1. RW Nail YAKUPOV (5’10 – 170 lbs) Sarnia Sting - OHLWith Grigorenko at the top spot throughout most of the season, Yakupov takes over and will be ready next year to help this young Edmonton team. Fits the mold of the Eberles, Halls and Nugent-Hopkins.
2. LW Filip FORSBERG (6’0 – 176 lbs) Leksand - SELTop European prospect, Forsberg is a tireless worker on the ice but with an extremely offensive toolset. With their bad past with Russians, Columbus will be thrilled to have Forsberg as their franchise winger... leaving Nash open for trade?
3. C Alex GALCHENYUK (6’1 – 185 lbs) Sarnia Sting - OHLTrevor Timmins won’t be afraid of picking Alex Galchenyuk even though he was recovering all season long. Gally fits perfectly well in Montreal and will surely become an All Star. A mix of high skillset and explosive quick release along with insane dangling moves. Galchenyuk will become the franchise centerman that Montreal has been waiting for… for far so long.
4. D Ryan MURRAY (6’0 – 185 lbs) Everett Silvetips - WHL
John Tavares, El Nino, Ryan Strome… what’s missing? A franchise
defenceman, Ryan Murray. Possibly the best 2-way defenceman of the draft, will
assure NY’s future for a long time.
5. C/RW Mikhail GRIGORENKO (6’2 – 192 lbs) Quebec Remparts - QMJHL
Although being so criticized since his return from the WJCs, Grigorenko
remains an incredible prospect with a hockey sense above the average. A miracle
pick at this spot.
