2019 NHL Mock Draft: 1st-Round Order and Final Landing Spots for Top Prospects

Jack Hughes or Kaapo Kakko?

These two young stars will go at the top of the 2019 NHL draft Friday, but has Kakko done enough to catch Hughes and become the No. 1 pick ahead of the American star.

While it does not seem likely, Kakko has spent the past few months narrowing the gap between the two players in most observers' eyes. However, the belief is that Hughes will hear his name called first in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The league conducts the first round Friday night, and the remaining six rounds will be held Saturday.

2019 NHL Draft

Round 1: Friday, June 21, 8 p.m. ET (NBCSN)

Rounds 2-7: Saturday, June 22, 1 p.m. ET (NHL Network)

2019 NHL Mock Draft, 1st Round

1. New Jersey Devils: Jack Hughes, C, U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)

2. New York Rangers: Kaapo Kakko, LW, TPS Turku (Liiga)

3. Chicago Blackhawks: Bowen Byram, D, Vancouver Giants (WHL)

4. Colorado Avalanche (via Ottawa Senators): Vasili Podkolzin, RW, SKA (MHL)

5. Los Angeles Kings: Alex Turcotte, C, U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)

6. Detroit Red Wings: Kirby Dach, C, Saskatoon Blades (WHL)

7. Buffalo Sabres: Victor Soderstrom, D, Brynas (SHL)

8. Edmonton Oilers: Ryan Suzuki, C, Barrie Colts (OHL)

9. Anaheim Ducks: Dylan Cozens, C/W, Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)

10. Vancouver Canucks: Raphael Lavoie, C, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)

11. Philadelphia Flyers: Arthur Kaliyev, LW, Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL)

12. Minnesota Wild: Cole Caufield, RW, U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)

13. Florida Panthers: Trevor Zegras, C/W, U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)

14. Arizona Coyotes: Peyton Krebs, C, Kootenay Ice (WHL)

15. Montreal Canadiens: Matthew Boldy, LW, U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)

16. Colorado Avalanche: Moritz Seider, D, Mannheim (DEL)

17. Vegas Golden Knights: Thomas Harley, D, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)

18. Dallas Stars: Spencer Knight, G, U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)

19. Ottawa Senators (via Columbus Blue Jackets): Alex Newhook, C, Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL)

20. Winnipeg Jets (via New York Rangers): Samuel Poulin, RW, Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL)

21. Pittsburgh Penguins: Philip Tomasino, C, Niagara IceDogs (OHL)

22. Los Angeles Kings (via Toronto Maple Leafs): Nils Hoglander, LW, Rogle (SHL)

23. New York Islanders: Brett Leason, C, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

24. Nashville Predators: Philip Broberg, D, AIK (Allsvenskan)

25. Washington Capitals: Nolan Foote, LW, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)

26. Calgary Flames: Connor McMichael, C, London Knights (OHL)

27. Tampa Bay Lightning: Alex Vlasic, D, U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)

28. Carolina Hurricanes: Cam York, D, U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)

29. Anaheim Ducks (via San Jose Sharks): Matthew Robertson, D, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)

30. Boston Bruins: Nicholas Robertson, LW, Peterborough Petes (OHL)

31. Buffalo Sabres (via St. Louis Blues): Anttoni Honka, D, JYP (Liiga)

Draft order per NHL.com.

Jack Hughes

The New Jersey Devils are likely to get a dramatic and game-changing player when they select Hughes with the No. 1 pick.

He has explosive skating speed, excellent change of direction and the ability to hold on to the puck quite a bit longer than most players while in the offensive zone.

This characteristic is what separates Hughes from many of the other elite picks in recent years. When he has the puck, he won't get rid of it until he has a good shooting opportunity or sees an open teammate.

Hughes, 5'10" and 171 pounds, will not panic when he has the puck on his stick. He has been compared to Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks, and he is the most highly rated pick since the Edmonton Oilers selected Connor McDavid with the No. 1 pick in the 2015 draft.

Kaapo Kakko

Kakko is a much bigger player than Hughes at 6'2" and 194 pounds, and he will use his size and strength to go into the corner and win puck battles.

The Finn is a strong, physical player with a boatload of skill. He has a brilliant shot that is both powerful and accurate, and he will fill up the net when he gets the opportunity.

The 18-year-old is also a fine skater, but he is not as elusive as Hughes. However, he played for TPS against grown men in the Liiga, and he put up 22 goals and 16 assists in 45 regular-season games last year.

"Kakko is the bigger power forward who plays effectively either at center or his off wing (as a left-handed right wing) where he showcases his strong playmaking ability," Dan Marr of Central Scouting said (h/t Mike G. Morreale of NHL.com). "His hockey sense and skills, when combined with his size and strength, allow him to be an impact player in all situations."

Bowen Byram

The Chicago Blackhawks are in a difficult position, as they may be tempted to go for a forward like Vasili Podkolzin or Alex Turcotte, but Byram is the top defenseman in the draft and could give the Chicago blue line a big lift.

Byram has size, strength and skating ability, and he has the instincts to become a difference-maker because he will attack in the offensive zone. He can create plays through his vision and a big-time shot.

The 18-year-old put his skills on display this season as he had 26 goals and 71 assists for Vancouver in the Western Hockey League. He also had a WHL-best 26 points in 22 playoff games.

That last figure may make it hard to pass on Byram despite the Hawks' stacked defensive pipeline, which includes 2017 and 2018 first-rounders Henri Jokiharju and Adam Boqvist.