OIH 2010 Mock Draft

With the NHL draft only a few hours away, OpenIceHockey brings you our selections ranked 1-30.  We could only agree on the top-nine, so picks 10 through 30 will be separated.

With the first selection, in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, the Edmonton Oilers select….

Taylor Hall (Windsor Spitfires, OHL)

Hall is quick, a prolific scorer, and can even dish the puck (having more assists in his second year in the league).  What makes Hall special is that he’s a versatile winger, seen in his ability to kill penalities.  Hall is also very resilient, taking a beating from the opposition’s top defensive pairing each night and coming back to score highlight reel goals (as seen at the Memorial Cup).

Boston Bruins – Tyler Seguin (Plymouth Whalers, OHL)

Many feel that he is the more complete player compared to Hall.   Being a two-way centerman, Seguin has drawn comparisons to Steve Yzerman and Joe Sakic – just not yet.  He was able to put up points in Plymouth with not a lot of help, and had one fewer year in the OHL than Hall.  In three to five years, we believe he will be the better player of the two.

Florida Panthers – Brandon Gormley (Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL)

Higher offensive upside than Erik Gudbranson, but better defensively than Cam Fowler.  Not afraid to hit, like Erik, but he’s more crafty with the puck.  A more all around player than his two other highly ranked counterparts.

Columbus Blue Jackets – Erik Gudbranson (Kingston Frontenacs – OHL)

Gudbranson is a tough, mean shut down guy and will help stabilize the Blue Jackets offensively minded back end with Kris Russell already with the big club and prospect John Moore waiting in the wings.  He should be able to crack the roster next season barring injury.

NY Islanders – Brett Connolly (Prince George Cougars, WHL)

30 goals in his rookie season, and 19 points in 16 games this year after coming back from a serious hip injury.  He performed well at the draft combine, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see him taken in the top-five, especially being able to potentially ride shotgun on the first line with John Tavares.

Tampa Bay Lightning – Cam Fowler (Windsor Spitfires, OHL)

Tampa has a lot of offensive help, so taking someone that could one day quarterback their power play shouldn’t be a surprise – especially if he falls this low.  He’s a good leader, but is a bit soft in his own end.  Has the most offensive potential of any d-man in the draft.  His stock fell with an unimpressive Memorial Cup in 2010.

Carolina Hurricanes – Nino Niederreiter (Portland Winterhawks, WHL)

After Hall and Seguin, he could be the most NHL ready forward in the draft.  With the Hurricanes losing Ray Whitney to free agency, someone will have to replace the wizard’s magic, and “El-Nino” – having scored 36 goals last season – will be that player.

Atlanta Thrashers – Ryan Johansen (Portland Winterhawks, WHL)

Big center with soft hands.  The Thrashers can’t rely on Nik Antropov as their big center in the system, especially with his past injury problems.  Playing in the BCHL last season as a 4th liner, Johansen wasn’t even on most scout’s radar coming into this season.  Now, after a strong season in Portland, he will be the second Winterhawk taken in the first round.

Minnesota Wild – Jeff Skinner (Kitchener Rangers, OHL)

50 goals in the 2010 regular season, twenty in twenty in the subsequent playoffs.  Was one of the biggest reasons for almost disposing of the Windsor Spitfires in the OHL semi-finals.  Not as quick as other forwards, and gets pushed around a little more at 5’10, but is one of the purest snipers.  Player on the 4th line at the Under 18 tournament this past August and lead Canada in scoring.  He will make an impact once he gets his shot.

*NY Rangers – Derek Forbort (USHL Under 18 program)

6’5, 198 pounds and plenty of filling out left to do.  He is a big, strong defenceman that plays a physical, in your face game.  With the Rangers having puck movers in Michael Del Zotto and Matt Gilroy already on the back end, and Chris Kreider, Evgeny Grachev and Derek Stepan on the front end, I see the Rangers taking this hulking defenceman.

*NY Rangers – Alex Burmistrov (Barrie Colts, OHL)

They like Russian players and trust their Russian scouts.  Burmistrov – who at times doesn’t show up during games – is the least risky of all Russians in the draft.  The Rangers are deep and young on defence, and even though they have some young forwards, they are shallow at center in the prospect area.

*Forbort – Jesse’s selection
*Burmistrov – Scott’s selection

Picks 11-30

Scott                                         Team                                 Jesse
Mikael Granlund                    Dallas Stars                    Jack Campbell
Derek Forbort                      Anaheim Ducks Emerson Etem
Vladimir Tarasenko            Phoenix Coyotes              Vladimir Tarasenko
Austin Watson                     St. Louis Blues Austin Watson
Emerson Etem                    Florida Panthers              Mikael Granlund
Beau Bennett                       Ottawa Senators              Alexander Burmistrov
Jack Campbell                   Colorado Avalanche              Mark Pysyk
Nick Bjugstad                     Nashville Predators                Jon Merrill
Riley Sheehan                          LA Kings                          Nick Bjugstad
John McFarland                 Pittsburgh Penguins           Dylan McIlrath
Dylan McIlrath                    Detroit Red Wings                Tyler Pitlick
Mark Pysyk                           Phoenix Coyotes                Evgeny Kuznetsov
John Merrill                         Buffalo Sabres                      Riley Sheehan
Tyler Pitlick                       Chicago Blackhawks                   Beau Bennett
Jarred Tinordi                  Vancouver Canucks               Quinton Howden
Evgeny Kusnetsov           Washington Capitals                 Tyler Toffoli
Justin Faulk                     Montreal Canadiens                Jaden Schwartz
Quinton Howden                    SJ Sharks                            Alex Petrovic
Jaden Schwartz                  Anaheim Ducks                     Jarred Tinordi
Calvin Pickard                  Chicago Blackhawks   Calvin Pickard