Spring 2008 NHL Mock Draft Pt II

Dobber Sports

2008-03-22

 

The Mock Madness continues here at DobberHockey. Part II finishes up the top 30, introducing a whole bunch of new names you'll want to keep an eye on.

 

( 2008 NHL Mock Draft Pt. I)

 

 

16. Boston Bruins- Mattias Tedenby, LW

Once, a long time ago, the Boston Bruins were a factory for generational defensemen. Eddie Shore, Bobby Orr and Ray Bourque were the class of their eras, providing the foundation for some excellent teams. Since then, the team has gone through a prolonged drought of in-house defensive talent. That may persist another year. While some big-time gambles are available at 16, blisteringly fast winger Mattias Tedenby is BPA here. A crafty scorer and puckhandler, the 17 year-old earned a full-time promotion HV 71 of the SEL where he scored what some deem the goal of the year on a beautiful spin-o-rama. Tedenby would look perfect on a line with Phil Kessel and David Krejci.

17. Colorado Avalanche- Colby Robak, D

Like the Bs, the Avalanche used to boast some impressive talent on the backend. First Ozolinsh-Foote and then Bourque-Blake, Colorado hasn't had an outstanding blueline prospect since JM Liles. With a focus on smart puckmovers like Ozolinsh, Liles, Jordan Leopold and Tom Gilbert, the Avs would likely love Brandon Wheat King Colby Robak. A Bouwmeester-esque skater with a 6'2, 200lbs frame, the 17 year-old has slowly come out of his shell, gambling offensively instead of sitting back passively. The result has been a team second-best 30 points in 71 games.

18. Vancouver Canucks- Tyler Ennis, C

One of the funniest moments of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft was Riley Nash's post-pick interview. While most hockey players would consider being drafted in the first round the best day of their life, the BC native instead glumly admitted that he was disappointed not to be picked by his hometown Canucks. For their part, the Nucks were probably also disappointed; Nash's puck cycle game would have been a perfect fit for the Sedins. 2008 may yet be their revenge. Edmonton native Tyler Ennis received a hero's welcome during the Top Prospects Game in that city, but that may be the last time Ennis gets applause in Alberta. A gifted stickhandler and passer, Ennis will be a top-six centre if he develops physically.

19. Calgary Flames- Michael Stone, D

Call it the Alzner Effect. For the second year in a row, a wildcard draft prospect has had a tremendous late-season rise, coincidentally (or not coincidentally) playing alongside Karl Alzner. With Alex Plante on and off the shelf due to all manner of maladies, 6'3, 200 lbs blueliner Michael Stone has become a top-pairing player with the Calgary Hitmen. In an eerie coincidence (there's that word again) Stone has 35 points- 3 fewer than the 6'5 Plante last year. Passive for his size, Stone instead thrives on puck movement. For an organization lacking depth everywhere in the pipeline, Stone is a good addition and could blossom into a top-four rearguard.

20. New York Rangers- Greg Nemisz, RW

This June will mark of the fifth anniversary of the Hugh Jessiman experiment. Nicknamed Huge Specimen for his 6'6, 231 lbs frame, Jessiman went 12th overall after an extremely impressive rookie season with Dartmouth College. In the five years since, the 24 year-old has gone from the NCAA to the AHL to the ECHL, bouncing between the two leagues at a troubling rate. The question becomes, then: is it too early to try again on a big forward? 6'4, 202 lbs RW Greg Nemisz lit the lamp 34 times this season for Windsor, drawing comparisons to Jeff Carter. However, passivity and slow skating have worried several observers. Nemisz' raw talent makes him difficult to project; like Jessiman, he could go in the top fifteen, or drop five-ten spots. The Rags will take him if he's year; he and 6'3 playmaking center Artem Anisimov would make a fantastic tandem.

21. Los Angeles (From Dallas)- Mikhail Stefanovich, RW

Who do you take when you have Steve Stamkos, Jonathan Bernier, Jack Johnson and Anze Kopitar as your top young players? Whoever you want. With Ladislav Nagy and Mike Cammalleri heading for free agency, the Kings have few options down the left side. LA could also use another high-end defensive prospect to add some depth behind Jack Johnson and Thomas Hickey. However, Belarussian winger Mikhail Stefanovich is the best player available. Soft despite his 6'2 frame, Stefanovich thrives on dazzling moves and dekes. Questions about work ethic and attitude will cause him to fall on Draft Day, but the Kings don't mind that (see: Patrick O'Sullivan)

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22. Ottawa Senators- John Carlson, D

The Ottawa Senators love the two-way defender. Wade Redden (6'2, 208), Tim Gleason (6'1, 214), Andrej Meszaros (6'2, 200), and Brian Lee (6'2, 210) were drafted or acquired for their blend of size, strength, skating and offensive prowess. With those qualities in mind, it's easy to believe that USHL product John Carlson is a no-brainer pick at 22. Inconsistent performances from a once-elite Redden and a soft Corvo make the pick all that more probable. The USHL's third-leading scorer with 37 points, Carlson is the complete package.

23. New Jersey Devils- A.J. Jenks, LW

A big winger who hits everything in sight. A bad team that has just two prospects eligible for '08. When you mix in a team reknowned for their scouting ability, you have your next New Jersey Devils draft pick. A 6'2, 210lbs banger and crasher who won't turn 18 until after the Draft, Jenks' 55 points don't look like much, but they're third-most on the Plymouth Whalers.

24. Edmonton Oilers (from Anaheim)- David Toews, LW

Sending son Keegan to Shattuck St. Mary's may pay off for Oilers GM Kevin Lowe in more ways than just developing his son. Known for watching games during his time off, Lowe has at least heard of the exploits of Shattuck Prep forward David Toews. Coming into the 2007-08 season with a reputation for having no reputation but his brother's name, Toews has quietly solidified his standing as a legit NHL prospect. Shattuck's far-and-away points leader with 100 in just 51 games, the hard-working forward with a laser shot was a leader in every respect. Edmonton is blessed with crafty forwards like Ales Hemsky, Robert Nilsson and Sam Gagner; what they lack is a lunchpailer that can finish in front. David can do that.

25. Carolina Hurricanes- Mitch Wahl, C

53 assists are hard to miss- especially when they're all passes to a highly-regarded prospect in your organization. That's the case with California native and Spokane Chiefs star Mitch Wahl. Sixth in the WHL in helpers, Wahl and Carolina draft pick Drayson Bowman have been an unstoppable tandem. The Canes have a few center prospects, but no one who works as hard with such a high skillset as Wahl. In addition to his talent, he's future captain material.

26. Minnesota Wild- Joshua Bailey, C

A John Madden clone? You can hear Jacques Lemaire drooling. Windsor's leading scorer with 96 points in just 67 games, the 18 year-old's leadership was tested in unimaginable ways with the passing of captain Mickey Renaud. Instead of crumbling like most might, Bailey instead had one of the greatest months in OHL history, posting 5-15-20 in just seven games. A mature two-way forward with outstanding vision, if the 6'1, 190 lbs centreman is here, he'll be a tremendous addition to the Minnesota roster. A future top unit of Gaborik-Bailey-Sheppard would give opponents nightmares.

27. Atlanta Thrashers (from Pittsburgh)- Corey Trivino, LW/C

Another new name in the Mock, Boston College freshman Corey Trivino is everything the Carolina Hurricanes need: a confounding offensive presence down low. Hemsky-lite in terms of his hands and vision, the 17 year-old amassed 50 assists in only 39 games. The problem? He's all of 160 lbs soaking wet. Sound at all like a certain franchise centreman for Carolina? Trivino is a special player with huge upside. He could be the Backstrom to Atlanta's Kovalchuk.

28. Buffalo Sabres (from San Jose)- Colten Teubert, D

What a fall. Like Nick Petrecki last year, blueline stalwart Colten Teubert has gone from a potential 5/10 pick to a potential bottom ten selection. The reason? Zero ability with the puck. An imposing physical presence at 6'4, Teubert's 135 PIM tells you as much of the story as his 23 points do. A respectable number on one of the worst-scoring team in the WHL, Tuebert nevertheless never took the next step offensively that he needed to to become a franchise player. However, for the dangerous Sabres, his counting numbers don't matter. Teubert's viciousness and dependable play would be a welcome addition on the most Euro-centric blueline in the league. Teubert compares favorably to former Sabre Lee Fogolin.

29. Montreal Canadiens- Jyri Niemi, D

For a team that once drafted only French Canadians, the Montreal Canadiens are the most diverse team in the league. With two Belrussians, two Russians, a Czech, a Canadians, an American, a Swiss blueliner and a German round out a powerhouse roster. However, despite Saku Koivu being known as Captain Finland around the NHL, the Canadiens have zero Suomi players in the system. Jyri Niemi is as good a choice as any to fix that. Built solidly at 6'3 190, Niemi played just 49 games in 2007-08 but managed a stellar 14 goals and 34 points. Winner of the Slapshot Competition at the 2008 TPG, Niemi has the potential to be a tough, offensively gifted #3 ala Sheldon Souray.

30. Detroit Red Wings- Anton Gustafsson, RW

The Wings would never, ever let a talented Swede get away- especially one that's 6'3 and skates like the wind. A sound defensive forward with above-average hands and vision, Gustafsson scored 23 points in 23 games for Frolunda of Swedish junior. At the very least, he'll be a Mikael Samuelsson clone. At most, the gritty, skilled finisher will give Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk a big target.

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UPCOMING GAMES

Mar 28 - 19:03 OTT vs CHI
Mar 28 - 19:03 TOR vs WSH
Mar 28 - 19:03 MTL vs PHI
Mar 28 - 19:03 PIT vs CBJ
Mar 28 - 19:03 FLA vs NYI
Mar 28 - 19:03 CAR vs DET
Mar 28 - 20:03 MIN vs S.J
Mar 28 - 20:03 STL vs CGY
Mar 28 - 20:03 WPG vs VGK
Mar 28 - 21:03 EDM vs L.A
Mar 28 - 21:03 COL vs NYR
Mar 28 - 22:03 SEA vs ANA
Mar 28 - 22:03 VAN vs DAL
Mar 28 - 22:03 ARI vs NSH

Starting Goalies

Top Skater Views

  Players Team
TAGE THOMPSON BUF
JJ PETERKA BUF
ANTHONY DUCLAIR T.B
JORDAN GREENWAY BUF
JURAJ SLAFKOVSKY MTL

Top Goalie Profile Views

  Players Team
ALEKSEI KOLOSOV PHI
JOONAS KORPISALO OTT
KAREL VEJMELKA ARI
UKKO-PEKKA LUUKKONEN BUF
JUSTUS ANNUNEN COL

LINE COMBOS

  Frequency VGK Players
51.3 JONATHAN MARCHESSAULT JACK EICHEL IVAN BARBASHEV
37.9 CHANDLER STEPHENSON BRETT HOWDEN MICHAEL AMADIO
32.4 ANTHONY MANTHA WILLIAM KARLSSON PAVEL DOROFEYEV

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