Our 2019 NHL Draft predictions continue with picks 19 through 11. While most of these teams are still battling for a playoff spot, it doesn't hurt to look at who might be coming in for the next few playoff runs. Without further ado, pick number 19 is on the clock.
19.
Brant Dubeau
D Ville Heinola, Lukko (Liiga) - 5’11, 175lbs.
An offensive defenceman playing as a boy among men in a great Finnish league. His skating abilities and edge work allow him to control the puck, setting up many opportunities in the offensive end. The season numbers don’t stand out due to his age, but he looked great playing in the World Juniors as a 17 year old.
Mack Fleming
D Victor Soderstrom, Brynas J20 (Superelit) - 5’11, 175 lbs.
Soderstrom is a very offensive minded defenceman, who isn’t afraid to jump into the rush. He has a quick and smart outlet pass out of his own end, but needs to work on his overall defensive and positional play.
Nick Bowins
LW Arthur Kaliyev, Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL) - 6’2, 190lbs.
Has taken the OHL by storm this year and is currently 20+ points over a point per game. His stride and speed need work, as does his defensive game, but overall he's worth the pick based off skill alone. Elite scorers like Kaliyev are worth the chance.
18.
Brant Dubeau
LW Jakob Pelletier, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) - 5’9, 160 lbs.
A shifty skater who easily finds some open ice, and sees the open man as good as any; he’s playing at nearly an assist per game pace. Pelletier has been tearing up the Q this year with 55 points in just 39 games. Could be one of the more underrated players in the draft.
Mack Fleming
D Matthew Robertson, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL) - 6’3, 195 lbs.
A big, smart defender who is responsible at both ends of the rink. He doesn’t have the same offensive flare as other blueliners in this draft, but does boast one of the hardest shots from the point and is able to eat up a lot of minutes in all situations. He’s the type of defenceman that is known as that “steady D-man who doesn’t make a lot of defensive mistakes.”
Nick Bowins
LW Nolan Foote, Kelowna Rockets (WHL) - 6’3, 187 lbs.
A point per game in the WHL for the power forward, with more goals than assists thus far. A powerful stride, not afraid to play physical, and fairly confident with the puck on his stick. A good north/south player.
17.
Brant Dubeau
C/RW Raphael Lavoie, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) - 6’4, 198 lbs.
Outshined last year by Detroit Red Wings draft pick Filip Zadina, Lavoie has taken over the team this year. A big force on the wing at 6’4, his incredible, NHL ready shot has him with 19 goals in 37 games this season. All eyes will be on him in the Memorial cup playing for the host Halifax Mooseheads.
Mack Fleming
LW Jakob Pelletier, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) - 5’9, 160 lbs
An undersized winger, with a hockey IQ that is far too high to ignore in the first round, Pelletier is a guy who makes his teammates better and has an extremely high compete level. He currently has 55 points in 39 games in the QMJHL this season, and can also be counted on in his own end.
Nick Bowins
C/RW Cole Caufield, USNTDP - 5’7, 157 lbs.
A natural goal scorer who has put up nearly a goal per game with the USNTDP. Lacks size, but makes up for it with his elusiveness and creativity. Very comparable to Alex Debrincat in my eye, someone who scouts now beat themselves up for not taking a chance on earlier. Needs to work on straight away speed, but is very good on his edges and at getting open with his agility.
16.
Brant Dubeau
D Victor Soderstrom, Brynas IF (SHL) - 5’11, 181 lbs
An exciting D man to watch at the NHL level. His above average skating ability makes him exceptional on both ends of the ice. Makes hard, accurate passes on the breakout and isn’t afraid to play physically. Has the tools of the prototypical NHL defenceman in 2019.
Mack Fleming
LW Arthur Kaliyev, Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL) - 6’1, 165 lbs.
Kaliyev is a goal scoring winger that is really piling the goals on this year in the OHL with 31 in 40 games so far this season. Sometimes recognized as a one-dimensional player, he seems to be finding strengths in other areas of the ice. The sky's the limit for this young winger.
Nick Bowins
LW Jakob Pelletier, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) - 5’9, 161 lbs.
Small but very highly skilled forward, putting up crazy points in the Q. A very shifty skater that plays a fast game, but has the ability to slow it down and control the play. Very creative, but will likely fall due to his size and the alleged QMJHL point perceptions. One of the smartest hockey IQ’s in the draft.
15.
Brant Dubeau
C Peyton Krebs, Kootenay Ice (WHL) - 5’11 170 lbs.
Good, shifty skater, that has the ability to take the puck to the dangerous areas of the ice. Really good decision maker who has the ability to find the open teammate often. He’s found another gear this season after being named captain of Kootenay.
Mack Fleming
D Cam York, USNTDP (USHL) - 5’11, 165 lbs.
A smaller defenceman who is a fantastic puck mover. He is effective on the powerplay, and his skating abilities allow him to clean up any mistakes he makes. His defensive game is quickly improving. He has a lot of upside in his game and could rise up the draft board even more if his overall game continues to improve throughout the remainder of the season.
Nick Bowins
D Cam York, USNTDP - 5’11, 170 lbs.
A very very mobile d-man. Good point totals on the USNTDP squad, has excellent vision and hockey smarts, but loses a lot of battles in the d-zone. His smarts and positioning help him a lot, but will need to physically mature and engage in more battles/work on gap control to take his game to the next level. Great QB on the powerplay, makes smart passes.
14.
Brant Dubeau
D Cam York, USNTDP - 5’11, 170 lbs.
Elite skating and playmaking ability. Very good passer, leading to a high number of assists with the USNTDP. Rarely gets beat, despite his size, because of his quickness and ability to stay in front of players on the rush. His work in his own end needs a bit of work but is definitely improving. A good player with a lot of upside if a team needs a powerplay specialist right away.
Mack Fleming
C Ryan Suzuki, Barrie Colts (OHL) - 6’0, 172 lbs.
Brother of current Montreal Canadiens prospect Nick Suzuki, Ryan plays a very smart and technical game. He is a very good skater that has a knack for finding his open teammates, however, rarely does he ever fail to capitalize on his own scoring chances. He is arguably the smartest playmaker on this list.
Nick Bowins
C/RW Raphael Lavoie, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) - 6’4, 198 lbs.
Very skilled offensively, putting up great numbers in the Q. A huge physical frame, and uses his body wisely for positioning despite not hitting much. A pass first player who has a superb shot. Protects the puck extremely well, and often backs defenders off, opening up space for teammates.
13.
Brant Dubeau
C Alex Turcotte, USNTDP - 5’11, 194 lbs.
Ranked all over the map by experts in the business, Turcotte is an interesting case because of his time missed due to injury. If teams aren’t afraid though, Turcotte is one of the more gifted players in the draft. He gets it done at both ends of the ice, putting up 13 points in 11 games for the development team while playing great defence as well. This is the ultimate risk reward for any team in the 10-15 range.
Mack Fleming
C Alex Newhook, Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL) - 5’11, 185 lbs.
A Boston College commit for next season, Newhook is an explosive skater that loves to have the puck on his stick. He controls the game very well, but has lacked some consistency this season. He also didn’t impress at the World Junior A Hockey Challenge as much as scouts had hoped.
Nick Bowins
C Ryan Suzuki, Barrie Colts (OHL) - 6’0, 172 lbs.
#13 just like his older brother. He is a better skater, possesses the same high hockey IQ, but doesn’t have the same shot that Nick does. A strong faceoff guy and has great vision with the puck. Would like to see him go to the dirty areas and engage in more battles with his size, but his very cerebral approach let’s him get out on the winning side of most puck battles.
12.
Brant Dubeau
C Ryan Suzuki, Barrie Colts (OHL) - 6’0, 172 lbs.
I think his draft stock might have risen based on the comparisons to his brother who shined in the World Juniors tournament. They both have great vision on the ice, and watching Ryan live, he always looks pass first, but his teammates haven’t helped him out in the slightest. Would like to see him shoot the puck more because he has a sneaky good shot.
Mack Fleming
C/RW Raphael Lavoie, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) - 6’4, 198 lbs.
He is one of the older players in the draft (10 days shy of the 2018 draft), which allowed him an extra season to grow as a player. Lavoie is a threat every time he has the puck in the offensive zone, he has a powerful and accurate shot to go along with a good set of hands.
Nick Bowins
C Alex Newhook, Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL) - 5’11, 190 lbs.
A different route to the NHL than most, but one that teams are no longer afraid of, (ie. Cale Makar). Committed to Boston College, the centreman has almost 2 points per game in the BCHL and has very strong offensive skills. Always seems to have the puck, and is a very quick skater. Great vision but is not afraid to shoot either, a nice dual threat.
11.
Brant Dubeau
C Alex Newhook, Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL) - 5’11, 190 lbs.
Taking a different route to the NHL draft, Newhook is tearing up the BCHL this year, leading the league by nearly 10 points. He has incredible hands and hockey sense which he combos to score some highlight reel goals. He will be a fun player to watch in the future.
Mack Fleming
LW Peyton Krebs, Kootenay Ice (WHL) - 5’11, 181 lbs.
Krebs reminds me a lot of Jonathan Toews. A player who can beat you with his mind and his determination. He is also a shifty forward who finds his own space on the ice and who takes creative lines to dangerous scoring areas. He has the ability to drive the play and make his linemates better.
Nick Bowins
C - Peyton Krebs - Kootenay Ice (WHL) - 5’11, 181 lbs.
The young captain of Kootenay has put up high numbers this year in the WHL, similar to Kirby Dach, but lacks the 200-foot game and the size of Dach. Touted as a natural leader, and has a great playmaking ability. Is a very shifty and creative playmaker, sometimes gets caught trying to make the extra move, but more often than not he exhibits his elite skill.