NHL Mock Draft 2019: No.22 — Bobby Brink
The Los Angeles Kings will be making their second pick in the first-round with the No.22 pick.
With their first pick (No.5 overall), I have projected the Kings to take the best defenseman in the draft, Bowen Byram. Drafting Byram gives the Kings three solid D-prospects, joining Mikey Anderson and Kale Clague.
Up front, the Kings have three great centre prospects—Rasmus Kupari, Gabe Vilardi and Akil Thomas. With the No.22 pick, you have to believe the Kings will be looking to add a winger to a prospect pool that continues to look more and more impressive.
With the No.22 Overall Pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, the Los Angeles Kings select…
Bobby Brink — RW — United States 🇺🇸
Brink is an under-sized winger (5-foot-8, 165 lbs.) with quick hands and knack for scoring goals. Brink tore up the USHL this season, finishing second in the league in goals (35) and fourth in points (68). While representing the USA at the U18 World Juniors, he was overshadowed by the bigger names in the draft but scored three goals with three assists in five games.
Aside from his size, the other red-flag is his skating. Brink will need to improve in that area before he makes it to the NHL, especially because he’s so small. However, you can’t coach the kind of game-breaking plays that Brink makes on a regular basis.
Brink gives the Kings an offensive winger to go along with their three centre and three defence prospects. They need to add skill like this and I’d be surprised if they pass on Brink if he’s available at No.22.
Scouting Report
A deadly offensive player with quick hands, great awareness, and a nose for finishing plays. Tore the USHL apart this season while adding a standout performance at the World Junior A Championships. His skating needs more work. The mechanics are off but it hasn’t hindered his ability to produce… yet. — Cam Robinson
[Brink] has high offensive awareness. In talking this past season with Sioux Falls defenseman Ryan Johnson, I asked him who his toughest foe was in the USHL. Johnson didn’t even hesitate to answer Brink. “He plays chess, at the speed of checkers,” added a former NHLer. — Lisa Dillman (The Athletic)
Rankings
- #15 — HockeyProspect.com
- #37 — Future Considerations
- #22 — ISS Hockey
- #19 — NHL Central Scouting (NA Skaters)