2010 TPS Mock Draft

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When we offered up the summary from the team-by-team 2010 draft previews last Saturday we mentioned that our official mock draft would come out in a few days. It's now the eve of the big day and so the time has come.

The first thing you'll notice, if you compare our mock draft with the draft previews, is that a bunch of the names are in different order. Obviously, as we explained, that's because the draft previews were set in stone at the end of May and there have been a lot of changes and a lot of information since then. Because of that it just makes sense that our mock would reflect our opinions and interpretations for what they are today.

That said, here is the 2010 TPS Mock Draft...


Dean and I have made separate mocks, his is the first set of predictions and mine is the second one listed.

Millard's Mock

1. Edmonton: Tyler Seguin - Edmonton needs to build down the middle, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they receive something to lay off Taylor Hall for Boston. Maybe Riley Nash is in a package to the Bruins.

2. Boston: Taylor Hall - He won’t be able to wear #4 in Boston like his agent did, but deep down I think Hall will be happier to follow in Bobby Orr’s skate strides as a Bruin.

3. Florida: Erik Gudbranson - According to a forward eligible for the draft, the Panthers told him they were taking a defenceman, and Gudbrandon brings size and toughness to the sunshine state.

4. Columbus: Brandon Gormley - The best all around D-man in the draft gives Columbus a great future top pairing alongside John Moore. Gormley can skate, add offence and defends very well.

5. New York Islanders: Cam Fowler - He’s a terrific skater with loads of offensive instincts, and while he his a little soft, he’ll join a growing group of blueliners in New York that includes Calvin de Haan and Travis Hamonic.

6. Tampa Bay: Brett Connolly - Tampa has their franchise centreman, and they hope Connolly is over his injuries and can ride shot gun for many years with Stamkos.

7. Carolina: Nino Neiderreiter - The total package, can score, plays with an edge and gives the Canes even more depth down the middle. In a few years Staal, Niederreiter and Sutter are going to be tough for teams to defend against.

8. Atlanta: Ryan Johansen - Portland players go back to back. Johanssen will be setting up Evander Kane for years to come.

9. Minnestoa: Jeff Skinner - Maybe the purest sniper in the draft, his skating will get better and so will the Wild’s goal production.

10. New York Rangers: Derek Forbort - Has size and oozes skill. Forbort is going to UND, but should be on Broadway in a couple of years.

11. Dallas: Jack Campbell - Dallas will be thrilled if Campbell is still around at 11, and will fill a goaltending void. Hopefully Kari Lehtonen can hold down the fort until Campbell arrives.

12. Anaheim: Austin Watson - He does it all, and does it well, Watson can score, kill penalties and run over the opposition.

13. Phoenix (from Calgary): Dylan McIlrath - The toughest blueliner in the draft, McIlrath might have more offence than people think.

14. St. Louis: Mikael Granlund - Has all world skill and gives the Blues another young offensive mind to groom.

15. Florida (from Boston): Alexander Burmistrov - The safest Russian with the most skill gives the Panthers an offensive spark. They took a chance on Kulikov last year amid rumours he was bolting to Russia and will hope that Burmistrov works out the same way.

16. Ottawa: Mark Pysyk - They loved Wade Redden as a youngster and will get a very similar blueliner in Mark Pysyk.

17. Colorado: Nick Bjugstad - The giant high school power forward has skill and character, which will fit in to a young talented Avs roster in a couple of years.

18. Nashville: Beau Bennett - Had almost as many points as Kyle Turris did in the BCHL. Needs to bulk up but that will come at Denver University.

19. Los Angeles: Emerson Etem - The California kid comes home, as Etem and Bennett give their home state a lot to cheer about going back-to-back.

20. Pittsburgh: Jaden Schwatz - He tore up a defensive minded USHL and the Pens might try and convince him to join the WHL instead of Colorado College.

21. Detroit: Jarred Tinordi - Has more mobility than his dad did in junior, but like his father he loves to play physical.

22. Phoenix: Vladamir Tarasenko - The most skilled player for Russia at the WJC will be taken by the Coyotes as long as they have an assurance he’s willing to come to the NHL.

23. Buffalo: Riley Sheahan - He’s not at the most offensive minded program at Notre Dame, but Buffalo can’t resist his raw talent.

24. Chicago (from ATL/NJ): Quinton Howden - They just traded away a guy with decent size and loads of speed. Chicago replaces Akim Alui with Howden.

25. Vancouver: Brock Nelson - An American power forward to go along with An American smaller skilled guy that they drafted last year in Jordan Schroeder.

26. Washington: Evgeny Kuznetsov - I originally had Kirill Kabanov for Washington, but his free fall drops him out of my top 30. Washington still goes back to Mother Russia for their pick though.

27. Montreal: Jonathan Merrill - Despite some off ice issues, the Habs can’t resist his size and physical play.

28. San Jose: Tyler Pitlick - Now that he’s jumped ship to Medicine Hat of the WHL, Pitlick becomes a first rounder in my book.

29. Anaheim (from Philadelphia): Calvin Pickard – Some think he might end up being better than his brother Chet who was a first round pick by Nashville.

30. Chicago: Brock Beukeboom - A big physical D-man who used to be a forward. Could he be a hybrid type player?

Flaming's Mock

1. Edmonton: Taylor Hall - It wouldn't be my selection but I believe that this is the direction that Edmonton will go and it's tough to argue with Hall's résumé.

2. Boston: Tyler Seguin - The Bruins get an excellent consolation prize.

3. Florida: Erik Gudbranson - A rebuilding franchise will need a tough, solid foundation and the Kingston captain can provide that for the Panthers.

4. Columbus: Brandon Gormley - Whether it's the Blue Jackets making the pick or not, Gormley is the best player available - a versatile rearguard who is composed and mature beyond his years.

5. New York Islanders: Brett Connolly - Perhaps a bit of a surprise but the skilled forward with size has convinced many that his hip concerns (if any) are far overshadowed by his immense talent and potential.

6. Tampa Bay: Cam Fowler - The Lighting probably won't expect Fowler to be available and won't be able to pass up the chance to add another franchise blueliner to the mix, unless Steve Yzerman trades down.

7. Carolina: Derek Forbort - Perhaps a surprise, Forbort is just scratching the surface of his potential which will be honed at North Dakota until he's ready for the NHL. 6'5 rearguards that can skate with ease don't come around very often.

8. Atlanta: Jack Campbell - The trading away of the 24th pick has me second guessing but the Thrashers still need a high caliber goalie in the system behind Ondrej Pavalec.

9. Minnesota: Ryan Johansen - Size and skill are a Wild combination and Minnesota takes the first Portland Winterhawk of the draft.

10. New York Rangers: Mikael Granlund - As smart as they come but the diminutive Finn still has his share of doubters out there. The Rangers excuse his lack of size in favor of his terrific upside.

11. Dallas: Nino Niedereitter - There would be TV analysts losing their mind if the Swiss forward slipped out of the top 10 but I still think some teams might be deterred by his passport... until Dallas.

12. Anaheim: Jeff Skinner - His skating might not be the prettiest, despite his figure skating background, but it's hard to argue with 70 goals in a season (including playoffs).

13. Phoenix: Dylan McIlrath - The Coyotes had success this year with a lunch bucket crew and it doesn't get much more blue collar than the big bruising defenceman from Moose Jaw.

14. St. Louis: Austin Watson - Size, skill and character; some think the Peterborough Pete might be the steal of the draft.

15. Florida: Emerson Etem - From a Tiger to a Panther, the California native has speed and a sniper's touch, a nice addition after taking a blueliner earlier in the round.

16. Ottawa: Alexander Burmistrov - The speedy Russian would bring a lot to an organization that has a decent history with players from that country.

17. Colorado: Nick Bjugstad - The Avalanche have shown a penchant for NCAA players and the future Golden Gopher might be the best of the 2010 forwards taking that path to the NHL.

18. Nashville: Beau Bennett - Might the Predators look west again as they have successfully done over recent years? We think so.

19. Los Angeles: Vlad Tarasenko - His talent should have him drafted much earlier but his birth certificate sees him drop to a team located in a very alluring market.

20. Pittsburgh: Quinton Howden - Size, speed and character make the Moose Jaw forward a good fit for the Penguins.

21. Detroit: Mark Pysyk - His style of play, his quiet demeanor and his ability to soak up minutes like a sponge are very much in the tradition of Nick Lidstrom.

22. Phoenix: Tyler Pitlick - Making the move to the CHL has bumped his draft stock and the Coyotes pounce on another WHL player in the first round, this time a power forward.

23. Buffalo: Jarred Tinordi - One of the tougher, more rugged defencemen in the draft this year, he'd make a perfect defensive partner for Tyler Myers one day.

24. Chicago: Jaden Schwartz - Lead the USHL in scoring and will now either report to Tri City of the WHL or Colorado College where Hawks prospect Billy Sweatt just completed a 4-year NCAA career.

25. Vancouver: Jon Merrill - Possible character issues may see him slip out of the top 20 but the Canucks are willing to overlook them and grab the future Michigan Wolverine.

26. Washington: Evgeny Kuznetsov - Yes, it's a stereotype but it also makes sense as the Russian might be the best player available at this point in the draft.

27. Montréal: Stanislav Galiev - The Russian import has played two years in North America and already has the reputation as a well liked teammate by players and coaches alike.

28. San Jose: Tyler Toffoli - I still won't be surprised if the Sharks go back to familiar feeding grounds and come away with another Ottawa 67s player and this forward is on top of the list.

29. Anaheim: Riley Sheahan - With their second pick of the first round the Ducks take the two-way forward from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

30. Chicago: Calvin Pickard - With little in the pipeline in terms of goaltenders, the Hawks take advantage of their second pick in the draft by taking the Seattle backstop who might be Canada's keeper at the 2011 WJC.