2019 NHL Mock Draft: Here’s the ripple effect of the trade deadline

Now that the trade deadline is behind us, let’s explore what its impact will be on the NHL Draft.

First, the immediacy of what ultimately served as a tell-all day.

The Winnipeg Jets’ acquisitions — Kevin Hayes and four depth players — coupled with the Nashville Predators’ brilliant additions in Wayne Simmonds and Mikael Granlund for the price of seemingly nothing promise to ensure that Central Division remains at the focal point of competition in the months to come. Append the Vegas Golden Knights’ victory in the Mark Stone sweepstakes, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ questionable moves and the Columbus Blue Jackets’ gutsy decision to go all-in to the mix and an overarching reality holds true: February 25th may very well be remembered as a watershed moment in the not-so-distant future.

Second, the question of measuring the long-term impact of deadline day on the months — and potential years — to follow.

The Ottawa Senators tinkered with some of the most noteworthy elements of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, as GM Pierre Dorion sent Matt Duchene to the aforementioned Jackets in a trade that included the latter’s first-round selection. The New York Rangers are also set to receive the Winnipeg Jets’ first-round pick and the Anaheim Ducks shall acquire a first-rounder from the Buffalo Sabres as part of deals involving Kevin Hayes and Brandon Montour, respectively.

The months ahead will all but definitely see changes ushered forth to the list below. But for now, let’s explore what the sport’s prospect rankings look like when considered in conjunction with the NHL’s reverse standings.

1. Colorado Avalanche — Jack Hughes (C)
2. Los Angeles Kings — Kaapo Kakko (RW)
3. Detroit Red Wings — Dylan Cozens (C)
4. Anaheim Ducks — Kirby Dach (C)
5. New Jersey Devils — Alex Turcotte (C)
6. Edmonton Oilers — Vasily Podkolzin (RW)
7. Chicago Blackhawks — Matthew Boldy (LW)
8. Vancouver Canucks — Trevor Zegras (C)
9. New York Rangers — Peyton Krebs (C)
10. Arizona Coyotes — Bowen Byram (D)
11. Florida Panthers — Philip Broberg (D)
12. Philadelphia Flyers — Alex Newhook (C)
13. Colorado Avalanche — Arthur Kaliyev (RW)
14. Minnesota Wild — Cole Caufield (RW)
15. Buffalo Sabres — Ryan Suzuki (C)
16. Dallas Stars — Victor Soderstrom (D)
17. Vegas Golden Knights — Cam York (D)
18. Pittsburgh Penguins — Bobby Brink (C/RW)
19. Buffalo Sabres — Moritz Seider (D)
20. Carolina Hurricanes — Raphael Lavoie (C/RW)
21. Montréal Canadiens  — Thomas Harley (D)
22. Ottawa Senators — Connor McMichael (C)
23. Washington Capitals — Jakob Pelletier (LW)
24. New York Rangers — Anttoni Honka (D)
25. Nashville Predators — Nicholas Robertson (C/LW)
26. New York Islanders — Nils Hoglander (LW)
27. Los Angeles Kings — Matthew Robertson (D)
28. Boston Bruins — Egor Afanasyev (LW)
29. Anaheim Ducks — Ville Heinola (D)
30. Calgary Flames — Spencer Knight (G)
31. New York Rangers — Philip Tomasino (RW)

News and notes:

• No. 1 — As per a three-team deal, the Colorado Avalanche are set to receive the Ottawa Senators’ first-round pick.
• No. 19 — The Buffalo Sabres will receive the St. Louis Blues’ first-round selection. The Sabres shipped Ryan O’Reilly to the Blues for three forwards and two draft picks.
• No. 22 — The Ottawa Senators shall get the Columbus Blue Jackets’ first-round pick as part of the deal that sent center Matt Duchene to Ohio.
• No. 24 — The New York Rangers will acquire the Winnipeg Jets’ 2019 first-round selection as part of the Kevin Hayes trade.
• No. 27 — The Los Angeles Kings shall receive the Toronto Maple Leafs’ first-rounder as part of the Jake Muzzin deal.
• No. 29 — The Anaheim Ducks are set to receive a first-rounder from the Buffalo Sabres as part of the Brandon Montour trade.
• No. 31 — The New York Rangers will receive a conditional first-round selection from the Tampa Bay Lightning if the latter win the 2019 Stanley Cup (and a second-round pick if they do not). Since the Lightning currently hold the most points in the NHL, the draft order has tentatively considered them Stanley Cup champions.

The 57th NHL Entry Draft shall take place in Vancouver, British Columbia on June 21 and 22. Be sure to check back for more updates.