My Mock Draft 2014

[ihabs1993]

Disclaimer: This is a mock draft that I have put together that made sense to me on an organizational level. As you’ll see, I’ve made my decisions based on the depth charts of the teams who will pick in the first round. I have done absolutely no scouting of players previous to writing this piece. This is a mock draft of need, not a ranking of players.

 

Sources:

http://forecaster.thehockeynews.com/hockeynews/hockey/teamindex.cgi

http://www.mynhldraft.com/2014-NHL-Mock-Draft/

 

1. Florida Panthers

Depth Chart Needs: A quick look at their depth chart reveals two very strong centers, but no depth up the middle. The other positions are growing, but the real problem is on the back end, with the possible departure of Brian Campbell and no real future besides Gudbranson. First pick is simple.

 

Pick: D Aaron Ekblad, Barrie (OHL)

 

2. Buffalo Sabres

Depth Chart Needs: Buffalo is a bit of a peculiar team. Tons of young talent coming up, such as Hodgson, Girgensons and Grigorenko. And that’s just at center, with a list of about a dozen rookies hoping to crack the lineup. Center is packed. No other way around it. Not a popular pick, but I think this is the right pick.

 

Pick: LW Sam Bennett, Kingston (OHL)

 

3. Edmonton Oilers

Depth Chart Needs: Here we are again. Defense is a very obvious need for this Oiler club, who have picked in the top 10 every year since 2009. All but one of those picks was a forward, with the exception of Darnell Nurse. However, unless Ekblad falls to Edmonton, which is HIGHLY unlikely, they will pick yet another forward to add to their impressive repertoire of skillful youngsters. Wouldn’t be surprised if Edmonton moved this pick for defensive help, but as it stands, this is their pick.

 

Pick: C Sam Reinhart, Kootenay (OHL)

 

4. Calgary Flames

Depth Chart Needs: The Flames have a good crop of prospects on the left wing with Gaudrau, Baertschi, Ferland and Klimchuk and a good start at center with Monahan, Backlund, Granlund and the older Reinhart. This is another team that is getting shortchanged by a somewhat small pool of high end talent on the blue line. However, rightwing could use some help for the Flames, which makes them go off the board a bit and go for help where they need it. 

 

Pick: RW Nick Ritchie, Peterborough (OHL)

 

5. New York Islanders

Depth Chart Needs: The Islanders are headed in the right direction. Center is slowly growing with the likes of Strome and Cizikas. Defense is moving well, with Hamonic, Griffin Reinhart (There’s too many of those guys), De Haan, Strait, and the list just goes on and on. The Isles seem to be a bit empty on the wings, particularly the left wing. 

 

Pick: C/LW Leon Draisaitl, Prince Albert (WHL)

 

6. Vancouver Canucks

Depth Chart Needs: The Canucks are in total rebuild mode, with the departure of Luongo and Kesler demanding a trade. Defense is set for a few more years, as is center and left wing. That right wing position is not very deep in Vancouver, or in this draft, therefore they pick the best player available.

 

Pick: C/LW Michael DalColle, Oshawa (OHL)

 

7. Carolina Hurricanes

Depth Chart Needs: It’s starting to sound like a broken record, but the Canes’ organizational needs won’t be met through their positioning in the draft. Like the teams before them, they’re weak on the blue line as well as the right side. What they can hope to do is pick a forward that they can try to move to the right side. Again, they would just pick the best available player.

 

Pick: C/LW Jake Virtanen, Calgary (WHL)

 

8. Toronto Maple Leafs

Depth Chart Needs: The Leafs seem to be the only team who will benefit from where the talent will be at this year’s draft. The back end is young, but capable of playing top minutes under Phaneuf. The right wing is good in spots, as the top two or Kessel and Lupul can perform well and there are many capable of making the roster this fall. This leaves the center and left wing postions with room for improvement.

 

Pick: LW Nikolaj Ehlers, Halifax (QMJHL)

 

9. Winnipeg Jets

Depth Chart Needs: The Jets are weak on left wing. There’s nothing else to say. With Ladd, Kane and Tangradi being the only proven big league players on the left side, this should be an easy fix for the Jets who have a great pick in a draft that is heavy in left wingers in the first round. 

 

Pick: LW William Nylander, Soldertalje (SWE)

 

10. Anaheim Ducks (Ottawa Senators)

Depth Chart Needs: Trading Bobby Ryan could have been the greatest thing that could have happened to this franchise. Nothing against Ryan, but with the Senators’ pick, the Ducks will add a high caliber player to a team that’s already poised for elite status now and into the future. With Daniel Winnik being released, the left wing opens up for a rookie. Whether the prospect they pick fills that spot or not is yet to be determined.

 

Pick: LW Brendan Perlini, Niagara (OHL)

 

11. Nashville Predators

Depth Chart Needs: The Predators are one of those teams that has a decent depth in almost every position, but relies heavily on their goalie. This was evident when Rinne went down and pulled the Preds’ playoff hopes with him. Therefore, I think some scoring depth and size would help this team in a tough Central Division. 

 

Pick: LW Kasperi Kapanen, KalPa (FIN)

 

12. Arizona Coyotes (That’s going to take some time to get used to)

Depth Chart Needs: The Yotes seem to have a great prospect pool throughout their depth chart. I think this team is well off up front, with Domi, Korpikovski, and Klinkhammer on the left. However the right side is a bit weak, leading to this pick.

 

Pick: RW Kevin Fiala, HV71 J20 (SWE)

 

13. Washington Capitals

Depth Chart Needs: Washington has done well selecting forwards in the past, and if they hadn’t dealt Forsberg to Nashville, they’d have a pretty solid prospect pool up front. What the Caps would like is a defenseman that could come in this year or the next and round out their top 6. 

 

Pick: D Haydn Fleury, Red Deer (WHL)

 

14. Dallas Stars

Depth Chart Needs: Having seen Fleury go right before they have a chance to get him is going to sting this Dallas team, as a defensemen would be wonderful fit with the Stars. This doesn’t mean that the team is perfect elsewhere, but defense is a priority. I see them picking a forward capable of flexibility.

 

Pick: C Jared McCann, Sault Ste. (OHL)

 

15. Detroit Red Wings

Depth Chart Needs: The Wings aren’t getting any younger. With the likes of Zetterberg, Datsyuk and Cleary running out of time, Detroit needs to start adding to their forward depth, which is what this draft was built for. This isn’t even fun anymore. Look for a center or left wing.

 

Pick: C/LW Robby Fabbri, Guelph (OHL)

 

16. Columbus Blue Jackets

Depth Chart Needs: The Jackets would also be a team to benefit from more defensemen in the draft. They are pretty solid at left wing with Kerby Rychel filling in the 6th spot in that position. Center could use some depth which leads to this pick.

 

Pick: C/RW Alex Tuch, USA (NTDP-18)

 

17. Philadelphia Flyers

Depth Chart Needs: Even with the acquisition of RJ Umberger, the Flyers are not very deep at left wing. Sure a defenseman would be nice, but they’re just not growing on trees in this draft.

 

Pick: LW Dylan Larkin, USA (NTDP-17)

 

18. Minnesota Wild

Depth Chart Needs: The Wild seem to be moving quickly in the right direction. Lots of youth coming up front and some solid defensemen behind Suter. Look for the Wild to just add to their top forwards. At this point in the draft, these are they players that are on the 2-3 year track to the NHL.

 

Pick: LW/RW David Pastrnak, Soldertalje, (SWE)

 

19. Tampa Bay Lightning

Depth Chart Needs: Left Wing is set with Drouin coming up this year, center has depth through 6 players and right wing has some question marks, but has enough to compete. Defense is not really an issue either, not that it could be addressed in this draft anyway. Tampa is just going to pick the best player available. 

 

Pick: LW Sonny Milano, USA (NTDP-17)

 

20. San Jose Sharks

Depth Chart Needs: The Sharks are weak on the wings, but particularly on the left. With the possible departure of Patrick Marleau, Tomas (Teenage Mutant Ninja) Hertl is at the top of the depth chart at that position. This player won’t be able to jump in and help right away, but a good start is needed for the Sharks.

 

Pick: LW Ivan Barbashev, Montcon (QMJHL)

 

21. St. Louis Blues

Depth Chart Needs: The Blues have great depth at almost every position. Left wing is obviously a strength, with a plethora of young talent itching to get into the big leagues. Look for a right wing.

 

Pick: RW Josh HoSang, Windsor (OHL)

 

22. Pittsburgh Penguins

Depth Chart Needs: The Pens are finally starting to draft better. With good prospects at almost every position, look for the Penguins to pick a center that can fill in in a few years to replace Goc or any other player Pittsburgh fills in to play a depth role. 

 

Pick: C/LW Adrian Kempe, MoDo U-20 (SWE)

 

23. Colorado Avalanche

Depth Chart Needs: The Avs are in the middle of a youth movement at every position except on the right wing. Tanguay and Tolbot only have a few years left and might not even stay in Colorado too long.

 

Pick: C/RW Jakub Vrana, Linkopings (SWE)

 

24. Anaheim Ducks

Depth Chart Needs: With already selecting in Ottawa’s spot, the Ducks are once again in prime position. Look for the rare blue liner.

 

Pick: D Travis Sanheim, Calgary (WHL)

 

25. Boston Bruins

Depth Chart Needs: The Bruins are one of the most well-built teams in the league. Their strength is on the back end with so many young prospects hoping to make the jump. While center is a strong spot now for the B’s, I wouldn’t be surprised if they went up the middle with their pick.

 

Pick: C Conner Bleackley, Red Deer (WHL)

 

26. Montreal Canadiens

Depth Chart Needs: A team that has drafted well over the past decade, the Habs look to add to an already impressive group of prospects. Well off in nearly every position, I think the Habs go for a left winger, and get a pretty good one.

 

Pick: LW Nikita Scherbak, Saskatoon (WHL)

 

27. Chicago Blackhawks

Depth Chart Needs: If the Blackhawks are in the middle of building a dynasty like many claim they are, they will know that defense wins championships. The likes of Rosival and Oduya will need suitable replacements soon and this draft gets better at that position in the later picks of this round.

 

Pick: D Roland McKeown, Kingston (OHL)

 

28. Tampa Bay (New York Rangers)

Depth Chart Needs: This just seems unfair. A team with two nominees for the rookie of the year now gets two picks in the first round. Here they will look to add on the back end which has its own young guns as well.

 

Pick: D Jack Dougherty, USA (NTDP-18)

 

29. Los Angeles Kings

Depth Chart Needs: It’s hard to say that a team who has won the cup twice in the last three years has any needs in their depth chart. With that being said, this is a great opportunity for the champs to pick one spot higher due to the Devils miscue. Defense. Defense. Defense. 

 

Pick: D Julius Honka, Swift Current (WHL)

 

30. New Jersey Devils

Depth Chart Needs: Thanks to Ilya Kovalchuk’s blunder in New Jersey, the Devils were given this pick out of pity. I think the Devils have a great young group coming up on the back end and even at center. Their real problem area is on the right wing. With Jagr playing in what will be his last season, the time to rebuild in that spot is now.

 

Pick: RW Anton Karlsson, Frolunda Jr. (SWE)

 

 

What do you think? Anyone to look out for?

Thanks for the read!

Ian

ihabs1993

[J0e Th0rnton]

 

Disclaimer: This is a mock draft that I have put together that made sense to me on an organizational level. As you’ll see, I’ve made my decisions based on the depth charts of the teams who will pick in the first round. I have done absolutely no scouting of players previous to writing this piece. This is a mock draft of need, not a ranking of players.

 

Sources:

http://forecaster.thehockeynews.com/hockeynews/hockey/teamindex.cgi

http://www.mynhldraft.com/2014-NHL-Mock-Draft/

 

1. Florida Panthers

Depth Chart Needs: A quick look at their depth chart reveals two very strong centers, but no depth up the middle. The other positions are growing, but the real problem is on the back end, with the possible departure of Brian Campbell and no real future besides Gudbranson. First pick is simple.

 

Pick: D Aaron Ekblad, Barrie (OHL)

 

2. Buffalo Sabres

Depth Chart Needs: Buffalo is a bit of a peculiar team. Tons of young talent coming up, such as Hodgson, Girgensons and Grigorenko. And that’s just at center, with a list of about a dozen rookies hoping to crack the lineup. Center is packed. No other way around it. Not a popular pick, but I think this is the right pick.

 

Pick: LW Sam Bennett, Kingston (OHL)

 

3. Edmonton Oilers

Depth Chart Needs: Here we are again. Defense is a very obvious need for this Oiler club, who have picked in the top 10 every year since 2009. All but one of those picks was a forward, with the exception of Darnell Nurse. However, unless Ekblad falls to Edmonton, which is HIGHLY unlikely, they will pick yet another forward to add to their impressive repertoire of skillful youngsters. Wouldn’t be surprised if Edmonton moved this pick for defensive help, but as it stands, this is their pick.

 

Pick: C Sam Reinhart, Kootenay (OHL)

 

4. Calgary Flames

Depth Chart Needs: The Flames have a good crop of prospects on the left wing with Gaudrau, Baertschi, Ferland and Klimchuk and a good start at center with Monahan, Backlund, Granlund and the older Reinhart. This is another team that is getting shortchanged by a somewhat small pool of high end talent on the blue line. However, rightwing could use some help for the Flames, which makes them go off the board a bit and go for help where they need it. 

 

Pick: RW Nick Ritchie, Peterborough (OHL)

 

5. New York Islanders

Depth Chart Needs: The Islanders are headed in the right direction. Center is slowly growing with the likes of Strome and Cizikas. Defense is moving well, with Hamonic, Griffin Reinhart (There’s too many of those guys), De Haan, Strait, and the list just goes on and on. The Isles seem to be a bit empty on the wings, particularly the left wing. 

 

Pick: C/LW Leon Draisaitl, Prince Albert (WHL)

 

6. Vancouver Canucks

Depth Chart Needs: The Canucks are in total rebuild mode, with the departure of Luongo and Kesler demanding a trade. Defense is set for a few more years, as is center and left wing. That right wing position is not very deep in Vancouver, or in this draft, therefore they pick the best player available.

 

Pick: C/LW Michael DalColle, Oshawa (OHL)

 

7. Carolina Hurricanes

Depth Chart Needs: It’s starting to sound like a broken record, but the Canes’ organizational needs won’t be met through their positioning in the draft. Like the teams before them, they’re weak on the blue line as well as the right side. What they can hope to do is pick a forward that they can try to move to the right side. Again, they would just pick the best available player.

 

Pick: C/LW Jake Virtanen, Calgary (WHL)

 

8. Toronto Maple Leafs

Depth Chart Needs: The Leafs seem to be the only team who will benefit from where the talent will be at this year’s draft. The back end is young, but capable of playing top minutes under Phaneuf. The right wing is good in spots, as the top two or Kessel and Lupul can perform well and there are many capable of making the roster this fall. This leaves the center and left wing postions with room for improvement.

 

Pick: LW Nikolaj Ehlers, Halifax (QMJHL)

 

9. Winnipeg Jets

Depth Chart Needs: The Jets are weak on left wing. There’s nothing else to say. With Ladd, Kane and Tangradi being the only proven big league players on the left side, this should be an easy fix for the Jets who have a great pick in a draft that is heavy in left wingers in the first round. 

 

Pick: LW William Nylander, Soldertalje (SWE)

 

10. Anaheim Ducks (Ottawa Senators)

Depth Chart Needs: Trading Bobby Ryan could have been the greatest thing that could have happened to this franchise. Nothing against Ryan, but with the Senators’ pick, the Ducks will add a high caliber player to a team that’s already poised for elite status now and into the future. With Daniel Winnik being released, the left wing opens up for a rookie. Whether the prospect they pick fills that spot or not is yet to be determined.

 

Pick: LW Brendan Perlini, Niagara (OHL)

 

11. Nashville Predators

Depth Chart Needs: The Predators are one of those teams that has a decent depth in almost every position, but relies heavily on their goalie. This was evident when Rinne went down and pulled the Preds’ playoff hopes with him. Therefore, I think some scoring depth and size would help this team in a tough Central Division. 

 

Pick: LW Kasperi Kapanen, KalPa (FIN)

 

12. Arizona Coyotes (That’s going to take some time to get used to)

Depth Chart Needs: The Yotes seem to have a great prospect pool throughout their depth chart. I think this team is well off up front, with Domi, Korpikovski, and Klinkhammer on the left. However the right side is a bit weak, leading to this pick.

 

Pick: RW Kevin Fiala, HV71 J20 (SWE)

 

13. Washington Capitals

Depth Chart Needs: Washington has done well selecting forwards in the past, and if they hadn’t dealt Forsberg to Nashville, they’d have a pretty solid prospect pool up front. What the Caps would like is a defenseman that could come in this year or the next and round out their top 6. 

 

Pick: D Haydn Fleury, Red Deer (WHL)

 

14. Dallas Stars

Depth Chart Needs: Having seen Fleury go right before they have a chance to get him is going to sting this Dallas team, as a defensemen would be wonderful fit with the Stars. This doesn’t mean that the team is perfect elsewhere, but defense is a priority. I see them picking a forward capable of flexibility.

 

Pick: C Jared McCann, Sault Ste. (OHL)

 

15. Detroit Red Wings

Depth Chart Needs: The Wings aren’t getting any younger. With the likes of Zetterberg, Datsyuk and Cleary running out of time, Detroit needs to start adding to their forward depth, which is what this draft was built for. This isn’t even fun anymore. Look for a center or left wing.

 

Pick: C/LW Robby Fabbri, Guelph (OHL)

 

16. Columbus Blue Jackets

Depth Chart Needs: The Jackets would also be a team to benefit from more defensemen in the draft. They are pretty solid at left wing with Kerby Rychel filling in the 6th spot in that position. Center could use some depth which leads to this pick.

 

Pick: C/RW Alex Tuch, USA (NTDP-18)

 

17. Philadelphia Flyers

Depth Chart Needs: Even with the acquisition of RJ Umberger, the Flyers are not very deep at left wing. Sure a defenseman would be nice, but they’re just not growing on trees in this draft.

 

Pick: LW Dylan Larkin, USA (NTDP-17)

 

18. Minnesota Wild

Depth Chart Needs: The Wild seem to be moving quickly in the right direction. Lots of youth coming up front and some solid defensemen behind Suter. Look for the Wild to just add to their top forwards. At this point in the draft, these are they players that are on the 2-3 year track to the NHL.

 

Pick: LW/RW David Pastrnak, Soldertalje, (SWE)

 

19. Tampa Bay Lightning

Depth Chart Needs: Left Wing is set with Drouin coming up this year, center has depth through 6 players and right wing has some question marks, but has enough to compete. Defense is not really an issue either, not that it could be addressed in this draft anyway. Tampa is just going to pick the best player available. 

 

Pick: LW Sonny Milano, USA (NTDP-17)

 

20. San Jose Sharks

Depth Chart Needs: The Sharks are weak on the wings, but particularly on the left. With the possible departure of Patrick Marleau, Tomas (Teenage Mutant Ninja) Hertl is at the top of the depth chart at that position. This player won’t be able to jump in and help right away, but a good start is needed for the Sharks.

 

Pick: LW Ivan Barbashev, Montcon (QMJHL)

 

21. St. Louis Blues

Depth Chart Needs: The Blues have great depth at almost every position. Left wing is obviously a strength, with a plethora of young talent itching to get into the big leagues. Look for a right wing.

 

Pick: RW Josh HoSang, Windsor (OHL)

 

22. Pittsburgh Penguins

Depth Chart Needs: The Pens are finally starting to draft better. With good prospects at almost every position, look for the Penguins to pick a center that can fill in in a few years to replace Goc or any other player Pittsburgh fills in to play a depth role. 

 

Pick: C/LW Adrian Kempe, MoDo U-20 (SWE)

 

23. Colorado Avalanche

Depth Chart Needs: The Avs are in the middle of a youth movement at every position except on the right wing. Tanguay and Tolbot only have a few years left and might not even stay in Colorado too long.

 

Pick: C/RW Jakub Vrana, Linkopings (SWE)

 

24. Anaheim Ducks

Depth Chart Needs: With already selecting in Ottawa’s spot, the Ducks are once again in prime position. Look for the rare blue liner.

 

Pick: D Travis Sanheim, Calgary (WHL)

 

25. Boston Bruins

Depth Chart Needs: The Bruins are one of the most well-built teams in the league. Their strength is on the back end with so many young prospects hoping to make the jump. While center is a strong spot now for the B’s, I wouldn’t be surprised if they went up the middle with their pick.

 

Pick: C Conner Bleackley, Red Deer (WHL)

 

26. Montreal Canadiens

Depth Chart Needs: A team that has drafted well over the past decade, the Habs look to add to an already impressive group of prospects. Well off in nearly every position, I think the Habs go for a left winger, and get a pretty good one.

 

Pick: LW Nikita Scherbak, Saskatoon (WHL)

 

27. Chicago Blackhawks

Depth Chart Needs: If the Blackhawks are in the middle of building a dynasty like many claim they are, they will know that defense wins championships. The likes of Rosival and Oduya will need suitable replacements soon and this draft gets better at that position in the later picks of this round.

 

Pick: D Roland McKeown, Kingston (OHL)

 

28. Tampa Bay (New York Rangers)

Depth Chart Needs: This just seems unfair. A team with two nominees for the rookie of the year now gets two picks in the first round. Here they will look to add on the back end which has its own young guns as well.

 

Pick: D Jack Dougherty, USA (NTDP-18)

 

29. Los Angeles Kings

Depth Chart Needs: It’s hard to say that a team who has won the cup twice in the last three years has any needs in their depth chart. With that being said, this is a great opportunity for the champs to pick one spot higher due to the Devils miscue. Defense. Defense. Defense. 

 

Pick: D Julius Honka, Swift Current (WHL)

 

30. New Jersey Devils

Depth Chart Needs: Thanks to Ilya Kovalchuk’s blunder in New Jersey, the Devils were given this pick out of pity. I think the Devils have a great young group coming up on the back end and even at center. Their real problem area is on the right wing. With Jagr playing in what will be his last season, the time to rebuild in that spot is now.

 

Pick: RW Anton Karlsson, Frolunda Jr. (SWE)

 

 

What do you think? Anyone to look out for?

Thanks for the read!

Ian

ihabs1993

 

Sharks want Sonny Milano

 

I would not say we are that weak in the wings. Training camp pretty much forces all Sharks players except Thornton and Couture to be able to play all 3 positions up front.

 

That's why we have 9 centers on the team lol. Marleau, Hertl and Pavelski are natural centers, as are Wingels and Sheppard. But all 5 of them play wing very well:)

[ihabs1993]

I shouldn't have said weak. I think they're just not very deep at those positions. With a mid round pick, they're building depth for a few years from now. On Milano, other teams might want him first lol... Just the way this works!

[J0e Th0rnton]

I shouldn't have said weak. I think they're just not very deep at those positions. With a mid round pick, they're building depth for a few years from now. On Milano, other teams might want him first lol... Just the way this works!

Holy crap. I just realized, Milano's stock seems to have risen since last I looked. I saw him play and was immediately interested, and saw he was projected around 25-30 a month or two back. now he seems to be in everyone's top 20.

 

GRRRRRRR

[ihabs1993]

Holy crap. I just realized, Milano's stock seems to have risen since last I looked. I saw him play and was immediately interested, and saw he was projected around 25-30 a month or two back. now he seems to be in everyone's top 20.

 

GRRRRRRR

I don't understand how stock on a player can rise even when the season is over! Did he play some ball hockey with the scouts? You're right, he wasn't too high earlier, but now hes moved up for some reason. Could fall though. Seth Jones fell from one to four. It's possible

[Vanflyer]

4. Calgary Flames

 

You have Rictchie at #4. Most mocks I have seen have him at 6. Also most mocks I have seen have Fleury in the top 10. I know its a crap shoot, but just saying. :-)

[flyercanuck]

@Vanflyer

 

 I don't mind someone putting a guy like Ritchie at #4.  You can't teach that size or edge he plays with, and when you can score like he can it's a pretty damn good package. Guess it all depends on what you feel each players tops out at. But he's already BIG for the NHL.

[Vanflyer]

I don't mind someone putting a guy like Ritchie at #4.

 

Not busting his chops, just saying where I have seen him slotted (and lamenting a bit because I was keeping my fingers crossed that Hexy could move up to the 6th slot and nab him). 4th spot is going to cost a bit more. 

[flyercanuck]

@Vanflyer

 

 I'd love to get him. And I really think Draisaitl and Dal Colle, at least, goes ahead of him (after the usual top 3). But I can certainly see why someone would value the beast from the Petes.

[J0e Th0rnton]

Is Ekblad the only slam dunk can jump straight to NHL and contribute guy this draft?

[flyercanuck]

@J0e Th0rnton

 

 I think either Sam should make it. Maybe Dal Colle/Draisaitl/Ritchie.

[Vanflyer]

I'd love to get him. And I really think Draisaitl and Dal Colle, at least, goes ahead of him (after the usual top 3). But I can certainly see why someone would value the beast from the Petes.

 

If he falls to 6, what do you think it would take to land him? Our pick, read and maybe a 3rd? (enough or too much)?

[ihabs1993]

You have Rictchie at #4. Most mocks I have seen have him at 6. Also most mocks I have seen have Fleury in the top 10. I know its a crap shoot, but just saying. :-)

I think he goes there because Calgary needs a right winger. I think Ritchie can jump right in and perform with other young players. Comparing mock drafts won't really accomplish anything... There's only draft that matters

[ihabs1993]

@J0e Th0rnton

 

 I think either Sam should make it. Maybe Dal Colle/Draisaitl/Ritchie.

I think you're bang on with those guys... Others will be close like Virtanen

[Vanflyer]

I think he goes there because Calgary needs a right winger.

 

I thought he was a LW- and thus why I wanted to move up to get him because we desperately need a leftwinger of his attributes (not to mention his power forward)?? 

 

Based on that, I think Calgary would take best available, which (arguably) Dasaeti at #4. They obviously could not go wrong with Ritchie either. I think after the top 3, the next 6 could be interchangeable. 

Edited June 27, 2014 by Vanflyer

[flyercanuck]

@Vanflyer

 

He is a LWer but he can play right.

 

I like Read but it would be nice to have that size and those hands on Girouxs line.

[Vanflyer]

I like Read but it would be nice to have that size and those hands on Girouxs line.

 

So, do you think Read + 17th + a 3rd (I think we are getting one for Mesaros, right??) is enough to get us to number 6- or would it take a 2nd and is that too much?? 

[flyercanuck]

@Vanflyer

 

I don't like giving up 2 or 3 for 1. Obviously we can't look ahead to see what we have in Bellamare cause it would be more helpful in determining whether we can afford that deal. 22 g is a lot for a 3rd liner. And he's pretty versatile. But man would I like to get Ritchie. And I could see another team liking Read and our pick maybe. But I'd like to see hextall put an end at the 2nd round throw-in. A 3rd...ok.

[Vanflyer]

But man would I like to get Ritchie. And I could see another team liking Read and our pick maybe. But I'd like to see hextall put an end at the 2nd round throw-in. A 3rd...ok.

 

Me too re: Ritchie- seems cut from the Flyers cloth. Agree on the #2 and thus why I bait it with Read, our #1 and our #3. The best would be if Ritchie fell to #8 (toronto's pick). Toronto needs speed, not a power forward. So our bait could be very enticing to them. The get some very nice speed in Read and still get a #17 pick to add more speed, plust a 3rd.