2018 mock drafts

[Jouko-Pouko]

I did a quick Top 10 mock draft today, so I figured I'd start a thread so that everyone can post their own here. The order of picks #14 and #15 will be decided by the Florida game tonight, so I'll probably post the remaining five picks tomorrow. I've identified the five players I want to put there but can't finalize the order of them just yet.

(All of this is of course assuming the draft lottery doesn't change the order but since we don't know what happens there, I'm just using the current order.)

[DocMcPuffin]

Thanks for this, JP. I managed to get back into the top 2 for my pool so I'll be following this closely.

[GinFizz]

Wahlstrom at 6 to the Canucks will be a steal..

[Jouko-Pouko]

Wahlstrom at 6 to the Canucks will be a steal..

I don't know if steal is the right word as it's really difficult to argue him over any of the top 5 guys but Wahlstrom at #6 is great value for sure. Players like him do usually go in the top 5.

[DocMcPuffin]

Montreal needs scoring so would you be surprised to see them maybe take Wahlstrom or Tkachuk over a D man? Obviously the draft is a guessing game but would you think it would make more sense to draft a forward instead?

[Jouko-Pouko]

Montreal needs scoring so would you be surprised to see them maybe take Wahlstrom or Tkachuk over a D man? Obviously the draft is a guessing game but would you think it would make more sense to draft a forward instead?

They also badly need defensemen who are capable of moving the puck, and I think that's an even bigger need for them. Forwards can't do anything if they don't have defensemen who can move the puck up from their own zone. If they pick at #4, I would be very surprised if they took a forward - unless of course Arizona takes Hughes at #3 which is a real possibility.

[GinFizz]

I don't know if steal is the right word as it's really difficult to argue him over any of the top 5 guys but Wahlstrom at #6 is great value for sure. Players like him do usually go in the top 5.

Agreed.. steal was a poor choice of a word. Great value describes it better.

[DocMcPuffin]

They also badly need defensemen who are capable of moving the puck, and I think that's an even bigger need for them. Forwards can't do anything if they don't have defensemen who can move the puck up from their own zone. If they pick at #4, I would be very surprised if they took a forward - unless of course Arizona takes Hughes at #3 which is a real possibility.

Do you think that changes if they manage to trade Patches? I guess even if they did, drafting a forward wouldn't help as that's a big hole to fill and no way anyone would be able to fill it in the top 5. I'd assume they'd get a forward back so drafting a D man would still make sense. You think Patches gets dealt?

[Jouko-Pouko]

Do you think that changes if they manage to trade Patches? I guess even if they did, drafting a forward wouldn't help as that's a big hole to fill and no way anyone would be able to fill it in the top 5. I'd assume they'd get a forward back so drafting a D man would still make sense. You think Patches gets dealt?

I have no idea if he gets traded but I hope he does. Sometimes it's just better to break up and move on, and I think that's the case here (and I think that's the case in Ottawa as well).

I'm also not a big fan of drafting for needs early in the 1st round. After the midway point it's usually fine because there are usually 2-3 players with similar projection, so you can use team needs as a way to choose between them. But not early in the 1st round.

[Axeman33]

Montreal needs puck moving Dmen and scoring centers. That being said, they have lots of cap to try and fill their holes via FA if possible. I have no doubt they will take the best player available when their pick comes around, no matter whos available.

[VincentVega]

If Habs pick 4th, they're taking one of Tkachuk or Wahlstrom (unless Zadina is available).

This is fun to do early but it's almost certain the order will be different after the lottery.

[Axeman33]

If Habs pick 4th, they're taking one of Tkachuk or Wahlstrom (unless Zadina is available).

This is fun to do early but it's almost certain the order will be different after the lottery.

Ya, I dont bother doing any mocks until the draft lottery happens.

[Bazz]

Hughes and Drouin would be fun to watch. If Wahlstrom goes right before the hawks pick I’ll murder someone, just like when the Rams took Aaron Donald the pick before the Bears.

[Jouko-Pouko]

If Habs pick 4th, they're taking one of Tkachuk or Wahlstrom (unless Zadina is available).

Habs need centers and defensemen, so I don't see how drafting another winger helps them. But as said earlier, best player available so early in the first, and Hughes is that guy IMO.

[reggiebarnes]

I have no idea if he gets traded but I hope he does. Sometimes it's just better to break up and move on, and I think that's the case here (and I think that's the case in Ottawa as well).

I'm also not a big fan of drafting for needs early in the 1st round. After the midway point it's usually fine because there are usually 2-3 players with similar projection, so you can use team needs as a way to choose between them. But not early in the 1st round.

It would be the opposite actually. If you are ever going to draft for need it would be at the top of the draft because those are the players that are more ready. You don’t draft on need later on in the draft as those players won’t be on your team for years and your need a may change before they get onto the ice