The 2018 NHL Entry draft is almost upon us and the suspense and intrigue continue to build before the Friday night spectacle. The 31 NHL clubs will meet in Dallas with hopes to better their respective franchises for years to come. Beyond Rasmus Dahlin going first overall and Andrei Svechnikov going second overall, this draft is as wide open as it’s been in years. Will Montreal take a center? Who are the Rangers going with? What will our fierce rivals, the Islanders, and Devils, end up doing? Find out all that and more in the 2018 Forever Blueshirts Mock Draft.

1) Buffalo Sabres – Rasmus Dahlin – D – Frolunda – SHL (6’1”, 187 lbs)

2017-18 stats: 41 GP – 7 G, 13 A – 20 points

If you’re a Buffalo Sabres fan, you can have your Dahlin jersey made. The consensus number one overall pick, this kid is a generational talent on the blueline and will anchor the Sabres defense corps for years to come. A power-play unit consisting of Jack Eichel, Casey Mittelstadt and Dahlin? That’s going to strike fear into opponents in the coming years.

2) Carolina Hurricanes – Andrei Svechnikov – RW – Barrie Colts – OHL  (6’3”, 187 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 44 GP – 40 G, 32 A – 72 Points

With comparisons being made to fellow countrymanAlex Ovechkin and Finnish phenom Patrik Laine, this kid is just too good for the Hurricanes to pass up at second overall. The Hurricanes, the biggest beneficiaries of this year’s draft lottery, will get a kid who can step in right away and immediately be an impact player for their team. Great size, amazing offensive capabilities and as pure a sniper as you can find. Svechnikov is the rare, complete package franchise winger.

3) Montreal Canadiens – Filip Zadina – LW – Halifax Mooseheads – QMJHL (6’1”, 192 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 57 GP – 44 G, 38 A – 82 points

Talent will outweigh risk here. Although rumors have run wild that the Canadiens will possibly select Finnish center Jesperi Kotkaniemi, I think they will ultimately go with the best player available and that’s Zadina. Pure sniper is the best way to describe Zadina, although his playmaking skills are not to be underestimated. Acquiring a winger of this caliber doesn’t get the Canadiens the center they desperately need, but the talent of Zadina is too good to pass up. With Zadina though, exploring a possible Max Pacioretty trade for a center makes more sense.

4) Ottawa Senators – Adam Boqvist – D – Brynas IF – SHL (5’11”, 165 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 47 GP – 14 G, 13 A – 27 points (Split season between SHL, Allsvenskan and SuperElit)

Erik Karlsson will most likely be gone this summer. The Senators have basically burnt bridges with their franchise player and Boqvist will be the guy that will eventually overtake Karlsson’s place on the blueline. Boqvist has an amazing shot and is quite the puck wizard. He’s as dynamic as they come on the blueline and although he may not reach Karlsson’s heights, he is still a franchise caliber defenivse prospect. He may need a few years of seasoning but the rebuilding Sens can afford to wait.

5) Arizona Coyotes – Noah Dobson – D – Acadie-Bathurst Titan – QMJHL (6’3”, 179 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 67 GP – 17 G, 52 A – 69 points

Dobson was one of the great risers of this year’s draft class and winning the Memorial Cup with Acadie-Bathurst just proved this kid is as rock solid on defense as they come. Some scouts and analysts think he is the best 1v1 defender in this draft and he is as steady as they come in his own end. With forward prospects like Ryan Strome, Nick Merkley and Tyler Steenbergen in their system, the Coyotes should add Dobson to a defense corps that suddenly looks pretty good. Ekman-Larsson, Hjalmarsson, Chychrun, Dobson, Demers…. Not bad at all Arizona, not bad at all.

6) Detroit Red Wings – Brady Tkachuk – LW – Boston University – NCAA (6’3”, 196 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 40 GP – 8 G, 23 A – 31 points

A big, nasty and skilled winger that has NHL pedigree. All year we’ve heard how Tkachuk strikes fear into opponents and doesn’t shy away from the big moments. He was a crucial piece of the team USA’s great run at the World Junior Championships this year and scored some memorable goals against Canada. Tkachuk will give the Red Wings a highly skilled power forward that will help them for years to come.

7) Vancouver Canucks –  Quinton Hughes – D – Univ. of Michigan – NCAA (5’10”, 174 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 37 GP – 5 G, 24 A – 29 points

Possibly the smoothest skating defenseman in the entire draft, Hughes will make the rebuilding Canucks very happy. He has great vision and can take over a game with his decision making and ability to move the puck up the ice. The Canucks will gain a massive boost to their defense corps with this pick and they can afford to let Hughes continue growing in the college ranks. With reigning SHL MVP, Elias Pettersson and Jonathan Dahlen both on the way for the Canucks, they could use a good prospect to bolster their blue line.

8) Chicago Blackhawks – Evan Bouchard – D – London Knights – OHL – (6’2”, 192 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 67 GP –  25 G, 62 A – 87 points

Booming shot? You got it. Excellent vision and hockey IQ? That’s there also. Leadership qualities? He was the captain of the London Knights this past season. Evan Bouchard is everything the Chicago Blackhawks need right now. With Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook entering the twilight of their careers, the Blackhawks could use this big blueliner who can one day anchor this team’s defense. You’d be hard pressed to find a better match for the Blackhawks at this position.

9) New York Rangers – Oliver Wahlstrom – RW – USNTDP – USDP (6’1”, 207 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 62 GP – 48 G, 46 A – 94 points

The Rangers get their guy at number nine. Wahlstrom is a pure goal scorer and looked absolutely dominant this past season with the USNTDP U18 squad. He’s a shoot first player and man, can he shoot the puck. According to Cutis Joe of eliteprospects.com, Wahlstrom can be “uncontainable” in the offensive zone. He has the size, skating ability and skill to be a top line winger in the NHL. Wahlstrom is committed to Boston College next season but don’t be shocked if he makes the jump to the Rangers the year after.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVlu9dyLrxQ

10 – Edmonton Oilers – Ty Smith – D – Spokane Chiefs – WHL (5’10”, 170 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 69 GP – 14 G, 59 A – 73 points

The Oilers need to draft a defenseman and there are none better at this point in the draft than Ty Smith of the Spokane Chiefs. Regarded as the best WHL prospect this year, Smith is a crafty blueliner that has elite skating ability. Smith is a guy that could easily go higher in this draft and has a lot of the same upside as guys like Hughes and Dobson. The Oilers have some great offensive talent with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the way and Smith would be a great injection of skill on their blueline.

11) New York Islanders – Jesperi Kotkaniemi – C – Assat – Liiga (6’2”, 190 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 57 GP – 10 G, 19 A – 29 points

The Islanders begin their back-to-back selections with a highly skilled, big bodied center from Finland. Kotkaniemi has shot up the draft boards in recent weeks and some scouts and analysts think he could even jump into the top-five or top-three depending on the Montreal Canadiens. Getting him at 11 will be a great pick for the Islanders as he gives them yet another great center. Regardless of John Tavares staying or leaving Brooklyn, it’s never bad in the NHL to have too much center depth.

12) New York Islanders (From CGY) – Bode Wilde – D – USNTDP – USDP (6’2”, 196 pounds)

2017-18 Stats: 61 GP – 12 G, 29 A – 41 points

With their second half of their back-to-back picks, the Islanders go for potential. Wilde seems to have a sky-high ceiling but he still makes some questionable decisions with the puck. He has a fantastic shot and shows flashes of what he can be if his game trends in the right direction. This pick could pay dividends for the Isles if Wilde pans out as one of the games next great offensive defenseman. The Islanders have great offensive talent and Wilde will be a nice addition to their young blueline.

13) Dallas Stars  – Joe Veleno – C – Drummondville Voltigeurs – QMJHL (6’1”, 194 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 64 GP – 22 G, 57 A – 79 points

The Stars get someone who many consider to be the best overall center in this draft. Veleno was granted exceptional status to play major junior hockey when he was 15 and had ridiculous pressure on him for most of his career. A mid-season trade from the St. John Sea Dogs to the Voltigeurs seemed to awaken a sleeping giant and Veleno began to demolish the competition. The Stars get their second line center of the future here to line up behind Tyler Seguin. Veleno also gives them the flexibility to move Jason Spezza.

14) Philadelphia Flyers (From STL) – Joel Farabee – LW – USNTDP – USDP (6’0”, 168 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 62 GP – 33 G, 43 A – 76 points

The Flyers get a winger that was part of the dangerous three-headed monster on the USNTDP’s top line. Farabee, joined by (likely) 2019 first overall pick Jack Hughes and Oliver Wahlstrom formed an absolutely dominant top line this past year. Farabee has a deadly shot and knows where to be to get his chances on the ice. Farabee playing on Nolan Patrick or Sean Couturier’s wing will be too good for the Flyers to pass up.

15) Florida Panthers – Rasmus Sandin – D – Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds – OHL (5’11”, 190 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 51 GP – 12 G, 33 A – 45 points

Not the best skating defenseman in the draft but one who clearly makes up for it in other areas. He led all OHL rookies in plus-minus with a +35 and led all first-year defenseman in the OHL with 51 points. He can shoot the puck well, makes great passes and would look great on a Florida Panthers defense corps that includes Keith Yandle, Aaron Ekblad and Mike Matheson. Skilled puck-moving defensemen are never a bad choice.

16) Colorado Avalanche – Barrett Hayton – C – Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds – OHL (6’1”, 185 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 63 GP – 21 G, 39 A – 60 points

Hayton is a fantastic two-way center with nice offensive skills. Many scouts and analysts see him as the next Morgan Frost in the sense that he is just reaching the potential he has and could explode next year. The Avalanche are in the middle of a great rebuild and Hayton will look great playing center for the Avs. A center corps consisting of Nathan Mackinnon, Hayton, Alexander Kerfoot and Carl Soderberg is really good; and if Hayton blooms like he’s projected to, the Avs will be set at center for years to come.

17) New Jersey Devils –  Ty Dellandrea – C – Flint Firebirds – OHL (6’1”, 190 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 67 GP – 27 G. 32 A – 59 points

The Devils shocked everyone this year with their fast play and a surprising wild card berth in the playoffs. Taylor Hall had an MVP season and Nico Hischier is looking like he is going to be a great center in this league. The Devils take a bit of a chance here on Dellandrea but make no mistake: Dellandrea is an excellent skater and had to drive almost all of the offense on a not so good Firebirds team. Surround him with some better talent and Dellandrea could blossom. Hischier, Dellandrea and Zajac down the middle ‘ain’t too shabby for the Devils. Dellandrea has great size as well.

18) Columbus Blue Jackets – Isac Lundeström – C/LW – Lulea HF – SHL (6’0”, 183 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 42 GP – 6 G, 9 A – 15 points

Considered one of the best two-way players in this draft, Lundeström maks perfect sense for the Blue Jackets at 18th overall. The Jackets have great depth on their wings and on the defensive side of the puck but their center depth could use some help. Lundestrom would look great in their lineup behind Pierre-Luc Dubois. Lundeström is a jack-of-all-trades type player and a fairly safe pick, all things considered. Lundeström also has a sneaky good shot.

19) Philadelphia Flyers – Grigori Denisenko – LW – Loko Yaroslavl – MHL (5’10”, 165 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 31 GP – 9 G, 13 A – 22 points

A bit of a wild child, but one that could pay dividends for the Flyers in the near future. The kid has an immense amount of skill and untapped potential. He knows how to finish his chances and he knows how to make plays. He dazzles with the puck on his stick and would be a welcome addition on Sean Couturier or Nolan Patrick’s wing in the near future. He has some maturity and consistency issues to work out but since the Flyers have multiple first round picks they can afford to take a chance on this Russian puck wizard.

20) Los Angeles Kings – Serron Noel – RW – Oshawa Generals – OHL (6’5”, 209 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 62 GP – 28 G, 25 A – 53 points

This hulking power forward has all the raw potential in the world. Scouts wonder where he will fall in this draft but the Los Angeles Kings would be wise to take him at 20th overall. Imagine a guy with his size and hands playing with Anze Kopitar? That’s a deadly combination for the Kings to think about and Noel seems like he is only going to get better after putting up fantastic numbers in his second year with the Generals. Noel could prove to be one of the better value picks in this draft.

21) San Jose Sharks – Rasmus Kupari – C – Karpat – Liiga (5’1”, 163 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 39 GP – 6 G, 8 A – 14 points

Kupari is being compared to fellow countryman Sebastian Aho (the Carolina Hurricanes winger, not the Islanders defenseman), and boy does he look like he could be something in this league. Although he will have to bulk up before he makes a run to the NHL, Kupari already looks like he has the smarts and skill to take on the big leagues. He had a great season in the low-scoring Liiga playing against much older competition. Along with Joe Pavelski and Logan Couture, Kupari would be a great addition to the Sharks center depth in the coming years.

22) Ottawa Senators (From Pittsburgh) –  Akil Thomas – C – Niagara IceDogs – OHL (6’0”, 170 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 68 GP – 22 G, 59 A – 81 points

Thomas will be a great addition to the rebuilding Senators. Along with fellow centermen Logan Brown and Matt Duchene, the Sens can have nice depth down the middle of the ice in the coming years. While undersized, Thomas has excellent vision, great speed and would fit well with guys like Mark Stone and Colin White. Thomas probably needs another year or two to fill out his frame and bulk up for the rigors of the NHL, but he will be a welcome addition to the Sens pipeline as the rebuild goes on.

23) Anaheim Ducks – Ryan McLeod – C – Mississauga Steelheads – OHL (6’2”, 190 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 68 GP – 26 G, 44 A – 70 points

Ryan Getzlaf light? Ryan Getzlaf light. McLeod, the younger brother of Devils prospect Michael McLeod, is a brilliant skater that excels in all aspects of the game and when he has the puck, good luck getting it from. McLeod posses a great shot and can beat goalies from both near and far. You’d be hard pressed to find a more tenacious guy on the puck in this draft. The Ducks will count their lucky stars when they get McLeod at 23rd overall.

24) Minnesota Wild – Jacob Olofsson – C – Timra IK – SHL (6’2”, 192 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 43 GP – 10 G, 11A – 21 points

The Wild get the best rookie from Sweden’s minor league, the Allsvenskan. Olofsson beat out both Filip Hallander and Jonathan Dahlen to claim the Golden Cage award. Olofsson is as good a two-way center prospect as they come; and as the Allsvenskan season went on, he just kept getting better. Olofsson also possess a great shot to go with his exceptional two-way ability. Olofsson could go higher than this on draft day, but if he falls to the Minnesota Wild, they should grab him. Mikko Koivu and Eric Staal aren’t getting any younger so Olofsson would be welcome in the State of Hockey as soon as he’s ready to make the jump.

25 – Toronto Maple Leafs – Jared McIsaac – D – Halifax Mooseheads – QMJHL (6’1”, 194 lbs)

2017-18 Stats – 65 GP – 9 G, 38 A – 47 points

Rock solid. That’s what McIsaac brings on defense. A big, reliable defensemen who the Maple Leafs desperately need in their system. McIsaac is smart in his own zone and doesn’t take many risky chances. He has shown flashes of being more dynamic than he currently is. He can skate extremely well and knows how to make that nice pass to begin a breakout or just take the puck up the ice himself. The Leafs could opt to take a chance on someone like Ryan Merkley or K’Andre Miller here, but with their window now open for a cup run, they stick with a defenseman who they know will be solid in his own end.

26 – New York Rangers (From Boston) – K’Andre Miller – D – USNTDP – USDP (6’5”. 205 lbs)

2017-18 Stats – 58 GP – 9 G, 20 A – 29 points

Speaking of K’Andre Miller, the New York Rangers will take him with the 26th overall selection in the draft. Miller, a converted forward, is one of the swiftest skaters in the draft, and when all is said and done, could end up being the best skating US defenseman in the draft. That’s how intriguing his ceiling is. He is a big kid and as the Rangers rebuild he could be an incremental piece of their new look blueline.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqGbLmjnmP0

27) Chicago Blackhawks (From Nashville) – Dominik Bokk – Vaxjo Lakers HC – SHL  – (6’1”, 179 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 51 GP – 17 G, 28 A – 45 points (Split between SHL, SuperElit, J18 Elit)

The Blackhawks grab a skilled winger from the SHL to play in their top-six forward group when he’s ready. After getting the powerful Bouchard earlier, the Blackhawks get a great value pick down at the end of the first-round with Dominik Bokk. Bokk can beat defenders one-on-one and possesses a shot that opposing goalies need to be aware of. High ceiling, but can he reach it?

28) New York Rangers (From Tampa Bay) – Vitali Kravtsov – RW – Traktor Chelyabinsk – KHL (6’2”, 183 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 35 GP – 4 G, 3 A – 7 points

The Rangers aren’t afraid to take Russian kids. Pavel Buchnevich and Igor Shestyerkin are recent examples of that and with their last pick of the first-round, the Rangers get someone with sky high potential. Kravtsov, according to eliteprospects.com, “can play up and down the lineup and provide scoring in a number of roles,” and “has the potential to develop into a staple top-six forward that can produce at the next level.” Sounds like someone definitely worthy of a late first round pick.

29) St. Louis Blues (From Winnipeg) – Jett Woo – D – Moose Jaw Warriors – OHL (6’0”, 205 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 44 GP – 9 G, 16 A – 25 points

With forward reinforcements coming in the form of Robert Thomas, Klim Kostin and Jordan Kyrou, the Blues decide to get a big, tough defenseman with the 29th pick in the draft. Woo won’t wow anyone with his offensive acumen, but he is as solid as they come and has the size to make the jump to the NHL whenever he is ready. Adding Woo to a blueline that already has standouts in Alex Pietrangelo, Colton Parayko and Jay Bouwmeester makes the Blues an even bigger threat in the coming years.

30) Detroit Red Wings (From Vegas) – Scott Perunovich – D – Minnesota-Duluth – NCAA (5’9”, 195 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 42 GP – 11 G, 25 A – 36 points

The Red Wings already have the powerful Brady Tkachuk and now at the bottom of the first-round they add one of the drafts biggest risers in Scott Perunovich. Perunovich was passed over in last year’s draft but made a huge impression this year on scouts with his superb play for Minnesota-Duluth. Perunovich is a great puck moving defenseman and will be a nice piece as the Red Wings move forward with their rebuild.

31) Washington Capitals – Ryan Merkley – D – Guelph Storm – OHL (5’11”, 170 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 63 GP – 13 G, 54 A – 67 points

The reigning Stanley Cup champions decide to take one of the biggest gambles in the draft, but one that could pay off in spades. Merkley has top-five level talent. He can move the puck like not many others can, and his offensive capabilities are through the roof. This is a kid that can drive the play and make you pay for your mistakes. The problem scouts have with Merkley is his commitment to the defensive side of the puck, and he needs to keep working on that since, you know, he’s a defenseman. If Merkley puts it all together – watch out. He could be the largest steal of the entire draft.

But before Gorton makes his pick, let’s see what the numerous mock drafts have to say on the subject.

NHL.com

NHL.com had writers Adam Kimelman, Mike Morreale and Guillaume Lepage gave their first-round predictions in a joint article on the NHL’s website. Both Kimelman and Morreale have the Rangers choosing Jesperi Kotkaniemi from Finland. At 6’1″ and close to 200 lbs., he has the size to be an intimidating player down the middle. As Morreale notes, Kotkaniemi had 29 points (10G, 19A) with Finnish club Ässät, and added an additional nine points (3G, 6A) while helping Finland capture the gold at the Under-18 World Juniors. Aside from the offensive statistics, Kimelman adds that Kotkaniemi was used both down the middle and on the wing, showing his versatility and high hockey IQ. Oh, and he won’t be 18-years-old until July. This would make for a very good signing with the ability to play all forward positions.

Lepage, on the other hand, chose highly touted defensive prospect Adam Boqvist from Sweden. Boqvist is a highly-skilled right-handed defenseman who can provide a ton of offense from the point. The 17-year-old tallied 24 points (14G, 10A), and five points (3G, 2A) in three playoff games for Brynäs IF in the Swedish Junior League. While that is certainly impressive, he managed just one assist playing for the Brynäs IF senior team, while accruing a plus/minus of -7. The scouting report says Boqvist still has work to do on the defensive end, which is not a great sign for a defenseman, but if he can learn quickly, he can be a staple on the blue line.

At 26, the pick the Rangers got from Boston, Morreale and Lepage have the Rangers taking defenseman Jared McIsaac from the Halifax Mooseheads in the QMJHL. McIsaac looks like a defenseman who can contribute offensively while being responsible in his own zone. As a late first-round pick, McIsaac would certainly be a good choice.

Kimelman has the Rangers taking Guelph defenseman Ryan Merkley. As you may have noticed the trend, the defenseman has superb offensive skills, notching 73 points (14G, 59A) between the regular season and playoffs. While his skills are certainly there, his draft stock has plummeted due to other issues, as Ryan Kennedy wrote about for The Hockey News. If Merkley can clean up his apparent attitude problem, he will certainly be able to give any team an offensive spark and a power play quarterback.

Finally, with the 28th pick in the first-round, all three NHL.com writers have different ideas for general manager Jeff Gorton. Adam Kimelman has the Blueshirts taking Sampo Ranta from the USHL. Ranta put up 37 points 23G, 14A) this season for Sioux City. Kimelman adds that Ranta will be heading to the University of Wisconsin next season, and that will certainly help him grow as a hockey player.

Ranta’s not huge at 6-01, 192 [pounds] but the Finnish-born wing possesses a hard and heavy shot along with excellent skating skill. He’s slated to attend the University of Wisconsin next year. UW Badgers’ assistant coach Mark Osiecki describes him as a growing ‘power forward who is strong over the puck and has a good hockey IQ.’ His recent development has seen him rise from a previous ‘B’ Central Scouting ranking to his current ‘A’.” –Kevin Wickersham/Dobber Prospects

Mike Morreale has Gorton selecting Akil Thomas from the OHL’s Niagara Ice Dogs. Thomas is a speedy centerman with high-level scoring ability. Thomas put up 81 points (22G, 59A) and averaged 1.19 points per game. Having a center that can create offense for himself and his linemates is certainly important for any team. Steve Kournianos, otherwise known as The Draft Analyst, gives a deeper scouting report on Thomas.

A thick two-way center with a deadly shot and high compete level who also can play the wing, Thomas led all OHL draft-eligible forwards in scoring with 80 points in 68 games. He is used in all situations, but he is most dangerous on the power play thanks to his keen vision and ability to pump shots through traffic. There a few players in his draft class who offer coaches the kind of versatility Thomas provides — he is used to taking big draws, kill off an important penalty or run the offense from inside the zone during late/close situations.

Thomas has good straight-line speed and average first-step quickness, but he is elusive and agile within tight spaces. Opponents find difficulty in lining up Thomas for a hit because he makes sharp directional changes and anticipates puck movement extremely well. He’s a cerebral player and an excellent stickhandler with soft hands who positions himself properly to exploit mistakes in the neutral zone. Thomas’s zone entries are calculated, meaning he identifies options beyond barreling through or around opponents. He can slow things down or pivot back in order to find trailers or cutters, and releases for the slot area immediately after connecting with a teammate. – The Draft Analyst

Last but not least, Guillaume Lepage says the Rangers should take Benoit-Olivier Groulx from the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL. Groulx had 55 points centering Halifax’s top unit and is able to play in all situations. However, his skating ability – or lack thereof – have slid him down the draft boards. If teams are willing to take the forward, they will have work to do with him when it comes to his skating; but other than that, he is a guy with a lot of upsides.

TSN/Sporting News

Both Craig Button of TSN and Sporting News contributor Steve Kournianos have the Rangers selecting Oliver Wahlstrom from the USNTDP with the ninth overall pick. Button notes Wahlstrom’s “quick release, velocity, and accuracy,” which helped him to 78 points last season; half of which were goals. A right-handed sniper on the wing is something the Rangers can certainly use in their top-six, and Wahlstrom has the ability to be a game-changer with the puck on his stick.

Wahlstrom is a premier two-way power forward with a deadly shot who plays a similar fearless game as that of current Ranger Chris Kreider, albeit a step slower. He’s a powerful skater with agility that is difficult to handle in one-on-one situations, plus he has the vision and passing ability to keep goalies honest. – Sporting News

NBC Sports

Joe Haggerty of NBC Sports thinks that Evan Bouchard will be taken with the ninth overall pick. The London Knights’ captain recorded 87 points (25G, 62A) from the blue line. The consensus is that Bouchard looks like the real deal, and he can be the linchpin of the rebuilding Rangers defense.

Like Mike Morreale above, Haggerty has Akil Thomas going to the Rangers at number 26. Haggerty adds that Thomas is an excellent skater with slick hands and a dangerous shot. “The bottom line on this kid is that he’s a playmaker.”

At number 28, Haggerty shows Jeff Gorton selecting Jack McBain of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. In 52 games – regular season and playoffs – McBain scored 67 points (27G, 40A). McBain is a big kid at 6’3″ and nearly 200 lbs. and seems to have the skills to make it in the NHL. McBain will be heading to Boston College next season, the alma mater of current Rangers Chris Kreider, Kevin Hayes, and Paul Carey, where he will be able to further develop his talents.

With the NHL draft lottery concluded, we now know what selection the Rangers will have in the upcoming entry draft. The Rangers will pick ninth overall as well as two picks in the realm of 26-31 overall.

Although the dream of having Rasmus Dahlin, Andrei Svechnikov or Filip Zadina wearing the Blueshirt has ended, it’s time to take a look at which players the Rangers could select with their ninth overall selection.

Oliver Wahlstrom – USNTDP – RW – 6’1”, 205 pounds

2017-18 Stats: 47 G, 45 A – 92 points – 60 games played

Most likely, Wahlstrom will be the next forward called off the board after the selections of Svechnikov, Zadina, and Brady Tkachuk. He has the speed, size, and skill to be a dominant forward in this league. The kid has a great hockey sense and from what he has brought to the table this season for the USNTDP, he has shown that he can really put the puck in the net. Oh, and the kid has no problem killing penalties either. The Rangers may have to get a little lucky to grab him but he could fall to them at nine.

Quinn Hughes – University of Michigan (NCAA) – D – 5’10”, 174 pounds

2017-18 Stats: 5 G. 24 A – 29 points – 37 games played

Tabbed as one of the smoothest skating and best puck-handling defensemen in this draft, Hughes has all the natural talent in the world. He had a massive year for the Wolverines and is a big reason they had a great Frozen Four tournament. He can quarterback the powerplay and is extremely smart with his decision making. He’s been described by Joe Curtis of eliteprospects.com as “[Being] a complete defenseman that understands how to open up a game and take it over.” That sounds like someone the Rangers could use on their blueline.

Joel Farabee – USNTDP – LW – 6’0”, 168 pounds

2017-18 Stats: 33 G, 41 A – 74 points – 60 games played

One of the top two dominant USNTDP forwards that will be available in this draft, Farabee is described by The Draft Analyst Steve Kournianos, as a “quick skating offensive force.” He captained Team USA’s squad at the U18 World Juniors this year. The knock on him is that he has to gain some muscle but that is fixable in the gym. As one of the top forwards in this draft, Farabee must be on the Rangers radar as they look to get better on the wings.

Evan Bouchard – London Knights (OHL) – D – 6’2”, 193 pounds

2017-18 Stats – 25 G, 67 A – 87 points – 67 games played

The captain of the OHL’s London Knights is one of the most complete defensemen in this draft. He has a cannon of a shot and rose up draft rankings this year with his absolutely stellar play during the season. He actually got better once some star players were traded from the Knights and it shows he can carry a heavy workload. Described by Sportsnet’s Sam Cosentino as being “strong as an ox,” this is another guy who the Rangers really need to consider.

Ty Smith – Spokane Chiefs (WHL) – D – 5’10”, 170 pounds

2017-18 stats: 14 G, 59 A – 73 points – 69 games played

Described by The Hockey News’ Ryan Kennedy as being the best prospect out of the WHL, Smith would be a great addition for the Rangers if they choose to go with him at nine. He is another smooth skating defenseman and served as Canada’s captain at the U18 World Juniors this past season. With great skating ability, a great shot, good hockey IQ and leadership qualities, the Rangers could do a lot worse at ninth overall.

Barring a trade to move up in the draft there’s a good chance one of these names mentioned above will be a New York Ranger on June 22nd in Dallas.

Now, why the Predators? Well, it’s simple. They have built the best defense in the NHL, they have some of the best depth in the league at the forward position, without a true number one center or true superstar, and they have a slightly older goalie who still puts up fantastic numbers. This is a formula the Rangers can pull off and one that could ultimately pay off at the end of this retool.

GOALTENDING

If we start from the net out, its simple: The Rangers still possess one of the most elite players to ever play the position in Henrik Lundqvist. Even though he is getting up there in age for an NHL player, Lundqvist has proven that he can steal games and that if he is in net there is a chance for his team to win night in and night out. At this point in his career, he can be considered an all-time great. From the Predators side of things, they have Pekka Rinne, who is also on the older side but is still a great goalie capable of making a big stop at the right time. Part of the reason the Predators are cup favorites this year is the play of Rinne.

DEFENSE

Moving on to the defense and that’s where this year’s draft comes heavily into play. The Nashville Predators did an absolutely excellent job of drafting, as well as making key signings and trades, to create the best defense in the NHL. A blueline consisting of a top-four of Roman Josi, P.K. Subban, Mattias Ekholm and Ryan Ellis is nothing but spectacular. Also, a point to remember is that the Predators at one point had Ryan Suter, Seth Jones, and Shea Weber. One they lost to free-agency but for the other two, they got back players that were better fitted for their team. You can never have too many good defensemen; whether to actually have them play for you or to use as trade chips.

Barring some extreme luck or a trade that none of us see coming, the Rangers will most likely not pick in the top-three but will most likely have a mid-first-rounder and two at the end of the first round. With those three picks, there will still be some nice prospects available. Specifically on the defensive end.

With the Rangers first pick falling in the middle of the first round somewhere, possibly top ten, they should look at one of these three defensemen: Evan Bouchard, Noah Dobson or Bode Wilde. All three have immense potential to be elite defensemen in the NHL.

Evan Bouchard

Bouchard is 18-years-old, captain of the London Knights, and has 87 points (25G, 62A) in 67 games this season. Those are ridiculous numbers for a defenseman to have. The cherry on top here is that Bouchard began performing better once he was given more responsibility and some of his star teammates were traded away at the deadline. The kid can play. Curtis Joe of eliteprospets.com had nothing but good things to say about the young man from Oakville, Ontario.

“A highly intelligent all-around defenceman that plays with poise and can shift the pace of play in a multitude of ways. Showcases smooth four-way skating ability and loves to get involved in all situations – especially when that situation happens to be an up-ice rush. Has a polished offensive skill-set which includes well-timed passes and a sneaky, erratic shot. Goes with the high percentage play and makes smart decisions. Could work on strength behind his shot. Defensively active, cutting off lanes and always staying in excellent positioning. Reads cues well in all three zones and seems to stay a step ahead. All-in-all, a well-rounded defender with great hockey sense and work ethic.” – EliteProspects

That sure sounds like a solid piece for the Rangers defense going forward and here’s a sweet highlight video of Bouchard tearing it up for the London Knights:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksi13vyhK40

Bode Wilde

Bode Wilde is, pardon the pun, a wild card. As Steve Kournianos (@TheDraftAnalyst) said when he was on the podcast just a few weeks ago, he could turn into the next P.K. Subban; an intense, electric and elite puck-moving defenseman, or he could turn into a player like John Moore who failed to really put it all together. Wilde played for the U.S National Development Team this past season and is committed to the University of Michigan in the fall. He has a fantastic shot and great on-ice vision and would be a worthy addition to the Rangers blueline.

The 18-year-old is a high risk, high reward pick but it could pay off in spades for the Rangers if they select him. Here’s Steve Kournianos’ report on Wilde:

“A defender with arguably the highest upside of any of his talented NTDP teammates, this [Michigan]-bound blueliner is a phenomenal skater with a blistering shot. Big, thick defensemen that look graceful while carrying the puck simply don’t grow on trees, and you’d probably hear more about him if his draft year wasn’t loaded with cornerstone-type defenders. Wilde is one confident teenager, maybe sometimes to a fault, as doing “too much” with the puck is something he’ll have to limit. Especially considering how talented the NTDP forwards are. Still, he is perfectly capable of playing a variety of roles with aplomb — power play quarterback, crease-clearer on the penalty kill, and even neutralizing top opponents. Wilde loves to hammer the disc thanks to a heavy shot, and he has the ability to either create his own shot from up high or finish in a speed rush to the net. Once he crosses center, he is as close to the complete package as they come, and his size and right-handed shot make him an extremely tantalizing prospect with star potential. Wilde’s risk-taking can put his mates in jeopardy, so you’d like to see him go through stretches when he puts a premium on sound positioning and is willing to refrain from deep attacks every single shift.” – TheDraftAnalyst

Finally, he’s a nice highlight reel of Wilde’s recent play in the NTDP:

Noah Dobson

Noah Dobson has shot up the rankings this year as he’s proved he can be an all-around defenseman and can be counted on to be one of the leaders on his team. He’s a great two-way defenseman, he eats up minutes and he is extremely reliable in his own end. Playing for Acadie-Bathurst Titan this season, he put up 69 points (17G, 52A)  in 67 games. Clearly, he has the offensive instincts to go with his solid defensive play. Curtis Joe of eliteprospects.com had nothing but good things to say about Dobson:

“A talented two-way defenceman that can play in all situations and stay productive. Uses his edges well and is, for the most part, a very smooth skater; however, as he gets stronger and adjusts to a more up-tempo style of hockey, he will need to work on his speed in gap-closing. Offensively, he utilizes his keen sense of awareness to be in the right spot at the right time, every time. Soft hands and a deadly shot accentuate his ability to get creative, on occasion. Rock solid defensively, his strong positioning severely limits time and space for the opposition. All-in-all, a well-rounded, reliable, and consistent defenceman that can log a lot of ice time and provide his team with a stable presence on the back end.” – EliteProspects

Dobson, like Bouchard and Wilde before him, would be an excellent addition to the Rangers blueline and here’s another highlight video for you all to check out on Dobson:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZFszNblc-I

Moving on to the bottom two picks the Rangers have in the first round and one big name keeps sticking out, that name is K’Andre Miller; and if reports are to be believed, he could turn out to be the best skating North American defenseman to come out of this draft. Miller played for the USNTDP this past season and is committed to the University of Wisconsin this coming fall. While he doesn’t have the crazy numbers that Bouchard or Dobson have, he skates extremely well and is extremely smart with the puck. An interesting fact about the guy is that he’s a converted forward. Steve Kournianos, has a nice report on the 6’3”, 200-pound D-man:

“Talented two-way defenseman with top-pairing upside who is committed to the University of Wisconsin. A strong skater with very good speed, Miller generates a lot of power into his stride and is starting to beat both opposing forwards and defenders to the outside. His stick and body positioning in the neutral zone are exceptional, and you can count on Miler to intercept more than a handful of cross-zone passes that he quickly transitions into rushes the other way. His ability to make clean passes on either his forehand or backhand, plus the manner in which he sharply pivots his way into bigger openings might explain how such a big and physical defenseman is only a few years removed from being a forward.

 

 

Watching Miller smother in one end and skate effortlessly in the other makes me think his learning curve is not steep at all — he plays a clean, composed game in his own zone and looks fantastic when he’s unbridled. Miller can be physically intimidating, and his strong lower half makes rubbing out forwards of any size look easy. One thing to consider is that this group of NTDP defensemen is deep with offensively-gifted puck movers, so it’s natural for a cerebral kid like Miller to focus on his defensive-zone play and act decisively with the puck only when the opportunity makes sense. This type of approach reduces haphazard tendencies to a bare minimum. Choosing your favorite draft-eligible defensemen from this year’s version of the under-18 NTDP is a lot like being asked to pick your favorite child, but don’t be surprised if a less-heralded kid like Miller has the best NHL career out of any from his defense corps.” – TheDraftAnalyst

Everything about this kid sounds like he’s got the complete package to be a great NHL defenseman and if the Rangers can grab him with either of their two late first-round picks, they absolutely must take him. Draft boards actually have Miller going anywhere from 15-25 so it will be interesting to see if the Rangers could grab him.

And of course here is a highlight video:

So we’re now down to our final pick of the first round for the Rangers. Who is the final target? Well… not a defensemen so it’s time to talk forwards.

FORWARDS

At first glance, you might call me crazy to relate the Rangers to the Predators here but they are actually closer than you think. Ryan Johansen and Kyle Turris are not number one centers, but rather they form a 1A/1B tandem in Nashville. Neither is the elite of the elite, à la Sidney Crosby or Conor McDavid, but they have good chemistry with their wingers and know how to get the job done.

Now Mika Zibanejad is on the same level that Johansen and Turris are and he might be better than the both of them individually. He also has wingers that he has good chemistry with in Chris Kreider and Pavel Buchnevich. Now, going off the assumption that one of Filip Chytil or Lias Andersson turns into a second or possible first-line center, the Rangers will have great center depth while they continue this retool. Kevin Hayes can always slot over to the middle and Boo Nieves is the clear fourth line center for this team as soon as next season. He showed nice promise in that role this season.

Beyond Kreider and Buchnevich though, the wings are a bit rough in New York. Yes, Mats Zuccarello is a great playmaker but he may not be here much longer. Ryan Spooner has been a nice surprise but he is not a top-six long-term solution. The Rangers don’t have a Viktor Arvidsson type guy or a Filip Forsberg type guy. The Rangers need to finds a Forsberg/Arvidsson type player in the draft or try to find someone like Eeli Tolvanen at the bottom of the first-round. Will they trade a pick and Zuccarello for a younger more skilled winger? Possibly, but assuming they keep the pick there a few options for skilled forwards to choose from.

Two that immediately come to mind are Dominik Bokk and Akil Thomas. Both are high ceiling guys who, that if they develop properly, can be great players as the Rangers continue this rebuild. Thomas has put up the better number of the two players since he plays in juniors but Bokk is already playing against men in the SHL. Both developmental strategies can work for younger players.

Akil Thomas

Looking a little deeper at Akil Thomas we see a guy who plays natural center so he doesn’t fit the wing comparison here but he has spent time on the wings during his time in juniors. The 2016-17 was his rookie year in juniors, he plays for the Niagara Ice Dogs in the OHL, and he put up 48 points in 61 games. This year he put up 81 in 68 games so just about a 40 point increase. He’s trending in the right direction.

Thomas is a smaller player at 5’11” and 170 pounds, but he more than makes up for his lack of size with his skill and speed. But don’t just take my words for it, check out some highlights of Thomas below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QN5LRkWfZLM

Dominik Bokk

As for Bokk, he is the bigger wild card of the two players here. The Hockey News prospect podcast had a featured segment on Bokk last week and spoke about how he will not be a full-time NHL player soon but he has all the tools to become a very effective player in the near future. His stats don’t pop off the page but sometimes that’s not the whole story. Bokk played in the SuperElit league in Sweden prior to joining the SHL (think AHL and NHL, respectively). Playing against men can only help him going forward.

As always, here are some highlights.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va1sa9XV-9w

Thomas and Bokk would be risks in the first-round, but with three picks in round one, the Rangers can afford to take a chance on one of these guys if they’re available. Best case scenario, one of them is the next Eeli Tolvanen and becomes a steal at the end of round one. Worst case, the Rangers have another depth forward in their system.

All-world defense, a hall of fame worthy goalie and amazing depth at the forward position. Can the Rangers build like the Predators did? It’s possible, and it’s just one way the Rangers can navigate this retool going forward.

We begin with the three trades that will be the basis of our new Rangers lineup. Ryan McDonagh, Rick Nash, and Mats Zuccarello are all traded and have new homes for the playoffs. Michael Grabner and Nick Holden are as well but consider the returns on both of them mid-round picks. Those two aren’t as highly sought after as three aforementioned players, so we’ll begin with Ryan McDonagh.

Ryan McDonagh traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning for defenseman Mikhail Sergachev and a Second Round Pick in 2018

If Tampa Bay wants McDonagh as much as rumors say they do, this is the offer that will get them the Rangers captain. This is a better offer than anything Boston could offer the Rangers because it’s no secret that Long Island native Charlie McAvoy isn’t going anywhere, and neither is David Pastrnak. Sergachev is one of the game’s premier young defensemen, and at just 19 years of age, would be one of the Rangers building blocks for the future and would be our workhorse number one defenseman in just a few seasons.

Sergachev has eight goals and 22 assists this season for a total of 30 points in 56 games. He’s on the second power-play unit in Tampa Bay and has extremely smart hockey sense. He was highly touted coming out of juniors and the kid has everything to succeed in this league as a number one defensemen. Next season, Sergachev could see top pair minutes but he would most likely stick to the second pair as he filled out more and continued his development. Sergachev would almost certainly see first unit power-play minutes as well.

On Tampa Bay’s side of things, they acquire one of the best shutdown defensemen in the NHL today and a pairing of McDonagh and Victor Hedman would help Tampa Bay compete for the cup for the next few season. It hurts their future a bit since McDonagh is older than Sergachev, but if McDonagh helps them win a cup, I’m sure GM Steve Yzerman and the fans won’t be too upset.

Mats Zuccarello traded to the Winnipeg Jets for prospect Kristian Vesalainen and a First Round Pick in 2018

Now I know this one hurts also folks. Zuccarello is one of the most beloved players on this Rangers roster but if the Rangers could get this offer out of the Jets, they have to jump on it. Zuccarello is a skilled player, no doubt about it, but the upside of Vesalainen is too good to pass up here. This trade was arguably the hardest for me to think of out of the big three the Rangers are thinking of trading, but this trade arguably makes the most sense for both squads.

The Rangers get a big-bodied player with a massive amount of offensive upside. Vesalainen has already won an SHL title and was the most impressive player at the U18 World Junior Championships back in 2017. His development has taken a massive leap this season as he has 38 points in 42 games for his team HPK in Finland’s top hockey league, Liiga. He only had six goals spread amongst the three teams he played for last season. Oh and he’s only 18 years old.

I could see Vesalainen stepping into a role with the Rangers as early as next season. Where would he fit on the team? Middle six would probably be the best spot for him to land as he would need to get accustomed to the North American ice surface. But make no mistake, with time, Vesalainen is a top-six player for the Rangers and depending on how quickly he adjusts, it could be next season.

On Winnipeg’s side of things, they get one of the craftiest playmakers in the league and arguably become the team with the deepest and scariest forward corps in the league. They would now have a top six of Blake Wheeler, Mark Scheifele, Patrik Laine, Nikolaj Ehlers, Mats Zuccarello and Bryan Little. That top six has it all. Skill, size, and speed dominate that lineup and if we look even further their third line blossoms as well. Mathieu Perrault, Kyle Connor, and Andrew Copp make a great third line. The Jets are already looking like a scary team this season, but with Zuccarello, they would be that much better in their quest for the Stanley Cup.

Rick Nash traded to the Nashville Predators for Eeli Tolvanen (Rangers retain 50% salary for Nash)

Now this one is fun to think about. Tolvanen is one of the best prospects in the game and is currently tearing it up at the Olympics where he has six points in two games. He is also having a breakout year for Jokerit in the KHL, where he has 17 goals and 17 assists for 34 points in 47 games. And by the way, he’s only 18 years old.

You’ll notice there’s no pick included with this trade and that’s for good reason here. Tolvanen is one of the best prospects in the world and the Rangers should consider themselves lucky if Nashville is willing to part with him for Nash. That being said, Nash is no slouch at all and would instantly make the Predators better at forward and would give GM David Poile that big winger he is looking for at the deadline.

Tolvanen would be on the Rangers roster next year and could possibly see top line minutes. The kid is an absolute stud and for a teenager to be making the impact he is in the KHL is extremely impressive. This is a player who would be an excellent addition to the team and would be one of our top players in the future. I’m talking first power-play minutes and giving the Rangers a player with that fear factor that opponents would have to respect every time he steps on the ice.

On Nashville’s side of things, their top six gets beefed up with the addition of Nash and he would make an imposing presence on a line with Filip Forsberg and Ryan Johansen. That line would be one of the scariest in the league and would further increase Nashville’s chances of winning the Stanley Cup. A top six of Rick Nash, Kevin Fiala, Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen, Viktor Arvidsson and Kyle Turris is scary and would be great for Nashville to have going into the playoffs.

But wait there’s more!

With Zuccarello, McDonagh, Nash, Grabner, and Holden off the team by the deadline, the team calls up the young kids and the growing pains begin and the losses build up. The Rangers fall in the standings but there is hope for the future as they get a top-five pick in the draft lottery. For argument’s sake, they don’t receive the first overall because let’s face it, they aren’t going to be that bad. So who does Jeff Gorton pick with their top five pick? Thankfully there is a bevy of good options.

With a high end pick the Rangers select either Filip Zadina, Andrei Svechnikov or Brady Tkachuk. Any of those three guys would be welcome on the team and all three have amazing potential to do great things in this league. Zadina and Svechnikov are snipers through and through and getting to play with Zibanejad, Chytil or Andersson is tantalizing as those three can set up plays for them. Zadina is currently with the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL where he has 35 goals and 28 assists for 63 points in 44 games. Zadina also played with Filip Chytil at the World Junior Championships on the top line for the Czech Republic, where Zadina had eight points (7G, A), while Chytil had four points (2G, 2A) in the seven games of the tournament. Svechnikov is currently with the Barrie Colts of the OHL where he has 30 goals and 18 assists for 48 points in 32 games.

Tkachuk was an absolute standout at this year’s world junior championship in Buffalo, and although he isn’t the sniper that Svechnikov or Zadina is, his value is in the ability to be hard on the puck and make his physical presence known. This isn’t to say that he can’t score goals, but he is a different type of player than the other two are. Basically, he’s an upgraded version of his brother Matthew, who currently plays for the Calgary Flames. Brady currently attends and plays for Boston University where has 7 goals and 16 assists for 23 points in 30 games.

The 2018-19 New York Rangers

Without further ado, here is the ideal lineup for the New York Rangers next season.

Forwards

Pavel Buchnevich – Mika Zibanejad – Eeli Tolvanen

Chris Kreider – Filip Chytil – Zadina/Svechnikov/Tkachuk

Kristian Vesalainen – Kevin Hayes – J.T. Miller

Jesper Fast – Lias Andersson – Jimmy Vesey

Defense

Brady Skjei – Kevin Shattenkirk

Mikhail Sergachev – Neal Pionk

John Gilmour – Tony DeAngelo

Goalies

Henrik Lundqvist

Ondrej Pavelec

Yes, this team is extremely young and will have some growing pains going forward. The important thing here is that there are some veterans mixed in to show the young guys the ropes in Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, Kevin Hayes, J.T. Miller, Brady Skjei, Kevin Shattenkirk and of course Henrik Lundqvist.

There are more questions of course: will Chytil or Andersson develop into a number one center? Can Mika Zibanejad put it all together and stay healthy? Is the defense good enough to succeed or do they need to add another veteran piece like a Ron Hainsey or a Nicklas Hjalmarsson? Can Hank keep up his stellar play?

One thing to note is that this team will probably not have any issues putting the puck in the net once the rookies get acclimated to the North American ice. A top six of Buchnevich, Zibanejad, Tolvanen, Chytil, Kreider and one of those top 2018 guys would be so skillful and full of potential. If they all developed right it could be the most talented offensive teams in Rangers history.

Now, there is one last thing. The Rangers could also opt to take a defenseman like Adam Boqvist, Noah Dobson or Evan Bouchard and in that case…

Forwards

Pavel Buchnevich – Mika Zibanejad – Eeli Tolvanen

Chris Kreider – Filip Chytil – Kristian Vesalainen

Jimmy Vesey – Kevin Hayes – J.T. Miller

Jesper Fast – Lias Andersson – Vinni Lettieri

Defense

Brady Skjei – Kevin Shattenkirk

Mikhail Sergachev – Boqvist/Dobson/Bouchard

Neal Pionk – Tony DeAngelo

Goalies

Henrik Lundqvist

Ondrej Pavelec

If the Rangers went this route, the defense would have just that much more potential and a puck mover like Boqvist, Dobson or Bouchard would be awesome to add to the d-corps on Broadway. All three are projected to go very high in this draft. Bottom line here is that a top ten pick for the Rangers would do wonders for them as the rebuild pushes on.