2018 NHL mock draft after full draft lottery order set

2018 NHL mock draft: Post-NHL draft lottery

PLYMOUTH, MI - FEBRUARY 16: Andrei Svechnikov #7 of the Russian Nationals controls the puck in front of Jack Hughes #43 of the USA Nationals during the 2018 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament game at USA Hockey Arena on February 16, 2018 in Plymouth, Michigan. USA defeated Russia 5-4. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)*** Local Caption *** Andrei Svechnikov; Jack Hughes /

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PLYMOUTH, MI – FEBRUARY 14: K’Andre Miller #19 of the USA Nationals turns up ice with the puck against the Czech Nationals during the 2018 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament game at USA Hockey Arena on February 14, 2018 in Plymouth, Michigan. The Czech Republic defeated the USA Nationals 6-2. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)*** Local Caption *** K’Andre Miller /

20. Los Angeles Kings: D K’Andre Miller

The Los Angeles Kings will be looking to add a piece to their defensive pipeline in the first round of this year’s draft. Even though they need help scoring goals they are in a tough position in the draft to address that while passing up on a lot of talent. K’Andre Miller will be a little bit of a project but a project that will be well worth the wait. A lot of young defensemen struggle with defensive responsibility. Not K’Andre Miller, his best attribute is his defensive play. As he continues to develop his game he will only get better. At 18 years old Miller is already six-foot-three and nearly 200 pounds. If he can add more strength, he can become a shutdown defenseman for the Kings.

Miller has some skating issues to clean up but other than that he is a steady all-around player. He won’t be a star that lights up the score sheet with points but he will be a physical force. As he grows and matures his game the points will come. He is committed to joining the University of Wisconsin next season as a freshman. At Wisconsin, he will be given the opportunity to grow into a main role and get used to logging big minutes in big games. An appearance at a World Junior tournament would help his development a lot as well to get exposure to the best global competition.

Kings fans looking for a comparison don’t have to look far. Jake Muzzin is an almost perfect comparison. Muzzin is defensively sound and a tough person to play against. When paired with an offensive-minded defenseman Muzzin is the stay at home player. That would be the perfect role for Miller.

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