NHL Mock Draft: Picks 21-30

With something coming up yesterday, the last third of the first round mock draft was pushed back to today. With the actual Draft eight days away, let's get to the last third.

21. Carolina Hurricanes (from Los Angeles)-Julien Gauthier, RW, Val D'Or (QMJHL)

The Hurricanes need a big body that won't get pushed around. Too often, that's been an issue, and now that they filled the needs on the blue line, as well as a skilled scorer earlier in the draft, they can focus here. Gauthier scores, and he has the body to be a power forward.

22. Winnipeg Jets (from Chicago)-Libor Hajek, D, Saskatoon (WHL)

A shutdown defender that won't put his team in a bind offensively, Hajek played well for a terrible Saskatoon team. The Jets may look for an eventual replacement for Mark Stuart, and Hajek is a perfect fit here.

23. Florida Panthers-Alex DeBrincat, RW, Erie (OHL)

Questions about his size will undoubtedly be abound. However, he did post 51 goals in consecutive seasons, and though much of them came as linemates of superior players such as Connor McDavid and Dylan Strome, he is willing to play wherever he is placed.

24. Anaheim Ducks-Markus Niemelainen, D, Saginaw (OHL)

The Ducks are still without a top-tier defender, instead relying on numbers to get their point across. The potential move of Cam Fowler to possibly open a spot for Shea Theodore means the Ducks may want to get another top defender prospect. Niemelainen has the size that few others currently on the Ducks have, and they can take their time, as usual.

25. Dallas Stars-German Rubstov, C, Russia

The Stars have often gone for high risk, high reward players in the first round under General Manager Jim Nill's watch. Rubstov's question marks are obviously the Russian factor and not nearly as many eyes were on him. What he does bring is solid two-way play and the ability to play on any line.

26. Washington Capitals-Dennis Cholowski, D, Chilliwack (BCHL)

The blue line prospects may be in need of newer talent soon, and picking the St. Cloud State commit would give them time to develop him while everyone else is still in the NHL. He has the ability to be the offensive firestarter from the blue line that the Caps need.

27. Tampa Bay Lightning-Brett Howden, C, Moose Jaw (WHL)

The potential loss of Steven Stamkos means that the Lightning will need to fill a hole in center at some point, if not sooner. While Howden is still a few years away, he does have a high ceiling and will have a bigger role on a Warriors team that will be missing Dryden Hunt and Brayden Point, the latter also being a Lightning prospect.

28. St. Louis Blues-Pascal Laberge, C, Victoriaville (QMJHL)

Like the Lightning, the Blues also need to brace for a possible loss, though it's not necessarily the same losing David Backes. Laberge does need to gain a little more weight and strength, but in time, he could be like Backes in some regard, but with more offense.

29. Boston Bruins (from San Jose)-Nathan Bastian, RW, Mississauga (OHL)

Losing Milan Lucic made Boston a little easier to push around this season. While he isn't going to light up scoresheets, he will open space for players like David Krejci and David Pastrnak while making life easier on Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand.

30. Toronto Maple Leafs (from Pittsburgh)-Lucas Johansen, D, Kelowna (WHL)

The Maple Leafs could use a few more bodies in front of the goalie, and one way to do that is to pick up someone of Johansen's caliber. Expected to be more of a two-way defender, he can provide both offense and defense with the same level of proficiency. He won't be rushed to the NHL too soon like the last Rocket to be taken by the Leafs in the first round, Luke Schenn in 2008.