DEVEN PERSAUD'S MOCK DRAFT

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

1
Edmonton Oilers
Adam Larsson, D, Skelleftea (SWE)
SKINNY: Biggest need on defense and in goal; Larsson solves the first part handily

2
Colorado Avalanche
 Ryan Nugent Hopkins, C, Red Deer (WHL)
SKINNY: Gives them a great young No. 2 center between Duchene and O'Reilly

3
Florida Panthers
 Sean Couturier, C, Drummondville (QMJHL)
SKINNY: Top-end talent has higher ceiling than Landeskog, but may need more seasoning

4
New Jersey Devils
 Gabriel Landeskog, LW, Kitchener (OHL)
SKINNY: Ready to step right into the NHL as Devils look to rebound next season

5
New York Islanders
 Dougie Hamilton, D, Niagara (OHL)
SKINNY: Stay-at-home defenseman eventually will complement Calvin de Haan nicely

6
Ottawa Senators
 Ryan Strome, C, Niagara (OHL)
SKINNY: Stocked with defense prospects, they need a top-six forward; Strome had 33 goals, 106 points

7
Atlanta Thrashers
 Ryan Murphy, D, Kitchener (OHL)
SKINNY: Creative defenseman fills a need in the organizational prospect pool

8
Columbus Blue Jackets
 Mika Zibanejad, C, Djurgarden (SWE)
SKINNY: Top-ranked European forward can fit as No. 2 center behind top prospect Ryan Johansen

9
Boston Bruins (via TOR)
 Jonathan Huberdeau, C, Saint John (QMJHL)
SKINNY: Two-way center is best player available at this spot; Bruins can wait for him to fully develop

10
Minnesota Wild
 Duncan Siemens, D, Saskatoon (WHL)
SKINNY: A good all-round player for the back end, something the Wild need in their system

11
Colorado Avalanche (via STL)
 Sven Baertschi, LW, Portland (WHL)
SKINNY: Skilled Swiss forward will look great alongside Duchene in a few years

12
Carolina Hurricanes
 Joel Armia, RW, Assat (FIN)
SKINNY: Already solid down the middle and on defense, so Finnish power forward is easy choice

13
Calgary Flames
 Nathan Beaulieu, D, Saint John (QMJHL)
SKINNY: Flames would be thrilled if talented blueliner falls to them here

14
Dallas Stars
 Jamison Oleksiak, D, Northeastern (HE)
SKINNY: 6-foot-7 monster eventually will pair nicely with Alex Goligoski

15
New York Rangers
 Mark McNeil, C, Prince Albert (WHL)
SKINNY: Good defensive forward continues strategy of drafting smart two-way players

16
Buffalo Sabres
 Mark Scheifele, C, Barrie (OHL)
SKINNY: 6-foot-2 power forward provides size up front for a diminutive forward group

17
Montreal Canadiens
 Nicklas Jensen, LW/RW, Oshawa (OHL)
SKINNY: Versatile forward can play either wing, and at 6-2 provides size and speed up front

18
Chicago Blackhawks
 Vladislav Namestnikov, C, London (OHL)
SKINNY: Club has had success with skilled London forwards in the past (Kane, Bolland)

19
Edmonton Oilers (via LAK)
 Jonas Brodin, D, Farjestad (SWE)
SKINNY: With two talented Swedish defensemen, team has set its top pairing for the next decade

20
Phoenix Coyotes
 Zack Phillips, C, Saint John (QMJHL)
SKINNY: Smart forward will be allowed to develop behind the emerging Kyle Turris

21
Ottawa Senators (via NSH)
 Ty Rattie, RW, Portland (WHL)
SKINNY: Gifted forward gives Sens another talented top-six forward; plays a decent defensive game, too

22
Anaheim Ducks
 Brandon Saad, LW, Saginaw (OHL)
SKINNY: Power forward fits the mold of Perry, Getzlaf and Ryan

23
Pittsburgh Penguins
 Rocco Grimaldi, C, USA U-18 (USHL)
SKINNY: Undersized forward loaded with talent; fills organizational prospect need

24
Detroit Red Wings
 Joseph Morrow, D, Portland (WHL)
SKINNY: Hard-nosed blueliner will help fill out aging defense corps

25
Toronto Maple Leafs (via PHI)
 Boone Jenner, C, Oshawa (OHL)
SKINNY: Leafs need centers and Jenner is a Brian Burke-type, do-everything player

26
Washington Capitals
 Dmitrij Jaskin, RW, Slavia (CZE)
SKINNY: Team's most glaring need is on the wing, and talented Czech is the perfect fit

27
Tampa Bay Lightning
 Oscar Klefbom, D, Farjestad (SWE)
SKINNY: 6-foot-4 blue line rock, along with 6-6 Victor Hedman, would look awfully scary for the opposition

28
Toronto Maple Leafs (via BOS)
 Tyler Biggs, RW, USA U-18 (USHL)
SKINNY: Big, nasty, skilled forward is perfect for a Brian Burke franchise

29
San Jose Sharks
 Jonathan Miller, C, USA U-18 (USHL)
SKINNY: Another skilled prospect to add to last year's No. 1, U.S. WJC star Charlie Coyle

30
Vancouver Canucks
 Tomas Jurco, RW, Saint John (QMJHL)
SKINNY: Flashy forward will get time to round out his highlight-reel game