Over the course of this season, Jeff Marek and I will collaborate to bring you Sportsnet’s Top-31 ranked players for the 2018 NHL Draft. The start of the NHL season brings us the start of our journey to Dallas, hosts of this year’s process.
1.) Rasmus Dahlin, D, 6-foot-2, 183 pounds (Frolunda, SHL): Possesses every element necessary to become a top-pairing NHL defenceman. Don’t be surprised if he goes wire-to-wire in this spot.
2.) Andrei Svechnikov, RW, 6-foot-2, 187 pounds (Barrie Colts, OHL): Barrie head coach Dale Hawerchuk should augment an already solid offensive game. Svechnikov has the ability to impact each shift in a variety of ways.
3.) Adam Boqvist, D, 5-foot-11, 170 pounds (Brynas, SHL): Think new-age defenceman with solid ability to defend. Was consistently up in the rush at the Ivan Hlinka. Possesses the rare wicked wrist shot from the point.
4.) Brady Tkachuk, C, 6-foot-3, 194 pounds (Boston University, NCAA): The pain-in-the-butt comparisons to brother Matthew are legit, and so is the assertion he’ll end up going higher than his brother.
5.) Quinn Hughes, D, 5-foot-9, 168 pounds (U. of Michigan, NCAA): Was a top player with the USNTDP as an underage last season. Early indications are he’s taken another step forward as he moves to play for the maize and blue.
6.) Filip Zadina, RW, 6-foot-1, 192 pounds (Halifax Mooseheads): A late birthday, Zadina hopes to follow the success of Timo Meier, Nik Ehlers, Nico Hischier and Jakub Voracek: all successful, top-10 NHL first round picks as imports playing in Halifax. He’s a shooter with a complete game suited to playing the off-wing.
7.) Jack McBain, C, 6-foot-3, 196 pounds (Toronto Junior Canadiens, OJHL): Another in the recent run of sons of former NHLers, McBain is intent on taking the increasingly popular route of staying in Tier II before moving to the NCAA for the 2018-19 season. Would benefit greatly from a step-up in competition this season.
8.) Joel Farabee, LW, 6-foot, 165 pounds (USNTDP): Fine skater with excellent vision. Has risen steadily since the U-18‘s in April. Has two older brothers playing collegiately, and has thrived as a result of sibling competition.
9.) Rasmus Kupari, C, 5-foot-11, 163 pounds (Karpat, Liiga): Highly skilled, soft hands, top-six forward material. Inconsistent production and effort are reasons for concern.
10.) Jared McIsaac, D, 6-foot-1, 194 pounds (Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL): The second overall pick in the 2016 QMJHL draft continues to add to an already impressive resume as Canada’s most consistent blueliner on the Ivan Hlinka gold medal-winning team.
