Toronto Maple Leafs: 2018 NHL Mock Draft Post-Playoff Edition
By Austin Owens
119. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Centre. Barrett Hayton. player. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL). 13
Middleton –
The first word that gets tossed around when you read up on Hayton, is “mature”. He is well beyond his years according to draft pundits and showed off his skills and ceiling this past season.
The centre was a key contributor to the OHL-best Soo Greyhounds, which featured several veteran pieces.
"“He had a plus-24 rating, won 49.9 percent of his face-offs and is used to playing against the opposition’s best.” – Adam Kimelman, NHL.com"
At the moment, Hayton projects as a top-nine forward. He could prove to have a higher ceiling with another solid campaign under his belt in 2018-19. He does all the little things right and will surely be a key cog in Dallas’ plans.
Joel Farabee. player. 68. Pick Analysis. Left Wing. USNTDP (USHL). 14. Scouting Report
(via St. Louis)
Owens –
With two first rounders in the mid to late teens, the Flyers can afford to go with the best player available in this spot. That’s Farabee.
He projects to be a reliable two-way forward who can play top-six in the NHL. Farabee is a smooth skater who also possesses a high hockey IQ.
The Flyers have a lot of centres in the system, so adding a winger would be ideal. He would fit in perfectly in a few years with the likes of Giroux, Voracek, Couturier and Patrick.
Pick Analysis. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL). Rasmus Sandin. player. Scouting Report. Defence. 15. 97
Morassutti –
It was surprising to see the Greyhounds lose to the Hamilton Bulldogs in the OHL final, and that took away the ability for Sandin to showcase himself at the Memorial Cup. The Swede didn’t have any issue getting accustomed to the North American game, with 45 points in 51 games.
Sandin is known for being an all-around defenceman and doesn’t let his smaller frame keep him from engaging in physical play. The Florida Panthers need to give Aaron Ekblad some support and Sandin would be the best possible option in the first round.
The organization typically looks at players with a bigger frame, but Sandin has strong breakout ability and good offensive instincts. It would be a smart play for the Panthers who showed some promise at times last season, but not enough to earn the second wild-card spot.