2018 NHL Draft Prospects

[Ola]

Svechnikov is a winger. And yes, he's absolutely special and deserves to be up there.

He played wing against Sweden, but has all the tools to be a center. I would be surprised if whoever gets him don't try to play him at center. Same with Tkachuk. But it of course also depends on where he goes. A lot/most teams would try to mold Pulju into a center but for EDM that's probably not in the plans. Depends a bit on what style a team plays too.

In juniors you might want to give these guys a more free role. But so many teams are starving for that center with top ability. I've not seen that much of Tkachuck, has he never played center? Think he could do really well there.

 

[Ola]

Svechnikov is a winger. And yes, he's absolutely special and deserves to be up there.

Sure, never said anything else, but as of today -- is he close to Dahlin? No, he just isn't. AINEC. There are always special players in any draft, and Sveshnikov is one of them. But he is not "special" for a potential top 3 pick. Is Dahlin? He is today. Will he be in 12 months? Will Sveshnikov be in 12 months? That could change a lot. Much more than many are aware of. But Dahlins play as a 16 y/o is remarkable.

 

[Daximus]

Sure, never said anything else, but as of today -- is he close to Dahlin? No, he just isn't. AINEC. There are always special players in any draft, and Sveshnikov is one of them. But he is not "special" for a potential top 3 pick. Is Dahlin? He is today. Will he be in 12 months? Will Sveshnikov be in 12 months? That could change a lot. Much more than many are aware of. But Dahlins play as a 16 y/o is remarkable.

I'm pretty sure most if not all people have Svechnikov penciled in for a top 3 pick at this point.

 

[maaran]

Sure, never said anything else, but as of today -- is he close to Dahlin? No, he just isn't. AINEC. There are always special players in any draft, and Sveshnikov is one of them. But he is not "special" for a potential top 3 pick. Is Dahlin? He is today. Will he be in 12 months? Will Sveshnikov be in 12 months? That could change a lot. Much more than many are aware of. But Dahlins play as a 16 y/o is remarkable.

Svechnikov had one of the best 16-17 year old ushl seasons ever.

 

[FireBird71]

Sure, never said anything else, but as of today -- is he close to Dahlin? No, he just isn't. AINEC. There are always special players in any draft, and Sveshnikov is one of them. But he is not "special" for a potential top 3 pick. Is Dahlin? He is today. Will he be in 12 months? Will Sveshnikov be in 12 months? That could change a lot. Much more than many are aware of. But Dahlins play as a 16 y/o is remarkable.

Svechnikov will be picked top 3 if not top 2

 

[JK2K]

It smells like the Swedes are using every opportunity to get this player picked #1. A source of pride. He hardly played in the WJ's. He is great player but the Swedish marketing team is on the case to make him greater than he is. Like Veleno with exceptional status in the Q. Not right.

 

[gretskidoo]

It smells like the Swedes are using every opportunity to get this player picked #1. A source of pride. He hardly played in the WJ's. He is great player but the Swedish marketing team is on the case to make him greater than he is. Like Veleno with exceptional status in the Q. Not right.

It isn't right, god damn it. He's so overrated. He should go about 5-10 at best. Preferably wherever Detroit ends up.

Tell your GMs, tell your scouts, tell your coaches.

 

[bottomofthefoodchain]

It smells like the Swedes are using every opportunity to get this player picked #1. A source of pride. He hardly played in the WJ's. He is great player but the Swedish marketing team is on the case to make him greater than he is. Like Veleno with exceptional status in the Q. Not right.

Watching him play is enough, dont need no "marketing".

 

[Wintersun]

Svechnikov had one of the best 16-17 year old ushl seasons ever.

While Svech was great this year, a guy like Kyle connor did have better numbers in his draft-1 season than Svechnikov, so he still has work to do to prove he will be a top 2 pick for sure, but so far he absolutely is the best forward in the draft.

 

[kp61c]

While Svech was great this year, a guy like Kyle connor did have better numbers in his draft-1 season than Svechnikov, so he still has work to do to prove he will be a top 2 pick for sure, but so far he absolutely is the best forward in the draft.

while svechnikov is a bit overhyped here, i'm confused. wasn't svechnikov like 9 month younger in his draft -1 season? wasn't it the first season for svechnikov and the second for Connor in the ushl (and in a new country in svechnikov's case)? what an absurd comparison.

 

[Wintersun]

while svechnikov is a bit overhyped here, i'm confused. wasn't svechnikov like 9 month younger in his draft -1 season? wasn't it the first season for svechnikov and the second for Connor in the ushl (and in a new country in svechnikov's case)? what an absurd comparison.

All of that is true and I'm not saying Connor was the better prospect at all. Just saying that Svechnkov is not out of the ordinary for a guy expected to battle for the first overall. If he had done less than that It would have been disappointing.

 

[AirJordan]

while svechnikov is a bit overhyped here, i'm confused. wasn't svechnikov like 9 month younger in his draft -1 season? wasn't it the first season for svechnikov and the second for Connor in the ushl (and in a new country in svechnikov's case)? what an absurd comparison.

Not to mention that svechnikov dominated every single international tournament his age group in which he participated, something connor has never done. But the stupidest statement is still he is not "special" enough to go top 3 who is then? Dahlin, dahlin and dahlin for the top 3? And i thought the finne were annoying last year...

 

[tony d]

Looks like the top 2 guys are Dahlin and Svechnikov for this draft. Will be interesting to see how they develop during their draft yrs. and if someone else steps up.

 

[Donuts]

canucks better win a top 3 lottery next year.

one of dahlin, svechnikov, veleno pls

 

[vivalavili]

I just hope that Wings are even worse next year. Both Svechnikovs would be a great fit in the red and white and a franchise can never have enough Swedish elite defensemen

 

[TimeZone]

Merkley looks interesting. I wonder if he has an outside chance at going top 2.

 

[Daximus]

Merkley looks interesting. I wonder if he has an outside chance at going top 2.

Tonnes of upside there. A big year as an offensive defencemen of his calibre could really thrust him up there. Looks to be a great year for defencemen so far.

 

[huntison]

Dahlin clear cut #1. Russian factor. Yes I'm bitter about Tryamkin.

 

[93LEAFS]

Merkley looks interesting. I wonder if he has an outside chance at going top 2.

I doubt it without a massive growth spurt or a change in approach. He doesn't compete enough and can give up on plays when he causes turnovers. I'd be amazed if he developed in a way where anyone considers him over Dahlin and Svechnikov. I actually think he might have trouble being a top 6 or 7 defender in this draft. Strong arguments for Dahlin, Ty Smith, MacIssac, Samuelsson, Wilde and Jet Woo over him at the moment.

 

[The Iron Goalie]

Dahlin clear cut #1. Russian factor. Yes I'm bitter about Tryamkin.

I believe both Svechnikov brothers came over to NA early, and even there parents have moved to NA to live with them. These 2 are not going to feel "home sick" and bolt back too Russia.

Tryamkin's wife stayed in Russia, so Nikita was basically on his own. Furthermore, he played exclusively in Russia/the KHL, so he has deep ties too Russia.

Fear not the "Russian factor" with the Svechnikov's.

 

[Yggdrasil]

I think Tkachuk will raise a lot and I wouldn't be surprised if he started to challenge for a top spot too. Teams are desperate for that top Center, and Tkachuck has that potential.

I've seen a lot of both Sveshnikov and Dahlin, and with all due respect, I don't think anyone who watches a lot of hockey and have seen both of them a lot would have Sveahnikov ahead at this point. Some will always try to distinguish themselves and say whatever, but Sveshnikov looks like a very very good young center. But nothing special for a top 3-5 ranked player. Rasmus Dahlin -- at the age of 16 -- is probably the most impressive offensively talented D anyone have seen for basically 2-3 decades. The other day he became the youngest player for the men's Swedish national team in 57 years.

With that said, everyone knows that a ton can happen in the coming 14 months when it comes to 17 y/o hockey player. These kids are growing so much. Some kids may be finished growing when they are 16, others when they are 22-23.

how does he compare to erik karlsson?

dahlin obviously.

 

[Fantomas]

While Svech was great this year, a guy like Kyle connor did have better numbers in his draft-1 season than Svechnikov, so he still has work to do to prove he will be a top 2 pick for sure, but so far he absolutely is the best forward in the draft.

That's meaningless. Connor is a September birthday. At 16 (Svechnikov's age) he had 41 points in 62 games.

 

[Fantomas]

Sure, never said anything else, but as of today -- is he close to Dahlin? No, he just isn't. AINEC. There are always special players in any draft, and Sveshnikov is one of them. But he is not "special" for a potential top 3 pick. Is Dahlin? He is today. Will he be in 12 months? Will Sveshnikov be in 12 months? That could change a lot. Much more than many are aware of. But Dahlins play as a 16 y/o is remarkable.

You talk a lot for someone who doesn't even know which position Svechnikov plays.

 

[Lataba76]

Oh my God! Where are the Finns?

 

[Daximus]

Oh my God! Where are the Finns?

What are a few more names to watch for? I know of Nordgren, Kotkaniemi and Annunan so far.