2016 Top 10 Mock Draft:
Once McDavid and Eichel are off the board the real fun starts
This year’s NHL draft is being touted as one for the ages. Conner McDavid and Jack Eichel are being sold as generational talents that in the long run may create a very fun and interesting debate for the next 15 or 20 years of “who would ya rather have?”. It’s a lock and although Eichel outperformed McDavid at the combine, it appears Edmonton is comfortable taking Conner #1. Leaving Jack Eichel to shoulder the load in Buffalo, last season’s worst team at 23-51-8. What happens next is anyone’s guess and here is ours…
#3 Arizona Coyotes- (Trade to highest bidder) Noah Hanifin, HT: 6’2 WT: 201 Pos: Def
Arizona is packed full of young talent especially at forward. It’s believable if they keep the pick they would take Hanifin. More likely given their recent troubles, and fear of not being able to attract free agents, they will attempt to add veteran leadership in the shape of Milan Lucic and a future 1st round pick. Boston’s new GM Don Sweeney will want to make a splash while turning the roster into his own. Hanifin will make a nice future replacement for an aging Zdeno Chara. The Blue Jackets have shown interest as well, offering Ryan Murray or (not and) the #8 pick but the Coyotes would not be hurt by taking the solid sure bet in Hanifin a solid blue liner with tremendous skill.
#4 Toronto Maple Leafs- Dylan Strome, HT: 6’2 WT: 170 Pos: Forward(C)
Brandan Shanahan has two big time D-men in the works with Morgan Reilly and Stuart Percy meaning despite the rumors of taking another blue-liner or trading the pick, Shanahan, like in 2014, (William Nylander #8) will use his top ten pick on a forward capable of creating offense with a variety of weapons.
#5 Carolina Hurricanes-Mitch Marner, HT: 5’11WT:175 Pos: Forward(C)
GM Ron Francis needs a foundation. Marner maybe the start of the official and complete rebuild. Eric Staal is on the block and the team needs a new hope to follow. This aggressive fore checker plays 200 feet, has great speed and vision.
#6 New Jersey Devils- Lawson Crouse HT: 6’2 WT: 190 Pos: Forward (LW)
Plays with excellent size/skating combination. Has a big shot and can drive the net. Losing Ryan Clowe early in his career most likely due to problems with concussions leaves NJ a spot to fill offensively. “The Sheriff” Lawson will be the man for the job.
#7 Philadelphia Flyers-Mikko Rantanen-HT: 6’3 WT: 195 POS: Forward (RW)
GM Ron Hextall has 3 blue-line prospects in the TOP 60 (The Hockey News) and at least 3 more after them. This would lead one to believe although defensemen Ivan Provorov is the highest rated player left on the board there’s no way he takes him at #7…right?? Rantanen is a controlled Finish forward with quick hands and fast feet.
#8 Columbus Blue Jackets-Ivan Provorov- HT: 6’0 WT: 200 POS: Def
The dream scenario for Columbus is if Provorov falls to them at #8. The Russian defender is good with a stick and uses his vision to attack and all angles. Columbus lost Mike Reilly to free agency after he went from an under sized prospect to a Hobey Baker finalist but Provorov will fill the void nicely. Columbus is so desperate to snatch him up they may trade Ryan Murray and future picks just to lock him up.
#9 San Jose Sharks-Zack Werenski- HT: 6’2 WT: 210 POS: Def
A great all-around prospect that will have time to develop within their system. He may have a chance to contribute to the Power Play quickly. San Jose missed the playoffs for the first time since ‘02-’03 partly because they lost Dan Boyle from the roster. Werenski is young and may take a year or two to be a regular in the rotation.
#10 Colorado Avalanche-Kyle Connor-HT: 6’0 WT: 185 POS: Forward (LW)
With Daniel Briere contemplating retirement and a lack of depth in the franchise at Left Wing Kyle Connor and his killer instinct with the puck will put him in a tremendous situation with the Avs. Connor will need to learn how to be more physical but the undersized overachiever committed to University of Michigan will have time to grow.
A number of teams may look to move up and teams like Philadelphia and San Jose could be comfortable with the idea of moving down for the right addition as it wasn’t that long ago that they were successful. The draft only gets more confusing and complicated the further down you go. There is a lot of talent with not much margin of error. Who will be the 1st round sleeper? Who will be the bust? Each team is keeping the cards close to the vest in an attempt to generate more interest around their pick. The long term discussion will no doubt be McDavid vs. Eichel but as for Friday night the entertainment will be a bonfide full octane explosion that will kick start the off-season.
Born and raised in Mesa, Arizona and introduced to hockey at an early age by his brother-in-law Will was benefitted by the Winnipeg Jets move to the valley. As a teen he joined the AZ Desert Youth Hockey Association (DYHA) competing in the Minor Division before promoting to the Premiere League Tier II Division. He also played at the famous ‘Spectrum Arena’ facilities for Inline Hockey Association Arizona (IHAAZ) in Chandler as a part of team ‘GEAR DRIVE’ a top travel program. He continues to participate in Coyote Adult Hockey Leagues in both Chandler and Scottsdale. He attended Mesa Community College and studied Business and Creative Writing while on a Journalism Scholarship. The father of 3 is currently an Operations Manager for ELITE PERSONAL TRAINING AND GYM in Mesa, AZ.