Whether it be the Phoenix Coyotes going off the board to take a Blake Wheeler or the Los Angeles Kings selecting Thomas Hickey seemingly out of nowhere, one’s mock draft can be wrecked quicker than Jake Virtanen can do a lap around the rink.

Still, inevitably it is difficult to hold back and not go through the futile process of creating a NHL mock draft. My 2013 NHL Mock Draft Final Edition turned out to be one of my most accurate efforts to date, but even then NHL GMs thwarted hockey draft prognostications planet wide with events like:

Seth Jones falling to 4th overall to the Nashville Predators

Hunter Shinkaruk free falling to 24th overall to the Vancouver Canucks

Samual Morin going off the board earlier than forecasted to the Philadelphia Flyers at 11th overall

Note:

This is not an attempt to rank prospects. This is mere a guesstimate at what teams might choose if they were to draft today based on weighing out best player available with team need and past experiences at the draft table, with an obvious dose of influence from my personal thoughts.

NHL Draft Order

Based upon standings as of February 12th via NHL.com

Transactions via Pro Sports Transactions

Constantly updated as profiles are completed, check in with the above link often to get more detailed information on this year’s prospect class.

2014 NHL Mock Draft – The Next Ones Olympic Hockey Edition: The Picks

1. Buffalo Sabres

Sam Reinhart

Ht/Wt: 6′ 1″/185 lbs

Position: C

Team: Kootenay (WHL)

The third Reinhart brother and son of former NHLer Paul, may very well be the best of the bunch. He has the highest hockey IQ in this draft – processes the game amazingly well, seemingly slowing the game down at will, dictating the pace of the game.

Draft stuff: Sam Reinhart with two more goals (plus forced turnover on another) in KTN Tues. win https://t.co/KcGbaYMByn 13+15 last 11gp — Kris Baker (@SabresProspects) February 12, 2014





2. Edmonton Oilers

Aaron Ekblad

Ht/Wt: 6′ 3″/216 lbs

Position:D

Team: Barrie (OHL)

Exceptional talent may not provide immediate help on the Oilers blueline but is not that far away.





3. Florida Panthers

Sam Bennett

Ht/Wt: 6′ 0″/178 lbs

Position: C

Team: Kingston (OHL)

Sam Bennett seems to be a clone of his GM, former NHLer Doug Gilmour. For those not familiar with “Killer”, see the following video:

http://t.co/TMB326PEad

#3 Sam Bennett @Sbennett93

Explosive, elusive & agile… Produces offense thru speed alone. Lethal offensive weapons. — ISS Hockey (@ISShockey) January 18, 2014





4. Calgary Flames

Jake Virtanen

Ht/Wt: 6′ 1″/190 lbs

Position:C/LW

Team: Calgary (WHL)

The Flames hoped Bennett would slip to them, but do not have to stray far from home in selecting Calgary Hitmen phenom Jake Virtanen, who is one of the most physically gifted in this draft class and perhaps the best skater. This is a little off the board, but the Burke Factor comes into play.

https://twitter.com/MarkStaudz/status/433452549165699072



5. New York Islanders

Michael Dal Colle

Ht/Wt: 6′ 2″/179 lbs

Position: C/LW

Team: Oshawa (OHL)

The Islanders continue to load up the arsenal up front to go with John Tavares.

Awesome feature on 2014 #NHLDraft eligible forward Michael Dal Colle & his family ~ http://t.co/Bbo6GETbvw — Torie Peterson (@ToriePeterson) February 6, 2014





6. Nashville Predators

Leon Draisaitl

Ht/Wt: 6′ 1.5″/208 lbs

Position: C/LW

Team: Prince Albert (WHL)

The German Gretzky takes his talents to Nashville – those talents being poise, playmaking, shot and hockey IQ to go along with a great physical frame.

Sweet hat trick yesterday by @Drat_29 in the #WHL! Even the empty netter was nice. VIDEO: http://t.co/47lk5Jxks9 — Shnarped Hockey (@shnarpedhockey) February 6, 2014

My impression of Leon Draisaitl remains the same: über skilled, great vision but meh skating. Virtanen is gaining on him in my eyes. — Christian Roatis (@CRoatis) February 12, 2014





*7. New Jersey Devils

8. Carolina Hurricanes

Haydn Fleury

Ht/Wt: 6′ 2″/204 lbs

Position: D

Team: Red Deer (WHL)

Not much not to like about powerful skating two-way blueliner with excellent size and defensive awareness with definite offensive upside.

2014 NHL Draft Profile: Haydn Fleury – what if the #Preds pick a defenseman in the 1st round? http://t.co/fMKk7HVxnX — Dirk Hoag (@Forechecker) February 6, 2014





9. Winnipeg Jets

Nick Ritchie

Ht/Wt: 6′ 2″/230 lbs

Position: RW

Team: Peterborough (OHL)

Power forward Nick Ritchie is a tantalizing combination of size and skill.





10. Vancouver Canucks

Brendan Perlini

Ht/Wt: 6′ 3″/205 lbs

Position:LW

Team: Niagara (OHL)

http://t.co/TMB326PEad

#6 Brendan Perlini @Bubzp11

Relentless attack… developing elite off. repertoire. Heavy, accurate & persistent shot. — ISS Hockey (@ISShockey) January 21, 2014





11. Washington Capitals

Jared McCann

Ht/Wt: 6′ 0″/180 lbs

Position:C

Team: Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

McCann is a true 200 foot player and on ice warrior – teammates want to go to battle with this gamer.

Team Orr wins the 2014 #BMOTP Game 4-3 – Players of the Game are Nikolay Goldobin @StingHockey and Jared McCann @OHLHoundPower — CanadianHockeyLeague (@CHLHockey) January 16, 2014





*12. Anaheim Ducks

William Nylander

Ht/Wt: 5′ 11″/175 lbs

Position: C

Team: Rogle (SWE)

Son of Michael, who was once known as the Swedish Gretzky, William has been touted by some as the most purely skilled player in this draft.

Draft eligible C William Nylander scored his first SHL goal for Modo this evening. Has showed great improvement in his game the past months. — Uffe Bodin (@UffeBodin) February 1, 2014





13. Columbus Blue Jackets

Kasperi Kapanen

Ht/Wt: 6′ 0″/180 lbs

Position: LW

Team: KalPa (FIN)

Bloodlines abound in this draft class; son of Sami is a potential gamebreaker combining explosive speed and impressive offensive ability.

"He has a very good selection of shots — a real sniper.” – Dir. of European Scouting Goran Stubb on Kasperi Kapanen. #NHLDraft — NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 13, 2014





14. Detroit Red Wings

Nikolaj Ehlers

Ht/Wt: 5’11″/165 lbs

Position:LW

Team: Halifax (QMJHL)

I don’t think any player impressed me more than Ehlers at the CHL Top Prospects Game. His stickhandling ability is off the charts. For some unknown reason, maybe inspired by Patrick Kane incredible stickhandling videos, I envisaged Nikolaj putting on a puckhandling clinic, stickhandling through downtown Shanghai in rush hour – if you can imagine that, this young gun could pull it off.

Talking to scouts today about Halifax's Nikolaj Ehlers; looking like a top-15 pick. One said "I don't want to compare him to Drouin, but…" — Ryan Kennedy (@THNRyanKennedy) February 3, 2014





15. Phoenix Coyotes

Ivan Barbashev

Ht/Wt: 6′ 0″/181 lbs

Position: LW

Team: Moncton (QMJHL)

Barbashev possesses the expected Russian skillset, but is a good all-around player as well – he also stood up solid physically from my viewing at the CHL Top Prospect Game.

18 points in 8 games for top 2014 prospect Ivan Barbashev since Thachev joined Moncton. — Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) February 10, 2014





16. Dallas Stars

Conner Bleackley

Ht/Wt: 6′ 0″/200 lbs

Position: C

Team: Red Deer (WHL)

FC Hockey’s Head Western Scout Zenon Heramsymiuk really likes what Bleackley brings to a team:

4. Conner Bleackley – RD – strong two-way forward that does whatever it takes to win. High character with improving offensive skills. — Zenon Herasymiuk (@ZenonHerasymiuk) December 12, 2013

From TSN’s Craig Button, who sums up Bleackley’s game quite eloquently:

“Conner is a determined, competitive player who doesn’t take any shortcuts. He’s smart, gets to the right areas and is a catalyst for positive plays all over the ice. He doesn’t allow himself to be denied!”

17. Philadelphia Flyers

Alex Tuch

Ht/Wt: 6′ 3″/213 lbs

Position: C/RW

Team: USA (NTDP-18)

http://t.co/TMB326PEad

#16 Alex Tuch @alextuch37

Pro size & strength… physical specimen, relentless checking & work ethic generates scoring — ISS Hockey (@ISShockey) January 31, 2014





18. New York Rangers

Sonny Milano

Ht/Wt: 5′ 11″/183 lbs

Position: LW

Team: USA (NTDP-17)

.@NHLCentralScout Greg Rajanen on USNTDP's A-rated prspct Sonny Milano: "He's got magic hands; skilled and gifted" http://t.co/4Atzd6nwRG — Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) November 21, 2013





19. Los Angeles Kings

David Pastrnak

Ht/Wt: 6′ 0″/168 lbs

Position: LW/RW

Team: Sodertalje SK (SWE)

NHL Director of European Scouting Goran Stubb

“He’s a flashy, entertaining offensive talent. He uses his quickness, overall speed, puck-handling skills and vision to create scoring chances for himself and teammates. He’s creative and dangerous in 1-on-1 situations.”

20. Minnesota Wild

Dylan Larkin

Ht/Wt: 6′ 0″/190 lbs

Position: LW

Team: USA (NTDP-17)

“@TSRhockey: Dylan Larkin and Shane Gersich also open some eyes at the All American Prospects Game -> http://t.co/tA51olkMH2 #2014NHLDraft” — nickperri95@gmail.com (@nick_perri) October 2, 2013





21. Toronto Maple Leafs

Roland McKeown

Ht/Wt: 6′ 1″/185 lbs

Position: D

Team: Kingston (OHL)

Roland McKeown showing off his elite mobility. Always calm and cool, knows when to jump into the play. Creating offence, always assessing. — Sean Lafortune (@SeanLafortune) November 2, 2013





22. Montreal Canadiens

Nikita Scherbak

Ht/Wt: 6′ 2″/174 lbs

Position: LW

Team: Saskatoon (WHL)

Scherbak is a supremely gifted offensive forward – his skill was on fine display at the 2014 CHL Top Prospects Game in Calgary.

Saskatoon Blades fwd Nikita Scherbak is the first, first-time draft eligible to reach 60 points this year in the #WHL http://t.co/FbYDkydcd5 — Zenon Herasymiuk (@ZenonHerasymiuk) January 25, 2014





23. Tampa Bay Lightning

Adrian Kempe

Ht/Wt: 6′ 2″/187 lbs

Position:C

Team: MoDo U-20 (SWE)

From The Scouting Report:

“Kempe’s game drew rave reviews in the SuperElit where he served as an alternate captain of MoDo’s J20 team, so much so that he’s now seen action with the organization’s SHL entry. Kempe is an intriguing forward who has good size and an all-around skill-set that projects well moving forward. The Kramfors native plays with intensity and rarely takes shifts off which will go a long way for teams looking for a player that they can afford to be patient with in the second part of the first round.”

24. Boston Bruins

Nikolay Goldobin

Ht/Wt: 5′ 11″/178 lbs

Position: RW

Team: Sarnia (OHL)

From Brock Otten – OHL Prospects Blog:

“Goldobin can be an incredibly impressive player to watch. With the puck on his stick, he’s about as electric as they come. He’s a top notch one on one player who can also create opportunities for his linemates by biding time with his puck skill. But I haven’t liked his disappearing act at times this year. The last few times I saw Sarnia, he was completely disengaged without the puck. He’s also been more of a perimeter player than what I saw last year from him. The skill is obviously there but if he can’t develop a more well rounded game, he’s not likely to be a favourite of NHL coaching staffs.”

25. Colorado Avalanche

Julius Honka

Ht/Wt: 5’10″/178 lbs

Position:D

Team: Swift Current (WHL)

Honka is perhaps the most dynamic puck-moving defensemen in this draft class. Patrick Roy is almost salivating envisioning Honka distributing the puck and creating chances for the Avs dynamic forwards.

New Hot List up, 2014 prospect Julius Honka of Swift Current in the spotlight: http://t.co/acL4zLOvCz — Ryan Kennedy (@THNRyanKennedy) January 21, 2014





26. San Jose Sharks

Nick Schmaltz

Ht/Wt: 5′ 11″/172 lbs

Position: C/RW

Team: Green Bay (USHL)

Just talked to a scout who told me Green Bay's Nick Schmaltz "might be the most skilled player in this draft." NoDak commit. — Ryan Kennedy (@THNRyanKennedy) November 7, 2013





27. Pittsburgh Penguins

Eric Cornel

Ht/Wt: 6′ 1″/186 lbs

Position: C

Team: Peterborough (OHL)

The talent is unquestioned and Cornel is steadily gaining confidence and ever improving. He has been absolutely on fire in 2014, notching 25 points in 16 games thus far.

5 points for @petesohlhockey's Eric Cornel – ever heard of him? @yahoojrhockey profiled him early in season. http://t.co/rfhqxJEOeo #OHL — Nathan Sager (@n8sager) January 12, 2014





28. Chicago Blackhawks

Josh Ho Sang

Ht/Wt: 5′ 11″/160 lbs

Position: C

Team: Windsor (OHL)

There is no doubting Ho Sang is one of the most skilled guys in this draft. He really impressed at the Top Prospects Game and has carried that momentum over to his play in the OHL.

Nice hand-eye coordination by @66jhosang batting in this goal at the CHL Top Prospects game! @SpitsHockey http://t.co/bnGAam7LZo — Shnarped Hockey (@shnarpedhockey) January 16, 2014





29. St. Louis Blues

Brycen Martin

Ht/Wt: 6′ 2″/180 lbs

Position: D

Team: Swift Current (WHL)

A great night for @Brycen_Martin – two goals and first star honours. #LightItUp pic.twitter.com/VKyD5AAP3j — Swift Current Broncos (@SCBroncos) February 10, 2014





30. Anaheim Ducks

Anton Karlsson

Ht/Wt: 6′ 1″/189 lbs

Position: RW

Team: Frolunda HC (SWE)

“He’s a physical player and effective on the forecheck,” NHL director of European Scouting Goran Stubb said. “He works real hard and finishes his checks well.”

Forsberg mentioned Sweden's excessive turnovers and he's right. Careless hockey. But at least Anton Karlsson is still awesome. #2014WJC — Matias Strozyk (@MaStrozyk) December 26, 2013

Honourable Mentions

The following lads strongly received 1st round consideration, but just missed and look to be second round gems:

Jakub Vrana – F

Kevin Fiala – F

Jack Dougherty – D

Anthony DeAngelo – D

Robert Fabbri – F

Alexis Vanier – D

Thatcher Demko – G

2014 NHL Draft 1st Round Notes

#7 – New Jersey Devils must forfeit their 2014 1st round pick as a penalty from the NHL for cap circumvention because of the signing of Ilya Kovalchuk; they also previously forfeited their 2011 3rd round pick along with $3 million.

#12 – Anaheim Ducks obtained Ottawa Senators 2014 1st round pick, Jakob Silfverberg and Stefan Noesen in return for Bobby Ryan.

*Buffalo obtained New York Islanders 2014 1st round pick (Islanders can defer to 2015 if the pick is in the top 10), Matt Moulson and a 2015 2nd round pick in return for Thomas Vanek.

Dare to Compare

Other Mocks via DC Mock Draft Database

_________________________________________

Email: CRalph@TheHockeyWriters.com

Twitter: @ChrisRalphTHW