As an ongoing special to Burgundy Rainbow, Nathan Chapman (@ncchapman15) has provided the latest installment of his draft rankings and profiles.

2018 Top 31 Final Ranking

1-Rasmus Dahlin, D Frolunda(Sweden)

2-Andrei Svechnikov, RW Barrie(OHL)

3-Filip Zadina, RW Halifax(QMJHL)

4-Adam Boqvist, D Brynas Jr.(Sweden-Jr)

5-Ty Smith, D Spokane(WHL)

6-Noah Dobson, D Acadie-Bathurst(QMJHL)

7-Oliver Wahlstrom, RW USA U18(NTDP)

8-Joe Veleno, C Drummondville(QMJHL)

9-Brady Tkachuk, LW Boston U(H-East)

10-Evan Bouchard, D London(OHL)

11-Quinn Hughes, D Michigan(Big10)

12-Akil Thomas, C Niagara(OHL)

13-Jesperi Kotkaniemi, C Assat(Finland)

14-Barrett Hayton, C Sault Ste. Marie(OHL)

15-Ryan McLeod, C Mississauga(OHL)

16-Isac Lundestrom, C Lulea(Sweden)

17-Serron Noel, RW Oshawa(OHL)

18-Rasmus Kupari, C Karpat(Finland)

19-Joel Farabee, LW USA U18(NTDP)

20-Martin Kaut, RW Pardubice(Czech)

21-Bode Wilde, D USA U18(NTDP)

22-Jett Woo, D Moose Jaw(WHL)

23-Ryan Merkley, D Guelph(OHL)

24-Vitali Kravtsov, RW Chelyabinsk(KHL)

25-Grigori Denisenko, LW Yaroslavl(MHL)

26-Jared McIsaac, D Halifax(QMJHL)

27-Ty Dellandrea, C Flint(OHL)

28-Mattias Samuelsson, D USA U18(NTDP)

29-K’Andre Miller, D USA U18(NTDP)

30-Calen Addison, D Lethbridge(WHL)

31-Jonathan Tychonick, D Penticton(BCHL)

Top 5 Preliminary 2019 CHL

1-Peyton Krebs, LW/C Kootenay Ice (WHL)

Krebs is an insanely talented forward who combines high puck skills, good skating and a high motor to create chances for his team almost every time he touches the ice. He has a good shot already and will only improve as he grows and fills out. He played both LW and C this year, which he showed well at both spots plus contributed 17 goals and 54 points in 67 games. His older brother is 6’4 210 lbs so there is still likely growth to his current 5’11 180 lbs frame. Krebs is the cornerstone of the Kootenay organization who looks to finally be turning the corner on a long rebuild. With a better supporting cast look for Krebs to have a triple digit draft year and be a potential top 5 pick.

2-Kirby Dach, C Saskatoon Blades (WHL)

Dach is an extremely smart player who seemingly has eyes in the back of his head. Dach possesses a rare combination of size and skill which will make him a force once he adjusts to his growth spurt. Dach also has a great shot which could make him an elite scorer but needs to use it more as shown by only scoring seven goals of his 46 points in 52 games. His skating is what he needs to work on the most as he’s grown a lot recently and is up to 6’4 195 lbs already. Like Krebs, he is the cornerstone of his organization who has a lot of great young talent and a good supporting cast around him. A summer of skating and weight training will do wonders for the wonder kid. Look for Dach to also be a 100 point guy next year and potential top 5 pick next June.

3-Dylan Cozens, C/RW Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)

Cozens had an amazing rookie year with 22 goals and 53 points in 57 games and more than earned his WHL rookie of the year honours. Cozens is another lethal threat who has a size and skill combo that teams will love to add to their team. He also had a very consistent rookie year where most young players tapper off and had a strong playoff run for a young Lethbridge squad with seven goals and 13 points in 16 games. Cozens already has a complete game and plays well in all three zones. He doesn’t quite possess as much game breaking talent as the previous two players but is no slouch in that area either. Cozens is already an advanced player and is part of an elite draft class out west. He could end up as a top 10 maybe even top 5 pick next year.

4-Raphael Lavoie, C Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)

Lavoie was buried in Filip Zadina’s spotlight this year but his showing at the U18’s was just the first taste of what he can do away from it. Like the previous two players, Lavoie possesses a size at 6’4 192 lbs and skill combo that is a load for teams to contain. Lavoie played a big role on a very good Halifax team and improved as the year went on with a total of 30 goals and 63 points in 68 games. He has a nose for the net and already has a great shot that can beat the best of goalies clean. He also has great vision and is extremely tough to knock off the puck. His skating is decent for his size but that’s the main area he’ll need to improve over the summer and going forward. Lavoie is another guy who has a good chance of putting up triple digits and being a top 10 maybe top 5 pick.

5-Bowen Byram, D Vancouver Giants (WHL)

Byram as of now is easily the best defenseman going into next years draft. He has an elite skill set and plays with a ton of confidence despite his age. He is a great skater who moves the puck well and loves to rush the puck. In his rookie year there were times when he completely controlled the game and would do whatever he wanted. The biggest thing he needs to work on is playing a more consistent game, which is expected at his age. He was Vancouver’s #1 defenseman by the new year and played a big role as an underage for Canada at the U18’s. With an offseason to improve and build on his 6’0 175 lbs frame, look for Byram to be a point per game player next year as an increase from his 27 points this year and be the first defenseman off the board to some lucky team in the top 10.

Of the players who find themselves lower down the list the biggest 5 names to watch who could drastically rise up the board are: Arthur Kaliyev, Logan Barlage, Kaeden Korczak, Matthew Robertson and Michael Vukojevic.

2019 Top 31 CHL Preliminary Ranking

1-Peyton Krebs, LW/C Kootenay Ice(WHL)

2-Kirby Dach, C Saskatoon Blades(WHL)

3-Dylan Cozens, C/RW Lethbridge Hurricanes(WHL)

4-Raphael Lavoie, C Halifax Mooseheads(QMJHL)

5-Bowen Byram, D Vancouver Giants(WHL)

6-Ryan Suzuki, C Barrie Colts(OHL)

7-Nolan Foote, W Kelowna Rockets(WHL)

8-Nolan Meier, G Saskatoon Blades(WHL)

9-Jakob Pelletier, F Moncton Wildcats(QMJHL)

10-Sasha Mutala, RW Tri-City Americans(WHL)

11-Blake Murray, C Sudbury Wolves(OHL)

12-Josh Williams, RW Medicine Hat Tigers(WHL)

13-Samuel Poulin, F Sherbrooke Phoenix(QMJHL)

14-Arthur Kaliyev, LW Hamilton Bulldogs(OHL)

15-Logan Barlage, C Lethbridge Hurricanes(WHL)

16-Graeme Clarke, F Ottawa 67’s(OHL)

17-Kaeden Korczak, D Kelowna Rockets(WHL)

18-Matthew Robertson, D Edmonton Oil Kings(WHL)

19-Colten Ellis, G Rimouski Oceanic(QMJHL)

20-Alex Beaucage, RW Rouyn-Noranda Huskies(QMJHL)

21-Xavier Simoneau, C Drummondville Voltigeurs(QMJHL)

22-Dustin Wolf, G Everett Silvertips(WHL)

23-Tag Bertuzzi, C Guelph Storm(OHL)

24-Nikita Alexandrov, C Charlottetown Islanders(QMJHL)

25-Taylor Gauthier, G Prince George Cougars(WHL)

26-Xavier Parent, C Halifax Mooseheads(QMJHL)

27-Danil Antropov, RW Oshawa Generals(OHL)

28-Gabriel Denis, C Shawinigan Cataractes(QMJHL)

29-Michael Vukojevic, D Kitchener Rangers(OHL)

30-Philip Tomasino, RW Niagara Ice Dogs(OHL)

31-Jackson Van De Leest, D Calgary Hitmen(WHL)

HM-Luke Cavallin, G Flint Firebirds(OHL)

HM- Ethan Keppen, LW Flint Firebirds(OHL)

HM-Thomas Harley, D Mississauga Steelheads(OHL)

HM-Jake Lee, D Seattle Thunderbirds(WHL)

HM-Connor McMichael, LW London Knights(OHL)

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