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: Mattias Samuelsson #23 of the USA Nationals follows the play 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 *** Mattias Samuelsson /

28. Washington Capitals: D Mattias Samuelsson

It is a big year for draft-eligible players coming out of the USNTDP system in U.S. Hockey. They have multiple players that will be selected in the first round of this year’s draft. Mattias Samuelsson is one of the defensemen from the program that will get drafted in the first round. He has relatively good size being six-foot-three and 215 pounds at the age of 18. There are plenty of talented offensive defensemen in this year’s draft. Samuelsson is not nearly as flashy or talented offensively. His game is taking care of the puck in his own end and shutting down opponents. He is a fringe first round pick and could fall to the second. Scouts will love his size and the way he competes.

Samuelsson has a steady game all around but does not stand out in any one category. As he goes to college at Western Michigan University he will need to clean up a lot of areas. The good news is that he has a good base level of talent to build off of. If he really wants to take his game to the next level he will add more offensive skill. He will be a reliable shut down defenseman at the next level.

The Washington Capitals next best young defensemen is Madison Bowey. He made a few appearances this season but couldn’t quite crack the lineup yet. He looks to be promising and a bright spot for their future. The addition of Mattias Samuelsson to their pipeline will give them yet another promising piece and keep the Capitals strong. A comparison to their current roster would be Brooks Orpik. Samuelsson would be a better skater with more offensive upside but both play a physical defense-first brand.

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