Re-Drafting the Top 10 Picks From the 2018 NHL Draft
It's been nearly six years since the 2018 NHL draft took place in June 2018 at American Airlines Center in Dallas.
Of the 31 players chosen in the first round of that draft, all but three reached the NHL. Twenty-one have gone on to play at least 100 games, with 15 skating in 200-plus games to date.
Several prospects chosen in that round have emerged as NHL stars. They include Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes, Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk and Buffalo Sabres blueliner Rasmus Dahlin. They were selected among the top 10 in the opening round.
Some of the other top-10 picks have struggled to play up to expectations. Meanwhile, a handful of others chosen lower in the round or subsequent rounds have excelled beyond expert projections.
It could take five or 10 years before we finally get a complete picture of this draft to judge how it ultimately shakes out. Players performing well now could flame out earlier than expected while others could be late-blooming stars.
We believe enough time has passed to redo the top 10 picks in the 2018 NHL draft to determine how it might've turned out with hindsight.
Do you agree or disagree with our choices? Is there someone you believe should've ranked higher or lower? Let us know in our app comments below.
1. Buffalo Sabres - Quinn Hughes
1 of 10
Chosen seventh overall by the Vancouver Canucks, Quinn Hughes has steadily improved since his full rookie season in 2019-20. An outstanding puck-moving defenseman, the 24-year-old was named captain of the Canucks at the start of training camp last September. He's this season's front-runner for the James Norris Memorial Trophy.
The Canucks were erratic between Hughes' rookie campaign and this season. They made the playoffs in 2020, followed by three mediocre seasons as they were undone by inconsistent play. Among the few bright spots during those years was Hughes' development as an elite blueliner. He had 68 points in 2021-22 and 76 points last season.
With 86 points in 76 games, the 5'10", 180-pound Hughes leads all NHL defensemen in scoring this season. Since his rookie season in 2019-20, he's third in total points among blueliners behind the Nashville Predators' Roman Josi (329) and the Colorado Avalanche's Cale Makar (327). He's in good company as both are former Norris Trophy winners.
Hughes has played a significant role in the Canucks' improvement this season, culminating in their clinching a playoff berth for the first time since his rookie season. He also performed well in the 2020 postseason with 16 points in 17 games. He'll face bigger expectations this time but should be up to the challenge given his stellar play this season.
The Buffalo Sabres selected Rasmus Dahlin with the first overall pick in this draft. He's a fine playmaking defenseman in his own right who has blossomed into a core player in Buffalo. Like Hughes, he's also improved his defensive game. With the benefit of hindsight, however, perhaps the Sabres management of the day would've chosen Hughes over Dahlin.
2. Carolina Hurricanes: Brady Tkachuk
2 of 10
The Ottawa Senators wasted little time snapping up Brady Tkachuk with the fourth overall selection in this draft. Then-general manager Pierre Dorion was excited to land the young power forward, predicting he'd become an integral part of the Senators.
It didn't take long for Dorion's prediction to pan out as Tkachuk cracked the Senators' lineup for the 2018-19 season. Now 24, the 6'4", 225 left winger is among the Senators' core players. He's been their captain since November 2021.
The rebuilding Senators have struggled to reach the playoffs during Tkachuk's tenure in Ottawa, but that has nothing to do with his performance or leadership. He's been everything this club could've asked for when it selected him.
Tkachuk leads all players in his draft class with 432 games played, 158 goals and 341 points, including three straight 30-plus-goal seasons. He's also led all Senators scorers in those categories over that period. His physical style has also made him the most penalized among all NHL skaters since his NHL debut with 619 PIMs.
Andrei Svechnikov was chosen with this pick by the Carolina Hurricanes. He's played well but has also battled injuries in his short career. One wonders what the Hurricanes would look like with the rugged Tkachuk skating at left wing on their top line.
3. Montreal Canadiens: Rasmus Dahlin
3 of 10
The Montreal Canadiens chose Jesperi Kotkaniemi with the third overall pick to add more size and skill to their center position. In this redraft, they seize the opportunity to take Rasmus Dahlin, a big and skilled defenseman.
Dahlin joined the rebuilding Sabres in 2018-19 and had a promising NHL debut campaign. He finished with 44 points in 82 games, sitting third among rookie scorers and fourth among the Sabres. The young blueliner was named a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy.
Following a coaching change, Dahlin's play regressed somewhat over the next two seasons. His performance improved under current bench boss Don Granato. He had 53 points in 2021-22 followed by a career-high 73 points last season. The 6'3", 204-pound blueliner leads the Sabres this season with 56 points in 75 games.
The drop in Dahlin's stats this season doesn't reflect his solid overall play. He's fourth among his draft class in total points with 289. He's also improved his overall game, logging over 25 minutes of ice time per game, including time on their special teams. He also leads them in blocked shots (144) and sits second in hits with 177 and takeaways with 38.
.jpg?w=256 "Bills Broncos Football")
4. Ottawa Senators: Andrei Svechnikov
4 of 10
Had Brady Tkachuk been chosen earlier in this round, the Ottawa Senators might've selected Andrei Svechnikov with this pick. The young Russian winger was projected to go second overall and would've been the best forward available for the Senators.
As expected, the Hurricanes chose Svechnikov. The gifted young winger joined them as a rookie in 2018-19, making a positive impact with 20 goals and 37 points in 82 games, tying for third among rookie goal scorers with Andreas Johnsson.
At 6'2" and 195 pounds, Svechnikov has used his size and skills to become one of the Hurricanes' top-six scorers. He's spent much of that time skating alongside first-line center Sebastian Aho, forming a potent one-two scoring punch. Since his debut season, he's second to Aho among Hurricanes scorers with 129 total goals and 310 points.
Injuries, however, have hampered Svechnikov's production. As a result, he's reached the 60-point plateau twice and 30 goals once. A knee injury prematurely ended his 2022-23 season while his recovery carried over into the first eight games of this season. He was also sidelined an additional 13 games due to illness and an upper-body injury.
When healthy, the 24-year-old Svechnikov is a productive offensive winger. He could go on to challenge Brady Tkachuk as the top scorer in this draft class.
5. Arizona Coyotes: Noah Dobson
5 of 10
Chosen 12th overall by the New York Islanders, Noah Dobson has developed into a talented mobile defenseman. Given the opportunity for a do-over, perhaps the Arizona Coyotes would have chosen him with the fifth overall selection.
With 187 points in 313 career games, the 24-year-old Dobson sits fifth among the 2018 draft class and third among its defensemen. He's also taken on larger roles throughout his five-season NHL career with the Islanders.
Dobson isn't a physical blueliner but uses his 6'4", 200-pound frame to good effect in other areas. He leads the Islanders in blocked shots this season with 160 and leads their defenders in takeaways with 32.
A skilled puck-mover, Dobson's point production has steadily risen over the years. He sits second among the Islanders with a career-high 66 points and is among the top 10 scorers for NHL defensemen this season. A workhorse for the Isles, he averages a team-leading 24:56 of ice time per game and anchors their power play.
Dobson is now the Islanders' undisputed No. 1 defenseman. Entering his playing prime, he'll continue to improve in that role. General manager Lou Lamoriello would be wise to lock up Dobson to a contract extension this summer. He has a year left on his current deal and will cost considerably more than his current $4 million per season to re-sign.
6. Detroit Red Wings: Evan Bouchard
6 of 10
After being chosen 10th overall by the Edmonton Oilers, it took Evan Bouchard several seasons following his draft year to earn a full-time roster spot. He proved worth the wait as the 24-year-old defenseman's offensive skills provide the Oilers with an added measure of scoring punch from the blue line.
Between 2018-19 and 2020-21, the 6'3", 192-pound Bouchard spent time with the OHL's London Knights, the Oilers' AHL affiliate in Bakersfield, and was briefly loaned to Swedish club Södertälje SK during the COVID-shortened '20-'21 campaign. He broke through full-time with the Oilers in 2021-22 with 43 points followed by 40 points the following season.
Pairing with Mattias Ekholm following the latter's acquisition before last season's trade deadline, Bouchard became one of the NHL's elite puck-moving defensemen. Able to freewheel on the Oilers' top defense pairing with Ekholm watching his back, Bouchard is enjoying a career-best performance this season with 76 points in 74 games.
Bouchard is third among Oilers' scorers this season, leads all defensemen with six game-winning goals, sits second in power-play points (34) and is among the top five in points. He leads all Oilers in ice time per game (23:05) and power-play ice time (3:27). He uses his size to his advantage defensively, sitting fourth with 99 blocked shots and 53 takeaways.
The Detroit Red Wings chose winger Filip Zadina with the sixth overall pick in 2018. Zadina didn't pan out as hoped and is now with the San Jose Sharks. Had they chosen Bouchard instead, he and Moritz Seider would have given the Wings considerable skilled depth on the right side of their blue line.
7. Vancouver Canucks: K'Andre Miller
7 of 10
The Vancouver Canucks landed an All-Star defenseman in Quinn Hughes with the seventh overall pick in this draft. Had Hughes been taken earlier in the round, K'Andre Miller would've made a fine consolation prize.
Miller was selected 22nd overall by the New York Rangers. After spending two seasons with the University of Wisconsin, he joined the Blueshirts during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 campaign. He quickly adapted to the NHL pace and has steadily developed into a strong all-around defenseman.
Now 24, Miller skates on the left side of the Rangers' second defense pairing alongside team captain Jacob Trouba. The 6'5", 215-pounder skates well and uses his size effectively in a shutdown role. He can also join the rush and contribute offensively, collecting a career-high 43 points last season.
Miller has regularly averaged over 20 minutes of ice time per game in his NHL career. He's second among their skaters this season (21:38) and third among defensemen in short-handed time on ice (1:52). He leads the Rangers with 50 takeaways, sits fourth with 110 blocked shots and is sixth in hits with 140.
A strong two-way defender, Miller is an invaluable member of the Rangers' blue-line corps. Approaching his playing prime, he could one day move into a full-time role on their top pairing.
8. Chicago Blackhawks: Yegor Sharangovich
8 of 10
The lowest pick on this list, Yegor Sharangovich was chosen in the fifth round (141st overall) by the New Jersey Devils. He's made the biggest jump among everyone in his draft class and sits eighth in total points with 160 in 279 NHL career games.
A big, versatile forward who can play center or either wing, the 6'6", 196-pound Sharangovich spent two seasons following the 2018 draft with the Devils' AHL affiliate in Binghamton. He was also loaned to KHL team Dinamo Minsk during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season.
Sharangovich joined the Devils once the NHL returned to action that season, making a promising debut with 30 points in 54 games. He followed up with a solid sophomore season, tallying 24 goals and 46 points in 76 games earning second-line minutes. However, his production dropped in 2022-23 to 30 points in 75 contests as he saw mostly third-line duty.
Traded to the Calgary Flames last summer, the 25-year-old Sharangovich is enjoying a career-best performance. He's second among Calgary scorers with 29 goals and 54 points skating as a middle-six forward. The Flames could have a late-blooming scorer on their hands.
The Chicago Blackhawks had the eighth overall pick in this draft, selecting defenseman Adam Boqvist. After two seasons in Chicago, he was traded in the summer of 2021 to the Columbus Blue Jackets as part of the return for Seth Jones.
9. New York Rangers: Joel Farabee
9 of 10
Selected 14th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers, Joel Farabee spent one season with Boston University before jumping full-time to the NHL in 2019-20. Over that time, he's developed into a swift-skating two-way forward who can skate on either wing.
Farabee, 24, has had some ups and downs over his five seasons with the Flyers. He showed offensive potential with 20 goals and 38 points in 55 games during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 campaign. Injuries the following season limited him to 17 goals and 34 points in 63 games.
In June 2022, Farabee underwent disc replacement surgery in his neck. He missed training camp and preseason but played the full 82-game regular-season schedule last season and reached 39 points. However, his goal output fell to 15, including several stretches without a goal.
Farabee's production has improved this season with a career-best 21 goals and 28 assists for 49 points, but he remains a streaky scorer. Nevertheless, Farabee sits sixth in this draft class with 181 total points. Perhaps his consistency will improve as he approaches his playing prime.
The New York Rangers might've selected Farabee if they had the benefit of hindsight. They chose Vitali Kravtsov with the ninth overall pick. After struggling to crack the Rangers roster, he was shipped last season to the Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks hold his NHL rights but he's now playing in the KHL.
10. Edmonton Oilers: Philipp Kurashev
10 of 10
Another low pick who's moved up considerably, Phillip Kurashev was selected in the fourth round (120th overall) by the Chicago Blackhawks. He sits 10th among all scorers in this draft with 112 points in 259 games.
Kurashev spent two seasons with Chicago's AHL affiliate in Rockford plus a brief stint loaned to Lugano in Switzerland during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season. He joined the Hawks once the NHL returned to action that season, netting 16 points in 54 games.
A versatile forward who can play center or on either wing, the 6'0", 190-pound Kurashev made marginal strides on a rebuilding Chicago squad. He had 21 points in 67 games in 2021-22 followed by 25 points in 70 games last season.
Skating alongside rookie Connor Bedard, the 24-year-old Kurashev is having a breakout campaign with 16 goals and 34 assists for 50 points in 68 games. He's meshed well alongside a future superstar but must work hard next season to maintain his spot alongside Bedard. This season's performance gives him the inside track.
The Edmonton Oilers used the 10th overall pick to select Evan Bouchard in this draft. Had he not been available, they would've chosen one of the other highly touted prospects over Kurashev simply because he wasn't projected to be a first-round pick.
Stats (as of Apr. 4, 2024) via NHL.com and HockeyDB.com. Line combinations via Cap Friendly.
.jpg?w=480 "Bills Broncos Football")
.jpg?w=600 "Allen Wanted to Keep Bone 😅")
.jpg?w=600 "Coach Questions Beck's Personality 🤔")
.jpg?w=600 "Steelers Owner Gives Rodgers Update")
.jpg?w=600 "WWE NXT Results & Grades 🔠")
