1. New Jersey Devils- Jack Hughes, Center, USNDT: Hughes is somebody people have been talking about since last year in terms of young up and coming impact draft prospects. He's going to come in and have an immediate impact on a team that needs young assets to go with Taylor Hall and former number one overall pick Nico Hischier.
2. New York Rangers- Kaapo Kakko, Right Wing, Liija (TPS): The Rangers have to be thrilled for making this big of a jump in the lottery. Kakko is somebody that will jumpstart this rebuild as he broke a ton of scoring records in Liija. He will also make an immediate impact and would be yet another prospect to add to a suddenly loaded prospect group featuring Vitaly Kravstov and K'Andre Miller.
3. Chicago Blackhawks- Alex Turcotte, Center, USNDT: Turcotte is somebody that is very a dynamic two-way center that's stock is rising. He's playing in the Under-18 World Championship and is thriving in the tournament, which is making people think he could be the third guy off the board on draft night.
4. Colorado Avalanche (from Ottawa Senators)- Dylan Cozens, Center, Lethbridge (WHL): Cozens is somebody I'm very high on and I feel has a ton of potential. He's very dynamic and would give the Avalanche a great number two center behind Nathan MacKinnon down the road.
5. Los Angeles Kings- Bowen Bryam, Defenseman, Vancouver (WHL): The Kings have options with this pick as they could trade the pick, take a forward, or go defense like I have here. Bryam is the best defenseman in the draft and the Kings need more young defenseman as Drew Doughty is aging.
6. Detroit Red Wings- Kirby Dach, Center, Saskatoon (WHL): The Red Wings go with a big center here in Dach. He has a nice combination of speed and skill and maybe could be a number two center behind Dylan Larkin if he were to land here.
7. Buffalo Sabres- Cole Caufield, Center/Wing, USNDT: The Sabres could go in a bunch of different directions here. Caufield is someone who's draft stock is rising due to his versatility he provides and he could pan out into a top six forward.
8. Edmonton Oilers- Vasili Podkolzin, Right Wing, St. Petersburg (KHL): Podkolzin is someone that was outstanding in the World Junior, but wasn't putting up stats offensively in Russia. I can see Podkolzin slipping further than this due to contract concerns with the KHL, but at the same time due to his upside, I can see him being picked in the top three.
9. Anaheim Ducks- Trevor Zegras, Center/Wing, USNDT: Zegras is somebody that is a versatile player and has smart vision. He's a good two-way player too and he would be someone the Wild would move around in their lineup because of his versatility.
10. Vancouver Canucks- Victor Sodestrom, Defenseman, Brynas (Superelite): The Canucks go defense for the second straight year as they take Sodestrom to go with Quinn Hughes. He's someone that is a smart player that could be great offensively and is reliable defensively.
11. Philadelphia Flyers- Matthew Bodly, Right Wing, USNDT: Bodly is yet another USNDT player taken in the lottery. He has a ton of size and score the puck from both sides of the wing and is someone the Flyers would take a chance on.
12. Minnesota Wild- Peyton Kerbs, Left Wing, Kootenay (WHL): Kerbs is somebody that is a dynamic offensive force like some of the other wingers in the top of the draft. He's fast and has a good hockey IQ which the Sabres would like.
13. Florida Panthers- Philip Brodberg, Defenseman, AIK (SWE): The Panthers could go a number of directions with this pick. Brodberg is someone that is a good offensive defenseman that has good vision as well as controls the game well in all zones.
14. Arizona Coyotes- Alex Newhook, Center, victoria (BCHL): Newhook is such a fast riser right now that it this area of the draft is where I believe he'll be taken if the draft was being held tonight. He is somebody that is a big offensive force and he has blazing speed.
15. Montreal Canadiens- Raphael Lavoie, Center/Wing, Halifax (OHL): Lavoie is someone who's draft stock is rising that could be a immediate contributor for the Canadiens. He is a physical player, but also someone with speed and can wire a heavy shot.
16. Colorado Avalanche- Arthur Kaliev, Left Wing, Hamilton (OHL): Kaliev is somebody that can flag out score. Some people have concerns with his skating ability and his two-way game, or else he would be in the conversation for a top ten or even a top five pick.
17. Vegas Golden Knights- Thomas Hardley, Defenseman, Mississauga (OHL): Hardley is somebody that is an excellent two-way defenseman and is probably a steal with this pick. He is somebody the Knights would pair with Shea Theodore down the road.
18. Dallas Stars- Ryan Suzuki, Center, Barrie (OHL): The younger brother of former Knights first rounder Kurt, Ryan may end up being the better prospect. He's a great skater and has good vision for the game as well as great playmaking skills.
19. Ottawa Senators (from Columbus Blue Jackets)- Samuel Poulin, Left Wing, Sherbrooke (QMJHL): Poulin is someone that could go this high or fall into the second round. His size, combined with above average puck handling, shooting, and play-making skills makes him an attractive ‘power forward’ NHL prospect.
20. New York Rangers (from Winnipeg Jets)- Moritz Seider, Defenseman, Adler (SEL): The Rangers go defense here with their second first rounder to continue building their defense depth. Seider is somebody that is a great-two way defenseman and is a force to be reckoned with.
21. Pittsburgh Penguins- Cam York, Defenseman, USNDT: The USNDT lottery dominance continues as the Penguins take York. He's somebody that could be a top four D-man on someone's roster and he is someone was thought out to be a lottery pick a few weeks ago, but his stock has dropped.
22. Los Angeles Kings (from Toronto Maple Leafs)- Connor McMichael, Center, London (OHL): McMichael is somebody that is very crafty and a type of player that the Kings add to what might be a long rebuild. He's also great at finishing and he stood out among a London Knights team that's loaded with scorers.
23. New York Islanders- Tobias Bjornfot, Defenseman, Djurgarden (Superelit): Bjornfot is one of the faster risers with about a month to go until the draft. He's a fluid skater with escapability who can log big minutes. His quick release on his wrister helps create rebounds of seemingly harmless attempts.
24. Nashville Predators- Bobby Brink, Right Wing, Sioux Falls (USHL): The Preds take the fast rising winger here. Brink isn't the fastest skater, but has good footwork and agility, allowing him to weave in and out of traffic and around defenders.
25. Washington Capitals- Matthew Robertson, Defenseman, Edmonton (OHL): Robertson is somebody that provided very good two-way play this past season. He seems like somebody the Capitals would take a chance on.
26. Calgary Flames- Brett Leason, Center/Wing, Prince Albert (WHL): Leason is somebody rare in the sense he was undrafted last season and now projected to be a late first or second round pick and that says a lot on how much he has improved as a player. He can flat out score and has good size and plays a power game.
27. Tampa Bay Lightning- Ville Heinola, Defenseman, Lukko (SM-Liiga): Heinola is somebody that is very good at attacking and making odd-man situations. His moves make people remind him of Rasmus Dahlin.
28. Anaheim Ducks (from Buffalo Sabres via St. Louis Blues)- Lassi Thomson, Defenseman, Kelowna (WHL): The Ducks go defense with their second first rounder with Thomson. He's someone that has the upside of being a top four pairing and is a good skater, but needs help on his defensive game.
29. Carolina Hurricanes- Jakob Pelletier, Center/Wing, Moncoton (QMJHL): The Hurricanes take a versatile forward here with their first rounder. Pelletier is somebody that has great tenacity and skill as well as generating chances off the forecheck.
30. Buffalo Sabres (from San Jose Sharks)- Anttoni Honka, Defenseman, JYP (SM-Liiga): The Sabres go defense with their second first rounder and settle on Honka. He is someone that agile puck rusher and distributor who can elude pressure in a variety of ways.
31. Boston Bruins- Phil Thomasino, Center/Wing, Niagara (OHL): Thomasino is somebody that is versatile and has a knack of making plays with a ton of speed. That's something that the Bruins like in players.
2. New York Rangers- Kaapo Kakko, Right Wing, Liija (TPS): The Rangers have to be thrilled for making this big of a jump in the lottery. Kakko is somebody that will jumpstart this rebuild as he broke a ton of scoring records in Liija. He will also make an immediate impact and would be yet another prospect to add to a suddenly loaded prospect group featuring Vitaly Kravstov and K'Andre Miller.
3. Chicago Blackhawks- Alex Turcotte, Center, USNDT: Turcotte is somebody that is very a dynamic two-way center that's stock is rising. He's playing in the Under-18 World Championship and is thriving in the tournament, which is making people think he could be the third guy off the board on draft night.
4. Colorado Avalanche (from Ottawa Senators)- Dylan Cozens, Center, Lethbridge (WHL): Cozens is somebody I'm very high on and I feel has a ton of potential. He's very dynamic and would give the Avalanche a great number two center behind Nathan MacKinnon down the road.
5. Los Angeles Kings- Bowen Bryam, Defenseman, Vancouver (WHL): The Kings have options with this pick as they could trade the pick, take a forward, or go defense like I have here. Bryam is the best defenseman in the draft and the Kings need more young defenseman as Drew Doughty is aging.
6. Detroit Red Wings- Kirby Dach, Center, Saskatoon (WHL): The Red Wings go with a big center here in Dach. He has a nice combination of speed and skill and maybe could be a number two center behind Dylan Larkin if he were to land here.
7. Buffalo Sabres- Cole Caufield, Center/Wing, USNDT: The Sabres could go in a bunch of different directions here. Caufield is someone who's draft stock is rising due to his versatility he provides and he could pan out into a top six forward.
8. Edmonton Oilers- Vasili Podkolzin, Right Wing, St. Petersburg (KHL): Podkolzin is someone that was outstanding in the World Junior, but wasn't putting up stats offensively in Russia. I can see Podkolzin slipping further than this due to contract concerns with the KHL, but at the same time due to his upside, I can see him being picked in the top three.
9. Anaheim Ducks- Trevor Zegras, Center/Wing, USNDT: Zegras is somebody that is a versatile player and has smart vision. He's a good two-way player too and he would be someone the Wild would move around in their lineup because of his versatility.
10. Vancouver Canucks- Victor Sodestrom, Defenseman, Brynas (Superelite): The Canucks go defense for the second straight year as they take Sodestrom to go with Quinn Hughes. He's someone that is a smart player that could be great offensively and is reliable defensively.
11. Philadelphia Flyers- Matthew Bodly, Right Wing, USNDT: Bodly is yet another USNDT player taken in the lottery. He has a ton of size and score the puck from both sides of the wing and is someone the Flyers would take a chance on.
12. Minnesota Wild- Peyton Kerbs, Left Wing, Kootenay (WHL): Kerbs is somebody that is a dynamic offensive force like some of the other wingers in the top of the draft. He's fast and has a good hockey IQ which the Sabres would like.
13. Florida Panthers- Philip Brodberg, Defenseman, AIK (SWE): The Panthers could go a number of directions with this pick. Brodberg is someone that is a good offensive defenseman that has good vision as well as controls the game well in all zones.
14. Arizona Coyotes- Alex Newhook, Center, victoria (BCHL): Newhook is such a fast riser right now that it this area of the draft is where I believe he'll be taken if the draft was being held tonight. He is somebody that is a big offensive force and he has blazing speed.
15. Montreal Canadiens- Raphael Lavoie, Center/Wing, Halifax (OHL): Lavoie is someone who's draft stock is rising that could be a immediate contributor for the Canadiens. He is a physical player, but also someone with speed and can wire a heavy shot.
16. Colorado Avalanche- Arthur Kaliev, Left Wing, Hamilton (OHL): Kaliev is somebody that can flag out score. Some people have concerns with his skating ability and his two-way game, or else he would be in the conversation for a top ten or even a top five pick.
17. Vegas Golden Knights- Thomas Hardley, Defenseman, Mississauga (OHL): Hardley is somebody that is an excellent two-way defenseman and is probably a steal with this pick. He is somebody the Knights would pair with Shea Theodore down the road.
18. Dallas Stars- Ryan Suzuki, Center, Barrie (OHL): The younger brother of former Knights first rounder Kurt, Ryan may end up being the better prospect. He's a great skater and has good vision for the game as well as great playmaking skills.
19. Ottawa Senators (from Columbus Blue Jackets)- Samuel Poulin, Left Wing, Sherbrooke (QMJHL): Poulin is someone that could go this high or fall into the second round. His size, combined with above average puck handling, shooting, and play-making skills makes him an attractive ‘power forward’ NHL prospect.
20. New York Rangers (from Winnipeg Jets)- Moritz Seider, Defenseman, Adler (SEL): The Rangers go defense here with their second first rounder to continue building their defense depth. Seider is somebody that is a great-two way defenseman and is a force to be reckoned with.
21. Pittsburgh Penguins- Cam York, Defenseman, USNDT: The USNDT lottery dominance continues as the Penguins take York. He's somebody that could be a top four D-man on someone's roster and he is someone was thought out to be a lottery pick a few weeks ago, but his stock has dropped.
22. Los Angeles Kings (from Toronto Maple Leafs)- Connor McMichael, Center, London (OHL): McMichael is somebody that is very crafty and a type of player that the Kings add to what might be a long rebuild. He's also great at finishing and he stood out among a London Knights team that's loaded with scorers.
23. New York Islanders- Tobias Bjornfot, Defenseman, Djurgarden (Superelit): Bjornfot is one of the faster risers with about a month to go until the draft. He's a fluid skater with escapability who can log big minutes. His quick release on his wrister helps create rebounds of seemingly harmless attempts.
24. Nashville Predators- Bobby Brink, Right Wing, Sioux Falls (USHL): The Preds take the fast rising winger here. Brink isn't the fastest skater, but has good footwork and agility, allowing him to weave in and out of traffic and around defenders.
25. Washington Capitals- Matthew Robertson, Defenseman, Edmonton (OHL): Robertson is somebody that provided very good two-way play this past season. He seems like somebody the Capitals would take a chance on.
26. Calgary Flames- Brett Leason, Center/Wing, Prince Albert (WHL): Leason is somebody rare in the sense he was undrafted last season and now projected to be a late first or second round pick and that says a lot on how much he has improved as a player. He can flat out score and has good size and plays a power game.
27. Tampa Bay Lightning- Ville Heinola, Defenseman, Lukko (SM-Liiga): Heinola is somebody that is very good at attacking and making odd-man situations. His moves make people remind him of Rasmus Dahlin.
28. Anaheim Ducks (from Buffalo Sabres via St. Louis Blues)- Lassi Thomson, Defenseman, Kelowna (WHL): The Ducks go defense with their second first rounder with Thomson. He's someone that has the upside of being a top four pairing and is a good skater, but needs help on his defensive game.
29. Carolina Hurricanes- Jakob Pelletier, Center/Wing, Moncoton (QMJHL): The Hurricanes take a versatile forward here with their first rounder. Pelletier is somebody that has great tenacity and skill as well as generating chances off the forecheck.
30. Buffalo Sabres (from San Jose Sharks)- Anttoni Honka, Defenseman, JYP (SM-Liiga): The Sabres go defense with their second first rounder and settle on Honka. He is someone that agile puck rusher and distributor who can elude pressure in a variety of ways.
31. Boston Bruins- Phil Thomasino, Center/Wing, Niagara (OHL): Thomasino is somebody that is versatile and has a knack of making plays with a ton of speed. That's something that the Bruins like in players.
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