2019 EHE Mock Draft
2019-04-11Yes, it's still early, and yes, we have no idea who will be picking where. But that doesn't mean we can't have a little fun. With most top prospects wrapping up their seasons now is as good a time as any to speculate who might go where in this year's EHE entry draft.
This mock draft is based on the standings as of April 11th. Assuming everything were to stay the same, who would get taken where? Let's take a guess.
1. New Jersey: Jack Hughes
Although the gap between Hughes and Kaako has tightened, this one’s still a no-brainer. Cole is stoked to land the first selection and goes with the consensus #1 ranked prospect Jack Hughes.
2. Arizona (via MTL): Kaapo Kakko
Losing out on Hughes is a lot easier when you still have a grade A prospect waiting for you at #2. Tim gladly takes Kaapo Kakko with the second pick.
3. Florida: Vasili Podkolzin
After the top two picks, Jeff has quite a few options to choose from. The skill and potential of Vasili Podkolzin is too tough to pass up though and he takes the Russian with the third pick.
4. Anaheim: Dylan Cozens
With franchise centre Ryan Getzlaf now well into his 30’s, the Ducks will need someone to replace him in the next few years. Stu recognizes this and takes Dylan Cozens with the fourth pick.
5. Calgary: Bowen Byram
There are plenty of forward options available to Stephen with the fifth pick, but the thought of a Cale Makar and Bowen Byram top defence pairing is just too appealing.
6. Philadelphia: Alex Turcotte
One of the first jobs for whoever takes over the Flyers will be to find the organization a legit top centre. Alex Turcotte has that potential and is taken here with the sixth pick.
7. Arizona (via SJ): Kirby Dach
Tim would probably prefer a defenceman here, but not interested in reaching for a blueliner he takes the next best player available in Kirby Dach.
8. New Jersey (via STL): Trevor Zegras
Trevor Zegras and Jack Hughes have shown good chemistry playing together on the USNDP team, so this pick makes a lot of sense for Cole and the Devils.
9. Buffalo: Peyton Krebs
Peyton Krebs is a natural playmaker and has a tenacious work ethic. Figuring he’ll be a good fit for Auston Matthew’s wing a few years down the road, Roberto takes the Kootenay Ice star with the ninth pick.
10. Vancouver: Matthew Boldy
With a plethora of defence prospects in their system, it makes sense that the Canucks will be looking for a forward with this pick. With this in mind, Travis goes with the well-rounded Matthew Boldy with the tenth pick.
11. St. Louis (via LA): Alex Newhook
St. Louis is another team in search for their next top centre. Shaun weighs is options but eventually uses the 11th pick on BCHL MVP Alex Newhook.
12. New York Islanders: Cole Caufield
Tony went with top defenceman Noah Dobson with his first-round pick last here, so it makes sense he’ll be thinking forward this year. He takes USNDP scoring sensation Cole Caufield with the 12th selection.
13. New York Rangers (via EDM): Cam York
Martins has no idea what his roster needs since he hasn’t decided whether he’ll trade half of his team or all of his team before next season. You can never have enough defencemen though, so he goes with Cam York.
14. Winnipeg: Victor Soderstrom
Winnipeg is a team that’s desperately looking for their next top defenceman. Joe has a few defence options with his pick, but eventually decides to go with Swede Victor Soderstrom with the 14th pick.
15. Buffalo (via COL): Spencer Knight
Roberto has a plethora of young forwards and Miro Heiskanen on the way to man the blueline. The only thing missing is an elite goaltender, so he decides to take a chance on top goalie prospect Spencer Knight with the 15th pick.
16. Columbus: Bobby Brink
The Bluejackets are set a centre for a while with Kuznetsov and Duchene. Now they just need a skilled winger to play with them. Because of this, Andrew goes with dynamic RW Bobby Brink with the 16th pick.
17. Toronto: Philip Broberg
With fans still reeling from losing top defenceman Drew Doughty last season, Joe is on the lookout for the next top defenceman and takes Philip Broberg with the 17th selection.
18. Carolina: Ryan Suzuki
With centres Pavelski and Koivu approaching the end of their careers, it makes sense for the Hurricanes to look for a replacement. Kevin weighs his options and eventually goes with Ryan Suzuki.
19. New York Rangers (via PIT): Raphael Lavoie
With a defenceman already picked, Martins looks for a forward with his second first round selection. He opts for Raphael Lavoie with the 19th pick.
20. Ottawa (via CHI): Moritz Seider
Jameson has picked a forward with his last three first-round selections, so he decides that it’s time he takes a defenceman. He decides to go with skilled German defenceman Moritz Seider.
21. Boston: Arthur Kaliyev
Arthur Kaliyev is the draft’s most divisive prospect. He’s a boom or bust player, but the offensive upside is too tempting for Dave to pass up with the 21st pick.
22. St. Louis: (via NYR): Matthew Robertson
Shaun got his top centre earlier with Newhook, so he decides to turn his attention to the defence and takes Matthew Robertson.
23. Washington: Connor McMichael
With Ristolainen and Ekblad manning the blueline for years to come, Jared looks for a forward with this pick and takes centre Connor McMichael.
24. Nashville: Pavel Dorofeyev
After going with skilled Swedish defenceman Adam Boqvist last year, Eric decides to go with a forward this year and takes a chance on Russian winger Pavel Dorofeyev.
25. Florida (via Dallas): Jakob Pelletier
With his second pick in the first round, Jeff decides to go with shifty winger Jakob Pelletier with the 25th selection.
26. Vegas: Ville Henola
Doug was thrilled to land Filip Zadina last year and decides it’s time to address his defence this year. He takes Ville Henola with the 26th pick.
27. Vancouver (via ARI): Philip Tomasino
Travis looks to further bolster his forward prospects and takes talented OHL centre Philip Tomasino with his second first round pick.
28. Ottawa: Brett Leason
As an overage player, Brett Leason is a bit of a risk. But Jameson likes the 6’5” centre’s size and takes a chance on him with the 28th selection.
29. Detroit: Mikko Kokkonen
It’s no secret that the Red Wings need defenceman. Cisco looks to add to his defence core by taking skilled Finnish defender Mikko Kokkonen.
30. Minnesota: Nils Hoglander
Always looking for the next Scandinavian superstar, Harald is thrilled to be able to select Nils Hoglander with the 30th pick.
31. New York Rangers (via TB): Ilya Nikolayev
With the last of his three first-round picks, Martins looks to Russia and selects talented forward Ilya Nikolayev.