MIKE G. MORREALE'S MOCK DRAFT III

RELATED ITEMS: Kimelman's draft III | Hoffner's draft III | Your thoughts?

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

1
Edmonton Oilers
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C, Red Deer (WHL)
SKINNY: Oilers scouts say Nugent-Hopkins' vision reminds them of Gretzky -- can't be any more obvious than that

2
Colorado Avalanche
 Gabriel Landeskog, LW, Kitchener (OHL)
SKINNY: Powerful NHL-ready complement for centers Paul Stastny, Matt Duchene or Ryan O'Reilly

3
Florida Panthers
 Adam Larsson, D, Skelleftea (SWE)
SKINNY: Poise, vision and cannon shot would complement play of last year's first pick, d-man Erik Gudbranson

4
New Jersey Devils
 Jonathan Huberdeau, C, Saint John (QMJHL)
SKINNY: Retooling for new coach starts with a 105-point forward who might have best set of hands of 2011 class 

5
New York Islanders
 Dougie Hamilton, D, Niagra (OHL)
SKINNY: Fits need along blue line as big (6-4 1/4, 187), nasty puckmover; hits hard, skates hard and has smarts

6
Ottawa Senators
 Sean Couturier, C, Drummondville (QMJHL)
SKINNY: Too good to pass up; had 36 goals, 96 pts while earning acclaim as league's Best Pro Prospect and MVP

7
Atlanta Thrashers
 Ryan Strome, C, Niagra (OHL)
SKINNY: Exciting scorer with fantastic puck skills had 106 points, is tenacious (82 PIM) and crafty around the net

8
Columbus Blue Jackets
 Nathan Beaulieu, D, Saint John (QMJHL)
SKINNY: Top-rated bluer line from the QMJHL is a transitional dynamo possessing speed, poise and a great shot

9
Boston Bruins (via TOR)
 Ryan Murphy, D, Kitchener (OHL)
SKINNY: A power-play specialist (14 PP goals); led all draft-eligible defensemen in OHL with 79 points (26 goals)

10
Minnesota Wild
 Mika Zibanejad, C, Djurgarden (SWE)
SKINNY: The most improved European skater brings power, soft hands around the net, vision and speed

11
Colorado Avalanche (via STL)
 Duncan Siemens, D, Sakatoon (WHL)
SKINNY: Might be the most physical of any top-tier defenseman; skates well, good mobility, had 43 pts, 121 PIM

12
Carolina Hurricanes
 Jonas Brodin, D, Farjestad (Sweden)
SKINNY: Smarts in the defensive zone, good in one-on-one battles and very poised and mature

13
Calgary Flames
 Mark Scheifele, C, Barrie (OHL)
SKINNY: Two-way center posted 75 points, 13 PP goals, against the best checking-line forwards in the league

14
Dallas Stars
 Sven Baertschi, LW, Portland (WHL)
SKINNY: Swiss-born forward is being touted as next Nino Niederreiter. Had 34 goals, 11 on the power play

15
New York Rangers
 Mark McNeill, C, Prince Albert (WHL)
SKINNY: Right-handed center (6-foot-1 1/2, 201 pounds) is tough to play against; good awareness at both ends

16
Buffalo Sabres
 Jamieson Oleksiak, D, Northeastern (HE)
SKINNY: Would the Sabres actually pass on the opportunity to have 6-foot-7 Oleksiak beside 6-8 Tyler Myers?

17
Montreal Canadiens
 Phillip Danault, LW, Victoriaville (QMJHL)
SKINNY: Versatile forward is perfect fit for Les Habitants. Had 23 goals (4 shorthanded) and 67 points in 64 games

18
Chicago Blackhawks
 Boone Jenner, C, Oshawa (OHL)
SKINNY: The 6-1 1/4, 204-pound center has a relentless motor, finishes checks and forces turnovers

19
Edmonton Oilers (via LAK)
 Scott Mayfield, D, Youngstown (USHL)
SKINNY: A skilled, intelligent blueliner, he was named MVP for Team USA at 2010 World Jr. A Challenge

20
Phoenix Coyotes
 Zack Phillips, C, Saint John (QMJHL)
SKINNY: Time to load up on centers; a solid skater with edge was second on team in scoring (38 goals, 95 points)

21
Ottawa Senators (via NSH)
 Shane Prince, C, Ottawa (OHL)
SKINNY: Native of Rochester N.Y. goes from the 67's to the Sens; playmaker with speed, he had 25 goals, 88 pts

22
Anaheim Ducks
 Joseph Morrow, D, Portland (WHL)
SKINNY: Could be the steal of the first round; has smarts and good recognition, and totaled 49 points and 67 PIM

23
Tampa Bay Lightning
 Nicklas Jensen, LW/RW, Oshawa (OHL)
SKINNY: The versatile 6-2 1/4, 187-pounder can play either forward spot. He had 29 goals, 58 pts and was plus-14

24
Maple Leafs (via BOS)
 Alexander Khokhlachev, C, Windsor (OHL)
SKINNY: Skilled Russian with solid positional attack and toughness; had 34 goals (12 PPG), 76 pts, plus-9 rating

25
Detroit Red Wings
 Rickard Rakell, RW, Plymouth (OHL)
SKINNY: Great work ethic, high-energy Swede can forecheck hard and is responsible in his own end

26
San Jose Sharks
 Joel Edmundson, D, Moose Jaw (WHL)
SKINNY: The 6-4 1/2, 191-pounder impressed over the second half; finished with 20 points, plus-3 rating, 95 PIM

27
Pittsburgh Penguins
 Brandon Saad, LW, Saginaw (OHL)
SKINNY: Native of Pittsburgh suburbs is powerful forward, finished with 27 goals (12 PPG), 55 points in 59 games

28
Maple Leafs (via PHI)
 Rocco Grimaldi, C, USA U-18 (USHL)
SKINNY: A Brian Burke-type grinder with speed and attitude; led USNTDP with 34 goals, 62 points in 50 games

29
Washington Capitals
 Ty Rattie, RW, Portland (WHL)
SKINNY: Great offensive skills and instincts, enters the tough areas to score goals; showed in his 28 goals, 79 pts

30
Vancouver Canucks
 David Musil, D, Vancouver (WHL)
SKINNY: Solid frame (6-3 1/4, 198), can box out and stands up for teammates; had 25 pts, plus-1 rating, 83 PIM