2019 NHL draft: Choose evaluation for each staff
Observe the whole 2019 NHL draft, pick-by-pick. Chris Peters, Greg Wyshynski and Emily Kaplan present detailed breakdowns of every first-rounder’s talent set, in addition to how he’ll match together with his new NHL staff. And make sure to try all of our draft-prep content material to be taught extra about this gifted draft class.
High 100 | Goalies | Late-rounders
Finest by talent | Scouting report responses
Hughes vs. Kakko | Draft order
Group: USA U18 (NTDP)
Rating: 1 | Nationality: USA
Age: 18 | Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 170 | Shot: L
Stats: 50 GP, 34 G, 78 A
Scouting report: Hughes has such nice burst and a simple glide in his skating, and he makes use of his edges to create separation. He sees the ice and processes play growth at an elite degree. Hughes is an knowledgeable at making performs in small areas, which is why his dimension is much less of a hassle. Though he undoubtedly must proceed including muscle, Hughes is unafraid to go to the arduous areas of the ice and protects himself nicely, because of his skating and anticipation abilities. He takes care of his personal finish and makes use of these anticipation abilities to chop down passing lanes, however his protection wants enchancment. I’ve but to observe a recreation during which he did not drive play, shift in and shift out. — Peters
Group match: Hughes provides the Devils two younger facilities round whom to construct. He joins 20-year-old Nico Hischier, taken first general in 2017, to kind a formidable one-two punch. His arrival provides the franchise some clear route, which will likely be very important if the Devils are to re-sign 2018 Hart Trophy winner Taylor Corridor earlier than subsequent summer time’s unrestricted free company. — Wyshynski
The place Hughes is almost certainly to play in 2019-20: NHL (Devils)
Group: TPS (Finland)
Rating: 2 | Nationality: FIN
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 194 | Shot: L
Stats: 45 GP, 22 G, 16 A
Scouting report: Kakko has an awesome body and makes use of it nicely, as he is arduous to take off the puck and makes use of that capacity to create further time for himself. He has the imaginative and prescient to identify performs and make them shortly, and I believe his hand abilities have gotten to a fringe elite degree. His shot is high-end and heavy; he can beat goalies from distance, however then he additionally has the talent to make performs in tight on the internet entrance. Though not Hughes-like in his skating, he’s highly effective and has sufficient pace to interrupt away from the opposition. His edgework is powerful, and his steadiness makes him so troublesome to play in opposition to. Kakko battles in addition to any participant, each in puck pursuit and with it on his stick. There is a particular fireplace in him to compete, and he will likely be a cornerstone NHL winger. — Peters
Group match: After his performances in Liiga, the professional league in Finland, and the IIHF world championships, anticipation is excessive that Kakko will make a right away impression for the Rangers as a goal-scoring winger. The Rangers are in a multiyear rebuild and have amassed a very good variety of younger offensive gamers. With prospects like Lias Andersson and Filip Chytil at heart, Kakko ought to slot in properly. — Wyshynski
The place Kakko is almost certainly to play in 2019-20: NHL (Rangers)
Group: Saskatoon (WHL)
Rating: Four | Nationality: CAN
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-Four | Wt: 198 | Shot: R
Stats: 62 GP, 25 G, 48 A
» Choose-by-pick evaluation
» Greatest questions | Ultimate mock draft
» The delivery of the Hughes-Kakko rivalry
» High 100 prospects | Finest by talent
» High goalies | Late-round steals
» Draft picks for all 31 NHL groups
» Extra protection of the NHL draft
Scouting report: Dach has dimension, smarts and talent. It is not typically that you simply get a play-driving heart at 6-foot-Four who makes the sport look as straightforward as Dach does. Though he lacks explosiveness, he skates easily and has an awesome sense of easy methods to get to the place he must be effectively. When he does have the puck, Dach is a shot-pass risk who can rating targets in a wide range of methods. He is particularly profitable at driving the online. He also can choose groups other than the skin, because of high-end imaginative and prescient and elite distribution abilities. He has handled bouts of inconsistency, however when he’s on, he’s unstoppable. — Peters
Group match: The Blackhawks have a surplus of high defensive prospects (not a foul drawback to have), so it wasn’t essentially a shock they bypassed Bowen Byram. They get a middle in Dach, which is a large space of organizational want. Chicago wanted any ahead, actually. Out of the non-Jack Hughes facilities on this draft, Dach is the almost certainly to crack an NHL roster subsequent season, although it could be a shock to see him in Chicago in 2019-20. — Kaplan
The place Dach is almost certainly to play in 2019-20: WHL
Group: Vancouver (WHL)
Rating: 7 | Nationality: CAN
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 195 | Shot: L
Stats: 67 GP, 26 G, 45 A
Scouting report: There isn’t a denying that he has some unbelievable offensive talent, however I want to see Byram change into a bit extra constant as a defender. I believe the skating is superb, and he has a very good sense of easy methods to play effectively in a boatload of minutes. One scout I spoke to expressed concern that the way in which Byram scored targets — popping deep into zones and aggressively leaping performs — will not translate to the NHL. I believe components of it might, however he must change into a bit extra selective. He is the most effective defenseman on this draft by a pretty big margin. However the threshold of a future No. 1 defenseman is fairly excessive, and I am unsure Byram is there but for me. — Peters
Group match: There was a time, not too way back, that the Avalanche’s protection corps was one of many NHL’s most underwhelming teams. That is going to really feel like historic historical past over the following a number of years. Byram joins potential 2019 Rookie of the Yr Cale Makar, 20, smooth-skating Samuel Girard, 21, and Connor Timmins, 20, to kind the spine of that blue line for years to return. — Wyshynski
The place Byram is almost certainly to play in 2019-20: WHL
Group: USA U18 (NTDP)
Rating: Three | Nationality: USA
Age: 18 | Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 186 | Shot: L
Stats: 37 GP, 27 G, 35 A
Scouting report: He is a brilliant, two-way ahead with an unrelenting motor and a capability to make performs within the offensive finish of the ice. Turcotte is dogged in puck pursuit and remarkably sturdy, regardless of being average-sized. He’s a fierce competitor however doesn’t step over the road fairly often. He isn’t at all times flashy and would not at all times make the eye-popping play, however he makes the best performs. Turcotte goes arduous to the online and into the corners, and he has the contact and plus-level imaginative and prescient to make performs beneath duress and discover higher choices in harder conditions with the puck on his stick. He has misleading ft, showcasing a very good second gear that enables him to beat defenders huge or problem them inside. — Peters
Group match: Turcotte follows the speed-based mannequin the Kings have been going with these days. On high of being a talented participant with wonderful imaginative and prescient and superior hockey sense, he is a aggressive two-way man. The Kings have been constructing a steady of quick facilities with Rasmus Kupari and Akil Thomas, each chosen final yr. This prospect pool will get a pleasant increase with a participant with a ton of versatility. — Peters
The place Turcotte is almost certainly to play in 2019-20: NCAA (Wisconsin)
Bruce Bennett/Getty Photos
Group: Mannheim (Germany)
Rating: 15 | Nationality: GER
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-Three | Wt: 208 | Shot: R
Stats: 29 GP, 2 G, Four A
Scouting report: One of the vital intriguing gamers on this complete draft, Seider is a powerful skater for such an enormous man and sees the ice notably nicely. He could make performs on the offensive blue line and does a very good job of absorbing and evading stress in his personal zone. There’s some threat as a result of Seider did not have a ton of reps on particular groups and in key conditions this season, however he ought to be capable to get these subsequent season. — Peters
Group match: The Crimson Wings would not have a ton of depth amongst defensemen of their system, however this was a shocker of a choose in Steve Yzerman’s first draft. The worth among the many forwards nonetheless on the board is critical. You’d need to suppose the Crimson Wings carry him to North America instantly and permit him to develop in their very own system within the AHL. — Peters
The place Seider is almost certainly to play in 2019-20: AHL
Group: Lethbridge (WHL)
Rating: 10 | Nationality: CAN
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-Three | Wt: 183 | Shot: R
Stats: 68 GP, 34 G, 50 A
Scouting report: A powerful skater who has an explosive burst in area, Cozens has that mixture of dimension and pace that tantalizes scouts. There have been some questions on his general hockey sense and talent degree, but it surely’s arduous to argue with how his bodily instruments translate. The shortage of high-end puck abilities means that he may not be a No. 1 pivot down the street. That stated, he has some two-way capabilities, with the steadiness tilting extra offensively. — Peters
Group match: Cozens brings plenty of pace, and he believes he can play within the NHL subsequent season. I am unsure I am there but for him, although. That stated, I’ve favored his recreation from begin to end. He provides the Sabres a reasonably versatile man who might be a pleasant No. 2 heart behind Jack Eichel in the long run. — Peters
The place Cozens is almost certainly to play in 2019-20: WHL
Group: AIK (Sweden 2)
Rating: 14 | Nationality: SWE
Age: 17 | Ht: 6-Three | Wt: 200 | Shot: L
Stats: 41 GP, 2 G, 7 A
Scouting report: Among the finest pure skaters on this draft, Broberg has all the instruments to finally change into a top-four defenseman within the NHL. There have been some average issues about his hockey sense and playmaking talents, however I believe these will catch as much as his ft finally. He makes fairly good reads within the offensive zone, distributes nicely from the defensive zone and may use his ft in transition in addition to, or higher than, any defenseman on this draft. Broberg has an excellent, fast and correct shot from the purpose, searching for open lanes and possessing the mobility to search out the most suitable choice. — Peters
Group match: Broberg is an distinctive skater, and that needed to be a part of Edmonton’s reasoning for grabbing him within the high 10. He can play the sport on the Oilers’ tempo. I believe he will want somewhat further time earlier than he is prepared to leap into their lineup, however he has exceptional upside. Persistence and good teaching will assist him unlock it. — Peters
The place Broberg is almost certainly to play in 2019-20: SHL
Group: USA U18 (NTDP)
Rating: 5 | Nationality: USA
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-Zero | Wt: 173 | Shot: L
Stats: 60 GP, 26 G, 61 A
Scouting report: With elite imaginative and prescient and passing abilities, Zegras is superb in dictating play from the half wall or making performs on the push. He can play at any pace and may again defenders down coming by way of the impartial zone. His capacity to achieve the zone is rivaled solely by Hughes’ within the draft class, as Zegras has creativity and a very good sense of easy methods to discover the smooth areas to offer him the most effective likelihood to make performs. He has a fast launch and may rating targets however is considered extra as a pass-first participant. The largest space of enchancment for Zegras is his bodily power. He additionally appears to drive performs typically, however I believe that grew to become much less of an issue as this previous season progressed. — Peters
Group match: Zegras dropped additional than I assumed he would or ought to. He is an distinctive playmaker and can match proper right into a prospect pool that already contains Isac Lundestrom, Max Comtois, Troy Terry, Sam Metal and Max Jones. For a rebuilding staff, the Geese have some good constructing blocks up entrance. — Peters
The place Zegras is almost certainly to play in 2019-20: NCAA (Boston College)
Group: Neva St. Petersburg (Russia 2)
Rating: 9 | Nationality: RUS
Age: 17 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 196 | Shot: L
Stats: 14 GP, 2 G, Three A
Scouting report: He stays beneath KHL contract for the following two years, however Podkolzin is an distinctive expertise, with high-end talent and energy in his recreation. He has a imply streak, will get on pucks shortly and may end. Podkolzin wasn’t dominating in the identical method on the finish of the season, and his membership play was underwhelming, however I’ve maintained all yr that he was by no means put in an awesome place to succeed this season as a result of he performed at three completely different ranges in Russia. When Podkolzin is at his finest, few on this class are higher. He does somewhat little bit of all the pieces and does nearly all of it very nicely. — Peters
Group match: Podkolzin is a little bit of threat due to that KHL contract, however I’ve heard from groups that these worries have been largely quieted on the mix. Podkolzin will not be round for a few years, however he wanted a number of years to get his professional legs anyway. The Canucks have one other high-end ahead of their rising crop of younger gamers with boatloads of talent. — Peters
The place Podkolzin is almost certainly to play in 2019-20: KHL
Group: Brynas (Sweden)
Rating: 17 | Nationality: SWE
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-Zero | Wt: 182 | Shot: R
Stats: 44 GP, Four G, Three A
2 Associated
Scouting report: A remarkably poised and mature defenseman, Soderstrom showcased his puck-moving expertise and high-end hockey sense this season. Nevertheless, I do not know that there is something particularly that stands out about Soderstrom except for the way in which he thinks the sport. The talent is okay, the passing is good-to-great, his shot is OK and he will get pucks out of the zone nicely. He is likely to be a jack of all trades however a grasp of none. — Peters
Group match: The Coyotes wanted extra defensemen of their system, and Soderstrom has obtained plenty of upside. Having already performed a yr of professional hockey could alter his timeline. I used to be stunned to see Arizona commerce up, however the surprising run on defensemen early on this draft actually modified issues and compelled the Coyotes’ hand to verify they obtained their man. — Peters
The place Soderstrom is almost certainly to play in 2019-20: SHL
Group: USA U18 (NTDP)
Rating: eight | Nationality: USA
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 196 | Shot: L
Stats: 64 GP, 33 G, 48 A
Scouting report: Boldy is a wing who performs extra like a middle, a real 200-foot participant who’s as worthwhile defensively as he’s offensively. He may afford to enhance his skating some — he doesn’t have breakaway pace — however he nonetheless will get across the sheet successfully. Within the offensive finish, Boldy has higher-end puck abilities and creativity. He could make the performs in small areas and has a wonderful, heavy, correct shot. Boldy additionally possesses wonderful imaginative and prescient and a capability to make correct passes off the backhand and forehand. — Peters
Group match: Boldy in all probability wants a number of years in faculty, however he would have been so arduous to move on right here. He brings dimension and flexibility to the desk and immediately turns into a high prospect in a shallow system. If the Wild ever persuade Kirill Kaprizov to depart the KHL, they’d have some wonderful items to maintain constructing on. — Peters
The place Boldy is almost certainly to play in 2019-20: NCAA (Boston Faculty)
Group: USA U18 (NTDP)
Rating: 31 | Nationality: USA
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-Four | Wt: 193 | Catch: L
Stats: 33 GP, Zero.913 Sv%, 2.36 GAA
Scouting report: The issues that makes Knight distinctive amongst his goaltending friends is elite hockey sense, large athleticism balanced with managed play, nice footwork and dimension and elite puck-moving talents. I do not put large worth on a goalie’s puckhandling abilities, however Knight’s are so good it is arduous to not point out. Knight has actually grown rather a lot in his confidence and poise within the internet. There’s such little flash in Knight’s recreation, and that is a very good factor. He is simply at all times in the best spot as a result of he tracks and anticipates in addition to any goalie prospect I’ve seen prior to now few years. — Peters
Group match: Knight is the top-ranked goalie within the draft, and now the way forward for the Panthers’ internet. And he would have a while to develop if the Panthers find yourself touchdown Sergei Bobrovsky in free company to man their crease for the following a number of seasons. Per ESPN Stats & Info, Knight is the very best draft choose on the goalie place since Jack Campbell in 2010, who was drafted 11th by the Stars. — Wyshynski
The place Knight is almost certainly to play in 2019-20: NCAA (Boston Faculty)
Group: USA U18 (NTDP)
Rating: 13 | Nationality: USA
Age: 18 | Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 172 | Shot: L
Stats: 63 GP, 14 G, 51 A
Scouting report: York is usually described because the modern-day defenseman. He jumps into performs with relative ease and has good instincts for when he has to get again. I assumed his defensive recreation improved drastically over the previous two seasons with out sacrificing offense. His puck retrievals and sense for getting out of his personal zone are among the many finest on this draft as a result of he follows that first contact with decisive play. He nonetheless has to spherical out his recreation extra and proceed to construct power as an average-sized defenseman, however there’s rather a lot to love in what he is executed and the way he progressed this season. — Peters
Group match: The Flyers did extraordinarily nicely in buying and selling right down to get an additional asset (No. 45 general) whereas nonetheless getting a defenseman who performs the sport the way in which the NHL goes. The Flyers have been loading up on prospects in recent times and have some actually good forwards, so why not nab a high-end offensive defensman to get the puck to them? — Peters
The place York is almost certainly to play in 2019-20: NCAA (Michigan)
Bruce Bennett/Getty Photos
Group: USA U18 (NTDP)
Rating: 6 | Nationality: USA
Age: 18 | Ht: 5-7 | Wt: 163 | Shot: R
Stats: 64 GP, 72 G, 28 A
Scouting report: It is not simply that Caufield scored 72 targets this season, probably the most by any draft-eligible participant in junior hockey by 21 targets. It is also how he scores them. Sure, Caufield is slight, however he has elite offensive sense. I have never seen a prospect who has as eager a way of time and area, and opponents have a tough time monitoring Caufield on the ice. He is at all times shifting, discovering openings earlier than anybody is aware of they’re there. Mix that talent with an elite shot that is not as heavy as it’s ridiculously fast and correct. — Peters
Group match: Caufield’s draft slide ends right here, and the Canadiens get the most effective pure purpose scorer within the draft. Different groups have been clearly deterred by Caufield’s dimension, however he’ll spend his profession making an attempt to show them incorrect. It’s going to take some seasoning for Caufield to make Montreal’s roster, although. — Kaplan
The place Caufield is almost certainly to play in 2019-20: NCAA (Wisconsin)
Group: Victoria (BCHL)
Rating: 12 | Nationality: CAN
Age: 18 | Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 192 | Shot: L
Stats: 53 GP, 38 G, 64 A
Scouting report: Newhook has high-end abilities with skating that’s in all probability simply shy of elite. He can dance on the ice at occasions, utilizing fast hand abilities to beat defenders one-on-one whereas at all times understanding his subsequent play. He will get pictures off shortly and finds teammates nicely beneath stress. Newhook requires persistence as a result of he must get stronger and must be more durable to play in opposition to in additional bodily, tightly checked video games, however that talent is tantalizing. — Peters
Group match: After snagging the draft’s finest defenseman with the No. Four choose, Colorado will get a extremely expert heart in Newhook. He will likely be an particularly good match with the staff’s pace. The Avs could have needed to go together with a goalie in Knight right here, however he wasn’t out there. — Kaplan
The place Newhook is almost certainly to play in 2019-20: NCAA (Boston Faculty)
Group: Kootenay (WHL)
Rating: 11 | Nationality: CAN
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-Zero | Wt: 183 | Shot: L
Stats: 64 GP, 19 G, 49 A
Scouting report: Krebs performed on a foul Kootenay staff this season however nonetheless managed to supply. A play-driving heart, Krebs does plenty of little element issues nicely and may adequately deal with his personal zone. Krebs can actually survey the ice with wonderful imaginative and prescient and above-average distribution abilities to find his teammates. The hockey sense is a separating talent. Krebs sadly did simply maintain a critical Achilles damage throughout coaching this summer time, however he’s anticipated to be out there for the start of the season. — Peters
Group match: One other heart for the Golden Knights to let percolate of their system. Vegas has Cody Glass and Jake Leschyshyn, each 20, down within the AHL. In idea, they will have a while to develop, with Paul Stastny signed by way of 2021 and William Karlsson anticipated to signal an extension as a restricted free agent — offered neither of them is moved this offseason. — Wyshynski
The place Krebs is almost certainly to play in 2019-20: WHL
Group: Mississauga (OHL)
Rating: 22 | Nationality: CAN
Age: 17 | Ht: 6-Three | Wt: 193 | Shot: L
Stats: 68 GP, 11 G, 47 A
Postgame evaluation and spotlight present airing every evening all through the season from Barry Melrose and Linda Cohn. Watch on ESPN+
Scouting report: A better-end offensive defenseman with dimension and mobility, Harley has loads of upside in his recreation. He makes use of his skating to let issues open up offensively and has the poise to be affected person sufficient to search out the best play. Generally he can get caught somewhat deep, however normally picks his spots fairly nicely. He comes with simply common defensive-zone play, however he has a good stick and may shut on forwards decently nicely. Some scouts have puzzled about his defensive sense. I believe he has the know-how, however simply hasn’t found out the steadiness between offense and protection but. — Peters
Group match: The Stars have solely 4 picks within the draft (together with none within the second or third spherical), to allow them to’t actually afford a miss right here — particularly contemplating it is a system with plenty of wants. The Stars went heavy on forwards final yr, so Harley’s choice was no shock. He has good dimension and is phenomenal offensively. — Kaplan
The place Harley is almost certainly to play in 2019-20: OHL
Group: Kelowna (WHL)
Rating: 38 | Nationality: FIN
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-Zero | Wt: 186 | Shot: R
Stats: 63 GP, 17 G, 24 A
Scouting report: Thomson is an efficient two-way defenseman who makes use of smarts over talent. His skating is sweet sufficient to get him up the ice and he is sturdy in his personal zone, however there’s not rather a lot by way of general puck abilities or dynamicism. He’s very decisive, making assured performs with the puck and permitting himself to get into area. There’s not plenty of forcing it with him, and his offensive reads are fairly sturdy. — Peters
Group match: Thomson was a little bit of a attain right here, however simply because I am not bought on his offensive recreation but. The Senators have simply in regards to the deepest prospect pool within the league proper now. I might put Thomson behind Erik Brannstrom and Jacob Bernard-Docker on the D prospect depth chart. — Peters
The place Thomson is almost certainly to play in 2019-20: Liiga or WHL
Group: Lukko (Finland)
Rating: 30 | Nationality: FIN
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-Zero | Wt: 178 | Shot: L
Stats: 34 GP, 2 G, 12 A
Scouting report: Having spent the whole season enjoying high quality minutes in Finland’s high professional league, Heinola is particularly intriguing. I believe his skating is just common for a participant his dimension, which retains him from rating a bit larger. There are extra sub-6-foot defensemen within the NHL, however you continue to want to have the ability to skate at a excessive degree. Nevertheless, he makes up for it in his hockey sense. Coaches will not have to fret about him an excessive amount of as a result of he is so poised and strikes the puck with unbelievable effectivity, though his offensive abilities usually are not essentially dynamic. He defends decently nicely, closing on opposing forwards shortly. — Peters
Group match: For the third time within the final 4 drafts, the Jets chosen a Finnish participant within the first spherical. One other Finn, Sami Niku, is a defenseman who has been shuttling backwards and forwards from the principle roster. The Jets haven’t got plenty of blue-chippers on the blue line of their system. Heinola is a brilliant defenseman who can develop. — Wyshynski
The place Heinola is almost certainly to play in 2019-20: Liiga
Group: Sherbrooke (QMJHL)
Rating: 40 | Nationality: CAN
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 212 | Shot: L
Stats: 67 GP, 29 G, 47 A
Scouting report: There are occasions once you see a participant exhibiting what he can do together with his dimension and talent. There are different occasions when he disappears. The trouble must be higher. Apart from that, the talent he has in that sturdy body of his is tantalizing. — Peters
Group match: I listed Poulin as my participant almost certainly to be overdrafted. The Penguins have a reasonably shallow pool and do not get to choose within the first spherical fairly often. I view this as a high-risk, high-reward choose on this vary simply because I query Poulin’s general hockey sense and consistency of effort. An intriguing prospect nonetheless. — Peters
The place Poulin is almost certainly to play in 2019-20: QMJHL
Group: Djurgarden Jr. (Sweden Jr.)
Rating: 29 | Nationality: SWE
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 193 | Shot: L
Stats: 39 GP, 11 G, 11 A
Scouting report: Bjornfot is without doubt one of the smarter gamers on this draft. His capacity to learn performs in all zones is phenomenal, and he at all times places himself in a great spot. Regardless of a relative lack of high-end talent, he is a very good passer and has proven flashes of extra offensive capabilities. Bjornfot retains it easy when he has to, permitting his imaginative and prescient and mobility to do the work for him. With elite defensive sense, he’s so arduous to play in opposition to in his personal zone and limits errors when he has the puck. He can get it up ice shortly, too. — Peters
Group match: This was the choose Los Angeles acquired within the Jake Muzzin commerce, so one defenseman in, one defenseman out I assume. The Swede is the primary defenseman they’ve drafted of their previous 10 picks, and the primary defenseman the Kings have taken within the first spherical since Derek Forbort at No. 15 in 2010. Facet notice: The sector is enjoying “regionally applicable” music when every choose walks to the stage, together with Abba for Bjornfot. Hopefully the Kings do not look again and exclaim “Mamma Mia” at this choose within the subsequent few years. — Wyshynski
The place Bjornfot is almost certainly to play in 2019-20: SHL
Group: HV71 Jr. (Sweden Jr.)
Rating: 37 | Nationality: SWE
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 193 | Shot: L
Stats: 21 GP, 7 G, 13 A
Scouting report: Good dimension and hockey sense have helped Holmstrom raise his draft inventory all through the season. He has an excellent shot that he can get off from anyplace. The puck actually zips off his stick. His puck abilities are OK, and fairly common by way of one-on-one stick abilities, however he will get himself into good positions and helps create area for his linemates. Holmstrom has good bodily power which helps him defend the puck nicely, and he has somewhat energy ingredient to his recreation. However does he have sufficient talent to create on his personal? — Peters
Group match: Holmstrom has been projected in all places in the course of the draft course of. The Isles have actually bolstered their defensive pipeline, so Lou Lamoriello & Co. taking a ahead right here was not a lot of a shock. Holmstrom has been a tough man on whom to get a learn, however he completed the season sturdy and the Isles will not want him for a number of extra years anyway. — Peters
The place Holmstrom is almost certainly to play in 2019-20: SHL
Group: Niagara (OHL)
Rating: 21 | Nationality: CAN
Age: 17 | Ht: 6-Zero | Wt: 183 | Shot: R
Stats: 67 GP, 34 G, 38 A
Scouting report: Tomasino is an thrilling participant due to his elite-level skating capacity. He seems to be like a gazelle on ice together with his fluidity and quickness. With a fast launch and strong imaginative and prescient, he is a real shot-pass risk within the offensive zone, too. Tomasino can play in a wide range of conditions and handles the circulate of video games very nicely. The vital ingredient, nevertheless, is the pace at which he performs the sport. He is quick each up and down the ice, and fast in small areas. He has a very good work ethic, a willingness to go to the arduous areas of the ice and a competitiveness on the puck when he will get there. — Peters
Group match: I believe this is without doubt one of the extra good player-to-team suits. Tomasino performs the sport at a excessive tempo and is without doubt one of the higher skaters within the draft. The Preds wish to push the tempo and that is precisely what he does as a pass-shot risk down the center or on the wing. — Peters
The place Tomasino is almost certainly to play in 2019-20: OHL
Group: London (OHL)
Rating: 26 | Nationality: CAN
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-Zero | Wt: 182 | Shot: L
Stats: 67 GP, 36 G, 36 A
Scouting report: McMichael is without doubt one of the quickest gamers within the draft. His shot actually improved this season with a very good, fast launch. He competes, too, enjoying with tenacity, and his capacity to create on the push is amongst his extra vital attributes. As he will get stronger, he will be troublesome to deal with down low. — Peters
Group match: The excellent news for McMichael is that the previous six forwards the Capitals have chosen within the first spherical all made a substantial impression within the NHL: Jakub Vrana, Andre Burakovsky, Tom Wilson, Filip Forsberg, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Marcus Johansson. The excellent news for the Capitals is that they obtained a middle from the London Knights who made an enormous leap ahead in manufacturing this season. — Wyshynski
The place McMichael is almost certainly to play in 2019-20: OHL
Group: Moncton (QMJHL)
Rating: 36 | Nationality: CAN
Age: 18 | Ht: 5-9 | Wt: 165 | Shot: L
Stats: 65 GP, 39 G, 50 A
Scouting report: Pelletier has fast, shifty abilities which have served him nicely in one-on-one conditions and getting pucks into the zone. His skating is okay, however maybe not overly dynamic for a participant of his dimension. However he makes up for that together with his energetic, fearless type of play. His recreation wants work away from the puck, as there are some issues he is a tad too one-dimensional. — Peters
Group match: It was a little bit of a shock the Flames did not take one of many two huge defensemen out there, contemplating that they used all 5 of their picks in final yr’s draft on forwards. Nevertheless, the productive winger provides much-needed talent into Calgary’s prospect pool. — Kaplan
The place Pelletier is almost certainly to play in 2019-20: QMJHL
Group: Kelowna (WHL)
Rating: 34 | Nationality: CAN
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-Four | Wt: 195 | Shot: L
Stats: 66 GP, 36 G, 27 A
Scouting report: Foote had a reasonably sturdy season, scoring 36 targets, though he performed a lot of it with a fractured wrist. He is an efficient, not nice, skater who makes use of his physique nicely and may win alongside the boards. His puck abilities are common, however he has distinctive hockey sense and may make good passes in all zones, and whether or not or not there’s stress. Foote additionally has sufficient edge in his recreation to win plenty of battles down low. — Peters
Group match: The Lightning put their second Foote ahead within the NHL draft. They chose Cal Foote, a defenseman from the Kelowna Rockets (WHL) in 2017 at No. 14 general. Now they’ve his youthful brother Nolan Foote, a wing, at No. 27 this season. A little bit of a attain? Very a lot, as he was projected by most as a second-round choose. However what have been they going to do with only one Foote? Hop round? — Wyshynski
The place Foote is almost certainly to play in 2019-20: WHL
Group: Barrie (OHL)
Rating: 20 | Nationality: CAN
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 180 | Shot: L
Stats: 65 GP, 25 G, 50 A
Scouting report: Suzuki is without doubt one of the higher playmakers within the draft. He has elite imaginative and prescient and anticipates exceptionally nicely. One of many major complaints amongst scouts is a relative lack of depth and compete degree, and there are some points with consistency that arose when he wasn’t attending to the center of the ice sufficient. He is a cerebral participant who may afford to make faster selections, however there’s little or no questioning his puck abilities and his capacity to search out teammates. — Peters
Group match: The Hurricanes picked heart Ryan Suzuki, the brother of Nick Suzuki, a Montreal Canadiens prospect (and first-round choose of Vegas in 2017). The knock on Ryan is that he is an excessive amount of of a fringe participant, which clashes a bit with what we have seen from the Hurricanes these days, as they attempt to change into a heavier staff. — Kaplan
The place Suzuki is almost certainly to play in 2019-20: OHL
Group: Moose Jaw (WHL)
Rating: 44 | Nationality: CAN
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 170 | Shot: L
Stats: 66 GP, 36 G, 45 A
Scouting report: The WHL’s Rookie of the Yr and one of many quickest risers on this draft class, Tracey has actually good puck abilities and imaginative and prescient, with a capability to make performs beneath stress. His skating might be nearer to common, however I do not view it as a hindrance. He will get to the arduous areas nicely sufficient and may make some first rate performs on the push. — Peters
Group match: Tracey has been one of many actual rising prospects on this draft class. I got here round late on him and nonetheless could not put him over a number of the different guys I had on my board. I additionally thought the Geese may deal with protection, however clearly they did not like what was left sufficient to move on a man who had 81 factors within the WHL this season. Extra depth for his or her ahead group. — Peters
The place Tracey is almost certainly to play in 2019-20: WHL
Group: USA U18 (NTDP)
Rating: 41 | Nationality: USA
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-Three | Wt: 212 | Shot: L
Stats: 63 GP, 15 G, 28 A
Scouting report: An distinctive athlete, Beecher has high-end pace. He is one of many best-graded skaters on this draft, even at his dimension. He may use somewhat bit extra within the puck-skills division, and his offensive sense is common at finest. He will get behind, round and thru defenses very nicely together with his wheels. — Peters
Group match: The Bruins did not have a first-round choose final yr, they usually’ve had combined outcomes drafting within the first spherical over the previous few years. Boston went with a little bit of a shock in Beecher, an enormous ahead with unbelievable pace however common talent. — Kaplan
The place Beecher is almost certainly to play in 2019-20: NCAA (Michigan)
Group: Sioux Falls (USHL)
Rating: 42 | Nationality: USA
Age: 17 | Ht: 6-Zero | Wt: 170 | Shot: L
Stats: 54 GP, 6 G, 19 A
Scouting report: Johnson is without doubt one of the finest skating defensemen on this complete class. He is an distinctive defender who carried out at his finest in huge video games this season. However he’s a reasonably uncooked expertise relating to capacity to make performs within the offensive zone. In faster-paced video games, he focuses much more on defending, and I do not know that he has the offensive sense to make efficient performs up ice. — Peters
Group match: Johnson is an elite skating defenseman who defends at an particularly excessive degree. He is additionally a winner, having gained titles on the World Junior A Problem and the Clark Cup with Sioux Falls. That is obtained to talk to a company that is making an attempt to show the tide. The offensive upside is proscribed, however I believe there might be a bit extra to offer there. In any case, this was solely his first season in junior hockey after enjoying Triple-A youth hockey in California. He is simply scratching the floor. — Peters
The place Johnson is almost certainly to play in 2019-20: NCAA (Minnesota)