1 Rasmus Dahlin Frolunda (SHL) D
He's so unique that I don't think one single comparable can fit. Maybe a little bit of Jay Bouwmeester in his draft year, mixed with Scott Niedermayer, who was an excellent skating two-way guy that could also lay a few hits; mixed with Victor Hedman. If that somehow all makes sense.
2 Brady Tkachuk Boston U (NCAA) LW
The easy comparable is Matthew Tkachuk; but with more grit and playmaking ability. Maybe he'll have a Scott Hartnell-like career.
3 Andrei Svechnikov Barrie (OHL) RW
The Malkin/Kovalchuk comparisons are pretty spot on, I'm thinking.
4 Filip Zadina Halifax (QMJHL) RW
At current time, I don't think he has the speed and two-way ability of a Marian Hossa, but I think he has the hands and scoring ability to be sort of like him. Maybe a Filip Forsberg type of winger that can drive his line.
5 Evan Bouchard London (OHL) D
I think of him as an offensive defenseman that'll get a lot of shots on net. Maybe a John Carlson type. Or Roman Josi, for his smarts and abiity to dictate play.
6 Adam Boqvist Brynäs (SWE J20) D
Erik Karlsson-like. Not saying he'll have the same type of career; but think of a highly offensive, mobile, shooting defenseman.
7 Barrett Hayton S.S. Marie (OHL) C
Bryan Little is my comparison to him. His best bet is likely to become a solid 2nd line center that plays well at both ends of the ice, while owning a nice release.
8 Noah Dobson A-Bathurst (QMJHL) D
Alex Pietrangelo's name is thrown a lot about him and it's a good one. Mobile, smart, smooth and safe with good size and two-way ability.
9 Oliver Wahlstrom USA NTDP (USHL) C
At top end, I think he could be like a Vladimir Tarasenko, meaning he's a big offensive, goal scoring, shots-on-goal type of winger that can speed down off the rush and snipe goals. Maybe a David Pastrnak/Tarasenko type of offensive winger.
10 Jesperi Kotkaniemi Ässät (SM Liiga) C
His two-way play, along with his ability to snipe the puck, makes me compare him to a Sean Monahan type. A serviceable top 6 center/winger that still has work to do on his skating.
11 Bode Wilde USA NTDP (USHL) D
Rasmus Ristolainen. Think of a big, offensive defenseman that can have some defensive lapses.
12 Quinn Hughes Michigan (NCAA) D
For me, I compare him to a Dan Boyle or Brian Campbell type of defenseman. Undersized, but quick, and used their smarts to play and put up points.
13 Rasmus Kupari Kärpät (SM Liiga) C
For me, he's similar to Matt Duchene. Maybe moreso of the Duchene that battles with inconsistency, but can still bring speed and skill to a lineup.
14 Grigori Denisenko Yaroslavl (MHL) LW
He's a lot like Jonathan Drouin to me. Amazing hands and a winger with high offensive creativity. Can he handle play when things get a little too tight and checking gets a little harder, though?
15 Joel Farabee USA NTDP (USHL) LW
He's sort of a Zach Parise type for me. He can be a playmaker, make offense and even chip in defensively and grind it out on the PK.
16 Serron Noel Oshawa (OHL) RW
This is a tougher one because you don't see too many 6'5" guys. Maybe Anthony Mantha just a little. It's not a 100% comparison, but they have the size factor and can go to the net to score goals.
17 Isac Lundestrom Luleå (SHL) C/LW
At top end, he can be like Bo Horvat. When Horvat was drafted, he had the same concerns that Lundestrom had -- that he may not have enough offensive upside. Horvat showed otherwise and I think Lundestrom can do the same. They both play a smart, two-way game.
18 Rasmus Sandin S.S. Marie (OHL) D
He's one of my underrated favorites. I love his vision and the smarts he brings. At best, I think he's an Andrei Markov type of defenseman. What that means is, like Markov, he's not the fastest skater, or the biggest, but he can do a little bit of everything, including make plays and play offense. Even lay out a check now and then, too.
19 Ty Smith Spokane (WHL) D
At the very top end, he can be a Duncan Keith-like clone. I think he's more of a TJ Brodie/Mark Giordano hybrid type. A leader, swift skater that can hit, move the puck along and be a good analytics defender.
20 Akil Thomas Niagara (OHL) RW
For me, he's sort of similar to a Nazem Kadri. Plays with an edge, while bringing playmaking ability. I could see him battle inconsistency issues, too, ala Kadri.
