The NHL season has come to an end but the fun is about to begin. Friday, the NHL Entry Draft will take place in St. Paul, Minnesota. With Mock Draft’s and trade rumours flooding the internet, I thought it would be fun to put together my own mock draft. These things are virtually impossible to predict, as I have done a mock draft for every draft since 2007 and have got a whopping 18 of 120 picks correct. I can’t believe I’m admitting that but here we go again:
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| Ryan Nugent-Hopkinn: soon to be Oiler? |
1. EDMONTON OILERS - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C, Red Deer (WHL)
Analysis: The Oilers will pick first overall for the second straight season and so far so good (excluding his injury) for last year’s pick, Taylor Hall. Not much argument here with Nugent-Hopkins, as the majority of mock drafts has him going first as well. The one argument that can be made is the Oilers lack of depth on defence. To that I say, in my opinion from watching him play, as I help cover the Calgary Hitmen, Nugent-Hopkins is the real deal. I don’t think the Oilers can pass on him and when him and Hall fully mature, they will complement each other very well and could be a lethal duo. Keep in mind the Oilers also hold the 19th pick in the first round and have a couple solid prospects on the back end with Jeff Petry and Martin Marincin in their system.
2. COLORADO AVALANCHE - Gabriel Landeskog, LW, Kitchener (OHL)
Analysis: The Avalanche has done very well in recent drafts. Matt Duchene looks to be a budding super star after his first couple of seasons in Colorado. Looking at the Avalanche roster and prospects, they are filled to capacity down the middle and are fairly solid on the back-end. With Chris Stewart being dealt to the Blues before the deadline for defensemen Eric Johnson, the Avalanche has some holes on the wing. Landeskog is the unanimous choice here. Compared to Mike Richards of the Philadelphia Flyers, Landeskog along with Duchene could make the Avalanche perennial contenders. Landeskog was captain of the Rangers at the young age of 17 and with the recent retirement of Adam Foote, could be groomed to be the Avalanche’s next captain in a couple seasons.
