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Will the Montreal Canadiens trade down? How many defensemen will be picked in the top 10? These two questions and many more all will be answered on Friday when the hockey world converges on Dallas for the 2018 NHL Draft. Not much has changed in terms of the top tier, as both Rasmus Dahlin and Andrei Svechnikov are all but guaranteed to be the first two picks to Buffalo and Carolina, respectively. Things have gotten interesting since out last mock, however, as there is talk that theCanadiens could be willing to either move down from the No. 3 pick in order to draft a center, or simply stay put and take the best one. Right now, it appears as though Finnish center Jesperi Kotkaniemi is the player the Habscould target, especially when you consider hes one of the best pivots in a draft devoid of elite center depth. If the Canadiens stay put and take Kotkaniemi, then the likelihood of one of the six star defense prospects after DahlinAdam Boqvist, Quinn Hughes, Noah Dobson, Ty Smith, Evan Bouchard and Rasmus Sandinto fall into the middle of the first round increases greatly. In fact, theres a slight chance we see five forwards drafted consecutively after Dahlin goes to the Sabres, with one of them almost Kyle Farmer Jersey certainly being power winger Brady Tkachuk. BIG BOARD: Yet still, some believe it would be folly for Bergevin to pa s up the chance to take a gifted sniper like Filip Zadina or Oliver Wahlstrom, or maybe even Tkachuk, with the third pick simply to addre s a need. Also to be considered is the 2019 draft is deep with quality centers with franchise-changing upside, and theres a good bet the Habs next season will be closer to a lottery team rather than one contending for the playoffs. History tells us there will be at least one off-the-board prospect who shoots up into the upper half of the first round, while one or two notable names plummet into the later stage of Day 1 or not get his names called until the next day. Last year, the Rangers made a surprising choice with Lias Ander son seventh overall, while center Gabe Vilardi slipped out of the top 10 until the Kings grabbed him at 11. Based on recent pre-draft speculation, players like wingers Martin Kaut, Jonatan Berggren and Vitaly Kravtsov should all be considered legitimate options for one of the teams picking in the top 15. Sporting News' final mock draft goes two rounds deep and attempts to shed light on what may happen beyond the seemingly obvious choices the Sabresand Hurricanes will make at 1-2. Without further ado, let's dive in. MORE: NHL Mock Draft 2018, version 3.0 1. Buffalo Sabres: Rasmus Dahlin, LHD, Frolunda (SHL) The Sabres hit the jackpot by winning the chance to draft the best defense prospect in years. Dahlin automatically becomes their best defenseman. MORE: 2. Carolina Hurricanes: Andrei Svechnikov, RW, Barrie (OHL) Carolina hasnt had a forward withthis much star potential since they drafted Eric Staal in 2003. Svechnikovs impact on the league should be immediate. MORE: 3. Montreal Canadiens: Filip Zadina, LW, Halifax (QMJHL) The talk of Montreal trading down to draft a center could be posturing by GM Marc Bergevin, who at this point doesnt have one prospect in his pool who resembles what a 200-foot sniper like Zadina brings every night. 4. Ottawa Senators: Quinn Hughes, LHD, Michigan (Big 10) The uncertainty surrounding Erik Karl sons future means the Senators need an NHL-ready puck rusher as a contingency. Hughes may be listed as a smaller player, but hes strong, fastand incredibly talented. MORE: 5. Arizona Coyotes: Noah Dobson, RHD,Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL) A solid second half shouldnt preclude GM John Chayka from further bolstering Arizonas blue line with an elite three-zone defender like Dobson, who one day could partner with Jakob Chychrun to form a super pairing. 6. Detroit Red Wings: Oliver Wahlstrom, RW, U.S. U18 (NTDP) This fearle s power winger is more than just a goal scorer with an elite shot; Wahlstrom is defensively responsible and is a strong stickhandler to help lengthen po se sion time. 7. Vancouver Canucks: JesperiKotkaniemi, C, A sat (SM-Liiga) The Canucks critical need for a center to feed their growing list of scoring wingers makes this an easy pick, especially after Kotkaniemis outstanding under-18 world championship increased his value. 8. Chicago Blackhawks: Brady Tkachuk, LW, Boston U. (Hockey East) It seems like theres always one player who slips a few picks lower than expected, but by no means should this abrasive winger with soft hands be consider a consolation prize. Tkachuk can dominate multiple shifts in a period and wear down defenders of any size. MORE: 9. New York Rangers: Adam Boqvist, RHD, Brynas J20 (Superelit) Its been a while since the Rangers had a defenseman who could run their power play with silky-smooth effectivene s, and Boqvist has that perfect blend of speed and skill that will make their young forwards more dangerous. 10. Edmonton Oilers: Evan Bouchard, RHD, London (OHL) Nominating this elite power-play quarterback to run the Oilers power play for the next decade likely makes Connor McDavid happier than anyone else. Bouchard can hammer the puck and executes clean breakouts with both his skating and his pa sing. 11. New York Islanders: Ty Smith, LHD, Spokane (WHL) The Islanders defense this year was a me s, but if any one rearguard outside of Rasmus Dahlin can help tilt the ice away from their goal, its this swift-skating playmaker who handles the puck responsibly and can be entrusted with late-game situations. 12. New York Islanders (via CGY):Vitaly Kravtsov, RW,Chelyabinsk (KHL) Adding another finisher to their prospect pool like this mature Ru sian scorer will make the Islanders all the more dangerous when you consider they have Mathew Barzal and John Tavares feeding them pucks. Kravtsov was a beast against adults-age players in the KHL playoffs. MORE: 13. Dallas Stars:Joel Farabee, LW,U.S. U18(NTDP) The Stars have drafted a lot of wingers lately, but none have the complete skill set this Syracuse native presents on a nightly basis. Farabee is a leader and a tirele s worker with a high IQ who is an a sa sin inside the hash marks. 14. Philadelphia Flyers (via STL): RasmusSandin, LHD, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) The Flyers already have plenty of quality prospects, so they can afford to aim high with this cerebral defenseman who by seasons end was Sault Ste Maries best overall blue liner. Sandin is poised and positionally sound, but he can skate the puck out of danger and make fancy plays. 15. Florida Panthers:Grigory Denisenko, LW,Loko Yaroslavl (MHL) The lo s of 2016 pick Adam Mascherin leaves a void on the flanks that this Ru sian super-scorer can fill in nicely. Denisenko is a fleet-footed puck hound who can finish from just about anywhere in the offensive zone. 16. Colorado Avalanche:Joe Veleno, C,Saint John (QMJHL) One of the fastest centers among draft eligibles also is an elite playmaker that can improve any power play. Velenos production skyrocketed after a second-half trade from Saint John to Drummondville, and hes helped increase power-play efficiency everywhere hes gone. 17. New Jersey Devils: Bode Wilde, RHD, U.S. U18(NTDP) The Devils are an exciting team with a deep prospect pool, so they can afford to take a risk on the drafts biggest risk taker, at least in terms of offensive defensemen. Wilde is a fantastic skater with size and a hard shot. 18. Columbus Blue Jackets:Jacob Olof son, C, Timra IK (Allsvenskan) The best rookie in Swedens top minor league has the size, speed and three-zone understanding to become an elite talent. Olof sons average play at several international events should not override what he did during league competition. 19. Philadelphia Flyers:Barrett Hayton, C, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) Distinguishing oneself as a draft eligible on a team loaded with NHL prospects is tough to do, but this hard-shooting pivot was by seasons end one of the Greyhounds best players, especially in the playoffs. 20. Los Angeles Kings:Jonatan Berggren, LW,Skelleftea J20(Superelit) If the Kings want to remain a tough competitor but one with more speed, then this Swedish dynamo with excellent one-on-one skills is the perfect choice for them. MORE: 21. San Jose Sharks: RasmusKupari, C,Karpat(SM-Liiga) One of the drafts top Jordan Balazovic Jersey |
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