WESTERN CONFERENCE SCOUT MOCK DRAFT

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Eastern Conference Scout's draft | Your thoughts?

* Note: Final draft order to be determined at conclusion of Stanley Cup Final


1
Edmonton Oilers
Adam Larsson, D, Skelleftea (SWE)
SKINNY: Team has lots of good young forwards. Time to add a stud on the back end

2
Ottawa Senators
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C, Red Deer (WHL)
SKINNY: Too much skill and upside to pass on

3
Colorado Avalanche
Sean Couturier, C, Drummondville (QMJHL)
SKINNY: Adding another good highly skilled forward will help

4
Florida Panthers
Gabriel Landeskog, LW, Kitchener (OHL)
SKINNY: Character player that will help in the dressing room

5
N.Y. Islanders
Ryan Murphy, D, Kitchener (OHL)
SKINNY: Good for their power play and John Tavares. Could be special down the road

6
New Jersey Devils
Dougie Hamilton, D, Niagara (OHL)
SKINNY: Combination of size (6-4 1/4, 187) and skill to add on their back end

7
Atlanta Thrashers
Jonathan Huberdeau, C, Saint John (QMJHL)
SKINNY: More skill up front to add with Alexander Burmistrov and Evander Kane

8
St. Louis Blues
Ryan Strome, C, Niagara (OHL)
SKINNY: Just a pure, naturally-gifted playmaker and scorer

9
Boston Bruins (from TOR)
Jamieson Oleksiak, D, Northeastern (HE)
SKINNY: Imagine him (6-7, 244) and Chara on the same pairing down the road. Plays college right up the street

10
Columbus Blue Jackets
Sven Baertschi, LW, Portland (WHL)
SKINNY: Might as well keep him with his Portland teammate Ryan Johansen. A dynamic duo

11
Minnesota Wild
Brandon Saad, LW, Saginaw (OHL)
SKINNY: Big, skilled power-forward will fit in nicely

12
Carolina Hurricanes
Nathan Beaulieu, D, Saint John (QMJHL)
SKINNY: Will help Jeff Skinner down the road on the power play

13
Buffalo Sabres
Tyler Biggs, RW, U.S. U-18 (USHL)
SKINNY: A native New Yorker; opposition will have to keep their heads up with him and Zack Kassian

14
New York Rangers
Mark McNeill, C, Prince Albert (WHL)
SKINNY: Will be a good fit with 2010 pick Christian Thomas down the line

15
Calgary Flames
Duncan Siemens, D, Saskatoon (WHL)
SKINNY: Just what the doctor ordered; an Alberta native

16
Dallas Stars
Joel Armia, RW, Assat Pori (FIN)
SKINNY: Size (6-3, 191) and skill to replace James Neal

17
Anaheim Ducks
Jonas Brodin, D, Farjestad (SWE)
SKINNY: Safe with good size (6-1, 161) and will move the puck well to a good group of forwards

18
Chicago Blackhawks
Joseph Morrow, D, Portland (WHL)
SKINNY: No need to change his Hawks jersey

19
Montréal Canadiens
Phillip Danault, LW, Victoriaville (QMJHL)
SKINNY: Will be a solid fit in the blu, blanc et rouge

20
Ottawa Senators (from NSH)
Nicklas Jensen, LW, Oshawa (OHL)
SKINNY: Second highly skilled forward to add in this round

21
Edmonton Oilers (from LAK)
Ty Rattie, RW, Portland (WHL)
SKINNY: Could be another Jordan Eberle down the road

22
Tampa Bay Lightning
Rocco Grimaldi, C, U.S. U-18 (USHL)
SKINNY: GM Steve Yzerman will have a tough time ignoring his skills

23
Maple Leafs (from BOS)
Mika Zibanejad, C, Djurgarden (SWE)
SKINNY: Their Swedish scout will never let him slip through

24
Phoenix Coyotes
Matt Puempel, LW, Peterborough (OHL)
SKINNY: Late-season hip injury will not sway their decision on his scoring ability

25
Pittsburgh Penguins
John Gibson, G, U.S. U-18 (USHL)
SKINNY: Gives them some depth in net

26
San Jose Sharks
Scott Mayfield, D, Youngstown (USHL)
SKINNY: They've had good luck recently with U.S.-born players

27
Detroit Red Wings
Rickard Rakell, RW, Plymouth (OHL)
SKINNY: A Swede playing in their own backyard

28
Washington Capitals
Alexander Khokhlachev, C, Windsor (OHL)
SKINNY: Why stop on the influx of Russians?

29
Maple Leafs (from PHI)
Boone Jenner, C, Oshawa (OHL)
SKINNY: This choice adds some more size and character to lineup

30
Vancouver Canucks
David Musil, D, Vancouver (WHL)
SKINNY: Playing and living right in their backyard