Zadina (6-0, 196) has 53 points (27 goals, 26 assists) in 38 games with Halifax. He had eight points and led all 2018 NHL Draft-eligible players with seven goals, including four power-play goals, and 37 shots on goal for the fourth-place Czech Republic at the 2018 WJC.
"Zadina has the quick, skilled game to capitalize on opportunities as well as having an excellent finishing touch," Marr said.
Tkachuk (6-3, 196), the son of United States Hockey Hall of Famer Keith Tkachuk and brother of Calgary Flames forward
Matthew Tkachuk
, has 18 points (five goals, 13 assists), 77 shots on goal, and a plus-8 rating as a freshman in 24 games for Boston University.
"[Rasmus Dahlin] will probably will go No. 1 in the NHL Draft, but second is pretty close with Svechnikov, Zadina, and myself; I think we're all right there for it," Tkachuk said. "Credit to those guys and it should make for a great second half of the season."
Tkachuk helped the U.S. win the bronze medal at the 2018 WJC, and was third in scoring with nine points (three goals, six assists) in seven games.
"This year there are three strong North American candidates who could vie for the top position; the rest of the top 10 will really be quite interchangeable," Marr said. "Svechnikov, Zadina and Tkachuk all possess the skills and attributes to be successful players in the NHL from an offensive and impact standpoint. Each can influence a game's outcome and all are competitive and consistent, which will make it tough for NHL clubs to determine an order."
Hughes (5-9, 170), a left-handed shot, has 14 points (one goal, 13 assists), 55 shots on goal and a plus-10 rating in 21 games as a freshman at Michigan. He had three points, all assists, and a plus-1 rating for the U.S. at the 2018 WJC.
"The game really just slows down for him; he has ice in his veins and poise everywhere," said U.S. coach Bob Motzko. "He has the great vision to make plays and every time he has the puck it's, 'Wow,' so he's a pretty special player."
Bouchard (6-2, 193), a right-handed shot, leads OHL defensemen with 54 points (15 goals, 39 assists), five game-winning goals, three overtime goals and 202 shots on goal in 45 games for London.
"He's the type of player you want on your team; he's quick to get the puck, quick to transition the puck and has a blast from the point," said Karl Stewart of NHL Central Scouting. "You need to respect that if killing penalties."
The top North American goalie is Alexis Gravel (6-2, 226) of Halifax. In 24 games, Gravel is 11-7-4 with a 3.28 goals-against average and .896 save percentage.