The 2018 NHL draft was unpredictable and sometimes even confusing, but also an incredibly compelling and unique overall draft.
While it will take years to fully assess how each team did in this draft, we'll take the information that we have on each player now -- based on yearlong back-and-forth with scouts and my own personal viewings and research -- and give an early grade for how each team did. As important as drafting is, team player development has only grown in importance, quality and impact, so there's a long way to go in learning what this class has to offer. Don't view this as a final assessment of the draft, but rather the initial impression.
Here are my draft grades, along with a look at the players each team selected.
Round 1 pick-by-pick analysis
Anaheim Ducks: B+
First-rounder: At only 18 years old, Isac Lundestrom showed considerable progression this season, both offensively and from an overall maturity standpoint. He has a commitment to defense, with the added ability of being able to quickly transition. He's a good skater with some power elements in his game thanks to a sturdy frame and strong legs. His versatility is going to give the Ducks a lot of options down the line. I don't view him as a future No. 1 center, but he could be an important middle-six player who helps at both ends of the ice.
Draft assessment: For not having a lot of high picks, I thought the Ducks came out of this draft on very solid ground. Lundestrom is one of the more versatile centers in the draft and plays an up-tempo style. Then they took a shot on Benoit-Olivier Groulx, who dropped quite a bit as this season wore on. A hardworking forward who has committed to playing a tough two-way game, Groulx has a lot of pro attributes. I thought it was a little strange to see them take two goaltenders in the draft, but I do really like Lukas Dostal. He is extremely athletic with quick movements in the net and an ability to be aggressive without taking himself out of position. Also, Blake McLaughlin is a good bet on offensive upside.
Arizona Coyotes: C
First-rounder: Barrett Hayton is good at a lot of little detail things. Despite his youth, Hayton could be trusted to do pretty much whatever was needed of him with his OHL team. It speaks to how smart of a player he is and the kind of versatility he has. He doesn't have amazing puck skills, but he uses his frame well and seems to have a knack for where to be in all zones. He's not a burner by any means, but he gets up and down the ice well. He's a well-rounded center but lacks a dynamic element. The Coyotes won't need to rush him.
Draft assessment: I was among the many surprised by the Hayton pick at No. 5, and I'm still stunned the Coyotes didn't nab Filip Zadina when they had the chance. That colors the grade quite a bit, but I also think Kevin Bahl is a riskier pick due to his limited offensive upside despite his immense size. With some more development time and a special focus on his hands, you might see Bahl round out his game enough to carve out a bottom-pairing spot for himself. I think Jan Jenik and Ty Emberson have a chance to provide some decent value for where they were selected, and Liam Kirk becomes the first player born and trained in England to be drafted into the NHL. Emberson is a good decision-maker with the puck and has good distribution skills to help his team get up the ice. I just thought Arizona could have made a bigger splash with a top-five pick.
Boston Bruins: C-
First-round: N/A
Draft assessment: It's next to impossible to have a high-impact draft when you're short on picks and they don't start until No. 57. Axel Andersson had a really strong season production-wise in the Swedish U20 ranks as one of the league's top scoring defensemen. He has good distribution skills and an average shot. I was definitely a fan of the pick of the highly energetic Jakub Lauko, who slipped further than I expected. He's not exactly a dynamic player, but he is effective due to his ability to play the game at a high rate of speed. Curtis Hall also had an excellent season in the USHL this year and could be a nice long-range pickup for them. This isn't necessarily a knock for what was done by the Bruins on the draft floor. They just didn't have much of a chance to make an impact on their system.
Buffalo Sabres: A
First-rounder: Rasmus Dahlin is viewed in similar context as Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews as a generational talent, particularly on the blue line. In terms of hockey sense, skating and puck-handling abilities, Dahlin grades out as an exceptional player. He already does a lot at an NHL level at just 17 years old. Projected easily as a No. 1 defenseman, Dahlin should make an immediate impact next season possibly as a top-pairing defenseman. Buffalo has a bit of a shallow defensive group, so it will be difficult to insulate him or ease him into things without making an additional move or two, but he's a smart enough player to be able to adapt.
Draft assessment: When you get the best defenseman to enter the draft in at least a decade, it's hard not to like how your draft went. It's another touchstone moment for the franchise. The Sabres followed that up by taking Mattias Samuelsson, who I think has a very short NHL timeline based on his physical strength and hockey sense. Used more as a shutdown defenseman, his tools in his own end are definitely superior to his offensive abilities. For not having a ton of picks, Buffalo is a lot better of an organization today than it was yesterday.
Calgary Flames: D
First-round: N/A
Draft assessment: Not picking until the fourth round makes it pretty much impossible to get a solid grade. Still, I really liked the team's picks of Demetrios Koumontzis and the late-round swing at David Zavgorodniy, who is very small but incredibly skilled. Zavgorodniy has some dynamism to him and that is crucial at his size. If we were grading on a curve, the Flames would have fared a lot better. Additionally, they lost top defense prospect Adam Fox in the trade with the Carolina Hurricanes. He was unlikely to sign with Calgary anyway, but that one stings the prospect system.
Carolina Hurricanes: A-
First-rounder: An elite goal scorer and powerful skater, Andrei Svechnikov has a chance to jump right into the NHL and contribute. With 40 goals in just 44 games with Barrie this season, he has the power and strength to get to the front of the net, as well as the elite shot to beat goalies from any distance. He has high-level instincts in the offensive zone, and his hand skills are above average. If the Canes paired him with a high-end playmaker, it's not hard to imagine him making an instant impact.
Draft assessment: Getting an immediate-impact player in the draft is always a huge bonus, and Svechnikov has a chance to be special. Meanwhile, the Canes took Jack Drury a bit earlier than I would have, but if they're looking for players with high character and work ethic, he's got that in spades. Drury is a tough guy to get off the puck and is both aggressive and physical in puck pursuit. Lenni Killinen was also a nice late-round pick, as he showed some offensive flashes in junior, but struggled in the pros and internationally. Still, landing Svechnikov is huge for the present and future.
Chicago Blackhawks: A-
First-rounders: In a growing line of dynamic Swedish defensemen, Adam Boqvist is an exciting one. He's particularly good at the offensive blue line, where he shows great confidence in handling the puck and opens up a lot of options for both himself and teammates with his patience. Of the defensemen in this draft, Boqvist might have the best shot, with a quick release that helps him gets pucks on net in a hurry. Boqvist is not an NHL-ready prospect, but is a player with a remarkably high ceiling. He certainly has top-pairing potential. He plays a style that is so valued in today's game with his ability to stretch the ice and create offense from the blue line.
Nicolas Beaudin led Drummondville in scoring with 69 points this season. His defensive game needs work, as he's at a bit of a disadvantage due to his size. That said, he does a lot of things well when he has the puck on his stick, making quick decisions and making himself a threat the other team has to be aware of. Anyone who moves the puck as well as Beaudin is going to give himself a good chance of reaching the next level.
Draft assessment: The Blackhawks kept loading up on D in the first round and got a potentially special player in Boqvist. I wasn't as big of a fan of the Beaudin pick at that point, but he has really gotten a lot more love from scouts of late than I had previously heard. I thought Chicago's Day 2 was excellent thanks to some players I personally really like in the first three Saturday picks. Jake Wise and Niklas Nordgren lack size, but they're excellent offensively. Wise also plays the game so fast, and Nordgren has been an elite goal scorer at the U18 and U20 levels in Finland. Nordgren's play away from the puck is average, and he doesn't have great size, but he does have a terrific shot and can get to the goal-scoring areas extremely well. Philipp Kurashev is also a guy whom I had higher than he ended up going. Lastly, the Blackhawks added goalie Alexis Gravel, who is super raw and has a lot he needs to work on, but it wasn't worth reaching for a goaltender, and the Hawks didn't have to. This was a positive step forward for Chicago's system.
Colorado Avalanche: B
First-rounder: After a standout World Juniors performance, Martin Kaut really started garnering attention. His patience with the puck and offensive vision are of the high-end variety. Right wing was a position of need within Colorado's system, and as a late birthdate who played professionally last season, Kaut's timeline might be a little shorter. Kaut should be a long-term fit in Colorado's middle six.
Draft assessment: Kaut went a little earlier than I expected, but he fits a definite need for the Avs, and I don't think it was a reach. He has a chance to be in North America as early as next season, which will be great for his development. On top of that, I really like goalie Justus Annunen, even if I wouldn't have personally picked him that high. Sampo Ranta and Tyler Weiss are two guys who can really skate even if they have some clear deficiencies in their games (finishing for Ranta, strength for Weiss). One of the more explosive skaters in this draft, Ranta can get up and down the ice as well as anyone. Brandon Saigeon was also a nice bet to make in the latter half of the draft after a strong season helping Hamilton win the OHL title. For not having a second-round pick, I think the Avs did pretty well for themselves.
Columbus Blue Jackets: B-
First-rounder: One of the most agile skaters in this draft class, Liam Foudy attacks with speed, can take defenders wide and gets through the neutral zone in an awful hurry. He has the offensive sense to exploit gaps and enough puck skills to make plays in tight spaces. Foudy is going to need another year or two in that top-line role to really master it, but there's no question he is one of the best athletes in this draft. This is a reach for me, teams in the Blue Jackets' position can take those chances.
Draft assessment: Foudy is a bit of a risky pick at No. 18, but I don't think there was any clear path to the Blue Jackets trying to get him later, so it was an understandable pick even if it was surprising. Kirill Marchenko is a really nice pickup in the second round, too, as he has some substantial skills with the puck on his stick. The same can be said for Marcus Karlberg, who was one of the top-scoring U18 players in the Swedish junior ranks. Adding the undersized Trey Fix-Wolansky with their last pick was the kind of risk I like a team taking in the late rounds. The Columbus system got a pretty decent influx of skill with its selections this year.
Dallas Stars: B
First-rounder: Despite playing on a poor team in Flint, Ty Dellandrea still took over some games. I think he has higher-end puck skills, possesses the confidence to make plays and is a good enough skater to give opposing teams problems. He needs a lot more time to develop and get stronger, but the Stars won't need him right away. This remains a very surprising and probably a little risky pick, but Dellandrea grew on me all season.
Draft assessment: After reaching a little for the highly skilled Dellandrea, I thought Dallas had a really interesting Day 2. Albin Eriksson was gaining popularity in scouting circles late in the season. He is still pretty raw, but he's also huge and he can score. Oskar Back plays an NHL-style game already, and scooping up re-entry Adam Mascherin at No. 100 is a nice dose of skill to the system. He needs to be better away from the puck, and he's not a great skater, but he has an elite-level shot and a very strong offensive skill set. Riley Damiani has a lot of skill, too, but he's still putting his game together a bit and is going to need a lot of development time. I think the Stars had a strong showing at their home draft.
Detroit Red Wings: A
First-rounders: I think Filip Zadina has a chance to be a major contributor and could make the NHL as early as next season. His offensive skills obviously jump out, but I've always been impressed by the energy with which he plays, his relentlessness in puck pursuit and his commitment to doing whatever is necessary. His ability to make plays at high speeds, transition quickly from defending to attacking and score goals at a high rate helped him secure his lofty position in this draft class. He has the puck skills to beat defenders one-on-one, create extra space for himself and give himself more options. Zadina can step into the lineup right away, possibly even into the top six, and make Detroit a better team.
Joseph Veleno is not truly elite at any one thing, but he's effective in all zones, strong on the puck and committed to playing strong defensively. Veleno's offensive skills are also strong, highlighted primarily by quick hands and some shiftiness. I think there are legitimate concerns about his overall upside given his lack of substantial progression in the QMJHL. That said, I still see him as a future middle-six center who can make an impact at both ends of the ice. It just might require a season or two in the AHL after his QMJHL career wraps up.
Draft assessment: In a year when Detroit had to be sharp with its picks, it also got a little lucky with how their first round shook out with Zadina and Veleno falling to where they did. That's a huge boost, but it got even better in the second round with highly skilled scoring winger Jonatan Berggren going with the Wings' first second-rounder. Berggren has stood out as a higher-end skill player who can get by defenders and create chances for himself and his teammates. Jared McIsaac had been dropping, but still has some decent upside on the back end. The Red Wings took more risks with their mid-round picks, but the quality of their first four picks already put them in the "A" category for me. Their prospect system gets a needed boost and they have an instant-impact player in Zadina.
Edmonton Oilers: B+
First-rounder: Evan Bouchard makes a lot of things look pretty easy. He plays the game at his own pace with very few wasted movements. He's very relaxed thanks to high-end offensive sense and maturity with the puck on his stick. Bouchard has elite-level distribution skills, which allow him to find teammates in space and get the puck out of his own zone quickly. He's a solid defender who can engage physically, though no one would confuse him for a shutdown type. He has good mobility, good awareness, adequate defensive skills and a decent physical game. It is especially helpful to Edmonton that Bouchard is a right shot, which is its biggest area of need right now. I think it's more likely he spends one more season in the OHL, but he should be the power-play quarterback of the future for the Oilers.
Draft assessment: The Oilers may have toyed with trading their first pick, but they got exactly what they needed instead. Bouchard might not be ready next season, but he's not too far off and has the offensive upside to be an impact player in the near future. Ryan McLeod falling out of the first round was one of the big surprises. It wasn't surprising to see the Oilers scoop up the offensively gifted and explosive-skating center. He is also a good distributor and has a nice shot. His strength is a big advantage because I think his puck skills are fairly average in terms of stickhandling and shiftiness. Edmonton also nabbed one of the draft's top goaltenders in Olivier Rodrigue. The lack of picks in Rounds 3-5 didn't allow the Oilers to grab some of the quality players left on the board, but I think they should be happy with how things fell for them in the first two rounds.
Florida Panthers: B
First-rounder: One of the more dynamic players in the draft, Grigori Denisenko has an element of entertainment in his game. Despite not having great size, he's got some grittiness to him and sometimes plays over the edge a little bit. The offensive skills are certainly the standout elements of his game with a great combination of shifty skating, top-end puck-handling, tremendous passing skills -- including high-end vision -- and simple offensive know-how. While he prefers to dish the puck, he can absolutely shoot it with a quick release, too. His play away from the puck is fair, but certainly will need some work. Because the Panthers have built a pretty solid system and have a good young core, they could take on the risk of him not coming to North America for a while. Florida fans should be patient but excited about the upside that comes with betting on skill.
Draft assessment: The Panthers got a nice little gift when Serron Noel fell to the second round. He's a guy I've really liked and only liked more each time I saw him. He's only scratching the surface of what he can be, too. One of the biggest forwards in the draft, Noel is a solid skater who has shown improvement in his ability to make plays. He doesn't rely solely on his size to overpower the opposition, even though he probably can. I thought Logan Hutsko was a smart pick in the third round, as well. He's really taken off in the last year after dealing with two seasons of significant injury troubles recovering from a broken neck. He's a player who skates well and possesses solid puck skills and vision. There wasn't much else to write home about, as the Panthers had to sit through a few rounds without a pick, but all told they gave a nice lift to an already-deep prospect pool.
Los Angeles Kings: B+
First-rounder: An average-sized center, Rasmus Kupari gets by on quickness and skill. There's a craftiness to his game on top of the speed. Kupari can play in a lot of different situations due to good hockey sense. He's still a bit of a tough player to gauge, as he could stand to be a little more dynamic, but he's got some solid offensive tools. The Kings have been saying how much they need to add skill to their organization, and Kupari definitely does that. His speed will also bring a needed element to the Kings' organization. He is a natural center, but I'd be willing to bet Kupari ends up on the wing to maximize his scoring potential.
Draft assessment: The Kings wanted to boost skill and speed in their system, and I think they absolutely accomplished that with their early picks in particular. I was surprised to see how far Akil Thomas fell, but he's a strong playmaker with excellent skating ability. Bulat Shafigullin had a really incredible season in the MHL, averaging 1.64 points per game. Aidan Dudas was also a personal favorite this year as one of the most agile skaters in the draft. He possesses good speed, but his agility and edge work need work. I also think David Hrenak was one of the hidden gems in a weaker goaltending crop based on a strong collegiate season. The Kings addressed a stylistic need in their organization with this crop of players and didn't let worrying about size get in their way of making skilled selections.
Minnesota Wild: C-
First-rounder: An advanced defender for such a young player, Filip Johansson is a very good skater with good lateral movement. His offensive capabilities are limited at this point, but he has shown a few flashes here and there, suggesting that he has more to give in that regard. He's just a smart player who I think has a chance to be a No. 5 or 6 blueliner. Johannson can absolutely defend; I just don't know if he has enough tools to make much of an impact in the near term.
Draft assessment: The Wild have some solid prospects in their system, but they reached on their first pick for a player with a lower offensive ceiling and took chances on guys whose stock had fallen a fair amount this season in Jack McBain and Alexander Khovanov -- a pair of picks that I actually like quite a bit for where they got them. McBain has the frame to play more of a power game, as well as the mean streak to do so rather uncomfortably for the opposition. It's just a matter of harnessing that combination of size and aggression and channeling it to become a more effective producer. Khovanov clearly has exceptional offensive tools, but he has struggled to keep pace at times. A lot of this grade leans on what they did in the first round.
Montreal Canadiens: B+
First-rounder: Jesperi Kotkaniemi is the top center in the draft by a fairly large margin due to his combination of power, skill and all-around instincts. He is committed to playing a tough game in all zones, engages physically and has high-end puck skills that make him an offensive threat. Kotkaniemi is unlikely to be ready to take the next step next season, but he performed very well in the professional ranks in Finland, where he played mostly on the wing. As long as he has a chance to play as a center next season with Assat, where he remains under contract, Montreal should probably be patient with him.
Draft assessment: By the sheer volume of picks they used, the Habs did a pretty solid service to their prospect system, which was very, very shallow before the draft. Kotkaniemi fits an organizational need; Jesse Ylonen is a good bet on skill. He's a good skater, but needed to get stronger this year, and it seems that he is improving in that regard. I thought Alexander Romanov was a big reach, but they started to make up for it with nice value additions like Jacob Olofsson, Cam Hillis, Allan McShane and Cole Fonstad -- all players who have good enough tools to give them a chance to advance to the next level. Advanced hockey sense and solid playmaking skills make Olofsson an intriguing prospect, and Hillis plays the game with a lot of energy and confidence.
Nashville Predators: D+
First-round: N/A
Draft assessment: The Preds didn't pick until the fourth round and had only four picks total, which is perfectly acceptable for a team in win-now mode. I think they did well in adding late-rounders Spencer Stastney and Vladislav Yeryomenko. Both players have shown over this season that they have more skill than they'd previously been given credit for and handle themselves well in their own end, too. There just wasn't much here that advances the Predators' prospect pool.
New Jersey Devils: C+
First-rounder: It has been a year of ups and downs for Ty Smith, but I'm a big believer in his offensive capabilities, and I think he has shown a commitment this season to becoming a better defender. He finished second among all defensemen in the WHL with 73 points. His distribution skills are unquestionably high end. When Smith is at his best, he can dictate the game from the back end. When he's off his game, however, you start seeing him try to do too much and get himself into trouble. Smith is a guy who can help the Devils get up the ice quickly, but he is going to need more time to refine his game. He could be a bit of a longer-range prospect unless he takes some massive leaps in development next season.
Draft assessment: Smith is a pretty good fit for the style the Devils want to play, but the team didn't have another selection until the fourth round. I think Xavier Bernard is a decent value pick in the fourth round, though I'm not sold he has the offensive abilities to get where he needs to. I think Akira Schmid is a long shot as a goaltender, but he has the prototypical size teams seem to like in the crease. As much as I like Smith, not having those early mid-round picks knocks Jersey down a few pegs.
New York Islanders: A
First-rounders: Oliver Wahlstrom has such a natural ability to find the net, but he needs to work on his game away from the puck and needs to establish consistency of effort. He has a powerful stride and continues to get faster, which allows him to exploit gaps and play with speed in transition. On top of having a tremendous release, Wahlstrom's shot is deceptive, accurate and heavy. The puck explodes off his stick, challenging every goalie he comes across. Wahlstrom is an elite scorer who will benefit greatly from having a high-end center to help get him the puck. He's probably going to need a year to get up to NHL game speed, but this is a huge get for the Isles.
Noah Dobson is possibly one of the best pure defenders in the draft. His awareness, positioning, gap control and battle level along the walls and at the net front all put him on good footing to be a top-four defenseman at the next level. I think Dobson skates fine, though I'm not enamored with his stride. He has a solid frame with room to get a bit bigger and stronger. He could potentially push for a spot next season, and I can't see him being any more than a season away.
Draft assessment: The Isles couldn't have asked for a better first round, adding two top-10 caliber talents outside of the top 10. Then they took advantage of a free-falling Bode Wilde before taking a swing on high skill with Ruslan Iskhakhov. Wilde has immense physical tools, along with high-end skating and an ability to make a lot of plays from the back end, while Iskhakov brings dynamic offensive talents and speediness around the zone. If the draft ended there, they could have all patted each other on the back and called it a job well done. Then they landed one of the better goalies in a weak crop with Jakub Skarek. Jacob Pivonka and Blade Jenkins have lower upside, but each has elements in his game that should provide value in the Islanders' system. I think this went especially well for them.
New York Rangers: B+
First-rounders: A highly-skilled player with size, Vitali Kravtsov's ability to attack opposing players and confidence in making plays at a time of year when it's harder to do those kinds of things really stood out. His puck skills are high end, and he has a good shot. He's still developing more of a power game, but already shows a propensity for getting to the middle of the ice and going to the harder areas for the sake of offense. It is unclear what his contract status is in the KHL, but another season or two in Russia where he can be a top-line player will get him to the Rangers ready to make an impact.
Pound-for-pound one of the strongest players in the draft, K'Andre Miller spent much of the year rounding out his game and furthering his education as a defenseman. He has become more confident with the puck, making good passes and carrying it a little bit more. His defending is also another area where I've seen remarkable improvement. Miller keeps a lot in front of him, uses his size to keep players to the outside and can lower the boom. His upside is enormous, though, given his brief time playing the position. He could be a monster at the next level if he hits his ceiling.
What jumps out to me about Nils Lundkvist is that he's not very big, but he's a very good defender. He's smart in the way he takes players off the puck and gets in the way really well, closing gaps quickly and identifying opportunities when the opposing player is vulnerable. On top of that, he has really good passing skills and can help his team get the puck up and out after he gets it. After taking more of a shot with the Miller pick, Lundkvist is a nice, safe option with clear pro instincts.
Draft assessment: I really liked the Rangers' first round, where they addressed needs and added some high-upside players who should fit into their plans nicely in the not-too-distant future. I wasn't as big of a fan of their Day 2, though. They went off the board a bit to get goalie Olof Lindbom, who finished the season on a remarkably high note, but had been average for most of the season. I do like Joey Keane, who took big steps forward developmentally this season in Barrie. The grade hinges largely on their first round, but I thought we'd see the Rangers make a bigger splash than I believe they did at this point.
Ottawa Senators: B
First-rounders: Taking all of the qualities of his physical play and combining that with his elite hockey sense, better-than-average puck skills for a big man and a commitment to being a force in all zones, Brady Tkachuk can help a team in so many ways. Tkachuk made confident plays with the puck on his stick during his college days. He grades out long term as a top-line power winger who helps at both ends of the ice.
Bernard-Docker is an excellent trigger man with a heavy shot from the point. His 20-goal mark is the highest total by a U18 defenseman in the AJHL over the last 20 seasons. He's not an exceptional puck mover and is a ways away, but the offensive upside is absolutely there. He can really hammer the puck, and you can never have enough right-shot defensemen.
Draft assessment: I think Tkachuk will make a positive impact on the organization, but the team went a little on the riskier side from there. Jacob Bernard-Docker and Jonny Tychonick are both headed to the University of North Dakota next season, and I think both are probably three years away, but I like their NHL upside. Bernard-Docker went quite a bit earlier than I think he should have been taken. Jonathan Gruden is also a committed two-way forward who brings a maximum effort level to every shift. For a rebuilding team, the Senators have some interesting pieces here with their first three picks. It's not a mega-haul to aid in their rebuilding efforts, but they've been doing a good job these past few seasons of building a solid young pool.
Philadelphia Flyers: B
First-rounders: Few players mix work ethic with skill the way Joel Farabee does. Unafraid to go to the hard areas of the ice and possessing a commitment to a solid all-around game, Farabee checks a lot of boxes, including his overall smarts. Good hockey sense allows Farabee to excel in a variety of roles, but he has enough skill to be a higher-end contributor. He is a very good stylistic fit for the Flyers. He does a lot of the dirty work and just hunts pucks, all while playing the game at a very high pace. You should probably pencil the talented winger in for at least two seasons at Boston University before he makes the jump as he needs to continue building strength to be more effective in his style.
One of the more highly regarded players to come out of the U.S. prep or high school ranks this year, Jay O'Brien has enough offensive talent and his athleticism is a big part of what intrigues me about him. He's going to Providence College, where he's going to get some of the best coaching college hockey has to offer with Nate Leaman at the helm of the Friars. O'Brien is a fine player, but he is years away. Having multiple picks likely made the Flyers more eager to take a chance on him here, but I'm admittedly puzzled by this pick.
Draft assessment: Farabee is such a perfect fit for the roster, but I think O'Brien was a significant enough reach to give the Flyers a bit of a downgrade here. That said, I think the Flyers had a nice Day 2 with Jack St. Ivany being a sneaky-good pick out of the USHL and a valuable commodity as a right-shot defenseman. I also like the value they get for picking advanced defender Adam Ginning at No. 50 overall. He brings with him good size and a higher-end hockey sense. The Flyers have drafted so well in recent years that they had the room to take a shot like they did on O'Brien. I like their continued building up of a deep blue line.
Pittsburgh Penguins: C+
First-round: N/A
Draft assessment: For not having a first-round pick, the Pens had a pretty nice little Saturday. Calen Addison is a high-end puck mover who is still growing his game. Averaging nearly a point per game with Lethbridge, Addison has great vision and a knack for good decisions. Additionally, Filip Hallander dropping to No. 58 was fortuitous, as I think he has pretty significant offensive upside based on how well he performed in the Allsvenskan this year. However, having only four picks in the draft didn't allow the Penguins to significantly impact their shallow prospect system. For what they had to work with, I think it went pretty well for them.
San Jose Sharks: C-
First-rounder: Ryan Merkley is an absolute lightning rod. Most agree he has elite offensive skills, but his lack of detail defensively and character concerns are worrisome. All of that aside, Merkley is one of the best passers in this draft, possessing elite vision and some of the best hands of any defenseman available. Defensively, he's not much to write home about, though I did manage to see one of his better defensive performances live, which tells me he can do the job when he's engaged, but not knowing what you're going to get from one game to the next is a very real concern. This is a big bet. If he can find it in him to improve his defending and remove some of the off-ice concerns, this could look really smart in a few years. There isn't a more "boom-or-bust" prospect in this draft.
Draft assessment: The Sharks gambled a little bit by taking Merkley. We all know how skilled he is, but there's a lot of risk in that pick. I liked the Linus Karlsson pick in the third round. After that, there are some real wild cards in this group, including Jasper Weatherby, who had a great season in the BCHL, but is also 20 years old and could physically dominate a league that is often offense-friendly a little easier. We'll see if the Sharks' risks pay off, but I'm not sold on what they did.
St. Louis Blues: B
First-rounder: I've been up and down on Dominik Bokk this season, as I believe he definitely has high-end puck skills. There's a lot of dynamism to his game, and his passing ability is up there with some of the best players in this draft. He can make defenders miss, and his poise with the puck is pretty solid. He has a good shot, too, but I think he's more of a pass-first guy, and it suits him. He still has a ways to go in terms of making plays under pressure and being behind some of his peers physically. The Blues have been loading up on skill at forward, and Bokk has plenty of that. It's a good bet on offensive upside by the Blues here.
Draft assessment: The Blues have been going big on skill, and Bokk definitely fits in nicely with what they've been building beneath the NHL level. The same can be said for Scott Perunovich, whom I've really liked since seeing him at the World Juniors and watching him turn into a dominant defenseman in the NCAA as a freshman. Although size is a concern, good distribution skills and a willingness to jump into plays helped make him college hockey's Rookie of the Year. I also have a bit of a soft spot for Hugh McGing, who is an undersized center and an absolute competitor, and he has some skill to spare, as well. Joel Hofer is a bit of a riskier pick since he didn't play a ton this season.
Tampa Bay Lightning: C-
First-round: N/A
Draft assessment: Gabriel Fortier really started jumping up lists later in the season, but he never stood out enough for me to see him as a second-rounder. As soon as Tampa selected Alex Green at No. 121, I had a text from a scout singing his praises. He has limited offensive upside, but he is an excellent defender who will only get better playing at Cornell. I've learned never to doubt the drafting prowess of Tampa's scouting staff, but the dearth of early picks made it difficult for the Bolts to beef up their already-stacked prospects system.
Toronto Maple Leafs: B+
First-rounder: Despite being average sized, Rasmus Sandin is an awfully sturdy and strong player. He's hard to beat in battles and isn't afraid to be physical defensively. Sandin keeps things relatively simple offensively, not showing a ton of dynamic elements. Still, he's effective as a passer and carries a confident presence on the offensive blue line. I think Sandin is mobile and smart enough to overcome any size concerns.
Draft assessment: The Kyle Dubas era got off to a pretty solid start, as he went big on skill as expected. There's some risk in the mid- and late-round picks the Leafs went after, but I like the idea of getting as many undervalued skill players as you can and seeing who can rise to the top. Sandin was a solid first-round pick, but there was a lot more to Toronto's draft. Sean Durzi and Mac Hollowell can move the puck extremely effectively. An aggressive offensive-defenseman, Durzi actually finished with 1.23 points per game in the regular season. If he can round out his game a little more, he's got a good chance to make some waves. Semyon Der-Arguchintsev is undersized, but has dynamic qualities. Also, I thought Filip Kral was a great value pick in the fifth round, as he has a solid two-way game even if I think his offensive ceiling is a bit lower.
Vancouver Canucks: B+
First-rounder: Perhaps the best skater in the draft, Quinn Hughes had an exceptional season in the college ranks and showed recently that he might not be terribly far from pro-readiness with a solid showing at the men's world championship in Denmark. He is very offense-minded, sometimes jumping into plays to the point where he's leading the rush instead of supporting it. Despite his size, Hughes also has proven to be an above-average defender, thanks to a good defensive stick and excellent use of body position and angling to cut down bigger players. His first touch on pucks, regardless of how they come to him, is one of the details in his game that I find particularly impressive. Hughes absolutely takes risks, and sometimes he'll force things too much, but the potential for reward with what he does allows you to live with it. Long term, Hughes should be an offensive asset and a top-pairing defenseman.
Draft assessment: Hughes adds an element the Canucks just haven't had in a long time and likely isn't too far away from making an impact at the NHL level. While the Canucks went big on skill with the first defenseman they took, they were also able to land the physical Jett Woo -- though I think there were some better options available to them. He is one of the most physical defenders in this draft. His offensive numbers are not great for a top-end WHL defenseman, but his athleticism may limit those concerns. Getting Tyler Madden in the third round was a nice pick, but he'll need a lot of development time at Northeastern. I really like the shot Vancouver took on Artyom Manukyan in the sixth round, as well. He had 105 points in the Russian junior league last season, a record for that league. He played a lot in the KHL this year, but didn't manage to have that offense translate. It's worth a shot to see where he goes from here, though.
Vegas Golden Knights: B-
First-round: N/A
Draft assessment: Not having a first-rounder was probably a tough pill to swallow despite the amazing season Vegas just had. The Golden Knights did really well with their second rounder, as I think Ivan Morozov has a good mix of strength and skill that should help him when he's ready to come to North America. He combines good hands and a solid on-ice work ethic to make him a factor at both ends of the ice. Slava Demin is also a nice bet on offensive upside. He's not huge, but uses his body well, can make calm plays with the puck and passes very well. I think there were quite a few teams that liked Connor Corcoran for his character and competitiveness, and Vegas got him at No. 154. Xavier Bouchard was another guy I thought some teams might reach for, but I really like him at No. 185. There aren't a ton of high-impact players in this mix, but given the lack of a first-rounder, the Knights can be pleased with their haul.
Washington Capitals: C+
First-rounder: A big, calculating defenseman, Alexander Alexeyev is good at keeping the game in front of him. He moves the puck very well and has a pretty good shot from the point when he leans into it. His big frame makes him tough to beat, but I do have some concern about his skating. His footwork is pretty good in that he's able to establish position on the rush, but as the speed of the game picks up, I'm wondering if he'll be able to keep up with it. It will be a few seasons before Alexeyev is ready to step in, but he instantly becomes this team's No. 1 D prospect.
Draft assessment: Alexeyev has a chance to be a really strong prospect for the Caps going forward, but I wasn't enamored with Washington's Day 2 picks. I thought each of its first three Day 2 picks was picked pretty early, though I know Martin Fehervary's stock has risen since he played for Slovakia in the men's world championship. He's an advanced defender, but needs a little more offense in his game. I would have liked to see the Capitals find some more skill in the middle rounds.
Winnipeg Jets: C
First-round: N/A
Draft assessment: Winnipeg has been one of the best drafting teams in the league, especially when it comes to the first round. It didn't have a first-rounder this year, but I think it still managed to make some nice additions to its prospect pool, if not exceptional ones. David Gustafsson is a really nice second-round pick for the Jets, and I think he has substantial offensive upside. Gustafsson is a natural playmaking center who is developing more of a two-way game. He's going to get more pro reps next season which only helps his development. I thought Nathan Smith was picked a little higher than I would have taken him, but he was also one of the more intriguing prospects I watched in the USHL this season. Giovanni Vallati is incredibly raw, but he has some tools that he's still trying to put together. Also, I really liked the Jets' last pick, Austin Wong. He's kind of a long shot, but he plays a really fun brand of hockey that mixes aggression and just enough offense. Not having a first-rounder hurts the overall grade, and I think there's enough doubt about some of these players, but if the Jets have proved anything over recent years, it's that they know how to find some hidden gems.