VANCOUVER The first round of the 2019 NHL Draft is complete, officially signallingthe start of theleague's offseason.
We finally got the answer to the seemingly neverendingJack Hughes vs. Kaapo Kakko debate when the New Jersey Devils made Hughes the No. 1 overall pick in Vancouver Friday night. All the talk heading into the draft had been about which of the two teenage superstars wouldget chosen first overall, but the reality is that the Devils and New York Rangers who took Kaako second each gained a consensus franchise player.
Of course, dozens of other players were selected on Friday, with some big surprises along with picks that landed exactly where they were expected to.
Sporting News was on the floor at Rogers Arena to hand out grades and give live analysis of every selection made during the first round. Follow allong below.
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NHL Draft picks, grades: Round 1Pick No. - Team - Player1. New Jersey Devils Jack Hughes, C, U.S. U18 (NTDP)
Dynamic playmaking center with speed who is worth the price of admi sion. Miguel Andujar Jersey He will be the centerpiece of the franchise for the next 10 years and beyond. Thats two Hughes brothers in the top 10 of the draft in consecutive years, with younger brother Luke expected to be there in 2021. Any talk that Hughes is not ready for the NHL is nonsense this kid is a tirele s worker who always looks to improve his game. Grade: A
2. New York Rangers Kaapo Kakko, RW, TPS Turku (SM-Liiga)
Has Rick Nashs strength, Peter Forsbergs balance and agility, and Vladimir Tarasenkos goal-scoring abilities. Toyed with NHL defensemen at the world championships and broke Aleksander Barkovs under-18 goal-scoring mark in Finlands elite SM-Liiga. The Rangershave never drafted an elite forward Austin Romine Jersey of Kakkos ilk, and he will wear down the opposition like no other in his year group. Grade: A
3. Chicago Blackhawks Kirby Dach, C, Saskatoon (WHL)
Great size, length and outstanding vision. He controls the puck as well as any draft-eligible peer. Can run a power play and be a threat to score on the penalty kill. Speed is deceptive in open ice but displays agility and escapability in tight quarters. A little bit of Joe Thornton mixed in with Ryan Getzlaf. Grade: A-
4. Derek Jeter Jersey Colorado Avalanche (from Ottawa) Bowen Byram, LHD, Vancouver (WHL)
Skilled, confident and mean are the three things that come to mind when watching him play. Hes been a real leader on the ice for the WHLs Vancouver Giants and seemed to log over 30 minutes a game in the playoffs. First defender in WHL history to lead the playoffs in scoring. Big shot, smooth skater and agile, and aggre sive in the offensive zone. Grade: A
5. Los Angeles Kings Alex Turcotte, C, U.S. U18 (NTDP)
A powerful, fearle s and fast 200-foot center who can be a dual threat in the offensive zone. Already executes odd-man rushes at an NHL level in terms of decision-making and precision. His father Alfie was a first-round pick of the Habs back in 1984. Will play for Tony Granato at Wisconsin this coming season. Grade: A
6. Detroit Red Wings Moritz Seider, RHD, Adler Mannheim (DEL)
If you watched the IIHF mens world championships, then you saw what the hype was about. This kid can skate, deliver the puck accurately and also play a physical, smothering brand of defense. His team in theDeutsche Eishockey Liga won the postseason crown, and Seider was a key contributor during their playoff run. Hes ready for the NHL as we speak. Grade: C+
7. Buffalo Sabres Dylan Cozens, C/W, Lethbridge (WHL)
Led all WHL first-year eligibles in scoring with 84 points. Excellent speed and first-step Brian Roberts Jersey quickne s. More of a north-south skater but very difficult to slow down or double-team. He can be a shark in the neutral zone and picks off a lot of pa ses that lead to odd-man breaks. Will do anything coach asks of him and uses physicality to his advantage. Grade: A
8. Edmonton Oilers Philip Broberg, LHD, AIK (Allsvenskan)
Fast, fearle s, and physical are three things that stand out about his game. He loves to initiate the rush and spends most of his time creating or looking for openings for a chance at the net. Can deliver big hits in open ice. More of a shoot-first defender than a Yogi Berra Jersey playmaker but has top-pairing upside with star potential. Grade: B+
9. Anaheim Ducks Trevor Zegras, C, U.S. U18 (NTDP)
Ridiculous vision and hockey sense. Has top-line and all-star potential. Executes plays on his backhand that most players outside of Hughes and a few others cant do on their forehand. Shifty and strong on the puck. I compared him to Mathew Barzal but Zegras may end being better. Hes a Boston University recruit. Grade: A
10. Vancouver Canucks Vasili Podkolzin, RW, SKA Neva (VHL)
No draft prospect competes as hard as this Ru sian wolverine, whose relentle s pursuit of the puck can only be matched by his ability to control the pace of a game. Hes not only smart, but also capable of highlight-reel plays. His physical style and ability to get under an opponent's skin will make him one of the most hated players in the league, but thats a good thing for the Canucks. Grade: A
11. Arizona Coyotes (from Philadelphia) Victor Soderstrom, RHD, Bryns IF
Clean, graceful and can play physical. More advanced on his side of the redline with Brynas than Adam Boqvist was with the same program a year ago.Dealt with some injuries but he was in my opinion the best Swedish defenseman within a very Troy Tulowitzki Jersey strong group. Grade: A-
12. Minnesota Wild Matthew Boldy, LW, U.S. U18 (NTDP)
Ridiculous smarts and patience with the puck, but also delivers jaw-dropping moves and set-ups near the net. Can serve a variety of roles. Powerful skater, nimble for his size, soft hands and can unleash a hard shot. Its between he and Vasily Podkolzin for best two-way winger in the draft. Boldy is a Bay Stater heading to Boston College. Grade: A
13. Florida Panthers Spencer Knight, G, U.S. 18 (NTDP)
After a year full of speculation and prognosticating, Knightbecomes the highest goalie taken in the first round since Jack Campbell went 11th overall in 2010. Knight is as technically superior a goalie youll find in a teenager. Has Carey Prices positioning, Jonathan Quicks reflexes and Ron Hextall
