Eastern Conference Scout Mock Draft

Note: Final draft order to be determined at conclusion of Stanley Cup Final.

1. Aaron Ekblad, D, Barrie (OHL) Sabres add a stud to an already impressive group of young defensemen.

2. Samuel Bennett, C, Kingston (OHL) A skilled and gritty competitor; a fit for the Oilers.

3. Sam Reinhart, C, Kootenay (WHL) A player you can win with; he's consistent, reliable and quietly efficient.

4. William Nylander, C/RW, Modo (SWE)

An offensive talent with elite-level skill.

5. Nicholas Ritchie, LW, Peterborough (OHL) A dominating physical force who excels at the power game; fits the profile for the Flames.

6. Leon Draisaitl, C, Prince Albert (WHL) A big, playmaking center for the Predators.

7. Michael Dal Colle, C/LW, Oshawa (OHL) Hurricanes need scoring, and this guy is a sniper.

8. (From Ottawa) Jake Virtanen, RW, Calgary (WHL) Swift-skating, hard-shooting forward; prefers to shoot first and ask questions later.

9. Brendan Perlini, LW, Niagara (OHL) Speedy forward has a lightning-quick release.

10. Jared McCann, C, Sault St. Marie (OHL) Playmaking center with a big shot.

11.

Nikolaj Ehlers, LW, Halifax (QMJHL) Dynamic Dane is a perfect fit for the Wings' European mix.

12. Haydn Fleury, D, Red Deer (WHL) Stars can use a big (6-foot-2.5, 203), mobile puck mover on the back end.

13. Dylan Larkin, C, USA U-18 (USHL) Smart two-way player who plays a complete game.

14. Kasperi Kapanen, RW, Kalpa (FIN) Time is right for the Blue Jackets to take a Finn.

15. Sonny Milano, LW, USA U-18 (USHL) Great skill and solid character; catalyst-type player who can ignite the offense.

16. Julius Honka, D, Swift Current (WHL) Undersized (5-10.75, 180) defenseman plays bigger than his size.

17. David Pastrnak, RW, Sodertalje (SWE-2) Czech player producing against men in Sweden; also had a strong World Junior tournament.

18. Ivan Barbashev, C/LW, Moncton (QMJHL) Talented Russian plays well on both sides of the puck.

19. Alex Tuch, C/RW, USA U-18 (USHL) Big man (6-3.5, 218) plays a heavy game; a load for defenders to handle.

20. Joshua Ho-Sang, C/RW, Windsor (OHL) A player with an elite skill set and exciting talent still learning to play within the team structure.

21. Roland McKeown, D, Kingston (OHL) Smooth-skating puck mover with good vision and passing ability.

22. Conner Bleackley, C, Red Deer (WHL) Solid two-way player and young captain who leads by example.

23. Robert Fabbri, C, Guelph (OHL) Explosive and exciting offensive talent; a game-breaker for the Blackhawks' potent offense.

24. Anthony DeAngelo, D, Sarnia (OHL) Recent off-ice issues have dropped his stock, but Avalanche coaching staff could get him on track.

25. Nikolay Goldobin, RW, Sarnia (OHL) Dynamic offensive talent with a touch around the net.

26. Adrian Kempe, LW, Modo (SWE) Solid Swede performing well in Swedish Hockey League; fits the bill for the Sharks.

27. Nick Schmaltz, C, Green Bay (USHL) Creative playmaker with a velvet passing touch.

28. Anton Karlsson, RW, Frolunda Jr. (SWE-JR) Big (6-1.25, 187), assertive Swede dominates on the boards and in the corners; Bruins fans will like him.

29. Jakub Vrana, LW/RW, Linkoping (SWE) Another Czech enjoying success in the Swedish league.