Sunday, June 16, 2019

NHL Mock Draft: picks 24-31

The last section of the NHL mock draft is here, and just like every other section, there is unpredictability abound.

24. Nashville Predators-Philip Tomasino, C, Niagara (OHL)

A solid all-around player that has elusiveness, Tomasino could be a sleeper in this year's draft, since the Ice Dogs were trying to load up on their OHL run, pushing Tomasino around the lineup. With some of those players graduating, he figures to have the same impact that Barrett Hayton and Morgan Frost did in their respective post-draft years.

25. Washington Capitals-Jakob Pelletier, LW, Moncton (QMJHL)

Size is an issue with Pelletier, who will need to gain a few pounds, but everything else about him grades out to the next level. Speed and hockey sense are what will get him into the NHL, but so too, will his possession game despite his size.

26. Calgary Flames-Matthew Robertson, D, Edmonton (WHL)

More of a stay-at-home defender, Robertson has offensive potential that could be on the level of a Shea Weber. He already has the size and is surprisingly good at skating for a guy his size. Where Robertson could elevate his game is on the physical side, where his size will be a major factor.

27. Tampa Bay Lightning-Cam York, D, US NTDP (USHL)

Victor Hedman's injury that led him to being out of the first round against Columbus this season exposed a problem with the Lightning's blue line depth, as they didn't have the puck mover that was needed to push their offensive game. York isn't as big, but he has all of the ability to start the offense from his own end and can slot in on the power play.

28. Carolina Hurricanes-Brett Leason, C, Prince Albert (WHL)

Passed over twice, Leason appears to be taking the same route as another player that had been passed over twice in Tanner Pearson. Given a chance to shine on a loaded Raiders team, Leason put up great numbers en route to helping them win the Ed Chynoweth Trophy. He could be an immediate contributor on the Hurricanes right now, and at worst, may need a year in the AHL.

29. Anaheim Ducks (from San Jose via Buffalo)-Philip Broberg, D, AIK (Sweden)

Blue line depth, much like forward depth, is in need, as the Ducks will need to eventually rebuild there, especially since Shea Theodore and Sami Vatanen are gone and Cam Fowler had injury issues while Hamphus Lindholm was not great. Broberg provides a big body that can skate, but will need work on puck moving.

30. Boston Bruins-Lassi Thomson, D, Kelowna (WHL)

A work in progress in his own end, Thomson has the ability to let one go from the blue line, and his puck moving skills are above average, things that could play well once Zdeno Chara finally hangs it up and Thomson is ready for the NHL.

31. Buffalo Sabres (from St. Louis)-Bobby Brink, RW, Sioux City (USHL)

The offense is definitely there for Brink, who will head to Denver for college. His skating will need work, but he is a great playmaker who showed that he could score, too, ending the USHL regular season as the league's player of the week three times in a row.

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