2018 NHL Draft: Tkachuk vs. Zadina

Choosing between left wing Brady Tkachuk of Boston University and right wing Filip Zadina of Halifax might come down to the preference of the team making the decision at the 2018 NHL Draft in Dallas.
The first round is at American Airlines Center on Friday (7:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN, SN, TVAS). Rounds 2-7 are Saturday (11 a.m. ET; NHLN, SN, TVAS).

RELATED: [Complete 2018 NHL Draft coverage]
Each player generates offense in his own way.
"The differences between them come more from scouting and drafting philosophies than anyone's talent and ability," said Dan Marr, Director of NHL Central Scouting. "Tkachuk and Zadina have the potential to be impact NHL players, and it's their style of play, skills and assets that will attract a team to select them."
Tkachuk (6-foot-3, 191 pounds) is No. 2 on NHL Central Scouting's final list of North American skaters. He ranked fourth in points (31), first in assists (23), and second in plus-minus (plus-15) as a freshman at Boston University in Hockey East.
Zadina (6-0, 197), No. 3 on NHL Central Scouting's final list of North American skaters, won the Michael Bossy Trophy as the top professional prospect in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League after finishing first in rookie scoring in the QMJHL with 44 goals and 82 points in 57 games during his first season in North America.
"Tkachuk brings both a skill game and a power-forward game, and he can dictate and control the play with his speed and physical attributes while creating and finishing scoring chances," Marr said. "Zadina is a natural scorer with an innate ability to always get open on plays, and he has a great finishing touch to capitalize on scoring chances."

Each excelled for his country at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship. Tkachuk finished third in scoring for the bronze medal-winning United States with nine points (three goals, six assists) in seven games. Zadina finished second for the Czech Republic with eight points (seven goals, one assist) in seven games.
In a poll of 10 scouts conducted by NHL.com, Tkachuk had a 6-4 advantage.
NHL.com sought the opinions of NHL scouts and analysts who watched Tkachuk and Zadina this season. They promised honesty in exchange for anonymity.

In favor of Tkachuk

"I tend to favor the North American guys because what you see is usually what you get as they age. Tkachuk may not be high end at the moment, but he has the bloodlines and ability to become a very consistent top-six forward fairly soon. Zadina has done extremely well in the [Canadian Hockey League], but that may not translate into the NHL at an early age. It may take some time, whereas I see Tkachuk stepping in like his brother Matthew (a forward with the Calgary Flames)."
"Tkachuk is a modern-day power forward. He can do everything and make plays and just wear you out down low. How do you argue with his pedigree? Look at what his father (Keith Tkachuk) did in the League and what his brother is doing now. He's seen and been around that, and I see no reason why he can't do that."
"I think we're seeing what Zadina is going to be; you know exactly what you're getting and he's going to be that player in the NHL, which is tremendous. The thing about Tkachuk is, I've seen his trajectory since watching him as a 15-year-old. He's on this rising line that I think will continue to rise, so I see a higher upside there. He can steamroll you on a 1-on-1 rush, and then toe-drag you the next time. He can play with hands on the half-wall on the power play, feather a pass or just rocket it to the top shelf. He has that combination and is still getting better. I'd hate to be the team saying why didn't we take him when we could have."

In favor of Zadina

"If you want the best goal-scorer it's Zadina, and we all know goals are at a premium in the NHL."
"Filip is not only a scorer but a playmaker. He's a scorer from the top of the circles and inside the dots. He can score from any area in there, but he can also make plays. I don't think he gets enough credit for making plays. I think Brady is terrific from the dots-down, in those critical areas."
"Zadina is the scorer and the skilled guy of the two. You'd be happy to get either player, but I can see Zadina playing in the NHL next season. You might not be getting a Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel, but you're getting a heck of a hockey player."