NHL Mock Draft 2017: Nashville Predators select Robert Thomas with No. 30 pick

With the 30th pick in the 2017 SBNation Mock Draft, the Nashville Predators select Robert Thomas of the London Knights.

Take a look at the Preds newest (mock) pick!

Robert Thomas, C

Size: 6’0” 190 lbs

Team: London Knights (OHL)

Thomas has shown a propensity for creating offense for the London Knights over this past season. Putting up a point-per-game in this past season, he led the team with 50 assists and added in 16 goals.

More of a playmaker than a shooter, Thomas has some nice speed and great puckhandling that puts him in good position to either score or dish a pass to an open player. He has a nice defensive game, but he would likely have to work even harder in the defensive zone at the NHL level to make up for his size.

He projects as a two-way forward, probably eventually slotting in at the 2C position. Some liken him to a Mikael Backlund type, though with a better shot and some more muscle, I could see him being more in the Ryan O’Reilly mold.

Here he is breaking the ankles of some poor Kitchener Ranger (Thomas is #27).

And here he is leading a sweet combination play on a breakout.

The London Knights lost in the 2017 OHL Playoffs to the eventual champion Erie Otters, who have the Raddysh twins and OHL scoring leader Alex DeBrincat. Thomas finished with 12 points in the playoffs, but was only +1 in 14 games.

The offensive upside of Thomas is certainly appealing. Mock draft fun aside, the only question will be if he is around when the Predators pick at #30. Some have him going as high as #24 to the Blue Jackets or at #26 to the Blackhawks.

Also, with this guy on board, we could hear Grammy Award winning 1999 hit “Smooth” by Santana featuring Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty on the regular.

Man, it’s a hot one!