With the NHL entry draft on Oct. 9 and 10 set to feature some of the league’s next big talent and the teams they will be playing for, every fan has their own opinions on who will be going where and when.

Here is my mock draft with a little bit of insight on the players and their fit with the team. I have given MyNHLdraft picks as well for an insight on other hockey analysts picks.

 

1. New York Rangers — Alexis Lafrenière

(myNHLdraft — Lafrenière)

 The sure number one pick in this year’s draft will be a Ranger. Lafrenière has the size, speed and skill to be an elite player in the NHL for years to come. His outstanding level of strength on the puck and skills on the ice should set him up for success when the puck drops for the Rangers home-opener.

 

2. Los Angeles Kings — Quinton Byfield

(myNHLdraft — Quinton Byfield)

 The Kings have plenty of high-calibre prospects in the system. Byfield would add power and skill down the middle and could ultimately be the future replacement of aging Anze Kopitar. Byfield is a mountain of a man standing at 6’4 and 214 pounds and could possibly step in and make an impact in the Kings lineup right away.

 

3. Ottawa Senators — Tim Stützle

(myNHLdraft — Tim Stützle)

 Stützle is in competition for the best hands in the entire draft class. The German-born player is perfect for the North American game with his extreme level of skill, speed and his intense competitive spirit.

 

4. Detroit Red Wings — Jamie Drysdale

(myNHLdraft — Lucas Raymond)

The Red Wings are in desperate need of some defensive help. Drysdale is the number one defenceman in this draft and he could provide Detroit with their future top-pairing defencemen. Drysdale is an elite puck mover with the vision and skill comparable to rookie phenomenon Quinn Hughes.

 

5. Ottawa Senators — Marco Rossi

(myNHLdraft — Jamie Drysdale)

 Rossi stands at 5’9 but plays way bigger than he is. He is an elite scorer and has an insane hockey IQ. Rossi flew up the rankings this year after his great year in the Ontario Hockey League for the Ottawa 67’s. This junior player would be a great fit for the Senators.

 

6. Anaheim Ducks — Cole Perfetti

(myNHLdraft — Marco Rossi)

 With improved skating, Perfetti could turn out to be one of the best players in the draft class. He is a shootout wizard and has a variety of moves in his back pocket to beat the goalies at an NHL level.

 

7. New Jersey Devils — Lucas Raymond

(myNHLdraft – Alexander Holtz)

 Another elite scorer is primed to go in the top 10 of the draft. The Swedish forward would be a great fit in the Devils lineup alongside notable previous first-overall picks Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes.

 

8.Buffalo Sabres — Alexander Holtz

(myNHLdraft — Cole Perfetti)

 Similar to Raymond, Holtz has a lethal release. The unhappy Jack Eichel could change his mind very quick after the drafting of Holtz.

 

9. Minnesota Wild — Yaroslav Askarov

(myNHLdraft – Anton Lundell)

Askarov is the number one goalie prospect in the draft class. The Wild are in need of a goalie now. Although Askarov is not NHL-ready, he would be a great replacement for Devan Dubnyk and has the potential to be a future top goaltender.

 

10. Winnipeg Jets — Jake Sanderson

(myNHLdraft – Seth Jarvis)

 The Jets lost many defencemen last season and never really replaced them. Sanderson is just what the Jets need — he is an elite skater who has a physical presence that can change a game.

 

11. Nashville Predators — Jack Quinn

(myNHLdraft — Jake Sanderson)

Quinn is another prolific scorer in this draft. His offensive abilities are complemented by his defensive presence on the ice.

 

12. Florida Panthers — Kaiden Guhle

(myNHLdraft — Jack Quinn)

 As the Panthers blue line ages, the need for young talent becomes desperate. Guhle is the perfect two-way defenceman the team will be looking for.

 

13. Carolina Hurricanes — Anton Lundell

(myNHLdraft — Yaroslav Askarov)

 Lundell is a very talented 200-foot centre. This means that he makes elite plays in the offensive and defensive zones of the ice.

 

14. Edmonton Oilers — Seth Jarvis

(myNHLdraft – Dawson Mercer)

 Ultimately skilled Jarvis could be exactly what Connor McDavid may be looking for. A strong winger to play with McDavid would be an ideal selection here.

 

15. Toronto Maple Leafs — Braden Schneider

(myNHLdraft — Braden Schneider)

 The possibility of losing a few key pieces of their defence core is in play for the Leafs. The hard-hitting Schneider could be a key piece for years to come.

 

16. Montreal Canadiens — Dawson Mercer

(myNHLdraft — Noel Gunler)

 The Canadiens continue the search for their number one centre. The addition of defensive forward Mercer would be a great completion for their other suitors.

 

17. Chicago Blackhawks — Connor Zary

(myNHLdraft — Connor Zary)

 The Blackhawks would be getting a very competitive all-around player in Zary. He is a very good playmaker and an above-average defensive player.

 

18. New Jersey Devils – Noel Gunler

(myNHLdraft — Rodion Amirov)

 Gunler is a bit of a wildcard pick. He is a good-sized player with elite offensive abilities. His potential is unknown and could end up a steal for the Devils.

 

19. Calgary Flames — Rodion Amirov

(myNHLdraft — Dylan Holloway)

 The Russian-born player could be a steal at number 19 for the Flames. He has high offensive talent and a natural goal-scorers touch.

 

20. Columbus Blue Jackets — Dylan Holloway

(myNHLdraft — Jan Mysak-New Jersey Devils)

 The big, 200-foot player would be a great addition to the Blue Jackets. His big frame would enhance his puck protection skills.

 

21. New York Rangers — Jan Mysak

(myNHLdraft — Mavrik Bourque- Columbus Blue Jackets)

 The Rangers could select another forward in this draft with Mysak. He is a very smooth player with soft hands and a quick release.

 

22. Washington Capitals — William Wallinder

(myNHLdraft — Jacob Perreault-Ottawa Senators)

 The Capitals could get a tall defenceman who is a great puck mover. Wallinder is also a very good skater.

 

23. St. Louis Blues — Mavrik Bourque

(myNHLdraft — Hendrix Lapierre- Dallas Stars)

 One of the flashiest players in the draft, Bourque has great hands and could be a very good centre for the Blues in the future.

 

24.New Jersey Devils — Jacob Perreault

(myNHLdraft — Kaiden Guhle-New York Rangers)

 The Devils may get an all-around offensive player. Perreault has great vision and an above-average release.

 

25. Colorado Avalanche — John-Jason Peterka

(myNHLdraft – John-Jason Peterka- Washington Capitals)

The hard-working forward is someone who can sit in the minors for the Avalanche and continue to develop his offensive skill.

 

26. Boston Bruins — Thomas Bordeleau

(myNHLdraft — William Wallinder- St Louis Blues)

 Bordeleau is an all-around great player. He is very offensive and defensive-minded and would fit very well in a Bruins uniform.

 

27. Ottawa Senators — Hendrix Lapierre

(myNHLdraft — Tyson Foerster- Anaheim Ducks)

 The Senators could get their third forward of the draft. They may take a chance on a skilled forward in Lapierre.

 

28. Dallas Stars — Lukas Reichel

(myNHLdraft — Helge Grans- Philadelphia Flyers)

 Reichel plays a high-tempo game by creating offensive plays and scoring creative goals.

 

29. Philadelphia Flyers — Zion Nybeck

(myNHLdraft — Zion Nybeck- Colorado Avalanche)

 The combination of skill and speed makes up for the lack of size that Nybeck possesses.

 

30. Vegas Golden Knights — Ryan O’Rourke

(myNHLdraft — Roni Hirvonen- San Jose Sharks)

 O’Rourke is a defenceman who is capable of competing game in and game out against the other team’s top guys.

 

31. San Jose Sharks — Brendan Brisson

(myNHLdraft — Lukas Reichel- Vegas Golden Knights)

 The highly skilled centre would be a great fit for the Sharks. Brisson is an elite playmaker and is very competitive.