Official 2018 NHL Amateur Entry Draft Discussion Thread

[LeftWinger 5,075]

This is the official LGW.com 2018 NHL Amateur Entry Draft to be held June 22–23, 2018, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

Ok, since we are all (most) hoping we get a legit shot at the #1 pick, I figured a thread to discuss the prospects and where they rank would be a nice thing to have!  

We can also update draft rankings as they change throughout the season. Here is a September ranking I found of the top 93 prospects, but I'll only post the top 31. I'll add the link at the end for those of you who want to see all of them.  This site also has some videos of some of the players to watch! Check it out and come back and comment!

While I am officially throwing my hat in the Dahlin ring, I'd like to note that #20 has an absolute Awesome name! Also of local note, I haven't research all of the players, but #7 Hughes and #12 Wilde are both Wolverines. At #61 Johnny Gruden is from Rochester, MI. #39 Ty Dellandrea plays in Flint. Another sidenote for one of our 2nd's, Mattias Samuelsson is a huge D-man at 6'4 216lbs. at the moment.

1) Rasmus Dahlin (LHD, Sweden, Frolunda SHL)

2) Andrei Svechnikov (RW, Russia, Barrie OHL)

3) Adam Boqvist (RHD, Sweden, Brynas J20)

4) Brady Tkachuk (C/LW, USA, Boston University NCAA)

5) Filip Zadina (LW/RW, Czech Republic, Halifax QMJHL)

6) Joe Veleno (C, Canada, Saint John QMJHL)

7) Quinn Hughes (LHD, USA, NTDP U18)

8) Ryan Merkley (RHD, Canada, Guelph OHL)

9) Ty Smith (LHD, Canada, Spokane WHL)

10) Rasmus Kupari (C, Finland, Karpat Jr.)

11) Jesperi Kotkaniemi (C, Finland, Assat Liiga)

12) Bode Wilde (RHD, USA, NTDP U18)

13) Ryan McLeod (C, Canada, Mississauga OHL

14) Barrett Hayton (C, Canada, Sault Ste. Marie OHL)

15) Jared McIsaac (LHD, Canada, Halifax QMJHL)

16) Oliver Wahlstrom (C/W, USA, NTDP U18)

17) Joel Farabee (LW, USA, NTDP U18)

18) Alexander Khovanov (C, Russia, Moncton QMJHL)

19) Vitali Kravtsov (C/W Russia, Belye Medvedi MHL)

20) Jett Woo (RHD, Canada, Moose Jaw WHL)

21) Calen Addison (RHD, Canada, Lethbridge WHL)

22) Evan Bouchard (RHD, Canada, London OHL)

23) Jakub Lauko (C, Czech Republic, Chomutov Extraliga)

24) Isac Lundestrom (C/LW, Sweden, Lulea SHL)

25) Jack McBain (C, Canada, Toronto OJHL)

26) Luka Burzan (C, Canada, Moose Jaw WHL)

27) Akil Thomas (C, Canada, Niagara OHL)

28) Benoit-Olivier Groulx (C/LW, Canada, Halifax QMJHL)

29) Dmitry Zavgorodniy (RW, Russia, Rimouski QMJHL)

30) Samuel Fagemo (LW, Sweden, Frolunda J20)

31) Mathias-Emilio Pettersen (C, Norway, Muskegon USHL)

https://thehockeywriters.com/2018-nhl-draft-fishers-top-93-preseason-rankings/

 

[LeftWinger 5,075]

Of course I misspell a word in the title! If you get a chance MOD's, please correct my spelling of "Amateur" and "Official." Thanks!

Anyhow, also of note one in the honorable mentions is Jacob Semik, from Canton, MI and he also plays for Michigan.

If we fail to get a the top pick, and have to settle for a 5-10, a couple of guys I'd like to see grab one of:

The aforementioned Quinn Hughes, Ryan Merkely, Ty Smith on the D side

at FWD: 

Filip Zadina,  Ryan McLeod.

If, IF we are lucky enough to get the #1 and get Dahlin, the #26 will be hanging in the rafters in about 22 years! The stuff I read and see of this kid is amazing! If, we tank and still don't get the #1, I firmly believe that we should trade up to get it and him!

Edited October 27, 2017 by LeftWinger

[Dabura 12,228]

I wonder if Svechbro's injury will hurt his stock. Maybe he slides a bit. That could be big for us.

[LeftWinger 5,075]

Here is Hockeyprospect.com top 31:

1		Rasmus Dahlin (D)	Frölunda HC	SHL	11	3	3	6	4
2		Andrei Svechnikov (RW)	Barrie Colts	OHL	10	10	4	14	10
3		Adam Boqvist (D)	Brynäs IF J20	SuperElit	7	2	4	6	14
4		Brady Tkachuk (C/LW)	Boston Univ.	NCAA	6	0	4	4	4
5		Rasmus Kupari (C)	Kärpät	Liiga	14	3	0	3	0
6		Filip Zadina (LW)	Halifax Mooseheads	QMJHL	14	11	10	21	2
7		Joel Farabee (LW)	U.S. National U18 Team	USDP	10	8	5	13	8
8		Oliver Wahlstrom (C/RW)	U.S. National U18 Team	USDP	10	9	8	17	4
9		Ty Smith (D)	Spokane Chiefs	WHL	13	2	12	14	6
10		Quinton Hughes (D)	Univ. of Michigan	NCAA	4	1	2	3	6
11		Jack McBain (C)	Toronto Jr. Canadiens	OJHL	17	6	13	19	10
12		Joe Veleno (C)	Saint John Sea Dogs	QMJHL	14	1	10	11	8
13		Jared McIsaac (D)	Halifax Mooseheads	QMJHL	13	0	6	6	26
14		Jesperi Kotkaniemi (C)	Ässät	Liiga	16	4	4	8	8
15		Ryan Merkley (D)	Guelph Storm	OHL	12	3	8	11	12
16		K'Andre Miller (D)	U.S. National U18 Team	USDP	10	0	1	1	8
17		Mattias Samuelsson (D)	U.S. National U18 Team	USDP	9	1	3	4	23
18		Bode Wilde (D)	U.S. National U18 Team	USDP	10	3	8	11	8
19		Grigori Denisenko (LW)	Loko Yaroslavl	MHL	13	2	6	8	4
20		Jacob Olofsson (C)	Timrå IK	Allsvenskan	11	4	1	5	4
21		Isac Lundeström (C/LW)	Luleå HF	SHL	12	3	3	6	4
22		Jakub Lauko (C/LW)	Pirati Chomutov	Czech	14	1	2	3	8
23		Xavier Bouchard (D)	Baie-Comeau Drakkar	QMJHL	13	0	4	4	14
24		Barrett Hayton (C)	Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds	OHL	13	4	8	12	10
25		Ryan McLeod (C)	Mississauga Steelheads	OHL	11	6	7	13	4
26		Kirill Nizhnikov (RW)	Barrie Colts	OHL	12	2	4	6	2
27		Jett Woo (D)	Moose Jaw Warriors	WHL	11	4	5	9	12
28		Calen Addison (D)	Lethbridge Hurricanes	WHL	10	2	10	12	6
29		Milos Roman (C)	Vancouver Giants	WHL	12	4	6	10	6
30		Benoit-Olivier Groulx (C)	Halifax Mooseheads	QMJHL	14	5	5	10	18
31		Serron Noel (RW)	Oshawa Generals	OHL	9	7	4	11	9

Edited October 24, 2017 by LeftWinger

[LeftWinger 5,075]

FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS TOP 31 - PRELIMINARY RANKING

1		Rasmus Dahlin (D)	Frölunda HC	SHL	11	3	3	6	4
2		Andrei Svechnikov (RW)	Barrie Colts	OHL	10	10	4	14	10
3		Filip Zadina (LW)	Halifax Mooseheads	QMJHL	14	11	10	21	2
4		Joe Veleno (C)	Saint John Sea Dogs	QMJHL	14	1	10	11	8
5		Jared McIsaac (D)	Halifax Mooseheads	QMJHL	13	0	6	6	26
6		Brady Tkachuk (C/LW)	Boston Univ.	NCAA	6	0	4	4	4
7		Bode Wilde (D)	U.S. National U18 Team	USDP	10	3	8	11	8
8		Ryan Merkley (D)	Guelph Storm	OHL	12	3	8	11	12
9		Quinton Hughes (D)	Univ. of Michigan	NCAA	4	1	2	3	6
10		Anderson MacDonald (LW)	Moncton Wildcats	QMJHL	11	5	5	10	6
11		Oliver Wahlstrom (C/RW)	U.S. National U18 Team	USDP	10	9	8	17	4
12		Ty Smith (D)	Spokane Chiefs	WHL	13	2	12	14	6
13		Benoit-Olivier Groulx (C)	Halifax Mooseheads	QMJHL	14	5	5	10	18
14		Adam Boqvist (D)	Brynäs IF J20	SuperElit	7	2	4	6	14
15		Jack McBain (C)	Toronto Jr. Canadiens	OJHL	17	6	13	19	10
16		Alexander Khovanov (C)	Moncton Wildcats	QMJHL	-	-	-	-	-
17		Jett Woo (D)	Moose Jaw Warriors	WHL	11	4	5	9	12
18		Evan Bouchard (D)	London Knights	OHL	12	3	8	11	8
19		Ryan McLeod (C)	Mississauga Steelheads	OHL	11	6	7	13	4
20		Vladislav Kotkov (LW)	Chicoutimi Saguenéens	QMJHL	12	2	8	10	4
21		Akil Thomas (C)	Niagara IceDogs	OHL	11	5	10	15	4
22		Jake Wise (C)	U.S. National U18 Team	USDP	2	0	0	0	0
23		Xavier Bouchard (D)	Baie-Comeau Drakkar	QMJHL	13	0	4	4	14
24		Ty Dellandrea (C)	Flint Firebirds	OHL	11	6	5	11	6
25		Isac Lundeström (C/LW)	Luleå HF	SHL	12	3	3	6	4
26		Grigori Denisenko (LW)	Loko Yaroslavl	MHL	13	2	6	8	4
27		Philipp Kurashev (LW/C)	Québec Remparts	QMJHL	13	4	8	12	2
28		Giovanni Vallati (D)	Kitchener Rangers	OHL	13	1	4	5	11
29		K'Andre Miller (D)	U.S. National U18 Team	USDP	10	0	1	1	8
30		Mattias Samuelsson (D)	U.S. National U18 Team	USDP	9	1	3	4	23
31		Jakub Skarek (G)	HC Dukla Jihlava	Czech	10	2.77	.891

[Euro_Twins 4,485]

AMATRUR

[LeftWinger 5,075]

ISS HOCKEY TOP 31 - OCTOBER RANKING
1 Rasmus Dahlin (D) Frölunda HC SHL 11 3 3 6 4  2 Andrei Svechnikov (RW) Barrie Colts OHL 10 10 4 14 10  3 Joe Veleno (C) Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL 14 1 10 11 8  4 Brady Tkachuk (C/LW) Boston Univ. NCAA 6 0 4 4 4  5 Filip Zadina (LW) Halifax Mooseheads QMJHL 14 11 10 21 2  6 Ryan McLeod (C) Mississauga Steelheads OHL 11 6 7 13 4  7 Quinton Hughes (D) Univ. of Michigan NCAA 4 1 2 3 6  8 Adam Boqvist (D) Brynäs IF J20 SuperElit 7 2 4 6 14  9 Rasmus Kupari (C) Kärpät Liiga 14 3 0 3 0  10 Ty Smith (D) Spokane Chiefs WHL 13 2 12 14 6    11 Oliver Wahlstrom (C/RW) U.S. National U18 Team USDP 10 9 8 17 4  12 Bode Wilde (D) U.S. National U18 Team USDP 10 3 8 11 8  13 Akil Thomas (C) Niagara IceDogs OHL 11 5 10 15 4  14 Jared McIsaac (D) Halifax Mooseheads QMJHL 13 0 6 6 26  15 Evan Bouchard (D) London Knights OHL 12 3 8 11 8  16 Riley Sutter (RW) Everett Silvertips WHL 14 7 4 11 10  17 Grigori Denisenko (LW) Loko Yaroslavl MHL 13 2 6 8 4  18 Joel Farabee (LW) U.S. National U18 Team USDP 10 8 5 13 8  19 Benoit-Olivier Groulx (C) Halifax Mooseheads QMJHL 14 5 5 10 18  20 Isac Lundeström (C/LW) Luleå HF SHL 12 3 3 6 4    21 Alexander Alexeyev (D) Red Deer Rebels WHL 3 0 4 4 2  22 Kirill Nizhnikov (RW) Barrie Colts OHL 12 2 4 6 2  23 Jett Woo (D) Moose Jaw Warriors WHL 11 4 5 9 12  24 Barrett Hayton (C) Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds OHL 13 4 8 12 10  25 Adam Ginning (D) Linköping HC SHL 4 0 0 0 2  26 Jack McBain (C) Toronto Jr. Canadiens OJHL 17 6 13 19 10  27 Jacob Olofsson (C) Timrå IK Allsvenskan 11 4 1 5 4  28 Owen Lalonde (D) Guelph Storm OHL 12 0 3 3 2  29 Ryan Merkley (D) Guelph Storm OHL 12 3 8 11 12  30 Anderson MacDonald (LW) Moncton Wildcats QMJHL 11 5 5 10 6    31 Jonathan Tychonick (D) Penticton Vees BCHL 12 3 5 8 12

Edited October 24, 2017 by LeftWinger

[marcaractac 3,963]

I just came to see who next year's Tippett and Hague are. Hughes and Wilde. Got it. 

[LeftWinger 5,075]

Always someone in the crowd. 

12 minutes ago, marcaractac said:

I just came to see who next year's Tippett and Hague are. Hughes and Wilde. Got it. 

Who farted?

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

3 hours ago, LeftWinger said:

Always someone in the crowd. 

Who farted?

Come on Lefty, you've got to admit you always pick a couple favourites and go a little over the top every year. 

Makes for good conversation nonetheless. Lots of intriguing prospects this next draft. With the amount of picks we're bound to have, it will be hugely important for the organization.

[ChristopherReevesLegs 7,022]

1) Rasmus Dahlin (LHD, Sweden, Frolunda SHL)

2) Andrei Svechnikov (RW, Russia, Barrie OHL)

4) Brady Tkachuk (C/LW, USA, Boston University NCAA)

15) Jared McIsaac (LHD, Canada, Halifax QMJHL)

I'd like to obviously grab one of the first 3, but McIsaac is my pick for anything later so far

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

Saw this article a couple days ago and liked this part:

"Some scouts consider 2018 to be the best collection of talent since the turn of the century. Many still feel that title belongs to 2003, but 2015 is sure to challenge over time."

https://thehockeywriters.com/2018-nhl-draft-fishers-top-93-preseason-rankings/

Could be a big opportunity To pick up some important players not only with the 1st round pick, but also with our 2 2nd rounders if they're putting this draft in the same league as 2003, which had Bergeron, Shea Weber, Eriksson, Crawford, Backes, Howard all in the 2nd round.

I don't really know the players enough yet to know who I'd draft.

I will say that Joe Veleno gets a lot of hype around here since he's from Montreal and he's the first Quebec player to get exceptional status by the CHL to play at the age of 15. The only other forwards that have made the CHL at 15 are McDavid and Tavares.

[krsmith17 7,191]

1 hour ago, PavelValerievichDatsyuk said:

Could be a big opportunity To pick up some important players not only with the 1st round pick, but also with our 2 2nd rounders if they're putting this draft in the same league as 2003, which had Bergeron, Shea Weber, Eriksson, Crawford, Backes, Howard all in the 2nd round.

I don't really know the players enough yet to know who I'd draft.

I will say that Joe Veleno gets a lot of hype around here since he's from Montreal and he's the first Quebec player to get exceptional status by the CHL to play at the age of 15. The only other forwards that have made the CHL at 15 are McDavid and Tavares.

I was going to mention Veleno as well. I also really like Merkley.

[Euro_Twins 4,485]

AMATRUR

[ChristopherReevesLegs 7,022]

2 hours ago, PavelValerievichDatsyuk said:

Saw this article a couple days ago and liked this part:

"Some scouts consider 2018 to be the best collection of talent since the turn of the century. Many still feel that title belongs to 2003, but 2015 is sure to challenge over time."

https://thehockeywriters.com/2018-nhl-draft-fishers-top-93-preseason-rankings/

Could be a big opportunity To pick up some important players not only with the 1st round pick, but also with our 2 2nd rounders if they're putting this draft in the same league as 2003, which had Bergeron, Shea Weber, Eriksson, Crawford, Backes, Howard all in the 2nd round.

I don't really know the players enough yet to know who I'd draft.

I will say that Joe Veleno gets a lot of hype around here since he's from Montreal and he's the first Quebec player to get exceptional status by the CHL to play at the age of 15. The only other forwards that have made the CHL at 15 are McDavid and Tavares.

 

1 hour ago, krsmith17 said:

I was going to mention Veleno as well. I also really like Merkley.

I would be A-Ok with Veleno. Almost mentioned him myself

[Dabura 12,228]

https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-draft-top-prospect-andrei-svechnikov-injured/c-292181136

"I think if there's one player right now that could step into an NHL lineup it would be him," Central Scouting's Karl Stewart said of Svechnikov. "His stride is so powerful. When he wants to, he drops the shoulder and turns it on and he's around you. You can't stop him. His shot buys him so much time and space and he's got the skills to dance around you. He's a magician on the half wall on the power play. … He's an NHL player right now playing in the OHL."

[DickieDunn 2,571]

Fallin' (in the standings) for Dahlin.

 

[ChristopherReevesLegs 7,022]

3 hours ago, Dabura said:

https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-draft-top-prospect-andrei-svechnikov-injured/c-292181136

"I think if there's one player right now that could step into an NHL lineup it would be him," Central Scouting's Karl Stewart said of Svechnikov. "His stride is so powerful. When he wants to, he drops the shoulder and turns it on and he's around you. You can't stop him. His shot buys him so much time and space and he's got the skills to dance around you. He's a magician on the half wall on the power play. … He's an NHL player right now playing in the OHL."

I love the sound of Svech 2, and I naturally want evgenys bro so we can get a russian bro party goin up in here

But i look at how frked our defense is. And, while promising, none of Cholo, Saarijarvi, Hronek, or Hicketts look like sure things. Whereas Larkin, Mantha, AA, do look like sure things with Svech, Ras, and Tuzzi behind them who look promising. I think we need a sure thing at D. We need a Dahlin to take us back to the land of milk and honey. 

[Euro_Twins 4,485]

We need to trade and get number 1 and number 2 picks

 

Also AMATRUR

[krsmith17 7,191]

3 hours ago, ChristopherReevesLegs said:

I love the sound of Svech 2, and I naturally want evgenys bro so we can get a russian bro party goin up in here

But i look at how frked our defense is. And, while promising, none of Cholo, Saarijarvi, Hronek, or Hicketts look like sure things. Whereas Larkin, Mantha, AA, do look like sure things with Svech, Ras, and Tuzzi behind them who look promising. I think we need a sure thing at D. We need a Dahlin to take us back to the land of milk and honey. 

Yeah, Dahlin should be the obvious choice, if we do have the choice. I'd be shocked and kind of pissed if we had the number one overall selection and took Svechnikov, for the simple fact, like you said, our defense is the obvious priority to upgrade right now. If we do end up with the number one selection, and we truly do want Svechnikov, we damn well better be trading down a spot, and picking up something significant in return. We also better be willing to make a big trade to bring in a number one defenseman...

[kickazz 5,459]

You spelled “Official” wrong too wtf

[LeftWinger 5,075]

10 hours ago, Euro_Twins said:

AMATRUR

 

50 minutes ago, kickazz said:

You spelled “Official” wrong too wtf

Yes, I know, I also noted that in a post right after I posted the thread. I've asked the mods to change it if they can.

[Dabura 12,228]

6 hours ago, ChristopherReevesLegs said:

I love the sound of Svech 2, and I naturally want evgenys bro so we can get a russian bro party goin up in here

But i look at how frked our defense is. And, while promising, none of Cholo, Saarijarvi, Hronek, or Hicketts look like sure things. Whereas Larkin, Mantha, AA, do look like sure things with Svech, Ras, and Tuzzi behind them who look promising. I think we need a sure thing at D. We need a Dahlin to take us back to the land of milk and honey. 

No, I agree. I just don't see us getting the first overall pick, which is the only way we're getting Dahlin. Don't wanna get my hopes up. Svechbro is more realistic, especially if he slides a bit because of his injury and/or because he's a winger.

[Neomaxizoomdweebie 3,083]

23 hours ago, Euro_Twins said:

AMATRUR

I should be irritated by this, but I can't stop laughing.

 

I noticed there's a guy at 6 who's last name seems similar to a guy the Wings didn't pick last year, and who some of you have already mentioned. If he's there when the Wings pick this year and they don't take him, will there be pitchforks outside the LCA?

 

Thanks for all the hard work Leftwinger. Don't know enough about the players yet. Be back after I've done some research.

12 hours ago, Dabura said:

No, I agree. I just don't see us getting the first overall pick, which is the only way we're getting Dahlin. Don't wanna get my hopes up. Svechbro is more realistic, especially if he slides a bit because of his injury and/or because he's a winger.

Yep, Dahlin is going first no matter who wins that pick. Cornerstone dman are just too good to pass up.

[LeftWinger 5,075]

On ‎10‎/‎24‎/‎2017 at 2:40 PM, marcaractac said:

I just came to see who next year's Tippett and Hague are. Hughes and Wilde. Got it. 

But Hughs and Wilde are both D. I will need to find a RW and a D.  Dahlin is the D (if we get #1) but if we fall to 7-10, sure I'd take one of Hughes or Wilde in that D spot. I guess we can put Zadina in at FWD.

 

Edited October 27, 2017 by LeftWinger