The 2017-18 hockey season has been tumultuous at times, with on-ice surprises and disappointments in equal measure spanning major junior, the college ranks and up into the pros. But the aspiring members of the 2018 National Hockey League draft class have left it all out on the ice as they try to make an impression on scouts from 31 clubs. With the playing season effectively complete, it';s time to see how things have shaken out.Filip Zadina #18 of Czech Republic during the IIHF World Junior Championship (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images)
This is the fifth and final edition of my annual NHL Draft rankings. Roughly every other month, I';ve attempted to rank the top players in this year's draft
class as if I were drafting a hockey team from scratch. My main proviso? I want
the players that will help my team win consistently - so if there are any questions about where I differ from other rankers, that';s the primary divergence. The usual disclaimers apply: I live in Western Canada so I see Western Hockey League players the most often live, followed by the remainder of
Canada's prospects - especially those affiliated with Hockey Canada. I have to rely on video for players in the United States and Europe for the most part. I'm also hesitant to draft goalies early due to the sheer number of weird things that can go wrong and derail their development.
For some second opinions, check out the latest rankings from my colleagues Larry Fisher and Brett Slawson.The First Round (1-31)
No.PlayerPos.2017-18 Teams
1Rasmus DahlinDFrolunda HC (SHL)
Sweden (WJC/Olympics)
2Andrei SvechnikovRWBarrie Colts (OHL)
Russia (WJC)
3Filip ZadinaRWHalifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Czech Republic (WJC)
4Brady TkachukLWBoston University Terriers (NCAA)
United States (WJC)
5Oliver WahlstromCU.S. National Development Team (USHL)
United States (U18)
6Adam BoqvistDBrynas IF (SuperElit/SHL)
Almtuna IS (Allsvenskan)
Sweden (U18)
7Evan BouchardDLondon Knights (OHL)
8Quinn HughesDUniv. of Michigan Wolverines (NCAA)
United States (WJC/WC)
9Joel FarabeeLWU.S. National Development Team (USHL)
United States (U18)
10Noah DobsonDAcadie-Bathurst Titan (QMJHL)
Canada (Hlinkas)
11Joseph VelenoCSaint John/Drummondville (QMJHL)
Canada (Hlinkas/U18)
12Ty SmithDSpokane Chiefs (WHL)
Canada (Hlinkas/U18)
13Ryan McLeodCMississauga Steelheads (OHL)
14Jesperi KotkaniemiCAssat (SM-Liiga)
Finland (Hlinkas/U18)
15Barrett HaytonCSault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
Canada (Hlinkas)
16Isac LundestromCLulea HF (SHL)
Sweden (WJC)
17Rasmus KupariCKarpat (SM-Liiga/Jr. A Liiga)
Hermes (Mestis)
Finland (Hlinkas/WJC/U18)
18Akil ThomasCNiagara Ice Dogs (OHL)
Canada (Hlinkas/U18)
19Bode WildeDU.S. National Development Team (USHL)
United States (U18)
20Jared McIsaacDHalifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Canada (Hlinkas/U18)
21Mattias SamuelssonDU.S. National Development Team (USHL)
United States (U18)
22Alexander AlexeyevDRed Deer Rebels (WHL)
23Martin KautRWHC Dynamo Pardubice (Extraliga)
Czech Republic (WJC)
24K';Andre MillerDU.S. National Development Team (USHL)
United States (U18)
25Benoit-Olivier GroulxCHalifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Canada (Hlinkas)
26Calen AddisonDLethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)
Canada (Hlinkas)
27Rasmus SandinDRogle BK (SHL)
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
Sweden (Hlinkas)
28Jacob OlofssonCTimra IK (Allsvenskan)
Sweden (Hlinkas/U18)
29Serron NoelRWOshawa Generals (OHL)
Canada (Hlinkas/U18)
30Grigori DenisenkoLWLoko Yaroslavl (MHL)
Russia (Hlinkas/WJAC)
31Jett WooDMoose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
Canada (Hlinkas)
The Second Round (32-62)Jacob Bernard-Docker of the Okotoks Oilers (courtesy AJHL)
No.PlayerPos.2017-18 Teams
32Ty DellandreaCFlint Firebirds (OHL)
Canada (Hlinkas/U18)
33Filip HallanderCTimra IK (Allsvenskan/SuperElit)
Sweden (Hlinkas)
34Jack McBainCToronto Jr. Canadians (OJHL)
Canada (Hlinkas/WJAC/U18)
35Ryan MerkleyDGuelph Storm (OHL)
Canada (Hlinkas/U18)
36Vitali KravtsovRWTraktor Chelybinsk (KHL)
Chelmet Chelyabinsk (VHL)
Belye Medvedi Chelyabinsk (MHL)
37Jesse YlonenRWEspoo United (Mestis)
38Adam GinningDLinkoping HC (SHL/SuperElit)
Sweden (Hlinkas/U18)
39Jonny TychonickDPenticton Vees (BCHL)
Canada (WJAC/U18)
40Jacob Bernard-DockerDOkotoks Oilers (AJHL)
Canada (WJAC)
41Nils LundkvistDLulea HF (SHL/SuperElit)
Sweden (U18)
42Alexander KhovanovCMoncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
43Jakub LaukoCPirati Chomutov (Extraliga)
Czech Republic (Hlinkas/WJC/U18)
44Dominik BokkRWVaxjo Lakers (SuperElit/SHL/J18)
Germany (WJC-D1)
45Cole FonstadCPrince Albert Raiders (WHL)
Canada (U18)
46Philipp KurashevCQuebec Remparts (QMJHL)
Switzerland (WJC)
47David GustafssonCHV71 (SHL/SuperElit/J18)
Sweden (Hlinkas/U18)
48Vladislav KotkovLWChicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL)
Russia (WJAC)
49Niklas NordgrenRWHIFK (SM-Liiga/Jr. A Liiga)
Finland (U18)
50Nicolas BeaudinDDrummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
51Jay O';BrienCThayer Academy (USHS)
Cape Code Whalers (MHSL)
U.S. National Development Team (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
52Cameron HillisCGuelph Storm (OHL)
Canada (U18)
53Jack DruryCWaterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
United States (Hlinkas/WJAC)
54Blake McLaughlinLWChicago Steel (USHL)
United States (Hlinkas/WJAC)
55Jake WiseCU.S. National Development Team (USHL)
United States (U18)
56Jonathan GrudenCU.S. National Development Team (USHL)
United States (U18)
57Blade JenkinsLWSaginaw Spirit (OHL)
United States (Hlinkas)
58Milos RomanCVancouver Giants (WHL)
Slovakia (WJC)
59Kevin BahlDOttawa 67';s (OHL)
Canada (Hlinkas/U18)
60Adam SamuelssonDU.S. National Development Team (USHL)
United States (Hlinkas/U18)
61Olivier RodrigueGDrummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
Canada (Hlinkas/U18)
62Allan McShaneCOshawa Generals (OHL)
Canada (U18)
The Third Round (63-93)Sampo Ranta of the Sioux City Musketeers (courtesy USHL)
No.PlayerPos.2017-18 Teams
63Nando EggenbergerLWHC Davos (NLA/Elite Jr. A)
Switzerland (WJC)
64Gabriel FortierLWBaie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)
Canada (Hlinkas)
65Liam FoudyCLondon Knights (OHL)
Canada (U18)
66Kody ClarkRWOttawa 67';s (OHL)
67Martin FehervaryDIK Oskarshamn (Allsvenskan)
HV71 (SHL)
Slovakia (WJC/WC)
68Anderson MacDonaldLWMoncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
Canada (Hlinkas)
69Jachym KondelikCMuskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
Czech Republic (WJAC)
70Xavier BernardDDrummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
71Sampo RantaLWSioux City Musketeers (USHL)
Finland (Hlinkas/U18)
72Riley StottsCSwift Current/Calgary (WHL)
73Nathan DunkleyCKingston/London (OHL)
74Chase WoutersCSaskatoon Blades (WHL)
Canada (U18)
75Xavier BouchardDBaie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)
76Giovanni VallatiDKitchener Rangers (OHL)
77Riley SutterRWEverett Silvertips (WHL)
78Dmitri ZavgorodniyLWRimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)
Russia (Hlinkas/WJAC/U18)
79Alec RegulaDLondon Knights (OHL)
80Sean DurziDOwen Sound Attack (OHL)
81Jakub SkarekGHC Dukla Jihlava (Extraliga)
HC Litomerice (2.Czech)
Czech Republic (WJC)
82Toni UtunenDTappara (SM-Liiga)
LeKi (Mestis)
Finland (Hlinkas/U18)
83Jan JenikRWBilli Tygri Liberec (Extraliga/U20)
HC Benatky nad Jizerou (2.Czech)
Czech Republic (Hlinkas/U18)
84Curtis HallCYoungstown Phantoms (USHL)
United States (Hlinkas/WJAC)
85Alexis GravelGHalifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Canada (Hlinkas)
86Filip KralDHC Kometa Brno (Extraliga)
SK Horacka Slavia Trebic (2.Czech)
Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
Czech Republic (WJC)
87Tyler MaddenCCentral Illinois/Tri-City (USHL)
United States (WJAC)
88Egor SokolovLWCape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL)
Russia (Hlinkas)
89Aidan DudasCOwen Sound Attack (OHL)
Canada (Hlinkas/U18)
90Ty EmbersonDU.S. National Development Team (USHL)
United States (U18)
91Filip JohanssonDLeksand IF (Allsvenskan/SuperElit/J18)
Sweden (Hlinkas/U18)
92Slava DeminDWenatchee Wild (BCHL)
U.S. National Development Team (USHL)
United States (Hlinkas)
93Jordan HarrisDKimball Union Academy (USHS)
Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
The Fourth Round (94-125)Blainville-Boisbriand Armada forward Luke Henman (Shawn Davidson/QMJHL)
No.PlayerPos.2017-18 Teams
94Declan ChisholmDPeterborough Petes (OHL)
95Kyle ToppingCKelowna Rockets (WHL)
96Semyon Der-ArguchintsevCPeterborough Petes (OHL)
97Matej PekarCMuskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
Czech Republic (Hlinkas/U18)
98Ryan ChyzowskiLWMedicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
99Albin ErikssonLWSkelleftea AIK (SHL/SuperElit/J18)
Sweden (Hlinkas)
100Linus NymanRWKingston Frontenacs (OHL)
101Ryan O';ReillyRWMadison Capitols (USHL)
102Lukas DostalGHC Kometa Brno (Extraliga/U20/U18)
SK Horacka Slavia Trebic (2.Czech)
Czech Republic (Hlinkas/U18)
103Justin AlmeidaCMoose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
104Tristen NielsenCCalgary Hitmen (WHL)
105Kevin MandoleseGCape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL)
Canada (U18)
106Kirill NizhnikovRWBarrie/Sudbury (OHL)
107Pavel GogolevRWPeterborough Petes (OHL)
108Matthew StruthersCOwen Sound/North Bay (OHL)
109Luka BurzanCMoose Jaw/Brandon (WHL)
Canada (Hlinkas)
110Nico GrossDOshawa Generals (OHL)
Switzerland (Hlinkas/WJC/U18)
111Kristian ReichelCRed Deer Rebels (WHL)
Czech Republic (WJC)
112Vladislav YeryomenkoDCalgary Hitmen (WHL)
Belarus (WJC)
113Patrick GilesRWU.S. National Development Team (USHL)
United States (U18)
114Nikita RtishchevRWKrasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)
Russia (Hlinkas/WJAC)
115Curtis DouglasCBarrie/Windsor (OHL)
116Connor DewarCEverett Silvertips (WHL)
117Alexander SteevesCDubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)
United States (WJAC)
118Scott PerunovichDUniv. of Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA)
United States (WJC)
119Logan HutskoRWBoston College (NCAA)
120Justus AnnunenGKarpat (Jr. A Liiga/SM-Liiga)
Finland (Hlinkas/U18)
121Oskar BackCFarjastad BK (SHL/SuperElit/J18)
Sweden (Hlinkas/U18)
122Riley DamianiCKitchener Rangers (OHL)
123Luke HenmanCBlainville-Broisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
124Merrick RipponDMississauga/Ottawa (OHL)
125Caleb EverettDSaginaw Spirit (OHL)
Honourable Mentions
Here are 10 additional prospects that could creep into the Top 125 selected, depending on the whims and wishes of the 31 NHL clubs on draft weekend:
C Jonatan Berggren - Skelleftea AIK (SuperElit), Sweden (Hlinkas/U18)C Mitchell
Hoelscher - Ottawa 67';s (OHL)D Juuso Ketola - Assat (Jr. B Liiga/U18), Finland
(Hlinkas)G Olof Lindbom - Djurgardens IF (SuperElit/U18), Sweden (Hlinkas/U18)D
Radim Salda - Saint John Ice Dogs (QMJHL), Czech Republic (WJC)D Spencer Stastney - U.S. National Development Team (USHL), United States (U18)G Matthew Thiessen - Steinbach Pistons (MJHL)LW Tyler Weiss - U.S. National Development Team (USHL), United States (U18)D Wyatte Wylie - Everett Silvertips (WHL)D Egor
Zamula - Regina/Calgary (WHL), Russia (U18)
The post Pike';s Picks: 2018 NHL Draft Rankings - Final Edition appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
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