Wow, frequently, these NHL mock draft simulations from FC Hockey can be full of surprises, and don’t get me wrong, this team-by-team one featuring picks No. 1 through No. 16 had its fair share of astonishing decisions. That said, if something didn’t surprise me, it was the number of blueliners going in the top 15, making me think a little when I stopped the sim and picked for the St. Louis Blues.
Still, even with six defensemen off the board, I managed to play the part of general manager Doug Armstrong well. While my latest seven-round mock draft simulation may have concocted the ideal scenario, I also wouldn’t be opposed if the top 16 picks occurred in the same way they did in this mock.
1st Overall: San Jose Sharks - Macklin Celebrini, C/Boston University
The San Jose Sharks don’t need to consider anyone other than Macklin Celebrini, as he’s the one player in this draft a franchise can confidently build around for a generation. This simulation will have some eye-popping decisions, but San Jose passing on Celebrini, even in a simulation, just isn’t necessary.
2nd Overall: Chicago Blackhawks - Anton Silayev, D/Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod
Okay, so if not Artyom Levshunov, Arton Silayev is most likely the pick here if it’s going to be a blueliner. Some may not like this one much, but there is no denying the Blackhawks defensive rotation will get a whole lot better if they roll with Silayev, and he eventually lands with the big club.
3rd Overall: Anaheim Ducks - Zayne Parekh, D/Saginaw Spirit
After the Blackhawks rolled with Anton Silayev, I thought for sure Artyom Levshunov would be the next defenseman taken, but instead, another surprise awaited. Zayne Parekh knows how to put up points, and if his play translates well to the NHL, expect him to be a dynamic quarterback on the power play.
4th Overall: Columbus Blue Jackets - Berkly Catton, C/Spokane Chiefs
This one will come down to three players if the situation this simulation created calls for it: Cayden Lindstrom, Ivan Demidov, or Berkly Catton. Lindstrom and Demidov could be the two more logical picks here, but Berkly Catton is one of those ultra-high-potential prospects who could easily turn out better than the other two.