The 2014 NHL Entry Draft is kicks off tonight and while it lacks the luster of the NFL and NBA draft, the stars of tomorrow will be selected while maintaining significantly smaller profiles, bank accounts and arrest records.
As a hockey junkie I’ll be the first to admit that there is very little sexiness to the crop of young men that will walk the stage at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. There are no players that will jump straight in to the league and make an immediate or significant mpact. There are no household names that young sparkplugs will be wearing on their backs this fall or possibly next fall.
What you will see on Saturday night is a generation of talent that could turn into the next wave of superstars in the sport. While Crosby, Datsyuk, Toews, Kane, Doughty, Karlsson, Quick and Lundqvist dazzle us with their skill, the 18-19 year old stars of tomorrow are closer to their footsteps than ever before.
While pundits far and wide reflect on the amount of pull-ups that Sam Bennett can or can’t do, eDraft will give you our 2014 NHL mock draft.
1. Florida Panthers-Aaron Ekblad, D, Barrie, (OHL)
As the best player available, the Panthers need to draft Ekblad first. Physically gifted with an NHL-ready body, he is one of few that can immediately jump into the NHL. Superior tools in all three zones without sacrificing on the defensive end. Ekblad has a big shot, elite hockey IQ and great wheels to jump into the rush or get back on defense.
2. Buffalo Sabres-Sam Bennett, C, Kingston, (OHL)
The Sabres need help everywhere, but won't be able to pass on Bennett who has the potential to be an elite two-way center. Amazing offensively and defensively with a tireless work rate. Exactly the type of player that Buffalo needs to help rebuild the franchise.
3. Edmonton Oilers-Leon Draisaitl, C, Prince Albert, (WHL)
The Oilers have yet another top five pick and will take the German-born Draisaitl. He is a talented center that is strong on his skates and can play a physical game as well.
4. Calgary Flames-Michael DalColle, C/LW, Oshawa, (OHL)
The Flames struck gold with Sean Monahan last season and will reach for the most polished sniper in the draft with DalColle. Most have him as a fringe top-five selection, but with his size, work ethic, IQ and overall game he will be a great addition to the Calgary stable.
5. New York Islanders-Sam Reinhart, C, Kootenay, (WHL)
There won't be any players that can immediately make the Islanders a playoff team, but they already improved their chances with their acquisition of Jaroslav Halak in goal. Reinhart is another player that has elite-level talent but may need some more time before he can transition to the next level.
6. Vancouver Canucks-Haydn Fleury, D, Red Deer, (WHL)
Fleury might be a reach this far up in the draft but given his size, strength and style, is just a notch below Ekblad in the skill department. He plays a more physical, "shut-down" style and will be a nice top four blueliner for years to come.
7. Carolina Hurricanes-Nick Ritchie, RW, Peterborough, (OHL)
Everyone seems to be really high on Ritchie for his top end talent, but injury concerns throw up some smaller flags. He is built like a prototypical power-forward, but can frustrate with inconsistency. Elite level scoring but needs to stay hungry. Could be a steal if he falls.
8. Toronto Maple Leafs-Jake Virtanen, C, Calgary, (WHL)
The Leafs certainly need centers, and while they might need to wait a little on Virtanen, he may make the decision easy for them. He has a top-level offensive game, putting pucks in the net (45 goals in Calgary last year) with great vision and skating as well.
9. Winnipeg Jets-Brendan Perlini, LW, Niagara, (OHL)
With the Jets rumored to be shipping Evander Kane out of town, they will be looking for a top level wing with size to replace him. Perlini has all the tools that Kane has shown and then some. You can't teach size, so look for Perlini to be an impact player for the future.
10. Anaheim Ducks (from Ott)-William Nylander, LW, Sodertalje, (SWE)
There are a handful of super-talented European based players, but I rate Nylander as the highest. The Ducks have a loaded roster and can afford to let Nylander develop in North America or spend another season in Sweden. Then again, Anaheim is going all in for Ryan Kesler so this could end up being Vancouver's pick. At any rate, Nylander has superior vision on the ice, silky smooth hands with top-end speed and a great hockey IQ. Solid NHL pedigree from father, former NHLer Michael Nylander.
11. Nashville Predators-Kasperi Kapanen, LW, KalPa, (FIN)
12. Phoenix Coyotes-Nikolaj Ehlers, LW, Halifax (QMJHL)
13. Washington Capitals-Jared McCann, C, Sault St. Marie, (OHL)
14. Dallas Stars-Alex Tuch, C/RW, National Team U-17, (USA)
15. Detroit Red Wings-Ivan Barbashev, LW, Moncton, (QMJHL)
16. Columbus Blue Jackets-Kevin Fiala, RW, HV71, (SWE),
17. Philadelphia Flyers-Robert Fabbri, C/LW, Guelph, (OHL)
18. Minnesota Wild, Adrian Kempe, C/LW, MoDo U20, (SWE)
19. Tampa Bay Lightning-Travis Sanheim, D, Calgary, (WHL)
20. San Jose Sharks-Julius Honka, D, Swift Current, (WHL)
21. St. Louis Blues-Jakub Vrana, C, Linkoping, (SWE)
22. Pittsburgh Penguins-Anton Karlsson, RW, Frolunda, (SWE)
23. Colorado Avalanche-Thatcher Demko, G, Boston College, (H-East)
24. Anaheim Ducks-Sonny Milano, LW, National Team U-18, (USA)
25. Boston Bruins-Joshua Ho-Sang, C/RW, Windsor, (OHL)
26. Montreal Canadiens-Markus Petterson, D, Skelleftea, (SWE)
27. Chicago Blackhawks-Dylan Larkin, C, National Team U-18, (USA)
28. Tampa Bay Lightning (from N.Y. Rangers)-Roland McKeown, D, Kingston, (OHL)
29. Los Angeles Kings-Vladislav Kamenev, LW, Magnitogorsk, (RUS)
30. New Jersey Devils (per Kovalchuk penalty)-Nikita Schebak, LW, Saskatoon, (WHL)
What will certainly spice up the events on Saturday will be thirsty general managers feverishly texting and dialing their contemporaries looking to make a splashy trade. With plenty of big names reported to be on the trading block, or at least available for discussion, the biggest news of the night could involve a player that was drafted many years ago.