The 2017 NHL draft has been completed and graded. But that's old news. What say we take a look at the top players available for next year's draft?
The 2018 class is not a blow-you-away group; as of now, it looks about average to slightly above average. Joe Veleno's simply OK season at 16 year old keeps this from having the shine I thought 2018 would have had judging things one year ago.
Players like Rasmus Dahlin or Andrei Svechnikov could be true front-line talents in the NHL, and Veleno isn't far behind.
Here's how they rank as of one year out from the big night:
1. Rasmus Dahlin, D, Frolunda (SHL)
In isolated moments, Dahlin was one of the most dynamic players in the SHL at the age of 16 this past season. His skating, puck skills and particularly his offensive IQ all get elite grades. He looks special when he has the puck, playing at a pace beyond his age, with the tools to make difficult moves seem routine. He has the potential to be a cornerstone player for an NHL franchise, and is worthy of being in conversation for No. 1 despite how irregular it is for defenders to go that high.
2. Andrei Svechnikov, RW, Muskegon (USHL)
Svechnikov had the best 16-year-old season in the USHL since Thomas Vanek -- and was arguably better. He was also the MVP of the World Junior A challenge while being two years younger than most of the participants, and led the World Under-17 Challenge in goals and points. Big men with high-end skill, IQ and the ability to beat players with speed are hard to find, and Svechnikov checks off all those boxes.
3. Joe Veleno, C, Saint John (QMJHL)
The first player ever given exceptional status in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League -- and the fifth overall after John Tavares, Aaron Ekblad, Connor McDavid and Sean Day -- Veleno is a highly skilled player who can make plays beyond his years due to his hands and speed. He couples that with a good power game. The concerns I've heard about him in the industry are whether his talent is elite enough to be a game-changer, but I've been quite impressed whenever I've scouted him.
4. Jared McIsaac, D, Halifax (QMJHL)
McIsaac had a great 16-year-old season, and shows the potential to be a very well-rounded defenseman in the NHL. The former second overall pick in his QMJHL draft is a skilled puck-mover, with great two-way hockey sense. While he projects to put up a lot of offense, and he's leaned on as a power-play guy wherever he goes, McIsaac is also a competent stopper with size, checking in at 6-foot-2 and 209 pounds. That combination of tools projects him to be a minutes-eater with a large impact.
5. Oliver Wahlstrom, RW, USNTDP (USHL)
Not many top American prospects go by the name of Wahlstrom, but like Alex Galchenyuk and others with heritage in other countries, Wahlstrom -- born in Maine -- has proudly donned the American colors. I see a winger with pro size, good speed and great skill. While he's more of a shooter than a playmaker, he can make high-level feeds. I see a player who can be quite valuable as a big-time scorer, even if he's not a defensive wizard.
6. Ty Smith, D, Spokane (WHL)
Smith is on the short side for a defenseman at 5-foot-11, but everything else in his game is pointing in the right direction. He's a great skater, with good vision and hands. Despite being a smaller player, Smith isn't afraid to engage, and his high IQ allows him to be a more than competent defender. There's a reason he was the top pick in his WHL bantam draft, as he is a player with a ton of upside.
7. Filip Zadina, LW, Pardubice (Czech Extraliga)
More was expected of Zadina on a production level this season, as he repeated his production from the prior campaign in the Czech under-20 league and didn't get much ice time versus men in the top circuit. On a tools level, he's one of the most dynamic players in the draft. Zadina is an elite skater with great hands and can make plays few other players can. He wasn't very consistent this season, but I believe in the upside, and this rank may actually be too conservative.
8. Joel Farabee, LW, USNTDP (USHL)
Farabee trended up this season, working his way to the under-18 national team and was a force at the Under-18 World Championships for USA. He's a player who can hurt you with speed and skill while playing hard every shift at both ends of the rink. He's not the biggest guy at 5-foot-11, but he can kill penalties fine and get the puck back to make the most of his offensive tools.
9. Ryan Merkley, D, Guelph (OHL)
The former No. 1 pick in his OHL draft, Merkley led all OHL rookies in scoring as a defenseman this past season. He's a stunning talent, with top-end mobility, hands and, most particularly, hockey IQ. He can make difficult offensive plays with consistency. He isn't a finished product defensively, and could stand to take fewer risks, but that type of deficiency never stopped other elite talents from reaching the top level, and it could be improved with some fine-tuning.
10. Quinton Hughes, D, USNTDP (USHL)
Hughes is an offensive dynamo from the blue line. His skating is off-the-charts good, he knows how to make skilled plays with the puck, and he's always involved in the offense in a positive way. His 5-foot-9 frame is his obvious flaw, and I don't pretend he's a perfect player, but few defensive prospects can make the plays he can at his age.
Honorable mentions
Adam Boqvist, D, Brynas (J20 SuperElit)
Jacob Olofsson, C, Timra (Allsvenskan)
Jake Wise, C, USNTDP (USHL)
Jett Woo, D, Moose Jaw (WHL)
Brady Tkachuk, LW, USNTDP (USHL)