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2019 NHL Mock Draft: Ducks pick top defender Bowen Byram

By Simon Vacca

VICTORIA , BC - FEBRUARY 24: Bowen Byram #44 of the Vancouver Giants looks on during a Western Hockey League game against the Victoria Royals at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on February 24, 2019 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images)
VICTORIA , BC - FEBRUARY 24: Bowen Byram #44 of the Vancouver Giants looks on during a Western Hockey League game against the Victoria Royals at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on February 24, 2019 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images) /
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Landing Bowen Byram — the top defensive prospect of the 2019 NHL draft class — would be a major victory for any franchise looking to bolster its blue line. For the Anaheim Ducks, a course of action of this nature could serve as a sign of better days.

The 2019 NHL Entry Draft promises to be many things — chief among them, top-heavy in its offensive output. As such, the question of defense is one that has frequently divided scouts over the course of the lead up to June 21 and 22.

Wide-ranging debates aside, critics tend to be united on one key front — the idea that Bowen Byram of the Vancouver Giants shall likely be regarded as the top ranked defender of the up and coming draft class.

At 6-foot-1, 194 pounds, Byram consistently marries incredible vision with expansive puck-moving skills, offering a degree of high-end creativity that will undoubtedly allow him to one day make a push for top-paring minutes in the NHL. In 67 games, he’s tallied 26 goals and 71 points, and is currently ranked second on his team in the latter department.

Indeed, several franchises shall push to land Byram rather early in the first round. And if Bob Murray sees defense as a matter of utmost importance, it’s not just possible, but better yet plausible that the 17-year-old will find himself at the very top of the Anaheim Ducks’ list of priorities. As the club yearns to escape the doldrums, Byram could serve as a light at the end of an exceptionally dark tunnel.

Our March 26th mock draft — considered in relation to the league’s reverse standings — is as follows.

  1. Colorado Avalanche — Jack Hughes (C)
  2. Los Angeles Kings — Kaapo Kakko (RW)
  3. Detroit Red Wings — Vasili Podkolzin (RW)
  4. New Jersey Devils — Dylan Cozens (C/RW)
  5. New York Rangers — Peyton Krebs (C)
  6. Buffalo Sabres — Trevor Zegras (C)
  7. Anaheim Ducks — Bowen Byram (D)
  8. Vancouver Canucks — Alex Turcotte (C)
  9. Edmonton Oilers — Thomas Harley (D)
  10. Chicago Blackhawks — Kirby Dach (C)
  11. Florida Panthers — Victor Soderstrom (D)
  12. Minnesota Wild — Alex Newhook (C)
  13. Arizona Coyotes — Philip Broberg (D)
  14. Philadelphia Flyers — Matthew Boldy (LW)
  15. Colorado Avalanche — Arthur Kaliyev (LW)
  16. Dallas Stars — Cam York (D)
  17. Ottawa Senators — Connor McMichael (C)
  18. Montréal Canadiens — Alex Vlasic (D)
  19. Vegas Golden Knights — Ryan Suzuki (C)
  20. Buffalo Sabres — Cole Caufield (RW)
  21. Carolina Hurricanes — Raphael Lavoie (C/RW)
  22. Nashville Predators — Brett Leason (RW)
  23. New York Rangers — Moritz Seider (D)
  24. Pittsburgh Penguins — Jakob Pelletier (LW)
  25. New York Islanders — Philip Tomasino (RW)
  26. Anaheim Ducks — Samuel Poulin (RW)
  27. Washington Capitals — Nicholas Robertson (C/LW)
  28. Los Angeles Kings — Spencer Knight (G)
  29. Boston Bruins — Nils Hoglander (LW)
  30. Calgary Flames — Matthew Robertson (D)
  31. New York Rangers — Lassi Thomson (D)

News and notes:

  • No. 1 — As per a three-team deal, the Colorado Avalanche are set to receive the Ottawa Senators’ first-round pick.
  • No. 17 — The Ottawa Senators shall get the Columbus Blue Jackets’ first-round pick as part of the deal that sent center Matt Duchene to Ohio.
  • No. 20 — The Buffalo Sabres will receive the St. Louis Blues’ first-round selection. The Sabres shipped Ryan O’Reilly to the Blues for three forwards and two draft picks.
  • No. 23 — The New York Rangers will acquire the Winnipeg Jets’ 2019 first-round selection as part of the Kevin Hayes trade.
  • No. 26 — The Anaheim Ducks are set to receive a first-rounder from the Buffalo Sabres as part of the Brandon Montour trade.
  • No. 28 — The Los Angeles Kings shall receive the Toronto Maple Leafs’ first-rounder as part of the Jake Muzzin deal.
  • No. 31 — The New York Rangers will acquire a conditional first-round selection from the Tampa Bay Lightning if the latter win the 2019 Stanley Cup (and a second-round pick if they do not). Since the Lightning currently hold the most points in the NHL, the draft order has tentatively considered them Stanley Cup champions.

Next. 2019 NHL Mock Draft -- Kings, Flames, Oilers in on Spencer Knight?. dark

The 57th NHL Entry Draft shall take place in Vancouver, British Columbia on June 21 and 22. Be sure to check back for more updates.

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