The final mock ahead of the NHL draft is always the most difficult to pin down. At this stage, teams are tightening up their information, with smokescreens and misdirection thrown out into the public space to shake things up. And the wide range of opinions on this 2019 draft class makes it even trickier.
Here's my final prediction for how Friday's first round will go, not necessarily how I think it should go. The Devils are on the clock ...
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1. New Jersey Devils
Jack Hughes, C, USA U18 (NTDP)
The Devils get their franchise center and an easily marketable star all wrapped into one. The temptation of Kaapo Kakko is real, but Hughes' elite skating and skill are too tantalizing to pass up.
2. New York Rangers
Kaapo Kakko, RW, TPS (Finland)
The Rangers land a franchise cornerstone with an NHL-ready game. With high-end hockey sense and a frame that allows him to win a lot of battles in the hard areas, he could be an instant-impact player.
3. Chicago Blackhawks
Alex Turcotte, C, USA U18 (NTDP)
This is where things could get interesting. There's a very real chance that Chicago takes Bowen Byram here, but Turcotte is just too perfect a fit. A local kid who plays a tremendous two-way game, he could be a long-term No. 2 center and the heir apparent to Jonathan Toews.
4. Colorado Avalanche (from Ottawa Senators)
Bowen Byram, D, Vancouver (WHL)
The Avs' top prospect is right-shot defenseman Cale Makar. But if the Blackhawks don't select Byram, my money is on Colorado taking the Byram to give it two of the top offensive defensemen of the past three years as cornerstone pieces for the franchise. If Byram isn't there, the Avalanche could target Kirby Dach as a potential long-term No. 2 center option.
5. Los Angeles Kings
Trevor Zegras, C, USA U18 (NTDP)
The Kings have a variety of options in this range, but Zegras fits where the Kings are going. Their past few drafts have put an emphasis on high-end skill, and their 2018 haul went big on speed. A creative, quick forward who is one of the best playmakers in this draft, Zegras will make those around him better and play at the pace the Kings want to play at.
6. Detroit Red Wings
Kirby Dach, C, Saskatoon (WHL)
As tempted as they might be by the spectacular scoring of Cole Caufield, Dach's size and hockey sense make him an ideal pick to be the long-term No. 2 center behind Dylan Larkin. And I don't project him to take terribly long to develop into an impact player for the Wings.
7. Buffalo Sabres
Dylan Cozens, C, Lethbridge (WHL)
I wouldn't doubt their interest in either Cole Caufield or Vasily Podkolzin. But Cozens is a low-risk option as a solid two-way center with excellent wheels.
8. Edmonton Oilers
Vasily Podkolzin, RW, Neva St. Petersburg (Russia 2)
All of the players available in this range are probably at least a year away, so Podkolzin being under contract with SKA St. Petersburg for two more seasons is scaring fewer teams than previously believed. Ken Holland has had great success in the past with Russian players, and Podkolzin fits an organizational need. He'd thrive in the Western Conference.
9. Anaheim Ducks
Philip Broberg, D, AIK (Sweden 2)
The Ducks have a lot of talent up front in their prospect pipeline and could use a little more on the blue line. Broberg is the No. 2 defenseman on at least a few boards around the league, and for good reason. He's big, he's fast and he fits the profile for the Ducks.
10. Vancouver Canucks
Matthew Boldy, LW, USA U18 (NTDP)
The Canucks could consider adding more defense here, but I think the allure of the top forwards in this range would be too great to pass up. I could see either Peyton Krebs or Alex Newhook, but Boldy is a high-end two-way winger who comes with size and hockey sense. He'd be a great eventual top-six fit.
11. Philadelphia Flyers
Victor Soderstrom, D, Brynas (Sweden)
I keep hearing Soderstrom as a name on the rise. The fact that he's a right shot makes him a bit more valuable, but he's also an especially intelligent defenseman who moves the puck well and can skate.
12. Minnesota Wild
Spencer Knight, G, USA U18 (NTDP)
The likelihood of Knight being available in the second half of the first round seems to be dwindling by the day. The Wild have plenty of organizational needs and already have a decent goalie prospect in Kaapo Kahkonen. Even so, there has been some open speculation that the Wild could be a landing spot for the top-ranked goalie. But if a goal scorer like Cole Caufield is still on the board, does that change the calculus?
13. Florida Panthers
Cam York, D, USA U18 (NTDP)
The Panthers have some real talent in the pipeline on offense. It might be really difficult for them to pass on Caufield if he indeed slips this far, but York would appear to be a better fit organizationally at this point. I could also see Thomas Harley or Victor Soderstrom, if he dips, being options, too.
14. Arizona Coyotes
Cole Caufield, RW, USA U18 (NTDP)
If Caufield does slide this far, I'd imagine it stops with the Coyotes. The best goal scorer in the draft would be too easy to pick if he's here. He's a real wild card, and while I have a hard time believing 13 teams pass on him, it's hard to know for sure how they truly feel about his size and NHL projections.
15. Montreal Canadiens
Thomas Harley, D, Mississauga (OHL)
The Habs have done a good job in loading up their prospect pool, but defense is an area that could use a little depth. Harley has size and tremendous offensive abilities.
16. Colorado Avalanche
Peyton Krebs, C, Kootenay (WHL)
If the Avs do manage to land Byram at No. 4, I'd expect they look at forward here. Krebs suffered an Achilles injury that is going to cost him the summer, so he's not a pick without risk, but he can be a play-driving center who might be a long-term fit behind Nathan MacKinnon.
17. Vegas Golden Knights
Alex Newhook, C, Victoria (BCHL)
I'm not sure Newhook will make it this far, but I'm anticipating a run on defensemen that pushes him further down. He's an especially creative, highly-skilled center who would be a nice long-term piece for Vegas.
18. Dallas Stars
Raphael Lavoie, C, Halifax (QMJHL)
Lavoie has both the size and the skill that would entice teams in this range. He has a bit of ruggedness in his game, as well, which could allow him to thrive in a Western Conference setting.
19. Ottawa Senators (from Columbus Blue Jackets)
Moritz Seider, D, Mannheim (Germany)
The Sens have really loaded up at the forward position and already have a high-end defensive prospect in Erik Brannstrom. But Seider would be another good piece to add to the future blue line. He has size, is a right shot and has the hockey sense to make confident plays.
20. Winnipeg Jets (from New York Rangers/Winnipeg Jets)
Philip Tomasino, C, Niagara (OHL)
The Jets return to the first round! An excellent skater with skill, Tomasino would be a nice addition to the Jets' roster, as he plays at their pace. I don't think there would be any defensemen available in this range enticing enough to skip over the skill that's left at forward.
21. Pittsburgh Penguins
Ryan Suzuki, C, Barrie (OHL)
One of the best playmakers in the draft, Suzuki would instantly become the Penguins' top prospect. There are some holes in his game, but his passing ability and hockey sense are legit.
22. Los Angeles Kings (from Toronto Maple Leafs)
Arthur Kaliyev, RW, Hamilton (OHL)
It seems there's a good chance Kaliyev is going to slide in the draft. But the Kings need goals, and Kaliyev scores them in bunches. He also has the size and strength to handle the rigors of the rough-and-tumble Pacific Division.
23. New York Islanders
Connor McMichael, C, London (OHL)
As the Isles continue getting quicker, McMichael would be a solid fit. He's a strong skater with good speed who has trended up over the course of the season.
24. Nashville Predators
Ville Heinola, D, Lukko (Finland)
I wonder if the Preds might consider moving this pick based on what's left on the board. I'm sure they'd love a forward in this slot with such depth on defense, but Heinola is the kind of prospect the Preds usually seem to attract. He's an especially smart defenseman who can move the puck well.
25. Washington Capitals
Samuel Poulin, RW, Sherbrooke (QMJHL)
The Caps could use a good bit of skill in their prospect pool. Poulin brings that. While this might be a bit higher than I'd take him, I know he has trended up in the eyes of the scouting community, and there's a lot to like with his combination of skill and heaviness.
26. Calgary Flames
Matthew Robertson, D, Edmonton (WHL)
The Flames have some nice pieces on their blue line, but that doesn't mean they should shy away if someone who fits their style is here. Robertson has size, defends at a high level and can really skate.
27. Tampa Bay Lightning
Jakob Pelletier, LW, Moncton (QMJHL)
Pelletier just seems like Tampa's kind of player. He's got some decent wheels, good skill and a higher motor, and he was especially productive in the QMJHL this season.
28. Carolina Hurricanes
Bobby Brink, RW, Sioux City (USHL)
Brink lacks foot speed and size, but he thinks the game in an elite way. He has high-end playmaking skills and a great shot, too. Those offensive tools are attractive at this point in the draft.
29. Anaheim Ducks (from Buffalo Sabres/San Jose Sharks)
Ryan Johnson, D, Sioux Falls (USHL)
This could be a good spot for the Ducks to potentially trade back for more assets, but they also can continue to address the blue line comfortably here. Johnson is an elite-skating defenseman who defends at an impressive level. He is also a Southern California native.
30. Boston Bruins
Alex Vlasic, D, USA U18 (NTDP)
The Bruins love their Boston University guys, and at 6-foot-6, Vlasic plays a really strong brand of defense. I think his hockey sense will speak to the Bruins.
31. Buffalo Sabres (from St. Louis Blues)
Tobias Bjornfot, D, Djurgarden Jr. (Sweden Jr.)
Buffalo drafted a forward earlier, so it's time to focus on defense. Bjornfot is a remarkable defender with great footwork. If he's still on the board, he'd be another nice piece for a blue line that's improving.