2019 NHL Draft: 5 biggest winners and losers from first round
The first round of the 2019 NHL Draft saw some huge surprises. Let’s take a look at the five biggest winners and losers from the first round.
The first round of the 2019 NHL Draft didn’t go as anticipated. There were players who fell, and players who went far earlier than people thought. Now, it’s hard to judge prospects this early. You have to wait a few years before you can truly know if a team made a mistake or not. However, it’s not too early to judge winners and losers.
Here’s a quick look at the five biggest winners and losers from the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft.
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Winner: New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils have been waiting for a talent like Jack Hughes. Now, with two first overall picks in the past three drafts, the Devils have a very bright future down the middle. Nico Hischier has the tools to be a top-notch two-way center. Meanwhile, Hughes has the skill to be a franchise center.
Lady Luck is smiling on the Devils. Hughes should help the Devils convince Taylor Hall to stick around. After all, you need centers to win in today’s NHL. And the Devils have two terrific young ones. Hughes has elite speed and, more importantly, he knows how to use it.
Loser: Arthur Kaliyev
Everyone expected talented forward Arthur Kaliyev to go somewhere in the top 20. Probably even the top 15. Yet the entire first round passed without Kaliyev’s name being called. Just a reminder, no CHL draft-eligible forward scored as many goals as him (51).
Kaliyev shouldn’t have to wait long in the second round to be drafted. But still, the difference between being a first-round pick and a second rounder is huge. Whoever drafts Kaliyev should be getting an extremely motivated player, ready to prove everyone who passed over him was wrong.