Mock Draft: Mika Zibanejad

You can write this pick up as the steal of the FanSided NHL mock draft, hands down. I was so sure he was going to be a top-5 pick; I never even mentioned his name in the mock draft preview.

Projected as the second highest European prospect by Central Scouting, I snatched Mika Zibanejad with the 13^th overall selection.

Zibanejad shot through the European scouting rankings in the second half of the season. He’s a large Swedish centreman who’s not afraid to grind it out in the corners.

With his 6’2″ 192lbs frame, he’s only going to get bigger and could pan out to be a top-end NHL power forward. He has those rare physical attributes a lot of big men don’t. He’s got the size; he’s strong on the puck and has shown flashes of having a brilliant set of hands.

Zibanejad started the 2010-11 season with Djurgarden’s junior team, then got the call to the Swedish Elite League in December, which is probably why a few teams will pass him up in the real draft.

In the 2010 World Under-17 challenge, he recorded five goals and four assists, helping lead Sweden to a bronze medal. One of Zibanejad’s best qualities is said to be his tireless work ethic. He would be a great pick-up for a Calgary, who is stockpiled with overpaid and underachieving forwards who aren’t exactly in their prime.