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2018 NHL mock draft: Post-NHL draft lottery

By Derek Grochowski

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
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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GUELPH, ON – JANUARY 25: Filip Zadina
GUELPH, ON – JANUARY 25: Filip Zadina /

3. Montreal Canadiens: W Filip Zadina  

For coming in third place in the NHL Draft Lottery, the Montreal Canadiens did quite well. Filip Zadina will be the player picked and the Canadiens will add a pure shooter to their lineup. His talented shot can be used from anywhere in the offensive zone and surprises goalies. Zadina is much more than an offensive weapon. He displays high levels of hockey IQ and is efficient in all three zones of the ice. He leads the Halifax Mooseheads with 82 points in just 57 games. While he is a great shooter he is also an exceptional playmaker. He was able to add 38 assists to his 44 goals. His success translated to the World Junior tournament as well. He led the tournament with seven goals in eight games for the Czech Republic.

It is hard to pin down a weakness to Zadina’s game. In a weaker draft class, he would be in the No. 1 overall conversation. Zadina’s draft stock fell off toward the end of the season slightly only because Svechnikov played so well. Like every prospect coming to the NHL Zadina will face a learning curve. Fortunately, because he is such a smart player he will adapt quickly. The Montreal Canadiens will be adding a strong offensive presence to their lineup next season with Zadina.

Montreal really needs help everywhere when it comes to adding youth. They have a shaky core on defense that is not getting any younger. The forward group is missing a shooter that can put the puck in the net consistently. Zadina is not a Patrick Laine or Alexander Ovechkin, but his shot-first mentality will be great for Alex Galchenyuk and Jonathan Drouin. At No. 4, the Montreal Canadiens could be a candidate to trade back and acquire more draft picks. There are plenty of talented forwards and defenseman later in the first round.

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