2021 NHL Draft: Mock Draft 1 (Round 2)

This is my first Mock Draft for the 2021 NHL Draft. This post a mock for the second round only.

33. Isak Rosen

Isak Rosen has the potential to be a first round pick, but because the prospect rankings are very skewed this year, he may fall to the second round. Isak Rosen has all the tools to be an effective two-way forward in the NHL. Similar to Nikolaj Ehlers, he is a natural playmaker with elite hockey IQ, combined with game-breaking speed. He also has vision and shooting ability to a be a real threat in the offensive zone. Because of his size, NHL teams may be reluctant to draft him in the first round; this makes him a perfect second round pick. Playing for Leksands IF, Rosen only has 1 point in 22 SHL games, which suggests Rosen may take some time to develop before he is NHL ready. Isak Rosen has the potential to be an elite playmaking winger at the NHL level.

34. Scott Morrow

The next pick in the draft is Scott Morrow, who is committed to the University of North Dakota next season. Scott Morrow is a poor Mans Brandt Clarke, so those who miss out on Brandt Clarke or that don’t want to use their first round pick on a defenseman may have a shot at getting him in the second round. Morrow has all the tools that Clarke does with one exception: Hockey Sense. Morrow struggles with his decision making at times and is not as reliable defensively as Clarke. Comparable to Tyson Barrie, Morrow is a great offensive defenseman who excels on the power play and working off the cycle. He needs to be paired with a reliable defensive defenseman.

35. Samu Salminen

The next pick in the draft is Samu Salminen from Jokerit. Samu Salminen is a talented and smart forward who can affect the game all over the ice. He is a more than capable offensive player who can dish the puck with soft hands and pick corners with a nice shot. Samu Salminen is a skilled center that has a projectable frame at 6’3″ and 194lbs and the skill to play the modern game. Salminen is an incredibly smart player who has a knack for being in the right spot at the right time at both ends of the ice. His effort defensively can be very hit-or-miss but he has the length and puck skills to get into passing lanes and create turnovers. At the offensive end of the ice, Salminen can be very impressive. He has a good shot from the faceoff dots and he has quick hands that elevate in tight. He is very crafty around the net and can display some interesting moves as he tries to create from the net front or beside the net. When he spots an open man across the zone, he has the soft touch to feather a pass through traffic and find his teammates. Compared to David Krejci, Salminen projects to a solid two-way center that can play in all situations.

36. Anton Olsson

The next player pick in the 2021 Draft is Anton Olsson of the Malmo Redhawks in the SHL. Olsson is quickly establishing himself as a solid young defenseman. He dominated Sweden’s U-16, U-18, and U-20 junior leagues and the U16 and U17 international tournaments. Although Olsson has only recorded 2 points in 33 SHL games for the Malmo Redhawks, he more than held his own as an 18-year-old defenseman playing in the 3rd best league in the world. Olsson is a great skater, with good lateral ability and agility; he pivots well and also possesses good backward skating skills. His skating and puck-skills also benefit him in the defensive zone. Not only is Olsson extremely poised under pressure, but he utilizes his skating and hands well to get out of trouble and effect clean zone exits with regularity. His defensive IQ is great; he rarely puts himself in difficult situations and is adept at separating players from the puck either with his stick or shoulder. Olsson also has a fantastic wrist shot but he is not the most accurate. Olsson is comparable to Hampus Lindholm of the Anaheim Ducks. Not only are they both Swedish, but they have a similar play style. Like Lindholm, Olsson projects to be a good two-way defenseman. 

37. Mackie Samoskevich

The Next pick in the draft is Michael “Mackie” Samoskevich from the Chicago Steel. Samoskevich has an extremely high ceiling, some have compared him to Mitch Marner, but it’s highly unlikely he will be able to reach the same level of productivity offensively as Marner. Samoskevich has elite vision and passing skills, which allow him to set up his teammates for pretty goals. He also has tremendous skating, and is capable of changing direction on a dime. Mackie has improved his shot from last season; he is able to unleash it from pretty much anywhere in the offensive zone with power and accuracy. Samoskevich is by no means a safe pick, he has a tendency to make risky decisions with the puck and those may prove costly at the next level. In addition, his defense isn’t the best, and he can’t be trusted in all situations. With that said, even though Samoskevich has the talent of a first round pick, some of his weaknesses suggest he is more of a second round pick. Mackie has the potential to be a top 6 playmaking winger at the NHL level.

38. Logan Stankoven

Logan Stankoven is the 3rd pick in the 2nd round of the 2021 NHL Draft. Compared to Lucas Raymond, he is an elite goal scoring winger, who is an excellent skater and has an excellent shot. Logan Stankoven is coming off a good rookie season with the Kamloops Blazers, in which he tallied 29 goals and 48 points in 59 games. His performance resulted in him being named the WHL Western Conference Rookie of the Year. He picked up right where he left off last season in the 2020-21 season, as he averaged over a point per game during the season.  Stankoven plays a high-tempo game and is a menace in the offensive zone with his elite forechecking abilities. One of the best attributes of his game is his skating; the 17-year-old has top-notch acceleration, will show off his speed all over the ice, and is already an NHL-level skater. Stankoven has a quick and accurate release on his shot, which allows him to score goals at a high-level. Although he is not the defensive player that Lucas Raymond is, he plays with the same competitive edge and hockey sense as him. In terms of talent, there is no doubt that Stankoven is one of the more talented offensive players in the draft, so if a team is able to get Stankoven at this point in the draft, it would be a steal.

39. Zachary Dean

There are many options at this point in the draft, but the next best player available is Zachary Dean of the Gatineau Olympiques. Dean had a solid rookie season in the Q, tallying 18 goals, 28 assists, and 46 points in 57 games. So far this season, he has 10 goals and 20 points in 23 games. Compared to Brayden Schenn, Zachary Dean is a complete player that is hard-working and has elite IQ, vision and puck skills. Because of his IQ, it allows him to maximizes the most out of what he has because of how hard he works every shift.  He is also a smooth skater who possesses a heavy release and can shoot the puck hard from distance with success. Dean is tough to knock off the puck for a player his size. He is very good at retrieving loose pucks efficiently and quickly passing them to teammates in scoring areas. Zachary Dean looks like he has the potential to be a very good top 6 forward at the NHL level.

40. Sebastian Cossa

Sebastian Cossa of the Edmonton Oiler Kings will be the next pick in the draft. Sebastian Cossa had a fantastic rookie season in the WHL, sporting a 2.23 GAA and .921 SV% in 33 games. Cossa picked up right where he left off last season and has gotten off to a terrific start to the 2020-21 campaign; he has 11 Wins to go along with a 1.45 GAA and a .942 SV%. Comparable to John Gibson, Cossa is a prototype NHL Goalie, with a lethal combination of size, athletic ability and fundamentals. Cossa is a big 6’6″ goaltender with a rare combination of size and athletic ability. He has good fundamentals and uses his big body to cutting down angles on shots, while also being agile enough to get across his crease quickly. His height is an advantage when it comes to tracking pucks through traffic and his rebound control is quite good for a young goaltender as well. Cossa has the potential to be a starting goalie at the NHL level.

41. Dylan Duke

Dylan Duke has been an impact player for the USNTDP squad this season, leading the team with 20 goals and tied for the team lead with 34 points in 30 contests. While Duke isn’t the biggest player on the ice, he always finds a way to stand out. The first thing that stands out about Duke is that he scores a lot of his goals from in and around the blue paint. He isn’t the biggest player but he is strong on his skates and displays good contact balance battling for position in front of the opposition’s net. He creates screens, has good hand-eye coordination for deflecting shots, and can get underneath bigger defenders to dig for rebounds in tight. Duke also has a strong sense of when to push off or back away from traffic to get himself into space for a shooting opportunity in tight and he has the hands to make quick adjustments to put the puck behind goaltenders. Comparable to Tyler Johnson, Dylan Duke projects as an effective net-front presence who can impact a powerplay and provide secondary scoring at the NHL level.

42. Fyodor Svechkov

Fyodor Svechkov is the second best Russian forward in this year’s draft, and is beginning to challenge Nikita Chibrikov as the best Russian forward. The young Russian displays excellent awareness in all three zones and has the work ethic to make things happen on will alone many time. That’s not to say that Svechkov lacks any skill. There are many times when he flashes some impressive skill and quick hands that can get him out of trouble. He has shown more creativity and skill as he’s become more comfortable at the VHL level, the second-tier men’s league in Russia, and that has driven some of the offensive numbers up a bit. Unlike many of the prospects coming out of the MHL, Svechkov is an excellent two way forward who thrives on being the driver of play at both ends of the ice. He never lacks for effort and keeps the play moving. He does an excellent job of forcing play to the outside defensively and wins more battles than he should. His ability to use his stick and strip the puck or quickly pull the puck out of a pile makes him one of the best players in the draft class at turning play up ice in an instant. His ability to play in tight areas and around the boards is impressive for a guy who isn’t the biggest. Svechkov can be a poor mans Pavel Datsyuk, as he projects to be a top 6 two-way forward at the NHL level.

43. Colton Dach

Colton Dach is the younger brother of Chicago Blackhawks center Kirby Dach; he is a big power forward who has a nose for the net. His skating could definitely be improved but his board work and size is tough to teach, as he is a dominant board player who is literally able to knock defenseman down in puck battles. His puck control is also very good, and is very difficult to move off the puck. Colton works hard on back checks, hits frequently, and will drop the gloves if needed. Colton Dach is comparable to Milan Lucic, he just seems to play the game the right way, but it will take some time for him to be NHL ready. At the NHL level, he can be a top 6 power forward.

44. Sean Behrens

This next pick is Sean Behrens from the USNTDP. If Behrens was not 5’9, he would already be viewed as a top 10 prospect by scouts, it’s just his size is going to discourage some teams from drafting him. Behrens is a smart, two-way defenseman with great vision and mobility.  This past season, he joined the USNTDP and with U17s, he scored 37 points in 45 games; he also played 6 games with the U18s and registered 3 points in those games. So far in the 2020-21 season, Behrens has tallied 18 points in 23 USHL games with the USNTDP Juniors and 31 points in 39 games with the U18s. Overall, his skating ability is a big plus and has the potential to get even better. Behrens has a pretty slick pair of hands, maintains solid puck control at all times. His passing ability is beyond elite, which when pair with his excellent vision is a lethal combination. He sees the ice incredibly well and makes the right decision most of the time. The way he closes gaps is phenomenal, and the defensive issues usually associated with smaller players certainly do not apply in his situation. His wrist shot from the point is very accurate but lacks power at this point. Because of his lack of size, Behrens doesn’t engage in physical play often, however, this isn’t a big deal because of his skill set. Sean Behrens is comparable to Andy Greene, and can be a reliable two-way defenseman in the NHL for a long time.

45. Joshua Roy

In the second round, some times teams will take risks and pick a prospect that is a little more risky if they have high potential, that is why Joshua Roy is the ideal selection. Compared to Brad Richards, Joshua Roy is an talented playmaking center with excellent vision and hockey IQ. Joshua Roy tallied 16 Goals and 44 points in 60 games for the Saint. John Sea Dogs in the 2019-20 season. Roy got off to a strong start to 2020-21 with Sea Dogs before being traded to the Sherbrooke Phoenix, where he tallied 18 points in 20 games. Joshua Roy is primarily a playmaker that has excellent vision, passing, and puckhandling skills; he is at his best when setting up along the half-boards on the power-play. His hockey sense is phenomenal; he knows exactly where to be on the ice, and what to do with the puck in the offensive zone. Joshua has high potential, but he must improve on some areas of his game to be a top 6 center in the NHL. The area of his game that needs the most improvement is his defensive zone play. Roy lacks quickness and straightaway speed, but he makes up for it with his tremendous hockey sense. Joshua Roy has massive potential as a playmaking center in the NHL, so I could see a team taking a chance on him at this point in the draft.

46. Aidan Hreschuck

The next player off the board is Aidan Hreshuk, a defenseman from the US Nation Team Development Program. Aidan Hreschuk is a do it all two-way defender who can affect the game in all three zones. He plays a smart and efficient defensive game with the ability to move the puck up ice and make plays from the blueline. Hreschuk is already a reliable two-way blueliner and is one of the more efficient players available in this draft. The young American’s ability to play at both ends of the ice utilizing his mobility and intuition are impressive for a player at this stage of their development. Hreschuk hasn’t had nearly the equivalent powerplay time as either Sean Behrens or Luke Hughes, both of whom he is tied for the team lead for scoring among defenders. Hreshcuk is a very fluid skater who can rush the puck up ice and deceive opponents with his shiftiness and stick handling. He makes a good first pass and has the skill to hit his teammates in stride as they move up ice. He has a patient approach to the game that allows him to control the game when he has the puck. This poise is exemplified when he defends odd-man rushes and transitions in general. He is able to cut down angles, lead with the blade of his stick, and use body positioning to thwart attacks. He can read a rush and understands where the attack is going, cutting it off and slowing the opponent. Comparable to Charlie McAvoy, Hreschuk has the potential to be a top pair shut-down defenseman in the league.

47. Isaac Belliveau

Isaac Belliveau is an offensive-minded defenseman out of the Q; he had an excellent year last season playing alongside Alexis Lafreniere and was a big part of their powerplay. Belliveau was traded to the Gatineau Olympiques 16 games into the 2020-21 season, where he has registered 2 goals and 3 points in 7 games. Belliveau is a smooth skater and an excellent puck carrier that can run the powerplay very effectively. He is great at walking the blue line to create shooting and passing lanes. Isaac is an effective defender, that displays solid positioning and gap control Despite his offensive potential, Belliveau is far from a finished product; he has much room for improvement in many parts of his game. Belliveau needs to be more physical and be stronger on the defensive side of the puck. He is already an effective offensive defenseman, but he could become one of the best powerplay quarterbacks in the league if he were to improve upon his shot velocity. Like Keith Yandle, Belliveau is an explosive offensive-minded defenseman, who is a great power play quarterback. At the NHL level, Belliveau can grow to be a top 4 defenseman, that plays on a teams 1st power play unit.

48. Oskar Olausson

The Next pick in the 2nd round is Oskar Olausson from HV-71 in the SHL. Compared to Filip Forsberg, Oskar Olausson has great frame, is a great skater and has a good shot to compliment that. Olausson is not quite as physical as Filip Forsberg but there are many aspects of their game that mirror each other. Like Forsberg, Olsson is a natural scorer, and excel with the puck both on the cycle and off the rush. Olausson is the type of player that it seems likely NHL scouts will fall in love with. In turn could end up going a lot earlier in the draft than many have pegged him to. If he continues to develop he has the potential to be a goal scoring winger.

49. Cameron Whynot

Cameron Whynot of Halifax Mooseheads is the first pick in the 2nd round of the draft. He is a strong stay-at-home defenseman, and his offensive game is still a work in progress. Whynot is positionally sound in the defensive zone; he deploys tight gap control and consistently poke-check or body-check his opponents off the puck. Whynot positions himself close to his goaltender and provides excellent pressure around the crease and behind the net. He deploys a silky smooth stride and is very mobile. His edge-work and crossovers are good, and he will often look to utilize his speed in the defensive zone when he spots a loose puck. Whynot is still very raw and undeveloped in terms of his offensive skillset, but has all the tools to be an impact offensive player. Whynot is a workhorse defenseman; he was commonly playing every second shift, and he rarely ever came off the ice in special teams’ situations. Whynot has that game-changing ability that allows him to take over the game and is not afraid to take the puck end to end. It isn’t often that he wasn’t the best player on the ice. At the NHL level, Cameron Whynot project to be a reliable shutdown defenseman with high offensive upside and can log heavy minutes, similar to Alec Martinez.

50. Tristan Lennox

By this point in the draft, some teams might need a goalies, so Tristan Lennox is the ideal selection. At 6’4/190, Tristan Lennox is a big framed athletic goaltender with excellent lateral movement fast reactions in tight. Despite his size he is quick to come out to play the puck and is a very good puck handler for a goalie. Lennox reads the play very, and is aggressive in net, usually coming out to the tops of his crease and challenging shooters. His size gives him an huge advantage at times, as he is big enough to see over traffic. Tristan is far from a finished product as he needs refinement in keeping square, staying up longer to protect the top corners and improving positioning and reactions. Lennox is comparable to Mike Smith in playstyle and has the potential to be a starting goalie in the league 3 years down the line.

51. Ben Gaudreau

Barring a sudden shift, Gaudreau should be the 4th goalie to hear his name called in 2021. More than likely, he will be the 3rd goalie taken in the 2nd round of the draft behind Sebastian Cossa and Tristan Lennox. Ben Gaudreau has all the makings of a Starter in the modern NHL. He has a big frame at 6’2, and has the NHL-caliber build. Gaudreau is an athletic goaltender who moves well in net and can track pucks at an elite level. His rebound control and glove hand stand out as strengths and his poise in net is something that every team looks for when scouting a goalie. Unfortunately for Gaudreau, he plays for a bad Sarnia team, so it’s tough to judge if his statistics were due to his play or the team in front of him. When drafting a goalie, it is expected that they might take a few years to develop; Gaudreau is no exception. One scout has compared Gaudreau to Carey Price, but he is very unlikely to be as good as Price, however he can still be a very good starting goalie in the league.

52. Trevor Wong

Trevor Wong was a highly sought after prospect entering the WHL draft, and was ultimately selected by the Kelowna Rockets at 18 because he was already Committed to the University of Denver. Trevor Wong is an elite skater who is an elite offensive presence every time he is on the ice. His skating ability is second to none in this draft; his dynamic puck control and vision that enhances players performance around him. An incredibly hard to contain player with his diverse skill set and pro-level skating abilities, he’s a rough time for defenders when he is in possession of the puck. I’d describe his game as more of a pass first type of player, he distributes complicated passes with ease and his poised offensive approach allows players around him to keep up with his pace of play. He can put the puck in the back of the net as well, beating goalies with intelligent shot selection and shot accuracy. He shows the capabilities of carrying the puck end to end by displaying dynamic footwork and puck protection skills. While he is fairly diminutive in size, Wong is a fearless combatant who will explode with the puck out of corners and handle physical play along the wall fairly well. Wong is only 5’8/154, so teams might steer clear of him because of his lack of size and strength, which might be an issue at the NHL level. At the NHL level, Wong could range anywhere from a top line playmaking winger to a top 9 forward.

53. William Strömgren

Next player off the board is William Strömgren from MODO. William Strömgren is a scoring winger with fast and powerful skating. Along with his great puck handling skills he can find creative solutions carrying the puck down the ice maneuvering through the defense. He is more of a shooter rather than a playmaker with a quick and accurate release but he also sees the ice very well to set up his teammates. Comparable to Jeff Carter, Strömgren can be a great goal scoring winger at the NHL level, due to his size and skating ability.

54. Jack O’Brien

Jack O’Brien is a strong skater that has the ability to slip behind coverages. He is a well rounded player on both sides of the puck. Despite playing with a longer stick, he has excellent puck control, however he has relied upon his teammates to handle most attack zone entries. O’Brien is an excellent face-off man, which is very valuable at the NHL level. O’Brien is strong when battling along the boards and is quite disruptive on the forecheck. Jack generally makes a living scoring many a garbage goal in front of the net due to his hands in tight. Another attractive attribute is that he is a team-first player and is a complete competitor. O’Brien needs to gain strength, add to his on-ice recognition, but overall he should be an effective two-way center in the NHL, similar to Mike Richards.

55. Peter Reynolds

There might be safer options than Peter Reynolds at this point in the draft, but his potential is hard to ignore. After finishing out a successful run with the Chilliwack Chiefs of the BCHL, where he led all 16-year-olds in scoring with a 47-point campaign in 53 games, he was committed to playing hockey for Boston College in 2020-21. The COVID-19 Pandemic hit, which changed his plans, and he ultimately decided to sign with the Saint John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL. Reynolds hasn’t looked out of place with the Sea Dogs, as he was able to put up 23 points in 30 QMJHL games. Peter Reynolds has high-end hockey IQ, is a strong skater and is an excellent puck handler. In addition, he has a great offensive toolkit that can be improved upon. Similar to Peter Reynolds is undersized, which is why his he will fall in the draft, but he has enormous potential as a dynamic play-driving forward in the NHL.

56. Graham Sward

The next pick in the second round is Graham Sward from the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL. Drafted with the 17th overall pick in the WHL Draft by the Spokane Chiefs, Graham Sward had a solid rookie season recording 17 points and a +12 rating in 55 games. Sward is a defensive-orientated player however who makes most of his impact on the game in his zone. A lanky skater with long legs and a controlled effortless stride that is efficient. Sward’s lateral abilities contribute well to his four-way mobility, he’s able to mirror the opposition coming down on him and force puck carriers to the outside. His stick work is exceptional, he keeps it active and pokes pucks off the player stick with ease. Sward constantly engages on the puck carrier and is well aware of his surroundings. He applies constant pressure on the puck carriers and can close in quickly and impose himself physically to create a turnover. Graham is a defensemen whose hard to play against due to his physical play and defensive capabilities. He is incredibly aware of when his defensive partner needs help and can provide support when needed. Comparable to Adam Larsson, Sward has the potential to be a top 4 shut-down defenseman with great mobility and physical presence.

57. Justin Janicke

The next prospect off the board is Justin Janicke from the US National Development Program. Justin Janicke is another solid NHL prospect from the USA Developmental program, and is committed to the University of Notre Dame next season. Janicke may be only 5’11”, but he plays with physical and has an edge to his game. Justin will fight through contact, and go to the net front area, but he also is skilled enough to beat the goalie with his quick shot. Janicke is very skilled, and is good on his skates; he uses his edges well and can directions very well. His puck handling is solid, and is able to get around his defenders with deceptive moves and dekes. If Janicke wants to be a top 6 forward, he will have to polish is 200 foot game, and work on his back check. Justin Janicke is comparable to Mats Zuccarello, he plays with an edge to his game but is quite shifty when he has the puck. Like Zuccarello, it may take Janicke a couple years before he is NHL ready.

58. Jayden Grubbe

Jayden Grubbe of the Red Deer Rebels is the next selection in the second round of the 2021 draft. After being selected 8th overall in the 2018 WHL import draft by the Red Deer Rebels, Jayden Grubbe scored only 6 goals and 29 goals in 57 games, but there is way more to his game than stats. Jayden Grubbe is a skillful power forward who plays with grit and competitiveness and often the driving force of his lines offensive play. Grubbe plays the game with urgency, plays like he always has a chip on his shoulder. Grubbe is a relentless offensive force with a non-stop motor in pursuit of the puck. He will track down puck carriers and make them pay with physical play. Works productively along the wall and in the cycle his high IQ allows him to roll into a scoring position off the wall. His emotions at times can push him over the edge and lead to discipline troubles. If he is to be an impact player at the next level, he will need to be more explosive, in terms of speed. Like Jake Virtanen, Grubbe is a skillful power forward who plays with grit and competitiveness. He displays all the tools to be an effective top 9 forward in the league.

59. Bryce Montgomery

The next pick in the draft could turn out to the steal of the draft if he ends up fulfilling his offensive potential. Bryce Montgomery is a towering 6 foot 5 defenseman, who already has made a name for himself as a shutdown defenseman. Comparable to Brandon Carlo, Montgomery is very stable in his own end and has some offensive upside. Montgomery thrives at playing man-on-man defense in the slot. If an attacker (non puck carrier) is trying to exploit lanes in the slot, Montgomery keeps tabs on him and uses his frame to put pressure on the attacker to eliminate a potential threat. Not only does Montgomery exert a ton of pressure on non puck carriers, but he is quite strong at using his frame to limit puck movement. He has strong gap control and will play close to the vest. When an attacker is looking to shift the puck around the 6’5′ Marylander, Montgomery uses his frame to push attacker and by doing so he can control puck movement. In addition, he uses his frame well when dodging attackers on his way to loose pucks and he shown that he challenge and win puck battles with some of the best prospects in the O. Don’t hold out for Montgomery to be an offensive defenseman, he is probably never going to be that, but at worst he can be a reliable top 4 defenseman, that logs tons of minutes. Right now, Montgomery projects as a second pair defenseman at the NHL level, but that can change if he adds offense to his game.

60. Connor Lockhart

The next pick in the second round is the undersized but supremely talented forward Connor Lockhart from the Erie Otters. Connor Lockhart is an immensely talented offensive player who can dictate the outcome of a game with his flash of speed and skill. During his Bantam season with the Ottawa Jr. Senators, Lockhart put up an absurd 50 goals and 76 points in 30 games. He has led his league in goals in his two seasons with the Jr. Senators. Suiting up for the Kanata Lasers in the HEO Midget league, Lockhart tallied 30 goals and 79 points in 41 games. Lockhart is a complete offensive package, with unparalleled scoring abilities, tremendous puck skills, and outstanding speed to boot. Connor Lockhart is a natural goal scorer with an elite release; he can change shooting angles and quickly fire an accurate shot on the net that catches goaltenders in transition. He also has outstanding puck skills, Lockhart often looks like he has the puck on a string, and can dangle his way out of trouble and through opponents with ease. His skating level is off the charts, Lockhart utilizes his edges to keep defenders on their toes and can cut in and out of the slot with the blink of an eye. As a modestly sized center, Lockhart will need to add some serious muscle to compete and thrive against bigger and stronger opponents at the next level. Due to his lack of strength, he is sometimes knocked off of the puck or out-battled along the wall for a loose puck. Lockhart’s skillset suggests that he would be more suitable for being a dynamic goal-scoring winger at the NHL level.

61. Samuel Helenius

Samuel Helenius is a big frame 6’6″ Center, who is a good two-way player, and plays with a physical edge. Helenius is a good skater for his size, but it takes some real power to get a 6’6, 200lb frame moving. Another strength of his game is his puck protection; his big frame makes it extremely hard for defenders to move him off the puck. Something else that stands out is his shot. He can fire his wrister and has good accuracy as well. Helenius might not have a top-tier IQ, but he understands coverages and can pick gaps, and this area of his game is a plus overall. Helenius has a nose for the net and finds himself around the crease looking for a rebound to cash in on. Defensively Helenius is physical and aggressive, and also has a good stick. He breaks up plays with regularity and is usually in a good position. Like Brian Boyle, Helenius can be solid Checking-line center at the NHL level.

62. Evan Nause

Evan Nause of the Quebec Ramparts will be the next pick in the second round. Nause is a good size Defender with great four-way mobility. Nause is poised under pressure and avoids forecheckers and calmly makes a pass to a teammate to transition the puck. Evan is also good an gaining the oppositions zone with the puck; he can pick apart defenses by patiently waiting as things to unfold before feathering the puck accurately to teammates. On the powerplay, he is very good when walking the blue line and has a nice outside shot that is tippable. Nause may not get the same buzz the some of the other defenseman are getting, but he seems to have the makeup of a solid all-around defenseman. Evan Nause doesn’t do anything at an elite level, but he doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses. For this reason, he may be one of the safer picks in the second round. Comparable to Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Nause has all the makings of a solid top 4 defenseman at the NHL level.

63. Ayton Martino

The next prospect picked is Ayrton Martino, arguably the most polarizing prospect in this draft. Ayrton Martino is an intriguing prospect because of his enormous offensive upside, but at the same time it is a huge risk to pick him in the second round because he is disinterested defensively, which isn’t going to go well at the NHL level. Comparable to Josh Ho-Sang during his draft year, Martino is a dynamic offensive player, who can create offense from anywhere in the offensive zone. He is impossible to ignore because of his speed and skill combined with his cerebral offensive mindset. Martino is the type of player that needs to be drafted to the right team because he has a run and gun style of play. If he is drafted to a team that plays a more blue collared system, he might not fit in and he isn’t good enough defensively to play a bottom 6 role. There is a chance that Martino is a bust but at the same time he could very much be the next star player in the league if he gets drafted by the right team and developed correctly.

64. Jack Peart

The final pick of the 2nd round is Jack Peart. Peart’s hockey sense is what makes him standout when compared to his peers as he possesses both awareness and anticipation. He comprehends the difficult situations that occur during a game and turn them into intelligent plays. Peart plays with a calm demeanor and has a confident presence at the blueline, which suggest that he is capable of being a top pair defenseman someday. Peart’s skating is fluid, and he shows great mobility. Very solid on his skates as he uses his edges well and makes effortless transitions. Peart’s smooth skating allows him to shadow the opposition while maximizing pressure on the puck carrier. With his exceptional backwards skating and agility, he can push play to the outside. Jack Peart is very underrated because some scouts feel like he has a lower ceiling than other defenseman in the draft, but Peart is probably one of the few defenseman in this draft that are not far away from being NHL ready. He his comparable to Ryan McDonagh, a solid shutdown defenseman in the league for a long time. At 17 years old, Peart has already shown that is was able to play to minutes and be relied upon in all situations. At the NHL level, at the worst he will be a top 4 defenseman that logs heavy minutes.

This will wrap up my first mock draft for the 2021 NHL draft; I will likely be doing another mock draft when it is closer to the draft.