BRAD HOLLAND'S MOCK DRAFT III (6/14/2010)
RELATED ITEMS: Morreale III | Kimelman III | EMAIL: Your thoughts?
| 1 |
 Edmonton Oilers
|
Taylor Hall, LW, Windsor (OHL) |
| SKINNY: Considering all Hall has accomplished in the past two seasons, hard to believe Oilers could pass on him | ||
| 2 |
 Boston Bruins (from TOR)
|
Tyler Seguin, C, Plymouth (OHL) |
| SKINNY: No knock on Seguin for falling; Hall has too much buzz and too much cache not to go No. 1 |
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| 3 |
 Florida Panthers
|
Erik Gudbranson, D, Kingston (OHL) |
| SKINNY: After Tyler Myers' success this season, big defenseman once again are all the rage |
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| 4 |
 Columbus Blue Jackets
|
Cam Fowler, D, Windsor (OHL) |
| SKINNY: With young forwards (Nash, Voracek, Brassard, etc.), Jackets look to the back end; Fowler is best available |
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| 5 |
 N.Y. Islanders
|
Brandon Gormley, D, Moncton (QMJHL) |
| SKINNY: Has the offensive instincts necessary to complement the Isles' developing group of skilled forwards |
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| 6 |
 Tampa Bay Lightning
|
Alexander Burmistrov, C, Barrie (OHL) |
| SKINNY: The first pick of the Yzerman Era ensures Bolts one day will possess frightening 1-2 punch at center |
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| 7 |
 Carolina Hurricanes
|
Nino Niederreiter, RW, Portland (WHL) |
| SKINNY: 'Canes get a scoring forward who can take some of the offensive load from Eric Staal |
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| 8 |
 Atlanta Thrashers
|
Brett Connolly, RW, Prince George (WHL) |
| SKINNY: Connolly has the offensive ability to compliment an emerging group of young, offensive forwards | ||
| 9 |
 Minnesota Wild
|
Jeff Skinner, RW, Kitchener (OHL) |
| SKINNY: If Skinner continues to develop as he has in the past 12 months, Wild could have a steal here | ||
| 10 |
 New York Rangers
|
Ryan Johansen, C, Portland (WHL) |
| SKINNY: Johansen's learning curve continues to impress; Rangers' depth at center would look a lot stronger |
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| 11 |
 Dallas Stars
|
Mikael Granlund, C, HIFK (Finland) |
| SKINNY: Stars have had success with Finnish players, and Granlund has the offensive moxie they're looking for | ||
| 12 |
 Anaheim Ducks
|
Quinton Howden, C, Moose Jaw (WHL) |
| SKINNY: Ducks' wingers mean a center looks good here, and Howden a perfect No. 2 behind Getzlaf | ||
| 13 |
 Phoenix Coyotes (from CGY)
|
Riley Sheahan, C, Notre Dame (CCHA) |
| SKINNY: Coyotes will give Sheehan time to reach his potential as a strong, scoring pivot |
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| 14 |
 St Louis Blues
|
Jack Campbell, G, U.S. U-18 (NTDP) |
| SKINNY: The only player who hasn't moved in any of my three mock drafts |
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| 15 |
Boston Bruins
|
Austin Watson, LW, Peterborough (OHL) |
| SKINNY: The Bruins are looking for a little scoring on the wing; Watson happy to deliver just that |
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| 16 |
 Ottawa Senators
|
Dylan McIlrath, D, Moose Jaw (WHL) |
| SKINNY: Hard-hitting McIlrath the sort of rock-solid defender you can build a defense corps around | ||
| 17 |
 Colorado Avalanche
|
Derek Forbort, D, U.S. U-18 (NTDP) |
| SKINNY: Forbort another minute-muncher with a high ceiling who can get puck to Avs' speedy forwards | ||
| 18 |
 Nashville Predators
|
Jonathon Merrill, D, U.S. U-18 (NTDP) |
| SKINNY: Preds know you never can have too many young defensemen, and Merrill looks able to do it all | ||
| 19 |
 Los Angeles Kings
|
Emerson Etem, RW, Medicine Hat (WHL) |
| SKINNY: California-born Etem would be overjoyed to play in his backyard with this up-and-coming group | ||
| 20 |
 Pittsburgh Penguins
|
Vladimir Tarasenko, RW, Novosibirsk (KHL) |
| SKINNY: The chance to play with Evgeni Malkin and possibly Sergei Gonchar will be enough to draw Tarasenko over | ||
| 21 |
 Detroit Red Wings
|
Nick Bjugstad, C, Blaine (HIGH-MN) |
| SKINNY: Wings' patience would allow Bjugstad the time to reach his potential as a pro | ||
| 22 |
Phoenix Coyotes
|
John McFarland, C, Sudbury (OHL) |
| SKINNY: With Sheahan at No. 13 and now McFarland, future just got even brighter in Phoenix | ||
| 23 |
 Buffalo Sabres
|
Mark Pysyk, D, Edmonton (WHL) |
| SKINNY: Played in a tough environment, so stats aren't there, but speed and skill are undeniable | ||
| 24 |
Atlanta Thrashers (from NJD)
|
Calvin Pickard, G, Seattle (WHL) |
| SKINNY: With potential-stud Connolly in the bag, Thrashers can gamble on first-round goaltender |
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| 25 |
 Vancouver Canucks
|
Jarred Tinordi, D, U.S. U-18 (NTDP) |
| SKINNY: Canucks were highest-scoring Western team in 2009-10, meaning they look to shore up back end here |
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| 26 |
 Washington Capitals
|
Evgeny Kuznetsov, C, Chelyabinsk (KHL) |
| SKINNY: Kuznetsov's performance at WJC enough to balance risk/reward of taking a Russian in the first round | ||
| 27 |
 Montréal Canadiens
|
Stephen Johns, D, U.S. U-18 (NTDP) |
| SKINNY: After watching Hal Gill shut down Ovi and Sid, Habs look to shut down future stars with Johns |
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| 28 |
 San Jose Sharks
|
Beau Bennett, RW, Penticton (BCHL) |
| SKINNY: Talented winger will help ensure goals will continue to come in droves in San Jose |
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| 29 |
Anaheim Ducks (from PHI)
|
Jason Zucker, LW, U.S. U-18 (NTDP) |
| SKINNY: Las Vegas-born forward won't put up gaudy numbers, but plays the energetic game coaches love |
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| 30 |
 Chicago Blackhawks
|
Charlie Coyle, C/RW, South Shore (EJHL) |
| SKINNY: With a Stanley Cup in 2009-10 and a very bright future, Hawks can afford to wait for BU-bound forward | ||