OTH NHL Mock Draft 2019

1. New Jersey Devils

@statman1956 – Jack Hughes – Hughes is a franchise center with elite vision, creativity, and high-end hockey skills and IQ. Hughes has long been the consensus number one pick and the Devils one-two punch of Hughes and Hischier will provide strength down the middle for years to come.

@SwaggyCanuckMZ – Jack Hughes – For the second year in a row, the Devils will be selecting first overall thanks to winning the draft lottery. The reward will be a franchise center, Jack Hughes. There is a chance that they move past Hughes and select dynamic sniper Kaapo Kakko, but they will probably select Hughes. The Devils now boast a solid 1-2 punch with Hughes and Hishier to compete with the best in the NHL.

@FNTSYHCKYTRADES – Jack Hughes– The consensus number one for the last 3 years isn’t going to be overshadowed by one tournament.

Tomahawk Chop – Jack Hughes – He has been considered the top prospect from the class for years now. His play on the ice has done nothing to change that. Easy choice for the Devils.

@WallMaz35 – Jack Hughes – Hughes is an elite playmaking center who has been on top of most draft rankings this year, attributed to his playmaking and his speed. He has the ability to take over games. One drawback on Jack Hughes is his physical play.

2. NY Rangers

@statman1956 – Kaapo Kakko – Kakko is a multi-talented winger with puck possession skills unmatched in this draft class. He can score in numerous ways and is likely the most NHL ready of all prospects eligible for the 2019 draft.

@SwaggyCanuckMZ – Kaapo Kakko – The Rangers need another difference maker in the big apple and Kakko definitely gives them that. He will thrive under the big lights of New York.

@FNTSYHCKTRADES – Kaapo Kakko – Probably the most refined talent in the draft. He has had success at every level and will immediately step into a top-six role in NY

Tomahawk Chop – Kaapo Kakko – His performance at the World Championships solidifies his spot as the top Winger in the draft. Any other year and he would be going first overall. Kaapo Kakko – His performance at the World Championships solidifies his spot as the top Winger in the draft. Any other year and he would be going first overall.

@WallMaz35 – Kaapo Kakko – Kakko is a very talented two-way forward who plays a great physical game and has a great shot and great passing. He is perhaps my favorite player in this draft. He is not gonna be a 100 point scorer, but he does flash offensive prowess.

3. Chicago Blackhawks

@statman1956 – Alex Turcotte – Turcotte is a two-way centerman and an Illinois native. He is the son of former NHL player Alfie Turcotte. His points per game were second to only Jack Hughes on the USNTDP U18 team.

@SwaggyCanuckMZ – Bowen Byram – Cornerstone defensemen Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook are 35 and 34 respectively. In other words, the Blackhawks need another franchise defenseman. Byram will give them that, that is why Stan Bowman will not hesitate to draft the 26 goal man from the WHL’s Vancouver Giants.

@FNTSYHCKYTRADES – Bowen Byram – The Top Defenseman in this class and he will make a great future top line pair with Adam Boqvist.

Tomahawk Chop – Kirby Dach – I know lots of people are saying Alex Turcotte the Chicago native here. But Dach’s top-end hockey IQ makes him the perfect heir to Jonathan Toews.

@WallMaz35 – Alex Turcotte – Turcotte is an amazing offensive talent. He plays a strong 200 foot game and amazing passing. The one problem with Turcotte was his injury earlier this season. He might have the highest upside of any forward in this draft not named Jack Hughes.

4. Colorado Avalanche (from Ottawa Senators)

@statman1956 – Bowen Byram – Byram has poise beyond his years and a well-rounded game. The thought of having two top defenders like Byram and Makar is too hard for the Avalanche not to make this selection.

@SwaggyCanuckMZ – Alex Turcotte – Despite making the playoffs, the Avalanche will have a chance to add another potential elite forward to their ranks. They have their superstar #1 center, now they need a solid two-way second line center to complement Nathan MacKinnon. Turcotte will give them this and more.  

@FNTSYHCKYTRADES – Alex Turcotte – A speedy, playmaking, two-way center that plays a very competitive 200 ft game.

Tomahawk Chop – Dylan Cozens – Cozens is a great skater for his size and he is a serious threat offensively. He would be a nice addition to the top-end forward talent that Colorado has.

@WallMaz35 – Dylan Cozens – Cozens, like Kakko has good size. He also has a great shot and jaw-dropping speed. He plays an excellent two-way game as well. He may not put up a bunch of points at the next level, but he will be a competent scorer.

5. Los Angeles Kings

@statman1956 – Trevor Zegras – Zegras is a wizard with the puck and creates scoring chances for his teammates with creativity and elite vision. Zegras also offers versatility as he has played both center and wing this past season.

@SwaggyCanuckMZ – Dylan Cozens – The Kings love their big, physical centermen. That is why it’s a no brainer they will select Cozens. He will be a welcome addition to a lineup needing an injection of elite young talent. Very similar to current Kings captain Anze Kopitar.

@FNTSYHCKYTRADES – Dylan Cozens – He is a big forward with top end skating abilities. Confident and quick with the puck. Great on ice vision with a pretty good shot too.

Tomahawk Chop – Bowen Byram – A solid contributor at both ends of the ice makes it hard for the Kings to pass on the best defenceman in the class.

@WallMaz35 – Bowen Byram – Byram is an elite two-way defenseman. He has great speed and has a great shot. He’s the unanimous #1 defenseman in this draft. He does need to work on his positioning and his gap control.

6. Detroit Red Wings

@statman1956- Dylan Cozens – Cozens plays an up-tempo game and drives hard to the net. His skating and shot are his two best assets.

@SwaggyCanuckMZ – Peyton Krebs – Now that Steve Yzerman is GM, he may find it difficult to pass on a player very similar to himself when he played for the winged wheel. Krebs possesses many Yzerman qualities. It may be a stretch, but I believe he will choose Krebs.

@FNTSYHCKYTRADES – Trevor Zegras – Elite two-way forward, that can play both center and wing. Very creative with the puck and is able to set up teammates just as easy as he can put the puck in the net.

Tomahawk Chop – Alex Turcotte – A two-way forward that would be an important factor in the Red Wings continued rebuild.

@WallMaz35 – Trevor Zegras – Zegras is a great playmaker. Like Hughes, he has great speed and amazing passing. He has a decent shot and just has insane creativity on the ice. Zegras needs to bulk up and be willing to play in the dirty areas before coming to the NHL.

7. Buffalo Sabres

@statman1956 – Vasili Podkolzin – Podkolzin is a power forward who is ultra-competitive who offers a strong two-way game. His defensive game is perhaps the best of the top end forwards in this draft.

@SwaggyCanuckMZ – Kirby Dach – Depth at center ice is an issue after Jack Eichel and Casey Middlestad. That’s why I believe they will select Dach with the 7th pick. Dach will give the Sabres enviable depth down the middle.

@FNTSYHCKYTRADES – Cole Caufield -A speedy, undersized forward that is a goal scoring machine. Very quick release and a precise shot.

Tomahawk Chop – Trevor Zegras – Centre depth is important in building a competitive team. Buffalo adds a do-it-all center in Zegras.

@WallMaz35 – Cole Caufield – Caufield is a premier scorer. He is an interesting player, he plays a very physical game with his 5’7” 150-pound frame. He has an amazing shot and has admirable speed. Caufield’s downfall is his size.

8. Edmonton Oilers

@statman1956- Philip Broberg – Broberg dominated both the Hlinka-Gretzky and U18 world championships playing against his peers. His skating is elite and the Oilers desperately need help on their blueline.

@SwaggyCanuckMZ – Vasili Podkolzin – It may be a risk to select him, since he may not enter the NHL for two years. But the Oilers need another game breaker to play with Connor McDavid. Leon Draisaitl has to be the second line center, and not always be forced to play with McDavid to generate offense. Podkolzin will give the Oiler’s a poor man’s Ovechkin. With McDavid or Draisaitl as his centerman, he will score plenty of goals.

@FNTSYHCKYTRADES – Kirby Dach – A big center that has elite vision and passing abilities. His big frame helps him workaround, or through, defenders.

Tomahawk Chop – Cole Caufield – The Oilers want someone that can get open for McDavid to get the puck to and then put it into the back of the net. Caufield knows how to do both these things very well.

@WallMaz35 – Vasili Podkolzin – Podkolzin is a very good power forward. He plays a power game and he has a great shot as well. He is competent in all three zones. He has great potential but has failed to put up points this year.

9. Anaheim Ducks

@statman1956 – Kirby Dach – Dach is a big-bodied centerman with a deadly shot and superior vision. He is among the best passers in the draft.

@SwaggyCanuckMZ – Trevor Zegras – Ryan Getzlaf is 33 and regressing every year. The Ducks need an ere apparent. This is why I believe they will select Zegras.   

@FNTSYHCKYTRADES – Peyton Krebs – Injury aside, Krebs has great hockey sense and is a force when in the offensive zone. He is a smart player, solid defensively with great positioning on the ice. Captain material.

Tomahawk Chop – Vasily Podkolzin – Anaheim, in rebuild mode, can afford to be patient and wait out his KHL contract. Talent-wise the Ducks get a steal here as long as he comes to the NHL at the exploration of his current contract

@WalMaz35 – Kirby Dach – Dach has great size. He also has great hands and excellent passing which makes him an excellent playmaker. Dach has been very inconsistent this year and his skating is a concern.

10. Vancouver Canucks

@statman1956 – Peyton Krebs – Krebs has excellent leadership qualities and offers a complete game. The versatile forward was captain of Team Canada at the U18 world championships. Despite his torn Achilles tendon, he will have ample time to recover before he is NHL ready.

@SwaggyCanuckMZ – Matthew Boldy – Despite dropping a spot after the draft lottery, the Canucks will select another excellent forward with the #10 pick. I had a hard time choosing between Caufield and Boldy, but in the end, Boldy’s upside and size tipped the scales for me. He will be a welcome addition to either Horvat or Pettersson’s wing when he enters the NHL.

@FNTSYHCKYTRADES – Matthew Boldy – Another product of the USDP going in the top 10. Offensively gifted with great puck handling skills.

Tomahawk Chop – Peyton Krebs – An elite center that plays great at both ends of the ice. Would fit nicely with Elias Pettersson in the long term.

@WalMaz35 – Matthew Boldy – Boldy is a very talented forward. He barely makes mistakes in his game with assets like his hockey sense, his shot and his powerful skating. Boldly isn’t amazing at anything, but he’s decent in all areas.

11. Philadelphia Flyers

@statman1956 – Matthew Boldy – Boldy is the top natural left winger available in this draft class. He offers a complete game and a team-first attitude. He has great hands and a deceptive shot.

@SwaggyCanuckMZ – Raphael Lavoie – The Flyers aversion to small forwards will keep them from selecting 5’7” dynamo Cole Caufield. Instead, they will probably select the bigger Lavoie. Lavoie possesses many of the qualities the Flyers look for in a forward. He will fit in nicely on a team with no forward under 5’10”.   

@FNTSYHCKYTRADES – Alex Newhook – Product if the BCHL, Newhook has elite skating skills. Fast and confident with the puck. His dominance in the BCHL continued to the World Juniors.

Tomahawk Chop – Matthew Boldy – I cannot see the Flyers keeping this pick with all their recent moves. If they keep it, adding a big-bodied player that plays strong down low is a perfect match for the Flyers.

@WalMaz35 – Philip Broberg – Broberg is a quality two-way defenseman. He is great in his own end, outstanding speed and has good hockey sense. He gives up the puck way too often and needs to work on his puck control.

12. Minnesota Wild

@statman1956 – Cole Caufield – Caufield is the most elite goal scorer available. He has the ability to find open space and has a quick release and deadly accurate shot.

@SwaggyCanuckMZ – Cole Caufield – After trading their second line center to the Nashville Predators, the Wild will be looking to add skill at the center ice position. Caufield will instantly do this. He dominated the U18 World Championships with 14 goals in 7 games. He could go much higher than 12.

@FNTSYHCKYTRADES – Vasili Podkolzin – A polarizing player that could go higher. A strong winger that plays tough and passionate.

Tomahawk Chop – Arthur Kaliyev – Minnesota needs centers to replace the old guard and they need goal scoring. Insert Ontario Hockey League 50 goal scorer in Kaliyev.

@WalMaz35 – Alex Newhook – Newhook is a great offensive talent. He has great speed and he has a great shot. He is good in the defensive zone. He has a great work ethic as well. Newhook plays in the BCHL which means he faces weaker competition.

13. Florida Panthers

@statman1956 – Alex Newhook – Newhook destroyed the competition in the British Columbia Hockey League this past season. He is a terrific skater with a very accurate shot. He will be headed to Boston College this fall.

@SwaggyCanuckMZ – Victor Soderstrom – After Aaron Ekblad and Mike Matheson, the Panthers don’t really have much in way of young offensive defenseman. This is why I believe the Panthers will select Soderstrom.   

@FNTSYHCKYTRADES – Victor Söderström– Good puck moving defenseman with a great shot. A good start to building up Florida’s defensive prospect pool.

Tomahawk Chop – Spencer Knight – The goalie situation in Florida is in dire needs of refreshment. Florida takes a large risk in drafting the best goalie in the class. (Note – I think Florida trades down to somewhere in the early 20s to draft Knight).

@WalMaz35 – Victor Söderström – Soderstrom is a very mobile two-way defenseman. He plays extremely well in all zones, is physical and makes great passes. Söderström needs to work on his play in the offensive zone.

14. Arizona Coyotes

@statman1956 – Victor Soderstrom – Soderstrom is a mobile defender with a solid transition game. He played the entire season in the top men’s league in Sweden and is steady and dependable in his own zone.

@SwaggyCanuckMZ – Alex Newhook – He dominated the BCHL for a second straight season posting 102 points in 53 games. The Coyotes will be happy with this pick as he will probably become their number one center not too far down the road.    

@FNTSYHCKYTRADES – Arthur Kaliyev – A great facilitator with a good hockey IQ and a deadly wrist shot.

Tomahawk Chop – Alex Newhook – A speedster who is a serious threat every time he has the puck. Arizona needs to add offense and they get it here.

@WalMaz35 – Arthur Kaliyev – Kaliyev might have the best shot in the draft. Also with that shot, he has decent speed and is a decent playmaker. Kaliyev is one-dimensional and needs to work on other aspects of his game. He has also lacked that drive to play as well.

15. Montreal Canadiens

@statman1956 – Moritz Seider – Seider is a unique blend of size and skill and may be the most NHL ready of all defenseman. He played in the German men’s league all of last season.

@SwaggyCanuckMZ – Cam York – Montreal desperately needs a defenseman to eventually take over for Shea Weber. This is why they will select York, who is very similar to ex-Canadien P.K. Subban, someone who they have missed since he was traded to the Predators.

@FNTSYHCKYTRADES – Cam York – an offensively minded defenseman with great hockey sense. Could be a great linemate with Victor Mete.

Tomahawk Chop – Philip Broberg – A big defenseman that can play big minutes. Look for Broberg to be the anchor that replaces Shea Weber in the near future.

@WalMaz35 – Cam York – York is a great puck moving defenseman. He has great speed and great passing. He is also good in all three zones. York needs to work on being more physical and his shot could stand to be more accurate.  

16. Colorado Avalanche

@statman1956 –  Cam York – York is a smooth skating defenseman who can orchestrate a power play. He makes an excellent first pass which allows for solid zone exits.

@SwaggyCanuckMZ – Moritz Seider – The consolation prize to Byram if you are looking at NHL readiness. The issue is that he will be staying in Germany for a while. I still think Sakic will pick him and add to the embarrassment of riches he has been collecting.

@FNTSYHCKYTRADES – Moritz Seider- second to Byram, Seider looks the most NHL ready. Possessing an elite hockey sense and on-ice vision. A nice addition to the young defensive crew in Colorado.

Tomahawk Chop – Thomas Harley – Colorado passes on Byram with their first pick and adds minute-munching Harley with this pick.

@WalMaz35 – Peyton Krebs – Krebs is an elite all-around winger. He has great passing and he always gives 100% effort. He’s been a bright spot on a bad Kootenay team. Krebs could stand to work on his shot.

17. Vegas Golden Knights

@statman1956 – Spencer Knight – Knight is the top goaltender available and the Golden Knights find their heir apparent to Marc-Andre Fleury. Knight is both athletic and has size.

@SwaggyCanuckMZ – Spencer Knight – I will have to agree with my writing team and go with Knight. One of the top goalie prospects in the draft and the only one worthy of a first-round pick.

@FNTSYHCKYTRADES – Spencer Knight– I don’t usually like goalies in the first round, but he is worthy of an exception. Top goalie prospect with lots of comparisons to Carey Price in his style of play.

Tomahawk Chop – Cameron York– He is a strong offensive defenseman that should develop enough defensively to be a solid contributor for the Knights.

@WalMaz35 – Ryan Suzuki – Suzuki is an exceptional playmaker. He has amazing passing, positioning, and skating. He needs to bulk up and work on some other defensive aspects of his game. He also needs to start dominating games as a former #1 overall pick in the OHL.  

18. Dallas Stars

@statman1956 – Philip Tomasino – Tomasino is a dynamic playmaker with tremendous upside. He is a terrific skater that uses his edges well to cut through traffic and to find passing lanes.

@SwaggyCanuckMZ – Arthur Kaliev – Pure sniper and will add some much-needed scoring to the Stars lineup.

@FNTSYHCKYTRADES – Pavel Dorofeyev– Very gifted offensively, good puck handling skills and a smooth release.

Tomahawk Chop – Victor Soderstrom – The run on defensemen continues as the Stars add a positionally sound player with great hockey IQ.

@WalMaz35 – Moritz Seider – Seider is a great defensive defenseman. He plays a very physical game and has great speed. Seider does need to improve on his offensive game, not much as his game is mostly defensive and his gap control.

19. Ottawa Senators (from Columbus Blue Jackets)

@statman1956 – Raphael Lavoie – Lavoie is a good blend of size and skill. He had a tremendous postseason for the Halifax Mooseheads scoring 20 goals in 23 playoff games.

@SwaggyCanuckMZ – Philip Tomasino – Fast, hard working all around centerman who will inject some much-needed skill to the center ice position. The Senators need a lot after trading Mark Stone, Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingle at last year’s trade deadline.    

@FNTSYHCKYTRADES – Bobby Brink – Underaged, with some refining needed. Competitive drive makes up for his skating ability. High hockey IQ and on-ice vision put him in a great position in both zones.

Tomahawk Chop – Moritz Seider – A solid two-way defenseman that can excel in his own end.

@WalMaz35 – Spencer Knight – Knight is by far the best goalie in this draft. He is very poised for his age not allowing weak goals to rattle him and he has great movement. Like all goalies, he is still very raw at the moment.

20. Winnipeg Jets (from New York Rangers)

@statman1956 – Pavel Dorofeyev – Dorofeyev has dynamic puck skills and excellent vision to go along with a very dangerous shot. He is likely to remain in the Kontinental Hockey League for a couple more seasons.

@SwaggyCanuckMZ – Philip Broberg – After trading Trouba, the Jets need another top defenseman in the system. Broberg brings this potential and more. A strong skater and an excellent passer.    

@FNTSYHCKYTRADES – Ville Heinola – Losing Trouba opens up a need for an offensive defenseman. Heinola is very smart with the puck and is able to find the open lanes to get the puck to the net.

Tomahawk Chop – Ryan Suzuki – The Jets add the best play-making center in the draft. Pair him with Patrik Laine in the future and we could have a dynamic duo in the making.

@WalMaz35 – Ville Heinola – Heinola is a good puck moving defenseman. He has great hockey IQ, great passing and a good shot. He’s good in all three zones as well. He does need to work on his skating as he is a little slow and he needs to get stronger.  

21. Pittsburgh Penguins

@statman1956 – Ville Heinola – Heinola is a steady, reliable defender with some offensive upside. He will provide the Penguins with some much-needed help on their backend.

@SwaggyCanuckMZ – Lassi Thomson – The Penguins need an overhaul on defense especially in the speed category. Kris Letang and Jesse Schultz cannot be the only good skaters on your backend and they are not getting any younger. Drafting Thomson will begin to add the speed and transition game they need to start developing down the road.

@FNTSYHCKYTRADES – Raphaël Lavoie – Very skilled forward with a big, accurate shot. A threat to score whenever he is on the ice.

Tomahawk Chop – Jakob Pelletier – Always searching for a winger to play with Crosby, the Penguins add the top scoring draft eligible player out of the QMJHL.

@WalMaz35 – Philip Tomasino – Tomasino is an excellent skater. He uses his speed on both offense and defense. He also has a good shot and has great vision, which allows him to make great passes. He is a very high energy player, never giving up on plays. He needs to work on getting better in the defensive end.

22. Los Angeles Kings (from Toronto Maple Leafs)

@statman1956 –  Thomas Harley – The smooth skating Harley will add some much-needed speed to the Kings lineup. His transition game is solid and he has the ability to carry the puck into the offensive zone.

@SwaggyCanuckMZ – Thomas Harley – After picking Cozens at the top of the draft, the Kings go with some speed on defense with Harley. His ability to carry the puck with speed through the neutral zone will add some pace to the Kings attack.

@FNTSYHCKYTRADES – Philip Tomasino – A tough, versatile forward that’s not afraid to get to the high danger zones. Elite puck handling with a good release.

Tomahawk Chop – Egor Afanasyev – a big bodied winger with a hard shot. He would be a perfect compliment to Anze Kopitar. 

@WalMaz35 – Jakob Pelletier – Pelletier is an undersized playmaker. He has great speed, great hands, and excellent passing. He has a good shot but needs to use it more. Pelletier is a smaller player so he needs to bulk up.

23. NY Islanders

@statman1956 – Arthur Kaliyev – The Hamilton Bulldog winger has an NHL shot and knows how to score goals. His defensive play is a work in progress and must improve to play at the NHL level.

@SwaggyCanuckMZ – Bobby Brink – The Islanders add a sniper to finish the passes of top-line center Mat Barzal. Brink has an accurate shot and definitely knows how to score goals. Brink from Barzal will become a stamp in no time.    

@FNTSYHCKYTRADES – Ryan Suzuki – A shifty forward that isn’t overly physical. Good skater, with great vision. He’ll be a welcomed addition on the Island.

Tomahawk Chop – Ville Heinola – A good skating defenseman that brings a lot of intelligence with his game.

@WalMaz35 – Raphaël Lavoie – Lavoie is a great scoring winger. He has a good shot, good passing, and good speed. He does need to work on his defensive game.

24. Nashville Predators

@statman1956 – Bobby Brink – Brink has a high hockey IQ and a well-rounded game but needs to improve his skating. If he can improve that area of his game he could be a steal for the Predators.

@SwaggyCanuckMZ – Ville Heinola – Predators love picking defenseman and why not, they are very good at it. Heinola will be the latest they add to their cupboard. Very mobile and very smart, definitely sounds like a Preds defenseman. Showed well at the World Juniors.

@FNTSYHCKYTRADES – Thomas Harley – A good passer with good vision and quick, smooth skating abilities. Learning in Nashville could round him out nicely.

Tomahawk Chop – Raphael Lavoie – A nice combination of size and scoring ability, Lavoie took the QMJHL playoff by storm. He will provide some much-needed center depth for the Predators.

@WalMaz35 – Bobby Brink – Brink is a great offensive winger. He has quick feet, great hands, and a great shot. Brink needs to work on his defensive game as well as his decision making.

25. Washington Capitals

@statman1956 – Ryan Suzuki – Suzuki is a terrific skater with exceptional playmaking ability. He sees the ice extremely well and has a high hockey IQ.

@SwaggyCanuckMZ – Pavel Dorofeyev – Another Russian to potentially join forces with the Great Eight in scoring goals. Very creative and a great playmaker from the wing position.

@FNTSYHCKYTRADES – Philip Broberg – A speedy, offensively gifted defenseman.able to outskate his opponents, exits the zone very well. Defensively, needs some more work.

Tomahawk Chop – Philip Tomasino – Tomasino brings a strong work ethic and speed to the Capitals forward group.

@WalMaz35 – Nils Höglander – Höglander is a speedy winger. He has great speed, great passing, and a good shot. He is a feisty player and is good in all three zones. He could stand to bulk up and work on his discipline.

26. Calgary Flames

@statman1956 – Nils Hoglander –  The undersized winger has terrific hands and a non-stop motor. He played the entire season in the Swedish men’s league and has a well-rounded game.

@SwaggyCanuckMZ – Samuel Poulin – Strong skater and forechecker who is not afraid to go to the net. Definitely sounds like a player the Flames would covet.  

@FNTSYHCKYTRADES – Jakob Pelletier – Undersized, but highly skilled with a great shot and high end skating abilities. A solid playmaker that’s confident carrying the puck.

Tomahawk Chop – Samuel Poulin – After getting outhit significantly in the playoffs, Calgary adds a power forward that will add some size to the Flames forwards.

@WalMaz35 – Thomas Harley – Harley is a big-bodied defenseman who has excellent mobility and skating. He has great vision, good passing and is defensively responsible. Harley needs to work on not turning over the puck and his shot.

27. Tampa Bay Lightning

@statman1956 – Valdislav Kolyochonok – The Flint Firebirds defenseman offers a complete package. The Belarussian has the size to go along with terrific skating ability.

@SwaggyCanuckMZ – Ryan Suzuki – Adding more skill to a lineup full of it, Suzuki has high hockey IQ with good hands. Still needs to work on the defensive game.

@FNTSYHCKYTRADES – Nicholas Robertson – Tough, hard-nosed, relentless player. There is some high-end offensive skill there that time in Syracuse could bring out.

Tomahawk Chop – Lassi Thomson – The Lightning need to add some future depth at the defense position. They add a right-hand shot, smooth skating player.

@WalMaz35 – Samuel Poulin – Poulin plays a power forward game. He drives to the net, has good speed and a decent shot. His offensive skills need work if he wants to be a top 6 winger.

28. Carolina Hurricanes

@statman1956 – Samuel Poulin – Poulin scores most of his goals as a result of hard work. His size allows him to have a net presence as well as winning most board battles. He is the son of former NHL player Patrick Poulin.

@SwaggyCanuckMZ – Nils Hoglander – Undersized, but speed for days and soft hands. He will add some more speed to a team on the rise.

@FNTSYHCKYTRADES – Nils Hoglander – Elite stick handling, great puck control with no hesitation in his game.

Tomahawk Chop – Connor McMichael – High Hockey IQ and a solid two-way game are what the Hurricanes land with McMichael

@WalMaz35 – Patrik Puistola – Puistola, is a pure sniper. His shot is lightning fast and it is super accurate. His skating is good because of his speed, acceleration, and agility but he needs to get stronger on his skates. Defensively, Puistola needs to work on his positioning and physicality.

29. Anaheim Ducks (from SJS-BUF)

@statman1956 – Nick Robertson – A hard accurate shot and his ability to distribute the puck are his best attributes. Robertson is both shifty and creative which make him dangerous every shift.

@SwaggyCanuckMZ – Brett Leason – Late bloomer but could be a bit of a sleeper as well. Has improved his skating and plays a strong two-way game with physicality.

@FNTSYHCKYTRADES – Lassi Thomson – Very skilled two-way defenseman. Good skater with good passing skills and a hard slap shot.

Tomahawk Chop – Tobias Bjornfot – The Ducks added a forward earlier in the round. Now they add a defenseman that is tough to play against and plays a strong defensive game.

@WalMaz35 – Matthew Robertson – Robertson is a great two-way defenseman. He has good speed, plays a good physical game and has great size. Robertson needs to improve upon his offensive play before making the NHL.

30. Boston Bruins

@statman1956 – Matthew Robertson – The Edmonton Oil King defender has a defense-first mentality. He is a good all-around player that offers both size and skill.

@SwaggyCanuckMZ – Matthew Robertson – Going to agree again with my writing team. A big, strong two-way defenseman who plays a Bruins-style game.

@FNTSYHCKYTRADES – Matthew Robertson – A big defensive-minded defenseman. Has a similar work ethic and style to Boston’s way of thinking already.

Tomahawk Chop – Bobby Orr Brink – It is poetic that a kid named after Bobby Orr gets drafted by the Bruins. He brings a lot of offensive upside in his game.

@WalMaz35 – Albin Grewe – Grewe is an excellent gritty forward. He gets under opponents skin, forechecks hard, plays great along the boards and plays with a lot of energy. He is also an excellent skater, has a good shot and good stick handling. He could stand to work on his two-way game, playmaking ability and being more disciplined.

31. Buffalo Sabres (from St Louis Blues)

@statman1956 – Jakob Pelletier – The undersized winger has game-breaking skill. Despite his size, Pelletier is willing to go to the dirty areas needed to have success. He is creative and shifty with good vision. His skating and edgework are also top notch.

@SwaggyCanuckMZ – Connor McMichael – Smart, hard-working centerman with leadership qualities and a strong two-way game. Reminds me a lot of Ryan O’Reilly who they traded away and went on to lead the Blues to their first Stanley Cup.    

@FNTSYHCKYTRADES – Samuel Poulin – A strong, well rounded, two way player with high offensive upside. He could add some more offensive depth in Buffalo.

Tomahawk Chop – Nolan Foote – Buffalo adds a goal-scoring winger that will complement their young forward group.

@WalMaz35 – Brett Leason – Leason plays a very good power game. It’s very rare to see a player passed over twice in a draft and ranked as a 1st round prospect the next. He has good passing, a good shot, and good vision. He struggles with his speed.

What do you think of our picks? Discuss on the Overtime Heroics Forums!