Steven Hoffner's 2014 mock draft

Thursday, 02.13.2014 / 3:00 AM / 2014 NHL Draft - Philadelphia - June 27-28, 2014

By Steven Hoffner - NHL.com Staff Writer

Share with your Friends


Steven Hoffner's 2014 mock draft
NHL.com's Steven Hoffner gives his initial projections for the 2014 NHL Draft in Philadelphia.

NHL.com draft experts: Reinhart consensus top pick

* Note: Draft order based on League standings at Olympic break

Related mock drafts: Adam Kimelman | Mike G. Morreale
ORDER TEAM PLAYER SKINNY
1 BUF Sam Reinhart, C,
Kootenay (WHL)
May have slipped in the midseason rankings but has best raw offensive talent in draft. Sabres are in dire need of goals.
2 EDM Aaron Ekblad, D,
Barrie (OHL)
No-brainer decision for Oilers in taking best defenseman in draft. Has the talent to be the No. 1 pick depending on a team's need.
3 FLA Samuel Bennett, C, Kingston (OHL) With the Panthers in need of depth up front, Bennett would be a nice fit to step in right away.
4 CGY Leon Draisaitl, LW,
Prince Albert (WHL)
Western scouts will be familiar with this power forward with slick hands and big offensive upside.
5 NYI Michael Dal Colle, LW, Oshawa (OHL) With Thomas Vanek not likely to return, Dal Colle could serve as his future replacement. A great offensive talent.
6 NSH Nicholas Ritchie, LW, Peterborough (OHL) In need of goals, Nashville could take Ritchie, who is putting up career-best numbers in the OHL this season.
7 CAR Haydn Fleury, D,
Red Deer (WHL)
The 6-foot-2, 202-pounder could be a good fit with Justin Faulk on the Hurricanes' blue line.
8 WPG Brenden Perlini, LW, Niagara (OHL) Big forward with a great shot is only going to get better.
9 VAN Jake Virtanen, LW,
Calgary (WHL)
Hometown fans will love this versatile forward who looked great at CHL/NHL Top Prospects game in Calgary.
10 WSH Kasperi Kapanen, RW, KalPa (FIN) Son of NHL alum Sami Kapanen, look for Kasperi to add more speed to the Capitals' offensive game down the road.
11 ANA
(From Ottawa)
William Nylander, RW, Sodertalje (SWE-2) Speedy forward with hands needs to get bigger and stronger, but will provide Anaheim with support up front in the future.
12 CBJ Nikolaj Ehlers, LW,
Halifax (QMJHL)
Danish forward impressed at Top Prospects game. Ehlers is quickly moving up rankings with his speed and skill.
13 DET Nikolay Goldobin, RW, Sarnia (OHL) The Red Wings always seem to find diamonds in the rough and Goldobin might be the surprise of this year's draft.
14 PHX Ivan Barbashev, LW, Moncton (QMJHL) A strong leader with offensive ability, he's putting up strong stats in the QMJHL.
15 DAL Anthony DeAngelo, D, Sarnia (OHL) He's tearing up the OHL with his offensive prowess. DeAngelo would provide a badly needed element to the Stars' blue line.
16 PHI Sonny Milano, LW,
USA U-18 (USHL)
A product of the U.S. National Team Development Program, Milano has good net and puck instincts, and can give the Flyers some help on the wing.
17 NYR Roland McKeown, D, Kingston (OHL) Smart, playmaking defenseman who brings a leadership quality to fill a potential hole on the blue line if Dan Girardi is traded or leaves as a free agent.
18 LAK Jared McCann, C,
Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
Hard to think he will slide this much but with so many teams heavy up the middle he may be the odd-man out. Can contribute at both ends of the rink and will help up the middle once the team's current flock of centers get older.
19 MIN Dylan Larkin, C,
USA U-18 (USHL)
Intense forward from the USNTDP can bring a flare and a high-tempo game up the middle down the road.
20 TOR Joshua Ho-Sang, RW/C, Windsor (OHL) The Toronto native would be an outstanding fit on the wing. He would bring personality to the room as well as a high-end offensive game.
21 MTL Nick Schmaltz, C,
Green Bay (USHL)
Highest American-born prospect on the board. Schmaltz may not drop this far, but if he does will be a steal for Montreal up the middle.
22 TBL Julius Honka, D,
Swift Current (WHL)
Helped Finland win the gold medal at the 2014 World Junior Championship; also playing lots of minutes in the WHL and piling up points.
23 BOS David Pastrnak, LW, Sodertalje (SWE-2) Not many have seen this flashy Czech teen with gifted hands, but he will be getting more attention once the draft gets closer.
24 COL Adrian Kempe, RW,
Modo Jr. (SWE-JR)
NHL Central Scouting's No. 3-ranked European skater has great speed and can take advantage of weaker skaters defending him.
25 SJS Alex Tuch, RW/C,
USA U-18 (USHL)
The definition of a power forward. Once Joe Thornton hangs up his skates Tuch would be a fine young replacement.
26 PIT Thatcher Demko, G,
Boston College (H-EAST)
Penguins lack goaltending depth in their prospect pipeline, so expect general manager Ray Shero to start thinking about the future with this 6-foot-4 native of San Diego.
27 CHI Kevin Fiala, C,
HV71 Jr. (SWE-JR)
Game-breaking Czech forward has been moving up the rankings with his crafty play.
28 STL Jakub Vrana, C,
Linkoping (SWE-2)
With strong work ethic and all-round offensive skill, Vrana is able to make quick plays for his size (5-11, 172).
29 ANA Chase De Leo, C,
Portland (WHL)
Having a great season for the WinterHawks. Grew up in La Mirada, Calif., a 20-minute drive from Honda Center.

* Devils forfeit first-round pick to comply with penalties regarding Ilya Kovalchuk cap circumnavigation case

Follow Steve Hoffner on Twitter: @hoffner_steven