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5 biggest surprises from Day 1 of 2018 NHL Draft

By Luke Armstrong

CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 24: Eemeli Rasanen greets the team after being selected 59th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2017 NHL Draft at United Center on June 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 24: Eemeli Rasanen greets the team after being selected 59th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2017 NHL Draft at United Center on June 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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2. Flyers select C Jay O’Brien

With two picks in the first round, Philadelphia could afford to gamble a bit more with the 19th overall selection. Still, it was a big shock to most when Hextall called Jay O’Brien’s name.

He crushed the competition in the USHS this year, though he was a senior at Thayer Academy. A commit to Providence College in the NCAA, O’Brien may not see the NHL for another four years as he irons out his raw skill set. If he doesn’t make the jump before graduating, he could hit free agency before committing any time to Philadelphia.

He plays a responsible game, uses his body well to get into position and possesses real skill. The only question mark here is how fast he can adjust to older competition. In brief stints this year, he definitely excelled, but larger sample sizes next year will go a lot further in to determining exactly what the Flyers may have.

This is no doubt a risky selection at No. 19, especially when you consider the fact that players such as Joe Veleno, Nicolas Beaudin and Jacob Bernard-Docker were still on the board. It will be up to O’Brien to validate his high selection.

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