2006 Mock Draft

The Guessing Game

So who will go first? Johnson? Staal? Kessel? Different teams have different needs and viewpoints on prospects.

The draft order for the 16 teams that made the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs is based on the playoff results, and were determined after the Carolina Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup. As champions, their pick (owned by the Blues) goes to No. 30.

Note: Mock trades are not projected in this scenario.

Check back for updates as the draft approaches. You can watch the event live on TSN, Saturday June 24 at 6pm et/3pm pt.

TSN.ca Mock Draft - updated June 20, 2006

1.		St. Louis Blues - Erik Johnson, D The Blues traded defenceman Chris Pronger last summer, but will get a great future blueliner in Johnson.
2.		Pittsburgh Penguins - Jordan Staal, C The thought of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal down the middle in a few years is too enticing to pass up.
3.		Chicago Blackhawks - Phil Kessel, RW The Hawks need a player who can help sell tickets at the United Center, and Kessel could provide some excitement.
4.		Washington Capitals - Nicklas Backstrom, C Backstrom, a centre, could one day form a lethal line with Alexander Ovechkin. Didn't look out of place at the 2006 Worlds.
5.		Boston Bruins - Jonathan Toews, C The Bruins need a bit of everything off the chart, and the North Dakota forward is a very good start.
6.		Columbus Blue Jackets - Jiri Tlusty, LW Tlusty has seen his stock rise dramatically over the last few months, and the Jackets could benefit.
7.		New York Islanders - Peter Mueller, C Mueller brings a good skill set that would suit first-year GM Neil Smith and head ocach Ted Nolan well.
8.		Phoenix Coyotes - Derick Brassard, C Letting go of Daniel Briere a few years ago hurt; a small, skilled centre like Brassard could be their redemption.
9.		Minnesota Wild - Kyle Okposo, RW The forward who once played for Shattuck St. Mary's would be a perfect fit in the state of hockey-mad Minnesota.
10.		Florida Panthers - Michael Frolik, RW At 10th overall, he could be the steal of the draft with his speed, hockey sense and skill.
11.		Los Angeles Kings - Bob Sanguinetti, D Sanguinetti would compliment Dean Lombardi's young Kings team, especially on the blueline.
12.		Atlanta Thrashers - Bryan Little, C With or without Marc Savard, Atlanta needs a centre. He's a small skilled pivot with an added element of toughness.
13.		Toronto Maple Leafs - James Sheppard, LW The Cape Breton forward will bring plenty of size and a solid two-way game for the Maple Leafs.
14.		Vancouver Canucks - Artem Anisimov, C The Canucks have had plenty of success with European talent. And many scouts are keen on this kid.
15.		Tampa Bay Lightning - Leland Irving, G The Lightning need to develop a future No. 1 goalie, and Irving's stock is rising heading into the draft.
16.		Montreal Canadiens - Mark Mitera, D The Habs need to develop good, defensive blueliners, and he fits their trend of taking college D-men early (Komisarek, Hainsey).
17.		Minnesota Wild (from Edmonton) - Yuri Alexandrov, D Oilers' pick from the Dwayne Roloson deal. The Wild go off the chart a bit, but he'll stabilize the blueline.
18.		Colorado Avalanche - Michael Grabner, RW The Avs need to develop scoring, and he provides it with flair. Grabner could become a human highlight reel.
19.		Anaheim Ducks - Chris Summers, D With the 19th selection, general manager Brian Burke takes the best defenceman available at this point.
20.		San Jose Sharks - Ty Wishart, D The Sharks need to develop a good, stay-at-home stopper. Wishart has the size and toughness to fit the description.
21.		New York Rangers - Nick Foligno The Sudbury Wolves forward would bring a great work ethic with him - just like father Mike did.
22.		Philadelphia Flyers - Chris Stewart, RW A big and tough forward who plays well physically? Sounds like a good Bob Clarke pick to us.
23.		Washington Capitals (from Nashville) - Ivan Vishnevsky, D He's a potential power-play quarterback who could feed the puck to you-know-who.
24.		Buffalo Sabres - David Fischer, D The Sabres need defence, and have loved drafting U.S. scholastic talent over the last few years (Stafford, Vanek).
25.		New Jersey Devils - Trevor Lewis Recent history has shown that the Devils love their U.S. talent, and Lewis is a great sleeper from the USHL.
26.		Calgary Flames - Claude Giroux, RW The Flames need scoring, and Giroux lit it up for Gatineau in his rookie season in the QMJHL.
27.		Dallas Stars - Alexander Vasyunov, LW With Modano playing in what is likely his last years, the Stars need to develop more scoring for the future.
28.		Ottawa Senators - Jonathan Bernier, G Ray Emery is up in Ottawa and Jeff Glass is already in the system, but another developing goalie can't hurt.
29.		Detroit Red Wings - Patrik Berglund, C A solid talent who could fit well with Swedish teammates in Detroit. The Wings do their homework well.
30.		St. Louis Blues (from Carolina) - Cory Emmerton, C After taking Johnson on defence, the Blues also need to build up front, and Emmerton is a good playmaker.

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