Swedish defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (Frolunda) is the top-rated prospect on NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of international skaters for the 2018 NHL Draft, while center Andrei Svechnikov of the OHL's Barrie Colts is tops among North American skaters.
It's Dahlin that's expected to go first overall in the NHL draft, which will be held at American Airlines Center in Dallas from June 22-23.
"Dahlin is an exceptionally talented prospect who will be able to contribute, influence and impact a team's fortunes much in the way that defensemen Erik Karlsson (Ottawa Senators) and Victor Hedman (Tampa Bay Lightning) have in the NHL," said Dan Marr, director of NHL Central Scouting. "If you wanted to pick one player from the 2018 draft who could potentially be viewed as a generational talent, Rasmus would be the only candidate. There is that much respect for him and his abilities."
Rounding out the top five European skaters are defenseman Adam Boqvist of Brynas' team in Sweden's junior league, winger Vitali Kravtsov of Chelyabinsk in Russia, winger Martin Kaut of Pardubice in the Czech Republic, and defenseman Adam Ginning of Linkoping in Sweden.
On the North American side, winger Brady Tkachuk of Boston University in Hockey East comes in second, winger Filip Zadina of Halifax in the QMJHL is third, defenseman Evan Bouchard of London (OHL) ranks fourth, and defenseman Noah Dobson of Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL) rounds out the top five.
The final lists of the top international skaters and goalies and top North American skaters and goaltenders was released Monday and can be seen here:
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