After a tumultuous 2020-21 season across the hockey world, the 2021 NHL Draft is finally upon us.
After the COVID-19 pandemic altered the complexion of the 2020 NHL Draft, the 2021 draft will be a similar setup with all the picks taking place virtually. This year's entry-level draft is also taking place a full month later than usually expected with the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs extending into the earlier parts of July.
This NHL Draft is certainly going to be one of the most unique drafts the league has ever seen. This after a number of prospects eligible for this year's event did not get an opportunity to play a full season of hockey and prove their worth to teams and scouts across the NHL.
Some prospects were able to find other leagues to play in to keep their games sharp or develop their skills even further. Unfortunately for other prospects, they failed to find suitable ice-time to help improve their draft stock.
What is also different about this year's draft class from many of the drafts before is there is no clear-cut, "consensus" No. 1 prospect at the top of the class.
The 2021 NHL Draft will feature a number of prospects near the top of the board with potential to be high-caliber players at the NHL level. Players who are main contributors to their roster and looked upon as leaders on and off the ice. However, this class does not have that "generational-type" player, or even a "franchise altering" player with the first pick.
Sitting at the top of the 2021 NHL Draft is the Buffalo Sabres after finishing the 2020-21 pandemic-shortened regular season with the league's worst record at 15-34-7 and 37 points. Buffalo was able to retain the No. 1 overall pick in the draft after winning the luck of the draw in the NHL Draft Lottery.
Meanwhile, the NHL's newest franchise was able to win the second pick in this year's Draft Lottery, as the Seattle Kraken move up one slot in the draft order in their first draft. The Kraken were given the third-best odds of winning the NHL Draft Lottery this year.
The only team to move down the draft order this year was the Anaheim Ducks, after finishing the season with the second-worst record in the league at 17-30-9 and 43 points. They will hold the third overall selection in the 2021 NHL Draft.
For the purpose of this exercise, we will not be mocking any potential trades that could do down within the first round.
So how will the first round of the draft play out on Friday night?
Here is an entire first round mock for the 2021 NHL Draft:
1.) Buffalo Sabres
SELECTION: Owen Power - Defense - University of Michigan (NCAA)
Height: 6' 6"
Weight: 214 pounds
Shoots: Left
Nationality: Canada
Birthday: Nov. 22, 2002
While speculations around the Sabres at the No. 1 pick have picked up with William Eklund being of interest, it seems that Power will be the pick for Buffalo atop the 2021 class.
There's a lot to like with Power when it comes to his game, but it's now all about putting it together in a complete two-way package going forward. He's big and tall, skates well on the rush, sees the ice incredibly well, and has good offensive instinct.
Power has a wealth of potential to his game as he continues to develop. If he finds that top level to his game, he can become a stellar top-pairing, two-way defenseman like a Victor Hedman. Even then, he still projects to be a valuable depth defenseman to play a bottom-four role on your blue line.
Another year of college hockey at the University of Michigan should do Power wonders. If all goes well, a future one-two combo of Rasmus Dahlin and Power on the left side of the blue line sounds very enticing.
2.) Seattle Kraken
SELECTION: Matthew Beniers - Center - University of Michigan (NCAA)
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 174 pounds
Shoots: Left
Nationality: United States
Birthday: Nov. 5, 2002
Beniers is, arguably, the best center of the 2021 draft class.
The 18-year-old plays a relentless two-way game down the middle that all teams will love. Beniers flies around the ice at 110%, 100% of the time, and is always around the puck in some capacity. He's always a threat in the offensive end with good hockey skills and playmaking capabilities, while also being reliable and disciplined in the defensive end.
Beniers excelled in his first season at Michigan this past year, and really stood out at the international level playing with the United States at both the IIHF World Junior Championship and the IIHF World Championship.
You can expect Beniers to continue to grow his game even more as he's likely to re-join the Wolverines for the 2021-22 season. Seattle gets a guy at No. 2 that could potentially become the face of the franchise.
3.) Anaheim Ducks
SELECTION: Brandt Clarke - Defense - HC Nove Zamky (Slovakia)
Height: 6' 2"
Weight: 190 pounds
Shoots: Right
Nationality: Canada
Birthday: Feb. 9, 2003
Clarke has the potential to be the best overall player of this draft class if he hits his ceiling.
The right-handed defenseman took his talents to Slovakia this past season with the Ontario Hockey League season lost to COVID-19, but managed to thrive away from home with 15 points (5+10) in 26 games played. He also played well for Team Canada at the IIHF Under-18 World Championship with seven points (2+5) in seven games.
Clarke is an offensive defenseman with his mindset always focused on getting the puck to the net. He can take control of the game going into the opponents' zone, and is not afraid to jump into the play to generate a scoring chance. His vision and patience with the puck is exceptional, he's smooth on his feet, but there are some concerns in the defensive zone that will continue to need work.
Anaheim would be getting another stellar right-handed defender to go along with Jamie Drysdale in a league that covets strength on the right side of the blue line.
4.) New Jersey Devils
SELECTION: Luke Hughes - Defense - U.S. National Team Development Program
Height: 6' 2"
Weight: 176 pounds
Shoots: Left
Nationality: United States
Birthday: Sept. 9, 2003
Another Hughes brother in New Jersey? Not too bad.
Unlike his brother Quinn with the Vancouver Canucks, Luke has size to his game. He may not be as dynamic of a skating defenseman as his oldest brother, but Luke is still regarded as one of the best skating blue liners in the 2021 NHL Draft.
What Hughes also has on his side with this draft class is youth, as he is just days away from being eligible for the 2022 NHL Draft. He's bound for the University of Michigan this upcoming season, and should have plenty of time to further develop his game to be a more dynamic two-way presence at the top level.
The combination of Hughes and Ty Smith on the left side of the defense will instantly make the Devils a more dangerous team in the years to come.
5.) Columbus Blue Jackets
SELECTION: Simon Edvinsson - Defense - Frölunda HC (SHL)
Height: 6' 5"
Weight: 207 pounds
Shoots: Left
Nationality: Sweden
Birthday: Feb. 5, 2003
Edvinsson is, arguably, the biggest "boom or bust" prospect available at this stage of the 2021 NHL Draft.
There is a lot to be excited about with Edvinsson's game, including his size and skating abilities, especially with the puck on his stick. He's deceptive and fast in the transition game, while also capable of playing the puck like it's on a string when skating around the offensive zone.
There are still some questions surrounding Edvinsson in the defensive zone, especially when moving the puck in transition from offense to defense. If he can correct some of those issues and round his game out better, Edvinsson will be a hit with whatever team drafts him.
A team like Columbus would love to add a defenseman of Edvinsson's caliber to help reboot the blue line depth throughout the organization.
6.) Detroit Red Wings
SELECTION: Jesper Wallstedt - Goalie - Luleå HF (SHL)
Height: 6' 3"
Weight: 212 pounds
Catches: Left
Nationality: Sweden
Birthday: Nov. 14, 2002
Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman is never afraid to be bold when it comes to his first round picks at the draft. In 2019, he surprised many with the selection of defenseman Mortiz Seider at No. 6 overall, and he peaked the interest of many last year by taking forward Lucas Raymond with the fourth overall pick.
Despite acquiring Alex Nedeljkovic from the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday, the addition of Wallstedt would set Detroit up with a very solid future in goal. The 18-year-old is very mature in net for his age, he moves well around the crease and already has a strong build in goal to potentially make the jump to the NHL in a couple of years.
This past season saw Wallstedt appear in 22 games for Luleå HF in the Swedish Hockey League, going 12-10-0 with a 2.23 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage. While his playoff numbers were a bit rough, another solid season in Sweden will only help the young netminder.
The last goalie to go in the top-10 of the NHL Draft happened to be Carey Price with the fifth overall pick in 2005. It's certainly possible Wallstedt will live up to the hype and become a top-end goaltender in the NHL down the road.
7.) San Jose Sharks
SELECTION: William Eklund - Left Wing - Djurgårdens IF (SHL)
Height: 5' 10"
Weight: 172 pounds
Shoots: Left
Nationality: Sweden
Birthday: Oct. 12, 2002
Eklund developed into a premier playmaker last season in the SHL, producing one of the best scoring rates for teenagers playing in their draft year in league history.
The 18-year-old was a driving force on Djurgårdens IF's top line this past season while playing alongside Devils' 2020 first round pick Alexander Holtz. Eklund was able to pot 11 goals and add 12 assists for 23 assists in 40 games played.
It is very possible Eklund goes even higher in this draft, even as high as the No. 1 pick to Buffalo because of his work ethic all around the ice. He can dictate the pace of the game with the puck on his stick, he can thread the needle or dazzle with some incredible passes, and has great vision to open the ice up for himself or his teammates.
If the Sharks can add a player of Eklund's caliber with the seventh pick, it would be the absolute steal of the draft.
8.) Los Angeles Kings
SELECTION: Dylan Guenther - Right Wing - Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 181 pounds
Shoots: Right
Nationality: Canada
Birthday: April 10, 2003
There is little doubting that Guenther has one of the best shots of any player available in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Guenther is capable of putting the puck in the back of the net in any way possible. Whether it's his wrist shot, slap shot, snap shot or backhand, Guenther can rack up the scoresheet quite often. His shot is hard, his release is quick, and he manages to find those areas on the ice to become a dangerous threat when the puck finds his stick.
In the shortened 2020-21 Western Hockey League season, the 18-year-old produced the highest scoring rate in the league in just 12 games with 24 points (12+12). Since being drafted first overall in the WHL Bantam Draft in 2018, Guenther has been able to live up to the hype with 87 points (41+46) in 78 games.
If he falls to the Kings at eighth overall, Los Angeles would be adding just another top prospect to the pipeline.
9.) Vancouver Canucks
SELECTION: Kent Johnson - Left Wing - University of Michigan (NCAA)
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 165 pounds
Shoots: Left
Nationality: Canada
Birthday: Oct. 18, 2002
Johnson may be one of the more dynamic playmaking forwards available in this year's draft.
The native of Port Moody, British Columbia is a former MVP of the British Columbia Hockey League in 2020, and really flourished in his freshman season with the Michigan Wolverines with nine goals and 18 assists for 27 points in just 26 games.
What stands out most about Johnson's game is his play in the offensive zone with shiftiness to find open space to make plays, his aggressiveness with the puck and deception to create highlight reel plays. He knows where to go to set himself up in scoring position, while also using his speed and vision to win battles with defending players.
It'll take him some time at Michigan to become a more well-rounded player, but the upside is incredibly high with Johnson. The Canucks would be more than happy to welcome a hometown kid to their organization.
10.) Ottawa Senators
SELECTION: Mason McTavish - Center - EHC Olten (Swiss League)
Height: 6' 2"
Weight: 207 pounds
Shoots: Left
Nationality: Canada
Birthday: Jan. 30, 2003
McTavish is the next-best center in the 2021 NHL Draft class behind Beniers, and is a player that certainly could intrigue a lot of teams in the top-10 of the draft.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic cancelling the entire OHL season, McTavish took his talents to Switzerland, where he played quite well in the second-tier Swiss League with nine goals and two assists for 11 points in 13 games. At the 2021 IIHF Under-18 World Championship, McTavish helped captain the Canadians to a gold medal with 11 points (5+6) in just seven games.
While McTavish may not be the fastest of skaters down the middle, he certainly is one of the hardest working players at making life tough for the opponent. He's always hungry when it comes to puck pursuit, and he's very smart with the puck in-hand, making the right plays at the right time. McTavish's big frame allows him to protect the puck on the rush, win net-front battles, and gain better positioning at both ends. And while McTavish is a good passer to set up scoring chances, he's got a good shot to boot in his arsenal.
Ottawa would luck out with a player like McTavish landing to them at 10th overall.
11.) Arizona Coyotes*
* - Pick forfeited for violations of the NHL Combine testing policy
12.) Chicago Blackhawks
SELECTION: Matthew Coronato - Left Wing - Chicago Steel (USHL)
13.) Calgary Flames
SELECTION: Chaz Lucius - Center - U.S. National Team Development Program
14.) Philadelphia Flyers
SELECTION: Fabian Lysell - Right Wing - Luleå HF (SHL)
15.) Dallas Stars
SELECTION: Cole Sillinger - Center - Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)
16.) New York Rangers
SELECTION: Fyodor Svechkov - Center - Ladia Togliatti (VHL)
17.) St. Louis Blues
SELECTION: Carson Lambos - Defense - JYP U20 (Finland)
18.) Winnipeg Jets
SELECTION: Corson Ceulemans - Defense - Brooks Bandits (AJHL)
19.) Nashville Predators
SELECTION: Aatu Räty - Center - Kärpät (Liiga)
20.) Edmonton Oilers
SELECTION: Logan Stankoven - Center - Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
21.) Boston Bruins
SELECTION: Brennan Othmann - Left Wing - EHC Olten (Swiss League)
22.) Minnesota Wild
SELECTION: Simon Robertsson - Right Wing - Skellefteå AIK (SHL)
23.) Detroit Red Wings (from Washington Capitals)
SELECTION: Zachary L'Heureux - Left Wing - Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
24.) Florida Panthers
SELECTION: Nikita Chibrikov - Right Wing - SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)
25.) Columbus Blue Jackets (from Toronto Maple Leafs)
SELECTION: Xavier Bourgault - Center - Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)
26.) Minnesota Wild (from Pittsburgh Penguins)
SELECTION: Sebastian Cossa - Goalie - Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
27.) Carolina Hurricanes
SELECTION: Isak Rosén - Right Wing - Leksands IF (SHL)
28.) Colorado Avalanche
SELECTION: Zachary Bolduc - Center - Rimouski Océanic (QMJHL)
29.) New Jersey Devils (from New York Islanders)
SELECTION: Francesco Pinelli - Center - HDD Jesenice (Slovenia)
30.) Vegas Golden Knights
SELECTION: Daniil Chayka - Defense - CSKA Moskva (KHL)
31.) Montreal Canadiens
SELECTION: Oskar Olausson - Right Wing - HV71 (SHL)
32.) Columbus Blue Jackets (from Tampa Bay Lightning)
SELECTION: Samu Tuomaala - Right Wing - Kärpät U20 (Finland)
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