As many of you know I'm a prospect junkie and now that the 2018 draft is over. We might as well start the discussion on the 2019 draft.
I'll post some quick scouting reports to get everyone up to speed on what I know
Top Forwards
Jack Hughes - LC - 5'11 - 161 - U18, USDP
Jack Hughes at eliteprospects.com
Jack Hughes is next in the Hughes family tree to become draft eligible. Incredible skater with fluid edgework and speed, Kane like stick handling, very high end vision and a great shot. Type of player that makes those around him better. Should be a lock to go #1 at this point. There are some questions around whether he can play center in the NHL, but I think with some added muscle on his frame he definitely can.
Kaapo Kakko - RW/LW - 6'3 - 207 - TPS, Liiga
Kaapo Kakko at eliteprospects.com
The next one from Finland, Kaapo is a big boy that uses his size very effectively. He has great hands, uses his size to help shield the puck well and generates very well off the rush. Should be among the top wingers to be drafted and with a good season in Liiga could definitely go top 3. Probably the top goalscorer of the draft.
Alex Newhook - RW/RC - 5'11 - 183 - Victoria, BCHL
Alex Newhook at eliteprospects.com
Newhook often plays center in Victoria but is likely more of a winger at the NHL level. A great skater with very good top end speed, handles the puck extremely well. Likens himself to Patrick Kane in terms of stickhandling. Handles well and can make plays at high speed. Good enough shot arsenal but prefers to be more of a playmaker off the rush.
Raphaël Lavoie - RC - 6'3 - 192 - Halifax, QMJHL
Raphaël Lavoie at eliteprospects.com
A real big kid who has a nose for the net and a great release in tight. Has a tonne of clutch goals, many in OT. Isn't afraid to drop the gloves and plays hard and physical every shift. Still very raw player as he has a lot to work on but the potential is sky high.
Dylan Cozens - RC/RW - 6'3 - 176 - Lethbridge, WHL
Dylan Cozens at eliteprospects.com
One of 3 high end WHL centers available in this draft. Cozens is a bit of a bean pole but plays an up tempo, though not very physical for his size, game. Has a very quick and accurate release and loves to set up for the one-timer.
Peyton Krebs - LC/LW - 5'11 - 172 - Kootenay, WHL
Peyton Krebs at eliteprospects.com
It's tough to pin whether Krebs will be a center at the NHL level but there is no doubt he can play center in the WHL. A great skater with smooth hands who can make plays with speed. Krebs see's the ice very well and gets the puck through some very tight spaces. Also has a decent two-way game as he's always on the puck trying to disrupt plays and force turnovers.
Kirby Dach - RC - 6'3 - 185 - Saskatoon, WHL
Kirby Dach at eliteprospects.com
Easily the most raw of the big centers available in the draft. A big physical kid who loves to use his size to his advantage. He's got great hands and a pass first mentality but often passes up great opportunities of his own as his shot arsenal needs some work. With some hard work in the off season he could really climb up the rankings.
Nolan Foote - LW - 6'3 - 187 - Kelowna, WHL
Nolan Foote at eliteprospects.com
A big strong skater that is very hard to knock off the puck. I think a lot of scouts were hoping he would improve a bit more since last season but hopefully this off season is a big one for him. Plays with a lot of snarl and has a great pair of mitts. Needs to improve his skating and work on his shooting a bit more.
Arthur Kaliyev - LW - 6'1 - 165 - Hamilton, OHL
Arthur Kaliyev at eliteprospects.com
One of the lesser known kids but one to watch out for. Led all 2019 CHL draft eligible in goals. A great skater with a really slick release. Someone to keep an eye on.
Alex Turcotte - LC - 5'11 - 194 - U18, USDP
Alex Turcotte at eliteprospects.com
Got overshadowed a lot by Hughes this year but someone to look out for. Great skater who plays a strong two-way game.
Sam Poulin - LW - 6'1 - 207 - Sherbrooke, QMJHL
Samuel Poulin at eliteprospects.com
Beastly kid who uses his size really well. Has a slick release and not afraid to drive the net.
Jakob Pelletier - LW - 5'9 - 160 - Moncton, QMJHL
Jakob Pelletier at eliteprospects.com
Undersized but very lethal. Makes plays at speed, high vision, great passer but can also finish. Might be smaller then he's listed.
Cole Caufield - RW - 5'6 - 154 - U18, USDP
Cole Caufield at eliteprospects.com
Very undersized but incredibly shifty skater who finds the holes in the defence and just converts. Heck of a shot for someone so small.
Top Defencemen
I'll get some writeups for these guys out soon.
Bowen Byram - LD - 6'0 - 180 - Vancouver, WHL
Bowen Byram at eliteprospects.com
Anttoni Honka - RD - 5'10 - 170 - JYP, Liiga
Anttoni Honka at eliteprospects.com
Alex Vlasic - LD - 6'5 - 190 - US18, USDP
Alex Vlasic at eliteprospects.com
Matthew Robertson - LD - 6'3 - 196 - Edmonton, WHL
Matthew Robertson at eliteprospects.com
Tobias Björnfot - LD - 6'0 - 187 - Djurgårdens, SHL
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/344751/tobias-bjornfot
Ben Brinkman - LD - 6'1 - 181 - Edina, USHS
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/327230/ben-brinkman
Artemi Kynazev - LD - 5'11 - 176 - Kazan, MHL
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/398450/artemi-knyazev
Mikko Kokkonen - LD - 5'11 - Kukirit, Liiga
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/347571/mikko-kokkonen
Top Goalies
I'll get some writeups for these guys out soon.
Spencer Knight - LG - 6'3 - 194 - U18, USDP
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/379758/spencer-knight
Taylor Gauthier - RG - 6'1 - 190 - Prince George, WHL
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/322108/taylor-gauthier
Boston Bilous - LG - 6'3 - 214 - Edmonton, WHL
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/337744/boston-bilous
Isaiah Saville - RG - 6'1 - 181 - Minnesota, NAHL
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/365042/isaiah-saville
I'll post some quick scouting reports to get everyone up to speed on what I know
Top Forwards
Jack Hughes - LC - 5'11 - 161 - U18, USDP
Jack Hughes at eliteprospects.com
Jack Hughes is next in the Hughes family tree to become draft eligible. Incredible skater with fluid edgework and speed, Kane like stick handling, very high end vision and a great shot. Type of player that makes those around him better. Should be a lock to go #1 at this point. There are some questions around whether he can play center in the NHL, but I think with some added muscle on his frame he definitely can.
Kaapo Kakko - RW/LW - 6'3 - 207 - TPS, Liiga
Kaapo Kakko at eliteprospects.com
The next one from Finland, Kaapo is a big boy that uses his size very effectively. He has great hands, uses his size to help shield the puck well and generates very well off the rush. Should be among the top wingers to be drafted and with a good season in Liiga could definitely go top 3. Probably the top goalscorer of the draft.
Alex Newhook - RW/RC - 5'11 - 183 - Victoria, BCHL
Alex Newhook at eliteprospects.com
Newhook often plays center in Victoria but is likely more of a winger at the NHL level. A great skater with very good top end speed, handles the puck extremely well. Likens himself to Patrick Kane in terms of stickhandling. Handles well and can make plays at high speed. Good enough shot arsenal but prefers to be more of a playmaker off the rush.
Raphaël Lavoie - RC - 6'3 - 192 - Halifax, QMJHL
Raphaël Lavoie at eliteprospects.com
A real big kid who has a nose for the net and a great release in tight. Has a tonne of clutch goals, many in OT. Isn't afraid to drop the gloves and plays hard and physical every shift. Still very raw player as he has a lot to work on but the potential is sky high.
Dylan Cozens - RC/RW - 6'3 - 176 - Lethbridge, WHL
Dylan Cozens at eliteprospects.com
One of 3 high end WHL centers available in this draft. Cozens is a bit of a bean pole but plays an up tempo, though not very physical for his size, game. Has a very quick and accurate release and loves to set up for the one-timer.
Peyton Krebs - LC/LW - 5'11 - 172 - Kootenay, WHL
Peyton Krebs at eliteprospects.com
It's tough to pin whether Krebs will be a center at the NHL level but there is no doubt he can play center in the WHL. A great skater with smooth hands who can make plays with speed. Krebs see's the ice very well and gets the puck through some very tight spaces. Also has a decent two-way game as he's always on the puck trying to disrupt plays and force turnovers.
Kirby Dach - RC - 6'3 - 185 - Saskatoon, WHL
Kirby Dach at eliteprospects.com
Easily the most raw of the big centers available in the draft. A big physical kid who loves to use his size to his advantage. He's got great hands and a pass first mentality but often passes up great opportunities of his own as his shot arsenal needs some work. With some hard work in the off season he could really climb up the rankings.
Nolan Foote - LW - 6'3 - 187 - Kelowna, WHL
Nolan Foote at eliteprospects.com
A big strong skater that is very hard to knock off the puck. I think a lot of scouts were hoping he would improve a bit more since last season but hopefully this off season is a big one for him. Plays with a lot of snarl and has a great pair of mitts. Needs to improve his skating and work on his shooting a bit more.
Arthur Kaliyev - LW - 6'1 - 165 - Hamilton, OHL
Arthur Kaliyev at eliteprospects.com
One of the lesser known kids but one to watch out for. Led all 2019 CHL draft eligible in goals. A great skater with a really slick release. Someone to keep an eye on.
Alex Turcotte - LC - 5'11 - 194 - U18, USDP
Alex Turcotte at eliteprospects.com
Got overshadowed a lot by Hughes this year but someone to look out for. Great skater who plays a strong two-way game.
Sam Poulin - LW - 6'1 - 207 - Sherbrooke, QMJHL
Samuel Poulin at eliteprospects.com
Beastly kid who uses his size really well. Has a slick release and not afraid to drive the net.
Jakob Pelletier - LW - 5'9 - 160 - Moncton, QMJHL
Jakob Pelletier at eliteprospects.com
Undersized but very lethal. Makes plays at speed, high vision, great passer but can also finish. Might be smaller then he's listed.
Cole Caufield - RW - 5'6 - 154 - U18, USDP
Cole Caufield at eliteprospects.com
Very undersized but incredibly shifty skater who finds the holes in the defence and just converts. Heck of a shot for someone so small.
Top Defencemen
I'll get some writeups for these guys out soon.
Bowen Byram - LD - 6'0 - 180 - Vancouver, WHL
Bowen Byram at eliteprospects.com
Anttoni Honka - RD - 5'10 - 170 - JYP, Liiga
Anttoni Honka at eliteprospects.com
Alex Vlasic - LD - 6'5 - 190 - US18, USDP
Alex Vlasic at eliteprospects.com
Matthew Robertson - LD - 6'3 - 196 - Edmonton, WHL
Matthew Robertson at eliteprospects.com
Tobias Björnfot - LD - 6'0 - 187 - Djurgårdens, SHL
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/344751/tobias-bjornfot
Ben Brinkman - LD - 6'1 - 181 - Edina, USHS
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/327230/ben-brinkman
Artemi Kynazev - LD - 5'11 - 176 - Kazan, MHL
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/398450/artemi-knyazev
Mikko Kokkonen - LD - 5'11 - Kukirit, Liiga
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/347571/mikko-kokkonen
Top Goalies
I'll get some writeups for these guys out soon.
Spencer Knight - LG - 6'3 - 194 - U18, USDP
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/379758/spencer-knight
Taylor Gauthier - RG - 6'1 - 190 - Prince George, WHL
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/322108/taylor-gauthier
Boston Bilous - LG - 6'3 - 214 - Edmonton, WHL
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/337744/boston-bilous
Isaiah Saville - RG - 6'1 - 181 - Minnesota, NAHL
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/365042/isaiah-saville