Buffalo Sabres: 2019 NHL Mock Draft

Austin: The Penguins haven’t had a first-round pick since 2014. With this selection, they can address an area of need on the back end.

Other than Kakko, I’m not sure that there’s another prospect who got as much hype at the World Championships as Seider.

The 6-foot-4 defender can skate and has a big shot. He was able to play regularly for Mannheim, who won the DEL championship this season.

The more time spent playing against men, the better for the youngster. The Pens will hope that he can progress quickly, as they try and make do on the back end with Jack Johnson and Erik Gudbranson.

(Via Toronto)

JAke: Los Angeles added the best defender on the board

The Finnish defenceman was able to capture a gold medal with Finland at the World Juniors, and he took that experience and confidence and brought it back home, where he rose up boards with his solid play with Lukko.

He’s just a smart player, and that’s what many draft pundits were impressed with when watching Heinola. He boasts a solid offensive game and has decent skating, but he just thinks the game at a different level. In the NHL, that’s what makes the difference.

Heinola has been getting a lot of comparisons to Dallas Stars standout Miro Heiskanen as of late. In this spot, that’s a player that you can’t really pass on. Especially for a team like the Kings, who need young defenders to help their rebuild along.

David: The Isles saw both sides of the NHL Playoffs. They swept the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round but were then swept by Carolina in the second round. 23 is a good spot to be in with all the forward talent available.

Tomasino is one of the best skaters available. He gets up to top speed in the blink of an eye and has the ability to make great plays while flying around the ice. His IQ is also top notch and he is difficult to take off the puck.

He could’ve shrunk on an extremely talented IceDogs squad that loaded up at the OHL deadline for a Memorial Cup run. Instead, he shined in a different role than he was in to start the campaign.

The Isles hit a home run in the draft last year, landing Oliver Wahlstrom, Noah Dobson, and Bode Wilde with their first three picks. Adding Tomasino in this spot would be another great pickup for general manager Lou Lamoriello and Co.

Austin: The Predators are used to picking at the back end of the draft now. After getting Eeli Tolvanen late in the 2017 Draft, they could be able to land another good European youngster.

Dorofeyev is 163 pounds, so when he adds on some muscle, he’ll cause some real issues for opposing defences. He’s already a very good skater who

The Russian winger is going to need time to develop into a top prospect. It appears as though he has a chance to play in the KHL full-time next year, but younger players also generally don’t get much ice time in the Russian top flight.

Nashville won’t mind being patient with Dorofeyev if he can reach his projected ceiling. He’s going to be something if he’s given the time.

Jake: The Caps were eliminated in shocking fashion by the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round. They find themselves picking higher than last year, but they won’t be too happy about that.

Thomson made his way over to North America after being selected 53rd overall in the 2018 CHL Import Draft by Kelowna.

He had 17 goals this season, and that can be credited to his bomb of a shot. He’s also a very good passer who just improved with every passing game in the WHL. He needs to be a little more consistent, according to draft pundits, but if he tightens up that aspect of his game, he’ll go from good to very good.

Washington has gone defender heavy over the last few years. But you can never have too many good, young blue-liners.