NHL Mock Draft

With the heat starting to build on this year’s draft, here is my view on how things could turn out if all goes right for Burke and his plan.

1. NY Islanders Victor Hedman D
Islanders receive a little sweetner from the team picking at number two and take the surest bet in the draft. Size, mobility and the ability to anchor the defense for years.

2. Toronto (from Tampa) John Tavares C
Burke gets his man. Leafs flip picks with Tampa trading Kaberle, Stajan, Grabovski and their 7 pick for the big contracts of Malone, Meszaros and the number 2 pick.

3. Colorado Matt Duchene C
Safest bet up front with speed to burn and a more advanced all round game than Tavares. May well be the best offensive player taken in the draft.

4. Atlanta Evander Kane LW
A solid pick that the fans will love. Aggressive with loads of offensive skills that may well replace Kovalchuk as the face of the franchise in a few years.

5. Ottawa (from LA) Brayden Schenn C
Tampa Bay decides to keep Lecavalier, so Kings swing a trade for Heatley as their marquee player and flip picks with the Sens. Schenn brother rivalry will play out for years to come in the battle of Ontario.

6. Phoenix Jared Cowen D
Imposing size combined with skating skills make him a great pick as a future shut down defenseman. If Leafs don’t move up, this could be a target for Burke.

7. Tampa Bay (from Toronto) Oliver Ekman-Larsson D
Would love it if Cowen is still here, but if he’s not, Tampa sticks with its need on defense and takes the next best defenseman. Some Kaberle like skills with more size.

8. Dallas Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson LW
Modano is nearing the end of the road so Dallas is thrilled to select a player with flash and a great offensive upside.

9. LA Kings (from Ottawa) Scott Glennie RW
With strength down the middle already, the Kings pass on Kadri and add depth to their wings with this solid two way player.

10. Edmonton Nazem Kadri C
A speed player for the speed team that the fans will just love as he fills out and adds strength to his body.

Skipping down to number 15, the Leafs make a trade with Anaheim. The Leafs agree to pick up J S Giguere and the remaining two years of his $6 million cap hit along with the number 15 pick. Going to Anaheim are Toskala with only one year left at $4 million and Ian White. With the number 15 pick, the Leafs select 6’3 defenseman John Moore. If you don’t know who he is, in two to three years you will love this pick.