2021 NHL Mock Draft: Second Edition

 Here is the second edition of my 2021 NHL Mock Draft.

1. Buffalo Sabres- Owen Power, Defenseman, Michigan (NCAA): Power is the consensus choice among experts and people around the league to go first overall. The Sabres here with the first overall pick for the second time in four years get another top pair defenseman  to go with Rasmus Dahlin for the future.

2. Seattle Kraken- Matthew Beniers, Center, Michigan (NCAA): The second overall pick here I have being yet another Michigan Wolverine product, this time the center in Beniers. He stood out in his first college season, being a point per game player and he is someone that is a good skater.

3. Anaheim Ducks- Dylan Guenther, Right Wing, Edmonton (WHL): The Ducks need some youth injected into their organization so they have a lot of choices here. Guenther was a points machine in the WHL and he has the ability to shoot from anywhere and that's what makes him dynamic.

4. New Jersey Devils- Luke Hughes, Defenseman, USA-U18 (USHL): The Devils here have some nice choices and here I have them taking Hughes, the brother of current Devils center, Jack. The younger Hughes is a dynamic, borderline elite skating defenseman who has tremendous offensive upside.

5. Columbus Blue Jackets- William Eklund, Center, Djurgardens (SWE): The Blue Jackets have needs in a lot of places and Eklund here makes sense. He is somebody that has top-offensive skills, has shown some physicality, and does some of the little things that teams like.

6. Detroit Red Wings- Dylan Gunther, Right Wing, Edmonton (WHL): The Red Wings have some promising young forwards in their system. Guenther was a points machine in the WHL and he has the ability to shoot from anywhere and that's what makes him dynamic.

7. San Jose Sharks- Jesper Wallstedt, Goaltender, Lulea (SWE): The Sharks are a team that should start looking at the future and Wallstedt has potential to be that franchise goalie. He has the calmness and control to be a successful goalie in the league and he tracks pucks very well.

8. Los Angeles Kings- Brandt Clarke, Defenseman, Barrie (OHL): The Kings snagging Clarke at this pick is a steal for a team that needs young defenseman. He is somebody that is a great two-way player who is very careful with the way he plays.

9. Vancouver Canucks- Kent Johnson, Center, Michigan (NCAA): The third Michigan player goes off the board here with Johnson, who would be a nice fit with the Canucks. He is a solid playmaker and has shown versatility as well as his puck carrying ability.

10. Ottawa Senators- Simon Edvinsson, Defenseman, Frolunda (SHL): The Senators get themselves a nice player here with Edvinsson, who can use some young defenseman. He has the mobility and ability to create chances for himself and teammates.

11. Chicago Blackhawks- Cole Sillinger, Center, Sioux Falls (USHL): The Blackhawks add to their young collection of forwards with Sillinger. He has a strong offensive presence and has strong playmaking abilities.

12. Calgary Flames- Chaz Lucius, Center, USNTDP (USHL): The Flames are one of the interesting teams coming up in the draft as they are in trade rumors galore. Here they pick a player who's stock is rising in Lucius, who has the ability to get to the high-danger areas is impressive, and his shot is high-end.

13. Philadelphia Flyers- Sebastian Cossa, Goaltender, Edmonton (OHL): This would be a very interesting pick and it really would show how they really feel about Carter Hart. He has excellent size and athleticism to be a starting goalie in the league.

14. Dallas Stars- Fabian Lysell, Left Wing, Lulea (SWE): The Stars can go anywhere with this selection and here I have them selecting the talented forward in Lysell. He has shown good craft in his game and has great speed and skill as well.

15. New York Rangers- Matthew Coronato, Right Wing, Chicago (USHL): The Rangers here go with Coronato to add to their young forward collection. Coronato is somebody that is a dominant offensive force with the puck, has a physical approach, and is a strong skater.

16. St. Louis Blues- Sasha Pastujov, Left Wing, USNTDP (USHL): The Blues are an interesting team to watch here as the draft comes. Pastujov is one of the most patient players in the class, with an ability to show up clutch in games.

17. Winnipeg Jets- Corson Ceulemans, Defenseman, Brooks (AJHL): The Jets are a team that should be targeting defense here in the draft. Ceulemans is someone that is an outstanding skater who can lead rushes into offensive zones in transition and also has good mobility.

18. Nashville Predators- Brennan Othmann, Left Wing, Flint (OHL): The Predators are a team that could use some young blood and here I have them picking Othmann. He is a two-way player that has a lot of physicality in his game and this is what the young Predators can use.

19. Edmonton Oilers- Zachary Bolduc, Center, Rimouski (QMJHL): The Oilers add yet another young forward to their collection here with Bolduc. He has the speed and "hockey smarts" that would have teams excited.

20. Boston Bruins- Aatu Raty, Center, Karpat (Liiga): Raty was someone that a while ago was thought out to be in play for the number one overall pick, but his stock plummeted due to underperforming this past season. Raty has promising offensive abilities and is a good skater.

21. Minnesota Wild- Isak Rosen, Left Wing/Right Wing, Leksands (SHL): The Wild have a lot of promising young forwards and here they get another one in Rosen. He lacks the size, but is an offensive force.

22. Detroit Red Wings (from Washington Capitals)- Carson Lambos, Defenseman, Winnipeg (WHL): The Red Wings have options here with their second first rounder and here I have them selecting Lambos. He is a two-way defenseman that has good patience in the defensive zone and in transition.

23. Florida Panthers- Logan Stankoven, Center/Right Wing, Kamloops (WHL): This would be a nice pick for the Panthers, who can use some versatile youngsters. Stankoven plays hard every shift and makes up for his size with great skating ability and an excellent shot.

24. Columbus Blue Jackets (from Toronto Maple Leafs)- Samu Tuomaala, Right Wing, Karpat (Liiga): With their second first rounder, the Jackets go with Tuomaala. He brings a ton of energy that the fans always enjoy and is a fast player.

25. Minnesota Wild (from Pittsburgh Penguins)- Jack Peart, Defenseman, Fargo (USHL): The Wild go defense here with their second first rounder as they go with Peart. He’s smart in his own zone breaking up plays but is quick to transition to offense. 

26. Carolina Hurricanes- Zachary L'Heureux, Center/Left Wing, Halifax (QMJHL): The Hurricanes have choices here and this pick I have them taking L'Heureux. He has high-end offensive skill in his finishing ability and has a knack for getting under an opponent’s skin.

27. Colorado Avalanche- Nikita Chibrikov, Right Wing, St. Petersburg (MHL): The Avalanche can go anywhere realistically with this selection. Chibrikov is an offensive force that has great hands to control the puck and the confidence to take control of every shift.

28. New Jersey Devils (from New York Islanders)- Oskar Olausson, Right Wing, HV71 (SHL): The Devils go offense here with their second first rounder and go with the talented Olausson. He is a confident player that has some speed in his game, both in his feet and hands.

29. Vegas Golden Knights- Francesco Pinelli, Center, Jesenice (SLO): The Golden Knights need some high end center prospects as it seems like Cody Glass has fell out of favor. Pinelli a gifted playmaker with a strong wrist shot, and he isn’t afraid to throw his weight around either.

30. Montreal Canadiens- Scott Morrow, Defenseman, Shattuck HS (MN): The Canadiens are coming off a magical run to the Stanley Cup Final, but they need some more youth, especially on defense. Morrow is a more long-term project with a bit of room to improve, but an interesting skillset built around smooth-skating, impressive stickhandling, and precise puck distribution.

31. Columbus Blue Jackets (from Tampa Bay Lightning)- Xavier Bourgault, Center, Shawinigan (QMJHL): The Blue Jackets have some choices here and this mock I have them taking the talented center in Bourgault. He is an offensive presence that is fearless in his drive to the high-danger areas.