The 2019 NHL Draft will be held in Vancouver, B.C. June 21-22
22. Los Angeles Kings--C, Philip Tomasino
Los Angeles gets a little lucky and have Tomasino drop to them at No. 22 and it's just what the doctor ordered. The 6'0" 180 lb. center has good size, something that will never go out of style with the Kings but he also has speed, plays a 200' game with pace and is a very hard worker. Fits right into what GM Rob Blake is looking for.
23. NY Islanders--RW, Bobby Brink
Back in 2014 the Isles used the 28th-overall selection to snag RW, Josh Ho-Sang who elicited strong opinions from both ends of the spectrum on his draft worthiness. Five years later the Islanders select another right wing in the lower portion of the first round. With size no longer that big of an issue league-wide, drafting a 5'8" 163 lb. player is more common place than it once was and the Isles get themselves a slippery David Pastrnak-type of player in Brink who scored 68 points (35+33) in 43 USHL games.
Back in 2014 the Isles used the 28th-overall selection to snag RW, Josh Ho-Sang who elicited strong opinions from both ends of the spectrum on his draft worthiness. Five years later the Islanders select another right wing in the lower portion of the first round. With size no longer that big of an issue league-wide, drafting a 5'8" 163 lb. player is more common place than it once was and the Isles get themselves a slippery David Pastrnak-type of player in Brink who scored 68 points (35+33) in 43 USHL games.
24. Nashville Predators--LW, Nicholas Robertson
With their pipeline still well stocked on defense, the Preds add the dynamic Robertson to their prospect pool. Although small at 5'9" 161 lbs. Robertson tops off his high skill level with a large dose of compete in all three zones. The Arcadia, California native opted to play junior in the OHL and had himself a solid season with 55 points (27+28) in 57 games as a 17 yr. old and he won't turn 18 until September 11, 2001. Yes, that 9-11.
With their pipeline still well stocked on defense, the Preds add the dynamic Robertson to their prospect pool. Although small at 5'9" 161 lbs. Robertson tops off his high skill level with a large dose of compete in all three zones. The Arcadia, California native opted to play junior in the OHL and had himself a solid season with 55 points (27+28) in 57 games as a 17 yr. old and he won't turn 18 until September 11, 2001. Yes, that 9-11.
25. Washington Capitals--D, Ville Heinola
The Caps pluck Heinola from Finland where he had a solid introduction to the Finnish elite league with 14 points (2+12) in 34 games. Heinola is another of those heady defensemen coming out of Sweden and Finland who possess great puck-moving skills and excellent skating ability, traits that could put him in a top-four role with proper seasoning.
The Caps pluck Heinola from Finland where he had a solid introduction to the Finnish elite league with 14 points (2+12) in 34 games. Heinola is another of those heady defensemen coming out of Sweden and Finland who possess great puck-moving skills and excellent skating ability, traits that could put him in a top-four role with proper seasoning.
26. Calgary Flames--D, Tobias Bjornfot
The Flames need defenders in the pipeline and it's getting to the point in the draft where there's not much left in the first round. Make no mistake as Bjornfot isn't that much of a reach as ISS has him at No.27 while McKeen's has him ranked as the 19th best prospect in the draft, seventh amongst defensemen. Expectations were very high for him as a 16 yr. old but he dropped after struggling a bit at the next levels. However, Bjornfot has good size at 6'0" 193 lbs. and has a skill package that includes excellent mobility within a solid two-way game that keeps him in the first rounds with projections as a possible top-four NHL defender.
The Flames need defenders in the pipeline and it's getting to the point in the draft where there's not much left in the first round. Make no mistake as Bjornfot isn't that much of a reach as ISS has him at No.27 while McKeen's has him ranked as the 19th best prospect in the draft, seventh amongst defensemen. Expectations were very high for him as a 16 yr. old but he dropped after struggling a bit at the next levels. However, Bjornfot has good size at 6'0" 193 lbs. and has a skill package that includes excellent mobility within a solid two-way game that keeps him in the first rounds with projections as a possible top-four NHL defender.
27. Tampa Bay Lightning--D, Alex Vlasic
The Lighting learned a little from getting swept in the first round of the playoffs this year. No, they're not going to throw their entire system out the window but they do realize they need a little more of an edge to their game and add that by drafting the 6'6" 198 lb. Vlasic. The Boston University commit will use the next couple of years to fill out his huge frame and work on a skill-set of decent offensive qualities that will allow him to contribute offensively when he hits the next level.
The Lighting learned a little from getting swept in the first round of the playoffs this year. No, they're not going to throw their entire system out the window but they do realize they need a little more of an edge to their game and add that by drafting the 6'6" 198 lb. Vlasic. The Boston University commit will use the next couple of years to fill out his huge frame and work on a skill-set of decent offensive qualities that will allow him to contribute offensively when he hits the next level.
28. Carolina Hurricanes--LW, Nils Hoglander
Although the name may drum up visions of a powerforward on the wing, or a guitarist for some European rock band, Hoglander is a speedy and highly-skilled forward that the 'Canes are looking for. And after his career is over he can start his own restaurant chain in Carolina. Who wouldn't want to eat at Hoglander Barbeque?
29. Anaheim Ducks--RW, Samuel Poulin
The Ducks have a well balanced prospect pool with players set to hit the bigs with more frequency beginning in 2019-20, and that would include d-prospect Brendan Guhle who came from the Sabres (along with this pick) in the Brandon Montour trade. As with Cozens selected ninth overall in this mock, Poulin has size although his skill isn't quite up to that of Cozens. However, Anaheim does get a smart, competitive player with an NHL frame who showed he could carry a huge weight for his team while also showing some nice year-over-year progression.
The Ducks have a well balanced prospect pool with players set to hit the bigs with more frequency beginning in 2019-20, and that would include d-prospect Brendan Guhle who came from the Sabres (along with this pick) in the Brandon Montour trade. As with Cozens selected ninth overall in this mock, Poulin has size although his skill isn't quite up to that of Cozens. However, Anaheim does get a smart, competitive player with an NHL frame who showed he could carry a huge weight for his team while also showing some nice year-over-year progression.
30. Boston Bruins--D, Ryan Johnson
Much to the dismay of those in Sabreland and elsewhere in the NHL, the Bruins remain competitive while continually filling their prospect pool with quality and that doesn't change with the addition of Johnson. Sure, the loss to St. Louis in the Stanley Cup Finals was a bit embarrassing and extended the city's championship drought to over 140 days leaving the chowdaheads grimacing (boo hoo,) but they'll always have the opportunity for another championship as long as Tom Brady's in the NFL. As for the B's, Johnson is a good, all-around, puck-moving, two-way d-man who won't replace Zdeno Chara, but could be one of those pieces that makes for a strong defense by committee.
Much to the dismay of those in Sabreland and elsewhere in the NHL, the Bruins remain competitive while continually filling their prospect pool with quality and that doesn't change with the addition of Johnson. Sure, the loss to St. Louis in the Stanley Cup Finals was a bit embarrassing and extended the city's championship drought to over 140 days leaving the chowdaheads grimacing (boo hoo,) but they'll always have the opportunity for another championship as long as Tom Brady's in the NFL. As for the B's, Johnson is a good, all-around, puck-moving, two-way d-man who won't replace Zdeno Chara, but could be one of those pieces that makes for a strong defense by committee.
31. Buffalo Sabres--LW, Jakob Pelletier
Odds are that the Sabres will use this pick in a trade for immediate help but if they don't, they have plenty of options and a real good skater like Pelletier who's both smart and competitive fits in rather nicely for what they want. It doesn't hurt that he had a solid season in the Q with 89 points (39+50) in 65 games for Moncton either. The Sabres need scoring and they'll either add some now by trading this pick for immediate help or they'll draft someone here who'll need a couple years of development and Pelletier isn't a bad choice for the latter.
Odds are that the Sabres will use this pick in a trade for immediate help but if they don't, they have plenty of options and a real good skater like Pelletier who's both smart and competitive fits in rather nicely for what they want. It doesn't hurt that he had a solid season in the Q with 89 points (39+50) in 65 games for Moncton either. The Sabres need scoring and they'll either add some now by trading this pick for immediate help or they'll draft someone here who'll need a couple years of development and Pelletier isn't a bad choice for the latter.
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