2018 NHL Entry Draft Preview
Here are the top ten prospects this draft:
#1 -
D Rasmus Dahlin - The 6-3 defenseman can skate very smoothly all ready and plays an all around two way game. His offensive game looks NHL ready and he has all the makings of a legitimate #1 NHL defenseman.
#2 -
LW Brady Tkachuk - Matthew's younger brother has formidable size and plays with aggression and ferocity. A fearless competitor, his defensive details could use some work but he could potentially score at the NHL level immediately with his toolkit.
#3 -
LW Andrei Svechnikov - An all around offensive threat who could potentially develop a two way game and is able to play either side, Svechnikov has NHL size and skills and skating already. Whoever drafts him will have a top line scorer when he develops.
#4 -
D Quinn Hughes - A smooth skating, slick passing defenseman with a high hockey IQ, Quinn has a way of making the game look effortless. He has legit PP1 potential at the NHL level, although his shot is less than intimidating. His major downside is his size. At 5-10 he is anything but physically intimidating and though he relies on his instincts and skating to attack and defend effectively there will always be detractors who are skeptical of his NHL impact as a number one defenseman with his diminutive frame.
#5 -
C Barrett Hayton - Our highest ranked center, Hayton has good speed and passing and some two way instincts. His offensive game is less dynamic than those ranked above him but he definitely has potential to be a top six centre in the NHL.
#6 -
D Evan Bouchard - With a heavy shot and great vision in the offensive zone Bouchard looks to be a prototypical PP quarterback at the NHL level. He has already demonstrated that he can log a lot of minutes without his play suffering. He is good at defensive positioning but the rest of his defensive details need some work. Still, at 6-3 he has the size that NHL teams covet in a top 4 defenseman.
#7 -
D Noah Dobson - A good passer with a strong shot, Dobson has a lot of value at both ends of the ice. He reads off his teammates well and has good high end speed. A 6-4 frame and lots of upside, he projects to be at least a top 4 if not top pairing NHL defenseman once he makes the league.
#8 -
C Jesperi Kotkaniemi - A rangy centre with size and skill, Kotkaniemi needs some time to fill out and develop his game but he has all the tools to become a two way top six pivot in the big leagues some day.
#9 -
RW Martin Kaut - A Czech winger with size who uses his body well on offense and has a wicked wrister, Kaut is also a strong skater even if he lacks elite top end speed. He is proficient at takeaways and also surprisingly good at faceoffs for a winger. He is somewhat one dimensional on offense, he needs a driver on his line to get him the puck so he can unleash his shot, and he doesn't create a lot of opportunities for his linemates.
#10 -
RW Filip Zadina - Zadina has a great shot from in close and good puck skills. He is slippery and dangerous in his skating and knows how to position himself well in the defensive zone. Some question his offensive IQ and willingness to go to the dirty areas but he is an effective goal scorer who could develop into a top six winger with PP1 potential.
Honourable Mentions -
D Rasmus Sandin, C Ty Dellandrea, D Nils Lundkvist, RW Vitali Kravtsov, D Adam Boqvist, G Erik Portillo