NHL 2019 Entry Draft: Mock Selections 20-11

With the 57th NHL Entry Draft just a few days away in Vancouver, we are going to do a quick mock-up of the entire first round. Both top talents Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko being NHL ready, it’s very difficult who will be selected in that overall number one selection. However, where either one lands both teams will be receiving a very special player who can make an impact as soon as next season.

Let’s jump into the second part of the mock and see who ends up where, so let’s get into picks 20-11

20. Winnipeg Jets (from Winnipeg via NY Rangers) – Nils Hoglander, LW/5’9 185lbs/SHL
The Jets first round pick was re-acquired from the New York Rangers when they got Neal Pionk along with this pick for defenseman Jacob Trouba. The Rangers had it first when Winnipeg received Kevin Hayes for Brendan Lemieux, a conditional fourth-round pick in 2022 as well as this selection. The condition of this selection was the Rangers would get Winnipeg’s first rounder if the Jets were to be selecting outside of the top three, which they achieved when making the playoffs. But back to the choice, Winnipeg is actively shopping winger Nikolaj Ehlers to make cap room this coming season. This makes room for a very depleted left side with the selection of Hoglander.

19. Ottawa Senators (from Columbus Blue Jackets) – Arthur Kaliyev, RW/6’2 190lbs/OHL
The Sens acquired this pick from Columbus when the club sent over Matt Duchene and Julius Bergman for Vitalii Abramov, Jonathan Davidsson, a conditional first round pick in 2020, and this selection. This choice was originally a conditional as well but was later switched if the Jackets were to select outside of the top three. Now to Ottawa, they are absolutely loaded in terms of prospects when it comes to Left Wingers, Centers, Defenseman, and Goalies. However, the right side they are lacking a bit and Arthur Kaliyev who can score goals aplenty can definitely spruce things up.

18. Dallas Stars – Moritz Seider, D/6’4 183lbs/DEL
Dallas already has a strong defense core already, but it is likely someone like Jamie Oleksiak could be on his way out. If so this does open a spot for someone else which leaves a spot open for Seider who is a very mobile defenseman with some huge upside, he just needs some time.

17. Vegas Golden Knights – Pavel Dorofeyev, W/6’0 163lbs/MHL
Vegas is strong down the middle, defensively as well as in net. However, they do need something for both the right and left wings when the time comes. Pavel Dorofeyev can play both sides of the ice, so a solid fit? We think so, he’s a very slippery and elusive player while in the offensive zone. He also has some terrific puck skills and a very heavy shot.

16. Colorado Avalanche – Cam York, D/5’11 175lbs/USNTDP
This pick would have originally been Ottawa’s but due to a trade from 2017, it now belongs to Colorado. When the Avalanche sent Matt Duchene to Ottawa for Kyle Turris, Shane Bowers, Andrew Hammond, a third-round pick in 2019 and this conditional selection. The condition was, Colorado will receive a first-round pick in 2019 if the Senators first round pick in 2018 landed inside the top ten. However, the Sens decided to defer the pick to 2019 instead. But now onto Cam York. Colorado is stacked up front and in net, the only pieces they can keep building from is the backend and Cam York is a solid selection. He’s a solid two way player with great skating and is quite effective on the power play. The only thing he needs to work on is his stick positioning, other than that he’s ready.

15. Montreal Canadiens – Ville Heinola, D/5’11 178lbs/LIIGA
When the Canadiens signed Karl Alzner everyone thought they were getting a top four-piece. But for some reason, Alzner just hasn’t panned out quite yet. So adding another piece to the defense may not be so bad since the Canadiens are set practically everywhere else. Heinola may be what the team is looking for too, he is a quick skater, smart with the puck, has all the confidence, and he’s strictly an offensive defenseman.

14. Arizona Coyotes – Bobby Brink, C/5’10 165lbs/USHL
Arizona has so many defensive and goaltending prospects in their system it’s insane so they definitely don’t need any help there. Where they do need help is upfront. With Barrett Hayton now their top prospect down the middle the addition of Bobby Brink would not be a bad idea at all. Like Hayton, Brink is deadly offensively, he has great hands, on-ice awareness, and can finish plays just as good as he can start them. He does have one thing to improve upon and that’s his skating, but since he’s already committed to Denver next season, he has time.

13. Florida Panthers – Victor Soderstrom, D/5’11 176lbs/SHL
Ranked among the top international defenseman, Victor Soderstrom is a very wise choice for the Florida Panthers. The face-paced offense-minded Soderstrom can dictate the pace of play with ease due to being sharp on his edges and excellent vision. Plus Florida has been kicking the tires on moving Aaron Ekblad.

12. Minnesota Wild – Matthew Boldy, LW/6’2 192lbs/USNTDP
There’s only one area of the ice the Wild can add to the cupboard, the left side of the wings. So with that being said Boldy is the right choice. He doesn’t just play well with his teammates, he uses them to his advantage. With his top 10 vision of this class, he knows where his teammates will be at all times. And when he’s open for a shot, don’t count out his deadly release. He is committed to Boston College next season though.

11. Philadelphia Flyers – Alex Newhook, C/5’11 195lbs/BCHL
If Nolan Patrick doesn’t pan out and ends up being shipped out of town, this will open a spot for one of Philly’s top four center prospects. And if this scenario happens, that spot will need to be filled as well, and this is where the heavy hitting two-way center Alex Newhook fits in.

For Selections 10-1 Click Here