On the Ice With Isaac: NHL Mock Draft

Later today, NHL general managers will march up to the lectern at Prudential Center in Newark and make important additions to their teams. After months of conjecture, identifying team weaknesses and player strengths the day has come to draft the future.

We turned to media members across the globe for their two cents on the teams they cover. Here’s one more mock draft to add to your reading list before the picks start officially coming in at 3 p.m.

11. Philadelphia Flyers - D Rasmus Ristolainen

The team says it will take the best available player, but defense is such an “organizational weakness” as GM Paul Holmgren said in April that they might be forced to take a blueliner and develop him. Before Flyers fans freak out at Ristolainen’s scouting report, which says he needs some work on defensive positioning, they’ll be happy to know he plays a physical game and can push opponents out of his own crease. That’s something the Flyers haven’t had in a while. Ristolainen also is an offensive force and has experience on the power play. — Dave Isaac, Courier-Post, 97.3 ESPN FM

(Click here to see Dave Isaac's mock draft)

Dave Isaac covers the Flyers for 97.3 ESPN and The Courier Post.  Reach Dave Isaac at disaac@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @davegisaac.