Smith is a two-way defensemen with amazing skating ability. Smith was a beast on the power-play this season, posting 27 points (3PPG / 24 PPA) on the man-advantage. Overall, he was second among WHL defensemen in points with 73 (14G / 59A).
Kaut may come to North America for the 2019 season, but spent last year playing in the top Czech league as an 18-year-old. Playing with men, Kaut is low on the depth chart but he still picked up nine goals and seven assists (16 points) in 38 games. While getting a top-line opportunity at the World Juniors, Kaut recorded seven points (2G / 5A) in seven games. Kaut is a reliable 200-foot player who can score and set up his linemates. Kaut has drawn some comparisons to fellow Czech winger Jakub Voracek.
Denisenko is an extremely talented puck-handler, playmaker and has the ability to finishes chances on his own. Denisenko had nine goals and 13 assists (22 points) in 31 games in the MHL, the KHL’s minor league, while also adding five goals and two assists (seven points) in 12 playoff games. The 17-year-old added 11 points (6G / 5A) in 14 games to his International resume while playing for the Russian U-18 squad.
Farabee is known as a high-character 200-foot player. He served as the captain of the U.S. National U-18 team and scored 33 goals with 43 assists (76 points) in 62 games while playing on a line with Oliver Wahlstrom and projected 2019 No.1 overall pick Jack Hughes. Farabee creates offence with his great speed and compares favourably to Blues’ forward Brayden Schenn.
In his second season with the Flint Firebirds, assistant captain Ty Dellandrea scored 27 goals with 32 assists (59 points) in 67 games. Dellandrea is the type of player you want on your team. He possesses decent size (6-foot, 183 lbs.) and works his tail off on every shift. What sets him apart from other two-way centres, is his offensive game. Despite playing on the worst team in the OHL’s Western Conference, Dellandrea was able to raise his draft stock by leading the team in goals and finishing second in points.
Dobson is a two-way defenseman but has a polished offensive game, finishing tied for second among QMJHL defensemen in points (69) and third in goals (17). Playing in the Memorial Cup didn’t hurt his value either—he scored two goals with five assists in Acadie Bathursts’s four-game run.
Wahlstrom was a YouTube sensation before his 10th birthday and has since become a star for the United States Development Team. Wahlstrom had 48 goals and 46 assists (94 points) in 62 games with the U.S. National U-18 team. Wahlstrom has outstanding hands, but still needs to polish his defensive game.
Bouchard has good size (6-foot-2, 192 lbs.) and fantastic mobility. The London Knights captain led all OHL defenseman in points (87) and assists (62) while finishing second in goals (25). There are some questions about his defensive game, but overall he is a well-rounded defenseman with high-end offensive skills.
During his first full season in the KHL, Kravtsov scored four goals with three assists (seven points) in 35 games with Chelyabinsk Traktor. He also went on to compile 11 points (6G / 5A) in just 16 KHL playoff games. Kravtsov has the ability to quickly become a top-6 NHL winger. He has good size (6-foot-2 / 183 lbs.) and combines it with a strong two-way game.
Boqvist doesn’t have great size, but is one of the most offensively-gifted blueliners in this draft class. Boqvist has great wheel and loves rushing the puck, looking more like a forward than a defenseman. During his time in Sweden’s top league this season, Boqvist had just one assist in 15 games.
Hughes was the youngest player in NCAA Division-I in 2018 and the freshman played exceptionally well, finishing third in Michigan Wolverines scoring with 29 points (5G / 24A) in 37 games. Hughes also picked up three assists in seven games while representing the United States at the World Juniors. Hughes is considered one of the best skaters in this draft class and brings with him a great first-pass and offensive game despite his somewhat diminutive stature—5-foot-10, 178 lbs
Zadina came over to North America this year and finished third in QMJHL scoring (44) and tied for seventh in points (82)—leading all rookies in both categories. Zadina is an elite goal-scoring prospect but also has adept playmaking abilities. He was the best player on every team he played on this season and brings a well-rounded game to the Red Wings.
Hayton projects to be a middle-6 pivot thanks to his solid two-way game. Hayton had 21 goals and 39 assists (60 points) in 63 games with Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) this season and has a game that looks similar to Ducks’ centre Adam Henrique.
The brother of Flames’ winger Matthew Tkachuk, Brady had eight goals and 23 assists (31 points) at Boston University this season. Tkachuk elevated his stock during a great World Juniors tournament, where he had nine points (3G / 6A) in seven games. Like his dad Keith, Brady is a big-bodied forward with a great size/skill combo. He will have a chance to make the NHL this fall.
Kotkaniemi climbed up draft boards throughout the season, racking up 10 goals and 19 assists (29 points) in 57 games as a 17-year-old in Finland’s top league. Kotkaniemi is the top centre in the draft and has drawn comparisons to Aleksander Barkov.
Svechnikov started his season with a hand injury that cost him 17 games, but he still went on to finish second in Barrie Colts’ scoring with 40 goals and 32 assists (72 points) in 44 games. Svechnikov could step into the NHL next season and plays a powerful offensive game.
Dahlin is the can’t miss prospect of this year’s draft. He has the size of Victor Hedman, the skating of Erik Karlsson and makes the game look simple like Nicklas Lidstrom. The 18-year-old had seven goals and 13 assists (20 points) in 41 games with Frolunda in Sweden’s top league. He picked up six assists in seven games during the World Juniors as well. He’ll be on the Buffalo blueline in 2019.
Orpik has one year left on his contract that carries a $5.5M cap-hit. The Capitals wanted to get rid of his contract in order to re-sign John Carlson. The Avalanche will reportedly try to move Orpik and if they can’t they plan on buying out the 37-year-old defenseman.
Grubauer is set to become a restricted free agent on July 1st and is expected to be Semyon Varlamov’s backup in 2019. Grubauer was 15-10-3 with a 2.35 GAA, .923 SV% and three shutouts in 35 games with the Capitals last season. Grubauer even started the first two games of the playoffs before Braden Holtby took his job back in Game 3 vs. the Blue Jackets.
Gryba was entering his final season of a two-year, $1.8M contract but spent half of last season in the AHL. The 30-year-old defenseman recorded just three goals and 11 assists (14 points) in 114 games with the Oilers over the last three seasons.
