CanucksCaptain

You mean a veteran coach like John Tortorella?

Let's imagine if all the top picks reach their potential and become the player he was compared to, who would you pick with our 6th pick: Reinhart/Toews Bennett/Gilmour Ekblad/Shea Weber Draisaitl/Kopitar MCD/C. Perry Nylander/Pat Kane Ehlers/P. Bure Ritchie/Bertuzzi Virtanen/Evander Kane

By just looking at the highlights, Ehlers looks like Bure to me with his speed, his shot and the way he drives to the net. Nylander looks like Pat Kane to me with his puck handling and play making ability.

With less than a month to go before the 2014 NHL draft, it's time for my initial projection for the first round. To be clear, these are not draft rankings; for information on these players (and 70 others), please see my top 100 draft prospects feature, linked above. The reporting aspect of this mock draft can only go so far after the lottery picks, because at that point, it's much more of a guessing game due to potential trades. There are also an unusual number of front office changes this summer, and it's unclear just how the new general managers around the league will behave. Unlike the NFL draft -- where position is a much higher priority -- and the MLB draft -- where teams show indications of potential draftees through signing bonus discussions -- the NHL draft is extremely tough to project, as teams consider players for multiple seasons down the line, and aren't as tied in to going for a specific position. While the possibility of trades and lack of fits for certain teams are noted, I obviously cannot be in a position to account for potential trades here. When "best player" is referenced, that is according to the feeling in the scouting industry, and not my personal opinion. Note that Los Angeles has been given the 29th pick because the Kings are the favorites to win the Stanley Cup finals. The wild card near the top of this year's draft class is William Nylander. It's possible that he goes in the top five; it's possible he's still on the board after the first 10 picks have been announced. 1. Florida Panthers: Aaron Ekblad, D, Barrie (OHL) DOB: 2/7/96 | Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 216 This is one of the tougher top overall picks to project in a few years, due to the uncertainty in how Florida values this draft slot. The Panthers are very strong up the middle in young NHLers and prospects, making a pick of Sam Reinhart or Sam Bennett more of a debate in terms of how much their value changes on the wing. Panthers GM Dale Tallon has made it known that he's listening to offers at the least, and may deal down to get a top forward in exchange, with wingers like William Nylander or Michael Dal Colle the target if they move back. If they stick at No. 1, Ekblad is the consensus as the top player through much of the industry, but it's not a sure thing by any means. Florida has good young defensemen, but could use another right-handed shot, especially with Erik Gudbranson's slow development. 2. Buffalo Sabres: Sam Reinhart, C, Kootenay (WHL) DOB: 11/6/95 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 183 Buffalo has some good centers in its organization -- Cody Hodgson, Tyler Ennis, Zemgus Girgensons and Mikhail Grigorenko -- but given that centers are the most valuable players on the board, an upgrade down the middle is likely imminent for the Sabres. Reinhart would add elite hockey IQ to the organization, with Bennett being the alternative option. I do think that Ekblad remains a real possibility -- even with the Sabres' barren offense -- should Florida opt for another player. 3. Edmonton Oilers: Leon Draisaitl, C, Prince Albert (WHL) DOB: 10/27/95 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 209 The months-long rumor has linked the Oilers to Draisaitl. I suspect there may be some smoke and mirrors at play, but I still think this is the most likely option, especially if Reinhart goes second. If he and Draisaitl are both available, it's a coin flip. 4. Calgary Flames: Sam Bennett, C, Kingston (OHL) DOB: 6/20/96 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 181 If either Reinhart or Bennett gets here, I believe that will be their pick, as my understanding is the organization is taking a "best player available" approach, regardless of the fact they took center Sean Monahan last summer. If both Sams are gone, which is a fair possibility, I think Calgary's pick could be Michael Dal Colle. 5. New York Islanders: Michael Dal Colle, LW, Oshawa (OHL) DOB: 6/20/96 | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 172 The industry has mostly settled around a top-five tier of Ekblad, Reinhart, Bennett, Draisaitl and Dal Colle in some order. Whichever of those five is left is most likely the player that the Islanders will pick. Given recent picks of centers John Tavares, Ryan Strome and Brock Nelson, an elite winger may be a welcome addition if they combine need and best player. 6. Vancouver Canucks: Nikolaj Ehlers, LW, Halifax (QMJHL) DOB: 2/14/96 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 163 A team with a recent change in management is incredibly tough to project, with obvious uncertainties in the air. If things get interesting at the top -- such as a team with a top-five pick selecting Nylander -- I think Vancouver would take Draisaitl or Dal Colle should either slide to the sixth spot. Despite the local ties, I don't think Jake Virtanen is under consideration here. 7. Carolina Hurricanes: Jake Virtanen, RW, Calgary (WHL) DOB: 8/17/96 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 209 Carolina is starved for talent in its farm system and is another team with a new GM, which makes projections tougher. I think a power forward like Virtanen is the pick here, but could also see one of three highly skilled European wingers in the mix, in Nylander, Kasperi Kapanen or Kevin Fiala. 8. Toronto Maple Leafs: Nick Ritchie, LW, Peterborough (OHL) DOB: 12/5/95 | Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 236 This may seem like a lazy projection, with Ritchie being from Ontario and Toronto's identity as liking big, tough players (even though the Leafs have used lottery picks to select or trade for small, elite skill players like Nazem Kadri, Morgan Rielly and Phil Kessel). There's a fit here based on the industry consensus on Ritchie's talent, team need in the system (though not at the NHL level) and what the team likes. Nylander could also be under consideration here, based on new president Brendan Shanahan's preference for skill. 9. Winnipeg Jets: William Nylander, RW, Modo (SHL) DOB: 5/1/96 | Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 170 I haven't heard a specific name attached to the Jets, and some may doubt this projection because of the lack of Europeans drafted under GM Kevin Cheveldayoff. But short-term trends aren't very telling, as most teams select the best player available. Nylander is the best player available here, and fits in to an organizational need at wing as well as the organizational emphasis on hockey sense. Fiala could also be a possibility here. 10. Anaheim Ducks (from Ottawa Senators): Kasperi Kapanen, RW, KalPa (Liiga) DOB: 7/23/96 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 181 Kapanen isn't a consensus top-tier player within the industry, but there are a number of teams that consider him a clear top-8 prospect. It's been a few years since the Ducks have drafted a winger this high -- although Rickard Rakell may end up on the wing -- and based on talent along with industry consensus this seems like the pick that fits. I imagine if Nylander somehow slides to No. 10, this would be a probable stopping point. 11. Nashville Predators: Jared McCann, C, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) DOB: 5/3/96 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 174 McCann's stock has been a little up and down based on discussions with sources. I think he can go at 11 based on talent, but he also fits the mold of player Nashville likes, being a good two-way forward. A screaming need for good forwards in the pipeline is another reason this is a fit. If Kapanen drops this far, I could very well see him being the Predators' pick, as well. 12. Phoenix Coyotes: Haydn Fleury, D, Red Deer (WHL) DOB: 7/8/96 | Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 198 Brad Treliving was a big part of the draft with Phoenix, and with his leaving to be Calgary's new GM, it's tougher to project their pick. The Coyotes have been known as a team that emphasized a "from the net out" approach, and enriched their forward group the past few years by drafting Max Domi, Henrik Samuelsson and Laurent Dauphin. I could see them adding another top prospect to their system's depth on defense this year. 13. Washington Capitals: Kevin Fiala, LW, HV71 (SHL) DOB: 7/22/96 | Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 194 Yet another management change makes yet another pick tough to project, but given that the Capitals' change was in-house, there could still be some stability in drafting philosophy. Washington has typically targeted high-risk, high-reward type players with skill, and Fiala fits that bill. The team needs defensemen at the NHL level, but if they stay this high, and Fleury is gone, there isn't really a defenseman who will meet equal value at this slot. 14. Dallas Stars: David Pastrnak, RW, Sodertalje (SHL) DOB: 5/25/96 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 168 During the Stars' regime change last year, they brought over Detroit's assistant GM Jim Nill, who oversaw the draft for the Red Wings as their chief scout. That regime is the type to emphasize puck skills and hockey sense. It's why I would project a highly skilled player like Pastrnak to Dallas, with options like Sonny Milano, Robby Fabbri and Jakub Vrana as potential picks, as well. Given the number of players that could be a fit, I can see Dallas moving down from this pick, too. 15. Detroit Red Wings: Sonny Milano, LW, USNTDP (USHL) DOB: 5/12/96 | Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 185 Detroit has a history of trading down and trusting its area scouts to find value, so who knows if the Red Wings will stay at No. 15. But if they do, the dynamic Milano fits the bill for the kind of player they like. While they drafted a left wing in Anthony Mantha last year, Milano is much younger than Mantha, and the Wings aren't exactly known for bringing the kids up to Detroit quickly. Potential alternatives are the same as Dallas'. 16. Columbus Blue Jackets: Brendan Perlini, LW, Niagara (OHL) DOB: 4/27/95 | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 205 There's a consensus within the industry that Perlini is among the top dozen prospects, so it's not a sure thing that he makes it this far. If he does get to No. 16, I imagine he stops here, as he'd be the clear best player available at this point. 17. Philadelphia Flyers: Alex Tuch, RW, USNTDP (USHL) DOB: 5/10/96 | Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 216 The last time Philly drafted a winger in the first round was 2007 (James van Riemsdyk), but this could be a match based on system need, and best player available. Philly's best under-22 players are defensemen and centers like Scott Laughton and Sean Couturier. Tuch would provide size, strength and a high level of offensive ability to the organization. There is a management change here, as well, with Paul Holmgren moving aside for new GM Ron Hextall. 18. Minnesota Wild: Robby Fabbri, C, Guelph (OHL) DOB: 1/22/96 | Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 165 After picking many defensemen in the first and second round the past few years, Minny is solid in young defenders, but needs a boost in scoring punch in its system. Fabbri brings a lot of skill, hockey IQ and hustle to the pipeline. I could also see this as a spot for Josh Ho-Sang. 19. Tampa Bay Lightning: Ivan Barbashev, C, Moncton (QMJHL) DOB: 12/14/95 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 181 Some may think this is another lazy projection, because Tampa has picked so many Russians lately, but Barbashev is the best player on merit at this point, and Tampa indeed has shown less hesitance to pick Russians than most NHL teams. 20. San Jose Sharks: Julius Honka, D, Swift Current (WHL) DOB: 12/3/95 | Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 174 The Sharks have not exhibited any tells in terms of players they like or who they will be targeting this June. Honka fits as the best player available at this slot, and while they drafted a defenseman in the first round last year in Mirco Mueller, Honka provides the dynamic offensive punch from the blue line that has lacked in their pipeline for many years (although they have been well-stocked with offensive defensemen at the NHL level). 21. St. Louis Blues: Nikita Scherbak, RW, Saskatoon (WHL) DOB: 12/30/95 | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 174 I've heard from some NHL scouts and execs who have Scherbak in the top 15, at times touching the top 10, but the bottom third of the round is a more likely spot for him. Name aside, there are no passport concerns for Scherbak, and he's a very low flight risk; of course, the same was said for the talented Valentin Zykov last summer, and he slid to the Kings in the second round. Even the most committed Russians get dinged sometimes. 22. Pittsburgh Penguins: Dylan Larkin, C, USNTDP (USHL) DOB: 7/30/96 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 192 There is no Pittsburgh GM as of this writing, so this is a lot of speculation, but the Penguins' system is dying for some talent up front, and Larkin provides a very good two-way boost to the system. He's the kind of prospect who may be able to fast track to the NHL due to his advanced game and good physical tools to combine with his great skating. 23. Colorado Avalanche: Conner Bleackley, C, Red Deer (WHL) DOB: 7/2/96 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 194 A recent regime change makes it tough to attribute past trends from Colorado's scouting staff to this projection, but they've typically targeted high-character guys with good hockey sense; Bleackley has big check marks in both departments. He's trended up this season, and would be a good fit in Colorado's structure. Roland McKeown is another possibility for the Avs here. 24. Anaheim Ducks: Roland McKeown, D, Kingston (OHL) DOB: 1/20/96 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 194 Anaheim has used a few high draft picks on defenders recently, but they've been left-handed shots (Hampus Lindholm and Shea Theodore); fellow youngster Sami Vatanen shoots right. With Kapanen as their first pick of the draft, there isn't really any pressing need in the system, and the Ducks should just pick the best player on their board; in this scenario, that's McKeown. 25. Boston Bruins: Jakub Vrana, LW, Linkoping (SHL) DOB: 2/28/96 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 176 Vrana would be the most highly skilled forward Boston has drafted in a few years, as the organization has bolstered its defense and goaltending in the recent drafts. Vrana will need a few years to develop, which fits into the time table for Ryan Spooner and Alex Khokhlachev to make their push into the Bruins' lineup. 26. Montreal Canadiens: Adrian Kempe, LW, Modo (SHL) DOB: 9/13/96 | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 187 The Habs probably need a center the most in their system, but there isn't a center around this spot that fits the talent level for No. 26 overall. Kempe is one of the best skaters in the draft, with some skill and a good power game. I can see Montreal moving this pick if the top 25 picks play out this way. 27. Chicago Blackhawks: Brayden Point, C, Moose Jaw (WHL) DOB: 3/12/96 | Ht: 5-9 | Wt: 161 What Chicago looks for early in the draft during the Stan Bowman era is clear as day: Skilled forwards. Point has uncertainty within the industry in terms of what level of prospect he is. But in terms of the high-skill, high-hockey IQ players Chicago targets, he fits the mold. 28. Tampa Bay Lightning (from New York Rangers): Josh Ho-Sang, C, Windsor (OHL) DOB: 1/22/96 | Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 165 Over the past few years, Tampa Bay has targeted the most talented players available, and Ho-Sang fits the bill of an elite talent who can tantalize with his skill level. If McKeown gets here, he could be the pick, as well. 29. Los Angeles Kings: Nikolai Goldobin, RW, Sarnia (OHL) DOB: 10/7/95 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 185 The Kings have not drafted a Russian in the first round since 2002 (Denis Grebeshkov), but the organization has not shown it'll be scared by passport. I could see Ho-Sang or Nick Schmaltz as possible selections for the Kings here, too. 30. New Jersey Devils: Anton Karlsson, LW, Frolunda (J20 SuperElit) DOB: 8/3/96 | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 194 The Devils have shown a strict discipline in terms of taking the best player available the past few years, but they simply must take a forward this year, as their system is begging for some scoring help. Karlsson is among a few possibilities here, along with Schmaltz, Brendan Lemieux, Brett Pollock and Eric Cornel.

Anyone subscribed to ESPN Insider? This is the first mock draft. http://insider.espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/11034152/aaron-ekblad-goes-no-1-overall-corey-pronman-mock-nhl-draft-2014

Also before that, In Nonis we trust lol

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=452795

Have you ever seen the kid played? Wow.....stop comparing him to his dad. I can't believe people are making comparisons to his dad. Do they even play with the same style????? Michael Jordan's sons never made it to the NBA and what are Gretzky's sons doing. Gosh sometimes I just don't get people here on this board. Are you the same kind of person as your dad???? You probably think having a baby means you're making a clown of yourself. Dear god.....

I think Torts is spot on today that the team needs new blood. I think when he said the team is old he meant that the team got no more sparks when a same group of core players played for close to 10 years together. That is not how a hockey team is run. If is doesn't work for a year, you have to put in something new. It doesn't have to be big but it has to be something spark the team. San Jose did it, Chicago did it, Detroit did it, and look at us.

Trade Garrison to Toronto for 2014 1st round pick (around 12th overall) Trade 2014 1st round pick (8th overall) and Higgins to Buffalo for their 2014 first overall pick and 2015 second round pick Trade Jensen, Hansen, Lack, 2015 1st round Pick to Winnipeg for Kane Draft Sam Reinhart with 1st overall pick Draft Haydn Fleury with 12th overall pick Sign Matt Niskanen Sign Mike Santorelli Sign Halak SEDIN SEDIN KANE BURROWS HORVAT KESLER BOOTH REINHART KASSIAN MATTHIAS RICHARDSON SANTORELLI HAMHUIS TANEV EDLER NISKANEN FLEURY BIEKSA HALAK MARKSTROM

Trade Garrison for a 1st rounder for this year and we sign Matt Niskanen and pair him with Edler.

A little off topic but.........Toronto had used both of their buy outs last year with Grabovski and Komisarek and I bet they would love to buy out Clarkson if they could. With Booth finally showing up. Maybe we'll just keep him for one more season. So here's the question: would you trade with Toronto with Clarkson coming here along with their 1st round pick of this year so we can buy him out for them? We're literally buying that 1st round pick (11th overall) from them. The buy out is $20 million by the way.

If there's a team that we might catch, it's the Wild. Their schedule looks a lot tougher than Coyotes'. If we can somehow win the next 5 out of 6 games (beating Wild in one of them), we'll have 84 points with 78 games played. The next 8 games for the Wild is: Det Det Van Stl Phx LA Chi Pit I can see them maybe beating Det once and maybe getting a OT point and that would give them 86 points with 78 games played as well. We will be just 2 points behind with both have 4 remaining games. There might still be a chance. I know it's not looking good but maybe we can do this.

Given how much luck we've had as Canucks fan. We might have a chance of making the playoffs if we start a "Canucks will never make the playoffs guranteed" thread.

We also have a 1.5% chance of getting the first overall pick after losing to TBL.