In an era in which teams appear far more inclined to afford younger players the immediate opportunity to develop in the NHLrather than the minors or junior hockey, the attention paid to draft prospects seems to intensify much earlier in the season now.

No 2019 draft-eligible hopeful hashad thespotlight shine onhim for as long asspeedy,who some feel is a virtual lock to be the first player selected when the draft convenes in Vancouver in June.But what the last few months have shown us is that its time to makea littleroom on the stage for other prospects, some who even as early as October have distinguished themselves as candidates to challenge Hughes for first overall.

Yes, Hughes is a sublime talent with explosivene s and puck skills similar to what Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid displayed in their respective draft years Kyle Fuller Jersey .And sure,Hughes remains the consensus choicetofollow in their footsteps and have the honor of being the first one called at the draft. However, things may start tightening upnear the top, as a host of talented forwards from Western Canada and Europe have creptdiscernablycloser towardsmaking this more than a one-horse race.

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For starters, Ru sian wingerVasilyPodkolzinis everything you want in a player, let alone a draft prospect. The fieryleft winger oozes skill, leadership, physicality and elite hockey sense, and his burning desire to be the best player on the ice is matched by his brilliance with the puck. Over in Finland, forwardKaapoKakkois more than just an awesomesoundingname Sherrick McManis Jersey . Kakko is big, strong, quick and versatile while playing a top-line role as either a center or wing with TPS Turku in the elite SM-Liiga.

BothPodkolzinandKakkoare playing against adult-age competition, whereas the lighter, leaner Hughes usually matches up against players within his age group. Nonethele s, the electrifying seventeen-year-old Hughes was impre sive as he ran through a lengthy gauntlet of topflight NCAA competition.Furthermore, he and his loaded Team USA squad are obliterating the competition at the ongoing Under-18 Five Nations tournament inKravare, Czech Republic, where Hughes through Saturday hasregistereda (sixgoals, ninea sists) in only three games.

While bothKakkoandPodkolzinhave been impre sive this weekendagainstolder opponents at the under-20 FourNations in nearbyHodonin, Hughes near-historic performance inKravareagainst hisdraft peers is enough to keep for now the charging competition at bay.

The month of November always is a busy one in terms of tracking the progre s of draft prospects. There are nearly a half dozen international tournaments taking place, including the annual Canada-Ru sia Super Series in which each Canadian major junior league ices a U20 lineup of all-stars to play two games with their Ru sian counterparts.The event is a critical piece in finalizing rosters for the U20 world junior hockey championships, which will begin in Vancouver the day after Christmas.

Here are some additional draftstorylinesto follow as the midseason approaches:

Joining Hughes on the U.S. roster in Central Europe are forwards TrevorZegras, MatthewBoldy, John Beecher and Cole Caufield, plus two-way defensemen MatthewHelleson, Cam York and AlexValsic. There is talk that thecurrentinstallment of the National Team Development Program is the deepest bunch Jim McMahon Jersey in its history, and as many as 10 players could end up as first-round picks in June. Also, dont forget about NTDP center Alex Turcotte, who remains one of the top forwards Adam Shaheen Jersey for the 2019 draft but hasbeen limited due to injuries that kept him from participating at the Five Nations.

He may only be a teenager, butPodkolzincouldhave something in common with Alexander Ovechkin andEvgeni Malkinbeyond being born in the same country. The 17-year-old winger could become the first player drafted in the top five out of a Ru sian league since 2004 when Ovechkin andMalkinwere the respective top two picks.Podkolzinhas a long way to go if he wants to draw additional similarities to the aforementioned future hall of famers, but he is easily the 2019 drafts most complete player.

The only i sue is hes gone on record saying he plans on staying in Ru sia for a while, which could scare away early-selecting teamslookingfor animmediate impact playerup front. WhilePodkolzinis otherwise a lock for the first round, Ru sian junior leaguelinematesYegor Spiridonov and PavelDorofeyevfromStalnyeLisyhelp form one of the top lines in the MHL and have done enough ina short period to garner serious consideration to go early in the draft. If all three go within the first 31 picks, it will mark the first time since 2004 that at least three players from Ru sian leagues were taken in the first round.

MORE:Ranking the best, worst NHL farm systems for 2018-19

In terms of supplying NHL teams with draft picks, 2018 was an all-time low for the Western Hockey League, which didnt see one of its players drafted until late in the second round. Take it to the bank it's not happening again this year. James Daniels Jersey In fact, a strong case can be made that four of this years first 10 picks willcomefrom "The Dub."Centers Peyton Krebs, Kirby Dach and Dylan Cozens are throwback players who combine effort and heart with skill and speed.

Although its a thin year for elite defense prospects, Vancouver Giants rearguard Bowen Byrams leadership, decisive two-way play and nasty streak are reminiscent of a young Chris Pronger. Lastly, Victoria Grizzlies playmaking center Alex Newhook is one of the top players in the BCHL and will head to Boston College next fall.

1.Jack Hughes, C, USA U18 (NTDP)

Fast and flashy, Hughes has a clear understanding of the game and is the premier prospect for the draft for his brilliance with the puck at high speeds

: Jack Hughes is putting on a clinic. Here he completes the hat trick with a phenomenal individual effort. Team USA busts it open to take a 4-1 lead.Special player.

2.Vasily Podkolzin, LW, SKA-Neva (VHL)

A multi-tool force who plays nasty but also can beat you with ridiculous puck skills, Podkolzin's desire to develop in Ru sia shouldn't trump his game-breaking upside.

3.Kaapo Kakko, C/W, TPS (Liiga)

The top draft prospect from Finland is Leonard Floyd Jersey a low-maintenance playmaker who uses his size to his advantage.

4. Alex Newhook, C,Victoria (BCHL)

Newhook, who is headed t