Switching gears tonight from the NBA to the NHL draft. Like the NBA draft, there are five prospects at the top of the NHL draft that offer intriguing potential starting with the best prospect in this class, Rasmus Dahlin.
Dahlin is viewed by talent evaluators as an upper echelon talent who fits today’s game and can be an all star for years to come.
Time will tell but there are other talented players in this class, especially at right and left wing. So, without further ado. Here is our mock draft.
1. Buffalo Sabres: Rasmus Dahlin, D, Frolunda: Dahlin is a big, rangy defenseman with terrific puck handling skills. He can handle the puck with ease in all three zones and he has a heavy shot from the point. A cornerstone talent who will anchor the Sabres defense for a long time.
2. Carolina Hurricanes: Andrei Svechnikov, RW, Barrie (OHL): Svechnikov can step right in and make an immediate impact for the Canes. He is fast, can get into open areas and has a quick release when he shots the puck. Svechnikov plays with good vision and makes clean passes to the middle of the ice in odd man rush situations. A play maker who gives Carolina a legitimate goal scoring threat.
3. Montreal Canadiens: Filip Zadina, RW, Halifax (QMJHL): The Canadiens need a center but there isn’t one available that general manager Marc Bergevin can justify taking this high. Zadina is the best pure goal scorer in this draft. Given Montreal’s issues with scoring, Zadina would crack the Canadiens line up out of camp.
4. Ottawa Senators: Noah Dobson, D, Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL): The Senators might end up trading Erik Karlsson this off-season. If they do, Dobson would be a solid replacement. A three zone defensemen who can handle the puck in transition but also play heavy in his own end.
5. Arizona Coyotes: Brady Tkachuk, LW, Boston University (NCAA): There is no way Rick Tocchet and the Coyotes pass up on a chance to draft a future power forward in Tkachuk. Tocchet played with Brady’s dad Keith in Phoenix. He knows the type of player he is getting.
6. Detroit Red Wings: Evan Bouchard, D, London (OHL): Bouchard has good size, skill and has the talent to eventually develop into a number one type defenseman who can lead a D group.
7. Vancouver Canucks: Jesperi Kotkaniemi, C, Assat (Finland): The Canucks will go back to Europe as they start the process to replace the Sedins. Kotkaniemi is the best center in this draft. He has good size, skill and is responsible in all three zones. A goal scorer who can consistently finish around the net.
8. Chicago Blackhawks: Oliver Wahlstrom, RW, USNTDP: The trade of Artemi Panarin was a disaster last spring. Wahlstrom might be the second best pure goal scorer in this class and a chance for the Blackhawks to make amends.
9. New York Rangers: Quinn Hughes, D, University of Michigan (NCAA): A skilled puck moving defenseman in the mold of a Ryan McDonagh. Hughes can quarterback the power play but also play responsible in his own end and heavy along the boards.on paper, he is a classic Rangers defenseman.
10. Edmonton Oilers: Ty Smith, D, Spokane (WHL):The Oilers have plenty of skill up front. They need a young defensemen that can come in and play some minutes in their third pairing. Smith can do that and more. He can eventually develop into a top pair defensemen over time.
11. New York Islanders: Adam Boqvist, D, Brynas Jr (Sweden): Lou Lamarerillo goes defense with his first pick as the Islanders general manager. Boqvist is a talented puck moving defenseman who concussion issues aside has a lot of long term upside.
12. New York Islanders: Grigori Denisenko, LW, Yaroslavl Jr (Russia):The Islanders love to develop European and Russian wingers who have the ability to score from any area on the ice. Denisenko has some contract issues but if the Islanders could get him to New York, they will have a steal on their hands down the road.
13. Dallas Stars: Barrett Hayton, C, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL): Scouts love Hayton’s ability to contribute in all three areas of the ice. He is a complete player who could make an immediate impact.
14. Philadelphia Flyers: Serron Noel, RW, Oshawa (OHL):The Flyers value size at the wing positions more than any other team in the NHL. Noel has the size and the skill set to develop into an elite power forward who can finish around the net.
15. Florida Panthers: Joe Veleno, C, Drummondville (QMJHL): Veleno can be inconsistent but he is a tough two way player who does the little things well. Needs to be more consistent.
16. Colorado Avalanche: Vitaly Kravtsov, RW, Chelyabinsk, KHL: Kravtsov has an elite skill level and can finish around the net. His quick release especially on the power play makes him one of the best finishers in this class.
17. New Jersey Devils: Ryan McLeod, LW, Mississauga, OHL: McLeod can fly and has one of the quickest releases in this draft. The speed, finishing ability combination make him an elite level prospect and a steal at this point in the draft.
18. Columbus Blue Jackets: Joel Farabee, LW, USNTDP:Farabee has good hands, plays with good vision and can finish or distribute the puck. The Blue Jackets need more players who can finish on their second line. Farabee can be that guy.
19. Philadelphia Flyers: Rasmus Kupari, C, Karpat-Liiga: The center position has become so important now that teams like the Flyers are valuing skill and the ability to forecheck over size at the position.
20. Los Angeles Kings: Dominik Bokk, RW, Vaxjo Jr. (Sweden):Bokk can fly and he has got a great handle as well. His stick work is some of the best in this draft. He can finish and distribute the puck.
21. San Jose Sharks: Grigori Denisenko, LW, Yaroslavl, MHL: The Sharks could go defense here as well but they will go with Denisenko who has one of the quickest releases in this draft and can finish around the crease. San Jose is looking to develop more young forwards.
22. Ottawa Senators: Isac Lundestrom, C/LW, Lulea (Sweden): Pierre Dorion went defense with his first and goes offense now with Lundestrom who is a terrific two way player who can play in all situations.
23. Anaheim Ducks: Liam Foudy, C, London (OHL):The Ducks are getting a little long in the tooth upfront. Flush would give them a young center who creative, explosive and can score.
24. Minnesota Wild: D’Andre Miller, USNTDP U18: Miller has elite puck moving skills and a heavy shot for the point. Reminds many scouts of Seth Jones.
25. Toronto Maple Leafs: Ty Dellandrea, C, Flint, OHL: Dellandrea is a talented young center who has played on a bad team. His skill set and his ability to finish has been hindered as a result.
26. New York Rangers: Jay O’Brien, C, Thayer Academy: Coach David Quinn knows O’Brien we’ll from his time at Boston University. The young center has a ton of upside but he will need time to develop.
27. Chicago Blackhawks:Rasmus Sandin, D, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL): Sandin is a skilled defensemen who can move the puck and jump in the rush offensively. Sandin would be a great fit in Chicago.
28. New York Rangers: Alexander Alexeyev, D, Red Dear, WHL: Alexeyev is a big rangy defensemen who can cover a lot of ice as a stay at home defensemen. That is important in the Eastern Conference.
29. St. Louis Blues: Akil Thomas, C, Niagara (OHL): Thomas can play center or wing. He is a skilled player with good size and hands. A natural replacement for Paul Stastny.
30. Detroit Red Wings: Jared McIsaac, D, Halifax, QMJHL: The Red Wings need to develop young defensemen that can play in the next three years. McIssac has a lot of upside and the potential
31. Washington Capitals: Kirill Marchenko, RW, Khtany-Mansiysk (MHL): A right handed shooter with tremendous finishing ability and size. Manisiysk will need time to develop but he has tremendous long term potential.