NHL (Mock) Draft: Picks 26-30

With the Chicago Blackhawks winning the Stanley Cup last night, that means the order in which the teams will pick is all set.  I will get to the thrilling manner in which the Blackhawks won later, but for now, let's finish the mock draft, and the real version will happen this Sunday.

26. Anaheim Ducks: Curtis Lazar, Edmonton Oil Kings

A steal this late in the round, the Ducks need secondary scoring, and Lazar provides that.  Where Lazar will really help though, is in the character department, particularly if either Saku Koivu or Teemu Selanne (or both) decide to retire.

27. Columbus Blue Jackets (from Los Angeles): Ian McCoshen, Waterloo Black Hawks

Having taken forwards in Hunter Shinkaruk and Kerby Rychel with their first two picks, and in the process, addressing their needs at forwards, McCoshen is the best defenseman available and the Blue Jackets fortify an already strong blue line.  They won't need to rush him, since he is committed to Boston College and the Jackets already have Ryan Murray in line to break with the team come next season.

28. Calgary Flames (from Pittsburgh): Morgan Klimchuk, Regina Pats

With considerable depth in the draft on the blue line, the Flames opt to wait until the second round (pick 36) to go after a defenseman.  Instead, they go with another scorer in the vein of Sven Baertschi, as Klimchuk is similarly built and put up great numbers on a bad Pats team.

29. Dallas Stars (from Boston): Ryan Hartman, Plymouth Whalers

The Stars lost a lot of grit and toughness in recent years, and having addressed a thin blue line earlier in the draft, they decide to address the toughness category with Hartman, who can score, yet is also unafraid to drop the mitts when needed.  He has played a little center in addition to his natural right wing spot.

30. Chicago Blackhawks: Josh Morrissey, Prince Albert Raiders

The Blackhawks have had luck in finding defensemen from the WHL (see: Keith, Duncan and Seabrook, Brent), and while Morrissey lacks the prototypical size for a defenseman, he is also skilled offensively, and has a high ceiling as far as where his talent level will ultimately be in the NHL.