Filip Zadina falls to Red Wings at No. 6

The Detroit Red Wings selected forward Filip Zadina with the sixth overall pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft on Friday.

Filip Zadina

Position: Right Wing
Height: 6-feet
Weight: 195 lbs
Age: 18
Club: Halifax (QMJHL)
Nationality: Czech

GP G A P 5v5 GPG 5v5 PPG 5v5 GF%
57 44 38 82 0.58 0.98 60.0

(Even-strength stats courtesy: prospect-stats.com)

A dynamic playmaker with exceptional offensive instincts, Filip Zadina possesses the quick release of a gifted goal-scorer as well. He also brings a steady two-way game that makes him effective at both ends of the ice.

The Czech Republic native has spent just one season in North America, but needed little time to adjust. He finished second in team scoring for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's Halifax Mooseheads, a top program that's churned out a handful of high picks in the last five years, including Nathan MacKinnon, Jonathan Drouin, Nikolaj Ehlers, and Nico Hischier.

The hype around Zadina peaked at the World Junior Championship when he powered the underdog Czech Republic to an appearance in the bronze-medal game. Zadina wrapped the tournament with seven goals and one assist in seven contests.

"The power winger has been destroying CHL competition and saved his best performances for the Czech national team this holiday season," stated Cam Robinson of DobberProspects.com. "He uses his size and strength to create space and then delivers electric moves and finishing ability. Can beat you from anywhere on the ice. A tireless worker."

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Coyotes surprise, select Barrett Hayton 5th overall

The Arizona Coyotes drafted Barrett Hayton with the fifth overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft on Friday in Dallas.

Barrett Hayton

Position: Center
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 185 lbs
Age: 18
Club: Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
Nationality: Canadian

GP G A P 5v5 G/PG 5v5 P/PG 5v5 GF%
63 21 39 60 0.19 0.56 64.56%

(Stats Courtesy: prospect-stats.com)

In his second year with the Greyhounds, Hayton rose up the scouting charts for his strong two-way play and gifted hockey sense. He finished his draft year as the ninth-ranked North American skater, and appears to have the tools to develop into an NHL pivot down the road.

Hayton has exceptional hands, good scoring touch, and a strong ability to set up his teammates. It's unlikely Hayton immediately makes the jump to the pros, but another year of seasoning with an increased role in the Soo should play a positive role in his development.

"Hayton can play and contribute in all situations. He reminds me of Boston Bruins star Patrice Bergeron in the sense of being complete, strong, and able to produce whatever play is necessary to win. Like Bergeron, there’s not a lot of flash to his game, but winning teams will always value players with Hayton’s skills," TSN's Craig Button said.

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Senators take Brady Tkachuk 4th overall

The Ottawa Senators drafted forward Brady Tkachuk with the fourth pick in the 2018 NHL Draft on Friday.

Brady Tkachuk

Position: Forward
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 192 lbs
Age: 18
Club: Boston University (NCAA)
Nationality: American

GP G A P
40 8 23 31

(Stats courtesy: EliteProspects.com)

A hulking net-front presence with soft hands and the tendency to get under opponents' skin, Tkachuk's potential to develop into a dangerous power forward with the ability to create scoring chances and lay the body is very real.

"When Tkachuk goes to the crease, everyone watching knows he'll shoot as soon as he gets the opportunity - that's why he crashed the net in the first place. His offensive strengths lie more in his creative playmaking ability, however. His hockey sense and passing ability are high-end. He can make the kind of perfect pass in a tight space that other players might not be able to execute, and his stickhandling is good," theScore's draft expert Hannah Stuart wrote.

Tkachuk also brings an element of versatility to the table for the Sens, as the 18-year-old American can play up the middle and on the wing despite being utilized mostly on the latter at BU.

Described as a relentless puck pursuer who plays with more edge than both his brother Matthew and father Keith, Brady has the opportunity to carve out a niche for himself as a playmaker who can punish you physically. Any way you slice it, Tkachuk is sure to be a player to watch over the next number of seasons in the NHL.

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Canadiens snag highly skilled Jesperi Kotkaniemi 3rd overall

The Montreal Canadiens drafted Jesperi Kotkaniemi with the third overall pick in the NHL draft on Friday night.

Position: Center
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 190 lbs
Age: 17
Club: Assat Pori (SM-liiga)
Nationality: Finland

GP G A P
57 10 19 29

Kotkaniemi is Europe's seventh-ranked skater according to NHL Central Scouting, but it wouldn't be surprising if he was drafted in the top five.

Kotkaniemi has an NHL-ready shot with a quick release and deadly accuracy. He also has world-class hands. When you factor in his high hockey IQ, it's nearly a lock that he'll be a consistent point-producer in the NHL.

Defensively, Kotkaniemi uses his great length to his advantage. He has a good stick, great drive, and will likely get a lot of takeaways at the next level.

The knock on Kotkaniemi is that he's a bit of a clunky skater, but that issue should be erased as he grows into his body. His straight-line speed isn't an issue, and he can be shifty with the puck on his stick.

With his skill, size, and smarts, Kotkaniemi has the potential to be a No. 1 center that all teams covet.

"He plays the game not like anybody else. He sees the game differently. He tries to make a play in every situation. He sees only upsides, and no downsides, and that’s why his game is sometimes a little bit risky. He’s very skilled," Finland's U18 coach Tommi Niemela said, according to The Athletic's Corey Pronman.

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Hurricanes take Svechnikov 2nd overall

The Carolina Hurricanes chose Andrei Svechnikov second overall Friday night.

Andrei Svechnikov

Position: RW
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 188 lbs.
Age: 18
Club: Barrie Colts (OHL)
Nationality: Russian

GP G A P 5v5 G/GP 5v5 P/GP 5v5 GF%
44 40 32 72 0.68 1.09 67.86

(Analytics courtesy: prospect-stats.com)

There was very little mystery about this pick, and there's a reason for that.

Svechnikov was the No. 1-ranked North American skater in Central Scouting's midterm rankings, and he held on to the top spot in the final edition, on the strength of a sensational first season in the OHL.

He proved to be quite deserving of that No. 1 distinction, scoring nearly a goal per game in the regular season, then adding five goals and 11 points in eight playoff games with the Colts.

The Russian winger is an elite finisher who can body opponents off the puck, and he has tremendous hockey IQ.

"His hockey sense and vision (are) top end, allowing him to seemingly score at will because he can read the ice and find the right play," theScore's NHL prospects expert, Hannah Stuart, wrote in a Svechnikov profile back in April.

Click here to watch some of his highlights.

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Sabres draft Rasmus Dahlin with No. 1 pick

The Buffalo Sabres selected phenom blue-liner Rasmus Dahlin with the first overall pick of the 2018 NHL Draft on Friday in Dallas.

Rasmus Dahlin

Position: Defense
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 185 lbs
Age: 18
Club: Frolunda HC (SHL)
Nationality: Swedish

GP G A P
41 7 13 20

(Stats courtesy: EliteProspects.com)

The cemented No. 1 pick since his stellar World Junior Championship this past winter, Dahlin is already an accomplished hockey player despite being still in his teens.

"Between finding success against much older competition in the Swedish Hockey League, winning a Champions Hockey League championship, and playing for Sweden at the Olympics, Dahlin has already had an illustrious hockey career - and he didn't turn 18 until April 13," theScore's draft expert Hannah Stuart wrote.

The smooth-skating rearguard is lethal at both ends of the ice, utilizing his speed and lanky frame to jump up in offensive rushes and close out the opposition in one-on-one battles in his own end. His game-changing offensive ability combined with a knack for knowing where to be in the defensive zone have had scouts and front offices salivating over Dahlin for much of the past year.

Dahlin is an NHL-ready, generational talent who is drawing comparisons to Erik Karlsson offensively, and Nicklas Lidstrom defensively. Quite obviously, if either one of those comparisons pans out, Sabres fans are in for a serious treat.

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Report: Avs will probably buy out Orpik if they can’t find trade partner

Brooks Orpik was sent to the Colorado Avalanche along with Philipp Grubauer for a second-round pick in a draft-day trade, but the veteran blue-liner might not be in Denver for long.

The Avs reportedly intend to trade Orpik, and if they can't, the team will probably buy him out, according to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun.

The Avalanche are apparently trying to help send Orpik to "a preferred landing spot," Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman added.

Orpik has one year left on his contract with at $5.5-million cap hit. A buyout would go as follows, according to Cap Friendly:

Season Cap Hit
2018-19 $2.5M
2019-20 $1.5M

Orpik, 37, finished with zero goals and 10 assists in 81 games this season. The physical, stay-at-home defenseman added a goal and four assists during the Washington Capitals' run to a championship.

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Capitals deal Grubauer, Orpik to Avalanche

The Washington Capitals traded goaltender Philipp Grubauer and defenseman Brooks Orpik to the Colorado Avalanche for the 47th overall pick in this year's draft, the team announced Friday.

"We would like to thank Brooks and Philipp for all of their contributions to our organization," general manager Brian MacLellan said in a release. "Philipp has been a consummate professional and a great teammate and we wish him all the best. Brooks was a great leader and a tremendous role model for our young players in his four years with our organization. This was a difficult move, but the one we felt we needed to make in order to give some flexibility moving forward."

Grubauer is coming off his third season as a backup to No. 1 Braden Holtby that saw him post career highs in games and wins with 35 and 15, respectively, while posting a .923 save percentage and a 2.35 goals-against average.

Orpik, meanwhile, just completed his fourth season in Washington and put up 10 assists in 81 contests. The 37-year-old has one year remaining on his contract at $5.5 million.

With the addition of the Avalanche's second-round pick, the Capitals now have seven selections in the draft.

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Red Wings looking to sign free-agent goalie

The Detroit Red Wings will look to free agency for help between the pipes.

"Obviously, we want to sign a goalie," general manager Ken Holland said from the NHL draft in Dallas, according to Stephen Whyno of The Associated Press. "We're going to talk to some goalies this week. I don't know if I'll really be trading for one, but we're going to talk to some free agents."

While unrestricted free agents can't officially sign until July 1, teams can gauge their interest beginning Monday.

Should the Red Wings go the free-agent route, their options could include Kari Lehtonen, Jaroslav Halak, Robin Lehner, and Cam Ward.

Red Wings netminder Jimmy Howard is under contract for one more season, carrying a $5.29-million cap hit, according to CapFriendly.

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