Mock draft for the 2018 entry draft’s first round:
The 2018 NHL entry draft is looking very promising with young, skilled players from across the globe getting ready for what could be the biggest night of their hockey careers. Together they set stage and have a chance at making their dreams come true as the 2018 NHL entry draft will be held on June 22nd and June 23rd at the American Airlines Centre in Dallas.
As always, it’s the players selected in the draft’s first round who hold the most promise. There hasn’t been any shortage of raw talent and immediate impact players that have come out of the draft’s first round in recent years. Names like Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, Patrik Laine and Nico Hischier come to mind. These young guns each made quick and significant impacts to their respective teams and to the entire league, and continue to do so today.
This year’s draft eligible prospects are just as exciting. From Swedish blueline sensation Rasmus Dahlin, the London Knights’ Evan Bouchard, American winger Brady Tkachuk, to the young and athletic Liam Foudy, there really is a lot to look out for in Dallas.
Here are my predictions for who will be selected in the draft’s first round:
1. Buffalo Sabres – Rasmus Dahlin, D, Frolunda (Sweden)
The 18-year-old Swedish blueliner has incredible stick handling skills, great vision and offensive firepower. Dahlin is projected to be a stud. After all, cornerstone defenseman are incredibly valuable.
Seriously, go watch a Rasmus Dahlin highlight video. You will not be disappointed.
2. Carolina Hurricanes – Andrei Svechnikov, RW, Barrie (OHL)
Svechnikov, the native of Barnaul, Russia is a smart and skilled right-winger with incredible vision and a laser of a shot. Many believe he is the most NHL ready of all top prospects eligible for this year’s draft.
3. Montreal Canadiens – Jesperi Kotkaniemi, C, Assat (Finland)
Kotkaniemi is the highest ranked centreman ahead of the draft. This kid has an incredible drive and work ethic, and will give Montreal a boost up the middle of the ice.
4. Ottawa Senators – Brady Tkachuk, LW, Boston University (NCAA)
The agitating 18-year-old American left-wing prospect just posted 31 points in 40 games this past season.
5. Arizona Coyotes – Filip Zadina, RW, Halifax (QMJHL)
The 18-year-old highly touted right-wing prospect from Czech Republic will be a much needed boost to an ailing Coyotes squad.
6. Detroit Red Wings – Noah Dobson, D, Acadie Bathurst (QMJHL)
A skilled defenceman with high potential. Detroit won’t be disappointed.
7. Vancouver Canucks – Quinn Hughes, D, University of Michigan (NCAA)
This American born d-man is skilled and poised. Hughes would be a boost to any team’s back end.
8. Chicago Blackhawks – Evan Bouchard, D, London (OHL)
Canadian blueliner Evan Bouchard is a highly skilled defenceman expected to play big minutes. Chicago’s power play has the chance to benefit greatly from his presence.
9. New York Rangers – Oliver Wahlstrom, RW, USNTDP
Wahlstrom is a goal scorer, period. Who wouldn’t want someone who can put the puck in the net?
10. Edmonton Oilers – Adam Boqvist, D, Brynas Jr (Sweden)
Boqvist is a right side d-man who can put the puck in the net from the back end.
11. New York Islanders -Ty Smith, D, Spokane (WHL)
Smith is a gifted blueliner with incredible skating abilities.
12. New York Islanders – Ty Dellandrea, C, Flint (OHL)
A skilled player up the middle, I’m sure the Islanders wouldn’t mind more reinforcements up the middle.
13. Dallas Stars – Grigori Denisenko, LW, Yaroslavl Jr (Russia)
A very skilled prospect, Denisenko has the chance to add more firepower to an already offensively loaded forward group in Dallas.
14. Philadelphia Flyers – Joel Farabee, LW, USNTDP
This left-wing prospect has a natural playmaking ability that the Flyers would surely enjoy.
15. Florida Panthers – Barrett Hayton, C, Sault Ste Marie (OHL)
Hayton is a true contributor who plays a full two-way game.
16. Colorado Avalanche – Martin Kaut, RW, Dynamo Pardubice (Czech)
This right-wing prospect should not be taken lightly. He could make a real impact for the Avalanche.
17. New Jersey Devils – Joe Veleno, C, Drummondville (QMJHL)
An all-around centreman who could be a great piece up the middle for any team.
18. Columbus Blue Jackets – Serron Noel, RW, Oshawa (OHL)
Noel is a gifted offensive player who has a very high ceiling and great hockey sense.
19. Philadelphia Flyers – Dominik Bokk, RW, Vaxjo Jr. (Sweden)
Bokk has incredible puck handling skill and is a speedy winger that can contribute on the powerplay.
20. Los Angeles Kings – Vitaly Kravtsov, RW, Traktor Chelyabinsk (KHL)
A highly touted skilled right-wing prospect who could benefit the Kings forward group.
21. San Jose Sharks – Bode Wilde, D, USNTDP
A skilled defenceman who should have no problem finding himself a spot in an NHL lineup one day.
22. Ottawa Senators – Liam Foudy, C, London (OHL)
A valuable and athletic youngster who can produce.
23. Anaheim Ducks – Isac Lundestrom, C/LW, Lulea (Sweden)
Lundestrom is a two-way forward prospect that plays a full 200 foot game and shouldn’t have a problem cracking into a top 6 forward group in the near future.
24. Minnesota Wild – Rasmus Kupari, C, Karpat (Finland)
This young, skilled centreman could be a great asset for any club.
25. Toronto Maple Leafs – Ryan McLeod, C, Mississauga (OHL)
McLeod has been difficult to assess due to his inconsistencies. However, the skills are there.
26. New York Rangers – Jay O’Brien, C, Thayer Academy (US High School)
An athletic centreman, O’Brien is a hard working, skilled player with plenty of upside.
27. Chicago Blackhawks – K’Andre Miller, D, USNTDP
This blue line prospect has a very high ceiling and is also offensively gifted.
28. New York Rangers – Rasmus Sandin, D, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
This d-man has great hockey sense and puck moving abilities and should offer a significant impact to a team’s back end.
29. St Louis Blues – Jonatan Berggren, C/RW, Skelleftea Jr. (Sweden)
A hard working forward, Berggren could give one hundred percent on a nightly basis in an NHL jersey in the near future.
30. Detroit Red Wings – Akil Thomas, C, Niagara (OHL)
A skilled prospect that has proven he can skate and shoot the puck.
31. Washington Capitals – Kirill Marchenko, RW, Khtany-Mansiysk (MHL)
Marchenko is a hard working right-wing prospect who has shown consistency and skill throughout this past season.
Article Written by former NHL Writer
