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The Colorado Avalanche won the NHL's draft lottery and will select No. 1 overall from what will be a loaded 2013 prospect class. Insider NHL scout Grant Sonier breaks down how he sees the draft selections playing out among the non-playoff teams.

Story | Conversation | April 29, 2013

Former NHL scout Grant Sonier provides his first projection for the 2013 NHL draft, featuring a notably deep class headlined by elite prospects Seth Jones, Nate MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin.

Story | Conversation | March 14, 2013

With an early projection of the top 10 picks in June's entry draft, Craig Custance explores the possibility of some of the top prospects in the 2013 draft class being claimed by traditionally powerful teams experiencing down years at the right time.

Blog | Conversation | February 18, 2013

Former NHL scout Grant Sonier breaks down the 2012 prospect group with his final mock draft of the season, noting there may be a shocking pick to start the selection process on June 22.

Story | Conversation | June 20, 2012

With the first 14 picks set after Tuesday night's NHL draft lottery drawing, Grant Sonier lays out how he believes the first picks will play out -- with one big caveat. He expects the Edmonton Oilers to trade down from their No. 1 pick.

Blog | Conversation | April 11, 2012

In the wake of a trade deadline, Grant Sonier revisits his first 2012 NHL mock draft to see how it was impacted by several first-round picks trading hands.

Blog | Conversation | March 02, 2012

Former NHL scout Grant Sonier breaks down the 2012 prospect group with his first mock draft of the season. Unsurprisingly Nail Yakupov goes No. 1 overall, but Sonier believes a number of teams could find useful parts to round out their rosters.

Story | Conversation | February 16, 2012

With ESPN Insider's first NHL mock draft coming later this week, Doug McIntyre makes some calls to see which prospects the NHL's worst teams could target with their top pick in June 2012.

Blog | Conversation | February 14, 2012

ESPN Insider Neil Greenberg drafts the NHL All-Star rosters with an analytic twist, showing how Zdeno Chara and Daniel Alfredsson can statistically optimize their teams. Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin goes No. 1 overall. But who will go last?

Story | Conversation | January 26, 2012

Gare Joyce puts out his final mock draft, which features lots of movement at the top and throughout the first round.

Story | Conversation | June 23, 2011

Gare Joyce checks in with the latest news and rumors in advance of the 2011 NHL draft, including how the Avalanche and Oilers may try to add a second-pick in the top 10 to capitalize on top-tier talent.

Blog | Conversation | June 21, 2011

In Gare Joyce's third 2011 NHL mock draft, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is the No. 1 pick while Mika Zibanejad keeps rising.

Story | Conversation | June 17, 2011

Last year's draft trend showed comparably-skilled forwards chosen ahead of primetime defensemen. Gare Joyce believes that trend will hold this year, but there are two unique blueliners who will still more than warrant a high pick this June.

Blog | Conversation | May 03, 2011

Gare Joyce checks in with NHL talent evaluators on Victoriaville's Phillip Danault. While Central Scouting ranks him as the 27th best skater in North America, team scouts seem to think much more highly of him. Plus, notes from Mock Draft 2.0.

Blog | Conversation | April 29, 2011

In Gare Joyce's second 2011 NHL mock draft, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is the No. 1 pick and Ryan Strome overtakes Gabriel Landeskog in the top five.

Story | Conversation | April 28, 2011

Gare Joyce provides an updated mock draft for all teams in the NHL lottery. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins goes first to the Edmonton Oilers.

Blog | Conversation | April 13, 2011