NHL Entry Draft: 2021 First-Round Mock Draft Selections

16. New York Rangers –FYODOR SVECHKOV, Ladia Togliatti, MHL

Pick by S. Paulus of bluelinestation.com

The Rangers looked to add depth up front adding Russian Center Fyodor Svechkov.  The defensive minded center has the tool set that makes him capable offensively as a distributor.  He can gain the zone efficiently through stick handling or using his body to protect the puck, but does not have much flash in doing so.  This lack of creativity would seem to limit his offensive upside.

Svechkov is extremely effective backchecking and supporting in his defensive end where he shows an understanding of how to identify and gauge threats.   With good mobility and balance the center is able negate scoring chances and create turnovers.

Svetchkov may not project as a top line center, but the consensus sees his floor as nothing less than a responsible third line player that will help a team on the penalty kill.

17. St. Louis Blues — ISAK ROSEN, Leksands, J20

Pick by Todd Panula of bleedinblue.com

Rosen is the kind of player that people won’t know right now, but he has the potential to be something special down the road.  Given the needs of the team, the players already selected and his talents, Rosen fit for the Blues.

Rosen comes out of Leksands IF of the Swedish Hockey League.  He spent most of his time dominating their junior ranks before a brief stint in their professional league.

Rosen proved he’s more than capable of hanging with his counterparts.  Between the J18 and J20 teams, he combined for 69 points in 66 games.

Detractors will point to his lack of scoring at the pro level, but he received little ice time, making it hard for even the most talented to score.  Additionally, he’s only 18 so it is hard to expect him to dominate a men’s league.

Rosen is a good fit for what the Blues are right now.  The Blues have enough NHL talent for the next few years and can supplement that with free agents or trades.

However, they are particularly thin at left wing on the depth chart, so Rosen would fill that void.  The Blues are still somewhat transitioning toward the speed game, so his skating ability and pace will eventually be very valuable.

Even better, Rosen is a shoot-first playmaker, which is the opposite of what they have and exactly what they need.  Too often the Blues have playmakers that can score goals, but rarely look to.  Having someone with top-end passing that will actually look to score for themselves would be a nice change of pace.

The one drawback of Rosen is that he is likely somewhat of a project.  Don’t expect to see him in the NHL within the next few years unless the Blues are forced to push the reset button.

Rosen is a solid pickup at 17 though and right in his projection zone.  There’s tons of potential there, but let’s just hope he has more staying power than the last few Swedish draftees by the Blues.

–Todd Panula

18. Winnipeg Jets- SEBASTIAN COSSA, Edmonton, WHL

Pick by W. Gebelein of broadstreetbuzz.com

Winnipeg’s prospect pipeline boasts several pieces of depth both at forward and on the blue line, but have a huge void at goaltender.  Fortunately, Oil Kings’ goalie Sebastian Cossa stands tall at six foot six inches and could fill the gap.  Cossa would become the heir apparent to former Vezina trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck.

Cossa’s most noticeable attribute is his size, which gives him the ability to cover the top portion of the net, even when on his knees, better than any other goalie in this year’s draft.  Even more impressive is the athleticism he displays at that size, which allows him to fly from post to post and to make spectacular saves.

All the scouts acknowledge that Cossa’s skating still needs refinement and could prove to be an obstacle to a good NHL career, but the same scouts predict that Cossa will be taken in the first round and become an eventual starter in the NHL

After several seasons of sustained excellence from the twenty-eight year old Hellebuyck, and with several more anticipated, the Jets have the luxury to bring Cossa along as slowly as he needs.  The young goalie is not nearly as refined as his draft mate Wallstetd, so it may be five years before Cossa is ready for a full time NHL job.  As of today, the Jets are in  no hurry.