2018 NHL Draft: Mock Draft 3.0

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Only 16 more days!  No word of a lie, draft night is like Christmas for me.  As I told Steph (my girlfriend for you new readers) the other day “don’t judge me, but its the one night of the year that I just want to be by myself and look at 17 and 18 year old boys”.  Currently, she’s seeking couples therapy for us.

 

If you’re new to my lists, I’m going to take this time to brag.  Last year with my final mock draft, I was 6/6 to start, hit on 7 picks total, and had 28 of 31 going in the first round.  In comparison, Sam Cosentino and Bob McKenzie had 27 of 31.  I went 7/8 to start the draft in 2015, was all over Columbus to pass on Puljujarvi for a centre (initially I said Dubois, but figured by draft day they would move back) earlier than anyone else was (feel free to seek out my 2016 3.0 mock draft), and though I don’t like to put it in with the others it was actually this third mock draft in 2014 where I ended up doing the best I’ve done, hitting on 11 of 30 first round picks (the problem being that I did two more mocks after that and the immense trade talk around that draft really screwed me over!)  I don’t like bragging, but I work my ass off on these pieces and take a lot of pride in them (although, expect spelling mistakes because I got close to 5,000 words here and can’t catch them all).

 

Something new I’m going to do is put the tier the player is in along with the ranking.  So normally beside a players name in the mock drafts I have the players ranking.  Now, I’m going to put his tiering first, followed by his ranking.  So Rasmus Dahlin for example is in the first tier, and ranked first, so he’s listed as 1-1.  Filip Zadina is in the second tier and is third ranked, so he’s listed as 2-3.  Akil Thomas is another example, and he’s in the fourth tier and is 14th overall.  So he’ll be listed as 4-14.

 

Also, if you want to check out the latest top 50 rankings of mine that I put out today, here you go: Top 50 prospects

 

1. Rasmus Dahlin (1-1)  Frolunda  SHL

Pos: RD  Ht: 6’3  Wt: 185  Shot: L

Comparison: Drew Doughty

I don’t believe we need to spend much time on this one.  Jackpot if you’re a Sabres fan.  They were desperate for someone who could anchor their blueline, and they won one of the best D prospects of all time.  This was a DARK season for Buffalo, a terrific hockey market who don’t deserve what they’ve been going through.  Happy for them, and Dahlin is the real deal.

 

2. Andrei Svechnikov (3-6)  Barrie  OHL

Pos: RW  Ht: 6’2  Wt: 192  Shot: L

Comparison: Thomas Vanek

Every year rumours make the rounds of teams possibly trading inside the top five, and it NEVER happens.  It’s now been 16 years since a team traded completely out from a top five spot (Tampa Bay, 4th overall in 2002), and now 10 years since anyone moved back from a top five spot (NY Islanders, going from 5 to 7…and eventually 9).  I highly doubt it happens, but I will suggest that this pick will be heavily rumoured to go, and if any top five pick is possible to be on the move, it’s this one thanks to how nuts new owner Tom Dundon seems to be.  I really wonder if they couldn’t be taken to the woodshed pretty good, not just with this pick, but on a lot of their guys as they look to push the issue.  Don Waddell was a horrific GM in Atlanta.  I do trust Rick Dudley, but he isn’t in charge.  Anyway, should they keep the pick, while I don’t have Svechnikov second on my board, I’m on an island.  For everyone else he’s the clear cut number two ranked guy.

 

3. Filip Zadina (2-3)  Halifax  QMJHL

Pos: LW  Ht: 6’0  Wt: 197  Shot: L

Comparison: Nikita Kucherov

This has to be bittersweet for Habs fans.  On one hand, they won a top three pick!  On the other hand, the clear cut guy to take here is going to be a winger, and they could use a defenceman, and BADLY need a centre.  Personally, I’d trade back (Rangers for their three first rounders?  Would the Islanders give up both 11 and 12?) to take Joe Veleno.  But I’m far more high on Veleno than most.  You can’t cry about Zadina though.  I love the motor the kid has, and definitely believe he’s going to be a 30-40 goal, 70-80 point guy for a long time.  And hey, perhaps Bergevin can land a good young centre in the Pacioretty trade.  Easier said than done.

 

4. Noah Dobson (3-4)  Acadie-B.  QMJHL

Pos: RD  Ht: 6’3  Wt: 177  Shot: R

Comparison: Seth Jones

I really believe they’re going to end up going with one of Dobson, Boqvist, or Bouchard in this spot.  Most, if not all will suggest they take Tkachuk.  And hey, very easily could do that too.  But this organization heavy on centres and D-men in the first round of the last six drafts.  In fact, that’s all they’ve taken.  And I believe teams will have equal or even greater value on some of these second tier D-men than on Tkachuk.  For me, Dobson has everything you need to become a true number one defenceman.  Tkachuk…while I LOVE the player, he’s limited.  He looks like an elite complimentary player.  Those types of players are more so wants than needs for a team.  Ottawa has a BIG need that must be addressed, whether Erik Karlsson re-signs or not.  You’ll hear lots of people suggest that it’s then a reach and that they need to take the BPA which is Tkachuck.  To me, Tkachuk isn’t the BPA, he’s just the flashier pick.

 

5. Brady Tkachuk (3-7)  Boston University  NCAA

Pos: LW  Ht: 6’3  Wt: 192  Shot: L

Comparison: Keith Tkachuk

I could argue the exact same thing for the Coyotes that I just did for Ottawa.  But the difference for the Coyotes is that Tkachuk has pretty strong ties to that organization as you know, and from a business aspect I believe the Coyotes just couldn’t pass on Tkachuk because of the name recognition in the market.  And he’s a marketable kid too, he has a very outgoing personality.  While someone might be saying right now “you can’t take someone just for those reasons”, you’re completely correct, but it’s not as if the Coyotes would be reaching in anyway on Tkachuk.  Most would suggest Tkachuk is falling to the Coyotes should he be available at five.

 

6. Evan Bouchard (3-9)  London  OHL

Pos: RD  Ht: 6’2  Wt: 196  Shot: R

Comparison: Larry Murphy

I’d be stunned if the Wings don’t take a D-man with the sixth pick.  Now, to me, it should be one of the RH shooting D-men, so if they go with one of Bouchard or Adam Boqvist who are left, the Wings are getting it right in my mind.  I could see Bouchard reminding Ken Holland and their staff a bit of Larry Murphy as the comparison suggests, but also of Nik Lidstrom.  I’m by no means saying he’ll be another Lidstrom!  But Lidstrom wasn’t an off the charts skater, had an extremely high IQ, was an elite puck mover, and had a big shot.  I’ve heard the Wings prefer to take a forward with this pick as dumb as that seems to me, but then again this front office is a shell of what it was.  You could justify it a bit seeing that they own picks 30/31, 33, and 36.  But until I hear more about them having a preference of a forward here, I’m saying it’s Bouchard.

 

7. Quinn Hughes (4-13)  Michigan  NCAA

Pos: LD  Ht: 5’9  Wt: 168  Shot: L

Comparison: Phil Housley

It definitely sounds like the Canucks are going D here.  I follow one of their beat writers on Twitter (Ben Kuzma), and he makes it sound as if it’s a slam dunk.  Olli Juolevi hasn’t progressed like they hoped he would, and a lot of their young D on the roster don’t look like guys who are at a level some thought they’d be at by now.  So it does look like a pretty large need for the team, and this is a sweet spot in this draft to snag one.  If Hughes is that guy….I’m not sure they’re getting a DEFENCEMAN.  But he lines up there.  And while I’m not as high on Hughes as most are, I understand the intrigue.  Hughes is safe.  I believe he’s going to be a sure fire 45-55 point D-man, and he might even become one of those Coffey/Housley/Karlsson types where even though he’s limited in his own zone, the way he tilts the ice and the points he puts up are just too good to not have him out there 22-25 minutes a night.

 

8. Jesperi Kotkaniemi (3-5)  Assat  Liiga

Pos: C  Ht: 6’2  Wt: 181  Shot: L

Comparison: Mikko Koivu

This is starting to feel like the consensus pick should Kotkaniemi get to eight.  I could see him going to either Arizona or Detroit also, but for now I believe it makes more sense to get to Chicago.  The other thing to keep in mind is that even though most see centre as the play here, I wouldn’t rule out the Hawks taking one of Bouchard or Hughes should either still be available.  Both of those kids will step in next season and play, and both really fit well with how the Hawks play.  But Kotkaniemi fills a need they’ve really never had which is strength down the middle.  For all their success, they’ve never had that big time second line centre playing behind Jonathan Toews.  And now, it might be too late as Toews is 30 and looks to be past his prime.

 

9. Oliver Wahlstrom (4-15)  USNTDP  USHL

Pos: RW  Ht: 6’1  Wt: 208  Shot: R

Comparison: Phil Kessel

Is it just a coincidence they’ve ended up with all these New Englanders?  Kevin Hayes, Chris Kreider, Jimmy Vesey, Paul Carey, and now new head coach David Quinn.  I believe GM Jeff Gorton is a Massachusetts native, so I highly doubt it is.  But the Rangers could go several directions here, and it’s not just that Wahlstrom is a New England kid that I believe he’ll be the pick.  He’s the best pure sniper in the draft, and if a team believes he’s going to have 40-50 goal ability then he’s damn difficult to pass on.  The Rangers system has several needs, but sniper is definitely one of them and let’s not forget that they own picks 26, 28, and 39 in this draft, so this isn’t the only bullet they have to fire.

 

10. Adam Boqvist (3-8)  Brynas  SWE-J20

Pos: RD  Ht: 5’11.5  Wt: 165  Shot: R

Comparison: Kris Letang

You know, I’m seeing a lot of Oilers fans suggest that a D-man absolutely has to be the pick here.  And I’ve got zero issue with who I’m mocking to go here, what a perfect fit because they don’t have any offence from the back end and even if some of their prospects pan out (Bear, Jones, Samorukov, etc) they don’t have a kid like Boqvist who is electric offensively.  Having said this, this team has a MASSIVE need at centre in the organization.  So if Kotkaniemi were to fall to them, that would be a tremendous pick too.  And of course, I believe in Joe Veleno more than anyone and believe he’d be a total steal for the Oilers here, but seeing Oilers TV didn’t even bother to interview him during their combine coverage I’m guessing he’s not even in consideration.  I said it last year, and they didn’t, and so I’m saying it even louder this year that the Oilers MUST address the lack of depth in the organization down the middle.  “Well they got McDavid and Draisaitl”.  Yep, and next to nothing else if you’re moving Nugent-Hopkins primarily to the wing.  It is far too important of a position to leave bare.  Anyway, Boqvist would be a great pick, I wouldn’t bitch about it for a second, don’t confuse him being slotted a little lower with people disliking the player.  I believe there are just simply questions about him having all world ability, but the Oilers shouldn’t be worried about that.  They need to transform their blueline by adding more speed, better puck movers and a lot more offence which all screams Adam Boqvist.  Icing on the cake is that he’s also a RH shot.

 

11. Joe Veleno (2-2)  Drummondville  QMJHL

Pos: C  Ht: 6’1  Wt: 194  Shot: L

Comparison: Brad Richards

I love this fit.  If Tavares stays, what incredible depth they’d now have down the middle moving forward.  If Tavares walks, what a massive need and fit behind Mathew Barzal in a year or two.  Another monkey wrench with the Islanders is that Lou Lamoriello is now running the show, we could (and likely will) see a change in how they draft.  Will he clean house with the scouting staff much like he did with Snow and Weight?  And if so, will they wait until after the draft?  Anyway, just like they did with Barzal, I believe the Islanders will get a flat out STEAL should they take Veleno at 11 or 12.

 

12. Joel Farabee (4-17)  USNTDP  USHL

Pos: LW  Ht: 6’0  Wt: 162  Shot: L

Comparison: Kyle Palmeri

Originally Calgary’s pick.  If they can secure Veleno at 11, then with this pick I love the idea of them taking Farabee, or vice versa, it really doesn’t matter.  Some might look at me sideways having Farabee at 17 on my rankings.  Don’t confuse liking a player with just simply believing that a players value isn’t as high as others.  If the Isles take him here, I applaud it.  He is right there with Quinn Hughes and Jakub Lauko as one of the top skaters in this draft class, and his motor is none stop.  One thing that MIGHT change in my thinking with the Islanders is that under Snow they really seemed to hate taking D-men high.  The two times they did, Reinhart was a bust (even though they turned him into gold thanks to inept Oilers management), and Pulock has had trouble establishing himself.  And while I’m not sure what they think of the D-men in the system, I personally don’t think any of their kids are too enticing moving forward.  So if I’m making a change here in the next two mocks, it’ll be to a D-man.  But for now, Farabee is the pick.

 

13. Isac Lundestrom (4-16)  Lulea  SHL

Pos: C  Ht: 6’0  Wt: 183  Shot: L

Comparison: Henrik Zetterberg

Last year, my Stars “guy” was spot on with where they were going.  The other day I seen where he said that the Stars are interested in a centre with this pick, so that’s what I’ll say for now.  And I’ve really felt like Lundestrom has got underrated by a lot of scouts going into this draft.  I’m not sure how someone can love Barrett Hayton, and then not like Lundestrom.  Similar size, similar games, Lundestrom is a better skater and probably has better vision.  I mean I got them in the same tier so its not as though I believe there is a lot of separation with them either, but some scouts will have Hayton ten spots ahead…HOW?!  But, to each their own.  Anyway, its a good bet here that the Stars go centre, so Lundestrom fits that bill well.

 

14. Bode Wilde (4-12)  USNTDP  USHL

Pos: RD  Ht: 6’2.5  Wt: 198  Shot: R

Comparison: Jacob Trouba

Originally St. Louis’ pick.  The Flyers have invested a lot of recent first round picks on D, but those D-men are now becoming fixtures on their blueline.  Add to that, despite going D with three straight top picks, none of them were RH shooting.  Only one on the roster right now (Radko Gudas), and none in the system that appear they’ll play anytime soon.  So I believe Wilde would be a great fit for the Flyers with this pick.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again with Wilde, a top four D-man who leaves you wanting more is still a top four D-man.  To me, he’s a very safe pick.

 

15. Serron Noel (3-10)  Oshawa  OHL

Pos: RW  Ht: 6’5  Wt: 204  Shot: R

Comparison: Blake Wheeler

I feel like someone is taking Noel higher than most people have him.  There have been a few rumours that suggest Noel scouting staffs for NHL teams like him a lot more than independent guys.  I obviously like him more than the independent guys myself, but I understand the fears with him.  Dale Tallon and the Panthers are old school.  They love size, and while I wouldn’t say they LOVE the OHL, they’ve taken their fair share of OHL guys.  So I’m guessing that Noel is directly in their wheelhouse.  And with a young roster which is locked down, they can afford to take a guy like Noel and give him the two or three years he needs to develop.

 

16. Rasmus Kupari (4-18)  Karpat  Liiga

Pos: C  Ht: 6’1.5  Wt: 189  Shot: R

Comparison: Matt Duchene

I’m ACTUALLY suggesting that the Avs will pass on a highly ranked D-man who in this scenario falls into their lap for a winger?!  12 months ago I would have suggested they need to invest three or four straight first rounders on D-men!  Fast forward to now and the Avs own Cale Makar, Conor Timmins, and Sam Girard.  It’s not enough, but it’s a HELL of a start!  They have picks 47 and 58 to perhaps add a couple more quality D-men to that stable.  If you look at the Avs organizational depth chart, they don’t have a lot of high end skill playing behind MacKinnon and Rantanen.  And if you look at something else with the Avs, they seem to love their centres.  Maybe it’s just a coincidence or a matter of circumstance this season, but they usually had six or seven natural centres in the lineup every night.  So with Kupari, you can put him on the wing, put him in the middle, and the guy is a burner with a ton of skill.

 

17. Ty Smith (4-11)  Spokane  WHL

Pos: LD  Ht: 5’10  Wt: 176  Shot: L

Comparison: Brain Rafalski

I say they still really need some D, and what a gift this would be for the Devils if Smith falls to 17 for them.  I realize Ray Shero managed to piece together a respectable unit this season, but that system still has next to nothing in it.  Most of the time when I say this, there is always the “yeah, but couldn’t they address that need later on?”  Not here.  The Devils don’t have another pick until 110 (4th round).  A trade back here to amass more picks is very possible.  But if they’re staying put, and Smith is still around, I can’t see them going anywhere else.  If Smith isn’t around, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them reach, although I would be looking to trade back.

 

18. Barrett Hayton (5-19)  Sault Ste. Marie  OHL

Pos: C  Ht: 6’1  Wt: 186  Shot: L

Comparison: Ryan O’Reilly

I really can’t get a read on what the Jackets might do, so I’m just looking at who I believe would be the top guy on their board.  They have invested a couple of high picks in centres the last five years in Wennberg and Dubois, but with Brandon Dubinsky looking like a buyout possibility and no high end centre in the system, Hayton might make a ton of sense for them in addition to being the top guy on their board.

 

19. Akil Thomas (4-14)  Niagara  OHL

Pos: RW  Ht: 5’11  Wt: 165  Shot: R

Comparison: Mitch Marner

If the Flyers walk out of this draft with Wilde and then Thomas, what a home run that would be for Ron Hextall.  I’m a bigger Thomas fan than most.  Pure playmaker, I love the fluidity he plays with, and he did a lot of his damage this season while playing on the second line in Niagara with nobody.  The Flyers don’t have much skill up front in the system after Morgan Frost, so Thomas would be such a great fit.

 

20. Jacob Olofsson (5-20)  Timra  SHL

Pos: C  Ht: 6’2.5  Wt: 189  Shot: L

Comparison: Alex Wennberg

I can’t bring myself to move off the point that the Kings are in love with the OHL.  But I can’t find an OHL kid at this pick which makes sense for them.  Olofsson does though.  To me, Gabe Vilardi is going to be better suited to play the wing, which means as much as I like Jaret Anderson-Dolan, they don’t have a young stud centre in the system.  They’re apparently looking to start building with speed, and while Olofsson is big, he’s also a really good skater.  And finally, Jeff Carter is on the back nine of his career, and while Kopitar had an MVP type of season he’s going to be on the decline soon as well.  It’s not as though I believe Olofsson can be a first line centre, but I believe he has a pretty high ceiling and makes a lot of sense for the Kings here.

 

21. Rasmus Sandin (5-22)  Sault Ste. Marie  OHL

Pos: LD  Ht: 5’11  Wt: 186  Shot: L

Comparison: Andrej Sekera

It’s always tough to get a feel for what the Sharks are going to do in the draft.  They seem to make solid picks of late, but it feels as though they leave someone better on the board.  Last year they took Josh Norris, but over Robert Thomas.  2015 they went with Timo Meier, but over Mikko Rantanen and Mathew Barzal.  2014 they took Nikolay Goldobin with Adrian Kempe still there.  2013 they traded up to take Mirco Mueller with Andre Burakovsky still on the board.  I’m not bringing up examples of them passing on kids who weren’t higher ranked, all these examples are of kids most had higher ranked than the Sharks.  So their drafting has been ok, but could or should be much better.  Anyway, I believe they’ll look to address their blueline as they have next to nothing in the system.  I wouldn’t be shocked if they reached on a kid like K’Andre Miller here, but Sandin would be the more obvious pick.

 

22. Dominik Bokk (5-24)  Vaxjo  SuperElite

Pos: RW  Ht: 6’1  Wt: 179  Shot: R

Comparison: Martin Havlat

Originally Pittsburgh’s pick.  As I discussed with the Sens first pick, they don’t like to take wingers in the first round.  Not since 2011 anyway.  Coincidence?  Maybe.  But I can see that run coming to an end with this pick.  They really could use an injection of skill up front.  I really like a lot of their guys throughout their system, but they really lack just pure skill, which is the type of player Bokk is.

 

23. Jonatan Berggren (5-23)  Skelleftea  SWE J-20

Pos: RW  Ht: 5’11  WtShot: L

Comparison: Jaden Schwartz

It is purely a coincidence that I have Berggren ranked 23rd and have him going 23rd.  But I could see the Ducks being big fans of his.  They’ve had great success of late with Swedes.  Rakell, Lindholm, Marcus Pettersson, Jacob Larsson, and even though he was via trade Silfverberg as well.  Obviously there are many ways they could go here, but looking at their system, my belief is that they’re going to go with the highest skilled forward they can land here.  Before you say “two Russians you’ve forgot about”, check out their history.  If they went with Denisenko or Kravtsov it would be the first time since 2009 (Igor Bobkov), and the last time they took a Russian skater of any position….2001.  Going with Alexei Smirnov and Stanislav Chistov in back to back first rounds will do that to an organization.

 

24. K’Andre Miller (6-29)  USNTDP  USHL

Pos: LD  Ht: 6’3  Wt: 198  Shot: L

Comparison: Ed Jovanovski

They’re getting a little thin on the blueline in the system.  Since taking four D-men with five first round picks, they haven’t taken one higher than the fifth round in the last three drafts, and the best kid in the system looks to be Carson Soucy who might be on the roster to start next season.  The other thing is that with Miller, I believe he’s going to be in high demand and get taken a little earlier than expected.  Would this be it, or could he go even earlier?  He’s got a ton of talent, and given some time to develop he could turn into something real special.

 

25. Ryan McLeod (6-27)  Mississauga  OHL

Pos: C  Ht: 6’2  Wt: 190  Shot: L

Comparison: Andrew Cassels

I strongly believe this pick will be a centre the way it’s shaping up.  There are a lot of centres who will be in the “BPA” range at 25, and its the Leafs biggest need in the system.  Matthews-Kadri is ok down the middle, but add one more quality centre to them and now the Leafs are looking to be real difficult to match-up with.  Now, maybe they go after that guy this summer, but even if they do it sill would not hurt their system one bit to grab a centre.  This squad loves their speed and McLeod can fly so if he’s available I believe they’d have a tough time passing him up barring someone stunningly falling into their lap.

 

26. Jonathan Tychonick (7-35)  Penticton  BCHL

Pos: LD  Ht: 5’11.5  Wt: 177  Shot: L

Comparison: Tobias Enstrom

Originally Boston’s pick.  I have them taking Wahlstrom at nine, but they could easily go D (especially if Hughes or Boqvist are there), but in this scenario they didn’t.  So now with these picks at the back of the first, they really need to start loading up the blueline moving forward.  Tychonik is fun to watch, but he’ll need some time to grow.  As long as a team can be patient, they’ll have a good one on their hands.

 

27. Grigori Denisenko (6-25)  Yaroslavl  MHL

Pos: LW  Ht: 5’11  Wt: 163  Shot: R

Comparison: Alexander Radulov

Originally Nashville’s pick.  They LOVE skill.  Going into last years draft, I really thought Klim Kostin was falling (which he did) and that they’d be the team to snatch him up.  Of course at that time, they still had Artemi Panarin.  While they no longer have Panarin, I believe they’ll have too tough of a time passing on a kid of Denisenko’s talent should he still be on the board here.  He could easily go before this pick, but again going back to Kostin and last year’s draft, NHL teams are still more scared off by Russian forwards than scouts.  I didn’t see a better fit for any of the teams I believe would take a Russian forward until this pick.

 

28. Ryan Merkley (7-36)  Guelph  OHL

Pos: RD  Ht: 5’11  Wt: 170  Shot: R

Comparison: Ryan Murphy

Originally Tampa Bay’s pick.  The Rangers with three picks between 26 and 39 are a great candidate take a chance on someone.  And they’ve done it before.  Sean Day was their top pick (not until the third round) in the 2016 draft.  And that’s the other thing is they love the OHL.  So a talent like Merkley, coming from the OHL, and they badly need to walk out of this draft with some talented D-men, so I’d watch for them to get Merkley and this would be a great pick to do it with.  Would they take two kids with such similar games like Tychonik and Merkley?  I don’t see why not, they need to stockpile some D at some point.

 

29. Mattias Samuelsson (7-40)  USA NTDP  USHL

Pos: LD  Ht: 6’3  Wt: 209  Shot: L

Comparison: Marc Staal

Originally Winnipeg’s pick.  The Blues could go about a billion ways with this pick to be frank.  After they’ve walked out of the last two drafts with two real good centres (Tage Thompson, Robert Thomas) and two real good wingers (Jordan Kyrou, Klim Kostin), if I had to guess with this one I’d say they’ll be looking for a D-man here.  It’s not as if they’ve got an old blueline, they don’t.  Next season they likely feature Parayko, Vince Dunn and Jordan Schmaltz all as regulars and they’re all 25 and under.  But you always want that next wave to be ready, and there is a nice pocket here where there will be a lot of D in this range.  Samulesson to me feels like the right fit for them if this is where they’re leaning.

 

30. Vitali Kravtsov (6-26)  Chelyabinsk  RUS

Pos: LW  Ht: 6’2  Wt: 170  Shot: L

Comparison: Filip Forsberg

Originally Vegas’ pick.  They’ve never had a fear of taking the Russian kids, and with a talent like Kravtsov still on the board I believe they’d view him simply as a BPA that they can’t pass up.  A kid like Ty Dellandrea is likely much more of a need as they don’t have much youth down the middle after Dylan Larkin in the entire organization (keep in mind, I consider Michael Rasmussen a winger at the next level, not a centre, maybe they don’t).  Now, maybe they address that need at the sixth pick?  But I predicted that Bouchard was too good to pass up there, and I believe they’ll view Kravtsov the same way should he get to the 30th pick.

 

31. Jet Woo (6-30)  Moose Jaw  WHL

Pos: RD  Ht: 6’0  Wt: 200  Shot: R

Comparison: Travis Hamonic

They’ve loved their Russians over the years just like the Wings.  But under the radar, they’ve gone heavy on WHL kids for a while now.  They’ve taken 15 kids out of the dub in the last 11 drafts.  Now, if I’m going this way, I got probably five different kids I could project them to take, but Woo to me is the clear cut BPA of the dub kids left on the board.  For me, there are other kids (Ty Dellandrea) who I would take instead, but I don’t think they could go wrong with Woo who is just a very solid and dependable D-man.

 

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9 thoughts on “2018 NHL Draft: Mock Draft 3.0

  1. A bit sour, are we? NYI just fired their GM and head coach. Maybe you should do a 4.0 Mock now and rip them, too. VERY UNPROFESSIONAL take on CAR. Sometimes you need to let go of the past to move forward. I’m glad TD recognises that. Too bad you don’t, jerk.

    1. Sour? About what? I’ve raved about the canes for the last several seasons and the job they’ve done. I apologize for nothing. Dundon seems like he’s nuts….nuts to win quickly that is. And Waddell was terrible as GM of the Thrashers. It’s an opinion, not a “fan boy” take. You should read my stuff consistently and read how I rip Oilers management a new one pretty much every week. I’m guessing you won’t though. Get some thicker skin bud.

  2. Unprofessional, full of prejudices and negative attitude toward russians players. I find this unethical and unworthy of my time.

    1. Feel free to lay it out for me bud as to HOW this is like that. Because I’m pointing out FACTS that Russian born FORWARDS (not D-men, not tendys) bust at an alarming rate? That’s my fault? People are supposed to ignore that? Please, I am ALL ears. You took the time to rip me, now allow me to absolutely verbally destroy this asinine opinion, don’t be a chicken shit, man the fuck up.

    2. That is EXACTLY what I thought you’d say, which is nothing. Gutless coward is what comes to mind, yet you’re the one who wants to say I’m unethical.

  3. Reading your article has greatly helped me, and I agree with you. But I still have some questions. Can you help me? I will pay attention to your answer. thank you.

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