2019 First Round Mock Draft

Trying my hand for the first time at a public mock draft. Follow along to see how many end up right — or wrong! As always check out the Draft Center for profiles and shift by shift videos of each player mentioned below.

1. New Jersey Devils — C Jack Hughes

This may have been a debate at one time but Jack is their man.

2. New York Rangers — RW Kappo Kakko

The easiest pick in the draft and the Rangers keep loading up on talent.

3. Chicago Blackhawks — C Alex Turcotte

Even the Blackhawks have pointed out the symbolism of drafting their last franchise center at third overall — in Vancouver.

4. Colorado Avalanche — D Bowen Byram

Taking the consensus BPA and a franchise defenseman is common sense, right?

5. LA Kings — C Dylan Cozens

A team that seems to value centers, grit and the WHL. A match made in heaven.

6. Detroit Red Wings — C Kirby Dach

Another team that likes big centers from the WHL, they can’t resist.

7. Buffalo Sabres — RW Vasili Podkolzin

Under Jason Botterill the Sabres have had an affinity for Europeans and need a dynamic winger to compliment their centers so they go for the best one on the board.

8. Edmonton Oilers — D Philip Broberg

A growing rumor and quite fitting the Oilers would go for the big athletic toolsy player.

9. Anaheim Ducks — D Victor Soderstrom

The Ducks need to restock their back-end pipeline. They should find one of the smartest defensemen in the draft their cup of tea.

10. Vancouver Canucks — C Trevor Zegras

Their string of luck getting players they covet continues and the last time the Canucks took a high skill center it worked out ok.

11. Philadelphia Flyers — D Moritz Seider

With Chuck Fletcher reshaping the defense and a pipeline running thin this defenseman fits the new look Flyers.

12. Minnesota Wild — C Peyton Krebs

In the best position to take whatever falls to them and Paul Fenton cashes on a center that bring some new dimensions.

13. Florida Panthers — RW Cole Caufield

The most unpredictable team at the draft table takes the most unpredictable player and the Panthers can take that chance.

14. Arizona Coyotes — D Thomas Harley

The Coyotes have selected a lot of defensemen in previous drafts but none of them the caliber of Harley for this OHL and analytics focused organization.

15. Montreal Canadiens — C Alex Newhook

The world expects defense at this pick but the Habs can’t pass up this talent at center.

16. Colorado Avalanche — LW Matt Boldy

Perhaps the least talked about top prospect seems fitting could fall to the Avs and they get a player who was considered at four.

17. Vegas Golden Knights — D Cam York

Replacement for what Vegas lost in moving out Erik Brannstrom.

18. Dallas Stars — LW Arthur Kaliyev

The Stars stray off consensus, love the OHL and need some scoring help.

19. Ottawa Senators — LW Raphael Lavoie

With a ton of prospects in the stable already the Sens can focus on need and have had success drafting from the QMJHL.

20. Winnipeg Jets — C Philip Tomasino

After making the Jacob Trouba trade to get their original pick back the Jets go for upside and skill.

21. Pittsburgh Penguins — LW Egor Afanasyev

The Pens haven’t selected in the first round since 2014 and need everything but the USHL is a place they’ve been successful.

22. LA Kings — D Tobias Bjornfot

A dependable defenseman who can contribute soon sounds like something the Kings could use.

23. New York Islanders — RW Bobby Brink

The Isles are unafraid to take big swings on talent and draft often from the USHL.

24. Nashville Predators — D Ryan Johnson

The defense factory knows best and nabs this blueliner with high potential.

25. Washington Capitals — LW Nils Hoglander

After focusing on defense for several years the Caps need to add some skill at forward to the system.

26. Calgary Flames — G Spencer Knight

The Flames are thin on goaltending and could make the right call to take a goaltender if he falls to them.

27. Tampa Bay Lightning — C Ryan Suzuki

The best team to get the most out of this puzzling but high upside talent.

28. Carolina Hurricanes — RW Samuel Poulin

Big forwards are fun and Poulin only adds to a quietly growing prospect powerhouse the Canes are building.

29. Anaheim Ducks — LW Jakob Pelletier

The Ducks just keep mining gems.

30. Boston Bruins — D Ville Heinola

Perhaps the best organization for young defensemen gets another.

31. Buffalo Sabres — RW Simon Holmstrom

Cashing in on more Europeans to end the first round.

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