2019-20 Top 100 NHL Prospects Part 2 (1-50)

Much like the NFL, NBA, and MLB, interest in NHL prospects and young, up-and-coming players is at an all-time high. Organizations seeking to rebuild their teams have increasingly focused on stockpiling draft picks and figuring the rest out later.

With that in mind, this is the finale of a two-part series covering our annual rankings of the top-100 prospects in the NHL. In addition, we will have a four-part series in September, broken down by division, covering the top prospects of all 31 NHL organizations. 

Part I can be found here.

(Note: players with 25 or more games of NHL regular-season experience are not eligible for this list)

1- Jack Hughes (C-NJ): Hughes, the first-overall pick from the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, has somehow exceeded expectations despite the fact that his every move has been scrutinized by scouts for the past several years.  Few prospects in recent memory have displayed the ability to assess a play -- with both his mind and feet -- and make the correct read with the puck as quickly and effectively as Hughes can. He's undersized (5-foot-10) and could face an adjustment period at the NHL level, but you can count the number of players currently in the league who possess Hughes' combination of vision, elusiveness, and smarts on one hand. With all due respect to 2017 first-overall selection Nico Hischier, Hughes is the true franchise center the Devils have been waiting years to get their hands on. Hughes, the US National Team Development Program's (USNTDP) all-time leading scorer, will represent the first player to jump from that program directly to the NHL. He arrives this October. 

2- Kaapo Kakko (RW-NYR): No NHL club has improved their roster more in the past few months than the Rangers, and the addition of Kakko with the second-overall selection this past June is one of the main reasons why. Viewed as a fringe top-five selection by most experts when the season began, Kakko had a brilliant year. He went out and set a new Finnish league rookie goal scoring record (22 in 45 games) and dominated for his home country on the international stage, helping Finland win gold at both the World Junior Championship and men's senior World Championship. One of the most physically mature and gifted prospects to enter the league in quite some time, Kakko is more than ready for the rigors of NHL play. He dominates below the goal line and excels at using his large frame to win battles along the boards. Kakko is a lock to begin the season in New York's top-six and should be considered a leading candidate to take home the Calder Trophy. 

3- Cale Makar (D-COL): Makar brings a dynamic element to the defensive position that few NHL players -- rookie or veteran -- can match. He is coming off a season in which he was the best player in college hockey (16 goals, 49 points in 41 games for UMass) and rightfully rewarded with the Hobey Baker Award. Makar immediately joined the Colorado lineup for the postseason, posting six points in 10 playoff contests. The 20-year-old is a one-man offensive breakout. He has the speed to blow by forechecking forwards and the awareness and smarts to know when to move the puck and whom to move it to. Here's the proof. 

Makar will be one of the top offensive defenseman in the NHL beginning this season. The offseason trade of Tyson Barrie to Toronto only enhances the youngster's year-one outlook.  

4- Quinn Hughes (D-VAN): While Hughes' game is similar to Makar's in many respects, he isn't quite as flashy. His biggest asset is his speed. He gets the puck up and out of his own zone without issue and can do so with his feet or his brain. Hughes has an underrated shot, but most of his power-play production will be the result of his exceptional vision. The 5-foot-10 blueliner has a ton of experience in big games and on the international stage despite the fact that he has only appeared in five NHL contests and won't turn 20 years old until mid-October. The 2018 seventh-overall selection is going to start logging 20-plus minutes per game for Vancouver this October. 

5- Cody Glass (C-VGK): Glass's offensive game continues to develop in all the right ways. He was unquestionably one of junior hockey's best players (69 points in 38 games with WHL Portland) this past season and finished the year with a strong performance at the next level, helping AHL Chicago reach the Calder Cup Final. Glass has always been a talented offensive player, but he started playing with a bit more grit and pace last year. He makes the game look shockingly easy at times for such a big kid. Vegas seems like an ideal fit for the former sixth-overall selection (2017). The Golden Knights' offensive depth should allow Glass to start off in a depth/power-play role before transitioning to a more prominent role over the next season or two. The offseason trade of Nikita Gusev to New Jersey should give the 20-year-old an inside track to a spot on the Knights' opening roster this year. 

6- Kirill Kaprizov (LW-MIN): Kaprizov is hands down one of the best players outside of the NHL at the moment. Originally a fifth-round selection by Minnesota (135th overall) in 2015, Kaprizov has been a KHL All-Star each of the past four seasons. He has represented his native Russia in multiple international events despite the fact that he just turned 22 this past April. The Wild's biggest (and only) issue at the moment is trying to get Kaprizov to leave his club team, CSKA Moscow, and cross the pond. He has one year left on his KHL contract, and although the Minnesota brass has been in touch with Kaprizov regarding the potential move, he has given no assurances that it will happen. It's unknown if the shocking dismissal of former GM Paul Fenton this summer will either help or hurt the situation. Kaprizov is a near lock to be a productive top-six forward for the Wild from the get-go, so it's imperative that they figure out a way to bring him over next spring. 

7- Alex Turcotte (C-LA): Turcotte's 2018-19 season was derailed by injury and illness, but that didn't stop the Kings from selecting him fifth overall this past June. The son of former NHL'er Alfie Turcotte, Alex projects to be an impactful two-way center. He displays above-average offensive skill and his effort level is exceptional. I had him ranked No. 3 on my big board, and there's definitely a non-zero chance that he ends up being the best player to come out of his draft class. There are no discernible weaknesses in Turcotte's game. He possesses a high floor and high ceiling. I'd wager that he signs with Los Angeles next spring after what would be his first (and only) season at the University of Wisconsin. He could slide into the Kings' lineup by March. 

8- Vitali Kravtsov (RW-NYR): Aside from Kakko, Kravtsov is the best offensive prospect in New York's system by a mile. The Rangers surprised many when they selected him ninth-overall in 2018, and Kravtsov responded with a strong showing (eight goals, 21 points in 50 games) in what would end up being his final KHL campaign. The Russian signed an entry-level contract with the Rangers in May and will compete for (and likely earn) a roster spot in training camp. Kravtsov played center at the World Juniors out of necessity (and did an admirable job), but his future is on the wing. He has size (6-foot-4, 190 pounds) and is an excellent passer. Kravtsov needs to get bigger and stronger, but he's already displayed a willingness to battle for pucks against opposing defenders. There's a ton to work with here and it looks like the Rangers' gamble is going to pay off in a major way. 

9- Martin Necas (C-CAR): Necas began this past season in Carolina and was virtually invisible (one goal, two points in seven games) while being miscast in a depth role. The Hurricanes pulled the plug on the experiment in mid-October and Necas eventually found his game with AHL Charlotte. His final numbers (52 points in 64 games) were more than reasonable for a 20-year-old first-year pro. When Necas is at his best, he's a highly creative center who excels at finding space in the offensive zone. His hands -- particularly in tight (evidence below) -- are exceptional. His vision is outstanding and his shot is underrated. Necas is the complete offensive package. He should carve out a significant role in Carolina beginning this season. 

10- Filip Zadina (LW-DET): Although his first professional season was respectable, Zadina didn't have the immediate impact many projected last year. He started the campaign in the AHL, and outside of a brief nine-game trial (one goal, three points) in Detroit late in the season, spent the entire year with Grand Rapids. His numbers (16 goals, 35 points in 59 games) were slightly underwhelming, but he did play better as the season progressed. Zadina was drafted sixth-overall in 2018 due to the strength of his all-around offensive game, and a year later, that and his long-term ceiling have not changed. He may just be further away from reaching it than we predicted 12 months ago. 

11- Trevor Zegras (C-ANH): Hands down the best and most creative passer available in the 2019 draft, Zegras, who was No. 4 on my board, ended up going ninth overall to the Ducks. There are legitimate concerns regarding his ability to handle the physical rigors of the professional game, but I imagine that issue will be rectified over time. Zegras' ceiling is exceptionally high, and his floor is that of one of the NHL's premier power-play specialists. He might be the type of prospect who needs multiple years in college (Zegras heads to Boston University this fall), but that timeline shouldn't impact an Anaheim team that would be wise to consider a full rebuild. 

12- Rasmus Kupari (C-LA): Kupari was a favorite of mine heading into the 2018 draft and I felt Los Angeles got a steal at No. 20 overall. A year-plus later, nothing has changed. Kupari signed with the Kings just weeks after the draft and was loaned to his club team in Finland (Karpat) this past season. He was highly productive (33 points in 43 games) playing against men as a 19-year-old, but it will be interesting to see how he adapts to the smaller ice surfaces of North America this coming season. The combination of Kupari and Turcotte should make for an exceptional one-two punch for Los Angeles in the not too distant future. 

13- Grigori Denisenko (LW-FLA): Going up against the best players in his age group, I thought Denisenko was the best player I laid eyes on at the 2019 World Junior Championship. He finished with four goals and nine points in seven games for Russia and displayed the ability to impact a game in a variety of different ways. Denisenko's greatest asset is his versatility. He has the skill set to make creative offensive plays and then go out and play the role of an agitator the very next shift. The thought of Denisenko doing the dirty work to set up guys like Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau must have the Panthers salivating. Now they just need to get him signed. Denisenko's KHL contract reportedly runs through this coming campaign.

14- Bowen Byram (D-COL): Colorado's selection of Byram with the No. 4 pick (the pick they acquired from Ottawa in the Matt Duchene deal) in this past June's draft allowed the club to deal Tyson Barrie to Toronto this summer in exchange for a package headlined by Nazem Kadri. Byram was the consensus top rearguard available this year. His production this past season for a CHL draft-eligible defender was exceptional (26 goals, 71 points in 67 games), and he has the look of a number-two NHL defenseman and power-play option with the potential for considerably more. My biggest concern regarding Byram is his somewhat questionable ability to deal with speedy offensive forwards who try to go wide on him, but he has the reach and instincts to make up for that most of the time. Prior to the Barrie trade, I would have guessed that Byram would play one final season in the WHL, but now I'd be shocked if he doesn't at least get a nine-game trial with the Avalanche to begin the year. 

15- Barrett Hayton (C-ARI): Never afraid to make an off-the-board move, Arizona GM John Chayka nabbed Hayton with the fifth-overall selection in the 2018 draft. It was a number of picks higher than most projected him to be selected, but the choice looks to have been a shrewd one for Chayka and his management group. Hayton isn't the type of player who will blow you away with his physical traits. He's a solid skater with average size (6-foot-1, 195 pounds) and a decent shot. What sets him apart from other prospects is his hockey IQ. His positioning is flawless, and that has led to a ton of offensive production (26 goals, 66 points in 39 games in 2018-19) at the OHL level. I'm just not sure that there's enough here physically to project Hayton as a number-one center down the road, but I'd be very, very surprised if he doesn't develop into a useful second-line pivot at the NHL level. 

16- Cole Caufield (RW-MON): Players who score 72 goals in their draft season should never plummet to 15th overall on draft night, but Caufield's unexpected fall was Montreal's gain. Yes, Caufield is severely undersized (5-foot-7, 165 pounds), and yes, his floor is nonexistent, but he also has arguably the best shot I've ever seen from a draft-eligible player and was certainly the premier sniper available this past June. Montreal had been linked to defensemen throughout the draft process, but they ultimately, and correctly, could not pass on Caufield's upside. Caufield isn't a great skater and won't be able to succeed as a bottom-six forward, so he's going to have to fill the net in order to justify his selection, but I would bet on his offensive instincts every day of the week and twice on Sunday. Caufield's maturation at the University of Wisconsin will be fascinating to watch. 

17- Ty Smith (D-NJ): The more I watch Smith play, the more I appreciate his game. He was the final cut from the Devils' roster as an 18-year-old last season and went onto dominate the WHL with Spokane. Smith makes everything look so easy. He's an excellent skater, his passes are crisp, and he knows how to defend. Coming off a season in which he was named both WHL and CHL Defenseman of the Year (69 points in 57 games), Smith is ticketed for a full-time role with the Devils beginning this fall. Aside from the fact that he's a left-handed shot, Smith reminds me of Nashville defenseman Ryan Ellis. New Jersey's acquisition of P.K. Subban this summer might result in Smith getting less power-play time than originally anticipated, but he should be on the Devils' roster regardless. 

18- Dylan Cozens (C-BUF): Cozens's tenure in Buffalo hasn't gotten off to a great start. He broke his thumb in a prospect tournament just weeks after being taken seventh overall in this year's draft -- an injury that requires two-to-three months to fully recover from. It eliminated whatever (very slim) chance Cozens had of cracking the Sabres' roster this season. When at his best, Cozens is a big, difference-making center in the mold of Winnipeg's Mark Scheifele. He has the size and skill to be a force in the offensive zone, but I don't love his skating stride. There's something here -- Cozens is definitely going to be a useful NHL player -- but whether he ends up being a true number-one pivot or more of a second-line guy remains to be seen.

19- Noah Dobson (D-NYI): Dobson had a realistic chance of being a top-five pick in the 2018 draft and the Isles somehow managed to snatch him up at No. 12. He just completed a season in which he won his second straight Memorial Cup and was named both a QMJHL First-Team All-Star and QMJHL Playoff MVP. Dobson is an effective, physical two-way defender. He logs a ton of minutes in all situations and should be an asset with the man advantage at the NHL level. In many ways, he reminds me of a taller version of Boston defenseman Charlie McAvoy. Things are always up in the air when Lou Lamoriello is running a hockey club, but I don't see any way in which the Islanders don't carry Dobson on their roster this season. It would be criminal if his NHL debut is delayed because New York decides to dress the likes of Johnny Boychuk, Thomas Hickey and Adam Pelech in favor of Dobson. 

20- Igor Shesterkin (G-NYR): The emergence of Alexandar Georgiev as a potential above-average NHL goalie was arguably the biggest organizational surprise for the Rangers in 2018-19, but his strong play doesn't change the fact that Shesterkin is the clear-cut goaltender of the future for New York. The Rangers were finally able to get their 2014 fourth-rounder signed in May after another dominant KHL campaign. Over the past three KHL seasons (95 regular-season appearances), the 23-year-old Russian has posted the following numbers (these are not a misprint) -- a 79-9-4 record, 1.49 GAA, .940 save percentage and 25 shutouts. Obviously Shesterkin will never come close to matching those stats at the NHL level, but he's an exceptionally athletic goalie with the potential to eventually develop into one of the NHL's best at the position. Here's an example of his athleticism on full display. 

 He's expected to begin the 2019-20 campaign with AHL Hartford while Georgiev and future Hall of Famer Henrik Lundqvist split time with the big club. The Rangers will have to move one of the three sooner rather than later, but it almost certainly won't be Shesterkin. He and Georgiev could both spend a good portion of this season on the shuttle from Hartford to Penn Station. 

21- Ilya Sorokin (G-NYI): The future of Sorokin is definitely one of the biggest story lines surrounding the Islanders moving forward. A KHL All-Star in each of the past four seasons, the 2014 third-rounder (78th overall) has never posted a GAA over 1.61 or a save percentage less than .929 over that span. Playing for one of the most prestigious organizations in the KHL (CKSA Moscow) has certainly helped inflate Sorokin's statistics, but there's nothing to suggest that he's anything other than an elite goaltending prospect. Sorokin's KHL contract is due to expire at the end of this coming season and he is tentatively expected to sign with the Isles at that time, but nothing is guaranteed on that front. New York signed his buddy Semyon Varlamov this summer, and while they would never admit it, that move was almost certainly made with Sorokin in mind. Sorokin will be 25 years old when the start of the 2020-21 season rolls around, so he would figure to be an immediate starting option for New York if they can manage to get him to cross the pond.  

22- Joel Farabee (LW-PHI): I was higher on Farabee than most heading into the 2018 draft and a bit over a year later my fondness for his game has only increased. After being selected 14th overall by the Flyers, Farabee went out and posted 36 points in 37 games with Boston University en route to winning the Tim Taylor Award as the NCAA's top collegiate rookie. He then signed his entry-level contract with Philadelphia in late March. Farabee can play the game anyway you'd like. The New York native's work ethic is exceptional and he possesses an above-average offensive skill set. The 19-year-old didn't play a professional game after signing late last season and will almost certainly begin this coming season in the AHL, but I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see Farabee make his NHL debut at some point during the 2019-20 campaign.

23- Erik Brannstrom (D-OTT): The Vegas Golden Knights were intent on adding Mark Stone to their lineup at February's trade deadline and moving Brannstrom to Ottawa was the cost of doing business. The reviews on the talented Swede in his first North American season were overwhelmingly positive. He posted seven goals and 32 points in 50 AHL games as a 19-year-old last season and even got into two games with the Sens late in the year. Brannstrom is your typical offensive defenseman. He is quick, agile, can quarterback a power play, and is a solid positional defender due to his high hockey IQ. He doesn't shy away from contact, but physicality isn't one of Brannstrom's strengths. He's just about ready for full-time NHL duty just over two years after being drafted (15th overall in 2017) by Vegas.

24- Ilya Samsonov (G-WSH): While the numbers Samsonov posted during his first AHL campaign are nothing to write home about (2.70 GAA, .898 save percentage in 37 games), the Russian actually played quite well after a rough first couple months last season. Samsonov was viewed as the clear-cut top goaltending prospect in the league not all that long ago, and I think the separation between him and guys like Shesterkin and Sorokin is slim-to-none. Samsonov has ideal size (6-foot-3, 205 pounds) and is athletic. He's also still just 22 years old. Braden Holtby has one year left on his contract at a cap hit of $6.1 million while backup Pheonix Copley is signed for three more years at a cap hit of $1.1 million. Copley's contract is cheap enough that Washington can move on if they so choose and there's little doubt that Samsonov is the better goalie of the two. Still, I expect the talented Russian to spend at least another half season in the AHL. Holtby is going to get the lion's share of playing time for the Caps this season and Washington doesn't need Samsonov nailed to the bench for long stretches at a time.

25- Kirby Dach (C-CHI): Dach ended up going third overall this past June in what was considered by every logical observer to be a two-player draft. He most certainly wasn't the safest selection available, so Chicago GM Stan Bowman and his scouting staff deserve credit for sticking to their board and rolling the dice. My biggest concern regarding Dach is that he's simply not aggressive enough on the ice. 6-foot-4 18-year-old's with all-world skill should be driving the net consistently to create offensive chances and draw penalties, and Dach doesn't do enough of that. He's an NHL player regardless, but he could be a star if he can improve in that area. I would have looked elsewhere at No. 3, but Dach has star-quality attributes. 

26- Adam Boqvist (D-CHI): Boqvist had a strange season in 2018-19. He was named a Second Team OHL All-Star and averaged more than a point-per-game (20 goals, 60 points in 54 games) for London, so his strengths were often on full display, but he wasn't the dominant force that I expected him to be at the junior level. Boqvist is a strong, shifty skater, but I wish that he played with a bit more pace and urgency. He does, however, have the speed to make plays with his feet, is an exceptional passer, and excels at getting the puck on goal from the point. His one-on-one defending needs work, but he's never going to be counted upon to play tough defensive minutes. I'm a believer in Boqvist's game, but there's risk here. It'll be interesting to see how quickly and effectively the Swede can adjust to the professional ranks. He'll likely begin the 2019-20 campaign with AHL Rockford. 

27- Nick Suzuki (C-MON): A January trade from Owen Sound (OHL) to Guelph seemed to revitalize Suzuki's season in 2018-19. He played considerably better in the second half of the year before exploding in the playoffs. Suzuki led the OHL in postseason scoring (16 goals, 42 points in 24 games), helping the Storm win the OHL Championship while being named league Playoff MVP. He finished the season with three goals and seven points in four Memorial Cup games. Suzuki has high-level speed and a boatload of offensive talent. He can make remarkably difficult plays like this one look remarkably simple. 

There are some consistency issues to work through here, but Suzuki has top-line NHL potential and could/should arrive in Montreal this coming campaign. 

28- Eeli Tolvanen (LW-NSH): Tolvanen had a lousy season in 2018-19, there's just no other way to put it. After debuting late in the 2017-18 campaign, most expected the talented Finn to earn a significant, full-time role in Nashville this past year. Not only did that not happen, he struggled to score (15 goals in 58 games) at the AHL level. On one hand, Tolvanen played the entire season at age 19 while getting used to the smaller ice surfaces of North America. On the other, I didn't like the pace at which he played, and it's always been obvious that Tolvanen's value is going to be limited if he's not putting up points. The 20-year-old winger's exceptional shot enables him to score from anywhere in the offensive zone, and his overall skill set should enable him to become an asset on the power play. Dynasty league owners need to hold tight considering Tolvanen has 40-goal upside down the road, but he's nothing more than a speculative late-round dart throw in redraft leagues. 

29- Jordan Kyrou (RW-STL): With St. Louis unable to carve out significant minute for both Kyrou and fellow prized rookie Robert Thomas, it was Kyrou who drew the short straw and played just 16 games with the Blues. In many of those contests he played a depth role and received little to no power-play time. To his credit, he went down to the AHL and averaged nearly a point-per-game (16 goals, 43 points in 47 games) as a 20-year-old first-year pro. Kyrou is a complete offensive player. He flies through the neutral zone with ease and can make plays at a high rate of speed. Thomas is probably the better two-way player, but I think Kyrou has more natural offensive ability. Kyrou's more than ready for a full-time role with the Blues, but they need to be careful with his development. They should ship him back to San Antonio if they don't they think they can carve out a legitimate role for him at the start of the season. 

30- Nikita Gusev (LW-NJ): Gusev turned 27 in July, so he's barely a "prospect", but I've had him on my lists for so long that I decided to keep him here for the purpose of this exercise. Arguably the best player outside the NHL over the past several years (there's a three-minute clip of him torching the KHL below), Gusev is coming off a season in which he led the KHL in both assists (64) and points (81 in 62 games). The Moscow native signed with the Golden Knights ahead of their brief playoff run, but never got into a game despite traveling and practicing with the team. He was dealt to New Jersey in late July for a second and third-round pick and signed a two-year deal with the Devils worth $9 million shortly thereafter. He will undoubtedly begin the season in a top-six role with his new club. It remains to be seen if Gusev's game will translate to the smaller rinks of North America -- he's not particularly big (5-foot-11, 180 pounds) nor fast -- but keep in mind that this is a player who was a four-time KHL All-Star and league MVP that was also named the top forward at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. I'd bet on his exceptional talent winning out in the end. At the very least, Gusev should be a dominant power-play producer for New Jersey.

31- Sam Steel (C-ANH): I thought Steel played better in his 22 games with the Ducks this past season than his numbers (six goals, 11 points) would suggest. There were many nights in which Steel was miscast in a depth/checking role. While he may never be a legitimate number-one center for Anaheim, I'd be floored if he developed into anything less than a serviceable second-line pivot. Steel's compete level is strong and he's responsible defensively. The fact that he was exceedingly productive (20 goals, 41 points in 53 games) during his time in the AHL this past season is a great sign for his future. Ryan Kesler's career is likely over due to a lingering hip injury and Rickard Rakell is best suited to play wing. Given the fact Anaheim's top-two centers, Ryan Getzlaf and Adam Henrique, are getting up there in age, it's easy to see a scenario in which Steel carves out a big role with the Ducks this coming campaign. 

32- Evan Bouchard (D-EDM): The Oilers gave Bouchard a brief seven-game run in Edmonton (he scored one goal) to begin last season before correctly realizing that he would be best served playing one final OHL campaign. While he didn't produce at quite the same offensive rate that he did during the previous season (16 goals, 53 points in 45 games), Bouchard was named a First Team OHL All-Star for a second straight year and won the Max Kaminsky Trophy as the league's top defenseman. Bouchard's vision and hockey sense are exceptional. He doesn't have a great shot and will never be a great defensive player, but I would be pretty surprised if he doesn't develop into an above-average offensive defenseman at the NHL level. Bouchard should easily be able to flirt with 40-plus points on an annual basis. Heck, anyone who has a consistent role on the man advantage alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl has a chance to carve out significant fantasy value. 

33- Matthew Boldy (LW-MIN): Boldy is another exceptional young player that struggled with consistency at times while playing for the US NTDP last year. He's a big (6-foot-2), strong kid who can play both wing positions and is responsible defensively, so it's easy to see why Minnesota invested the 12th overall selection in him this past June. Boldy's game has no weaknesses, so if he can put it all together, he'll be a home-run pick. I would be shocked if Boldy doesn't develop into a useful NHL player in some capacity. He does too many things well. His ceiling -- although he's currently far from reaching it -- is one of the better all-around players in the league. Boldy will probably need at least two seasons at Boston College. 

34- Adam Fox (D-NYR): The rare player who has been traded twice before signing his entry-level contract, Fox, who was a third-round pick for Calgary in 2016, is already on his third organization. He made it clear that he wouldn't be signing with the Flames, so they dealt him to Carolina in the Elias Lindholm/Dougie Hamilton deal. When Fox made it clear that he also wouldn't be joining the Hurricanes, the Rangers, his preferred destination from the start, gave up a second-round pick and a conditional third-rounder to acquire his services in April. New York could've acquired Fox for nothing as an unrestricted free agent next summer after his collegiate career came to an end, so the fact that they were willing to give up two high picks to add him to the mix a year early suggests they plan on having him contribute immediately. Fox's hockey sense is exceptional. The clip below from this year's World Championship is a perfect example of everything he does well.

Fox knows where he wants to go with the puck before he gets it and makes a perfect tape-to-tape pass to spring his forward. Named a Hobey Baker Award finalist this past season, Fox finished with nine goals and 48 points in 33 games for Harvard. He's been a point producing machine in each of his three collegiate seasons (1.20 points per game)  and is more than ready for the NHL level.  Fox isn't going to get much time on the penalty kill and will never be the type to log big defensive minutes, but I'd be shocked if he doesn't develop into a productive NHL defenseman. 

35- Owen Tippett (RW-FLA): I'm a believer in Tippett and have been from the start, but I can acknowledge that there's a chance (perhaps a small one, but it exists) that he ends up providing little to no value at the NHL level. Tippett is a pure goal scorer. He puts the puck in the net with ease and does so in a variety of ways. Heck, he scored 33 goals in 54 OHL games this past year. His effort level has improved over the past couple seasons, but he remains a bit inconsistent. Tippett brings plenty of size (6-foot-2, 205 pounds) to the table but he doesn't use his large frame as effectively as he should. The Panthers have enough offensive depth on their team to give Tippett at least one full season in the AHL. His transition to the professional ranks should be fascinating to watch. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if he finished with 30 goals for AHL Springfield this coming season and I also wouldn't be surprised if he finished with 10. Either way, Tippett is going to have to put the puck in the net in order to be worth the tenth-overall pick the Panthers spent on him in 2017. 

36- Morgan Frost (C-PHI):  One of the OHL's most dominant players over the past two years, Frost led the league in assists (72) while being named to the league's First All-Star Team for a second straight season in 2018-19. He was seen as a bit of a reach when the Flyers selected him 27th overall in 2017, but his game has really improved since then. Frost's hockey sense is exceptional, his positioning is seemingly always on point, and he's a brilliant passer to boot. He also works hard defensively, although he'll make his living by putting up points at the NHL level. Frost has all the makings of a solid second-line pivot. Given Philadelphia's desire to compete in 2019-20, I would wager that Frost spends the entirety of his first professional campaign in the AHL. 

37- Alex Newhook (C-COL): The more I watch Newhook, the more I love his game. He got a bit of a bad rap during his draft year because he played against poor competition in the BCHL, but he dominated that level (38 goals, 102 points in 53 games), as he should have, and played exceptionally well for Canada at the World-U18's. Newhook has the foot speed to push back opposing defenders and the smarts and skill to take advantage of those open lanes. I'm all-in here, and have no idea how Newhook dropped to 16th overall in the 2019 draft. I expect him to be an immediate impact player at Boston College this fall. 

38- Vasili Podkolzin (RW-VAN): Where Podkolzin would end up was one of the real mysteries of the 2019 draft, and Vancouver finally stopped his mini slide at No. 10 overall. The Russian is a high-energy player. He's noticeable almost every single shift and works his tail off. I wouldn't say he's a high-end offensive player, but he will make creative plays here and there. The most common concern among scouts regarding Podkolzin is his skating. I would term his foot speed about average, but some feel it's well below-average. The bottom line is Podkolzin is a high-floor player who can create some offense, plays hard, and engages the opposition physically. It's a nice combination, and one that should lead to Podkolzin being a useful NHL asset. Now the Canucks just have to go about bringing him over from Russia. The tentative plan is for Podkolzin to sign with Vancouver after his KHL contract expires in 2020-21. 

39- K'Andre Miller (D-NYR): Miller's freshman campaign at the University of Wisconsin could not have gone any better. He averaged nearly a point-per-game (five goals, 22 points in 26 games) before a leg injury suffered during an end-to-end rush ended his season early. Miller looks like your classic impact two-way defenseman. He's an excellent skater for such a big kid (6-foot-4, 210 pounds) and is as strong as an ox. He's only been playing defense for a few years and the progress he has made in such a short period of time is remarkable. His defensive reads need to continue to improve, but there's no reason to think that minor issue won't rectify itself over time. Wisconsin's coaching staff, led by former NHL'er Tony Granato, is terrific in terms of their development of young players. Miller consulted with the Rangers brass at the end of the year and elected to return to Wisconsin for his sophomore season. If his second campaign is as successful as the first, I find it difficult to believe Miller will be on campus in Madison in the fall of 2020. Heck, he could be in the Rangers' lineup. 

40- Emil Bemstrom (C-CBJ): Few prospects in the game had their stock increase as much as Bemstrom over the past 12 months. He lead the SHL in goals (23) and power-play tallies (10) as a 19-year-old while earning SHL Rookie of the Year in 2018-19. He signed with the Blue Jackets in May and is expected to be given every opportunity to earn a top-six role out of training camp. Bemstrom isn't very big (5-foot-10, 180 pounds), but he rarely gets hit and excels in open space. The 2017 fourth-round selection (117th overall) may require a brief apprenticeship in the AHL to get used to the smaller ice surfaces of North America, but I predict that he'll be playing meaningful minutes for Columbus by the time the 2019-20 campaign concludes. 

41- Oliver Wahlstrom (RW-NYI): Wahlstrom's draft-plus-one season was...not good. He was never able to find his footing in what ended up being his one and only campaign at Boston University. He scored just eight times in 36 games and his body language was bad at times. He also didn't play well at the World Juniors. Nonetheless, the Islanders decided to sign him in March and he looked considerably better during a brief late-season run with AHL Bridgeport. Wahlstrom is a pure goal scorer. He's a legitimate threat to put the puck in the net from anywhere in the offensive zone. His one-timer is exceptional. Here's a clip of a picture-perfect slapper for his first professional goal. 

Wahlstrom's stock has taken a hit over the past 12 months, but there's no doubt that he brings unique offensive traits to the table. I'm inclined to give him a pass for his lackluster performance at BU, but he needs to work on consistently bringing his "A" game to the rink every night. 

42- Aleksi Heponiemi (LW-FLA): After two WHL seasons in which he posted a ridiculous 204 points in 129 games, Heponiemi returned to his native Finland this past season to play for Karpat. He went on to lead all Liiga rookies in both assists (30) and points (46) despite turning just 20 years of age in January. Heponiemi signed his entry-level contract in May and will move to North America this coming campaign. He's ridiculously small at 5-foot-11, 160 pounds, but what he lacks in size he makes up for with exceptional vision and hockey sense. Heponiemi is one of the best playmakers on this list. He doesn't have the breakaway speed you would like to see from such a small kid, but he's shifty and always seems to create space in the offensive zone when needed. Due to his lack of size, Heponiemi will have his fair share of doubters until he proves that he can be an effective scorer at the NHL level. 

43- Ryan Poehling (C-MTL): Making his NHL debut late in what was another lost season for Montreal in 2018-19, Poehling went out and recorded a hat trick (proof below). He obviously won't sustain that pace over the course of a full season, but he's a quality prospect. There isn't a lot of flash to Poehling's game. He's got above-average ability in virtually all areas of the game, but doesn't excel in any single one. If Poehling was a baseball player, scouts would say he is a 55, but not a 60. Either way, the 20-year-old stands a perfectly reasonable chance of opening this upcoming season with the Canadiens. His floor is high and I could see Poehling as a serviceable number-two center in the future if everything breaks right. 

44- Alexandre Texier (C-CBJ): It generally takes quite a while for younger players to gain the trust of Columbus coach John Tortorella, so the fact that Texier was able to earn an immediate and significant role for the Jackets after coming over from KalPa in Finland in early April was extremely impressive. He picked up a goal in a pair of regular-season games, then finished with three points in eight postseason contests. Texier's puck skills are terrific and he's a hard worker. There are bound to be growing pains along the way, but Texier has the look of a top-six forward who can bounce between center and wing. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if continues to grow since he spent the early portion of his life growing up in the non-traditional hockey market of his native France.  

45- Maxime Comtois (LW-ANH): Comtois began last season in Anaheim and played pretty darn well (seven points in 10 games) before being shipped back to the QMJHL. He finished the season in the AHL and in between, captained the Canadian World Junior team. Comtois is a do-it-all, heart-and-soul player. He's always been viewed as a high-character guy, but I underrated his offensive skill set in his draft year. He ended up dropping to 50th overall in 2017 and Anaheim emerged with a steal. Unlike most of the players on this list, Comtois doesn't need the puck on his stick to be effective. He has the skill to complement better offensive players or fill a depth role if needed. The Ducks have several young players who will compete for roster spots in training camp, but Comtois' ability to play up and down a lineup makes him a favorite for one of the positions. 

46- Dominik Bokk (RW-STL): Bokk remains a work in progress, but he's clearly trending in the right direction. He had an impressive season (23 points in 47 games) in the SHL despite playing nearly the entire year as an 18-year-old, and I expect him to be one of that league's better players this year. He has a tremendous amount of offensive ability for a big (6-foot-2) kid, and he can play both wing positions as a right-handed shot. Bokk is from Germany and didn't play against great competition growing up, and I fully expect him to have a true breakout campaign sooner rather than later. He signed his entry-level deal with the Blues shortly after being selected 25th overall in 2018, and there's definitely a scenario in which Bokk is playing in St. Louis in the fall of 2020. 

47- Arthur Kaliyev (LW-LA): The No. 12 overall prospect on my board for the 2019 draft, no one, and I mean no one saw Kaliyev slipping all the way to Round 2. The Kings ended his free fall at No. 33, adding a top-50 prospect to their ever-growing stable in the process. Kaliyev was right up there with Caufield as one of the best pure snipers in the draft. The concerns surrounding Kaliyev are valid. He doesn't skate well and offers little defensively. I think he's an underrated playmaker, but he's going to make his living by scoring goals -- he scored 51 times in 67 games for OHL Hamilton last season. I don't see much middle ground here. Kaliyev will probably either be a perennial 30-goal man -- my opinion -- or a total bust, the clear opinion of many other organizations. Either way, his selection was an exceptional value for Los Angeles and a worthy risk in the second round. 

48- Cam York (D-PHI): York is your prototypical offensive defenseman. He skates well, passes well, and thinks the game well. I love the way he joins the attacks when the opportunity presents itself and he's coming off a World U-18 tournament in which he lead all defenders in goals (4), assists (7), points (11) and plus/minus (plus-13) while helping Team USA to a bronze medal. The US NTDP product and University of Michigan commit needs to work on his defensive positioning, but York's calling card at the NHL level will be to create offense with his feet and brain and he excels in those areas.

49- Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (G-BUF): The goaltending situation in Buffalo is not good at the moment, and that, combined with his own stellar play, has Luukkonen on the fast track to the NHL. The 20-year-old is fresh off being named OHL Goaltender of the Year (38-11-2, 2.50 GAA, .920 save percentage, six shutouts) in what will end up being his only junior season. Luukkonen possesses world-class size (6-foot-4) and reflexes. He moves exceptionally well for such a big kid, and wastes very little motion. Luukkonen underwent hip surgery in April and is expected to be out until late October at the earliest. Once healthy, he should be the starter for AHL Rochester. 

50- Peyton Krebs (C-VGK): Krebs tore his Achilles while training in June and that likely knocked him down a handful of spots in the draft. Vegas scooped up a potential top-ten pick at No.17 and are all the better for it. Krebs is a good player. He made the best of a bad situation in Kootenay (WHL) and earned brownie points with scouts and NHL personnel in the process. Krebs was barely a point-per-game guy last season (68 points in 64 games), but he had no one to pass to. He might not do any one thing at an elite level, but he's a legitimate all-around threat. Add in the fact that he's captained Team Canada on the international stage and the Golden Knights have a nice two-way piece on their hands.