ESPN Mock Draft puts center McNeill in mix for Bruins
McNeill
We’re still more than two months away from the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, but the aftermath of the lottery drawing is always a good time to project which prospects will go to which teams.
Over at ESPN, Gare Joyce has posted his mock draft for the teams that failed to make the playoffs. The Bruins, of course, start their first-round series with Montreal tonight, but they will still pick ninth thanks to the Phil Kessel trade with Toronto.
Joyce has the Bruins picking Prince Albert (WHL) center Mark McNeill. Here’s what Joyce writes about McNeill:
A feisty competitor in the Bruins’ profile, his upside is an NHL second-line center. Even if Marc Savard comes back, Boston needs a back-up plan. Five years from now, Tyler Seguin and McNeill would look great at a key position on the depth chart.
Joyce obviously has his finger on the pulse of the Bruins’ draft record during the reign of general manager Peter Chiarelli. When in doubt, pick a center.
McNeill stands 6-foot-1, 201 pounds. He would easily fit into the “future center” role vacated by ’08 No. 1 pick Joe Colborne after the Tomas Kaberle trade and never really embraced by ’07 No. 1 pick Zach Hamill, who’s a restricted free agent this summer.
The Bruins since Chiarelli came in have yet to draft and develop a defenseman that’s reached the NHL.
@bigbadbs: Kessel, Lucic and Marchand, Gorton ran the draft as OTT wouldn’t release PC, however it would be foolish to think he didn’t have any input. He was also in place for their entire development.
Pretty rare if you aren’t picking in the top 5 to have a boatload of players making a jump to be impact NHLers in 2-3 years of the draft.
Matt, that’s great about caron, but seriously, w that many picks, a guy w 15 games in Nhl is who you’re coming back with? Its the worst track record of guys in Nhl over that time frame, by a lot.
Murphy is who Cherry says is the next Bobby Orr. It worked once maybe….
bigbadbs — Caron looked good when they used him.
MK
If this guy is slow with limited offensive upside. He’s our man.
Phil Kessel
Matt,
U say pc hasn’t drafted and developed a dman yet, but that should’ve said chia hasn’t drafted and developed anyone, literally.
As out of character as it seems I wouldn’t mind seeing PC target a skilled Euro here either. Zibanejad would be a nice pick up. I’d prefer they stay away from the Biggs and Saads of this draft. By the sounds of it they project out as NHL muckers at best. Take a shot at a top end (albeit risky) d-man or skilled F.
Since the Top 10 is so open in this draft i think the bruins should look to move up in the draft and look to land a great winger to play with seguin in the future. Landeskog would be great as well as sean couturier.
Sven Bartschi !!!!!! Thats who I want
Look why happen last time we took a center from the W (zack hamill)
McNeil? really?
They have excellent prospect depth at forward – they are still in need of plus D-man – would love Dougie but he won’t be there – Beaulieau is intriguing
PC is like Theo. Theo loads up on pitching talent knowing he can trade it high – seems like PC sees the world the same way for centermen. But, with Krecji, Bergeron, Seguin all under 26, and Spooner showing some serious dazzle in the AHL, I think we have more pressing needs.
Personally, I don’t entirely trust the Bs to evaluate Dmen, so I’m somewhat nervous about drafting one (although Beaulieau sounds like the ticket). I’d like to see them pick a project for the wing – and not a typical big bad bruin, someone who can really handle the puck like this big kid Armia. He may be a few years away, but all reports say the kid can be special. Then again – I’m in love with Nash, and can’t help but imagine similarities.
HockeyFan… If Hamilton slides down, for sure.
Yeah, this is the first time I’ve ever seen him in the top 10. The highest I think I’ve seen him is around 15. I’m liking Tyler Biggs in our 9 range. Maybe Murphy if PC wants to take a chance at a D-Man.
I hope not, bruins are already loaded in the center position with knight and spooner, cunningham will eventually get his chance to shine who has been tearing it up. Bruins should look at Doug Hamilton a 6-4 Defensmen who can be a top 4 player in the future.
McNeill would be a surprising pick. Haven’t seen too many lists with him in the top 10.