2018 NHL Draft

Oilerhockey Draft Rankings 11 – 20

This is a follow up to Oilershockey’s Top 10 Draft Rankings – April to list the players I’ve ranked from 11 – 20 for the upcoming NHL draft.

11 C Rasmus Kupari 6’2 183lbs – FIN – Shoots Right

League: Liiga – 39gp 6g 8a 14pts NHLE: 12.8

Kupari is a strong skilled skater with an above average shot. While his NHLE number doesn’t look great we need to be aware that Kupari’s minutes were limited after being called up and he did have a strong performance at the U18 tournament picking up 7 points in 4 games.

12 C Jesperi Kotkaniemi 6’2 180lbs – FIN – Shoots Left

League: Liiga – 57gp 10g 19a 29pts NHLE: 25.0

Kotkaniemi is a skilled playmaker with high hockey IQ.  His NHLE is substantially higher than Kupari in the same league but to have success at the next level he will need to improve his skating.

13 D Bode Wilde 6’2 195lbs – USA – Shoots R

League: USHL – 53gp 11g 25a 36pts NHLE: 15.0

Combine his size with elite level speed and skill and Wilde should easily be ranked in the top 10 in this draft but he makes risky plays when under pressure.  Bode Wilde could turn out to be a steal at 13th but his game will need time to mature.

14 LW Joel Farabee 6’0 165lbs – USA – Shoots Left

League: USHL – 54gp 27g 37a 64pts NHLE: 26.2

Farabee is a highly skilled and intelligent 2 way winger.  He can make plays, has some finishing skills but also kills penalties. He’s not a big player but he works hard and wins battles.

15 C Joe Veleno 6’2 195lbs – CAN – Shoots Left

League: QMJHL – 33gp 16g 32a 48pts NHLE: 29.2

Veleno is a highly skilled playmaker but lacks a great shot and his finishing ability is questionable.  He’s a strong skater, hard working and defensively responsible center.

16 C Barrett Hayton 6’1 180lbs – CAN – Shoots Left

League: OHL – 63gp 21g 39a 60pts NHLE: 23.9

Hayton is a hard working 2 way center with really good hockey IQ.  He has skills to make good plays and has a good shot.  His skating is the only question mark.

17 LW Grigori Denisenko 5’11 175lbs – RUS – Shoots Left

League: MHL – 31gp 9g 13a 22pts NHLE: 18.0

Denisenko has very good vision and skill. He’ dynamic with the puck and skates well.  His numbers are low for a player with his toolkit and he is a bit undersized.

18 C Akil Thomas 5’11 165lbs – CAN – Shoots Right

League: OHL – 68gp 22g 59a 81pts NHLE: 29.9

Thomas has an impressive NHLE for this spot in the draft, he’s a good skater, skilled and intelligent with high level instincts.

19 C Isac Lundestrom 5’11 175lbs – SWE – Shoots Left

League: SHL 42gp 6g 9a 15pts NHLE: 19.6

Lundestrom’s skating is a strength and he has good vision and hockey IQ but lacks high end skill.

20 C Jacob Olofsson 6’2 195lbs – SWE – Shoots Left

League: Allsvenskan 43gp 10g 11a 21pts NHLE: 14.4

Olofsson is just an average skater but he has great skill and vision and is a strong 2 way center.

Honorable Mention:

  • Ryan Merkley
  • Jared McIsaac
  • Filip Hallander
  • Ryan McLeod
  • Noel Serron

Disclosure: I am not a scout and I haven’t watched any of these guys play in an attempt to determine their skills.  I have read a lot of information on these guys and put it all together to come up with this list.

Influences / Data Sources (In No Particular Order):

 

 

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