:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46282928/DSC_0202-e1396768203507.0.0.jpg)
When initially researching multiple mock drafts, one defenseman stood out among the pack as being the most fitting for the Bruins blue line - Oliver Kylington. An offensively-leaning two-way defenseman isn't a huge necessity with Dougie Hamilton, Torey Krug, and Joe Morrow on the roster. But by rule, you take the best player available, and OK should be a hot commodity around pick #14.
| Name | Origin | Age | Height | Weight | Pos. | League | Avg. Rank |
| Oliver Kylington |
Stockholm, SWE |
17 | 6'0" | 181 | D | SHL | 17.8 |
Kylington played regularly in the Swedish Hockey League at the age of sixteen, a rarity as the majority of the league is a little older, and a little bigger. Yet his talent and poise were enough to warrant the ice time. Still growing into his frame, the soon-to-be 18-year-old, 181 lb. & 6'0" Kylington had some writers penciling him in for a Top 5 selection back in October. With NHL comparisons to the Blue Jackets' Jack Johnson and former Washington Capital Calle Johansson, Kylington is projected to be a solid Top 4 defenseman in the NHL, great in all three zones of the ice.
A smart two-way defenseman, who has tremendous feeling for the game and reads the plays well. Oliver Kylington is only average sized, but lets you forget the missing inches with his hockey sense, his strong vision and remarkable skating abilities. Owns a booming shot from the blue-line and combined with this very good puck- and passing-skills, he can guide a power-play and the team’s offensive game to success. (Rafik Soliman, April 2015)
After a 2013-14 campaign that had him as a point-per-game player for the J20 squad in the SuperElit, Kylington started last season with Farjestad in the SHL, before getting loaned to AIK with his original team struggling mightily early on in the season. After missing out in the WJC due to injury--which undoubtedly dropped his draft stock into the Bruins' territory--he returned to Farjestad in January, and finished the year with 12 points in 35 games for both teams, adding 5 assists in 6 games during the playoffs.
One thing scouts seem to agreed on is Kylington's mental toughness & confidence. He doesn't shrivel in the spotlight, owning the moment and playing like he knows he's one of the better players on the ice. It's what gives him the ability to break out of the zone so effectively, and take control on the rush. His overall drive and hockey sense have negated any physical shortcomings thus far, and once he bulks up and builds mass, his borderline-elite talent could be that much more apparent.
Exceptionally poised, mature, two-way defenseman…handles the puck well and likes to join the rush…plays with impressive confidence and is absolutely fearless with the puck on his stick…doesn’t possess a bomb of a shot, but knows how to put the puck on target...quite impressive top speed and acceleration, especially in offensive situations…not overly big and has some defensive positioning issues to sort out…minute-munching ability as this kid just has ice water flowing through his veins. (Future Considerations, August 2014)
Kylington could be a great low-risk, high-reward player in the 2015 draft. Some scouts rank him as the 5th-best defenseman in the pool, while other have him slipping to the back end of the first round. Although it's unfair to say he's a boom or bust type of player, since even the low end of his potential is slated to be NHL worthy, there may be better raw talent at pick no. 14. But if the Bruins want to add solid depth at the blue line, Kylington has the capabilities to be seen as a steal down the road.