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SchoolYourPool.com's 2010 NHL Mock Draft is here! Ray Irwin along with junior hockey experts Brock Otten and Nathan Fournier spent nearly a month contemplating team needs and NHL Entry Draft eligible player values and drafted the first round of this summer's draft.
Knowing who may go where is always speculative and ultimately depends on draft order and team needs. Nevertheless it is always important and never too early for fantasy hockey owners to do their homework in order to stay ahead of the competition.
Draft order is based on reverse order standings on January 1st, 2010.
01.Taylor Hall, LW, Windsor Spitfires (OHL) - Carolina Hurricanes
Irwin on Hall:
The aging Carolina Hurricanes can’t pass up the most dangerous offensive player in the draft with hopes that he can create a dynamic duo with Eric Staal.
02.Cam Fowler, D, Windsor Spitfires (OHL) - Edmonton Oilers
Fournier on Fowler:
The Oilers will reload on the back-end with an elite puck moving defenseman in Fowler. He has put up monster numbers in the OHL and has shown a complete game at the World Junior Championships.
03.Tyler Seguin, C, Plymouth Whalers (OHL) - Boston Bruins (from Toronto)
Otten on Seguin:
The Bruins make the obvious choice by selecting Seguin, a player many feel can challenge for the top spot in the draft. The Bruins are already loaded down the middle, both now and in the future, but Seguin’s franchise player potential is too much to pass up.
04.Brett Connolly, LW, Prince George Cougars (WHL) - Columbus Blue Jackets
Irwin on Connolly:
The Jackets are tempted to select Russian forward Kirill Kabanov here but this season’s issues with Nikita Filatov have left them gun-shy. Instead, the team is happy to select dependable power forward Brett Connolly.
05.Brandon Gormley, D, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) - New York Islanders
Fournier on Gormley:
With John Tavares, Josh Bailey, Kyle Okposo in the fold up front, Garth Snow finds Calvin de Haan’s defensive partner of the future. Being used by the Wildcats in all situations already as a 17-year old, he could have an extended stay at training camp next fall.
06.Vladimir Tarasenko, RW, Sibir Novosibirsk (KHL) - Florida Panthers
Otten on Tarasenko:
The Panthers have not been afraid to draft Russian players in recent years, despite the reluctance shown by other NHL clubs. Because of this, they go with offensive winger Vladimir Tarasenko, who’s putting up outstanding numbers in the KHL this season. While Russia had a very disappointing WJC’s, Tarasenko ended up finishing tied for first on the team with 4 goals, which had to do nothing but help his stock.
07.Erik Gudbranson, D, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) - Anaheim Ducks
Irwin on Gudbranson:
After trading away Chris Pronger and with Scott Niedermeyer nearing retirement, the Ducks simply cannot pass up Gudbranson, a 6’4” blueliner. Gudbranson displays solid character and leadership capabilities (he was given the ‘C’ as a 16 year old in Kingston) as well as being a solid defender with good offensive potential.
08.Mikael Grunlund C, HIFK Helsinki - St. Louis Blues
Fournier on Granlund:
The Blues have a strong European scouting departing and they had over to Finland this time around. He’s just under a point-per-game with 5 goals and 14 assists in 20 games in the Sm-Liiga. Had an average World Juniors but shouldn’t hurt his stock as an underager.
09.Alexander Burmistrov, C, Barrie Colts (OHL) - Tampa Bay Lightning
Otten on Burmistrov:
The Lightning already have their franchise defenseman (Viktor Hedman) and franchise forward (Steve Stamkos) from the last couple of drafts. With Stamkos developing a deft scoring touch, perhaps the need is there for a talented play-maker to play alongside him. Burmistrov is not only the best player available at this point, but he provides the Lightning with a talented two way play-making forward for the future who’s speed and skill level should fit well in the bright future of this club.
10.Kirill Kabanov, LW, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) - New York Rangers
Irwin on Kabanov:
The New York Rangers, never shy to draft Russian-born players, cannot help themselves from selecting the flashy Kirill Kabanov. Kabanov would join fellow Russian youngsters Evgeni Grachev and Artem Anisimov in the Big Apple. There was a point where some hockey people thought Kabanov would challenge Taylor Hall for the first overall pick in the Entry Draft, but a combination of his passport and injury troubles have him dropping to #10.
11.Emerson Etem, C, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) - Atlanta Thrashers
Fournier on Etem:
The Thrashers look to their center depth by drafting Etem. The California native is having a great rookie year with 29 goals and 19 assists in 47 games. Spent last year with the National Team Development Program and should be a candidate for the USA for next year’s World Junior Championships.
12.Jeff Skinner, C/W Kitchener Rangers (OHL) - Anaheim Ducks
Otten on Skinner:
Maybe a bit of a reach here, as Skinner’s ranking seems to be all over the map from the mid 1st to the mid 2nd. But we’re looking at one of the purest goal scoring forwards in the draft, a player with great hockey sense and dynamic offensive ability. He seems to really fit in well with the dynamic of the prospect base the Ducks have been building.
13.Riley Sheahan, C, Notre Dame Fighting Irish (NCAA) - Montreal Canadiens
Irwin on Sheahan:
NCAA forward Riley Sheahan burst up rankings charts in 2009-10 with fine overall play. Described more as a playmaker than a goal scorer, the Canadiens can’t help to love Sheahan’s upside. One of the younger players in the college ranks, he will take time to grow into his skills, but the hockey smarts are already there.
14.Nino Niederreiter, LW, Portland Winterhawks (WHL) - Minnesota Wild
Fournier on Niederreiter:
The Wild are torn with two local products who are slated to go in the middle of the 1st round still available defenseman Derek Forbert and forward Nick Bjugstad, but they go with Niederreiter who saw his stock rise at the World Junior Championships. He brings size and scoring to the table. The Wild need a player that will be ready in a year or two and Niederreiter could be ready by 2011.
15.John McFarland, C/W, Sudbury Wolves (OHL) - Ottawa Senators
Otten on McFarland:
The Sens could go with Edmonton Oil King defenseman Mark Pysyk here, but with three top quality defender prospects already in the stable and a bare cupboard of talented young forwards, it would only seem smart that the Sens take arguably the best forward available at this point. While McFarland has his doubters, he remains a talented offensive player with a high offensive ceiling, the type of player who could end up a better pro than a junior player.
16.Teemu Pulkkinen, RW, Jokerit (FIN) - Detroit Red Wings
Irwin on Pulkkinen:
It’s always tough to predict a Red Wings draft pick as they are known to go off the board, and they’re very good at it. Pulkkinen is an undersized (5-10, 180lbs) winger who has that goal-scorer’s knack for getting into open space and putting the puck in the net. His stock has been all over the place for the past couple of years, but with the Wings in need of scoring up front Pulkkinen may very well fit the bill.
17.Jack Campbell, G, USNTDP (USHL) - Dallas Stars
Fournier on Campbell:
Dallas needs to start to look for a replacement for Marty Turco. They head to Ann Arbor, Michigan and select Campbell out of the National Team Development Program, where he already has World Junior Gold and Under-18 Gold to his name. He’s athletic goalie and has faced college shooters for most of the season. Unlike Turco, Campbell won’t be going to Michigan, but Windsor of the OHL next year.
18.Evgeny Kuznetsov, C/W, Traktor (KHL) - Los Angeles Kings
Otten on Kuznetsov:
The Kings have one of the deepest and stronger farm systems in the entire NHL. They can afford to roll the dice a little bit on a very talented offensive forward like Kuznetsov. Unlike some other teams in recent times, the Kings have actually found success with their Russian draft picks (Voinov, Loktionov), which could imply that they wouldn’t be afraid to take a risk like this. Kuznetsov has the offensive skill and skating ability to be a big time NHL contributor, if a team has the patience to see him develop.
19.Derek Forbort, D, USNTDP (USHL) - Vancouver Canucks
Irwin on Forbort:
The Canucks continue to stockpile their farm system with players of high character and a solid skill-set and Forbort fits the bill. The 6-5, 190 lb defenseman has some filling out to do but skates well and has very good two-way ability. He’s a great skater for a big man and could become a fixture in the NHL as a top-pairing defenseman one day.
20.Jon Merill, D, USNTDP (USHL) - Boston Bruins
Fournier on Merrill:
The Bruins need a top four defenseman in their system and they go to Jon Merrill. The Bruins hope he can learn from his mistakes off the ice. He has the potential on the ice to play two years at Michigan and turn pro.
21.Charlie Coyle, RW, South Shore (EJHL) - Nashville Predators
Otten on Coyle:
Coyle seems to be a player who is rising on a lot of draft lists in recent months. While he’s playing in the EJHL against slightly weaker competition, scouts have been enamored with his size and speed combination. The question is how much offensive potential does he really have? The Preds are weak on the wing (in terms of the pipeline) and could stand to shoot for the stars with a high risk selection.
22.Mark Pysyk, D, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL) - Phoenix Coyotes
Irwin on Pysyk:
The Phoenix Coyotes could select their 2nd defenseman in a row in the first round of the Entry Draft after choosing Oliver Ekman-Larsson 6th overall last year. Pysyk has improved his offensive game in 2009 which compliments already-steady play in his own zone and could mature into a solid top-4 defenseman one day.
23.Stanislav Galiev, LW, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL) - Colorado Avalanche
Fournier on Galiev:
The Avalanche look to find a young winger for Duchene. Galiev has the desire to play in North America as this his second year after playing with the Indiana ICE of the USHL last year where he averaged a point-per-game. He’s on a stacked Sea Dogs squad, so next year his true offensive potential will show.
24.Nick Bjugstad, C, Blaine (HS – Minnesota) - Buffalo Sabres
Otten on Bjugstad:
The Sabres could have gone a bunch of different routes on this selection, but they select the top rated high school player available in tall and lanky centerman Nick Bjugstad. Like any high school player, he has to be considered a project, but his offensive skill set in combination with his size make him a very attractive prospect to NHL teams.
25.Tyler Toffoli, C, Ottawa 67’s (OHL) - Phoenix Coyotes
Irwin on Toffoli:
After nabbing a dman with the 22nd pick in the draft, the Coyotes look for some offense with Tyler Toffoli, a player who has been ranked anywhere from mid-first round to mid-second round on many draft lists this year. Toffoli has compared himself, perhaps optimistically, to Dany Heatley. He is a good skater with a great shot and a solid, projectable frame at 6-0, 185 lbs but for a lot of scouts he lacks a certain ‘wow’ factor.
26.Austin Watson, RW, Peterborough Petes (OHL) - Pittsburgh Penguins
Fournier on Watson:
The Penguins select one of the rawest, but talented draft eligible players in major juniors. He spent his first year and half of his Major Junior career with Windsor before being shipped to the Petes. He suffered a broken ankle at the Top Prospect game that looks to sideline him until the playoffs. Next year, expect him to explode offensively.
27.Maxim Kitsyn, LW, Novokuznetsk (KHL) - Washington Capitals
Otten on Kitsyn:
No stranger to successful Russian born players, the Capitals roll the dice on the offensively talented Maxim Kitsyn. Kitsyn has good size and is able to play a strong north-south kind of game. While his play in Russian leagues has been somewhat sub-par thus far, he’s performed well internationally and looked quite good during the Canada/Russia CHL Subway Super Series.
28.Calvin Pickard, G, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) - Chicago Blackhawks
Irwin on Pickard:
The Blackhawks bolster their goaltending depth with the selection of 6-0, 200 lb Calvin Pickard. The younger brother of Chet Pickard, who was drafted 18th overall by the Nashville Predators in the 2008 Entry Draft, Calvin is a very smart goalie with an excellent work ethic and sound positional play.
29.Kevin Lind, D, Chicago Steel (USHL) - San Jose Sharks
Fournier on Lind:
For the third year in a row now, an USHL defenseman sneaks into the first round. Lind was able to learn from John Moore last year. The 6’3 defenseman has six goals and five assists in 30 games this season. Next year he heads to Notre Dame to continue to work on his skills.
30.Ryan Martindale, C, Ottawa 67’s (OHL) - New Jersey Devils
Otten on Martindale:
The Devils finish off the first round by grabbing big center Ryan Martindale from the Ottawa 67’s. Martindale has strong offensive instincts and good hands around the net, but could stand to improve his skating and intensity level. He’s a solid pick at this point because he’s likely to at least develop into two way NHL 3rd liner, with the potential to be more.
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