NHL 2019 Entry Draft: Mock Selections 31-21

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. With both top talents Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko 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. So let’s dive into the mock and see who ends up where. Some players may land in unexpected spots and some right where you would expect. Now let’s get this going as we dive into picks 31 to 21.

31. – Buffalo (from St. Louis) – Samuel Poulin, LW/6’1 208lbs/QMJHL 
Buffalo’s second pick of the first round is courtesy of the St. Louis Blues. Buffalo acquired this pick when the Blues received Ryan O’Reilly for Vladimir Sobotka, Patrik Berglund, Tage Thompson, a second-round pick in 2021 as well as a Conditional Pick. The condition was it would turn into St. Louis’ first-round pick if they ended up drafting outside of the top ten, which happened when they first qualified for the playoffs.

30. – Boston Bruins – Matthew Robertson, D/6’3 201lbs/WHL 
With Zdeno Chara nearing retirement, most likely after the 2019-2020 season. The Bruins could definitely use another piece in the defensive cupboard. So why not choose Matt Robertson from the WHL who already has some great size for an18 year old. He’s not a dazzling defenseman, he’s more of a stay at home kind of guy which is great, another bonus is the fact he packs a very solid and hard shot.

29. – Anaheim (from San Jose via Buffalo) – Ilya Nikolayev, C/6’0 190lbs/MHL 
This is quite the confusing pick to breakdown but this is how it went down. San Jose’s first pick goes to Anaheim from a 2019 trade that sent Brandon Montour to Buffalo for Brendan Guhle as well as this draft choice that was a conditional choice. The condition was Anaheim will receive the first round pick if the Blues first round pick landed between spots 20 and 31. This gave Anaheim the choice to take either St. Louis’ or San Jose’s first rounder in 2019. Buffalo comes into the equation when they had previously acquired the pick from a 2018 trade that sent Evander Kane to San Jose for Danny O’Regan, a conditional fourth in 2019 and this selection. The condition for Buffalo was they will receive the first in 2019 if Kane re-signed for the 2018-19 season with San Jose and if the Sharks qualified for the 2019 playoffs. Quite confusing isn’t it? The reason for Nikolayev is due to the fact Anaheim is getting extremely thin down the middle and could use a two-way centerman who can play both the power play and penalty kill.

28. – Carolina Hurricanes – Albin Grewe, RW/6’0 187lbs/ SHL 
Albin spent last season in the SHL playing alongside men already, so there is a solid chance he could show some surprises at training camp and end up in the AHL. But there is also the chance he goes back to Sweden. Carolina is extremely lacking on right wingers so why not add one to the cupboard? Especially Albin who has very good speed and plays physical with great offensive instincts.

27. Tampa Bay Lightning – Jakob Pelletier, LW/C/5’9 161lbs/QMJHL
Jakob doesn’t quite have the height or weight quite yet, but neither did Martin St. Louis or Theo Fleury. And with Steven Stamkos rotating between LW and the C positions. Pelletier could very well do the same which gives the Lightning a few options once he becomes NHL ready. He already has slick hands and is strong on his skates which he demonstrates by not shying away from the gritty areas of the ice.

26. Calgary Flames – Spencer Knight, G/6’3 194/USNTDP 
Calgary is already set and deep in every position of the ice, the only spot lacking any real standouts is goaltending. So if Spencer Knight is still available at 26, there is absolutely no reason why the Flames should not take him. He has great size for a goaltender and blends his quickness to his strong position making him a very agile netminder.

25. Washington Capitals – Thomas Harley, D/6’3 188lbs/OHL 
Washington and Harley are similar to Calgary and Knight. The Caps don’t have much for defensive prospects besides Lucas Johansen and Tyler Lewington so adding an additional piece is never a bad idea, especially a natural born leader like Harley is. What should be watched is how quick he can transition the puck and join the rush.

24. Nashville Predators – Nicholas Robertson, LW/5’9 168lbs/OHL
Nashville could absolutely use some skill on the left side when you have Grimaldi and Salomaki filling spots three and four. Robertson has excellent puck skills, vision, and a wicked shot release. He doesn’t have the height quite yet either but that shouldn’t steer you away from him.

23. New York Islanders – Philip Tomasino, C/6’0 181lbs/OHL 
Last years most surprising team can most certainly use an upgrade, and that’s down the middle. When Tanner Fritz is filling the fourth spot as of right now, it’s obvious the Isles don’t have the prospects to step in. But a highly skilled Tomasino could fill it before being sent back to junior if he doesn’t pan out. However, he does have a quick stride, great skills with the puck, and a heavy shot, so anything is possible.

22. Los Angeles Kings (from Toronto) – Philip Broberg, D/6’3 199lbs/Allsvenskan 
The Kings acquired Toronto’s first rounder this past January when the Leafs pulled Jake Muzzin from Los Angeles in exchange for Carl Grundstrom, Sean Durzi, and this selection. But onto the pick itself, there is absolutely no debate the Kings could use some defensive help, and they need it now, or at least in another year or two. But back to Broberg, he is projected to have the most powerful strides in this year's draft, which can help the Kings bigtime around the ice. He also has great size and while most would think that would make him slower, that’s not the case for Philip.

21. Pittsburgh Penguins – Ryan Suzuki, C/6’0 176lbs/OHL 
The younger brother of Nick Suzuki, Ryan is an extremely creative playmaker with outstanding on-ice vision. And for an 18-year old, he has the poise and patience of a 5-year veteran. Oh, and let’s not forget about his high-end speed.

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