The winner of the 2018 draft lottery will earn the right to add a franchise talent - and right now, that talent is projected to be blue-liner Rasmus Dahlin.
The Swede got top billing in the top 31 draft rankings that ISS Hockey issued for November. Here's a look at all five players currently atop the 2018 class.
Rasmus Dahlin
| Position | Team (League) | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D | Frolunda (SHL) | 15 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 2 |
Turning heads since he was 16 years old, Dahlin is the undisputed selection to lead off the 2018 draft. The 6-foot-2 defender plays in all situations and is already making his mark in the ultra-competitive Swedish League as a teenager.
"He defends like (Nicklas) Lidstrom. He skates like (Erik) Karlsson," TSN's Ray Ferraro told Viasat. "His potential is limitless."
North American hockey fans got their first look at Dahlin in last year's World Junior Championship, where he picked up a goal and an assist across seven games. He's an exceptionally dynamic talent who could quickly become a franchise's most valuable player.
Andrei Svechnikov
| Position | Team (League) | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RW | Barrie (OHL) | 10 | 10 | 4 | 14 | 10 | 6 |
A natural goal-scorer, the hulking Russian winger (and the brother of Detroit Red Wings prospect Evgeny Svechnikov) led the USHL's Muskegon Lumberjacks with 29 goals and 58 points in 48 games in 2016-17. He's now skating in his second season in North America with the OHL's Barrie Colts.
However, scouts won't have an opportunity to get another look at him until at least December as he recovers from a broken hand. He was tied for second in league scoring at the time of the injury.
Brady Tkachuk
| Position | Team (League) | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | BU (NCAA) | 9 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 5 |
The bloodline picks could continue at No. 3, as the son of Keith and the brother of Calgary Flames winger Matthew Tkachuk is another projected top selection.
In fact, Brady could have followed in Matthew's footsteps by lacing up for the OHL's London Knights, but he later committed to Boston University. The NCAA club has developed a handful of upper-echelon talents in recent years, including Charlie McAvoy, Clayton Keller, and Jack Eichel.
The 18-year-old Tkachuk missed last year's draft cutoff date by one day, but that offers him more time to build his game. With his gritty style, he has the makings of a budding power forward.
Filip Zadina
| Position | Team (League) | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LW | Halifax (QMJHL) | 18 | 15 | 13 | 28 | 10 | 10 |
The Halifax Mooseheads have produced no shortage of talent in recent seasons, from Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon to more recent selections Nikolaj Ehlers and last year's No. 1 pick, Nico Hischier.
The dynamic Zadina's had little trouble adjusting to the North American game after spending the past two seasons in the Czech League. The junior rookie has taken the Quebec League by storm and holds a seven-point lead on the second-highest scoring freshman.
Zadina's ability to create high-level offense will make his selection a priority as scouts prepare for the 2018 draft.
Oliver Wahlstrom
| Position | Team (League) | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | NTDP (USHL) | 3 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 4 |
Rising star Wahlstrom could ultimately be the top center available in this year's class. A powerful skater with an impressive ability to carry the puck, Wahlstrom is built to play the possession-based game the NHL has moved toward.
The Massachusetts native also holds Swedish citizenship, but attended Team USA's world junior summer showcase and is a good bet to make the final cut come December. The National Team Development Program skater is committed to Harvard for 2018-19.
The 2018 NHL Draft will be held June 22-23 in Dallas.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
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