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Montreal Canadiens: 2021 NHL Mock Draft

By Sebastian High

RIGA, LATVIA - JUNE 06: Owen Power #25 of celebrates with the trophy after the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Gold Medal Game between Canada and Finland at Arena Riga on June 6, 2021 in Riga, Latvia. Canada defeated Finland 3-2. (Photo by EyesWideOpen/Getty Images)
RIGA, LATVIA - JUNE 06: Owen Power #25 of celebrates with the trophy after the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Gold Medal Game between Canada and Finland at Arena Riga on June 6, 2021 in Riga, Latvia. Canada defeated Finland 3-2. (Photo by EyesWideOpen/Getty Images) /
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EDMONTON, AB – DECEMBER 26: Goaltender Jesper Wallstedt #1 of Sweden skates against the Czech Republic during the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship at Rogers Place on December 26, 2020 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, AB – DECEMBER 26: Goaltender Jesper Wallstedt #1 of Sweden skates against the Czech Republic during the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship at Rogers Place on December 26, 2020 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images) /

7. San Jose Sharks (Ken MacMillan) – Kent Johnson, 6’1″, 165 lbs, LW/RW.

While Eklund’s offensive package may be more refined than Kent Johnson’s, the Canadian has an ability to make the ice his canvas and create magic that few could replicate. Johnson was part of a terrific freshman class at Michigan, scoring over a point per game with nine goals and 27 points in 26 contests. Johnson’s puckhandling, skill and creativity make him truly stand out as a prospect. He will surely return to school next year but it won’t be long before he’s playing top-six minutes for the Sharks.

8. Los Angeles Kings (Scott Cowan) – Jesper Wallstedt, 6’3″, 214 lbs, G.

With the increasing regression of Jonathan Quick and the shaky status of Cal Petersen as a true starting option, Jesper Wallstedt could be the Kings’ next franchise goalie. Having the opportunity to play behind a number of former NHLers like Erik Gustafsson (not the Habs one), as well as current Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Filip Hallander with Lulea HF of the SHL, Wallstedt plays with a tremendous amount of poise and calmness for his age.

Having played his first season as a starter in 2020-21 with a 12-10-0 record, 2.23 GAA and 2 SO, Wallstedt could turn into a solid No. 1 option and even split minutes with Petersen early on as the Kings look to build around top prospects like Quinton Byfield and Alex Turcotte. What makes Wallstedt truly special is that he played a lot of games as a goalie in the SHL as a 17/18-year-old, something no other goalie has ever done, and he fared very well.

9. Vancouver Canucks (Maria Bouabdou) – Luke Hughes, 6’2″, 176 lbs, LD/RD.

While the Hughes brothers weren’t reunited in New Jersey in our mock draft, they are reunited in Vancouver! Luke Hughes may be a left-shot but he does play on the right side, so a Quinn/Luke top defensive pairing would be in the cards. They are two different players though, with Luke offering a physicality and defensive potential Quinn does not while lacking some of the offensive flair.

That being said, Luke is a tremendous skater with great playmaking instincts and can play on both special teams. While his defensive awareness is a work in progress, he is one of the youngest players in the draft and has time to work on his weaknesses. The Canucks draft not only for the wholesome storyline here but on upside as well.

10. Ottawa Senators (Patrick Lortie) – Brandt Clarke, 6’2″, 190 lbs, RD.

Brandt Clarke is a true offensive defenceman with high potential at racking up points in the NHL. His passing ability is as effective in the offensive zone as it is on the rush, his intelligence will carry him a long way in professional hockey if his feet can catch up a bit. Skating concerns have been voiced for a long time now, but Clarke should be able to work around them and become a force to be reckoned with. He is also an effective rush defender, so don’t write him off as one-dimensional, he does need to add some strength though.

11. Arizona Coyotes – Forfeited

12. Chicago Blackhawks (Joshua Rosa) – Fabian Lysell, 5’10”, 172 lbs, RW.

When a player with the skill of Fabian Lysell slips out of the top-10, especially in a weaker draft, you take him and don’t look back. Chicago is entering a new era that will be headlined by offensive pieces like Kirby Dach, Alex DeBrincat and, in our mock draft, Fabian Lysell. He has a great motor and works hard all over the ice, even putting in the effort defensively. His speed, skill and playmaking make him a constant threat, his ceiling is among the highest in the class.

13. Calgary Flames (Sebastian High) – Fyodor Svechkov, 6’0″, 179 lbs, C. 

While I really wanted Lysell in this slot, Svechkov is more than a consolation prize. The Russian centreman brings phenomenal defensive value, a high level of intelligence, consistent effort and untapped offensive skills. He played on a poor Lada Togliatti team this season and his teammates couldn’t keep up with his brain offensively. Calgary snaps up their future shutdown top-6 centreman here and hopes he adds offensive production to his already strong profile.

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