2018 NHL Mock Draft: Full First-Round Predictions
Our latest 2018 NHL Mock Draft covers the entire first-round
The 2018 NHL Draft order isn’t firmly set yet, but we know the general order that teams will be drafting in for the 2018 NHL Entry draft. That means it’s time for the first mock draft of the first round.
It’s important to remember that these picks aren’t final, nor are they necessarily who teams will end up drafting. Still, this should create some intrigue, and it’s good to know which prospects are worth taking in the first round.
For the final picks in this draft, it will go by finishing order in the NHL regular season. That means that the four teams might not be in that exact order, but a similar one. Let’s take a look at how the first-round should shake up. This is a very deep draft, so even mid to late round picks should be good ones.
1. Buffalo Sabres: Rasmus Dahlin, D
More from Puck Prose
- Detroit Red Wings 2023 Rookie Camp Has Plenty of Ups and Downs
- This Columbus Blue Jackets rookie doesn’t want to be forgotten
- 2 trades the Boston Bruins must make to secure the Stanley Cup
- 3 reasons the Avalanche won’t win the Stanley Cup in 2024
- This is a big year for Alex Turcotte and the Los Angeles Kings
Of course, the Buffalo Sabres get the (almost) unanimous first overall pick. Rasmus Dahlin is a franchise-changing defenseman, which doesn’t come around all that often. He’s drawn comparisons to Erik Karlsson and Victor Hedman, but that’s mainly because they’re the last two exports at defenseman from Sweden.
Instead, the more interesting comparisons are those to Nicklas Lidstrom, who has been around Dahlin this past season and who is widely considered a top-five, if not a top-two defenseman in NHL history. If Dahlin has that potential, well, let’s say the Sabres aren’t likely to be bad for long.
Especially not when pairing Dahlin with a player like Jack Eichel at center. Eichel, Buffalo’s last lottery win, was second overall to Connor McDavid.
Now, the Sabres are able to roll with both of them, giving themselves more of an all-around push. Because, while Dahlin is excellent offensively – 7 goals, 13 assists, 20 points in 41 SHL games, 1-2–3 in 6 playoff games – he’s also excellent defensively. That’s something the Sabres badly need out of their defense, and Dahlin could help draw in a goaltender this offseason.