Stars n' Stripes breaks things down by projecting what order the NTDP players will be selected in rounds 4-7 for this year's draft.
We start by offering our opinion on what order the NTDP players will be selected and offer a brief breakdown of each individual player.
Round Four
Patrick Moynihan: With all the big names coming out of the NTDP program, Patrick Moynihan may be the biggest sleeper among them. When you think of Team USA you think of Hughes, Caufield, Zegras, Boldy, Turcotte and York.
After all those talented players who do you think was next on the U18s in scoring?
If you guessed Patrick Moynihan you are correct. The Providence College commit finished the season with 19 goals, 27 assists in 64 games for Team USA. Moynihan quietly puts up numbers with a well refined skill set that includes above average skating and an extremely quick release on his shot. Despite the size difference, Moynihan resembles Cole Caufield on the U18s, for his ability to find the soft spots to set himself up for prime scoring opportunities.
The sky is the limit for Moynihan and we firmly believe he has top 6 potential when it comes to projecting his game at the NHL level.
Case McCarthy: Another quietly efficient player from the NTDP program. McCarthy is a right shot defenseman known for his ability to move the puck. McCarthy is very similar to both teammates Henry Thrun and Drew Helleson, but he tends to be a little bit more aggressive in the offensive zone, having recorded 96 shots on goal last season, 3rd highest among defensemen.
At 6’1”, 198 pounds, McCarthy has the size to succeed at the next level. He also has tremendous instincts to go along with an off the charts work ethic. We already have tabbed Moynihan as our sleeper on the offensive end, chalk up McCarthy for our player that could surprise some from the blue line.
Michael Gildon: Another unsung hero and "grinder" on a flashy U18s team, Gildon excels at doing the little things that lead to winning hockey games.
He utilizes his large frame extremely well, winning puck battles in the corners, laying the big hit on the forecheck and also as a net front presence on Team USA’s extremely dangerous power play.
His skating is not off the charts and will need some work in the coming years, but it is not something that limits his game. Also, Gildon is no sniper, but he has soft hands for a player his size, registering 45 points (18g, 27a) in 61 games last season.
One of the questions with Gildon is how much did he benefit from playing with so many talented line mates on the U18s. No question, it didn’t hurt his production, but Gildon is more skilled than he gets credit for and will continue to improve in the coming years skating with Ohio State.
Round Five
Cam Rowe: The second goalie on the U18s is ranked number 4 for North American Goalies in the upcoming NHL Draft by Central Scouting. Like teammate Spencer Knight, Rowe’s athleticism is a definite asset along with his competitiveness, which is off the charts.
Playing behind a possible 1st round selection in Knight, Rowe without question, flew under the radar a bit. He posted a record of 16-10-0-1 with a .875 save percentage.
Rowe originally committed to play at the NCAA level with Omaha, but changed his mind this past October and now is headed to North Dakota in either 2019 or 2020.
Owen Lindmark: We here at Stars n’ Stripes love Owen Lindmark’s game. He is the consummate teammate, doing whatever is needed or asked to help his team win.
Lindmark excels at doing the little things like taking the extra stride to make a pass knowing full well he is going to have to absorb a hit to make that play happen. He also plays with no fear and is quick to sell out and sacrifice his body to block a shot when that situation presents itself.
Lindmark projects right now in the bottom six, but he does have upside. Last season with the U18s he potted 11 goals and added 14 helpers in 56 games. Very respectable numbers considering Lindmark’s lower ice times and lack of opportunities via the power play in a stacked Team USA lineup.
Round Seven
Danny Weight: Last season proved to be a trying year for Weight. He appeared in 41 games with the U18s, recording 17 points (8g, 9a) and he also played in 10 games with the U17s, where he added 2 goals and 4 assists.
Weight plays with a definite edge and will not hesitate to step up and protect a teammate if he believes the situation warrants it. That trait got Weight in to some hot water at times having to deal with the repercussions of his actions.
Headed to the BCHL to play with Penticton, Weight could potentially play with two other NHL Draft choices with the Vees. Jay O’Brien, Philadelphia’s 1st overall selection in 2018 has committed to play in Penticton along with defenseman Cade Webber, who like Weight, is eligible to be selected in 2019.
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To summarize, here is the order in which we believe members of the NTDP program will be selected in Friday’s NHL Draft.
1. Jack Hughes
2. Alex Turcotte
3. Cole Caufield
4. Trevor Zegras
5. Matt Boldy
6. Spencer Knight
7. Cam York
8. John Beecher
9. Alex Vlasic
10. Marshall Warren
11. Domenic Fensore
12. Judd Caulfield
13. Henry Thrun
14. Drew Helleson
15. Patrick Moynihan
16. Case McCarthy
17. Michael Gildon
18. Cam Rowe
19. Owen Lindmark
20. Danny Weight