STEVEN HOFFNER'S MOCK DRAFT

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1
Edmonton Oilers
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C, Red Deer (WHL)
SKINNY: Crafty, shifty forward with great vision. The best player in draft

2
Colorado Avalanche
 Gabriel Landeskog, LW, Kitchener (OHL)
SKINNY: Great leadership qualities and very mature. Power forward will complement great PP line with Duchene

3
Florida Panthers
 Jonathan Huberdeau, C, Saint John (QMJHL)
SKINNY: After Memorial Cup MVP performance, speedy forward is poised for success

4
New Jersey Devils
 Nathan Beaulieu, D, Saint John (QMJHL)
SKINNY: Big reason why Sea Dogs won Memorial Cup. Devils are in need of a skilled defenseman

5
New York Islanders
 Adam Larsson, D, Skelleftea (SWE)
SKINNY: Some scouts believe he the big Swede will go higher. Top five prospect for sure

6
Ottawa Senators
 Dougie Hamilton, D, Niagara (OHL)
SKINNY: Big, solid defenseman who can throw the body around; had a great OHL playoff run

7
Winnipeg
 Ryan Strome, C, Niagara (OHL)
SKINNY: Leadership qualities complement his flashy offensive skills

8
Columbus Blue Jackets
 Sean Couturier, C, Drummondville (QMJHL)
SKINNY: The skilled forward dominated the QMJHL last two seasons

9
Boston Bruins (via TOR)
 Sven Baertschi, LW, Portland (WHL)
SKINNY: Skilled forward with great hands, lots of fun to watch

10
Minnesota Wild
 Ryan Murphy, D, Kitchener (OHL)
SKINNY: Had 79 points in 63 games; he loves to pinch and add to the offense

11
Colorado Avalanche (via STL)
 Daniel Catenacci, C, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
SKINNY: The dark horse of draft; will be the next Michael Cammalleri

12
Carolina Hurricanes
 Duncan Siemens, D, Saskatoon (WHL)
SKINNY: Reliable defenseman would be a good addition to a Hurricanes blue line that needs depth

13
Calgary Flames
 Tomas Jurco, RW, Saint John (QMJHL)
SKINNY: Ridiculous hands and imagination. He's a YouTube sensation with a ton of skill

14
Dallas Stars
 Mark McNeill, C, Prince Albert (WHL)
SKINNY: Center had a big year, posting 81 points in 70 games

15
New York Rangers
 Mika Zibanejad, C, Djurgarden (SWE)
SKINNY: Rangers are in need of scoring, and Zibanejad is a forward with great hands

16
Buffalo Sabres
 Mark Scheifele, C, Barrie (OHL)
SKINNY: Had good numbers in first OHL season; led Canada forwards in scoring at World U-18s

17
Montreal Canadiens
 Zack Phillips, C, Saint John (QMJHL)
SKINNY: Was second on QMJHL's best team with 38 goals, 95 points in 67 games

18
Chicago Blackhawks
 Vladislav Namestnikov, C, London (OHL)
SKINNY: Flashy center would add depth to Hawks' offense

19
Edmonton Oilers (via LAK)
 Jamieson Oleksiak, D, Northeastern (HE)
SKINNY: Oilers in need of defense, and at 6-foot-7, 244, Oleksiak could turn some heads

20
Phoenix Coyotes
 Christopher Gibson, G, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
SKINNY: A Finnish goalie with outstanding numbers -- need we say more?

21
Ottawa Senators (via NSH)
 Joseph Morrow, D, Portland (WHL)
SKINNY: Great puck-moving, offensive-minded blueliner could be a steal late in first round

22
Anaheim Ducks
 Scott Mayfield, D, Youngstown (USHL
SKINNY: Gritty defenseman who can score and hit

23
Pittsburgh Penguins
 Joel Armia, RW, Assat (FIN)
SKINNY: Offensive-minded forward could go higher; would complement Penguins' offense nicely

24
Detroit Red Wings
 Niklas Jensen, LW/RW, Oshawa (OHL)
SKINNY: Speedy, Danish-born forward would complement Wings' European contingent

25
Toronto Maple Leafs (via PHI)
 Matt Puempel, LW, Peterborough (OHL)
SKINNY: Sharp-shooting prospect would look good in blue and white

26
Washington Capitals
 Connor Murphy, USA U-18 (USHL)
SKINNY: Big (6-3, 185), strong U.S. defenseman can put up points

27
Tampa Bay Lightning
 Max Friberg, LW, Skovde (SWE-3)
SKINNY: Talented forward will be one of this draft's big surprises

28
San Jose Sharks
 Shane Prince, C, Ottawa (OHL)
SKINNY: Speedy forward impressed many at January's Top Prospects Game

29
Vancouver Canucks
 Adam Clendening, D, Boston University (HE)
SKINNY: Handles puck well under pressure. Ranking soared since mid-season

30
Toronto Maple Leafs (via BOS)
 Tyler Biggs, RW, USA U-18 (USHL)
SKINNY: Big, strong forward exactly the type of player Leafs GM Brian Burke loves