2019 NHL Mock Draft: Do New Jersey Devils go with Kaapo Kakko?

I think with the Brandon Montour trade, the Buffalo Sabres aren’t going to be drafting a defenseman in the first round. Especially not if someone like Robertson isn’t available. After adding Caufield with their first pick, they’re going to add a bigger forward in Samuel Poulin with their second one, courtesy of the Evander Kane trade with the San Jose Sharks.

His stats this season were pretty impressive considering how much his team around him struggled on offense. Poulin put up over a point per game, tallying 29 goals and 76 points in 67 games. In the postseason, he stepped up his game, putting up eight goals and 14 points in 10 games.

The Phoenix scored a total of 279 goals this season, meaning he played a role in about 30% of their goals this season. Poulin does his best work with the puck, as he’s a handful to deal with. He’s tough to play off the puck and is excellent at using his 6’2″ frame to battle for pucks along the board. Poulin likes to be around the crease, but he can score in a variety of ways.

I think he’s got the potential to be a very solid forward in the NHL. His defense needs work, but Ralph Krueger should get that out of him. For what it’s worth, I don’t think Poulin’s defensive deficiencies are due to a lack of effort. Just needs some tinkering regarding his positioning and he should be good.