Toronto Maple Leafs: 2018 NHL Mock Draft – First Edition
By Austin Owens
19. player. Scouting Report. Defence. Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL). Jared McIsaac. 68. Pick Analysis
It would be easy to grab another centre with a load of them in the late teens of the draft. However, the Flyers would do well to grab a defender with their second first-rounder.
McIsaac would be a great pickup for the team. He’s a steady player at both ends, with a heavy shot from the point and physical prowess in his own end.
Halifax is the London Knights of the QMJHL. They just churn out NHL talent year after year. In this draft, they could have three players go in the first round.
Don’t take McIsaac slipping down the rankings as a bad thing. The strong offensive outputs of other defenders like Bouchard and Smith have pushed him back a bit. But make no mistake, McIsaac has the chance to be a top four defensive force in the future.
Centre. Timrå IK (Allsvenskan). 20. player. Pick Analysis. 67. Scouting Report. Jacob Olofsson
Sam Cosentino of Sportsnet said Olofsson doesn’t stick out in any one place in terms of play. However, he is very solid in almost every area.
That sounds perfect for the Kings, who got their future top-six centre with Gabe Vilardi in last years draft. Now, they can solidify their future centre depth with Olofsson, who can be a great feature piece that can play around high-skill players.
Olofsson would create some healthy competition and options for Los Angeles in the future. He played on arguably the most hyped line in Europe this season in Timra, alongside Jonathan Dahlen.
The centre still showed a lot of ability with the puck and a hockey IQ which could get him to the NHL sooner rather than later.