NHL First Round Mock Draft (Picks 6-12)

C. Seattle Thunderbirds, WHL. Mathew Barzal. 6. player. 85. When Mathew Barzal was injured during the beginning of the season he fell quite a few picks on many draft boards due to the significant play of other potential first round picks. Prospects like Mitch Marner and Dylan Strome were taking over the spotlight and Barzal was forgotten. Then when he returned from injury he made sure that everyone knew that he could go into the top ten. Barzal’s stats may not look flattering compared to a Marner or Strome, but he was one of the best players in the WHL and on Canada’s U18 World Championship team. Barzal is arguably the best passer in this draft class. His playmaking abilities are superb and it goes hand in hand with his vision and fluid skating. Barzal seems like an obvious choice for the Devils. With the aging Patrik Elias and the declining skill of Scott Gomez, Barzal has a good chance to make the NHL roster in his first year.

TPS, Liiga. Mikko Rantanen. 7. player. 68. Mikko Rantanen will offer the Flyers a for sure great player and prospect that Philly does not have in their pipeline. They also lack depth in the centerman pipeline and skillful wingers on the NHL club. Rantanen is a very smooth skater and his playmaking skills are superb. He has very good offense and his size can be used to his advantage. He is 6’4″ and 209 lbs but he lacks in physical play. Being a big forward, he has the body type in his favor. If he can work on his physical play he could become a very good player to play alongside of a Wayne Simmonds. . C/W

113. With the rumors that Columbus Blue Jackets prospect, and Minnesota Gopher, Mike Reilly will not sign with his current NHL club, the Blue Jackets have a very good opportunity to fill the potential hole, if there is one come July. Provorov will offer Columbus a true leader on the blue line. He will dictate the pace of the game and will put points on the scoresheet as well. Provorov is an all around great defender that many have as the highest ranked defenseman going into the NHL draft in June,<a href=. D. Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL. Ivan Provorov. 8. player

9. player. 120. Timo Meier started the season as a prospect who had a strong possibility of being drafted in the first round. As the year progressed on Meier impressed with the Mooseheads, but his stint with team Switzerland during the World Juniors was the turning point. After his play on that big stage became consistent almost every game he shot up into the top 10 on many draft boards. Meier is a big winger who body and hands to take advantage. He plays a type of game that puts him into physical situations that he often comes out as the victor. His hands are a tad underrated as well. He can make crisp, accurate passes to teammates that turn into goals. He is also good at breaking out from the neutral zone using his speed and body, but could use additional help. Meier could fill a bottom six wing spot at the NHL level, but most likely won’t. Another season in the minors could do him quite well in becoming an effective scorer. . RW. Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL. Timo Meier

103. With the 2nd half surge from Ivan Provorov, Zach Werenski has been somewhat overlooked. Werenksi has been solid on the blue line all year for Michigan and impressed many during the 2015 World Juniors. Werenski has great vision and is offensively gifted. <a href=. LHD. Boston College, NCAA. Zach Werenski. 10. player

Lawson Crouse. 11. player. 87. Could Lawson Crouse fall to 11 in June? It’s quite the possibility. Crouse has been widely criticized for his lack of scoring at the junior level (73 points in 119 OHL games). Crouse is a very physical forward who uses his body to dominate on the forecheck. Crouse is a monster on the puck and it is almost impossible to get him off it. There is work to be done on his skating and quickness, but the power in his body and hands are all there. With previous reports that <a title=. LW. Kingston Frontenacs, OHL

Pavel Zacha has been shadowed by some of the talent that is present inside the top 10 in this year’s draft, which is good for teams outside the top 10. In any other draft Zacha could make an argument for a top 10 decision. Zacha is a much more skilled power forward. He isn’t afraid to use his body and often does. He also is good with the puck and is patient. His vision is decent and he could use work on his skating. He can play center or the wing which would add to the depth that the Stars have, but would also fill some much needed depth that the Stars do not have in their pipeline.. C/LW. Sarnia Sting, OHL. Pavel Zacha. 12. player. 119