With the 15th Pick in the 2010 FanSided NHL Mock Draft…

The Boston Bruins select Vladimir Tarasenko, right wing, Novosibirsk (KHL).

The FanSided mock draft was completed a few days before the Bruins traded the 15th pick in a deal for Nathan Horton. Nevertheless, I figured I would post about the pick and why I elected to go with Tarasenko, who is one of the major gambles of this draft.

Scouts across the NHL have praised Tarasenko’s skills, particularly his offensive ability. He is a solid skater, with great acceleration. In addition, Tarasenko has some of the quickest hands of anyone in the draft, which helps contribute to his lethal shot.

Most projected the Bruins to pick a defenseman with the 15th overall pick, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do so. Outside of the big three (Fowler, Gudbranson, Gormley), I just couldn’t envision any of the second tier defensemen making enough of an impact to utilize a mid-first rounder on them. I felt as though the Bruins could address that need with their first pick of the second round.

Assuming the Bruins select Seguin –which was the case in this mock draft—I felt as though Tarasenko would be a good second addition because of his ability to put the puck in the net. While Seguin can score in bunches, he projects to be more of a playmaker who sets up others. Tarasenko could potentially help the Bruins as the scoring winger that they covet.

Many are shying away from Tarasenko because he may continue to play in Russia for a couple of years, but few are arguing against his potential.

Having already taken what should be a sure thing in Seguin (although I don’t think there ever is a “sure thing”), the Bruins could have taken a gamble had they held onto the 15th pick.

I honestly don’t think that the Bruins would have gone in this direction with No. 15, but when I was drafting, I couldn’t overlook Tarasenko’s upside.