Matt09 -I went to high school with Chris Brown. With your predictions and his ranking of 30th with North American skaters and only a handfull of Europeans and no goalies taken in the first round I’d think he’d wind up somewhere in the early to middle 2nd round. Where do you think he’ll go and to what team?

If he’s one of the top few players on the board when the stars pick in the 2nd round, I’d think they’d take him like they did Austin Smith, another dallas native, in the 4th round in ‘07, but I don’t have much insight to the needs of all the teams.

Nice, it's always good to see people you know have some success, unless of course you don't like them, haha.

I see Chris Brown going anywhere from 30th-40th overall. I'd be very surprised if he was taken out of the 2nd round's top 10. I view Brown has a future power forward and see Colorado or Atlanta probably taking him. I'm sure if he drops to Dallas they'll take him.

Some other guys to keep an eye on for the 2nd round: D – Charles Olivier Roussel, D – Taylor Doherty, RW – Zach Budish, C – Tomas Tatar and C – Ryan O'Reilly. I did have O'Reilly as a 1st rounder, but because his offence and skating didn't really improve all that much he's dropped and will probably now be taken in the 2nd round.

If he's one of the top few players on the board when the stars pick in the 2nd round, I'd think they'd take him like they did Austin Smith, another dallas native, in the 4th round in '07, but I don't have much insight to the needs of all the teams.

13calvillo13 - I’m sorry dude, but some comparisons are laughable at best. How the hell could you compare a guy perpetually involved in the physical aspect of the game (Brayden Schenn) to a guy like Thornton, who’s not much of a big-banger?

And Chris Kreider to Evegeny Malkin? Now I know you’re probably taking the style of play of each player into consideration as a first criteria to compare them to current NHLers, but then again..? Kreider is much more similar to Eric Cole.

And you’re actually ranking Cowen before Duchene, who’s touted as the second coming of Joe Sakic by some scouts?

Good work, but I disagree with a couple of aspects there. Not that you care anyway

Haha, don't worry, I do care.

I compare B. Schenn to Thornton because Thornton actually did bang his body around when he was younger, mostly in Junior and before the lockout. I believe Schenn will be the same. He'll still bang, but as he gets older he'll realize he's better off not hitting so much and concentrate more on scoring and using his body for good positioning rather than hitting.

Yes, comparing Kreider to Cole is fairly accurate. However, as I said Kreider also plays the point on the PP, something Cole does not.

I'm not ranking Cowen ahead of Duchene, I put him there because I thought that Tampa would be better off drafting a shutdown d-man. But because of the lottery they now have the 2nd overall pick which I assume they'll use on Tavares or Hedman if they don't trade it. Plus, this was done on April 1, before Duchene's stock started to raise, even though I've been high on Duchene since October.

FYI, an updated Mock Draft 2.0 will be done after the Conference Semifinals are over.

And Chris Kreider to Evegeny Malkin? Now I know you're probably taking the style of play of each player into consideration as a first criteria to compare them to current NHLers, but then again..? Kreider is much more similar to Eric Cole.

And you're actually ranking Cowen before Duchene, who's touted as the second coming of Joe Sakic by some scouts?

Good work, but I disagree with a couple of aspects there. Not that you care anyway

Jim - I am curious as to what you think of Robin Lehner……..I have heard he is shooting up peoples draft boards and will most likely be the #1 goalie in the draft and from europe.

Could you see him entering the 1st round ?

I'm glad you brought him up. He has been playing some great hockey the last few months. With his size, age and obvious improvements during the season I'd definitely say he's the #1 goalie heading into the draft. Some people have been blinded when it comes to Jaroslav Janus because of his great WJHC this year, but he's been pretty inconsistent with the Erie Otters this year. Another one to look at is Olivier Roy from the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, but he didn't exactly take the bull by the horns so to speak like people had hoped he might this season.

Now where Lehner might be drafted is another question. The goalie crop isn't all that strong this year so I don't see him or any other goaltender being drafted in the first round.

I think that whatever teams end up losing out on the Jonas Gustavsson sweep stakes will look to draft Robin Lehner in the 2nd round or maybe even 3rd if he happens to drop that low, which I don't think he will at this rate.

Could you see him entering the 1st round ?