BRHL Mock Draft 2017

 

1.      (Capitals) Austin Mathews-C

No question here, the one player Joe would move McDavid for. What looks to be a franchise player.

 

2.      (Kings) Patrik Laine-RW

Kings trade down from Mathews but still land a potential franchise player while adding extra in the first half of Avs McDavid deal. Once again no question here on who the pick will be.

 

3.      (Flyers) Jesse Puljujarivi-RW

May have been brought up a little early but the ceiling is very high for this dominant highly skilled winger. He seems to be destined to be riding shotgun with the Oilers McDavid in the near future and should pan out to be an excellent piece to build with.

 

4.      (Bruins) Mathew Tkachuk-LW

I don’t care if Keller went to Boston University and if it has already been suggested that’s his pick I see Dan taking Tkachuk simply because he is the BPA. He will get his home town boy with the next pick.

 

5.      (Bruins) Charlie MacAvoy-D

MacAvoy looked really good for the Bruins in their first round exit this year. He is a big bodied well talented Dman who very well may be playing top pairing with Chara next year and top PP time if he can keep the production going. And he gets his home town guy.

 

6.      (Kings) Clayton Keller-C

Had a very good season at Boston University and had a very good showing for the Coyotes this year getting a couple of assists in his 3 game appearance. He definitely didn’t look out of place. A tad bit of Boston love may also influence this pick as well but overall feel he is a solid pick here for Rumpy.

 

7.      (Ducks)  Sam Steel-C

We have all heard the rumours Steel is going here and I can see it with Devon and his Ducks new prospect. Dont get me wrong Steel had a very impressive WHL season and was one of the main factors in Regina’s success this year but in a lot of people’s eyes may be a bit of a reach here.

 

8.      (Jets) Jakob Chychrun-D

Jordan is in the middle of a retool not full rebuild of his squad and is lacking in defensive depth the most. Chychrun played 68 games with the Coyotes this year chipping in a little offense along the way and seems to be NHL ready now and will make the most impact on his blueline the fastest.

 

9.      (Maple Leafs) Pierre-Luc Dubois- LW/C

Took a bit of a step back offensively this year in the QMJHL but woke up come playoff time with 22 points in 19 Playoff games. Many were shocked on the draft floor and thought he was a reach for the Jackets at 3 but definitely not here for Garrett.

 

10.   (Wild) Olli Juolevi-D

As original as I would like to be in this mock I have to agree with the other guys, no way Mikka passes on his fellow countrymen. Juolevi had a good season for the Londen Knights and has a very high ceiling in a depleted Canucks system.

 

11.   (Kings) Mikhail Sergachev-D

After taking two high end forwards I wouldn’t be surprised to see Rumpy spread the wealth to his blue line and Sergachev very well may be the best D available at this point. Had a real good season for Windsor in OHL and a brief cup of coffee with the big club.

 

12.   (Sabres) Alexander Nylander-RW/LW

He had a good season in AHL as a 19 year old putting up 28 points in 65 games and a 4 game stint up with the Sabres.  Also had a very impressive WJC for Sweden.  If he fell to here would most likely be BPA.

 

13.   (Flames) Tyson Jost- C/LW

A dynamic offensive forward. Had a good year in the NCAA for North Dakota and saw 6 games with the Avs. With a rebuilding Avalanche team he may even push for a roster spot next season. Kevin takes BPA in his first of many 1^st round picks this year.

 

14.   (Canadiens) Michael McLeod-C

After taking a big step out of the basement this year Steve will look to keep his team playing competitive and will be addressing his depth down the middle with this pick. Behind Trochek Guentzel isn’t a true Center even though he gets that rating this year and McLeod had a very good OHL year and an even better playoff run putting up 27 points in 20 games.

 

15.   (BlueJackets) Luke Kunin-C

Kunin has already decided to leave school and join the Wild AHL club next season. He had a good NCAA season but tore it up in the AHL with 12 GP, 5 G, 3 A. He seems he will be taking the next step sooner than later and Jesse is also needing to add some depth to his Center position.

 

16.   (Sabres) Julien Guathier-RW

Had a very good season in the Q and a great playoff run putting up 17 points in 16 games. Jared has been forced to move out some talent up front the last couple years to help balance the rest of the roster and right now has Radulov, Nyqvist and Palat as his top wingers. Adding another good young winger to the mix would make a lot of sense.

 

17.   (Canucks) Brett Howden-C

Wouldn’t be surprised if Jared selected Howden with that last pick but incase he didn’t he is probably the BPA at this point. Had a very good year in the WHL and really stood out in his time with the AHL squad in Syracuse posting 4 points in 5 GP and then 2 points in 3 Playoff games played.

 

18.   (Red Wings) Alex DeBrincat-RW

High end offensive potential. Put up scary numbers in the OHL and proved he can do it without McDavid the last 2 years. Has consistently put up over 100 points in each of his 3 OHL seasons and took a big jump this year both on the score sheet and in this mock draft. The big knock is can he translate even half this production at the next level even though he stands at 5’7” 170 lbs. Nolan will be going for the sexy pick and hope he gets his own little Johnny Gudreau clone.

 

19.   (Flames) Taylor Raddysh-RW

Taylor took a big step this year in the OHL and broke the 100 point mark. He also was a key contributor for Erie in the playoffs posting 31 points in 22 games and looked very impressive in this Memorial Cup. Kevin picks again at 23 and wont risk losing the high end potential or trading up from there so he takes the high offensive potential now.

 

20.   (Capitals) Logan Brown-C

Injuries plagued Brown this year, I believe 4 different ones and this was enough to make many question if injuries would be a legitimate issue moving forward with him. That being said Had a very good little bit of a season in OHL and is physically dominant. I just believe the injuries scare teams off and he drops hard in the draft but Joe will either take the bait or end up with a great value pick if he is still on the board here.

 

21.   (BlueJackets) Jake Bean-D

Jesse has already addressed his C position and will now address his blue line depth which besides Brandon Carlo is pretty thin. Bean put up really good numbers for a D man in the WHL this season I just think he falls through the cracks a bit with guys taking higher boom/bust guys and Jesse gets a real nice addition here

 

22.   (Sharks) Henrik Borgstrom-C

Has good NHL size at 6’3’’ 195 lbs and put up very good number for the University of Denver putting up like 43 points in 37 games. It would also address the lack of upcoming depth at the Center position.

 

23.   (Flames) Dante Fabbro-D

After taking two forwards already Kevin will take a defensemen. Had a good year in the NCAA. He is a good two way defender with some offensive upside and has been creditied by his skating ability.

 

24.   (Penguins) Adam Mascherin-C/LW

Another high end OHL forward who just broke the 100 point mark this year. Not the tallest at 5’9’’ but solid at 195 lbs. He has been credited with his hard work in the tough areas, big shot, good skating and competitive nature. Called a lightening rod player.

 

25.   (Islanders) Tage Thompson-C/RW

Had a good NCAA year and ended up playing 16 games for the AHL club. Although he didn’t produce at the AHL level it is a good sign he got the games in already and will have time to develop his game. He also had a very good WJC for team USA.

 

26.   (Flames) Jordan Kyrou-RW/C

Probably the best offensive player left on the board at this point if he hasn’t been taken already. Noted on his strong skating and hockey IQ as a playmaker.

 

27.   (Canadiens) Samuel Girard-D

Like said earlier Steve seems to of taken the step but needs to keep a healthy system of up and coming players. And right now his pipeline of Defensive talent is pretty dried up. Thats why he addresses a serious area of need and takes a big jump on Girard who showed he has bug offensive upside which jumps him up the board. He put up 66 A and 9 G in 59 GP in the QMJHL this year.

 

28.   (Flames) German Rubtsov-C

Terrifying a Russian with the word German right in his name... I think guys are weary of the Russian factor and he drops but with so many picks Kevin will be willing to take the chance on him. He could be a real steal here after playing 15 games in KHL he came over to the Q and put up 9 G and 13 A in only 16 games.

 

29.   (Predators) Lucas Johansen-D

Ty has won a Stanley cup and gone to a cup final 2 of the last 3 years relying on a strong D core and he looks to keep that trend alive and a healthy supply of good young D with this selection.He put up good not spectacular numbers in the WHL this year and had a good 8 points in 17 playoff games.

 

30.   (Sharks) Logan Stanley-D

A MONSTER. At 6’7’’ 227 lbs he is a physically dominating player however he is just more of a defensive minded D (although he showed a notable increase in his production this year going from 17 points in 65 games to 17 points in 34 games). Just don’t know if there is enough offensive upside to his game but i cant see him falling all the way out of the first round so I had to slot him in here.