With the 19th overall pick (although the 18th actual pick, due to Arizona forfeiting their original first-round selection), the Nashville Predators selected Fyodor Svechkov from Lada Togliatti of the Russian VHL.
This season the 6’0” forward skated in 38 VHL games (Russia’s second-tier league), scoring five goals and 15 points, as well as 15 MHL games (the Russian junior league), scoring four goals and 15 points.
In seven games for Russia at the U18 World Junior Championship, Svechkov finished fourth on the team in scoring with four goals and ten points total.
Svechkov—ranked 21st on my final draft board—is an extremely mature player who lacks elite skill.