Shinkaruk, C/LW, Medicine Hat (WHL) | The versatile forward is a pure scorer capable of bringing fans out their seats with his dynamic puck skills. |
| 9 |  |
Elias Lindholm, C, Brynas (SWE) |
This smart two-way center is capable of playing in the Devils' top six, possibly as soon as next season. |
| 10 |  |
Bo Horvat, C, London (OHL) |
A big scorer also highly regarded for his two-way game. He might be the best faceoff man in this year's draft class. |
| 11 |  |
Rasmus Ristolainen, D, TPS (FIN) |
Flyers are missing what Ristolainen supplies -- big, strong, offensively skilled and nasty to play against. He's already 6-4 and 207 pounds with room to grow. |
| 12 |  |
Anthony Mantha, RW, Val-d'Or (QMJHL) | The Coyotes need offense and Mantha was only player in this year's draft class from the top North American junior leagues to score 50 goals. |
| 13 |  |
Frederik Gauthier, C, Rimouski (QMJHL) | Big center complements solid offensive skills and impressive size (6-4.5, 214) with strong skating ability and complete, 200-foot game. |
| 14 |  |
Ryan Pulock, D, Brandon (WHL) |
Good size and already possess an NHL-caliber shot; showed toughness in battling through a few serious injuries. |
| 15 |  |
Valentin Zykov, LW, Baie-Comeau (QMJHL) | Isles can add to front-line depth with this Russian forward who led all first-year QMJHL players in goals and points. |
| 16 | (From MIN) |
Ryan Hartman, RW, Plymouth (OHL) | Strong skater, versatile and tough -- played second half of the season with a shoulder injury that need surgery. He was key part of the U.S. win at the World Junior Championship. |
| 17 |  |
Max Domi, C/LW, London (OHL) |
His spectacular between-the-legs pass at the Memorial Cup was just a glimpse at the offensive skill set Domi supplies. |
| 18 |  |
Robert Hagg, D, Modo Jr. (SWE-JR) |
Last-minute addition to Sweden WJC roster became team's best defenseman. He also gained valuable experience playing part of the season in Sweden's top pro league. |
| 19 | (From NYR) |
Mirco Mueller, D, Everett (WHL) |
Swiss import was helped in North American adjustment by Blue Jackets prospect Ryan Murray. |
| 20 |  |
Zachary Fucale, G, Halifax (QMJHL) |
The Sharks haven't drafted a goalie since 2008, so a chance at this year's best is too good to pass up. |
| 21 |  |
Kerby Rychel, LW, Windsor (OHL) |
He showcased his physical strength at the Scouting Combine after displaying hands skilled enough to score 40 goals this season on a struggling Windsor team. |
| 22 | (From STL) |
Ian McCoshen, D, Waterloo (USHL) |
The American-born blueliner brings size, strength and skill in one 6-2.5, 205-pound package. Committed to Boston College for the fall, but he could be worth the wait. |
| 23 |  |
Zach Nastasiuk, RW, Owen Sound (OHL) |
Improved throughout the season. Lauded for his offensive skill, defensive ability and prowess on the penalty kill. |
| 24 |  |
Nikita Zadorov, D, London (OHL) |
The big, physical Russian would be an outstanding addition to an aging blue line. |
| 25 |  |
Alexander Wennberg, C, Djurgarden (SWE) | Skilled and smart from playing against men the past two seasons. He had 14 goals, 32 points in 46 games this season. |
| 26 |  |
Adam Erne, LW, Quebec (QMJHL) |
Connecticut-born power forward said he loved playing out west during his minor-hockey days with the L.A. Selects. |
| 27 | (From LAK) |
Curtis Lazar, C/RW, Edmonton (WHL) | Versatile and skilled, and already has shown he can excel on the big stage -- has 30 points in 42 WHL playoff games past two seasons. |
| 28 | (From PIT) |
Eric Comrie, G, Tri-City (WHL) |
Almost fully healed from hip surgery, Comrie is Central Scouting's No. 2-ranked goaltender and could be the long-term replacement for Miikka Kiprusoff. |
| 29 | (From BOS) |
Jacob de la Rose, LW, Leksand (SWE-2) | Speedy skater plays a strong two-way game. Can pass and shoot at top speed and gained valuable experience playing with big club this season, totaling 12 points in 36 games. |
| 30 |  |
William Carrier, LW, Cape Breton (QMJHL) |
Limited to 34 games by an ankle injury this season, Carrier at his best is a big (6-1.5, 198), skilled two-way forward with good hockey sense who could develop into shut-down defensive player. |
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