The 2018 NHL Draft will be one of the deepest ones ever for blue liners, as 15 defenders could possibly be selected in the first round in June 2018. Leading the group of defencemen is future superstar Rasmus Dahlin, a dynamic two way defenceman. Andrei Svechnikov, a big winger, will challenge him for the honour of being picked first overall. Dark horses Adam Boqvist and Filip Zadina could also try for first overall. All that being said, it’s still early, and a lot can change between now and June.
1. Rasmus Dahlin
LD, 6’2, 181 lbs
Dahlin, who is projected to go 1st overall, is a two way defenceman with enormous offensive upside. A fantastic skater, Dahlin has drawn comparisons to Erik Karlsson. Dahlin uses his exceptional vision and passing skill to make plays and move the puck up ice. He can singlehandedly create opportunities, using his skating and hands to get past defenders. Doesn’t have a cannon, but is shot is hard and accurate. Great hitter, punishes forwards in open ice. He’s pretty good in his own end, he will improve in the corners and in front of the net as he gets bigger. Needs to make the simpler play more often, as he often makes very risky plays that will not work in the NHL, but he has shown coachability, so I have no doubts that he will address that. A generational talent, looks like a future Norris winner.
2. Andrei Svechnikov
LHD RW, 6’2, 187 lbs
Svechnikov is a big skilled power forward. He primarily creates opportunities by driving to the net, where he uses his hands to finish. A natural scorer, Svechnikov skates well and has a good shot. His combination of skills will likely lead to extreme NHL success. Svechnikov will look to add on to a wildly successful USHL season with an equally good year in the OHL.
3. Adam Boqvist
RD, 5’11, 170 lbs
Adam Boqvist is a highly skilled offensive defenceman. He skates well and has good vision and passing. He scores a lot of goals from the top of the circle after walking in from the blue line. Boqvist is active in the offensive zone, he’s always moving around trying to get open to unleash his shot. The majority of his points come from his shooting and passing, which stands out in a draft class full of dangling defencemen. His style of play should translate well to the NHL.
4. Filip Zadina
RHD LW, 6’0, 170 lbs
A scorer-playmaker combo, Zadina does a lot of things well. He skates well, has nice hands and a hard, accurate shot. Nice vision, makes good decisions while under pressure. Great passer, passes are hard and on the tape. Overall he’s a great player with no real flaws. He and Svechnikov are on another level compared to the other forwards in this draft. Really talented player, could be a surprise #1 on draft day.
5. Quinn Hughes
LD, 5’11, 170 lbs
Quinn Hughes is a two way defenceman that can rush the puck very well. Good skater, he’s fast and good on his edges. Pass first mentality, doesn’t really take a lot of shots, likely because his shot isn’t too good. Slapshot is below average, low power on it. Wrist shot is okay. Can make some nice passes. Good on both sides of the puck. Safe with the puck, doesn’t make high risk plays but still generates offence at a high rate. Impressive player.
6. Ryan Merkley
RD, 5’11, 179 lbs
An offensive defenceman capable of putting up a lot of points. Good skater, nice shot. Smart player, very patient, waits for space to open up. Good hands, has scored some highlight reel, end to end goals. Good PP QB. Most impressive part of his game for me is his vision, he always knows where everybody is on the ice. Good at disguising his passes. Has struggled with turnovers, largely due to poor decision making. Sometimes takes poor penalties when frustrated. Defence is an issue, needs to improve there. Struggles with consistency. Some concern about how well his game will translate to the NHL, as his end to end attempts won’t work as often in the NHL. Will likely become more of a playmaker, utilizing his vision. A talented player, Merkley has the offensive skill to go high in the draft, but he’ll need to improve his defence, consistency and attitude.
7. Joe Veleno
C, 6’1, 190 lbs
A skilled two way centre, Veleno has elite skill. A playmaker, he uses his IQ and passing ability to create oppurtunities. Great skater, has a smooth skating stride, agile. Good puck skills, can get by players with ease. Needs to improve his shot, not very powerful at this point. Game changing skill, 1C potential.
8. Akil Thomas
RC/W, 5’11, 170 lbs
An offensive centre (that can play some wing) with the skills to take over a game, Akil Thomas has impressed on a terrible Niagara IceDogs team. He does everything well in the offensive zone. He skates well, he has a great first step and impressive lateral movement. He’s an elite playmaker, utilizing his top end vision and hockey IQ. Good hands and shot. Needs to improve away from the puck and add strength. Lots of offensive potential, could be a future top line forward.
9. Bode Wilde
RD, 6’2, 170 lbs
A big two way defenceman, difference maker on the blue line. Skates well, transitions are smooth. Good puck mover. Big slap shot from the point, a lot of power on it. Calm with the puck, rarely panics. Shuts opponents down physically. Solid two way defenceman with offensive upside, top pairing potential.
10. Ty Smith
LD, 5’11, 174 lbs
Smart defenceman with skill. Great skater, great hockey sense, great puck mover. Drawn comparisons to Duncan Keith. Very sound defensively, smart in his own end, good positionally and one on one. Solid two way defenceman with offensive upside.
11. Brady Tkachuk
C/LW, 6’3, 196 lbs
12. Rasmus Kupari
C, 5’11, 163 lbs
13. Jett Woo
D, 6’0, 202 lbs
14. Oliver Wahlstrom
C, 6’1, 198 lbs
15. Jack McBain
C, 6’3, 183 lbs
16. Jared McIsaac
D, 6’3, 209 lbs
17. Simon Appelquist
LW, 6’0, 172 lbs
18. Jesper Kotkaniemi
RW, 6’1, 186 lbs
19. Calen Addison
D, 5’9, 180 lbs
20. Anderson MacDonald
LW, 6’2, 203 lbs
21. Ty Dellandrea
C, 6’1, 186 lbs
22. Gleb Babintsev
D, 6’0, 198 lbs
23. Evan Bouchard
D, 6’2, 178 lbs
24. David Levin
LW, 5’10, 170 lbs
25. Nicolas Beaudin
D, 5’10, 161 lbs
26. Alexander Alexeyev
D, 6’3, 190
27. Ryan McLeod
C, 6’1, 183 lbs
28. Xavier Bouchard
D, 6’2, 175 lbs
29. Joel Farabee
LW, 5’11, 160 lbs
30. Giovanni Vallati
D, 6’1, 179 lbs
31. Benoit-Oliver Groulx
C, 6’1, 176 lbs
