The 2018 NHL Draft this past June was defined by elite skill as well as
remarkable depth. In fact, impactful players could be found deep into the first
 round, as prospects of varying position and potential waited impatiently to
hear their names called by an NHL franchise.

However, the 2019 NHL Draft - scheduled to be held on Jun. 21-22, 2019 in
Vancouver, British Columbia - could very well put its predecessor to shame.

Like the 2018 event, the 2019 Draft will boast an elite top prospect in Jack
Hughes - a player many have likened to Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks.
Yet, unlike the draft of 2018, the 2019 event will own a secondary class of
young prospects who could legitimately challenge the aforementioned Hughes for
first overall.Neither Andrei Svechnikov nor Jesperi Kotkaniemi legitimately
challenged Rasmus Dahlin to be chosen first overall in the 2018 NHL Draft, a
fact which will surely change in June of 2019. (Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)

Realistically, there are five players who could be chosen with the upcoming
first overall selection. Adding further intrigue to the draft class of 2019 is
the overwhelming presence of players from the Western Hockey League and
western-Canada - a returning source of talent which had dwindled dramatically
in recent years.

Now, with all of this being said, it';s time to introduce you to the top-ten
prospects eligible for the 2019 NHL Draft. Although the players below are
listed alphabetically and not in order of their personal skill and potential,
seemingly any of which could be selected first overall in next June';s
draft.Bowen Byram

Position: Defence

Height/Weight: 6-foot, 180-pounds

2017-18 Statistics: 60 GP: 6G, 27 Pts (Vancouver Giants, WHL)

Comparable: Morgan Rielly - Toronto Maple Leafs

In his first year of play with the Vancouver Giants of the WHL, Bowen Byram
collected six goals and 21 assists - an offensive output good for 27 totals
points.

However, it was the confidence and creativity which Byram brought to the ice on
 a nightly basis which has garnered the attention of the hockey world. Although
 just 17-years-old, Byram skated with poise and composure in his rookie WHL
campaign - rarely committing turnovers while regularly completing safe yet
productive plays in the process.

He (Byram) is a special player. He';s shown that throughout the year and he';s
only getting better and better. The bigger the game, the better he plays. -
Jason McKee, Vancouver Giants 

Already boasting solid size at 6-feet, 180-pounds, Byram';s game is founded
upon excellent skating and his ability to see the ice with relative ease.
Capable of darting up the ice before dishing the puck to a nearby teammate,
Byram is an improving playmaker whose strong shot combines to make the
Cranbrook, British Columbia native a legitimate threat at both ends of the ice.

As a former third-overall selection in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft, Byram';s
immense talent has long been known. If the youngster can continue to strengthen
 his frame while improving his capabilities as a complete two-way defender, we
could be staring down a top-five choice in the 2019 NHL Draft.Cole Caufield

Position: Centre/Right-Wing

Height/Weight: 5-foot-6, 155-pounds

2017-18 Statistics: 59 GP: 54 G, 80 Pts (U.S. National Team, USDP)

Comparable: Alex DeBrincat - Chicago Blackhawks

Cole Caufield could be the most natural goal scorer available in the 2019 NHL
Draft.

Unfortunately, many will not be able to come to terms with the youngster';s
lack of size, as the native of Mosinee, Wisconsin stands a mere 5-foot-6 and
155-pounds. However, if the likes of Tyler Johnson, Johnny Gaudreau, and Alex
DeBrincat have proven anything through their play in recent seasons, it is the
fact that players of lesser stature are more than capable of legitimately
competing in today';s NHL.

Cole Caufield scored again.

Must be a day that ends in Y. pic.twitter.com/Q6LAZH46P0

- USHL (@USHL) February 24, 2018

With this being said, Caufield could rather easily be made a top-ten pick in
next year';s draft. Boasting silky hands, ample creativity, and a blistering
shot, Caufield can pot the puck in a variety of ways and is incredibly
consistent in doing so. Whether he is shooting the puck from distance,
deflecting the puck en route to the goal, or cashing in on a loose rebound,
Caufield can be counted on to lead his team';s offence with startling
regularity.

Incredibly similar to Debrincat of the Chicago Blackhawks, Caufield could be
one of the most under-appreciated players available in the 2019 NHL Draft, and
one who could slip late into the first round given the NHL';s common and
incredibly unrealistic perception of size.Dylan Cozens

Position: Centre

Height/Weight: 6-foot-3, 175-pounds

2017-18 Statistics: 57 GP, 22 G, 53 Pts (Lethbridge Hurricanes, WHL)

Comparable: Leon Draisaitl - Edmonton Oilers

Dylan Cozens has put himself on the 2019 prospect map owing to an impressive
rookie campaign with the Lethbridge Hurricanes. In fact, Cozens';s initial
season was so impressive that he captured the Jim Piggott Trophy as the WHL';s
Rookie of the Year.

During the 2017-18 season, Cozens potted 22 goals and 53 points for the
Hurricanes - a point total which stood as the second-greatest amongst WHL
rookies. However, once you factor in Cozens'; impressive point per game rate of
 0.97 - the best of any WHL rookie last season - the native of Whitehorse,
Yukon Territory can be rather easily perceived as a far more promising talent
than originally thought.

He (Cozens) is always focused on getting better. Just a kid who loves to play
and loves to get better and wants to be the best. - Brent Kisio, Lethbridge
Hurricanes

When it comes to Cozens, his game is founded upon speed, skill, and an
unwavering work ethic. Regardless of the score or state of the game, Cozens
works and skates hard from whistle-to-whistle and is endlessly determined in
his quest for the puck. Once in possession, Cozens can pass or shoot the puck,
although he tends to wire it on goal more often than not.

Already standing 6-foot-3, Cozens boasts solid size alongside an innate
skill-set and uses his physicality well to shield the puck as well as drive it
towards the goal. Although he - like most analyzed within this article - would
do well to add greater strength to his frame, Cozens'; natural abilities on the
 ice have and will continue to serve as a glaring indication of his future once
 he ascends to the professional-level.Kirby Dach

Position: Centre

Height/Weight: 6-foot-4, 185-pounds

2017-18 Statistics: 52 GP: 7 G, 46 Pts (Saskatoon Blades, WHL)

Comparable: Adam Henrique - Anaheim Ducks

Once Kirby Dach grows into his towering 6-foot-4 frame, the native of Fort
Saskatchewan, Alberta will become an unstoppable force.

Known for his calculative nature and strong understanding of the game, Dach';s
ability to read and adapt to the play at high speed stands as the trademark of
his game. Always well-positioned and aware of his responsibilities in all three
 zones, Dach';s stellar two-way game allows him to control the pace of any
given game while directly impacting its outcome.

He';s motivated. He knows where he wants to get to, and he knows that we';re a
tool that can get him there. - Bob Woods, Saskatoon Blades

Selected by the Blades second overall in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft,
expectations surrounding Dach are extremely high. Fortunately, the youngster
did not disappoint in his first full season of play in Saskatoon, as Dach
netted seven goals and 46 points in just 57 regular season games played.
Although a somewhat awkward skater given his towering size, Dach should develop
 into a dominating power-forward once he adds greater strength to his
frame.Jack Hughes

Position: Centre

Height/Weight: 5-foot-10, 160-pounds

2017-18 Statistics: 87 GP: 61 G, 170 Pts (USNTDP Juniors/U.S. National Team,
USDP)

Comparable: Patrick Kane - Chicago Blackhawks

Jack Hughes will - in all liklihood - be made the first overall selection in
the 2019 NHL Draft.

When it comes to Hughes, the native of Orlando, Florida can do it all. Founded
 upon sensational skating skills and the ability to maneuver through his
opposition with absolute ease, Hughes boasts electrifying speed and agility and
 the capability to control the puck in flight. With soft hands and seemingly
endless creativity, Hughes can dish to puck to his teammates or barrel his way
to the goal before whipping the puck on net.Jack Hughes will likely be made the
 first overall selection in the 2019 NHL Draft. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty
Images)

However, perhaps the most notable aspect of Hughes'; game is his patience and
composure with the puck. Much like Patrick Kane of the Blackhawks, Hughes is
rarely forced into turnovers and can protect the puck with ease before devising
 a high-quality scoring chance in the blink of an eye. Further, owing to his
terrific skating, Hughes can read the pressure applied by his opponents and use
 their momentum to find gaps in opposing defences.

Much like the 2018 NHL Draft will be remembered as the year of Rasmus Dahlin,
the 2019 NHL Draft could come to be recalled as the season of Hughes. With his
older brother Quinn also set to enter the NHL in the near future, we could be
witnessing the arrival of the NHL';s next superstar hockey family.Kaapo Kakko

Position: Right-Wing

Height/Weight: 6-foot-1, 180-pounds

2017-18 Statistics: 38 GP: 25G, 55 Pts (TPS U20, Jr. A SM-liiga)

Comparable: Sebastian Aho - Carolina Hurricanes

Although he is the only European player on this list, Kappo Kakko could prove
to be one of the most electrifying players available in the 2019 NHL Draft.

For Kakko, his game is based largely upon a sensational skill-set with the puck
 and the ability to remain composed and lethal under pressure. With smooth
hands from a distance as well as in close to the goal, Kakko can execute
jaw-dropping jukes with ease before meandering towards the net with both time
and space. Boasting a crisp and accurate shot, Kakko can then blast the puck
past opposing netminders or gobble up and deposit rebounds generated by his
teammates.

He';s a very good talent; one of the best players at his age. Sometimes I watch
 him and say 'Wow, how did he do that?'; - Rasmus Kupari, Los Angeles Kings

What';s more is that Kakko is also a tremendous playmaker - a reality which
makes the native of Turku, Finland a versatile and consistent threat
offensively.

As he continues to develop and progress as a player, expect Kakko to become
eerily similar to fellow countryman Sebastian Aho of the Carolina Hurricanes.
Although Kakko will likely own greater size than Aho in the long-term, the
youngster';s ability to process the game at a rapid pace while fuelling his
team';s offence will surely draw endless comparisons.

Plus, once he reaches the NHL, Kakko will own one of the best names in
hockey.Peyton Krebs

Position: Left-Wing

Height/Weight: 5-foot-11, 175-pounds

2017-18 Statistics: 67 GP: 17 G, 54 Pts (Kootenay Ice, WHL)

Comparable: Brayden Point - Tampa Bay Lightning

Peyton Krebs was chosen by the Kootenay Ice with the first-overall selection in
 the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft, and for good reason.

In his rookie WHL campaign with the Ice in 2017-18, Krebs quickly displayed the
 lethal and remarkably well-rounded skill-set which has long made him a
prospect of immense potential. Across his 67 regular season games played, Krebs
 blasted home 17 goals while also recording 37 assists for Kootenay - a 54
point total which stood as the greatest of any WHL rookie.Krebs'; blazing
speed, raw skill, and drive to improve combine to make him a prospect of
immense potential. (Robert Murray/WHL)

The two particular aspects of Krebs'; game which allowed him to enjoy
substantial success as a first-year player was his hard, accurate shot and
ability to read the ice as plays developed within it. Yes, he only netted 17
tallies last season, however, the goals Krebs did notch often came as the
result of well-placed shots of ample velocity. Further, on the playmaking side
of the puck, Krebs'; overall vision and unique ability to see plays before they
 developed allowed the native of Okotoks, Alberta to improve the play of those
around him.

Powered by an unwavering engine while endlessly dynamic at both ends of the
ice, Krebs could become one of the NHL';s best and most consistent two-way
centres in the near future. Very similar in playing style to Brayden Point of
the Tampa Bay Lightning, Krebs will have a long future in professional hockey
ahead of himself provided he can once again dominate the WHL in
2018-19.Raphaël Lavoie

Position: Centre

Height/Weight: 6-foot-4, 195-pounds

2017-18 Statistics: 68 GP: 30G, 63 Pts (Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL)

Comparable: Blake Wheeler - Winnipeg Jets

Raphaël Lavoie has all the makings of a prototypical power-forward - he owns
soft hands, immense size, and a rugged frame capable of overpowering opposing
players.

However, what sets Lavoie apart from conventional power-forwards is his ability
 to think the game, see the ice, and operate within it addition to his towering
 6-foot-4 frame. Yes, Lavoie knows exactly how to use his size to his
advantage, yet it is his unique ability to combine his size and ample skill
into a sound all-around game which separates him from his competition.

Raphael wants to score and be a difference maker. He has shown that he is a
game breaker. When he gets a step on a guy and uses his big frame, he is very
tough to defend. - Jim Midgley, Halifax Mooseheads

Capable of eluding opposing defenders owing to strong edge-work and his raw
creativity, Lavoie can devise and implement a highlight-reel dangle before
trudging his way towards the goal. Once close to the net, Lavoie';s quick and
purposeful hands allow him to pick corners from tight angles with ease, while
his vision with the puck allows the native of Montreal, Quebec to set up fellow
 teammates for excellent scoring chances.

Fresh off of an impressive sophomore season in the QMJHL in 2017-18, during
which time he netted 30 goals and 63 points, Lavoie has established himself as
a promising young prospect ahead of the 2019 NHL Draft. Although he will be one
 of the oldest first-year eligible players available in 2019, Lavoie';s
electrifying skill-set will surely cement his status as an early first-round
selection.Alex Newhook

Position: Centre

Height/Weight: 5-foot-11, 185-pounds

2017-18 Statistics: 45 GP, 22 G, 66 Pts (Victoria Grizzlies, BCHL)

Comparable: Nathan MacKinnon - Colorado Avalanche

Blazing speed, sensational skill, and an overwhelming compete-level have come
to define Alex Newhook of the Victoria Grizzlies - a youngster who is a
sure-fire top-five selection in the 2019 NHL Draft.

Although comparing 17-year-olds to current NHL players is no simple task, the
similarities between Newhook and Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche are
 all too evident. Much like MacKinnon, Newhook owns a tireless engine and one
which propels him around the ice with both flair and poise. Capable of darting
from one of the ice to the other, Newhook - like MacKinnon - has the ability to
 lead his team';s offence and is no stranger to highlight-reel plays and goals.

Newhook plays the game at a very high pace, like Robby Fabbri with a slightly
bigger frame. He';s a Boston College commit with a ton of offensive upside. -
Ryan Kennedy, The Hockey News

When it comes to his offensive game Newhook can do it all, although he is a
pass-first style of player. Perpetually aware of the location of his teammates
on the ice and not afraid to thread passes through traffic, Newhook';s
confidence with the puck allows him to generate high-quality scoring chances
seemingly from thin air. However, if no opportunities to pass the puck present
themselves, Newhook can opt to fire the puck on net - his shot is both crisp
and accurate despite its tendency to be under-appreciated by opposing
defenders.

In short, Newhook will enter the 2018-19 BCHL season as a can';t-miss prospect
and one legitimately capable of challenging Hughes for first-overall at the
2019 NHL Draft.Ryan Suzuki

Position: Centre

Height/Weight: 6-foot, 175-pounds

2017-18 Statistics: 64 GP, 14 G, 44 Pts (Barrie Colts, OHL)

Comparable: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Edmonton Oilers

Although he isn';t the flashiest player on the ice, Ryan Suzuki is regularly
one of its most effective.

Agile and calculated with the puck, Suzuki is an incredibly intelligent player
who understands how to maximize the abilities of his linemates. As a tremendous
 passer, Suzuki can feed the puck to his teammates with ease, while his ability
 to see the ice allows him to stand as a fixture on the power play. Further,
Suzuki is an immensely capable two-way forward, as his commitment to defence
allows the native of London, Ontario to be utilized in a variety of
situations.Although a highly touted playmaker, Suzuki';s growing ability to
shoot the puck has made him a versatile and lethal offensive threat. (Terry
Wilson OHL Images)

Set to skate in his second OHL season with the Barrie Colts in 2018-19, Suzuki
will look to increase his offensive output while also strengthening his slender
 frame. Although of decent size, Suzuki would benefit from adding greater
strength to his body, as doing so would allow the youngster to become a more
impactful fore at both ends of the ice.

Ultimately, expectations will be high for Suzuki in his first year of draft
eligibility. As a former first overall choice in the OHL Draft, Suzuki will
have the upcoming season to prove himself as a more promising prospect than his
 older brother Nick Suzuki - a first-round choice of the Vegas Golden Knights
in the 2017 NHL Draft.

The post 2019 NHL Draft: The Top-10 Prospects appeared first on The Hockey
Writers.

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