Top 10 Mock Draft

[RSHLSwheeler]

Hey all, welcome back to the RSHL top ten mock draft. The previous 30-11 are in previous articles so search them out on the boards. This is my favorite time of the year. Drafts are where franchises make or break their futures, A 5th round pick becoming a top line player like Brandon Hagel, a goalie like Dustin Wolf in the 7th round starting to show franchise goalie pedigree are all there for the taking starting Feb 10, can RSHL franchises get it right? Lets hope so. Obviously the top end of this draft is very good with 3 potential franchises changing centerman out there, add in a couple of dynamic wingers. There are always surprises on draft day too and a few blockbuster trades. We have even more knowledge than any other season on record with a half season extra of stats, game time, promotions, demotions. I hope everyone has a great couple of weeks and recognizes the efforts puts in to get us ready to draft.

10. San Jose Sharks-Gabe Perreault Is a dynamic undersized player that moves around the ice with the puck like few players we have seen. He is a high end player maker who possesses elite level vision for distributing the puck. He manages zone entries at a high level and makes plays in space that put defenders on their heels. He was other winger on the BC line the shredded College hockey last year. Don’t sleep on his shot and he is lethal and can picks his spots from range.

9. San Jose Sharks-Kasper Halttunen is a bit of a surprise add but his game has grown significantly since his draft. He is a power forward with above average skating that has elite board play and cycling in his game. He is a possession monster and uses his large frame effectively to protect the puck. Even in the AHL where players are bigger and stronger he is able to push his way to the net and create offense. It might be a stretch but this is the type of player that GM’s trip over themselves to gamble on.

8. Los Angles Kings-Quentin Musty is another player that has rocketed up the draft boards since the draft. His 100 point season after his draft year took people by surprise but a few of us have always been high on his potential. Is a versatile player that can attack in a number of ways. He can finish and drive play while also having a knack for finding the soft spot in the offensive zone. He uses his frame effectively although he needs to get stronger. In his own zone he needs a bit of work but overall his game is very advanced.

7. New York Rangers-Andrew Cristall is a smallish player with a highly dynamic offensive skill set. He can pass, shoot, play in transition with or without the puck. He has excellent zone entry and exit skills and is a monster in the transition. He is outperforming a second round pick and has a similar profile to Stankoven who was a very similar in the WHL. Cristall is over 2 points per game in the WHL at the next level is a top 6 forward with point per game upside a few years down the road. Not many guys move up 30 spots before ever playing an NHL game.

6. Florida Panthers-Zach Benson has produced at every level. He hasn’t gotten big minutes in Buffalo this year but he is really growing in a protected role, developing a solid two way game. He is a great playmaker with vision and the skills to make it happen. The size is similar to Cristall and he is equally dynamic on the offensive side of the game. Powerplay time will really start to unlock his potential. Benson is already productive and making solid steps towards everyday top 6 minutes.

5. Seattle Kraken-Will Smith is starting to produce everyday with 21 points in his first 45 NHL games as a Shark. He has speed, strength and high offensive upside. There is plenty to like about his game. 71 points at Boston College in 41 games proved that he had nothing left for the NCAA but set up his transition to the NHL. Smith has a great shot with a quick release that make him so dangerous. He doesn’t need much space to get his shot off.

4. Ottawa Senators-Leo Carlsson is the proto-typical big bodied center all teams covet. He has size strength and skill. His vision is elite and has a very developed two way game. He could shot more but his game is pretty developed in all other areas. His largest weakness is his skating ability which isn’t quite the top end you would hope. He is large enough that his stride strength makes up for the weaker technique.

3. Nashville Predators- Adam Fantilli is an great two way center that can contribute to all aspects of the game. He is a fully developed player that is highly competitive, highly skilled and fully able to play in any situation. High end speed, great hands, and skill make him a truly elite prospect. His offensive game is not quite as high as Bedard but his overall game is so complete that he might end up being more valuable to his franchise down the road. Everything about oozes first line center.

2. Quebec Nordiques-Matvei Michkov was an interesting selection at 5. He is a high skill winger, with the typical Russian attitude of laissez faire about the rest of the game. He is a great scorer with high end play making that patrols the wing with speed. When he has the puck on his stick he is a dangerous player who is willing to take anyone one on one. There isn’t anything he won’t try offensively. Philly is bringing him along in the right way so he will be continue to grow. He won’t be a strong two-way player but his offensive skill is unmatched. The shot is at least equal to Bedard’s but he has an underrated playmaking game. His issues away from the puck will haunt him but the offensive toolkit is what moves him to the top of the draft.

1. Washington Capitals-Connor Bedard is a shooting wizard. His shot is elite in all ways. Speed, release angle, slap shot, wrister, snap, backhand like Crosby. His biggest concern is the footspeed which is only just above average and the people he plays with in Chicago. He is an automatic 30 goal scorer with 50 goal upside. As the team starts to improve, he will near 100 point in the next couple of seasons. His puck skills are beyond elite, stickhandling, and puck manipulation he can control things the puck better than anyone in this draft. As he fills out and gets stronger he will be harder to move off puck. In space, on the rush or the powerplay is where he will make a living as the primary option in all situations. He is a sneaky good playmaker as well although its hard to get assists when your linemates should likely be in the AHL.

There are some interesting players in the NHL that do not have RSHL rights assigned but not fit the profile of a first round pick. This is a deep promising draft that has lots of potential further down that didn’t make the cut for this draft class. Bedard is still the top dog in the draft however it’s a little tighter than the draft day. There are several NHL top 6 forwards and top 4 defenseman that will come out of this group over the next few years. Franchises will start to come out of rebuilds with some success in this draft. Thanks Robbie and Brett for getting us back on track

[Vancity]

Excellent read. The whole 3 part article.
That said … 20 and 27 up for grabs

[admin]

20 - 11
http://www.thershl.com/phpbb3/viewtopic ... ebb1e9#p38

30 - 21
http://www.thershl.com/phpbb3/viewtopic ... ebb1e9#p11