Mock draft 1.0: Franchise D is the prize
Here is mock draft 1.0 for the first round of 2018 NHL draft in Dallas. Because the draft lottery hasn’t been held, we slotted teams where they fell March 26 in the standings. We have reflected the draft picks that have changed hands because of trades. The draft will be held June 22-23.
1. Buffalo Sabres: Defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, Frolunda (Sweden): Might be the best all-around defenseman prospect in the past quarter-century. He is 6-3 and strong in every aspect of the game.
2. Arizona Coyotes: Right wing Andrei Svechnikov, Barrie (Ontario Hockey League): He has the ability to step into the NHL next season and score right away. He netted 40 in 44 games this season.
3. Vancouver Canucks: Left wing Brady Tkachuk, Boston University: He’s Keith’s son and Matthew’s brother and he carries on the family tradition of being a tough, physical, skilled power forward.
4. Ottawa Senators: Left wing Filip Zadina, Halifax (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League): Also projected to play next season. Registered 82 points in 57 games.
5. Detroit Red Wings: Defenseman Evan Bouchard,
London (OHL): The Red Wings desperately want a blue-chip defensive prospect, and Bouchard can be that guy. He is 6-2 and can do it all. A gifted passer who can also be an effective defensive player. He’s also a rightshot. Everyone is looking for those.
6. Montreal Canadiens: Center/wing Oliver Wahlstrom, U.S. National Team Development Program. A gifted offensive player who can score off the rush or in goalmouth scrambles. Will be strong at the net. 7. Chicago Blackhawks: De- fenseman Quinn Hughes, University of Michigan: Smooth, skilled offensive defenseman who is the older brother of prospect Jack Hughes, who is projected to go No. 1 overall in the 2019 draft.
8. New York Islanders: Defenseman Noah Dobson, Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL): A 6-3 defenseman who can handle the puck and play well in his own end. Has agility and strength. Uses his size.
9. Edmonton Oilers: Defenseman Adam Boqvist, Brynas (Sweden): Smallish defenseman who has the ability to be electrifying with the puck on his stick.
10. New York Rangers: Center Barrett Hayton, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL): Smart, effective, well-rounded player who had 60 points in 63 games this season.
11. Carolina Hurricanes: Left wing Joel Farabee, U.S. NTDP: He’s been a key scorer (40 points in 25 USHL games) on one of best teams in U.S. NTDP history. *12. New York Islanders (From the Calgary Flames1): Right wing Serron Noel, Oshawa (OHL): He’s a 6-5 power forward who can take advantage of his size and reach.
13. Florida Panthers: Center Rasmus Kupari, Karpat (Finland): Has posted six goals and 14 points over 39 games playing in the Finnish League. He just turned 18. 14. Dallas Stars: Defenseman Bode Wilde, U.S. NTDP: He’s a 6-2 defenseman with size, skill and skating ability. Potential difference-maker if he improves defensively and cuts down on his mistakes.
15. New Jersey Devils: Left wing Vitali Kravtsov, Chelyabinsk (Russia): He is 6-2, skates well and is playing in the KHL, where he recorded eight points in 37 games.
16. Philadelphia Flyers: Center Jacob Olofsson, Timra (Sweden): Effective at both ends of the ice. The kind of twoway player coaches like.
17. Columbus Blue Jackets: Right wing Jesperi Kotkanie
mi, Assat Pori (Finland): At 6-2, plays like the big, strong center that every NHL team needs.
18. Los Angeles Kings: Center Isac Lundestrom, Lulea (Sweden): Skates well, plays hard, offers a high degree in hockey sense. Creates turnovers with his aggressiveness. *19. Philadelphia Flyers
(from St. Louis Blues2): Center Joe Veleno, Drummondville (QMJHL): He’s 6-2, and he has generated 48 points in 33 games.
20. Colorado Avalanche: Defenseman Ryan Merkley, Guelph (OHL): Some scouts worry that he takes too many chances, but he can motor up the ice with flair and impact.
21. Anaheim Ducks: Defenseman Ty Smith, Spokane
(WHL): He’s a 5-11 puck-mover who does so with his speed and efficiency. *22. Ottawa Senators (from Pittsburgh Penguins3): Center Akil Thomas, Niagara (OHL): Plays with considerable energy; he posted 81 points in 68 games.
23. Minnesota Wild: Grigori Denisenko, Yaroslavl (Russia): Highly skilled, impressive passer; could be a sleeper in this year’s draft.
24. San Jose Sharks: Center Ryan McLeod, Mississauga (OHL): Dependable, 6-2 two-way center with 70 points in 68 games.
25. Washington Capitals: Defenseman Jett Woo, Moose
Jaw (WHL): Split decision in the scouting ranks. Some love how he plays and others don’t. He makes things happen. Had 25 points and was +29 in 44 games before going down with an injury.
26. Toronto Maple Leafs: Defenseman Jared McIsaac, Halifax (QMJHL): Has nine goals, 47 points and 86 penalty minutes in 65 games. You hear the word “solid” mentioned with him.
*27. Detroit Red Wings (from Vegas Golden Knights4): Defenseman Mattias Samuelsson, U.S. NTDP: Son of former NHLer Kjell Samuelsson. He is 6-3, can contribute offensively, play physical and be an effective defender. *28. St. Louis Blues (from Winnipeg Jets5): Right wing Dominik Bokk, Vaxjo (Sweden): He’s a gifted German player with offensive and skating ability. *29. New York Rangers (from Boston Bruins6): Defenseman Rasmus Sandin, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL): Poised, smart, two-way Swedish defenseman who has 45 points in 51 games.
*30. New York Rangers (from Tampa Bay Lightning7): Left wing Jakub Lauko, Chomutov (Czech Republic): A speedster, a game-breaker who looks comfortable playing against men in the Czech professional league. *31. Chicago Blackhawks (from Nashville Predators8): Defenseman Nils Lundkvist, Lulea (Swedish): Has risen dramatically on most teams’ lists. He’s having a strong rookie season in the Swedish Elite League. Lightning quick. Can be dazzling.
1. From Travis Hamonic trade 2. From Brayden Schenn-Jori Lehtera trade (Blues have option to protect if it’s a top-10 pick)
3. From three-way trade with Vegas and Ottawa that brought Derick Brassard to Pittsburgh 4. From Tomas Tatar trade 5. From Paul Stastny trade 6. From Rick Nash trade 7. From Ryan McDonagh trade 8. From Ryan Hartman trade