Mock Draft: Final Version

2018-07-05

 

 

MOCK DRAFT VERSION 3.0

We are now just over three weeks away from the annual Elite Hockey Experience Entry Draft.  Many questions are now being raised on just how the draft will shake out after the very interesting NHL Draft.  The moves are already being made by a number of teams to jump up, or back into the first round also.

Version Three has an added bonus, as special guest selector, Kyle Phillips, GM of the San Jose Sharks, and the Calder Cup Champion San Jose Barracuda joined myself in selecting the first round.  A system was created between us on just how to pick between the teams.  This will not be divulged to the reading audience.  Feel free to guess who made what pick, and every critique is welcomed.  So, with that, enjoy!

 

  1. Rasmus Dahlin, D, Frölunda HC (SHL)

  • 2.0 Mock:  1st Overall by Calgary
  • 1.3 Mock:  1st Overall by Calgary
  • Why take him?  The current Flames are in rough shape.  The future Flames, however may be a team that can contend for a divisional title if things go right in five years.  Thanks to five first round picks last year, which included four within the top 10, the Flames have an impressive group of youngsters.  Dahlin will jump into that prospect pool, and float straight to the top. Time will tell if he is able to rescue this drowning franchise.

 

  1. Andrei Svechnikov, RW, Barrie (OHL)

  • 2.0 Mock:  2nd Overall by Buffalo

  • 1.3 Mock:  2nd Overall by Vegas (via St. Louis)

  • Why take him?  The Habs' big win in the 2018 EHE Draft Lottery could turn things around in a hurry for the struggling franchise.  While there would have been a good young piece available to Montreal in their original draft slot at fourth overall, Svechnikov is a true game-breaker and is exactly the type of elite talent GM Duran Size needs to jump-start a rebuild.

 

  1.  via Filip Zadina, RW, Halifax (QMJHL)

  • 2.0 Mock:  3rd Overall by Vegas (via St. Louis)

  • 1.3 Mock:  3rd Overall by Florida (via Vancouver)

  • Why take him?  Fittingly, the first true wild-card slot in the draft will be the infamous "Pickard Pick."  Will Vegas feel emboldened to go with a bit of a reach because they're using found money? Given that the organization still needs prospect depth at every position, we expect the Knights won't feel the need to reinvent the wheel, and will happily take the ultra-skilled Zadina.

  • How the pick was acquired:   Vegas acquires St. Louis 2018 1st Round Selection, and Montreal 2017 5th Round Selection from St. Louis for Calvin Pickard

 

  1. Noah Dobson, D, Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)

  • 2.0 Mock:  9th Overall by NY Islanders

  • 1.3 Mock:  24th Overall by Edmonton

  • Why take him?  Pity the poor Sabres, who fell to fourth overall in this year's draft lottery, and in the last three entry drafts have only been able to pick second overall, first overall, and third overall respectively.  No? Alright alright, in fairness it would have been a kick in the shorts for Roberto Martucci to miss out on a talent like Dahlin. But as a fantastic consolation prize he will instead nab Noah Dobson, a potential stud defenseman in his own right and the perfect guy to partner with Miro Heiskanen for the next decade or so.

 

  1. Quinn Hughes, D, Univ. of Michigan (NCAA)

  • 2.0 Mock:  6th Overall by Toronto

  • 1.3 Mock:  6th Overall by Arizona

  • Why take him?  San Jose finally has stability at the helm, and are making their first first round selection in three years.  They have never had a true number one defensive prospect in the system to grow on their own. Hughes has a chance to change that.  Showing glimpses of brilliance throughout the season in Michigan, and at the World Juniors was the deciding factor for Hughes over Evan Bouchard or Adam Boqvist.

 

  1. Evan Bouchard, D, London (OHL)

  • 2.0 Mock:  7th Overall by San Jose

  • 1.3 Mock:  14th Overall by Montreal

  • Why take him?  Arizona spent close to every pick during the 2017 Draft on Forwards, and are now loaded up front.  Still, the Coyotes have a good little group of three defenseman sitting in the middle of their prospect list.  Evan Bouchard should jump to the top of that list and settle in behind Nolan Patrick, and Martin Necas on the overall team chart. Bouchard put up great numbers in London this year, but also showed off his well rounded game throughout the year.

 

  1. Oliver Wahlstrom, RW, USA NTDP (USHL)

  • 2.0 Mock:  8th Overall by Tampa Bay

  • 1.3 Mock:  10th Overall by Minnesota

  • Why take him?  The Maple Leafs have a nice mix of young talent across the board in their system, but right wing is one specific area where they could use elite upside.  That's not to say new GM Joe Bubanj will follow the dubious path of drafting by positional need, but in this case the stars seem aligned for the Leafs to select a sniping righty in Wahlstrom.

 

  1.  via Joel Farabee, LW, USNTDP (USHL)

  • 2.0 Mock:  18th Overall by Ottawa

  • 1.3 Mock:  11th Overall by San Jose

  • Why take him?  After securing a defensive stud at fourth overall, the Sabres will set their sights on building even more depth in their forward prospect ranks. Buffalo is already loaded up front with the likes of Pierre-Luc Dubois, Filip Chytil, and Boris Katchouk, but there's nothing wrong with adding more talent to that group with Farabee. The upcoming BU Terrier is a special player in his own right, and more of a pure winger than either Dubois or Chytil anyway, so he would fill something of a niche in an already-loaded system.

  • How the pick was acquired:  Buffalo acquires Tampa Bay 2018 1st Round  Selection from Tampa Bay for Columbus 2018 1st Round Selection, Los Angeles 2018 2nd Round Selection, and Vancouver 2018 2nd Round Selection


 

  1. Adam Boqvist, D, Brynäs IF (SHL)

  • 2.0 Mock:  4th Overall by Arizona

  • 1.3 Mock:  5th Overall by Detroit

  • Why take him?  One shudders to imagine what it would look like if a team acquired generational forwards like Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby, then failed to complement them with a group of quality, puck-moving defensemen.  So credit to the Predators for avoiding that trap by acquiring offensive ace blueliner Torey Krug back in 2017. Now the Preds will augment that strategy by grabbing Boqvist, who should be the perfect replacement for Krug a few years from now -- if not sooner.

 

  1.  via Jesperi Kotkaniemi, C, Ässät (Liiga)

  • 2.0 Mock:  11th Overall by Florida (via Vancouver)

  • 1.3 Mock:  19th Overall by NY Rangers (via Dallas)

  • Why take him?  The Panthers have to be thrilled with the development of young centerman Clayton Keller this season, and they will be aiming to replicate that success with Kotkaniemi.  In fact, Kotkaniemi's fellow Finn Mikael Granlund will make a perfect mentor for whenever the youngster decides to cross the pond. Add it all up, and Florida is going to enter the 2018-19 season with one heck of a succession plan down the middle.

  • How the pick was acquired:  Florida acquires Urho Vaakanainen, Stephen Johns, Vancouver 2018 1st Round Selection, and Anaheim 2018 4th Round Selection from NY Rangers for Sam Bennett  

 

  1. Ty Smith, D, Spokane (WHL)

  • 2.0 Mock:  12th Overall by Vancouver (via NY Rangers)

  • 1.3 Mock:  7th Overall by Winnipeg

  • Why take him?  The Islanders, as mentioned many times before, have amassed one of the most impressive groups of young talent at forward in EHE history.  The lack of defense though, may have cost them from making a run for the playoffs this season. A smart-skating defenseman who could blend in with the speed and talent on the Islanders is a wise choice.  The team has never drafted from Western Canada before, so this would be a first.

 

  1.  via Brady Tkachuk, LW, Boston U. (NCAA)

  • 2.0 Mock:  5th Overall by Montreal

  • 1.3 Mock:  4th Overall by Toronto

  • Why take him?  The latest in a line of hard-nosed Tkachuks, Brady projects as one of the most pro-ready players in the 2018 draft.  This makes him the perfect addition for a Rangers organization that will no doubt get aggressive in its pursuit of a playoff spot after barely running out of steam last season.  Taking Tkachuk isn’t a shortsighted move, however; he’s got the upside and pedigree to suggest he can help the Blueshirts both now and in the future.

  • How the pick was acquired:  NY Rangers acquire Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson, Lukas Sedlak, Roland McKeown, New Jersey 2018 1st Round Selection, and New Jersey 2019 2nd Round Selection from New Jersey for Casey Mittelstadt, and David Quinneville

 

  1. Vitali Kravtsov, RW, Chelyabinsk (KHL)

  • 2.0 Mock:  10th Overall by Nashville

  • 1.3 Mock:  Unranked

  • Why take him?  The Red Wings' farm system is stacked to the point that it doesn't need improvement at any specific position, so they'll be after maximum upside when their turn comes near the middle of the first round.  Considering Kravtsov's development curve as well as his KHL contract, he has been regarded as something of a long-term project. But that actually makes him a good match for the Wings, who can afford to wait on the young Russian’s tantalizing offensive potential.

 

  1. via Barrett Hayton, C, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

  • 2.0 Mock:  15th Overall by Vancouver (via Washington)

  • 1.3 Mock:  31st Overall by Florida

  • Why take him?  A disappointing season has led the Canucks to a full rebuild.  The first of four first round picks, a Hayton fall could be a major victory for them in the rebuild war.  Not a position of desperate need for them, but a player who is considered the second best center cannot be passed on if still around at pick fourteen.

  • How the pick was acquired:  Vancouver acquires Jake McCabe, Adam Gaudette, and NY Rangers 2018 1st Round Selection from NY Rangers for John Carlson

 

  1. Rasmus Kupari, C, Kärpät (Liiga)

  • 2.0 Mock:  17th Overall by Minnesota

  • 1.3 Mock:  16th Overall by Tampa Bay

  • Why take him?  Sooner or later, someone is going to need to replace Nicklas Backstrom as an offensive driver down the the middle of the Jets lineup, and Kupari will be as good an option as anyone by the time pick 15 rolls around.  Winnipeg already has a nice centre prospect in Michael McLeod, but adding depth at such a critical position can only help as the organization tries to climb the ladder in a nightmare division.

 

  1. via Grigori Denisenko, LW, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)

  • 2.0 Mock:  26th Overall by Vancouver (via Vegas)

  • 1.3 Mock:  20th Overall by Nashville

  • Why take him?  The Canucks are back with their second selection in the first round.  Really thought again about going defense here, but felt it could be  a reach for one at sixteen.  Vancouver has shown no fear in drafting Russians, and although some question marks may have been brought up for Denisenko, he could be a diamond in the rough.

  • How the pick was acquired:     Vancouver acquires Washington 2018 1st Round Selection, and Washington 2018 4th Round Selection from Washington for Rick Nash


 

  1.  via , via Ryan Merkley, D, Guelph (OHL)

  • 2.0 Mock:  13th Overall by Detroit

  • 1.3 Mock:  28th Overall by Pittsburgh

  • Why take him? It's not hyperbole to suggest that, outside of Rasmus Dahlin, Merkley is the most offensively gifted defenseman in the 2018 draft class.  That’s a heck of an upside, but Merkley has been plagued by below-average defensive habits and a reputation as something of a problem child.  The Bolts aren’t shy about taking risks, however, and will swing for the fences here.

  • How the pick was acquired:  1) Buffalo acquires Derrick Pouliot, Anton Khudobin, Columbus 2018 1st Round Selection, and Columbus 2019 2nd Round Selection from Columbus for Jordan Eberle 2) Tampa Bay acquires Columbus 2018 1st Round Selection, LA 2018 2nd Round Selection, and Vancouver 2018 2nd Round Selection from Buffalo for Tampa Bay 2018 1st Round Selection

 

  1. Isac Lundestrom, C, Luleå (SHL)

  • 2.0 Mock:  29th Overall by Vancouver (via Anaheim)

  • 1.3 Mock:  9th Overall by New Jersey

  • Why take him?  There are questions about Lundestrom’s offensive ceiling, but it's hard to quibble over a player who's been an efficient contributor in a professional league since the age of 16.  Some might knock this as a "safe" pick, but the Senators know the value of being a perennial stealth contender rather than tearing down the roster—and Lundestrom is the kind of NHL-style building block who perfectly fits that plan.

 

  1. Dominik Bokk, RW, Växjö (SHL)

  • 2.0 Mock:  22nd Overall by NY Rangers (via Los Angeles)

  • 1.3 Mock:  26th Overall by Dallas (via Boston)

  • Why take him?  The Grand Nordic Project veers slightly off course by welcoming a German into the fold, with the deviation offset somewhat by the fact that Bokk has been honing his game in Sweden for the last year.  To be fair, GM Harald Geissler has shown a willingness to take the best player available regardless of nationality, and Bokk's offensive instincts and filthy hands make him an unquestionably worthy selection in this range.  Nevertheless, with 11 of the 12 draft picks in Wild franchise history hailing from either Sweden or Finland, this will be a contender for the biggest shock of the first round.

 

  1. Joseph Veleno, C, Drummondville (QMJHL)

  • 2.0 Mock:  14th Overall by Winnipeg

  • 1.3 Mock:  18th Overall by Philadelphia

  • Why take him?  The Oilers return to the first round of the draft this year, after not having a first or second round selection last year.  The team will be going through a little change this off-season as the heart of the team, Patrice Bergeron, heads to free-agency.  Without a mass of talent down the middle, Veleno is the selection. Veleno had an impressive drop in the NHL Draft, which may lead him to also fall in the EHE Draft, but I do not see him getting past Edmonton.  An excellent skater with breakaway speed, started to turn it around once he was traded to Drummondville.

 

  1. via K’Andre Miller, D, USNTDP (USHL)

  • 2.0 Mock:  24th Overall by NY Rangers (via Dallas)

  • 1.3 Mock:  27th Overall by Vegas

  • Why take him?  An incredible list of talent up front in the prospect pool, while having a more impressive current defense led to the selection of Miller. Very talented, but still very raw at a number of parts in his game, Miller will be given time to develop as a more rounded player in the NCAA while playing for Wisconsin.  Time will tell though if the Rangers hang onto this pick, or do a little move moving around before draft day.

  • How the pick was acquired:  NY Rangers acquire Phil Myers, Nick Paul, Calle Dahlstrom, 2018 Los Angeles 1st Round Selection from San Jose for Josh Morrissey, Miles Wood, Griffin Reinhart, and Los Angeles 2018 5th Round Selection

 

  1. Martin Kaut, RW, HC Dynamo Pardubice (Czech)

  • 2.0 Mock:  21st Overall by Pittsburgh

  • 1.3 Mock:  Unranked

  • Why take him?  The last mock had Kaut going to Pittsburgh at 21st, and that hasn’t changed.  Kaut had a medical question mark at the Draft Combine, so that may scare a few teams off.  It sounds like that issue has been proven false, but time will only tell if the point per game player will see a slight fall down the draft board.

 

  1. Serron Noel, RW, Oshawa (OHL)

  • 2.0 Mock:  27th Overall by St. Louis (via Chicago)

  • 1.3 Mock:  30th Overall by Boston (via Anaheim)

  • Why take him? Somehow it seems there’s a force in the universe that makes the Philadelphia Flyers a magnet for big, gritty players, and Serron Noel ticks those boxes.  That’s not to undersell the Canadian winger’s upside, however, as his offensive skill level is certainly enough to raise the ceiling on the stable of winger prospects in Philly.  

 

  1.  via Jarred McIsaac, D, Halifax (QMJHL)

  • 2.0 Mock:  Unranked

  • 1.3 Mock:  Unranked

  • Why take him?  The Blues have gathered a nice group of prospects and young players, but their blueline stocks could use a shot in the arm.  While McIsaac may not have a reputation as an electrifying player, he combines some throwback all-around characteristics with a sneaky-good ability to make things happen when he’s on the ice.

  • How the pick was acquired:  St. Louis acquires Jimmy Vesey, Zach Hyman, Chicago 2018 1st Round Selection, and NY Rangers 2018 3rd Round Selection from Chicago for Cam Atkinson, Ryan Murray, and 2018 St. Louis 2nd Round

 

  1. via Rasmus Sandin, D, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

  • 2.0 Mock:  Unranked

  • 1.3 Mock:  Unranked

  • Why take him?  The Rangers went with a forward and a defenseman with their first two picks, so I like Sandin here for NYR as best player available.  Sandin was able to transition to the North American game very well last season in the OHL. While nothing in his tool-box really blows anyone away, he is above average in almost every aspect of his game.

  • How the pick was acquired:  NY Rangers acquires Max Domi, Casey Mittlestadt, Kieffer Bellows, and Dallas 2018 1st Round Selection from Dallas for David Pastrnak and Chicago 2018 2nd Round Selection

 

  1. Jonatan Berggren, LW/RW, Skellefteå AIK (SHL)

  • 2.0 Mock:  20th Overall by Buffalo (via Coumbus)

  • 1.3 Mock:  13th Overall by Buffalo (via Columbus)

  • Why take him?  Skill is the name of the game in the NHL these days, and Berggren brings plenty to the table.  That makes him a solid pick for a Panthers system that is excellent overall, but could stand to add a game-breaker or two.


 

  1. via Bode Wilde, D, USNTDP (USHL)

  • 2.0 Mock:  16th Overall by New Jersey

  • 1.3 Mock:  8th Overall by Buffalo

  • Why take him?  Vancouver finally takes a defenseman.  Still a lot of talent left on the board at this moment, so a selection on a player who slipped to the second day in the NHL Draft may raise some eyebrows.  Questions arose about his character. Possibly due to the fact that he decommitted from Michigan, and Harvard, and currently is still up in the air on where he will play in 2018-19.

  • How the pick was acquired:    Vancouver acquires Sam Reinhart, Thatcher Demko, Scott Glennie, and Anaheim 2018 1st Round Selection from Boston for Ryan O’Reilly, Dustin Tokarski, and St. Louis 2018 3rd Round Selection

 

  1.  via Nils Lundkvist, D, Luleå HF (SHL)

  • 2.0 Mock:  Unranked

  • 1.3 Mock:  Unranked

  • Why take him?  The next Vancouver pick is up, and another defenseman is taken.  Lundkvist is an agile, offensive minded defenseman. Has already played some big minutes in the SHL in his first season.

  • How the pick was acquired:  Vancouver acquires Zach Aston-Reese, and Vegas 2018 1st Round Selection from Vegas for Kris Letang

 

  1. Ty Dellandrea, C, Flint (OHL)

  • 2.0 Mock:  Unranked

  • 1.3 Mock:  Unranked

  • Why take him?  Still not 100% sold on Dellandrea, but he was impressive playing in the dumpster fire that was the Flint Firebirds.  One of the surprises for the NHL Draft saw Dellandrea go 13th Overall, the solid two-way player could become a perfect fit for the Hurricanes in a few years.


 

  1.  via Mattias Samuelsson, D, USNTDP (USHL)

  • 2.0 Mock:  Unranked

  • 1.3 Mock:  25th Overall by Pittsburgh (via Colorado)

  • Why take him?  A massive body that plays a strong physical game.  Samuelsson could be another building block for a defense that already has Cal Foote.  A solid addition to a organization that looks like tools of the rebuild are starting to be chimed.

  • How the pick was acquired:  New Jersey acquires Chris Tanev, Dillon Dube, Oskar Lindblom, and Boston 2018 1st Round Selection from Dallas for Brayden Schenn and Clayton Stoner

 

  1.  via Ryan McLeod, C, Mississauga (OHL)

  • 2.0 Mock:  23rd Overall by Edmonton

  • 1.3 Mock:  17th Overall by Ottawa

  • Why take him?  With the final pick of the first round, we have the Pittsburgh Penguins.  With the 22nd pick, Pittsburgh went with a Czech winger, with the 31st I am going with an American center.  McLeod had an impressive year in Mississauga, and could be a perfect fit in Pittsburgh.

  • How the pick was acquired:  Pittsburgh acquires Alex Goligoski, Frank Corrado, and Colorado 2018 1st Round Selection from Colorado for Kris Letang

 

Players who have dropped out:

  • Akil Thomas, C, Niagara (OHL)-19th Overall by New Jersey (Mock 2.0)

  • Jacob Olofsson, C, Timra IK (SHL)-25th Overall by Carolina (Mock 2.0)

  • Jack Drury. C, Waterloo (USHL)-28th Overall by Philadelphia (Mock 2.0)

  • Jack McBain, C, Toronto Jr. Canadiens (OJHL)-30th Overall by Florida (Mock 2.0)

  • Benoit-Olivier Groulx, C, Halifax (QMJHL)-31st Overall by Pittsburgh (Mock 2.0)