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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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PLYMOUTH, MI – FEBRUARY 16: Andrei Svechnikov #7 of the Russian Nationals skates up ice against 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
PLYMOUTH, MI – FEBRUARY 16: Andrei Svechnikov #7 of the Russian Nationals skates up ice against 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 /

2. Carolina Hurricanes: W Andrei Svechnikov 

The Carolina Hurricanes were the real winner of the NHL Draft Lottery. They slid all the way down to the second overall pick. With the second overall pick, they can address their biggest need — scoring. The Hurricanes boast a great lineup of young defenseman. Rasmus Dahlin would’ve been great, but Andrei Svechnikov is the player they need. Andrei Svechnikov and Filip Zadina traded places for the first half of the season in draft rankings. In the second half of the season, Svechnikov pulled away from Zadina and locked himself into the second position.

The Russian forward does it all on the ice. He has elite scoring touch but can also play a power forward game. In other years there would be serious conversations of Svechnikov being a No. 1 pick. The winger picked up an impressive 72 points in just 44 games in the regular season. He also showed up in big games for the Barrie Colts. In their eight playoff games, he totaled 11 points. Svechnikov had a quiet World Junior Championship for Team Russia recording five points in five games. Ideally, that tournament is a place where top prospects take over.

The Carolina Hurricanes and whoever their new general manager is going to be will welcome Svechnikov with open arms. The Hurricanes hung around the playoff picture for most the NHL season relying heavily on their young defensive core. Adding this goal-scoring touch should be enough to get them over the line. The Hurricanes will also need to address their goaltending issues, but there are plenty of free agents for that.

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