2019 NHL Draft

1. Jack Hughes C USA

2. Kaapo Kakko RW FIN

3. Vasili Podkulzin RW RUS

4. Kirby Dach C CAN

6. Bowen Byram D CAN

7. Matthew Boldy LW US

8. Raphael Lavoie C/RW CAN

9. Alex Turcotte C US

10. Peyton Krebs C CAN

 

11. Arthur Kaliyev, RW, Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL), 6-foot-1, 190 pounds: Will get a chance to play a lead role with key offensive players moving on. But that also means there’s less of a supporting cast.

12. Cam York, D, USNTDP, 5-foot-11, 171 pounds: Underrated in the defensive details. Puck movement, gap control and shot-blocking are above average thanks to a great skating foundation.

13. Spencer Knight, G, USNTDP, 6-foot-3, 197 pounds: Hard to argue not playing him at the WJC, but it would’ve made for some great scouting opportunities.

14. Trevor Zegras, C, USNTDP, 6-foot, 166 pounds: Plays with attitude, dangerous one-on-one and is a PP magician.

15. Cole Caufield, RW, USNTDP, 5-foot-6, 155 pounds: Continues to light the lamp, especially against college competition, which is a good indicator.


16. Philip Broberg, D, AIK (Allsvenskan), 6-foot-3, 190 pounds: He’s big and he skates well, but the jury is out on his stick/puck skills. Took advantage of an injury just to make Sweden’s WJC team, but was well down on their depth chart.

17. Alex Newhook, C, Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL), 5-foot-11, 190 pounds: Explosive forward missed four league games to play in WJAC and still has a big lead in the BCHL scoring race with 63 points in 35 games.

18. Jakob Pelletier, LW, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL), 5-foot-9, 161 pounds: Smaller players have to exhibit a dynamic element with off the charts compete. Both boxes are checked for Pelletier.

19. Brett Leason, RW, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL), 6-foot-4, 207 pounds: Questions about pace and skating have quelled. Agility needs to improve, but he’s got a great stick and is especially effective on the forecheck. Not only can he finish, but is an underrated playmaker.

20. Ryan Suzuki, C, Barrie Colts (OHL), 6-foot, 172 pounds: Must prove there are more dimensions to his game,

 

As a Sabres fan, prepping for the draft has been my primary means for maintaining passion for the game. God knows that the Sabres provided no logical basis to maintain passion. That's changed this year, but by now it's just my routine to start mocking the draft.

I'm curious. Is this your list, or did you get it from someplace?

Regardless, I believe there is a glaring omission: Dylan Cozen, C/LW, Lethbridge*, WHL. I think he could go as high as no. 2, but will probably go 3-5. He's certain to be top 10, and may be the highest drafted prospect ever to hail from the Yukon Terr. Yellow Knife - wrote that because it's just fun.

I have a trip to Seattle tomorrow and I'll be in Everett on Saturday night to "scout" * Cozens and the Lethbridge Hurricanes vs. Everett Silvertips. I'll see the Seattle Thunderbirds on Sun. The WHL is particularly deep in this year's draft; a lot of good prospects to get to know.

 

Otherwise, I'll add my thoughts on three other prospects:
Perhaps the most polarizing figure in this draft class is Vasili Podkolzin, C/W, Russia. The "Russian factor" could push him down, but talent & position suggests he belongs in the 3-5 range. I know I would love it if he were to fall to one of the Sabres spots. (Buffalo has 4 firsts over the next 2 years. If St. Louis is top-10 then they can push the 1st to 2020. Buffalo, without major lottery luck, is likely to be in the teens; with a reasonable chance of not even being in the lottery. The San Jose pick looks like a mid-to-late 20's selection.)

Secondly, I'm really high on Alex Newhook, C/W, Victoria, BCHL. I think he'll be unfairly graded down for playing in a league a step down from the WHL. He has speed and decent size to be a top-six Center in the NHL. He's going the NCAA route, which I really like because it offers a longer development period. (CHL prospects have to be signed by age 20 or they can go back into the draft. College players can be "warehoused" for up to 4 years.)

I know that I'd love Buffalo to land Newhook. Podz & Newhook! Pure euphoria!

Third, Spencer Knight deserves a first round grade, but I'll be surprised if he's taken before #20. In a three-pack first for Buffalo, the two F's and this G are my fantasy.

 

These are the Sportsnet rankings pre-wjc Dec. 12th. That's why I enjoy the wjc tournament so much as it allows to see the top prospects in action where we can get our own personal evaluation. Another good one to watch is the annual Orr vs Cherry prospects game.

Most all rankings still have Jack at #1 with Kaapo a close second. I liked turcottes play in the tourney a lot and I could see him drifting up along with krebs who seems to be coming on as of late. The russian looked good at times and displayed real quickness.

Should be another interesting draft year.

 

Hlinka is another major tourney that seems to fly under the radar of many fans. It also - in addition to the WJC - has a big influence on draft rankings.

Podz did exceptionally well at the last Hlinka. I doubt it will happen, but I'd love to see him in blue & gold as early as October. Newhook, on the other hand, needs a few years which is why I like the college route. Knight is going to college too, but goalies almost always need a few years.

 

WJC. I think every hockey fan needs this tourney on their bucket list. In person it's just a blast.

Next year in Prahaha!

 

https://www.tsn.ca/it-s-still-the-jack-hughes-draft-1.1246625

 

Hockey Writers Top 124

January Rankings – Top 124
No. Player Pos. 2017-18 Primary Team
Preseason Rank
1 Jack Hughes C U.S. National Development Team (USHL) 1 (-)
2 Kaapo Kakko RW TPS (Liiga) 2 (-)
3 Bowen Byram D Vancouver Giants (WHL) 3 (-)
4 Dylan Cozens C/RW Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL) 6 (+2)
5 Vasili Podkolzin RW SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL) 22 (+17)
6 Kirby Dach C Saskatoon Blades (WHL) 5 (-1)
7 Trevor Zegras C U.S. National U18 Team (USDP) 15 (+8)
8 Matthew Boldy LW U.S. National U18 Team (USDP) 17 (+9)
9 Alex Turcotte C U.S. National U18 Team (USDP) 4 (-5)
10 Peyton Krebs LW Kootenay Ice (WHL) 7 (-3)
11 Ryan Suzuki C Barrie Colts (OHL) 11 (-)
12 Raphael Lavoie C/RW Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) 10 (-2)
13 Alex Newhook C Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL) 8 (-5)
14 Victor Soderstrom D Brynäs IF (SHL) 23 (+9)
15 Cole Caufield C/RW U.S. National U18 Team (USDP) 18 (+3)
16 Cam York D U.S. National U18 Team (USDP) 32 (+16)
17 Matthew Robertson D Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL) 9 (-8)
18 Arthur Kaliyev LW Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL) 13 (-5)
19 Jakob Pelletier LW Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) 27 (+8)
20 Philip Broberg D AIK (Allsvenskan) 73 (+53)
21 Moritz Seider D Adler Mannheim (DEL) 47 (+26)
22 Anttoni Honka D JYP (Liiga) 14 (-8)
23 Mikko Kokkonen D Jukurit (Liiga) 21 (-2)
24 Nolan Foote LW Kelowna Rockets (WHL) 16 (-8)
25 Albin Grewe C/RW Djurgårdens IF (SHL) 24 (-1)
26 Nils Höglander LW Rögle BK (SHL) 25 (-1)
27 Tobias Bjornfot D Djurgårdens IF (SHL) 20 (-7)
28 Alex Vlasic D U.S. National U18 Team (USDP) 29 (+1)
29 Spencer Knight G U.S. National U18 Team (USDP) 40 (+11)
30 John Beecher C U.S. National U18 Team (USDP) 42 (+12)
31 Samuel Poulin LW Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL) 39 (+8)
32 Simon Holmström RW HV71 J20 (SuperElit) 38 (+6)
33 Kaedan Korczak D Kelowna Rockets (WHL) 86 (+53)
34 Lassi Thomson D Kelowna Rockets (WHL) 49 (+15)
35 Yegor Spiridonov LW Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk (MHL) 45 (+10)
36 Connor McMichael C London Knights (OHL) NR
37 Bobby Brink RW Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) NR
38 Robert Mastrosimone C Chicago Steel (USHL) 75 (+37)
39 Pavel Dorofeyev LW/RW Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk (MHL) NR
40 Ville Heinola D Lukko (Liiga) NR
41 Daniil Gutik LW Loko Yaroslavl (MHL) 33 (-8)
42 Valentin Nussbaumer C/W Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL) 19 (-23)
43 Marshall Warren D U.S. National U18 Team (USDP) 43 (-)
44 Maxim Cajkovic RW/LW Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL) 34 (-10)
45 Drew Helleson D U.S. National U18 Team (USDP) 36 (-9)
46 Nicholas Robertson C/LW Peterborough Petes (OHL) NR
47 Artemi Knyazev D Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL) 35 (-12)
48 Ilya Nikolayev F Loko Yaroslavl (MHL) NR
49 Thomas Harley D Mississauga Steelheads (OHL) NR
50 Michal Teply LW Bili Tygri Liberec (Czech) 76 (+26)
51 Oleg Zaitsev C Red Deer Rebels (WHL) 37 (-14)
52 Vojtech Strondala C HC Kometa Brno (Czech) 44 (-8)
53 Sasha Mutala RW Tri-City Americans (WHL) 30 (-23)
54 Ryan Johnson D Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) NR
55 Martin Hugo Has D Tappara U20 (Jr. A SM-Liiga) 65 (+10)
56 Nathan Légaré RW Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL) NR
57 Phillip Tomasino C Niagara IceDogs (OHL) 78 (+21)
58 Egor Afanasyev F Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) NR
59 Henri Nikkanen C Jukurit (Liiga) 55 (-4)
60 Jamieson Rees C Sarnia Sting (OHL) NR
61 Matvei Guskov C London Knights (OHL) 66 (+5)
62 Nikita Alexandrov C Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL) 41 (-21)
63 John Farinacci C U.S. National U18 Team (USDP) NR
64 Billy Constantinou D Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) NR
65 Leevi Aaltonen LW KalPa (Liiga) 57 (-8)
66 Luke Toporowski LW Spokane Chiefs (WHL) 51 (-15)
67 Marcus Kallionkieli F Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) NR
68 Harrison Blaisdell F Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL) 72 (+4)
69 Ryder Donovan C Duluth East High (USHS-MN) 59 (-10)
70 Josh Williams RW Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL) 62 (-8)
71 Massimo Rizzo C/LW Penticton Vees (BCHL) 69 (-2)
72 Henry Thrun D U.S. National U18 Team (USDP) 88 (+16)
73 Patrik Puistola LW Tappara U20 (Jr. A SM-Liiga) NR
74 Blake Murray C Sudbury Wolves (OHL) 12 (-62)
75 Judd Caulfield F U.S. National U18 Team (USDP) 84 (-9)
76 Vladislav Firstov F Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL) NR
77 Colten Ellis G Rimouski Océanic (QMJHL) 67 (-10)
78 Case McCarthy D U.S. National U18 Team (USDP) 48 (-30)
79 Michael Vukojevic D Kitchener Rangers (OHL) 26 (-53)
80 Dmitri Sheshin F Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk (MHL) NR
81 Matias Maccelli LW Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) 60 (-21)
82 Dustin Wolf G Everett Silvertips (WHL) NR
83 Dillon Hamaliuk LW Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) 85 (+2)
84 Hugo Alnfeldt G HV71 J20 (SuperElit) 83 (-1)
85 Vladislav Kolyachonok D Flint Firebirds (OHL) NR
86 Antti Saarela LW/RW Lukko U20 (Jr. A SM-Liiga) NR
87 Graeme Clarke RW Ottawa 67’s (OHL) 61 (-26)
88 Marcel Barinka C Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) NR
89 Ben Brinkman D University of Minnesota (NCAA) 31 (-58)
90 Nikola Pasic C/LW Linköping HC J20 (SuperElit) NR
91 Semyon Chistyakov D Tolpar Ufa (MHL) NR
92 Taylor Gauthier G Prince George Cougars (WHL) 89 (-3)
93 Kim Nousiainen D KalPa U20 (Jr. A SM-Liiga) NR
94 Mads Søgaard G Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) NR
95 Ilya Mironov D Loko Yaroslavl (MHL) 46 (-49)
96 Simon Lundmark D Linköping HC J20 (SuperElit) 63 (-33)
97 Yaroslav Likhachyov RW Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL) NR
98 Karl Henriksson C Frölunda HC J20 (SuperElit) NR
99 Mikhail Abramov C/RW Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL) NR
100 Kalle Loponen D Kärpät U20 (Jr. A SM-Liiga) 91 (-7)
101 Hunter Jones G Peterborough Petes (OHL) NR
102 Xavier Parent LW Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) 58 (-44)
103 Reece Newkirk C Portland Winterhawks (WHL) NR
104 Jordan Spence D Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) NR
105 Trevor Janicke RW Central Illinois Flying Aces (USHL) NR
106 Nolan Maier G Saskatoon Blades (WHL) 90 (-16)
107 Alex Beaucage RW/LW Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL) 93 (-14)
108 Xavier Simoneau C Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL) NR
109 Nikita Okhotyuk D Ottawa 67’s (OHL) 70 (-39)
110 Alex Campbell C Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL) NR
111 Michael Gildon F U.S. National U18 Team (USDP) NR
112 Egor Serdyuk RW Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL) NR
113 Shane Pinto F Lincoln Stars (USHL) NR
114 Danil Antropov RW Oshawa Generals (OHL) 50 (-64)
115 Roman Bychkov D Loko Yaroslavl (MHL) NR
116 Trent Miner G Vancouver Giants (WHL) NR
117 Cole Moberg D/F Prince George Cougars (WHL) NR
118 Lev Starikov D Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) 52 (-66)
119 Arvid Costmar C Linköping HC J20 (SuperElit) NR
120 Daniil Misyul D Loko Yaroslavl (MHL) NR
121 Grant Silianoff F Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL) 54 (-67)
122 Isaiah Saville G Tri-City Storm (USHL) NR
123 Vladislav Mikhailov C MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL) 56 (-67)
124 Aku Räty F Kärpät U20 (Jr. A SM-Liiga) NR

 

I've got a trip to WA coming up and I'm going to be able to watch several of these prospects.
This draft does not offer nearly the D help as last year (you should hope your team stocked up on D in 2018). But, there are some F's that will be ready to play right away. Top 10 picks are especially valuable.

 

Give the Sabres another Alex! Turcotte or Newhook; I'm not that fussy.

 

WTF do the HW's know? There's no Rasmus to be found on their list. How can that be!?

 

They have Podkulzin at #5, I never realized he moved up 17 spots.

 

Podz could go anywhere from #3 to the late 20's. He belongs in the top 10.

GM's are proven wimps when it comes to Russian first round prospects. The fear that they may go to the KHL drives them to take a "safer" bet.

 

Thanks in part to Radulov and Kovalchuk.

 

Matthew Boldy and Patrick Moynihan are both from my sleepy town. We dont even have our own rink or youth hockey team. Boldy lives down the street.
Dan, sounds like you like the future Eagles- Boldy (might be gone by your picks), Newhook and Knight. Unfortunately Cam York pulled out.

BC needs Knight big time. My faith in Joe Woll is all but gone. Ive never seen a goalie as capable of making the unbelievable save consistently give up a few muffins in succession.

 

This under 18 team is widely considered the best USNTDP in history. Solid throughout and should be well represented this draft. Been kinda quiet the last couple of years.
Henry Thrun might be a good sleeper, still gotta fill out quite a bit though

 

The Duchene to Ottawa deal is starting to look more and more like the Kessel to Toronto deal. Fun times for Avs fans watching the standings Im sure

 

"Unfortunately Cam York pulled out."

Doesn't this make Cam a bit of a Dick?

BC has been inexplicably down in the standings lately. I certainly hope they give us something to be screamin' 'bout.

Oh - Go Big Red!

Saw some WHL action this weekend. Loved it! Gotta pull my thoughts together before I can post a cogent "scouting" report. I will say that I saw flashes of why Cozens is so highly regarded, but his team got chewed up and spat out by Everett 9-1. No one on the Lethbridge Canes really distinguished themselves Sat. night. Also, he has at least another year needed to fill out - I just don't think he's a man yet - in fact he's still a kid and I doubt he'll step in big-time for his NHL team in 2019-20.

 

I am generally shocked at the level of ignorance that many people in Denver have about the Avs and about hockey in general. I mean it should be a hockey hotbed - there's a very solid youth program and the city has an elite NCAA program. The NHL team has even won a couple of Cups.
Avs fans are strong, but there's just not that many of them. Most fans are the type that turn it up after the team has been winning a lot. That means that the Nuggets are getting the attention now, but every team is in the dark shadow of the Broncos. Where's that leave us? Many people don't even seem to be truly aware of how badly Sakic humped the Sens. They'll start caring if the Avs are contending for the Cup; but until then they're thinking about the Broncos, or the slopes.