2018 NHL Mock Draft: Full First-Round Predictions

2. Carolina Hurricanes: Andrei Svechnikov, RW

The Carolina Hurricanes desperately need offensive weapons to go along with Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen. Justin Williams is well into his thirties. There haven’t been that many Hurricanes to step up their game and become elite scorers. Jeff Skinner, who has been the Hurricanes’ best goal scorer for the past few years, could leave in free agency soon.

Which is why, despite the rumors of Carolina trading off this pick, they will keep it. They will take who is believed to be the second-best player in the draft. And they will get one of the elite goal scorers in this draft, a forward who can both finish and set up plays and fit within the European feel of the Hurricanes locker room.

Andrei Svechnikov has translated his game well to North American ice. In 44 OHL games this season, Svechnikov had 40-32–72. While it’s unlikely Svechnikov goes nearly a goal per game in the NHL, that offense will shine through. He’s likely already NHL ready, and with a Hurricanes team electing to spend money on the players rather than the front office, it won’t take a highly-paid GM to make this decision.

3. Montreal Canadiens: Filip Zadina, LW

Another wing might not be what this team needs, but teams in the lottery need the best player available. That’s Filip Zadina for the Montreal Canadiens. He’s a talented winger, a great scorer, and somebody who can create plays.

Despite the fact that Zadina was passed over for the Worlds this summer, he has done well at the international level so far in his young career. His 11 points in 10 games at the U18 World Juniors helped lead the Czech Republic to fourth place and he was on the U20 All-Star team.

Zadina also had 44 goals and 38 assists in 57 QMJHL games. He won the Mike Bossy trophy for best NHL prospect for the junior league, and was on the All-Rookie team, the First All-Star team, and got all three of most points, assists, and goals for a rookie in the QMJHL. He’s the best prospect from the league.

4. Ottawa Senators: Adam Boqvist, D

The Ottawa Senators will likely replace an elite Swedish defenseman with a Swedish defenseman they hope can be elite. Adam Boqvist will likely take over for Erik Karlsson, if in the near future, not the present. The Senators will use their first-round pick this season, as they need to show their fans they’re back in it to win it. Trading the fourth overall pick means they think next season they will get an even better pick. That can’t sit well.

Which is why they will take a defenseman. While Karlsson might be gone by next season, the Senators will need a replacement. With 14-10–24 in 25 games in the SuperElit this season, Boqvist is a talented goal-scoring defenseman. He’s a puck mover, talented in the offensive zone, and can do work in the defensive zone. While there’s debate about whether a team should draft for need or draft best overall, Boqvist is a good compromise for the Senators. He’s one of the best prospects at perhaps their biggest need.

The pick just makes sense.

5. Arizona Coyotes: Brady Tkachuk, C/LW

Brady Tkachuk is one of the best forwards available in this year’s draft, and one of the best from North America. Like his brother, he can be physical. He’s also a scoring threat, a complimentary wing for a good center, and somebody the Arizona Coyotes can absolutely use.

It’s more than just his family, as well. Tkachuk has showcased his own talents at the NHL level, putting up eight goals, 23 assists, and 31 points in 40 games with Boston University. He also showed up well at Worlds, scoring seven points in seven games at the U18s and nine in seven at the U20s.

He’s a 200-foot player, a physical monster, and somebody who’s going to be a pest like his brother with the frame to back it up. He’s a modern power forward, somebody the Coyotes should love to have in their organization. Especially because he could be the perfect compliment to Clayton Keller, as another goal scorer and a physical presence.

6. Detroit Red Wings: Evan Bouchard, D

The Detroit Red Wings likely take a defenseman here. Which one depends on who Detroit sees as the better of Evan Bouchard and Hughes. Many experts have Bouchard ahead of Hughes, and many have Hughes ahead of Bouchard. They’re very similar players, so it comes down to whether Detroit values size in their defensemen (*cough cough* they do).

Bouchard is a physically imposing 6’2″, a defenseman who can play great defense and then contribute at the other end of the ice. For the Red Wings, a team without a top-tier defenseman since Nicklas Lidstrom retired, that has to be attractive. Bouchard is somebody who can, if he reaches his potential, easily play on a top pairing, and make contributions for 200-feet.

Bouchard scored 87 points with the London Knights in 67 games. He had the captaincy, and his work ethic and leadership add to the total package for the Red Wings. Although they could be tempted by Hughes, they should ultimately end up taking Bouchard.

7. Vancouver Canucks: Oliver Wahlstrom, RW

The Vancouver Canucks will take one of two Americans at this spot, whether it’s a forward or a defenseman. They’re likely going to go forward, with another high pick in the second round where they can take a good defenseman. Oliver Wahlstrom might be one of the three best forwards available in this draft, and the Canucks could get him at the seventh overall spot.

He has brains, skill, and speed. He can play well along his own blue line, get the puck up through the neutral zone with creativity, and find holes in the offensive zone. He’s a scorer – 48 goals in 62 US Developmental Program games – as well as a playmaker – 46 assists.

Wahlstrom does a lot of things right. He’s committed to Harvard University next season, which should provide a bit of time to develop the areas that he wants to work on, as well as give the Canucks time to evaluate his progress. Wahlstrom is a fantastic player, and the fact he could develop in the NCAA just adds to his value and attraction.

8. Chicago Blackhawks: Quinn Hughes, D

This is wishful thinking. Several experts have Quinn Hughes ahead of both Evan Bouchard and Oliver Wahlstrom. Some even have him ahead of Adam Boqvist and Brady Tkachuk. Hughes is an excellent looking two-way prospect, who, while undersized, makes up for it in terms of raw talent. That’s accounted for 5-24–29 in 37 NCAA games.

It would not be surprising to see Hughes off the board well before the Chicago Blackhawks make their selection. While he’s said he wants to go back to the University of Michigan next season, he could be ready for the NHL as soon as the season after.

Hughes is a well-rounded player, a great skater, and a perfect power-play quarterback. Exactly what the Chicago Blackhawks need. He could easily be a top-pairing defenseman, and, paired with Duncan Keith, become great. If the Blackhawks are able to add him here, that could help shape their franchise moving forward.

Hughes could be the steal of this draft.

9. New York Rangers: Noah Dobson, D

The New York Rangers need multiple players to build around. Lucky for them, they have a few first round picks. That’s why they should take the best player available with each one of them. Get the rebuild started correctly, with prospects who have a good chance of turning into something special.

That’s what Noah Dobson represents. His floor is likely a top-four defenseman, and that’s an incredibly useful asset for the Rangers right now. Dobson can do a lot in both ends and can play heavy minutes and in crucial situations. He’s able to make key passes and get back to the blue line quickly and effectively.

Dobson had 17 goals, 52 assists, and 69 points in 67 QMJHL games this past season. He’s got a good shot but is far more of a playmaker than goal scorer. He’ll be a useful NHL player, somebody that deserves to be a top 10 pick. The Rangers need a Ryan McDonagh replacement, and, eventually, that might be Dobson.

10. Edmonton Oilers: Ty Smith, D

The Edmonton Oilers are going to draft for need at 10th overall. They need a defenseman badly and were likely hoping to win the draft lottery to make their decision easy for themselves. Instead, they will have to decide between the best overall player and the best overall defenseman. They’re likely going to choose the latter.

That’s not to say Ty Smith is a bad player. Quite the contrary. He’s excellent offensively, scoring 14-59–73 in 69 WHL games this past season. He has a few areas to work on, including work in his own zone. He also needs to grow a bit – 5’10” is not the most intimidating defenseman, and without the elite skating of other small defensemen, Smith will need to work on being more physical.

Still, Smith and the Oilers are a natural fit. He’ll be able to help drive offense with Connor McDavid and the other talented young Oilers and provide Edmonton a future power play quarterback.

11. New York Islanders: Joel Farabee, LW

The New York Islanders are choosing two players back-to-back. While they have a lot of young defensemen, they might need some talent at all positions, but especially forward. That’s why them choosing two forwards makes a ton of sense, especially with those two forwards being the two best available prospects.

Joel Farabee is a dangerous two-way forward with the hockey smarts to make plays and the natural touch to finish them. He’s a fit for a center like Mathew Barzal or in Farabee’s case, someone like Joe Veleno. With 33 goals and 76 points in 62 US Developmental Program games, Farabee has showcased his elite skill. His eight points in seven U18 World games also showcases his ability amongst the most elite talent.

12. New York Islanders (from Calgary Flames): Joe Veleno, C

Joe Veleno provides something the New York Islanders very much need – insurance. With the future of John Tavares on shaky ground, the Islanders desperately need another center. Even if they can re-sign Tavares, they’ll need center depth. Looking at the four teams left in the playoffs, that’s something all of them have. Veleno could become one of the best third line centers in the NHL.

Or, if Tavares leaves, Veleno could line up behind Mathew Barzal. With the Islanders picking a 200-foot winger ahead of him, Veleno could play with a lot of talent in New York. He was traded midway through the QMJHL season, but still collected 16 goals and 32 assists in just 33 games with his new team. He showed up in both the regular season and the playoffs, getting 11 points in 10 games. He’s another 200-foot player with a few areas to work on (responding to physical play) but he’s perhaps the best natural center available in this draft.

13. Dallas Stars: Barrett Hayton, C

The Dallas Stars desperately needed someone to fill Jason Spezza’s shoes this past season. They found out they didn’t have as much center depth as they thought they did, especially with Cody Eakin leaving in the expansion draft. Now, it would make sense for the Stars to take a center with their first pick at this year’s draft, held in their stadium. Someone to play with Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn in future years.

That’s Barrett Hayton. He was much more impressive in the playoffs (18 points in 22 games) than in the regular season (60 points in 63 games), but there’s a belief that with more time to develop, especially with a larger role, Hayton can succeed. Dallas might be willing to take that bet, and with most of their AHL team being veterans, they need as much young talent as possible. Hayton should be that player.

14. Philadelphia Flyers (from St. Louis Blues): Jesperi Kotkaniemi, C

Jesperi Kotkaniemi is one of the prospects rising the most in the first round through late April and early May. His rising stock is likely due to his performance at the International Juniors, when he scored 19 points in 17 games, including eight goals.

He played 57 games in the Finnish Liiga, the best league in Finland and one of the best leagues in Europe. In those games, he had 10 goals and 19 assists. Kotkaniemi has a ton of potential, a ton of natural talent, smarts, and creativity. For the Philadelphia Flyers, a team with a need at center for the future, Kotkaniemi might be what the doctor ordered.

15. Florida Panthers: Rasmus Kupari, C

Rasmus Kupari is going in the downward direction, perhaps because of his performance in the last season. He fell out of the Liiga, heading to Mestis, and was over a point-per-game in just one tournament or season over the past year, the International Juniors, where he scored 10 points in eight games.

Still, Kupari has displayed a ton of talent, including the fact that he reached the Liiga at 18 in the first place. He’s been compared to young Finns like Sebastian Aho and Jesse Puljujarvi, and his game is constantly involved in the offensive zone. If the Florida Panthers take him, he’ll have time to develop to play behind Aleksander Barkov and Vincent Trocheck. That could be great for him, and he could become a successful scoring threat moving forward for the Panthers.

16. Colorado Avalanche: Isac Lundestrom, C/LW

The Colorado Avalanche get their lowest first-round pick in quite some time, but will still get a solid prospect. Isac Lundestrom is one of the best Swedish forwards in this draft and has the talent to be an impact player in the NHL. He’s already made an impact in Sweden, having played 42 games in the Swedish Hockey League.

Lundestrom is a player with creativity for playmaking and the ability to create space. His six goals and nine assists this season in a professional league mirror that. Lundestrom has drawn comparisons to Henrik Zetterberg from his coaches and is a natural center. He’d make a good fit behind Nathan MacKinnon in the years to come.

17. New Jersey Devils: Bode Wilde, D

The New Jersey Devils have a ton of young talent at both forward and defenseman. They don’t have a critical need currently, so the best player available is a natural choice for them right now. That’s Bode Wilde, an American defenseman who put up 41 points in 61 games in the US Developmental Program. He’s committed to the University of Michigan next season, where he’ll likely be paired with another NHL-bound defenseman in Quinn Hughes.

The Devils have had a lot of luck with college-educated defenseman (Will Butcher was perhaps their best rookie this season) and Wilde could get a boost in their eyes for it. He’s better defensively than a lot of the puck-moving defensemen in this draft, and while his offensive numbers don’t jump off the page, his ability to shut down opposing offenses is attractive.

18. Columbus Blue Jackets: Grigori Denisenko, LW

The Columbus Blue Jackets will likely take another Russian-born playmaker with their first-round pick this season, a player who rose through the rankings quickly. Grigori Denisenko is looked at as an agile, speedy wing with the ability to make plays and to finish. It would make sense for the Blue Jackets to give him a thorough look, especially as they look to keep Artemi Panarin on their team.

Denisenko would complement the Blue Jackets’ style of hockey well, and give them more options besides the PB&J line. He’s not the talent that Andrei Svechnikov or Filip Zadina or even Oliver Wahlstrom are, but he’s a talented wing with a lot of room to grow. He’ll likely get a look in the KHL next season, and could be brought over to North American ice after that.

19. Philadelphia Flyers: Jared McIsaac, D

The Philadelphia Flyers have made their reputation on drafting talented defensemen over recent years, including prospects like Travis Sanheim, Samuel Morin, Robert Hagg, and Ivan Provorov. They could look to add Jared McIsaac to that group, as he’ll be one of the most talented defensemen available past the first half of the first round.

His offense, like Bode Wilde’s, doesn’t explode off the page. He had nine goals, 38 assists, and 47 points in 65 QMJHL games, which isn’t fantastic. But he’s a natural shutdown defenseman, somebody who could excel on the penalty kill and help defeat top-six lines in crucial situations. With Sanheim and Provorov already contributing offensively for the Flyers and expected to do so into the future, perhaps what they need is a more defensively-inclined defenseman to pair with one of them.

20. Los Angeles Kings: Ryan McLeod, C

The Los Angeles Kings are going center, again. Last season, they selected Gabriel Vilardi at 10, and that looked like the steal of the draft. Now, they get Ryan McLeod at 20, and he represents even more depth for the team moving forward. With Jeff Carter aging and a relative lack of centers beyond him and Anze Kopitar, the Kings really needed more down the middle in the postseason. Now, they could get that in future years.

McLeod had a breakout year in the OHL, scoring 70 points and 26 goals in 68 games for the Mississauga Steelheads. He also collected five points in six playoff games. McLeod skates well, and is agile, although not incredibly fast. He’s a distributor, and, judging by his 26 goals and nine the previous season, not a shoot-first kind of center. He’ll be a solid playmaker and rack up assists.

21. San Jose Sharks: Akil Thomas, C

Akil Thomas plays well at center and sees the ice really well. Thomas blew up the OHL with 81 points in 68 games with the Niagara IceDogs and followed it with 11 points in 10 playoff games. He also played for the Canadian U18s, getting two points in four games. Thomas has no problem scoring, and his vision allows him to make the plays that need to be made.

He’s also able to play well on the penalty kill and is an impact player in every aspect of the game. He won’t be the goal scorer that Logan Couture is for the San Jose Sharks, but he’ll be a good middle-six center, and make a difference in a few areas for San Jose.

22. Ottawa Senators (from Pittsburgh Penguins): Rasmus Sandin, D

Rasmus Sandin is another Rasmus expected to go in the first round of this draft, and another defenseman that a team like the Ottawa Senators could use. Sandin only played in five SHL games – posting one assist – before heading over to the OHL to play with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. There, he posted 12 goals and 33 assists (45 points) in 51 games. In the playoffs, he’s posted 12 points in 23 games.

Sandin wore the C for the Swedish U18 team and posted three assists in five games. He doesn’t especially excel in any one area, but is incredibly well-rounded and has played top-pairing minutes for the Greyhounds. He’s somebody who has a high floor, and his vision helps put him in the first round of an incredibly deep draft. That’s a good addition to a young and rebuilding Ottawa team.

23. Anaheim Ducks: Serron Noel, RW

With a young defensive core and more in the pipeline, a defenseman is not exactly what the Anaheim Ducks need out of the first round. Luckily, one of the best players available when the Ducks draft is right wing Serron Noel, an OHL prospect of the Oshawa Generals. Noel didn’t have the greatest season in the OHL, but it’s the World Juniors where he impressed, getting six points in five games for Team Canada.

He’s a big, physical, imposing power forward who will have a long road to the NHL. He’s still raw, but that frame – he stands at 6’5″ at 17 – and his shot metrics don’t portray success because he doesn’t shoot the puck from just anywhere. He finds his way to high danger areas and has a 27% shooting rate because of it. That will be an incredible tool for a team, especially one who might be rebuilding like the Ducks.

24. Minnesota Wild: Dominik Bokk, RW

Dominik Bokk is a talented German-born right wing who tore up the SuperElit this past season, and who has a natural ability to make space where there is none, pass incredibly well, and shoot the puck past the goaltender. In other words, Bokk does everything an NHL right wing is supposed to do and does them well.

He projects out as a middle-six right wing, but with a little bit of work and some good work ethic, he can be better than that. Bokk scored 14 goals, 27 assists, and 41 points in 35 games, and got 11 points in eight playoff games. He also looked good in the U20s, putting up five points in five games. With the Minnesota Wild in need of more depth on the wing, Bokk seems like a fit.

25. Toronto Maple Leafs: K’Andre Miller, D

K’Andre Miller is a giant defenseman who stands at 6’5″ and was a key member of the USDP this past season. He scored 29 points, including nine goals, in 58 games. He’s now committed to the University of Wisconsin, which is good because it gives him time and a place to develop. He’s one of the more defensive defensemen in this draft, but his offensive abilities shouldn’t be ignored.

Miller has the ability to be a top-pairing defenseman in the future, and one that can play quite well in his defensive zone. He still makes plays like a forward, as he was only recently converted, and his ability to see the game through their shoes is an asset going forward as he’ll continue to further develop. He’s a talented, powerful skater who’s able to beat players near the boards. He looks like one of the more defensive defensemen in this crop of first-round talents, but a forward’s perspective only adds to his tool set and his abilities in the defensive zone. This would be a smart add for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

26. New York Rangers (from Boston Bruins): Martin Kaut, RW

The Rangers add a piece earlier in this draft and later in this draft. That’s the benefit of having a massive fire sale at the deadline and starting the rebuild with three first-round picks. With their top 10 pick, they’re likely to get a defenseman. That means they can go best overall pick for their later picks. That’s where Martin Kaut comes in.

Kaut is a Czech right wing who has already made an impact in the Czech league, scoring nine goals and adding seven assists through 38 games. He put up five points in seven playoff games as well. Kaut has drawn comparisons to Filip Chytil (who could be his center if he’s drafted by the Rangers) and is a smart playmaker who carriers an accurate shot. He’s a 200-foot player who puts 100% effort into every shift.

27. Chicago Blackhawks (from Nashville Predators): Ryan Merkley, D

The Chicago Blackhawks will look to take the best player available with the second pick in the 2018 first round, and it remains to be seen who that is. But at 27, it’s safe to assume that Ryan Merkley could and should be available.

There are a ton of concerns with his game, including his ability to play defense and his off-ice character, but the Blackhawks have worked with projects before. With a few solid defensive prospects already, and probably adding another at eighth overall, Merkley will have tons of time and less pressure to turn into something.

Merkley is the second-best defenseman available in this draft, at least from a purely offensive standpoint. He contributed 67 points and 13 goals in 63 games to the OHL’s Guelph Storm and followed it with six points in six postseason games. He also made the Canada U18 team this season, putting up three assists in five games. He’s an excellent power-play presence and has magnificent puck skills.

With defensively-solid prospects like Blake Hillman, Henri Jokiharju, and Ian Mitchell in the system already, the Blackhawks make the most sense for the boom-or-bust nature of Merkley. Especially when Merkley could become the league’s best power-play quarterback, which is something the Blackhawks have struggled with.

28. Washington Capitals: Jacob Olofsson, C

The Washington Capitals finally beat the Pittsburgh Penguins, which means they get a bottom-four pick in the first round, regardless of the outcome through the rest of the playoffs. With a lower pick than usual, the Capitals should be going best player available. With a lot of good players still on the board, don’t be surprised to see the Capitals select Jacob Olofsson, a Swedish center.

After all, the Capitals have a good history with Swedish centers. Olofsson’s numbers in the Allsvenskan look a lot like Backstrom’s in the SHL, but they’re different leagues, so expectations should be tempered. Olofsson added 10 goals and 11 assists in 43 games in the SHL’s developmental league but made a bigger statement on the international platform. He’s a two-way center, somebody who works well with the puck and can make space. If he becomes Backstrom-lite, I think that’s the pick the Capitals should make.

29. Detroit Red Wings (from Vegas Golden Knights): Vitali Kravtsov, RW

The Vegas Golden Knights likely shouldn’t have traded their first-round pick for Tomas Tatar, but when it’s this low, it’s hard to blame them. They’re the first expansion team in the modern era to not have the first draft pick they played for, but at the same time, they’re the first to be in the playoffs, let alone the third round.

The Detroit Red Wings will be adding to their unofficial rebuild with two picks in this year’s draft, and with the second they could add a Russian winger. With Evgeni Svechnikov already in the system, this was likely not the Russian winger they hoped to pair him with (his brother Andrei is a top three pick) but Vitali Kravtsov does a lot on the ice, and he does it well. He’s a big winger who can turn into a top-six player if he can learn to put more effort into backchecking and making hits.

Kravtsov spent most of the season in the KHL and posted four goals and three points in 35 games. From a depth role on a professional team where he was expected to just get better with time, that’s pretty darn good. Adding the fact that Kravtsov put up 11 points in 16 playoff games, and Kravtsov deserves his first-round status.

30. New York Rangers (from Tampa Bay Lightning): Benoit-Olivier Groulx, C

With the additions of a winger and a defenseman before this pick, it only makes sense for the rebuilding New York Rangers to take a center here. Benoit-Olivier Groulx is highly rated by some and not so highly rated by others, but it’s pretty universally agreed he’s a top 35 prospect in this year’s draft. Whether that means he goes in the late first or early second is up to the teams drafting. The Rangers might just like what they see.

Groulx is an excellent shooter who does good work in the defensive zone. What might drag him out of the first round is his skating, which is a work in progress. His vision, creativity, and hockey IQ will make him an excellent NHL player if he’s able to work on his skating.

Next: Winners and Losers of the Draft Lottery

31. St. Louis Blues (from Winnipeg Jets): Jett Woo, D

The St. Louis Blues were smart to trade for another pick in the first round. With that pick, they get to add to a good prospect pipeline, despite the fact they don’t have their own first-round pick. Now, they get to add to their future defensive core, which already has players like Joel Edmundson and Colton Parayko, with a defensive defenseman like Jett Woo.

Woo isn’t the most exciting offensive defenseman in this draft, scoring just nine goals, 16 assists, and 25 points in 44 games. But he’s a solid defender, somebody that can do good work on the penalty kill, and a player very likely destined for the NHL. He does the offensive part of the job well, but his main focus is on shutting down opposing offenses and contributing solid, clean hits physically. He can be a Dustin Byfuglien-type, just without the fantastic goal scoring that Byfuglien brings.

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