2019 NHL Draft: Forbes’ Top 124 for January

• Forbes’ Top 93 Preseason Rankings
  

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It’s been nearly five months since my preseason rankings came out for the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. While some that sit atop the list remain the same – there are a number players rising and falling throughout the list. In August, we started with the top 93 prospects for the upcoming draft, but took it one round further this time around with the top 124 prospects.

Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko once again led the way in the top two spots of this month’s rankings, with major movement skyrocketing Vasili Podkolzin into the top five along with Trevor Zegras and Matthew Boldy into their respective spots in the top 10.

With a number of rankings out there – including those from fellow THW writers Ryan Pike and Larry Fisher – this list is just another opportunity to flood your head with draft-eligible names as the draft draws closer.

With that in mind, I’ve provided you with my top 124 prospects. While I haven’t had the opportunity to watch each of these players play live – being from southwestern Ontario – I am relying on the few opportunities I have had as well as video and other input in making up January’s draft rankings for THW.

January Rankings – Top 124

With five months between the preseason list and this month’s rankings, there were some major risers and fallers on the list above. That said, there is still time for players to change their fate when it comes to my rankings with a few months left in their respective seasons.

Post-Ranking Quick Hits

With the top 124 now ranked, there are a few notes worth taking a look at.

• London Knights’ forward Connor McMichael was the highest player to make his debut on my rankings. He missed out on the preseason ranks, but debuted in January just outside the first round at 36th overall. Through 43 games this season with the Knights, McMichael has 27 goals and 51 points.
• Kaedan Korczak and Philip Broberg both climbed 53 spots on this month’s rankings to 33rd and 20th overall respectively. Korczak has 19 points in 45 games in Kelowna this season while Broberg has eight in 31 games with AIK.
• Still one of my sleepers later in the draft, 17-year-old Brett Budgell is quietly having a good season with the Charlottetown Islanders of the QMJHL. He has 15 goals and 26 points in 43 games, but continues to play a blue-collar type of game. He finished ranked 170th on this month’s list.

  

As always, I look forward to your thoughts on this month’s rankings. Are there players missing from this list – or some that maybe shouldn’t be on it in your opinion? Be sure to leave your thoughts by commenting below or via email at andrew@thehockeywriters.com.