2018 Draft Results By Team
The 2018 NHL Entry Draft is now complete. Check out how each team did with accruing talent and filling needs with each of their selections this weekend:
Anaheim Ducks
1-23. F Isac Lundestrom, Lulea (SHL)
2-54. F Benoit-Olivier Groulx, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
3-79. F Blake McLaughlin, Chicago Steel (USHL)
3-84. G Lukas Dostal, HC Kometa Brno (Czech Republic-Jr.)
4-116. F Jack Perbix, Elk River HS (USHS)
5-147. G Roman Durny, Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
6-178. D Hunter Drew, Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)
Arizona Coyotes
1-5. F Barrett Hayton, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
2-55. D Kevin Bahl, Ottawa 67’s (OHL)
3-65. F Jan Jenik, HC Benatky nad Jizerou (Czech Republic-2)
3-73. D Ty Emberson, U.S. National Development Program (USHL)
4-114. G Ivan Prosvetov, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
5-142. D Mitchell Callahan, Central Illinois Flying Aces (USHL)
5-145. D Dennis Busby, Flint Firebirds (OHL)
6-158. G David Tendeck, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
7-189. F Liam Kirk, Sheffield Steelers (England)
Boston Bruins
2-57. D Axel Andersson, Djurgardens IF (SuperElit)
3-77. F Jakub Lauko, Pirati Chomutov (Czech Republic)
4-119. F Curtis Hall, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
6-181. D Dustyn McFaul, Pickering Panthers (OJHL)
7-212. F Pavel Shen, Mamonty Yugry (MHL)
Buffalo Sabres
1-1. D Rasmus Dahlin, Frolunda HC (SHL)
2-32. D Mattias Samuelsson, U.S. National Development Program (USHL)
4-94. F Matej Pekar, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
4-117. D Linus Lindstrand Kronholm, Malmo Redhawks (SuperElit)
5-125. D Miska Kuukonen, Ilves (Jr.-Liiga)
7-187. D William Worge Kreu, Linkoping (SuperElit)
Calgary Flames
3-105. F Martin Pospisil, Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
3-108. F Demetrios Koumontzis, Edina HS (USHS)
4-122. F Milos Roman, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
6-167. F Mathias Emilio Pettersen, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
7-198. F Dmitri Zavgorodny, Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)
Carolina Hurricanes
1-2. F Andrei Svechnikov, Barrie Colts (OHL)
2-42. F Jack Drury, Waterloo Blackhawks (USHL)
4-96. F Luke Henman, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
4-104. F Lenni Killinen, Espoo Blues (Jr.-Liiga)
6-166. D Jesper Sellgren, MODO (Allsveskan)
7-197. G Jake Kucharski, Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
Chicago Blackhawks
1-8. D Adam Boqvist, Brynas IF Gavle (SHL)
1-27. D Nicolas Beaudin, Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
3-69. F Jake Wise, U.S. National Development Program (USHL)
3-74. F Niklas Nordgren, HIFK Helsinki (Jr.-Liiga)
4-120. F Philipp Kurashev, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
5-139. F Mikael Hakkarainen, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
6-162. G Alexis Gravel, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
7-193. F Josiah Slavin, Lincoln Stars (USHL)
Colorado Avalanche
1-16. F Martin Kaut, Dynamo Pardubice (Czech Republic)
3-64. G Justus Annunen, Karpat (Jr.-Liiga)
3-78. F Sampo Ranta, Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
4-109. F Tyler Weiss, U.S. National Development Program (USHL)
5-140. F Brandon Saigeon, Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL)
5-146. D Danila Zhuravlyov, Irbis Kazan (MHL)
6-171. F Nikolai Kovalenko, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (MHL)
7-202. G Shamil Shmakov, Sibirskie Snaipery Novosibirsk (MHL)Read more
42 Players Invited To Team USA Summer Showcase
The World Junior Summer Showcase is a tournament designed to help prospects demonstrate their skills and vie for a spot on their respective World Junior Championship squads. Today, USA Hockey released the list of 42 names that have been invited to the showcase, including several returning players. Highlighted by potential top-5 pick Quinn Hughes and his brother Jack Hughes—who is an early favorite for first-overall in 2019—the USA should have a good chance of bringing home gold at the 2019 tournament. The full list is below:
G Kyle Keyser (BOS, free agent)
G Spencer Knight (2019 draft eligible)
G Keith Petruzzelli (DET, 88th overall, 2017)
G Cayden Primeau (MTL, 199th overall, 2017)
D Matt Anderson (2018 draft eligible)
D Mikey Anderson (LAK, 103rd overall, 2017)
D Josh Ess (CHI, 215th overall, 2017)
D David Farrance (NSH, 92nd overall, 2017)
D Quinn Hughes (2018 draft eligible)
D Joe Keane (2018 draft eligible)
D Phil Kemp (EDM, 208th overall, 2017)
D Ben Mirageas (NYI, 77th overall, 2017)
D K’Andre Miller (2018 draft eligible)
D Tommy Miller (2018 draft eligible)
D Alec Regula (2018 draft eligible)
D Dylan Samberg (WPG, 43rd overall, 2017)
D Mattias Samuelsson (2018 draft eligible)
D Reilly Walsh (NJD, 81st overall, 2017)
F Evan Barratt (CHI, 90th overall, 2017)
F Noah Cates (PHI, 137th overall, 2017)
F Sasha Chmelevski (SJS, 185th overall, 2017)
F Logan Cockerill (NYI, 201st overall, 2017)
F Cole Coskey (2018 draft eligible)
F Paul Cotter (2018 draft eligible)
F Sean Dhooghe (2018 draft eligible)
F Jack Drury (2018 draft eligible)
F Joel Farabee (2018 draft eligible)
F Jon Gruden (2018 draft eligible)
F Curtis Hall (2018 draft eligible)
F Jack Hughes (2019 draft eligible)
F Logan Hutsko (2018 draft eligible)
F Brandon Kruse (2018 draft eligible)
F Ivan Lodnia (MIN, 85th overall, 2017)
F Jacob McGrew (SJS, 159th overall, 2017)
F Grant Mismash (NSH, 61st overall, 2017)
F Josh Norris (SJS, 19th overall, 2017)
F Jay O’Brien (2018 draft eligible)
F Ryan Poehling (MTL, 25th overall, 2017)
F Jason Robertson (DAL, 39th overall, 2017)
F Brady Tkachuk (2018 draft eligible)
F Oliver Wahlstrom (2018 draft eligible)
F Jake Wise (2018 draft eligible)
Red Wings And Canadiens To Clash At The Draft
Before the 2018-19 season even begins, there will be some conflict between divisional foes. The Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings are both coming off disappointing seasons and are looking to reinforce their franchises with their own high draft slots as well as acquired picks. Both teams are hoping to cash in on several picks in the first and second rounds to find multiple players that will grow to become regular NHLers. However, they may have to battle each other to do so.
The Athletic’s Craig Custance published an article this week about Detroit’s possible plans and potential targets for a trio of picks in the 30’s. His colleague Arpon Basu was quick to respond with his own article about Montreal’s potential marks with their two picks in the early second round. Basu also added that the two teams share similar organizational needs. Among them, both the Canadiens and Red Wings could use a top-flight center and defenseman in the pipeline.
With no suitable centers available when either team picks in the first round – the Habs at #3 and the Wings at #6 – what those teams do early on could dictate their priorities in the early second. Many expect that Montreal cannot pass up the elite forward talent that is winger Filip Zadina. The Canadiens (or Red Wings) could reach for center Jesperi Kotkaniemi, but it is unlikely. They could also take a defenseman, as there are plenty of supremely talented names available in this draft. After Rasmus Dahlin presumably goes first overall, most consider Quinn Hughes to be the next best name. Of course, Detroit is the heavy favorite to take the University of Michigan product if he’s still on the board. If Montreal chose to steal him, it would be the first conflict between these two teams.
Things heat up even more later on though. Detroit has a second first-rounder at #30, courtesy of the Tomas Tatar trade with the Vegas Golden Knights. While this is a prime position for the Wings to trade out of, they could also simply make the pick. It is here that the Red Wings could beat the Canadiens to one of the top available centers. Both Custance and Basu list Ty Dellandrea as a prime target in the late first and early second, and Basu also offers Isac Lundestrom and Jacob Olofsson as candidates if either is still available. Then, in the second, Detroit picks again at #33, the pick they received from the Ottawa Senators through the New York Rangers in the Brendan Smith deal. So while the Habs get the first shot at selecting ahead of the Wings early in the first round, Detroit then has the next three consecutive picks ahead of Montreal. Here, it would be easy to see the Red Wings double up on defensemen, aiming for a more physical specimen. Both Custance and Basu tab K’Andre Miller as a likely target, while Basu also lists Mattias Samuelsson and, if he’s still there, Jared McIsaac. Both writers are also intrigued by the boom-or-bust talent of defenseman Ryan Merkley, another swift puck-mover like Hughes. Don’t rule out Detroit looking his way as well. Finally, Montreal gets their next shot at #35 and Detroit picks right after at #36. Montreal may again have to pick up the scraps at #38, the selection they landed from the Chicago Blackhawks along with Phillip Danault in the very favorable Tomas Fleischmann/Dale Weise trade in 2016.
Montreal also has picks #56 and #62 later in the second round, leaving open a very real opportunity that they could change this whole dynamic by packaging multiple second-rounders – in a draft that many feel is homogeneous in the #20 to #60 range – to move back into the first round and ahead of Detroit at #30. It would then be the Canadiens who could take the best available center or defenseman and put the Red Wings in a tough spot.
It’s always a good time to see two Original Six teams battle on the ice, but the war for position brewing between Detroit and Montreal in the upcoming draft could be just as fun to watch.
NHL Draft Combine Results
The NHL held its annual Draft Combine over the past week, with players able to speak with their potential teams and participate in fitness testing. The physical part of the week was held on Saturday (with a select few tests occurring the day before), with upwards of 100 prospects trying their best to show off their strengths in the gym. Here are the results of the tests, thanks to NHL Central Scouting:
Aerobic Fitness: Test Duration
- Xavier Bouchard – 16:45
- Curtis Douglas – 16:35
- Mattias Samuelsson – 16:30
- Kevin Bahl – 16:10
- Oskar Back – 16:08
Aerobic Fitness: VO2max (ml/kg/min)
- Cameron Hillis – 65.0
- Aidan Dudas – 63.0
- Xavier Bouchard – 62.0
- Jack Drury – 61.0
- Ty Dellandrea – 60.0
2018 NHL Scouting Combine Player List
The 2018 NHL Entry Draft is fast approaching on June 22nd, and the league has released the list of 104 players invited to this year’s scouting combine. The group includes top prospects like Rasmus Dahlin, Andrei Svechnikov and Filip Zadina, along with many others who are just hoping to hear their name called at some point in a few weeks.
Starting today, teams are able to meet this week with potential draft picks for 1-on-1 interviews to better determine the kind of person they are. Though obviously these discussions likely won’t change the first-overall selection, they could bring a player further onto a team’s radar for later in the draft. It’s a chance to impress with your dedication and drive, before getting the opportunity to show them your physical attributes next weekend. The fitness testing will commence on Saturday, with potential top pick Rasmus Dahlin getting involved early (currently scheduled for 8:30am CT).
Below is a full list of the attending players, but for more detailed information check out Scott Wheeler of the Athletic’s Twitter image.
Mattias Samuelsson De-Commits From Michigan, To Attend Western Michigan
The U.S. National Development Program sent presumptive 2018 top ten pick Quinn Hughes to the University of Michigan this season and were set to send fellow likely 2018 first-round defensemen Bode Wilde and Mattias Samuelsson to Ann Arbor next year. While two top picks on your blue line is impressive enough, the Wolverines were likely disappointed to hear yesterday that they had lost their commitment from Samuelsson. The big Swedish-American 17-year-old announced that he would no longer be attending Michigan next fall, but instead in-state rival Western Michigan.
While on it’s face the decision seems strange – Michigan is a far more storied college hockey program than WMU – there is some reasoning behind Samuelsson’s change of heart. The first, and the one stated outright, is that Mattias will now play with brother Lukas Samuelsson on the Broncos. Lukas, 21, is a forward for Western Michigan, though he has played in just one game thus far in his first season with the team. In addition to playing with his brother, the choice may have had just as much to do with who who he will no longer be playing with. With the likes of Hughes, Wilde, and Luke Martin slated for major roles on the Michigan blue line next season, Samuelsson may have struggled to find the top-pair minutes he desires for his further development. Another reason for Samuelsson to change his mind may be the recent play of the Broncos. Western Michigan is currently ranked #11 in the NCAA with a solid 12-9-1 record, whereas Michigan is ranked #20 with an even 10-10-2 mark. While the history and even current talent on the Wolverines roster would still suggest they are the better hockey school, Philadelphia Flyers’ 2016 second-round pick Wade Allison is leading the Broncos to a strong campaign and WMU boasts other notable NHL alumni such as Keith Jones and current Arizona Coyotes rearguard Kevin Connauton. Yet, Samuelsson has even been considered a top-15 pick by some and at the end of the day could wind up being the best player to ever pass through Kalamazoo.
At 6’4″, 216-lbs and not even 18-years-old, there is no doubt that Samuelsson has NHL size. Yet, he also brings a strong skating game that is uncommon for a big, lanky teenager. The son of Kjell Samuelsson, a veteran of over 800 games, Mattias also has NHL blood and the intelligence and intangibles that usually accompanies it. The ceiling is high for this promising defenseman and he’ll likely make Wolverines fans jealous as he shows off his abilities while developing with the Broncos over the next few years.