7 Underrated NHL Draft Prospects No One is Talking About

The 2019 NHL Draft features Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko, a top-2 that could rival that of the Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine combo that went first and second overall in 2016. But in a draft that features seven rounds, who are some of the prospects that no one is talking about? Here are the top seven:

7. Nolan Foote: Left Wing

Tri-City Americans v Kelowna Rockets / Marissa Baecker

Foote is a big winger at 6-3 and 187 pounds, and at only 18, he has time to add muscle mass to that frame. He also has good offensive skill, posting 63 points in 66 games in WHL. Foote could be a depth NHL player with potential upside, and his second round grade makes him a severely overlooked player.

6. Ryan Suzuki: Center

Barrie Colts v Niagara IceDogs / Vaughn Ridley

Suzuki has elite skill but had a down year in 2018 after recording just one point at the World Juniors for Canada. He did score 75 points (50 assists) in the OHL for the Barrie Colts and if brought up well can be an intriguing player in the NHL.

5. Bobby Brink: Right Wing

2017 NHL China Games - Los Angeles Kings v Vancouver Canucks / Yifan Ding

Brink is a late first round projected pick, but has the upside of an early first rounder. He tallied 68 points in 43 games in the USHL for Sioux City and also scored three times in five World Junior Games.

4. Spencer Knight: Goaltender

Los Angeles Kings v New Jersey Devils / Bruce Bennett

Spencer Knight may be the best goaltending prospect to come into the draft in quite some time, with several comparisons to Andrei Vasilevsky. Yet for someone who posted a .936 save percentage and a 1.51 goals against average in six World Junior games, the 32nd rank seems late.

3. Alex Turcotte: Center

2019 NHL Stanley Cup Final - Game Four / Bruce Bennett

It is hard to say he is underrated, but Turcotte is not mentioned when talking about the best players in the draft often. He may be undersized, but the University of Wisconsin commit had 62 points in 37 games for the US Under-18 National team, including nine points in seven World Junior Games.

2. Anttoni Honka: Defenseman

2017 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic - Practice Day & Family Skate / Dilip Vishwanat

Ranked as a late first or early second round pick, Honka is a boom or bust type player who has had experience playing in the Finnish Elite League. His numbers don't stand out but he is solid at both ends of the ice and did post 11 points in 17 playoff games last season.

1. Arthur Kaliyev: Left Wing

Hamilton Bulldogs v Peterborough Petes / Claus Andersen

Kaliyev is ranked toward the bottom of the first round but he has immense offensive talent and could very well be a star in the NHL. Playing for the Hamilton Bulldogs of the OHL, Kaliyev had 51 goals and 51 assists, tallying 102 points in just 67 games.