The NHL draft goes on Friday, and this year’s crop figures to be as wide open as any draft in recent memory. Nonetheless, here is NHL Trade Rumors’ try at predicting the first round:
1. Buffalo Sabres – LD Owen Power
Buffalo takes the big blueliner, who has slowly earned the status as the consensus #1 pick throughout his draft year. Power really cemented his draft status playing against pros at the World Championships. Buffalo would prefer to add a forward, but they can’t pass up on the talent at the number one spot. Power might play out the 2021-22 season for Michigan and join the Sabres in the spring.
2. Seattle Kraken – C Matt Beniers
With Seattle’s first ever entry draft pick, the Kraken also go to the University of Michigan. A reliable center, Beniers was a standout as an underager at the World Juniors and also a contributor at the World Championships. While he doesn’t have the flashy skills that Seattle might find with some other options available to them, Beniers makes up for it with his hockey IQ and determination.
3. Anaheim Ducks – LW William Eklund
A great skater with the upside to be the best forward in the draft, Eklund makes a lot of sense in this spot. Eklund had 23 points in 40 SHL games this season. I’ve heard suggetsions that both Buffalo and Seattle like him, so keep one eye on that.
4. New Jersey Devils – LD Luke Hughes
The Devils go to the Hughes family for the second time in three years. One of the best skaters for the draft, Hughes fits a need for the Devils no matter what his name was.
5. Columbus Blue Jackets – C Mason McTavish
The Blue Jackets have an organizational need at center, and McTavish has catapulted himself right into the Blue Jackets’ range after a very strong Under 18 tournament.
6. Detroit Red Wings – LW Dylan Guenther
Guenther is likely the best pure goal-scorer in the draft. The Red Wings hope that he can form a similar chemistry with their 2021 top pick Lucas Raymond that sniper Alexander Holtz did.
7. San Jose Sharks – LD Simon Edvinson
One of the more divisive prospects in this year’s draft, Edvinson can be the complete package with his 6’5″ frame and impressive footwork.
8. Los Angeles Kings – RD Brandt Clarke
The Kings are loaded with forward prospects and Clarke rounds out their prospect pool nicely. An extremely skilled defenseman, there’s some concern if Clarke’s skating will hold him back.
9. Vancouver Canucks – C Kent Johnson
Likely drafting the best hands in the draft, the Canucks take the B.C. product whose production they hope will translate to the NHL.
10. Ottawa Senators – C Cole Sillinger
After going wing and defense with their two top-five picks last year, the Senators pick up a rugged center they hope they can slot behind Josh Norris down the middle in the near future.
11. Chicago Blackhawks – G Jesper Wallstedt
Once thought to be the clear top goalie in the class, Sebastien Cossa has closed the gap and could very well could be the first keeper off the board. I have Chicago giving that distinction to Wallstedt, though.
12. Calgary Flames – C Chaz Lucius
The Flames go with University of Minnesota commit with the 12th pick. Scouts are split on if he projects as an NHL center or wing, but one thing is clear: he can score goals.
13. Philadelphia Flyers – RW Fabian Lysell
The Flyers go with the small but dynamic winger who offers them a lot of upside. Some think he has the potential to fall down the draft board on Friday.
14. Dallas Stars – RD Corson Ceulemans
The Stars shore up their future blueline taking the big, right-handed shooting defenseman from the AJHL. He’ll play at the University of Wisconsin next season.
15. New York Rangers – C Fedor Svechkov
The Rangers made a distinct effort in last year’s draft to become harder to play against, picking Braden Schneider, Will Cuylle and Brett Berard. They continue that effort with the defensively-sound Svechkov.
16. St. Louis Blues – RW Matthew Coronato
17. Winnipeg Jets – C Zachary Bolduc
18. Nashville Predators – LW Brennan Othmann
19. Edmonton Oilers – G Sebastien Cossa
20. Boston Bruins – C Aatu Raty
21. Minnesota Wild – LD Carson Lambos
22. Detroit Red Wings (from Washington Capitals) – C Francesco Pinelli
23. Florida Panthers – LD Daniil Chayka
24. Columbus Blue Jackets (from Toronto Maple Leafs) – RW Isak Rosen
25. Minnesota Wild (from Pittsburgh Penguins) – C Nikita Chibrikov
26. Carolina Hurricanes – RW Logan Stankoven
27. Colorado Avalanche – RW Oscar Olausson
28. New Jersey Devils (from New York Islanders) – LW Sasha Pastujov
29. Vegas Golden Knights – C Colton Dach
30. Montreal Canadiens – C Zach Dean
31. Columbus Blue Jackets (from Tampa Bay Lightning) – LD Dmitri Kuzmin
