HT	WT	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	S
6-3	185	41	7	13	20	4	20	0	0	0	84

One of the best all-around defense prospects to ever come along, he combines exceptional skating ability with outstanding puck skills. Sees the game better than most. Has a projectable frame and he likes to use it, too. Is a constant threat on the power play because of outstanding hockey sense and a big-time shot from the point. Will need to add more bulk and get physically stronger in order to meet expectations. At times, he tries to do a little too much when he has the puck (he needs to learn when to make the safer, simpler play). Uber-talented, all-round defenseman with huge upside. The Sabres finally landed the top pick overall, after a few near misses in recent history. In Dahlin, Buffalo has a franchise defenseman to pair up with franchise center Jack Eichel in what will be the team's foundation for the foreseeable future. Dahlin was the consensus best prospect in this draft for a long, long time.

HT	WT	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	S
6-2	188	44	40	32	72	26	67	9	2	6	174

Owns outstanding offensive instincts, projectable NHL size, great hands, creativity and excellent goal-scoring acumen. Can take over a hockey game. Is also an accomplished playmaker from the wing position. Will need to fully fill out his big frame in order to withstand the rigors of the National Hockey League game, especially the tighter checking in smaller North American arenas. Also needs to work on his defense. Mega-talented scoring winger with big upside. The winds of change are blowing for the Hurricanes, as new ownership and management have promised to take the franchise in a new direction. Svechnikov represents a fresh start and the future offensive catalyst for the franchise. He will likely play a top-six forward role immediately in Raleigh. He is a great pick at No. 2.

HT	WT	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	TOI	S
6-2	188	57	10	19	29	-1	20	2	0	3	15:35	158

Owns outstanding hockey sense, two-way smarts and excellent vision. Passes the puck well and is a very creative playmaker on offense. Can be used in all game situations and is trustworthy. Has projectable size. Will need to become a better goal-scorer for the highest level. In order to do so, he could stand to shoot the puck a little more. Will also need to fill out his lanky frame in order to maximize output in the pro ranks. Excellent, two-way center with upside. The Canadiens have struggled to acquire quality centers in the recent (and even not-so-recent) past, so the club had no choice but to grab the best middle man available in this year's draft. Kotkaniemi may need a little time before he arrives, but Montreal is hoping he will finally be able to plug a massive hole down the middle.

HT	WT	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	S
6-3	196	40	8	23	31	15	61	3	1	0	131

His brother Matthew and father Keith, he is both an excellent offensive force and combustible disturbance around the opponents' crease area. His hockey sense and pedigree are off the charts, so he can be used in all game situations. Has a tendency to rise to the occasion in big moments. Like a lot of players who often play close to the edge, he will at times go over that boundary and take bad penalties. Therefore, he does need to become more disciplined (and learn when to pick his spots better). Aggravating, aggressive and talented power forward with good upside. This pick makes a lot of sense for Ottawa, who need a little bit of everything and could really use someone who can step into the lineup immediately and contribute. Tkachuk fits the bill and he is arguably the forward most ready for the National Hockey League in this draft. This should help the Senators quite a bit. And they need it.

HT	WT	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	S
6-1	190	63	21	39	60	24	32	8	0	5	158

Is a good playmaker with a very high hockey IQ. Plays a very mature game and can be used in all game situations (his game is similar to that of Jonathan Toews). Also owns a projectable frame. May not have as much goal-scoring acumen as the likes of Toews or Patrice Bergeron at the National Hockey League level. Also needs to fill out his frame in order to maximize output. Solid, two-way playmaker with upside. This is a very interesting pick because Coyotes GM John Chayka announced prior to the draft that he will take the best player available, and not draft for need. Hayton was obviously their top choice, but the fact he plays a position of great demand (center) and is relatively low-maintenance were likely factors in this decision.

HT	WT	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	S
6-0	195	57	44	38	82	23	36	8	3	5	234

Is a very dynamic winger with a goal-scorer's mentality and deft touch. Also displays two-way ability. Has the projectable size to score in the dirty areas at the highest level. Skates very well and also shows a lot of shiftiness. His shot can be deadly. Can be used in all game situations. Will need to fill out his frame in order to maximize his scoring output at the National Hockey League level. Is not as good a passer as he is a shooter, though he is improving in that area as well. Talented sniper with good upside. Detroit has needs on defense but they decided to take the best player available in Zadina, who was not expected to be available at No. 6. Zadina is probably not ready for the NHL but the Red Wings are notorious for slow-cooking their prospects. Detroit has plenty of time to address the blueline; they could not pass up Zadina's scoring talent.

HT	WT	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	S
5-10	170	37	5	24	29	14	26	2	0	2	93

An exceptional skater, his mobility and offensive awareness are off the charts. Is always at his best whenever he has the puck on his stick. Can control the game from the back end and is a supreme power-play quarterback. Lacks optimum size for the blueline position at the National Hockey League level. At times, he can be guilty of being a little too aggressive on the ice (which can cause him to be out of position). Needs to get stronger. Swift-skating, talented offensive defenseman with good upside. The Canucks were almost certainly going to take a defenseman with this selection, so this pick comes as no surprise. Hughes is probably the most dynamic defenseman (after Rasmus Dahlin) in the draft, so he should one day be a key figure for the next generation of Canucks. He may need one more season of development.

HT	WT	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	S
5-11	168	25	14	10	24	6	18	2	0	3	98

A pure offensive defenseman, he owns outstanding mobility and tremendous puck skills. Rushes the puck up ice with aplomb, is an excellent stickhandler with the vision and hockey sense to produce a lot of points. Is also a natural power-play quarterback. Defensively, he uses his stick effectively to thwart offensive chances. A lack of ideal size for the National Hockey League is at the root of his issues, though he has enough talent to overcome his shortcomings. Still, he can get knocked off the puck from time to time so more bulk is required. Talented offensive defenseman with good upside. There was a lot of talk of Chicago targeting a sniper like Oliver Wahlstrom, but instead they went for the second-best Swedish defenseman available after Rasmus Dahlin. The Blackhawks will probably not rush Boqvist, and he is likely to spend another season in Sweden. This selection is mostly about upside and long-range projection.

HT	WT	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	TOI	S
6-2	170	35	4	3	7	3	6	0	0	1	9:19	35

Is an offensive dynamo with tremendous skill with the puck. Is also an extremely good skater with a very projectable (6-2) frame. Can be a game-breaking, offensive force when he is on the ice. His play when he does not have the puck still leaves something to be desired, so he needs to improve his defensive game in order to maximize output in North America. Must also get stronger. Ultra-skilled, talented winger with major upside. This is an interesting selection for the Rangers, a team that easily attracts Russian talent because of deep Russian roots in New York City. Kravtsov will spend more time in the KHL and is a long-range prospect for a team committed to a long rebuild. The Rangers selected potential and upside, above everything else, with this pick.

HT	WT	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	S
6-2	193	67	25	62	87	23	54	10	1	7	297

Has a projectable frame and tons of offensive ability. Passes the puck with aplomb and can quarterback a power play. Can score goals, too, because of his shot. Also positions himself well in the defensive zone and reads plays incredibly well thanks to outstanding hockey sense. Needs to become more consistent in terms of shooting the puck accurately from the point, so as to maximize point production at the highest level. Also needs to finish filling out his 6-2 frame for the highest level. Talented, all-around defenseman with good upside. This is a very good pick for an Oilers team that absolutely needed an offensive defenseman. They likely chose Bouchard over Noah Dobson because of Bouchard's ability to run the power play and shoot the puck. Look for Bouchard to crack the lineup immediately, and he may contribute significantly. Great acquisition for Edmonton.

HT	WT	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	S
6-1	205	62	48	46	94	37	42	13	3	6	288

While he has the versatility to play center, he projects to play right wing at the highest level due to his nose for the net, sense of anticipation and natural goal-scoring ability. Owns great hands, the size to fend off NHL defenders and excellent hand/eye coordination. In order to maximize output in the National Hockey League, he will need to work on his defensive-zone coverage and game-to-game consistency. Will need to improve his passing and playmaking skills if he is to play in the middle of the ice in the professional ranks. Talented, versatile goal-scorer with good upside. The Islanders took the best player available here in Wahlstrom, a pure sniper who can score goals with relative ease. He was expected to be picked in the top 10, so the Isles have to be happy that he was still around at No. 11. It may not take Wahlstrom more than another season of development before arriving on Long Island. He is good.

HT	WT	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	S
6-3	180	67	17	52	69	33	52	11	2	2	276

Skates exceptionally well and displays outstanding mobility, overall. Can be used in all game situations and can log huge amounts of ice time. Is a good shooter from the point and also owns good vision and hockey sense. In order to become an elite shutdown defender, he will need to add more bulk and become physically stronger for the National Hockey League. He also needs more strength and stamina to be able to continue to play a ton. Mobile, talented all-round defenseman with good upside. This could be one of the best picks in the entire draft, as Dobson is a complete defenseman with a championship pedigree (he is coming off a sensational performance with Acadie-Bathurst in winning the 2018 Memorial Cup). Dobson is also mature beyond his years, so expect him to challenge for a roster spot with the Islanders right away.

HT	WT	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	S
6-0	185	67	27	32	59	-30	48	10	2	5	239

Skates very well, and also displays great offensive instincts and excellent hand/eye coordination. Furthermore, he can also play a very feisty brand of hockey (which usually pleases his coaches). In order to maximize his all-around approach to the game of hockey, he will need to continue to fill out his frame, add more strength and improve his game when he does not have the puck. Talented, energetic scoring forward with good upside. The Stars took a quality, all-around center with high character in Dellandrea. He is a few seasons away from contributing to the National Hockey League club, but is almost a lock to reach the highest level one day. Current Stars captain Jamie Benn announced the selection, and one day Dellandrea may captain Dallas as well.

HT	WT	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	S
6-0	164	62	33	43	76	41	44	8	5	4	207

Is a great skater, and he uses his skating ability to both attack in the offensive zone and defend in his own end. Displays the kind of hockey IQ that professional coaches love (and trust). Has sound leadership qualities. In order to maximize output at the highest level, he will need to add significant bulk and strength (because he is undersized for the National Hockey League game). Must also prove he can produce big numbers as a pro. Speedy, two-way forward with upside. In Farabee, the Flyers get a solid winger who has the instincts and versatility to play at the highest level. Philadelphia is deep with center prospects, so adding a playmaking winger in Farabee makes a lot of sense here. He will not be in the NHL right away, so the Flyers can take their time to properly develop his overall game.

HT	WT	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	TOI	S
5-11	176	31	9	13	22	8	30	2	0	3	16:11	97

A classic Russian left-winger who enjoys dangling with the puck on his stick from his off-wing (left), he displays supreme playmaking ability. Has game-breaking skills on offense. Does not have ideal size for the North American pro circuit, so he needs to add significant bulk in order to (eventually) cross the pond. Could also improve his defensive play. Talented, slick winger with good upside. The Panthers have great depth up front at present time, with a few other quality prospects coming. Therefore, Denisenko is a long-range prospect with high upside. He will remain in Russia for the foreseeable future, but Florida could have a steal here if they are able to bring him to North America reasonably quickly.

HT	WT	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	TOI	S
6-2	176	38	9	7	16	5	14	1	1	2	13:43	62

Can be an effective complementary winger for high-end linemates, due to his sound two-way approach to the game. Can line up on either side of center and has good playmaking skills. Also owns a projectable frame. May never become a prolific point producer at the highest level because he lacks elite skating ability for the National Hockey League. Could also stand to add more bulk to his 6-1 frame and become stronger, overall. Solid, two-way forward with upside. The Avalanche have several young defense prospects, so they did well here to re-stock the forward cupboard with Kaut. He is a highly-skilled, two-way player who can do a lot of different things for a hockey team. He will need a couple of seasons to get stronger and learn the North American pro game, but he is a solid pick for Colorado.

HT	WT	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	S
5-11	175	69	14	59	73	44	30	3	0	4	194

A prototypical, modern-day defenseman, his skating ability sets him apart from the pack. Can put up points from the back end and also defend his position with aplomb. Can log a ton of minutes effortlessly, too. Like most defensemen in the modern era, he is slightly undersized and will need to add more bulk in order to gain the strength required to perform at the NHL level, night in and night out. Mobile, talented all-round defenseman with good upside. The Devils had not drafted a defenseman in Round 1 for several seasons, so picking Smith in the middle of the 2018 first round makes all the sense of the world. He has the mobility that the Devils want from all of their players (if possible), so this looks like a perfect fit. He may need another season to get stronger but could be a steal.

HT	WT	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	S
6-0	175	65	24	16	40	-2	22	1	5	4	136

An exceptional athlete, he skates like the wind and can wreak havoc on opponents because of his wheels. Displays plenty of offensive potential, a projectable frame and some two-way ability. Is still a bit raw as a prospect, so he may need a little more time than usual in order to fully hone his tools. In order to do so, he will need to fill out his lanky frame and get physically stronger for the NHL. Speedy, athletic forward with upside. The Blue Jackets have good depth at the center position these days, and they want to keep it that way with the selection of the speedy Foudy. His stock rose after a strong combine and late-season performance with London (OHL). He will take a few seasons to develop but the depth in the organization will help the team be patient here.

HT	WT	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
5-11	185	30	43	37	80	9

Can play a solid, two-way game. Skates well and is very detail-oriented in all elements of the game of hockey. Is a smart player with excellent vision and sound work ethic. Needs to add more bulk and get physically stronger in order to maximize output at the highest level. Also, he lacks elite goal-scoring talent. Needs to be more consistent. Solid, all-around center with upside. The Flyers have a lot of centers, young NHLers and up-and-coming prospects alike, but obviously Philadelphia could not pass up O'Brien. He is a long-range prospect with plenty of skill, so the Flyers hope he can eventually make the NHL grade. It is rare these days for a U.S. high-school player to be picked in the first round.

HT	WT	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	TOI	S
6-1	183	39	6	8	14	4	12	2	0	0	12:05	70

Has a tremendous amount of offensive ability. Is a very good dangler and creative playmaker. Also has the hands of a surgeon and the capability of putting up good offensive numbers at all levels. Needs to add a lot more bulk to his frame and get physically stronger in order to maximize output in the National Hockey League. Also, he could stand to improve his play when he does not have the puck. Talented, creative playmaker with good upside. The Kings selected two center prospects in Gabriel Vilardi and Jaret Anderson-Dolan in the first two rounds last year, and now adding Kupari gives them more depth at the all-important position. Unlike Vilardi and Anderson-Dolan, Kupari will probably take a little longer to develop. He has a ton of upside but is more of a long-range pick.

HT	WT	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	S
5-11	170	63	13	54	67	-29	63	2	1	1	144

Is a tremendous skater with excellent balance and overall mobility. Is also a creative playmaker with outstanding vision and puck skills. Can quarterback the power play with aplomb. Does not have ideal size for the National Hockey League, so he must add bulk, gain greater strength and prove he can continue to produce quality offensive numbers at the highest level. Talented, mobile defenseman with good upside. In terms of skill, Merkley has the goods. However, he has defensive issues and is not always a committed player. Therefore, he is clearly a project at this point. San Jose, who currently have elite offensive defenseman Brent Burns in the lineup, can afford to wait patiently while Merkley matures (hopefully) and develops his game.

HT	WT	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	S
6-3	206	58	9	20	29	23	26	0	2	2	103

A great athlete and physical specimen at 6-3, 205 pounds, he displays excellent shutdown acumen from the back end. Moves well for a big man and can join the rush from time to time. Has offensive upside, too. Will need to prove he can produce offense as he climbs the ladder (because defense will always be his calling, first and foremost). Also, he can place himself out of position at times when lining up for the big hit. Big, physical shutdown defenseman with upside. This pick is perfect for a rebuilding team like the Rangers. After going for a home run with their first pick in winger Vitali Kravtsov, now New York lands a high-upside, all-around defender in Miller. He is a few seasons away from joining the Blueshirts but is a value pick near the end of the first round. New York is staying the rebuilding course.

HT	WT	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	S
6-0	185	42	6	9	15	7	14	3	0	2	42

Can play well in all three zones and displays excellent playmaking skills. Is also a versatile forward who can be used in any game situation. His passing skills and patience with the puck set him apart from the rest. Needs to fill out his frame because he does not have ideal size for the National Hockey League. Will also need to shoot the puck more at the highest level so as to keep defenders honest (since he likes to pass the puck). Talented, versatile playmaker with upside. The Ducks are an aging team with older centers such as Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler still in prominent roles, so it makes sense here to pick Lundestrom for the future. He is a two-way talent who should fit in nicely with the Ducks--eventually. Anaheim likes to draft out of Sweden, so this selection was not a surprise in the least.

HT	WT	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	S
6-1	174	29	4	5	9	6	12	2	0	0	77

Defends his position very well, both because of an active stick and a fairly projectable frame. Owns a hard shot from the point. Can log big minutes along the blueline, including important ice time in all game situations. Will need to add more bulk and strength in order to maximize his shutdown ability at the highest level. While he is mobile and polished, he is not an elite offensive rearguard (and must play within his own limitations). Quality, reliable and all-round defenseman with good upside. The Wild are now run by GM Paul Fenton, a former assistant in Nashville. So, in keeping with his former team's tradition, Fenton opted for a defenseman in Round 1. Johansson has big potential but will need a few more seasons to develop. Minnesota has needs but they were not about to fill them with this late first rounder.

HT	WT	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	S
6-1	180	35	14	27	41	19	12	2	0	1	116

What stands out about his game is his speed, hands and ability to elude defenders in the attacking zone. Can score goals and set up his linemates equally well. Has the projectable size (6-1) to handle the traffic in scoring areas. Must avoid playing on the periphery, and also needs to learn the nuances of playing on North American-sized rinks, in order to maximize output in the National Hockey League. Also needs to get physically stronger. Talented, shifty winger with good upside. The Blues traded up and gave up an extra third rounder just to land Bokk, a very talented scorer out of Germany who played in Sweden last season. St. Louis has a strong group of young wingers, so Bokk will need time to move up the organizational ladder. However, he was a talent the organization felt they simply could not pass up.

HT	WT	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG
6-0	181	49	20	21	41	34	7	4	2

A quality, long-range blueliner, he owns excellent mobility, projectable NHL size and a very good shot from the point. Capable of quarterbacking the power play, he has plenty of offensive acumen and shutdown ability, too. Will need to fill out his frame in order to maximize his all-around talent from the back end at the highest level, since he lacks some strength. Also needs to continue to work on his positioning and defensive-zone coverage. Talented, all-round defenseman with upside. After taking Brady Tkachuk with their first pick, Ottawa now goes for a long-range defenseman in Bernard-Docker. Tkachuk should play with the Senators right away, while Bernard-Docker is slated to play for the University of North Dakota in 2018-19. Ottawa likes size and physicality on defense, so Bernard-Docker fits the bill here.

HT	WT	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	S
5-11	175	68	12	57	69	27	47	5	1	3	151

Is a good skater with excellent passing ability. His vision is what sets him apart, and he thinks the game well. Can put up points and make smart, efficient passes to escape danger in the defensive zone. Lacks size, so he needs to add significant bulk and get physically stronger. That should also help him become even faster than he is, as he is more quick and mobile than speedy at this point in his career. Quality puck-moving defenseman with upside. The Blackhawks are clearly committed to rebuilding their blueline down the road, which explains the selections of Adam Boqvist and Beaudin with their first two picks of this draft. Beaudin is a good skater who moves the puck (like Boqvist), so Chicago is trying to plug future holes on defense. They should pick a forward with their next pick.

HT	WT	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	S
5-11	180	28	2	3	5	2	0	0	0	0	21

Has obvious puck-moving skills, thanks to excellent mobility from the back end and a high hockey IQ. Is a flashy playmaker from the back end and owns supreme confidence with the puck on his stick. Oozes offense on the ice. Lacks optimum size for a National Hockey League defenseman and will need to add more bulk and strength in order to maximize output at the highest level. Must learn how to gamble the right way when joining the rush. Talented, offensive-minded defenseman with upside. Smallish, puck-moving defensemen are becoming highly valuable in the NHL, so they are becoming the norm in Round 1. After the Rangers took longer-range prospects twice earlier, Lundkvist continues that trend as a defenseman with pretty good upside. He will need a few more seasons of development is a good pick here.

HT	WT	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	S
5-11	184	51	12	33	45	35	24	4	0	1	94

Is an excellent passer who skates very well and thinks the game smartly. While capable of putting up a lot of points, he can also defend his position well due to his cerebral approach and active stick. Needs to become a more consistent performer when he does not have the puck in order to maximize output in the National Hockey League. Also needs to add more bulk, since he is a bit undersized. Talented, mobile defenseman with upside. The Maple Leafs like to draft OHLers, and they also like to draft Swedes. With Sandin, they get both. He is a modern-day, mobile defenseman with puck skills and upside. Toronto has a ton of prospects, so Sandin will be a long-range defenseman for the franchise. Sandin seems to personify what the Leafs are all about these days.

HT	WT	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	S
6-1	193	33	16	32	48	14	22	3	3	3	105

Has projectable size and the ability to play a complete game in all three zones. Has excellent playmaking skills. Can be trusted in all game situations and with the contest on the line. Has good hockey sense and smarts. Needs to become more of a shooter in order to keep professional opponents honest, since he has a tendency to pass, pass and pass the puck a ton. Also needs to continue to add bulk and get physically stronger for the NHL. Heady, talented two-way center and playmaker with upside. This pick is clearly a best-player-available scenario for Detroit, since Veleno was projected to go much higher. He is a talented, two-way center with a lot of maturity in his game. With Veleno and Filip Zadina, the Red Wings have taken two forwards that were not expected to be available when they picked. So far, so good for the Wings.

HT	WT	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	S
6-3	200	45	7	30	37	-3	29	2	0	0	79

Owns a very projectable (6-3) frame, so he should play at well over 200 pounds in the North American pro ranks when he finishes filling out. Skates well for his size and makes good decisions with the puck. Can log lots of minutes and be used in any game situation. In order to thrive as a minute-muncher at the National Hockey League level, he will need to fill out his big frame and get physically stronger so as to gain greater stamina. Does not project to become a power-play quarterback (or a top point producer) at the highest level. Big, mobile, all-around defenseman with upside. The Stanley Cup champions love size, so Alexeyev is a fit here. Washington has also found incredible success drafting Russians in the first round, so there are positive vibes all around with this selection. Alexeyev also has experience playing in North America, which may help him get to the NHL a little sooner than some of his peers.