Buffalo Sabres: 2018 NHL Mock Draft Post Draft Lottery Edition
By Austin Owens
Noah Dobson. 7. Scouting Report. Defence. Acadie-Bathurst Titan (QMJHL). player. 104. Pick Analysis
It’s safe to say that the Canucks have hit on first rounders the past few years. If there’s one thing GM Jim Benning does well, it’s the draft. With Brock Boeser, Olli Juolevi and Elias Pettersson all landing in the Canucks’ laps.
Dobson has had a meteoric rise up the draft board since the start of the season. From a mid-second rounder to a lottery lock, the man who is being dubbed as the “Best Defender out of the QMJHL in years” has the abilities to be a top-four option for the future.
Juolevi and Dobson would provide the Canucks with two very solid players on the backend for the future.
Scouting Report. player. Pick Analysis. Defence. Brynäs IF J20 (SuperElit). Adam Boqvist. 8. 94
With Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook both getting up there in age, the Blackhawks need to start considering life after their current top defenders.
They started last year when they selected Henri Jokiharju in the first round. Boqvist offers a lot of skill on the offensive end and thinks the game very well. He uses his speed well to play in his own zone.
This would give the Blackhawks a top-dog in their system as there is a lot of potential waiting to be tapped into.
Boqvist is a top talent on defence. But with other teams needing better defensive-minded blueliners to build their defence’s around. I doubt if he slips here or further, anyone picking at the back half of the top 10 will be complaining.
USNTDP (USHL). Oliver Wahlstrom . Pick Analysis. Right Wing. 9. player. 95. Scouting Report
This just seems like a perfect fit for the Rangers. Wahlstrom has posted big numbers with the U.S. National Program this season.
Wahlstrom has a great release and isn’t afraid to fire the puck. He’s also a treat to watch with the puck on his stick. He can make difficult plays look routine.
Wahlstrom has a crazy amount of potential to be a threat once he reaches the pros. He’ll play next season against older competition at Harvard, which should help his development.