Wings Nation 2019 NHL Draft Preliminary Rankings: 16-31

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5 years ago

Continuing with my preliminary rankings for the 2019 NHL Draft, today we look at rankings 16-31. If you missed rankings 1-15, you can read that here.

Not only will I be going over the second half of the list, but I will also include a list of honorable mentions (in no particular order).

16. Matthew Boldy, RW, USNTDP (USHL)

Boldy made a big name for himself last season with U.S. Under-17 team. His 76 points in 61 games made him the 5th highest scorer (in terms of point per game) in U17 history. A lot of those points were generated from his high Hockey IQ. He consistently puts the puck where it needs to be, and has an understanding of how to score from all areas of the ice. Despite his big frame, he doesn’t overpower opponents, rather, he plays with great creativity with the puck, although I wouldn’t say he has high-end puck skills and he is just an average skater,

17. Valentin Nussbaumer, C, Shawinigan (QMJHL)

Nussbaumer has such pure skills he can create offense at any given moment. I wouldn’t say he is the driving force behind a line but when he is on the ice you’ll want the puck on his stick. He has soft hands and excellent vision, while his skating is nothing spectacular. His instincts are high-end, as he understands how to push a play forward and create offense off a cycle. His goal scoring ability is lacking, but he makes up for it as one of the best playmakers in the draft.

18. Yaroslav Likhachyov, RW, Gatineau (QMJHL)

Likhachyov is a player I continue to be impressed with, seemingly always blowing my expectations out of the water. I don’t think he can drive a line, but he is still capable of making highly skilled plays. He’s a gifted playmaker and stick-handler. His head is always up and thinking two steps forward. I’d be completely comfortable letting him run my powerplay from the half-boards. As one of the drafts youngest players, he could be on the rise very soon.

19. Raphael Lavoie, RW, Halifax (QMJHL)

Lavoie has an incredible tool kit for a big man. His puck skills are high-end, allowing him to make plays off the rush with his long strides. He loves to attack the net with a head of steam and can be a nightmare one-on-one. That talent alone can be tantalizing, but the rest of his game has major question marks. I have concerns about him away from the puck. He seems disinterested defensively, leaving major red flags on his compete level. Not the best hockey sense either, struggling to position himself well for teammates. There’s a lot of talent here, but as a late birthday, I’m a little underwhelmed.

20. Marshall Warren, D, USNTDP (USHL)

Warren didn’t have massive numbers this past season, but there is so much to like. He’s a smooth skater and can create zone entries on his own. He moves the puck well and limits mistakes. He can create offense by stepping up in the offense zone, showcasing his brilliant instincts. On the blue-line he is able to get his shots though and is able to adjust his body if needed. I also think he is dynamic enough to run a powerplay. I’m still pondering on what his true upside is but there is a lot to like.

21. Victor Soderstrom, D, Brynas (J20 SuperElit)

Soderstrom is a smooth skating defensemen who won’t wow you with high-flying rushes up and down the ice. He is conservative with how aggressive he is offensively, but has the poise to make a play at the blue-line. I would like for him to be more demanding of the puck, he has good hockey sense to recognize openings but doesn’t do so with control of the puck. On the breakouts his first pass is phenomenal. Gets the puck to an open forward quick and doesn’t complicate things. Despite being a smaller defender, I thought he defended well. Excellent positionally in the D-zone, and is not afraid to engage physically (although hitting is not his Forte).

22. Blake Murray, C, Sudbury (OHL)

Murray plays an all-around effective game with a big shot. His strength on the puck is superb and he can be a nightmare down-low. I don’t see too much creativity with the puck but his shot is a sight to see. There is some major heat behind his shot which helped him score twenty-one goals last season. He’s responsible defensively as well, which is nice to see.

23. Daniil Gutik, LW, Yaroslavl (MHL)

Gutik is a player who stands out right away due to his skill level. He has dazzling puck skills and can pull out a highlight reel moment every so often. His hands are elusive, allowing him to create plays on his own. His skating is poor-some however, which is why I feel he won’t be able to drive a line. I’m not in-love with him away from the puck either.

24. Tobias Bjornfot, D, Djurgarden (J20 SuperElit)

Bjornfot has always intrigued me as someone I want to rate higher up, but hasn’t shown the ability to justify it. He’s a high-end skater who can move the puck well and be rock solid defensively. To me, he is currently the best defender in his own zone in this draft. He plays physical, positions well, and can be the leader in defensive coverage. He has all the making to be a top shutdown defender. Offensively, he lacks aggressiveness, which is disappointing with how well of a skater he is. If his offensive game ever shows up he’ll be a big riser for me.

25. Artemi Knyazev, D, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)

Knyazev is another smooth skating blue-liner who isn’t afraid to rush the puck. He has good awareness to recognize chances of generating offense which he can translate into goals. He can also run a powerplay and be a shooting threat. His overall offensive game could use some rounding out, but he has all the traits you want to see from an offensive minded player. His defensive game isn’t a strong suit but also not a weakness.

26. Arthur Kaliyev, LW, Hamilton (OHL)

Kaliyev plays a power-forward type game with a big shot. His cannon of a shot helped him pot 30 goals last season on the OHL champion Hamilton Bulldogs. He has plenty of creativity with the puck to make plays, but lacks enough speed to gather separation. He tends to disappear, however, which was very prevalent at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. In a tournament where he was supposed to be one of the big names, his performance was quite underwhelming.

27. Spencer Knight, G, USNTDP (USHL)

Knight has emerged as the top goaltender of the class. He’s big, athletic, and has great lateral movement. He’s very calm in his crease as well, and rarely gives up a softy. Goaltenders can be voodoo to project, but Knight has made a strong case for being a future starter one day. Some have gone as far as to compare him to Ken Dryden.

28. Nicholas Robertson, LW, Peterborough (OHL)

Robertson is a guy you find yourself rooting for. He is on the smaller side – listed at 5’9″ and 161 pounds – but doesn’t shy away from bigger opponents. He works hard and is in constant pursuit of the puck. He also possesses an excellent shot, and has an incredible finishing ability. His release isn’t very deceptive, yet he can sneak lasers past the goalie. His playmaking skills are somewhat lackluster, but he serves as more of a complementary piece.

29. Sasha Mutala, RW, Tri-City (WHL)

Mutala has all the tools to be an offensive threat. He has good hockey sense to create plays for him and his teammates and doesn’t cheat to get his offense. He does all the little things you want to see. With the puck he has good enough hands to make defenders look silly, but lacks explosiveness in his skating to do so consistently.

30. Mikko Kokkonen, D, Jukurit (Liiga)

Kokkonen has been around for a while, having played a pro game at age 16. He plays a defensively responsible game and makes good decisions with the puck. His offensive game isn’t very dynamic and you’ll often see him take the safe play. With the puck he isn’t much of a creator either. But his game is still well-rounded enough to keep an eye on him.

31. Henry Thrun, D, USNTDP (USHL)

Thrun plays a solid two-way game that can be lost behind all the star-studded names in the U.S. program. He doesn’t have one attribute that will wow you, but he does everything so well. His overall upside may be up for debate but I think he has real potential to be a minute-muncher down the road.

Honorable Mentions

Nikita Alexandrov

Vladimir Alistrov

John Beecher

Tag Bertuzzi

Ben Brinkman

Graeme Clarke

Pavel Dorofeyev

John Farinacci

Dominick Fensore

Nolan Foote

Albin Grewe

Karl Henriksson

Nils Hoglander

Simon Holmstrom

Ilya Mironov

Henri Nikkanen

Xavier Parent

Jakob Pelletier

Samuel Poulin

Matthew Robertson

Elmer Soderblom

Yegor Spiridonov

Lassi Thomson

Luke Toporowski

Alex Vlasic

Michael Vukojevic

Josh Williams

Dustin Wolf

Cam York

Oleg Zaitsev

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