1. Buffalo: Owen Power - Based on how he did in the WC, he didn’t look out of place at all. Based on that Power is clearly the BPA.#
2. Seattle: William Eklund - They went D heavy in the Expansion Draft, I think they’ve got to go with a forward they can build on. This two-way C/LW is NHL ready and can be getting top 6 opportunities as soon as next year, but better to have him play on the third line. Won’t be surprised if Beniers is slotted here, but I view Eklund as the better prospect.#
3. Anaheim: Matthew Beniers - Anaheim is A okay with whoever falls to them among these top 3. Originally thought of them grabbing one of the top end LD prospects, but they’re better off going with a forward to either compliment Zegras or played on a different line. They also still have Hampus Lindholm as the top pairing LD.#
4. New Jersey: Luke Hughes - It’s not only that the Devils have their brother Jack, it’s also because Luke has what it takes to be a top two-way defenseman in this league, and will be a mainstay in the Devils’ top 4 with Ty Smith filling the other LD spot. Wouldn’t be shocked at all if he turned out to be the best player in the draft.
5. Columbus: Brandt Clarke - An offensive RHD that Columbus is going to need as soon as next year with the loss of Seth Jones. But, they’re happy to wait for Clarke to develop while they likely rebuild for a better center in upcoming drafts.#
6. Detroit: Simon Edvinsson - Detroit would be hoping for Beniers or Eklund to fall, but they’re more than happy to pick Edvinsson, who can really open up his offensive game if he plays up to his potential and can have Seider as a D partner for the future.
7. San Jose: Dylan Guenther - San Jose needs to get younger forwards in their upcoming core, Guenther is the perfect addition. If it weren’t for the shortened season, I truly believe he would have been a lock as a top 3 pick.#
8. LA: Jesper Wallstedt - Yes, LA has Pedersen, but it doesn’t hurt to bolster their prospect pool even more than what it is with a top notch goaltending prospect in their cupboards. By the time they’re contending, Wallstedt on his ELC could be something advantageous.#
9. Vancouver: Kent Johnson - Vancouver needs defensive help the most, but they can worry about that in later rounds. Kent Johnson, local BC boy, has fallen to their pick, and they’ll be more than happy to take him as homegrown talent.
10. Ottawa: Mason McTavish - It’s between Sillinger and McTavish for the Senators, and I think McTavish is favored more to go early because of his scoring ability. McTavish has scored goals in whatever league he has played in, and he would fit in perfectly with the Senators with Stuztle/Tkachuk/Batherson/Norris.#
11. Arizona: FORFEITED PICK from violation of combine test in 2020.
12. Chicago: Matthew Coronato - Illinois local, can score when there’s talent on team. The Blackhawks have a ton of great talent on forward, both youth and vets. Coronato would fit right in with the Hawks when they’re trying to compete in the latter half of the decade. #
13. Calgary: Cole Sillinger - Calgary needs more darts on top center prospects. At this point in the drafts the prospects have some warts, but Sillinger has arguably the best work ethic in this draft, something Calgary looks for in prospects. They’re more than happy to add this center to their prospect pipeline and hope that Zary and Sillinger are the future at C. Sillinger has a high ceiling to be one of the most impactful players in this draft.#
14. Philadelphia: Fabian Lysell# - Seems like a no brainer pick. Lysell has the speed that any NHL team would like, and the Flyers tend to “safe pick” a player that is within their draft pick range.#
15. Dallas: Sebastian Cossa - The Stars will take the second-best goaltender in this draft early so that the Blues and Jets don’t have a crack at him. In his brief stint with the Oil Kings he put up ridiculous numbers. Behind Bishop and Khudobin, there is Oettinger but I don’t think he has the game-breaking ability as Cossa does. Even if it’s somewhat a stretch for picking Cossa at 15, the Stars are fine with it. They were supposed to be a playoff team anyways but injuries took that away.
16. NYR: Fedor Svechkov - The Rangers are happy to pick a two-way center who would play well with fellow Russian Artemi Panarin in the future. It isn’t just the Russian connection, it’s Svechkov’s stock rising and can potentially be one of the best in this draft if he pans out.
17. St. Louis: Chaz Lucius - The Blues are fine with whoever drops, they’re pretty happy to see Lucius at their pick. Had an injured season, but if he wasn’t he would’ve safely been a top 10 pick. Has size and a good shot.#
18. Winnipeg: Carson Lambos - The Jets are excited that Lambos is available at their pick. Really, he should be higher. He’s briefly played in LIIGA and is capable of playing against men. Needs more seasoning though. Bonus that he is from Winnipeg.#
19. Nashville: Francesco Pinelli - A player that has little to no holes, any team picking him would be happy to get him. Pinelli has played well everywhere he has gone.#
20. Edmonton: Aatu Raty - The Oilers are disappointed that Cossa didn’t make it to their pick, so they take the risk on a project pick. Raty is a wildcard pick, if he pans out he can be a great middle 6 C option for Edmonton. They hope he gets back to his projection as a top 5 pick.#
21. Boston: Zach L’Heureux - Gotta find that Marchand replacement through the draft (as Jiri said)! This guy is a dream pick on most lists, Boston is the lucky one that grabs him.
22. Minnesota: Corson Ceulemans - With an excess pick in the 1st round, Minnesota uses one on a defenseman that is pretty raw but would be a great offensive d-man right behind Clarke.
23. Detroit (via WSH): Brennan Othmann - Perfect guy in Detroit with the elite shot he posseses.#
24. Florida:# Sasha Pastujov - Was supposed to go to the second round, but Florida wants to grab him. Has the potential to be a great top 6 player based on his USHL numbers.#
25. Columbus (via TOR): Zach Dean - Florida grabs the center that had a very good season. Plays well offensively, needs to work on his D a little.
26. Minnesota (via PIT): Logan Stankoven - Minnesota grabs a small guy but he has all the tools to explode as an NHLer. #
27. Carolina: Nikita Chibrikov - Carolina is happy to select a Russian winger that has the tools to be an effective top 6 NHLer. Would play well with Svechnikov and Aho in the future. Requires more time and seasoning to work on his defensive game.
28. Colorado: Isak Rosen - A strong winger on both ends, just needs to bulk up. Colorado has the patience for that and can use Rosen in a few years.
29. New Jersey (via NYI): Mackie Samoskevich - A super fast skater, can handle the puck like no other. Everyone is talking about Coronato this draft from the Chicago Steel, but a lot are sleeping#on Mackie. If he drops to the second round I think a lot of teams would move up to snatch him.
30. Las Vegas: Danil Chayka - Vegas could use a D prospect in their cupboards.#A very safe pick that probably has a higher floor than most.
31. Montreal: Zachary Bolduc - A player with a ton of potential, but definitely needs seasoning. Could be a great pick for Montreal if he pans out.#
32. Columbus (via TBL): Simon Robertsson - Columbus selects for the third time a gritty winger that knows how to play the game right. Robertsson is an underrated pick as the last pick in the draft. If he doesn’t score points, he is making a difference in other departments.