The Blue Jackets and ESPN’s Final NHL Mock Draft
Draft DAY! No not that god awful Kevin Costner movie. Unlike that film, today will be exciting, make sense and be fun, especially if you’re planning on coming down to Columbus for the Blue Jackets Draft Party which has been moved in doors to Nationwide Arena.
The Jackets are hot in the rumor mill, with lots of rumors pegging the Jackets moving up, possibly to 3 (something we talked about months ago). If things stay the same though here’s what ESPN’s Chris Pronman’s Final Mock Draft looks like for the Jackets.
I love this pick! We picked the same for the Fansided Mock Draft earlier this month, follow the link for a more in depth view of Werenski but basically I think he brings aggressiveness, tenacity, and great IQ to make smart quick decisions to take advantage of guys out of position. I compared him to Pittsburgh Steelers Safety Troy Polamalu in his aggressive nature. The only difference here is that Pronman sounds like he would have selected Ivan Provorov if he was available where we had the choice of both and went with Werenski. He has Provorov going the pick prior to the Philadelphia Flyers.
68. The rumor I’ve been hearing for a few weeks has been Provorov to the Flyers if he’s available at No. 7, which would be interesting given the strong group of defensive prospects the Flyers already have. Otherwise, I think they’ll choose between Zacha, Mathew Barzal or Lawson Crouse.. Defenceman. Brandon Wheat Kings. Ivan Provorov. 7. player
Provorov has been the most linked to the Blue Jackets, I would say 4 of every 5 mock drafts have them selecting him, here, here and here… basically all off-season. I really think it comes down to personal preference on this as they’re rated very evenly, I think Werenski has a higher ceiling and is a huge difference maker who sometimes will be overly aggressive where Provorov is consistently solid, maybe not making as many game changing plays as Werenski.
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Now to address the hot rumors. Many believe the reason the Jackets are trading up is for top rated defenceman Noah Hanifin. I’ve long pushed for this, especially if he slides down to 5. What seemed like a popular slot for Hanifin at 3, is now murky as it seems mocks are split on 3 or 5 to the Carolina Hurricanes. This would lineup with GM Jarmo Kekalainen’s statements to the Blue Jackets website, ““But I think the optimal situation would be, in our case, we see what’s available at (No. 8) and then get to 5 or 6 and see if it’s there anymore or if we have to move to 6 to get (the prospect being targeted).” Though the rumor mill is blowing up with the Phoenix Coyotes trading the #3 pick. Stay tuned.
In this mock though, Pronman has the Coyotes selecting him 3rd.
I’d say this one is 65/35 between Dylan Strome and Noah Hanifin. Arizona has been fielding offers for the third pick, taking the placeholder as the shoot-for-the-stars trade-up pick, as the top two are practically untouchable.. Defenceman. Erie Otters. Noah Hanifin. 3. player. 121
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I love either move. Addressing the blue-line has been a huge off-season priority. Depending on what is needed to trade up to 3, I’m doing it. I think this is the last time the Jackets draft this high after an incredible end of season run and they need to take full advantage of the opportunity. Hanifin is an amazing talent and I would love to have him on the team, that said I don’t want to give up too much for him especially since I’m also fond of Werenski’s game. Hanifin I believe is the safer pick, higher talent right now with a ceiling that also might be higher so it’s tough to pass when you’re this close to striking distance. I think you see what your core is going to be moving forward and if you can keep that in tact while adding Hanifin you do it.
That’s my take…what’s yours?