2021 NHL Entry Draft First Round Mock Draft 2.0
player. 72. . C . Detroit Red Wings. Mason McTavish . 6
You take the best players available and, while we had defenseman Brandt Clarke going to the Detroit Red Wings in our first Mock Draft, they could as easily select Mason McTavish at No. 5 if he’s available.
We had McTavish going too low in our first edition because, let’s face it, elite-level centers are rare and McTavish has a chance to be exactly that in the NHL, while he should be ready to play in the majors straightaway.
7. player. 120. . G. San Jose Sharks. Jesper Wallstedt
You won’t change our minds on this one. The San Jose Sharks need a franchise goalie, and Jesper Wallstedt is highly-regarded and could become a special player in the NHL. This is a perfect fit.
67. . D . Los Angeles Kings. Brandt Clarke . 8. player
We had the LA Kings taking a stud defenseman in Mock Draft 1.0 but, in this edition, we have them selecting Brandt Clarke with the No. 8 pick. They have a plethora of high-end forward prospects and Clarke is the complete package, so this does make sense.
9. player. 121. . C. Arizona Coyotes. Kent Johnson
We focussed a little bit too much on need in our first Mock Draft, particularly with the first half of the First Round, so in this version we have tried to focus on the best players available according to all the information and reports out there.
Kent Johnson is considered one of the best skaters out there and, after the Arizona Coyotes pulled the trigger on a blockbuster trade with the Vancouver Canucks earlier today, they have the chance to add a center with a lot of upside in Kent Johnson.
Ottawa Senators. Cole Sillinger . 10. player. 91. . C
If Jesper Wallstedt is already off the board, which I believe he will be, I think the Senators look to address another big need at center and take Cole Sillinger, who would give Ottawa a real physical two-way forward with some offensive upside.
. Void . Arizona Coyotes. Void Pick . 11. player. 121
12. player. 94. . G . Chicago Blackhawks. Sebastian Cossa
The Chicago Blackhawks are really hungry for a goaltender and, while we originally stayed away from having two netminders go so high, Cossa has a lot of potential and it could be too good of an opportunity for the Hawks to pass on.
. C. Calgary Flames. Chaz Lucius . 13. player. 112
The Calgary Flames need a high-end center and a player that can be a fit for Johnny Gaudreau, so we’ll stick with our original selection.
RW. Buffalo Sabres. Dylan Guenther. 14. player. 12.
The Buffalo Sabres acquired the No. 14 pick from the Philadelphia Flyers for defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen in a lopsided trade earlier, and they will now have two high picks in the First Round to significantly bolster their farm system with.
At this point, the Sabres need to take the best player available and, if he falls that far, Dylan Guenther would be a superb value pick given that he’s considered one of the most dynamic forwards available in the Draft.
player. 119. . RW . Dallas Stars. Matthew Coronato . 15
Matthew Coronato recorded 85 points (48 G, 37 A) in 51 games for the Chicago Steel of the USHL in 2020-21, and he’s the kind of offensive juggernaut that the Stars could do with taking, especially considering their depth on the backend.
16. player. 95. . C . New York Rangers. Fedor Svechkov
We had Fedor Svechkov going a spot above where the New York Rangers are picking in our first Mock Draft, but the Blueshirts need centers and they could be persuaded to stay at No. 16 if Svechkov is there given that he projects to be a superb defensive forward in the NHL.