Just days away from the NHL Draft, the Utah Mammoth holds the 4th overall pick on Friday night... for now. Speculation around the NHL is that many of the top 10 draft positions could be for sale at the right price. This draft lacks the top-heavy, star power, but has many closely rated talents that would allow many teams the option to move up or down and get a similar talent projection.
Because of the number of prospects that are closely evaluated in talent, many organizations may start to draft based on positional need. With that will come several versions of mock drafts that may be completely wrong. The Mammoth may have a player fall to them that originally was not supposed to be available. It is essential to monitor all potential prospects before the pick is made on Friday.
Brady Martin caught the attention of Utah and general manager Bill Armstrong at the NHL Combine in Buffalo earlier this month. Since then, Martin's stock has risen among experts and could be taken by Utah at four. Victor Eklund is a player who was ranked similarly to Martin and will more than likely be available when Utah is on the clock.
Victor Eklund
This is a player that has been forgotten in all the buzz around the NHL combine and the North American players. Eklund is an extremely gifted player who has been overshadowed by fellow Swede Anton Frondell, despite outplaying him this past season.
Eklund is the brother of San Jose Sharks forward William. At 5'11, 161 pounds, Eklund's size has been a concern for several organizations, but the NHL is different, and smaller players can succeed in the game. Eklund has a strong compete level, which helps offset his lack of size. This is a player who will not give up on a play or avoid the dirty areas.
Another reason that Eklund has not been talked up is that he is one of the few top 10 players who is a true winger. His right-handed release is quick and sneaky. A player who sees the ice better than most, Eklund's vision with the puck is NHL-ready and works well on the breakout.
Playing in the pro league in Sweden, Eklund has experience playing with older players. Like many of these prospects, he will need to add weight and muscle to compete at the NHL level, but this is a player that will make teams regret passing on him for years to come.
Brady Martin
Already a cult hero in Salt Lake City, Martin has a growing popularity among Mammoth fans after having dinner with the Utah brass in Buffalo. Originally not ranked in the top 10, there is a growing feeling among scouts that Martin will be drafted in the top 10, maybe even the top 5.
After watching the Florida Panthers win the Stanley Cup the last two seasons with players like Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk, Martin becomes more attractive as he plays a similar style. Not to take away any of the 6'0, 186-pound forward's talent, but his physical play and "mean" streak have been the focal point of discussions among general managers.
Martin can finish below the dots while feeding his teammates the puck, registering 39 assists this year. The hardest hitter in this draft, Martin, is a power forward who can play in any situation.
This is a playoff-type player that will have a strong NHL career, but to pick him as early as 4th overall may be a reach. The ceiling for the other forwards is higher, but what Martin brings can be plugged into any organization.