Brock
Registered User
This is now an annual tradition. As I always mention, while I cover the OHL extensively, I'm a hockey prospect nut in general and as such, have a fair amount of knowledge of the other players available.
This is looking like such a difficult year to predict at the draft. Even within the top two, uncertainty has crept in thanks to the way Kaapo Kakko finished his season. And outside of that, the true mysteries begin at number 3. So many different scenarios. What the Blackhawks do at number 3 will shape the rest of the draft. Obviously, this is a down year for the OHL and that is reflected in my mock draft (at least in the earlier picks). And from a personal stand point, I must admit that I am not the world's biggest fan of this draft crop, in general. I see a lot of potential, but I also see a lot of question marks, even in the projected lottery selections.
Of course, like any mock draft before the culmination of the playoffs...my Stanley Cup prediction is sure to be a conversation piece.
Here's my first round mock draft.
1. New Jersey Devils - Jack Hughes (USDP, USHL)
Hughes to New Jersey no longer looks like a slam dunk. It is not as obvious as it was once thought to be. Kakko's performance at the World Championships really sold a lot of people. That said, I still think that the Devils go with Hughes. He's far from a polished product physically, yet he has managed to succeed in every way possible thus far. He is such a dynamic player with the puck and is a true franchise center, one of the most difficult things to find at the draft. This gives New Jersey some real flexibility moving forward. They could move Nico Hischier to the wing (as he has struggled to win faceoffs consistently), or allow them to form a terrific one/two punch moving forward.
2. New York Rangers - Kaapo Kakko (TPS Turku, Liiga)
The New York Rangers have the easiest decision here. It's Hughes or Kakko. Either way, they are getting what would appear to be a potential franchise building block. In this scenario, Kakko gives a rebuilding Rangers team another potential offensive star along with the likes of Kravtsov and Chytil. His combination of size, strength, and skill is so impressive. What he was able to do against many NHL players at this year's World Championships was on the same level as Patrik Laine in 2016 and Jaromir Jagr in 1990.
3. Chicago Blackhawks - Alex Turcotte (USDP, USHL)
I think most people feel pretty comfortable with the fact that defender Bowen Byram is the 3rd best player available this year. But an argument could be made that Chicago's top four prospects (if you have Evan Barratt at #5) are all defenders (Boqvist, Jokiharju, Mitchell, Beaudin), thanks to the fact that the team's last three first round picks were defensemen. I know you don't draft based on need, but picking this high for the first time since the Patrick Kane draft (2007), Chicago needs to make sure that they secure one of the top young centers available. For my money, that player is Alex Turcotte. I was so impressed by his tenacity and skill level at the U18's. I know there are some concerns about his injury issues, but this is a kid that could eventually turn into as good of a two-way threat as Jonathan Toews. Doesn't hurt that he's a local kid too.
4. Colorado Avalanche - Bowen Byram (Vancouver, WHL)
Look, I know that Colorado has Cale Makar coming into the fold. And I know that they already have some talented young defenders in the system (like Samuel Girard, Tyson Barrie, and if he gets healthy, Connor Timmins). But I just don't think that Colorado can pass up on the chance to take the 3rd best player available in this draft given how good their young roster already is. It gives them flexibility to move a defender (such as Barrie) to improve other parts of their roster. And Byram was such a force in the WHL this year. His playoff performance for Vancouver was out of this world, leading the WHL playoffs in scoring as a U18 player. Can you imagine a top pairing of Makar and Byram? Good luck NHL.
5. Los Angeles Kings - Matthew Boldy (USDP, USHL)
Probably not the most conventional selection here for Los Angeles. I know that the Kings need young players who can put the puck in the net. I have seen Cole Caufield here in some mock drafts, and it honestly wouldn't shock me one bit. But I'm just not sure I see Los Angeles taking guys like Dach, Cozens, or Zegras here because they profile similarly to the players that LA has drafted the last few years (Kupari, Vilardi, etc). So why Boldy? He strikes me as the type that NHL teams are going to covet more than armchair scouts do. The intangibles that he brings to the ice can not be measured. His hockey IQ and vision with the puck really impressed me at the U18's. As did his awareness in all three zones. I have seen some suggest that they feel Boldy is the type of kid who could win a Selke one day; a Mark Stone type of winger. And I think LA could put a ton of value in that and see Boldy as the perfect compliment to the young players that they have already brought into the fold.
6. Detroit Red Wings - Trevor Zegras (USDP, USHL)
Zegras is the kind of kid who really grows on you the more you see him play. His vision and playmaking ability are among the best in this draft. I know Ryan Wagman (of McKeens) is a massive fan and has seen him a ton this year. Last draft, the Wings finally started to drift away from a tendency to focus on size/physical tools over pure skill. And I think that continues as they try to re-tool and make the franchise a powerhouse of the Eastern Conference again. Zegras is just that, as they take him over slightly larger centers like Cozens and Dach in this scenario.
7. Buffalo Sabres - Kirby Dach (Saskatoon, WHL)
I know that size does not carry the same weight as it used to in the NHL, but it is without a doubt still important, especially when it comes to playoff success. Buffalo's biggest forward on the roster this year was 6'2, and only Eichel and Girgensons were at that mark. At 6'4, Dach has the length that this team could use in the offensive end. The talented playmaker does have some question marks over his consistency, but when he is on, he can be a real X Factor.
8. Edmonton Oilers - Dylan Cozens (Lethbridge, WHL)
One of the top skaters available this year, Cozens seems like the perfect fit for a team that wants to add more offensive talent who can play up tempo. Cozens also possesses the size, at 6'3, that the Oilers could use to help create some room for McDavid and Draisaitl. Whether Edmonton sees Cozens as a center or a winger long term remains to be seen, but he offers size, power, versatility, and skill and IMO is the exact type of player that this organization should be looking to add with their top 10 selection this year.
9. Anaheim Ducks - Cole Caufield (USDP, USHL)
Can the U.S. Under 18 team really have 5 of the first 9 selections this year? Not only is it possible, but it is starting to become quite likely. After breaking the program's goal scoring record this year, and tying Ovechkin's goal mark at the U18's, Caufield has rocketed up draft charts as the top pure goal scorer available. Sure he is undersized, but it has not stopped him yet. To me, it makes sense that the team that finished last in the NHL in goals this year, look to add one of the best goal scorers we have seen come through the draft in years.
10. Vancouver Canucks - Peyton Krebs (Kootenay/Winnipeg, WHL)
Krebs' versatility is going to be very attractive to the Canucks here. He can play center or down the wing. He is equal parts goal scorer and playmaker. He excels in all three zones. Because of how poor his team was in Kootenay this year, scouts had a bit of a tough time getting a read on him. But he performed well at the U18's and looks to be a potential top 6 forward who can be a great option behind Boeser, and Pettersson in the future.
For the rest of the Top 50, see the link. OHL Prospects: 2019 NHL Mock Draft
As always, happy to answer any questions.
This is looking like such a difficult year to predict at the draft. Even within the top two, uncertainty has crept in thanks to the way Kaapo Kakko finished his season. And outside of that, the true mysteries begin at number 3. So many different scenarios. What the Blackhawks do at number 3 will shape the rest of the draft. Obviously, this is a down year for the OHL and that is reflected in my mock draft (at least in the earlier picks). And from a personal stand point, I must admit that I am not the world's biggest fan of this draft crop, in general. I see a lot of potential, but I also see a lot of question marks, even in the projected lottery selections.
Of course, like any mock draft before the culmination of the playoffs...my Stanley Cup prediction is sure to be a conversation piece.
Here's my first round mock draft.
1. New Jersey Devils - Jack Hughes (USDP, USHL)
Hughes to New Jersey no longer looks like a slam dunk. It is not as obvious as it was once thought to be. Kakko's performance at the World Championships really sold a lot of people. That said, I still think that the Devils go with Hughes. He's far from a polished product physically, yet he has managed to succeed in every way possible thus far. He is such a dynamic player with the puck and is a true franchise center, one of the most difficult things to find at the draft. This gives New Jersey some real flexibility moving forward. They could move Nico Hischier to the wing (as he has struggled to win faceoffs consistently), or allow them to form a terrific one/two punch moving forward.
2. New York Rangers - Kaapo Kakko (TPS Turku, Liiga)
The New York Rangers have the easiest decision here. It's Hughes or Kakko. Either way, they are getting what would appear to be a potential franchise building block. In this scenario, Kakko gives a rebuilding Rangers team another potential offensive star along with the likes of Kravtsov and Chytil. His combination of size, strength, and skill is so impressive. What he was able to do against many NHL players at this year's World Championships was on the same level as Patrik Laine in 2016 and Jaromir Jagr in 1990.
3. Chicago Blackhawks - Alex Turcotte (USDP, USHL)
I think most people feel pretty comfortable with the fact that defender Bowen Byram is the 3rd best player available this year. But an argument could be made that Chicago's top four prospects (if you have Evan Barratt at #5) are all defenders (Boqvist, Jokiharju, Mitchell, Beaudin), thanks to the fact that the team's last three first round picks were defensemen. I know you don't draft based on need, but picking this high for the first time since the Patrick Kane draft (2007), Chicago needs to make sure that they secure one of the top young centers available. For my money, that player is Alex Turcotte. I was so impressed by his tenacity and skill level at the U18's. I know there are some concerns about his injury issues, but this is a kid that could eventually turn into as good of a two-way threat as Jonathan Toews. Doesn't hurt that he's a local kid too.
4. Colorado Avalanche - Bowen Byram (Vancouver, WHL)
Look, I know that Colorado has Cale Makar coming into the fold. And I know that they already have some talented young defenders in the system (like Samuel Girard, Tyson Barrie, and if he gets healthy, Connor Timmins). But I just don't think that Colorado can pass up on the chance to take the 3rd best player available in this draft given how good their young roster already is. It gives them flexibility to move a defender (such as Barrie) to improve other parts of their roster. And Byram was such a force in the WHL this year. His playoff performance for Vancouver was out of this world, leading the WHL playoffs in scoring as a U18 player. Can you imagine a top pairing of Makar and Byram? Good luck NHL.
5. Los Angeles Kings - Matthew Boldy (USDP, USHL)
Probably not the most conventional selection here for Los Angeles. I know that the Kings need young players who can put the puck in the net. I have seen Cole Caufield here in some mock drafts, and it honestly wouldn't shock me one bit. But I'm just not sure I see Los Angeles taking guys like Dach, Cozens, or Zegras here because they profile similarly to the players that LA has drafted the last few years (Kupari, Vilardi, etc). So why Boldy? He strikes me as the type that NHL teams are going to covet more than armchair scouts do. The intangibles that he brings to the ice can not be measured. His hockey IQ and vision with the puck really impressed me at the U18's. As did his awareness in all three zones. I have seen some suggest that they feel Boldy is the type of kid who could win a Selke one day; a Mark Stone type of winger. And I think LA could put a ton of value in that and see Boldy as the perfect compliment to the young players that they have already brought into the fold.
6. Detroit Red Wings - Trevor Zegras (USDP, USHL)
Zegras is the kind of kid who really grows on you the more you see him play. His vision and playmaking ability are among the best in this draft. I know Ryan Wagman (of McKeens) is a massive fan and has seen him a ton this year. Last draft, the Wings finally started to drift away from a tendency to focus on size/physical tools over pure skill. And I think that continues as they try to re-tool and make the franchise a powerhouse of the Eastern Conference again. Zegras is just that, as they take him over slightly larger centers like Cozens and Dach in this scenario.
7. Buffalo Sabres - Kirby Dach (Saskatoon, WHL)
I know that size does not carry the same weight as it used to in the NHL, but it is without a doubt still important, especially when it comes to playoff success. Buffalo's biggest forward on the roster this year was 6'2, and only Eichel and Girgensons were at that mark. At 6'4, Dach has the length that this team could use in the offensive end. The talented playmaker does have some question marks over his consistency, but when he is on, he can be a real X Factor.
8. Edmonton Oilers - Dylan Cozens (Lethbridge, WHL)
One of the top skaters available this year, Cozens seems like the perfect fit for a team that wants to add more offensive talent who can play up tempo. Cozens also possesses the size, at 6'3, that the Oilers could use to help create some room for McDavid and Draisaitl. Whether Edmonton sees Cozens as a center or a winger long term remains to be seen, but he offers size, power, versatility, and skill and IMO is the exact type of player that this organization should be looking to add with their top 10 selection this year.
9. Anaheim Ducks - Cole Caufield (USDP, USHL)
Can the U.S. Under 18 team really have 5 of the first 9 selections this year? Not only is it possible, but it is starting to become quite likely. After breaking the program's goal scoring record this year, and tying Ovechkin's goal mark at the U18's, Caufield has rocketed up draft charts as the top pure goal scorer available. Sure he is undersized, but it has not stopped him yet. To me, it makes sense that the team that finished last in the NHL in goals this year, look to add one of the best goal scorers we have seen come through the draft in years.
10. Vancouver Canucks - Peyton Krebs (Kootenay/Winnipeg, WHL)
Krebs' versatility is going to be very attractive to the Canucks here. He can play center or down the wing. He is equal parts goal scorer and playmaker. He excels in all three zones. Because of how poor his team was in Kootenay this year, scouts had a bit of a tough time getting a read on him. But he performed well at the U18's and looks to be a potential top 6 forward who can be a great option behind Boeser, and Pettersson in the future.
For the rest of the Top 50, see the link. OHL Prospects: 2019 NHL Mock Draft
As always, happy to answer any questions.
