After a one month break, I’m back with a longer and more detailed ranking after expanding my horizons.

1. D Rasmus Dahlin
Dahlin will be the #1 by a margin until the draft comes, a franchise defensive talent which we haven’t seen come out of the draft in a while. Incredible offensive ability.

2. RW Andrei Svechnikov
Svechnikov had been playing well up until his injury, but the gap to Dahlin is pretty large. 14 points and 10 goals in 10 games is a great start. He needs to build off of that and use his size a little bit better in games. The “Russian Line” with Lipanov and Nizhnikov have been struggling without him.

3. RW Filip Zadina
Zadina has been doing great as predicted in the Q with Halifax. His slick styled play will be well suited for the NHL. He edges out Boqvist in my rankings because of how deadly he is in front of goal. He looks dangerous whenever he’s on the ice.

4. D Adam Boqvist
Adam hasn’t had the greatest start to a very young SHL season (keep in mind, playing against grown men as a 17 year old) but shows fantastic offensive promise who loves to break into the rush. His defense still needs to work like many offensive defensemen in this draft but that will hopefully improve over the course of the year.

5. D Quinn Hughes
Quinn is another dynamic offensive defenseman available in this years draft. Quinn was a forward in youth defenseman which you can see brought out in his play style. He works best with a stay at home defenseman who can cover for his offensive rushing tendencies. He’s just starting his tenure at Michigan in the NCAA so we’ll see how we develops over the coming months, but 10 points in 14 games isn’t a bad start.

6. D Ty Smith
Ty has had a great start in the WHL so far. He’s got 28 points in 28 games as well as many perfect defensive games, showing great vision and passing from the point as well as good defensive skills. He’s the most balanced defender in the draft, more others being offensively inclined. If he continues the trend with Spokane, he’ll be a highly sought after commodity at the draft.

7. RW/C Oliver Wahlstrom
Oliver has had a terrific start in his USNDP campaign so far putting up tons of points and leading his U18 DP team with 31 points in 23 games. He’s been dynamic on offense with great vision, stick handling, and passing. His anticipation of the play helps him read defenders and cause turnovers. He’s been using his wrist shot well lately too. Things are only going up from here for the rising Swedish American.

8. D Bode Wilde
Bode has had a decent start so far, going for 15 points in 23 games to start off on the U18 USA team. He is the highest scoring defenseman over top Americans like Miller, Emberson, Samuelsson, etc. He will sort of hang around the fringe top 10 area for a while leading up to the draft.

9. LW/C Brady Tkachuk
The feisty Tkachuk has scored only 2 goals in 17 games this year with 10 assists. His goal scoring should be a lot higher, but he still brings a physical and playmaking aspect that could prove useful as a 2nd line center, unfortunately I don’t see the top line potential. He will be picked a little higher than he should for his NHL readiness, much like his brother, but as far as talent, he is behind the top group including Dahlin, Svechnikov, Zadina and Boqvist. He plays with a mean streak and is learning to share the puck well with teammates.

10. C Joe Veleno
Joe’s hype has worn down a little bit from last year and he is still highly regarded because of his exceptional status grant. He shows a great two way game with more focus lately on his defensive game. He has 31 points in 31 games, but like Tkachuk, has struggled to score goals with only 6 on the season. He’s being outperformed by Czech prospect Ostap Safin, and has one of the worst plus/minuses on the team. He’s shown some good leadership qualities and currently is the captain of the struggling SeaDogs.

11. LW Joel Farabee
Joel has had a good start to his year with the USNDP, getting 24 points in 23 games, sitting him only 2nd in scoring behind Wahlstrom. He’s been sharp off the wing scoring 12 goals so far, using his good skating and stamina on the ice well, making smart plays and passes. He always looks like he belongs.

12. C Rasmus Kupari
The jump from Jr A Liiga to the top flight has been tough for Kupari, as he only has 3 goals and 4 pts in 19 games, but he’s doing the right things on the ice as far as playing his game goes. Remember, he is playing against older and stronger men. He needs to keep working on his strength as he fills out his frame. Keep in mind that he isn’t getting as much ice time as he should.

13. D Ryan Merkley
Ryan is another offensive defenseman who also possesses crazy offensive talent. The thing that sets him behind the names above are his glaring defensive liabilities. So far he is a lack lustre -14 plus minus, but has 35 points in 28 games with the Storm. Hopefully his defensive tendencies improve as he’s a lazy defender who chooses not to defend at certain times. He leads the team in points, but also in plus minus.

14. D Jett Woo
For a defensive style defenseman, 18 pts in 17 games is a fantastic start with the Moose Jaw Warriors who are a stacked team this year. He’s unfortunately picked up an injury, but is playing a great all around game. He keeps doing what he does best by shutting down forwards and breaking up plays and starting transitions. His +19 plus minus shows how he contributes well on both ends.

15. D Noah Dobson
The talented two way defenseman is seeing a rise up the standings due to his strong start, racking up 28 points in 30 games, putting him in the top 5 of defensemen in QMJHL scoring. A great all around defender who can do many things and can be relied upon as a minute munching defenseman, will certainly rise as the year goes on.

16. C Jesper Kotkaniemi
Jesper has had a better start in the Liiga jump than his fellow countryman Kupari. He was expected to do better because of his bigger and stronger frame, but he’s also getting more ice time in a more prominent role. He’s also at least 3 inches taller and 25 lbs bulkier. He uses it well to shield players off the puck and use his creative side of his game to do damage. He’s also been getting off his dangerous wrister a lot more causing more goals which is great.

17. C Akil Thomas
The high energy center has had a great start so far with 30 points in 28 games as an IceDog. He leads the team in points and is 30th in league scoring so far. He’s a very disciplined player who is starting to warm up to me. He is playing center now, but due to his playing style and shiftiness, he may find himself on the wing at the NHL level.

18. C/LW Benoit-Olivier Groulx
The French Canadian two way forward plays a smart and skilled game, usually off the wing making good decisions. He has 24 points in 30 games so far and has shown good determination and a smart side of the game. You can really see him think and process the game well.

19. C Ryan McLeod
Ryan has had a decent start, netting 30 points in 29 games so far. He’s been doing a great job of using his fantastic fast and dynamic skating skills to breeze past defenders and drop great passes on his teammates sticks. Also surprises with some nice goals at times, needs a little better consistency. The one dig on the McLeod brothers is their lack of scoring with a pass first tendency that is almost trademarked.

20. D Jared McIssac
Jared has had a very poor start so far in the QMJHL with Halifax, despite his team and Zadina doing well, he’s only 2nd in defensemen scoring on his team and is getting outplayed by 15 year old Justin Barron. He hasn’t looked himself in the defensive end either. He takes silly penalties at times, sometimes for no reason or on broken meaningless plays. For such a good year last year, he needs to step it up now, or he could drop even further.

21. C Jack McBain
Jack was expected to do a little better than he really has been in the OJHL (quite a weaker league). He hasn’t been scoring much either as his focus has been primarily on playmaking. 38 points in 31 is his output with 12 goals.

22. D Calen Addison
Caleb’s ascend up my rankings started in the Hlinka tournament where he effectively outperformed both Ryan Merkley and Ty Smith, showing that he does belong with the big boys on team Canada. He can produce good offence on the power play and run the point. He’s god a good wrist shot, and plays a smart defensive game, positioning himself well.

23. C Isac Lundestrom
The 6’0 185 lb Swedish center is one of the most NHL ready players in the draft, and ranked so highly because of it. He doesn’t have he highest ceiling or potential out there, but he’s already playing in the SHL and scoring at a decent rate of 10 pts in 23 games which is quite impressive for an 18 year old.

24. C Ty Dellandrea
Ty has a good skill set that shows flashes, but needs to be used more consistently, he started out strong at a PPG pace, but then dropped off and is now at 19 in 28 games. He has made a big jump from last years problems. He’s using his size to his advantage a bit more, shielding the puck and using it to create space for himself. He’s got a nice wrist shot that he needs to showcase more often.

25. D K’Andre Miller
For being a larger, 6’3 and near 200 lb defenseman, Miller is a mobile defensive guy who is a great communicator and has shown good leadership qualities. He’s shown good awareness and decision making in his own end. In the offensive end, he stirs up trouble with his wicked slap shot that is very hard. Physically intimidating, as well as a good puck carrier. A raw package of great talent that is mainly a defensive defenseman, but can chip in offensively with his heavy slapper and good end to end passing.

26. LW Grigori Denisenko
Grigori is playing in the MHL this year, and started off injured, but came back and proved the doubters. He has great hands and puck moving skills, tricking defenders with quick lateral movements and short bursts of speed. He has a great wrist shot as well which he likes to let loose on occasion. For having the mitts to dangle, he is surprisingly good at sharing the puck and giving his teammates equal looks at goal as well.

27. C Alexander Khovanov
Alex has been injured the whole of this year so far, and has yet to play in the QMJHL. with Moncton, but when he does, he will impress. He’s mainly a playmaker with explosive skating that shares the puck really well. Shields the puck and protects very well. Chips in on the defensive side of the game as well and can prove handy in the face off circle.

28. LW Nando Eggenberger
Nando is a 6’2 two way winger who is playing in the Swiss top league, making the transition to a game with men. Great speed for his larger size. Protects the puck well and has a fantastic release on his wrist shot which is the biggest aspect of his game. Needs to find more space to get it off.

29. D Evan Bouchard
Slick two way defenseman who has put up 34 points already in 28 games with London. He’s 3rd in scoring for defensemen in the OHL. A fluid skater and great decision maker who can play a lot of minutes. Very good anticipation and smarts in the defensive end as well as a sneaky shot that can see some improvement to really help his game.

30. RW Jesse Ylonen
Jesse is playing in the 2nd league of Finnish hockey (Mestis) and has tallied 12 points in 20 games so far. He is a great, fluid skater with fast strides and great acceleration. He also has great vision and poise, becoming very good at cross ice passes and picking out open teammates. He could work on his shot a little more, and needs to shore up his defensive game, all in all, a longer term project.

31. D Matthias Samuelsson
Big 6’4, 217 lb defenseman who is a shut down defender, good at using his body on the defensive end. He chips in offensively with tape to tape passes and hard shots on net. He needs to work on his skating, has slow feet and gets blown past by very quick skaters.

32. C Barrett Hayton
33. C Jacob Olofsson
34. LW Anderson MacDonald
35. C/LW Phillip Kurashev
36. C Vitali Kratsov
37. G Jakub Skarek
38. D Adam Samuelsson
39. D Xavier Bouchard
40. C Jakub Lauko
41. C Filip Hallander
42. RW Dominik Bokk
43. C Milos Roman
44. G Jacob Ingham
45. C Jacob Pivonka
46. D Alexander Alexyev
47. D Martin Fehevary
48. RW Dmitri Zavgorodny
49. RW Serron Noel
50. C Allan McShane
51. D Rasmus Sandin
52. D Xavier Bernard
53. D Nicholas Beaudin
54. C Luka Burzan
55. D Ty Emberson
56. RW Niklas Nordgren
57. C Jake Wise
58. LW/C Yegor Sokolov
59. C Adam Ginning
60. LW/C Adam Liska
61. D Danila Galenyuk
62. C Blake McLaughlin
63. RW Lenni Killinen
64. LW Gabriel Fortier
65. C Alexander Zhabreyev
66. C Jonatan Berggren
67. C Gavin Hain
68. RW/C Ryan O’Reilly
69. RW Kody Clark
70. D Giovanni Vallati
71. G Alexis Gravel
72. C Oscar Back
73. D Filip Kral
74. D Jonathan Tychonick
75. RW Riley Sutter
76. RW Martin Kaut
77. LW David Levin
78. LW Albin Eriksson
79. C Jachym Kondelik
80. C Lukas Wernblom
81. G Kevin Mandolese
82. C Nathan Dunkley
83. C/LW Cole Fonstad
84. D Nico Gross
85. C Jay O’Neil
86. D Santeri Salmela
87. C Tyler Popowich
88. G Justus Annunen
89. D Denis Busby
90. RW Kirill Nizhnikov
91. D Filip Johansson
92. LW Vladislav Kotlov
93. C Kyle Topping
94. RW Samuel Fa.gemo (yes I had to censor)
95. D Musa Kukkonen
96. LW Chase Wouters
97. D Owen Lalonde
98. G Lukas Dotsal
99. C Paul Cotter
100. D Kevin Bahl
101. C Jack DeBoer
102. D Zach Malik
103. C Mathias Emilio Pettersen
104. D Austin Chorney
105. C/RW Matthew Grouchy
106. D Danila Zhuravlyov
107. LW Jackson Leppard
108. LW Jan Jenik
109. LW Jack Jensen
110. C Connor Roberts
111. D Stanislav Demin
112. G Oliver Rodrigue
113. C/LW Brendan Budy
114. C Semyon Der-Arguchintsev
115. D Axel Andersson
116. C Riley Stotts
117. C Liam Foudy
118. C Krystof Hrabik
119. LW Karel Plasek
120. C/RW Matej Pekar
121. D Chase Hartje
122. D Bogdan Zhilyakov
123. LW/RW Linus Nyman
124. G Amir Miftakhov
125. D Adam McCormick