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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 15: Filip Hallander #15 of the Sweden Nationals turns up ice with the puck against the Finland Nationals during the 2018 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament game at USA Hockey Arena on February 15, 2018 in Plymouth, Michigan. Finland defeated Sweden 5-3. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)*** Local Caption *** Filip Hallander
PLYMOUTH, MI – FEBRUARY 15: Filip Hallander #15 of the Sweden Nationals turns up ice with the puck against the Finland Nationals during the 2018 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament game at USA Hockey Arena on February 15, 2018 in Plymouth, Michigan. Finland defeated Sweden 5-3. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)*** Local Caption *** Filip Hallander /

26. New York Rangers (from Boston Bruins): C/W Filip Hallander   

Filip Hallander is one of the most offensively intriguing prospects in the first round of the draft this season. He has all of the talent and all of the tools, but he needs a lot of development. He can change a game at any moment with his elite speed and amazing talent. As a 17-year-old, he was able to put up 20 points in Sweden’s top professional league. Hallander was playing against full grown men and average a point every other game. That is an impressive stat for such a young player. This is a long-term project pick; it will be a few seasons before Hallander heads to the NHL.

For as good as his offensive game is, he really needs to develop defensively. It is not easy to judge because he is so young but he needs to change the way he plays. At this point in his career, he is a defensive liability. Which is understandable but definitely something he needs to work on. As he continues to get older and more mature his defensive play and physical play will need to improve. Any team that drafts Hallander should be cautious but also optimistic.

The New York Rangers are one of the teams in the best position for this draft. They have three picks in the first round. These picks could be packaged to trade up and get an elite player or they can make the right decision and refill their pipeline with three solid picks. Hallander is a long-term gamble but he could be a difference maker in the future. There is no better team to take the chance than the team with three picks.

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