Through June, Metro will be releasing a monthly 2019 NHL Mock Draft that will predict where the top junior talents around the world will land here in hockey’s biggest league.
As it’s been the case for the past year, American forward Jack Hughes continues to be the gem of the 2019 draft class as the undisputed top prospect for NHL teams to watch. Since our first mock draft of the year, there has been some significant movement in the standings that will affect where the 17-year-old will play next year and beyond.
But he isn’t the only big talent that teams are coveting.
Among notable names on draft boards is Finnish winger Kaap Kakko, who is the bona fide No. 2 talent this year behind Hughes. As it stands, both big names are poised to head out West.
Here is Metro’s latest NHL Mock Draft:
Metro 2019 NHL Mock Draft version 2.0
1. Colorado Avalanche (from Ottawa)- Jack Hughes, C, USNTDP
2. Los Angeles Kings- Kaapo Kakko, RW, TPS (Finland)
3. New Jersey Devils- Vasily Podkolzin, RW, St. Petersburg (Russia)
4. Chicago Blackhawks- Dylan Cozens, C, Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)
5. Detroit Red Wings- Kirby Dach, C, Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
6. Anaheim Ducks- Peyton Krebs, C, Kootenay Ice (WHL)
7. Edmonton Oilers- Matthew Boldy, LW, USNTDP
8. New York Rangers- Bowen Byram, D, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
9. Florida Panthers- Cam York, D, USNTDP
10. Arizona Coyotes- Alex Turcotte, C, USNTDP
11. Philadelphia Flyers- Raphael Lavoie, C/RW, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
12. Colorado Avalanche- Philip Broberg, D, AIK (Sweden)
13. Buffalo Sabres (from St. Louis)- Trevor Zegras, C, USNTDP
14. Carolina Hurricanes- Arthur Kaliyev, RW, Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL)
15. Buffalo Sabres- Thomas Harley, D, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
16. Vancouver Canucks- Cole Caufield, RW, USNTDP
17. Minnesota Wild- Alex Newhook, C, Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL)
18. Dallas Stars- Jakob Pelletier, LW, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
19. Vegas Golden Knights- Brett Leason, RW, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
20. Columbus Blue Jackets- Ryan Suzuki, C, Barrie Colts (OHL)
21. Washington Capitals- Victor Soderstrom, D, Brynas (Sweden)
22. Pittsburgh Penguins- Nolan Foote, LW, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
23. Montreal Canadiens- Pavel Dorofeyev, LW, Magnitogorsk (MHL)
24. Boston Bruins- Philip Tomasino, RW, Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
25. Nashville Predators- Simon Holmstrom, RW, HV71 (Sweden)
26. Buffalo Sabres (from San Jose)- Spencer Knight, G, USNTDP
27. Los Angeles Kings (from Toronto)- Connor McMichael, C, London (OHL)
28. New York Islanders- Ville Heinola, D, Lukko (Finland)
29. Winnipeg Jets- Vladislav Kolyachonok, D, Flint Firebirds WHL)
30. Calgary Flames- Alex Vlasic, D, USNTDP
31. Tampa Bay Lightning- Moritz Seider, D, Mannheim (Germany)
