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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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DETROIT, MI – APRIL 07: Christopher Ilitch, President and CEO, Ilitch Holdings, Inc. Governor, President and CEO, Detroit Red Wings holds a press conference announcing the two year contract extension of Detroit Red Wings General Manger Ken Holland prior to an NHL game against the New York Islanders at Little Caesars Arena on April 7, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – APRIL 07: Christopher Ilitch, President and CEO, Ilitch Holdings, Inc. Governor, President and CEO, Detroit Red Wings holds a press conference announcing the two year contract extension of Detroit Red Wings General Manger Ken Holland prior to an NHL game against the New York Islanders at Little Caesars Arena on April 7, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images) /

29. Detroit Red Wings (from Vegas Golden Knights): C Jack McBain   

Jack McBain is physically gifted. At the age of 18, he is already six-foot-three and close to 200 pounds. He did not play Major Junior hockey this season in Canada this season to keep his college eligibility. He is set to return to Boston College next year looking to help them make a run to the Frozen Four. McBain is successful at using his great size to create space in the offensive zone. When the puck is in the offensive zones at times he can be unstoppable. He is more than a big body; McBain is one of the smartest players on the ice at all times. He is able to use that knowledge to make great instinctive plays.

A big body with great hockey sense makes him sound like he should be a top-tier pick in this year’s draft. What is holding him back is the level of play he played against. No disrespect to the OJHL, but it is not the NCAA, CHL or even a professional league in Europe. The biggest factor holding him back is the defensive game. Due to the lack of challenge around him, he is not as active defensively as he should be. What does not help is his skating ability. He gets from point A to point B but it isn’t smooth, fast or efficient.

The Detroit Red Wings have one of the top picks in this year’s draft so they can afford to roll the dice on a prospect like Jack McBain. McBain will turn into a solid third line player if he can iron out his struggles may be a second line player. He will be a project prospect but the reward of strong coaching will be huge.

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