As the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Finals wind down, fans and the league prepare for another big event this month – the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, which runs from June 21-22 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver BC. In anticipation, we’re taking a look at some players you should know about heading into Draft Day. While you’re at it, you can check out the latest odds for the first overall pick at the NHL Draft here.
You may have seen Kakko on your social media channels’ timelines lately, as folks are abuzz about the potential of this kid. He’s tearing it up wherever he’s playing. While Jack Hughes appears to be the consensus pick as the No. 1 prospect, the difference between him and Kakko may be slimmer than what most people think. Kakko mixes his great size (6-2, 190 lbs.) with superb playmaking ability. During the 2019 IIHF World Championship in Slovakia, Kakko sliced through whatever it was Canada and Slovakia threw at him defensively, scoring two goals against the powerhouse Canadians and racking up a hat trick against the host nation’s team. Scoring two goals against Canada with Matt Murray of the Pittsburgh Penguins speak a lot about what the18-year-old Kakko could do in the NHL. Watch out.
2. New York Rangers – Jack Hughes, C, NTDP U18
Hughes is widely considered as the top prospect in this year’s NHL Draft. Hughes, who just turned 18 last May, is expected to go No. 1 overall, meaning he’ll be a member of the New Jersey Devils soon. Hughes spent most of the year with the US National Team Development Program. Per BobMcKenzie of TSN, NHL scouts are salivating over the prospect of Hughes.
“American Jack Hughes is the unanimous No. 1 pick. Ten out of 10 scouts surveyed by TSN this week — on the eve of next week’s (Tuesday, April 9) NHL Draft Lottery — put Hughes in the No. 1 slot, just as they did in TSN’s preseason rankings in September and midseason rankings in late January.”
One of the many things making Hughes hot in the eyes of scouts is his ability to anticipate the right move when he’s on the move with the puck. In seven games with the US Under-18 national team this year, he scored nine goals and dished out 20 assists while playing the center position.
3. Chicago Blackhawks – Alex Turcotte, C, NTDP U18
4. Colorado Avalanche (via Ottawa Senators) – PLAYER, POS, COLLEGE
5. Los Angeles Kings – Kirby Dach, C, Saskatoon (WHL)
6. Detroit Red Wings – Bowen Byram, D, Vancouver (WHL)
At 6-1 and 190 lbs, the Podkolzin, who is set to turn 18 this June, has the skill many NHL scouts are looking for in a youngster. For one, Podkolzin is a puck-possession guy. He is slick enough to make his way past defenders. His perceived high hockey IQ also helps him see the defense before it sets up, thus making it relatively easy for him to protect the puck from turning over to the other side. There aren’t a few questions surrounding Podkolzin since there were stretches during his stint in the Kontinental Hockey League in which he went scoreless, but that’s probably more because of his youth and relative inexperience. He’ll be a whole lot better and will deliver on his promising talent once he figures it out in the pros.
10. Vancouver Canucks – Phillip Tomasino, C, Niagara (OHL)
Tomasino is another player not considered to be on an elite level among the prospects. That being said, he has the tools and skill which could help him carve out a solid career in the NHL. He is fresh off a great season in the OHL, where he put up 34 goals and 38 assists in 67 games played. Furthermore, only four of those goals were not scored during 5-on-5 situations, which tells us a lot about his pure scoring ability.
11. Philadelphia Flyers – Peyton Krebs, C, Kootenay (WHL)
12. Minnesota Wild– Philip Broberg, D, AIK
13. Florida Panthers – Victor Soderstrom, D, Brynas J20
14. Arizona Coyotes – Alex Newhook, C, Victoria (BCHL)
Currently ranked by most outlets outside of the top 10, Newhook is a prospect who’s flying under the radar, waiting for a lucky team to get him at a spot likely much lower than what his actual skill should place him. For starters, Newhook played 53 games in 2018-19 BCHL season for the Victoria Grizzlies and collected over 100 points, scoring 38 goals and coming up with 102 assists. His ability to make the right decisions while speeding down the ice and creativity with the puck are two things scouts will tell you they are most impressed of Newhook.
15. Montreal Canadiens – Cam York, D, NTDP U17
16. Colorado Avalanche – Arthur Kaliyev, LW, Hamilton (OHL)
17. Vegas Golden Knights – Moritz Seider, D, Mannheim (DNL)
