2018 mock drafts

[Jouko-Pouko]

Interesting you have Bouchard as the second D going off the board at #5... this is where I've been saying he would go all along.. or even in front of Tkachuk at #4.

That's not how I rank them personally but NHL scouts feel strongly about them. This is a mock draft, not my personal ranking, so I went with what they think at the top. https://www.tsn.ca/the-big-four-soli...king-1.1066345

The top 9 this year is amazing. After the top 2, anyone from the next 7 could end up being the 3rd best player from this draft class. I personally have Tkachuk and Bouchard at the end of that group (#8 and #9) but they're closer to the NHL because of their size and age - I just personally prefer the upside of the others more but to each their own.

[lucafen4]

That's not how I rank them personally but NHL scouts feel strongly about them. This is a mock draft, not my personal ranking, so I went with what they think at the top. https://www.tsn.ca/the-big-four-soli...king-1.1066345

The top 9 this year is amazing. After the top 2, anyone from the next 7 could end up being the 3rd best player from this draft class. I personally have Tkachuk and Bouchard at the end of that group (#8 and #9) but they're closer to the NHL because of their size and age - I just personally prefer the upside of the others more but to each their own.

I don't argue that Hughes/Boqvist offer higher offensive ceilings. I just think NHL teams see Bouchard as a safer all around Dman - who's more NHL ready. his 30+ TOI/gm stats down the stretch and in the playoffs likely have GM's & Scouts salivating.

I'm most intrigued by what Vancouver will do, especially if Wahlstrom/Tkachuk and any combo of Hughes/Boqvist/Bouchard/Dobson are available. We saw last year Benning target highest ceiling player. And if it's a F... can he pass on one of those Dmen?

I've seen Woo as a late 1st 22-29 range. curious as to the mock - fall to #62?

[Jouko-Pouko]

I don't argue that Hughes/Boqvist offer higher offensive ceilings. I just think NHL teams see Bouchard as a safer all around Dman - who's more NHL ready. his 30+ TOI/gm stats down the stretch and in the playoffs likely have GM's & Scouts salivating.

I'm most intrigued by what Vancouver will do, especially if Wahlstrom/Tkachuk and any combo of Hughes/Boqvist/Bouchard/Dobson are available. We saw last year Benning target highest ceiling player. And if it's a F... can he pass on one of those Dmen?

I've seen Woo as a late 1st 22-29 range. curious as to the mock - fall to #62?

NHL teams still put a lot of value on size which is why Tkachuk and Bouchard are high on their lists. They want safe players who will definitely reach the NHL even if they miss out on high-end talent in the process. And they also think about the playoffs where big players can run wild when refs stop calling penalties. Hughes is better than Bouchard defensively, and his skating is a bunch of tiers better than Bouchard's. Bouchard has that big shot and he's great on the power play but likely tops out as #3 D-man or #2 at best whereas Hughes has #1 upside. Not talking about offensive upside, talking about all-around upside.

I'd be shocked to see Woo going in the 1st round. But from #43 to #62, they're interchangeable. And you could add 5-10 names to that group at least.

[lucafen4]

Hmm... with Montreal's desperate need for a Centre & Defenceman... I wonder if there will be any appetite for them to trade down -- NYI 11, 12th + Toews, Ho-Sang or Aho for #3? Snow having those 2 picks, guarantee he is already on the phones looking to move up. How badly does Mtl feel they need a Centre. That could swing it.

[evans334]

Hmm... with Montreal's desperate need for a Centre & Defenceman... I wonder if there will be any appetite for them to trade down -- NYI 11, 12th + Toews, Ho-Sang or Aho for #3? Snow having those 2 picks, guarantee he is already on the phones looking to move up. How badly does Mtl feel they need a Centre. That could swing it.

Was thinking this exact same thing this morning!

Now throw in a sign & trade with Tavares and we're in business

[lucafen4]

Was thinking this exact same thing this morning!

Now throw in a sign & trade with Tavares and we're in business

If I were Bergie, I'd really consider it... getting 11th & 12th + another pick or prospect - I'd then trade the 12th to get back inside the top 10 - 8th/9th to get one of those Dmen - Dobson, Hughes, Bouchard, Boqvist... get a C and a D. rather than a winger.

[DocMcPuffin]

Hmm... with Montreal's desperate need for a Centre & Defenceman... I wonder if there will be any appetite for them to trade down -- NYI 11, 12th + Toews, Ho-Sang or Aho for #3? Snow having those 2 picks, guarantee he is already on the phones looking to move up. How badly does Mtl feel they need a Centre. That could swing it.

I'm not sure the Isles would do that just for the 3rd overall pick, though. Even with a sign and trade I would think JT has more value than just the 3rd overall pick. But I am not an expert so that's more my curiosity asking.

[DocMcPuffin]

Was thinking this exact same thing this morning!

Now throw in a sign & trade with Tavares and we're in business

Never mind. I'm an idiot and thought I saw Tavares in your post.

[Jouko-Pouko]

Hmm... with Montreal's desperate need for a Centre & Defenceman... I wonder if there will be any appetite for them to trade down -- NYI 11, 12th + Toews, Ho-Sang or Aho for #3? Snow having those 2 picks, guarantee he is already on the phones looking to move up. How badly does Mtl feel they need a Centre. That could swing it.

I think this could work if Tavares re-signs with the Islanders but if Tavares is gone, they'd likely want to keep two picks instead of just one.

Getting Kotkaniemi and Veleno would solve Montreal's need for centers for a very long time. Add in Poehling and Ikonen, and they'd have great depth down the middle.

[evans334]

I think this could work if Tavares re-signs with the Islanders but if Tavares is gone, they'd likely want to keep two picks instead of just one.

Getting Kotkaniemi and Veleno would solve Montreal's need for centers for a very long time. Add in Poehling and Ikonen, and they'd have great depth down the middle.

I like this idea more than Tavares

[Pengwin7]

BUMP.
JP - Do you have any interest in setting up a 2018 "fantasy" mock draft thread! (In fairness, you should have some guarded interests in your own league valuations)

I need some discussion to determine who I should target with a 13th overall pick in a league with standard cats plus FOW/HIT/BLK!?!
Can I get something solid there... or should I look to move up or down?
(*not the WHL.)

[Dennis]

The OHL championship starts tomorrow. You should check out a game and 'scout' Barrett Hayton if you can. Game 4 is being televised nationally in Canada a week from today I believe. If you're looking for a forward he may be a solid bet at 13th overall and is considered a safe bet to crack an NHL roster sooner or later from what I've read. I've really liked him when I've seen Soo play. He gets overshadowed by Frost and Katchouk but is a big part of their success.

[jman]

BUMP.
JP - Do you have any interest in setting up a 2018 "fantasy" mock draft thread! (In fairness, you should have some guarded interests in your own league valuations)

I need some discussion to determine who I should target with a 13th overall pick in a league with standard cats plus FOW/HIT/BLK!?!
Can I get something solid there... or should I look to move up or down?
(*not the WHL.)

This would be sweet. I'd love to see some opinions on this since I feel like after the top three, opinions are all over the board.

[Axeman33]

We've done these most years. I know I have participated in a few of them over the past couple years.

[finnys_fanatsy]

In know id be friggin pumped if the Sens drafted Tkachuk at 4.