Dominik Bokk, Växjö Lakers HC J20 and Växjö Lakers HC

Bio

Position: Right Wing (Right-handed shot)
Age on Draft Day: 18
Height/Weight: 6’1”, 179 lbs.
2017-18 Stats: 14-27-41 (35 Games Played with Växjö Lakers HC J20), 1-1-2 (15 Games Played with Växjö Lakers HC)
Draft Ranking: 33rd (Future Considerations) 12th Among European Skaters (NHL Scouting Central)

The Skinny

In an article on The Athletic, Corey Pronman titled Dominik Bokk “the next Deutschland Dangler.” The current German Juggernaut in the league is, of course, Leon Draisaitl, so that is some high praise. He loves playing with the puck on his stick and has the handling chops to show for it. Also, his shot is one of the slickest this year, too, and his skating is up to the task of hanging in the big leagues. His coaches seem to universally agree that he is best described as a high skill player, and Bokk echoed their sentiments (humbly) in a recent interview at the scouting combine this year in Buffalo. In reading about Dominik Bokk, the words “dynamic” and “fun” come up a lot; Detroit could use more of both these days.

But why isn’t this kid a top ten prospect or some such? Well, he has to fill out his frame. At 6’1” and 179 pounds, he’s scrawny for a hockey pro. Expect him to grow into it as his body matures and can strength-train more rigorously. Because of the weight issue, he gets knocked off the puck easily and isn’t heavy on his skates.

The other issue with Bokk’s game is that his decision making without the puck needs some work. He’s great when the puck is on his tape, but he can be too aggressive in the offensive zone, pinching at the wrong moment to create odd-man rushes in the wrong direction. The Red Wings’ front office loves to complain about their players’ defensive lapses, so I can assume this is actually viewed as a positive by the Wings’ scouts.

Here is Bokk scoring his first goal in the SHL last season to get you excited over the smallest sample size possible.

The Bottom Line

Most scouts agree, Bokk has the toolkit to be very good in the NHL, including top line potential. He has the puck handling, the offensive savvy, and the shot that gets fans excited. Some question marks remain on how he will fill out his frame and if he can learn better discretion in the offensive zone, but I think he’s worth the risk. He is committed to play in the SHL next year, so he will spend at least one more season in Europe before coming over to North America. Personally, I am hoping the Wings can grab him with their late first or one of their early second picks, but plenty of other teams will have their eyes on him in the draft.

Kyle’s take: Dom Bokk is the sort of player the Red Wings need to target in the later stages of the 1st round. Yes, he’s a winger, but he has a ton of talent. If he were hit his true potential, he could be another player like Rickard Rakell. Not a top-10 pick, but the kind of low-risk, high-reward you want with a later 1st, early 2nd pick.

So, yea or nay on Dominik Bokk donning a Red Wings sweater on draft weekend?