Toronto Maple Leafs: 2018 NHL Mock Draft – First Edition
By Austin Owens
Pick Analysis. player. 95. Scouting Report. Right Wing. Växjö Lakers HC J20 (SuperElit). Dominik Bokk. 28
(Via Boston)
Because of his nationality, Bokk will constantly be compared to the best German export currently in the NHL: Leon Draisaitl.
There are some differences, however; while Draisaitl was more of a power-forward type, Bokk has great agility and can zoom around the ice with little effort. Both have excellent vision and hockey sense.
One other separator is their choice of locales to play in. While Draisaitl made his way to the WHL, Bokk decided he would stay overseas and play for Växjö in the SHL. Playing against men only helped the winger and will make ready for a jump to tougher competition sooner than later.
With two forwards already taken in the draft, the Rangers can set their sights on a defender to shore up their backend for the future with their final pick.
I’m still not sold that all three picks will be kept by the Rangers. They could trade back into the second round if they have someone they like still on the board. But if they keep all three picks, the trio of players would set them up nicely.
Defence. USNTDP (USHL). 29. 95. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. K'Andre Miller. player
(Via Tampa Bay)
Not only did the Rangers land three first rounders as a result of their work before the trade deadline. They also added some good young defenders in Libor Hajek and Yegor Rykov, to go along with 2016 third-rounder Sean Day.
Out of the three, Day has the highest ceiling but there are still questions as to what he will become in the pros.
Assuming the Rangers keep both these picks, they could add one or more solid building blocks for the future on the backend.
It starts with Miller, the 6 foot defender is a converted forward and it shows in his offensive ability and smooth skating. When he adds some muscle to his 206 lb frame, he is going to be a physical monster on the backend.
Miller is attending college next season at Wisconsin. The Rangers would do well to let Miller grow into his own and play a few seasons in the NCAA before making the jump. When he rounds out the parts of his game which need improvement, Miller could prove to be one of the better late picks in the first round.