5.24.2015

Hockey Lobby Final NHL Mock Draft 2015




1.        Edmonton Oilers – C Connor McDavid, Erie Otters (OHL)

Generational talent for a team in need of a spark, both on and off the ice. McDavid’s arrival in Edmonton could be as impactful as back when Mario Lemieux came to Pittsburgh. Expect McDavid to thrive under new coach McLellan, as well as making his future teammates Hall and Eberle even better.

Comparable: Mix between Sidney Crosby and Pavel Bure.



2.        Buffalo Sabres – C Jack Eichel, Boston University (NCAA)

If GM Tim Murray had mixed feelings after losing on McDavid and Babcock, his staff should probably remind him that they’re getting the 2nd best prospect since Crosby here. Eichel has the potential to become the best American NHLer of this generation.

Comparable: Pavel Datsyuk



3.        Arizona Coyotes – C Dylan Strome, Erie Otters (OHL)

While everybody would think Hanifin is the Coyotes pick, they’re in for a surprise. Arizona won’t pass on a perfect playmaking center to center Max Domi and Anthony Duclair. Even more, when they know the Toronto Maple Leafs are picking next.

Comparable: Ryan Johansen




4.        Toronto Maple Leafs – C/RW Mitchell Marner, London Knights (OHL)

We can’t always get everything we want, but having won the Mike Babcock lottery is going to be the start of a true rebuilding of this franchise. Even though defense is a need for the Leafs, they can’t pass up on a potential franchise winger that actually comes from their backyard. Players with Marner’s talent don’t come very often.

Comparable: Claude Giroux


5.        Carolina Hurricanes – C Kyle Connor, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)

The Hurricanes had the 4th lowest number of goals scored in the league last year and lots of question marks surrounding the future of their captain Eric Staal and injury prone Jeff Skinner. Kyle Connor has dominated the USHL for the past 2 years and that shows how much of a talent he is. Might be a reach, but it will pay off in the long run.

Comparable: Jeff Carter


8.11.2014

Hockey Lobby NHL 2015 Mock Draft - Early Bird Edition




1.


Buffalo Sabres - Connor McDavid Erie Otters(OHL)

Skinny: OHL phenom isn’t what the Sabres need; He’s what the Sabres dreamt of having in a franchise centerman since Gilbert Perreault. Fluid skating, powerful acceleration, hands soft like butter, on-ice awareness and cerebral decision making, McDavid is the “Once-in-a-10 years” prospect since Sidney Crosby.
Player Comparable: Pavel Datsyuk

2.

Calgary Flames - Jack Eichel USNTDP Juniors(USHL)

Skinny: Eichel is 1b and the Flames hit the jackpot with this pick. A player of Eichel’s size, speed and skills is something the Flames lack of since Joe Nieuwendyk. Gifted with exceptional vision, powerful strides, drive to the net mentality and a big frame, Eichel is a rare talent and is the best forward product of the USNTDP since Patrick Kane (7 years ago).
Player Comparable: Ryan Getzlaf

3.

Edmonton Oilers - Kyle Connor Youngstown Phantoms(USHL)

Skinny: Connor was a high scoring machine last season in the USHL, finishing 2nd in league scoring with 74 pts in 56 games while playing for the Youngstown Phantoms. He can play both ends of the ice and doesn’t shy away from contact. Has the ability of always finding the right spot on the ice and having a knack for the back of the net.
Player Comparable: Corey Perry

4.

Florida Panthers - Mathew Barzal Seattle Thunderbirds(WHL)

Skinny: Barzal's skillset makes him a dangerous threat on the ice with or without the puck. His hockey IQ is amongst the top of his draft class and plays the game at a high pace. His best ability is knowing when to drive for the net or to feed his teammates. A true playmaker that elevates everyone around him on another level.
Player Comparable: Matt Duchene

5.

Carolina Hurricanes - D Noah Hanifin USNTDP Juniors(USHL)

Skinny: Left off the USA Jr Summer Camp, Hanifin's talent is not to be ignored. Skates like the wind, can rush the play and play the body as well. Rarely do we get to see such poise in a young defenceman. Even though he has verbal commitment with the Eagles of the Boston College, recent rumours indicate that QMJHL fans could see him next fall wearing a Quebec Remparts jersey.
Player Comparable: Seth Jones


Video: All Rights Reserved To ©Bleacher Report


6.29.2013

Hockey Lobby 2013 Mock Draft - Final Edition

Jonathan Drouin, Seth Jones, Nathan MacKinnon, Darnell Nurse all attended the Stanley Cup Finals


1.



Colorado Avalanche - Nathan MacKinnon (C)
NHL COMPARISON: Taylor Hall + Tyler Seguin
SKINNY: Joe's pick, Patrick's pick, Rick's pick, Colorado's pick.
2.


Florida Panthers - Seth Jones (D)
NHL COMPARISON: Keith Yandle + Alex Pietrangelo
SKINNY: Might not be a generational player, but will be the Panthers franchise defensemen.
3.


Tampa Bay Lightning - Jonathan Drouin (LW)
NHL COMPARISON: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins + Patrick Kane
SKINNY: Martin St-Louis replacement might become even better than him.
4.


Nashville Predators - Aleksander Barkov Jr (C)
NHL COMPARISON: Joe Thornton
SKINNY: Big Finnish Ogre will instantly become the organization's franchise forward.
5.

Carolina Hurricanes - Sean Monahan (C)
NHL COMPARISON: Jonathan Toews-lite
SKINNY: If Carolina keeps their pick, Monahan will be Rutherford's typical choice.

6.06.2013

Repêchage LNH 2013: Montreal Canadiens

Il y a 1 an, les Canadiens de Montréal ont fait d'Alex Galchenyuk leur choix de 1ère ronde, 3ème au total


Choix de 1ère ronde, 25ème - Montréal

Josh Morrissey (D) - Prince Albert Raiders WHL
Ian McCoshen (D) - Waterloo Black Hawks USHL
Samuel Morin (D) - Océanic de Rimouski LHJMQ
Adam Erne (AG/AD) - Remparts de Québec LHJMQ
Kerby Rychel (AG) - Windsor Spitfires OHL
André Burakowsky (AG/AD) - Malmö Allsvenskan

Avec le 25ème choix au total, les Canadiens de Montréal auront l'embarras du choix de sélectionner un joueur de talent et de caractère qui va pouvoir être un élément clé au sein de l'organisation dans 1-2 ans. On ne parle pas d'un joueur de la trempe d'Alex Galchenyuk mais d'un attaquant pouvant jouer sur les 2 premières lignes ou bien d'un défenseur top 4 pour l'organisation.

Josh Morrissey figure comme le 1er choix idéal pour le CH. Celui-ci joue un style similaire à Morgan Rielly mais avec un peu plus de robustesse dans son jeu. S'il est indisponible, Ian McCoshen, un défenseur américain de 6p3 - 207 lbs, a connu une excellente saison au sein des Black Hawks de Waterloo de la USHL. Celui-ci joue un style semblable à Ryan Mcdonagh, ancien choix de 1ère ronde du CH en 2007 et qui a finalement fait partie d'un échange douteux dans l'ère de Gainey/Gauthier. Pour terminer avec les défenseurs disponibles, Samuel Morin de l'Océanic de Rimouski fait rêver les dépisteurs avec son grand gabarit de 6p7. Pour un géant comme lui, il possède un excellent coup de patin et est très mobile. Il joue un style plus conservateur et défensif mais a démontré un potentiel offensif lors des séries de la LHJMQ et au Championnat du monde U18 de l'IIHF, en amassant respectivement 7 points en 6 parties et 2 points en 7 parties. De plus, il sait punir les joueurs adverses avec ses poings. (Allez voir sur hockeyfights.com)

Par contre, si jamais le Canadien voit que certains attaquants tombent au classement, des joueurs comme Adam Erne des Remparts de Québec, Kerby Rychel des Spitfires de Windsor et André Burakowsky de Malmö d'Allsvenskan pourraient être intéressants à considérer. Erne est la définition  d'un ailier de puissance, possédant un coup de patin puissant et des mains très habiles. D'originaire du Connecticut aux États-Unis, le jeune américain a pu se développer ces 2 dernières saisons sous la direction de nul autre que Patrick Roy, maintenant entraîneur-chef et VP aux opérations de l'Avalanche du Colorado. En ce qui concerne Kerby Rychel, c'est un ailier qui a un flair pour marquer des buts. Il a connu 2 saisons de 40+ buts dans la OHL et contrairement à son père, Warren Rychel, ancien de la LNH, celui-ci devrait se retrouver plus souvent sur la feuille de pointage une fois dans la grande ligue. Finalement, si André Burakowsky devient le choix du CH, celui pourrait devenir un excellent ailier top 6 avec de bonnes habiletés offensives pour complimenter des joueurs comme Galchenyuk et Collberg dans le futur. La saison dernière, à l'âge de 17 and, il a réussi à percer l'alignement de Malmö de l'Allsvenskan (2ème ligue professionnelle de la Suède).

Josh Morrissey (D) - Prince Albert Raiders WHL

Samuel Morin (D) - Océanic Rimouski vs Kurt Etchergary (C) Québec Remparts

5.21.2013

Hockey Lobby Mock Draft - Mastercard Memorial Cup 2013




ORDER
TEAM
PLAYER
SKINNY
1
 

Colorado picks the most coveted player of the draft. Growing up in Denver, Jones will play for his childhood team. Jones has great athleticism and work ethic, combined with a great talent and vision on ice. Kid’s potential is unlimited. NHL comparison: Alex Pietrangelo + Keith Yandle
2
 

Dale Tallon will be ecstatic to pick MacKinnon, as he will be their go-to-guy with Huberdeau for years to come. He possesses the most explosive first 3 steps of the draft combined with a nose for the net. His defensive play is very well rounded as well. NHL comparison: Taylor Hall + Tyler Seguin
3
 

With Marty St.-Louis not getting younger, Tampa Bay will have the perfect winger for Stamkos to reach the 70 goals plateau in the near future. Basically the prospect with the best hands of this year’s draft and the past previous ones. NHL comparison: Patrick Kane + Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
4
 
Nashville has been desperately in need of a franchise centerman and Barkov is a rare breed that fits the bill. The most well rounded prospect of the draft and considered as one of the best player not playing in the NHL right now. Possess a huge frame and unremarkable vision. NHL comparison: Joe Thornton
5
The OHL’s top prospect will be a great top 6 addition to the Hurricanes. Sean did not have the progression everybody expected this year, but he was still a leader for the poor 67’s. His hockey IQ and two-way game is very well rounded. NHL comparison: Jordan Staal/ Sean Couturier
6
HL’s biggest riser. Max Domi has showed it all at the 2013 Memorial Cup. From the big hit on McColgan to the slickest pass between the leg leading to Horvat’s goal vs Portland. The 5ft10 - 194 lbs son of Tie Domi is the perfect combination of skill and grit for the Calgary Flames. Head coach Bob Hartley had plenty of time watching Domi closely as he was in Saskatoon all tournament long. NHL comparison: Zach Parise
7
With big names still available, Edmonton will go for the best Swedish prospect since Nicklas Backstrom. Lindholm is a great two way player with lots of grit. And competitiveness. He can play both wing and center positions and will provide the Oilers a completely dangerous top 6 for years to come. NHL Comparison: Poor man’s Peter Forsberg
8
 
Buffalo needs help at every position. Until Miller goes, the rebuild should be starting from the back end with their defense. Ristolainen has been praised as the Finnish-Pronger. His cerebral play combined with physical play makes him the 2nd best defenseman available for the draft. NHL comparison: Chris Pronger-lite
9
Consider this the gift from above. With Parise’s departure, New Jersey cannot only rely on Kovy. We are talking about the potential steal of draft with the big, mean and lightning fast Russian winger. If he were North American, he would have challenged Nathan MacKinnon for the top forward of the draft class. NHL comparison: Ilya Kovalchuk
10
 

Since the departure of James Neal, the Stars have seen the rise of Jamie Benn. But their center position has been very thin and Wennberg’s addition is very positive for their future. His 2-way play is very well developed and it translated onto every international events he participated. NHL comparison: Henrik Zetterberg
11
 

Donovan McNabb’s nephew comes from great family genes and is a tireless athlete. He combines big frame and great all round abilities to become a key member of the Flyers. He’s not flashy but does everything well. Got great praises from his former NFL All-Star Quarterback uncle. NHL comparison: Braydon Coburn
12
 

Phoenix is in desperate need of offensive spark in front and drafting Hunter will be their best bet. Not only does he possess a knack for scoring, he has explosive skating and a very good stickhandling. Reminds a lot of Phil Kessel of the Maple Leafs.NHL comparison: Phil Kessel
13
There’s never enough defense, and the Jets will be settle with Zadorov and Trouba for many years to come as their top 2 pairing. The towering Russian defenseman combines strength and swift mobility. According to Dale Hunter, his head coach with the Knights, his potential is unlimited. NHL comparison: Victor Hedman
14
 

With their new management, John Davidson as the President and Jarmo Kekalainen as the new man in charge, the rebuild has begun. The addition of Horvat just makes sense. Horvat plays the game very efficiently and has a very good scoring touch to it. NHL comparison: Mike Richards/David Backes
15
 

Fucale is the future of the Isles at the goaltending position. The Isles are already filled with top end prospects both in offense and defense but not between the pipes. Fucale is the premier goaltender of this draft, and his greatest strength is his calmness in adversity. NHL comparison: Cam Ward
16
*
Baie-Comeau is pretty far from St. Petersburg, but Zykov has made the commitment to go to NA to get more ice time and exposure. And his effort both on and off the ice has brought up all he deserved. Head on his shoulders, Zykov has made a name for him by winning the QMJHL ROY award and scored 40 goals in his 1st season in America. NHL comparison: Johan Franzen
17
 

Since his days with the Phénix of College Esther-Blondin in midget AAA, we knew that Gauthier was to become something special. After his first season with the Océanic, he has become a great 2-way 6ft5 center with great all-around play. He might not become the next Lecavalier, but will be a great top 6 NHLer. NHL comparison: Sean Couturier
18

Hartman was part of this year’s Gold medal USA team at the IIHF U20 WJC. He does everything well, in all 3 zones and possesses a very good skating. Although he’s only 5ft11 for now, expect him to grow a few inches because his uncle and dad are respectively 6ft6 and 6ft2. NHL comparison: Ryan Callahan
19

*

Lazar was touted at the beginning of the season as a lottery pick but he had a rough year with the Oil Kings after a tremendous 2012 playoff run to the Memorial Cup. However, Lazar is a player that breathers and lives for hockey. He will never take a shift off, and has a tendency to show up when it matters the most. Very clutch type player. NHL comparison: Patrice Bergeron
20
*
The Grandview, MB native has seen his stock fall a bit this year, but he remains an offensive dynamo on the blueline, combining a violent shot from the point with a physical type of play to his game. The Flames will be ecstatic to have Boowmeester’s replacement. NHL comparison: Keith Yandle
21
The lone 50 goals scorer from the QMHJL, Mantha emerged as a dominant force in this year’s draft. However, he showed the bad tendency to not show up every night and a lack of physical play in his game despite a 6ft4 frame. If he makes the right adjustments, he’ll become a dangerous threat in the NHL for the Leafs. NHL comparison: James Neal
22
Adam Erne has chosen to not commit to Boston College in order to be coached by the one and only Patrick Roy. He enjoyed 2 great seasons, turning him into a premier powerforward for this year’s draft. Something that the Sharks have been missing for a long time. NHL comparison: Todd Bertuzzi
23
Something has to change in Washington, but one thing remains, after last year’s surprise pick of Forsberg, Washington made a huge mistake sending him off to Nashville for absolutely nothing. With the addition of McCoshen, the Caps will have in their hands a similar defenseman than their playoff rivals Rangers, Ryan McDonagh. NHL comparison: Ryan McDonagh
24
 
Vancouver native will be glad to be pick by Vancouver. Same thing goes for Vancouver, things are going to change a lot this following offseason. Despite his small size, Petan plays the game at a very high pace and possesses a great skillset. Size doesn’t matter in this league anymore, talk to Calder finalist and Vancouver Giants alumni, Brendan Gallagher. NHL comparison: Pierre-Marc Bouchard
25
 
After the loss of Emelin on April 6th, everybody saw how defenseless were the Habs. After a quick exit in the playoffs, it’s time to rebuild. By taking the gold medalist with team Canada at the IIHF U18, Montreal will have one of the best blueline prospect pool of the league. Morrissey plays the game on the edge, with speed and mobility and possesses a hard shot from the blueline. Consider him the Morgan Rielly of the 2013 Draft. NHL comparison: Morgan Rielly
26
Warren Rychel played 2 seasons for the Ducks, but his son will probably play a few more than him and more importantly, be a key player for the Ducks in the future. Where his dad lack off Kerby has it all. Size, skill and a knack for scoring. NHL comparison: Andrew Ladd
27
With the 3rd of their 3 1st round picks, Kekalainen will definitely love to pick the Swedish sniper, Burakovsky. He is the typical pick of Kekalainen and will become an important top 6 winger for the rebuilding Jackets. The future is brighter in Columbus under Kekalainen and Davidson’s guidance. NHL comparison: Alexander Semin
28
It’s hard to pass up on Morin, especially when he reminds a lot of Chara. He is very raw at this point in his career, but the 6ft7 has untapped potential and is already ahead of Chara at the same age. Plus, he is a punishing force with his hits and his punches, something Montreal Canadiens fans will hate when facing Morin with a Bruins jersey on him. Let the rivalry continue. NHL comparison: Tyler Myers
29
*
And with their final pick of their 3 1st rounders, the Flames will gladly pick Theodore from the Seattle Thunderbirds. Theodore, along with Pulock should be their top 2 pairing dmen for years to come. Offensive minded defenseman are very valuable and Calgary might just have two excellent ones, along with their franchise player, Max Domi Mark Jankowski. NHL comparison: Mike Green
30

Finally, with the 30th pick overall, the Blackhawks will pick Klimchuk, a key sniper in this year’s gold medal winning Canadian team at the IIHF U18 tournament. NHL comparison: Patrick Sharp



1st Round Traded Draft Picks

    16 - Buffalo receives Minnesota's 2013 1st round pick, 2014 2nd round pick, G Matt Hackett and LW Johan Larsson for Jason Pominville and a 2014 4th round pick.

    19 - Columbus receives the NY Rangers 2013 1st round pick, Brandon Dubinsky, Tim Erixon and Artem Anisimov for Rick Nash, Steve Delisle and a conditional 3rd round pick (If the Rangers make it to the Stanley Cup finals, the Blue Jackets keep the pick).
    20 - Calgary receives St. Louis' 2013 1st round pick, D Mark Cundari and G Reto Berra for D Jay Bouwmeester. The 2013 1st round pick could become a 2013 4th round pick and 2014 1st round pick if the Blues miss the playoffs this season.
    27 - Columbus receives Los Angeles' 2013 1st round pick (Columbus decided not to use the pick 2012) and Jack Johnson for Jeff Carter.

    29 - Calgary receives Pittsburgh's 2013 1st round pick, Kenneth Agostino and Ben Hanowski for Jarome Iginla.

    * - New Jersey must forfeit their 1st round pick in either 2013 or 2014 as a penalty from the NHL for circumventing the cap when signing Ilya Kovalchuk. They also forfeited their 2011 3rd round pick and $3 million.


Nathan MacKinnon's goal vs Seth Jones

Max Domi's slick saucer pass between the legs to Bo Horvat

Top 3 ranked prospects: Nathan MacKinnon (Left) - Seth Jones (Center) - Jonathan Drouin (Right)