The 2018-19 NHL season is just underway, and regardless of how your favorite team came out of the gates, there is plenty to be excited about going forward. Here is my ranking of Nos. 1-50 of the top NHL prospects right now. Click here for Nos. 51-100.
Note: To be included, the prospect must still have Calder Trophy eligibility and be 24 years old or younger.
Nos. 51-100
| Where Jack Hughes fits
| Top prospect takeaways
1. Rasmus Dahlin, D, Buffalo Sabres
There isn't a ton to break down here. Dahlin is one of the best defensive prospects to come into the NHL in some time and is going to be a force. He is growing more and more comfortable in the NHL every day. From his skating to his puck skills to his aggressiveness in the physical game, Dahlin is fitting right in and giving Sabres fans something to salivate over.
2. Andrei Svechnikov, RW, Carolina Hurricanes
A natural goal-scoring talent with power and explosiveness in his game, Svechnikov can beat defenders and goalies a variety of ways. He's such a pure shooter that it doesn't matter if a pass is in his skates or he's at a tough angle. The kid just knows how to score goals. That's why he had 40 in 44 games last season. Svechnikov has also learned at a young age how to use his body to protect the puck. We have to manage expectations for 18-year-olds when they start right away in the league, but Svechnikov should be a 30-or-better goal scorer in the NHL on a semiannual basis.
3. Elias Pettersson, C/W, Vancouver Canucks
Offensively dynamic, Pettersson already claimed MVP honors in one of the top pro leagues outside of the NHL. He's an excellent passer but is better known for his shot. His easy release belies the way the puck explodes off of his stick with exceptional accuracy. However, Pettersson's lack of physical strength has caused some concern about his durability and how he'll hold up against a pretty tough Western Conference grind.
4. Casey Mittelstadt, C, Buffalo Sabres
In terms of pure upside, the sky is the limit for Mittelstadt. A player who handles the puck skillfully and confidently can go a long way in the league. Other aspects of his game continue to need work, however, not the least of which is his physical strength. There have been times in more physical, aggressive contests when he has become less effective and less engaged, but it's a moderate concern at this point because the rest of his game is so fantastic. He has elite puck-handling ability and high-end vision. The skating is above average, and his ability to process the game puts him in lofty company. As long as Jack Eichel is in Buffalo, it will be difficult for Mittelstadt to ascend any higher than a No. 2 center, but he has the talent to be a special player and could be another cornerstone piece.
5. Filip Zadina, RW, Detroit Red Wings
Zadina's starting the season in the AHL might give some pause, but the Red Wings are doing right by their young prospect. The jump from junior to the NHL is big for any player, no matter the talent level. I expect Zadina will adjust to the pro game quite well in the AHL. Coach Jeff Blashill has said he isn't worried about Zadina's details defensively, too. That's key. So often, offensive players have to find their games away from the puck. What Zadina needs to work on is his timing and playing at the NHL pace. The AHL might not be as fast as the NHL, but it's as close as it gets. Based on video of Zadina, that timing and offensive confidence are starting to come together already.
6. Henrik Borgstrom, LW, Florida Panthers
After he was drafted 23rd overall in 2016, I'm not sure anyone anticipated the meteoric rise of Borgstrom as a prospect. His coming over from the Finnish junior league and dominating college hockey as a freshman in 2016-17 was eye-opening. Then he just kept getting better and stronger. With his 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame, he's hard to knock off the puck. Combine that with high-level puck skills and creativity, and Borgstrom took over games at times at the college level. The thing that stands out to me is how well he sees the ice and surveys situations. He can play at a high pace, or he can slow the game down. His puck skills make defenders miss, buy him time and open things up for everyone else on the ice. He's a special player.
7. Kirill Kaprizov, RW, Minnesota Wild
An exceptional offensive talent, Kaprizov displays strength in puck pursuit and aggressiveness in the offensive zone. Defensemen can never feel comfortable when he's on the ice because he's always right there. I thought he was at his most impressive in the Olympics, notching the gold-medal-winning goal in overtime against Germany. He was a force when it looked like all was lost for that Russian squad. Now it's all about whether Minnesota can get him to come over, which is one of the reasons he slipped to the fifth round in 2015. Kaprizov could slide into the team's top six right now and make it better, but patience will have to suffice, with the hope that GM Paul Fenton can lure the talented winger to the NHL after his KHL contract expires.
8. Miro Heiskanen, D, Dallas Stars
An intelligent defenseman, Heiskanen is mature beyond his years in terms of on-ice performance. To be a No. 1 defenseman in the Finnish elite league at 18 is no small feat. To continually excel in that lofty position, earning roster spots with the Finnish national team at both the 2018 Olympics and Men's World Championship, is even more impressive. Heiskanen's skating is a standout trait, and I fully expect him to progress as the season rolls on. There's a chance for him to play a substantial role right out of the gates, and the more ice he gets, the better off he'll be. Offensively, he is fine, but he isn't going to blow the doors off of anyone. He is a complete player, though, which is hard to find at this young stage.
9. Quinn Hughes, D, Vancouver Canucks
This is a big season for Hughes to simply gain confidence and strength to take the next step. If the latter half of last season is any indication, he could be one of college hockey's most dominant defensemen. I'd fully expect him to end the season in Vancouver after he wraps his sophomore campaign at Michigan. One of the most gifted and unique skaters outside of the NHL presently, Hughes can use his feet well on defense and to create offensive opportunities. His puck skills aren't as advanced as his skating, but he makes defenders miss and distributes the puck extremely effectively. His shot is probably below average for a high-end prospect, and people will knock him for his size, but I've seen such growth in his all-around game over the past year that those concerns are beginning to melt away rather quickly. I can honestly say I've never seen another player like Hughes in the 11 years I've been closely connected to junior and college hockey.
10. Martin Necas, C, Carolina Hurricanes
This guy just screams pro. Offensively advanced and defensively responsible, Necas is talented in so many ways. He has good size, plays with great energy and can do a little bit of everything. It must have been terribly difficult for the Canes to send him back to the Czech Republic last season, but it was a pretty good decision, as Necas showed great improvement in his overall game. One of the things I like most about Necas is how undaunted he is by anything. No matter the score, no matter the opponent, he brings his best to every shift. I don't know that he's as shifty as some other players, but he's effective in generating offense and forcing the opposition to take notice of him.
11. Brady Tkachuk, LW, Ottawa Senators
Watching Tkachuk at the World Junior camp in August, it's becoming clear that he is tacking on strength to his already big frame. He's also looking faster on his feet, which has been one of the knocks against him. There is no doubting his competitiveness, nastiness and overall approach to the game. He has been playing like a pro for years already. He might not handle the puck like Patrick Kane, but he has excellent touch. He sees the ice well and is particularly good in traffic and the hard areas of the ice. Few players combine the strength Tkachuk has with his underrated skills to distribute the puck effectively or extend plays on the walls while being aware of the plays he can make as soon as he's free. He's having no problem with the NHL transition so far.
12. Robert Thomas, C, St. Louis Blues
Thomas operates at an incredibly high level with the puck on his stick. It looks like the game moves at a snail's pace in his mind. His reads are solid, and his distribution skills put him among the elite prospects in that category. He makes the players around him better because he opens up so much ice for them with his ability to hold on to the puck until it's time to make the right play. It's not going to be as easy to make those plays in the NHL, but Thomas has progressed in such a way that it's hard to imagine it will take him long to adjust. His incredible OHL playoff performance with 32 points in 21 games showed that he was operating above the rest of his peers in the league.
13. Jesperi Kotkaniemi, C, Montreal Canadiens
As the summer has progressed from the draft, the Kotkaniemi hype train has progressed right along with it. He was the best center in June's draft, and while I would not have taken Kotkaniemi over some of the players already mentioned on this list, there was little reaching there from Montreal. Kotkaniemi had a tremendous second half of the season but didn't really open eyes to his full potential until he stepped out in big international events. He has creativity with the puck, can be physical when necessary and finds space on the ice very well. Kotkaniemi is a very smart player and can pick defenses apart from the perimeter, but he isn't afraid to get right into those hard areas. Defensively, I would say he's adequate, and that might get exposed a bit depending on how long he sticks in the NHL this season.
14. Eeli Tolvanen, LW, Nashville Predators
Tolvanen had the most productive season ever by a U19 player in Russia's top pro league, with 36 points in 49 games. He also dominated at the 2018 Olympics, with his nine points marking the highest total by a teenager since Eric Lindros in 1992. No, he did not make the NHL team out of camp, but it's probably for the best, as Tolvanen would be hard-pressed to get significant minutes and make a big enough impact with Nashville's well-established depth. He still needs to work on his skating and his play away from the puck a bit, but he is an offensive dynamo with one of the better shots outside of the NHL right now, especially off the pass.
15. Gabriel Vilardi, C, Los Angeles Kings
When he is healthy, there are few players who can take over a game the way Vilardi can. But Vilardi has dealt with injuries, most notably to his back, that have kept him off the ice quite a bit the past two seasons. He has spent more time the past two summers rehabbing than developing. Still, his skill level and hockey sense give high hopes for what he can become. Although he missed significant time last season, Vilardi averaged 1.81 points per game for Kingston, the second-highest per-game rate in the OHL. He has had terrible luck -- he's on the shelf again dealing with back problems -- but to have his playmaking skills in a 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame is pretty rare. Should he get healthy, Vilardi could be a contributor as early as next season.
16. Cody Glass, C, Vegas Golden Knights
There were expectations that Glass could make the Golden Knights out of camp this season, but the 19-year-old ultimately was sent back to Portland, where he absolutely dominated last season, putting up 102 points in 64 games. He's off to an even better start with the Winterhawks this season and should make quick work of the WHL. Glass is a lanky center with tremendous offensive sense and an ability to make plays all over the ice. His skating is adequate, but he can play quickly with how well he distributes the puck. As good of a passer as he is, he can really shoot it too, topping 30 goals last season. He has top-two center upside and should be able to force the issue with Vegas next season.
17. Oliver Wahlstrom, RW, New York Islanders
One of the purest snipers on this list, Wahlstrom will score from just about anywhere in the offensive zone. Thanks to a deceptive release and incredibly heavy shot, he's always a threat. Wahlstrom also has been tacking on muscle and is starting to develop more power elements in his game. His skating has improved, and his effort is starting to improve. His stickhandling is fine, but he's starting to figure out how to make plays with his frame. Wahlstrom is a high-volume shooter and is most effective when given the freedom to take chances. That's why I think he can score a bunch at the next level. He has a goal scorer's confidence and shoots the puck very similarly to today's top NHL goal scorers. Is he a bit one-dimensional? Yes, and he could stand to improve his defensive play, but as long as that one dimension puts points on the board, I've got a lot of time for him. I'm expecting a big freshman season for him at Boston College.
18. Adam Boqvist, D, Chicago Blackhawks
Boqvist gave the Blackhawks something to think about during training camp, but they ultimately made the right call by sending him to the London Knights to get acclimated to the North American game. He has plenty of flash in his game and should see a lot of minutes and power-play time in the OHL, which should make for some impressive numbers once he gets comfortable on the smaller sheet. The expectations for Boqvist are sky-high based on what we saw from him last season, but patience is going to be important. He still needs to refine his game in the defensive zone and get physically stronger. The offensive tools could make him a special player at the next level.
19. Jordan Kyrou, C/W, St. Louis Blues
Last season, Kyrou was a top offensive performer for Canada en route to World Junior gold and the OHL's MVP after a 109-point campaign. This guy can stickhandle out of just about anything, creating space for himself to make plays in ways that a lot of players can't. He plays the game at a pretty high speed, making quick decisions with the puck and putting defensemen on their heels on the rush. There's a tenacity in Kyrou's game as well, which helps him make up for average size. He'll go anywhere to make a play.
20. Cale Makar, D, Colorado Avalanche
Ever since Makar went fourth overall to Colorado in 2017, there has been a lot of interest in how he develops as a pick based largely on upside. There was no denying that Makar had high-end skills and skating, but he was an average-sized defenseman dominating at a lower junior level. Makar had 75 points in 54 games in the Alberta Junior Hockey League from the blue line. That kind of dominance, no matter the level, is worth something. I saw notable progress in his game in his first collegiate season at UMass. He was better defensively and gained confidence to take more chances with the puck. Makar's decision to stay for another season was absolutely the right move, as he still needs to build strength. The skills are all still there for him to be a top-pairing blueliner down the line. It's just going to take a little more patience.
21. Nick Suzuki, C/W, Montreal Canadiens
Getting Suzuki back in the trade that sent Max Pacioretty to the Golden Knights was huge for the Habs' future. While he is a natural center, there's a high likelihood that Suzuki ends up playing on the wing at the next level. He spent a lot of time there en route to a 100-point season in the OHL last season. He has higher-end puck skills and is a threat to pass or shoot, making him more difficult to defend. As an average-sized forward, Suzuki probably has to be a little harder on pucks, but he has the ability to make defenders miss, and it sometimes seems like the puck is glued to his stick. The biggest knock at this point is that Suzuki is a fairly average skater. Montreal has done a solid job of building up its prospect pool over the past year.
22. Noah Dobson, D, New York Islanders
I was a very slow Dobson convert. I liked him, but I wanted to see more skill from him, and I started to during the Memorial Cup and Canada's junior camp. While he won't be dangling around players any time soon, I have a lot of respect for his puck play. It's steady and poised. I think Dobson reads plays in all zones extremely well and has excellent timing when it comes to jumping into plays. He just knows how to put himself in the right spots. He is an excellent defender as well, effectively using his big frame and good defensive stick. Then there's his ability to distribute, getting the puck up the ice quickly before joining the rush himself when the situation calls for it. I think he very well could be a top-pairing defenseman for a long time.
23. Filip Chytil, C, New York Rangers
It's hard not to marvel at the progress of Chytil from his draft season to now. Selected 21st overall in 2017, he has been a pleasant surprise ever since, getting stronger on his skates and figuring out how to leverage his bigger frame more to his advantage. He was really impressive in the AHL last season as an 18-year-old and definitely earned his spot in the Rangers' lineup. He's a huge piece of their rebuild and will have to soak up all he can amid a tough situation. He's going to get some looks at wing as well, which isn't a bad thing for a young forward in his first NHL season. Chytil certainly has enough skill to start putting up numbers and be an impact player as the season progresses and grow into a top-six center as his career moves forward.
24. Dylan Strome, C, Arizona Coyotes
While he might not be living up to the lofty standards as the No. 3 pick in the loaded 2015 draft, Strome remains a quality prospect with a chance to be an impact player at the next level. Skating remains one of the core issues in his ability to take things to the next level, but his playmaking skill set is at an NHL level already. He has patience with the puck and lets the game come to him, which allows him to exploit defenses in the offensive zone. He isn't going to burn teams on the rush, but he can help his team sustain offensive zone time with good puck decisions. Strome still has the natural tools to make it, with a good, solid frame and better physical strength. Getting to where he needs to go is entirely up to him at this point, as the Coyotes are giving him every opportunity to make an impact with their club.
25. Evan Bouchard, D, Edmonton Oilers
A gifted puck mover, Bouchard has never blown me away with skill or speed. Everything he does is pretty smooth, though. His offensive sense, anticipation and vision are all high-end. He has a good chance to stick with the Oilers for the duration of the season, but even if he goes back to junior, there's plenty for him to improve on to be especially ready next season. Bouchard has been working on his skating, which isn't necessarily a weakness of his but is certainly not a strength. He still looks like he can be a power-play weapon who gives a team top-four minutes and provides a good dose of offense.
26. Kristian Vesalainen, LW, Winnipeg Jets
A big winger with solid offensive tools and high-end hockey sense, Vesalainen made the Jets out of camp -- with good reason. He showed in the preseason that he can keep up with the team's pace of play and be a solid depth player. In the early goings of the season, however, he has played a maximum of 8:14 in any game. That might not be ideal for his long-term development, but the Jets wouldn't have him on the roster if they didn't think he is going to be a factor later on. That said, Winnipeg is so loaded that there's no real harm in sending him down to the AHL for a bit.
27. Morgan Frost, C, Philadelphia Flyers
Frost really broke out last season, playing a leading role for one of junior hockey's best teams. He had 112 points in 67 games and showed that he can be a go-to player. I also think he took major steps forward in his skating and overall game. One of Frost's best attributes is his hockey sense, as he makes great reads, exploits defenses accordingly and has poise with the puck on his stick. I've heard from scouts who don't love his skating, but I haven't seen it as a real hindrance to him. It gets exposed a little bit more when he's in certain situations, but I don't think it will keep him from reaching his ceiling. Frost is likely more geared toward a middle-six forward role, but he should produce at a fairly high rate.
28. Ryan Donato, LW, Boston Bruins
No matter where Donato played last season, he scored. He did it with Harvard, the U.S. Men's Olympic Team and the Bruins. Donato is a high-end shooter who moves up and down the ice quickly. It has been interesting to watch him mature into such a dominant goal scorer. It's not just about his shot, which can be especially deceptive. He knows where to put himself to have better opportunities to score, has the aggressiveness to get to the net and is especially effective off the rush with or without the puck. Over his three seasons at Harvard, Donato built up strength and rounded out his game. While he's adequate defensively, no one will confuse what makes him so valuable. He has a chance to continue making a significant impact for the Bruins and could be especially effective in a secondary scoring role.
29. Juuso Valimaki, D, Calgary Flames
A better-than-point-per-game defenseman in his last two years in the WHL, Valimaki will be helpful to the Flames' offense. Having that skill, highlighted by a strong shot from the point and good instincts on when to jump into plays, is an added bonus for a player of Valimaki's size and defensive ability. He is a true two-way defenseman, and I think his defensive skills moderately outpace his offensive abilities. He's in a good situation in Calgary, where he doesn't have to do too much as a younger player but still gets a good regular shift. He's learning the hard way right now how difficult it is to defend in the NHL, but given time, he should be just fine.
30. Grigori Denisenko, LW, Florida Panthers
Denisenko is an especially skilled player with excellent vision and shifty stickhandling abilities. He can make a lot of plays and has an underrated shot that sneaks up on goalies. When he has space, he just doesn't miss. Denisenko signed a two-year extension with Yaroslavl in the KHL, and these two seasons will be great for him to get solid pro reps and continue developing. Florida will obviously hope to get him into the mix as soon as that deal expires in 2020. There's always the chance that Denisenko could re-sign in the KHL, but I don't think he's as high a risk in that regard as some others.
31. Erik Brannstrom, D, Vegas Golden Knights
Brannstrom is a ton of fun to watch, with smooth skating and high-end puck skills. He's going to get challenged in the AHL this season, particularly in his own end, but he has already shown a proclivity for offensive flair, with two goals in his first North American professional game. He has confidence with the puck to extend plays in the offensive zone and gets shots through with regularity. Brannstrom also isn't afraid to take risks and often gets in on the rush. As a smaller defenseman, he can be overpowered at times in the defensive zone, but his ability to retrieve and distribute pucks makes him effective in getting the puck out of the zone.
32. Owen Tippett, LW, Florida Panthers
After nearly making the Panthers full-time last season, it had to be disappointing for both Tippett and the organization that he wasn't able to break onto the roster this year. He's back in the OHL, in which he has been a proven goal scorer. There's more work to be done on his game, particularly when it comes to consistency and play away from the puck. Tippett can really wheel on the rush and makes plays with solid puck skills. He already has an NHL release. Anything less than a dominant year in the OHL at age 19 would be disappointing for such a gifted offensive player.
33. Joseph Veleno, C, Detroit Red Wings
Veleno really fell in the 2018 draft, going all the way down to 30th overall after being a very early favorite to go in the top 10. Some believe he doesn't have a high enough skill level to be a top-two center in the NHL. I am not among them. I think he projects comfortably as a No. 2 center in the NHL due to his excellent two-way skills, tenacity in all zones and high-end hockey sense. He has a good motor and can be very important in puck pursuit. Veleno doesn't have the finish that some other elite centers do, but he has enough skill to be a productive player at the next level, even if there's a lower likelihood that he can lead a team's offensive attack.
34. Sam Steel, C, Anaheim Ducks
Steel is finally getting his chance to shine at the NHL level, and though the points haven't been coming yet, he has shown confidence in his playmaking abilities. With him having produced 338 points in 258 career WHL games, his skills have never been in question. Steel has continually improved in his ability to make plays with pace, pushing defenders to make quicker decisions and causing a little discomfort for the opposing team. Steel is creative and can find ways to make plays in tight spaces. The 20-year-old could be a consistent top-six threat.
35. Barrett Hayton, C, Arizona Coyotes
One of the biggest surprises of the first round in 2018 was Hayton going fifth overall. He was my No. 3 center for 2018, and I fluctuated on how I felt about him all year. There's a steadiness to his game, and his offensive abilities are growing. Hayton skates well and makes confident plays with the puck while also taking care of his own end. Despite being one of the younger guys on a veteran Soo Greyhounds team last season, he was an on-ice leader with the ability to drive play and make those around him better. The Coyotes kept him up with the NHL club briefly to start the season before sending him back to the OHL, where he should be expected to have a big season.
36. Isac Lundestrom, C, Anaheim Ducks
Mature, speedy and smart, it was not a surprise that Lundestrom managed to make the banged-up Ducks out of camp. He spent all of last season in Sweden's top pro league in a middle-six role. Lundestrom is incredibly versatile, as he has strong enough defensive sense to shut down top lines and play on the penalty kill. However, I think his offensive capabilities have been undersold. He skates extremely well and with power. That allows him to be more of a threat on the rush, and he has a pretty nice shot when he has a chance to get it off. The energy Lundestrom plays with on a shift-by-shift basis should endear him to coaches and teammates. His skills are not high-end enough to expect him to be a No. 1 center in the NHL, but I think he has enough ability to slot into a middle-six role and be an all-situations player.
37. Ty Smith, D, New Jersey Devils
Reports out of New Jersey suggest that Smith really impressed everyone with his preseason performance. The team did right by the player, however, and sent him back for at least another year of junior hockey. A chance to build strength, get a chance to play for Canada at the World Juniors and flat-out dominate in the WHL will be good for the 18-year-old. Smith is going to have the puck a lot this season, but he's also going to have to become better defensively. He can be a bit of a gambler with the puck, but he has such skill with it that you'd hate to rein it in too much. Smith has exceptional vision and passes the puck extremely well. On top of that, he can skate, which comes in handy when he's trying to get himself out of trouble or create a better offensive opportunity. The rest of the WHL surely won't be too happy to see him back patrolling Spokane's blue line this season.
38. Joel Farabee, LW, Philadelphia Flyers
Opinions on Farabee are all over the map. Mine has remained pretty constant in that I think his versatility, competitiveness and overall skill level are going to make him a pretty successful player at the next level. He can absolutely wheel down the ice and plays the game quickly in a lot of ways. He'll get in on the forecheck, he'll go hard to the net, and he has the touch to make plays. He's in a great spot at Boston University, and I think he'll probably play two or three seasons in the NCAA, continuing to build strength and get more and more comfortable with his offensive game.
39. Lias Andersson, C, New York Rangers
A well-rounded center who can play in just about any situation, Andersson is an incredible competitor. While he has been knocked for not having the high-end skill you'd expect from a top-10 pick, he plays such a complete game that it's pretty easy to overlook. Andersson likely tops out as a middle-six center, but one who can provide both scoring depth and a tough matchup against top players from the opposition. Having spent time in both the Swedish and the AHL last season, he showed he can produce at the pro level. He was also a standout performer for Sweden in the World Junior Championship and is beloved by the execs in the Swedish federation, often wearing a letter for his national teams. He's the kind of player most teams would be glad to have on their side.
40. Vitali Kravtsov, RW, New York Rangers
Kravtsov is off to a pretty good start for a pretty bad Traktor Chelyabinsk squad in the KHL. He had seven points in the regular season last year, but as of writing this, he had six points this time around in 17 games. Of course, it was his KHL playoff performance last season that caught so many eyes, with 11 points in 16 games. His confidence and ability to make plays have shown no drop-off, and he has showcased good vision and a nose for the net. He continues to use his big frame better and better as part of his offense. He's currently on a one-year deal with Traktor, which means he could join the Rangers as early as next season.
41. Aleksi Heponiemi, C/W, Florida Panthers
After destroying the WHL the past two years, Heponiemi went back to Finland to get some reps against professionals. The rest of Liiga probably wishes he had stayed in North America, but Karpat sure can be happy he's back home. Heponiemi had 118 points for Swift Current last season, plus another 30 in the playoffs and four more at the Memorial Cup. Now he's scoring at nearly a point-per-game pace in the Liiga. His vision is off the charts, and he makes simply perfect passes that make it easy for linemates to convert. He isn't a big guy, but he has good speed and fluidity to his stride that allows him to make it all look so easy. Despite the size disadvantage, he does everything smaller players need to do to carve out a spot for themselves in the NHL. He might need some extra AHL time next season, but the Panthers have a good one in Heponiemi.
42. Carter Hart, G, Philadelphia Flyers
The top goaltending prospect on the board is following the path most goalies are going these days. Although he is a three-time WHL goalie of the year, the Flyers sent him to their AHL affiliate, where he is going to be able to play a bunch and get a feel for pro hockey. Hart is such a sound goalie, making tough saves look easy and rarely getting caught out of position. That stems from the confidence he clearly brings to the ice, as it isn't easy to rattle him or get him off his game. Hart has the size, he has the demeanor, and he has the track record to be a special goaltender for a team that has been begging for one for years.
43. Henri Jokiharju, D, Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks needed a better puck-moving element on their blue line, and so far, they're getting it out of the 19-year-old Jokiharju. He has been playing top-pairing minutes and showing that he can get pucks through and up the ice quickly. While his strength is a work in progress, his poise and confidence with the puck are notable. There will be some ups and downs for him, but at this point, he has given Chicago every reason to keep throwing him over the boards. He's ready now.
44. Adam Fox, D, Carolina Hurricanes
Traded from the Flames to the Hurricanes as part of the Dougie Hamilton trade, Fox finds himself in another organization with a deep blue line. Fox is a strong skater who moves the puck extremely well and jumps into plays. His offensive instincts are high-end, but he can still make occasional mistakes with the puck or bad reads defensively. He has gotten only stronger in two years at Harvard. The big question going into this season is whether Fox will sign after the season. The Ivy League players are more liable to stay the full four years than others, but we saw Ryan Donato leave after his junior year to join the Bruins last spring. This could all depend on Fox's season. His numbers were down last year, but Harvard didn't have as good of a team after it went to the Frozen Four during Fox's ridiculous 40-point freshman campaign. I think he's poised for a big season and will have a big decision about whether to stay or go.
45. Ilya Samsonov, G, Washington Capitals
One of the quickest netminders among those not currently in the NHL, Samsonov is getting his first taste of North American pro hockey in the AHL this season. He put up solid numbers in the KHL over the past few years and showed the promise that made him a first-round draft pick. The big questions are now how long will it take Samsonov to adjust to the North American game, and when will the Capitals actually need him? Having time to be patient is good for the Caps because goalies typically need extra development. Theoretically, Samsonov is going to get more game action in the AHL than he would as a backup to more experienced goalies in the KHL. He has starter upside, but I think it will be at least a few more years before he can live up to that.
46. Rasmus Kupari, C, Los Angeles Kings
During his draft season in 2017-18, Kupari was trying to find his pro legs. He has them now and has been standing out for Karpat in Finland's top pro league and the Champions Hockey League. He is built for today's NHL with fluid speed and ability to make plays going north-south or east-west, and he has the confidence to do whatever it takes to make a play. He skates at an NHL level already, but he needs to keep getting a little stronger and get a little more engaged on the defensive responsibilities. Unless he explodes this season, I think we could see Kupari in the AHL next year and a full-time NHLer by 2020-21. That speed he has is something the Kings could use more of.
47. Troy Terry, RW, Anaheim Ducks
Intelligent and creative, Terry has shown that he has the tools to be an everyday NHLer at a young age. While he lacks physical strength, he finds open ice extremely well -- even in the faster-paced NHL. With all of the injuries the Ducks have had this year, it was impossible to even attempt to ease Terry into things. He's essentially playing middle-six minutes and seeing power-play time. If the team can find the right mix for him in terms of linemates, the points will come as well. If it comes down to it and the Ducks need to give Terry some AHL reps, that might not hurt his long-term development, but the injury situation in Anaheim might not allow for it.
48. Alexander Nylander, RW, Buffalo Sabres
Nylander has been one of the tougher prospects to gauge over the past two seasons, and this feels like a make-or-break season for him. If the summer performances at rookie and training camps were any indication, Nylander is hell-bent on making it. He's off to a strong start in the AHL, taking his not making the opening night roster in stride and putting in the work. In previous viewings of Nylander, he looked like his effort went in and out, and he didn't get his feet moving well enough. He's playing with more energy and more aggressively, which helps his already strong puck skills and playmaking ability even more. The organization is giving him every opportunity to prove himself, and he seems to be finally making good on that.
49. Alex Formenton, LW, Ottawa Senators
An absolute speed demon who skates with power, Formenton has really come on strong in the past year. It wasn't much of a surprise that he ended up starting the season in Edmonton. He's currently out with a concussion, which can be an awfully tricky thing for a prospect since they're still getting their pro timing down, adjusting to the pace and trying to figure out how to protect themselves in a more physical league. Assuming the injury doesn't keep him out long-term, I think it's probably in Formenton's best interest to go back to junior. He has been a really good junior player, but get him back to London, and allow him to dominate as part of a good team, play for Canada in the World Juniors and come back to Ottawa next year ready to be a regular contributor.
50. Ryan Poehling, C, Montreal Canadiens
A true two-way center who has really accelerated his skills in the past year-plus, Poehling plays such a mature game. He is physically strong, gets engaged in all zones and has great touch with the puck. Accelerating school to get into St. Cloud State a year early paid dividends, as he was a much more capable producer as a young sophomore last year. Now he's going to be an offensive leader for St. Cloud State in what I would assume is his final year in the NCAA. When the Habs added Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Nick Suzuki this summer, it pushed Poehling down the depth chart. I've always seen him as more of a middle-six center with a chance to pop in some secondary offense, kill penalties and get some tough matchups. He isn't as offensively gifted as those other two guys, but he'll find himself a role.