Thirty-two prospects will hear their title referred to as within the first spherical of the NHL Draft on Friday (7 p.m. ET, ESPN, ESPN+, Disney + from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles).
With many elite forwards out there, this draft may go in lots of instructions. Two groups moved up considerably within the draft lottery: Utah 10 spots up, to No. 4, and the New York Islanders up 9 spots, to No. 1.
This is a mock of the primary 10 picks.
1. New York Islanders: Matthew Schaefer (Erie Otters), Protection |
Schaefer, the consensus No. 1 decide, solely performed 17 video games within the Ontario Hockey League this season however is an elite skater who can produce offensively. He’ll shore up a blue line that, for now, additionally options younger star Noah Dobson. (Extra from eliteprospects.com.)
2. San Jose Sharks: Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit), Ahead
Misa was granted distinctive standing to play within the CHL a 12 months early and hasn’t disenchanted. The ahead had 134 factors in 65 video games final season and can be an ideal match alongside the Sharks’ elite, younger ahead core. At 6-foot-1 and 185 kilos, he has room to fill out, however given San Jose’s rebuild, Misa can have loads of time to develop. (Extra from eliteprospects.com.)
3. Chicago Blackhawks: Anton Frondell (Djurgardens IF), Ahead
Frondell is rising up draft boards and reportedly eyed by San Jose at No. 2. The Swedish middle has good dimension (6-foot-1, 205 kilos), playmaking skill and defensive prowess. He’ll add to the staff’s middle depth behind budding famous person Connor Bedard. (Extra from eliteprospects.com.)
4. Utah Mammoth: Caleb Desnoyers (Moncton Wildcats), Ahead
With Schaefer, Misa and Frondell seemingly locked into the highest three, Utah can form the remainder of the draft with this decide. After sending defenseman Michael Kesselring to Buffalo within the commerce for winger JJ Peterka, the Mammoth could be obligated to go protection right here. Nevertheless, on this draft, the defensive group is skinny, so Utah may shift its consideration to a middle.
Desoyners produced 84 factors in 56 Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League video games final season and is rising up draft boards. He ought to assist Utah’s up-the-middle depth, which is weak after prime middle Logan Cooley. (Extra from eliteprospects.com.)
5. Nashville Predators: Porter Martone (Brampton Steelheads), Ahead
Martone might be the most effective pure winger on the board and initiatives as a high-end energy ahead. He has NHL dimension (6-foot-3 and 205 kilos) and could possibly be within the league as early as subsequent season. For Nashville, a giant 2024 offseason did not translate to a playoff look. It would look so as to add an elite prospect who can transfer the needle earlier than later. (Extra from eliteprospects.com.)
6. Philadelphia Flyers: James Hagens (Boston Faculty), Ahead
Philadelphia has already made one large commerce by touchdown former Geese ahead Trevor Zegras. Hagens, who grew up an Islanders fan, was as soon as projected as the highest decide on this draft however has fallen. The Islanders could also be within the hometown prospect, nonetheless, if Hagens is offered at six. However there is no doubt Philadelphia would like to have him slightly than transferring the decide.
With Zegras enjoying extra winger in current seasons, Hagens can be a top-six middle supplementing a younger ahead core that features star Matvei Michkov. (Extra from eliteprospects.com.)
7. Boston Bruins: Roger McQueen (Brandon Wheat Kings), Ahead
After promoting on the commerce deadline, Boston goals to retool a staff that already has franchise cornerstones in winger David Pastrnak and defenseman Charlie McAvoy. At 6-foot-5 and almost 200 kilos, McQueen has dimension, physicality and elite ability.
A stress fracture in his again restricted him to simply 17 video games this season, however for Boston, his distinctive bodily attributes could also be too onerous to cross up. (Extra from eliteprospects.com.)
8. Seattle Kraken: Radim Mrtka (Seattle Thunderbirds), Protection
Mrtka had good dimension (6-foot-6 and 218 kilos) and is the second-best defenseman on this draft after Schaefer. Whereas he might not be the elite offensive participant Schaefer is, Mrtka defends effectively and is adept making performs from the blue line. After enjoying his junior hockey in Seattle, Kraken followers would like to see the rangy defenseman keep dwelling. (Extra from eliteprospects.com.)
9. Buffalo Sabres: Brady Martin (Soo Greyhounds), Ahead
Buffalo landed defenseman Michael Kesselring and ahead Josh Doan within the JJ Peterka commerce and could also be wanting so as to add a ahead to interchange Peterka. Regardless of being a bit undersized (6-foot and 187 kilos), Martin performs a bodily and two-way recreation. He’ll be a superb addition to a staff that might use a prospect with a excessive motor. (Extra from eliteprospects.com.)
10. Anaheim Geese: Victor Eklund (Djurgardens IF), Ahead
Eklund is a participant many groups choosing within the 10-15 vary are hoping will fall. Like Martin, he is not large (5-foot-11 and 170 kilos), however he has a high-end motor and wonderful hockey IQ. After dealing ahead Trevor Zegras, Anaheim could look to interchange him within the prime six with one other winger who has elite ability. If Eklund falls to tenth, it is unlikely Anaheim will cross on him. (Extra from eliteprospects.com.)
Rounds two by means of seven are Saturday (11 a.m. ET, ESPN+ and Disney+).
