Mock Draft Picks 30-21
Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2024 8:30 pm
Exciting times ahead here in the RSHL. Site improvements, Free Agency, ratings and eventually the draft. This draft will be an interesting one as we should have a lot of NHL camp information this year about who is making teams prior to drafting which could impact RSHL draft decisions which adds an additional wrinkle. I am going to start a 3 part series mock draft working back from 30-1 in groups of 10. This year I will limit the mock-draft to players from the NHL 2023 draft. For those that haven’t seen my work in the past my mock drafts look at team need, route to NHL roster, and overall skill/rating factor. Lets get started with picks 30-21.
30. Minnesota Wild-Samuel Honzek is a large body winger with offensive skills a tools. He is a good skater and has a strong board game. Injuries and recovery have ruined his draft plus 1 year, although he has come into camp shot out of a cannon with 5 points in his first two preseason games. Likely playing AHL games for most of the season.
29. Chicago Blackhawks-Tanner Molendyk is a smooth skating offensive defenseman that has developed a bit of a two-way game. He is a strong QB for the powerplay and has elite vision. His playmaking skills are also above average. There were big strides to make in his own zone and he has been able to steady growth season over season in his own zone. Second powerplay but great outlet passing and smart plays all over the ice.
28. Florida Panthers-Oliver Bonk is one of the more interesting defenders in this draft group. Is London good because he is on their blue line or is he good because he plays on London’s blue line. High selections like Juolevi and Mete haven’t quite panned out from London in the past although Evan Bourchard certainly has. Bonk has size and pedigree being the son of former NHLer Radek Bonk. The good is he gets his shot through, consistently and dangerously. More like Weegar than Al MacInnis but very effective nonetheless. He has good size and strength and skating ability. There is some concern on whether or not his brain will keep up with the pro game. He can get lost in his own zone a bit, and could be a bit more focused on his decision making.
27. Winnipeg Jets-Matthew Wood was a stand out in the BCHL and made the transition to College Freshman about as easy as you could imagine. His 6’5 frame made him an immovable force as a true freshman. He has a good shot, net front game and ability to move in traffic. He wheels aren’t perfect but he gets there. He is the possible throw back power forward that all teams are looking for. Big man that plays big, has good finishing and sneaky playmaking. At worst he seems like Anthony Mantha and at best maybe a Tyler Bertuzzi type of player that changes the fortunes of a franchise. A worthy gamble at this point in the draft.
26. Chicago Blackhawks- Otto Stenberg is a skilled offensive player that isn’t scared to drive the net. He is one of the more fearless offensive players in this draft with above average wheels. He is a lethal shooter as well and has already proven he can score at the pro level with a solid season in the Swe-1. There are two concerns with his overall game that sort of dovetail together, the first is him holding onto the puck to long at the other is his brain/processing speed. He often can skate himself out of trouble but then skate himself back into it from not understanding all that is happening in front of him. A bit of sharpness around decision making would move him up 8-10 spots on my list but intelligence is a bit of a concern.
25. Minnesota Wild-Bradly Nadeau is a skilled skater with a great mind for the game. He is responsible all over the ice and consistently makes good decisions with the puck. Despite his size he is a pretty effective player along the wall and is able to create space and separation with his agility and speed.
24. Buffalo Sabres-David Edstrom has shown he is a highly skilled offensive player scoring 19 points in 44 games in the SHL. He has great size and strength which enables him to comfortably compete with men. He was moved to the Sharks in the NHL and likely has a path to the NHL as most of the Sharks top prospects are smaller skill players. Edstrom is competitive two way center that manages the puck and the game. He has a high level of influence over the game when he is on the ice despite not having eye popping numbers. He can play along the wall, in traffic or be a net front guy all while being defensively responsible, physically present and above average playmaking skills.
23. Montreal Canadiens-Tom Willander is a gifted skater that provides a strong two way game with his up-tempo style of play. He has an intensity to his game and his play away from the puck is advanced for his age. He doesn’t project as a power play guy but he can contribute good zone exits, outlets and significant icetime. Vancouver will be looking for low cost options that can hold down lower roles and Willander is a guy that can slide in on his ELC and solidify a spot for himself as early as this year.
22. New York Rangers-Oliver Moore is a power skating coaches dream. He is efficient in his stride and yet still has an explosive element to his feet. He isn’t just skating around on the ice he is an energy player as well with a motor that won’t quit. His production in the NCAA is strong where he finished 4th in team scoring while being the youngest player on the roster at U of Minnesota. He has both play making and finishing ability but he is a guy that can be trusted in any situation and has a willingness to pay the price. If he works out he could be Brad Marchand, if it doesn’t he could be Todd Marchant, both are helpful options..
21. Vancouver Canucks-Easton Cowan has exploded since his draft year and while his game is far from perfect he was drafted by the Leafs so he has plenty of hype. It is warranted too after having an impressive draft +1 year in the OHL finishing 7th in points. The progression to nearly doubling his point totals year over year is a good sign. He isn’t a huge player but manages to be on the ice in any key situation. There is a willingness to earn his space in the offensive zone give hope that the blossoming offensive game can continue. He has improved his feet significantly in the past 18 months and is a worker both on and off the ice. High character guy that impacts winning hockey games.
Hoping to get the next one out. Welcome back RSHL, we have missed you.
SW
30. Minnesota Wild-Samuel Honzek is a large body winger with offensive skills a tools. He is a good skater and has a strong board game. Injuries and recovery have ruined his draft plus 1 year, although he has come into camp shot out of a cannon with 5 points in his first two preseason games. Likely playing AHL games for most of the season.
29. Chicago Blackhawks-Tanner Molendyk is a smooth skating offensive defenseman that has developed a bit of a two-way game. He is a strong QB for the powerplay and has elite vision. His playmaking skills are also above average. There were big strides to make in his own zone and he has been able to steady growth season over season in his own zone. Second powerplay but great outlet passing and smart plays all over the ice.
28. Florida Panthers-Oliver Bonk is one of the more interesting defenders in this draft group. Is London good because he is on their blue line or is he good because he plays on London’s blue line. High selections like Juolevi and Mete haven’t quite panned out from London in the past although Evan Bourchard certainly has. Bonk has size and pedigree being the son of former NHLer Radek Bonk. The good is he gets his shot through, consistently and dangerously. More like Weegar than Al MacInnis but very effective nonetheless. He has good size and strength and skating ability. There is some concern on whether or not his brain will keep up with the pro game. He can get lost in his own zone a bit, and could be a bit more focused on his decision making.
27. Winnipeg Jets-Matthew Wood was a stand out in the BCHL and made the transition to College Freshman about as easy as you could imagine. His 6’5 frame made him an immovable force as a true freshman. He has a good shot, net front game and ability to move in traffic. He wheels aren’t perfect but he gets there. He is the possible throw back power forward that all teams are looking for. Big man that plays big, has good finishing and sneaky playmaking. At worst he seems like Anthony Mantha and at best maybe a Tyler Bertuzzi type of player that changes the fortunes of a franchise. A worthy gamble at this point in the draft.
26. Chicago Blackhawks- Otto Stenberg is a skilled offensive player that isn’t scared to drive the net. He is one of the more fearless offensive players in this draft with above average wheels. He is a lethal shooter as well and has already proven he can score at the pro level with a solid season in the Swe-1. There are two concerns with his overall game that sort of dovetail together, the first is him holding onto the puck to long at the other is his brain/processing speed. He often can skate himself out of trouble but then skate himself back into it from not understanding all that is happening in front of him. A bit of sharpness around decision making would move him up 8-10 spots on my list but intelligence is a bit of a concern.
25. Minnesota Wild-Bradly Nadeau is a skilled skater with a great mind for the game. He is responsible all over the ice and consistently makes good decisions with the puck. Despite his size he is a pretty effective player along the wall and is able to create space and separation with his agility and speed.
24. Buffalo Sabres-David Edstrom has shown he is a highly skilled offensive player scoring 19 points in 44 games in the SHL. He has great size and strength which enables him to comfortably compete with men. He was moved to the Sharks in the NHL and likely has a path to the NHL as most of the Sharks top prospects are smaller skill players. Edstrom is competitive two way center that manages the puck and the game. He has a high level of influence over the game when he is on the ice despite not having eye popping numbers. He can play along the wall, in traffic or be a net front guy all while being defensively responsible, physically present and above average playmaking skills.
23. Montreal Canadiens-Tom Willander is a gifted skater that provides a strong two way game with his up-tempo style of play. He has an intensity to his game and his play away from the puck is advanced for his age. He doesn’t project as a power play guy but he can contribute good zone exits, outlets and significant icetime. Vancouver will be looking for low cost options that can hold down lower roles and Willander is a guy that can slide in on his ELC and solidify a spot for himself as early as this year.
22. New York Rangers-Oliver Moore is a power skating coaches dream. He is efficient in his stride and yet still has an explosive element to his feet. He isn’t just skating around on the ice he is an energy player as well with a motor that won’t quit. His production in the NCAA is strong where he finished 4th in team scoring while being the youngest player on the roster at U of Minnesota. He has both play making and finishing ability but he is a guy that can be trusted in any situation and has a willingness to pay the price. If he works out he could be Brad Marchand, if it doesn’t he could be Todd Marchant, both are helpful options..
21. Vancouver Canucks-Easton Cowan has exploded since his draft year and while his game is far from perfect he was drafted by the Leafs so he has plenty of hype. It is warranted too after having an impressive draft +1 year in the OHL finishing 7th in points. The progression to nearly doubling his point totals year over year is a good sign. He isn’t a huge player but manages to be on the ice in any key situation. There is a willingness to earn his space in the offensive zone give hope that the blossoming offensive game can continue. He has improved his feet significantly in the past 18 months and is a worker both on and off the ice. High character guy that impacts winning hockey games.
Hoping to get the next one out. Welcome back RSHL, we have missed you.
SW