Oilershockey's Top 10 Draft Rankings - April

When the season started I really didn't expect to be thinking about who the Oilers would be picking at the draft come april but here we are. The Oilers will be picking somewhere in the top 10 so I've done some research and have come up with the first ever Oilerhockey top 10 draft rankings.

1. D Rasmus Dahlin 6'2 180lbs - SWE - Shoots Left

League: SHL - 41gp 7g 13a 20p NHLE: 26.8

Its no contest, Rasmus Dahlin will be the #1 pick in this years draft. Dahlin possesses elite offensive skills, he's fast, physical and has strong positional play. He's the complete player with the potential to be a franchise defenseman in the NHL.

2. RW Andrei Svechnikov 6'2 185lbs - RUS - Shoots Left

League: OHL - 44gp 40g 32a 72pts NHLE: 41.1

I have Svechnikov at #2 but its not a sure thing, he is a lock for top 3 however. Svechnikov is a complete player with great speed and skill who looks to be more of a playmaker but he also has great finishing skills.

3. LW Filip Zadina 6'0 200lbs - CZE - Shoots Left

League: QMJHL - 57gp 44g 38a 82pts NHLE: 37.4

Zadina will challenge for the 2nd overall spot. He's fast, dynamic and has great hands and while he's a great playmaker he looks to be more of a finisher. Zadina could be the best goal scorer in the draft.

4. LW Brady Tkachuk 6'2 195lbs - USA - Shoots Left

League: NCAA 40gp 8g 23a 31pts NHLE: 23.9

Tkachuk is a good skater for his size and will be a physical 2 way power winger in the NHL. His offensive numbers don't look to justify this high of a pick but in the world Jrs this year he had 8pts in 6 games.

5. D Quinn Hughes 5'9 170lbs - USA - Shoots Left

League: NCAA 36gp 5g 24a 29pts NHLE: 24.8

Hughes is one of the best skaters in the draft and has elite hockey IQ. At 5'9 his size could have an impact on where he's drafted but to me Hughes is a perfect fit for the 'new' NHL.

6. D Adam Boqvist 5'11 170lbs - SWE - Shoots Right

League: SuperElit 25gp 14g 10a 24pts NHLE: 19.7

Boqvist is very skilled and creative and brings high end vision, skating and hands. He is on the small size and can get overpowered in defensive battles.

7. C Oliver Wahlstrom 6'1 205lbs - USA - Shoots Right

League: USHL 54gp 40g 43a 83pts NHE: 34.0

Wahlstrom is highly skilled, creative and has an elite shot. He is a sniper and is the top rated center in the draft. He would likely be ranked higher if not for the fact that he plays on a line with phenom Jack Hughes.

8. D Evan Bouchard 6'2 180lbs - CAN - Shoots Right

League: OHL 67gp 25g 62a 87pts NHLE: 32.6

Bouchard has good vision, speed and shot which he uses a lot. He has the highest NHLE for a defenseman in the draft but there is some question if he can bring that offense to the NHL. He's my top ranked Canadian for anybody who cares about that sort of thing.

9 D Ty Smith 5'11 175lbs - CAN - Shoots Left

League: WHL 69gp 14g 59a 73pts NHLE: 25.2

Smith is undersized at 5'11 but he has high hockey IQ, he's a strong skater and he makes good decisions with the puck. Sounds like a good combination for the current NHL.

10 D Noah Dobson 6'3 180lbs - CAN - Shoots Right

League: QMJHL 67gp 17g 52a 69pts NHLE: 20.7

Dobson sees the ice really well and plays big minutes. There is some question if his skill is high enough to have success in a faster league.

Honorable Mention:

• Kupari Rasmus
• Jesperi Kotkaniemi
• Bode Wilde
• Joel Farabee
• Joe Veleno