MIKE MORREALE'S MOCK DRAFT III (6/14/2010)
RELATED ITEMS: Holland III | Kimelman III | EMAIL: Your thoughts?
| 1 |
 Edmonton Oilers
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Taylor Hall, LW, Windsor (OHL)
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| SKINNY: Versatile forward was Memorial Cup MVP and World Junior silver medalist | ||
| 2 |
 Boston Bruins (from TOR)
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Tyler Seguin, C, Plymouth (OHL) |
| SKINNY: The OHL co-scoring champion (106 points) is perfect fit for team seeking a game-changing center |
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| 3 |
 Florida Panthers
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Erik Gudbranson, D, Kingston (OHL) |
| SKINNY: Is earning comparisons to NHL All-Stars Chris Pronger and Dion Phaneuf -- enough said |
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| 4 |
 Columbus Blue Jackets
|
Cam Fowler, D, Windsor (OHL) |
| SKINNY: Is probably the most mobile defender available and exhibits plenty of poise |
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| 5 |
 N.Y. Islanders
|
Brandon Gormley, D, Moncton (QMJHL) |
| SKINNY: Great opportunity for Isles to snare a steady force along the blue line for years to come |
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| 6 |
 Tampa Bay Lightning
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Brett Connolly, RW, Prince George (WHL) |
| SKINNY: Scouts gave the gifted playmaker a clean bill of health upon his return from hip injuries |
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| 7 |
 Carolina Hurricanes
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Derek Forbort, D, U.S. U-18 (NTDP) |
| SKINNY: 'Canes are loaded at forward, so tough defender with poise on PP makes more sense |
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| 8 |
 Atlanta Thrashers
|
Nino Niederreiter, RW, Portland (WHL) |
| SKINNY: The heavily touted Swiss forward is shifty, skilled, tenacious and responsible in own end | ||
| 9 |
 Minnesota Wild
|
Alexander Burmistrov, C, Barrie (OHL) |
| SKINNY: Electrifying Russian will bring fans to their feet with finesse and dynamic scoring touch | ||
| 10 |
 New York Rangers
|
Ryan Johansen, C, Portland (WHL) |
| SKINNY: Fearless skater could be the steal of the first round; teamed with Niederreiter in Portland |
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| 11 |
 Dallas Stars
|
Mark Pysyk, D, Edmonton (WHL) |
| SKINNY: For a team looking to bolster the blue line, Pysyk is smooth skater off the transition | ||
| 12 |
 Anaheim Ducks
|
Mikael Granlund, C, HIFK (Finland) |
| SKINNY: The top European prospect on the board has drawn comparisons to Saku Koivu | ||
| 13 |
 Phoenix Coyotes (from CGY)
|
Jack Campbell, G, U.S. U-18 (NTDP) |
| SKINNY: Need eventual replacement for Ilya Bryzgalov; a goalie with drive and proven record fits bill |
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| 14 |
 St Louis Blues
|
Emerson Etem, RW, Medicine Hat (WHL) |
| SKINNY: Sensational skater who scored 37 as a WHL rookie; intelligent and willing to learn |
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| 15 |
Boston Bruins
|
Dylan McIlrath, D, Moose Jaw (WHL) |
| SKINNY: A Boston fit -- strikes fear in forwards with intimidating size, plus offensive skill to boot |
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| 16 |
 Ottawa Senators
|
John McFarland, C, Sudbury (OHL) |
| SKINNY: Excellent skater with agility, fantastic wrist shot and toughness to boot (70 PIM in OHL) | ||
| 17 |
 Colorado Avalanche
|
Jonathan Merrill, D, U.S. U-18 (NTDP) |
| SKINNY: Avs build defense; Merrill is hard-hitting left-shot defender who can chip in offensively | ||
| 18 |
 Nashville Predators
|
Austin Watson, LW, Peterborough (OHL) |
| SKINNY: Hidden gem plays with great energy, and at 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds, isn't easily intimidated | ||
| 19 |
 Los Angeles Kings
|
Jeff Skinner, RW, Kitchener (OHL) |
| SKINNY: Fiery competitor, once nationally ranked in figure skating, had 50 goals in 64 OHL games | ||
| 20 |
 Pittsburgh Penguins
|
Quinton Howden, C, Moose Jaw (WHL) |
| SKINNY: Relentless and aggressive on the forecheck while posting 65 points in 65 WHL games | ||
| 21 |
 Detroit Red Wings
|
Vladimir Tarasenko, RW, Novosibirsk (KHL) |
| SKINNY: Possesses quick hands, lethal shot and likes to play physical | ||
| 22 |
Phoenix Coyotes
|
Nick Bjugstad, C, Blaine (HIGH-MN) |
| SKINNY: The 2010 Mr. Hockey Award-winner from Minnesota is perfect fit for team on the rise | ||
| 23 |
 Buffalo Sabres
|
Tyler Pitlick, C, Minnesota State (WCHA) |
| SKINNY: Dominant on faceoffs, good speed and size (6-2, 194), and tremendous room for growth | ||
| 24 |
Atlanta Thrashers (from NJD)
|
Riley Sheahan, C, Notre Dame (CCHA) |
| SKINNY: Plays with energy, finishes checks and fit right into Notre Dame's defense-first approach |
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| 25 |
 Vancouver Canucks
|
Jarred Tinordi, D, U.S. U-18 (NTDP) |
| SKINNY: NTDP captain is committed to Notre Dame and is the son of former NHL player Mark Tinordi |
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| 26 |
 Washington Capitals
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Jaden Schwartz, C, Tri-City (USHL) |
| SKINNY: Top scorer in USHL (83 points in 60 games) also excelled at Ivan Hlinka for Canada | ||
| 27 |
 Montréal Canadiens
|
Alexander Petrovic, D, Red Deer (WHL) |
| SKINNY: Strapping 6-4 defender can skate, handle and distribute the puck well off the transition |
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| 28 |
 San Jose Sharks
|
Calvin Pickard, G, Seattle (WHL) |
| SKINNY: Solid numbers on weak Seattle team; Pickard eventually could replace Evgeni Nabokov |
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| 29 |
Anaheim Ducks (from PHI)
|
Charlie Coyle, C/RW, South Shore (EJHL) |
| SKINNY: The Boston University-bound center enjoys battling down low and in the corners |
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| 30 |
 Chicago Blackhawks
|
Evgeny Kuznetsov, C, Chelyabinsk (KHL) |
| SKINNY: Why not take a flyer on one of the most skilled Russians in the draft? The best could get even better | ||