Canes Country Mock Draft, Version One - Bubba's Picks

Haven't seen enough mock drafts?  Well, ready or not it's time for our annual attempts here at Canes Country and this year we will actually have three for you.  I'll go first, to be followed by Lee on Tuesday, and then Cory will show us the error of our ways on Wednesday.  

Whomever gets the most right should get a free dinner out of this. 

On a side note, I'm taking a "working vacation" this week and will be leaving for Vegas tonight.  First up, I'll be covering the NHL Awards Show as well as some related events on Tuesday and Wednesday, then I'll be flying to Minnesota to cover the draft.

The Canes Country Twitter account ( @CanesCountry ) should be more active than usual and we will have some extra insight to report here on the blog for both events as well.

But for now, here is our Canes Country Mock Draft, Version One:

1.  Edmonton:  Ryan Nugent-Hopkins  The Oilers have to take the chance that this highly regarded centerman will team up with Taylor Hall to create a dynamic duo.

2.  Colorado:  Jonathan Huberdeau  This kid's stock has really risen and he showed in the playoffs that his stat of 105 points in the regular season was no fluke.

3.  Florida:  Sean Couturier  No way Florida goes with defense again with an early pick.  They need scoring and they are hoping that this player can deliver. 

4.  New Jersey:  Adam Larsson  The Devils happily scoop up this NHL ready defenseman.

5. New York Isles:  Dougie Hamilton  Garth Snow thinks long and hard about Landeskog, but with "el Nino" coming in this year, the focus is on defense.

6. Ottawa:  Gabriel Landeskog  This hard working youngster should help to push Jason Spezza to the next level.

7. Winnipeg:  Ryan Strome  The "Thrashers" bring in some more elite offensive talent with this potential superstar and he should fit right in with their core.

8. Columbus:  Mika Zibanejad  Brings the kind of intensity the Blue Jackets need on a nightly basis. 

9. Boston:  Ryan Murphy  Instant offense comes to Bean Town.

10. Minnesota:  Joel Armia  The Wild love their Finns and Armia should fit in perfectly with last year's number one pick, Mikael Granlund. 

11. Colorado: Duncan Siemens  The Avs go for the highest ranked defenseman on their board at this time and add some grit with this blueliner. 

12. Carolina:  Rocco Grimaldi: Canes never shy away from small players and they continue that tradition with this pick.  Too many superlatives to ignore: game breaking skills, true first line talent, best one-timer in the draft, works his ass off every shift,  blazing speed, smooth hands, off the chart work ethic, another Martin St. Louis? He also was one of the best at the combine.

13. Calgary:  Sven Bartschi  Dynamic playmaker could breath some life into Calgary front line. 

14. Dallas:  Mark Scheifele  Stock has been rising fast.  Will try to help fans forget about Brad Richards

15. New York Rangers:  Mark McNeill  Blueshirts add another physical player to stable. 

16. Buffalo:  JT Miller  Hard working forward fits Lindy Ruff's style perfectly.

17. Montreal:  Nathan Beaulieu  The Habs are happy to bring the blueliner into the family with this pick.

18. Chicago  Oscar Klefbom  Defenseman has been rated all over but could be one of the best in the draft.

19. Edmonton:  Jamie Oleksiak He's a project, but at 6'7 he's worth the risk here.

20. Phoenix:  Jonas Brodin  The Coyotes look to upgrade the blueline and could do it with this choice.

21.  Anaheim:  Niclas Jensen  Has great skill which should improve.

22. Pittsburgh:  Brandon Saad  Pens bring a physical forward into the mix.

23. Ottawa:  Connor Murphy  Big defenseman brings physical edge

24. Toronto:  Zach Phillips The Buds are happy to get the 38 goal scorer here.

25. Detroit:  Victor Rask  The Wings still like Swedes and who can blame them?

26. Washington:  Vlad Namestnikov  The Caps like Russians but don't be fooled by the name.  This center grew up in North America, plays an aggressive game, and will help the Washington forecheck.

27. San Jose: David Musil The Sharks are looking to upgrade the blueline and this kid should help.

28. Tampa Bay: Tomas Jurco  Another high scoring forward from the Saint John team which won the Memorial Cup. 

29. Toronto:  Matthew Puempel  Injuries hurt this star scorer, but he could be a gem at this pick.

30. Vancouver:  Ty Rattie  Another smallish player with great skills.  Could find a home with the Sedins at some point.