Earlier, we predicted picks 1 through 10 of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft in part one of our Mock Draft series. With Edmonton through the New York Rangers off the board, what will happen next?

11. Dallas Stars – Dylan McIlrath, D, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL) – Defense is a definite organizational need for the Stars. The only top-flight defenseman they have in their system right now is Philip Larsen, and McIlrath would give the Stars a bruising defenseman on the back end. A physical force on the blue line, McIlrath tallied 271 total penalty minutes in his two seasons in Moose Jaw, including 19 fighting majors in 2009-10. His offensive upside should pique Joe Nieuwendyk's interest, as well.

Scouting Report(s): "Big and mean, old-time typical NHL defenseman. He scares people not only with some frequent fights he might get in, but with 6-4, 212 lbs. straight ahead speed and offensive ability to match. Often, and in a very complimentary sense, makes puck carriers cut to the other side of the ice with his intimidating size."

– E.J. McGuire, Director of NHL Central Scouting

12. Anaheim Ducks – Jack Campbell, G, U.S. U-18 (NTDP) – The Ducks have everything you need in your system. Defensemen, in Luca Sbisa and Jake Gardiner, wings in Matt Beleskey and Kyle Palmieri, and centers in Peter Holland, Nick Bonino and Nicolas Deschamps. What they don't have is a star goaltending prospect. Campbell's stock shot up after he won the gold-medal game at the World Juniors, and he's got solid size and positioning – a deadly combination.

Scouting Report(s): "Jack has size, athleticism and he is fundamentally sound. He's won on the big stage at both the World Under-18 and World Junior Championships."

– Joe Exter, U.S. Under-18 goaltending coach

13. Phoenix Coyotes (from Calgary) – Kirill Kabanov, LW, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) – Thanks to their trade of Olli Jokinen, the Coyotes have two first-round picks in the top 22. This sets up an obvious strategy: Take a risk on one, with the chance of hitting a home run. Kabanov is that home run. The only reason the young Russian dropped off the map is because he left Moncton in the middle of a playoff run to train for the World U-18 Championships. His talent is all-world and he has recently professed his desire to play in the NHL. So, if you're Phoenix here (or at 22) why not take a shot?

Scouting Report(s): "He's highly talented — as talented as any player in the draft. He broke his wrist earlier in the year and was sidelined a long time. Kirill is just adjusting to the North American game and as a result, left his Moncton team early in order to train for the Russian National Under-18 World Junior Team tournament that happens every April. Who's he like? Maybe a (Ilya) Kovalchuk."

– E.J. McGuire, Director of NHL Central Scouting

14. St. Louis Blues – Emerson Etem, RW, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) – The Blues need a winger, and Etem could be among the better ones in the draft. He has great hands and speed, and is positively lethal around the net. He is much stronger than his size (6-foot, 190) would indicate and his offensive instincts are going to tempt teams. The downside to Etem is his defensive-zone play, but this can be taught – especially in St. Louis's defense-first scheme.

Scouting Report(s): "Emerson is a great skater who opens up the ice real well. He is a real professional already. Everyday he prepares like a pro. His biggest strength is he wants to improve as a player. When you tell him something he is prepared to do it."

– Willie Desjardins, Medicine Hat Tigers Head Coach

15. Boston Bruins – Mikael Granlund, C, HIFK Helsinki (FIN) – While it might be a stretch for the Bruins to take two centers in the first round, they won't be able to pass up Granlund's talent if he is still on the board. Granlund also fits the Bruins' prototype – hard nosed and hard working. He averaged almost a point per game in the same league that brought the NHL talent like Olli Jokinen, Kimmo Timonen and the Ruutu brothers.

Scouting Report(s): "Saku Koivu clone. He's small, but no one's told him he's small. He has a really good, winning attitude, works very hard. He's tough, and he has very good hockey sense."

– Goran Stubb, NHL Director of European Scouting

16. Ottawa Senators – Austin Watson, LW, Peterborough Petes (OHL) – The Sens are deep at defense and center in their system, but not much else. Watson, whose stock has soared since the mid-term rankings, is a perfect fit for a team that has a large need for an impact winger. He has great size and plays a great two-way game, something that the Sens need in addition to a scoring winger. He also displays the leadership skills of a potential future captain. All in all, a great fit for an Ottawa team on the rise.

Scouting Report(s): "Austin is a very good penalty killer. He plays a high-energy two-way game. He's aggressive on the forecheck and he will finish his checks. He has good hands and can shoot the puck hard. He is an excellent competitor and is a good shot blocker. I like his energy and willingness to play a role and be good at that role."

– Chris Edwards, NHL Central Scouting

17. Colorado Avalanche – John McFarland, LW, Sudbury Wolves (OHL) – With a dearth of talent on the blue line and a couple high-end players coming up the middle, McFarland will be a good fit for the surprising Avalanche. McFarland is a terrific skater and has fantastic speed, which will fit well with the team's energetic youngsters up front. He also plays with an edge, standing up for teammates and exhibiting a mean streak common to the elite power forwards.

Scouting Report(s): "John has worked very hard this season on becoming a two-way player. John is one of the fastest skaters in the league. He also possesses one of the hardest wrist shots in the league. The attributes make him a very dangerous player. But what will make him a dangerous NHL player is the ability to use these skills to create offense and also being a contributing factor in his defensive zone. John has really started to contribute in the defensive zone and also has been one of our top penalty killers. John is also a very physical player and not afraid to initiate contact. He has the hockey sense of an NHL player and plays better with better players around him. He strives to be the best player on the ice."

– Mike Foligno, Sudbury Wolves head coach

18. Nashville Predators – Brett Connolly, RW, Prince George Cougars (WHL) – An injury-plagued season might have hurt Connolly's draft stock, but make no mistake – this player is for real. Many may be surprised to see him this far down on the list, but he hasn't been seen much this season and there could be worries that his development as a player has stalled. That won't prevent the Preds from nabbing the youngster here and getting a much-needed, talented young forward.

Scouting Report(s): "Brett is a very gifted player and it's too bad we haven't been able to see more of him this season because of his injury. Brett can take over a game with his skill and puck control and he's also a very intelligent player. He has always been a dependable player at both ends of the ice, whether it be five-on-five or on special teams and he's a real competitive kid. When the game is on the line, he wants to be out there to make a difference."

– Dean Clark, Prince George Cougars head coach

19. Los Angeles Kings – Riley Sheahan, C, University of Notre Dame (CCHA) – The Kings are in the enviable situation of having enough youth and depth on their roster to let a draft pick or two really, truly develop. That's exactly what the Kings will do with Sheahan, allowing him to finish his four years at Notre Dame. Sheahan is very responsible all over the ice and is already starting to develop NHL-ready size. He has no problem going to the hard areas and doing what he has to do to score goals.

Scouting Report(s): "He's so mature for a kid his age — I'm overwhelmed with that. He's equally good in all three zones and goes to the front of the net. He's very conscious in the defensive zone and down behind the net in the defensive corner -- he makes certain his team isn't outnumbered. In the neutral zone, he makes all kinds of things happen but will get back and turn a transition if needed."

– Jack Barzee, NHL Central Scouting

20. Pittsburgh Penguins – Brock Nelson, C, Warroad H.S. (MN-HS) – If there's one thing the Pens lack, it's high-end talent in their system. Despite fellow Minnesotan Nick Bjugstad still being on the board, make no mistake that they're filling the void with Nelson. While Bjugstad may be more polished, Nelson has the higher upside, absolutely dominating his time in Minnesota's extremely talented and competitive high school system. Nelson plays a bruising game and might be the most talented prep player in Minnesota. He was the best in the state at faceoffs this past season, and Pittsburgh's depth at center will allow him to develop at the University of North Dakota.

Scouting Report(s): "I have coached Brock for three years. When he started out as a 10th grader he skated one period of JV and three with the varsity. By the end of the season his line was creating more scoring chances than the top two lines. He continued his upward push as a junior, centering our top line. His work ethic, size and tremendous skills put him at the top of High School Players as a senior. I believe he will continue to rise on the ladder of hockey players, he can easily add several pounds of muscle, he is very coachable, he does stuff with the puck in practice and games others can only dream about. His work ethic along with self discipline will continue to move him upward. This young man not only has great skills, but is a great person as well."

– Albert Hasbargen, Warroad High School head coach

Next: Picks 21-30

Set as favorite

Bookmark

Email this

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Show/hide comments

Write comment

Name

Email

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment