PHILADELPHIA, Pa – Needless to say, it’s been a crazy year. With things slowly getting back to normal, here’s hoping 2021 continues its upward trend. On Friday, the NHL Entry Draft kicks into high gear. It might come later than normal since it usually takes place in late June, but better late than never.
PHN usually prides itself by doing our Mock Draft differently than every other mock draft by posting our picks daily. This year we are doing and abbreviated mock. Part ! has already been posted with picks 1-10. The Arizona Coyotes had to forfeit their pick at #11. Let’s continue with picks 12-20. Before we do that let’s take a quick look at the picks that have already been made.
- Buffalo – Owen Power
- Seattle – Mathew Beniers
- Anaheim – Simon Edvinsson
- New Jersey – Brandt Clarke
- Columbus – Luke Hughes
- Detroit – Dylan Gunther
- San Jose – Mason McTavish
- Los Angeles – William Eklund
- Vancouver – Kent Johnson
- Ottawa – Jesper Wallstedt
- Arizona – Forfeited pick
- Chicago Blackhawks – The Blackhawks have already moved Duncan Keith to Edmonton and could prompt Chicago to go for defense, but the future of Jonathan Toews is up in the air. We see the Hawks going for offense this time around. The Chicago Blackhawks select, from the US Development program: Center Chaz Lucius
- Calgary Flames – The Flames are stuck in neutral and in need of a shakeup. Jonny Gaudreau has one year left to go on his contract and Matthew Tkachuk has asked to be traded. Calgary does not have a right winger in their list of top 10 prospects. The Calgary Flames select, Lulea HF in the Swedish Hockey League, Fabian Lysell.
- Philadelphia Flyers – The Flyers always in need of depth on the blue line, but the need for a pure goal scorer is a major need. Having traded for Ryan Ellis, and Cam York waiting in the wings on defense, plus the departure of center Nolan Patrick, the Flyers fill the void at center with a pure goal scorer. The Philadelphia Flyers are proud to select, from the United States Hockey League, left wing Cole Sillinger.
- Dallas Stars – The Stars will be in the Seth Jones sweepstakes, but in the meantime, Dallas will look for defensive help through the draft and get a right-handed shot at that. There are no guarantees they land Jones. They need offense and some good ones are still sitting on the board, but we see Dallas making the following call. The Dallas Stars select, from the Brooks Bandits of the AJHL, defenseman Carson Ceulemans.
- New York Rangers – Offense was not the Rangers issue last season, defense was. The blueline is low on top defensive prospects, so New York makes a solid pick at #16. The New York Rangers select, from the Winnipeg Ice of the Western Hockey League, Carson Lambos.
- St. Louis Blues – Seems like forever since the Blues won the Stanley Cup, but it was only three seasons ago. Vladimir Tarasenko has asked for a trade, and the Blues could use help on the blueline. We think offense will be the call on draft day. St. Louis Blues select, from the Chicago Steel of the USHL, Mathew Coronato
- Winnipeg Jets – No lack of offense in Winnipeg. The Jets don’t need goaltending, which means look for the Jets to go after defense at the draft. The Winnipeg Jets select, from Moscow of the KHL, defenseman Daniil Chayka.
- Nashville Predators – Defense has always been a staple of the Preds. The team is in dire need of offense, while Nashville appears set in goal despite the retirement of Pekka Rinne. The Nashville Predators select, from the Swedish Elite League, forward Oskar Olausson.
- Edmonton Oilers – To says the Oilers have offense would be an understatement. Defense has always been a need of theirs, but every goaltender on the Oilers current roster is over age 32. You get the feeling It’s time for Edmonton to settle the issue. The Edmonton Oilers are proud to select, from the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League, goaltender, Sebastian Cossa.
Brian Jennings covers the Philadelphia Flyers for prohockeynews.com and can be found on twitter at @Flyersfan22.
You must be logged in to post a comment.