The 2018-19 NHL season is over and it is the likes of the Boston Bruins and the St Louis Blues that will be looking forward to next season after impressive play-off displays, while former top dogs the Pittsburgh Penguins are looking at a more uncertain future.
The attention of fans is now turning to the Draft to see how well their team prepares for next season.
They can always add to the excitement of this by working out their own picks and putting bets on them; although make sure to follow some basic sports betting rules if you do, so you don’t lose your shirt.
You do not need to be an expert to figure out who the top pick is though, with many already predicting that Jack Hughes will excel at NHL level over the next decade or more. He does not have the typical build of a pro-hockey player, being just 161 pounds in weight and 5’10” in height, but his ability to retain the puck enables him to grind down opposition defences, and he also possesses a lethal shot and accurate passing ability. This range of skills more than compensates for his lightweight build and have seen him notch up 89 assists and 35 goals in his 61 matches for the US National Development Team. The New Jersey Devils have the first pick in the 2019 Draft and it would be a surprise if they didn’t choose to add the 17-year-old forward.
Hughes is not the only exciting prospect though, as Kaapo Kakko is another young forward who is much sought after. The Finnish skater can play either on the right wing or at centre and notched up 22 goals and 16 assists for TPS in Finland’s SM-Liiga last year. He also scored the goal that won his country the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships during January. Kakko is likely to be the pick for the New York Rangers, who have the second choice selection in the 2019 Draft.
After him could be Bowen Byram, who is the top ranked defensive player in the Draft, having risen steadily up the field based on his performances during the season. Playing for the Vancouver Giants, he managed 45 assists and 26 goals and he has proven himself a master of carving out chances for offensive players. He has helped guide the Giants to three successive play-off appearances during his time with them and could be picked up by the Blackhawks.
Finally, there is 18-year-old Dylan Cozens, ranked third and 6’3” in stature. He has stats of 50 assists and 34 goals in his 68 matches for the Lethbridge Hurricanes and would be an asset to most sides in the NHL.
There is no doubt that players such as Hughes and Kakko will be playing NHL hockey next season – and little doubt as to who they will be playing it for – but it will be interesting to see if they live up to expectations.
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