SPG
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The HF Rangers' top two picks went a few spots lower than they did in the NHL draft, but the middle round guys all went considerably higher. Overall, very happy with the additions to the prospect pool.
Quinn Hughes, D - University of Michigan (NCAA) 5'10" 170
HFNHL: Round 1, 6th overall
NHL: Round 1, 7th overall (Vancouver Canucks)
Difference: -1
It's no secret what the biggest obstacle Hughes must overcome in order to develop into a star at the next level. Generously listed at 5'10", 170lbs, size is definitely a liability. His defensive positioning is good, but he's at risk of being outmuscled in his own end. That being said, his skating, hockey sense, vision, and playmaking ability are off the charts. The upside was enough for him to be the highest drafted defenseman in the NHL Draft not named Rasmus Dahlin. The potential is there for Quinn to develop into an electric first pairing defenseman. If he returns to Michigan in the fall, look for him to be a Hobey Baker contender.
Ryan McLeod, C - Mississauga (OHL) 6'2" 202
HFNHL: Round 2, 36th overall
NHL: Round 2, 40th overall (Edmonton Oilers)
Difference: -4
Ryan joins his brother Michael (drafted 13th overall in 2016) in the HFNHL New York Rangers organization. It's fair to question his offensive upside, but the size, skating, and penalty killing ability is there. A safe bet to be an NHL players, but it remains to be seen if he'll be a top six or a bottom six player. A worthwhile selection near the top of the second round.
Gabriel Fortier, LW - Baie-Comeau (QMJHL) 5'10" 170
HFNHL: Round 4, 98th overall
NHL: Round 2, 59th overall (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Difference: +39
Fortier is a feisty, smallish player that is a very good skater with high end speed and is an excellent penalty killer. Drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL draft, he fits the mold of player type that Tampa has gravitated to in recent years (think Yanni Gourde style player). It remains to be seem if his offensive game can continue to develop or if he'll be a likely bottom 6 player at the highest level. Either way, he seems to be another safe bet to have a role as an NHL player.
Axel Andersson, D - Djurgarden Jr. (SWE) 6'0" 178
HFNHL: Round 4, 123rd overall
NHL: Round 2, 57th overall (Boston Bruins)
Difference: +66
Another of the many talented defensemen from Sweden in this draft. A mobile, smooth skating right-shot defender with a good shot and good puck skills. Good on the man advantage. As with many of these draftees, he will need to bulk up to handle the rigors of playing in the NHL.
Nico Gross, D - Oshawa (OHL) 6'1" 183
HFNHL: Round 5, 130 overall
NHL: Round 4, 101st overall (New York Rangers)
Difference: +29
Gross is a good skater and an aggressive player that plays with a physical edge in the corners and in front of the net. While he has good mobility and puck rushing ability, those skills have not yet translated into offensive production. He'll need to improve in that area in order to be more widely regarded as two-way prospect.
Jacob Pivonka, C - USA-U18 (NTDP) 5'11" 198
HFNHL: Round 6, 160th overall
NHL: Round 4, 103rd overall (New York Islanders)
Difference: +57
The son of former NHLer Michal Pivonka, he plays a different style of game than his father. He plays a fast paced game and has a good shot. He's a quick two-way center that was buried on the depth chart of a deep U18 team, so his 2017-18 stats may not be a good indicator of his offensive ability. A hard worker with a good attitude, he will head to the University of Notre Dame in the fall.
Jared Moe, G - Waterloo (USHL) 6'3" 205
HFNHL: Round 6, 178th overall
NHL: Round 6, 184th overall (Winnipeg Jets)
Difference: -6
Moe had good regular season with Waterloo (the same USHL team that produced HFNYR prospect Cal Petersen), and even took his game to another level in the playoffs. An overager that was passed over in the 2017 draft, Moe is commited to the University of Minnesota this coming fall.
Keegan Karki, G - Muskegon (USHL) 6'4" 216
HFNHL: Round 6, 183rd overall
NHL: Undrafted
Difference: N/A
The lone undrafted player of the 2018 HFNHR draft class, Karki is a tall goaltender that played for Muskegon of the USHL last season. He has all the physical tools, but has yet to put it all together on a consistent basis.
Quinn Hughes, D - University of Michigan (NCAA) 5'10" 170
HFNHL: Round 1, 6th overall
NHL: Round 1, 7th overall (Vancouver Canucks)
Difference: -1
It's no secret what the biggest obstacle Hughes must overcome in order to develop into a star at the next level. Generously listed at 5'10", 170lbs, size is definitely a liability. His defensive positioning is good, but he's at risk of being outmuscled in his own end. That being said, his skating, hockey sense, vision, and playmaking ability are off the charts. The upside was enough for him to be the highest drafted defenseman in the NHL Draft not named Rasmus Dahlin. The potential is there for Quinn to develop into an electric first pairing defenseman. If he returns to Michigan in the fall, look for him to be a Hobey Baker contender.
Ryan McLeod, C - Mississauga (OHL) 6'2" 202
HFNHL: Round 2, 36th overall
NHL: Round 2, 40th overall (Edmonton Oilers)
Difference: -4
Ryan joins his brother Michael (drafted 13th overall in 2016) in the HFNHL New York Rangers organization. It's fair to question his offensive upside, but the size, skating, and penalty killing ability is there. A safe bet to be an NHL players, but it remains to be seen if he'll be a top six or a bottom six player. A worthwhile selection near the top of the second round.
Gabriel Fortier, LW - Baie-Comeau (QMJHL) 5'10" 170
HFNHL: Round 4, 98th overall
NHL: Round 2, 59th overall (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Difference: +39
Fortier is a feisty, smallish player that is a very good skater with high end speed and is an excellent penalty killer. Drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL draft, he fits the mold of player type that Tampa has gravitated to in recent years (think Yanni Gourde style player). It remains to be seem if his offensive game can continue to develop or if he'll be a likely bottom 6 player at the highest level. Either way, he seems to be another safe bet to have a role as an NHL player.
Axel Andersson, D - Djurgarden Jr. (SWE) 6'0" 178
HFNHL: Round 4, 123rd overall
NHL: Round 2, 57th overall (Boston Bruins)
Difference: +66
Another of the many talented defensemen from Sweden in this draft. A mobile, smooth skating right-shot defender with a good shot and good puck skills. Good on the man advantage. As with many of these draftees, he will need to bulk up to handle the rigors of playing in the NHL.
Nico Gross, D - Oshawa (OHL) 6'1" 183
HFNHL: Round 5, 130 overall
NHL: Round 4, 101st overall (New York Rangers)
Difference: +29
Gross is a good skater and an aggressive player that plays with a physical edge in the corners and in front of the net. While he has good mobility and puck rushing ability, those skills have not yet translated into offensive production. He'll need to improve in that area in order to be more widely regarded as two-way prospect.
Jacob Pivonka, C - USA-U18 (NTDP) 5'11" 198
HFNHL: Round 6, 160th overall
NHL: Round 4, 103rd overall (New York Islanders)
Difference: +57
The son of former NHLer Michal Pivonka, he plays a different style of game than his father. He plays a fast paced game and has a good shot. He's a quick two-way center that was buried on the depth chart of a deep U18 team, so his 2017-18 stats may not be a good indicator of his offensive ability. A hard worker with a good attitude, he will head to the University of Notre Dame in the fall.
Jared Moe, G - Waterloo (USHL) 6'3" 205
HFNHL: Round 6, 178th overall
NHL: Round 6, 184th overall (Winnipeg Jets)
Difference: -6
Moe had good regular season with Waterloo (the same USHL team that produced HFNYR prospect Cal Petersen), and even took his game to another level in the playoffs. An overager that was passed over in the 2017 draft, Moe is commited to the University of Minnesota this coming fall.
Keegan Karki, G - Muskegon (USHL) 6'4" 216
HFNHL: Round 6, 183rd overall
NHL: Undrafted
Difference: N/A
The lone undrafted player of the 2018 HFNHR draft class, Karki is a tall goaltender that played for Muskegon of the USHL last season. He has all the physical tools, but has yet to put it all together on a consistent basis.
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