2018 NHL Draft Prospect Profiles: Right Wingers

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

Later this week, hundreds of prospects will have a new home following the NHL Draft. In particular, the first round can hold many potential stars in the league for years to come.

The Flyers have two picks in the first round at 14th and 19th overall. Throughout the week, we're looking at prospects available at each position as potential targets and top players available in the draft. 

We continue our preview series with right wingers.

Andrei Svechnikov

Like with the left wingers, Andrei Svechnikov is not going to be an option for the Flyers.

This is a dynamic scoring forward who will go very high in the draft, very likely with the second overall pick.

So much about his offensive game is off the charts. He's got a tremendous shot, his skating and puck skills are top notch and he brings a great combination of tenacity and smarts to his game. He can easily take control of a game and is always dangerous with the puck. While he doesn't quite rank up there with the Rasmus Dahlin hype, Svechnikov could easily be playing in the NHL next season.

"Complete goal scoring winger," ISS Scout Greg Hickman writes in the 2018 ISS NHL Draft Guide. "Capable of controlling games and dominating them offensively. Great with the puck on his stick, has elite puck skills."

Martin Kaut

Martin Kaut is described as a playmaking forward with good offensive instincts and a strong work ethic to get after picks. 

Kaut has a well-balanced game that was somewhat overshadowed in the World Junior Championships with Czech Republic with Filip Zadina stealing most of the spotlight. But make no mistake about it, Kaut has a lot of talent and potential.

His defensive play could use some work, but he's a competitor who will play in all situations. His speed is his biggest asset, as he is always moving his feet and can be a shifty player. He has the potential to be a second-line scorer who can play on the power play and penalty kill. He needs to add some size and strength to his game, but he's a solid prospect that has a bright future.

"Playmaking forward who showed nice vision; found seams consistently, managed to put the puck on his linemates stick accurately in tough spots," ISS Scout Dave McDonald writes in the 2018 ISS NHL Draft Guide. "Good edges and agility, however needs to improve his top speed and balance. Showed a hard and accurate shot as well."

Serron Noel

This just feels like a prototypical Flyer pick. Oshawa Generals forward Serron Noel is one of the biggest prospects in the draft at 6'5" and 205 pounds.

He's hard on the puck, goes to the net and has the finishing ability that is valued in a forward. For a player with his size, he does have some skill to his game, a strong shot, and can work the cycle well using his strength to his advantage.

He still has a lot to learn and could improve his skating, physical play and become more consistent in his game, but he's an interesting prospect that has a lot of upside. 

"Intriguing package of size and skill," ISS Director of Scouting Dennis MacInnis writes in the 2018 ISS NHL Draft Guide. "Skating has improved slightly still needs to improve speed. Hard on the forecheck. Load to handle in front of the net and down below the goal lines for defenders."

Dominik Bokk

If you're looking for a bit of a sleeper pick, Dominik Bokk may be the guy.

The German winger is very skilled with the puck, has great hands, and is a threat in the offensive zone. He's not drawing a whole lot of attention as a top-end pick, but he has the potential to still be a second-line playmaker and can fit into a power play.

Bokk is a smart and competitive player with strong instincts for game situations and the ability to read plays. Like most prospects, he could stand to bulk up and add some size, but he's got a lot of raw talent that a team will look to mold and grow.

"A playmaker with highly offensive skills," ISS Scout Joakim Eriksson writes in the 2018 ISS NHL Draft Guide. "Skates very well, possesses impressive hands and is excellent at handling the puck in tight areas. Bokk likes to create offensively and has the natural skills to do so."

Vitali Kravtsov

This is an interesting prospect. It's rare to find a draft-eligible player with this much pro experience, but Vitali Kravtsov has it, playing the last two seasons in the KHL.

Kravtsov is a strong skater, has great offensive skills, protects the puck really well and has a great shot with quick release and accuracy.

He could end up being the steal of the draft if he hits his full potential. Kravtsov is projected for a middle-six role in the NHL, but could develop into a player with first-line scoring potential.

He needs to get better defensively and without the puck and his physical game can be out of control at times, but his skill makes him an attractive pick.

"When he uses his speed and quickness he can be nightmare for defenders," Dennis MacInnis writes in the 2018 ISS NHL Draft Guide. "Explosive skater with a powerful stride and quick feet when he decides to go. Like this kid's upside."

Ryan McLeod

The younger brother of 2016 first-rounder Michael McLeod, Ryan McLeod plays a very similar game with smooth skating, good offensive instincts and a two-way game that is well above other prospects in the draft.

McLeod's stock is marred by his offensive abilities. He's got a lot of raw talent, but he's still very much developing in those areas. He has the potential to be a solid scoring option in the middle-six of a lineup, but currently seems more like a projected checking-line center.

He can play to the outside too much, which takes away offensive opportunities. He's got a great combination of size, speed and skill, but can sometimes get lost in a game. If he can continue to develop and put it all together, the potential is there to be a scoring option, but he's become accustomed to the checking-line role in Mississauga and that may be his ceiling.

"High end skater and shows ability to accelerate through the neutral zone," ISS Scout Ben Gallant writes in the 2018 ISS NHL Draft Guide. "Hands are good with ability to release shot in stride. Backcheck and forecheck effort inconsistent. Projects as a third line checking winger at NHL level."

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