The 2019 NHL draft began with the annual booing of Gary Bettman, but he brought back up with him: Daniel and Henrik Sedin.

The Sedins were there to help welcome the draft to Vancouver, and Bettman announced that the Canucks would be retiring their jerseys next season as part of the 50th anniversary season for the Canucks.

Pick #1 - New Jersey Devils - Jack Hughes - C - USNTDP

Hughes was the known first overall pick this year. He played in the U18, U20 and Men’s World Championships this year for Team USA, scored 112 points in 50 games for the USNTP team, and 48 points in 24 games for Team USA’s entry into the USHL.

He’s good.

NHL Mock Draft 2019: New Jersey Devils Select Jack Hughes with No. 1 pick
The New Jersey Devils Chose Jack Hughes First Overall in 2019 NHL Entry Draft

Pick #2 - New York Rangers - Kaapo Kakko - RW - TPS - Liiga

Like Hughes, Kakko played in both the Men’s and U20 World Championships this year. In the Finnish Liiga he had 38 points in 45 games, and is ready to step into the line up for the rebuilding Rangers.

NHL Mock Draft 2019: New York Rangers Select Kaapo Kakko with No. 2 Pick
2019 NHL Draft: New York Rangers Select Kaapo Kakko 2nd Overall

Pick #3 - Chicago Blackhawks - Kirby Dach - C - WHL - Saskatoon Blades

Dach lit up the WHL with 73 points in 62 games for the Blades, he didn’t go deep into the playoffs this year, but he’s going to the Blackhawks so that’s not a worry right now.

2019 NHL Draft prospect profile: Kirby Dach has the talent, he just needs the drive
2019 NHL draft: Blackhawks select center Kirby Dach with No. 3 pick

Pick #4 - Colorado Avalanche (from Ottawa Senators) - Bowen Byram - D - WHL - Vancouver Giants

The Avalanche know how to play to a crowd. They had BC native Joe Sakic make the announcement (okay, he’s the GM, so that was easy), and then they picked local boy Bowen Byram of the WHL’s Vancouver Giants. Byram was over a point per game as a defender in both the regular season and playoffs this year.

2019 NHL Draft prospect profile: Bowen Byram is all about offence
The Colorado Avalanche Select Bowen Byram 4th overall

Pick #5 - Los Angeles Kings - Alex Turcotte - C - USNTDP

With almost two points per game for the USNTDP, and two plus per game on the USHL team, Turcotte is a great pick up as a centre for the Kings. He’s committed to the University of Wisconsin next season.

2019 NHL Draft prospect profile: Alex Turcotte could become an elite centremen
NHL Draft 2019: Los Angeles Kings Select C Alex Turcotte with 5th overall pick

Pick #6 - Detroit Red Wings - Moritz Seider - D - DEL - Adler Mannheim

The Red Wings went off on their own path, picking Sieder sixth who most people didn’t have in the top ten. Like many other players in the top six, Seider played for Germany at the World Championships, and the World Juniors. He was drafted by the Owen Sound Attack in the OHL, but he can also play in Grand Rapids of the AHL. He has a lot of options for next season.

Moritz Seider – 2019 NHL Draft Prospect Profile
Red Wings draft defenseman Moritz Seider with the no. 6 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft

Pick #7 - Buffalo Sabres - Dylan Cozens - C/RW - WHL - Lethbridge Hurricanes

The first ever player form Yukon drafted into the NHL goes seventh overall, a great moment for hockey in the territories. Cozens had 84 points in 68 games for the Hurricanes this season and was very highly thought of. The Sabres may have done something right?

2019 NHL Draft prospect profile: Dylan Cozens is a well-rounded setup man
Sabres select Dylan Cozens at seventh overall

Pick #8 - Edmonton Oilers - Philip Broberg - D - SHL - Skellefteå AIK

Broberg is the worst town in the world, let me say that right away.

Philip played in three levels of hockey in Sweden last season with AIK in J18 Allsvenskan, SuperElit, and Allsvenskan. He only totalled 17 points from the blue line, but for a draft eligible player there it’s pretty good.

2019 NHL Draft prospect profile: Philip Broberg is finding things aren’t as easy for him as they once were
Oilers Draft Philip Broberg

Pick #9 - Anaheim Ducks - Trevor Zegras - F - USNTDP

A two way forward who lit up the scoreboard this season, Zegras also had nine points in five U18 World Junior games. Boy, a lot of Team USA guys are going early, eh? Zegras is committed to Boston University next season.

2019 Draft Profile: C Trevor Zegras
Anaheim Ducks select Trevor Zegras with 9th pick in 2019 NHL Entry Draft

Pick #10 - Vancouver Canucks - Vasili Podkolzin - RW - MHL - SKA-1946 St. Petersburg

The Canucks pick the player who is signed with St. Petersburg for two more years. Talk around the draft is that his current contract would make him fall deep into the first round, but the Canucks took the risk on a player who may be hard to bring over.

Vasili Podkolzin – 2019 NHL Draft Prospect Profile

Pick #11 - Arizona Coyotes (from Philadelphia Flyers ) - Victor Söderström - D - SHL - Brynäs IF

The Coyotes traded up from #14 to get this pick from the Flyers. They packaged picks #14 and #45 together for #11. What the Coyotes have here is a player they can have develop in Sweden at no cost to them. With Söderström ranked low enough to be available at 14 the question is: Was this a smart move or a money move?

2019 NHL Entry Draft Prospect Profile: Victor Soderstrom
With the 11th overall pick(!!!!) the Coyotes select Victor Soderstrom

Pick #12 - Minnesota Wild - Matthew Boldy - LW - USNTDP

124 points in 92 game sis pretty good for this season with the national team. He’s committed to Boston College next season and did not look impressed being picked by Minnesota.

2019 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Matthew Boldy
NHL Draft 2019: Wild select Matthew Boldy at No. 12 overall

Pick #13 - Florida Panthers - Spencer Knight - G - USNTDP

If the USNTDP is so good this year, why didn’t they win the World Juniors?

2019 Draft Prospect Profile: Spencer Knight
Florida Panthers select goaltender Spencer Knight with 13th pick

Pick #14 - Philadelphia Flyers (from Arizona Coyotes) - Cameron York - D - USNTDP

Another pick, another American. Do something wacky teams!

2019 NHL Draft prospect profile: Cam York had a strong performance with the US U18 Team
2019 NHL Draft: The Philadelphia Flyers select  Cam York with the 14th overall pick

Pick #15 - Montréal Canadiens - Cole Caufield - RW - USNTDP

Is there a rule that says you can only pick from the USNTDP?

Cole Caufield - 2019 NHL Draft Prospect Profile
2019 NHL Entry Draft: The Montreal Canadiens select Cole Caufield with 15th overall pick

Pick #16 - Colorado Avalanche - Alex Newhook - C - BCHL - Victoria Grizzlies

Hey! Someone from another team!

Alex Newhook put up 102 points in 53 games this year in junior A, as he waits to attend Boston College next fall.

Alex Newhook Scouting Report: 2019 NHL Draft #11 -
The Colorado Avalanche select Alex Newhook 16th overall

Pick #17 - Vegas Golden Knights - Peyton Krebs - C/LW - WHL - Kootenay Ice

First off, they announced Peyton as coming from the Winnipeg Ice, but that’s impossible as they play their first season in 2019/20. Krebs was about a point per game, nothing flashy, for a not great Kootenay team last season. May play late next season as he recovers from an Achilles injury,

2019 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Peyton Krebs
Golden Knights select Peyton Krebs with No. 17 overall pick in 2019 NHL Entry Draft

Pick #18 - Dallas Stars - Harley Thomas Thomas Harley - D - OHL - Mississauga Steelheads

Haha they got his name wrong. What a crazy draft this has been. A defender from the Steelheads, did well despite playing for a not great team.

2019 NHL Draft prospect profile: Thomas Harley is a modern day NHL defenceman

Pick #19 - Ottawa Senators (from Columbus Blue Jackets) - Lassi Thomson - D - WHL - Kelowna Rockets

Committed to playing for Ilves in Liiga (Finland) next year, Thomson will expect to be wooed hard by the Senators to make appearances at camp and maybe in Belleville of the AHL.

Lassi Thomson - 2019 NHL Draft Prospect Profile

Pick #20 - Winnipeg Jets* (from Winnipeg Jets* via New York Rangers) - Ville Heinola - D - Liiga - Lukko

A defender in Liiga, playing with adults, will probably stay in Finland to develop his game there, mostly because there’s no way to fly into Winnipeg.

Colorado Avalanche: Ville Heinola a Smart and Creative Defenseman
With the 20th overall pick, the Winnipeg Jets select Ville Heinola

Pick #21 - Pittsburgh Penguins - Samuel Poulin - RW - QMJHL - Sherbrooke Phoenix

The first QMJHL player is picked and it’s the son of Patrick Poulin; former winger for the Whalers, Blackhawks, Canadiens, and Lightning.

Samuel Poulin - 2019 NHL Draft Prospect Profile
Penguins select LW Samuel Poulin with the 21st pick of the 2019 NHL Draft

Pick #22 - Los Angeles Kings (from Toronto Maple Leafs) - Tobias Bjornfot - D - SuperElit - Djurgårdens IF J20

The Kings went way off the board with this pick - most places ranked him in round two. This completed the Jake Muzzin trade.

Tobias Björnfot is a fast, hard-working two-way defender with built-in leadership

Pick #23 - New York Islanders - Simon Holmström - RW - SuperElit - HV71

A player that was injured for a large part of the season, and a hidden gem perhaps? Another played ranked mostly in round two goes to the Islanders.

2019 NHL Draft prospect profile: Simon Holmström is among the top puck-handlers
NHL Entry Draft 2019: New York Islanders Select Simon Holmstrom with 23rd Pick

Pick #24 - Nashville Predators - Philip Tomasino - C - OHL - Niagara IceDogs

This was the greatest pick of this draft.

2019 NHL Draft prospect profile: Philip Tomasino plays the game at high speed
Nashville Selects Forward Philip Tomasino 24th Overall

Pick #25 - Washington Capitals - Connor McMichael - C - OHL - London Knights

Boooooooooooooooooooo.

Connor McMichael - 2019 NHL Draft Prospect Profile
NHL Draft 2019: Caps Select Connor McMichael

Pick #26 - Calgary Flames - Jakob Pelletier - LW - QMJHL - Moncton Wildcats

Another player that was hurt at the end of the season, but he apparently impressed Calgary with his combine interview.

Jakob Pelletier Scouting Report: 2019 NHL Draft #28 -
Calgary Flames Select Jakob Pelletier WithThe 26th Pick In the 2019 NHL Entry Draft

Pick #27 - Tampa Bay Lightning - LW - Nolan Foote - WHL - Kelowna Rockets

One thing is Nolan won’t get off on the wrong foote because his brother has already walked this path.

Nolan Foote – 2019 NHL Draft Prospect Profile
The Tampa Bay Lightning select Nolan Foote 27th overall in the 2019 NHL draft

Pick #28 - Carolina Hurricanes - Ryan Suzuki - C - OHL - Barrie Colts

Former 1st overall in the OHL draft now goes 28th in the NHL draft. His brother Nick Suzuki was a first round pick for the Golden Knights in 2017.

Londoner Ryan Suzuki well-prepared to follow big brother's path to NHL draft
2019 NHL Draft: Hurricanes Select Ryan Suzuki with the 28th Overall Pick in the 2019 NHL Draft

Pick #29 - Anaheim Ducks (from San Jose Sharks via Buffalo Sabres) - Brayden Tracey - LW - WHL - Moose Jaw Warriors

The Sportsnet panel says this was a gamble of a pick, but 81 points in 66 games isn’t too bad for a draft year.

2019 NHL Draft prospect profile: Brayden Tracey specializes in offensive finish
Anaheim Ducks Select Brayden Tracey With 29th Pick In 2019 NHL Draft

Pick #30 - Boston Bruins - John Beecher - C - USNTDP

The Bruins took a big American who’s going to play in the NCAA? Colour me shocked.

2019 NHL Draft prospect profile: John Beecher has size and speed
Bruins draft John Beecher 30th overall

Pick #31 - Buffalo Sabres (from St. Louis Blues) - Ryan Johnson - D - USHL - Sioux Falls Stampede

His father, Craig Johnson, was a Blues pick in the 1990 draft, and now the son is taken by a Blues pick almost 20 years later.

Ryan Johnson - 2019 NHL Draft Prospect Profile

It’s done! it’s over!

Round two begins tomorrow, Saturday July 22nd, at 1PM Eastern.

Leafs pick at 53rd, so they’ll probably make their first selection around 1:45. There’s usually more action on day two. Six rounds of picks, trades, more GM’s talking to each other. See you then!

NHL Draft