Since 1963, the NHL draft has been a staple of every NHL offseason. With a new crop of young NHLers breaking their way into the league, the excitement of a new superstar, the disappointment of a busted pick or the anticipation of watching your favourite team pick up their next great young player has simply become intertwined in the fabric of our game. However, one of the most difficult aspects of the draft is trying to rank the promising talents: after all, at the ripe age they are at, uncertainty plagues even the highest of picks (Nail Yakupov, looking at you). However, that is the unfortunate dilemma that hockey writers like me face during draft time. Even so, it is our responsability to make these mock drafts, and whether we like it or not, they are a big part of hockey journalism. As such, even though I am certainly no prospect expert, I present to you my 2021 top 5 mock draft.
Please note these picks are not who I think will be picked, but who I think deserves to be picked.
1. Buffalo Sabres
My Pick: William Eklund, C/LW, Djugardens IF, SHL
Though the consensus #1 pick for the Sabres among experts and fans alike has been burly defenseman Owen Power out of Michigan, I find the opportunity to select Eklund simply too good to pass up for Buffalo and GM Kevyn Adams. Though slightly undersized at 5'10" and 172 pounds, the silky Swede has shown he can play against men in the SHL, potting just over half a point per game with Djugardens, while garnering high praise from scouts and fans alike for his incredible vision, skating and puck skills. One of the most well-rounded defensive players in the draft, Eklund has been lauded for his defensive impact, and his ability to play centre or wing only adds to his versatility. While there have been some questions about his true upside, Eklund has shown just about everything you would want in a first overall pick: versatility, good two way play, promising statistics and a great work ethic. While I don't know if there will be any true franchise players to come out of this draft, I feel as though Eklund is as close as we may get. He projects to be a first line winger alongside an exciting crop of young talent in Buffalo.
2. Seattle Kraken
My Pick: Matthew Beniers, C, Michigan, NCAA
While most lottery picks already come attached with a huge amount of pressure for NHL GM's, Ron Francis may be sweating it just a little more than his counterparts, considering it is the first pick in franchise history for the newly founded Kraken. The first pick in an expansion team's history is always a moment of excitement: after all, it is supposedly the player that will lead your franchise to glory in it's first years, a building block to construct your organization around. If that's the case, then I think it's impossible to go wrong with Michigan product Matty Beniers. The two-way force has great skating ability combined with an incredible work ethic making him a fantastic defensive player, while not sacrificing his offensive game in the process. Beniers was a point per game player in Michigan last year, and only looks to improve his offensive skills as his development furthers and his strength increases. Much like Eklund, many raise questions about his offensive ceiling, and while he will not likely be a 80 or 90 point guy in the NHL, I believe he would be an extremely valuable first line centre, capable of realising his defensive duties while putting up point totals in the late 50s in the process. His game truly reminds me of a Patrice Bergeron: a good offensive producer with an excellent defensive skillset. Add in some impressive leadership qualities, and you may have a future Selke winner in the fold.
3. Anaheim Ducks
My Pick: Dylan Guenther, LW/RW, Edmonton Oil Kings, WHL
In the midst of the franchise's first true rebuild in over a decade, Bob Murray and his staff have already done much of the dirty work, amassing many promising players such as Maxime Comtois, Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale while still maintaining a level of respectability around the league. However, the Ducks do lack one thing, something they have not had since the departure of Corey Perry: a pure goal-scorer, someone to put the puck in the net consistently for the club. Fortunately, they have one right under their noses, ripe for the picking in this year's draft: Dylan Guenther. The skilled WHL product has the versatility to play both wing positions, the size to throw around his body, but most importantly, a tremendous goal-scoring ability. Guenther, born and raised in Edmonton, set a goal-per-game pace with the Oil Kings this year, albeit in a smaller sample size, while averaging a whopping two points per game throughout 12 contests. Dobber Prospects places him in the "superstar potential" category in their PNHLe valuation, which is a system evaluating a prospect's potential based on their stats, their quality of competion, etc..., and that is with good reason: with the right linemates, I think he could be the only player in this draft with 100 point potential. While his all-around game has been questioned, I feel the Ducks can handle a lesser defensive impact considering their system is chock full of skilled two way forwards. I feel the upside, as well as the chance to have a Zegras-Guenther pairing, is too good to pass up for Anaheim at the #3 spot.
4. New Jersey Devils
My Pick: Brandt Clarke, D, Barrie Colts, OHL
With the Devils possessing their third straight lottery pick, they have some hard decisions to make. Approaching the final year's of the rebuild, what will likely be one of their last lottery picks for awhile carries with it a huge importance: at the risk of sounding dramatic, this pick could be the difference between a mediocre playoff team and a Stanley Cup winner. I find that Brandt Clarke could be that X-Factor, the player that truly elevates them to a championship club. Clarke, a coveted right defenseman with good size (6'2', 192 lbs), was projected to be a Barrie Colt this year, but with no OHL season, he made the leap to Slovakia, where he honed in his skills with HC Nove Zamsky. Playing against men, the Ottawa native proved himself in a big way, putting up 15 points in 26 games, while showcasing his impressive skating ability and his incredible puck control, something the scouts have lauded about his game. Although his defensive game could use some honing in, Clarke is still only 18 years old, and, like many other young defensemen, his play in his own end is sure to improve with age. He has top-pairing upside, and a top pair featuring him and Ty Smith is sure to have Devils fans foaming at the mouth. Oh, and the cherry on top? His presence on the team will unite him with his brother Graeme, potentially forming a deadly forward-defense duo between the brothers.
5. Columbus Blue Jackets
My Pick: Mason McTavish, C, Peterborough Petes, OHL
In a system largely bereft of centres, the Blue Jackets are in desperate need of some valuable pivots to speed along their retool and lift them back into contention. McTavish, a Swiss-born centre, fits that bill perfectly. The 6'2" centre already possesses NHL size and strength, combined with excellent offensive instincts, impressive skating ability and a fantastic shot. His defensive game has been consistenly praised by many pundits, and he has proven he can hold his own against men, as evidenced by his outstanding performance in the Swiss league this year and in the World U-18s. He plays with a nasty edge and isn't afraid to go to the dirty areas of the ice, which is an obvious strength, while also proving himself to be a true leader both on and off the ice, assuming the captaincy for the Canadians at the U18s. His natural offensive instincts and his defensive acumen make him a lock for the NHL. Many experts draw comparisons between him and Ryan O'Reilly, and I feel that is not an unreasonable ceiling for the burly centreman, if he has the right linemates. With this pick, the future at centre doesn't look so grim for Columbus.
Full top 10: 6 (DET)-Fabian Lysell, 7 (SJS)-Owen Power, 8 (LAK)-Kent Johnson. 9 (VAN)-Luke Hughes, 10 (OTT)-Jesper Wallstedt
With that, the Puckin' Around With Johnny 2021 Top 10 Mock Draft is complete. Let me know in the comments what you agree with, what you disagree with, and what you'd change in your mock drafts (I'm sure there's lots to disagree with). Also, be sure to tune in to the 2021 NHL draft tonight at 8:00 ET; there is sure to be some great excitement, so be sure to catch that, and follow @puckinaroundwithjohnny for more news, insight and reaction!
Until next time,
Johnny
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