The moment you've all been waiting for. If your team is already out of it then you better memorize this list, because you're going to want one of these elite prospects. Not every team can end up with Jack Hughes, but there's definitely some high level talent just behind him in this draft. Let's take a look:
10.
Brant Dubeau
LW Arthur Kaliyev, Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL) - 6'2, 190 lbs.
An unbelievable player in the offensive end. Has been questioned about whether he can get it done on the rest of the ice, but he’s beginning to put those questions to rest this season. His speed and NHL ready release has scored him 31 goals in 41 games this season for Hamilton. With a little coaching, he could be a big addition for any rebuilding team.
Mack Fleming
C Alex Turcotte, USNTDP (USHL) - 5’11, 194 lbs.
Although Turcotte has been plagued with injury for most of the season, his past success in the development program will ensure he is a top 10 pick in the upcoming draft. He plays a versatile 200 foot game with the ability to make shifty plays in tight. He plays a skilled game but doesn’t get caught trying to do too much. He is committed to the University of Wisconsin for next season.
Nick Bowins
RW Trevor Zegras, USNTDP (USHL) - 5’11, 166 lbs.
Better numbers than Turcotte, but I still give Turcotte the edge on pure offensive skill, as well as all around game. Committed to Boston University, soft hands and great passer. Skating speed and shooting could use some work, but he has a nice stride to build upon. Smart and shifty player who is able to get open a lot.
9.
Brant Dubeau
D Philip Broberg, AIK (Allsvenskan) - 6’3, 199 lbs.
Built like a small truck, Broberg has surprisingly great skating for a kid of his size. He doesn’t have the offensive ability of your prototypical NHL defender in today’s game, but is quick, and big enough to be a quality defender on the back end. He’ll need to make better decisions at the NHL level if he is to last anywhere.
Mack Fleming
D Bowen Byram, Vancouver (WHL) - 6’1, 194 lbs.
Byram is one of the top defencemen in this draft due to his explosive speed and quick edge work. He also has a great shot, which he uses at the top of the power-play. His defensive abilities are far ahead of his age, which should translate into the NHL next season.
Nick Bowins
C Alex Turcotte, USNTDP - 5’11, 190 lbs.
Bitten by the injury bug, but is a very talented centre who someone will take a chance on early. Very fast, defensively responsible, and has a point per game thus far on the USNTDP. Committed to University of Wisconsin. Smooth skater who needs to work on his shot. Elite puck distributor.
8.
Brant Dubeau
RW/LW Matthew Boldy, USNTDP - 6’2, 187 lbs.
Boldy is very similar to fellow American Trevor Zegras in my eyes. Both are great skaters, but Boldy is more power than speed. He has exceptional vision, and has a knack for finding the back of the net. Zegras gets the nod above him simply because he’s a centreman.
Mack Fleming
C Trevor Zegras, USNTDP (USHL) - 5’11, 166 lbs.
Zegras benefitted in ice-time while Hughes was at the World Junior Championships, taking full advantage of the #1 centre role. It’ll be interesting watch the rest of the way with Hughes coming back. He is an exciting player that uses good speed and deceptive routes to get to high scoring areas of the ice.
Nick Bowins
RW/LW - Matthew Boldy - USNTDP - 6’2” 187 lbs.
Maybe the best pure goal scorer in the draft. Great hands and a hard shot make Boldy an elite offensive threat. Absurdly talented with the puck. Committed to Boston College, which could be really good for him, competing against stronger, older guys, even though he has the size and speed to compete with them now. Just needs to work on his puck retrieval and 200-foot game a little bit.
7.
Brant Dubeau
C Trevor Zegras, USNTDP - 5’11, 166lbs
As I mentioned before, the play style reminds me of Boldy. Zegras is the smaller player, but his speed makes that less of a factor. He’s able to evade defenders and get into open ice to distribute the puck. His numbers are great with the USNTDP with 46 points (including 33 assists) in 32 games.
Mack Fleming
RW/LW Matthew Boldy, USNTDP - 6’2, 187 lbs.
The one thing keeping Boldy from rising up the draft board even more is his commitment to Boston College for the upcoming season. He is an elite goal scorer with a great release and patience with the puck. He has the soft touch, but also is not afraid to mix it up in the corners or in front of the net.
Nick Bowins
D Philip Broberg, AIK (Allsvenskan) - 6’3, 199 lbs.
One of the best skaters in the draft class, a very powerful and fluid skater who can carry the puck out of his own zone with ease. Good offensive upside, albeit likely not as good as Byram’s. Strong puck mover but not always the best decision maker. Looked solid at World Juniors.
6.
Brant Dubeau
D Bowen Byram, Vancouver (WHL) - 6’1, 194 lbs.
The highest ranked defenceman in the draft in my eyes, Byram is an incredible skater that gets it done on both ends of the ice. His great skating ability allows him to make mistakes but still have time to recover and make up for it. He has above average passing ability, making him great at starting the rush. An offensive defenceman that excels in his own end, he will be a perfect fit in the NHL.
Mack Fleming
D Philip Broberg, AIK (Allsvenskan) - 6’3, 199 lbs.
A strong skating defenceman who brings elite offensive talent into the game. Broberg can command the game on both ends of the rink with the ability to take the puck smoothly into the offensive zone with his elite skating ability. He has drawn some comparisons to Rasmus Dahlin because of his skating and puck control.
Nick Bowins
D Bowen Byram, Vancouver (WHL) - 6’1, 194 lbs.
The first d-man off the board is Byram, as he has the strongest defensive game, and has the offensive numbers to propel him up the rankings. Not a huge guy, but plays smart and has the offensive/puck moving upside you look for in today’s defensemen. A great skater, uses his edges well, and his foot speed allows him to have excellent gap control.
5.
Brant Dubeau
C Kirby Dach, Saskatoon (WHL) - 6’4, 199 lbs.
A massive centreman at 6’4 and nearly 200 lbs, Dach is tearing up the WHL in Saskatoon. Not the best skater given his size, but he uses his size to his advantage to get to the areas that he needs to be. He has incredible vision, with 30 assists in 39 games. Would be a great third or fourth liner right away and could develop into something special.
Mack Fleming
C Kirby Dach, Saskatoon (WHL) - 6’4, 199 lbs.
Dach is a strong offensive minded centreman with big size at 6’4”. He has a quick stick with the ability to create turnovers and can create space with his strong puck skills. He needs to use his size more to his advantage as sometimes he plays small. However, his playmaking ability will go nicely with goal scoring winger.
Nick Bowins
C Kirby Dach, Saskatoon (WHL) - 6’4, 199 lbs.
Dach is bigger and stronger than Dylan Cozens, but is not quite as offensively gifted in my eyes. His goal scoring is not on the same level as Cozens, but is just as good if not a better playmaker and puck distributor, a very pass-first player. A fairly responsible two-way game already as well. Has a nice long stride, but doesn’t have the explosiveness that a lot of the other top picks possess.
4.
Brant Dubeau
C Dylan Cozens, Lethbridge (WHL) - 6’3, 181 lbs.
Just a hair smaller than Dach but with all the same promising attributes. The thing that puts him above Dach is his speed. He is able to mix speed and a deadly shot to rack up all sorts of points. He is showing his offensive talents off this year with 56 points in 40 games.
Mack Fleming
C Dylan Cozens, Lethbridge (WHL) - 6’3, 181 lbs.
Cozens is a big, two-way centreman with skill and speed. Cozens is averaging 1.41 points per game in the WHL this season, while maintaining a +14 rating. He plays a strong two-way game and is not afraid to use his body to create space for himself and his teammates.
Nick Bowins
RW Vasily Podkolzin, SKA St.Petersburg (MHL) - 6’0, 183 lbs.
Podkolzin is a very skilled yet defensively responsible prospect. His numbers in the MHL don’t jump off the page, but he has absurd puck skills, is good at both ends, and can play both the powerplay and penalty kill with ease. Great on his edges, and possesses elite speed. People are raving about his compete level, saying he never takes a shift off and never gives up on the puck.
3.
Brant Dubeau
RW Vasily Podkolzin, SKA St. Petersburg (MHL) - 6’0, 183 lbs.
The Hlinka Gretzky tournament leading scorer, the 17 year old continued to show some offensive prowess with three assists in the U20 world juniors. He is a quick, shifty skater with great hands and the ability to produce at the NHL level. Once he matures a little more he will be a dangerous weapon in the offensive end.
Mack Fleming
RW Vasily Podkolzin, SKA St.Petersburg (MHL) - 6’0, 183 lbs.
Podkolzin is a complete winger with the ability to play a strong game, while able to finish a play with an elite set of moves. A lot of teams are strong down the middle but need an NHL-ready winger to come in and make a difference; this could be the guy they are seeking. He has the speed and two-way mindset to compete for a spot out of training camp this fall.
Nick Bowins
C Dylan Cozens, Lethbridge (WHL) - 6’3, 181 lbs.
I think Cozens is the pick here, with an edge over the likely more skilled Podkolzin. The huge centreman has 55 points in 39 games this year, and what team doesn’t need a big, offensive minded centre. Needs to work on foot speed, but is an elite scorer in Junior who boasts a heavy shot and has good vision. Already possesses a strong 200-foot game, and loves to play physical on the forecheck.
2.
Brant Dubeau
RW Kaapo Kakko, TPS Turku (SM-Liiga) - 6’1, 194 lbs.
If you didn’t know about him before the World Juniors then you definitely do now. He didn’t quite put up the point numbers in the tournament but Kakko was able to show off his incredible speed and hands combination that had him dancing through just about everyone. He possesses tremendous size opposed to Jack Hughes and that has him rather close to taking top spot in my eyes. For now, however, Kakko sits at number two, but will be a franchise changing addition to any bottom dwelling team.
Mack Fleming
RW - Kaapo Kakko - TPS Turku (SM-Liiga) - 6’1” 194 lbs.
Kakko has the size that Hughes is lacking, however he is behind Hughes in his decision making, playmaking and game-changing abilities. He is a confident player that never rushes with the puck, allowing him to make the smart decisions. He already has the size to come into the NHL ready to compete in all areas of the ice.
Nick Bowins
RW - Kaapo Kakko - TPS Turku (SM-Liiga) - 6’1” 194 lbs.
To me, Kakko is the clear choice with the 2nd pick, and is much closer to Hughes than most people think. His Finnish teammates at the World Junior stated that he is better than Hughes, and that he is similar to Auston Matthews. I can see the Matthews comparison with his uncanny ability to hang onto the puck, however his shot is nowhere near Matthews’. He is a very strong skater, and has a very big frame that scouts love.
1.
Brant Dubeau
C Jack Hughes, USNTDP - 5’10, 168 lbs.
The clear number one choice for just about everyone. An injury may have kept him from showing it in the World Juniors, but Hughes has legit superstar potential. His vision is unmatched even from most NHL players. He compliments his incredible passing with lightning quick skating, and hands that keep him with the puck for the majority of his shifts. Congratulations on turning your franchise around with this kid.
Mack Fleming
C Jack Hughes, USNTDP (USHL) - 5’10, 168 lbs.
Hughes has a unique mind for the game which allows him to use his elite speed and skill to create space and time for himself and his teammates. He is a game-changing player who is extremely elusive and uses his excellent edges to shift away from the defenders. When watching a game, he seems to disappear for 5 seconds, then all of a sudden be on a rush at full speed pushing the defence back to create space for a back door pass. The way Hughes can handle the puck and make decisions at full speed and the way he can find his teammates with a deceptive pass, has some comparing him to a mix of Connor McDavid and Mitchell Marner.
Nick Bowins
C Jack Hughes, USNTDP (USHL) - 5’10, 168 lbs.
The long-perceived 1st overall pick does not disappoint. The small but speedy Hughes is likely the most naturally skilled player available, and has the best vision in the draft. The combination of his speed and puck skills, along with his playmaking ability, presents the chance for him to be an elite number 1 centre in the NHL very soon. I see the passing and puck abilities of a Mitch Marner/Patrick Kane/Johnny Gaudreau esque player in Hughes, with a better release than either.
And there you have it, our top prospects list as of January. Obviously there will be change, and you should check back closer to the draft to see how we believe that change will take place. But for now, keep your eyes open for all of the prospects we have listed off, and hope that your team nets a good one.