Each day over the next month leading up to the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, held on June 22 in Dallas, we will be taking a look at the top 31 prospects available, starting with the 31st and leading up to number one.
Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 26th-ranked prospect, right wing Dominik Bokk.
Dominik Bokk
2017–18 Team: Vaxjo (Sweden)
Date of Birth: February 3, 2000
Place of Birth: Schweinfurt, Germany
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 180 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: RW
NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 12 (European Skaters)
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 8 (European Skaters)
NHL Comparable: Nikolaj Ehlers
Dominik Bokk is a skilled German forward playing in Sweden. Bokk is easily the best German available in the draft. NHL Central Scouting has him as the 12th-ranked international skater, with the next German ranked 95th. Bokk is touted as Germany’s next up-and-coming star.
Bokk’s biggest strength is his stickhandling. He possesses some of the best stickhandling in this year’s draft class, which allows him to be a dangerous offensive player. In combination with his elite hands is high high-end vision and hockey sense. This combination allows him to be a highly effective playmaker.
Bokk also owns a wide arrange of dangerous shots. His wrist shot and snapshot are among the better shots in the draft, as he is able to get them off quickly and with power and accuracy. Bokk is not afraid to tee up a slap shot either. Additionally, his high-end hands allow him to be effective close to the net with rebounds and deflections as well.
Bokk’s defensive game is a work in progress. Being among the most skilled players around during his upbringing in Germany, Bokk did not need to focus much on defense. However, as he has transitioned into playing in Sweden with better competition, Bokk has now been exposed to the need to improve defensively. At times, Bokk can get out of position and miss a backcheck because of a lack of recognition.
While Bokk is not one of the draft’s best skaters, he is able to hold his own thanks to his acceleration, which allows him to beat opponents in short races to loose pucks and then create separation. Bokk moves well laterally, which in conjunction with his good hands, allows him to create space for himself and generate offensive opportunities.
Implications for the Blackhawks
Bokk may or may not be available by the time the Hawks pick at 27th. If a team likes his offensive ability enough, he will likely be gone. However, he could be an option if teams are hesitant because of his defensive deficiencies. He would definitely need time in Rockford getting used to North American hockey before making the jump to the NHL, but could be a nice addition to the third line, or potentially second line with enough development, down the road.
Timeline
Bokk needs a few years to develop his game into a more well-rounded style. He needs to get stronger to be able to withstand NHL contact and needs to improve his speed. His defensive ability will need work, which will take some time as well. He is likely at least three years away from being an NHL player.
Projection
If Bokk is able to develop his game on the defensive side of the puck and get faster and stronger, he may be able to be a serviceable second liner in the NHL, though is more likely to be a god third line option for the team selecting him.
What others are saying
“Bokk has outstanding stickhandling ability. He has incredible hands and can make plays in a phone booth. He pairs this with very good vision and passing skill. Bokk has high-end hockey IQ, he always seems to make smart plays with the puck and knows how to get open without it. Bokk is strong on his skates, and protects the puck well in the cycle game. He has decent balance. This should improve even more as he continues to add muscle to his frame.”
— Ben Kerr/Last Word on Hockey
“Bokk’s pure puck skill is up there with the very best in the draft class. He dances with the puck on his stick and can make flashy dekes seem routine. His hands also translate to making him one of the best pick pockets (of pucks) I’ve seen at his age. He’s a good playmaker who looks to makes plays to his teammates and has the patience and skill to hold the puck and let an option develop.”
— Corey Pronman/The Athletic