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With the hockey season nearing an end, we are seeing a shift in focus to the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. For 27 teams, the season is over, leading fans to start gaining interest in which prospects might be added to their organization at the end of June. It’s the time of year when junior hockey becomes a lot more interesting to NHL fans.
Over the past few months, we’ve seen a number of players use the U18 World Championship to establish their value going into the draft. Finnish center Jesperi Kotkaniemi had a tremendous tournament and is now widely viewed as a top-10 pick.
Joel Farabee and Serron Noel stood out as offensive threats, and proved that they can be a great pick for teams selecting in the middle of the first round. And then there’s Jonatan Berggren. The Swedish forward made a case that he might be the most underrated talent in the first round.
Now, with most of the draft eligible prospect finished the season, we look forward to the combine in Buffalo in a few weeks. While there is likely little we can learn there about physical skills, the interview process will be huge.
The draft combine could be make or break for Ryan Merkely. The former 1st overall pick in the OHL Priority Selection draft, Merkley is a tremendously talented offensive defenseman. Despite the skill, he’s falling down draft lists because of perceived attitude issues. His interviews at the combine could go a long way in convincing scouts and general managers that all the off-ice ‘issues’ are overblown.
For now, here is my top-50:
2018 NHL Entry Draft Top-50 Prospects
Rank | Name | Position | Team | Previous Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rank | Name | Position | Team | Previous Rank |
1 | Rasmus Dahlin | LD | Frolunda HC (SHL) | 1 |
2 | Andrei Svechnikov | RW | Barrie Colts (OHL) | 2 |
3 | Filip Zadina | LW | Halifax Mooheads (QMJHL) | 3 |
4 | Oliver Wahlstrom | C/RW | USNTDP U18 | 4 |
5 | Quinton Hughes | LD | University of Michigan (NCAA) | 5 |
6 | Adam Boqvist | RD | Brynas IF J20 (SuperElit) | 7 |
7 | Brady Tkachuk | C/LW | Boston University (NCAA) | 6 |
8 | Evan Bouchard | RD | London Knights (OHL) | 8 |
9 | Jesperi Kotkaniemi | C | Ässät U20 (Jr. A SM-liiga) | 9 |
10 | Joseph Veleno | C | Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL) | 13 |
11 | Joel Farabee | LW | USNTDP U18 | 14 |
12 | Noah Dobson | RD | Acadie-Bathurst Titan (QMJHL) | 11 |
13 | Bode Wilde | RD | USNTDP U18 | 10 |
14 | Barrett Hayton | C | Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds (OHL) | 15 |
15 | Ty Smith | LD | Spokane Chiefs (WHL) | 12 |
16 | Rasmus Kupari | C | Karpat U20 (Jr Liiga) | 16 |
17 | Isac Lundestrom | C/LW | Lulea HF (SHL) | 17 |
18 | Calen Addison | RD | Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL) | 19 |
19 | Rasmus Sandin | LD | Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds (OHL) | 20 |
20 | Ryan Merkley | RD | Guelph Storm (OHL) | 21 |
21 | Jonatan Berggren | C/RW | Skellefteå AIK (SHL) | 31 |
22 | Dominik Bokk | W | Vaxjo Lakers (SHL) | 24 |
23 | Ty Dellandrea | C | Flint Firebirds (OHL) | 25 |
24 | Vitali Kravtsov | RW | Chelyabinsk (KHL) | 38 |
25 | Ryan McLeod | C | Mississauga Steelheads (OHL) | 22 |
26 | Serron Noel | RW | Oshawa Generals (OHL) | 26 |
27 | Allan McShane | C | Oshawa Generals (OHL) | 23 |
28 | Jett Woo | RD | Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL) | 18 |
29 | Akil Thomas | C | Niagara Icedogs (OHL) | 27 |
30 | K'Andre Miller | LD | USNTDP Juniors (USHL) | 28 |
31 | Jared McIsaac | LD | Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) | 29 |
32 | Jack McBain | C | Toronto Jr. Canadiens (OJHL) | 30 |
33 | Filip Hallander | F | Timra IK (Allsvenskan) | 32 |
34 | Nils Lundqvist | RD | Luleå HF | NR |
35 | Mattias Samuelsson | LD | USNTDP Juniors (USHL) | 34 |
36 | Grigori Denisenko | LW | Loko Yaroslavl (MHL) | 46 |
37 | Oliver Okuliar | LW | HK Dukla Trencin U20 | 48 |
38 | Cameron Hillis | C | Guelph Storm (OHL) | 39 |
39 | Alexander Alexeyev | LD | Red Deer Rebels (WHL) | 36 |
40 | Dmitri Zavgorodny | C | Rimouski (QMJHL) | 33 |
41 | Jan Jenik | F | HC Benatky nad Jizerou (Czech2) | 49 |
42 | Jakub Lauko | C | Pirati Chomutov (Czech) | 40 |
43 | Cole Fonstad | F | Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) | 41 |
44 | Jakub Skarek | G | HC Dukla Jihlava | 42 |
45 | Liam Foudy | C | London Knights (OHL) | 43 |
46 | Jacob Olofsson | C | Timra IK (Allsvenskan) | 37 |
47 | Jonathan Tychonick | LD | Penticton Vees (BCHL) | NR |
48 | Lukas Dostal | G | HC Kometa Brno (Czech U20) | 45 |
49 | Martin Kaut | RW | HC Dynamo Pardubice | 50 |
50 | Adam Ginning | LD | Linköping HC (SHL) | 47 |