24 BECK E T T.COM
2019 NHL MOCK DRAFT
SCOUTS BELIEVE THIS IS A DEEP DRAFT, WHICH MEANS SEVERAL
ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD ADD A SIGNIFICANT PIECE IN THE FIRST ROUND.
HERE’S HOW WE SEE IT PLAYING OUT.
(NOTE: DRAFT ORDER SUBJECT TO CHANGE).
BY AL MUIR
1 Kaapo Kakko,
RW, TPS (Finland)
GM Ray Shero’s draft history suggests
he prefers centers over wings, but
Kakko is a unique package who cre-
ates offense any way he wants.
2 Jack Hughes, C,
USNTDP
Ultra-skilled offensive weap-
on who could mature into a perennial
top-10 scorer.
3 Alex Turcotte, C, USNTDP
Don’t worry about his
injury-plagued season.
Turcotte plays with blinding speed,
elite hockey sense and a willingness
to engage physically. A potential
replacement for Jonathan Toews.
4 Dylan Cozens, C,
Lethbridge (WHL)
A big (6-foot-3), strong center
who plays with breakaway speed but
does his best work in heavy traffic.
5 Bowen Byram, D,
Vancouver (WHL)
Appears to be the best of-
fensive defenseman in the class, but
still has a lot to learn defensively. No
one better to learn from (and eventu-
ally replace) than Drew Doughty
6 Cole Caufield, RW,
USNTDP
There’s no better goal scorer
in this class than the diminutive (5-
foot-7) winger. That size might scare
some, but this kid is a born sniper, with
a variety of release points, uncanny
instincts and a willingness to drive the
net. Should be a hobby beast.
7 Trevor Zegras, C,
USNTDP
What Zegras lacks in size
(6-foot) he makes up with a willingness
to muck it up down low and in the
corners. More of a playmaker than a
finisher. Has first line potential.
8 Philip Broberg, D,
AIK (Sweden)
More than one scout has
told me this smooth skating, 6-foot-3
Swede could be the best defender in
his class. New GM Ken Holland un-
derstands the value of a smart, mobile
blueliner who can dictate on offense
and is reliable in his own end.
9 Kirby Dach, C,
Saskatoon (WHL)
With Ryan Getzlaf and
Ryan Kesler nearing the end, the
Ducks need to add size and strength
in the middle. At 6-foot-4, 198 pounds,
Dach is a difference maker with high-
end playmaking skills and a growing
physical game.
10 Victor Söderström, D,
Brynas IF (Sweden)
Söderström would give
them a prototypical modern defense-
man on a fast development track.
He spent last season playing against
men in the SHL where he dazzled
with a speedy, two-way game.
11 Matthew Boldy, RW,
USNTDP
Philly needs to add
some D, but Boldy is the best player
available. A versatile winger who
can play up and down the lineup,
blessed with high-end hockey sense,
a heavy shot and quick release.
12 Peyton Krebs, C,
Kootenay (WHL)
A natural playmaker who
can create space with his speed but
shines with his ability to create magic
in tight spaces. He hasn’t put up mas-
sive numbers with a weak Kootenay
squad, but his ceiling is high.
13 Cam York, D,
USNTDP
Small but creative.
Quick on his feet both physically
and mentally. Future power play
quarterback.
14 Arthur Kaliyev, LW,
Hamilton (OHL)
The Coyotes didn’t
have a single 20-goal
scorer last season. Kaliyev tallied
51 goals and 102 points for the
Bulldogs. He needs work on his
skating (and defense), but the kid
can put the puck in the net.