2019 NHL Mock Draft: Chicago Blackhawks pick begins the intrigue
Picks 14-31
Picks 14-31 are all the teams that either just missed the playoffs or made it. They are the teams that need a little bit less of an improvement than the teams above. They are going to have a mix of drafting the best available player and drafting for their team needs. It is extremely difficult to guess who each team will take, but that is why they call it a mock draft. There are some traded picks in this section of the draft as well, and there still could be some more movement between now and the selections. This could also be the part of the draft that gets a little spicy.
14. Arizona Coyotes – Arthur Kaliyev, RW
15. Montreal Canadiens – Moritz Seider, D
16. Colorado Avalanche – Alex Newhook, C
17. Vegas Golden Knights – Raphael Lavoie, RW
18. Dallas Stars – Peyton Krebs, C
19. Ottawa Senators via Columbus Blue Jackets – Thomas Harley, D
20. New York Rangers via Winnipeg Jets – Ryan Suzuki, C
21. Pittsburgh Penguins – Cam York, D
22. Los Angeles Kings via Toronto Maple Leafs – Ville Heinola, D
23. New York Islanders – Bobby Brink, C
24. Nashville Predators – Samuel Poulin, LW
25. Washington Capitals – Vladislav Kolyachonok, D
26. Calgary Flames – Phil Tomasino, C
27. Tampa Bay Lightning – Connor McMichael, C
28. Carolina Hurricanes – Jakob Pelletier, C
29. Anaheim Ducks via Buffalo Sabres via San Jose Sharks – Brett Leason, RW
30. Boston Bruins – Alex Vlasic, D
31. Buffalo Sabres via St. Louis Blues – Matthew Robertson, D
All of these guys selected in this part of the draft can go on to be All-Stars or complete busts. Every now and then you’ll find a Hall of Fame player in this part of the draft and sometimes their highest value point could be when they are traded for NHL ready talent. The NHL gets an extreme makeover on draft night and it is truly exciting.
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As mentioned earlier, the number one and two overall picks are pretty much locks so the draft intrigue really begins when the Chicago Blackhawks name gets called to make the third overall pick. The rest of the NHL will react to who they select and the makeover begins. Stanley Cups are won and lost by decisions made on draft night, so it is very important that your favorite team does well if you want to see them win it all. The draft is going to be held this year in Vancouver, Brittish Columbia at Rogers Arena, home of the Vancouver Canucks. You can watch the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft on Friday, January 21st and the rest of the draft rounds the following day. As always, it is an exciting time to be a hockey fan.