Frank Gallaghers Final Rankings 2018

FrankGallagher

Registered User
Oct 6, 2015
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Top 31 no reports in first post.

Sorry for the long post and any typos. My final ranking and scouting reports for the draft. Reports on all my top 31 and guys that interest me for one reason or another afterwards. All players ranked are my draftable guys. NOT TRYING TO PREDICT DRAFT ORDER. Appreciate all feedback and discussion.

1. Dahlin: Generational talent on defence, maintaining the hype he’s had and continuing to improve his game in a way no defenceman since Hedman has done. Thinks the game on another level than any other player, he has so much subtlety in the way he handles the puck and skates that allows him to open up players and lanes just enough to make the play he wants. His edge work is insane as he maintains and even gains speed as he makes plays laterally on the breakout through the neutral zone and most impressively in the offensive zone. Watching him handle the puck in the offensive zone is a thing of beauty. The confidence and poise with the puck Dahlin possesses is unteachable, he never looks out of control no matter what the stage or how much pressure is on him always playing the game on his terms. Because of this ability he is a dominant player on the breakout and in transition, he is a threat to both pass the puck up and rush it which opens up so many options for him. Defensively he is already a very polished player, most impressive to me is how he uses his stick and positioning to force players away from dangerous areas. Has the skating ability to not get beat by quicker players and the size to be able to deal with power forwards. Can also play a physical game which still is important in today’s NHL. Dahlin is a one of a kind player that defies comparison.

2. Svechnikov: As an all-around offensive player he has almost everything a team could ever look for in a winger. As a skater Svechnikov is way faster than he looks, he has a long and powerful stride that allows him to seemingly glide past players effortlessly. He also doesn’t suffer from a lack of agility like a lot of other fast big guys do as he can move east west and cut on a dime like he’s 5’9. With Svechnikov it all really begins with his hockey sense, he has an amazing understanding of all the ways in which he can beat a defenceman. Off the rush he has every tool to do this as he can blow by a defenceman, drop his shoulder to turn the corner, pull the defender outside and cut back, or slow the play down and find an open trailer. Everything he does keeps defences on edge, there is an unpredictability to his game as his playmaking is just as strong as his goalscoring. This unpredictability coupled with one of the drafts best shots allows him to beat goalies clean. In the zone he is an elite puck protection player, this shows off the cycle and playing behind the net where he is once again a threat to either drive to the net, get to a spot to shoot, or set up a teammate. One of the biggest strengths Svechnikov has is his ability to win battles, he is an absolute mule on the boards with a great stick to pull pucks out of the scrum. Defensively he backchecks hard and is a master of the stick lift on opponents who have let their guard down, his positioning is good as he gets in great spots to support the breakout. Being in these positions allows him to utilize another skill which is his ability to drive play through the neutral zone. He is excellent maintaining position as his team leaves the zone and as they enter the offensive zone. This is easy for him because of his skating which pushes defenceman back, and patience. Rather than just bolting straight ahead he will often suck players over to his side before suddenly throwing a cross ice pass allowing a teammate to easily enter the zone. He is in a tier of his own behind Dahlin because on top of being an elite scorer he makes players around him better.

3. Dobson: I think anyone who has Dobson low is fundamentally misunderstanding what it takes to be an elite defenceman in the NHL. Dobson has everything I want when I think of the ideal #1 defenceman for my team. Dobsons skating is verifiably amongst the best in the draft, but you don’t need the numbers to tell you that. His speed looks so effortless with his long strides, and he moves in ways a player his size has no business moving. Dobson also has legit elite hockey IQ. He plays one of the smartest most mistake free games there is, he seemingly always makes the right play and is great at balancing risk and reward to play a style that drives play for his team. Defensively Dobson is the best defenceman in this draft based on what I’ve seen. His positioning is excellent as he angles opponents into spots that they have no good play and seemingly always leaves players with only the option he wants them to have. I would say he could be a bit more aggressive using his body and forcing turnovers, but that’s really nitpicking. Offensively he plays a style that I think easily translates. Dobson was an elite shot generator and I think he has that almost Brent Burns like ability to change his angles and find the hole to shoot through. I think Dobson is a good enough decision maker and shooter to be a #1 PP guy in the league for sure. I also like that Dobson has a ton of room for growth. He’s still a skinny 17 year old yet is already elite defensively and the best player for a memorial cup champion. I think he can develop his puckhandling ability to the point he’s not just solid, but dynamic offensively. Dobson is being undervalued by some who think the NHL is a league where defenceman are all going to look like Karlsson. Having an effective play driver who is elite defensively and on the breakout is something every team needs. Considering Dobson is already this good I am excited to see how he further develops his game.

4. Zadina: Has amongst the highest skill levels in the draft. His puckhandling ability is elite, with the ability to beat defenders 1 on 1 and slither through the neutral zone. This ability also helps him in tight where it boosts his goalscoring ability as he can find loose pucks in traffic and get them to a spot he can get a shot off. On the ice he gets around well, despite what his testing numbers suggest, as he looks fluid and smooth in the way he skates. His lack of speed mostly can be seen in straight line situations, but Zadina does not play the game in a north-south way which limits a lot of the concern on this. Zadina is also extremely strong on his skates able to lean on players and maintain possession and take a lot of bumps while holding on to the puck. Zadina has one of the best shots in the entire draft, able to beat junior goalies from basically anywhere on the ice. He’s also got a great one timer which combined with his passing vision makes him a threat off the half wall on the powerplay. He ranks behind Dobson for me due to an elite winger not being able to affect the game in the same way I see Dobson being able to, and because I see a lot more room for growth in Dobson’s game as he matures.

5. Hughes: The second he steps into the league he will be one of the best skaters. That’s how dynamic he is, watching how he skates is amazing as he is so fluid while being ridiculously explosive. Hughes whole game is based around this ability to skate better than everyone else. He takes chances other guys can’t, venturing deep in to the offensive zone, making aggressive pinches, beating people 1 on 1 at the offensive blue line, all because he knows he’s fast enough to do it. Hughes skating also allows him to be an absolute monster in transition. He is one of the best there is at beating the first forechecker often making it look effortless. Hughes is a threat to carry the puck end to end whenever he touches it, but more importantly he also has excellent vision. Hughes has elite passing ability able to make huge stretch passes, and some truly ridiculous offensive plays. Defensively Hughes is above average, his skating allows him to play an aggressive in your face style as he knows no one will beat him with speed, he does a good job using his stick and angles to take player out of the play. In board battles there’s a good chance Hughes will really struggle against NHLers as his lack of strength will always pose a bit of a problem. Ultimately he’s good enough in so many areas and smart enough to make up for almost all size related issues. The other area critiqued for Hughes often is his shot which will need to be stronger to run an NHL powerplay. This is one of the most improvable traits and I will be shocked if his doesn’t get to the level where he’s a capable threat from the point. Hughes brings a legitimate elite aspect to the table with his skating, and combined with his smarts he should be very successful.

6. Boqvist: Going into the year I thought he had a legitimate chance to challenge Svechnikov for 2nd overall. While he didn’t quite live up to that he still has the traits that made me think he was that level of player. Boqvist is a guy who’s stick you want the puck on. He handles the puck like an elite forward, easily beating forecheckers, and threatening of the rush and through the neutral zone. He has the confidence to pull off almost any move which can sometimes get him into trouble but usually works out. He also has great vision and can operate as a true QB from the point with the puck and on the breakout. Offensively at the next level Boqvist shot might be his most important aspect as he has a hard and accurate slapshot, as well as one of the drafts quickest releases on his wrist shot. Boqvist is a strong skater, as he needs to be to play his style. His agility is probably the most impressive aspect of his skating as he can cut laterally with ease. His mindset is always attacking, he plays one of the most modern styles of hockey that I have seen as he’s always looking to join the rush, and never content to be a nonthreat in the offensive zone. He has very good gap control defensively but can really struggle with physicality which should be expected with his slender frame. He’s also not always the most engaged in the game defensively and can drift and puck watch a bit too much. Has superstar abilities but has a ways to go to translate them to the NHL level.

7. Kotkaniemi: Instantly noticeable on the ice as he carries the puck in a really unique, kind of lanky style. His hands are borderline elite and he can make a ton of high end skill plays that not many players his size are making. He has some amazing on ice vision, making a ton of passes that have extreme levels of difficulty. Kotkaniemi is also a monster with his puck protection as he has such a good stick and frame that he can be nearly impossible for defencemen to strip. There are also flashes of an excellent shot with the ability to pick corners with his wrister and a very strong one timer. He plays such a fearless game in the sense that he’s never afraid to take risks and believes in his ability to make plays that others can’t. He plays a lot faster than he looks as he has a really awkward stride that he still can generate a lot of power with. Kotkaniemi will need to continue refining his stride and become more explosive, but injuries may have had something to do with his lack of burst this year. Defensively Kotkaniemi plays a mature enough game, and is smart enough positionaly that he comfortably projects as a centre at the next level. He plays with such a natural confidence that it is hard to see him failing.

8. Wahlstrom: Even when he has been completely ineffective all game, Wahlstrom has one thing that keeps him on the ice; his shot. Wahlstrom has the best shot in this draft and it’s not really even close. Wahlstrom only needs the puck on his stick for a second to launch a shot on net. On more settled shots he does a great job of hiding and changing his release point, using screens really well and shooting to all areas of the net. Wahlstrom is a shooter and knows it, he will fire on net from almost anywhere and gets himself into soft spots without the puck better than most other players. The talent Wahlstrom has as a goalscorer is the only reason he is this high on my list. He’s a pretty powerful skater though not elite, with above average agility, cutting into dangerous spots well with the puck. As a puck handler Wahlstrom is not the best. He doesn’t have a ton of creativity in one on one situations and can bobble the puck a bit too much. He frequently turns over the puck on mishandles and could really stand to improve in this area. His effort can be inconsistent too, he doesn’t always backcheck very hard and won’t consistently play physical. As a passer Wahlstrom isn’t overly creative but does make the right read with open teammates most of the time. Even with legitimate flaws in his game this is the lowest I could possibly have Wahlstrom. With his shot all he needs is a second to break open a game.

9. Bokk: One of the most fun guys to watch in this draft. The skillset Bokk possess’ gives him potential that is through the roof. Bokks game is really based around his ability to handle the puck, he does this better than most NHLers. Bokk has the puck on a string and can embarrass players who make even a small defensive mistake playing him. He uses this stickhandling ability to create space and create breakdowns in defensive coverage. Being just a stickhandler does not make you a top 10 prospect, Bokk also thinks the game very well. He does not make basic plays, he is always thinking about how he can create a chance or maintain possession. Bokk’s passing stands out as he does a great job finding guys, especially against the scrambling defense’s he often sees after beating his man. Kind of like an NBA pointguard on penetration with this ability. He also has a very strong ability to shoot the puck. His one timer is strong and he is excellent at changing his angles to find lanes and shoot through the defender as a screen. As a skater he’s very strong with the ability to push back the defense of the rush and the agility to maneuver through traffic. Defensively Bokk’s effort level isn’t always the best as he often seems to be conserving himself for offense. He does however have a great stick for stealing pucks off of opponents and will have to put in effort or won’t play at higher levels. Another factor to consider is that this was Bokk’s first year playing in a top developmental league, and in the past guys like that have seen a huge upswing in their second year against top competition.

10. Bouchard: This is one of the most difficult evaluations in the entire draft for me. On one hand Bouchard is one of the smartest and most productive players in the draft, on the other he played an untranslatable style in junior and is frequently a defensive liability. To start with the positives Bouchard makes the best breakout pass in junior hockey, his vision starting a rush is seriously second to none. This comes from him being able to really see the game and outthink the opposition, he never forces the safe play instead opting to make the right play. Bouchard also has the ability to get almost anything he wants through from the point, he generated shots at a rate that would be elite for a high end forward. His shot is also extremely strong frequently burning goalies with both his wrist shot and slap shot. There are some big question marks in his game however. The most frequently cited flaw would be his skating, I think it is average at best with his lateral mobility being below average. This is amplified by the insane amount of ice time that he was logging for the Knights. This is part of what makes him a difficult evaluation, he was out there so much that he often looked so tired that it was clearly hurting parts of his game. His fatigue shined through on defense where he can look as if he’s conserving energy and in some viewings was frequently beat out of the corner or a couple seconds late picking up his man in front. On top of this how he generated a lot of his points is not easily translatable when accounting for his skating ability. Bouchard was a huge risk taker jumping in the rush, and off the line and scored a large amount of goals from beneath the hash marks, not an area defenceman produce from in the NHL. In mental and physical elements Bouchard is pretty ahead of the curve developmentally which puts further questions on his upside. Good bet to be a great PP specialist, but not the guy his stats would suggest.

11. Tychonick: My personal favorite player in the draft. Tychonick is always thinking when he’s on the ice, his hockey sense and instincts are elite. He thinks the game steps ahead making subtle moves to beat forecheckers and open lanes for himself. He never seems to overcomplicate things while still maintaining a ton of creativity in his game. Tychonick is a very strong skater who has a light and fluid stride, able to move around with the puck in every direction. As he gets stronger he could become an even more explosive skater which would really take his game to another level. Defensively Tychonick also is always outthinking the opponent as he does a great job dictating to the opponent where they will go. His stick is also excellent and his feet allow him to stay in front of anyone. In board battles he does a very good job, beating a lot of bigger players with surprising strength and a great ability to find the puck. Tychonick is an elite driver on the breakout with his passing ability and lack of mistakes as he is great at getting the puck on to teammates sticks. Offensively Tychonick is excellent with the puck using his vision to find open teammates and showing a ton of awareness of what time and space he has and how he can create more. Off the puck he moves so well getting into dangerous areas when his check turns their head. His game reminds me so much of Dmitri Orlov without the big hits. Don’t be surprised if he has a huge season next year at UND.

12. Kravtsov: What he did to the KHL playoffs as a draft eligible was just silly. It’s not surprising to me that he was capable of that impact when you look at his skillset. He is a big man who is an extremely powerful skater that can really back up pro defencemen already. On top of this he has good enough agility and explosiveness even though I anticipate he can add even more in these areas. Handling the puck Kravtsov bleeds confidence, he will try moves as a teenager in a pro league that most would not, and can often enough pull them off. He also has an excellent shot and is awesome at using defencemen as a screen, making him a huge threat off the rush. His vision I think is a bit underrated as he was not gifted with the same amount of time to make plays as juniors and often had to opt for safer quicker passing options. I think by necessity to succeed like he did in the KHL at his age you have to have very high hockey IQ, and his most stood out to me in how he can exploit gaps in coverage. Kravtsov showed a knack for finding soft spots without the puck, or drifting in unchecked to clean up a rebound in front. Don’t be surprised if a team trys Kravtsov at center as he has a skillset that would work well there.

13. Noel: Started the year very low on him, thought he was no better than a second rounder. Really won me over as I think hes got the type of skillset where he’s gonna be take games over someday. He skates like a much smaller man, with a great top speed and surprising agility. Has some natural slipperiness to him, especially in tight. His best attribute to me are his hands. He makes unique plays stickhandling and can undress goalies when he has the chance. You shouldn’t be as big as he is and able to do some of the things he does. His vision also flashes as very high end occasionally. It’s funny because sometimes he misses the most simple reads, but sometimes he slips a pass somewhere you completely weren’t expecting for a brilliant pass. He’s a great goalscorer around the net, finding rebounds and pulling pucks out of scrums to shoot. I think his shot could definitely improve to make him even more of a threat. He is still so raw, as one of the most wildly inconsistent guys there is. Noel can go out for a dominant shift or even period and then disappear for the next. He needs to try and stay more consistently involved. He is especially uninvolved on the defensive side of the puck sometimes and needs a lot of work on that end. Going to be an absolute monster from a physical perspective he’s freakish as a ridiculously co-ordinated big guy who can already really skate. The scariest thing is he still has so much room for growth as a player and there could one day be so much more to his game.

14. Tkachuk: The type of player that almost every team is looking for but I don’t like the value at the spot he’s usually ranked. Brady is a very fun player to watch when he is on his game. He competes hard every time I’ve ever seen him and has a bit of that Brad Marchand weasel type edge to him, but really have only seen him thrive at the World Juniors with Mittlestadt. He is a good skater, not just for a big guy but for any player as a very fast straight line guy who has some wiggle and is really strong on his skates. He also excels with his puck protection where he can keep guys on his back and get where he wants, showing a really strong understanding of his strength. Brady can make the passes when they’re open but I don’t think he is very good at opening things up himself as he is not a very deceptive player in my viewings. This is most noticeable with BU where he was playing the wall on the powerplay and had a difficult time creating much, often throwing a bad shot on net or making a simpe pass back to the point. Physically he can be pretty I do not expect that to be his role in the NHL but still in my eyes it shows the lack of that creative ability. As a finisher I don’t think he’s as weak as his college numbers suggest, but it is still not a strength. His shot is very predictable as he doesn’t change his angles often and has a slower release. He does have a decent one timer but his wrist shot does not have the ability to consistently beat goalies even at the NCAA level. I think Tkachuck benefits from multiple biases that are not very meaningful such as “bloodlines”, “high-character”, false hope he can play centre, and the fetishization of the power forward role he plays. I like a lot of what Brady brings to the table but I just can’t sell myself on his upside. I for one would rather take the risk on a high end talent than settle for safety near the top of the draft.

15. Denisenko: On purely a tools level he should be higher than this. Denisenko is one of the most skilled players in the draft with amazing puck skills. He can make plays off the rush and in the offensive zone that are special. He is a double threat as a guy whos passing and shooting abilities are close to equal. He has a very quick release on his shot and does a great job of picking his corners. Passing he does a great job opening lanes and finding a tiny seam that he can thread a pass through. Denisenko is very powerful on his skates with a low centre of gravity and the ability to explode in short areas. He is difficult to knock of the puck and also plays a very physical brand of hockey, not afraid to throw a big hit. Denisenko thinks the game in a very offensive way opting to take risks to maintain control of the puck rather than dumping it in or throwing it away. Denisenko has shown the ability to take over the game and the ability to be a complete ghost in viewings I’ve had, as he matures consistency hopefully comes. I do think he’s a bit of a raw package of skill right now, but as he puts it all together has a ton of potential.

16. Miller: Absolute prototype package of skills for a defenceman. Miller is a massive guy that is a legit skater for a player any size. His stride is very pure and I would say he is one of the absolute best backwards skaters in the whole draft. Skating and reach allow Miller to make up for almost any errors and be an imposing player defensively. Per stats tracked by Mitch Brown of The Athletic Miller is the best neutral zone defender in this entire draft and it’s not even close. Has the natural ability to maintain an excellent gap and is always limiting opposing forward time and space. Offensively Miller is better than his stats show, as he got no powerplay time. He has a very heavy shot that he does a good job getting through traffic, but could work on being more aggressive offensively. Sometimes he will jump in to the play and looks like a forward making some really high end skill plays and passes. One of my favourite things about Miller is how raw he is. He has limited experience as a defenceman comparative to his peers, and because of this I think he’s got a whole lot of room for growth. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Miller develops in to an elite #1 D and that potential is hard to pass up.

17. Smith: Good at almost everything but I have real questions about how he translates his game as he moves up levels. The first thing that stands out watching Smith is the way he skates; he is one of the drafts best in this area. He covers ground effortlessly and can change directions effortlessly. His game in many ways revolves around this as he loves to start and jump into the rush, as well as take chances moving with the puck at the blueline. I think this looks beautiful in junior but I’m not sure he’ll be as successful with this style at higher levels as his puckhandling ability is pretty basic. Smith is capable of some beautiful passes and I love how he sees the game in the transition phase, he is a very good decision maker with the puck. Defensively Smiths game is very overrated as he was often exposed at higher levels of international play. His positioning is not good enough for a guy who lacks strength and size as he often gives up the inside to players driving the net. I also think he lacks the shot and offensive zone creativity to be a true offensive defnenceman in the pros. His skating gives him the base of a very good player, and the decision making makes him a sure pro, but he needs to add more dynamic elements and refine his defensive play.

18. Iskhakov: This is probably my most off the board ranking comparative to the “consensus” but watching this kid play I just see so much potential to be a star. Iskhakov I would say easily has the best hands in this draft, he has the confidence and ability to make moves that can bring you out of your seat. His edgework and agility are also elite. He keeps players on edge, chasing and reacting to him exploiting every misstep a defender make. Carrying the puck through the neutral zone he makes so many guys miss that he seemingly can skate through a team at will. He doesn’t though as he is a very unselfish player, always finding teammates with passes that put them in a good spot. None of this flash would matter if it weren’t for the brain he has. To make it as a 5’7 forward you have to be an extremely smart player, Iskhakov outthinks players to beat them just as often as he uses his skill. So many times were he’ll get players puckwatching and fire the no look pass to a player you didn’t even know was open. In battles he almost uses his size to his advantage as he slips and sneaks around to win against much bigger and stronger players. There are some obvious limitations in his game though, not many of which are related to his size. I could see his speed holding him back. He is so quick and shifty but his top speed is not on the same level, he gets going fast but doesn’t have a blow away gear. He is still above average in this area however, and it isn’t always a death blow for smaller players. His shot is definitely a weak area of his game, he simply doesn’t have the power to project him as a guy that will consistently beat NHL goalies. He does however have a quick and deceptive release but without becoming more of a shooting threat a lot of his unpredictability will be taken away and he’ll be a bit easier to contain. If you are talented and smart enough size is irrelevant.

19. Farabee: Hard to have him this low but all the guys above him just have that one thing that allows you to see them being elite. For me I just don’t see this potential in Farabee. The mental side of the game is definitely Farabees strong suit as he understands how to play to his strengths. He knows he’s not the strongest or quickest so he instead plays a way that relys on his lightning quick decision making. This is a guy who sees the game steps ahead most of the time, and can read how a play will unfold before it happens. As a puck handler hes not overly flashy but can beat players by taking advantage of the mistakes they’re making in coverage. He is definitely more of a natural playmaker than goalscorer as he often looks to try pass the puck into the net rather than shoot it. His shot is not exceptionally strong but he does get it off pretty fast, he will need work on it for sure though. Farabee’s path to improvement in a lot of ways will have to come through his skating. He’s definitely right around average in this area right now as he moves around okay but is definitely not a burner or the type of guy the make a quick stop to but a defender on their heels. Farabee is one of the harder workers I watched this year, and combined with his IQ that made him an excellent defensive player. He can play.

20. Veleno: Legitimate elite skater. Has top speed, acceleration, agility, unbelievable balance, everything about his skating is great. Veleno is also a very smart player who doesn’t make plays that hurt his team, he makes the right passes, doesn’t turn it over a ton, and is always in great defensive position. I don’t doubt he could step in as a 4th line centre next year as his game is that responsible. I don’t think that’s the right move developmentally as he needs to add more creativity and risk to his game if he ever wants to be more than just a good player. Veleno settles for average far too often in my opinion. For a guy as skilled as he is who skates like he does, Veleno does not make the most of this package. He flashes where he’s legitimate elite, but these are too few and far between. I was very impressed with his strength and power game this year. He does an excellent job holding defenders off on his back, and is a great cycle player. Veleno does need work on his shot but it’s not as bad as his goalscoring numbers suggest as that’s mostly due to a pass first style. Didn’t see the growth I wanted to from him this year.

21. Berggren: The type of winger that is increasingly making an impact in the NHL and easily projects in a complimentary role. He is a player who definitely “plays fast”, operating at a high speed and tempo. Berggren is a very quick player who can often evade bigger players attempting to check him. His stick handling is very good and he can make quick dekes through traffic that lead to chances. He is unafraid of the dirty areas on the ice willingly going to the front of the net and taking some punishment to score. His passing vision is also a stronger trait of his as he does a good job spotting teammates in dangerous spots and shows little hesitation in getting them the puck. His shot could use some improvement and he could use some more strength in general. He can get knocked off the puck a bit to easily, and is over reliant on his stick to win board battles. This is an easily fixable issue though, and he is not a guy that’s unwilling to engage physically. Bergrren is one of the most tenacious forecheckers in the draft, using his speed and smarts to get on defenseman or take away outlet passes. He frequently wins possession for his team on the forecheck with this pressure he applies. I think he lacks an elite ceiling because he doesn’t have mind blowing skill or speed, but he fits a very valuable archetype in the NHL today and could seamlessly fit on any team.

22. Kaut: I can’t believe I ended up with Kaut this low. One of the best players I watched this year, he looks like he’s about a year away from the NHL. The strongest ability that Kaut has is his brain, which is one of the best in this draft. Kaut seemingly never makes the wrong play, moving the puck to spots you didn’t even think were options almost instinctually. Kauts hockey sense also allows him to play a very mature defensive game. He does a great job of taking away lanes and steering players to where he wants them. Offensively he shows excellent vision and creativity to find guys in good scoring positions. He could use some work on his shot and stand to get a bit more explosive as a skater as these are both areas that are good but not great for him and a part of why he ended up here.

23. Wilde: Wow. Sometimes you’re saying that because Wilde just made an unbelievable play look routine. Sometimes you’re saying that because Wilde looks incapable of even making the most routine plays. From a tools standpoint Wilde is clearly one of the top 5 players in this draft. Wilde skates effortlessly with some of the best lateral mobility in the draft. With his skating ability Wilde can effortlessly get almost anywhere he wants with the puck, when he’s on its fun to watch. Shooting the puck Wilde has a fairly heavy shot but can struggle finding lanes and hits shinpads too often, usually because he has his head down. Passing the puck Wilde can make some extremely creative plays in the offensive zone and on the breakout finding guys in great spots. That doesn’t always happen as Wilde will way too often force a bad pass and make the wrong read resulting in a turnover. Bode can also be a punishing player physically, he’s a big strong guy and can really step into a player in the open ice and wins a lot of board battles. Defensively Wilde is bad. His gap is often too big, which is concerning considering he’s an elite skater who should be able to stick with anyone. He also finds himself out of position way too often, either puck watching or leaving the zone too early. Wilde has almost everything you could want but his question marks are in the area I feel is most important, IQ. There are way too many times Wilde makes laughably bad reads defensively and with the puck. He can look overwhelmed out there at times, and in complete control at others. If IQ can improve, he’ll be a star. I’m not so sure it’s an area you can learn.

24. Kupari: If he had a bit more of a brain he’s a legit top 10 talent. One of my favourite skaters in this draft, he is ridiculously explosive and has the knife through butter affect as a carrier through the neutral zone when he gets going. Hughes and Smith are the only guys I see as better skaters than Kupari, and between him and Smith it’s a toss-up. Offensively his best ability to me is his stickhandling. He’s unafraid to take players 1 on 1 both in close quarters and off the rush and is often successful. When it works his combo of hands and skating looks so smooth and is the stuff of an elite prospect. On top of this he has a good, but inconsistent shot that he can burn goalies with off the rush. I don’t think he consistently sees the ice at a very high level as he kind of gets tunnel vision sometimes and becomes more of a stickhandler and skater than hockey player. He also is a bit of a one paced player as he doesn’t look nearly as good when the play slows down and he has to outthink the defense rather than outskate them. Kupari in my view is more of a winger at the next level too as he is prone to too many mental lapses defensively. Get the feeling watching him that he’s just playing off natural talent and is very raw.

25. Addison: Knew he was an elite skater when he absolutely broke my buddy’s ankles on an open ice spin-o-rama at 15 years old. His skating has continued to be elite as he is one of the most explosive guys around this year. His top speed is very good and he’s gotten even more agile in open ice. He’s a top puckmover in this years draft and one of the first guys I would want leading my breakout as he can quickly move the puck from his zone to a dangerous chance. Offensively he is very active looking to cut to the middle or jump down the wall on the cycle, adding a lot to his team this way. He has a heavy point shot and is a definite powerplay quarterback at the next level, especially as a right hander. Unlike some of the smaller guys above him, his defense is a legitimate concern. He struggles to hold his ground against bigger stronger players and can be a bit too passive, easily allowing zone entries and allowing the opponent to have time and space to do what they want. Whether he’s a star in Europe or in the NHL will depend on how he improves his game defensively.

26. Johansson: 9 points in Juniors and 1 point in the Allsvensken yet he’s ranked this high? Yes. Johansson looks every bit the type of the modern day shutdown defenceman. He has the feet to stick with players defensively and was one of the best players I watched at forcing turnovers. This was because he is not only excellent with his stick and positioning but also is strong enough to rub players out easily. He does a great job of not giving up the zone and forces a lot of dump ins with aggressive gap control. He never gives opponents the breathing room to make plays. Once he gets the puck he knows what to do, unlike a lot of this drafts “defensive defencemen”. Johansson makes a great first pass that is seemingly always tape to tape, and does an excellent job of using his partner to relieve pressure. He always seems calm and in control on the ice which I attribute to his best trait, his IQ. Johansson is an expert in risk management, he makes the safe plays without sacrificing the smart plays. He doesn’t often overexpose himself and his game is very quiet in a good way. Offensively he’s not some total non-factor like his points suggest. He does a good job of being an option at the point, and sometimes integrates himself in the cycle. He’s got a pretty strong shot, but doesn’t find holes enough and was even used on the powerplay with the u18 team some of the time. I find Johansson undervalued because he does a lot of things that don’t show up on the score sheet. He keeps players out of dangerous spaces, forces a ton of dump ins, and maintains possession for his team when he has the puck. He’s a player I would want on my team any day.

27. Jenik: Oozes potential. One of the youngest players in the draft and still extremely skinny but managed to be a decent player in a pro league, and perform against top nations internationally. Watching him he can be wildly inconsistent but is capable of taking over for shifts at a time. Jenik is extremely confident in his stickhandling abilities, attempting and often pulling of difficult moves. Jeniks best attribute offensively is his vision, he can be one of the more creative players I’ve seen finding and opening up lanes that most other prospects are not seeing. For such a skinny kid Jenik uses his body and protects pucks very well. Jenik is reliable defensively, and was often used as a penalty killer for the Czech national team. Skating is a bit of a concern as he is not a complete burner, and has to rely on outthinking defenders rather than blowing by them. A lot of Jeniks issues stem from his lack of strength. As Jenik fills out I think he will become a more explosive skater and could become a dominant player.

28. Dellandrea: Hard to poke any holes in Dellandrea’s game as he is very well rounded and accomplished. His skating is strong as he has a powerful stride and is very strong on his skates. He gets going well and can outskate a team through the neutral zone. As a creator he is also very good. Dellandrea has strong hands and can make some really skilled and creative plays on occasion. He also sees the ice well showing some above average vision on occasion. As a scorer he’s a very good garbage man, converting a lot of chances on the doorstep. He can also score with a pretty heavy shot that is once again good but not great. Defensively Dellandrea is pretty advanced in his positioning showing a really good understanding of this side of the game. I think he’s a safe bet to be a good player with a chance a couple of his abilities become better than just good and he makes this ranking look bad.

29. Hayton: Trusting myself on this ranking, he’s not a top 15 guy. It’s not that I don’t think he’s a good player, I just question his upside and don’t think he has shown the talent to warrant his usual rankings. Hayton has one standout trait for me, his shot. The puck comes flying off of Hayton’s stick on wrist shots and he has a great one timer he didn’t get to show a ton on Soo’s powerplay. I particularly love his drag shot as he cuts to the middle off the rush and uses the defenceman as an unwitting screen. His skating scares me a bit, his first few steps are slow and he does not move fluidly at all. I think top speed can be improved more easily than these factors. Haytons hands are also not going to be much above average as he moves up levels and he isn’t an overly creative player. What keeps him high for me is his brain for the game. Hayton defensively plays like a pro already as he is always in excellent position and is physically very strong. He also does a very good job of getting into soft spots offensively and finding holes in defensive coverage. A bit too bland of a player for me, but has some ability. His future is going to in large part depend on how much better of a skater he becomes.

30. Bernard-Docker: There are a lot of defenceman that have the potential to be game breaking offensive stars in this draft, I don’t think Bernard-Docker is one of them. He is the type of defenceman who goes out there and does his job every shift. Defensively he is already very advanced especially for a kid playing Jr. A. Off the rush he plays with one of the best gaps in the draft giving wingers coming at him no time and space, denying clean entries on his side. To play with a gap like this you have to be a good skater, and he definitely is. I think he could become a bit more explosive but he has enough speed that he’s not going to get beat wide and can effortlessly jump up in plays. In his zone Bernard-Docker plays excellent positional defense. In my viewings he didn’t leave his man open infront once and forced opponents into unthreatening positions and turnovers. He physically handled a very big boy (McBain) in multiple battles, and effectively defended some very good USHL forwards (McLaughlin, Dugan, Drury) in the WJAC where he was easily the best defenseman in his own zone. On the breakout he will often make the safe play where he knows he’s going to clear it but showed the confidence to find options in the middle when they were open. He likes to skate the puck up but lacks the creativity and skills to be a huge threat off the rush. In the offensive zone he is very efficient, getting pucks on net when the lane is open and utilizing his partner well when the option is there. I think Bernard-Docker could benefit from a bit more risk in his game but even as is has some real upside. Kind of reminds me of Chris Tanev if things break right for him.

31. Marchenko: Throughout the year really grew, and became a player who was flat out dominant for the Russian jr team. Marchenko is a big lanky guy with a very high skill level. Marchenko can frequent the highlite reals with some of his dangles, as he has some of the better stickhandling ability in the draft. He is extremely confident and creative with the moves and passes he makes, often making the very difficult look easy. He can also really skate with a long powerful stride, and the ability to make a sharp cut to evade opponents and get into dangerous areas. I think he will be better as he more consistently gets teammates involved in the play as he can sometimes try and do a bit too much. Marchenko is one of the more interesting prospects in the draft and could be a real homerun pick for someone.

32. Gustafsson: Was not super high on Gustafsson until I watched him more closely. Doesn’t really stand out with anything too flashy which I kind of chalked up to not having any stand out abilities; I was wrong. Gustafsson thinks the game on a level most others are not capable of. He’s always defensively responsible, not getting caught too deep and doing a great job with his stick getting in lanes and forcing players to bad spots. He’s also one of the drafts best passers. Gustafsson excels at protecting the puck and drawing eyes to him before finding an open teammate. He confidently makes backhand passes which makes him a more unpredictable playmaker. Shooting is an area he could improve, as his wrist shot is not much of a weapon. Becoming more of a shooting threat would open up a lot more for him. As is he scores a lot of his goals by going to the net, and is very strong at redirecting pucks. He would be an awesome netfront guy on the powerplay who is also able to set up from behind the net. Gustafsson doesn’t show a ton of highend stickhandling skills but plays a game more based on strength and puck protection making this a bit less of a concern. Skating is the flaw most bring up with Gustafsson, and his lack of speed can be pretty noticeable in open ice. However, I think other areas of his skating are fine, he has excellent balance and is pretty slippery for a bigger guy. On top of this he does an excellent job of using his body to create space and make plays. If he can become more explosive I think he has higher potential than some think.

33. Alexeyev: Gives me a weird feeling that I am way underrating him. Legitimately great defensively and has more talent than you typically see in a guy like that. On top of that he can also skate at a pretty strong level. Injuries and personal tragedies could very well have held him back this year, excited to see what he can do next year.
34. Sandin
35. Thomas
36. Back
37. Foudy
38. Wise
39. Kovalenko:
40. Hallander
41. Ylonen
42. Lundqvist
43. Merkley: Do not care about “attitude issues” or any off-ice stuff as I am not in any way qualified or in the know enough to evaluate that. I find his skill set overrated. Good skater but there are better in this draft. Good playmaker? Only on highlights, one elite play to every 10 that are stupid unforced turnovers. Defensively he’s a nightmare right now, but I find that’s mainly an effort thing. His skill set is still very good which is why I rank him here.
44. Morozov
45. Olofsson: Mindset is the biggest problem I have with Olofsson. When he wants to be he can dominate, but too often he’s just another guy on the ice. When he is assertive and looking to create he is capable of dominating shifts offensively. His passing is strong and he’s occasionally capable of dancing through multiple players on the other team. When he’s going he looks so smooth and his game has an effortlessness to it. His shot is one of his strongest assets too as he has a great release that he can beat goalies clean with, unfortunately he doesn’t use it enough. Sometimes Olofsson seems to not realize his skill level and will play to not get scored against rather than create, he also can float a bit too much against his age group. Even when he’s off his game he’s a great player defensively. He is one of the better stick checkers in the draft and does a great job taking away passing lanes and intercepting passes, this really shines through on the penalty kill. What he becomes is going to come down to upping his compete level and becoming a more consistent player.
46. Lundestrom
47. Busby: Been out of sight for a year due to injury but was awesome at the u17s last year and is an unbelievable skater. Losing a year of development at this age is huge but I think whoever takes him is going to be getting a real steal. I believe if he had played this year he could have worked his way up to the first round range.
48. O’Brien
49. Ranta
50. Samuelsson
51. Hillis
52. McLaughlin
53. Drury
54. McBain
55. Roman
56. McIsaac
57. Perunovich
58. Ginning
59. Madden
60. Khovanov
61. Romanov: He’s a real darkhorse for me to become a great player. Was impressive everytime I saw the Russians and when watching MHL he looked dominant. Can really skate and has a great mind for the game, I would bet on him because of that combo.
62. Sharngovich
63. McLeod
64. Zhuravlayov
65. Nordgren
66. Woo: Had questions about his upside even before the 2 concussions ruined his season. He’s not skilled enough for me and is a guy who opts for “safe” plays over “smart” plays too often. Also physically he’s ahead of people in the WHL and his game relies on that. He won’t be ahead in the NHL and I think he’ll struggle with that adjustment.
67. Shafigullin
68. Florchuk
69. Beaudin
70. Rtischev: Personal favorite, really intriguing package of skills as a big and fast guy who has great 1 on 1 ability off the rush. If he develops the ability to slow the came down and think a bit more than play he can really become something. Had at least 1 play whenever I watched him where you could see his huge potential.
71. Groulx
72. Lauko
73. St. Ivany: Loved him at the WJAC. After having seen him last year I thought the progression he has made this year was unbelievable. His skating was in another world compared to the year before. I’d draft him and give him some time in college to see what he can become.
74. Fonstad
75. Der-Argunitschev
76. Stotts
77. McShane
78. Steeves
79. Fagemo
80. Durzi
81. Moskal
82. Weiss: Could be too low on him. Showed really intriguing talent level with skating and pretty good hands and creativity. Not sure the USDP coaches really put him in the best position to succeed and won’t be shocked if he looks a lot better next year.
83. Stastney
84. Henman
85. Kurashev
86. Hutsko

Goalies
1. Dostal
2. Miftakhov
3. Skarek
4. Rodrigue
5. Lindblom
6. Schmid
7. Annunen
 
Last edited:

FrankGallagher

Registered User
Oct 6, 2015
392
486
Top 31 for anyone that wants a less detailed view:

1. Dahlin
2. Svechnikov
3. Dobson
4. Zadina
5. Hughes
6. Boqvist
7. Kotkaniemi
8. Wahlstrom
9. Bokk
10. Bouchard
11. Tychonick
12. Kravtsov
13. Noel
14. Tkachuk
15. Denisenko
16. Miller
17. Smith
18. Iskhakov
19. Farabee
20. Veleno
21. Berggren
22. Kaut
23. Wilde
24. Kupari
25. Addison
26. Johansson
27. Jenik
28. Dellandrea
29. Hayton
30. Bernard-Docker
31. Marchenko
 
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boredmale

HFBoards Sponsor
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Jul 13, 2005
42,363
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I was going to say you need to space it better but I didn't want to be a prick after you put so much work into this list. :P
 
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Doublechin

Registered User
Jun 23, 2013
2,980
1,154
Top 31 for anyone that wants a less detailed view:

1. Dahlin
2. Svechnikov
3. Dobson
4. Zadina
5. Hughes
6. Boqvist
7. Kotkaniemi
8. Wahlstrom
9. Bokk
10. Bouchard
11. Tychonick
12. Kravtsov
13. Noel
14. Tkachuk
15. Denisenko
16. Miller
17. Smith
18. Iskhakov
19. Farabee
20. Veleno
21. Berggren
22. Kaut
23. Wilde
24. Kupari
25. Addison
26. Johansson
27. Jenik
28. Dellandrea
29. Hayton
30. Bernard-Docker
31. Marchenko

No love for Lundestrom?
 
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FrankGallagher

Registered User
Oct 6, 2015
392
486
No love for Lundestrom?
Have him 46th, not much of a fan because he doesn't have a ton of creativity or too high of a skill level. Like his skating and think he's a smart player so I think he is a likely pro, just not seeing the upside.
 

Dominance

99-66-4-9-87/97
Sep 30, 2017
7,821
12,250
The Land of Hockey
Divisive in comparison to the norm but I can’t disagree with any of your player assessments. I really appreciate your detailed descriptions and placements of the Euro players that I have seen next to none of, and absolutely love the placements of Dobson, Tychonick, and Bernard-Docker.

Thanks for the hard work.
 
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Wooren

no longer perennial 4th place losers
May 17, 2015
2,389
1,396
Prague
Jan Jenik is intriguing, but I think lack of exposure and questionable skating will keep him out of the top 60.
 

FrankGallagher

Registered User
Oct 6, 2015
392
486
Jan Jenik is intriguing, but I think lack of exposure and questionable skating will keep him out of the top 60.
Ya I won't be shocked if someone steals him in the 3rd. I think a lot of his skating issues are largely strength related, so much upside as he fills out. Was a different player by the u18s this year
 
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NotProkofievian

Registered User
Nov 29, 2011
24,476
24,599
First off, I'm glad that you came to your senses about Olofsson. I agree with your opinion of Gustafsson, and I think you said it correctly: he thinks the game better than most people are capable of. I have him a little bit higher than you do. I like the Kotkaniemi ranking. He is instantly recognizable as you say, which is good, because it's f***ing impossible to read the numbers on the back of Pori's home jerseys.

Thanks for posting your list.
 
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Kevin Musto

Hard for Bedard
Feb 16, 2018
20,746
26,934
Sad there's no love for Dudas, but otherwise I really liked this write up. Glad you don't let the media and hype affect your rankings.
 
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CraigBillington

Registered User
Dec 10, 2010
1,654
1,427
From other readings, I'm glad you had the balls to rank some guys where you did. For the most part, it seems you rate guys similarly to how I would rank them haha. I mean, all it takes is for one team to like a guy more than another to throw off the entire consensus, which is what you've done - like where you ranked Dobson, Bokk and Tychonik, and in the opposite regard, Tkachuk (glad to see I'm not the only one who thinks he is so popular because of things that don't matter), Veleno, Sandin, Lundestrom and Smith.

Great read, I'm gonna use this thread as one of my references when it comes to my sim league draft
 
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CraigBillington

Registered User
Dec 10, 2010
1,654
1,427
Your efforts are appreciated .. but Tkachuk at 14 is an absolute joke and a discredit to your work
With Tkachuk, can someone enlighten me as to why exactly he should be a top 10 pick? I have gone through bits and pieces of his thread and I honestly don't get the hype for why some have had him as high as 3. What is so special that makes him rank that high?
 

FrankGallagher

Registered User
Oct 6, 2015
392
486
First off, I'm glad that you came to your senses about Olofsson. I agree with your opinion of Gustafsson, and I think you said it correctly: he thinks the game better than most people are capable of. I have him a little bit higher than you do. I like the Kotkaniemi ranking. He is instantly recognizable as you say, which is good, because it's ****ing impossible to read the numbers on the back of Pori's home jerseys.

Thanks for posting your list.
Ya, I still see the flashes of dominance but he's been frustrating for me. He's got all the ability but I really question his competitiveness.

For Gustafsson I'm a bit worried I'm dinging him for his skating too much, he's an elite thinker and guys like that often find a way to be successful. And if he does improve his skating to even average, his potential is really high.

Ya he's just got a one of a kind look on the ice for sure, one of the most interesting players to watch this year because his game is so his own.
 

FrankGallagher

Registered User
Oct 6, 2015
392
486
From other readings, I'm glad you had the balls to rank some guys where you did. For the most part, it seems you rate guys similarly to how I would rank them haha. I mean, all it takes is for one team to like a guy more than another to throw off the entire consensus, which is what you've done - like where you ranked Dobson, Bokk and Tychonik, and in the opposite regard, Tkachuk (glad to see I'm not the only one who thinks he is so popular because of things that don't matter), Veleno, Sandin, Lundestrom and Smith.

Great read, I'm gonna use this thread as one of my references when it comes to my sim league draft
Appreciate it, tried to get as many viewings as I could and not let where the consensus is on someone effect me. If they're talented enough to warrant their consensus ranking it will show
 

hawkeerox

Registered User
Jan 2, 2018
225
46
Great read! Thanks for all the deets.
I like that you ranked Serron Noel so high (13) compared to other sources, but...
not sure why McBain is ranked so low (#54), especially when some NHL teams have him in the first round...I saw that he also did very well at the Combine
 
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NotProkofievian

Registered User
Nov 29, 2011
24,476
24,599
Ya, I still see the flashes of dominance but he's been frustrating for me. He's got all the ability but I really question his competitiveness.

If he puts things together it's going to be really frustrating. Everyone sees the highlights of this big, smooth operator with a deadly release and nifty mitts. But if you follow him regularly that version doesn't show up all that often. But he could, on any given game. What are you supposed to do? I have him a little higher than you do just for his tools. I put him where I think those sorts of issues become more common anyways, at the end of the first.

For Gustafsson I'm a bit worried I'm dinging him for his skating too much, he's an elite thinker and guys like that often find a way to be successful. And if he does improve his skating to even average, his potential is really high.

Ya he's just got a one of a kind look on the ice for sure, one of the most interesting players to watch this year because his game is so his own.

I didn't set out to scout David initially, I was just watching Brännström and #27 with the cage caught my eye. Not only does he think the game at a very high level but he's hyper competitive. I'm willing to gamble quite aggressively on his skating improving.
 

FrankGallagher

Registered User
Oct 6, 2015
392
486
If he puts things together it's going to be really frustrating. Everyone sees the highlights of this big, smooth operator with a deadly release and nifty mitts. But if you follow him regularly that version doesn't show up all that often. But he could, on any given game. What are you supposed to do? I have him a little higher than you do just for his tools. I put him where I think those sorts of issues become more common anyways, at the end of the first.

Ya, I'm just not sure I'm willing to bet on him developing that killer instinct and playing how he can on a consistent basis. So much talent that it sucks to see him not putting it all together.

I didn't set out to scout David initially, I was just watching Brännström and #27 with the cage caught my eye. Not only does he think the game at a very high level but he's hyper competitive. I'm willing to gamble quite aggressively on his skating improving.

Yep he's a guy you notice consistently winning battles and making the right plays. I thought he was a non prospect before watching Sweden in the 5 nations. Just not sure in how much I can bank on non strength related skating development for a guy who doesn't have an awful stride. Truth be told I had him as high as 19 but continually talked myself out of him until he ended up where he did.
 

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