With the draft now in the rearview mirror, NHL organizations and their new prospects move onward into the next stages of attempting to build a championship-caliber team.
That being said, it's only fair to assess each teams picks and hand out some grades.
Here's our rundown of the Central Division.
Chicago Blackhawks
Draft picks
| Round | Pick | Player |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 39 | F Alex DeBrincat |
| 2 | 45 | D Chad Krys |
| 2 | 50 | F Artur Kayumov |
| 3 | 83 | G Wouter Peeters |
| 4 | 110 | D Lucas Carlsson |
| 4 | 113 | F Nathan Noel |
| 5 | 143 | F Mathias From |
| 6 | 173 | D Blake Hillman |
| 7 | 203 | D Jake Ryczek |
The Blackhawks didn't have a first round pick, but still managed to make a big splash in selecting an elite point producer in Alex DeBrincat. Chicago also did well in adding picks via the Andrew Shaw trade to Montreal, totaling nine picks on the second day. After their second-round haul, Chicago showed balance by nabbing a goalie, two forwards and three defenseman. DeBrincat has the highest potential, but overall, Chicago did well.
Grade: B+
Colorado Avalanche
Draft picks
| Round | Pick | Player |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | F Tyson Jost |
| 2 | 40 | F Cameron Morrison |
| 3 | 71 | D Josh Anderson |
| 5 | 131 | G Adam Werner |
| 6 | 161 | D Nathan Clurman |
| 7 | 191 | F Travis Barron |
The Avalanche got their man in Tyson Jost at No. 10 - a two-way center workhorse set to suit up for North Dakota next season - but Colorado didn't wow anybody after the first round. Morrison is a towering two-way forward, while Anderson and Clurman could turn into useful pieces on a blueline in need of an overhaul.
Grade: B-
Dallas Stars
Draft picks
| Round | Pick | Player |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25 | F Riley Tufte |
| 3 | 90 | F Fredrik Karlstrom |
| 4 | 116 | F Rhett Gardner |
| 5 | 128 | G Colton Point |
| 5 | 146 | F Nicholas Caamano |
| 6 | 176 | D Jakob Stenqvist |
The Stars nabbed 6-foot-5 power forward Riley Tufte straight out of high school, and followed up with five prospects that stand over 6-foot-1. Karlstrom developed strongly as his season progressed, and should become serviceable for the Stars. General manager Jim Nill addressed a dire team need by taking a goaltender. Although Point won't be with the big club, he shot up the Central Scouting Rankings from No. 17 to No. 4.
Grade: B
Minnesota Wild
Draft picks
| Round | Pick | Player |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15 | F Luke Kunin |
| 4 | 106 | F Brandon Duhaime |
| 7 | 196 | F Dmitry Sokolov |
| 7 | 204 | D Brayden Chizen |
With only four picks, it's difficult to declare draft weekend a success for the Wild. General manager Chuck Fletcher traded away Minnesota's mid-round picks in a series of questionable trades over the past few seasons, but went with three skilled forwards to help a Wild team plagued by an inability to score.
Grade: C-
Nashville Predators
Draft picks
| Round | Pick | Player |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17 | D Dante Fabbro |
| 2 | 47 | D Samuel Girard |
| 3 | 76 | F Rem Pitlick |
| 3 | 78 | D Frederic Allard |
| 4 | 108 | D Hardy Haman Aktell |
| 5 | 138 | F Patrick Harper |
| 6 | 186 | G Konstantin Volkov |
| 7 | 198 | D Adam Smith |
Nashville's blueline just got even deeper. Fabbro at 17 was a terrific choice, as was Girard at 47. Both have strong offensive instincts combined with a steady defensive game, and should both eventually find minutes on the Predators back end. Pitlick scored 46 goals in the USHL this season, while Allard had 59 points, as Nashville hit on both third round selections. The Predators put emphasis on size and skill, while stockpiling future assets.
Grade: A
St. Louis Blues
Draft picks
| Round | Pick | Player |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26 | F Tage Thompson |
| 2 | 35 | F Jordan Kyrou |
| 2 | 59 | G Evan Fizpatrick |
| 4 | 119 | F Tanner Kapsick |
| 5 | 125 | F Nolan Stevens |
| 5 | 144 | F Conner Bleackley |
| 7 | 209 | F Nikolaj Krag Christensen |
| 7 | 211 | F Filip Helt |
It's clear the Blues want offense, adding seven forwards to their crop of prospects. However, none of St. Louis' selections are bursting will point-producing skills. A multitude of late picks helped, and adding bodies to the system is a solid plan, but time will tell if Doug Armstrong and company chose an effective personnel.
Grade: B-
Winnipeg Jets
Draft picks
| Round | Pick | Player |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | F Patrik Laine |
| 1 | 18 | D Logan Stanley |
| 3 | 79 | D Luke Green |
| 4 | 97 | D Jacob Cederholm |
| 5 | 127 | F Jordan Stallard |
| 6 | 157 | G Mikhail Berdin |
Winnipeg confirmed the inevitable by taking Patrik Laine No. 2, then orchestrated a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers, ultimately moving up four spots for their second selection of the first round. With the pick, the Jets selected a 6-foot-7 behemoth in Stanley, but the choice raised some eyebrows as Winnipeg already has a multitude of towering defenders.
Afterward, the Jets created some balance by taking Green, a skill-oriented rearguard. Ultimately, Winnipeg landed a future star, and added mid-level pieces to a strong prospect pool.
Grade: B
