It’s November, and I’ve updated, and added to, my draft rankings. The list is now 50 players long, with a brief description for the top 15.
There weren’t many huge changes, with the biggest probably being Ryan Merkley dropping to 10th. Merkley has shown that his defense is just as bad as ever with his -12 start to the OHL season. If he doesn’t pick it up, he may fall even more.
1. Rasmus Dahlin, D
Dominant offensively, and isn’t bad on defence either.
2. Andrei Svechnikov, RW
Got off to a hot start in the OHL before being sidelined with a broken hand. Two way force, great on offense.
3. Adam Boqvist, D
NHL style defenseman that makes smart plays and decisions. Great puckmover, PP QB and shooter.
4. Filip Zadina, LW
Elusive force on the wing, has all the skills to put up a ton of points.
5. Joe Veleno, C
Smart two way centre off to a tough start in the QMJHL.
6. Quinn Hughes, D
Fast puck mover, great offensively and pretty good defensively.
7. Akil Thomas, C/RW
Plays a very energetic game, always moving. Puts himself in good spots to make plays.
8. Ty Smith, D
Dynamic two-way D makes smart plays and moves the puck up ice well.
9. Bode Wilde, D
Big defenseman plays an offensive game.
10. Ryan Merkley
Electric offensively, but poor defensively. High risk, high reward.
11. Brady Tkachuk, C
Plays physical two-way game, could possibly be better than brother Matthew.
12. Rasmus Kupari, C
Dynamic centre uses speed, hands to make plays.
13. Jett Woo, D
Smart two way defwnseman, uses speed and puck moving skill to generate oppurtunities for his team.
14. Oliver Wahlstrom, C
Skilled player, creates a lot of oppurtunities
15. Jack McBain, C
Two way centre, good defensively. Some concern about offense from others, but I don’t really see it. Kind of like 2017 prospect Ryan Poehling.
16. Jared McIsaac
17. Jesper Kotkaniemi
18. Calen Addison
19. Anderson MacDonald
20. Noah Dobson
21. Ty Dellandrea
22. Gleb Babintsev
23. Evan Bouchard
24. David Levin
25. Nicolas Beaudin
26. Ryan McLeod
27. Alexander Alexeyev
28. Xavier Bouchard
29. Joel Farabee
30. Giovanni Vallati
31. Benoit-Oliver Groulx
32. Jakub Lauko
33. Allan McShane
34. Simon Appelquist
35. Jacob Olofsson
36. Luka Burzan
37. Isac Lundeström
38. Mattias Samuelsson
39. Jesse Ylönen
40. Barrett Hayton
41. Lukas Wernblom
42. Vitali Kravstov
43. Alexander Khovanov
44. Dennis Busby
45. Samuel Bitten
46. Ty Emberson
47. Grigori Denisenko
48. Axel Andersson
49. Filip Hallander
50. Kevin Bahl