My Top 10 NHL Entry Draft Midway – Rankings

In this article I will try to unpack players potential and do some comparisons to give you a better idea of what your looking at with a player. But I will say this some of you will not agree with some of my rankings and that’s totally fine, feel free to leave a comment and let’s discuss. So here we go the top 50

1. Jack Hughes – C, USDP, 5’10, 168
   1. A pass first centermen with blistering speed and unbelievable vision. But Hughes isn’t only a pass first player, his elite stickhandling and blistering wrist shot can leave defenders and goalies always guessing. There is one knock on Hughes it’s that some scouts have come out and said that they are not sure he will make the team right out of training camp. Scouts are saying he’s not strong enough to play as an NHL centermen and some believe he will be the first 1^st overall pick since Erik Johnson to not make the jump from number 1 pick to the NHL.
2. Kaapo Kakko – RW, TPS Turku (LIIGA), 6’1, 181
   1. Big, physical power forward with a great shot, amazing edge work and above average speed. Kakko doesn’t require much room at all and has the ability to put a shot top corner in from almost anywhere on the ice.
3. Kirby Dach, C, Saskatoon Blades (WHL), 6’4, 198 lbs
   1. Big bodied playmaker in a style of Ryan Getzlaf. Deceptive above average speed but room for improvement. Fantastic vision and great agility in tight places, which allows him to break away from checks.
4. Bowen Byram, LHD, Vancouver Giants (WHL), 6’1, 191 lbs
   1. Solid 2 way type defencemen, great stickhandler and passer. Has no problem engaging in rough stuff. Also possesses a great stick and amazing gap control. Depending on who drafts where there is a possibility he moves up into the top 3 in the draft.
5. Vasili Podkolzin, RW, SKA Saint Petersburg (MHL), 6’1, 190 lbs
   1. A three zone player, who has the ability to finish all forms of players at top speed (Which is fast). Plays with an edge to his game, they call him a crash and bang forechecker kind of Alexander Ovechkin-esque (not scoring ability but the style of play). Great skater and good defensively.
6. Dylan Cozens, C, Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL), 6’3, 185 lbs
   1. Cozens is an excellent 200 foot player who can play both center and wing. Hard hitting, quick, agile, capable stickhandler with an unbelievable shot. Cozens posses great acceleration and abilities to make todays type of NHL Power Forward. Don’t be shocked to see Cozens either fly totally under the radar in the draft or to Jump into the top 3 depending on who all is drafting.
7. Matthew Boldy, LW, USDP, 6’2, 187 lbs
   1. A Mistake free hockey player. But putting him this high is bound to cause some controversy. Ranked by many at 25^th overall I see something in this kid that many teams are looking for. His NHL size, powerful skater with soft hands, amazing playmaker. His defensive game literally has Jonathan Toews, Patrice Bergeon and Anze Kopitar written all over him.
8. Peyton Krebs, LW, Kootenay ICE (WHL), 5’11, 181 lbs
   1. Great faceoff man and 200 foot player. Pass first center, can work the boards really well and does have a good shot to use an option.
9. Raphael Lavoie, RW, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL), 6’4, 198 lbs
   1. Excellent show in both velocity and release. Patient player and great stickhandler, poised with the puck. Great vision and in the cycle. Extremely strong on his skates and has the ability to shake off checks. A Pass first player
10. Ryan Suzuki, C, Barrie Colts (OHL), 6’0, 172 lbs
    1. Blinding speed, some even say faster than McDavid, more playmaker than a shooter , but possesses a fantastic shot and good playmaking. Aggressive forechecker and good penalty killer. Plays a good 200 foot game.

So this is my top 10 for the midway point of the season. Please feel free to hit me up on Twitter to discuss this more. Even if you disagree!