2019 NHL Entry Draft Ranking: #1-10

To put it simply, the NHL Entry Draft this year is stacked. The first two picks are essentially locks in Jack Hughes and Kappo Kakko, both with the ability to be franchise-defining players, but beyond them there is still incredible talent. Many of the picks have the potential to be multiple different players, and after looking over many different draft rankings, I have compiled a consensus top 31 ranked prospects, and I have put the top ten below along with a short writeup on each of them. This is not a mock draft, just a ranking. I do not believe that these players will necessarily go at their ranked positions because different teams need different things and may pick a different player than is at that ranking.

1. Jack Hughes, C, USNTDP. Hughes is the best player in this draft and will almost certainly be the first overall pick as no team should pass up the opportunity to draft a player with this much potential.. He could be a generational talent and franchise-defining player. He possesses a high hockey IQ and incredible speed and can make and execute stunning plays at his top speed. All this makes him one of the most special players we’ve seen in recent years and there is no doubt he will be a force to be reckoned with in the NHL for many years. However, there may be a slight adjustment period as he is not used to playing against men, but he is ready to make the jump now and have an impact quickly.
2. Kappo Kakko, RW, TPS of the Finnish Liiga. In any other year, Kakko would be the first overall pick. He shined at the World Championships against other NHL players, and is ready to make the jump right to the NHL next year and have an immediate impact. He is the most NHL-ready player in this draft, given his size (6’2”, 194 pounds) and the fact that he has played against men this season and for six games last year as well. His numbers as a first-year draft-eligible player compare well to the likes of Rantanen, Laine, and Barkov, and we all know how those players turned out. He has an excellent understanding of the game, and he is strong along the boards and is good at winning 1-on-1 battles. He excels in high pressure situations, so there should be no worry as to whether or not he can live up to the hype. There has been no better consolation prize at the number two pick in recent years.
3. Bowen Byram, D, Vancouver Giants, WHL. Byram is undoubtedly the best defenseman in the draft, and possesses a multifaceted game. He led all CHL defensemen in scoring this year with 26 goals, and had a total of 71 points in 67 games. He also led the entire league in playoff points with 26. He drives play from the back-end and is an elite playmaker who is also a threat in every zone and is able to handle pressure situations, as evidenced by being named playoff MVP after helping his team reach Game 7 of the league final.
4. Alex Turcotte, C, USNTDP. Turcotte plays a similar game to Johnathan Toews, and although he struggled with a few injuries this season, he averaged 1.68 point per game, which was second on the team only to Hughes’ 2.24. He possesses good hands, great speed, and a high-end scoring touch. He is a relentless player and is good at both ends of the ice, playing a responsible defensive game. He will only get better as he adds more size and strength while playing at the University of Wisconsin next season.
5. Dylan Cozens, C/RW, Lethbridge Hurricanes, WHL. Here is where the rankings really start to be a bit murky. This could be any one of a number of different prospects. But, I think Cozens holds a slight edge over the rest of them. He’s a big body who is one of the fastest skaters in the draft class, which is even more impressive given his size. He puts up a lot of points as well, with 84 in 58 games, good for 10th in the WHL. As an added bonus, there is a chance he can jump right into the NHL next season given his size, strength, and skill.
6. Kirby Dach, C, Saskatoon Blades, WHL. Another big, strong player, Dach is a power forward who can bring a little bit of a nasty streak and plays a mature game. He is a legitimate offensive threat whenever he has the puck with his playmaking and apparent scoring ability (although he would benefit from shooting and taking the puck to the net more often). He would be a good add for any team lacking depth at center.
7. Vasili Podkolzin, RW, SKA-Neva St. Petersburg, VHL. Podkolzin is perhaps the most interesting prospect in this draft because of his situation. He is signed to SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL for the next two seasons. He has the potential to go in the top 5 of the draft, but will likely fall because the high-pick teams either need immediate help or would not be willing to wait for him. But, he will be worth the wait. He has a high hockey IQ and plays a mature, complete 200-foot game with a lot of intensity. He has a great set of skills, including speed and puck protection and otherwise high offensive skill, and that combined with his attitude and proper development will allow him to be a great NHL player once he arrives for any team that can or is willing to wait.
8. Trevor Zegras, C/W, USNTDP. One of the most complete centers available due to his smarts and speed, USNTDP coach John Wroblewski said Zegras may have been the best passer on the team this year. This says a lot about him when the talent of the rest of the roster is taken into consideration He has a lot of offensive talent, with 87 points in 60 games this year, and excels either as a center or on the wing, making him that much more desirable. He needs to get stronger, but his ability to find seams in defense, knowledge of when to shoot, and deception in his play as well as his fearless play makes him a prospect that should not be ignored.
9. Cole Caulfield, C/RW, USNTDP. This may seem a bit high to some, but I believe Caulfield is often unfairly ranked lower due only to his size. We are talking about a player who set an USNTDP record with 72 goals in 64 games, and added 28 assists on top of that for a total of 100 points. He is the best goal-scorer in the draft, but he is also skilled without the puck and in finding open space so he can set himself up and provide an easy outlet for his teammates. His vision is also underrated, and he is a good passer and skater as well. It will be a mistake to pass on Caulfield because of his size, as his talent should make it easy to look past.
10. Peyton Krebs, LW/C, Winnipeg Ice, WHL. Krebs, coming off surgery for a partially torn Achilles that will likely keep him off the ice until training camp but should  not have any long-lasting effects, takes advantage of his speed and uses it to be an elite two-way player who can just as easily be a shutdown center as he can be an offensive catalyst.  He also showed good leadership skills by keeping his team focused and on track even after it was announced they were being relocated from Kootenay to Winnipeg.