• PROSPECT-UPDATE ARCHIVE
Now that the NHL trade deadline has passed, teams have locked down their draft picks until draft day. More picks will change hands before and during the draft itself, but for now, we have a pretty good sense of the teams that will cash in the most from this exceptions 2018 talent pool.
Detroit has the most picks with 11, but the round for one (coming from Philadelphia) is conditional. So the Wings have two first-rounders, two (possibly three) second-rounders, and two (possibly three) third-rounders.
The New York Rangers have 10 total picks, but their position is better than Detroit's and the best in the draft overall. The rebuilding Blueshirts will pick three times in the first round, twice in the second, and twice in the third. That's seven guaranteed picks in the top 100 of a deep draft. There's no question the Rangers can use that haul to bring in a new wave of stars, but they will have to be patient for two to three years before all of those players can join forces.
Only a few games involving draft prospects took place on Monday, but two players stood above all others in making this brief top-performances list. Meet this dynamic duo below:
JACK PERBIX -- The Minnesota high school sectional playoffs continued Monday, and Perbix had a monster game in a losing effort. The Notre Dame recruit did everything possible to keep Elk River's playoff hopes alive, only to see his team fall to Andover 6-5 in overtime at Duluth, Minn. Perbix ended the night with four points -- two goals and two assists. His first goal, scored with only three seconds left in the opening period, pulled Elk River into a 2-2 tie. Just 42 seconds into the second period, he had the primary assist on a goal that put his team up 3-2. He again came through in the third period with another primary assist at 10:16, pulling the Elks into a 4-4 tie. Andover took the lead again, but with 1:14 left in regulation, Perbix scored to force OT, where Andover got the win. In only two playoff games, Perbix scored two goals and five points. His 42 regular-season assists led the entire state, and his 61 points tied him for seventh. The Fighting Irish have struck gold with this player, who has a very bright future at the next level. (Note: Ninth appearance on this list in 2017-18)
DAVID TENDECK -- Vancouver's No. 1 goaltender continued to dazzle for the Giants, shutting out Kamloops 2-0 on Monday. Tended made 24 saves for his 23rd win of the season, earning No. 2 star honors. He stopped 10 Blazers shots in the first period, three in the quiet second, and 11 in the third. Although he didn't enter the season as a highly-regarded prospect, he now clearly ranks among the best North American goalies in this draft. His .918 save percentage ranks second in the WHL, and his 2.80 goals-against average is tied for second. With his third shutout of the season, he moved into a tie for fourth in the league. In four of his last five victories, Tendeck has earned a postgame three-star selection. (Note: Fourth appearance on this list in 2017-18)