2014 NHL Mock Draft: Part 1 (1-4)

Aaron Ekblad - Projected #1

The 2014 NHL Entry Draft will be held on June 27–28, 2014 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Here are my top #1-4 NHL Mock Draft Projections:
1) Aaron Ekblad
Ht: 6' 3" Wt: 216 lbs
Position: D
Team: Barrie (OHL)
Reasoning: The Florida Panthers selected their future first line center, Aleksander Barkov, second overall in the 2013 NHL Draft. In 2014, they select their #1 defenseman in Ekblad, who happens to be the best player available.
2) Sam Reinhart
Ht: 6' 1" Wt: 185 lbs
Position: C
Team: Kootenay (WHL)
Reasoning: The Buffalo Sabres select Reinhart who is the best passer and arguably the best center available in the draft. The Sabres have plenty of prospects on defense and are looking for a projected first line center.
3) Leon Draisaitl
Ht: 6' 1" Wt: 208 lbs
Position: C
Team: Prince Albert (WHL)
Reasoning: The Edmonton Oilers have small and skilled forwards in Taylor Hall, Ryan-Nugent Hopkins and Nail Yakupov. The Oilers select Draisaitl because he is a big power center who projects to be that second line shutdown center the team needs.
4) Sam Bennett
Ht: 6' 0" Wt: 178 lbs
Position: C
Team: Kingston (OHL)
Reasoning: The Calgary Flames select Bennett if the Oilers let him drop. Bennett is the best player available and possesses a wide range of skills. Together with Sean Monahan, who they picked 6th overall in the 2013 NHL Draft, Calgary will have solid center depth in the future.
■ Part 2 of 2014 NHL Mock Draft
■ Part 3 of 2014 NHL Mock Draft