3. Brady Tkachuk
Fans can expect the same from Brady as they’ve witnessed with all of the other Tkachuks who have put on an NHL sweater. Physical play and a touch of scoring has made Tkachuk a solid choice for maybe a top three selection in the draft.
Tkachuk is a very confident player with the puck. He’s not afraid to drive the net even with defenders parked in the slot. Sometimes, Tkachuk will find hard lanes to send a completed pass that most players are cautioned to not doing.
The 18-year-old specializes in play within the low slot and along the boards. A very good winger with winning puck battles and then always looking toward the net, Tkachuk is never afraid to carry the puck even if it means getting bumped on the way.
Tkachuk is an NCAA winner with Boston University, as he contributed eight goals and 23 assists with the squad this past year. What propelled Tkachuk to the spotlight is his MVP performance with the USA in the World Junior Championship; scoring three goals and six assists in seven games.
The product out of the famous St. Louis youth hockey system has some serious pace to go along with all of his other capabilities. Tkachuk shines on the breakout and with two-on-one situations.
There’s not a really big knock to Tkachuk’s game at the moment. He’s been the perfect player at the junior level this past season, but the only question remaining is if he can do the same in the NHL.
Chances are that Tkachuk heads to Canada with the Montreal Canadians or the Ottawa Senators. Maybe there’s a small chance he can head to the Carolina Hurricanes at the second pick, but that’s a real small chance considering who is supposed to be picked there.