Toronto Maple Leafs: 2018 NHL Mock Draft Post-Playoff Edition
By Austin Owens
![CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 23: A general view of the draft board after the first round of the 2017 NHL Draft at the United Center on June 23, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 23: A general view of the draft board after the first round of the 2017 NHL Draft at the United Center on June 23, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/e007c3a163fffe276ee6034fac11a1b319ef10661aa3a030faf6ac290ac76887.jpg)
Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL). 26. 95. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Defence. Jared McIsaac. player
(via Boston)
Owens –
The Rangers have some good prospects on defence that they acquired through the draft and trades.
They haven’t drafted a defender in the first round since Brady Skjei, back in 2012. They could use a blue chip prospect to head their defence in the system. Enter McIsaac.
The two-way defender has a cannon of a shot and loves to contribute on offence. He has shown the ability to lay out players in open ice.
At 6 foot 1, 185 pounds, McIsaac has the prototypical frame for a defender in the modern game.
Despite the slip down the boards this season, you can’t pass on someone with this kind of talent in this spot.
Pick Analysis. Centre. Scouting Report. Flint Firebirds (OHL). Ty Dellandrea. 27. player. 94
(via Nashville)
Morassutti –
The Blackhawks could use a versatile player up front like Dellandrea, who opened up eyes despite playing on a struggling Flint team. He went from scoring 24 points in 2016-17, to 59 this past season.
NHL.com profiled the Toronto native as a player who models his game after Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, which would intrigue Chicago. There is also a question as to what the team’s biggest need will be in the draft, but they might like what Dellandrea has to offer.
Centre. Benoit-Olivier Groulx. 28. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL). player. 95
(via Tampa Bay)
White –
Going back to the Halifax Mooseheads for talent wouldn’t be a terrible move for the Rangers, with their final first-round pick. Groulx is a smart centre who has a very strong work ethic. He spent the season playing beside Zadina – the projected third overall pick – which some have attributed to being the main reason for his production this year.
Some of those 55 assists definitely came from Zadina, but Groulx displays hockey IQ that allowed him to make several unreal plays for Halifax. His overall play is what sets him above the rest. Groulx has a very structured two-way game, that will see him play in the NHL despite lacking elite offensive talent.
player. Pick Analysis. Centre. Luleå HF (SHL). Isac Lundeström. Scouting Report. 29. 99
(via Winnipeg)
Middleton –
St. Louis would be more than happy to land Lundeström in this position. With two full seasons in the SHL under his belt, the Swedish centre has been climbing draft boards all season.
Mark Sheig of TheHockeyWriters.com wrote this about Lundeström in his scouting report:
"We have a sniper who uses his creativity to score in a variety of ways. He can beat you from the circles clean or can use his soft hands to score from around the crease. He also demonstrates a level of patience rarely seen in teenagers. He can wait that extra second or two before making a decision on the right play. He’s also very fast. He uses his speed to create chances and disrupt the opposition."
Lundeström is a natural centre who could play there in the NHL because of his two-way play, but could also slot in on the wing because of his shooting ability. Time will tell which spot best suits him.
Regardless, the Blues leave a lot to be desired in the lineup after their first forward line. The return of Robby Fabbri will help with that, but the addition of Lundeström would give the Blues some versatility in the lineup down the road.