The 2021 NHL Draft is just around the corner and will once again be an online draft before things get back to normal in 2022. Today, we will look at the Pacific Divisions team needs and potential pick in the upcoming draft.
2021 NHL Draft: Atlantic Division Team Needs
Boston Bruins
Draft Position: 20th Overall
Recent First Round Picks: John Beecher
Team Needs:
Depth scoring has been an issue for the Bruins for a long time. They picked up Taylor Hall last off-season to help with that issue, but as Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand age, as well as David Krejci, who is an unrestricted free agent and may not be back, it’s time for the Bruins to focus on adding some more scoring depth to their prospect pool.
Projected Pick: Xavier Bourgault
Notes from LWOH’s Ben Kerr:
“Bourgault can become a top-six winger in the NHL if he is able to reach his potential. He is a few years away though. Bourgault will likely head back to junior for his final season before moving to the AHL in 2022-23. He will need to continue to work on his skating and his defensive play to reach the next level. With his outstanding work ethic, he should be able to improve those areas with good coaching going forward. He will also need to continue to add muscle and fill out his frame to play the aggressive style he favours. Bourgault’s game is reminiscent of Brad Marchand without the pest-like qualities and antics. This is a stylistic comparison only though and not one based on skill and ability.”
Buffalo Sabres
Draft Position: 1st Overall
Recent First Round Picks: Jack Quinn, Dylan Cozens, Ryan Johnson, Rasmus Dahlin
Team Needs:
What don’t the Sabres need? Their goaltending is questionable and with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen not showing any signs of taking over the net anytime soon, goaltending is certainly an area they need to address. However, Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart are also rumoured to be on the way out greatly hurting their forward group and the defence is lacklustre at best. The Sabres could certainly use upgrades all over their roster. They managed to snag Dylan Cozens, J.J. Peterka and Jack Quinn recently to help improve their forwards, and with the first overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, they’ll add a significant piece to their defence group.
Projected Pick: Owen Power
Notes from LWOH’s Ben Kerr:
“Power has all the tools to be a number one defenceman. He has the size, skating, offensive game, defensive game, smarts and physical play that scouts look for in defenders, all in one package. There is some question about how high his ceiling is, as most of his traits are very good, but not excellent. However, there are not many weaknesses in his game either. With his last two seasons being shortened, as well as the fact that big defencemen sometimes need extra seasoning before making it to the NHL, Power could spend another year at Michigan and play for Team Canada at the World Juniors. Power’s game is reminiscent of Victor Hedman. This is just a stylistic comparison though and not one based on skill and ability.”
Detroit Red Wings
Draft Position: 6th and 22nd Overall
Recent First Round Picks: Lucas Raymond, Moritz Seider, Filip Zadina, Joe Veleno
Team Needs:
Much like Buffalo, the Red Wings need essentially everything. However, that’s expected when you’re in the midst of a rebuild. Steve Yzerman has done a solid job building up the Red Wings from the bottom grabbing Raymond, Seider, Zadina, and Veleno in recent years. The Red Wings would like to add some more scoring options to their prospect pool.
Projected Pick: Dylan Guenther at 6th, Francesco Pinelli at 22nd
Notes from LWOH’s Ben Kerr:
On Guenther: “Guenther could become a top-line NHL winger. Given the lack of games this year, he may need another year in junior before he is NHL-ready. He could also use that time to get stronger before he is ready to play the pro game. That said, the types of things he needs to work on, adding muscle and some defensive awareness are things that can be taught, while his natural offensive skill is something that cannot. Guenther’s game is reminiscent of Tyler Seguin, however, this is a stylistic comparison only and not one based on skill or ability.”
On Pinelli: “Pinelli does a lot of things well and if he can continue to develop his offensive game, he could become a solid second-line centre in the NHL. A versatile player with an all-around game, he could become a player used in all situations going forward. Pinelli has spent more time on the wing than at centre to date, but his game profiles as a centre and he should be taking that role in Kitchener next year. He is likely at least two years away from playing in the NHL and possibly a bit more. However, he is the type of player who coaches will love. Pinelli’s game is reminiscent of Ryan O’Reilly. This is a stylistic comparison only though, and not one based on skill and ability.”
Florida Panthers
Draft Position: 23rd Overall
Recent First Round Picks: Anton Lundell, Spencer Knight, Grigori Denisenko
Team Needs:
The Panthers biggest need comes on the back end. The Panthers haven’t drafted a defenceman in the first round since selecting Aaron Ekblad in 2014. With no blue-chip defence prospects in the pool, the Panthers should use the 23rd overall pick in the 2021 NHL draft to select a defenceman.
Projected Pick: Stanislav Svozil
Notes from LWOH’s Ben Kerr:
“Svozil has all the tools needed to become a top four defenceman in the NHL. While needs to work on his shot a bit, his technical skills are good. He also needs more time in offensive situations. He hasn’t been getting much power play time in the Extraliga to date, but may get more offensive opportunities this season. Svozil was drafted by the Regina Pats in last year’s CHL Import Draft, however would have to be drafted again in this year’s version if he were to make a move to the league. It could help him to get the opportunities to create offence. It could be two or more years before he’s ready to play in the NHL. His game is reminiscent of Ivan Provorov but this is a stylistic comparison only and not one based on skill and ability.”
Montreal Canadiens
Draft Position: 30th Overall
Recent First Round Picks: Kaiden Guhle, Cole Caufield, Jesperi Kotkaniemi
Team Needs:
The Canadiens have managed to build one of the top prospect pools in the NHL over the last few years. There is no particular need for the club, although some may say they could use some more depth on the right side on defence. However, there are more quality forwards in the first round of the 2021 NHL Draft. The Canadiens best bet would be to try to secure one of them with their first-round pick, and using their two second-round picks to grab a defender.
Projected Pick: Zachary L’Heureux
Notes from LWOH’s Ben Kerr:
“If L’Heureux can become a bit more disciplined and improve his speed he can become a top-six winger at the NHL level. He will need a year or two to develop. With his all-around game, he should be an important part of the Mooseheads and Canada’s National Junior team next season. He can be used in all situations, playing on the penalty kill and the power play. With his combination of skill and feistiness, L’Heureux has traits that NHL teams are looking for. Overall, L’Heureux’s game is reminiscent of Brad Marchand. This is a stylistic comparison only though and not one based on skill and ability.”
Ottawa Senators
Draft Position: 10th Overall
Recent First Round Picks: Tim Stutzle, Jake Sanderson, Ridly Greig, Lassi Thomson, Brady Tkachuk, Jacob Bernard-Docker
Team Needs:
The Senators have built up quite the prospect pool over the last few years. However, one area they certainly need to address is goaltending. The club doesn’t have a goaltender in the pool who you would consider a future starter, so using the 10th overall pick to select the top goaltender in the 2021 NHL Draft would be a smart move for the Senators. As long as he is still available of course.
Projected Pick: Jesper Wallstedt
Notes from LWOH’s Ben Kerr:
“Wallstedt is one of the most advanced goalie prospects seen in recent years. However, despite that he could still use another year or two in the SHL or AHL before going to the NHL. Some time in the AHL would help him to adjust to the different angles that he will see on North American Ice. Wallstedt has the potential to be a franchise goaltender. His style is comparable to Tuukka Rask, however this is more of a stylistic comparison than one based on skill and ability.”
Tampa Bay Lightning
Draft Position: 96th Overall
Recent First Round Picks: Nolan Foote
Team Needs:
Due to their success over the last few seasons, and trading their first-round picks, the Lightning don’t have much in terms of quality prospects. They dealt the only first-round pick they made in the last three years in Nolan Foote to New Jersey in exchange for Blake Coleman and not having a pick in the first two rounds of the 2021 NHL Draft, whoever they pick will likely be a project, regardless of the position. Tampa will look to grab the most skilled forward possible with their late third-round pick.
Projected Pick: Matvei Petrov
Notes from LWOH’s Ben Kerr:
“Petrov has many the tools to be a top-six winger. His ability to shoot the puck is amongst the best in the draft class. He also has the smarts to get open and the playmaking ability to be a threat beyond just his shooting. However, he will need to work on his skating and defensive game in order to make the most of those skills. Petrov has the type of game that can put up points but also drive coaches nuts and have him as a healthy scratch at times as well. His game is reminiscent of Patrick Laine. This is a stylistic comparison only though and not one based on skill and ability.”
Toronto Maple Leafs
Draft Position: 57th Overall
Recent First Round Picks: Rodion Amirov, Rasmus Sandin
Team Needs:
It seems as though the Leafs needs are the same every year. Defence. They have an ageing defence group and Rasmus Sandin is the only prospect in the pool who looks to be a top-four defender. Timothy Liljegren may get there, however, hasn’t developed as well as the Leafs would have liked. They will certainly want to target a defenceman with their second-round pick.
Projected Pick: Aleksi Heimosalmi
Notes from LWOH’s Ben Kerr:
“Heimosalmi has the skill to be a top-four defenceman and play in all situations if he can continue to develop his game. The main concern is his lack of size though. He needs to add muscle to his frame and get stronger in order to play this style of game against men. Heimosalmi will likely spend at least two more years in Finland, and could very well play his full three-year contract. He needs the time to mature. He could also stand to improve his shot. Heimosalmi is a bit of a long-term project but could be worth it if he reaches his ceiling. His game is reminiscent of Brian Rafalski. However, this is a stylistic comparison only and not one based on skill and ability.”
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