NHL Entry Draft: Full First Round Mock Draft, Fourth Edition

Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; A general view of the NHL shield logo before the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; A general view of the NHL shield logo before the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
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NHL Entry Draft: 27 Team’s Positions Have Been Solidified in the Draft Order. So Let’s Jump Into Our Fourth Edition of our First Round Mock Draft.

The NHL Entry Draft is getting close and for every hockey fan, this is a day we all look forward too. It’s a day in which we get to see which cornerstone players our favorite teams select and who they end up moving in order to move up the draft.

Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; NHL commissioner Gary Bettman speaks on stage before the start of the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; NHL commissioner Gary Bettman speaks on stage before the start of the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

For instance, this season a few teams acquired an additional first-round pick, these teams were St. Louis who got Washington’s first rounder plus some other picks when they acquired Kevin Shattenkirk. And Arizona who got theirs via Minnesota when they were finally able to deal Martin Hanzal. The Dallas Stars will receive Anaheim’s first round pick that was acquired when they moved forward Patrick Eaves, the pick was a conditional second if Eaves played more than 50% of the Ducks playoff games and they advanced to the Western Final the Second Round pick would turn into a First Round pick. And the Ducks did so when they beat out Edmonton.

(via TSN)

(via TSN)

[Via TSN.ca]

Now let’s dive into our fourth mock draft, we have a lot of new teams appearing in new spots and a couple of new faces as well. Keep in mind these are all picks that I myself feel would be the best for every organization moving forward. With 12 teams having been eliminated from the playoffs, more selection spots have been solidified.

Picks 1-27 were determined by the NHL Draft Lottery results and the teams placing’s due to overall standings and playoff elimination, the first 27 picks were given, courtesy of Wikipedia, For the remaining 4, this randomizer at http://www.randomlists.com/random-nhl-team/ was used again.

Jun 12, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins fans celebrate in the stands after defeating the San Jose Sharks in game six of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 12, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins fans celebrate in the stands after defeating the San Jose Sharks in game six of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

player. 91. Earlier this year the Sens moved grinder/scorer <a rel=. LW. Hamilton (OHL). Matthew Strome. 31

Portland (WHL). Henri Jokiharju. 30. player. 92. Pittsburgh doesn’t have much on the backend when it comes to youth or prospects, they definitely need some help. Now Henri Jokiharju is definitely two to three years from NHL play but he does possess the skills to play in the lineup and can help the Pens.. D

player. 151. Nashville has always been a team that loves to build from the d-line out. And the selection of Urho Vaakanainen is a defensive prospect who has the potential to play a top four role.. D. JYP (Liiga). Urho Vaakanainen. 29

Djugardens (SHL). Marcus Davidsson. 28. player. 119. Dallas can definitely say thank you to the Anaheim Ducks for advancing to the West Finals, because of this the conditional pick they received in which moved <a rel=. C

LW. Guelph (OHL). Isaac Ratcliffe. 27. player. 99. Since the Blues addressed a giant hole with the choice of Jake Oettinger in net, they can now take Isaac Ratcliffe. Isaac is a guy who can play a top six role on the right side, and who knows he could end up on the same line with <a rel=

26. player. 94. Chicago has a solid amount of prospects down the middle and on the left side, with the selection of Kristian Vesalainen definitely helps them on the right. He’s going to be a couple of years from NHL play but once he’s ready he’s going to become a solid contributor for the club.. RW. Frolunda (SHL). Kristian Vesalainen

Apr 26, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; The Edmonton Oilers fans celebrate during the third period in game one of the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center. Edmonton won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 26, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; The Edmonton Oilers fans celebrate during the third period in game one of the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center. Edmonton won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

player. 152. Montreal loves french speaking Canadians, but they also love players who can play all over the ice and score goals. And Maxime Comtois can do both and once he’s ready for NHL play he can join a top-nine role on the left side.. LW. Victoriaville (QMJHL). Maxime Comtois. 25

121. With Arizona’s second pick in the first round courtesy of the Minnesota Wild, the can select center Ryan Poehling who will definitely help the team in the future playing a top nine role.. C. St. Cloud State (NCAA). Ryan Poehling. 23. player

Nick Suzuki. 22. player. 148. <a rel=. C. Owen Sound (OHL)

95. The Rangers showed this post-season they need more scoring, and Michael Rasmussen is a player who can help the team. He’s a year away from consistent NHL play but once he’s ready he’s going to fill a top nine, maybe even a top six role.. C. Tri-City (WHL). Michael Rasmussen. 21. player

Apr 23, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A couple of Toronto Maple Leafs fans gather at Maple Leaf Square plaza before the start of their team’s game against the Washington Capitals in game six of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A couple of Toronto Maple Leafs fans gather at Maple Leaf Square plaza before the start of their team’s game against the Washington Capitals in game six of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

player. 99. Michael Dipietro and Jake Oettinger have been going back and forth for the highest ranked goalie in the draft, both are extremely talented. And with Calgary selecting Mike, the Blues could definitely use Oettinger since they are lacking big time in goaltending prospects.. G. Boston University (NCAA). Jake Oettinger. 20

120. <a rel=. C. Portland (WHL). Cody Glass. 19. player

With talks of the Bruins possibly moving <a rel=. C. HV-71 (SHL). Lias Andersson. 18. player. 70

Windsor (OHL). Michael Dipietro. 16. player. 112. Calgary definitely needs help in net, this is why Dipietro is jumping so many positions. After a year or two of extra development, he could definitely be a backup for the Flames as he works his way to the number one position.. G

Oct 30, 2016; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets fans react during the second period break against Buffalo Sabres at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets fans react during the second period break against Buffalo Sabres at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports /

Spokane (WHL). Kailer Yamamoto. 15. player. 106. Another pure goal scorer, Kailer Yamamoto can help the Islanders big time. He’s nearly doubled his offensive output every season in the WHL meaning he can adapt and gets better as he progresses. With the potential of being a top-six forward means he could end up with <a rel=. RW

Tampa Bay has moved <a rel=. C/W. Brno (Czech Extraliga). Martin Necas. 14. player. 23

D. Mississauga (OHL). Nicolas Hague. 13. player. 30. Mississauga keeps pumping out top prospects, and Nicolas Hague is no exception. Winnipeg is like Arizona they loaded up front with prospects and since there have been rumors surrounding Winnipeg moving a defenseman in the off-season, Hague can fill that spot quite easily.

109. Klim hasn’t had a superb season by any stretch of the imagination this year in the KHL, but he’s still a pure goal scorer with the potential to make an impact in the NHL. He along with <a rel=. RW. Dynamo Moskva (KHL). Klim Kostin. 12. player

Jusso Valimaki. 11. player. 67. Los Angeles is another team that needs on the backend, Valimaki is a solid choice to help the Kings along with <a rel=. D. Tri-City (WHL)

Jan 23, 2016; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers fans react during the third period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Duyos-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2016; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers fans react during the third period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Duyos-USA TODAY Sports /

10. player. 87. Florida has moved a ton of prospects recently for veterans in hopes of making the playoffs the last few years. So what better way to fix the issue with the selection of Gabe Vilardi who can step into the lineup next season.. C/W. Windsor (OHL). Gabe Vilardi

12. After a solid season in the USHL, where he scored a ton of goals, Tolvanen has shown everyone exactly what he is, a pure goal scorer. And that’s something Sabres could use beside <a rel=. RW. Sioux City (USHL). Eeli Tolvanen. 8. player

player. 121. With the Coyotes so heavy up front with young prospects and roster players. They definitely need more help on the backend, and the selection of Miro Heiskanen helps that.. D. HIFK (Liiga). Miro Heiskanen. 7

Dec 20, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks fans celebrate a goal against the Winnipeg Jets during the third period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks fans celebrate a goal against the Winnipeg Jets during the third period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /

D. Rogle (SHL). Timothy Liljegren. 5. player. 104. Timothy Liljegren still has the most potential of any defensive but may take some more time to get used to the North American game. This is why he’s fallen to the fifth overall pick, and since Vancouver needs help on the backend why not get one of the best d-men available.

103. Now that Nolan and Nico are gone, the Avalanche will still need a top six forward. And Owen Tippett is a solid fit. He’s a durable player capable of playing either center or wing which means he could potentially join the top line with <a rel=. RW. Mississauga (OHL). Owen Tippett. 4. player

3. player. 119. Dallas is in desperate need of more help on the backend and Makar has the potential and skill set to join the Stars next season. He’ll most likely play on the third defensive pair but he has the potential to be a top-four even top two defensemen.. D. Brooks (AJHL). Cale Makar

Next: Stanley Cup Playoffs: Pittsburgh's Strengths

2. player. 68. Hischier is still the consensus number two and still a perfect fit for the Flyers he’s capable of playing either wing or center which is perfect. The Flyers need more depth down the middle and if they need someone to play on the top line here and there, he’ll thrive with <a rel=. C. Halifax (QMJHL). Nico Hischier

Nolan Patrick. 1. player. 85. Nolan is still the best choice for the Devils, as explained in the third edition of my mock, the best development for him would be to play on the third line with <a rel=. C. Brandon (WHL)

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