[TheIronMaiden]

Sportsnet’s 2019 NHL Draft Prospect Rankings: January
https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/...kings-january/


Looks like there will be a handful of good D men available late in the first round.

1. Jack Hughes, C, USNTDP, 5-foot-10, 168 pounds: Not at his best due to injury at the WJC, but it doesn’t matter, he’s the top dog for 2019.


2. Kaapo Kakko, RW, TPS (Liiga), 6-foot-4, 207 pounds: The only thing missing is a dynamic element that Hughes has shown. His WJC performance has him anchored in the two-hole.

3. Vasily Podkolzin, RW, SKA St. Petersburg (MHL), 6-foot-1, 183 pounds: Continues to prove he can be leaned on when playing against older competition. He did it at the WJAC and stepped up a notch in class to perform well at the WJC.

4. Dylan Cozens, C, Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL), 6-foot-3, 185 pounds: Didn’t hang his head after not getting a chance to go to Canada’s WJC selection camp. Skating ability and smarts make him a legit threat every night.

5. Matthew Boldy, LW, USNTDP, 6-foot-1, 187 pounds: Continues to grow, which can only help an already electric package.

6. Kirby Dach, C, Saskatoon Blades (WHL), 6-foot-3, 195 pounds: A beast of a man who is bound and determined to be a pro. A big part of a long-awaited turnaround in Saskatoon.

7. Peyton Krebs, C, Kootenay Ice (WHL), 5-foot-11, 180 pounds: Does being the best player on a poor team make it easier or harder for scouts?

8. Bowen Byram, D. Vancouver Giants (WHL), 6-foot-1, 195 pounds: Has done enough on both sides of the puck to project as a top-four two-way defenceman.

9. Alex Turcotte, C, USNTDP, 5-foot-11, 189 pounds: Just starting to get his game legs back after missing a month and a half. Details and reliability are the hallmarks of his game.

10. Raphael Lavoie, C/RW, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL), 6-foot-4, 192 pounds: Truly an enigma who you’d love to see play with the urgency of a fire drill.