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. 51-100 of the top NHL prospects right now, and be sure to check out the top 50 as well.
Note: To be included, the prospect must still have Calder Trophy eligibility and be 24 years old or younger.
Nos. 1-50
| Where Jack Hughes fits
| Top prospect takeaways
51. Michael Rasmussen, C, Detroit Red Wings
The positive steps Rasmussen took over the past season despite dealing with injuries were rather notable. He looked like a different player during Tri-City's playoff run, in which he had 33 points in 14 WHL postseason contests. I think his skating is better, and he's playing smarter, too. I still think he can refine his hands even more to maximize his potential, but the Red Wings had every reason to give him a long look, at least to start the season. He's going to physically dominate junior if the team decides to send him back, as he's just a massive human, but Detroit has continually put him in its lineup and is giving him every opportunity to stick. Can Rasmussen become a top-six center down the line? I'm still not entirely sold, but I think he's trending in the right direction.
52. K'Andre Miller, D, New York Rangers
Miller became one of my 2018 draft-year favorites, and after witnessing his first NCAA weekend with Wisconsin last week, you can already see him taking the next steps. What I loved about Miller's game is that he had been a defenseman for only three years but had taken to the position so easily and seamlessly that it made me wonder where he can go next. I think his ceiling is enormous. With his size and strength, he has an advantage, but now we're seeing him figure out how to use his skills more and be more involved offensively. He's already an all-situations player for a prestige program in college hockey, and he should only get better under the tutelage of former NHL coach Tony Granato and former NHL defenseman Mark Osiecki. I think Miller is going to be a big-time riser.
53. Kailer Yamamoto, RW, Edmonton Oilers
Last year was a weird one for Yamamoto, as he started with Edmonton, got into nine games and had three assists before being sent back to the Spokane Chiefs. He was only OK in the early portion of his season in the WHL and had an average showing at the World Juniors, but he finished the year strong. Now Yamamoto is with the Oilers and very well could stick. He's eligible to be assigned to the AHL, but the Oilers kind of need a player such as he at this point. Yamamoto is fast and tenacious with good skills. After a small hiccup last year, I think it's full steam ahead on his development, and he'll be able to continue developing at the professional level.
54. Kale Clague, D, Los Angeles Kings
The offensively gifted Clague had a tremendous final season of junior hockey that included him playing No. 1 minutes for the gold-medal Canadian world junior team. He had an impressive 71 points in 54 games in the WHL between Brandon and Moose Jaw. Now he's in the AHL, and the transition appears to be going pretty smoothly so far. He's getting solid power-play time and playing a fairly significant role as an AHL rookie. He still needs some polish defensively before he can hop into a team such as the Kings, but I think he has some dynamic elements in his game that would help the team a lot in its need to play faster and score more. I don't know if Clague is poised for a call-up this season, but I don't see him spending a long time in the AHL.
55. Timothy Liljegren, D, Toronto Maple Leafs
Last season was an extremely positive experience for Liljegren on a number of fronts. At 18, he proved that he can hang with AHL players defensively, got more acclimated to the North American game and helped the Toronto Marlies win the Calder Cup. He also was a key player for Sweden at the World Junior Championship, at which they won silver. Now he's back for what is likely another full season with the Marlies continuing to develop his game. One area that needs to get better is his ability to produce. He had just 17 points last season, which isn't a bad total for a young defenseman in the league. Finding ways to continue being the defender he can be while providing a bit more pop from the back end will get him a good look at the NHL in the not so distant future. This is a big development year for Liljegren.
56. Nicolas Hague, D, Vegas Golden Knights
Given how Hague has been trending, the Golden Knights feel like they got four first-round draft picks in their first NHL Entry Draft. The fourth selection by the team, 34th overall in 2017, Hague has really taken dramatic steps forward. He was the OHL defenseman of the year last year and made an immediate impact for the Chicago Wolves as a late-season call-up. He's starting this season in the AHL, and I think that's a great spot for him to continue honing his skills. He is a big man at 6-foot-6, 214 pounds, and he has improved his skating, which was previously a deficiency, I thought. Hague's poise with the puck and ability to make good reads under pressure stand out. He could be a good call-up option this season, but I think it is reasonable to expect him to make the NHL as a full-timer as early as next season.
57. Rasmus Sandin, D, Toronto Maple Leafs
The benefit of drafting Sandin is the options the Maple Leafs have at their disposal for how to handle this season of development. They were hoping to start him with the Toronto Marlies, but Sandin has been battling an injury sustained in the AHL preseason. He also has the option to be returned to Sweden. My sense is that the Leafs would prefer to keep him close by, just as they did with Timothy Liljegren last year. The Maple Leafs will have to stay patient with Sandin as he manages the jump from the OHL to the AHL, but he's such a smart player, and when he's healthy, I think he should be a quick study. I still wouldn't pencil him into the Maple Leafs' lineup for another two years.
58. Jonatan Berggren, RW, Detroit Red Wings
Berggren is getting a longer look for Skelleftea's pro side this season in the SHL and has had some flashes of brilliance with his high-end puck skills. He isn't a big man, so his shiftiness is necessary. It's going to be a little tougher for him to produce as an 18-year-old in one of Europe's top pro leagues, but the thing I've liked about Berggren in a few viewings on video this season and at the summer World Junior camp is that he has the confidence to make plays. He might be one of the younger guys out there, but he isn't losing any of that creativity. He's a longer-term prospect, I think, and it would be beneficial for the Red Wings to try to get him into the AHL next season or the year after, but he has special hand skills that I think will only get better as we go forward.
59. Igor Shestyorkin, G, New York Rangers
The video-game-like numbers Shestyorkin is putting up in the KHL are certainly eye-popping. As of this ranking, he had started eight games for SKA, winning all eight while posting a .963 save percentage and 0.87 goals-against average. He already has four shutouts, too. The fact that he doesn't start almost every game for this team is crazy. At 22 years old, he's doing something special. I don't think he's quite as good as his numbers would indicate, and KHL save percentages sometimes should be taken with a grain of salt because the stat is often a bit inflated. That said, based on everything I've seen from Shestyorkin in the five-plus years I've been able to watch him, he is among the high end of goalie prospects. He's average-sized, which is about all you can say. I'd love to see him get into the AHL in the near future to get a better assessment of his true ceiling, but there's a lot to like about him right now.
60. Ty Dellandrea, C, Dallas Stars
If Dellandrea remains a member of the Flint Firebirds in the OHL, it could be an awfully long season. The team hasn't won a game as of my filing this ranking. They've given up more goals than any other team in the league, and no team has scored fewer than Flint. That's a super tough environment for a player of any caliber, let alone the 13th overall pick from the previous draft. What I like about Dellandrea is that he plays the same way always, but he isn't going to be able to fix this by himself. Skill-wise, I have very little concerns about Dellandrea as a player. I think he is going to need a few years before he can be a full-time NHLer, but this is not the kind of situation in which any team would hope to find its top prospect.
61. Logan Brown, C, Ottawa Senators
Having battled injuries throughout last season, Brown is already on the shelf in what is supposed to be his first full pro campaign. The big center has had some bad luck in the health department, which isn't a concern unless he misses significant time in what should be a crucial developmental season. Brown's good skills and patience stand out, his skating has improved some, and he knows how to get to where he needs to be on the ice. We'd like to see him show some more consistency in his shift-by-shift effort at the pro level and use his frame more to impose his will a bit. He's going to have to get healthy before he can do that.
62. Dominik Bokk, RW, St. Louis Blues
After dominating for Vaxjo's U20 team last season, Bokk is playing a more substantial role for the SHL's defending champions due to Elias Pettersson's absence. Bokk is getting solid minutes, even if the points aren't coming easily. He still needs to get a bit stronger to hang with the pros, but he has shown some flashes, which indicate that his skill will eventually shine through. He was always going to be a longer-term project for the Blues, but getting good pro reps in Sweden this season should help Bokk take significant steps forward.
63. Kieffer Bellows, LW, New York Islanders
This is a pretty big year for Bellows, who took some noticeable steps forward after transitioning from Boston University to the WHL's Portland Winterhawks last offseason. He put up big numbers in the WHL, just as everyone expected he would, but more importantly, he showed moderate improvement in his skating, which remains one of the biggest knocks on his game. Bellows can really find the net, though, and his NHL-level shot has him trending in the right direction. I watched some of his preseason play with the Islanders and think he showed the new regime why he was selected. It's just a matter of continuing to hone that skating and maintaining his confidence, despite time and space being harder to come by in the much more challenging AHL. He looks like he can still be a middle-six scoring winger down the line.
64. Klim Kostin, C, St. Louis Blues
Being a regular in the AHL at 18 years old and producing at a decent rate were really good signs for Kostin's future. Kostin is a big man with some power elements in his game. He had 28 points in 67 games last year with San Antonio. That might not pop out as a great number, but it's solid enough for his age. The hope now is to see a big step forward this season in the AHL. That means more points, more opportunities in high-leverage situations and becoming more of a go-to player. Based on where Kostin stands among Blues prospects, he might slot into a third-line role, so rounding out his game a bit more will be important. I think patience is the key to Kostin's next year or two. He has a lot left to learn and has plenty of time to do it, as he turned 19 in May and is a second-year pro in North America.
65. Jordan Greenway, C/W, Minnesota Wild
We saw some flashes last year during the playoffs and in his brief regular-season stint with Minnesota that indicated Greenway was ready to make the jump. His massive frame gives him a big advantage. Now comes the hard part: making plays and contributing more offensively on a day-in, day-out basis. Greenway has been prone to dominant stretches and others in which he doesn't have as much jump and the puck isn't coming to him as easily. He's off to an average start this season, which isn't too worrisome, as he's still young and trying to find his way as a big man in the NHL. At 6-foot-6 and 227 pounds with touch, Greenway has a chance to be a major impact player for the Wild once he figures it all out.
66. Dante Fabbro, D, Nashville Predators
A steady defender coming off of an especially productive sophomore season, Fabbro opted to return to Boston University for another season. It was the right call for Fabbro, who has more to prove at the college level and wasn't getting an immediate spot on Nashville's blue line. Boston University has a pretty young team and has tabbed Fabbro as its captain. This very well could be his last college season, and he's expected to build on what he did last year. Nashville's depth on defense is going to make it tough for Fabbro to break in soon, but if he continues to progress, he could carve out a depth role for himself while on his cheaper ELC.
67. Conor Timmins, D, Colorado Avalanche
Last year's World Junior championship was a coming-out party for Timmins, who showed how well he can play with and against elite talent. He had been doing it all year with the Soo Greyhounds in the OHL, but it really stood out at the World Juniors, when he was constantly being thrown over the boards against the opposition's top lines. Timmins is a true two-way defender who takes care of his own end extremely well and relies on strong puck-moving capabilities to get the puck up ice. He has high-end hockey sense. The big concern right now is his battle with injuries and concussions, which always concerns me at his age. So much of it is just luck, or lack thereof, but I get a little nervous about missed development time and the risk of further injury. Timmins can go play in the AHL, which will be a great spot for him to get back up to speed, when he's healthy.
68. Colin White, C, Ottawa Senators
I am still a big believer in White and his ability to grow into a strong middle-six center. He had a rough season in the AHL in 2017-18, but a lot of things were pretty bad in Belleville. However, White has good speed and showed last year with Team USA at the Men's World Championship that he can play with high-end players. His versatility is what allows him to still have pretty solid value as a prospect. He's going to have to go through the ups and downs of this Senators season, but he has shown early on that he can play at a high enough level to have success this season and beyond.
69. Daniel Sprong, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins
It feels like we've been talking about Sprong for forever, so much so that it seems like he shouldn't be a prospect anymore. But the 21-year-old just played his first full professional season last year, and he averaged a point per game with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. It seemed inevitable that he would get a shot with the Penguins this season. He's off to a pretty good start, albeit in a limited role. He still has top-six upside, but I'm a little less convinced that's where he will end up. Sprong could be a very good scoring depth forward who can slot in all over the lineup. It might take him some time to build trust with Mike Sullivan, but if he gets there, it's hard not to produce as a top-nine forward for the Pens.
70. Serron Noel, RW, Florida Panthers
I was high on Noel going into his draft season, and nothing has changed since. He's off to a great start with Oshawa, putting up numbers with regularity and scoring goals at a rate that far exceeds last season. It's always been about upside with Noel. To be as big as he is -- 6-foot-5, 205 pounds -- and have progressing skills leads me to believe that he's going to be a high-value prospect in the near future. Noel still has plenty of work to do, and another year or two of juniors should afford him that time. He was young for his draft class with an August birthdate, so he just turned 18. I think he's two or three years away from contending for a spot, but I see a bright future for the big man, assuming his skills continue to progress.
71. Liam Foudy, LW, Columbus Blue Jackets
Foudy's remarkable second half last season and his incredible footspeed had him rocketing up draft charts, leading the Blue Jackets to take a chance on him in the first round. If his early play is any indication, he's playing even better this season. He's now a leading offensive player for the OHL's London Knights, like he was after last year's trade deadline. Foudy is coming into his own as a high-end forward. His game is built for today's NHL, as he plays so well on the rush and can keep defensemen on their heels. If Foudy has a big year, he could push for a spot with Columbus next season.
72. Martin Kaut, LW, Colorado Avalanche
Getting Kaut into the AHL right away is a positive step for the Avs. He played all of last season in the Czech pro league and even got some games with the Czech Republic men's senior national team. It's going to take him some time to adjust to the North American pro game, but Kaut is a gifted playmaker who sees the ice well and is growing into a good, solid frame. Given his age and pro experience, I don't think there is much preventing him from becoming an NHL regular as early as next season. I'm heading to see him play in the AHL soon to see how things are going, but I think Kaut is one of those players who could exceed his draft slot expectations in short order.
73. Brett Howden, C, New York Rangers
Howden's smarts have always stood out, which is why it wasn't terribly shocking to see him make the Rangers out of camp. His two-way skills are advanced for his age, and I thought he was an integral part of Canada's World Junior team last year as their top shutdown centerman. I don't think he's going to put up big numbers at any point in his career, but he's going to be a nice secondary scoring option who can kill penalties and give New York solid minutes.
74. Drake Batherson, C, Ottawa Senators
Batherson is a bit of a late bloomer, but has he ever taken off. Selected in his second year of eligibility by Ottawa in 2017, Batherson just keeps producing. He had 77 points in 51 games in the QMJHL last season and is off to a hot start since joining the Belleville Senators in the AHL. There's a smoothness to Batherson's game with which he makes things look pretty easy, but he has enough edge to go to the hard areas and gets to the net extremely well. He'll be tested a lot in the AHL this season, but he looks like yet another solid future forward option for Ottawa.
75. Boris Katchouk, C/W, Tampa Bay Lightning
An offensively dominant player in his last year of junior, Katchouk can be a tough prospect to get a read on. He has shown flashes of strong skills and good speed, but he's also the kind of player who benefits greatly from having a talented center. Katchouk has built strength to go along with his skills and has to see how that translates to the AHL level. The Lightning are so loaded up front that they won't need Katchouk for a while, but I think he's the best forward remaining in their system.
76. Jaret Anderson-Dolan, C/W, Los Angeles Kings
After watching Anderson-Dolan at Canada's World Junior camp this summer, I don't know that I could have predicted that he would be on the Kings roster to start the season, but it was pretty clear that he had taken another step in his development. An average-sized forward with tremendous speed, his hand skills just keep getting better. He can make a lot of plays at high speed, and his motor doesn't quit. That on-ice work ethic and ability to play with pace are a big reason he has been able to hang with the Kings. He's closing in on nine games, and the Kings will have a tough decision to make about whether to keep him and burn the first year of his entry-level contract or send him back to the WHL for another year. He's been playing well enough to stay, but sometimes it isn't that simple. Either way, he's far ahead of schedule.
77. Thatcher Demko, G, Vancouver Canucks
After posting a very strong second professional season with the Utica Comets, Demko further established himself as the Canucks' goalie of the future. This is probably going to be his last year in the AHL, as there should be a spot for him on the Canucks roster next season. Unfortunately for Demko, he's currently on the shelf due to an injury sustained during training camp. I don't think it will knock Demko off-track, assuming the injury doesn't linger. The only thing he'll have to worry about going forward is young Michael DiPietro nipping at his heels.
78. Ville Husso, G, St. Louis Blues
At 23 years old, Husso continues biding his time in the AHL and making a case to be the Blues' goalie of the future. Even though Jake Allen remains under long-term contract with the Blues, Husso is going to push for playing time soon. Staying in the AHL this season is far better for Husso's game than having him back up Allen. Husso opened the season with a shutout, another indicator of his No. 1 upside. He should have another big season.
79. Kirill Marchenko, LW, Columbus Blue Jackets
I think I was a little too low on Marchenko last season, ranking him 37th. The flashes of high-end skill that he has shown since his draft season are being sustained more. He excels alongside elite players, as he has skated at times with Ivan Morozov (Montreal) and top 2019 NHL Draft prospect Vasili Podkolzin with St. Petersburg's junior team. He's averaging better than a point per game and has appeared in some KHL games with SKA. As he builds more muscle on his 6-foot-3 frame and continues honing his power game, he could be a big-time offensive threat at the next level.
80. Adam Gaudette, RW, Vancouver Canucks
Gaudette had an incredible junior season with Northeastern last year, winning the Hobey Baker Memorial Award as college hockey's best player. He came into Vancouver camp with some inflated expectations based on his collegiate success. He ended up starting the season in the AHL and looks like he could be there for a while. The biggest concern at this point is Gaudette's skating. He does not have tremendous breakaway speed, which can be challenging in today's NHL. There are other ways to play fast, including Gaudette's ability to get into the good scoring areas. He also has good physical strength and some power elements in his game, which he could hone further in the AHL against stronger, faster competition. It will be interesting to see where he fits into Vancouver's long-term plans as more of their youngsters reach the NHL level.
81. Lucas Elvenes, RW, Vegas Golden Knights
A fifth-round pick in 2017, Elvenes has taken huge steps forward in the past year and showed that he could hang with the pros at the end of last season. The 19-year-old is expected to skate with Rogle in the Swedish Hockey League after putting up 16 points in 28 games last season. His skill level is advanced, as he has creativity and an ability to create space. Elvenes should be a key player for Sweden's World Junior team this year, which will be a good measuring stick of his progress. He has already made the Golden Knights look very smart for taking him in 2017, as that draft class continues to impress.
82. Dylan Sikura, C, Chicago Blackhawks
A gifted playmaker who gets better by the year, Sikura has a chance to fit into Chicago's plans as early as this season, depending on how things go for him at the AHL level. I think there was an assumption that he would make the opening-night roster, but he was edged out. Now he has to prove himself a bit more.
83. Jonathan Dahlen, C, Vancouver Canucks
After three years of comfortable production in Sweden's second pro division, Dahlen is playing in North America for the first time this season. The Canucks sent him to Utica, and he's off to a solid start. Getting a few AHL games in last season didn't hurt after his eight-goal, 14-point performance in SHL qualifying play helped get Timra promoted to the top league. Dahlen was the Allsvenskan's MVP, putting an exclamation point on a strong career in Sweden. He's only 20 years old, and his hand skills have gotten better in each of the past two years. A strong showing in the AHL could afford him a call-up later in the year, but I'd expect to see him on the Vancouver roster next season.
84. Cal Foote, D, Tampa Bay Lightning
Foote had a fantastic final year of junior, in which he showed a lot more offense than he had in previous seasons. I still don't think he's going to be a big-time producer at the next level, but I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do in the AHL this season. There's little doubt that he has high-end defensive capabilities and can play a physical game. Now we have to see if his offensive explosion with Kelowna last season foreshadows a bit more offensive upside than previous believed.
85. Ilya Sorokin, G, New York Islanders
Sorokin is off to another fairly strong start in the KHL, in which he has routinely put up strong numbers. He has started the majority of games for CSKA the past two seasons and has proven that he's a No. 1-caliber goaltender. He could be the solution to the Islanders' long-term goaltending conundrum, but there is still no guarantee that he will come to North America. He plays for one of the top teams in the KHL and has been getting significant playing time in each of the past three years. If he decides to come over, he should be able to compete for a starting job immediately.
86. Sami Niku, D, Winnipeg Jets
Following a remarkable first professional season in North America, expectations have really vaulted for Niku. He had 54 points in 76 AHL games last season, which was probably more explosive than anyone would have projected for a young guy playing his first season on the smaller ice surface. To go from the 198th overall pick in 2015 to contending for an NHL roster spot at the start of this season is a pretty impressive development arc. Niku needs to defend better, but when a spot opens up for him in Winnipeg, a player with his puck-moving capabilities could be a weapon with that offensive attack.
87. Ian Mitchell, D, Chicago Blackhawks
Mitchell had a very strong, but quiet, freshman campaign at Denver. He posted 30 points in 41 contests and looked like he had been there for years. It allowed DU to seamlessly transition from Hobey Baker winner Will Butcher. Every time I watch Mitchell, I come away impressed with his poise and ability to see plays unfold. There's nothing flashy in his game, but he finds ways to make plays. I think he'll do well with another year or two of development at Denver, but his NHL timeline looks like a short one.
88. Taylor Raddysh, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning
If there's one player who could benefit from the well-oiled development machine that the Lightning have built in AHL Syracuse, it's Raddysh. He was a dominant force in the OHL last season with a physical advantage over most of his opponents while on one of the best junior teams in Canada. Despite his eye-popping numbers, I think Raddysh still has plenty to work on. His skating is fair, and his hand skills don't jump out as high-end, but he's always doing something out there. I think he'll need at least a full year in the AHL to get up to the pro pace, but his offensive capabilities should give him a chance to make an impact in the not-so-distant future.
89. Ryan Merkley, D, San Jose Sharks
Merkley looked pretty good alongside NHLers in the preseason. It was a good experience for him, but he still has a lot to learn. He's off to a very good offensive start in the OHL, but he's still prone to mishaps in his own zone. I love that he likes to take risks, but there's a time and a place for them. He needs to pick his spots better and become more comfortable making the simpler play. I am among the many who think Merkley has an elite skill set, but he's going to have a hard time cracking an NHL lineup if his defensive game doesn't vastly improve.
90. Nick Merkley, LW, Arizona Coyotes
The skills that Merkley showed in the WHL absolutely translated to his rookie pro season in the AHL. He's quick and shifty with good vision and managed to average over a point per game with Tucson last season. He has dealt with a lot of injuries in his young career and is starting this season on IR. While that's a concern, it's not going to knock him too far off. He's only 21 and will have plenty of time to get things back together in the AHL.
91. Filip Hronek, D, Detroit Red Wings
Hronek really broke out last season, his first as a pro. He had 39 points in 67 AHL games and was a standout defender for the Czech Republic at the men's world championship. So far this season, Hronek is making the adjustment to the NHL rather well. He's a confident puck mover and makes a lot of good decisions with the puck while not sacrificing too much of his defensive game. I don't think he has it in him to be a big-time stopper, but if he can pop in some points from the back end, that's going to help Detroit a lot.
92. Philippe Myers, D, Philadelphia Flyers
Myers has always brought intrigue with his 6-foot-5, 209-pound frame and high-end skating ability. His offensive capabilities seemed to be coming along very well, too. However, as we saw last season in the AHL, the offense doesn't come as easily for him in that faster-paced environment. I think this is a pretty big year for him to stabilize his game and take steps forward, maybe even earn a few call-ups to the big club. Teams will always stay patient with big players such as Myers, and the Flyers absolutely should. He still has enough upside to creep into a top-four conversation, but I'm starting to think he's a depth D.
93. Dennis Cholowski, D, Detroit Red Wings
Early last season, you could see that Cholowski was taking his game to a different level. It was a gradual process, but one that saw him put up 66 points in 69 games between Prince George and Portland in the WHL. I figured he'd benefit from a year in the AHL, continuing his forward progression. But he had an outstanding preseason and looked like an NHL player. So the Red Wings made him one, and he started decently with three points in his first three NHL games. He has taken a big step, one he credited to a lot of hard work over the summer. He still needs to be better defensively, but he's comfortable with the puck on his stick and is playing a mature game. He's already exceeding expectations by playing big minutes out the gate and holding his own. Maybe he's ready to stick around and learn at the NHL level.
94. Luke Kunin, C, Minnesota Wild
A significant injury cut Kunin's season short last year, and he's only now getting back to game action. The Wild sent Kunin back to the AHL so he can work on getting back to strength. It's never good for a young player to lose that much time and spend time focusing on rehabbing an injury. His work ethic and two-way skills were never in question, but his ability to produce is under scrutiny. How long it takes Kunin to get his timing back could play a role in how his season ultimately goes. He's in the best spot possible in the AHL to get things back together.
95. Olli Juolevi, D, Vancouver Canucks
It has been a rollercoaster for Juolevi since he was selected fifth overall in 2016, with him bouncing back to junior, then back home to Finland and now to the AHL. And he's still only 20 years old. I think the concerns about Juolevi's development are concerning, even though I thought he played pretty well when I saw him last season. The question becomes how he'll play in the AHL. I've had a chance to watch only one Utica game on film this year, and Juolevi didn't stand out in that one. I still think he has NHL upside, but it's going to be tough for him to live up to his draft billing. Luckily, Vancouver is loaded with prospects to soften that blow, but Juolevi was previously viewed as a potential cornerstone piece. Although that might no longer be true, I think he can play for them eventually.
96. Urho Vaakanainen, D, Boston Bruins
I've been somewhat lukewarm on Vaakanainen due to his lower offensive ceiling. While I still think the skills are average, I've seen more glimpses of his puck-moving capabilities and use of his distribution skills to get his team out of the defensive zone. He has also been a higher-end defender and played a substantial role in Finland's top pro league last year. His defensive skills are going to put him in the NHL, but I think we'll need to see more from him on offense if he's going to manage to crack a top-four role for a team. He's such a smart player, and I wouldn't be surprised to see his game take off with some extra AHL time this season.
97. Jordy Bellerive, C, Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins haven't had as many draft picks to work with, so getting an undrafted free agent of Bellerive's quality is pretty impressive. He exploded for 46 goals and 92 points last season and is back in the WHL at 19. Bellerive had a pretty big scare this offseason, when he and other friends were burned during an accident involving an outdoor fireplace. He thankfully has recovered and is back to his productive ways while captaining the Lethbridge Hurricanes for the second straight season.
98. Bode Wilde, D, New York Islanders
I've been back and forth on Wilde since the draft, but his strong start in the OHL with Saginaw has been impressive. One of the better athletes among the top 100, Wilde is a gifted skater and has some high-end puck skills. Where there is significant concern is his hockey sense, especially when it comes to his decisions under pressure. He's going to need time to work that out, but the Isles could send him to the AHL next year, given that he was drafted out of the U.S. National Team Development Program and not the CHL. That might be a good next step for Wilde.
99. Alexander Alexeyev, D, Washington Capitals
The 31st overall selection in 2018, Alexeyev is a bit of a project with big upside. He has the big frame and has shown some solid offensive upside. He's also off to a fantastic start in the WHL this season. This is now his third season in North America, so this should be a year for the Russian blueliner to take a big step forward. His skating needs refinement, but there aren't a ton of glaring holes in his game. The Caps don't need to rush him along, so a nice steady development plan the next two to three years should get him where he needs to be.
100. Dillon Dube, C/W, Calgary Flames
After his breakout preseason performance earned him a spot on the Flames' opening-night roster, Dube showed that his last year of junior hockey was the start of his emergence as a higher-end prospect. He played extremely well for the Kelowna Rockets and captained Canada to gold at the World Junior Championship. He's a smart player who has good strength and powerful skating. I don't know if he'll stick with the Flames all season, but his offensive game is progressing nicely, and I think he could be a solid long-term depth contributor for Calgary.