BRAD HOLLAND'S MOCK DRAFT
RELATED ITEMS: Roarke | Raimondi | Morreale | Kimelman | EMAIL: Your thoughts?
| 1 |
 Edmonton Oilers
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Tyler Seguin, C, Plymouth (OHL) |
| SKINNY: Everyone wants to know: Tyler or Taylor? For my money, it's the kid doing more with less help. | ||
| 2 |
 Boston Bruins (from TOR)
|
Taylor Hall, LW, Windsor (OHL) |
| SKINNY: With a Windsor-Plymouth OHL playoff matchup starting this week, the "Who's No. 1" could answer itself. | ||
| 3 |
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Erik Gudbranson, D, Kingston (OHL) |
| SKINNY: Hard to believe the Isles wouldn't take a D here, and the nearly 6-foot-4 Gudbranson is potential stud. |
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| 4 |
 Carolina Hurricanes
|
Cam Fowler, D, Windsor (OHL) |
| SKINNY: With three straight first-round centers, 'Canes likely take a D, and well-rounded Fowler is best available. |
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| 5 |
 Florida Panthers
|
Brett Connolly, RW, Prince George (WHL) |
| SKINNY: Back from injury with four games remaining in season; at half-speed scored 3 goals in final two games. |
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| 6 |
 Columbus Blue Jackets
|
Brandon Gormley, D, Moncton (QMJHL) |
| SKINNY: Jackets took four D in 2009 Draft, and trend should continue in 2010. Gormley is best available. | ||
| 7 |
 Tampa Bay Lightning
|
Dylan McIlrath, D, Moose Jaw (WHL) |
| SKINNY: Only selected six D with last 24 picks; McIlrath is the big, strong compliment to silky-smooth Hedman | ||
| 8 |
 New York Rangers
|
Alexander Burmistrov, C, Barrie (OHL) |
| SKINNY: Rangers need players with natural scoring ability, and Burmistrov is just that and then some. | ||
| 9 |
 Atlanta Thrashers
|
Nino Niederreiter, RW, Portland (WHL) |
| SKINNY: Nobody helped himself more at 2010 WJC, and 36 goals in 64 WHL games means talent is for real. | ||
| 10 |
 Anaheim Ducks
|
Mark Pysyk, D, Edmonton (WHL) |
| SKINNY: Playing for the second-worst team in the WHL slants his stats, but speed alone dictates a top-10 pick. |
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| 11 |
 Dallas Stars
|
Derek Forbort, D, U.S. U-18 (NTDP) |
| SKINNY: Big 'D' needs D, and success of Tyler Myers could have scouts looking closer at big guys on back end. | ||
| 12 |
 Minnesota Wild
|
Riley Sheahan, RW, Notre Dame (CCHA) |
| SKINNY: Freshman earned his way onto the power play this season, and MIN needs all the scoring it can find. | ||
| 13 |
Boston Bruins
|
Ryan Johansen, C, Portland (WHL) |
| SKINNY: Made huge strides in last 18 months, so the ceiling for Johansen could surprise everyone. |
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| 14 |
 St Louis Blues
|
Jack Campbell, G, U.S. U-18 (NTDP) |
| SKINNY: Only St. Louis position lacking in prospects is goaltending, so Blues remedy that here. |
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| 15 |
Anaheim Ducks (from PHI)
|
Emerson Etem, RW, Medicine Hat (WHL) |
| SKINNY: California-born Etem a natural fit for Ducks, especially if they take a 'D,' at No. 10. |
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| 16 |
 Montréal Canadiens
|
Mikael Granlund, C, HIFK (Finland) |
| SKINNY: Smallish forward possesses significant skills, and Canadiens possess strong Finnish scouting base. | ||
| 17 |
 Phoenix Coyotes (from CGY)
|
John McFarland, C, Sudbury (OHL) |
| SKINNY: Depth at center never a bad thing, and with Turris and McFarland, team will be deep for years to come. |
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| 18 |
 Ottawa Senators
|
Nick Bjugstad, C, Blaine (HIGH-MN) |
| SKINNY: Two straight defensemen in first round means Ottawa shores up forwards with Minnesota's "Mr. Hockey." | ||
| 19 |
 Detroit Red Wings
|
Tyler Pitlick, C, Minnesota State (WCHA) |
| SKINNY: Wings' recent surge likely means a 19th pick not in the cards, but if it were, Pitlick would be a good fit. |
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| 20 |
 Colorado Avalanche
|
Kirill Kabanov, LW, Moncton (QMJHL) |
| SKINNY: Avs haven't taken a true winger since 2007, so they may overlook "the Russian factor." |
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| 21 |
 Los Angeles Kings
|
Quinton Howden, C, Moose Jaw (WHL) |
| SKINNY: Kings loaded across the board with prospect depth, so Howden, best-available center, is the pick | ||
| 22 |
 Buffalo Sabres
|
Brock Nelson, C, Warroad (HIGH-MN) |
| SKINNY: Three of past four first-rounders have been D, so Sabres might look to Notre Dame-bound forward here. | ||
| 23 |
 Nashville Predators
|
Jonathon Merrill, D, U.S. U-18 (NTDP) |
| SKINNY: Another prospect-loaded team goes for future with Michigan-bound blueliner. | ||
| 24 |
 Pittsburgh Penguins
|
Austin Watson, RW, Peterborough (OHL) |
| SKINNY: Late-season trade from Windsor to Peterborough just what was needed -- 9 goals, 20 points in final 10. | ||
| 25 |
Atlanta Thrashers (from NJD)
|
Calvin Pickard, G, Seattle (WHL) |
| SKINNY: With dynamic Niederreiter in the bag, Atlanta can gamble on their second first with a goalie. |
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| 26 |
 Vancouver Canucks
|
Stephen Johns, D, U.S. U-18 (NTDP) |
| SKINNY: Three forwards in three years for Vancouver's first round selections means "Big Johns" right up their alley. | ||
| 27 |
Phoenix Coyotes
|
Charlie Coyle, F, South Shore (EJHL) |
| SKINNY: Coyotes learned the hard way about patience with prospects, so Coyle's four years at BU the perfect fit. | ||
| 28 |
 Chicago Blackhawks
|
Kevin Hayes, RW, Nobles (HIGH-MA) |
| SKINNY: Current state of team means Hawks can wait; Hayes joins Boston College this fall, likely for four years. |
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| 29 |
 San Jose Sharks
|
Ludvig Rensfeldt, LW, Brynas Jr. (SWE-JR.) |
| SKINNY: Light year for top-end Swedes, but Rensfeldt the big, strong forward Sharks would look for in Round 1. | ||
| 30 |
 Washington Capitals
|
Danny Biega, D, Harvard (ECAC) |
| SKINNY: Biega joins one of the deepest prospect pools in hockey, at least on defense. | ||