There's a bit more drama atop the 2019 NHL draft rankings today than when the season began, with Jack Hughes starting to get a little pressure from Finnish sensation Kaapo Kakko for the No. 1 spot. Beyond those top two picks, what happens next is anyone's guess with a class like this.
Plenty will change between now and the names being called on June 21 in Vancouver, British Columbia, but the top 20 of this draft is particularly strong. The top five could even rival last year's crop. It's a good year to have a first-rounder, and the teams that have multiple should be able to come away with a substantial haul to fill in their prospect systems.
Here's a look at my top 50 players for the 2019 NHL draft at the midseason mark.
1. Jack Hughes, C, U.S. National U18 (NTDP)
Height: 5-foot-10 | Weight: 168 pounds
Everything I've seen from Hughes over the past two years suggests he can be a franchise-altering player. It starts with his high-end skating and ability to make plays at high speeds. His style is one of constant motion, which means he almost always is around the puck; and when he's not, the puck seems to find him. His speed is not so much explosive as it is deceptive, with edge work that might be as close to Connor McDavid's as we've seen. Hughes processes the game while in fifth gear, be it spotting his wingers for a quick pass or making a defender miss with a clever move. Yes, his size often comes up, but his frame is similar to that of Patrick Kane when Kane went first overall, and the size never became an issue for Kane. It shouldn't for Hughes, either.
2. Kaapo Kakko, RW/LW, TPS (Liiga)
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 194
If you're trying to look for a weakness in Kakko's game, you're probably going to be searching for a long time. Only Mikael Granlund and Aleksander Barkov had better per-game scoring rates in Finland's top pro league than Kakko has enjoyed this season. It helps that he has a bigger frame and is more physically filled out than many of his peers, but Kakko's ability to process the game at pro speeds at 17 years old is why he continues to excel in a league that certainly doesn't make it easy on younger players. He also played a starring role for Finland as it won gold at the U18 World Championship in 2018, and everyone saw the maturity in his game while skating for the golden Finnish team at the World Juniors.
3. Vasili Podkolzin, RW, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 190
Podkolzin is in SKA St. Petersburg's system, so it might be a while before he is in an NHL uniform. But Podkolzin has speed, excellent hands, power, a deadly shot and defensive responsibility. He also has some nastiness in his game. He forced Valeri Bragin -- a coach notorious for underplaying his young players -- to use him in key situations at the World Juniors, like the penalty kill and late-game must-score moments. Podkolzin is not a physically imposing player, but he still manages to out-battle players along the walls and in the hard areas of the ice. On the rush, he has the vision to make the right passes and can put defenders on their heels before unveiling a great release on his shot.
4. Dylan Cozens, C/W, Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 180
Cozens plays a mature style of hockey that will only become more effective as he tacks more muscle onto his frame. He has explosive speed that makes him a weapon in transition, while his strong play on the puck allows him to make plays in tight spaces and under pressure. Cozens has two seasons of big-time production in the WHL, and he has been a top performer in international events, as well. I think his skating and ability to make plays with pace is the separating factor between him and Kirby Dach, for now, but it's tight.
5. Kirby Dach, C, Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 197
A cerebral center who can make plays in so many different ways, Dach has that ideal combination of skill and size. He is a natural play-driver with elite vision, and he has had instances in which he simply takes over the game this season. The only concern I have at this point is that he has struggled a bit in faster games. That said, he has an easiness to his game, uses the ice well and takes advantage of his high-end hockey sense to put himself in good positions and make good reads.
6. Trevor Zegras, C/W, U.S. National U18 (NTDP)
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 166
A slick skater with the hands to match, Zegras makes high-end offensive plays look routine. His speed makes him difficult to contain, and his vision and passing ability make him an asset to linemates. I'd like to see a little more maturity in Zegras' game. He tends to fade out when things aren't coming as easily, but it's hard to argue with his skill. His scoring rates are second only to those of Hughes on the U18 team.
7. Matthew Boldy, LW, U.S. National U18 (NTDP)
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 187
With his rare mix of size and exceptional puck skills, Boldy has the tools to grow into a game-changing winger. What makes Boldy unique among his peers is just how slippery he is at his size. He skates well and has the confidence and ability to execute high-skill plays to get around defenders with relative ease. As he continues to fill out his frame and add a little extra power to combine with his evasiveness, Boldy could become a dominant offensive presence. He also has a deceptive release that has allowed him to find the back of the net often this season.
8. Alex Turcotte, C, U.S. National U18 (NTDP)
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 189
Turcotte's puck skills are subtle, but his hockey sense and vision allow him to make some really advanced plays. After spending much of the first half of the season injured, Turcotte slid right back into the No. 2 center role on the NTDP's loaded Under-18 team and went right back to making everyone around him better. He does not boast a huge frame, but he is very strong on his skates and goes to the net hard. His fearlessness is an asset at both ends of the ice, as he reads plays well and attacks the puck every chance he gets.
9. Bowen Byram, D, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 193
There are a lot of defense prospects I've talked to this year that consider themselves "two-way defensemen," but they're really just offensively minded players who are at best average on the defensive end. Not Byram. He is a legitimate two-way defensemen who makes his team better when he's on the ice. With unrivaled poise with the puck on his stick and the vision to make plays, he is having an otherworldly season in the WHL. Byram is scoring at nearly a point per game from the back end, while not sacrificing anything in his defensive play. To me, he's the best defenseman in this draft by a fairly large margin.
10. Cole Caufield, RW, U.S. National U18 (NTDP)
Height: 5-7 | Weight: 155
Caufield's size is a valid concern, and there will be teams that are scared of what his ultimate upside is. But after watching Caufield play in big-time situations with high-end players over the past two seasons, I see a player who just knows how to play at his size. The thing I like best about Caufield is that he does not need the puck to be dangerous. While he has exceptional touch and can be so elusive with the puck, he is even deadlier away from it. I haven't seen a player in this class with Caufield's sense of offensive timing, and his ability to get lost in the offensive zone before making himself available for a high-percentage chance is impressive. And when he does get the puck, he often finishes in devastating fashion; he is rewriting the NTDP's goal-scoring record book.
11. Peyton Krebs, C, Kootenay Ice (WHL)
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 180
A play-driving center with high-end vision and distribution skills, Krebs has been a riser this season based on his stellar play for a very poor Kootenay team. When you see him with elite players, like we did at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup and the CHL Top Prospects Game, it's evident just how much he helps those around him. Krebs makes plays all over the ice. The poise he has with the puck and the patience he has to make the right plays show a maturity that will only help him at the next level.
12. Philip Broberg, D, AIK (Allsvenskan)
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 199
An effortless skater, Broberg is more than holding his own in Sweden's second pro division with AIK. He is producing at a moderate clip and has shown good improvement from the start of the season to this point. When I first saw Broberg live, I had some concerns about his hockey sense, despite his notable physical tools. But I think pro hockey is forcing him to mature, make smarter reads and show greater patience. He makes strong passes and has the ability to get the puck up ice quickly. Broberg also gets shots through and has a very quick release.
13. Ryan Suzuki, C, Barrie Colts (OHL)
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 176
The younger brother of Montreal Canadiens prospect Nick Suzuki, he might actually be a slight step ahead of where his older sibling was at the same age. With slippery puck skills and high-end vision, Ryan Suzuki is a natural playmaker who can make those around him better. I've spoken to a few scouts who are concerned that he hangs around the perimeter a bit too much, and even Suzuki has admitted that his puck protection still needs improvement.
14. Alex Newhook, C, Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL)
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 195
A high-end skater and playmaker, Newhook mixes in creativity with his speed. Newhook has been lighting up the traditionally high-scoring BCHL by making superior plays and showcasing his skill on a regular basis. He has excellent vision and good distribution skills aided by those quick hands. One of the concerns I have about Newhook is how he can fade in tighter-checking games. Newhook was left off Canada's Hlinka-Gretzky Cup roster, and he didn't exactly dominate at the World Junior A Challenge.
15. Victor Soderstrom, D, Brynas (SHL)
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 179
Hailing from the same club that produced last year's No. 8 pick, Adam Boqvist, Soderstrom is yet another confident puck-mover with solid skills. The big difference between Boqvist and Soderstrom is that the latter has played a more significant role on the pro team. Soderstrom's poise and hockey sense are especially advanced for a player his age. He is not the biggest player, so he has to be more cerebral about how he defends, but he seems to manage just fine. What I find particularly encouraging about Soderstrom -- and why I see him only continuing to rise up the draft boards this year -- is that he has shown visible improvement from the start of the season to now.
16. Raphael Lavoie, C/W, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 196
Big, smart and quick, Lavoie has as advanced hockey sense and plays the game hard at both ends of the ice. He is more of the modern style power forward who has a strong focus on two-way play. He has speed up and down the wings to contribute on the rush, but he is at his best in helping his team sustain pressure in the offensive zone, using his big frame to protect the puck and his finishing ability to keep defenders on their heels. I think there was a fair expectation that he would be more productive than he has been this season, but I haven't viewed that as too much of a concern, given how complete a game he plays.
17. Arthur Kaliyev, LW/RW, Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL)
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 190
One of the better goal scorers in this draft, Kaliyev is a semi-polarizing prospect. No one denies his ability to shoot, especially off the pass. No one denies his skill level, which is particularly good for a player of his size. The question comes down to whether Kaliyev competes on a consistent enough basis to handle the night-in, night-out grind and necessity to work for one's offense in the NHL. Some wonder if it's merely a maturity issue, while others view it as a red flag that knocks him down their boards. But there's always the caveat of his production. When you look down at the score sheet, Kaliyev is usually on it. Goal scoring might be one of the hardest skills to come by, and he simply knows how to do it.
18. Moritz Seider, D, Adler Mannheim (DEL)
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 183
Seider is a tall, lanky, right-shot defenseman who is currently playing in Germany's top pro league. Most of my viewings of Seider over the past two years came from video of the U20 Division I World Championships, which is a step below the World Juniors. Seider helped Germany earn promotion to the top level with stellar play at both ends of the ice this year. His skating is fine, but he has really good hands and makes strong passes. He also has confidence and poise with the puck. As expected, Seider is not producing a ton in the DEL, but he also is only averaging about 12 minutes per game. I'd expect him to be in North America next year.
19. Matthew Robertson, D, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 201
A strong skater who takes pride in his game at both ends of the ice, Robertson has the size and strength to be a handful for opposing forwards. The mobility is the key to his success, as he has quick feet and can get the puck up ice with a good pass or on his own. I think there's a valid concern about his overall skill level and picking his spots to get up in the rush, but he plays massive minutes for Edmonton and often sees top opposing lines. There's not much of a dynamic element in his game, but the skating helps make up for that, as does the steadiness in his style of play.
20. Spencer Knight, G, U.S. National U18 (NTDP)
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 197
I will very, very rarely grade a goaltender as a first-round candidate, but Knight is the closest thing to it right now. Coming from the same program that groomed John Gibson, Knight is technically sound, making tough saves look routine and never allowing himself to get rattled. One scout told me he thought Knight would go down as the best goalie the NTDP has ever produced. He has good size, challenges shooters consistently and seldom gives up the easy goal.
21. Alex Vlasic, D, U.S. National U18 (NTDP)
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 193
A massive defenseman who plays the game smart, Vlasic does not wow you with skill, but he makes advanced plays in the defensive zone. He is still growing into his large frame, which should allow him to play a bit meaner in the hard areas of the ice. While his footwork is clean, he's not necessarily fast. That's where his hockey sense really helps. He makes excellent reads on exit passes and helps get pucks up ice. I think he is only scratching the surface of his game, as he has shown glimpses of more offensive skills than his numbers indicate.
22. Cam York, D, U.S. National U18 (NTDP)
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 171
A dynamic, offensive-minded defenseman, York is slated to attend the University of Michigan next season. Defensively, York is average at best, but the offensive tools he brings to the table are too good to ignore. He passes well, can sneak deep into the offensive zone and isn't afraid to take risks. There's no doubt he needs to mature as a player and pick some of his spots better, but I think he can thrive in the NHL's current rush style.
23. Brett Leason, C, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 200
The biggest advantage Leason has is that he is a big body with speed. He can play a power game, beating defenders wide and driving the net. He has a good shot and good offensive instincts, and his hands are good enough to finish the plays he starts with his feet. I will usually take older players like Leason (he'll be 20 in April) with a grain of salt because they are typically more physically advanced. But he was undeterred despite being passed over twice in the draft, he worked hard to improve his game and got it to a point I don't know that anyone thought he'd reach. I've got a lot of time for players that dedicate themselves to their development like Leason did.
24. Thomas Harley, D, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 188
Harley is a solid offensive threat from the back end, thanks to his mobility. He needs to be better and more attentive defensively and will need to add strength to his big frame, but it's hard to argue with his offensive abilities. Good vision and solid footwork help him make plays in all zones. He is good on the rush and has a strong shot from the point that he gets through with regularity.
25. Phillip Tomasino, C, Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 179
Tomasino has some dynamic elements in his game, both with his skating and his puck skills. He is playing on a very talented team in Niagara and has been a driving force offensively. He is one of those players who is a threat whether he is shooting or passing. And as he builds strength, the more energetic elements of his game -- the physical side and some added grit -- will become a bigger part of his overall skill set.
26. Nolan Foote, LW, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 190
While he skipped out on the family trade of playing defense like dad, Adam, and brother Cal, Nolan Foote still has the toughness and plays a heavy game. But he also is quick on his feet and makes good decisions with the puck. When at his best, he is mixing a hard-nosed game with smart plays and confidence with the puck on his stick. He is not the most skilled player, but he has good hockey sense and sees the ice well.
27. Daniil Gutik, LW, Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 179
Creative is one of the best descriptors for Gutik. The other simple one that comes to mind, however, is inconsistent. He has some incredible puck skills for such a big player, and he sees plays well before most others do. Yet he is a unique talent who can be frustrating at times. When he is on, it's hard to get the puck off of him. It's hard to pass over a guy this big who can make such crafty plays with the puck.
28. Nicholas Robertson, LW, Peterborough Petes (OHL)
Height: 5-9 | Weight: 160
A highly skilled forward with a deadly shot, Robertson has spent the past two years defying concerns about his size. He has some electric skill that allows him to create space for himself and make some one-on-one plays that make defenders look silly. Robertson also has pretty solid vision and distribution skills, along with one of the best releases in this draft. The puck explodes off his stick in a way that can deceive goaltenders.
29. Ville Heinola, D, Lukko (Liiga)
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 178
The poise with which Heinola plays has allowed him to earn substantial roles on both his pro team Lukko and with Finland's gold-medal winning World Junior team. Though he was injured for the final two games for Finland, he was rising up the depth chart and playing in key situations. His vision and passing are top notch. The one concern I have about him is whether his skating is dynamic enough to be effective at his size.
30. Nils Hoglander, LW, Rogle BK (SHL)
Height: 5-9 | Weight: 185
Superior puck skills have allowed Hoglander to shine in his draft season despite being a smaller player in a tough pro league. He has produced at a reasonable clip for a U19 player in the SHL and has showcased confidence with the puck on his stick.
31. Jakob Pelletier, LW, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
Height: 5-9 | Weight: 160
A bit of a jitterbug on the ice, Pelletier has speed and skill. He is an offensive force in the QMJHL and has managed to stand out when playing with other high-end players. Pelletier's energy and closing speed give him an edge on the forecheck, as well.
32. Connor McMichael, C, London Knights (OHL)
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 174
One of the speedier skaters in the draft, McMichael has had an exceptional season in the OHL. He is the second-leading scorer among draft-eligible players in the league and has been particularly effective at putting the puck in the net. He has been a tougher player for me to get a read on, as I am impressed by the production but have never been wowed by his puck skills.
33. Bobby Brink, RW, Sioux City Musketeers
Height: 5-8 | Weight: 159
One of the top scorers in the USHL before being sidelined for more than two months, Brink has showcased incredible hockey sense, work ethic and vision. The only reason he is not more firmly in the first-round discussion is because his skating is only average.
34. Ilya Nikolayev, C, Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 190
A solid two-way center with vision, Nikolayev has played at his best in international events while making the most of elite linemates, often the aforementioned Gutik and Podkolzin.
35. Vladislav Kolyachonok, D, Flint Firebirds (OHL)
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 184
Kolyachonok boasts size and impressive mobility to go along with some above-average offensive skills. Better attention to detail defensively could vault him into the top round.
36. Tobias Bjornfot, D, Djurgardens Jr. (SuperElit)
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 202
A confident defender who makes smart plays and takes care of his own end, Bjornfot doesn't wow you with skill. His steadiness, good hockey sense and solid shot are key tools though.
37. Henry Thrun, D, U.S. National U18 (NTDP)
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 190
One of the top defenseman on that excellent U18 team, Thrun's offensive tools include excellent passing and solid footwork that help him maximize the forwards in front of him.
38. Lassi Thomson, D, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 190
Thomson is a confident blueliner who has notable abilities at both ends of the ice, but he is more of a defender than offensive threat.
39. Jamieson Rees, C, Sarnia Sting (OHL)
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 172
Speed and work ethic are hallmarks of Rees' game, as he can get behind defenders, get in on the forecheck and finish off plays effectively in the offensive zone.
40. Egor Afanasyev, LW, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 201
A big winger with some power elements in his game, Afanasyev has been a top performer in the USHL this season, thanks to a bullet of a shot and good physical tools to compete and often dominate against older, more experienced players.
41. Samuel Poulin, LW, Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL)
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 208
The son of former NHLer Patrick Poulin has pretty good puck skills for a player of his size, and that has translated into big time production in the QMJHL.
42. Robert Mastrosimone, LW, Chicago Steel (USHL)
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 158
A competitive, energetic forward with some solid skills, Mastrosimone has been a productive player in the USHL over the past two seasons, thanks in part to his skating and above-average handles.
43. John Beecher, C, U.S. National U18 (NTDP)
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 204
Beecher is a big man who can absolutely fly, while also performing well at both ends of the ice. His footwork and skating are high end, but the puck skills need to catch up.
44. Pavel Dorofeyev, LW, Magnitogorsk (MHL)
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 167
Dorofeyev has high-end puck skills and creativity, which made him a force at the junior level in Russia. But I think his skating needs to improve for him to become a greater offensive threat as a pro.
45. Albin Grewe, RW, Djurgardens (SHL)
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 187
A versatile wing who performs well at either end of the ice, Grewe has both grit and some excellent playmaking abilities. I think if his puck skills were a little better, he would challenge for a spot in the first round.
46. Ryan Johnson, D, Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 173
Another player with NHL ties through father, Craig Johnson, Ryan is a dynamic skater who is just beginning to crack open his potential. Despite not being a terribly big guy, he defends extremely well due in large part to that high-end footwork.
47. Nathan Legare, RW, Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 205
One of the better snipers in this draft, Legare's release is quick and he doesn't need a ton of space to get the shot off. His skating is only average, however, which prevents him from jumping over some of the other players on my list.
48. Anttoni Honka, D, KeuPa (Mestis)
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 179
With so many dynamic elements in his offensive game, Honka is going to give himself a chance to make it. But his defensive game has a long way to go before he is going to earn the trust of pro coaches in North America.
49. Marshall Warren, D, U.S. National U18 (NTDP)
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 169
Another offensive-minded defenseman whose skating is particularly impressive, Warren has been lauded for his character. His decision-making with the puck, however, has come into question this season.
50. Billy Constantinou, D, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 186
Thanks to some dynamic skating elements, Constantinou can be incredibly fun to watch. Yet some of his decisions with the puck have been suspect.
The next 10 with a good chance to rise (alphabetically): Mikhail Abramov, C, Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL); John Farinacci, C, Dexter School (HS); Vladislav Firstov, LW, Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL); Artemi Kniazev, D, Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL); Kaedan Korczak, D, Kelowna Rockets (WHL); Mikko Kokkonen, D, Jukurit (Liiga); Case McCarthy, D, U.S. National U18 (NTDP); Henri Nikkanen, C, Jukurit (Liiga); Valentin Nussbaumer, Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL); Josh Williams, RW, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)