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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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OTTAWA, ON – MARCH 04: London Knights Defenceman Evan Bouchard (2) participates in drills during warm-up before Ontario Hockey League action between the London Knights and Ottawa 67’s on March 4, 2018, at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON – MARCH 04: London Knights Defenceman Evan Bouchard (2) participates in drills during warm-up before Ontario Hockey League action between the London Knights and Ottawa 67’s on March 4, 2018, at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Ottawa Senators – D Evan Bouchard

This is where the draft gets interesting. The Ottawa Senators’ pick will have a major impact in how the rest of the draft unfolds. It is likely they will pick a defenseman, but there are a lot of options. It easily could be Evan Bouchard, Noah Dobson or Quinn Hughes. Or the Senators could even take forward Brady Tkachuk with the pick. When it is all said and done, the Senators will take Evan Bouchard of the London Knights with their pick. Assuming Erik Karlsson leaves, the Senators will have no offense generated from their blue line. Bouchard will help give them a small boost on the back end.

Evan Bouchard was the best offensive defenseman in the OHL last season. The London Knights defenseman picked up an impressive 87 points in 67 games. He can make plays in every zone with his high skill and passing ability. The OHL is a tough testing ground for defenseman there are plenty of tough forwards to try and contain. The London Knights were not a great team this season but Bouchard was a clear bright spot. He carried the team to a respectable season. Even Evan Bouchard has things that he will need to get better at.

What separates Bouchard from the top defenseman in the draft is his skating ability. He is not a bad skater but it definitely is not a strength. He does like to slow the game down when he has the puck and that is a good thing. A good defenseman in the NHL can control the speed of the game at all times. If the offense needs to be pushed a good defenseman can lead the rush. If the game is moving too fast a good defenseman can slow things down. Bouchard can slow the game down but he struggles to speed it up.

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