NHL Mock Draft 2019: No.14 — Philip Broberg

Through December, the Arizona Coyotes were tied for 26th in the NHL but were hot down the stretch, going 22-15-6 from January 1st on and ended missing the playoffs by just four points.

The strong finish to the season will force the Coyotes to draft outside of the top-12 for just the second time since 2013. Arizona continues to struggle offensively, ranking 28th in goals per game (2.55) last year, but were sixth in goals against (2.68) and tied for first in penalty-kill (85.0%). The Coyotes need to add some dynamic offensive forwards, but with so few top-end defensemen in this class, the forwards will be heavily picked through by the time Arizona is on the clock at No.14.

Some of Arizona’s top prospects heading into the draft are:

— Barrett Hayton – C (No.5 Pick in 2018)
— Pierre-Olivier Joseph – D (No.23 Pick in 2017)
— Kevin Bahl – D (No.55 Pick in 2018)
— Filip Westerlund – D (No.44 Pick in 2017)
— Kyle Capobianco – D (No.63 Pick in 2015)

With the No.14 Overall Pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, the Arizona Coyotes select…

Philip Broberg — D — Sweden 🇸🇪

Despite solid blueline depth in their prospect pool, the Coyotes would love to add a player like Broberg to really push that pile of defensemen over the edge.

Broberg is comparable to current Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson. They both have outstanding size—Broberg (6-foot-3, 201 lbs), Ekman-Larsson (6-foot-2, 201 lbs)—and skate extremely well for bigger defensemen. Skating is Broberg’s best attribute and allows him to be a one-man breakout. In his own-zone, Broberg’s reach makes it difficult for the opposition to get around him, and even when they do his skating allows him to recover seamlessly.

While being one of the best skaters in the draft class, Broberg doesn’t bring a ton of offence to the table. While playing in Sweden’s top league as a 17-year-old, Broberg had nine points (2G / 7A) in 41 games. He was sent to the junior league for a period of time, posting a point-per-game in eight games. While representing Sweden at the U18 World Juniors, Broberg had two goals and four assists in seven games. He was also in the U20 World Juniors, collecting a single asset in six games.

All-in-all, Broberg is a solid two-way defenseman with elite skating ability, decent hands, and moderate offensive production. He projects to be a top-pairing defenseman who will most likely kill penalties and skate on a team’s second power-play unit. Broberg is probably a better skating but less offensive version of Hampus Lindholm.

Scouting Report

Broberg is a dynamic defenseman because of his frame and elite skating. He has offense in his game and will be a solid defender. He won’t be a top power play guy by any means, but he will be a second unit type who can play tough minutes and drive play while playing against opponents best players. — Corey Pronman (The Athletic)
Philip Broberg is a smart two-way defenceman with undeniable skill. His fluid skating ability allows him to punish over-extension immediately with how quickly he can start plays from his own end. What his impressive mobility tends to overshadow, though, is his positional play. While he doesn’t always make the high percentage play, he is very perceptive and thinks his decisions through. On the fly, he pays close attention to where the puck’s going and where it’s been. This allows him to read the play early and make the most of any time and space found. All-in-all, Broberg could be the most complete defenceman in his draft class. He’s got elite mobility and hockey sense, and he doesn’t give up his own end. — Curtis Joe (Elite Prospects)

Rankings

#21 — HockeyProspect.com
#17 — Future Considerations
#16 — ISS Hockey
#5 — NHL Central Scouting (EU Skaters)

Highlights

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