And by the way, I will not be talking about the trades, even though seeing Jordan Staal playing with his brother will be a nice little treat.
But anyways, let's get started:
1st Overall: Edmonton Selects Nail Yakupov (RW)
My Reaction: Was their ever any doubt? Edmonton is stacked with young defensemen, so they decided to go with a forward, and most people agree; Nail is the best forward in the draft.
2nd Overall: Columbus Selects Ryan Murray (D)
My Reaction: While I don't think Ryan is the best defenseman in this draft, I do think Columbus made a good pick selecting him, as they don't have many well rounded defensemen in the system right now.
3rd Overall: Montreal Selects Alex Galchenyuk (C)
My Reaction: Even though I thought Mikhail Grigorenko was a better choice for Montreal due to his size and ability, I think Montreal really needs a future centre, and Alex is a good choice.
4th Overall: New York (Islanders) Selects Griffin Reinhart (D)
My Reaction: While I think New York needs a good sturdy young defenseman, I really don't think they should have selected Griffin. Morgan Rielly, Cody Ceci, Matthew Dumba, and Jacob Trouba were ALL still available, and they went with Griffin. The same thing happened with Calvin De Haan a while back. Who knows, I may be proven wrong in the future, but I don't think this guy should be in the top 5.
5th Overall: Toronto Selects Morgan Rielly (D)
My Reaction: Even though I'm not a fan of Toronto, I do admit, this was a good choice. You may have said: "Oh, but Toronto needs a forward, not a defenseman!", but with all the rumors of a future trade coming up, I don't think Toronto fans have much to worry about, so just enjoy having Morgan on your team, he may be a superstar someday.
6th Overall: Anaheim Selects Hampus Lindholm (D)
My Reaction: ... Really? I didn't expect to hear this guy's name until the last first round, but 6th overall? Was Cody Ceci to good for you?
7th Overall: Minnesota Selects Matthew Dumba (D)
My Reaction: Even though I like Ceci a little bit more, Matthew was still a great choice by Minnesota. However, I feel a forward would have been better for Minnesota, but I don't think anyone matched their criteria for that (Except maybe Tomas Hertl, but you know, he's from a foreign country, yuk yuk).
8th Overall: Pittsburgh Selects Derrick Pouliot (D)
My Reaction: Again, not my favorite defenseman of the defensemen still undrafted, but I still think this was a good pick by Pittsburgh. He's got plenty of skill, and he's improving every year, so I wouldn't be surprised if he's one of the pieces towards Pittsburgh's future success.
9th Overall: Winnipeg Selects Jacob Trouba (D)
My Reaction: While I think Jacob is a really talented defenseman, and one of the best ones still available, I just think Winnipeg should have went with a forward. But, again, none of the forwards available would have fit their criteria. Still, I can see Jacob playing in the NHL very soon.
10th Overall: Tampa Bay Selects Slater Koekkoek (D)
My Reaction: Another defender that really shouldn't have been picked until later. Also, why would Tampa Bay, TAMPA BAY, be trying to pick up supposed "Undiscovered Gems"? They're really just getting worse and worse, even with Stamkos, so I think they should have went with someone more certain to be a NHL player.
11th Overall: Washington Selects Filip Forsberg (RW)
My Reaction: Geez, when I said he was the 11th best prospect, I didn't expect him to get 11th overall! Many people thought he would be in the Top 5, and even though he's another guy that's slightly overrated in my opinion, I thought he would too! But, I think this was a good pick by Washington, Filip meets all the criteria that they need.
12th Overall: Buffalo Selects Mikhail Grigorenko (C)
My Reaction: I was pretty disappointed he fell so low in the draft because people weren't certain of his dedication, but I guess that's understandable. As for Buffalo, I think this was a great pick by them, and if Mikhail DOES decide to stay in the NHL, they'll definitely have a future 2nd or even 1st liner!
13th Overall: Dallas Selects Radek Faksa (C)
My Reaction: While I think Tomas Hertl would have been a better choice for Dallas, I still think they got a decent player. And also, a centreman is just what Dallas needs, and if Radek develops quickly, they got a good player on their hands.
14th Overall: Buffalo Selects Zemgus Girgensons (C)
My Reaction: Not the best selection of the night, but not the worst. I guess since Buffalo wasn't entirely sure of Grigorenko, they decided to get another centre, just in case. Zengus is a great player, who just barely missed my Top 20 Best Prospects list, but again, players like Tomas Hertl and Brendan Gaunce (Especially Gaunce, as he can fill a leadership role) would have been better picks.
15th Overall: Ottawa Selects Cody Ceci (D)
My Reaction: Even though a forward could have been a better choice, I still admit, Cody Ceci, who played for another Ottawa team beforehand, was a great pick as well. Also, he was my third favorite defenseman in the entire draft.
16th Overall: Washington Selects Tom Wilson (RW)
My Reaction: Okay, I could forgive Buffalo for picking to centres, as they were just being safe, but Washington? Two right wingers, and for little reason. People like Tomas Hertl (I know I bring him up to much) and Pontus Aberg would have been MUCH better choices. Tom Wilson himself isn't even an outstanding player? Late first round at best, in my opinion.
17th Overall: San Jose Selects Tomas Hertl (C)
My Reaction: Good for you, San Jose. Picking a great player that doesn't have to join your team right away. Good. Tomas is probably the second most underrated player in this entire draft (You'll see number one later), and San Jose was the perfect team to pick this guy up.
18th Overall: Chicago Selects Teuvo Teravainen (LW)
My Reaction: If Chicago keeps him in the AHL for a little bit, then this pick would have been completely worth-while. Teuvo is a great player, and shockingly enough the first LW picked in this draft. I think he'll fit right in with Chicago.
19th Overall: Tampa Bay Selects Andrei Vasilevski (G)
My Reaction: Andrei was my second favorite goalie from this draft, and even though I think Tampa Bay should have just picked Malcolm Subban, I'm not to angry they picked up this guy. He's not the best goalie in my opinion, but he's a good one.
20th Overall: Philadelphia Selects Scott Laughton (C)
My Reaction: ... Meh. He's not really somebody I can see making the NHL in a year or two. They should have just went with Brendan Gaunce.
21st Overall: Calgary Selects Mark Jankowski (C)
My Reaction: ............................ He should have been picked late in the second round, and Calgary is another team that needs a Gaunce type player, but I guess they don't realize that.
22nd Overall: Pittsburgh Selects Olli Maatta (D)
My Reaction: Another great defenseman by Pittsburgh, and probably the most well fitted out of the entire draft class for Pittburgh (Still available, that is).
23rd Overall: Florida Selects Mike Matheson (D)
My Reaction: Definitely not the best pick of the night, but Florida's got tons of prospects, so I think they can take a risk like Matheson. But, again, I think a forward would have been more appropriate.
24th Overall: Boston Selects Malcolm Subban (G)
My Reaction: I just felt that if Boston is looking for a back-up to Rask, they should at least wait until the second round to do it. Oh well, Malcolm is still a great player, but I just don't see him being better than Rask anytime soon.
25th Overall: St. Louis Selects Jordan Schmaltz (D)
My Reaction: I just don't think St. Louis needed a defenceman like this guy. Why not a tough guy, like Dalton Thrower, or an all rounded guy like Matt Finn? But still, Jordan is a good player, but St. Louis could have picked someone different.
26th Overall: Vancouver Selects Brendan Gaunce (C)
My Reaction: While Vancouver may not be the best team to pick this guy up, I still think he'll make the NHL soon. Even though Vancouver's got plenty of depth, Brendan can still be a 3rd or 4th line centre for his rookie years. But yeah, good pick, but not great.
27th Overall: Phoenix Selects Henrik Samuelsson (C)
My Reaction: A talented young gun who, I think, will go well with the organization. Definitely a good pick by Phoenix.
28th Overall: New York (Rangers) Selects Brady Skjei (D)
My Reaction: Nice pick. As long as New York doesn't rush him into development, I can see this guy playing with the team for years to come.
29th Overall: New Jersey Selects Stefan Matteau (C)
My Reaction: A decent pick by New Jersey, even though I really don't think the team needs any more tough guys. The team is tough and hard-hitting enough, so I feel a more point-getting player would be in effect. But still, it was a decent pick, as Stefan CAN get a good amount of points.
30th Overall: Los Angeles Selects Tanner Pearson (LW)
My Reaction: Although he's older than many of the players in the draft, Tanner was a great choice for Los Angeles, as he's a talent guy who really can show off his skill.
Other Notable Draft Picks:
31st Overall: Columbus Selects Oscar Dansk (G)
My Reaction: A nice safe pick for Columbus, as the current goaltenders of Columbus aren't exactly "Solid" at the moment.
35th Overall: Toronto Selects Matthew Finn (D)
My Reaction: Matt is an outstanding defender, and even though the Toronto fans are STILL angry about the non-forward thing, I really do think Matt will be an amazing player for the team.
37th Overall: Nashville Selects Pontus Aberg (LW)
My Reaction: Pontus is awesome. I guess some teams weren't so sure of picking him up because he's foreign, but I think Nashville got a smart pick.
43rd Overall: Dallas Selects Ludvig Bystrom (D)
My Reaction: While I didn't think this guy should be picked in the first round (As everyone else DID), Ludvig was definitely a steal. A talented player, and a great pick by Dallas.
51st Overall: Montreal Selects Dalton Thrower (D)
My Reaction: YESSSSSSSSSS. As a Montreal fan, this is the best pick we have made in YEARS. We need defensemen, and we need tough players, and this guy is both. He needs a little bit of development, but besides that, I can't wait to see this guy turn our team around.
64th Overall: Montreal Selects Tim Bozon (LW)
My Reaction: Another good pick by Montreal. Tim is an underrated player, and I thought he would be selected early 2nd round! So yeah, another good pick for Montreal.
173rd Overall: Pittsburgh Selects Anton Zlobin (RW)
My Reaction: Another great pick, this time by Pittsburgh. Anton really knows how to score and pass, and the fact he was ignored this long is shocking.
211th Overall: Los Angeles Selects Nick Ebert (D)
My Reaction: This guy was originally supposed to be a top 5 pick. So, what happened? I think Nick has plenty of potential, so if L.A puts him in the AHL for a while, he'll be NHL ready.
Undrafted: Anton Slepyshev (LW)
My Reaction: This guy was one of the most talented players in the entire draft, but because people were unsure of his dedication to the NHL, he wasn't drafted, which is a shame.
So, what were your favorite and least favorite picks? Leave your answer in the comments!
