2010 Mock first round

Hey all. Seeing that our draft takes place in a little over a week, I thought I'd enlighten you with a mock draft of the first round. This is not indicative of who I think the best prospects are, or the order I expect these players to be drafted in our league, but rather a prediction of what I think could plausibly happen in the NHL draft that will take place a week after ours. I've included a couple of trades between teams moving up and moving down to get players that I think they'd be interested. All I ask is that you don't pester me for lottery numbers after the draft plays out exactly as I've predicted.

1 – Boston Bruins – Taylor Hall, F, Windsor (OHL)

The Oilers convince the Bruins that they might take Hall, and the Bruins promptly make a trade to select the dynamic winger as the first pick in the draft.

2 – Edmonton Oilers (from BOS, from TOR) – Tyler Seguin, F, Plymouth (OHL)

The Oilers wanted Seguin all along, and happily take him at #2.

3 – New York Islanders (from FLA) – Cam Fowler, D, Windsor (OHL)

The Islanders move up to select the puck moving defenseman that reminds them of their former first overall pick Bryan Berard.

4 – Columbus Blue Jackets – Erik Gudbranson, D, Kingston (OHL)

Scouts are split as to which defenseman is at the top of the class, but Gudbranson is an easy choice for the Blue Jackets here.

5 – Florida Panthers (from NYI) – Brett Connolly, F, Prince George (WHL)

Injuries aside, Connolly has as much natural ability as any player in the draft.

6 – Tampa Bay Lightning – Ryan Johansen, F, Portland (WHL)

A late bloomer, Johansen impressed in his first year of major junior hockey with his size and skating ability.

7 – Carolina Hurricanes – Brandon Gormley, D, Moncton (QMJHL)

Is there a more complete package in this class of defensemen?

8 – Atlanta Thrashers – Alexander Burmistrov, F, Barrie (OHL)

Needs to add bulk to his slight frame, but doesn’t lack for skill.

9 – Minnesota Wild – Nino Neiderreiter, F, Portland (WHL)

“El” Nino is the most promising forward prospect to ever be drafted out of Switzerland.

10 – New York Rangers – Mikael Granlund, F, HIFK (Finland)

Though not blessed with great size, Granlund still excelled as a 17 year old playing in Finland’s top league.

11 – Dallas Stars – Derek Forbort, D, US-U18 (NTDP)

One of the biggest defensemen in the draft, Forbort is also an excellent skater.

12 – Anaheim Ducks – Jack Campbell, G, US-U18 (NTDP)

The Ducks make the athletic Campbell the only goaltender selected in the first round.

13 – Phoenix Coyotes (from CGY) – Jon Merrill, D, US-U18 (NTDP)

The 2011 draft sure has a lot of defensemen who can wheel - Merrill is another one that fits that description.

14 – Pittsburgh Penguins (from STL) – Vladimir Tarasenko, F, Novosibirsk (KHL)

When the Ducks selected Campbell, the Blues decide to pick up some later picks from the Penguins, who are excited to add the dynamic Russian.

15 – Boston Bruins – Mark Pysyk, D, Edmonton (WHL)

Pysyk won the fastest skater competition in CHL Top Prospects Skills Competition.

16 – Ottawa Senators – Nick Bjugstad, F, Blaine (MN HS)

The 6’4” center is staying in Minnesota to go to college, but for how long?

17 – Colorado Avalanche – Jeff Skinner, F, Kitchener (OHL)

Lacks the top end speed of some of the top prospects, but who can argue with 70 goals in between the regular season and the playoffs?

18 – Nashville Predators – John McFarland, F, Sudbury (OHL)

Was a top 10 prospect at the outset of the season, but has slipped in the rankings.

19 – Los Angeles Kings – Austin Watson, F, Peterborough (OHL)

Watson finished his year with a flourish with an increase in playing time following a late season trade from the Memorial Cup winners.

20 – St. Louis Blues (from PIT) – Riley Sheahan, F, Notre Dame (CCHA)

The Blues add a very reliable two way forward to their system in Sheahan.

21 – Detroit Red Wings – Tyler Toffoli, F, Ottawa (OHL)

Similar to Jeff Skinner, Toffoli has good hands but is not the fastest skater.

22 – Phoenix Coyotes – Kirill Kabanov, F, Moncton (QMJHL)

Having two picks in the first round allows the Coyotes to gamble one on the enigmatic Russian.

23 – Buffalo Sabres – Brock Nelson, F, Warroad (MN HS)

The big Minnesota native will need some time in college before he’s ready.

24 – Atlanta Thrashers (from NJD) – Quinton Howden, F, Moose Jaw (WHL)

The Thrashers use the Devils pick to select Howden, who has good size and plays a strong two-way game.

25 – Vancouver Canucks – Emerson Etem, F, Medicine Hat (WHL)

One of the top skaters in the draft, Etem scored 37 goals as a rookie in the WHL, and added 7 more in the playoffs.

26 – Washington Capitals – Tyler Pitlick, F, Minnesota St. (WCHA)

After deciding that 8 AM classes just weren't for him, Pitlick decided to leave college for the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL.

27 – Montreal Canadiens – Alexander Petrovic, D, Red Deer (WHL)

The Canadiens dropped from the 15^th to 27^th pick following their run to the conference finals, and the dropoff in talent is evident.

28 – San Jose Sharks – Beau Bennett, F, Penticton (BCJHL)

The California native led the BCJHL in scoring for the Vees and will play for the University of Denver next season.

29 – Anaheim Ducks (from PHI) – Jaden Schwartz, F, Tri-City (USHL)

The undersized Schwartz will play alongside his brother at Colorado College next year.

30 – Chicago Blackhawks – Brad Ross, F, Portland (WHL)

Ross is the third Winterhawk and the final player overall to be selected in the first round.