Adam Kimelman's 2014 mock draft part II

Friday, 04.04.2014 / 3:00 AM / 2014 NHL Draft - Philadelphia - June 27-28, 2014

By Adam Kimelman - NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor

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Adam Kimelman's 2014 mock draft part II
NHL.com's Adam Kimelman gives his initial projections for the 2014 NHL Draft in Philadelphia.

Kimelman's Draft
Note: Final draft order to be determined at conclusion of Stanley Cup Final.
  1. BUF

Sam Reinhart, C, Kootenay (WHL)

Offensive skill and top-end hockey IQ make Reinhart the perfect cornerstone for Sabres' rebuilding effort. Excels on power play and penalty kill; had 105 points in 60 games.

  2. EDM

Aaron Ekblad, D, Barrie (OHL)

Led OHL defensemen with 23 goals, and with NHL-ready size (6-3.5, 216), Ekblad should be able to step right onto the Oilers' blue line next season. Played top-four role for Canada at 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship, so big stage won't bother him.

  3. FLA

Leon Draisaitl, LW, Prince Albert (WHL)

Panthers GM Dale Tallon wants to build a big, talented team down the middle; adding Draisaitl to Aleksander Barkov and Nick Bjugstad fits that model. Had 105 points in 64 games.

  4. CGY

Samuel Bennett, LW, Kingston (OHL)

High-end skill makes Bennett the perfect complement to last year's first-round pick, center Sean Monahan. Had 36 goals and 91 points in 57 games.

  5. NYI

Michael Dal Colle, LW, Oshawa (OHL)

Big, skilled forward would make a fine complement alongside John Tavares and Kyle Okposo on the top line; had 39 goals in 67 games.

  6. NSH

Kasperi Kapanen, LW, Kalpa (FIN)

Already excelling against men in Finland's top pro league; played youth hockey in North America, so transition to smaller ice won't be tough.

  7. CAR

Haydn Fleury, D, Red Deer (WHL)

Already has NHL size (6-2.5, 203) and knows how to use it; also blends high offensive skill that produced 46 points in 70 games.

  8. WPG
Jake Virtanen, LW, Calgary (WHL)

Outstanding skater who should develop into a premiere offensive performer; had 45 goals and 71 points in 71 games.

  9. ANA
(From Ottawa)
Nicholas Ritchie, LW, Peterborough (OHL)

Power forward skates well for his size (6-2.25, 226); could develop into anchor of second-line.

10. VAN

Brendan Perlini, LW, Niagara (OHL)

Power forward needs to get a bit bigger, but has great hands and knows how to fill the net; had 34 goals and 71 points in 58 games.

11. WSH

William Nylander, C/RW, Modo (SWE)

An offensive dynamo; scouts rave about his quick hands and great speed; good puck-mover but has strong shot he isn't afraid to use. Would be a perfect fit with a franchise his father played for.

12. TOR

Jared McCann, C, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

The Maple Leafs need help down the middle and McCann is a smart, mobile center who knows how to make his linemates better; had 62 points in 64 games.

13. CBJ

Anthony DeAngelo, D, Sarnia (OHL)

Most offensively gifted defenseman in the draft; game compares favorably to Montreal's P.K. Subban. Led OHL defensemen with 71 points in 51 games.

14. DET

Nikolaj Ehlers, LW, Halifax (QMJHL)

Blazing speed and great hands made scouts notice him for more than being Jonathan Drouin's linemate; led all QMJHL rookies with 49 goals and 104 points.

15. PHX

Ivan Barbashev, C/LW, Moncton (QMJHL)

Shoot-first forward is the kind of explosive offensive talent the Coyotes need; had 25 goals and 68 points in 48 games.

16. DAL

Dylan Larkin, C, U.S. U-18 (USHL)

Big (6-0.75, 190), skilled center will continue his development at the University of Michigan next season.

17. PHI

Alex Tuch, C/RW, U.S. U-18 (USHL)

Big (6-3.5, 213), skilled power forward learning to use his body to his advantage; fits Flyers' mold perfectly.

18. MIN

Thatcher Demko, G, Boston College (H-EAST)

Best draft-eligible goaltender fills a giant organizational need; was top candidate for Mike Richter Award as top NCAA goalie despite being youngest player in college hockey.

19. NYR

Roland McKeown, D, Kingston (OHL)

Big (6-1, 200), strong, smart defenseman can move the puck out of trouble or make smart passes.

20. MTL

Joshua Ho-Sang, C/RW, Windsor (OHL)

Windsor owner Warren Rychel called Ho-Sang the most skilled player he's seen play for the Spitfires; led team with 32 goals and 85 points in 67 games.

21. TBL

Julius Honka, D, Swift Current (WHL)

Gifted offensive playmaker from the back end ranks among draft's strongest skaters; had 16 goals and 56 points in 62 games and also had strong showing for Finland at 2014 WJC.

22. LAK

Sonny Milano, LW, USA U-18 (USHL)

Excels at offensive end with speed, skating and puckhandling ability but also is committed to playing the defensive side of the puck.

23. CHI

Nick Schmaltz, C, Green Bay (USHL)

Talented forward with dynamic hands that allow him to make smart plays in tight spaces or off the rush.

24. PIT

Nikita Scherbak, RW, Saskatoon (WHL)

Russian-born forward made transition to North America this season look easy; led team with 28 goals and 78 points in 65 games.

25. COL

Brendan Lemieux, LW, Barrie (OHL) 

Avalanche brought back Joe Sakic and Patrick Roy, so drafting Claude Lemieux's son fits perfectly; had 27 goals in 65 games, but was reminiscent of his father with 145 penalty minutes.

26. SJS

David Pastrnak, RW, Sodertalje (SWE-2)

Talented Czech forward showed speed and a great shot playing against men in Sweden; had 24 points in 36 games.

27. ANA

Kevin Fiala, LW, HV 71 (SWE)

Strong second half of the season caught attention of scouts; quick, smart playmaker with good hands.

28. STL

Adrian Kempe, LW, Modo (SWE)

Big (6-1.5, 187) and skilled offensively; is willing and able to throw his body around to make a play or finish a check.

29. BOS

Ryan MacInnis, C, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

Has Hall of Fame bloodlines; needs to get stronger but skill already is apparent; had 16 goals and 37 points in 66 games as a rookie.

30. NJD

Conner Bleackley, C, Red Deer (WHL)

Good skater with plus shot; led team with 29 goals and 68 points. Being the captain in Red Deer at 17 shows maturity.

 
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