The NHL draft starts Friday, July 23rd (1st round) and finishes on July 24th (2rd-7th). Since Dan & I are both Columbus residents, it only makes sense to team up with Future Considerations Hockey’s Justin Froese and mock the Blue Jackets’ upcoming draft.
We are using FC mock draft simulator. For our data, we are using Byron Bader’s Hockey Prospecting comparison tool.
Background
CBJ holds 9 picks
3 first-round picks: 5, 25 (from TOR), 32 (from TB)
2 fifth-round picks: 132 (NJ), 133
None in the 2nd round (to AZ)
1 pick in the 3rd, 4th, 6th, & 7th
Our general strategy is to narrow our focus based on Bader’s comparison tool then dig deeper into each player’s “how.”. We want players who can become monsters through translatable skills.
1st Round
William Eklund 5’10” C/LW (Djurgårdens SHL)
Given we did a deep dive into Eklund already, let’s just highlight that you’ve got to be really fussy to critique Eklund’s game and temper expectations regarding his upside. He’s a brilliant hockey mind with a tremendous amount of layers to his game which allows him to be cast into many different assignments and thrive within any role.
We absolutely love his ability to weaponize his assets, have elite ice awareness, and constant ability to acquire pucks in great spots.
This is an elite profile for a draft-eligible player. He did this in a season where he tested positive for COVID and had surgery to have his appendix removed.
Matthew Coronato 5’10” RW/LW (Chicago USHL, headed to Harvard NCAA)
Coronato led the USHL in goals with 48 goals in 51 games then proceeded to lead the league in points as the Steel won the USHL playoffs. It’s not just the amount of goals, but the best part is that he can score more ways than you can mold play-doh.
The winger is highly competitive, has great hockey IQ, is strong off the puck ability, and he’s got smooth hands. He’s more of a shooter than a playmaker, but he isn’t a volume shooter where he throws pucks on net from everywhere. He carefully selects his shot location, picks his spots, and uses a variety of available shots during the course of a game. Simply put, his shot is less overpowering and more how he’s able to fool defenders and goalies.
His skating is more than adequate for his current level, but his mechanics need some fine-tuning going forward.
Dylan Duke 5"‘10” C/LW (USNTDP USHL, headed to Michigan NCAA)
One thing that hits you in the face when watching Duke is his relentlessness. Skill-wise, he’s a jack-of-all-trades player who shows flashes of skill all over the ice. His defensive game is very refined given his age and has him as a constant on the PK. He’s a player that can play in all three zones, and it doesn’t take away from his offensive game.
Duke has scored everywhere he’s played and he’s always found a way - something that’s indicative of high ceiling players.
3rd Round to the End
Aidan Hreschuk 5’11” D (USNTDP USHL, headed to Boston College NCAA)
Hreschuk is a smooth-skating, level-headed player who consistently makes good decisions with and without the puck. He has offensive instincts which help his team advance tactically up ice. His east/west skating ability enables him to open lanes. Although he doesn’t showcase high-end creativity, he can look off lanes and make the right read more often than not.
Has a raspy element to his game and will step into bodies despite his smaller stature. His efficiency is a staple of his game and the foundation to add more ancillary skills as he adapts to higher-level competition. The combination of skating, smart play, and modern style gives him a great base to develop from.
Sean Tschigerl 6’0” C/LW (Calgary WHL)
There were night and day changes to Tschigerl’s game from his rookie WHL season and even from the first few games of 2021 to how he ended the campaign on a consistent point run. We love to see consistent improvement.
Tschigerl adapted from playing in straight lines and having no control of the play to adapting his skating patterns, opening himself up in better areas to receive pucks and find space.
He has some good puck skills and you can see the light bulb has gone off in his head and he’s learning how to manipulate and control plays to generate offense.
Jackson Blake 5’10” C/RW (Chicago USHL, committed to North Dakota NCAA)
Son of former NHLer Jason Blake. He played in Minnesota and won the state title with Eden Prairie while suiting up for 25 games with the Chicago Steel. No matter where he played, he carried a selfless confidence and plays decisively.
He is unselfish, has vision, puck skills, and the hockey IQ to match. While he’s a self-described playmaker, his shot is an asset he could use more often. His skating could use improvement. Being in Chicago is a great place to develop before heading to the University of North Dakota.
Janis Jerome Moser 6’’1” D (Biel-Bienne Switzerland)
An extremely rare 4th-time through the draft player (only possible for European players), Moser is a player that rightly wasn’t drafted the first two times, but has made enormous steps the last few seasons. He’s now captain of his team at age 21.
His team is an average team in the Swiss top league, but he drives the bus for them every game night and his calculated game allows him to be successful against all opposition. He’s unlikely to turn into a star but should be a solid contributor who will age like fine wine.
His high hockey IQ, quality skating, and puckhandling could make him a worthwhile gamble to turn into an NHL player.
Gabriel Foley did a nice write-up on Moser back in March.
Lukas Gustafsson 5’11” D (Chicago USHL, committed to Boston College NCAA)
With our last pick we are taking a player we know better than most. His father Marcus runs “The Hockey IQ Program” so you can imagine that Lukas plays a smart, positive habit game that translates to all levels of hockey.
Born in Louisiana, grew up playing AA hockey in Atlanta Georgia, and now has spent the last 3 seasons with Cushing Academy while also getting in some game time in the USHL.
As one scout said, “I think Chicago is playing a forward on D.” That desire to create oozes out of him when you watch him play and you’ll see him problem solve through any situation thrown at him. Although, he normally chooses efficiency over flash. Great skating, desire to get better, and high hockey IQ will only lead to Gustafsson’s stock rising quickly.
Lukas will spend another year with Chicago Steel before going to Boston College. We think many will be surprised over the next few years. He has great skills and can do the little things that create something out of nothing.
Ryan St Louis 5’10” LW/RW (USNTDP USHL, headed to Northeastern NCAA)
Yes, he’s the son of our podcast guest Martin St Louis. Similar to his father, Ryan is a hard worker and has a tenacious attitude that should serve him well in the upcoming years. Decision-making and vision are a bit of an issue, but moving into the NCAA route should give him ample time to develop these further. We are excited for him to become a top dog on a team rather than a middle-six forward he often was with the USNTDP.
Closing Thoughts
We aren’t going to hide our bias.
Smart
Relentless
Great habits
Proven ability to improve
“I wasn't the most talented. I was the best at getting better” Martin St Louis on the Hockey IQ Podcast.
Further Reading - Using The Past To Influence Modern Development
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