1. New Jersey Devils-Jack Hughes, C, US NTDP (USHL)
One of two things you could have predicted correctly, the Devils went for the dynamic US-born talent in Hughes. He does come with size concerns, but so did Patrick Kane when he came out for his draft year. He figures to slot in right away as a second-line center behind Nico Hischier, and has the potential to elevate the games of Kyle Palmieri and Blake Coleman.
2. New York Rangers-Kaapo Kakko, RW, TPS (Finland)
The other thing you could have seen coming, the Rangers went for a player that raised his stock in the last year with clutch performances on the world's biggest stages. Had he played more center, it was possible that he could have gone first overall. As it is, Kakko falls into a good situation, playing alongside either Mikka Zibanejad or Chris Kreider.
3. Chicago Blackhawks-Kirby Dach, C, Saskatoon (WHL)
A mild surprise, since Dylan Cozens was seen as the better WHL prospect of the two, but Dach has skill and the potential is higher than Cozens'. A playmaker, he has a great chance to continue to develop his game while both Jonathan Toews and Dylan Strome hold down the fort in Chicago down the middle.
4. Colorado Avalanche-Bowen Byram, D, Vancouver (WHL)
Having the luxury of picking the best player available since they have another pick at 16, the Avs decided to further bolster their blueline with the best defender in the draft. Byram has a few things to clean up, but his stock was helped considerably by his performance in the WHL playoffs. He won't be rushed to Colorado right away, since their defensive unit is good, even if they do decide to move Tyson Barrie.
5. Los Angeles Kings-Alex Turcotte, C, US NTDP (USHL)
Injuries this past year were a concern coming into the draft for Turcotte, but his skill was not. The Wisconsin commit will bring strong two-way play and a chance to shine without playing behind Hughes.
6. Detroit Red Wings-Moritz Seider, D, Mannheim (Germany)
The first real surprise of the draft, Seider wasn't seen as a top 10 pick in most drafts, but his size and puck moving ability are starting points for why he was a worthy first rounder. He's a couple years away, but the potential is there to be at worst, a solid second pairing player.
7. Buffalo Sabres-Dylan Cozens, C, Lethbridge (WHL)
A power forward that has potential to be a top line center, he does need to gain a little weight, but that will come with time. Buffalo needed offense, and Cozens can provide that.
8. Edmonton Oilers-Philip Broberg, D, AIK (Sweden)
His stock took a bit of a hit as his team didn't trust him as much in the second half of the season, but that did not scare off an Oilers team desperate to cobble together a blue line. He has to answer questions about his puck-moving skills, but his size and skating are unquestioned.
9. Anaheim Ducks-Trevor Zegras, C, US NTDP (USHL)
Another center stuck behind Jack Hughes, Zegras is a playmaker that has the ability to shoot, but he will need to have a more prominent role to fully realize his potential, something that will happen at the next level, whether it is Boston University or Mississauga of the OHL.
10. Vancouver Canucks-Vasili Podkolzin, RW, SKA-Neva (Russia)
Thought to have been a top 5 pick, the fact that he will remain in Russia for two years scared off some teams. He has offensive potential, but he also carries a bit of a mean streak, something that Vancouver has needed for years.
11. Arizona Coyotes-Victor Soderstrom, D, Brynas (Sweden)
The Coyotes moved up to this spot by switching spots and giving up their second rounder to Philadelphia. He's not big, but he does have offensive skill that will translate to today's NHL.
12. Minnesota Wild-Matthew Boldy, LW, US NTDP (USHL)
Consistency was an issue with Boldy, but his goal scoring prowess is what caught notice of scouts. He is headed to Boston College, where he will have time to round out his game.
13. Florida Panthers-Spencer Knight, G, US NTDP (USHL)
Florida's goaltending situation is as close to dire straits as it gets, with Roberto Luongo undecided on what he wants to do, James Reimer being a shell of his former self, and Sam Montembault not ready for prime time. There's also nothing behind Montembault, which makes the Knight pick the only one they could have made here. Knight has the potential to be a starter within three years.
14. Philadelphia Flyers-Cam York, D, US NTDP (USHL)
The Flyers traded back from 11 to acquire an extra pick, which they sent to Nashville (that pick had been acquired in a trade with New Jersey) to move up in the second round to take Bobby Brink. On paper, the Flyers should have good defensive depth, but not many of them have developed as hoped. York is an offensive defender who can help on the power play.
15. Montreal Canadiens-Cole Caufield, RW, US NTDP (USHL)
Like Alex DeBrincat in his draft year, Caufield saw his stock drop due to his size. However, he scores a lot, and the Canadiens were desperate for a scoring winger, now that their center depth is now sorted out for the moment.
16. Colorado Avalanche-Alex Newhook, C, Victoria (BCHL)
The Boston College commit put up numbers in the BCHL reminiscent of now-current teammate Tyson Jost when he came into his draft year from the BCHL. He is skilled, but college is a jump from lower level junior. Still, the potential is there to be better than advertised.
17. Vegas Golden Knights-Peyton Krebs, C, Winnipeg (WHL)
Seen as a top-10 pick before an injury that occured a few weeks ago, Krebs already has the character, having played the majority of his WHL career on some bad Kootenay squads. His skill was on full display in the Prospects Game in January when given a shot to perform with better players.
18. Dallas Stars-Thomas Harley, D, Mississauga (OHL)
A solid two-way defender, Harley's offense is only going to get better. Seen as a safe pick, he has the potential to play in the NHL for many seasons.
19. Ottawa Senators-Lassi Thomson, D, Kelowna (WHL)
His shot and puck moving ability are way ahead of his defense, and he is still acclimating to the North American game, but Thomson improved as the season went along, and there is reason to believe he will continue to develop the rest of his game.
20. Winnipeg Jets-Ville Heinola, D, Lukko (Finland)
Winnipeg got this pick back from the Rangers in the Jacob Trouba trade, and they addressed a potential glaring hole on the blue line with a solid puck mover in Heinola. Skating is an issue, but can be corrected, and his overall game reminds many of Miro Heiskanen.
21. Pittsburgh Penguins-Samuel Poulin, LW, Sherbrooke (QMJHL)
Pittsburgh needed to replenish their pipeline, and Poulin brings bloodlines and a power forward presence not seen in Pittsburgh in a while. He has scoring ability, but that is through work ethic more than skill, but his skill isn't something to overlook.
22. Los Angeles Kings-Tobias Bjornfort, D, Djurgarden Jr. (Sweden)
Solid defender who has no standout abilities, he has the leadership capabilities, and can be on an NHL roster for years to come. Still, this seems like the Kings could have gone for better here.
23. New York Islanders-Simon Holmstrom, RW, HV71 Jr. (Sweden)
The Islanders went way off the board here, picking a player who has offensive ability, but also had injury issues. Yes, the Islanders have a deep prospect pool, but was Holmstrom a better pick than someone like Raphael Lavoie, who went 15 spots later and was a higher ranked prospect.
24. Nashville Predators-Philip Tomasino, C, Niagara (OHL)
This was a pick that I thought would happen, given that the Predators are forever in need of center depth. Tomasino didn't get as great of a look, given that Niagara went all in for a deep playoff run, thus pushing him down the lineup, but he's got playmaking skill and is willing to lineup wherever a team wants him. Effort is also unquestioned.
25. Washington Capitals-Connor McMichael, C, London (OHL)
Though he didn't have a major role this year due to the depth that London seems to boast every year, McMichael has the ability to be even better once he gets prime opportunites. He does need to bulk up, but his ability to put up points is something that happens thanks to his economic style.
26. Calgary Flames-Jakob Pelletier, LW, Moncton (QMJHL)
Size is an issue, as Pelletier needs to bulk up badly, but he has offensive skill and his hockey sense is one of the best in the draft class. Despite his size, he can also play a possession game.
27. Tampa Bay Lightning-Nolan Foote, LW, Kelowna (WHL)
The Lightning opted to go back to the Foote well, as they had drafted Nolan's brother Cal a few years earlier. He's a power play weapon with his shot, but does need to improve both his skating and consistency of effort.
28. Carolina Hurricanes-Ryan Suzuki, C, Barrie (OHL)
A playmaker who does have questions to answer in terms of compete level, Suzuki is a candidate to be moved to a better OHL team and see if better players around him causes the light to turn on.
29. Anaheim Ducks-Brayden Tracy, LW, Moose Jaw (WHL)
Taken a little higher than most expected, Tracy has offensive skill, as his numbers show, but he will need to elevate his game with some of Moose Jaw's veterans moving on.
30. Boston Bruins-Johnny Beecher, C, US NTDP (USHL)
Another product of the US NTDP, Beecher is a big man. Consistency and hockey sense are questioned, but the Bruins do well with players like Beecher, who will have time to round out his game in Michigan.
31. Buffalo Sabres-Ryan Johnson, D, Sioux Falls (USHL)
He has some bulking up to do, but his skill set reminds many of Kris Letang, meaning that he can start an offense from his own end without much effort.
As for trades, Toronto salary dumped Patrick Marleau to Carolina and Nashville moved PK Subban to New Jersey for draft picks, Steven Santini and prospect Jeremy Davies.
No comments:
Post a Comment