With the 2018 NHL Draft now complete, its time to turn our attention towardnext years crop of top draft hopefuls. Although players who just represented a pool deep in puck-moving defenders and goal scorers, the 2019 crop offers teams plenty of quality centers to choose from.

At the top of this talented group of pivots is American-born dynamo Jack Hughes, whose brother Quinn is a defenseman . Jack is an elite playmaker with explosive speed and ankle-breaking fakes, and the goals he scores are of the highlight-reel variety. Its too early to say hes a lock to go first overall in 2019, but his impre sive pre-draft resume makes it easy to say hes the favorite. Especially after his dominant performance in April at the under-18 world championship.

Joining Hughes near the top tier of draft-eligible centers are a trio of Western Canadian-trained pivots in Payton Krebs and Kirby Dach of the WHL, and BCHL center Alex Newhook, who will head south to the U.S. to play collegiatehockey at Boston College.

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Where Hughes plays next year, however, remains a mystery to most, as Kwon Alexander Jersey he is eligible to play in both the NCAA and Canadian major junior.Alex Turcotte, Hughess teammate with the NTDP, is equally as fast and almost as dynamic. Hell likely spend all of next season with the U18 team before heading to the University of Wisconsin for 2019-20.

In terms of wingers, there are a several standouts, beginning with nimble Finnish power forward Kappo Kakko, who can skate well but handle the puck even better. Both he and QMJHLer Raphael Lavoie were all over the stat sheet at the U18s, and WHLrookie of the year Dylan Cozens is another flanker who can fill the net.

Next years draft wont be as deep as 2018 was in terms of speedy puck movers, but there are a handful of two-way shutdown types whose offense comes more from smart, poised play rather than electrifying moves a la Hughes, Rasmus Dahlin and Jordan Whitehead Women Jersey Adam Boqvist, all of whom were top-10 picks this past weekend. The WHL once again should be well represented in the first round next year, with heavy-hitter Bowen Byram and two-way beast Matthew Robertson both coming off solid seasons as key minute-eaters. The Fins have a pair of talented puck movers in Anttoni Honka and Mikko Kokkonen, who should both be playing in the adult-age SM-Liiga this season.

NHL DRAFT 2018: |

1. Jack Hughes, C, U.S. U18 (NTDP)

Explosive center with world-cla s vision and the lateral quickne s of a running back. Hughes was the top scorer at the under-18 world championship despite playing against mostly older players. He plays like a man amongmidget-level talent, and there really is no way to slow him down or stop him. The comparisons to Connor McDavid are a bit premature, but there are multiple similarities between the two.

Chris Conte Men Jersey 2. Peyton Krebs, C, Kootenay (WHL)

Dynamic center with leadership traits, game-changing speed and creativity. Krebs can be a stopper in the defensive zone and a scoring threat in the opposing end. He is the kid you summon to take all the big draws or deliver a game-changing play.

3. KaapoKakko, RW, TPS U20 Jr. A (SM-Liiga)

A puck-controlling fiend with exception hands, agility and vision, Kakko is a power winger who is impo sible to knock off the puck. His close-quarter quickne s and straight-line speed seem to always catch opponents off guard.

4. Alex Newhook, C, Victoria (BCHL)

Newhook is close to Hughes in terms of out-of-your-seat excitability, but he can also play a power game and wear down defenders with either his wheels or his strength. He chose the BCHL to maintain his NCAA eligibility and play for Boston College.

5. Bowen Byram, LHD, Vancouver (WHL)

Tough-as-nails defender with deceptive agility and puck handling who is earmarked for a top pairing at the NHL level. Byram is an outstanding puck mover who makes good decisions, but his powerful back skating helps him retreat in time to thwart counterattacks. He stands up at his blue line and rapidly transitions from defense to offense.

6. Alex Turcotte, C, U.S. U18 (NTDP)

The opinions may lean towardJack Hughes as being the NTDP's top center, but this talented pivot is strikingly close to matching his skill for skill. Turcotte's blazing speed, high hockey IQ and Brian Westbrook Jersey vision are good enough to at least place him in the conversation with his more-heralded teammate.

7. Raphael Lavoie, RW, Halifax (QMJHL)

Towering power forward with a rocket of a shot who can control the puck with bodies draped all over him. He had an excellent showing at the under-18 world championship and shoot see an increase in shot opportunities if Filip Zadina heads to the NHL.

8. Valentin Nu sbaumer, C/W, Biel-Bienne (NLA)

Slippery yet dangerous stickhandler with very good speed and an a sa sin's mentality once he gets near the high slot. Nu sbaumer is this year's top Swi s prospect and he was quite impre sive at the under-20 worlds juniors. Nu sbaumer can play inside thanks to rapid directional Jordan Love Jersey changes.

9. Dylan Cozens, RW, Lethbridge (WHL)

The WHL Rookie of the Year had an impre sive second half, including the postseason where he averaged nearly a point per game. Cozens has a great shot and knows how to finish in a variety of ways, including roofing a backhander from in close. He competes hard in all three zones and creates separation in open ice thanks to his above-average speed. Cozens also can serve as a low-slot option on the power play.

10. Kirby Dach, C, Saskatoon (WHL)

A power center with smarts who plays a 200-foot game and has elite playmaking abilities. Dach is a strong stickhandler with soft hands who dictates the tempo of most of his shifts. His average speed is at this point the only thing keeping him from being in the conversation for first overall.

11. Trevor Zegras, Kenny Young Men Jersey C, U.S. U18 (NTDP)

Zegras was a critical player for the under-17 NTDP but it felt like he wasn't getting the recognition he deserved. One thing you can't overlook is the way he stickhandles and connects with teammates nobody thought were open. The way he spins and pivots away from pre sure is impre sive, and the way he can dish the puck makes him tough to war game.

12. Anttoni Honka, RHD, JyP (SM-Liiga)

Undersized playmaker from the back end who has speed, agility and hawk-like vision. Honka is one of the 2019 draft's top offensive threats among defensemen. He is very quick and nimble, using rapid directional changes, dekes and stutter steps to cleanly take the puck through a clogged neutral zone,

13. Nikita Alexandrov, C, Charlot