Kyle Woodlief, the publisher and chief scout for the independent scouting newsletter Red Line Report, provides his analysis of the prospects taken in the first round of the NHL draft on Thursday night.
1. MONTREAL CANADIENS
Right wing Juraj Slafkovsky — TPS Turku (Finland)
Scored seven goals, led his underdog Slovakia to a bronze medal and won the MVP award at the Olympics — at age 17. Oddly, he was never really offensively productive in Finnish League play until he became a regular for Turku after the Olympics. Massive winger has the potential to develop into a beast if he manages to put all the pieces together. Power winger with a huge frame, soft hands for giving and receiving passes, and improving vision. Scorching shot is heavy and overpowers goalies. Can shoot without stopping or cradling the puck. Strong on the puck, strong on his feet, and difficult to contain off the cycle down low. Enters board battles with force and is capable of separating opponents from the puck. Strong skater for his age and size; has quick feet and can fly when he decides to turn on the jets. Consistency in his effort level has eluded him.
Projection: Huge, powerful first line scoring winger.
Style compares to: Mikko Rantanen
2. NEW JERSEY DEVILS
3. ARIZONA COYOTES
4. SEATTLE KRAKEN
5. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
6. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS (from Chicago Blackhawks)
7. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS (from Ottawa Senators)
8. DETROIT RED WINGS
9. BUFFALO SABRES
10. ANAHEIM DUCKS
11. SAN JOSE SHARKS
12. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
13. NEW YORK ISLANDERS
14. WINNIPEG JETS
15. VANCOUVER CANUCKS
16. BUFFALO SABRES (from Vegas Golden Knights)
17. NASHVILLE PREDATORS
18. DALLAS STARS
19. MINNESOTA WILD (from Los Angeles Kings)
20. WASHINGTON CAPITALS
21. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
22. ANAHEIM DUCKS (from Boston Bruins)
23. ST. LOUIS BLUES
24. MINNESOTA WILD
25. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
26. MONTREAL CANADIENS (from Calgary Flames)
27. ARIZONA COYOTES (from Carolina Hurricanes via Montreal Canadiens)
28. BUFFALO SABRES (from Florida Panthers)
29. EDMONTON OILERS
30. WINNIPEG JETS (from New York Rangers)
31. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
32. ARIZONA COYOTES (from Colorado Avalanche)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL draft tracker: Scouting the first round picks
