There's one second on the clock in the 2018 Under-18 World Championship gold medal game, and the puck is on the stick of Oliver Wahlstrom, arguably the best shooter in the 2018 draft class.

But Wahlstrom's shot misses the net, and the United States settles for a heartbreaking silver medal – but it wasn't just heartbreaking for the obvious reasons.

"I did an interview after, and they asked me what I was thinking, and the first thing that came to my head was I wasn't mad we lost, I wasn't sad we lost, it was just the last time I got to dress with my best friends," forward Joel Farabee told theScore.

Seth Appert, head coach of the Under-18 team at the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP), says the bonds between players in the program to which Farabee referred are forged through the unique shared adversity created by the NTDP’s environment.

"They’re 16 years old, they’re away from mom and dad, they’re living in a strange house with another family, and there's no veterans to take care of them," Appert said. "There's no senior captain like in college. There's no veterans like in pro or in junior. They're here, on their own, all 16-year-olds in that room together, in other people's houses, trying to figure out this on their own."

For most of the players, the Under-17 year is the first time they're away from home for such a long period of time. More importantly, for many of them, it's the first time they learn to fail. They're taken out of their comfort zones and thrown onto a team where, for most of them, they're no longer the best.

That very struggle sets them on the path to success - and that will be especially clear at this week's NHL draft, where more than a dozen players with connections to the NTDP could be among the top 50 selected. In an era when great talents are emerging from a variety of leagues and countries, the USA Hockey NTDP is leading the way by a significant margin.

Developing USA Hockey's Future

The NTDP was created in 1996 with the goal of centralizing the top Under-18 hockey players in the United States under one metaphorical roof, in a competitive and comprehensive development environment.

"You're taking 22 of the top players in our country, from one birth year, and you're putting them in a really competitive but development-friendly, healthy environment for two years," Appert said. "Our mission here - the coaches are not charged with winning games Friday night in the USHL, although we do believe winning is part of development. But our mission is to develop our country’s next wave of elite hockey players."

The program is split into two teams – the Under-17 and the Under-18. While the U17 team plays most of the 60 games in a USHL season, the U18 team plays around 25 of those games and spends the rest of its season competing against college programs.

Both the NCAA and the USHL have players older than the members of the NTDP teams (the USHL allows for players up to 20 years old, while those in the NCAA are sometimes as old as 24), so NTDP players find themselves facing challenging opponents every night.

At lower levels, if a player had the puck stolen from him, chances were good he could go after it and take it right back. However, if he loses that same puck in a game against the Boston University Terriers, chances are good his opponent has already used that puck to score (and given the Terriers' current lineup, chances are good he lost that puck to a former NTDP teammate).

"I think we played 15 to 20 college hockey games our U18 year so going into college hockey, I felt comfortable for sure," said NTDP alum and University of Michigan defenseman Quinn Hughes. "The program's awesome. If you really wanna be a hockey player, that's the spot to do it."

Appert said the vast majority of his players would be the star on their team anywhere else, but at the NTDP they quickly learn they can't all be the best.

They try anyway.

"There’s a lot of places that if one of the elite players takes a day off from practice they still can get away with it - they're still an elite player," Appert said. "Here, if you take a day off practice you get exposed by your teammates because your teammates are so competitive."

That competition doesn't just exist on the ice. It follows players into the weight room, into the film room, and even home to video-gaming sessions (Fortnite is the current game of choice, having supplanted the NHL game series). Players are challenged daily by teammates, coaches, and opponents alike.

"They test you, they test your character, and they work you pretty hard," said Bode Wilde, a draft-eligible NTDP defenseman who will join Hughes at the University of Michigan next season. "Coming out of there I feel prepared for whatever's next."

The 2018 Talent: Forwards

The depth of highly skilled players who are coming out of the NTDP year after year is something to behold. In the top 50 of NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters, there are 13 players with NTDP ties. For comparison purposes, there are only eight QMJHL players in the top 50.

One NTDP player who many believe didn't get his due this season after missing significant time due to injury is center Jake Wise.

"We had a tremendous second half where we won a lot of hockey games and did some really special things internationally and in the USHL, and I think that a lot of it in people's minds was tied to Jack (Hughes) coming up," Appert said. "But I think what people underestimate is the importance of Jake Wise returning to our lineup.”

Wise, ranked 38th among North American skaters in Central Scouting’s final rankings, is a strong two-way center with elite puck-handling skills and hockey sense.

"If you would extrapolate his offensive numbers out for a full season instead of a half season, he’d be right there with Farabee and on the heels of Wahlstrom as our leading scorers," Appert said. "He’s a terrific offensive player."

Farabee and Wahlstrom are two of this year’s most highly touted NTDP players. While Wahlstrom is expected to go in the top 10 of the draft, Farabee is considered more of a mid-first-rounder. Some pundits have cited concerns that Farabee is a product of the stars he plays with, but the man himself isn’t concerned.

"Jack Hughes and Oliver Wahlstrom, they're definitely really special players, but if you look at - if you break down our games, we're all really different players," Farabee said. "I think me being a playmaker and a defense-first guy where Wahlstrom's a shooter, skill guy, and Jack Hughes is more of an all-around guy, I think we all play different roles and I think I played my role to the best of my ability. You can compare us but our games are so different that I think it’s really hard to compare us."

Appert agrees when it comes to Farabee's two-way contributions on the ice.

"You could certainly argue that he was our best penalty killer," the coach said. "If we're winning the game in the third period late he’s gonna be on the ice because he’s one of if not the most defensively responsible players on the team. And yet he still was second on the team in scoring."

The 2018 Talent: Defensemen

In a draft loaded with high-end defensemen, quite a few of the best either play or have played for the NTDP. In addition to Wilde and (Quinn) Hughes, K'Andre Miller and Mattias Samuelsson are considered potential first-rounders.

Samuelsson, the captain of the U18 team, has an approach to the game that's beyond his years. In person, in situations that call for it, he gives off an air of leadership; with his teammates, he's a caring and fun young man who happens to have a letter on his chest.

"We rely on him," Appert said. "He does all the hard things you need from a defenseman to win - yet he still was right up there at the top of our group in defensive scoring as well. And that was with minimal power-play time, especially in the second half of the year. He provides offense. He's a great defender. He goes about his business in a real professional way, shows up every day with a good attitude to work and get better."

The defensive side of Samuelsson’s game, according to Appert, is in great shape. Samuelsson himself thinks he's around "three to four years" from the NHL; in that time he’ll likely work on improving the speed with which he makes decisions and transitions the puck.

Meanwhile, Miller is new to playing defense - compared to his teammates, anyway.

"He made the switch sometime in that year before he got to the NTDP so he’s only two-and-a-half, three years into being a defenseman," Appert said. "I think this year he took huge strides in using his athleticism and skating ability - he’s already an elite skater. He’d be an elite skater in the NHL if he played tonight."

Miller’s strengths lie in the way he uses his skating and hockey sense to take time and space away from opponents, and to join the rush when he judges the time is right. Given his high-level vision, his judgment is often correct.

"He just got better every month this year, and he probably - you could certainly argue that he made as many strides this year as anybody on our team," Appert said. "He's going to a great program in Wisconsin (in the NCAA), and they're gonna keep developing him as he continues to understand and gain experience and knowledge about the position that he’s playing."

Appert added that the coaching staff wanted their defensemen to be active offensively, and that Miller wasn't the only player who benefited from that strategy.

"With a new coaching staff coming in this year, with our team, they really changed up the dynamic and the systems we're playing," Wilde said. “The way we were playing D was a lot easier, and our D-corps really jumped into the way the coaches wanted us to play feet first and we did a great job. Defense was the number one improvement for me.”

Perhaps the best-known of the defensemen group is Quinn Hughes (Jack's older brother), whom Appert also had a chance to work with at a higher level as the youngest player on the American team at the 2018 World Championship.

"I thought Quinn’s game grew every game he was there," Appert said. "He started the tournament pretty good, but by the end he was playing extremely high-level minutes against high-level NHL competition."

While calling Hughes a "world-class player," Appert noted that strengths of his game in the tournament included his playmaking and his ability to break out the puck efficiently.

"I don’t think he gets enough credit for how he defends," Appert said. "I hear a lot of people knock his defensive game and I don’t think that's the case. I think he defends extremely well, I just think he defends differently than a lot of people might want him to or think a defenseman should defend. He doesn’t defend like a 6-foot-3 defenseman does. He defends with his skating ability, his stick, his mind, by angling people and taking away their time and space."

Hughes echoed Appert's sentiments.

"I think the knock on me is my defensive game," Hughes said. "Some teams think it's really good, some teams think I could use some work on it. That's why I went to go play college hockey this year. I went to go play against older, stronger competition and I think I did a really good job at the World Championship proving that."

Despite being one of the smaller defensemen in the draft, Hughes isn’t concerned about that either. He thinks his play speaks for itself.

"Maybe 25 to 30 years ago it would’ve been a problem, but not in this day and age, I don’t think," Hughes said. "Honestly, it's more about like, how I'm gonna handle bigger guys in the corner for my defensive game. That's the question I always get, and what I always say is, 'The same way I did at the World Championship.' The way I position myself, my skating, the way I position my stick and use it the right way and everything like that. It’s not gonna be outmuscling guys at the next level, it’s just gonna be about outsmarting guys.”

In 1996, three Americans were chosen in the 26-pick first round of the NHL draft. In 2016, 20 years after the inception of the NTDP, 11 Americans were selected in the first round. Meanwhile, the 28 Americans chosen in 2016's first three rounds tied the 2010 draft for the second most ever.

Despite numerous rankings and mock drafts, no one knows yet how many players with NTDP ties will be selected in the first round this year. Of that group, how many will become regular NHL players is even less certain.

What's certain is that the program has made an indelible mark on hockey in the United States, and is leading the way when it comes to player development.

Hannah Stuart keeps a close eye on both drafted and draft-eligible prospects and can usually be found trying to learn more about hockey analytics. She has previously written for FanRag Sports, The Hockey Writers, and Hooked On Hockey Magazine, and can also be found at High Heels and High Sticks. Find her on twitter at @HockeyWthHannah.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

When you boil it down, there are two ways to approach the NHL draft. Teams can pick the best player available, or draft to fill an organizational need. Most draft pundits feel taking the former approach is the smartest way to build a strong, deep prospect pool. Some teams, however, disagree.

If every team drafted purely to fill an organizational need in 2018, what kind of player would they be seeking?

After breaking down the Eastern Conference on Tuesday, here's a look at the Western Conference. Note: For some of these teams, "need" is relative to their prospect pool and not a commentary on whether that pool is strong or weak from a larger perspective.

Anaheim Ducks

With their first pick falling at 23rd, toward the end of the first round, the Ducks should target one of the skilled, intelligent defensemen remaining on the board. Their forward prospect pool is in good shape comparatively, and it’s possible they’ll find someone who can make an impact – someone like Alexander Alexeyev.

In addition to their first-round pick, the Ducks have the 54th, 79th, and 85th selections. It would serve them well to use one of those third-rounders on a goaltender, given their current goaltending depth. Depending on how other teams’ picks shake out, Jakub Skarek could still be on the board.

Arizona Coyotes

Like many of their fellow Western Conference teams, the Coyotes are noticeably thin on the wing. One solution to this is to take a center and shift him over to the wing. But if there's an option to draft a talented winger, why not do it? If the Coyotes are drafting for need at fifth overall, someone like Oliver Wahlstrom will be tempting.

Arizona also holds the 55th pick at the end of the second round and then picks 65, 73, and 74 in the third round. At 55th, selecting a right-handed defenseman like Jett Woo would be wise. There’s a pretty good chance the Coyotes won’t use all three of their third-rounders, but if they keep No. 65, winger Sampo Ranta might still be around.

Calgary Flames

The Flames don’t have a pick until the fourth round when they select 105th overall. That’s less than ideal, and it’s difficult to project how picks so far down the draft order will develop. There’s a decent chance the Flames make a trade between now and then for a first- or second-round pick, and we’re going to operate on the assumption they do.

In this hypothetical post-trade scenario, we’ll assume the Flames get a mid-to-late pick in the first round and a mid-round pick in the second. Players who fit Calgary's needs – wingers who can score – available at those picks could include Grigori Denisenko in the first round and Jesse Ylonen in the second.

Chicago Blackhawks

At first glance, the Blackhawks’ defensive depth looks solid – but looks can be deceiving, and quantity does not equal quality. Aside from standout Henri Jokiharju and college players Ian Mitchell and Chad Krys, no names in Chicago's defensive pool stand out.

The Blackhawks pick eighth and 27th in the first round and aren't on the board again until 69th in the third round. If they focus solely on their defensive need, at eighth the Hawks should take whoever is available among Evan Bouchard, Quinn Hughes, Noah Dobson, or Adam Boqvist. At 27th, options could include K’Andre Miller or Rasmus Sandin.

Colorado Avalanche

Outside of their NHL right wingers (a skilled group led by Mikko Rantanen), the Avalanche are noticeably thin in that area. Additionally, most of the prospects who play other forward positions and can be used at right wing don’t exactly inspire confidence. It’s time for Colorado to reinforce that group.

The Avalanche hold the 16th, 47th, and 58th picks. Wingers available at No. 16 could include Vitali Kravtsov or Martin Kaut. In the second round, the Avalanche should target players like Dmitry Zavgorodniy or Ranta.

Dallas Stars

It’s difficult to have too many complaints about the Stars’ prospect pool. It contains impressive names like Miro Heiskanen, Riley Tufte, and Jason Robertson, and the Texas Stars, the team’s AHL affiliate, are playing for the Calder Cup.

So if we get picky, one skill the Stars should draft for is speed. Bolstering the speed of their prospects leads to the opportunity to develop more players who can hang with the team’s marquee names.

The Stars hold pick No. 13 in the first round and select 44th in the second. Pursuing a forward like Joel Farabee in the first round and a defenseman like Calen Addison in the second will considerably improve the speed among Dallas’ young depth pieces.

Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers need to stop wasting their contract spots on middling, supposedly reliable former college players, and instead invest in fast and skilled prospects. No player signed by the Oilers over the past month will grow into the kind of player who can keep up with Connor McDavid. It's time to draft more players like Kailer Yamamoto, and fewer who prompt headlines like “(Player Name) Is A Good Depth Signing.”

Edmonton owns the 10th and 40th picks in the first two rounds. At 10th, a center like Jesperi Kotkaniemi would fit well, and there are reports the Oilers are interested in him. If Kotkaniemi isn’t available, Joe Veleno would be a suitable fallback option with his blazing speed. And at 40th, if center Aidan Dudas is still unclaimed, the Oilers should roll the dice.

Los Angeles Kings

The Kings are short on wingers, and this year's draft has plenty of promise at that position. Los Angeles needs to steer its focus away from larger players and has moved in a better direction there recently. Size shouldn’t be a priority because that's limiting.

The Kings hold pick No. 20 in the first round and select 51st in the second. In the first round, wingers like Dominik Bokk or Grigori Denisenko may be available. In the second, their options could be Jonatan Berggren (who can also play center) or Matej Pekar.

Minnesota Wild

The Wild’s starting goaltender situation is in good hands, as Devan Dubnyk had another solid season in the Minnesota net. But beyond him Minnesota's goaltending depth is shallow.

The Wild pick at 24th, then not again until the top of the third round at 63. Fortunately for them, a solid goaltender should still be available at 63rd – someone like Alexis Gravel of the Halifax Mooseheads, for example. At 24th, the Wild would be better off selecting a skilled forward like Bokk or Ryan McLeod, if either is available.

Nashville Predators

The Predators are deep down the middle. While some of those centers can switch to wing, that doesn’t solve the problem of Nashville's shallow winger pool, especially because it's unlikely many of those prospects will make an impact in the NHL.

There’s one problem, however: The Predators' first pick doesn't come until the end of the third round at 89th overall.

If David Poile trades for a first-round pick, the Predators will have options to draft a skilled winger. If their first pick remains at 89th, they could be looking at someone like Johnny Gruden from the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.

San Jose Sharks

The Sharks are lucky the early rounds of this draft will feature many high-ceiling defensemen. Their prospect pool does not, and it’s difficult to identify any young Sharks defensemen capable of making a serious impact at the NHL level. Smart puck-movers should be a priority this year.

The Sharks pick 21st, then don’t select again until 114th in the fourth round. There’s no telling who will still be on the board in the fourth round, which puts the pressure on that 21st pick, assuming San Jose doesn't acquire others.

Good options are Miller or Bode Wilde. Who knows, the Sharks might even get lucky and see skilled WHLer Ty Smith fall down the board due to his size.

St. Louis Blues

The Blues are another team thin on wingers who can be relied on to make a splash at the NHL level. Jordan Kyrou is capable, and he should be in the NHL next season.

The Blues select 29th in the first round and 45th in the second. Serron Noel could be around at 29th, and clearly, the Blues have done well with OHLers in recent years (see: Robert Thomas, in addition to Kyrou). In the second round, options may include Ylonen or Niklas Nordgren.

Vancouver Canucks

What do the Canucks need? What don’t the Canucks need? While they have some very good players in their system – look no further than Elias Pettersson – Vancouver could add high-octane prospects on defense. The seventh overall pick allows them to do that this year, as at least one of Bouchard, Dobson, or Quinn Hughes should be available.

The Canucks also pick near the top of the second round at 37th, where Jonathan Tychonick may also be up for grabs. If he is, Vancouver shouldn’t hesitate – he has first-round talent but could fall due to playing in the BCHL. Jared McIsaac may also be available.

Vegas Golden Knights

The Golden Knights are in a unique position. Their prospect pool is just getting started, so they need depth everywhere. We saw their goalie depth in action this season when Dylan Ferguson briefly left the WHL to see some NHL ice time. Puck-Moving defensemen and dynamic wingers are what Vegas should focus on this year.

Barring a trade for a first-round selection, the Golden Knights hold picks 61, 99, and 115 to get started. A defenseman like Calen Addison may still be around at 61, but the Vegas scouting staff needs to dig deep to find wingers with potential.

Winnipeg Jets

A quick look at a Jets depth chart shows they’re lighter on the wing than at center and defense. There are many skilled wingers available this year, but the Jets are another team without a first-round pick. That makes their task difficult, but not impossible.

Barring a trade, their first pick won't come until No. 60, the end of the second round, followed by pick 91 at the end of the third. Wingers available at the end of the second round could include Cole Fonstad or Zavgorodniy.

Hannah Stuart keeps a close eye on both drafted and draft-eligible prospects and can usually be found trying to learn more about hockey analytics. She has previously written for FanRag Sports, The Hockey Writers, and Hooked On Hockey Magazine, and can also be found at High Heels and High Sticks. Find her on Twitter at @HockeyWthHannah.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

When you boil it down, there are two ways to approach the NHL draft. You can pick the best player available, or you can draft to fill an organizational need. Most draft pundits feel taking the former is the smartest way to build a strong, deep prospect pool. Some teams, however, disagree.

If, this year, every team drafted purely to fill an organizational need, what kind of player would they be looking for?

Let's take a look at the Eastern Conference teams first. Note: For some of these teams, "need" is a term relative to their prospect pool and not a commentary on whether that pool is strong or weak from a larger perspective.

Boston Bruins

In the years since 2015, when the Bruins selected Jakub Zboril, Jake DeBrusk, and Zachary Senyshyn at picks 13, 14, and 15 - leaving several more highly regarded players on the board - they put themselves on the road to redemption in the prospect arena. Still, every team has its needs, and when the Bruins' depth chart is examined, one position is noticeably thinner than others: the left wing.

The Bruins' first selection is at 57. They won't find a player there who can jump into the NHL next year, but with the way they're currently built, they don't need to. What they can do is find a left-winger like Blake McLaughlin (who also plays center), who is headed to the University of Minnesota in the fall and has time to grow.

Buffalo Sabres

It would be easy to answer the question "What do the Sabres need?" with "everything." Coincidentally, drafting the best player available would be a great strategy when trying to fix things from a big-picture perspective. If it had to be narrowed down to one area, however, defense seems the best place to start. Don't be fooled by the long list of players on the Sabres' depth chart - there aren't as many capable of making an impact in the NHL as one might think.

Rasmus Dahlin will obviously be a great start to addressing this problem. Since the first overall pick is an easy one to make, the Sabres need to look further at their board and determine who they want most at pick No. 32. There are enough defensemen to snag someone talented here - Mattias Samuelsson, for example.

Carolina Hurricanes

If we're honest, the Hurricanes' most pressing need is better goaltending. That's not something that can be immediately addressed through the draft, so, next item on the list: the Carolina needs electric scorers. Those are hard to come by, which is why it's fortunate the lottery blessed them with the second overall pick, and Andrei Svechnikov, this year.

With their next pick (42nd overall), however, the Hurricanes may want to target a different area of need: impact defensemen. Defense has recently been a strength for the Hurricanes, but most of their players with high-end potential have graduated to the NHL. It's time to replenish those stocks. Ryan Merkley may be available at 42, and a low-pressure market like Carolina just might be what he needs to get it together and thrive.

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets' forward prospect pool has some bright spots, including Vitali Abramov, Sonny Milano, and potentially Alexandre Texier (depending on his continued performance in the Liiga and, eventually, how he adjusts to North American ice). Outside of those bright spots, however, things grow dim.

With picks 18 and 49, Columbus should swing for the fences. Ideally, it'll look for forwards who, sure, might be a little high-risk compared to others, but who have a shot at being something special. Consider players such as Grigori Denisenko or Dominik Bokk at 18 and someone like Allan McShane at 49.

Detroit Red Wings

Given that the Red Wings own the sixth overall pick - their highest since 1990 when they drafted Keith Primeau - and their prospect pool is thin on impact defensemen, it would be a mistake for them not to select the best defenseman on the board when their time comes. Whether that is Adam Boqvist, Evan Bouchard, Quinn Hughes, or someone else entirely, remains to be seen.

Center depth is never a bad thing to build up and it's an area the Red Wings could stand to address. Digging deep with their later picks - 33 and 36, especially - could allow them to do this. Someone like Jake Wise, who has fallen down draft boards due to extended time out with injury, may still be available.

Florida Panthers

The Panthers have some fun young forwards in their system, including Aleksi Heponiemi and Henrik Borgstrom. They just let another one go in Adam Mascherin, who returns to the pool of draft-eligible players and will likely be a good overage pickup or free-agent signing for another team. While their defensive pool isn't shallow, it's lacking in names that jump off the page.

With selections at 15 and 34, the Panthers could conceivably find both a forward with solid hockey smarts and a puck-moving defenseman. In terms of players, that might look something like Joel Farabee or Rasmus Kupari, along with Jared McIsaac or Jett Woo.

Montreal Canadiens

The Canadiens need centers, and rumor has it Marc Bergevin may even be interested in trading down from third to select Jesperi Kotkaniemi, ideally getting an NHL-ready center in the process. Depending on the center in question, that might be a smart move by Bergevin (especially if the Habs were to otherwise select Brady Tkachuk at third). The key would be to trade down just far enough that no one else would take Kotkaniemi first, which limits trade partners. Take every draft-day trade mentioned this far out from the event itself with a grain of salt, however.

The more interesting aspect of the Habs' situation is this: they also hold picks 35, 38, 56, and 62 in the second round. Centers available at those positions could include Jack McBain, Benoit-Olivier Groulx, and Cameron Hillis.

New Jersey Devils

The Devils are a team that is trending in the right direction, but to move from trending to annually contending, they'll need to bolster their prospect pool all-around. Ideally, those picks will be smart and quick to complement the big-name players either already on the NHL roster or graduating to it soon.

The Devils select at No. 17, then don't have another pick until the fourth round, so the pressure to hit on their first-round pick is high. Appealing players potentially available at 17 include Ty Smith on defense (who should go higher but could very well drop), Grigori Denisenko on the wing, and Ryan McLeod at center.

New York Islanders

For the Islanders, right-wing depth is noticeably a weaker area than others -especially if things continue apace with Josh Ho-Sang. The Isles' apparent center depth is also deceptive. Selecting at 11 and 12 in the first round, along with 41 and 43 in the second, provides an opportunity to bolster these areas. Centers like Barrett Hayton and Joe Veleno should be available in the first round, while the Isles could see their second-round picks turn into players like American high school center Jay O'Brien and winger Jesse Ylonen.

New York Rangers

Touching base with a Rangers pundit brought about an intriguing answer to their "biggest need" question: high-risk, creative forwards. The Rangers have five picks in the first two rounds alone - nine, 26, 28, 39, and 48. While chances are good they'll try and package some of these to move up, choosing to make all five picks would provide plenty of opportunity to pinpoint high-risk picks who might pan out.

Oliver Wahlstrom may still be available at nine, while creative forwards available at the end of the first round and beginning of the second look more like Ty Dellandrea or Martin Kaut. Realistically, Kaut should be gone by then, but medical issues at the combine could cause him to fall for some teams. If that happens, the Rangers should take advantage.

Ottawa Senators

Aside from Filip Gustavsson, acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins this past season in the Derick Brassard trade, the Senators' goalie depth looks somewhat uninspiring. While this isn't the team's only need, forwards and defensemen can be acquired at picks four and 22. This year's goaltending options aren't quite outstanding enough to justify being picked at those spots. Here's the problem: the Senators don't select again until pick 95 at the top of the fourth round.

One of the top goaltenders available is Jakub Skarek. You might remember him from his standout performance with the Czech team at this year's World Junior Championships. If the Senators choose to wait until pick 95, Skarek may still be available, but that depends entirely on how other teams' draft boards shake out. If he isn't, someone like Jacob Ingham or Keegan Karki might appeal.

Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers certainly aren't lacking in prospects, and have some, like Morgan Frost - coming off a dominant OHL campaign - who jump off the page at you and demand to be noticed. At right wing, however, their depth is a little thinner on those look-at-me prospects than other positions.

With picks 14 and 19 in the first round and pick 50 in the second, the Flyers can address that need. Names like Serron Noel and Martin Kaut (if he doesn't fall post-combine) come to mind as options for one of the first-round picks, while players available at 50 might look something like Jonatan Berggren (if he does fall) or Nando Eggenberger. Berggren comes with the ability to play both center and wing, while Eggenberger has the bonus of being one of the best names in the draft.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Defense was once a strength for the Penguins' prospect pool, but in recent years, it's slipped. Look no further than 2016 third-round pick Connor Hall, whose rights the Penguins relinquished at the end of May. Hall was taken at pick 77. Also available at 77 that year? Montreal Canadiens defenseman Victor Mete. Swing and a miss.

The Penguins' first pick this year is at 53. Given the influx of defensemen in this year's draft class, there's a good chance they'll be able to find someone who, with a little investment by their development staff, will be worthwhile. However, that depends entirely on what their draft board looks like.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Let's be honest, the Lightning have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to prospects. Steve Yzerman and Co. have tackled the draft quite well, especially in recent years, hitting on players at whom other teams may turn up their noses. How, then, do the Lightning approach their draft from a need perspective?

When in doubt, especially in a draft like this year's, pick puck-moving defensemen. Sure, there are only so many spots on a roster, but the more you draft, the better your chances of pinpointing a pick that will hit. The Lightning's first pick comes in at No. 59 this year. Defensemen still available might include Calen Addison or Nils Lundkvist. Both would need more development time, and the Lightning could give it to them.

Toronto Maple Leafs

At first glance, the Leafs appear to be prepared for the future. After all, look at what their AHL team is doing in the Calder Cup playoffs right now. Upon closer examination, however, it's clear high-end center depth outside the Leafs' roster is likely not what they want it to be.

The Leafs pick at 25 and 52. Players like Ryan McLeod or Akil Thomas could be available in the first round, while the second round might provide someone like Liam Foudy.

Washington Capitals

The 2018 Stanley Cup Champions built their team, in large part, through drafting, and they'll need to continue that solid work to best position themselves to win another championship down the road. While much of their prospect pool is in good shape, they're another team that could benefit from adding smart, creative players. By drafting guys who have high-end smarts and can think the game at those top speeds, they'll set themselves up for future success.

The Capitals hold pick 31 at the end of the first round and pick 46 in the mid-second. It's possible another team could choose to trade down from its late (but earlier than 31st) first-rounder for those two picks. However, if the Caps choose to make both, players available might include defensemen Jonathan Tychonick or K'Andre Miller at 31 and center Jay O'Brien or center/wing Filip Hallander (if he's still around) at 46.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It’s June. The Memorial Cup has been won, the scouting combine is over, and the 2018 NHL Draft draws nearer. With more information and insight at hand, it’s time for another mock draft.

For our purposes, the Washington Capitals have pick No. 31 due to finishing behind the Vegas Golden Knights in the regular-season standings.

1. Buffalo Sabres

Rasmus Dahlin | D | Frolunda HC (SHL)
Previous Rank: 1

NHL.com Profile | Scouting Report

When asked at the NHL Scouting Combine about all the attention on him leading up to the draft, Dahlin said that it was awesome. It’s all but a done deal that he’ll go first overall to the Sabres, and he could change the look of their defensive corps dramatically.

2. Carolina Hurricanes

Andrei Svechnikov | RW | Barrie Colts (OHL)
Previous Rank: 2

NHL.com Profile | Scouting Report

Svechnikov was in Carolina on Tuesday, undergoing evaluations and meeting with some of the team bigwigs. After discussion of the Hurricanes taking someone like Brady Tkachuk or even trading the pick, this could be a very good sign. Here’s a pretty picture to get you through to the end June, Canes fans: Svechnikov alongside someone like Teuvo Teravainen or Sebastian Aho.

3. Montreal Canadiens

Brady Tkachuk | LW | Boston University (NCAA)
Previous Rank: 5

NHL.com Profile | Scouting Report

Signs might be pointing to the Canadiens going full galaxy brain on this one and picking Tkachuk. That being said, he wouldn’t be a bad choice. Tkachuk has grown quite a bit and will continue to do so, as there are parts of his game he’s still adjusting. He’s smart, highly skilled, and not afraid to throw his body around - he certainly has a long NHL career ahead of him. If the Habs want him that badly, however, they might be wise to trade down a pick or two and get another asset out of it.

4. Ottawa Senators

Filip Zadina | LW | Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Previous Rank: 3

NHL.com Profile | Scouting Report

When you think Ottawa Senators, you don’t immediately think top-line firepower. If they draft Filip Zadina, however, that could change. Zadina is smart, skilled, and able to put the game on his stick. He didn’t have any trouble transitioning to North American ice this year, and could conceivably make the leap the leap to the NHL almost as smoothly.

5. Arizona Coyotes

Adam Boqvist | D | Brynas IF (SuperElit/SHL)
Previous Rank: 4

NHL.com Profile | Scouting Report

Whether he plays with Oliver Ekman-Larsson or is groomed to one day assume his mantle, Boqvist could be a good fit for the Coyotes. He’s that guy for teams that want Dahlin and don’t have the first overall pick. He’s young, and thanks to his hockey smarts and fantastic skating, his ceiling is sky-high.

6. Detroit Red Wings

Evan Bouchard | D | London Knights (OHL)
Previous Rank: 7

NHL.com Profile | Scouting Report

Bouchard has size, skill, and a high IQ, and sometimes when you watch him play you feel like you’re already watching a pro. He’s also a right-hand shot which, for better or worse, has become the most sought-after kind of defenseman in recent years. Bouchard is a solid player who could contribute at the NHL level sooner rather than later.

7. Vancouver Canucks

Noah Dobson | D | Acadie-Bathurst Titan (QMJHL)
Previous Rank: 8

NHL.com Profile | Scouting Report

The Canucks seem like a team to let recency bias - i.e., a draft-eligible player’s recent Memorial Cup win - sway their judgment. Fortunately for them, should that happen this year, they’ll get a fantastic defenseman. Dobson is an intelligent player, a great skater, and contributes offensively without sacrificing defensive play.

8. Chicago Blackhawks

Quinn Hughes | D | University of Michigan (NCAA)
Previous Rank: 6

NHL.com Profile | Scouting Report

Asked at the combine what he would say to teams who question his ability to go up against bigger players in the corners, Hughes said that he’d tell them he would handle it the way he did at the World Championships. In other words: he’d handle it very well. After a great showing at worlds, where he won a bronze medal with Team USA, there should be no question about Hughes’ abilities in any zone. The only question should be: what number do you want to wear, Quinn?

9. New York Rangers

Oliver Wahlstrom | C/RW | U.S. National Team Development Program
Previous Rank: 9

NHL.com Profile

Wahlstrom told reporters at the combine that, "humbly," he thinks he has the best shot in this year’s draft. He’s probably not wrong. He can do things with a puck that some current NHL players can’t, and he creates space for himself and teammates with ease. And he’s just plain fun to watch.

10. Edmonton Oilers

Jesperi Kotkaniemi | C | Assat (Liiga)
Previous Rank: 12

NHL.com Profile

Kotkaniemi is a smart player who should be a solid two-way center in the NHL. While his skating could use some work, his vision is high-end and that’s something difficult to teach. He’s already played pro in Finland, and it might behoove the Oilers to bring him over to Bakersfield sooner rather than later to adjust his game against stiffer AHL competition.

11. New York Islanders

Ty Smith | D | Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
Previous Rank: 11

NHL.com Profile

Smith has fallen on some lists, but he’d be worth the pick. Thanks to his high-end hockey sense and great skating, he can take apart the opposition’s play and effectively bring the puck back to his own zone. He makes the right decisions and isn’t worried about his size being a liability. His game backs that up.

12. New York Islanders (from Calgary Flames)

Joel Farabee | LW | U.S. National Team Development Program
Previous Rank: 13

NHL.com Profile

Farabee is an exciting and creative player whose high hockey IQ helps him make good plays in all three zones. A hard worker and great skater with a high top speed, his vision allows him to embarrass opponents and create opportunities for teammates.

13. Dallas Stars

Barrett Hayton | C | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
Previous Rank: 14

NHL.com Profile

Hayton plays a straightforward game that in the future could provide solid, effective depth down the middle for the Stars. His growth this season hasn’t gone unnoticed, nor has the way he stepped up when top-line teammates were out of the lineup. He’s got high-end hockey smarts, and can play in all situations.

14. Philadelphia Flyers (from St. Louis Blues)

Joseph Veleno | C | Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
Previous Rank: 10

NHL.com Profile

Veleno makes sense for the Flyers in the same way that Patrick did last year (albeit on different levels). He’s not flashy, but he’s solid and effective. Veleno gets knocked for not living up to his CHL label, but that shouldn’t be a concern at this point. What matters is that his speed can burn opponents, his vision on the ice is exceptional, and he works his tail off to improve his game.

15. Florida Panthers

Rasmus Kupari | C | Karpat (Liiga)
Previous Rank: 15

NHL.com Profile

Kupari holds steady at No. 15 to the Panthers. As a skilled center available in a draft class chock-full of high-end defensemen and wingers, he stands out. He’s offensively gifted, with excellent vision, skating, and playmaking. Given time to work on his consistency, he could bolster the Panthers’ center depth.

16. Colorado Avalanche

Isac Lundestrom | C/LW | Lulea HF (SHL)
Previous Rank: 17

NHL.com Profile

Lundestrom is a strong skater who brings offensive pizzazz. He won silver with Team Sweden at this year’s World Junior Championships and has two seasons in the SHL under his belt. Whether he’s setting up plays or finishing them, his hockey smarts are top-notch.

17. New Jersey Devils

Martin Kaut | RW | HC Dynamo Pardubice (Czech Extraliga)
Previous Rank: 19

NHL.com Profile

Kaut didn’t go through fitness testing at the combine after his physical revealed a minor heart issue. Fortunately, it's said to be nothing that should hinder him in the future. That’s good news for the Devils, who would get a fantastic skater with high-end passing and shooting ability.

18. Columbus Blue Jackets

Bode Wilde | D | U.S. National Team Development Program
Previous Rank: 20

NHL.com Profile

Wilde is headed to the University of Michigan in the fall, but it won’t be long before he can contribute at the NHL level. He brings a great mix of skill and physicality and can contribute to scoring without being a liability in his own end.

19. Philadelphia Flyers

Dominik Bokk | RW | Vaxjo Lakers HC (SuperElit/SHL)
Previous Rank: 18

NHL.com Profile

Bokk is a raw talent with high-end skill. A slippery skater who reads the ice effectively and makes the right play, Bokk was drafted by the Prince Albert Raiders in the 2017 CHL Import Draft. However, he is expected to return to the Lakers this coming season. More time against men in the SHL can only benefit him.

20. Los Angeles Kings

Jonathan Tychonick | D | Penticton Vees (BCHL)
Previous Rank: 28

NHL.com Profile

Tychonick is a fantastic, speedy skater, and yet another example of why prospects who play Junior A instead of major-junior shouldn’t be discounted. His instincts are stellar both offensively and in his own end, and his skill will only be further refined when he joins the University of North Dakota next season.

21. San Jose Sharks

Serron Noel | RW | Oshawa Generals (OHL)
Previous Rank: 23

NHL.com Profile

One of Noel’s most noticeable improvements this season was his skating, and as he’s 6-foot-5, that was an important area to tackle. His offensive ceiling is high, and if he can improve his consistency and put the whole package together, he’ll be an exciting player to watch in the NHL.

22. Ottawa Senators (from Pittsburgh Penguins)

Rasmus Sandin | D | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
Previous Rank: 27

NHL.com Profile

Skilled young defensemen with high-end hockey sense feel like they’re consistently a need for all NHL teams. With the Erik Karlsson situation as yet unresolved, it makes sense for the Sens to add to their defensive prospect pool. Sandin brings smarts, skilled passing, and sound defensive positioning.

23. Anaheim Ducks

Alexander Alexeyev | D | Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
Previous Rank: 24

NHL.com Profile

Alexeyev is a big player, but he’s a strong skater for his size. He moves the puck well and has a great shot, and while he can add offense, one of the best parts of his game is that he rarely goofs up in his own zone.

24. Minnesota Wild

Jared McIsaac | D | Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Previous Rank: 22

NHL.com Profile

McIsaac is intelligent, and he can skate and move the puck. While he can lead the rush, he also plays well in his own zone, with solid gap control and good defensive positioning. The Wild could stand to give their D prospect depth a boost, and McIsaac could do that.

25. Toronto Maple Leafs

Ryan Merkley | D | Guelph Storm (OHL)
Previous Rank: 21

NHL.com Profile

Merkley needs a patient team that is good at developing prospects. If the situation is right, with his high-end skill, he can definitely make the risk worthwhile. The current iteration of the Leafs just might be that place. He’s boom-or-bust for sure, but might just tip the scales toward boom.

26. New York Rangers (from Boston Bruins)

Ty Dellandrea | C | Flint Firebirds (OHL)
Previous Rank: NR

NHL.com Profile

Dellandrea was fantastic this season. His team was not, and that hurt his stock in the eyes of some. He’s doggedly determined and a solid all-around center. He raises his game against tough competition, and he’s looking forward to being a leader for Flint next season.

27. Chicago Blackhawks (from Nashville Predators)

Akil Thomas | C | Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
Previous Rank: 26

NHL.com Profile

Thomas is on the smaller side, but the Blackhawks historically do well when picking smaller forwards, the most recent example being one Alex DeBrincat. A fast-skating center, Thomas can quarterback a power play and is a creative playmaker even at his top speed. A little work on the defensive side of his game wouldn’t go amiss.

28. New York Rangers (from Tampa Bay Lightning)

Mattias Samuelsson | D | U.S. National Team Development Program
Previous Rank: NR

NHL.com Profile

Samuelsson said at the combine that he’s probably "three or four years" away from the NHL, but with three first-round picks currently, the Rangers are a team that can afford to be patient. In their situation, Samuelsson is worth swinging on. He’s an incredibly mature player, and skates very well to be as big as he is (6-foot-4 and nearly 220 pounds). While not an offensive dynamo like many of his fellow USNTDP blue-liners, he’s gifted in his own end and moves the puck effectively.

29. St. Louis Blues (from Winnipeg Jets)

K'Andre Miller | D | U.S. National Team Development Program
Previous Rank: 30

NHL.com Profile

Miller only started playing defense two years ago, putting him in a unique position among his peers. It shows in his abilities with the puck, but perhaps more impressive is the way he plays away from it. He’s effective in all zones, and after some time at the University of Wisconsin, he should slide right onto an NHL roster.

30. Washington Capitals

Jake Wise | C | U.S. National Team Development Program
Previous Rank: 31

NHL.com Profile

Thanks to an injury that cost him nearly half his season, Wise has flown under the radar compared to his more well-known USNTDP teammates. Being the dark horse might mean he falls, but that’s Washington’s gain. Wise is a crafty playmaker who came back to the NTDP lineup at the same time Jack Hughes was called up, and his return was just as important to the team’s late-season surge as the addition of Hughes.

31. Detroit Red Wings (from Vegas Golden Knights)

Jacob Olofsson | C | Timra IK (Allsvenskan)
Previous Rank: 29

NHL.com Profile

A Swedish center on the Red Wings? There are crazier ideas. Olofsson plays a smart, simple game, and does it at impressive top speeds. He’s dangerous with the puck, but is reliable in his own end as well.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

How will you handle going up against larger players in the corners?

We’ve heard you have some attitude issues. What can you tell us about that?

What’s your Fortnite game like?

Here’s a picture of a bus with two front ends. Which way is it driving?

Prospects at the 2018 NHL Scouting Combine were faced with a wide variety of questions in their formal team interviews. That last one came from the Washington Capitals, and the number of prospects who got it right hovered between very few to none. The Capitals informed prospects they would learn the correct answer if they were drafted by Washington.

Formal interviews are the toughest and perhaps most important part of the combine. While the fitness testing provides teams with information moving forward - shining a light on areas that need improvement, which teams can then use to create a plan for those players going into camp and beyond - the interviews allow teams to get to know players in a different setting.

Many prospects noted Saturday that they’d spoken to upward of 20 teams, with some interviewing with all but one or two. Serron Noel of the Oshawa Generals had 10 interviews on his first day alone. (Noel also said that he likes being yelled at during the Wingate bike test, which will make some NHL strength and conditioning coach very happy one day.)

In addition to the formal team interviews and grueling physical testing, prospects had to deal with questions from the media. Here’s what we learned about some of the prospects who likely won’t go in the first round this year, but will be assets to whichever team drafts them.

C Blade Jenkins, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

In May 2017, Jenkins chose to leave the U.S. National Team Development Program, forgoing his scholarship at the University of Michigan and joining the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League.

"I think for me just kinda looking at it and seeing major-junior kinda fit my style of game and style of play a little bit more than others,” Jenkins said of what drove his decision to move to the OHL. "You’re developing and you’re playing against high-end draft picks. You’re playing against first- and second-rounders, and I think that kinda gives you a little bit of a taste of what it’s gonna take to get to the next level."

Jenkins is ranked 26th among North American Skaters by NHL Central Scouting, and is on the younger side of this year’s draft class - he won’t turn 18 until August. He has areas of his game that require improvement moving forward including his skating, a fact of which he is well aware. Jenkins said he plans to develop his speed this summer, working both in the weight room and on the ice.

When asked who he models his game after, if anyone, Jenkins said he tries to play like Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn.

"He’s a big body and his hockey IQ I think is what sets him apart, and his playmaking ability," Jenkins said. "That’s kinda what I like to bring to the table as well, to make others around me better, whether that’s them putting up a couple goals and me being able to give it to them.”

C Ty Dellandrea, Flint Firebirds (OHL)

Dellandrea’s draft year came with the challenge of balancing a successful personal season with a disappointing team campaign. While Dellandrea finished the year with 59 points in 67 games, the Flint Firebirds finished second-to-last in the league, ahead of only the Sudbury Wolves.

Dellandrea is ranked 25th among North American skaters by Central Scouting, and showed great perspective when asked why he thought that he was on the verge of being considered a first-rounder, but not quite there.

"I think maybe I started taking this game and my career seriously a little bit later than others," Dellandrea said. "Some guys have been doing this for years and years, even from a little kid. I might’ve started hockey a bit later."

He played multiple sports when he was younger including volleyball and lacrosse, which took up some time in summer he might’ve otherwise spent training for hockey.

"I think the past three summers, even two summers I’ve grown a ton in my play and in my size so I think with me I just have a lot of potential," Dellandrea said. “I’m gonna keep growing, whereas some other guys uh, you know maybe have already figured out - figured this out already. I think I got a lot of room to grow and to rise."

While he understands it will take time and training, Dellandrea does see himself as eventually becoming a No. 1 center at the next level. He said he tries to model his game after Jonathan Toews.

"I think my ability to play an all-around game," Dellandrea said when asked about his strengths. "I take pride in playing a strong defensive game as well as offensive so I like to use my shot and my speed to my advantage."

C Jack McBain, Toronto Jr. Canadiens (OJHL)

For McBain, the decision to play another year of Junior A and then head to Boston College this fall, rather than taking the major-junior route, was not one he made lightly.

"I had the opportunity to go watch a Michigan game and I really fell in love with college hockey, kind of everything about it," McBain said. "I think at that time and right now, I think it’s the best thing for my game, I think going there and playing against guys that’s 25 years old, basically men, I mean I think that’ll really benefit me in the future."

When asked what aspects of his game he feels are the strongest, McBain said he’s a strong two-way player with a high hockey IQ, and that he uses his size well. He also said that while he’s a good skater, that’s an area where he can still improve.

"You know, I think when I’m in stride I can skate with anybody," McBain said. "For me though, I’ve been working on my first three strides, and getting quicker and more explosive and agile."

McBain was a member of Canada’s gold-medal winning team at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup in 2017, and also represented Canada at this year’s Under-18 World Championships. What NHL jersey he’ll don in Dallas remains to be seen, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him off the board by the middle of the second round.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It’s touted as a one-stop shop for NHL general managers and scouting staffs to get a last look at prospects before the draft. In reality, the NHL combine can seem like a meat market, with top prospects on display and results dissected on social media (especially if they’re not positive).

Sixty forwards, 37 defensemen, and seven goalies will attend this week's annual combine hosted at KeyBank Center and HarborCenter in Buffalo, giving teams a chance to evaluate these prospects in an off-ice setting. Notable names attending include Rasmus Dahlin, Andrei Svechnikov, Filip Zadina, Adam Boqvist, Quinn Hughes, and recent Memorial Cup Champion Noah Dobson.

Why should you care?

Teams don’t make their draft lists based on the scouting combine, it's more of a tool. It gives teams information that can help refine those lists. In scouting, the idea is to gather as much information as possible in order to make the best pick. The combine provides teams with a different kind of knowledge than the kind they gain while watching these kids play every day.

Throughout the week, all 31 teams get the chance to interview around 10 prospects they want to learn more about. During the interviews, which last between 20 and 30 minutes, teams have the opportunity to see how players handle themselves in a one-on-one situation. This is considered the most stressful part of the weekend - and with good reason. Teams are looking at a player’s character, demeanor, and are considering how he’ll fit into their organizational culture. That’s not easy to do in half an hour.

Moreover, players have to clear a medical screening before they undergo physical testing. The screening can reveal any lingering injuries, as well as potential health problems that may have been missed. Once they’re through the screening, players have their conditioning put under the microscope through various tests: the standing long jump, pro agility test, bench press, pull-ups, VO2 max bike test (which looks at endurance), and the Wingate Cycle Ergometer Test (which measures peak anaerobic power and anaerobic capacity).

The VO2 max and the Wingate are the tests where players are most often reintroduced to their last meal. In fact, according to a now-deleted tweet from Montreal Canadiens forward Alex Galchenyuk from his time at the 2012 combine, the hurling happens even if you don’t eat before. (The tweet lives on in infamy on the Pittsburgh Penguins’ blog.)

Players to watch

One intriguing attendee is Liam Kirk, who is ranked 65th among European skaters by NHL Central Scouting. Kirk, who spent this season with the Sheffield Steelers of the EIHL, is hoping to become the first NHL player to be born and trained in the United Kingdom. (Brendan Perlini, an Arizona Coyotes prospect, was born in the UK but grew up playing hockey in Canada and spent four years in the OHL.)

Another participant worth monitoring is over-ager Sean Durzi of the Owen Sound Attack. Ranked 37th by NHL Central Scouting among North American skaters, Durzi is an offensive defenseman who attended Florida Panthers development camp last summer.

Other players to watch include:

– K'Andre Miller: An NTDP defenseman who just made the switch to defense from forward in the 2015-16 season, and is ranked 23rd among North American skaters by Central Scouting. The positional switch is pretty late to make, but is perhaps interesting commentary on where the defensive side of the game should or could be going.

– Ryan Merkley: A contentious defensive prospect who is pretty much the definition of high-risk, high-reward. He could be a top-10 pick based purely on offensive talent; Central Scouting has him at 45th among North American skaters due to his tendency to make mistakes as big as his highlight-reel moments. Interested teams will probably be picking him apart in the interview portion of the combine to get an idea of whether he's worth it.

Memorable moments

For an event that’s geared more toward scouting staffs than to the media, the combine can still produce plenty of interesting stories.

Here are some notable events from previous years:

– In 2005, consensus first overall prospect and current Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby skipped part of the physical testing due to both a lower-body injury and a chest cold that briefly sent him to the hospital.

– At the 2008 combine, new Denver University Pioneers head coach David Carle’s physical detected an abnormality that turned out to be hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. While the condition derailed his hockey playing career, he found another path in the sport. As an assistant coach with the Pioneers, Carle has worked with players such as Will Butcher (NJD), Troy Terry (ANA), and Henrik Borgstrom (FLA).

– In 2014, top prospect and current Calgary Flames forward Sam Bennett did exactly zero pull-ups at the combine. Performance on one combine test obviously isn’t going to sink a prospect, nor is it a predictor of NHL success or failure, but the fuss made about it on social media was hilarious.

– The scouting combine moved to Buffalo from its previous location in Toronto in 2015. KeyBank Center and the HarborCenter provided an “all-encompassing” venue for the event, including better sight lines and the ability to video the fitness testing. The KeyBank Center and HarborCenter currently have a contract to host the combine through 2019.

– 2017 saw #BikeGuy go viral. Bike Guy, a.k.a. Jordan Marwin, has a special method of motivating prospects to do their best on the Wingate bike test.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It’s touted as a one-stop shop for NHL general managers and scouting staffs to get a last look at prospects before the draft. In reality, the NHL combine can seem like a meat market, with top prospects on display and results dissected on social media (especially if they’re not positive).

Sixty forwards, 37 defensemen, and seven goalies will attend this week's annual combine hosted at KeyBank Center and HarborCenter in Buffalo, giving teams a chance to evaluate these prospects in an off-ice setting. Notable names attending include Rasmus Dahlin, Andrei Svechnikov, Filip Zadina, Adam Boqvist, Quinn Hughes, and recent Memorial Cup Champion Noah Dobson.

Why should you care?

Teams don’t make their draft lists based on the scouting combine, it's more of a tool. It gives teams information that can help refine those lists. In scouting, the idea is to gather as much information as possible in order to make the best pick. The combine provides teams with a different kind of knowledge than the kind they gain while watching these kids play every day.

Throughout the week, all 31 teams get the chance to interview around 10 prospects they want to learn more about. During the interviews, which last between 20 and 30 minutes, teams have the opportunity to see how players handle themselves in a one-on-one situation. This is considered the most stressful part of the weekend - and with good reason. Teams are looking at a player’s character, demeanor, and are considering how he’ll fit into their organizational culture. That’s not easy to do in half an hour.

Moreover, players have to clear a medical screening before they undergo physical testing. The screening can reveal any lingering injuries, as well as potential health problems that may have been missed. Once they’re through the screening, players have their conditioning put under the microscope through various tests: the standing long jump, pro agility test, bench press, pull-ups, VO2 max bike test (which looks at endurance), and the Wingate Cycle Ergometer Test (which measures peak anaerobic power and anaerobic capacity).

The VO2 max and the Wingate are the tests where players are most often reintroduced to their last meal. In fact, according to a now-deleted tweet from Montreal Canadiens forward Alex Galchenyuk from his time at the 2012 combine, the hurling happens even if you don’t eat before. (The tweet lives on in infamy on the Pittsburgh Penguins’ blog.)

Players to watch

One intriguing attendee is Liam Kirk, who is ranked 65th among European skaters by NHL Central Scouting. Kirk, who spent this season with the Sheffield Steelers of the EIHL, is hoping to become the first NHL player to be born and trained in the United Kingdom. (Brendan Perlini, an Arizona Coyotes prospect, was born in the UK but grew up playing hockey in Canada and spent four years in the OHL.)

Another participant worth monitoring is over-ager Sean Durzi of the Owen Sound Attack. Ranked 37th by NHL Central Scouting among North American skaters, Durzi is an offensive defenseman who attended Florida Panthers development camp last summer.

Other players to watch include:

– K'Andre Miller: An NTDP defenseman who just made the switch to defense from forward in the 2015-16 season, and is ranked 23rd among North American skaters by Central Scouting. The positional switch is pretty late to make, but is perhaps interesting commentary on where the defensive side of the game should or could be going.

– Ryan Merkley: A contentious defensive prospect who is pretty much the definition of high-risk, high-reward. He could be a top-10 pick based purely on offensive talent; Central Scouting has him at 45th among North American skaters due to his tendency to make mistakes as big as his highlight-reel moments. Interested teams will probably be picking him apart in the interview portion of the combine to get an idea of whether he's worth it.

Memorable moments

For an event that’s geared more toward scouting staffs than to the media, the combine can still produce plenty of interesting stories.

Here are some notable events from previous years:

– In 2005, consensus first overall prospect and current Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby skipped part of the physical testing due to both a lower-body injury and a chest cold that briefly sent him to the hospital.

– At the 2008 combine, new Denver University Pioneers head coach David Carle’s physical detected an abnormality that turned out to be hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. While the condition derailed his hockey playing career, he found another path in the sport. As an assistant coach with the Pioneers, Carle has worked with players such as Will Butcher (NJD), Troy Terry (ANA), and Henrik Borgstrom (FLA).

– In 2014, top prospect and current Calgary Flames forward Sam Bennett did exactly zero pull-ups at the combine. Performance on one combine test obviously isn’t going to sink a prospect, nor is it a predictor of NHL success or failure, but the fuss made about it on social media was hilarious.

– The scouting combine moved to Buffalo from its previous location in Toronto in 2015. KeyBank Center and the HarborCenter provided an “all-encompassing” venue for the event, including better sight lines and the ability to video the fitness testing. The KeyBank Center and HarborCenter currently have a contract to host the combine through 2019.

– 2017 saw #BikeGuy go viral. Bike Guy, a.k.a. Jordan Marwin, has a special method of motivating prospects to do their best on the Wingate bike test.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In the weeks leading up to the 2018 NHL Draft, theScore NHL prospect writer Hannah Stuart breaks down 10 of the most notable draft-eligible players. The tenth and final edition focuses on Joe Veleno.

Drafted first overall by the Saint John Sea Dogs in 2015, Joe Veleno was the first QMJHL player to follow in the footsteps of the likes of John Tavares and Connor McDavid and be granted exceptional status, playing major-junior hockey at age 15. At No. 8, he’s also the highest-ranked center among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.

While he's a consensus first-round pick who should become an NHL regular, exactly where Veleno belongs within that first round has been a subject of much debate this season. In fact, he's been under a microscope for his entire QMJHL career thanks to his exceptional status, which has likely contributed to both his ranking and the debate surrounding it.

Year in review

Fresh off a 40-point season, a President’s Cup win, and a Memorial Cup appearance with the Sea Dogs in 2016-17, Veleno started off this season by being named captain of the team. It was an honor he retained until he was traded to the Drummondville Voltigeurs in December, when the Sea Dogs sat second from the bottom in the QMJHL. He improved his offensive production significantly in 2017-18, finishing the campaign with 79 points, including 22 goals, in 64 games.

At the international level, Veleno captained the gold medal-winning Team Canada at last year’s Ivan Hlinka tournament, where he had two goals and five assists in five games. He also represented Canada at this year’s Under-18 World Championship, which he finished with three points in four games. And while he wasn't invited to Canada’s World Junior Championship selection camp last December, don’t be surprised if you see his name on the list this year.

Areas of strength

One bit of praise often repeated about Veleno is that he already approaches the game in a professional way. That’s pretty subjective, but it’s easy to see why. Veleno plays a dependable 200-foot game, and is able to take on high-pressure roles. His hockey sense and vision are incredible, and those attributes - along with his high-level passing skills - make him an excellent playmaker.

His offensive production improved noticeably after his trade, increasing from (a still very good) 31 points in 31 games with the Sea Dogs to 48 points in 33 games with the Voltigeurs. Veleno is a great skater with excellent speed and acceleration. His agility and edgework are high-end, and he uses his skating ability to open up opportunities for himself and his teammates. He’s not afraid to get into board battles, and works hard and smart in his own end.

Areas of improvement

Veleno’s offensive production was once a concern, but some of that was due to critique based on his exceptional status (which is fair). He took a step forward this season, but could stand to add strength and put more power behind his shot to become a more consistent goal-scorer. As a playmaker, his first instinct is usually to pass, but his hockey sense allows him to pinpoint when he needs to shoot. Putting a little more oomph behind the shot and getting quicker on the release should improve his goal-scoring numbers.

He occasionally tries to do too much himself, which could be partly attributed to pressure from his exceptional status. Improving his consistency in the little decision-making moments - whether choosing a better position, making a pass a bit sooner rather than handling the puck too long, or doing these things while using his skating ability to its full potential - should allow him to really put it all together and improve his overall game.

Scouting report

"A jack-of-all-trades player with a nice tool belt. Great edgework, acceleration, vision, and puck-protection skills. Blazing fast in a straight line. The 18-year-old is already a consummate worker in the defensive end and is a very safe selection as he has a pro-level approach. One of the best power-play distributors in the CHL." - Cam Robinson, DobberProspects.com

"There is so much to like about Joe Veleno. He's a hard-nosed workhorse that makes the players around him better. The fleet-footed center is unselfish and will primarily look to make a play at top speed; however, when the chance arises to put it in the pot himself, he will capitalize. He sees the ice well and is rarely caught out of position. His defensive game is refined and he actively pursues puck control. Transitioning to offence is natural, smooth, and quick. All in all, a well-rounded two-way forward that skates well and can be the catalyst a team needs to turn a game in its favor. If he can find the consistency in refusing to let himself get taken out of plays, especially if he doesn't start them, he will thrive and exceed expectations" - Curtis Joe, EliteProspects.com

Did You Know?

• Voltigeurs head coach Dominique Ducharme also coached Veleno during the Canada-Russia series last fall, and it was there he decided he wanted to add Veleno to his roster in Drummondville.

• Veleno scored 1.23 points per game this season, with 0.84 primary points per game.

• Some scouts feel Veleno could be an NHL regular sooner than many of his peers, due to his two-way play and his professional attitude.

Other entries in this series:

• Rasmus Dahlin
• Andrei Svechnikov
• Filip Zadina
• Quinn Hughes
• Adam Boqvist
• Brady Tkachuk
• Evan Bouchard
• Oliver Wahlstrom
• Noah Dobson

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In the weeks leading up to the 2018 NHL Draft, theScore NHL prospect writer Hannah Stuart breaks down 10 of the most notable draft-eligible prospects. The ninth edition focuses on Noah Dobson.

After Noah Dobson’s breakout second season in the QMJHL, he’s continuing that level of performance at the 2018 Memorial Cup. He set up the game-winner in the Acadie-Bathurst Titan’s tournament opener and ended Sunday’s game against the Regina Pats of the WHL with four points, including a pair of goals.

En route to the Titan’s QMJHL championship, Dobson was matched up against top players every night, including 2016-17 QMJHL top scorer and league MVP Vitalii Abramov. That’s a fitting follow-up to last year’s playoffs when, as a rookie, Dobson was entrusted with shutting down current Columbus Blue Jackets forward Pierre-Luc Dubois.

Dobson is a coveted right-shot defender. His teammates marvel at his maturity, and he has thoroughly impressed scouts. In fact, the only North American defenseman that NHL Central Scouting ranks ahead of Dobson in the 2018 final rankings is Evan Bouchard, who sits fourth - one spot ahead.

Year in review

Coming off a fairly solid rookie campaign, Dobson's offensive production significantly improved this season. He finished second among QMJHL blue-liners with 69 points, including 17 goals, up from only 26 points last season. Dobson often logs more than 30 minutes a night, and does so with the poise of a much more experienced player.

He won a QMJHL championship with the Titan and is currently playing in the Memorial Cup, where his team earned a berth in the semifinal with an ugly, hard-fought win over the Pats. After a 13-point performance in the QMJHL playoffs (including three goals), Dobson has five points in two games of Memorial Cup play. No matter how this tournament ends for the Titan, his performance should solidify his status as a top-10 pick.

Areas of strength

Labeling Dobson an offensive-zone threat is an understatement. He’s a solid playmaker, even in tight traffic, and has a terrific outlet pass. He often feels like he’s just a step ahead of the rest. His hockey smarts allow him to weigh the risk in a given situation and decide if it’s appropriate, and he can dictate the pace of a game. He loves to jump into the play and create opportunities off the rush.

He does all this without sacrificing defense or becoming a liability in his own end. Dobson is a strong, agile skater with a first step that gets him to an excellent top speed fairly quickly, and his balance and edgework are excellent. He’s described the important elements of defense as good footwork and a good stick. Dobson uses his stick actively, cutting down shooting and passing lanes, and has high-end gap control and positioning.

Areas of improvement

Finding clear areas of weakness in Dobson’s game requires looking ahead and determining what might be a problem at the NHL level. He could stand to add muscle to his 6-foot-3 frame, as it would help put more power behind his shot and give him a stronger physical game overall. These things aren’t issues with his play currently, but rather areas in which you can expect him to improve over time.

Scouting reports

“A talented two-way defenseman that can play in all situations and stay productive. Uses his edges well and is, for the most part, a very smooth skater; however, as he gets stronger and adjusts to a more up-tempo style of hockey, he will need to work on his speed in gap-closing. Offensively, he utilizes his keen sense of awareness to be in the right spot at the right time, every time. Soft hands and a deadly shot accentuate his ability to get creative, on occasion. Rock-solid defensively, his strong positioning severely limits time and space for the opposition. All in all, a well-rounded, reliable, and consistent defenseman that can log a lot of ice time and provide his team with a stable presence on the back end.” - Curtis Joe, EliteProspects.com

“Very effective two-way defenseman with good puck distribution and a strong shot from the point on the power play. He is a point producer with size who defends well and utilizes strong positioning and a good stick in the defensive zone.” - NHL Central Scouting

Did You Know?

• Dobson won a gold medal with Canada in last summer’s Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament (now called the Hlinka Gretzky Cup).

• During his QMJHL draft season, he played with the Red Bull Hockey Academy in Salzburg, Austria.

• He was named to this season’s QMJHL First All-Star Team.

Other entries in this series:

• Rasmus Dahlin
• Andrei Svechnikov
• Filip Zadina
• Quinn Hughes
• Adam Boqvist
• Brady Tkachuk
• Evan Bouchard
• Oliver Wahlstrom

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In the weeks leading up to the 2018 NHL Draft, theScore NHL prospect writer Hannah Stuart breaks down 10 of the most notable draft-eligible prospects. The eighth edition focuses on Evan Bouchard.

Victor Mete spent this season with the Montreal Canadiens. Olli Juolevi returned to his native Finland to play for TPS of the Liiga. 2018 draft-eligible Evan Bouchard grabbed with both hands the opportunity their absences provided, and he’ll likely be a top-10 pick this June as a result. Between his size, skill, and consistency in improvement across the last couple of seasons, Bouchard has serious potential as an NHL prospect.

Year in review

Bouchard’s 87 points (including 25 goals) were the highest on the London Knights this season by a decent margin - an impressive feat as a draft-eligible defenseman, even on a Knights lineup depleted from their huge trade-deadline selloff (an unusual move for the club in recent years). Bouchard was also named Knights’ captain after St. Louis Blues prospect Robert Thomas was traded to the Hamilton Bulldogs.

While the Knights were swept by the Owen Sound Attack in the first round of the OHL playoffs, Bouchard finished the series with five points, including one goal. Most nights, he played more than half the game against his opponents’ top lines, and the team’s top power-play unit ran almost entirely through him. In short, the Knights relied heavily on Bouchard, and he more than justified their faith. He was nominated for OHL Defenseman of the year, and NHL Central Scouting ranked him fourth ahead of fellow top defensive prospects Quinn Hughes and Noah Dobson.

Areas of strength

An incredibly smart player, Bouchard reads the ice at a high level, anticipating plays developing around him when he doesn’t have the puck and making difficult plays look simple when he does. His passing skills, in particular, are excellent and have improved considerably over the past season. He has an impressive (and accurate) array of shots, with slap shots and wrist shots already approaching NHL calibre, and a quick release.

In his own zone, Bouchard is composed and reliable, using his long reach and active stick to break up opponents’ chances, and he chews up minutes on the penalty kill as well as he does on the power play. He’s also not afraid to use his size (he’s already 6’2” and nearly 200 pounds), throwing his weight around when a physical game is necessary and using his impressive wingspan to close gaps through which opposing forwards might try to slip.

Areas of improvement

Some feel Bouchard needs to improve his first step and acceleration, while others think he’s a naturally powerful skater whose style is deceptive. In any case, while he’s mobile for his size and generally effective, his agility and footwork could stand to improve, or else he may find himself beaten one-on-one, particularly by smaller, more nimble forwards.

His decision-making and defensive instincts, previously seen as areas that needed work, have shown significant progress over the last year. However, he has a tendency to get out of position and needs to address that if he wants to be trusted on an NHL blueline.

Scouting reports

"Big-bodied offensive defenseman with excellent passing skills who can orchestrate a power play as good as any blueliner from any of the last several NHL drafts. ... You’re going to be hard-pressed to find a smoother North American puck distributor, especially one that makes difficult plays look routine. ... Offensively, Bouchard delivers a consistent effort with his puck management and playmaking, though the prevailing knock on him appears to be average straight-line speed. The good news is that Bouchard is nimble for his size, plus he has excellent timing and awareness to eventually outmaneuver pressure and join the attack deep into enemy territory. His feet are quick enough to maintain a tight gap while back skating, and his massive wingspan and long, active stick help limit the number of times an onrushing forward breezes past him. Bouchard has top-pairing potential with the skills and smarts to be a big point producer at the NHL level.” - Steve Kournianos, TheDraftAnalyst.com

“A highly intelligent all-around defenceman that plays with poise and can shift the pace of play in a multitude of ways. Showcases smooth four-way skating ability and loves to get involved in all situations - especially when that situation happens to be an up-ice rush. Has a polished offensive skill set which includes well-timed passes and a sneaky, erratic shot. Goes with the high-percentage play and makes smart decisions. Could work on strength behind his shot. Defensively active, cutting off lanes, and always staying in excellent positioning. Reads cues well in all three zones and seems to stay a step ahead. All-in-all, a well-rounded defender with great hockey sense and work ethic.” - Curtis Joe, EliteProspects.com

Did You Know?

• Bouchard was second in the OHL in shots on goal this year, totaling 297 during the regular season.

• Craig Button of TSN once said Bouchard's poise would make you “think his heart rate is 40 beats per minute,” referring to his ice-cold composure.

• He won an OHL championship with the Knights in 2015-16, though he was a rookie and did not see significant ice time.

Other entries in this series:

• Rasmus Dahlin
• Andrei Svechnikov
• Filip Zadina
• Quinn Hughes
• Adam Boqvist
• Brady Tkachuk
• Oliver Wahlstrom

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.