The countdown to the 2018 NHL Draft is drawing to a close. Friday night, the NHL careers of 31 teenagers will be set into motion and the fates of some franchises will be permanently altered. And someone, inevitably, will screw up their first-round pick.
Who's going to get it right this year - and who will get it wrong?
1. Buffalo Sabres
Rasmus Dahlin | D | Frolunda HC (SHL)
Previous Rank: 1
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42 | 7 | 13 | 20 | 20 |
theScore Profile | Scouting Report
We all know Dahlin is going to Buffalo. Dahlin knows Dahlin is going to Buffalo. Sabres fans know it. Most importantly, Sabres general manager Jason Botterill knows it. The path this franchise is on will be forever altered from the moment he's drafted. Let's hope it works out.
2. Carolina Hurricanes
Andrei Svechnikov | RW | Barrie Colts (OHL)
Previous Rank: 2
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44 | 40 | 32 | 72 | 67 |
theScore Profile | Scouting Report
Much like the Buffalo pick, this one seems set in stone, and with good reason. Svechnikov brings the power and scoring needed to revive the Hurricanes’ sometimes-stagnant forward corps. Now if they could just find some reliable goaltending.
3. Montreal Canadiens
Jesperi Kotkaniemi | C | Assat (Liiga)
Previous Rank: 10
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 57 | 10 | 19 | 29 | 20 |
Kotkaniemi is a pretty off-the-board pick at third overall, but he's potentially the best center in the draft, and there's been noise lately that the Habs are targeting him. They'd be better off trading down to do so, but who tells Marc Bergevin what to do these days?
4. Ottawa Senators
Brady Tkachuk | LW | Boston University (NCAA)
Previous Rank: 3
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 8 | 23 | 31 | 61 |
theScore Profile | Scouting Report
Drafting Tkachuk gets you a player who's a pain in your opponent's neck, and more importantly, around their net. Tkachuk is smart, highly skilled, and not afraid to get in someone's face. He's going to be a good NHL player for a long time.
5. Arizona Coyotes
Filip Zadina | LW | Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Previous Rank: 4
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 57 | 44 | 38 | 82 | 36 |
theScore Profile | Scouting Report
Arizona just got rid of a winger in Max Domi. Zadina is going to be better than Domi. Wouldn't Zadina look good on Alex Galchenyuk's left side? Or, he could play with Derek Stepan, or Christian Dvorak, or Dylan Strome ...
6. Detroit Red Wings
Quinn Hughes | D | University of Michigan (NCAA)
Previous Rank: 8
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | 5 | 24 | 29 | 26 |
theScore Profile | Scouting Report
Hughes roomed with Dylan Larkin at the World Championship, and their paths from the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP) to the University of Michigan to Detroit could mirror one another. It would certainly be a good decision for the Red Wings. Don't let the knocks on Hughes' defense fool you; his hockey IQ is elite, and that translates to his play in both zones.
7. Vancouver Canucks
Evan Bouchard | D | London Knights (OHL)
Previous Rank: 6
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 67 | 25 | 62 | 87 | 54 |
theScore Profile | Scouting Report
Bouchard has the total package that scouts are looking for: size, skill, and skating. The latter could use a little polishing, but it's certainly not a detriment. He approaches the game like a professional, and could probably bypass a few Canucks-signed defensemen on the depth chart as early as this fall.
8. Chicago Blackhawks
Adam Boqvist | D | Brynas IF (SuperElit/SHL)
Previous Rank: 5
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
theScore Profile | Scouting Report
For reasons that are difficult to understand, Boqvist has fallen down some rankings. It's likely he goes earlier than eighth, but the Blackhawks should snap him up if he's still around. He's one of the youngest players in this year’s draft, yet he's one of the most dynamic and skilled defensemen available.
9. New York Rangers
Oliver Wahlstrom | C/RW | U.S. National Team Development Program
Previous Rank: 9
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54 | 40 | 43 | 83 | 38 |
Wahlstrom is the best shooter in this draft, bar none. He's creative. He's fun. He's the kind of player the Rangers need more of. It's hard to see any drawbacks to drafting him. This pick should be a no-brainer for Jeff Gorton.
10. Edmonton Oilers
Joseph Veleno | C | Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
Previous Rank: 14
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 64 | 22 | 57 | 79 | 48 |
Veleno is blazingly fast, and his hockey smarts allow him to think the game at that top speed. It probably won’t be long before he outstrips some of the middle-of-the-road depth guys the Oilers have been signing like candy recently. And whether or not the trade rumors surrounding Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins are true, why not take a skilled center with plenty of potential?
11. New York Islanders
Noah Dobson | D | Acadie-Bathurst Titan (QMJHL)
Previous Rank: 7
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 67 | 17 | 52 | 69 | 52 |
theScore Profile | Scouting Report
Dobson was a key part of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan's Memorial Cup win and could be a key addition to the Islanders' defensive prospect pool. He's a great skater with high-level hockey smarts who's able to put up points and defend opponents one-on-one. Plus, he's one of those highly coveted right-handed-shooting defensemen.
12. New York Islanders (from Calgary Flames)
Joel Farabee | LW | U.S. National Team Development Program
Previous Rank: 12
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54 | 27 | 37 | 64 | 38 |
Selecting a defenseman and then a highly skilled winger would be a good haul for the Islanders and new general manager Lou Lamoriello. Farabee's strong at both ends of the ice, as he's offensively gifted but also willing (and able) to do the little things in his own zone. Fortunately for Farabee, he can’t grow any facial hair, so he won’t have any to shave under Lou's rules.
13. Dallas Stars
Ty Smith | D | Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
Previous Rank: 11
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 69 | 14 | 59 | 73 | 30 |
The Stars are trading Julius Honka, right? (Probably not, but he makes for appealing trade bait.) Taking a speedy, skilled defenseman makes sense. Smith is a great skater who can pick apart his opponents and make smart decisions.
14. Philadelphia Flyers (from St. Louis Blues)
Barrett Hayton | C | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
Previous Rank: 13
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 63 | 21 | 39 | 60 | 32 |
Hayton is a skilled, effective center who raises his game to meet the occasion. His goal-scoring increased this past season, in part due to his improved ability to put himself in the right spots. His defensive positioning is also solid, allowing him to cut down on opponents' chances.
15. Florida Panthers
Rasmus Kupari | C | Karpat (Liiga)
Previous Rank: 15
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 12 |
Kupari has been at No. 15 for our last two mock drafts, so why stop now? His vision and playmaking are appealing, particularly in a class short of highly skilled centers. Take a hint, Panthers. This might be the guy you're looking for.
16. Colorado Avalanche
Martin Kaut | RW | HC Dynamo Pardubice (Czech Extraliga)
Previous Rank: 17
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | 9 | 7 | 16 | 14 |
Don’t let his heart issue at the combine scare you away (it’s been reported as curable). Kaut is worth the pick here. He's a pure goal-scorer with great skating ability and high-end playmaking skills to boot.
17. New Jersey Devils
Dominik Bokk | RW | Vaxjo Lakers HC (SuperElit/SHL)
Previous Rank: 19
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
Pundits have varying opinions on Bokk, but he seems like the kind of player Devils GM Ray Shero would take a chance on - raw offensive skills and smarts combined with elusive, agile skating. He’s an outstanding stickhandler and goal-scorer, but could stand to improve the defensive side of his game.
18. Columbus Blue Jackets
Jake Wise | C | U.S. National Team Development Program
Previous Rank: 30
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 9 | 27 | 36 | 4 |
Wise is an exciting, underrated player who was once considered a potential top-five pick, and who fell out of favor after an early-season injury. The Blue Jackets could potentially get the steal of the first round by taking him here. He was the NTDP's second-line center behind Jack Hughes for the latter half of the season when the team had its impressive run, and that wasn’t a fluke.
19. Philadelphia Flyers
Serron Noel | RW | Oshawa Generals (OHL)
Previous Rank: 21
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 62 | 28 | 25 | 53 | 61 |
Noel has a lot of raw talent. Though he'll need time to develop, his ceiling is high, and he could be a great offensive player. The Flyers have two first-round picks - if they're taking a smart, safe center like Hayton at No. 14, why not take a chance on a guy like Noel at 19?
20. Los Angeles Kings
Bode Wilde | D | U.S. National Team Development Program
Previous Rank: 18
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53 | 11 | 25 | 36 | 59 |
Bob McKenzie announced Monday that Wilde won't attend the University of Michigan after all. This could allow the team that drafts the defenseman to send him to the AHL if he doesn't make the NHL roster out of camp, which would be a good path for his development. Wilde is smart, rarely caught out of position, and likes throwing his body around. Of course, he may simply choose another NCAA school.
21. San Jose Sharks
Jonathan Tychonick | D | Penticton Vees (BCHL)
Previous Rank: 20
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 | 9 | 38 | 47 | 34 |
Recent years have seen BCHL players like Tyson Jost, Dante Fabbro, and Dennis Cholowski selected in the first round. It's not unreasonable to think the highly skilled Tychonick should - and may - go higher than 21st. Meanwhile, the Sharks don't really have a defensive prospect pool to speak of, so if Tychonick is still on the board, they should pick him before even thanking the host city. Don't leave anything to chance.
22. Ottawa Senators (from Pittsburgh Penguins)
Jared McIsaac | D | Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Previous Rank: 24
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65 | 9 | 38 | 47 | 86 |
Ottawa is having trouble of late, to put it delicately. With Erik Karlsson likely on his way out of town, it's more important than ever to fortify the defensive prospect pool. Jared McIsaac is a smart puck-mover with great positioning and strong skating skills.
23. Anaheim Ducks
Rasmus Sandin | D | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
Previous Rank: 22
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | 12 | 33 | 45 | 24 |
The Ducks are mostly set on defense, but there's no reason not to add another skilled, puck-moving type with high-end hockey smarts. Sandin's a good skater, smart with and without the puck, and reads the ice very well. He's a skilled passer and effective in his own end.
24. Minnesota Wild
Alexander Alexeyev | D | Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
Previous Rank: 23
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | 7 | 30 | 37 | 29 |
Defensive prospects who rarely make mistakes in their own end aren't easy to come by. Alexeyev is steady. He doesn’t force his decisions. However, this does lead to him making the safe play perhaps too often. Ideally, this is something he'll improve with time and experience.
25. Toronto Maple Leafs
Ty Dellandrea | C | Flint Firebirds (OHL)
Previous Rank: 26
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 67 | 27 | 32 | 59 | 48 |
If the Leafs don't take a chance on Ryan Merkley - and there's a good chance they're one of the few teams who would consider him in the first round - perhaps they'll turn to a center. Dellandrea is a slight reach at No. 25, but he was a standout player on a poor team this past season. His skating and hockey IQ position him well for a solid NHL career.
26. New York Rangers (from Boston Bruins)
Akil Thomas | C | Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
Previous Rank: 27
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68 | 22 | 59 | 81 | 36 |
Thomas led all draft-eligible forwards in the OHL in points this past season, and despite his smaller size, he should be snapped up in the first round due to his versatility and high-end hockey smarts. The Rangers would value his creativity and ability to play well in all situations.
27. Chicago Blackhawks (from Nashville Predators)
Ryan Merkley | D | Guelph Storm (OHL)
Previous Rank: 25
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 63 | 13 | 54 | 67 | 63 |
The Blackhawks taking two defensemen in the first round feels unlikely, but if Merkley can reach his full potential, he'll join projected No. 8 pick Boqvist and 2017 selection Henri Jokiharju in the top tier of Chicago's defensive prospect pool. Merkley's a smart player with a high ceiling, and could eventually be a Norris Trophy contender if he reaches that ceiling.
28. New York Rangers (from Tampa Bay Lightning)
K'Andre Miller | D | U.S. National Team Development Program
Previous Rank: 29
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 7 | 17 | 24 | 22 |
Miller may only have a few seasons as a defenseman under his belt, but his NTDP coach says he'd be an elite skater in the NHL right now. The Rangers would be wise to grab Miller - not only for his skating ability, but also for his defensive responsibility and offensive instincts.
29. St. Louis Blues (from Winnipeg Jets)
Mattias Samuelsson | D | U.S. National Team Development Program
Previous Rank: 28
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 9 | 19 | 28 | 107 |
Samuelsson is a mature player both on and off the ice. He's a leader on the NTDP (he wore the C this past season), and his defensive game is solid. Though he's already a skilled puck-mover, time and experience will improve his offensive abilities even more.
30. Detroit Red Wings (from Vegas Golden Knights)
Jonatan Berggren | LW | Skelleftea (J20 SuperElit)
Previous Rank: NR
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | 18 | 39 | 57 | 34 |
Berggren's scoring in the SuperElit this past season was better, on a points-per-game level, than players like Nicklas Backstrom and Mika Zibanejad. That's not necessarily a predictor of future success, but it does make heads turn. He's an offensive dynamo who's mobile with strong puckhandling skills. Also, he's Swedish. The Red Wings like that, right?
31. Washington Capitals
Ryan McLeod | C | Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
Previous Rank: NR
McLeod could go in the 20s, or he could slip into the early second round. If he's available for the Stanley Cup champions at 31, there are myriad reasons to pick him. He's got a burning top speed. His vision and hockey sense are excellent. He's a gifted playmaker who's also used in key penalty-kill situations. His ceiling and consistency are question marks, but those will be answered with time.
Hannah Stuart keeps a close eye on both drafted and draft-eligible prospects and can usually be found trying to learn more about hockey analytics. She has previously written for FanRag Sports, The Hockey Writers, and Hooked On Hockey Magazine, and can also be found at High Heels and High Sticks. Find her on twitter at @HockeyWthHannah.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
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