The Puckjunkie Mock Draft

June 12, 2001

On June 23rd, Sunrise, Florida will be hosting the NHL Entry Draft. We here at Puckjunkie.com thought it would be a good opportunity to have a look at the players available and make some projections. But we're not the only ones giving our opinions. Check out the thoughts of hockey experts Geoff Rhine and Rob Gallamore. 

Pos.	Team	Pick	Comments
1		Ilya Kovalchuk, LW	It is also possible that this pick will get dealt. The most likely suitor seems to be Buffalo (for Peca and college goaltending superstar Ryan Miller). Fantasy Value: Will be in the NHL come October
2		Jason Spezza, C	This is a natural for Mike Milbury. Spezza would fit in nicely with the other young prospects including Taylor Pyatt and Raffi Torres. It also could make it easier for Milbury to part with young Tim Connolly if he wants to land a veteran superstar. Fantasy Value:  Milbury likes to give his top prospects an extra year in Junior, but Spezza may be an exception - keep a close eye on him at camp.
3		Alexander Svitov, C	This is a very difficult pick for the Lightning. Chistov is the most talented player available in the draft, but they need more size and Svitov fits the bill. Don't be surprised if Tampa Bay either trades down (and selects Koivu) or trades out of the first round altogether for a talented veteran. If the pick is traded look for Chistov to go #3. Fantasy Value: With his size and skill he should make the NHL out of training camp, but his output will probably be limited to 30 points...tops.
4		Stanislav Chistov, RW	Arguably the most talented player in the draft, he will be victimized by the same issues that faced Paul Kariya - size and stamina. The Panthers would much rather have Svitov, but they won't be able to pass up this gifted playmaker. Fantasy Value: If he's selected by the Panthers he could find himself in Junior in 01/02. But a selection by another team that trades up for him could see him with 3rd or 4th line duty and 30+ points.
5		Mikko Koivu, C	A very good balance of size and skill, he is exactly what the Ducks need. He isn't speedy and deceptive like his brother Saku, but he doesn't have to be - his toughness opens lanes for him. The Ducks need help in a number of areas and could listen to offers for the pick if there was a nice package coming back. If the pick is traded Stephen Weiss could be picked here. Fantasy Value: He could stay in Europe another year, but the Ducks will likely want to see him in camp and evaluate it for themselves. 50/50 as to whether he's in the NHL this year.
6		Stephen Weiss, C	Minnesota is too new a fanchise to not use the "best player available" approach. With that in mind they will likely select Weiss. He's immensely talented and a solid two-way player. He's exactly what the defense-first Wild should be happy with. Fantasy Value: Much like Scott Hartnell and David Legwand in Nashville, Weiss will be given a chance to make the team out of camp. As a result it's difficult to project his immediate value.
7		Tuomo Ruutu, C	Very capable of playing any of the forward positions, Ruutu would give the Habs a skilled player with a defensive conscience. While many may be clamouring for the Canadiens to select Pascal Leclaire, the team is set in goal for the next half-decade at least. Fantasy Value: As much as the Habs would love to have him in the line-up, he will likely play another year in Europe.
8		Mike Komisarek, D	There is no doubt that Columbus GM Doug MacLean would love to have a potential sniper on the squad. He's already said as much. But looking down the availables when it's his turn to pick, there isn't an obvious choice. As a result, unless he trades the pick, he will be forced into a "best player available" position and will take Komisarek. This guy is HUGE (6-4, 225) and is mobile enough to contribute offensively.  Fantasy Value:
9		Dan Blackburn, G	We must admit that we are applying logic when we make this pick (which often isn't a pre-requisite for a Mike Smith selection), but Blackburn is an obvious choice for the Blackhawks. He's aggressive, he's cocky, and he reminds us of another former Hawk goalie - does Ed Belfour ring a bell? While their goaltending styles aren't similar, Blackburn may be able to finally add some leadership and attitude between the pipes in "Chi-Town".
10		Dan Hamhuis, D	The Rangers have to think about life after Brian Leetch. By selecting Hamhuis, they may just have Leetch's heir apparent. The team has prospect depth up front and in goal, but can still use some more help on the blue line.
11		R. J Umberger, C	Great size, Umberger could be classic NHL first line center...or not. Scouts love this guy, but they're just not sure how far he will develop. Fantasy Value: He will almost surely stay in College for at least another year.
12		Carlo Colaiacovo, D	He's not an imposing figure on the blueline and he won't win a scoring title, but Colaiacovo should play in the NHL for a long time. Fantasy Value: A better all-round d-man than Kimmo Timmonen, Colaiacovo could step into the Nashville roster in October and see even strength and powerplay time.
13		Fredrik Sjostrom, RW	Not quite as "beefy" as pro scouts want him to be, Sjostrom has definitely attracted their attention. He is very talented and plays aggressively, but needs to fill out and work on his strength training. Fantasy Value: Probably two years away, Sjostrom could turn into a Mikael Renberg-type player.
14		Jeff Woywitka, D	With the addition of Danny Markov, there are many who believe the Coyotes will select a forward, but at this stage of the draft the d-men are more talented. They may trade down 4 or 5 spots and pick a forward or move up a bit. Woywitka, will add to a very talented young Phoenix blueline that will include Markov, Suchy, and Vaananen. Fantasy Value: Look for Woywitka to spend at least one more year in Junior.
15		Ales Hemsky, RW	The Hurricanes are very deep in goal and on defense, but they lack a depth of pure skill at the forward position. Hemsky could definitely fill that void. He needs a little more bulk, but his skills make him hard to pass up. Fantasy Value: It's unlikely he will pull off playing in the NHL at 18 like Havlat did, but don't be surprised to see him in an NHL uniform come September 2002.
16		Pascal Leclaire, G	With the non-goaltending talent available in this draft, it is very possible that Leclaire could slip to the Canucks. If he does, it will be a gift that GM Brian Burke cannot afford to pass up. Leclaire could provide the Canucks with the pure #1 they've been lacking. Fantasy Value: Generally goalies take a few years to develop (examples include Jose Theodore, Brian Finley, etc.), and Leclaire should be no exception.
17		Lukas Krajicek, D	With the loss of Danny Markov (in the trade with Phoenix) the Leafs will be looking to pick up another skilled d-man to replenish the system. Even with Petr Svoboda, Dimitri Yakushin, and DJ Smith on the farm, picking Krajicek would be a logical choice. Fantasy Value: Krajicek is at least 2 years away.
18		Alexander Polushin, RW	Probably the most criticized player in the 1st round, Polushin needs to be surrounded by talented players could be the environment he needs. LA could be a perfect fit. He wouldn't be expected to do too much in the first year, and Andy Murray is a great teacher. Fantasy Value: He could make the team out of training camp, but don't expect to see much of him. He'll hit 20 points if he's lucky.
19		Colby Armstrong, RW	This could be a great pick for the Oilers. Too often they have focused on skill in the first round instead of overall ability. Armstrong is tough, with some scoring touch, but he's a bit slow on his skates. Fantasy Value: Could make the Oilers as a 4th liner out of training camp.
20		Jiri Novotny, C	He's big, but his skills aren't as apparent as some of his "classmates". Some have been very vocal in their criticism of him, but his size may be too attractive for a team like San Jose. Fantasy Value: he is likely a 2 or 3 year project.
21		Igor Knyazev, D	The Penguins need to get deeper on defense, and Knyazev could step in this year (at least as a 6th or 7th d-man). He has an edge to his game that makes him more attractive than a lot of other European blueliners. Fantasy Value: You will need to watch him out of camp. If he impresses coach Hlinka, he'll stay.
22		Duncan Milroy, RW	This is a "we need a forward" pick. The jury is still out on Milroy. He has shown some offensive skill this past season, but many scouts aren't sure if he has the entire package. At #22 though, the Sabres will likely take the risk. Fantasy Value: Similar to players like Shane Doan, it will probably take Milroy 2 or 3 years to develop.
23		Mark Popovic, D	The Flyers will waste no time selecting a defenseman. The hard decision will be whether they should select Tim Gleason or Mark Popovic. They will probably go with Popovic. He is the safe choice. Gleason may have a great upside, but his self-discipline issues on the ice could get in the way. Fantasy Value: Popovic is a defensive d-man and as a result may never have much fantasy value.
24		Tim Gleason, D	This is a perfect pick for the Devils. In the discipline of Larry Robinson's world, a player like Gleason could thrive. If Robinson is able to work with him, Gleason could be a Top 3 d-man in Jersey. Fantasy Value: He could easily develop into a solid if unspectacular d-man on offense. But it will probably take at least 2 years.
25		Alexander Perezhogin, LW	If he was a North American skater (at 5-11, 185) he would probably be a 3rd round pick, but because he is a product of Avangard Omsk 2 there is a willingness to take a risk. Montreal is a good place for him to go. They have a knack for recognizing under-valued projects. Fantasy Value: There is a small chance that he will come over to training camp and fit right in. More than likely he will have to spend more time in Russia (or possibly more to a Junior team in Canada).
26		Greg Watson, C	Dallas is looking to rebuild and picking 26th they will have to take risks. The easy pick just isn't available this late in the first round so they need go with an underrated guy with all the tools to step right in. Watson is that guy. Fantasy Value: Well the good news is that if the Stars decide to get younger, Watson could see some time. Bad news is that he won't see quality time.
27		David Steckel, C	The Sens proved in the playoffs that they need toughness and size. While Steckel isn't going to play a finesse game, at 6-5 and 200 pounds he has the opportunity to grow into a Keith Primeau role. A role the Senators desperately need. Fantasy Value: Much like Primeau, don't expect much from this guy for a couple of years.
28		Doug Lynch , D	With Scott Stevens and Ken Daneyko getting up there, the Devils will need to continue developing young power d-men. Colin White is a good start, and Lynch could be another building block. He has size and is a great hitter. Fantasy Value: He did have 37 points last year in Junior, but don't expect much of that to translate into NHL offensive success.
29		Fedor Tyutin, D	I know what you're saying, "Smith = Russian". But that's only half the case here. It's possible that the Hawks could take Jay Harrison here, but there are still questions about his development. Tyutin, won't hurt Chicago. Question is...will he help? Fantasy Value: At least two years away.
30		Jay Harrison, D	With the extra pick in the 1st round the Kings can afford to take a chance on Harrison. He was ranked much higher by Central Scouting during the season, but his stock has fallen. Fantasy Value: He has a hard shot and could make the Kings in 2003.

Note:

• If Edmonton exercises its option this year to swap picks with Boston (from the Guerin/Carter trade), the round could take on a very different complexion. Edmonton may do this to take Leclaire. If that happens Phoenix may decide to take Sjostrom and Vancouver may take Woywitka.