Rasmus Dahlin turned heads at the 2017 World Juniors as the youngest player to ever suit up for Sweden at the Under-20 tournament. Now the 17-year-old defenceman headlines ISS Hockey’s October prospect rankings for the 2018 NHL Draft.
The smooth skating, puck-moving blue liner, who has already drawn comparisons to Erik Karlsson and Nicklas Lidstrom, is suiting up with Frolunda this season in the SHL.
“What sets him apart is that he is already the total package defenseman who has always proven himself when faced with a challenge of playing above his age level,” Dennis MacInnis, ISS Hockey’s Director of Scouting, told Sporting News Canada. “Superb skater with tremendous size and reach.
“He sees the ice incredibly well due to high hockey IQ and can quarterback power play. He has the ability to jump into a NHL line-up as early as next fall and play top 4 minutes.”
MORE: NHL preseason power rankings: Penguins start where they left off
The 6-foot-2, 181-pound native of Trollhattan, Sweden isn’t letting the hype surrounding his draft year get to him.
“It’s fun, and I enjoy it, but I focus on my own things and play my (game). It’s fun,” he said. “I don’t want to lose. I want to win and compete as hard as I can.”
Dahlin says he watches Karlsson’s game closely and tries model his own game after the Senators' captain.
“I think he’s a very competitive guy. I think he has everything,” said Dahlin. “I watch him a lot, his great passes and stuff like that. I’ve never met him. I’ve seen him some times, but never met him.”
As with all Europeans coming over from the big ice to North America, MacInnis says Dahlin’s biggest obstacle will be adapting to the smaller rink.
“Biggest adjustment will be managing his time and space, with smaller ice you have less time to make good decisions,” MacInnis said. “Also needs to be little more assertive in the defensive zone and that will come with maturity.”
Andrei Svechnikov and Joseph Veleno round out ISS Hockey’s Top 3 for the 2018 NHL draft, which takes place in Dallas June 22-23.
.@ISShockey's Top 31 #NHLDraft ranking for October: pic.twitter.com/4Gaw3mKHQG
— Dhiren Mahiban (@dcmahiban) October 4, 2017
Svechnikov is a 6-foot-2, 186-pound forward in his first season with the Ontario Hockey League’s Barrie Colts where he has three goals and two assists through his first five games while playing along side fellow Russian and 2018 draft prospect Kirill Nizhnikov (ranked 22nd by ISS Hockey).
Veleno, the first Quebec Major Junior Hockey League player to ever be granted exceptional status, is in his third season with the Saint John Sea Dogs where he has a goal and three assists through the first five games of the season. According to MacInnis, though difficult to predict, Veleno will be watched closely this season and could be one player to see his stock drop.
It is rare for such a highly-ranked player to fall as far as defenseman Timothy Liljegren did in the 2017 draft, going from No. 2 to the 17th spot where the Maple Leafs selected him in June. Liljegren’s drop in the draft was due mainly to the fact he missed a bulk of the season battling mononucleosis.
“One player that will be under the microscope this year will be Joseph Veleno, granted ‘exceptional status’ in the Canadian Hockey League. After two injury plagued season with Saint John, Veleno needs to stay healthy and take on leadership role for Sea Dogs, if that happens watch for breakout year,” offered MacInnis.
MORE: Biznasty does BC: NHL alum Paul Bissonnette creates "mockumentary"
Brady Tkachuk, the son of Keith and younger brother of Matthew, comes in at No. 4 on ISS Hockey’s October rankings. The 6-foot-3, 194-pound forward is at Boston University this season.
Forward Filip Zadina rounds out ISS Hockey’s Top 5. The 6-foot, 196-pound Pardubice, Czech Republic native is in his first season with the QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads where he has three goals and five assists through the first five games of the season.
One player outside of the Top 5 who MacInnis likes is Everett Silvertips forward Riley Sutter. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound son of Ron Sutter is currently ranked No. 16 by ISS Hockey.
“(He) is a big strong kid who will be a horse this year,” said MacInnis. “He is a complete player, leader, and plays in every situation. Can produce a lot more this year due to new system, he can go from 20 goals to 35 this year, with his improved skating and quickness, this will help his draft status”.
At the 2017 draft, Nico Hischier saw his stock rise from No. 26 in October all the way to first overall where the New Jersey Devils selected him. Though it is early, and movement will happen throughout the season, MacInnis says to keep an eye on Guelph Storm defenceman Ryan Merkley.
The 5-foot-11, 170-pound defenceman is currently ranked No. 29 by ISS Hockey.
MORE: Penguins in position for Stanley Cup history with three-peat
“One player our scouts are divided on is last year's OHL rookie of the year, smooth skating Ryan Merkley playing with Guelph,” said MacInnis. “You either love him or hate him. He brings exceptional talent to the table offensively and can turn your hair grey defensively.”
MacInnis also says to keep an eye on Russian-born centre Alexander Khovanov. Currently ranked outside the first round at No. 32, MacInnis believes the 5-foot-11, 179-pound forward, who was taken second overall by the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats at the 2017 CHL Import Draft, could move into the first round before June.
The 17-year-old is currently injured and not expected to return to action until after Christmas, however.