32

Ducks – Perhaps the worst team in BRHL history? A absolute monster of a tank, but I ask, why? Why this year? No massive star in the waiting and several real questions in the top 5…None the less, I suspect the Ducks go with the NHL first overall and BRHL eligible Slafkovsky. He has some work to do, but might tap out at a top line winger with time but is no slam dunk. 

31

Penguins – another historic tank. The build has been slow and top end picks like Byfield and Hughes will look to make impact in coming seasons. Pens take what they hope is the best player available in Shane Wright. He was slow to start in NHL with 1g1a in 8gp so far, but in 5 AHL gp, he had 4 goals. There is no doubt this guy has top two line center material, but can he push through for top line two way talent?

30

Blackhawks – been awhile since a Dave run team has been picking this high in draft. He will take BPA and think most would take Nemec at this point. With 11 points in 24 AHL games so far, a strong WJC for Slovakia could see him move up in the BRHL draft, if not Dave jumps to podium to take him. Jiricek is also an option here.

29

Coyotes – Joel has slowly been acquiring quality young assets and will continue trend now with BPA. Logan Cooley has not looked like a freshman in the NCAA with 25 pts in 19 gp. He will be relied on heavily at the WJC and a strong showing might sway a move to any pick in the top 5.

28

Kraken – Rex needs forwards. We have heard that from every trade post looking to move his defense and plethora of young goaltenders. So he goes forward here, though is an argument to go defense as best player on board. I see a three horse race for next best forward with Gauthier, Kemell and Kaspar. With 10g in 13 gp in NCAA, Gauthier is pick.

27

Rangers – PJ has a decent pool of prospects and suspect he goes BPA. David Jiricek is the pick with 2 NHL gp and a strong AHL start with 20 pts in 19gp, he is well on way to becoming the top two dman many expect. 

26

Kings via Bruins – I do not expect Rumpy to be picking this high with Bruins pick as Bruins are too good to be a lottery team. But whoever is picking here goes BPA and to me that is a forward. The first real jumper of draft I think is Joakim Kemell. 

25

Kings – With 2^nd pick, the Kings continue BPA. Marco Kasper has been strong in SHL this year with 14 pts in 27gp as a teen points to a strong future. 

24

Predators – with several strong defensive prospects, I suspect that Ty goes best forward on board. This could be one of several but suspect goes for guy many felt fell in draft due to Russian factor. Danila Yurov is pick. With 9 pts in KHL as a teen that is a decent showing for a teen in top Russian league. If not for war, Russian contracts etc, I can’t see him not being a top ten pick so taking him in our draft there.

23

Senators – with first of three first rounders and needs across board except goal with Knight entrenched as the present and future, Steph takes BPA. Pavel Mentyukov is lighting up OHL as a dman. He is the pick with 13 g and 30a in 31gp.

22

Nucks via Panthers – first of two picks for Nucks. Going to go with the homer pick though I think is a better player here. Rob has history of taking Nucks with Kuzmenko, Podkolzin for example so pick is Lekkermaki. Strong under 18 but mediocre performance in Swedish 2^nd league with 5 pts in Allsvensken. Strong WJC will redeem this position though. 

21

Flames via Hurricanes – as always Kevin will take BPA. Only one first so far this year though but is a good one as jumps up and takes Kevin Korchinski. Smooth skating dman has 28 bp in 21 gp in WHL and playing for team Canada. Could be taken higher, but think other sexier picks currently and as such slides some to be taken by Kevin here.

20

Ducks via Capitals – Ducks 2^nd pick and go BPA on board. Looking at it, suspect this is Matthew Savoie, another slider in the BRHL draft marginally. Not selected to Team Canada has had a decent draft +1 year with 33 pts in 26 gp but is off the points production pace he has had before. Still an excellent choice for this spot though.

19

Pens via Stars – With Wright at 2^nd overall, the Pens are overjoyed Junya’s team is not performing near to level we usually expect. As such, another lottery pick for the Pens. They take a real flier here with Ivan Mirosnochenkov. Diagnosed with cancer in his draft year and being Russian saw a guy many had as a top 5 pick drop to 20^th overall in the NHL. He has not disappointed in his draft plus one year with 14 pts in the MHL/VHL in 11 gp and even a cup of coffee in the KHL. This could be a steal in time.

18

Devils – BPA will be pick for Ken’s team but who is that. Geekie scares me for several reasons….One skating, two a lot of talk about his two way game and I have flashes of Freddy the Goat. So I am going to skip Geekei for several selections and go with McGroarty or Mateychuk. With several high picks on forwards last few years (Lucius and Guenther), suspect Ken bolsters blue line with Mateychuk. With  more than a pt per game in the WHL, Ken hopes that he pairs with Jiricek soon for the  NHL CBJ.

17

Wild – Is there a SKI U MAH player available for Al to take that is worth it here? The Answer is 100%. Jimmy Snuggerrud has been moving up draft boards and may go higher than here. If not, Al jumps for joy getting the U MInn sniper. With 12 g and 15 a in 20 gp, Jimmy will be relied on heavily at WJC also to lead the USA attack.

16

Golden Knights – BPA as always. McGroarty has been debated for several picks not and will continue to be. With 8 goals and 19 pts in 20 gp for U Mich, he is certainly a to 20 player in our draft.

15

Lightning – I suspect this is one of Bichsel, Ostlund or Ohgren. Frank Nazar keeps sliding but with not playing a game thus far this year, I suspect he falls dramatically. With Power, Morrow and Sanderson all coming in the next while into the Lightning lineup I suspect they go forward. Ostlund or Ohgren. Might come down to WJC performance, but for now will take Ohgren. With 14 pts including 9 goals in Allsvensken in 26 gp, Think he goes here.

14

Kraken via Canadiens – Rex goes forward again. Does he risk Nazar? I don’t think so. He will take Ostlund to hope he combines with Petterson in future. With 11 pts in 19 Allsvensken games he has progressed as expected and should not fall further. The other to keep an eye on this range is Kulich who has been excelling in the AHL. 

13

Coyotes via Flames – Joel took offense with first pick and think he solidifies the defensive future with monster dman Bichsel. He is playing big minutes in the SHL and will be in the NHL in a season or two. A player with a strong WJC that might fly up boards like Seider did a few years ago.

12

Canucks – with a forward off board with first pick, the Canucks go defense and take next best on board.  Owen Pickering many had in top 15. He has done nothing dramatic to change his position with 19 pts in 25 WHL games playing a strong two way game. Others under consideration if they don’t go defense would be Gaucher, Kulich, Bystedt and Lambert

11

Sabres – Does Jared take a Sabre here with Kulich having 16 pts in 24 AHL games played and likely NHL call up at some point? Filip Bystedt though has been a revelation at WJC so far with 4 pts in 2 gp and much talk about his play. With 11 pts in 26 gp in the SHL, he might go higher. If not Bystedt is pick here.

10

Sens via Flyers – As above BPA. To me Kulich is the man at this point with 16 pts in AHL and suspect a soon to be NHL call up, his upside looks tremendous at WJC.

9

MapleLeafs – Garrett as always will take BPA. Nathan Gaucher skates well, is big and plays solid two way game. With 14 g and 15a in 24 QMJHL games and spot on WJC team, Gaucher is pick. 

8

VGK via BlueJackets – BPA trend continues. Frank Nazar is biggest slider with injury concerns. With extra first rounder, Joe hopes he slides. Rumour has him returning to U Mich in February so he might jump back up boards. 

7

Jets – I can honestly say I thought I’d have  pick 5-15 in this years draft with this pick. But our goaltending has held up better than expected and so we are at back end. Will take BPA in my eyes and on this board that is Brad Lambert. He is playing for AHL Moose with 3 pts in 14 games and I need forwards so suspect that is where I go though will be BPA when I pick. With sliding Geekie, I would consider a flier though. 

6

Blues – BPA for Eric but have no idea where he goes. Perhaps he banks a player like Mesar, Schaeffer or Minten for the Habs, Oil or Leafs fans that clamor over their spects. Perhaps. But good upside still on board from a guy like Rinzel. Big smooth skater is several years from NHL, making NCAA debut next season. He might fall though. Isaac Howard was excellent in U18 but only 6 pts in 16 gp in NCAA this year. I suspect he goes with high risk high reward NHL lightning pick. 

5

Sharks – I suspect neither of these next two picks will be with Sharks by draft given Sumit’s propensity to swing for fences. But will take BPA left on my board. Mesar is the pick with more than a pt per game in OHL.  

4

Sharks via Oilers – Reid Schaeffer has rocketed up draft boards since Oil took at end of first round last year. Is a big man with hands  15 g, 12a and 27 pts, and a WJC sees his stock climb some in our draft too. 

3

Sens via Red Wings – BPA. Conor Geekie still scares me but rare a top 15 pick in NHL slides out of our first round. The big man won’t slide out of our first. 17 g and 17 a in 28 WHL games is not a slouch, but for some reason….just scare me.

2

Jets via Avalanche – Homer leafs pick Minten is more than a point per game and Leafs need to develop a forward or two. He will be given chances. Minten was considered for WJC and playing solid two way game. With 13 g and 15 a in 22 WHL games, he looks solid. 

1

Islanders – team continues to truck through BRHL. BPA will be Joe’s modus operandi for sure. Jagger Firkus rounds our first. Many had him pegged as a first rounder in NHL, but size concerns saw him slip. But was elite in the prospects game and has very good hands, continuining in the WHL this year with 42 pts in 30 games. Others to consider are Lamoureux, Nyman, Luneau, Dumais