We’re about a few weeks into the start of the junior season and, after getting views of these players at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and their junior teams, here is my early stance on the top prospects for the 2019 NHL Draft.



My way too early assessment of the 2019 NHL Draft is that this is an above-average draft class. The class has a significant number of forwards who I think can be impact players. The talent up front, and particularly down the middle, is very strong; however, I don’t think this is a great draft if your team wants a defenseman.



I split players up into tiers. Here is how you should interpret them:



Special prospect: Projects to be one of the very best at their position in the league.



Elite prospect: Projects to be top 10-15 percent in the league at their position.



High-end prospect: Projects as a legit top-line forward who can play on PP1/top-pairing defenseman.



Very good prospect/first-round grade: Projects...