Should Jack Hughes have been picked #1? Redrafting the 2019 NHL draft

The 2019 NHL draft made up for a drop in quality from 2018. The 2019 class will be memorable for years to come. One key aspect of why is speed. The top 20 taken feature some of the fastest players in the game today.

It was a difficult task to complete and after going through the performances thus far, Jack Hughes has warranted his first-overall pick status. The rest of the pack, however, did need some shuffling.

Let’s redraft of the top 10 players from the 2019 NHL entry draft:

#1. Jack Hughes stays with the New Jersey Devils (New Jersey Devils)

Jack Hughes

It’s close, but Jack Hughes is the best player in the class, and the 2022-23 NHL season proves it. In only 50 games played this year, Hughes has 67 points, a ridiculous number. He is set to become the franchise player that New Jersey Devils fans have been waiting on for years.

#2. Moritz Seider is drafted by the New York Rangers (Detroit Red Wings)

Moritz Seider might be one of the most unique and valuable players in the NHL. He would look quite nice in Rangers colors in this class. Built like a defenseman but as fast as a winger, Seider won the Calder trophy as a rookie last season.

#3. Trevor Zegras to the Chicago Blackhawks (Anaheim Ducks)

Trevor Zegras

The Anaheim Ducks struck gold with this pick at nine, as Trevor Zegras immediately paid offensive dividends. Zegras is probably the most fun player to watch in hockey, and maybe would have kept the looming Chicago Blackhawks rebuild from happening.

#4. Spencer Knight is selected by the Colorado Avalanche (Florida Panthers)

Spencer Knight flies up to number four in this re-draft but he’s worth it. The Colorado Avalanche have tried to fix their goalie issues in past seasons with duct tape, trading high picks for veterans. Knight could have provided the stability they sought in the NHL for years to come without giving up future assets.

#5. Bowen Byram goes to the Los Angeles Kings (Colorado Avalanche)

Bowen Byram

Bowen Byram was a big pickup for the Avalanche in this class and showed in their cup run last season. Although Byram hasn’t been on the ice much this season, there’s still a boatload of potential for this young defenseman.

#6. Cole Caufield becomes a long term project for the Detroit Red Wings (Montreal Canadiens)

Cole Caufield came onto the scene from the University of Wisconsin with a bang. His rookie season went well, but since then, he hasn’t developed into a true franchise talent. There’s still a long way to go and there's every reason to believe he will become a top player.

#7. Matt Boldy goes to the Buffalo Sabres (Minnesota Wild)

Matt Boldy

Pundits thought the Minnesota Wild taking Matt Boldy in the mid teens was a reach in this class. Well, they were wrong. Boldly has developed into a forward with some of the most potential in this entire class and would have been a top addition for the Buffalo Sabres.

#8. Dylan Cozens is welcomed to the Edmonton Oilers (Buffalo Sabres)

Dylan Cozens has developed into a key piece on a resurgent Buffalo Sabres roster. Cozens has paired nicely with other young prospects in the organization as well and would have been a fine pick for the Edmonton Oilers.

#9. Alex Newhook is selected by the Anaheim Ducks (Colorado Avalanche)

Alex Newhook

Newhook isn’t the biggest player on the Avs, but he sure might be one of the fastest. Newhook has excelled at elevating the play of others around him, as his career +/- is +17. The NHL speedster would make an interesting addition for the Anaheim Ducks.

#10. Kappo Kakko joins the Vancouver Canucks(New York Rangers)

Rounding out the first 10 of the 2019 NHL draft, Kappo Kakko goes to the Vancouver Canucks. Kakko hasn’t lived up to the potential that the Rangers had when he was drafted second overall, but he has turned a corner. Despite a 17 game goal-less streak, Kakko is still having the best statistical season of his career.