SHAWN P. ROARKE'S MOCK DRAFT
RELATED ITEMS: Kimelman | Raimondi | Holland | Morreale | EMAIL: Your thoughts?
| 1 |
 Edmonton Oilers
|
Tyler Seguin, C, Plymouth (OHL) |
| SKINNY: So little separates top two; Edmonton picks the better two-way player | ||
| 2 |
 Boston Bruins (from TOR)
|
Taylor Hall, LW, Windsor (OHL) |
| SKINNY: This pick just keeps getting better for the Bruins, who nab the draft's best offensive player | ||
| 3 |
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Cam Fowler, D, Windsor (OHL) |
| SKINNY: Could be this year's Drew Doughty and address a franchise's perennial weakness |
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| 4 |
 Carolina Hurricanes
|
Erik Gudbranson, D, Kingston (OHL) |
| SKINNY: Supremely skilled blueliner isn't a bad consolation prize in the defensemen derby | ||
| 5 |
 Florida Panthers
|
Riley Sheahan, C, Notre Dame (CCHA) |
| SKINNY: Perhaps the second-best playmaker in the draft; can be a Joe Thornton-type player | ||
| 6 |
 Columbus Blue Jackets
|
Brett Connolly, RW, Prince George (WHL) |
| SKINNY: Season-long injury woes aside, Connolly is a point-per-game player that has scouts excited | ||
| 7 |
 Tampa Bay Lightning
|
Brandon Gormley, D, Moncton (QMJHL) |
| SKINNY: Excels in both zones; will be a solid second option after Victor Hedman | ||
| 8 |
 New York Rangers
|
Alexander Burmistrov, C, Barrie (OHL) |
| SKINNY: Russian-born center is a capable playmaker with a physical bent |
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| 9 |
 Atlanta Thrashers
|
Vladimir Tarasenko, LW, Novosibirsk (KHL) |
| SKINNY: Questions remain about bringing him over, but Thrashers can't help but gamble on him | ||
| 10 |
 Anaheim Ducks
|
Nino Niederreiter, RW, Portland (WHL) |
| SKINNY: Niederreiter has tools to be first Swiss power forward in the NHL; dominated at WJC |
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| 11 |
 Dallas Stars
|
Derek Forbort, D, U.S. U-18 (NTDP) |
| SKINNY: A hulking defenseman with skill in both ends; will be a later bloomer | ||
| 12 |
 Minnesota Wild
|
Emerson Etem, RW, Medicine Hat (WHL) |
| SKINNY: Minnesota needs goal scoring, so they take best remaining goal-scorer | ||
| 13 |
Boston Bruins
|
Nick Bjugstad, C, Blaine (HIGH-MN) |
| SKINNY: The front-line help keeps coming for Boston; should develop even more in NCAA | ||
| 14 |
 St Louis Blues
|
Mikael Granlund, F, HIFK (Finland) |
| SKINNY: Blues' scouting staff, headed by Jarmo Kekalainen, doesn't miss on too many Euro prospects |
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| 15 |
Anaheim Ducks (from PHI)
|
Austin Watson, RW, Peterborough (OHL) |
| SKINNY: Too much skill and too much potential to pass on at this spot |
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| 16 |
 Montréal Canadiens
|
Mark Pysyk, D, Edmonton (WHL) |
| SKINNY: A minutes-eater, Pysyk is a pass-first defender that can excel in Montreal's system | ||
| 17 |
 Phoenix Coyotes (from CGY)
|
Kirill Kabanov, LW, Moncton (QMJHL) |
| SKINNY: Phoenix has so many high-end young forwards that they can take a gamble here. | ||
| 18 |
 Ottawa Senators
|
Ryan Johansen, C, Portland (WHL) |
| SKINNY: Playmaker can be at vanguard of Ottawa's next wave of young forwards | ||
| 19 |
 Detroit Red Wings
|
John McFarland, C, Sudbury (OHL) |
| SKINNY: Wings bet McFarland is better than he showed this season |
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| 20 |
 Colorado Avalanche
|
Calvin Pickard, G, Seattle (WHL) |
| SKINNY: The difference between Pickard and Jack Campbell is razor thin. | ||
| 21 |
 Los Angeles Kings
|
Jeff Skinner, RW, Kitchener (OHL) |
| SKINNY: It's always a bonus when you can get a potential 30-goal scorer this deep in the draft | ||
| 22 |
 Buffalo Sabres
|
Jack Campbell, G, U.S. U-18 (NTDP) |
| SKINNY: This American goalie with a winning pedigree could eventually follow Ryan Miller. | ||
| 23 |
 Nashville Predators
|
Jonathon Merrill, D, U.S. U-18 (NTDP) |
| SKINNY: Merrill is another big, talented blueliner that fits the Poile blueprint. | ||
| 24 |
 Pittsburgh Penguins
|
Ryan Spooner, C, Peterborough, (OHL) |
| SKINNY: Size is an issue, but his skill with the puck is undeniable. | ||
| 25 |
Atlanta Thrashers (from NJD)
|
Dylan McIlrath, D, Moose Jaw (WHL) |
| SKINNY: Positionally sound, with an accurate shot to compliment his big frame. | ||
| 26 |
 Vancouver Canucks
|
Ivan Telegin, RW, Saginaw (OHL) |
| SKINNY: Twice rookie of the month in OHL, he's a point-per-game pivot in first OHL season | ||
| 27 |
Phoenix Coyotes
|
Brock Nelson, C, Warroad (HIGH-MN) |
| SKINNY: Has a good pedigree, world-class wheels upon which to build | ||
| 28 |
 Chicago Blackhawks
|
Quinton Howden, C, Moose Jaw (WHL) |
| SKINNY: Talent on the wings makes fundamentally sound, creative center a good choice | ||
| 29 |
 San Jose Sharks
|
Tyler Toffoli, C, Ottawa (OHL) |
| SKINNY: Think Joe Thornton could use a young player with a lethal wrister? We do. | ||
| 30 |
 Washington Capitals
|
Jarred Tinordi, D, U.S. U-18 (NTDP) |
| SKINNY: Tinordi is a big, stay-at-home defender that can support Washington's attack-first style. | ||