Top Prospects for the 2019 NHL Draft

April 10, 2019   NHL Draft     No comments

With the regular season over and the lottery completed, the 2019 NHL Draft is starting to become a bit clearer.

We still can’t say exactly what will happen, but just like the Stanely Cup, Sports Interaction will have betting options on the NHL Draft.

First off, let’s look at the order.

2019 NHL Draft Board

  • New Jersey Devils
  • New York Rangers
  • Chicago Blackhawks
  • Colorado Avalanche (Traded up from Ottawa)
  • Los Angeles Kings
  • Detroit Red Wings
  • Buffalo Sabres
  • Edmonton Oilers
  • Anaheim Ducks
  • Vancouver Canucks
  • Philadephia Flyers
  • Minnesota Wild
  • Florida Panthers
  • Arizona Coyotes
  • Montreal Canadiens

The Devils got the No. 1 Draft Pick and it was a record-setting moment for Taylor Hall, who seems to bring phenomenal draft luck with him, where ever he goes. In the past nine seasons, Hall has been the No. 1 draft lottery team 5 times. Three with the Oilers and now twice with the Devils.

Who Will Go No. 1?

This brings us to the No. 1 prospect, Jack Houghs. He has already stated that he would like to play for the Devils one day and that Taylor Hall has been good to him. Even if the New Jersey Devils were completely set at the Center position, you would still think that would have to take Houghs. When a once in a decade kind of player comes around, and you have the opportunity to snag him up, you do so and then move the pieces around later.

So we have to assume that the Devils are going to use their top pick to take the young, fleet-footed Center.

Kaap Kakko is starting to look more comfortable out in the middle of the rink. He is still thought of as the de facto No. 2 pick and with his combination of size, speed, power, and skill, it is hard to see the Rangers passing him up for someone like Kirby Dach. He isn’t as fast or skilled as Jack Houghs, but he has more size, power, and great finishing ability. Additionally, he could be a swing player able to switch between the wing and Center.

With the 3rd pick of the Draft, things get more interesting. It is assumed that Kirby Dach will go No. 3 (and he might). It depends on what the Blackhawks are after. Dach has a phenomenal vision and is a pass-first kind of Center who plays almost like a point guard in the NBA, running the offense and distributing the ball (puck).

Having Patrick Cane, one of the best Wings in the NHL, a deft passer that could create scoring opportunities such as Kirby Dach would be beneficial. That said, Chicago currently doesn’t have a true scoring Center, so will they go a different route and try to make moves for a Center that is a bit more aggressive with the puck and more willing to take shots (like Trevor Zegras)?

If the Blackhawks pass on him, it is likely that the Avalanche will as well because they have a Top-5 Center in Nathan MacKinnon. The Kings Have Anze Kopitar so, they could pass as well unless they want to stack talent for trade opportunities.

Essentially, four of the Top-5 draft prospects are Centers, and both Los Angeles and Colorado are set at that position, so it opens the door to the possibility of an interesting first ten picks.

 


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