Mock Draft: Mike Zeisberger gives you his picks – Toronto Sun
MIKE ZEISBERGER’S 2015 FIRST ROUND NHL MOCK DRAFT
1, Edmonton Oilers
Connor McDavid, C, Erie (OHL)
A generational player who quickly could become the face of the league.
2. Buffalo Sabres
Jack Eichel, C, Boston University (NCAA)
In almost any other season, he’d be the overwhelming No. 1 pick.
3. Arizona Coyotes
Dylan Strome, C, Erie (OHL)
OHL scoring champ. Marner, Hanifin other options. Could trade down, too.
4. Toronto Maple Leafs
Mitch Marner, C, London (OHL)
Hunter knows Marner well, but Provorov/Hanifin/Strome also in play.
5. Carolina Hurricanes
Ivan Provorov, D, Brandon (WHL)
Stock rocketed with outstanding WHL playoff run. Leafs like him a lot, too.
6. New Jersey Devils
Noah Hanifin, D, Boston College (NCAA)
Incoming GM Ray Shero would be giddy if smooth-skating blueliner falls this far.
7. Philadelphia Flyers
Pavel Zacha, C, Sarnia (OHL)
Big and strong, just the way the Flyers like ’em.
8. Columbus Blue Jackets
Zach Werenski, D, Michigan (NCAA)
He scores, he blocks shots, he can do it all.
9. San Jose Sharks
Lawson Crouse, LW, Kingston (OHL)
Pete DeBoer loves hard-nosed guys who play with an edge.
10. Colorado Avalanche
Mikko Rantanen, RW, TPS (Finland)
Need blueline help but this kid’s too good to pass up.
11. Florida Panthers
Kyle Connor, LW, Youngstown (USHL)
Some would consider it a steal if he drops to Cats here.
12. Dallas Stars
Timo Meier, LW, Halifax (QMJHL)
From the team that produced MacKinnon, Drouin, Ehlers.
13. Los Angeles Kings
Travis Konecny, RW, Ottawa (OHL)
Up front help for team that likely will see Justin Williams leave.
14. Boston Bruins
Mathew Barzal, C, Seattle (WHL)
Aging Bruins need scoring help.
15. Calgary Flames
Nick Merkley, RW, Kelowna (WHL)
Heart-and-soul player for a heart-and-soul team.
16. Edmonton Oilers (from Pittsburgh)
Ilya Samsonov, G, Magnitogorsk 2 (Russian junior)
Do Oilers gamble and take their goalie-of-the-future here?
17. Winnipeg Jets
Evgeny Svechnikov, RW, Cape Breton (QMJHL)
Help for Wheeler, Little, Ladd up front.
18. Ottawa Senators
Jakub Zboril, D, Saint John (QMJHL)
Could serve as a nice 1-2 D punch with Karlsson down the road.
19. Detroit Red Wings
Jacob Larsson, D, Frölunda HC (Sweden)
Swedish D have thrived in Detroit (Lidstrom, Kronwall)
20. Minnesota Wild
Colin White, C, U.S. NTDP (USHL)
Knack for scoring key goals in crunch time.
21. Buffalo Sabres (From NYI)
Oliver Kylington, D, Farjestad (Sweden)
Huge upside. Sabres might package pick for immediate help.
22. Washington Capitals
Jeremy Roy, D, Sherbrook (QMJHL)
Nice Good addition to back end if Mike Green walks.
23. Vancouver Canucks
Paul Bittner, LW, Portland (WHL)
His 6-foot-4, 204lb frame makes him a cycling nightmare for defenders.
24. Toronto Maple Leafs
Gabriel Carlsson, D, Linköping J20, SuperElit (Sweden)
Babcock likes defencemen, and this stay-at-home blueliner is a good one.
25. Winnipeg Jets
Joel Eriksson Ek, C, Karlstad (Sweden)
Development in Swedish elite league was noticeable.
26. Montreal Canadiens
Brock Boeser, RW, Waterloo (USHL)
Habs need scoring and he led USHL in goals with 35.
27. Anaheim Ducks
Jake DeBrusk, LW, Swift Current (WHL)
Fits right into the cycle game the Ducks love so much.
28. Tampa Bay Lightning
Thomas Chabot, D, Saint John (QMJHL)
Has good size and work ethic.
29. Philadelphia Flyers
Mackenzie Blackwood, G, Barrie (OHL)
Flyers have been looking for a goalie saviour since Hextall.
30. Chicago Blackhawks
Denis Guryanov, LW/RW, Lada Togliatti (KHL/MHL)
Must retool up front after cap casualties.
ALSO IN PLAY: Jack Roslovic, C/RW, U.S. NTDP (USHL); Brandon Carlo, D, Tri-City (WHL) ; Jansen Harkins, C, Prince George (WHL); Dennis Yan, LW, Shawinigan (QMJHL); Daniel Sprong, RW, Charlottetown (QMJHL); Jordan Greenway, LW, USNTDP; Filip Chlapik, C, Charlottetown (QMJHL).
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