"Tkachuk brings both a skill game and a power forward game," Central Scouting director Dan Marr said. "He can dictate and control the play with his speed and physical attributes while creating and finishing scoring chances. Both he and Zadina have the skills and assets to be difference makers."
Tkachuk, 18, was fourth for Boston University with 31 points (eight goals, 23 assists), was first in shots on goal (131) and second in plus/minus rating (plus-15) in 40 games. He also had nine points (three goals, six assists) in seven games to help the U.S. win the bronze medal at the WJC.
Zadina, 18, won the Michael Bossy Trophy as the top professional prospect in the QMJHL after leading league rookies with 82 points (44 goals, 38 assists) in 57 games in his first season in North America. He had 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in nine QMJHL playoff games, and had eight points (seven goals, one assist) in seven games for the Czech Republic at the WJC.
"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," Marr said.
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Bouchard, 18, tied for seventh in the OHL with 87 points (25 goals, 62 assists) in 67 games. He's the first defenseman to finish among the top 10 OHL scorers since Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis was tied for fourth with 101 points for Windsor in 2010-11. Bouchard also had five points (one goal, four assists) in four OHL playoff games.
"Bouchard, Dobson and Hughes have had strong and successful seasons and it will come down to what an NHL club is looking for," Marr said. "All three upgraded their status as the season went along. With our group of scouts it came down to style of play with their skills and assets and the upside projection which made a difference. But these differences really are minute and you can make a case for taking any one of them over the other."
Dobson, 18, had 69 points (17 goals, 52 assists) in 62 games, a sizable increase from the 26 points (seven goals, 18 assists) he had in 63 games as a league rookie last season. This season Dobson also had 11 power-play goals and 276 shots on goal.