One of Russia’s fastest-skating rearguards also plays a physical game, but Bychkov’s at his best when he takes command of the puck and uses his wheels to dart and weave through the neutral zone. You’d like to see a defender with his strength and leg drive to not back in as much as he does during opposing entry attempts, but he makes up for it by finishing his checks with authority and using a quick stick to free the puck from either corner. – Steve Kournianos, The Draft Analyst

One of the bigger surprises from last year’s draft was the omission of this cerebral two-way defender, who was one of the youngest prospects among his 2018 draft peers. This season, Bergeron is playing like a teenager possessed, as he’s one of the top scoring defensemen and playing big minutes Rouyn-Noranda. His combination of skating, size and quick thinking should land him the NHL contract he should have received last year. – Steve Kournianos, The Draft Analyst

Bergeron is a great skater with above average lateral agility and speed. He uses both of these abilities to his advantage offensively and on the power play. He makes good decisions with the puck and likes to rush the puck out of his own zone. His wrist shot is good, it’s accurate, hard and he possesses a quick release. His passing game is also very strong while his feeds are both hard as well as on target. Furthermore, his puck placement is excellent enough to orchestrate a teammate’s one timer’s. Notwithstanding all his strengths, Bergeron does need to escalate his physical play as well as his defensive awareness, but his overall hockey IQ is very good and continues to improve. He rarely makes bad decisions when placed in the offensive zone. – Finlay Sherratt, The Puck Authority

Czech defenseman Haš has been spending his second year in a row in Finland, playing mostly for Tappara U20 team in Jr. A SM-liiga which is the top junior league in the country. He’s also been a regular with Czech national teams at the junior level, and he’s always been one of their best players. Haš is a two-way defenseman with great size at 6-foot-4. He isn’t overly physical but definitely has the type of body that allows him to be more physical later on. He also has that always-valuable right-handed shot from the blue line. He does a good job moving the puck and joining the rush but doesn’t do anything fancy offensively. He has a good shot and he’s not afraid to use it. He has upside to become a number four defenseman at the NHL level but may end up peaking as a reliable bottom-pair guy. But he has a lot of qualities that are valuable to NHL teams which gives him good NHL certainty. –Jokke Nevalainen, Dobber Prospects

Defensively able big man with a long reach and an active stick. Is poise and patient with the puck on the offensive side has pretty good footwork and feet for prospect his side, even his lateral and backward skating is really decent too. Has a strong straight ahead North-South stride. A very good passer who can lay short precision passes on teammate’s stick, and is adept at threading the needle with neat stretch passes. Will occasionally use his size to his favor. There are negatives too. He shows poise in his carries, but caves when under heavy pressure. Needs more power in his skating and can get beaten wide and also get stuck on the wrong side of pucks. Projects as a long term project who rounds out his skills and game eventually. – Bill Placzek, Draft Site

Smart smaller compact winger who understands what it takes to win and does it, every shift. Due to the fact he got to play nest to Morgan Frost, he was a afforded the time to advance his game while without the puck, creating space, racing coverage and finding the soft spots. Relentless in puck pursuit as he goes fast and hard into the corners does so many things that help his team win. Kills penalties and is determined to continue his upward climb. Finished with 27 goals and 61 points in 65 games He is the a player you can slide up and down your line-up through four lines, but you wish you had one for each of the lines. – Bill Placzek, Draft Site

MacKay can be an offensive threat in any situation. He can be the shooter on the powerplay as well as the setup guy. But he can be a threat on the PK as well. MacKay has an above average shot with good velocity, a quick release and deadly accuracy. Besides MacKay’s shooting ability, his other strengths are his non-stop motor and work ethic and his high hockey smarts. He is relentless in his puck pursuit and never gives up on a play. He leaves 100% out on the ice each and every shift and he works his tail off in the defensive zone as well. Defensively, he knows where he needs to be and uses excellent anticipation skills and an active stick to defend. The knock on MacKay however is his skating. Most would agree that he needs to improve his first-step explosiveness that is lacking, especially with his size. While I will agree it needs work, I don’t agree that is detrimental. It’s average to slightly above average. – Dominic Tiano, OHL Writers

Guskov‘s skating is the jewel of his game, as he has a fluidly rangy stride and crossover, and can gain speed carrying the puck, looking like a pro when he does so. Guskov also seemed to do a good job using his big body along the boards to keep pucks in the zone. Overall, he has tools that show some high-end potential. – Zach Thomson, Future Considerations 

Highly skilled centre who already is playing his first North American season with The Knights this season. Displays a high skill level in all areas, and is ultra-effective playing at a high speed pace. Dynamic as a scorer and playmaker, he plays a 200 foot game and exhibits a level of hockey IQ and maturity. London strong line-up has him relegated to left wing and fourth line duties in his initial North American season, but will eventually settle in to his centre position. He has an excellent shot but he at this juncture looks like a perimeter player, afraid to play the game in the high traffic greasy areas. Has a physical tools and a frame that will allow him to add muscle and girth. – Bill Placzek, Draft Site