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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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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
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 /

19. Philadelphia Flyers – D Mattias Samuelsson

After addressing their need at forward with their first pick this round the Flyers can circle back and grab a defenseman. Yes, the Flyers have a lot of good young defensemen, but it is a great part of the lineup to have a surplus in. Looking at the Flyers now, Andrew McDonald is not a part of their long term plan at nearly 32. Radko Gudas is nowhere near an ideal defenseman, either. An addition like Mattias Samuelsson is not a play-him-right-now pick but more of a wait-and-see prospect. Samuelsson will be a good defenseman but the Flyers are not in a position to rush him into the lineup. He can sit and develop into a good defenseman and then be plugged into the lineup when he is ready.

An organization can never have too many young talented defensemen. Look at what the Nashville Predators have done with their homegrown talent. If they are not in the Predators lineup they can be used as trade currency. Nashville was able to add Kyle Turris because they had a surplus at defense and could afford to trade Samul Girard to the Colorado Avalanche. That is not to say that Samuelsson will end up a trade piece but he will be a big addition to the Flyers defensive pipeline. He is another product of the USNTDP that turned out an impressive number of first round picks this year.

What makes Mattias Samuelsson a first round talent is his consistency. Where most young prospects struggle Samuelsson thrived. He is a high end skating talent, with a better hockey I.Q. This makes him a better defensive player because he can break down plays quickly and make the right moves. To go along with that hockey I.Q. and skating Samuelsson plays with an edge. He is not afraid to hit anything that moves and is wearing a different jersey than his. He needs to be more engaged at all times on the ice not just when he is interested.

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