NHL Mock Draft 2018: No.27 — Jett Woo
The Chicago Blackhawks missed the playoffs in 2018 but are set up well in the NHL Draft.
The Blackhawks selected forward Oliver Wahlstrom with the No.8 overall pick in the DFO Mock Draft and they also have the No.27 overall selection.
Chicago acquired this pick in the trade that sent winger Ryan Hartman to the Nashville Predators. This makes up for their lack of a second-round pick that they sent to the Montreal Canadiens back in 2016—Phillip Danault and a 2018 2nd Round Pick for Tomas Fleischmann and Dale Weise. However, they also have two third round picks.
Marian Hossa’s early retirement will help the Blackhawks salary-cap situation a little bit, but they are still in a cap crunch—paying Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Brent Seabrook, Brandon Saad and Duncan Keith a combined $39.413 million for at least three more years will do that to you. That’s 54 percent of the Blackhawks’ current cap-hit on five players. To make matters worse, they have a combined age of 30.2.
With the No.27 Overall Pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, the Chicago Blackhawks select…
Jett Woo — RHD — Canada ????????
Not only does he had the best name in the Draft, Jett Woo has one of the best two-way games among blueline prospects in this class. Woo has good size (6-foot, 205 lbs.) and isn’t afraid to use it in the defensive zone. However, his skating is what separates him from other prospects in this class.
Woo still hasn’t managed to turn his skills into a ton of WHL production, having scored just 14 goals with 33 assists (47 points) in 109 games in his first two seasons.
The Blackhawks already have two pretty good D-prospects in Henri Jokiharju and Ian Mitchell but it can’t hurt to add a dynamic blueliner like Woo to your farm system. With Seabrook and Keith getting up there in age, the Blackhawks need some high-end prospects to come through their system in the next few years.
Scouting Report
“He’s a point-a-game player now, runs the first power-play unit and plays with a lot more poise and patience with the puck… He’s not likely a power play guy in the NHL, but more of a two-way guy who can bring a physical element with enough skill to contribute.” — John Williams (NHL Central Scouting)
“Woo is a highly- intelligent, mobile two-way defender…has great skating ability and an efficient stride…proficiently in any direction…has puck-rushing ability because of his smarts, puck skills and elusive edge work…has a pro demeanor with the puck on his stick, never seems limited to just one option on a play…thinks at a high level and is a high-end game manager…skilled with the puck on his stick, and will not shy away from carry it himself if an open outlet pass doesn’t present itself…buzzes the offensive zone, using a series of agile moves and feigns with the puck to open up space…an opportunistic shooter that relied heavily on the wrist shot…has a quick whip on his shot and pass, showing zero hesitation once he gains a look at his target…has the skating to recover from calculated risks and get back quickly…always looking to foil an attack and will instinctively step up to do so…forces oncoming attackers to the outside lane…digs in his heels during physical confrontations…an exciting player to watch…plays big minutes…has top-four two-way NHL upside.” — Future Considerations
Rankings
- #43 — HockeyProspect.com
- #26 — FutureConsiderations.ca
- N/A — ISSHockey.com