The NHL’s website decided to release a trio of mock drafts today, and the positioning of Everett defenseman Mirco Mueller made for some interesting reading.
Three different experts made their predictions, and all three had Mueller being selected in the first round by the Columbus Blue Jackets. Columbus has three first-round picks, so the mock drafts didn’t all have Mueller picked in the same spot. But all three had Mueller being taken either 15th or 16th overall.
That would be particularly interesting, since the Blue Jackets selected former Silvertip d-man Ryan Murray second overall last year. Mueller and Murray were actually a pairing before Murray got hurt in November. They’re not a perfect pairing, since both are left-handed shots, but they certainly played well together.
All three experts mentioned the Murray connection as part of their Mueller prediction. Therefore, I don’t know whether those predictions are based on actual inside information, of if they’re just influenced by the Everett connection and Columbus’ multiple first-round picks. But, along with Mueller’s improved position in the CSS final rankings, it further reinforces the idea that Mueller is a first rounder.
By the way, former Everett prospect and current Portland star defenseman Seth Jones was predicted to be picked first overall in all three mock drafts. If he does, indeed, go first overall, I have a hard time seeing him back in the WHL next season. That would mean the trade would essentially be Ben Betker, Tyler Sandhu and Mitch Skapski for one season of Jones.
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