Prospect Info: 2018 NHL Entry Draft Discussion: Final Countdown! Tomorrow is the big day!

Who is BPA available at 24?

  • Benoit-Oliver Groulx - C

  • Jacob Olofsson - C

  • Dominik Bokk - C

  • Ryan Merkley - RD

  • Rasmus Sandin - LD

  • Jett Woo -RD

  • Miller LD/Samuellsson LD/Thomas LW (3/8 appearances)

  • Liam Foudy - C


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Silver91

Agent 0091
May 27, 2007
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The city still hasn't been awarded, and the 2017 draft just ended, but I think it's time to start talking about next year's draft! :sarcasm:

Obviously there's a lot that can change in 12 months, seeing how every year there seems to be a guy or 3 who everyone believes will be in contention for #1, then falls down the rankings, sometimes well out of the 1st round.

With that in mind, here are some prospects to keep an eye on for next year's draft (in alphabetical order, by position):


Center
Burzan, Luka - C
Dellandrea, Ty - C
Foudy, Liam - C
Groulx, Benoit-Olivier - C
Khovanov, Alexander - C
Kotkaniemi, Jesperi - C
Kravtsov, Vitali - C/W
Kupari, Rasmus - C
Hallander, Filip - C/RW
Hayton, Barrett - C
Lauko, Jakub - C/LW
Lilja, David - C
Lunderstrom, Isac - C/LW
Marchenko, Kirill - C/W
McBain, Jack - C
McLeod, Ryan - C
McShane, Allan - C
Olofsson, Jacob - C
Stevens, Sam - C/W
Tkachuk, Brady - C/LW
Thomas, Akil - C
Veleno, Joe - C
Wahlstrom, Oliver - C/RW
Wassenius, Carl - C
Wernblom, Lukas - C/LW
Wise, Jake - C
Zavgorodny, Dmitri - C/W

Wing
Denisenko, Grigori - LW
Eggenberger, Nando - LW/RW
Farabee, Joel - LW
Levin, David - LW/RW
MacDonald, Anderson - LW
Svechnikov, Andrei - RW --- SEER's post w/video
Ylonen, Jesse - RW
Zadina, Filip - LW

Defence
Addison, Calen - RHD
Bahl, Kevin - LHD
Boqvist, Adam - RHD
Bouchard, Evan - RHD
Bouchard, Xavier - RHD
Dahlin, Rasmus - LHD --- SEER's Post w/video
Emberson, Ty - RHD
Hughes, Quinn - LHD
McIsaac, Jared - LHD
Merkley, Ryan - RHD
Miller, K'Andre - LHD
Samuelsson, Mattias - LHD
Smith, Ty - LHD
Vallati, Giovanni - LHD
Wilde, Bode - RHD
Woo, Jett - RHD

Goalie
Dostal, Lukas - G
Gravel, Alexis - G
Ingram, Jacob - G
Kooy, Jordan - G
Skarek, Jakub - G

Again, a lot will change in the next 12 months, and some of these guys might not even get drafted, but right now they're prospects who look intriguing given their D-1 seasons. There's a few in there that look like real promising picks and will be fun to follow this upcoming season.
 
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kk87

Registered User
Feb 12, 2015
5,334
2,114
Waterloo, ON
Hopefully we're picking below 20th. My prediction: projected top 5 pick Ryan Merkley catches the bubonic plague, falls precipitously in the draft rankings, makes a full recovery right before the draft, and we take him at 31
 

Nooodles

Registered User
May 7, 2010
4,722
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Geszteréd
There is no need for a discussion. We will pick Dahlin with the 20-25th pick. Lou already sent the "mono letter"
 

ErnieLeafs

Registered User
Apr 7, 2009
11,981
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Some really nice forwards with size in this upcoming draft. Adding a high end piece up front that can play rugged would be excellent.
 

BlueBaron

Registered User
May 29, 2006
15,669
6,302
Sarnia, On
Hopefully we're picking below 20th. My prediction: projected top 5 pick Ryan Merkley catches the bubonic plague, falls precipitously in the draft rankings, makes a full recovery right before the draft, and we take him at 31

I like the optimism. The draft has become such a different thing now that we are a real team again. I wonder if we will ever draft a goalie higher than the 4rth round?
 

NarcoPolo

Registered User
Jul 16, 2012
7,183
224
Jet Woo, a RHD from Moosejaw is a kid I like a lot. Plays a solid two-way game, hard to believe he was a 16 year old last season with the rookie year he had. Hes a thick kid and he reminds me of morgan, in some ways, when he was in moose jaw as a 16 year old. If his development stays the course, I could easily see him challenging the top 10 for next years draft.
 

93LEAFS

Registered User
Nov 7, 2009
33,841
20,898
Toronto
Merkley has great numbers, but I wouldn't touch him in the top 10. He has a lot of Ryan Murphy and Anthony DeAngelo in him. He's a very flawed player defensively and at times simply lacks effort. I'd have multiple defenders ahead of him. Dahlin, Woo, Ty Smith, Wilde, Samuelsson, Boqvist, and McIssac.

This draft is really bad up the middle. Not sure if there is one center prospect even on the tier of Patrick and Hischier. Veleno really hasn't taken a step forward this year. It will be interesting to see if he can now that SJ will be built around him. He has amazing tools but it remains to be seen if he can put it into a dynamic package that takes over games. The best center prospect (unless you consider B. Tkachuk one) is probably McBain, who really needs to show up at international events as he is playing OJHL this year.
 

Apotheosis

Registered User
Mar 27, 2014
11,605
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Toronto, Ontario
Merkley could fall. Has a lot of red flags defensively. Wouldn't mind taking him with our pick, assuming we are in the 20ish range. But there are much more sure bets than him in this draft.
 

RoadWarrior

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Mar 4, 2002
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I think this draft has a lot more potential in terms of landing someone good. The whole first round promises to be decent to say the least.

I think it's fair to say that the leafs managed to pull a rabbit out of the hat when they landed Liljegren at 17 in 2017.

They're on a huge winning streak since Nylander in 2014, Marner in 2015, Matthews in 2016 and now Liljegren.
 

TheMadHatTrick

Registered User
Nov 2, 2008
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Barring something unexpected we should be picking in the 20s. Hunter should really be able to earn his money there. Centers (hopefully some righties), big wingers (preferably on the left side), and more defense will hopefully be prioritized, but only if BPA or equal to it of course.
 

cheeeko

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Sep 20, 2012
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0
Halifax, NS
Pretty excited to see what McIsaac can do here in Halifax this coming season. Groulx too, I just get a good feeling about Jared. Talked to him once, and he said he tries to mold his game after Drew Doughty. Wish him the best and for the sake of the mooseheads, I hope he comes anywhere close! ;)
 

TheMadHatTrick

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Nov 2, 2008
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A few early look articles:

https://www.sbncollegehockey.com/2017/6/26/15424034/2018-nhl-draft-first-look-players-to-watch

At the top of the draft, two favorites have emerged to go first and second overall. The first is Russian forward Andrei Svechnikov. Svechnikov played for the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL last season and was extremely impressive as a 16-year-old. He was sixth in league scoring, fifth in goals scored and third in points per game with a 29-29-58 scoring line in just 48 games. He is expected to be the top overall pick in the upcoming CHL Import Draft and play his draft year in the CHL. Svechnikov is a big forward with potential to be a pure sniper at the NHL level.

The other is Swedish defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, who has already drawn attention for an impressive perfomance at the World Juniors as a 16-year-old, and earning a spot with Frolunda in Sweden’s top pro league. The last two drafts have featured defensemen that started the year in contention to go first overall and then slid significantly by draft day in Jakob Chychrun in 2016 and Timothy Liljegren in 2017. There’s always the potential that the same happens here, though Dahlin’s hockey sense does seem to be a bit better, and he doesn’t seem to be an early developer physically like the other two.

As far as where they rank on the “How worth it is it to tank?†spectrum, Svechnikov doesn’t seem to be in the Crosby/Ovechkin/McDavid/Matthews category, nor is he in the Nugent-Hopkins/Yakupov/Patrick category either. As a frame of reference, the hope would probably be a Stamkos/Tavares-type player in the future. Dahlin is a bit tougher since it there haven’t been as many elite defensive prospects at the top of the draft in recent years, but at this point, there’s the expectation that he could be a true number one defenseman, and an elite one at that.

Beyond the top two, this Draft also seems a little deeper than 2017 was. The amount of Canadian-born talent in the past two drafts was considered to be down by usual standards. Word is this year seems to be much stronger in terms of Canadian-born talent. That includes Quebec forward Joseph Veleno, who was the fifth player to be granted “exceptional player†status by Hockey Canada to play in the CHL a year early, joining John Tavares, Aaron Ekblad, and Connor McDavid, all number one overall NHL picks, and Sean Day, who was selected in the third round of the 2016 Draft. Veleno isn’t likely to be the top overall pick, but has played well enough that he’ll likely be in the conversation for the top ten.

A Players

1. Rasmus Dahlin-D-Sweden
2. Quinn Hughes-D-NTDP U18
3. Joel Farabee-F-NTDP U17
4. Jared McIsaac-D-Halifax(QMJHL)
5. Milos Roman-F-Ocelari Trinec(SVK)
6. Andrei Svechnikov-F-Muskegon(USHL)
7. Brady Tkachuk-F-NTDP U18
8. Oliver Wahlstrom-F-NTDP U17
9. Jett Woo-D-Moose Jaw(WHL)
10. Filip Zadina-F-Dynamo Pardubice(CZE)

B Players

1. Adam Boqvist-D-Brynas Gavle(SWE)
2. Paul Cotter-F-Brookings(NAHL)
3. Nando Eggenberger-F-Switzerland
4. Ty Emberson-D-NTDP U17
5. Nico Gross-D-EVG Academy(SUI)
7. Johnny Gruden-F-NTDP U17
8. Gavin Hain-F-Grand Rapids(MN HS)
9. Jack Jensen-F-Eden Prairie HS(MN)
10. Xander Lamppa-F-Rochester John Marshall(MN HS)
11. Blake McLaughlin-F-Grand Rapids(MN HS)
12. K’Andre Miller-D-NTDP U17
13. Jacob Semik-D-Dubuque(USHL)
14. Ty Smith-D-Spokane(WHL)
15. Akil Thomas-F-Niagara(OHL)
16. Tyler Weiss-F-NTDP U17
17. Bode Wilde-D-NTDP U17
18. Jake Wise-F-NTDP U17
19. Jesse Ylonen-F-Espoo(FIN)

C Players

1. Mikhail Bitsadze-Balashihka(RUS)
2. Tyler Borsch-D-Maple Grove
3. Bryce Brodzinski-F-Blaine(MN HS)
4. Braden Costello-F-Des Moines(USHL)
5. Isaiah DiLaura-G-Lakeville South
6. Brehdan Engum-D-Burnsville
7. Jace Foskey-D-Tri-City(USHL)
8. Aidan Fulp-D-Victory Honda U16
9. Patrick Giles-F-NTDP U17
10. Tanner Glasrud-D-Delano(MN HS)
11. Curtis Hall-F-Youngstown(USHL)
12. Chase Hamstad-F-White Bear Lake(MN HS)
13. Chase Hartje-D-Moose Jaw(WHL)
14. Ben Helgeson-F-Hill-Murray
15. Blade Jenkins-F-NTDP U17
16. Calen Kiefiuk-F-Bloomington
17. Jachym Kondelik-F-Muskegon(USHL)
18. Christian Krygier-D-Lincoln(USHL)
19. Luke Loheit-F-Minnetonka(MN HS)
20. Jaxon Nelson-F-Sioux Falls(USHL)
21. Tony Malinowski-D-Oakland Jr. Grizzlies(T1EHL)
22. Devlin McCabe-F-St. Paul Academy
23. Ryan O’Reilly-F-Dallas Stars U16(T1EHL)
24. Jack Perbix-F-Elk River(MN HS)
25. Jacob Pivonka-F-NTDP U17
26. Carter Randklev-F-Moorhead(MN HS)
27. Jack Randl-F-Omaha(USHL)
28. Ryan Savage-F-Honeybaked U16
29. Colin Schmidt-F-Wayzata(MN HS)
30. Levi Stauber-F-Duluth Marshall(MN HS)
31. Zach Stejskal-G-Grand Rapids(MN HS)
32. Samuel Stevens-F-Shattuck-St. Mary’s
33. Andrew Stoneman-F-Shattuck-St. Mary’s
34. Peter Tabor-D-Holy Family(MN HS)
35. Blaine Warnert-F-Chaska(MN HS)
36. Brady Ziemer-D-Holy Family(MN HS)

http://thehockeywriters.com/2018-nhl-draft-10-prospects-to-watch/

Rasmus Dahlin – D
Age: 17
Height/Weight: 6’1″/165
2016-17 statistics: 26GP: 1G, 2A, 3Pts (Frolunda HC – SHL)

How good is Rasmus Dahlin?

Well, during the 2016-17 season, Dahlin made his professional debut with Frolunda HC of the Swedish Hockey League. Although his point totals weren’t necessarily astonishing, the fact that he reached the SHL at the young age of 17 years certainly was, as Dahlin took to the ice as the only 2000-born skater in the entire league.

A crafty two-way defender, Dahlin has drawn incredible praise as the result of his lethal all-around game. A smooth and agile skater, Dahlin has speed to burn and loves to jump up in the play, however, he also uses his impeccable footwork to consistently fend off attacking forwards. In addition to his strong defensive play, Dahlin loves to throw his weight around and is by no means afraid of ruffling his opponents’ feathers.

Capable of playing in all situations, Dahlin is particularly potent on the power play where his intelligence and creativity allow for offensive opportunities to abound. While he doesn’t have an overpowering shot, Dahlin aims instead for accuracy and has the valuable ability to put the puck on net through traffic.

Having drawn comparisons to Erik Karlsson, Dahlin could very well be a top-five pick in the 2018 Draft, if not higher. While he first began to draw worldwide praise following his impressive display at the 2017 World Junior Championship, expect to hear Dahlin’s name rather frequently throughout the 2017-18 season, as his talents are certainly worth discussing.

Quinn Hughes – D
Age: 17
Height/Weight: 5″9’/170
2016-17 statistics: 65GP: 10G, 43A, 53Pts (U.S. National U18 Team – USDP)

An innate playmaker, one would initially assume that Quinn Hughes is a forward given his sparkling offensive totals. However, Hughes is, in fact, a defenceman and an incredibly promising one at that.

Committed to the University of Michigan for the 2018-19 season, Hughes has long been a standout within the United States Development Program. A terrific skater with quick feet and excellent vision, Hughes’ game has become well-regarded due to both his creativity and ability to transition the puck from the defensive to the attacking zone.

Capable of firing a crisp and accurate pass through traffic, Hughes can force the puck up ice and hit his forwards with seemingly impossible passes. Whether it be a timely saucer pass, a bank off of the boards or a dish straight up the gut, chances are the puck will get where it’s going if Hughes has it within his possession.

Perhaps more importantly, however, is Hughes’ composure with the puck. Although he is only 17 years old, Hughes is tremendously composed and seemingly never makes a poor pass or loses possession. Utilizing excellent body positioning, Hughes can protect the puck and move it to his forwards not only with relative ease but also consistency.

Projected to be made a high first round pick in the 2018 Draft, Hughes will be a solid addition to an NHL team looking for a sound puck-moving defender. Somewhat undersized, bulking up and becoming stronger will be key to Hughes’ future professional success.

David Levin – LW/RW
Age: 17
Height/Weight: 5’10″/170
2016-17 statistics: 66GP: 18G, 35A, 53Pts (Sudbury Wolves – OHL)

David Levin’s road to the NHL has been long and winding, yet by the time his name is called in the 2018 NHL Draft it will undoubtedly have been worth enduring.

Born in Tel Aviv, Israel, Levin played inline hockey until the time he was 12 years old. In order to follow his dream of playing in the NHL, Levin moved to Canada shortly after and joined the Don Mills Flyers – a minor midget team playing within the Greater Toronto Minor Midget Hockey League. Following an incredible season in 2014-15, Levin was, amazingly yet deservedly, selected first overall in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection by the Sudbury Wolves.

A highly competitive and driven forward, Levin’s game is based on strength and offence.

Very strong on his feet and a quality skater, Levin can use his body to protect the puck or accelerate quickly in order to beat opposing defenders wide. Further, as a pass-first player, Levin can distribute as well as shoot the puck with authority, while his sensational puck-handling skills combine to make him an all-around threat in the offensive zone.

While he is still learning the game, Levin had displayed the capability to adapt quickly as well as learn the tendencies of opposing players – an ability which often allows him to read the play before it develops. Described by Wolves head coach David Matsos as “a franchise player… an impact player right now at 16†during his rookie OHL season, Levin has all the makings of a future NHL star given the time to adequately develop his tantalizing skill set.

Ryan McLeod – C
Age: 17
Height/Weight: 6’2″/190
2016-17 statistics: 68GP: 9G, 33A, 42Pts (Mississauga Steelheads – OHL)

Although he was originally drafted by the Flint Firebirds in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection, Ryan McLeod was immediately traded to the Mississauga Steelheads – joining his older brother and New Jersey Devils prospect Michael in their hometown.

A pass-first player whose game has grown tremendously during his first two years of OHL action, McLeod’s style is based on his sensational skating abilities. In fact, McLeod was voted as one of the OHL’s best skaters in the 2016-17 Coaches Poll, as his blinding speed and ample agility combine to make him a shifty and creative threat.

In addition to his mobility, McLeod is a phenomenal passer who sees the ice extremely well. Capable of making long distance passes or saucering the puck to a teammate at the back door, McLeod loves to gather assists and, as such, they comprise the vast majority of his point totals.

Projected to be a top-ten selection in 2018, McLeod’s confidence grew substantially this past season and allowed him to become an even more lethal and capable threat – 20 points in 20 playoff games being the major indication of which. As such, McLeod’s third OHL campaign should display even greater progression and solidify the Mississauga, Ontario, native as one of the game’s top young talents.

Allan McShane – C
Age: 17
Height/Weight: 5’11″/190
2016-17 statistics: 62GP: 17G, 27A, 44Pts (Erie Otters/Oshawa Generals – OHL)

When Allan McShane was drafted by the Erie Otters in 2016, he stood poised to strengthen an already powerhouse Otters squad. Boasting the likes of Dylan Strome, Alex DeBrincat, and Taylor Raddysh, McShane found himself in the perfect situation to further develop his game.

However, everything changed when McShane – a major piece of Erie’s future – was traded to the Oshawa Generals in a deal which sent Anthony Cirelli south of the border. Loading up for a Memorial Cup run, the Otters moved McShane in order to achieve short-term success rather than maintain long-term sustainability.

A talented playmaker who has a nose for the net, McShane has the ability to both pass and shoot the puck. Although he will typically opt to pass – one of his strongest abilities – McShane will also drive to the net in search of rebounds. Further, having developed incredible eye-hand coordination, McShane will frequently deflect puck directed on net from the points.

In addition to his offensive skills, McShane is, like the majority of the top prospects eligible in 2018, an excellent skater with oodles of speed and agility. Although he doesn’t have blinding speed, McShane is quick enough to put opposing defenders on their heels and has the ability to know exactly when he has done so. An intelligent player, McShane uses this knowledge to drive to the net or to instead stop up early and find a teammate trailing the play.

Set to open the 2017-18 OHL campaign with the Generals, McShane should continue to develop nicely and especially so given the mix of young and experienced talent home to Oshawa. Although he likely won’t be a top-five choice in the 2018 Draft, McShane has tremendous upside and has yet to reach his immense potential.

Ryan Merkley – D
Age: 16
Height/Weight: 5’11″/165
2016-17 statistics: 62GP: 12G, 43A, 55Pts (Guelph Strom – OHL)

The first overall choice in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection, Ryan Merkley made a significant impact in his first season with the Guelph Storm. In fact, the young blueliner was so impressive that he captured the 2016-17 Emms Family Award as the OHL’s rookie of the year.

Simply put, Merkley is a lethal offensive threat from the blue line. A tremendous skater who utilizes his edges well and has sensational mobility, Merkley traverses the ice with ease and can slip a check with a quick turn or fake.

In combination with Merkley’s outstanding skating are his fantastic hands and vision. Always aware of where his teammates are on the ice and capable of navigating through the offensive zone with ease, Merkley can elect to pass the puck or instead dangle his way to the net. Although he is a pass-first style of player and as a result tallies far more assists than goals, Merkley’s growing confidence has not only resulted in more daring plays but also a much more frequent ability of finding the back of the net.

Given his sensational rookie season, exactly how the 2017-18 OHL campaign will unfold appears quite clear. Improving on a game by game basis and especially so within his own zone, Merkley will surely become a top-five selection in 2018 if he can strengthen his all-around game. Eerily similar to the Senators’ Karlsson yet of slightly smaller stature, Merkley is undoubtedly one of the most exciting players eligible for next year’s NHL Draft.

Andrei Svechnikov – RW
Age: 17
Height/Weight: 6’2″/190
2016-17 statistics: 48GP: 29G, 29A, 58Pts (Muskegon Lumberjacks – USHL)

Although the 2016-17 season marked his first campaign in North America, Andrei Svechnikov acclimated quickly and let his play do the talking.

A native of Barnaul, Russia, Svechnikov joined the United States Hockey League and the powerhouse Muskegon Lumberjacks and was an instant offensive force. Despite his young age of 16 years, Svechnikov led the Lumberjacks in both goals and points as a rookie, while he also recorded the sixth-most penalty minutes on the team.

In fact, physicality and grit are merely one aspect of Svechnikov’s game and a major reason why he is so successful on the ice. A strong skater of great size, Svechnikov’s play revolves largely around his speed and ability to protect the puck. More than willing to drive hard to the net and able to maneuver in close to the goal, Svechnikov has breakaway speed and the puck skills necessary to find the net. Further, with his long strides and strong legs, Svechnikov can easily fend off opposing defenders throughout his drive to the goal.

With one successful USHL season under his belt, Svechnikov will look to further develop his overall game en route to the 2018 NHL Draft. Although he is a terrific playmaker as well as a goal scorer, Svechnikov’s play within his own end as well as without the puck needs improvement, however, it goes without saying that the young Russian is a phenomenal talent with massive upside.

Brady Tkachuk – C/LW
Age: 17
Height/Weight: 6’2″/195
2016-17 statistics: 61GP: 25G, 29A, 54Pts (U.S. National U18 Team – USDP)

Are you a fan of Calgary Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk’s game? Do you love his unique mix of physicality, grit and high-end skill? If you answered yes, then you will undoubtedly be a fan of Brady Tkachuk, the younger brother of the aforementioned Matthew and the son of long-time NHL star Keith Tkachuk.

Much like his older brother, Tkachuk loves to mix it up physically and aims to wedge himself deep under the skin of his opposition. Already of great size, Tkachuk loves to throw his weight about and especially so when it has the ability to knock his opponents off of their game.

In addition to his physicality, Tkachuk is a tremendously skilled forward who can pass the puck with ease as well as rifle the puck into the back of the net. Blessed with great hands, Tkachuk can handle the puck well below the goal line and can maneuver in and around the goal mouth with ease. Capable of bulging the twine from a tough angle or making a finesse pass to a teammate, Tkachuk is a persistent and consistent threat.

Team captain of the United States’ U18 National Team in 2016-17, Tkachuk is committed to Boston University and will, in all likelihood, begin to play with the team to begin the 2017-18 campaign. However, Tkachuk, like his older brother, was also a late-round draft choice of the London Knights, meaning he could alter his route and head north to the OHL should he decide to do so.

All in all, Tkachuk is a unique yet effective threat who will undoubtedly catch the eye of numerous NHL organizations come the 2018 NHL Draft. Although he may not be as skilled as his older brother, Tkachuk is undeniably skilled and of great potential.

Joseph Veleno – C
Age: 17
Height/Weight: 6’0″/180
2016-17 statistics: 45GP: 13G, 27A, 40Pts (Saint John – QMJHL)

Joseph Veleno, a native of Kirkland, Quebec, began his QMJHL career by achieving a feat not even Sidney Crosby was able to accomplish.

On June 4, 2015, Veleno was officially granted exceptional status by Hockey Canada, an exception which ultimately provided the budding young star with the opportunity to enter the CHL one year early. The first Quebec-born player to ever receive the honour, Veleno was subsequently drafted first overall by the Saint John Seadogs where he remains to date.

Through his first two seasons with the Seadogs, Veleno has continued to develop into a reliable and versatile centre. A strong two-way player who focuses equally on both the offensive and defensive zone, Veleno is capable of not only playing but succeeding in any situation on the ice.

In terms of his individual skill-set, Veleno is an exceptional playmaker with excellent vision. Capable of finding a fellow teammate with an accurate or seemingly impossible pass, Veleno can generate offence from a dead play and handles the puck with great composure. While he will elect to pass on most occasions, Veleno can also beat opposing netminders with his highly underrated release and at times overpowering velocity.

Further, Veleno is an exceptional skater whose game is founded largely upon his mobility. Much like Merkley with the Storm, Veleno uses his edges well and can be extremely deceptive – especially so in the offensive zone. Capable of cutting into and out of traffic, Veleno can take a quick step in order to move into a shooting lane or stop suddenly and hit a trailing teammate with a crisp pass.

When the 2018 NHL Draft rolls around, Veleno will be a wanted man.

Filip Zadina
Age: 17
Height/Weight: 6’0″/200
2016-17 statistics: 20GP: 9G, 9A, 18Pts (HC Pardubice U20 – Czech U20)

Never heard the name Filip Zadina before? Well, by the time the 2018 NHL Draft gets underway, Zadina could very well be a household name.

A native of Pardubice, Czech Republic, Zadina has quietly yet steadily developed into a lethal offensive performer with ample room to grow. A fantastic skater with oodles of confidence and composure, Zadina isn’t afraid to hold onto the puck while he searches for the perfect moment to strike. Having developed sensational puck handling skills and a nose for the net, Zadina can meander through his opposition before either passing or firing the puck on net.

An electrifying player to watch who never fails to surprise, Zadina’s creativity and awe-inspiring actions have made him a truly entertaining player to watch. Always involved in the play and never far from the puck, Zadina drives possession and has the unique ability to create something out of nothing.

Having cracked HC Dynamo Pardubice’s roster in 2016-17 at 17 years-old, the 2017-18 Czech Hockey League season will be one of massive opportunity for Zadina as he will once again be provided with the opportunity to play against experienced professionals. Although he managed just two points in 25 games with HC Dynamo Pardubice last year, Zadina is far too talented to once again be held off of the score sheet for a considerable period of time.

As such, given his immense skill, look for Zadina to be made a high selection in the 2018 NHL Draft. Although his development may fly well under the radar in his draft year, don’t be surprised if an NHL team jumps up in the first round to secure Zadina’s services – he’s just that good.
 
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TheMadHatTrick

Registered User
Nov 2, 2008
6,628
2,676
Brady Tkatchuk intrigues me most out of those list of names. A big power winger with skill to put next to Matthews or one of our skilled guys is exactly what we need.
 

Kiwi

Registered User
Mar 5, 2016
20,979
15,855
The Naki
Merkley looks like Makar, but without the qualifier of playing in an inferior league to me. I know he has 2 way concerns, but god damn is he slick with the puck

I'd be interested in a more two way guy next season If we're going defenseman

We've got a lot of highly skilled defenseman in house and I wouldn't mind seeing us take a more well rounded type that's a good bet to be an all situations type guy rather than a guy who's being forced into a role he's not really suitable for like Rielly has been asked to do
 

Randy Randerson

Registered User
Jul 28, 2016
10,637
3,445
Hamilton
I'd be interested in a more two way guy next season If we're going defenseman

We've got a lot of highly skilled defenseman in house and I wouldn't mind seeing us take a more well rounded type that's a good bet to be an all situations type guy rather than a guy who's being forced into a role he's not really suitable for like Rielly has been asked to do

It seems like a lot of really good dmen come out of the later rounds and I won't be surprised to see some of our previous picks start to pay off - Dermott, maybe a big step forward from a Greenway/Middleton/Rasanen, Carrick might improve, etc

I think with a guy like Merkley, I'd be inclined to take a shot at him if he's there when we're drafting. I won't be surprised to see him work himself into a top 5 conversation, but if the defensive concerns keep him in our range then I'd be inclined to swing for the fences and take some more rounded types in later rounds - throw a ton against the wall and see what sticks kind of thing

also won't be surprised if we have a bunch of high picks with the possibility of JVR/Bozak/Komarov trades, and I think the likelihood of spending a bunch of assets on a long term RHD solution went down with us getting Liljegren, so I think a reasonable cost bandaid is more likely now
 
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