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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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SALZBURG, AUSTRIA – SEPTEMBER 07: Jacob Cederholm of HV71 Jonkoping, Manuel Latusa of EC Red Bull Salzburg and Linus Soderstrom of HV71 Jonkoping during the Champions Hockey League match between Red Bull Salzburg and HV71 Jonkoping at Eisarena Salzburg on September 7, 2016 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by GEPA pictures/EC Red Bull Salzburg/ Champions Hockey League via Getty Images)
SALZBURG, AUSTRIA – SEPTEMBER 07: Jacob Cederholm of HV71 Jonkoping, Manuel Latusa of EC Red Bull Salzburg and Linus Soderstrom of HV71 Jonkoping during the Champions Hockey League match between Red Bull Salzburg and HV71 Jonkoping at Eisarena Salzburg on September 7, 2016 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by GEPA pictures/EC Red Bull Salzburg/ Champions Hockey League via Getty Images) /

16. Colorado Avalanche – Victor Soderstrom (D, Brynas IF, SHL)

Going back to last time, I had the Avalanche taking top-ranked defenseman Bowen Byram with the first round pick they received from Ottawa at fourth overall.

Now they’re at their own first rounder at 16th overall, and I have them taking another defenseman.

The saying goes “offence wins games, defence wins championships,” so I applied that logic here and I have the Avs stocking up on the back end in this draft with Victor Soderstrom donning an Avs jersey at 16th overall.

The Swedish right-handed defenseman is another one of those prospects who’s ranked all over the board. Some have him going as high as 10th overall, some have him going as late as 27th.

Taking this into consideration, I met in the middle and had him go at 16th overall. He’s known as a mobile two-way defenseman who has a great first-pass and can carry the puck from end to end.

He put up seven points in 44 games for Brynas IF of the SHL this season, which aren’t at all bad totals if you consider his age and the talent level he was competing against.

If the Avs can manage to add both Byram and Soderstrom in the first round this year, their back end will be loaded for years to come.

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