OVERALL TEAM TEAM NEEDS PLAYER
1 200px-Logo_Edmonton_Oilers.svg G/T2D/T6C

C CONNOR McDAVID: Easiest pick in the draft. His nearly 2.60 PPG is most in CHL since Sidney Crosby’s 2.71 in 2005 draft year. Can be NHL 1C as early as next season.
2 BUF T6C/T6LW/PPQB C JACK EICHEL: Record-setting season for collegiate powerhouse, who became first freshman since Paul Kariya in 1993 to win Hobey Baker award. Has Peter Forsberg’s power and vision.
3  ARI 1C/T4D/G LHD NOAH HANIFIN: Arguably the best defense prospect to come out of New England since Brian Leetch. Production doubled after Jerry York unbridled him. Unlimited potential.
4 TOR 1C/T4D/G RW MITCH MARNER: Tough call to make between him and Strome, but Leafs overlook Marner’s size disadvantage for his superior vision and explosiveness.
5 CHI T6RW/T6LW/T2D C DYLAN STROME: Prototypical top center with size makes him an easy top-5 choice for Hurricanes, who’ll have to replace soon-to-be 31 year old Eric Staal
6 New-Jersey-Devils--14173 1C/G/RW1 C MATT BARZAL: Arguably best pure playmaker in the draft after McEichel. Can be the centerpiece of any team’s offense due to acute grasp of on-ice situations.
7 PHI T6LW/G/T4D LW LAWSON CROUSE: Excellent value here for a guy who’d be a top-3 pick in most drafts. Tremendous at elevating all aspects of his game when the situation warrants it.
8 CBJ T3LW/T2D/G LHD IVAN PROVOROV:An on-ice general who can either slow the game down or quicken the pace better than any of his peers. Plays the game the way he shoots — hard and heavy.
9 SJS T6C/T4D/T6LW C PAVEL ZACHA: One of the draft’s best at the 200-foot game. His season has been riddled with injury/suspensions, but he plays like he’s shot out of a cannon, something the Sharks could use.
10 COL T6RW/T6 LW/T4D RW MIKKO RANTANEN: A modern-day Bobby Smith. Power forward who will grind you down along the boards, then thread the needle for a better scoring chance or bull his way to the net.
11 FLA G/RW1/LW1 RW TIMO MEIER: The scouting report on Meier should be simple: He shoots. He finished 3rd in the Q with 316 shots in only 61 games. Solid frame but not overly physical. Tough to dislodge, especially in the low slot.
12 DAL T4D/G/2WF LHD ZACH WERENSKI: Werenski, who will still be 17 on draft day, is a tower on skates who is this draft’s best pure quarterback from the back end. Size, shot and mobility for days.
13 LAK T4D/T6LW/T6C LW EVGENI SVECHNIKOV: A big play threat at any given time, Svechnikov has pro size and an even better shot. He could slide but the Kings will like the fact that he’s not far from being an NHL regular.
14 venf9fmhgnsawnxxvehf T6LW/T6C/T2D C KYLE CONNOR: Connor is an electrifying player who consistently makes something out of nothing. Can also play the wing, and fits the bill as both a scorer and a playmaker.
15 CAL T4D/T6LW/T6RW RHD JEREMY ROY: Silky-smooth puck mover who deserves to be mentioned in same breath with three rearguards expected to be picked ahead of him. Finished 2nd among QMJHL blueliners with 0.93 PPG
16* 200px-Logo_Edmonton_Oilers.svg G/T2D/T6C LHD THOMAS CHABOT: The Oilers will certainly entertain offers for this pick, but if they keep it, they’ll likely nab a defenseman. Chabot is a Jack-of-all-trades type who wont wow you with one specific skill but provide sound two-way play.
17 WIN G/T4D/2WC RW DANIEL SPRONG: As risky as they come in terms of Boom vs Bust, but you could take a chance when you have the Jets’ arsenal of riches. Skates well, shoots hard and accurate, and makes plays.
18 OTT T4D/2WF/G C TRAVIS KONECNY: Sens go BPA here, and it just happens to be a local kid. Lightning quick and fearless who can shoot off the rush and/or pass better than most in this draft
19 DET T2D/T6C/PMD LHD JACOB LARSSON: The best of Sweden’s heralded group of draft eligible defensemen in terms of defensive play. Held his own playing among men in the SHL.
20 MIN 1C/T6RW/T6LW C NICK MERKLEY: Instant offense. Merkley is the straw that stirs Kelowna’s drink. Very fast and precise with is set ups. Tireless work ethic fits Wild identity.
21* T6C/T6LW/PPQB LW DENIS GURYANOV: Russia’s best draft-eligible player is under contract to play a year or two more in the KHL. That shouldn’t stop the Sabres from taking him, if he’s even available.
22 WAS T6C/T6LW/RW1 RW JEREMY BRACCO: Boston College-bound uber-scorer who finished third in scoring at the U18’s despite playing 2nd line minutes. Makes up for being undersized with elite vision, accuracy and puck control.
23 VAN T2D/RW1/1C LHD OLIVER KYLINGTON: Once considered a top-5 pick, his stock has fallen after marginal performances on the international stage. Still possesses game-breaking upside too enticing to pass up.
24* ARI 1C/T4D/G C JANSEN HARKINS: Should have a chip on his shoulder if drafted this late. Relentless two-way playmaker with size mirrors what the Coyotes have lacked for years.
25* TOR 1C/T4D/G C JOEL ERIKSSON EK: One of the draft’s 5-tool players: skates well, uses size and strength, great shot, high IQ and can pass the puck. May go even higher.
26* PHI T6LW/G/T4D RHD BRANDON CARLO: One of the best available shut-down defenders, Carlo carried an injury-riddled Tri-City team for most of the season. Can and knows how to add offense when warranted. A good risk taker.
27* WIN G/T4D/2WC G MACKENZIE BLACKWOOD: Goalies have gotten overlooked early in recent drafts, but Blackwood is the kind of player a team with multiple picks shouldn’t risk losing out on.
28 Ducks T6C/2WF/G C COLIN WHITE: Skilled two-way C who’s solid in the dot and is tough to defend against. Score Golden Goal for Team USA at last month’s U18 tournament.
29 MON 1C/T4D/G C FILIP CHLAPIK: Let’s be honest — the Habs need offense. Considering where they’ll be picking, he’s likely to be the center with the highest upside. Not fast but an excellent playmaker, especially on the rush.
30* TBL T4D/2WC/T6F LW PAUL BITTNER: Has done well as a puck distributor rather than a goal scorer when moved off Hawks’ dynamic top line with Bjorkstrand and Petan. Huge frame helps him protect the puck in tight spaces