Fansided

NHL mock draft: Final projections for every first-round pick

By Derek Grochowski

BUFFALO, NY - JANUARY 5: Rasmus Dahlin #8 of Sweden in play against Canada during the Gold medal game of the IIHF World Junior Championship at KeyBank Center on January 5, 2018 in Buffalo, New York. Canada beat Sweden 3-1. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - JANUARY 5: Rasmus Dahlin #8 of Sweden in play against Canada during the Gold medal game of the IIHF World Junior Championship at KeyBank Center on January 5, 2018 in Buffalo, New York. Canada beat Sweden 3-1. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images) /
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It’s finally here, the day hockey fans have been waiting for since Alex Ovechkin swam in the fountain. The 2018 NHL Draft is this week, which means it’s time for one final mock draft.

The first overall pick in this year’s NHL Draft, held by the Buffalo Sabres, is pretty set in stone.

But after that, get ready for a Wilde ride. Some of these picks may seem off the Wahl-strom, but remember — anything can happen on Draft night.

Get ready, because some of the following prospects will Woo you for years to come.

WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 04: NHL 2018 Entry Draft Prospect Rasmus Dahlin speaks to the media ahead of Game Four of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on June 4, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 04: NHL 2018 Entry Draft Prospect Rasmus Dahlin speaks to the media ahead of Game Four of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on June 4, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images) /

1. Buffalo Sabres – D Rasmus Dahlin

The Buffalo Sabres needed the first overall pick badly. After multiple false starts on their rebuild, adding a franchise defenseman like Rasmus Dahlin will be one of the final puzzle pieces. The Sabres need help in all areas of the ice except for center. However, their need for defense is the most apparent. Marco Scandella and Rasmus Ristolainen are good defensemen, but they are not cornerstones when building a franchise. Dahlin will not be that cornerstone piece right away but he will take pressure off the rest of the group. To be successful right away this season, the Sabres will need to add much more. Especially on the wings, the Sabres do not have any legitimate scoring threats to pair with the center. That being said the bigger need is on defense, and Dahlin is too good of a prospect to pass up.

This could be the final piece to the Sabres’ rebuilding puzzle. Dahlin is a franchise-changing defenseman. He was playing in Sweden’s professional league with Frolunda at the age of 16. He has elite creativity with the puck; pair that with his skating and you get the most dynamic player in the draft. It is nearly impossible to pick apart his game and find negatives. In just one year, he was able to completely mature his game and separate himself from the draft class.

He will be able to slide into the Sabres’ opening roster an probably get top four minutes for the team. There is not a great amount of competition in Buffalo. If Dahlin comes as advertised and the Sabres can make some quality moves via free agency or even trade they will be a team to watch on the rise this season. They will not make the playoffs, but they will be much improved.

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