The FanSided Universe 2015 NHL Mock Draft continues with the Columbus Blue Jackets on the clock…
We went into this draft looking to draft the best possible player available regardless of position. We were aware the Blue Jackets have spent 5 of their last 6 1st round choices on offense but we weren’t about to reach, even though the blue-line is sorely lacking and savior Ryan Murray spent most of last season injured.
This could be the last lottery draft choice for the Blue Jackets for a long time if their explosive finish to last season is any indication. They finished the season winning 15 of their last 17, 9 of those 15 wins came against playoff teams still fighting for seeding, outscoring opponents 70 goals to 43 in that stretch. So they can’t miss with this last golden opportunity.
With the 8th overall pick in the 1st-round of the 2015 NHL Mock Draft, the Columbus Blue Jackets select…
Zach Werenski, Defenceman, Michigan Wolverines (NCAA)
Luckily need and talent coincided for us to grab a great prospect at a hurting spot. We definitely explored trading up to somewhere between 3-5 for a shot at Noah Hanifin but the commissioner turned down all trades in this mock draft. Ideally the Jackets leave this draft with one of the top 2-3 defenders in this draft but I’m not too sure how confident I’m feeling of this occurring. Hanifin is widely considered the 3rd best prospect (so he could be headed to Arizona) and the Hurricanes and Flyers could all make a move for a defender leaving the Jackets reaching for need or grabbing another offensive player for their 6th in their last 7 picks.
This pick really came down to D Ivan Provorov or Werenski. Provorov is an especially talented defender in his own regard. He has a nasty shot, can get very physical and skates efficiently with a high hockey IQ. But I feel he plays a little too conservative. Werenski is an explosive jolt to a position definitely in need of a boiling.
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I really like Werenski‘s aggressiveness, tenacity, and his IQ to make smart quick decisions to take advantage of guys out of position. He flashes great strength mainly in his sumo control in front of the net keeping opponents away from positioning for rebounds and picks. He has a big body, two inches taller and a bit bigger than Provorov, standing 6’2″ 214 lbs which he uses to keep his body in front of the puck and does a great job of tunneling the opposing rush and blocking lanes.
Imagine a Troy Polamalu on the ice. He’s definitely going to take some chances and while they may not always pan out, more likely than not his aggressiveness helps turn the tide on the position whether it stops a rush from the opposing team or keeps alive offensive control. He’s an exciting player that sometimes gets caught out of positioning a little but that is something he should gain more knowledge later, when to take the risk and when to play it safe.
Offensively his shot is powerfully accurate and has great quarterbacking skills on the PP which makes him extremely versatile for many pushes down the ice. He makes great tape to tape passes, mainly conservative but knows when to take a shot down the ice to take advantage when necessary.
Werenski is a fully complete player. He has a great want and love for the game, he sped up his schooling so he could enroll early in Michigan, which makes him extremely coachable on the things he needs to work on and even more encouraging… he’s still only 17!!
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Werenski is accomplished for his short time in the NCAA gaining All-Big Ten First Team and Big Ten All Freshman Team honors. In his only year, he led the team with 59 block shots, showing a willingness to take one for the team. He comes with great experience in International Play hanging with the top lines the world has to offer finishing with a goal, an assist and a Plus 3 in the 5 games he played for Team USA.
I think overall Werenski is an exciting prospect with a huge ceiling, much higher than Provorov, with a far less lower floor. He fits perfectly in the future top 2 defencemen with Ryan Murray to anchor this blue-line to accompany the mass arsenal of talent the Blue Jackets have offensively. If Werenski and Murray can hone it in together the Jackets could be a force to reckon with for quite some time.
Elite Prospects notes Werenski is “A smooth-skating, puck-moving defenceman that has a strong understanding of the game. Excels in key situations and is able to execute under pressure. Possesses good vision and awareness on the ice; uses his abilities to put offensive and defensive pressure on the opposition. All-in-all, a very strong all-around defenceman that consistently brings his game every night. (Curtis Joe, EP 2014)
Blades of Teal you are now on the clock for the San Jose Sharks…..