Welcome to the DobberProspects Mock Draft 2.0

In our second edition of our mock we now know the draft order for the top 15 picks as the NHL Draft Lottery was held and the big winners were the New Jersey Devils, and Philadelphia Flyers.

Again most of the team’s writers were able to participate and pick on behalf of the teams they cover and I thank them for their contribution.

Let’s get to it, the first pick belongs to the New Jersey Devils.

 

1. New Jersey Devils – Nolan Patrick, Center (Brandon, WHL)

Patrick is a franchise-level, big, strong, and smart top-line center with a complete game who should pay quick dividends for the low-scoring Devils. Often injured in recent years, they'll do their due diligence and cross their fingers hoping none of his past injuries impact future performance. – Kevin Wickersham @KWcrosscheck

2. Philadelphia Flyers – Nico Hischier, Center (Halifax, QMJHL)

A dynamic offensive force, the 6-0, 179-pound agile, lightning-quick Hischier will likely transition to a high-powered wing spot on the Flyers top-six next season providing a needed scoring boost. – Kevin Wickersham @KWcrosscheck

3. Dallas Stars – Casey Mittelstadt, Center (Green Bay, USHL)

The Stars have plenty of solid D prospects in Esa Lindell, Stephen Johns and Julius Honka and believe Mittelstadt is the best overall player.- Peter Harling @pharling

4. Colorado Avalanche – Owen Tippett, Right Wing (Mississauga, OHL)

Arguably the best player available and the organization lacks true shoot-first forwards. Hayden Soboleskih @soboleskih

5. Vancouver Canucks – Miro Heiskanen, Defence (HIFK, Liiga)

The tremendously gifted left-hander displays all the tools to become a top pairing defender down the road. His skating, vision, and IQ are off the charts and he demonstrated his offensive flair by potting two goals and 12 points in seven U18 contests.

While he's not the biggest player, his ability to process the game at a high level allows him to smoothly disrupt zone entries and transition into the offense. – Cam Robinson @CrazyJoeDavola3

6. Vegas Golden Knights – Gabriel Vilardi, Center (Windsor, OHL)

Same reason as Mock Draft 1.0 and Vilardi will be a great player to build an expansion team around. It really does depend on how Vegas' Expansion Draft goes, if they don't get a stud #1 down the middle in the Expansion, drafting Vilardi to be that guy in the future will help their development in the first few years of Expansion. – Paul Zwambag @zwambag

7. Arizona Coyotes – Michael Rasmussen, Center (Tri-City, WHL)

Big, dominating centers don't grow on trees and the Coyotes can't resist grabbing Rasmussen. He'll take a few seasons but an excellent replacement, except more offensively talented, for Martin Hanzel. – Keith Duggan @kduggan92

8. Buffalo Sabres – Timothy Liljegren, Defence (Rogle, SHL)

The Sabres desperately need a puck moving defenseman that can carry and dish it up the ice, while contributing offensively. Liljegren has not had the best draft season, but still has raw talent that cannot be overlooked. Has experience playing against men and has a decent base to work with in terms of skating ability and defensive responsibility. With the right guidance and mentoring Timothy Liljegren can become just what the Sabres need on the back end. – Max Marko @MarkoLWOS

9. Detroit Red Wings – Cody Glass, Center (Portland, WHL)

With their highest selection in 26 years the Red Wings address their 26th-ranked offense and anemic power play taking the electric Glass, who soared up the prospect rankings with 32 goals and 62 assists at WHL Portland. Has drawn comparisons with Mark Scheifele. – Kevin Wickersham @KWcrosscheck

10. Florida Panthers – Martin Necas, Center (Brno, Cze)

A smart two-way forward with amazing skating ability, Necas will fit right into Florida's quick paced style of play. – Joel Gluss @JoelGluss

11. Los Angeles Kings – Elias Pettersson, Center (Timra, SHL)

Kings take the best player on the board and one to kick-start their retooling. Pettersson will need some time to physically develop but his play with the puck and stupendous U20 season with Timra is well worth the wait. – Zachary DeVine @zakkthebear

12. Carolina Hurricanes – Robert Thomas, Center (London, OHL)

Debated Cale Makar here, because its very unlikely he drops to 12 and if it was best player available, he would likely be the pick. But positionally, Thomas is a bigger need. Strong two-way center who's offensive game is still rounding out. Smart, hard working playmaker who will help the Hurricanes down the middle. – Kevin LeBlanc @kleblanchockey

13. Winnipeg Jets – Jusso Valimaki, Defence (Tri-City, WHL)

The Jets defensive core is the next area of the squad to get a Finnish infusion of talent. Valimaki has some risk, but his size and offensive upside make him a good value on a positional need for the Jets. Valimaki's game still needs to develop consistency but a young defender with his upside is worth patience and coaching to give the Jets the top-four depth they need to continue to build. – Zachary DeVine @zakkthebear

14. Tampa Bay Lightning – Eeli Tolvanen, Left Wing (Sioux City, USHL)

The Lightning have holes in different areas throughout their prospect pool. With Nikita Gusev becoming an NHLer as soon as the 2018-19 season, the Bolts will be happy to allow Tolvanen the necessary time to develop in a great program at Boston College. His shot is elite in terms of release and placement, but in his development will need to focus on adding strength as a catalyst to his offense. – Brayden Olafson @braydenolafson

15. New York Islanders – Cale Makar, Defence (Brooks, AJHL)

Possessing a healthy crop of promising forwards, the Islanders fortify their thinner blue line pipeline with Makar – a ridiculously quick, prolific-scoring, stellar puck mover. Competitive and decisive with excellent hockey smarts, he'll likely bulk up his 5-11, 179-pound frame to compliment his solid defensive instincts and gap-control skills. – Kevin Wickersham @KWcrosscheck

16. Nashville Predators – Kristian Vesalainen, Left Wing (Frolunda, SHL)

Nashville are loaded with defensive prospects, need some scoring in the system and were impressed with his U18 performance. – Peter Harling @pharling

17. Calgary Flames – Lias Andersson, Center (HV71, SHL)

He really drives the net well and has the vision and the work ethic to put the puck in the net. The Flames philosophy will most likely to take the best F available and Andersson's strong wrist shot and ability to finish in and around the net in multiple ways make him a fit. – Joel Henderson @dathockeydoe

18. Toronto Maple Leafs – Cal Foote, Defence (Kelowna, WHL)

With the forward ranks full of Calder candidates, the Leafs look to bolster the back end and see Foote as a future corner stone. . – Peter Harling @pharling

19. Boston Bruins – Isaac Ratcliffe, Left Wing (Guelph, OHL)

I believe that Isaac is the best player still available on the board, his size is a huge asset for a team that's been getting smaller year over year. After losing Lucic to trade and soon Chara to retirement, Ratcliffe's massive frame and penchant for getting into the dirty areas will go a long way towards making the Bruins big and bad once again. – Mike Drover @NHLFantasyGuy

20. St. Louis Blues – Ryan Poehling, Center (St. Cloud State U. NCAA)

At 6-2 190 lbs, he brings a rare combination of speed, hockey sense, two way play, and work ethic. Ryan Poehling is a player who plays St. Louis Blues hockey.

21. Ottawa Senators – Nick Suzuki, Center (Owen Sound, OHL)

ou can never have too much depth down the middle with Suzuki joining a prospect bench that already includes Colin White and Logan Brown. A goal scorer and playmaker in equal measure, there's nothing Suzuki doesn't do well. – Brad Phillips @BradHPhillips

22. San Jose Sharks – Robin Salo, Defence (Sport, Liiga)

The skilled two-way defender fits the mold of a Sharks defender and is highly underrated. Salo recorded more points (16) than Miro Heiskanen (10) and Urho Vaakanainen (6) during the 2016-17 SM-Liiga season with a very average Sport squad skating 20+ minutes per contest. He is a two-way defender with a great first pass and defensively sound for such a young player. – Zachary DeVine @zakkthebear

23. New York Rangers – Kailer Yamamoto, Right Wing (Spokane, WHL)

The Rangers stock their depleted prospect pool with an elusive, cerebral scoring machine that, at 5-8, 159 pounds is surprisingly physical and difficult to knock off the puck. Finishing 2016-17 with 42 goals and 57 assists, Yamamoto’s production forces New York to delay addressing their defensive shortcomings. – Kevin Wickersham @KWcrosscheck

24. Edmonton Oilers – Erik Brannstrom, Defence (HV71, SHL)

The Oilers add a dynamic, offensive defenseman for their left side. Despite a lack of size, the 5'10 Swede is an accomplished two-way player who can run a power play, use his stick to break up zone entries, and skate or pass out of trouble. He's displayed poise and maturity playing as a 17 year old in Sweden's top league and has the potential to be a number three defenseman down the road. . – Joel Henderson @dathockeydoe

25. Montreal Canadiens – Maxime Comtois, Left Wing (Victoriaville, QMJHL)

Just what the doctor ordered for Montreal. The Habs add that big, skilled forward that can fill the net that they so desperately need. Comtois is a hometown kid who can score goals, has the potential to develop as a center (similarly to P-L Dubois), and may be able to play in the NHL sooner than his peers due to his physical package, work-ethic and experience. – Mike Barrett @MikeBarrett

26. Anaheim Ducks – Jake Oettinger, Goal (Boston U. NCAA)

A freshman at BU last season, Oettinger was a starting rookie who exceeded expectations. Posting a 2.11 GAA and a .927 save percentage, he has a good season under his belt to build off of and Anaheim doesn't need to rush him into professional hockey so he can grow and mature under former Terrier David Quinn –  – Lucas Main @LAM1926

27. Arizona Coyotes via Minnesota Wild – Klim Kostin, Right Wing (Dynamo, VHL)

The Coyotes take a chance with their second first-round pick grabbing Kostin. Once considered a top prospect his stock has taken a dive due to inconsistent play and injuries. He's still a big powerful winger who can skate well and isn't afraid to go to the net. The Russian factor is scary with Kostin but the Coyotes can afford the risk/reward with him. . – Keith Duggan @kduggan92

28. Columbus Blue Jackets – Conor Timmins, Defence (Sault St. Marie, OHL)

Timmins is a solid two-way defender who can make an excellent first pass as well as rush the puck outside. He is a proven offensive catalyst and excellent defensive suppressor who can hold the blueline well. He shoots from all areas of the zone but is at his best when quarterbacking the puck. He is a mature player and Columbus is excited for the opportunity to add him to a growing core of excellent young defensemen. Will Scouch @Scouching

29. Chicago Blackhawks – Jason Robertson, Left Wing (Kingston, OHL)

Robertson is a natural goal scorer and goal scoring is at a premium in the NHL, he has good size and excellent hockey sense. – Peter Harling @pharling

30. Pittsburgh Penguins – Urho Vaaakanainen, Defence (JYP, Liiga)

If any franchise can attest to the value of having a ton of quality NHL defenders, it's the Penguins. With their first selection they grab a very cerebral, smooth, and safe left hander in Vaakanainen. His quality U18 tournament displayed his offensive game to go along with his advanced defensive skills.

Your prototypical hybrid defender, Pit grabs a player at the tail end of the first round who could suit up in the NHL a lot sooner than many selected before him. – Cam Robinson @CrazyJoeDavola3

31. St. Louis Blues via Washington Capitals – Josh Norris, Center (USNTDP)

Norris is a 6'2" 190 lb center who plays with high energy and has superb hockey sense. He is an excellent skater who plays a fine two way game. Norris is heading to the University of Michigan and he will only get better as he matures. Doug Abrams @dabrams2021