What follows is a simple, binary ranking of the draft classes of 2018. While member will have access to the analysis that went into this list, we are here including only team names and draft class OFP, based somewhat loosely on the grading system we use to rank players. We believe that this approach is far more realistic in terms of the differences in draft classes, as giving letter grades provides a very false assessment – especially so close to the draft itself – as the difference between the best and worst draft classes without the benefit of hindsight is rather small.
Here is an explanation of our grades - A note on the 20-80 scale. We look at five attributes (skating, shooting, puck skills, hockey IQ and physicality) for skaters and six for goalies (athleticism/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, technique/style, rebound control and puck handling). Each individual attribute is graded along the 20-80 scales, which includes half-grades. The idea is that a projection of 50 in a given attribute meant that our observer believed that the player could get to roughly NHL average at that attribute at maturity.
Also note that the OFPs here do not grade on a curve of where a team drafted, or how often they drafted, but only on the level of talent brought into the fold. Enough talk, you can judge for yourself.
T1. Detroit Red Wings - 55
T1. New York Islanders - 55
- Buffalo Sabres - 54
T4. Colorado Avalanche – 53.75
T4. Los Angeles Kings – 53.75
T4. Edmonton Oilers – 53.75
- Vancouver Canucks – 53.5
T8. New York Rangers – 53.25
T8. Chicago Blackhawks – 53.25
T8. Anaheim Ducks – 53.25
- Carolina Hurricanes - 53
T12. Arizona Coyotes – 52.75
T12. Montreal Canadiens – 52.75
T12. Toronto Maple Leafs – 52.75
T12. Florida Panthers – 52.75
T12. Ottawa Senators – 52.75
T17. New Jersey Devils – 52.5
T17. Philadelphia Flyers – 52.5
T17. Dallas Stars – 52.5
T20. Columbus Blue Jackets – 52.25
T20. Pittsburgh Penguins – 52.25
- Boston Bruins - 52
T23. Vegas Golden Knights – 51.5
T23. Washington Capitals – 51.5
- Minnesota Wild – 51.25
- St. Louis Blues - 51
- Nashville Predators – 50.75
- Winnipeg Jets – 50.5
- Calgary Flames – 50.25
- Tampa Bay Lightning - 50
- San Jose Sharks – 49.75