Head of the draft class
Which 2018 picks are sticking around?
A year ago, Nico Hischier and Nolan Patrick were the only players who jumped from the draft floor to the NHL for the duration of the season. This year, that number could rise to six, with the topfour picks (Rasmus Dahlin, Andrei Svechnikov, Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Brady Tkachuk), as well as the No. 10 (Evan Bouchard) and
No. 23 (Isac Lundestrom) approaching the 10-game mark.
And then there’s Filip Zadina. Had he been picked by Carolina, Montreal or Ottawa, the 2018 sixth-overall pick would probably be in the NHL today. Instead, he fell to Detroit, an organization that has a long history of preaching patience with its prospects.
And just because the Red Wings are rebuilding and Zadina is their highest pick since Keith Primeau was selected thirdoverall, does not mean GM Ken Holland plans on veering from that path.
“I believe it’s in the player’s best interest to earn the jersey,” Holland said of Zadina, who has two goals and four points in six games with the Grand Rapids Griffins. “The NHL is the biggest challenge in the world. You’ve got to be ready. It’s not a development league. At the same time, I understand we’re in a rebuild and we need to push some young people through the system. But you don’t want to push them too quickly if they’re not ready for it.”
While Zadina develops in the minors, here’s a look at how others from his draft class are progressing:
Rasmus Dahlin (Buffalo, No. 1)
The Sabres defenceman, who has one goal and three points in nine games, isn’t going anywhere. If anything, having played 20 or more minutes in two of his last three games, he’s getting even more
responsibility. Andrei Svechnikov (Carolina, No. 2) Playing on the third line, Svechnikov is finding ways to contribute offensively with two goals and four points in nine games. Most importantly, both of his goals were game-winners. Jesperi Kotkaniemi (Montreal, No. 3) The Canadiens have not yet decided whether the wingerturned-centre will stick with the team past the nine-game mark. With two assists in his past four games, he’s making a solid case of staying.
Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa, No. 4)
Injuries have limited Tkachuk, who is currently out with a leg injury, to only four games so far. But with three goals and six points, there’s no question he deserves to be in the NHL.
Evan Bouchard
(Edmonton, No. 10)
It wasn’t a great sign that Bouchard, who has played in six games, was on the ice for less than nine minutes in a 6-5 overtime loss to Pittsburgh on Tuesday. Oilers have to question whether this is good for his development. Isac Lundestrom
(Anaheim, No. 22) An injury to Ryan Getzlaf initially opened up a roster spot for Lundestrom, who has no goals and one assist in eight games.
But with Getzlaf back and Nick Ritchie signed, it might be time for him to go.