BLOG: Central Scouting release mid-season rankings

NHL Central Scouting has released their mid-season rankings of draft-eligible prospects.
Center Jack Hughes of the U.S. National Team Development Program's Under-18 squad is the top-ranked North American Skater, while right winger Kaapo Kakko of Finland's TPS ranks number one among International Skaters.
Hughes leads the U.S. U-18 team with 12 goals and 41 assists in 27 games this season.
View midterm rankings: [NA Skaters | NA Goalies | Int'l Skaters | Int'l Goalies]
"Hughes is in a special class all his own for the 2019 NHL Draft and the best is yet to come," said Director of NHL Central Scouting Dan Marr. "He is an exceptional skater who plays the game with speed and quickness, both with and without the puck. He possesses a package of skills and smarts that place him in the category of being a game-changer - his hockey sense is excellent, and his skill level is elite with the precision and quickness in which he can execute plays."
Kakko helped the Finns take gold at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship.
"Kakko is an exceptionally skilled power forward package who is in his second season playing a big role on the top team (TPS) in the Finnish league, where he has shown impressive versatility playing both wing and center," said Marr. "He is strong on the puck and to the net, and has proven he is battle-ready competing on the world stage - one of the few players who have the potential to make the jump to the NHL next season."