DEVEN PERSAUD'S MOCK DRAFT

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1
Edmonton Oilers
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C, Red Deer (WHL)
SKINNY: Best player in the draft is a must for the Oilers

2
Colorado Avalanche
Jonathan Huberdeau, C, Saint John (QMJHL)
SKINNY: Stock is soaring after he took home Memorial Cup MVP award

3
Florida Panthers
Adam Larsson, D, Skelleftea (SWE)
SKINNY: Rebuild continues on the back end; future Larsson-Gudbranson pairing is solid

4
New Jersey Devils
Gabriel Landeskog, LW, Kitchener (OHL)
SKINNY: Power forward 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 blueliner 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
Winnipeg
Duncan Siemens, D, Saskatoon (WHL)
SKINNY: Team goes off the board for balanced blueliner to fill out prospect pool

8
Columbus Blue Jackets
Sean Couturier, C, Drummondville (QMJHL)
SKINNY: Blue Jackets fans will be ecstatic if talented center falls to this spot

9
Boston Bruins (via TOR)
Ryan Murphy, D, Kitchener (OHL)
SKINNY: Murphy's offensive game drawing comparisons to a young Bobby Orr -- makes him the perfect Bruins pick

10
Minnesota Wild
Mika Zibanejad, C, Djurgarden (SWE)
SKINNY: Right-shooting forward can play in the middle or right wing, two areas of need for the Wild

11
Colorado Avalanche (via STL)
Nathan Beaulieu, D, Saint John (QMJHL)
SKINNY: After passing on Larsson, Avs won't let another talented blueliner go by

12
Carolina Hurricanes
Mark McNeill, C, Prince Albert (WHL)
SKINNY: Two-way forward's stock is on the rise as comparisons to Ryan Getzlaf grow

13
Calgary Flames
Sven Baertschi, LW, Portland (WHL)
SKINNY: Calgary needs to build its prospect depth and taking the best available player is a good start

14
Dallas Stars
Joel Armia, RW, Assat (FIN)
SKINNY: Big (6-foot-3) forward with great hands could be an eventual replacement for the departed James Neal

15
New York Rangers
Boone Jenner, C, Oshawa (OHL)
SKINNY: Hard-working forward fits the mold of current Rangers Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Callahan

16
Buffalo Sabres
Jamieson Oleksiak, D, Northeastern (HE)
SKINNY: Giant Oleksiak (6-7) + 6-8 Tyler Myers = scared opposing forwards

17
Montreal Canadiens
Zack Phillips, C, Saint John (QMJHL)
SKINNY: Solid playmaker adds skill to the Habs' prospect pool

18
Chicago Blackhawks
Ty Rattie, RW, Portland (WHL)
SKINNY: Another Winterhawk off the board as Chicago attempts to build its forward depth

19
Edmonton Oilers (via LAK)
Joseph Morrow, D, Portland (WHL)
SKINNY: Hometown boy joins Martin Marincin and Jeff Petry as Oilers build prospect depth along the blue line

20
Phoenix Coyotes
Mark Scheifele, C, Barrie (OHL)
SKINNY: Hard-working forward provides size and determination up front

21
Ottawa Senators (via NSH)
Nicklas Jensen, LW/RW, Oshawa (OHL)
SKINNY: Danish forward eventually could replace Daniel Alfredsson as top-line forward

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

23
Pittsburgh Penguins
Jonas Brodin, D, Farjestad (SWE)
SKINNY: Smooth-skating defenseman will quarterback the Pens' power play in the coming years

24
Detroit Red Wings
Oscar Klefbom, D, Farjestad (SWE)
SKINNY: Boom or bust 6-3 blueliner will be given plenty of time to develop in Detroit system

25
Toronto Maple Leafs (via PHI)
Tyler Biggs, RW, USA U-18 (USHL)
SKINNY: Impressive Combine performance moves him up the board and gives him chance to play for fave team

26
Washington Capitals
Vladislav Namestnikov, C, London (OHL)
SKINNY: Flashy Russian will find plenty of countrymen in the Caps' organization

27
Tampa Bay Lightning
Ryan Sproul, D, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
SKINNY: Big (6-4) defenseman is flying up the draft charts based on his size and offensive ability

28
San Jose Sharks
Tomas Jurco, RW, Saint John (QMJHL)
SKINNY: Talented forward with nifty hands could look fantastic next to Logan Couture in a few seasons

29
Vancouver Canucks
Alexander Khokhlachev, LW, Windsor (OHL)
SKINNY: Skilled, flashy forward eventually will look great skating alongside Cody Hodgson

30
Toronto Maple Leafs (via BOS)
Jonathan Miller, C, USA U-18 (USHL)
SKINNY: Power forward is the perfect Brian Burke player -- skilled, with a side of tough