Rmcfalls89

Waterloo, ON • Canada • 22 Years Old • Male

Here's Another...Mock Draft part one

We are just a few weeks away from my favorite time during the year. NHL draft baby. As a kid I would always purchase my hockey news draft preview magazine and sit through the hours and hours of waiting and analysis from the boys at TSN. This year should be no different. Usually I prepare my own mock draft around this time and this year I wanted to share my thoughts with you guys. I would also try my best to provide the best analysis on each pick as I can. So without further ado...<br /> <br />1. Colorado: Nathan Mackinnon <br /> Seth Jones would be so tempting for Colorado to take first overall, however offensive players like Mackinnon don't come along very often. Mackinnon Centering a line with Landeskog and Duchene (who could slide to the wing very easily) could turn into one of the best top lines in the league. Jones fills a need but Mackinnon will make the rebuild speed up in Denver. <br/><br/>2. Florida: Seth Jones<br/> The Panthers will be laughing if they can pick up Jones second overall. Jones probably would have gone first the past 3 drafts and would have this year if not for Mackinnon's offensive flare. With rookie of the year Huberdeau leading the offensive and Jones/Gudbranson leading the defense, Queb...I mean Florida will be a real contender soon.<br/> <br/>3. Tampa Bay: Jonathan Drouin<br/> Drouin to Stamkos, get ready Tampa because you will be hearing those words a lot. Drouin is shifty, fast, and thinks the game on another level. If Drouin is picked by Tampa and plays on a line with Stamkos, he is my pick for the Calder trophy. Could easily pick up 60-70 points next year. <br/><br/>4. Nashville: Sasha Barkov <br/> Nashville drafts players who are fit the Predators mold. Nashville doesn't always take the flashy game breaking players, They take players who will play a team game, give it their all every shift and play a 200ft game. Barkov could be the franchise forward this team has coveted every year since its expansion. He is a two way centermen with elite IQ. With Forsberg, Wilson and Barkov, that is three smart players who play defense and log points. Nashville will be back in the playoffs soon. <br/><br/> 5. Carolina: Darnell Nurse <br/>Nurse is a steady defensive defenseman with modest offensive upisde. He plays with a real mean streak which is something Carolina really lacks in its defense unit. This could also be a bit of a PR grab for Carolina in selecting Donovan McNabb's nephew in a big football state. Pr grab or not Nurse is a fine defenseman and a exceptional athlete. Carolina will become a lot tougher to play against with Nurse patrolling the blueline. <br/><br/>6. Calgary: Sean Monahan <br/> It is funny how things work in life. After hesitating to trade long time captain Jerome Iginla, the year he is traded the flames now have the opportunity to replace the leadership he brought with Monahan. Monahan is a leader, he has offensive potential but what really makes him intriguing is his willingness to do whatever it takes to win. He is much like Iginla in that way, except for his goal scoring which may not be as elite. He is the player you want on the ice for the last minute, a big powerplay or penalty kill. <br/><br/>7. Edmonton: Bo Horvat <br/> The first real stretch in the draft. It will not surprise me if Edmonton traded down to select Horvat. Horvat is another leader just like Monahan. A player willing to do everything is something Edmonton drastically needs. The offense is set for the Oilers, working on team defense is the real need. Horvat provides a player who can play center or wing, and can play either the PP or PK, and line up against other top players to knock them off their games. Horvat is perfect for the growing team in Edmonton.<br/><br/>8: Buffalo: Valery Nichushkin<br/>The Russian question lingers over every player born in the former Soviet Union. However, the Sabres last year proved not to be afraid of the KHL by selecting Russian Grigorenko and Latvian Grigrensons. Nichushkin will add a big body to the wings in Buffalo and a much needed scoring punch behind Vanek. If Buffalo is willing to throw money and responsibility at the young Russian players, It will be highly doubtful they bolt for the KHL. <br/><br/>9. New Jersey: Hunter Shinkaruk <br/> Shinkaruk is a dynamic scoring winger with plenty of upside to his game. A lot of comparison to former Devil and captain Zach Parise. Shinkaruk is on the wrong side of 6ft however, and may take a few years to adapt to NHL play. However he will be a solid goalscorer in the NHL level within a few years. <br/><br/>10. Dallas: Elias Lindholm. <br/> A player that has slightly fallen in the rankings. Lindholm is a reliable two way center with high hockey IQ. With Dallas entering the rebuild process, Lindholm will be a great piece to build around. <br/><br/> So this is part one of my draft. Hopefully part two will be posted in the next few days. Thanks for reading. Also check out Gamingbullpoop.com, another site I write for. A site dedicated to video games.