WN 2018 NHL Entry Draft Mid-Term Rankings: Top-50

What sticks out most about this draft class as we enter mid-term, in particular, is the ongoing list of top defensive prospects. 4 defensemen land in the top-10 of the rankings. For comparison, 2 went in the top-10 of the 2017 Draft.

One debate I’ve been going back and forth with myself regarding the defensemen is between the rankings of Adam Boqvist and Quinn Hughes. Both are offensive minded blue-liners on the smaller size, who think and execute at a high pace. This is a topic I think will heat up in the coming weeks, with Quinn Hughes set to be a key player for Team USA at the WJC, and possibly the 2018 Olympics. But in the end, I opted to rank Hughes higher, for having the extra step to read the play ahead of him. His hockey IQ is second to none. Although, Boqvist being 10 months younger, and still heavily challenging his elder is impressive.

Another storyline to keep up with is Joe Veleno and how he performs after recently being traded to the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the QMJHL. I personally think the change of scenery will help him, but it won’t be enough to get him back into the top 10.

Some 2018 eligibles to keep an eye on at the WJC in Buffalo that you might not be entirely familiar with include: Martin Kaut (CZE), Jakub Lauko (CZE), Jakub Skarek (CZE), Martin Fehérváry (SVK), Nando Eggenberger (SUI), Philipp Kurashev (SUI), David Gustafsson(SWE), Isac Lundestrom (SWE), among others.

When it comes to my scouting style, I typically don’t shy away from placing a player much higher than the rest if I’m high on them, and I’ve received my fair share of criticism. For example, last year I had Filip Chytil ranked 13th, and he ended up going 21st (which many considered to be a massive reach). Now he’s tearing up the AHL, and is one of the best prospects in the NHL. There are a few players this season that I have high on my radar, compared to others. I am specifically high on Dominik Bokk, Filip Hallander, Kirill Nizhnikov, and Jonatan Berggren. So when you see the rankings, just a heads up, these players are not as highly touted by others, as I see them.

There were a hand full of players who saw big rises, and bigger falls, from our preliminary rankings. Grigori Denisenko shot up the rankings, after his excellent showcase against Canada East at the World Junior A Challenge, recording 3 points and displaying a top-15 pick type of skill and vision. Other Risers include: Bode Wilde, Rasmus Sandin, and Filip Hallander.

Looking at some fallers, Jared Mcisaac sticks out like a sore thumb. Back in September, it was rare to see Mcisaac outside someone’s top-10, but over the course of the season, he hasn’t shown the type of control of a game you would like to see. Still a reliable player in his own end, however, that doesn’t warrant a top-10 pick on its own. Some other fallers include: Akil Thomas, Dmitri Zavgorodny, and Lukas Wernblom.

But enough with all of this, we all know what you’re here for, so I won’t waste your time any longer! Drumroll please!

Ladies and germs, I present to you, the top-50 mid-term rankings (make sure to share your thoughts as well, and let me know why I am completely wrong!):