Sean Maloughney: Maloughney's Mock Draft (Picks 1-5)

Picks 3 & 4 are interesting.
To me, it makes sense to reverse them, with Chicago taking Bowen Byram given their 31st of 31st Goals Against accomplishment last season. Sure, they have some young D coming up, but solid young Dmen are like gold and can be traded for such if necessary. I know Turcotte is the hometown kid, but maybe that us too much pressure on him out of the gate.

Can't really argue too strongly one way or another, it just feels right for Chicago with Byram.

Sean Maloughney: Maloughney's Mock Draft (Picks 1-5)
- freelancer

You were saying? From your blog on June 14, 2018...

1. Buffalo Sabres Select Rasmus Dahlin - LD

Doesn’t take an insider to figure this one out. Dahlin is the most hyped defenseman to be selected since Erik Karlsson. His puck moving skills are unbelievable and his ability to get passes and shots of in traffic are impressive especially when considering the competition he has played against. A franchise defender.

2. Carolina Hurricanes Select Andrei Svechnikov - RW

The second obvious prediction. The best pure shooter in this draft class. The Hurricanes were the big draft winners by moving from #12 to #2 and they will be rewarded with a right winger who is ready to immediately step into the NHL. Just to get Canes fans excited, comparisons to Nikita Kucherov have been thrown around.

3. Montreal Canadiens Select Filip Zadina - LW

Struggled with this one as part of me feels Montreal is going to go off the board by picking Jesperi Kotkaniemi but unless they decide to trade down I do not see them passing on Zadina at #3. Will likely be their future top line LW to replace the aging Pacioretty. Zadina like Svechnikov is a pure goal scorer and could step into the NHL next year and be an effective producer.

4. Ottawa Senators Select Evan Bouchard - RD

This is the point when most drafts start to diverge and mine is no different. This draft is heavy on defensemen and Ottawa will select Bouchard who is the most offensively gifted of the remaining defenders. Bouchard scored 87 points last season, 33 more than the next highest on his team and 52 more than the next defenseman. Considering he played for the London Knights he is also a player the Senators are familiar with.

5. Arizona Coyotes Select Noah Dobson - RD

Since 2009 Arizona has used 4/9 of it’s first round picks on defensemen and they do so again here selecting Noah Dobson. Dobson is a talented skater and great in all three zones. He may not have the same offensive upside as some of the other draftees but he is a solid two way player. Would look great on a second pairing behind Ekman-Larsson

6. Detroit Red Wings Select Quinton Hughes - LD

The smaller yet speedy defender might be the fastest player of the lot. Has great vision and hockey IQ. Due to his smaller stature he may likely need a couple years of development before he is NHL ready but if any team is going to be patient with their prospects, it’s Detroit.

7. Vancouver Canucks Select Brady Tkachuk - LW

Every year there is one player who drops more than anyone expected. This NHL draft has the best crop of young defenders since 2012 where Trouba, Reily, Lindholm, and Dumba were picked between 5-10. Brady is not as offensively talented as his older brother Matthew but brings a similar physical game. Brady should go on to have a great NHL career but I believe some GM's will be hesitant to draft him due to his ceiling. May end up being more of a third line player than an elite option.

8. Chicago Blackhawks Select Oliver Wahlstrom - RW

Why do I get the feeling that 5 years from now we are going to be looking at Wahlstrom as the best forward of this draft? Nothing more than a hunch but I feel like Wahlstrom is a player we will see scoring 25 goals for the Hawks in 2019-2020. If there were not so many gifted defenders in this draft Wahlstrom would be a shoe in for a top 5 pick.

9. New York Rangers Select Adam Boqvist - RD

Another offensive minded defenseman. The benefit with European skaters like Boqvist is the fact that they have already played the game against older players and are used to a tougher game. The biggest question mark is how quickly he will learn to adapt to the North American game. Will he be able to move the puck as effectively when he has less space to work with?

10. Edmonton Oilers select Jesperi Kotkaniemi - C

I truly believe that one of two teams will draft Kotkaniemi and if the Canadiens do not reach at 3 to take him there is a very high chance he will fall to Edmonton. Kotkaniemi is the best two way forward in this draft. Not as offensively dynamic as either Svechnikov or Wahlstrom but a player who can be dangerous in either end. For Oiler fans looking for an NHL comparison he appears to be of the same style of Ryan Nugent Hopkins.

There you have it, the first 10. I look forward to your discussions in the comments as all of you discuss how correct I am with my picks.

https://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=93377

Nothing against small players other than i don’t give them more credit than they are worth. When a Theo Fleury or St Louis or Marchand comes along then fine. Caulfield is none of those but can score like a champ.

You were saying? https://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=93377
- gergeswillems

Busted 😂😂

Most of the hockey world knew Kotkaniemi was going 3oa to the Habs. Hayton by the Yotes was a surprise off the board pick for need. Mock draft is not a rankings draft.

Busted 😂😂

Most of the hockey world knew Kotkaniemi was going 3oa to the Habs. Hayton by the Yotes was a surprise off the board pick for need. Mock draft is not a rankings draft.
- Nighthawk

Hard to say "busted" when he clearly wrote it firmly tongue-in-cheek.

Hard to say "busted" when he clearly wrote it firmly tongue-in-cheek.
- MaximumBone

Talk to Gerges the whistle blower. I only poked fun. Go shoot the messenger 😂

Talk to Gerges the whistle blower. I only poked fun. Go shoot the messenger 😂
- Nighthawk

The Russians are still looking for me. They want their gold medals back. Olga has a sexy stache though.

The Russians are still looking for me. They want their gold medals back. Olga has a sexy stache though.
- gergeswillems

Lol

Seriously what is your top 10 in order of prediction? After you then I’ll post mine.
Anyone can post a mock for that matter.

Ok nobody wants to play so...

my top 10+ picks...

1) NJD Hughes
2) NYR Kakko
3) Hawks Turcotte
4) AV’s Zegras
5) LAK Byram
6) Wings Cozens
7) Sabres Dach
8) Oilers Caulfield
9) Ducks Newhook
10) Canucks Boldy

11) Flyers Krebs
12) Minny Podkolzin
13) FLA Broberg
14) Yotes Soderstrom
15) Habs York
16) AV’s Kaliyev
17) VGK Seider
18) Stars Brink
19) NYR Harley
20) Sens Suzuki
21) Pens Heinola
22) LAK Knight
23) NYI Lavoie

That’s about as far as i can go, it’s getting very volatile. Won’t be surprised to see draft day trades or sooner that could shake up the order. Podkolzin Knight Lavoie could be the most surprising to see where they go. I will most likely tweak my list nearer to the draft. Pick mine apart & enjoy 😂👍

You were saying? From your blog on June 14, 2018...

1. Buffalo Sabres Select Rasmus Dahlin - LD

Doesn’t take an insider to figure this one out. Dahlin is the most hyped defenseman to be selected since Erik Karlsson. His puck moving skills are unbelievable and his ability to get passes and shots of in traffic are impressive especially when considering the competition he has played against. A franchise defender.

2. Carolina Hurricanes Select Andrei Svechnikov - RW

The second obvious prediction. The best pure shooter in this draft class. The Hurricanes were the big draft winners by moving from #12 to #2 and they will be rewarded with a right winger who is ready to immediately step into the NHL. Just to get Canes fans excited, comparisons to Nikita Kucherov have been thrown around.

3. Montreal Canadiens Select Filip Zadina - LW

Struggled with this one as part of me feels Montreal is going to go off the board by picking Jesperi Kotkaniemi but unless they decide to trade down I do not see them passing on Zadina at #3. Will likely be their future top line LW to replace the aging Pacioretty. Zadina like Svechnikov is a pure goal scorer and could step into the NHL next year and be an effective producer.

4. Ottawa Senators Select Evan Bouchard - RD

This is the point when most drafts start to diverge and mine is no different. This draft is heavy on defensemen and Ottawa will select Bouchard who is the most offensively gifted of the remaining defenders. Bouchard scored 87 points last season, 33 more than the next highest on his team and 52 more than the next defenseman. Considering he played for the London Knights he is also a player the Senators are familiar with.

5. Arizona Coyotes Select Noah Dobson - RD

Since 2009 Arizona has used 4/9 of it’s first round picks on defensemen and they do so again here selecting Noah Dobson. Dobson is a talented skater and great in all three zones. He may not have the same offensive upside as some of the other draftees but he is a solid two way player. Would look great on a second pairing behind Ekman-Larsson

6. Detroit Red Wings Select Quinton Hughes - LD

The smaller yet speedy defender might be the fastest player of the lot. Has great vision and hockey IQ. Due to his smaller stature he may likely need a couple years of development before he is NHL ready but if any team is going to be patient with their prospects, it’s Detroit.

7. Vancouver Canucks Select Brady Tkachuk - LW

Every year there is one player who drops more than anyone expected. This NHL draft has the best crop of young defenders since 2012 where Trouba, Reily, Lindholm, and Dumba were picked between 5-10. Brady is not as offensively talented as his older brother Matthew but brings a similar physical game. Brady should go on to have a great NHL career but I believe some GM's will be hesitant to draft him due to his ceiling. May end up being more of a third line player than an elite option.

8. Chicago Blackhawks Select Oliver Wahlstrom - RW

Why do I get the feeling that 5 years from now we are going to be looking at Wahlstrom as the best forward of this draft? Nothing more than a hunch but I feel like Wahlstrom is a player we will see scoring 25 goals for the Hawks in 2019-2020. If there were not so many gifted defenders in this draft Wahlstrom would be a shoe in for a top 5 pick.

9. New York Rangers Select Adam Boqvist - RD

Another offensive minded defenseman. The benefit with European skaters like Boqvist is the fact that they have already played the game against older players and are used to a tougher game. The biggest question mark is how quickly he will learn to adapt to the North American game. Will he be able to move the puck as effectively when he has less space to work with?

10. Edmonton Oilers select Jesperi Kotkaniemi - C

I truly believe that one of two teams will draft Kotkaniemi and if the Canadiens do not reach at 3 to take him there is a very high chance he will fall to Edmonton. Kotkaniemi is the best two way forward in this draft. Not as offensively dynamic as either Svechnikov or Wahlstrom but a player who can be dangerous in either end. For Oiler fans looking for an NHL comparison he appears to be of the same style of Ryan Nugent Hopkins.

There you have it, the first 10. I look forward to your discussions in the comments as all of you discuss how correct I am with my picks.

https://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=93377
- gergeswillems

That could be any Sean Maloughney

Lol

Seriously what is your top 10 in order of prediction? After you then I’ll post mine.
Anyone can post a mock for that matter.
- Nighthawk

I'm never good at these but since you asked...

1. Hughes-NJ
2. Kakko-NYR
3. Turcotte-CHI
4. Byram-COL
5. Caufield-LA
6. Podkolzin-DET
7. Cozens-BUF
8. Zegras-EDM
9. Boldy-ANH
10. Dach-VAN

I'm never good at these but since you asked...

1. Hughes-NJ
2. Kakko-NYR
3. Turcotte-CHI
4. Byram-COL
5. Caufield-LA
6. Podkolzin-DET
7. Cozens-BUF
8. Zegras-EDM
9. Boldy-ANH
10. Dach-VAN
- gergeswillems

It’s an inexact science 👍 Thx

It’s an inexact science 👍 Thx
- Nighthawk

I always laugh when GMs say "We'll take the best player available." What they actually mean is "We'll take the best player available specific to what our needs are." Then when the draft is over, all GMs say "We got the players we wanted all along. We had this player rated much higher than where we drafted him." 😂

That could be any Sean Maloughney
- freelancer

Hughs NJ
Kakko NYR
Turcotte Chi
Byram Col
Dach LA
Zegras Det
Boldy Buf
Cozens Edm
Krebs Ana
Broberg Van

I always laugh when GMs say "We'll take the best player available." What they actually mean is "We'll take the best player available specific to what our needs are." Then when the draft is over, all GMs say "We got the players we wanted all along. We had this player rated much higher than where we drafted him." 😂
- gergeswillems

Yes true it’s all ass covering rhetoric lol
BPA is just a buzzword that is subject to speculation.

Ok nobody wants to play so...

my top 10+ picks...

1) NJD Hughes
2) NYR Kakko
3) Hawks Turcotte
4) AV’s Zegras
5) LAK Byram
6) Wings Cozens
7) Sabres Dach
8) Oilers Caulfield
9) Ducks Newhook
10) Canucks Boldy

11) Flyers Krebs
12) Minny Podkolzin
13) FLA Broberg
14) Yotes Soderstrom
15) Habs York
16) AV’s Kaliyev
17) VGK Seider
18) Stars Brink
19) NYR Harley
20) Sens Suzuki
21) Pens Heinola
22) LAK Knight
23) NYI Lavoie

That’s about as far as i can go, it’s getting very volatile. Won’t be surprised to see draft day trades or sooner that could shake up the order. Podkolzin Knight Lavoie could be the most surprising to see where they go. I will most likely tweak my list nearer to the draft. Pick mine apart & enjoy 😂👍
- Nighthawk

1) NJD - Hughes (elite C depth)
2) NYR - Kakko (I would pick him 1st)
3) CHI - Byram (build an elite the D corps)
4) COL - Turcotte (get that elite 2C)
5) LAK - Dach (gotta replace Vilardi as future 1C)

6) DET - Zegras (high-end skill, C/LW)
7) BUF - Cozens (juuust short )
8) EDM - Boldy (a high-end skill winger)
9) ANA - Soderstrom (need to stock up the D again)
10) VAN - Caufield (boom/bust boy)

11) PHI - Krebs (a Schwartz-type would fit well)
12) MIN - Newhook (a high-end talent)
13) FLA - Broberg (draft some D)
14) ARI - Kaliyev (they like math; he thrives by numbers)
15) MTL - Lavoie (French, big AND skilled)

16) COL - Harley (top-end ceiling)
17) VGK - Tomasino (cause they always take who I like)
18) DAL - Seider (been drafting a lot of Fs)
19) NYR - Heinola (the Rangers also take the ones I like)
20) OTT - McMichael (best C prospect available)

21) PIT - Brink (high-end boom/bust)
22) LAK - Kolyachonok (brilliant ceiling)
23) NYI - Suzuki (could use a skill C)
24) NSH - Hoglander (Arivdsson 2.0)
25) WSH - Podkolzin (Russians n stuff)

26) CGY - Beecher (could use a C of his potential)
27) TB - Pelletier (high-end skill)
28) CAR - York (they like American Dmen)
29) ANA? - Vlasic (keep restocking the D pool)
30) BOS - Grewe (plays that sweet, sweet Bruins hockey)
31) BUF - Thomson (RD outta Kelowna)

Knight, Poulin, Robertson and Leason drop to the 2nd.

1) NJD - Hughes (elite C depth)
2) NYR - Kakko (I would pick him 1st)
3) CHI - Byram (build an elite the D corps)
4) COL - Turcotte (get that elite 2C)
5) LAK - Dach (gotta replace Vilardi as future 1C)

6) DET - Zegras (high-end skill, C/LW)
7) BUF - Cozens (juuust short )
8) EDM - Boldy (a high-end skill winger)
9) ANA - Soderstrom (need to stock up the D again)
10) VAN - Caufield (boom/bust boy)

11) PHI - Krebs (a Schwartz-type would fit well)
12) MIN - Newhook (a high-end talent)
13) FLA - Broberg (draft some D)
14) ARI - Kaliyev (they like math; he thrives by numbers)
15) MTL - Lavoie (French, big AND skilled)

16) COL - Harley (top-end ceiling)
17) VGK - Tomasino (cause they always take who I like)
18) DAL - Seider (been drafting a lot of Fs)
19) NYR - Heinola (the Rangers also take the ones I like)
20) OTT - McMichael (best C prospect available)

21) PIT - Brink (high-end boom/bust)
22) LAK - Kolyachonok (brilliant ceiling)
23) NYI - Suzuki (could use a skill C)
24) NSH - Hoglander (Arivdsson 2.0)
25) WSH - Podkolzin (Russians n stuff)

26) CGY - Beecher (could use a C of his potential)
27) TB - Pelletier (high-end skill)
28) CAR - York (they like American Dmen)
29) ANA? - Vlasic (keep restocking the D pool)
30) BOS - Grewe (plays that sweet, sweet Bruins hockey)
31) BUF - Thomson (RD outta Kelowna)

Knight, Poulin, Robertson and Leason drop to the 2nd.
- MaximumBone

Worst (frank)ing list I've seen posted on this site.

Worst (frank)ing list I've seen posted on this site.
- leonkennedy

Damn right it is, female genitalia

Damn right it is, female genitalia
- MaximumBone

It’s so hard to root for the Habs when they draft with their BFPA strategy.

There is No Way the Kings are taking Caufield at #5. Mark my words they will take a D Man or Center. The pick will be whoever is left out of (Byram, Cozens, Turcotte or Dach). Blake will not pick a 5' 7" winger with a pick that high. Guessing he will go 8-12.

If Blake wants Caufield he should trade down to Buff or Edmonton.

"Kakko is by no means no slouch either"

I believe thats a double negative. So he is a slouch? Why would a slouch go second overall?

"Kakko is by no means no slouch either"

I believe thats a double negative. So he is a slouch? Why would a slouch go second overall?
- Holy_Makinaw99

Who knows. Yakupov went first overall.

So now that the Sharks have blown their wad on Karlsson, would it make sense to offer sheet Labanc?