VANCOUVER — A glance at the first-round selections in the 2019 National Hockey League draft on Friday night at Rogers Arena. To the surprise of no one, the New Jersey Devils chose Jack Hughes first overall:
- New Jersey — Jack Hughes, C, USNTDP
Franchise-type player will fit in nicely with Nico Hischier, taken first overall by Devils in 2017.
- N.Y. Rangers — Kaapo Kakko, RW, TPS Turku
Won’t be long before Kakko becomes the man in Manhattan. Like Hughes, he’s the full package.
- Chicago — Kirby Dach, C, Saskatoon, WHL
Brings the kind of size and skill that will serve him well in the West.
- Colorado (from OTT) — Bowen Byram, D, Vancouver, WHL
High-energy, elite-skating defenceman has no equals at his position in this draft.
- Los Angeles — Alex Turcotte, C, USNTDP
Strong two-way game makes son of former NHLer Alfie Turcotte a blue-chip prospect.
- Detroit — Moritz Seider, D, Adler Mannheim
Wings pull off first surprise with German D-man. Still, future is bright.
- Buffalo — Dylan Cozens, C/RW, Lethbridge, WHL.
First player from the Yukon picked in the first round. Defined by work ethic and skill.
- Edmonton — Philip Broberg, D, AIK, Sweden
Skating ability equalled by few other prospects in the 2019 draft. Brings size to the table.
- Anaheim — Trevor Zegras, C, USNTDP
Shot and playmaking ability landed him in the top 10. Plays with an edge.
- Vancouver — Vasili Podkolzin, RW, St. Petersburg
Bulldog-like approach and loves to get physically involved. Doesn’t take many shifts off.
- Arizona (from PHA) — Victor Soderstrom, D, Brynas
Coyotes trade up to secure all-around, cerebral defenceman. Mobility among his assets.
- Minnesota — Matthew Boldy, LW, USNTDP
Creative and has an above-average wrist shot that gives him ability to score.
- Florida — Spencer Knight, G, US USNTDP
Knight has franchise potential. Rare is the first-round goalie, but worth it for Panthers.
- Philadelphia (from ARI) — Cam York, D, USNTDP
Not big, but flashy and moves the puck well. Lots of offence from the back end.
- Montreal — Cole Caufield, C/W, US USNTDP
Listed at 5-foot-7, but not an issue in today’s NHL. A goal machine.
- Colorado — Alex Newhook, C, Victoria, BCHL
Explosive forward piles up the points, brings agility and finesse each time over the boards.
- Vegas — Peyton Krebs, C, Kootenay, WHL
Leadership and competitive nature should go over well on the Strip. Electric player on offence.
- Dallas — Thomas Harley, D, Mississauga, OHL
Skates and moves the puck well. Smart gap control in defensive zone an asset.
- Ottawa (from CBJ) — Lassi Thomson, D, Kelowna, WHL
Smart in the transitional game, he had a strong second half to move up.
- Winnipeg (from NYR) — Ville Heinola, D, Lukko
Doesn’t take many risks and plays with an element of poise in the defensive zone.
- Pittsburgh — Samuel Poulin, LW, Sherbrooke, QMJHL
Son of ex-NHLer Patrick Poulin leads and produces. A solid combination.
- Los Angeles (from TOR) — Tobias Bjornfot, D, Djurgardens
Physically strong and makes a hard first pass. Simple and safe are attributes.
- N.Y. Islanders — Simon Holmstrom, RW, HV71
Good skater, but hands and puckhandling are assets as well. Strong deep in offensive end.
- Nashville — Philip Tomasino, C, Niagara, OHL
Point-a-game player doesn’t mind getting his nose dirty to make plays.
- Washington — Connor McMichael, C, London, OHL
Anticipates the play well and is positionally sound. Has great edges and balance.
- Calgary — Jakob Pelletier, LW, Moncton, QMJHL
Instinct allows him to create scoring chances. Vision and creativity big parts of his game.
- Tampa Bay — Nolan Foote, LW, Kelowna, WHL
Son of ex-NHLer Adam Foote joins brother Cal in Tampa organization. Skating has improved.
- Carolina — Ryan Suzuki, C, Barrie, OHL
Smooth skater is deceptive with the puck. Sees the ice better than most.
- Anaheim (from SJS-BUF) — Brayden Tracey, LW, Moose Jaw, WHL
Blossomed as a WHL rookie, leading league in points (81) by a freshman.
- Boston — John Beecher, C, USNTDP
Big and mobile, is able to be a strong physical force in the offensive zone.
- Buffalo — Ryan Johnson, D, Sioux Falls, USHL
Not overly physical, but reads the play well and has good hockey sense.
Copyright Postmedia Network Inc., 2019
