2019 NHL Draft: Top-100 (November)

2019 NHL Draft

November Rankings (1-100)

Steve Kournianos  |  11/05/2018 |  Nashville  |  [hupso]

In an era in which teams appear far more inclined to afford younger players the immediate opportunity to develop in the NHL rather than the minors or junior hockey, the attention paid to draft prospects seems to intensify much earlier into the season than later. No 2019 draft-eligible hopeful has had the spotlight shine on him for as long as it’s been on speedy Team USA center Jack Hughes, who some feel is a virtual lock to be the first player selected when the draft convenes in Vancouver in June. But the last few months have shown us that it’s time to make a little room on the stage for other prospects, some who even as early as October have distinguished themselves as candidates to challenge Hughes for first overall.

Yes, Hughes is a sublime talent with explosiveness and puck skills similar to what Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid displayed in their respective draft years. And sure, Hughes remains the consensus choice to follow in their footsteps and have the honor of being the first one called at the draft. But things may start tightening up near the top, as a host of talented forwards from Western Canada and Europe have crept discernibly closer towards making this more than a one-horse race.

For starters, Russian winger Vasily Podkolzin is everything you want in a player, let alone a draft prospect. The fiery left wing oozes skill, leadership, physicality and elite hockey sense, and his burning desire to be the best player on the ice is matched by his brilliance with the puck. Over in Finland, forward Kaapo Kakko is more than just an awesome sounding name. Kakko is big, strong, quick and versatile while playing a top-line role as either a center or wing with TPS Turku in the elite SM-Liiga.

Both Podkolzin and Kakko are playing against adult-age competition, whereas the lighter, leaner Hughes usually matches up against players within his age group. Nonetheless, the electrifying seventeen-year-old Hughes was impressive as he ran through a lengthy gauntlet of topflight NCAA competition. Both he and his loaded Team USA squad will head to Kravare, Czech Republic later next week to play in the under-18 Five Nations Tournament, while Kakko and Podkolzin will be in Hodonin, Czech Republic for the under-20 Four Nations.

The month of November always is a busy one in terms of tracking the progress of draft prospects. There is nearly a half dozen international tournaments taking place, including the annual Canada-Russia Super Series in which each Canadian major junior league ices a U20 lineup of all stars to play two games with their Russian counterparts. The event is a critical piece in finalizing rosters for the world junior hockey championships, which will begin in Vancouver the day after Christmas.

Here are some additional draft storylines to follow as the midseason approaches:

American Muscle

Joining Hughes on the U.S. roster in Central Europe next week will be forwards Trevor Zegras, Matthew Boldy, John Beecher and Cole Caufield, plus two-way defensemen Matthew Helleson, Cam York and Alex Valsic. There is talk that the current installment of the National Team Development Program is the deepest bunch in its history, and as many as 10 players could end up as first-round picks in June. And don’t forget about NTDP center Alex Turcotte, who remains one of the top forwards for the 2019 draft but has been limited due to injuries that likely keeps him from participating at the Five Nations.

Russian Resurgence?

He may only be a teenager, but Podkolzin could have something in common with Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeny Malkin beyond being born in the same country. The 17-year-old winger could become the first player drafted in the top five out of a Russian league since 2004, when Ovechkin and Malkin were the respective top two picks. Podkolzin has a long way to go if he wants to draw additional similarities to the aforementioned future hall of famers, but he easily is the 2019 draft’s most complete player. Only issue is he’s gone on record saying he plans on staying in Russia for a while, which could scare away early-selecting teams looking for an immediate impact player up front. While Podkolzin is otherwise a lock for the first round, Russian junior league linemates Yegor Spiridonov and Pavel Dorofeyev from Stalnye Lisy help form one of the top lines in the MHL and have done enough in a short period to garner serious consideration to go early in the draft. If all three go within the first 31 picks, it will mark the first time since 2004 that at least three players from Russian leagues were taken in Round One.

Western Canada’s bounce-back year

In terms of supplying NHL teams with draft picks, 2018 was an all-time low for the Western Hockey League, which didn’t see one of its forwards drafted until the 3rd round. Take it to the bank – it’s not happening again this year. In fact, a strong case can be made that four of this year’s first 10 picks will come from “The Dub”. Centers Peyton Krebs, Kirby Dach and Dylan Cozens are throwback players who combine effort and heart with skill and speed. And although it’s a thin year for elite defense prospects, Vancouver Giants rearguard Bowen Byram’s leadership, decisive two-way play and nasty streak are reminiscent of a young Chris Pronger. Lastly, Victoria Grizzlies’ playmaking center Alex Newhook is one of the top players in the BCHL and will head to Boston College next fall.

Top 31

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