by Simon Servant, Staff Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine – translated by Chantal
MONTREAL, QC — Here we are, the third and final part of this first round mock draft. In these last ten picks, you’ll see the Montreal Canadiens selection, as well as the Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars second picks, and the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Flames third picks.
Since the Stanley Cup hasn’t been awarded yet, Chicago will get the last selection because of their seed. One last reminder that all player measurements are provided by the teams they play for.
Here’s a summary of positions 11 to 20 (part II can be found here):
11) Nikita Zadorov – Flyers (D)
12) Hunter Shinkaruk – Coyotes (LW)
13) Frédérik Gauthier – Jets (C)
14) Alexander Wennberg – Blue Jackets (C)
15) Anthony Mantha – Islanders (RW)
16) Rasmus Ristolainen – Sabres (D)
17) Ryan Pulock – Sénateurs (D)
18) Andre Burakowsky – Red Wings (LW)
19) Valentin Zykov – Blue Jackets (RW)
20) Curtis Lazar – Sharks (C)
Picks 21 to 30
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Pick 21: ADAM ERNE – Quebec Remparts (QMJHL). Right winger, left shot, 6’1″ 198 lbs.
Season Stats: 68 GP, 28 G, 44 A, 72 PTS, 67 PIM
Ranking: 37th ISS – 26th in North American Skaters by the Central Scouting Bureau
The Leafs like big players who can light up the opponent’s net, and I believe Erne would fit in well with them. He’s a power forward with a nice mix of finesse and physical play. He’s a good skater that manages to crash the dirty areas and score. It should be noted that he did have a few issues this season regarding individual play.
NHL Comparable: Jakub Voracek
Leafs last three 1st round picks: Morgan Rielly (5th – 2012), Tyler Biggs (22nd – 2011) and Stuart Percy (25th – 2011)
Notable 1st round picks: Darryl Sittler (8th – 1970), Vincent Damphousse (6th – 1986) and Tuukka Rask (21st – 2005)
CALGARY FLAMES
Pick 22: JOSH MORRISSEY – Prince Albert Raiders (WHL). Defenseman, left shot, 6′ 185 lbs.
Season Stats: 70 GP, 15 G, 32 A, 47 PTS, 91 PIM
Ranking: 21st ISS – 27th in North American Skaters by the Central Scouting Bureau
After having a good Ivan Hlinka tournament, Morrissey cruised through the first part of the season, as he did the U18 tournament where he finished tied in scoring for defensemen. He has good skating abilities and impressive hands, two assets that allow him to get the puck out of his zone. Defensively, he plays the man and hits hard. He’s a Calgary native, so that might also come into play.
NHL Comparable: Duncan Keith
Pick acquired from the St.Louis Blues in the Jay Bouwmeester trade.
Earlier in this draft: Elias Lindholm (6th).
WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Pick 23: SAMUEL MORIN – Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL). Defenseman, left shot, 6’6″ 203 lbs.
Season Stats: 46 GP, 4 G, 12 A, 16 PTS, 117 PIM
Ranking: 32nd ISS – 23rd in North American Skaters by the Central Scouting Bureau
I’m expecting Morin to get called in the second round, but I tend to believe that a few teams will want to take a shot with him a little earlier in the draft, and I think the Capitals are one of them. We witnessed Washington’s unimpressive defense this year, a big guy like Morin could help Oates’ troops back there. He’s very sound in his zone, can block shots, play a physical game and can play the man very well. Offensively, he can manage whatever role is given to him. He could be a nice project in the NHL.
NHL Comparable: Braydon Coburn
Capitals last three 1st round picks: Filip Forsberg (11th – 2012), Tom Wilson (16th – 2012) and Evgeny Kuznetsov (26th – 2010)
Notable 1st round picks: Mike Gartner (4th – 1979), Scott Stevens (5th – 1982) and Alexander Ovechkin (1st – 2004)
VANCOUVER CANUCKS
Pick 24: MORGAN KLIMCHUK – Regina Pats (WHL). Centerman, left shot, 5’11” 180 lbs.
Season Stats: 72 GP, 36 G, 40 A, 76 PTS, 20 PIM
Ranking: 25th in North American Skaters by the Central Scouting Bureau
I was really drawn to Klimchuk at the U18 world championship. He’s an offensive player like we like them. He has a devastating shot, quick hands and great acceleration. He likes to score goals and knows where to position himself to do so. He can also puck handle and feed his linemates. His defensive game is so-so but he gets involved in backchecking, always a bonus.
NHL Comparable: Zach Parise
Canucks last three 1st round picks: Brendan Gaunce (26th – 2012), Nicklas Jensen (29th – 2011) and Jordan Schroeder (22nd – 2009)
Notable 1st round picks: Trevor Linden (2nd – 1988), Daniel Sedin (2nd – 1999) and Henrik Sedin (3rd – 1999)
MONTREAL CANADIENS
Pick 25: KERBY RYCHEL – Windsor Spitfires (OHL). Left winger, shoots left, 6’1″ 200 lbs.
Season stats: 68 GP, 40 G, 47 A, 87 PTS, 94 PIM
Ranking: 20th ISS – 17th in North American Skaters by the Central Scouting Bureau
Rychel is a natural goal scorer with a devastating shot and flair to find the back of the net. He’s not afraid to go to the dirty areas, play a physical game or even drop the gloves from time to time. He has explosive skating abilities, very good work ethics and takes care of his defensive game. He’s a power forward that would add size to the Montreal roster, something fans seem to yearn for year after year.
NHL Comparable: Dustin Brown
Canadiens last three 1st round picks: Alex Galchenyuk (3rd – 2012), Nathan Beaulieu (17th – 2011) and Jarred Tinordi (22nd – 2010)
Notable 1st round picks: Guy Lafleur (1st – 1971), Steve Shutt (4th – 1972) and Saku Koivu (21st – 1993)
ANAHEIM DUCKS
Pick 26: RYAN HARTMAN – Plymouth Whalers (OHL). Left winger, right shot, 5’11” 190 lbs.
Season Stats: 56 GP, 23 G, 37 A, 60 PTS, 120 PIM
Ranking: 16th in North American Skaters by the Central Scouting Bureau
Ryan Hartman is a little pitbull who works relentlessly and bothers his opponents on every shift. He’s versatile; he can play wing or center, has remarkable skating abilities and good hands. We could say he’s a complete player, but I fear his offensive output will be limited in the NHL. He would be perfect on second line duties.
NHL Comparable: Patrice Bergeron
Ducks last three 1st round picks: Hampus Lindholm (6th – 2012), Rickard Rakell (30th – 2011) and Cam Fowler (12th – 2010)
Notable 1st round picks: Paul Kariya (4th – 1993), Ryan Getzlaf (19th – 2003) and Corey Perry (28th – 2003)
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
Pick 27: MIRCO MUELLER – Everett Silvertips (WHL). Defenseman, left shot, 6’4″ 185 lbs.
Season Stats: 63 GP, 6 G, 25 A, 31 PTS, 57 PIM
Ranking: 35th ISS – 9th in North American Skaters by the Central Scouting Bureau
It’s been a busy year for Mueller. He had very good showings in international tournaments and finished second in rookie defensemen in the WHL, right behind Seth Jones. He’s mobile and a good puck carrier. He supports his forwards and manages to launch a rocket shot once in a while. Defensively, he’s efficient and plays the position well, despite his frail frame.
NHL Comparable: Marc Staal
Pick acquired from the Los Angeles Kings in the Jeff Carter trade.
Earlier in this draft: Alexander Wennberg (14th) and Valentin Zykov (19th)
CALGARY FLAMES
Pick 28: ZACHARY FUCALE – Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL). Goalie, catches left, 6’1″ 176 lbs.
Season Stats: 55 GP, 45-5-3, 2.35 GAA, .909 save percentage, 2 shutouts.
Ranking: 1st in Goalies ISS – 1st in Goalies by the Central Scouting Bureau
With Mikka Kiprusoff on the verge of retirement, the Flames will need a quality goalie as part of their rebuild and Fucale seems like the logical choice. We could already see his potential and qualities at the age of 16. He has a good butterfly technique and is very quick on rebound shots. He also shows very good athleticism on his lateral movements. He had an okay performance at the Memorial Cup but was sensational in the QMJHL playoffs. He could become a starting goalie in the NHL.
NHL Comparable: Cam Ward
Pick acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Jarome Iginla trade.
Earlier in this draft: Elias Lindholm (6th) and Josh Morrissey (22nd)
DALLAS STARS
Pick 29: J.T COMPHER – American Development Team (USHL). Centerman, right shot, 6′ 178 lbs.
Season Stats: 21 GP, 7 G, 17 A, 24 PTS, 23 PIM
Ranking: 26th ISS – 34th in North American Skaters by the Central Scouting Bureau
Compher was talked about for all the right reasons during the U18 tournament. He showed great offensive abilities, recording seven points in seven games. He’s the type that will always get underneath his opponent’s skin with his physical play and disturbing style, but can also play the game. He’s a good skater, has great vision and a good wrist shot. Simply put, he could become a little pest that could contribute to his team on many levels.
NHL Comparable: Brad Marchand
Pick acquired from the Boston Bruins in the Jaromir Jagr trade.
Earlier in this draft: Max Domi (10th).
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
Pick 30: SHEA THEODORE – Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL). Defenseman, left shot, 6’2″ 175 lbs.
Season Stats: 71 GP, 19 G, 31 A, 50 PTS, 32 PIM
Ranking: 11th in North American Skaters by the Central Scouting Bureau
I’m finishing off this draft with a pick tailor made for the Blackhawks. Shea Theodore is an offensive defenseman who can skillfully control the puck and has elite skating abilities. He’s very poised, has a good outlet pass and the vision to locate open players on the ice. His heavy one-timer is a constant threat on the power play. He might get caught out of position on a few occasions in his zone, but paired with a stay-at-home d-man, he could become an excellent NHL quarterback.
NHL Comparable: Keith Yandle
Blackhawks last three 1st round picks: Teuvo Teravainen (18th – 2012), Mark McNeill (18th – 2011) and Phillip Danault (26th – 2011)
Notable 1st round picks: Denis Savard (3rd – 1980), Jeremy Roenick (8th – 1988) and Patrick Kane (1st – 2007)
And with that, I have completed my first round mock draft. I hope I have brought a little insight on these junior players. Summer will get well underway after this draft with free agency, but I won’t be making predictions on that subject! Enjoy the draft.