NHL draft 2019: First-round picks, scouting reports

NHL columnist Kevin Allen provides analysis of the 31 players taken in the first round of Friday’s draft in Vancouver.

1. Devils: Center Jack Hughes (USA Hockey National Team Development Program), 5-10, 170

The Devils are getting a No. 1 center and a player they can market. Hughes, an American, has been compared to Patrick Kane because of his quickness and ability to dart into the seams of the defense. He posted 34 goals and 78 assists in 50 games this season for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program. He’s expected to play next season in the NHL. He’s the younger brother of Vancouver Canucks player Quinn Hughes.

2. Rangers: Left wing Kaapo Kakko (TPS Turko, Finland), 6-1/195

Some NHL scouts thought Kakko was the best prospect in this year’s class, or at least tied with Hughes. He has been compared to Florida’s Aleksander Barkov, mostly because he broke Barkov’s scoring record by producing 22 goals as an under-18 player in the Finnish Elite League. 

Kaapo Kakko had 22 goals and 38 points in the Finnish Elite League. (Photo: Petr David Josek, AP)

DRAFT NIGHT: Live updates, analysis of news, rumors from first round

NO. 1: Devils select American Jack Hughes with the top pick

3. Blackhawks: Center Kirby Dach (Saskatoon, Western Hockey League), 6-4/200

He’s the big center that every coach covets. He’s strong on the puck and possesses the skill to be a top-line performer. He had 25 goals and 73 points in 62 games for the Blades this past season. He’s a Mark Scheifele-type center.

4. Avalanche (from Senators): Defenseman Bowen Byram (Vancouver, WHL) 6-0/195

Scoring 26 goals and 71 points in 67 games, Byram is considered the best puck-moving defenseman in the draft. He’s the speedy, flashy offensive star that many teams are trying to find. He can quarterback a power play and a trigger the offense with his skating and vision. He doesn’t have a strong defensive game and he will need to clean that up to play in the NHL.

5. Kings: Center Alex Turcotte (NTDP), 5-11/190

He’s a smart, flashy center, capable of making a highlight-reel pass or a game-saving defensive play. Has hockey in his DNA. His father was former NHLer Alfie Turcotte. Alex is a creative player with the speed necessary to excel in today’s NHL. Seems to always make the best play.

6. Red Wings: Defenseman Moritz Seider (Mannheim, Germany), 6-4/200

Among the available defensemen, he might be the closest to being ready for pro hockey. He’s mature beyond his years. He’s already played for Germany at the World Championships. He helped his German team win a league championship. Should end up being a quality shutdown defenseman at the NHL level.  He has good mobility and can handle and shoot the puck.

7. Sabres: Center Dylan Cozens (Lethbridge, WHL), 6-3/185

In 68 games for Lethbridge, Cozens posted 34 goals and 84 points. Scouts like his skating and his intelligent playing style. He doesn’t have to score to help his team. Solid passer, strong on the puck and competes hard. He is the first player from the Yukon to go in the first round.

8. Oilers: Defenseman Philip Broberg (AIK, Sweden), 6-3, 200

Scouts believe he will develop into a top-pairing defenseman. He is going to be a two-way defender who can trigger a rush or play a shutdown role against a premium scorer. He has a poise beyond his years. He is still learning the defensive game, but it’s easy to see he’s going to be hard to play against at some point.

9. Ducks: Center Trevor Zegras (NTDP), 5-11/170

He’s a sometimes dazzling, always creative, offensive player who can make something happen when nothing seems available. He has exceptional hands and a high hockey IQ. He has spunk, evidenced by the fact that he totaled 94 penalty minutes to go with his 87 points in 60 games.

10. Canucks: Right wing/left wing Vasili Podkolzin (St. Petersburg, KHL), 6-1/190

Podkolzin is contractually obligated to play in St. Petersburg for two more seasons, but he says definitely wants to play in the NHL. He is projected to be a top-line scorer, a player with a quick release and the aggressiveness to fight his way into high traffic areas. He’s a forceful winger with the passion to win puck battles and out-hustle opponents for the puck. He is an exceptional prospect.

11. Coyotes (from Flyers): Defenseman Victor Soderstrom (Brynas, Sweden), 5-11/177

Coyotes gave up the 45th pick to move up three spots to grab Soderstrom, a finesse defenseman who is an exceptional skater. He reminds scouts of Torey Krug. He likes to make the home run pass. He will be a power play quarterback. 

12. Wild: Left wing Matthew Boldy (NTDP), 6-2/190

A Boston College recruit, Boldy plays a power forward game that should allow him to be a top-six forward in the NHL. He can shoot the puck off the rush or work down low. Surprisingly sharp passer. But scoring will be his ticket to the show. He could blossom into a 30-goal scorer in the NHL.

13. Panthers: Goalie Spencer Knight (NTDP), 6-3/200

He is probably the best U.S. goaltending prospect since John Gibson. He was 32-4-1, with a 2.36 goals-against-average and .913 save percentage, playing for the under-18 team. He has committed to Boston College. He’s got a pro body, athleticism and playing style.

14. Flyers (from Coyotes): Defenseman Cam York (NTDP), 5-11/180

He one day will be a superb power-play quarterback. He thinks the game extremely well, makes good decisions as a puck mover and defensive player. Because he can’t outmuscle players, he is very good at defending with his stick.

15. Canadiens: Right wing Cole Caufield (NTDP), 5-7/160

He set an NTDP record with 72 goals this season. Because of his size and scoring touch, he reminds scouts of Blackhawks winger Alex DeBrincat. Caufield is the most dangerous scorer in the draft. He has a quick release and a laser shot. Caufield has committed to play college hockey at Wisconsin. His size won’t hold him back. 

16. Avalanche: Left wing Alex Newhook (Victoria, British Columbia Hockey League), 5-11/185

The speedy Boston College recruit helped himself with a strong showing at the world under-18 championships. He had 38 goals and 102 points in 53 games this season. He has been compared to Jake Guentzel.

17. Center Peyton Krebs (Kootenay, WHL), 5-11/180

Krebs managed to be better than a point-per-game player (68 in 64 games) playing for a poor team. He’s a hustling, hard-working playmaker with exceptional speed. Nobody in this draft class will outwork him. He is a relentless competitor every shift.

18. Stars: Defenseman Thomas Harley (Mississauga, OHL), 6-3/190

He projects to be an NHL top-pairing defenseman with a strong offensive up-side. He had 11 goals and 58 points in 68 games. He’s a very confident player, a strong decision-maker.

19. Senators (from Blue Jackets): Defenseman Lassi Thomson (Kelowna, WHL), 6-0/190

The Finnish-born defenseman scored 17 goals this season, thanks to a noteworthy shot from the point. He likes to handle the puck. The Senators now have a collection of quality prospects on defense.

20. Jets (from Rangers): Defenseman Ville Heinola (Luuko Rauma, Finland), 5-11/176

He’s a safe pick for a team looking at rebuilding its defense, particularly if Tyler Myers leaves through free agency. Heinola is still two seasons away, but he is a very composed player with a habit of making the right play at the right time.

21. Penguins: Left wing Samuel Poulin (Sherbrooke, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League), 6-1/212

He is the son of former NHL player Patrick Poulin, who also was a first-round pick. He can skate and he can be a force down low. He scored 29 goals this season.

22. Kings (from Maple Leafs): Defenseman Tobias Bjornfot (Djurgarden, Sweden) 6-0/196

Draft expert Craig Button compares him to Ryan McDonagh, meaning he’s a strong two-way defenseman who is above average in all aspects of the position.

23. Islanders: Right wing Simon Holmstrom (HV71, Sweden), 6-0/183

Scouts like his goal-scoring prowess, but most teams had him rated in the second round. His progress has been undermined by injuries. Quick release on his shot.

24. Predators: Center Philip Tomasino (Niagara, OHL), 6-0/183

Tomasino’s speed fits well for the up-tempo game that Predators coach Peter Laviolette uses. Tomasino had 34 goals and 72 points in 67 games.

25. Capitals: Center/winger Connor McMichael (London, OHL) 6-0/175

Because he plays for Dale Hunter in London, he already has an NHL mentality. He scored 36 goals this past season. His shot is sneaky good. He will shoot from odd angles and seems to catch goalies by surprise. 

26. Flames: Left wing Jakob Pelletier (Moncton, QMJHL) 5-9/165

The Flames have been thrilled to have Johnny Gaudreau, and Pelletier is Gaudreau’s size. He doesn’t have exceptional speed, but he knows how to tuck into seams in the defense. He scored 39 goals in 65 games last season. 

27. Lightning: Left wing Nolan Foote (Kelowna, WHL), 6-3/190

He is the son of former NHL standout Adam Foote. Nolan’s brother, Cal, also is in the organization. Nolan scored 36 goals this season. “He can shoot the puck with NHL players right now,” Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper said about Nolan.

28. Hurricanes: Center Ryan Suzuki (Barrie, OHL), 6-1/180

He slid down the rankings during the season, but he is an elite playmaker who finished with 75 points. He had 50 assists. The Hurricanes are looking for more offensive skill and Suzuki can be an NHL table-setter.

29. Ducks (from Sharks via Sabres). Left wing Brayden Tracy (Moose Jaw, WHL) 6-1/170

After buying out Corey Perry, the Ducks are looking for young scoring wingers. Tracy scored 36 goals last season. He rose in the ranks throughout the season. He is an elusive skater. “We have to score some more goals in Anaheim,” GM Bob Murray said.

30. Bruins. Center John Beecher (NTDP), 6-3/204

He’s a big guy with exceptional speed. He didn’t score much this season, but he has some potential. There wasn’t much opportunity for him to score because of the talent on the U.S. team. He was considered one of the NTDP squad’s more underrated guys.

31. Sabres (from Blues): Defenseman Ryan Johnson (Sioux Falls, USHL), 6-0/172

He is an elite skater with the potential to become a top four puck mover. He has the skill level to play in the faster, up-tempo NHL. The Sabres need to upgrade their defense. He is the son of former NHLer Craig Johnson. 

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