[CanuckJohnny]

2018 NHL Entry Draft Day 1 Recap

June 22, 2018 -

There's no surefire consensus number one in this draft, potentially four different players could be viewed as the top pick. Rasmus Dahlin is considered the frontrunner. He has all the makings of a bona fide number one NHL defenseman. A lot of buzz on the draft floor right now. Rumours are that Trevor Linden is trying to move up but the prices are high.

Pick 1 - Edmonton selects LW Andrei Svechnikov (QMJHL, 67gp, 25-33-58)
Analysis: Bit of a surprise here as the Oilers could have really used Dahlin to build their defense around but instead they go with a scorer winger in Svechnikov to add to their firepower up front.

Pick 2 - Toronto selects LW Brady Tkachuk (NCAA, 44gp, 24-26-50)
Analysis: Wow, Dahlin falling further, and the Maple Leafs are another team that really could have used him. Tkachuk will bring his snarl and attitude and scoring to Toronto.

Trade - VAN acquires 3rd overall pick; ARI acquires 11th overall pick, D Derrick Pouliot, G Anthony Stolarz and 2020 VAN 1st (Top 10 Protected).
Analysis: Pouliot is a 24 year old top four defenseman with PP1 upside who put up 14 goals and 40 points last season. Vancouver is betting big on whoever they pick here, probably Dahlin, as Trevor Linden makes a big swing, probably feeling confident that with Sergachev's emergence he can afford to lose Pouliot, especially since he will likely choose Dahlin or maybe Hughes in this spot. Arizona moves back in this draft, gains a future first round pick as well and gets a young defenceman who can play on their blueline right now as well as a potential NHL goalie down the road in Stolarz.

Pick 3 - Vancouver selects D Quinn Hughes (NCAA, 44gp, 8-33-41)
Analysis: Surprising to see Hughes taken ahead of the more rounded Dahlin. Dahlin has size that Hughes will never have but Vancouver likely loves the dynamic skating ability and offensive upside that Hughes brings. He's a modern offensive defenseman who uses his skating, intelligence and creativity to win one on one matchups and influence the game. Your opponent won't score when he has the puck on his stick, and he has it a lot. A point per game as a freshman in college for a defenseman is incredibly impressive.

Pick 4 - Winnipeg selects D Rasmus Dahlin (SWE, 56gp, 7-25-32)
Analysis: The Jets must be ecstatic to see the expected first pick in the draft slide to them at four. Dahlin can shoot, he can pass, he can carry the puck but he can also defend very well with his stick or his body, has good hockey IQ and smooth skating and of course he packs all that into his 6-3 frame that is still filling out. As complete a defenseman as you'll find in this or almost any draft, expect him to be their number one defenseman before long and for a long time.

Pick 5 - Columbus selects C Barrett Hayton (OHL, 67gp, 17-41-58)
Analysis: This is where it starts to get interesting as these next ten or so players could be taken in almost any order. The Blue Jackets go with the top center on the board, taking a future playmaking top six pivot with great top end speed and solid defensive instincts.

Pick 6 - Anaheim selects C Jesperi Kotkaniemi (FIN, 56gp, 7-18-25)
Analysis: A decent playmaker who could stand to work on his finishing, Kotkaniemi has decent top end speed and shows good defensive IQ and stick checking ability. He will likely develop into a top six two way center but his floor is likely as a 3C who can contribute offensively while also playing responsibly in his own end.

Pick 7 - Vegas selects D Noah Dobson (QMJHL, 68gp, 7-32-39)
Analysis: The first of the 'next' tier of defensemen to come off the board, Dobson has a good shot and is a crisp passer. He has good wheels and a 6-4 frame that he uses well to win one on one battles. He projects to become a top four NHL defenseman.

Pick 8 - Toronto selects D Evan Bouchard (OHL, 68gp, 12-33-45)
Analysis: We see the reason Toronto went for the winger at number two now. Reportedly they were very high on the 6-3 Bouchard and his heavy shot and offensive vision. They see him as a potential top pairing defenseman, though the consensus is that he probably projects as a top four blueliner with PP1 potential.

Pick 9 - Minnesota selects C Jay O'Brien (NCAA, 44gp, 16-26-42)
Analysis: O'Brien is a safe pick if a slight reach here, he has great stamina and team work and a dangerous and heavy shot for a smaller forward. He doesn't really wow you with any dynamic skill but he is good at almost everything. There are some questions about whether he can play defense effectively at the next level and whether at 5-11 he can make it as a center at the NHL without great speed but he certainly has all around offensive ability and projects to be a middle six forward who can probably play powerplay minutes.

Pick 10 - Ottawa selects C Ty Dellandrea (OHL, 68gp, 23-37-60)
Analysis: Dellandrea is a hard working center who is good at faceoffs and a pretty efffective playmaker. He is strong on his skates but not a dynamic skater necessarily, lacking high end speed. His finishing isn't really there yet, though maybe that will develop but likely he is a versatile middle six center who can win draws and set up his wingers.

Pick 11 - Arizona selects RW Filip Zadina (WHL, 67gp, 25-28-53)
Analysis: Zadina drops, maybe because he's not a center, and the Coyotes in moving back to 11 still get one of the highest potential offensive players in the draft. Zadina has an accurate shot and is good at finding open ice to use it. He is shifty on his skates and has good puck skills. Also good at defensive positioning, he could be a top six winger with PP1 upside if developed properly.

Pick 12 - New Jersey selects RW Martin Kaut (CZE, 55gp, 23-33-56)
Analysis: Kaut has one of the best shots in the draft and good size. He knows how to get into position on the powerplay to take away the goalie's line of sight and as a winger is very strong on his faceoffs. A good all around skater despite his lack of top end speed, Kaut projects as a middle six winger with PP potential.

Pick 13 - Washington selects D Ty Smith (WHL, 68gp, 9-25-34)
Analysis: A good puckhandler with a decent shot and good skating, Smith's ceiling is a top 4 D who can quarterback a powerplay but he most likely projects as a bottom pairing powerplay specialist if he can overcome his small frame and lack of any one outstanding skill to make the league.

Pick 14 - Florida selects D Adam Boqvist (WHL, 66gp, 13-26-39)
Analysis: Boqvist could have the highest offensive potential of any defenseman left in the draft. If he hits he'll be a top four right shot defenseman who can run your PP1. His speed and playmaking are his best qualities but he can carry the puck well and has a dangerous shot as well. His defensive game leaves a lot to be desired and he'll have to work on that if he's going to realize his potential.

Pick 15 - Detroit selects D K'Andre Miller (USHS, 67gp, 4-24-28)
Analysis: The Red Wings continue the trend of choosing a defenseman but Miller is notably different from the others selected. His offense and skating are his weak points but his defending abilities are among the best in this draft class. A defense first blueliner is a risky choice in the first round but if he can grow into a reliable top four shutdown D man Detroit will be quite happy with this pick.

Pick 16 - Winnipeg selects D Ryan Merkley (OHL, 67gp, 3-36-39)
Analysis: The stats don't tell the whole story for right shot offensive defenseman Ryan Merkley. He only scored three goals in junior in his draft year yet any scout will tell you his shot is probably his best attribute. He's also a good and well rounded skater who can log a lot of minutes. He come in at less than 6 feet tall and will have to show he can effectively run an NHL powerplay eventually to earn a regular roster spot.

Pick 17 - NY Rangers select D Nils Lundqvist (QMJHL, 68gp, 8-36-44)
Analysis: The run on blueliners continues. Lundqvist has elite offensive instincts and puck skills and a heavy shot for a 5-11 defenseman. He's a good skater but his defensive game is lacking so he will have to either round his game out or become a PP specialist to stick in the NHL. The Rangers are hoping he can develop a two way game and grow into a top four defenseman.

Trade - FLA acquires 18th overall pick, 111th overall pick; BUF acquires 24th overall pick, 45th overall pick.
Analysis: Florida must have somebody they really like, jumping up six spots by moving back from the second round to the fourth.

Pick 18 - Florida selects RW Serron Noel (OHL, 67gp, 25-32-57)
Analysis: The Panthers clearly coveted the 6-5 power forward, trading up to make sure they could choose him. Noel is great in front of the net, using his size and strength to dominate defensemen and screen goalies. He is good at puck retrieval and defensive positioning as well and he could become a middle six power winger who can play on your powerplay or penalty kill. The knock on him is he doesn't have a lot of foot speed and may need to improve his skating to be effective in the NHL.

Pick 19 - Nashville selects G Olivier Rodrigue (QMJHL, 22gp, 3.27gaa, .889sv%)
Analysis: Rodrigue is the first goalie off the board at nineteen. He has great rebound control and a good glove hand but there are holes in his game as well. His blocker side is weak and neither his positioning nor his reflexes are especially good. Still, most scouts think he could be at least an NHL backup and maybe a 1B. In a weak draft class for goalies he's one of the top two or three available.

Pick 20 - Carolina selects C Jack McBain (JrA, 68gp, 14-43-57)
Analysis: McBain is a 6-3 center who is decent in his own end and has decent top end speed. He uses his size effectively to screen opposing netminders on the powerplay and also has a fairly accurate shot from in close. He brings some amount of leadership intangibles as well.

Pick 21 - Tampa Bay selects D Rasmus Sandin (SWE, 56gp, 9-18-27)
Analysis: Sandin will be excited to apprentice under his countryman Victor Hedman. He packs a lot of punch into his 5-11 frame, he's known for throwing big hits and heavy a heavy shot. He also has great speed and can log a lot of minutes. He could develop into a top four defenseman but should at least grow into an NHL regular.

Pick 22 - NY Islanders select D Nicolas Beaudin (QMJHL, 66gp, 17-46-63)
Analysis: Beaudin had an impressive offensive season in the QMJHL. He's a good skater but is easily knocked over and isn't very physically intimidating with his 5-11 frame. He has a great shot and also positions himself well defensively. As long as he continues to improve and round out his game he should become an NHL regular at some point and if he can translate his offense to the NHL maybe he'll earn powerplay time as well.

Pick 23 - St. Louis selects C Liam Foudy (OHL, 68gp, 17-36-53)
Analysis: The Blues go with a center that has a lot of offensive tools including an accurate shot. He's shifty on his skates but his vision and creativity are lacking. He has great defensive instincts and can play a lot of minutes. Probably projects as a bottom six center who can move up the lineup or fit into your powerplay if needed.

Pick 24 - Buffalo selects RW Vitali Kravtsov (RUS, 56gp, 34-29-63)
Analysis: The Sabres were probably confident moving down in the first as Kravtsov was free falling down the board, mostly due to the quote unquote Russian factor. With the Canucks struggling to get KHL star Kirill Kaprizov over to the NHL teams are a bit hesitant to take a Russian who may choose to stay in his homeland long term. Kravtsov has top ten talent, high end speed and puck skills and a 6-4 frame. His offensive instincts are NHL level already. He had 34 goals in his draft year in Russia.

Pick 25 - Dallas selects G Joel Hofer (WHL, 25gp, 2.88gaa, .906sv%)
Analysis: The Stars take the second goalie in the first round. Hofer wasn't expected to go in the first round and is the third ranked goalie but he had a great draft year in the WHL and has a high floor. He may not become a starting goalie but he is likely to be at least a regular backup. He has good positioning, reflexes and recovery skills. He is mentally tough and doesn't allow a bad goal to get him off his game.

Pick 26 - Anaheim selects RW Oliver Wahlstrom (USHS, 67gp, 27-28-55)
Analysis: Wahlstrom has a good shot and is a good hitter despite being 5-11. He can log a lot of icetime and is fairly skilled but his mediocre skating and lack of details defensively may hold him back. He could become a decent middle six forward with PP upside in the NHL.

Pick 27 - San Jose selects LW Grigori Denisenko (RUS, 56gp, 14-16-30)
Analysis: Denisenko has great agiliy on his skates, good vision and creativity and knows how to find open ice in the offensive zone. The defensive side of his game leaves a lot to be desired. He's a project but if he can make the NHL he could be a top six winger who can play effective PP minutes.

Pick 28 - Colorado selects RW Jonatan Berggren (SWE, 56gp, 11-16-27)
Analysis: Berggren has NHL calibre offensive instincts. He needs to work on the defensive element of his game. He's a solid skater but won't blow you away with his speed. Probably a versatile middle six forward if he hits as an NHLer.

Pick 29 - Montreal selects C Joe Veleno (QMJHL, 68gp, 27-30-57)
Analysis: Veleno has developed as much you would expect for a player who was once granted exceptional status to come into the CHL a year early but he still has potential and plays a physical game. He's a good hitter and has great puck control and screening ability in front of the net. He should become an NHL player, though it remains to be seen how impactful he'll be at the next level.

Pick 30 - Boston selects LW Joel Farabee (USHS, 68gp, 18-37-55)
Analysis: Farabee has a heavy shot and is an above average skater. He has great defensive IQ and stamina. Probably projects to be a middle six winger who can score you 20 goals and play on the PK.

Pick 31 - Calgary selects RW Kody Clark (OHL, 68gp, 19-38-57)
Analysis: Clark has great puck skills and a pinpoint accurate shot. His defensive game is also fairly well rounded. His shortcomings as a playmaker and mediocre skating may hold him back at the NHL level but he could be a bottom six winger who can be used on the PP or PK.

That concludes the first round.

Notable prospects still available:
G E. Portillo
LW S. Fagemo
D J. Bernard-Docker
LW P. Kurashev
D J. Moser
D A. Romanov
C J. Drury
G J. Skarek
C I. Lundestrom
D C. Addison