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Toronto Maple Leafs: NHL Mock Draft Part 2 – Picks 16-31

By Alex Hobson

DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: A general view of the first thirty-one selections are shown on the board after the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: A general view of the first thirty-one selections are shown on the board after the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TX – JUNE 22: A general view of the Nashville Predators draft table is seen during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – JUNE 22: A general view of the Nashville Predators draft table is seen during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) /

24. Nashville Predators – Yegor Afanasayev (LW, Muskegon Lumberjacks, USHL)

The Predators essentially left their prospect pool in the dark last season considering they didn’t have any draft picks until the fourth round, but are looking to redeem themselves this year with their first-round pick.

Their playoff run saw a disappointing finish after getting eliminated in the first round at the hands of the Dallas Stars, so hopefully, for their sake, they can shed some light on the situation with a good pick at 24th overall. In this case, I have them taking Russian winger Yegor Afanasayev.

With the way scouts have ranked Afanasayev, he could go as early as 20th overall or as late as mid-second round. The draft always features a couple of off-the-board picks in the first round, and this could be one of them.

Afanasayev spent this season playing away from his homeland in the USHL and had a solid campaign for the Muskegon Lumberjacks, putting up 62 points in 58 games.

He’s committed to play for the Windsor Spitfires next year, so it will be interesting to watch his development and see if he can make a name for himself in the Predators’ organization.

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