Post by brentdog on Sept 28, 2016 11:25:06 GMT -5
21. Patrick Giles (C) – USNTDP – USHL
The 6’4”, 210lbs Giles has 56 points in 54 USHL games this season and is a genuine force on the ice who is very difficult for defenders to contain. Adept at protecting the puck and has a nice stride for someone of his size. Likes to use his speed and physicality to creates turnovers and turn them into scoring chances.
22. Alexander Khovanov (C) – Irbis Kazan – MHL
Khovanov is yet another in an excellent crop of Russian offensive prospects in the 2018 draft. Whilst short at 5’11”, he possesses good upper body strength and isn’t afraid to lay on a hit when necessary. Has good vision with the puck and can bury scoring chances when presented, as proved by 45 points in 55 MHL games. Sometimes a little undisciplined in his play and needs to work on his defensive consistency.
23. Rasmus Dahlin (LD) – Frölunda U18 – J18 Elit
Standing at 6’2” and 200 pounds, Dahlin is one of those rare young defensemen coming out of Sweden who is more inclined towards the defensive side of the game. Not afraid to use his frame to separate guys from the puck, whilst his excellent stickwork makes him very difficult to beat in a one-on-one situation. Needs to improve his mobility and first pass out of his own zone but projects strongly as a shutdown-type defenceman.
24. Anderson MacDonald (C) – Rimouski Océanic – QMJHL
Taken 2nd overall in the QMJHL entry draft, MacDonald is a pure power-forward and seemingly built to score goals. Has good hands, mobility and a quick release on his shot. Loves to crash the net and battle for position in front of the crease; has the strength to put defenders on their heels, thus creating space for his teammates and opportunities for himself.
25. Gavin Hain (C) – Prince Albert Raiders – WHL
Selected 1st overall in the USHL draft by the Sioux Falls Stampede, Hain controversially opted to go to the WHL with the Prince Albert Raiders, who had selected him in the 6th round of the 2015 bantam draft. A hard-working two-way forward who brings a lot of force and energy to the ice, Hain also has an offensive upside thanks to his excellent reading of the game in the opposition zone.
26. Olivier Rodrigue (G) – Drummondville Voltiguers – QMJHL
The top-ranked goalie in the draft, Rodrigue is in the mould of the new age of netminders – tall, lanky and athletic. Extremely agile and with excellent reflexes; exhibits strong rebound control and a quick recovery between the pipes. Can be caught napping occasionally on shots directed toward his glove hand but undoubtedly has starting potential at the iNHL level.
27. Ty Emberson (RD) – High School – USHS
A top-flight offensive D prospect who shines when moving out of his zone. Has dazzling speed and is a skilled puckhandler who adds tremendous pressure up ice with his skating and his shot. Needs to sharpen his defensive positioning and focus less on the puck when opponents attack.
28. Jett Woo (RD) – Moose Jaw Warriors – WHL
The aptly named Jett is a dynamic right-hand shot defenseman who excels with the puck on his stick. Has all the tools necessary to become a top-level offensive D; skating ability, puck-handling and creativity are all high-end. Excellent at quarter-backing a powerplay - always seems to find open lanes to distribute the puck. Despite a big frame seems reluctant to impose himself physically on opposing forwards and, as with many offensively-inclined defensemen, remains something of a work in progress when it comes to positional play in his own end of the ice.
29. Isak Lundestrom (C) – Luleå HF – J20 Elit
Averaging more than a point per game in the Swedish U20 league, Lundestrom is an excellent playmaker with terrific hands; he makes crisp passes and is adept at finding open seams. Has shown continual improvement in his own end and plays a responsible two-way game. Utilizes his stick quite effectively in all three zones, whether in creating plays or taking away time and space from opposing players.
30. Niklas Nordgren (RW) – SaiPa – Liiga
The sole Finn in the first round of the draft, Nordgren is a speedy, skilled right-wing who makes sharp plays in transition and possesses a quick, hard shot. Slightly under-sized but makes up for this with a high-level hockey IQ and excellent stickhandling skills. Has 28 points in 60 Liiga games, a strong return for an 18 year old playing his first year of pro-level hockey.
Honourable Mentions:
Benoit-Olivier Groulx, K’Andre Miller, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Rasmus Sandin, Matthias Emilio Pettersen
The 6’4”, 210lbs Giles has 56 points in 54 USHL games this season and is a genuine force on the ice who is very difficult for defenders to contain. Adept at protecting the puck and has a nice stride for someone of his size. Likes to use his speed and physicality to creates turnovers and turn them into scoring chances.
22. Alexander Khovanov (C) – Irbis Kazan – MHL
Khovanov is yet another in an excellent crop of Russian offensive prospects in the 2018 draft. Whilst short at 5’11”, he possesses good upper body strength and isn’t afraid to lay on a hit when necessary. Has good vision with the puck and can bury scoring chances when presented, as proved by 45 points in 55 MHL games. Sometimes a little undisciplined in his play and needs to work on his defensive consistency.
23. Rasmus Dahlin (LD) – Frölunda U18 – J18 Elit
Standing at 6’2” and 200 pounds, Dahlin is one of those rare young defensemen coming out of Sweden who is more inclined towards the defensive side of the game. Not afraid to use his frame to separate guys from the puck, whilst his excellent stickwork makes him very difficult to beat in a one-on-one situation. Needs to improve his mobility and first pass out of his own zone but projects strongly as a shutdown-type defenceman.
24. Anderson MacDonald (C) – Rimouski Océanic – QMJHL
Taken 2nd overall in the QMJHL entry draft, MacDonald is a pure power-forward and seemingly built to score goals. Has good hands, mobility and a quick release on his shot. Loves to crash the net and battle for position in front of the crease; has the strength to put defenders on their heels, thus creating space for his teammates and opportunities for himself.
25. Gavin Hain (C) – Prince Albert Raiders – WHL
Selected 1st overall in the USHL draft by the Sioux Falls Stampede, Hain controversially opted to go to the WHL with the Prince Albert Raiders, who had selected him in the 6th round of the 2015 bantam draft. A hard-working two-way forward who brings a lot of force and energy to the ice, Hain also has an offensive upside thanks to his excellent reading of the game in the opposition zone.
26. Olivier Rodrigue (G) – Drummondville Voltiguers – QMJHL
The top-ranked goalie in the draft, Rodrigue is in the mould of the new age of netminders – tall, lanky and athletic. Extremely agile and with excellent reflexes; exhibits strong rebound control and a quick recovery between the pipes. Can be caught napping occasionally on shots directed toward his glove hand but undoubtedly has starting potential at the iNHL level.
27. Ty Emberson (RD) – High School – USHS
A top-flight offensive D prospect who shines when moving out of his zone. Has dazzling speed and is a skilled puckhandler who adds tremendous pressure up ice with his skating and his shot. Needs to sharpen his defensive positioning and focus less on the puck when opponents attack.
28. Jett Woo (RD) – Moose Jaw Warriors – WHL
The aptly named Jett is a dynamic right-hand shot defenseman who excels with the puck on his stick. Has all the tools necessary to become a top-level offensive D; skating ability, puck-handling and creativity are all high-end. Excellent at quarter-backing a powerplay - always seems to find open lanes to distribute the puck. Despite a big frame seems reluctant to impose himself physically on opposing forwards and, as with many offensively-inclined defensemen, remains something of a work in progress when it comes to positional play in his own end of the ice.
29. Isak Lundestrom (C) – Luleå HF – J20 Elit
Averaging more than a point per game in the Swedish U20 league, Lundestrom is an excellent playmaker with terrific hands; he makes crisp passes and is adept at finding open seams. Has shown continual improvement in his own end and plays a responsible two-way game. Utilizes his stick quite effectively in all three zones, whether in creating plays or taking away time and space from opposing players.
30. Niklas Nordgren (RW) – SaiPa – Liiga
The sole Finn in the first round of the draft, Nordgren is a speedy, skilled right-wing who makes sharp plays in transition and possesses a quick, hard shot. Slightly under-sized but makes up for this with a high-level hockey IQ and excellent stickhandling skills. Has 28 points in 60 Liiga games, a strong return for an 18 year old playing his first year of pro-level hockey.
Honourable Mentions:
Benoit-Olivier Groulx, K’Andre Miller, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Rasmus Sandin, Matthias Emilio Pettersen