2021 NHL Draft: Mock Draft By Team (Part 1)

Before on this blog, I did a mock draft of two rounds in the 2021 NHL Draft, but I didn’t draft them to any particular team. So I think it is necessary to do a mock draft by team. The order of the mock draft is determined by the Standings, and there is no lottery in this mock draft. This mock draft excludes Seattle because they did not partake in the 2020-21 season. The mock draft is divided into two parts, Part 1 is Non playoff teams, and Part 2 will be done after the conclusion of the NHL playoffs.

Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres had the worst record in the NHL, therefore they will have the first pick in the mock draft. They will also have two 2nd round picks, and two 3rd round picks as well. With the 1st overall pick, the Buffalo Sabres Select the towering 6’5″ Defenseman, Owen Power from Michigan. Owen Power will bring size and stability to the blueline in Buffalo, which is much needed. In the second round, the Sabres draft Alexander Kisakov and Roman Schmidt. Kisakov is a prolific Left Winger, that scored 36 goals and 73 points in 63 MHL games. Roman Schmidt is a big shutdown defenseman, whom the Sabres can pair with Rasmus Dahlin. In the 3rd round, the Sabres draft Josh Doan and Jack O’Brien. Josh Doan has some snarl in his game, much like his father, Shane Doan, and is capable of scoring goals as well, as he had 27 goals and 65 points in 50 games. With these additions, the Buffalo Sabres made themselves a lot tougher to play against in the future.

Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks had the 2nd worst record in the NHL, so they have the 2nd pick in the mock draft. With the 2nd pick, the Anaheim Ducks draft Dylan Guenther, a prolific offensive dynamo from the Edmonton Oil Kings in the WHL. Dylan Guenther would be a perfect fit on a line with Trevor Zegras and Maxime Comtois. In the 2nd round the Anaheim Ducks draft Samu Tuomaala, a versatile Finnish forward, whom can play all three forward positions. Then in the 3rd round, the Ducks draft Tuomaala’ Finnish National team teammate and U18 Captain, Samu Salminen. Tuomaala and Salminen played tremendous together at the U18s, it would certainly make the transition to the NHL easier playing with a player they are familiar with. With the additions of Guenther, Tuomaala, and Salminen, the Anaheim Ducks add some much needed scoring to the team.

New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils have two first round picks in the 2021 draft, picks 3 and 20. With the 3rd overall pick, the New Jersey Devils select Brandt Clarke, a smooth puck moving defenseman, who should help the Devils very soon. PK Subban’ contract is up after the 2021-22 season, so expect the Devils to do what the did with Ty Smith, and keep him in juniors for another year. Then with the 20th pick the Devils select Nikita Chibrikov, a prolific Russian player, who captained the Russian U18 team, that won silver this year. In the 2nd round, the Devils draft Sean Behrens, a reliable two-way defenseman, who is undersized but has proven that he can get the job done. In the 3rd round, the Devils draft Chibrikov’ teammate on the U18 team, Matvei Petrov. The New Jersey Devils went out and got impact players to help out Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier; Clarke and Chibrikov should be a huge part of the core if all pans out right.

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets have three 1st round picks in the 2021 Draft, picks 4, 23, and 25. With the 4th pick, the Columbus Jackets select Matthew Beniers, a terrific two-way center from Michigan. Beniers could be the Blue Jackets 1st line center right away; Columbus doesn’t really have any legit top 6 centers on the roster. After drafting Matthew Beniers, the Blue Jackets draft Francesco Pinelli with the 23rd pick, and Zachary L’Heureux with the 25th pick. Francesco Pinelli is a reliable two-way Center, that fits into Columbus’ system, and Zachary L’Heureux is a feisty player, who has talent but can struggle with discipline. With the 68th pick, the Blue Jackets draft Arytom Grushnikov, who was considered a first round talent last year, but fell to the third- round. The Blue Jackets draft three great players that will give you 100% every shift, and that is something that Columbus looks for in it’s players.

Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings have 7 picks in the first 3 rounds of the 2021 NHL; they can really improve their tam with these picks. With the 5th overall pick in the 2021 Draft, the Detroit Red Wings draft Luke Hughes, a prolific offensive defenseman, out of the USNTDP and the US U18 of the USHL. Luke Hughes won’t be rushed in Detroit, so he can live up to his sky high potential that he has. Sasha Pastujov is selected with the 24th pick in the draft, Pastujov is a highly skilled forward, who put up 52 points in 34 USHL games and 8 points in 5 games for the US U18 team. In the 2nd round, the Red Wings draft Anton Olsson, Dylan Duke, and Benjamin Gaudreau. Anton Olson is a solid two-way defenseman, who projects as a second pair defenseman. Dylan Duke is an undersized player, but he is very dynamic, and fits into the type of team Detroit wants to build. Benjamin Gaudreau is the goalie that led Canada’ U18 team to the Gold Medal this year; he posted a 2.20 GAA and .919 SV% in 5 appearances. In the 3rd round, the Red Wings draft Colton Dach and Kalle Vaisanen. Colton Dach is a big power forward, who needs time to develop, but he could turn into an impact player in the future. Kalle Vaisanen put up 30 points in 27 games in Finland’ U20 league; he should be a solid top 9 player in the future. The Red Wings not only got two prolific players in Luke Hughes and Sasha Pastujov, but they got depth at every position.

San Jose Sharks

The San Jose Sharks have the 6th overall pick in the 2021 Draft, and select Kent Johnson, a talented point-scoring machine from Michigan, with the pick. Kent Johnson can play center and wing, which is important for the Sharks, because it gives the Sharks many options to play with. The Sharks don’t have a 2nd round pick in the draft, so they will have to wait until the 3rd round for their next selection. In the 3rd round, San Jose selects Vincent Iorio, a solid defensive-defenseman, who plays a lot like Jake Muzzin. The Sharks make the most of the picks they had, and address the biggest needs on their team, which is secondary scoring and Left D.

Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks are very likely to end up with the 7th pick in the draft, but that is not the worst thing for them but because they got Quinn Hughes with that pick in 2018. With the 7th pick in the 2021 draft, the Vancouver Canucks draft Simon Edvinsson, a rangy and smooth skating, Swedish defenseman with enormous upside. Edvinsson was considered by many to be a top 5 pick, but teams picking ahead of the Canucks had other plans. In the 2nd round, the Canucks draft Connor Roulette from Seattle of the WHL. Roulette’ ranking is all over the place, but he is a player that can do it all for a team, he plays very similar to JT Miller. Jayden Grubbe is selected in the 3rd round by the Vancouver Canucks; Grubbe is a power forward, who can play center and wing. The Canucks greatly improve the Defense immediately with the addition of Simon Edvinsson, and add some much needed depth with the additions of Roulette and Grubbe.

Los Angeles Kings

The LA Kings have 5 picks in the first 3 rounds of the 2021 draft. With the 8th pick in the 2021 Draft, the LA Kings select Jesper Wallstedt, a potential franchise goalie out of Sweden. Jesper Wallstedt will complete the rebuild for the LA Kings, and they could potential be a perennial contender with him in net. In the 2nd round, the LA Kings draft Logan Mailloux, an offensive defenseman with massive upside and Cole Huckins, a big two-way center, who would be a terrific third line center in the future. In the 3rd round, LA drafts Ville Koivunen and Olivier Nadeau. Ville Koivunen scored 23 goals and 49 points in 38 games playing for Karpat in the Finland’ U20 league. Olivier Nadeau scored 13 goals and 45 points in 34 games playing for Shawinigan in the QMJHL. The LA Kings really hit the jackpot in this draft; the get the best goalie in the draft, a defenseman with tremendous upside, a solid two-way center, and two dynamic wingers as well.

Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators have the 9th pick in the 2021 draft, and select Mason McTavish, a player who whose stock really rose after the U18 World Championships. McTavish scored 5 goals and 11 points in 7 games in the tournament playing alongside Connor Bedard. In the 2nd round, the Senators draft Oliver Kapanen and Logan Stankoven. Oliver Kapanen, scored 25 goals and 41 points in 37 games with the KalPa in Finland’ U20 league. Logan Stankoven is undersized, but he is a dynamic player who knows how to score points. In the 3rd round, the Ottawa Senators draft Guillaume Richard, an effective shut-down defenseman, who is very under-the-radar. The Ottawa Senators drafted Mason McTavish and Logan Stankoven, two players who played on the same line for Canada this year at the U18 World Championships. The Sens also draft Oliver Kapanen, a dynamic goal scorer, and Guillaume Richard to pair with Erik Brannstrom in the future.

Arizona Coyotes

The Arizona Coyotes don’t have a first because of the Taylor Hall Trade, and they don’t have a 3rd round pick in the 2021 draft either. Arizona does have two 2nd round picks, which Arizona use to draft Scott Morrow and Ayrton Martino. Scott Morrow is a good puck-moving defenseman, he put up 48 points in 30 games playing for Shattuck Ste. Marie. Ayrton Martino is ultimate boom or bust puck in the draft; he can either become a star in the league, or he won’t pan out at all due to his poor defensive effort. Arizona was handicapped in this draft, but did a good job at addressing some needs on the team.

Calgary Flames

The Calgary Flames have the 11th pick in the 2021 draft, and select William Eklund with the pick. William Eklund fell in the draft because is undersized, but there is no doubt that Eklund is one of the more skilled forwards in this draft class. Calgary drafts Samuel Helenius, a hulking 6 foot 6, Finnish center; he will be a terrific third line center for the Flames. In the 3rd round, Calgary Flames draft Tristan Lennox, a 6’4″ goalie, who can tandem with Jacob Markstrom a few years down the line. With their 2nd pick in the 3rd round, Calgary selects Brent Johnson, a solid puck- moving defenseman. The Calgary Flames get a dynamic offensive player in William Eklund, and fill out the rest of their prospect pool very nicely with the additions of Samuel Helenius and Brent Johnson. Tristan Lennox will be a terrific goalie for the team 3 years down the line.

Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks have 12th pick in the 2021 draft, and grab Chaz Lucius with the pick. Chaz Lucius scored 18 points in 12 games, playing for the USNTDP Juniors in the USHL and 20 points in 13 games playing for the USNTDP’ U18 team. Chaz Lucius is a high-IQ forward, who will flourish with the Blackhawks. In the second round, Chicago Blackhawks draft Cameron Whynot and Matthew Knies. Cameron Whynot was a highly rated prospect before playing in the OHL, but is stock has plummeted after a subpar year with Halifax. Despite the subpar year, Whynot fills a need for the Blackhawks at Left D. Matthew Knies is another player whose stock dropped this year, he could potentially be an impact player for Chicago. The Chicago Blackhawks add three good prospect that can help the team two years down the line.

Philadelphia Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers have the 13th pick in the 2021 draft, and select Sebastian Cossa. Carter Hart had a set back this year, and regressed a lot, so the as an insurance policy they draft Sebastian Cossa, the 6 foot 6 goalie from the Edmonton Oil Kings. A tandem of Carter Hart and Sebastian Cossa is something the Flyers should be excited for. In the 2nd round, the Flyers draft Evan Nause, a solid defenseman with tons of upside, and James Malatesta, a skilled but undersized forward. The Philadelphia Flyers improve their already deep prospect pool tremendously, with the addition of Sebastian Cossa, a goalie who can help take the pressure off Carter Hart. Philly also adds Evan Nause and James Malatesta; both players will take time to develop.

Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars have the 14th pick in the draft, and select Cole Sillinger, a dynamic goal scoring Center. Cole Sillinger has been a prolific scorer at every level he played at; in the 2020-21 season, Sillinger scored 24 goals and 46 points in 31 games, playing for the Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL. The year before, scored 22 goals and 53 points in 48 games with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL. In the second round, the Stars draft William Strömgren, a fast a powerful skater, with size and skill. In the 3rd round, the Stars draft, Oscar Plandowski, a solid puck-moving defenseman. William Strömgren gives the the Stars some size on the left wing, and Oscar Plandowski projects to be a borderline top 4 defenseman, but he is more likely to be a third pair defenseman, who plays a bit on the power play. The Dallas Stars add more scoring to the team with the addition of Cole Sillinger, and more overall depth to the team with the additions of Strömgren and Plandowski.

New York Rangers

The New York Rangers have the 15th pick in the 2021 draft, and grab Carson Lambos from the Winnipeg ICE, with that pick. Carson Lambos was a consensus top 10 pick, but due to his season ending injury, he has fallen outside the top 10. The New York Rangers desperately need a reliable top-pair defenseman, to pair with Adam Fox, and Lambos is just what they need reliable minute-eating defenseman, who is used to playing against other teams’ top players. With the first pick in the 2nd round, the Rangers draft Kirill Kirsanov, another reliable defenseman. Then with the 2nd pick in the 3rd round, the Rangers draft Jakub Brabenec, a standout on the Czech U18 team. The New York Rangers walk away from the draft a much better defensive core for the future, with the addition of Carson Lambos and Kirill Kirsanov. Jakub Brabenec could be a valuable third-line player for the Rangers alongside fellow countrymen, Filip Chytil.