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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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ST CATHARINES, ON – OCTOBER 15: Serron Noel #8 of the Oshawa Generals skates during an OHL game against the Niagara IceDogs at the Meridian Centre on October 15, 2016 in St Catharines, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
ST CATHARINES, ON – OCTOBER 15: Serron Noel #8 of the Oshawa Generals skates during an OHL game against the Niagara IceDogs at the Meridian Centre on October 15, 2016 in St Catharines, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

27. St. Louis Blues (from Winnipeg Jets): RW Serron Noel  

The first thing that will stand out to NHL scouts about Serron Noel is his size. He is pro-ready, being six-foot-five and 211 pounds. Add his 53 points in 62 games and he is a first-round talent. In a first round dominated by centers and defensemen, Noel is one of the elite wingers this year. He is really strong offensively featuring good hands, and a great shot. Because of his size and good hands, he can score a lot of his goals from in tight. He likes to use his size defensively and be physical against attackers.

The biggest weakness in Noel’s game is his skating. He really showed improvement from his first season with the Oshawa Generals of the OHL. If he can continue to keep developing his skating he can turn into one of the top players in this draft. His draft stock will continue to climb with a strong performance at the combine with the on-ice testing. Making sure scouts know his skating will not be an issue will go a long way for Noel. Any team drafting Noel late in the first round will be getting a project player. However, that project could turn into a franchise changing player.

The St Louis Blues will do well gaining a player like Serron Noel. They have a lot of talented centers in their system like Jordan Kyrou, Conner Bleackley and Robert Thomas. They have a need for skilled wingers in their pipeline especially one with this size.

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