Four QMJHL players taken in first round

Fyodor Svechkov is now a member of the Nashville Predators organization.

Svechkov, taken 23rd overall by the Saint John Sea Dogs in the 2020 CHL Import Draft, was selected with the 19th overall pick in Friday's opening round of the 2021 NHL Draft. Many publications had him going a few spots higher, so this could be seen as a small slide.

It remains very unlikely Svechkov, 18, reports to Saint John.

Nashville gets a terrific two-way center in Fyodor Svechkov. Skilled and responsible, he'll move over to SKA-St. Petersburg's organization next season, a great place to develop

— Ryan Kennedy (@THNRyanKennedy) July 24, 2021

Four current QMJHL players were selected on Friday night.

17th overall by St. Louis: Zachary Bolduc (Rimouski)

22nd overall by Edmonton: Xavier Bourgault (Shawinigan)

27th overall by Nashville: Zachary L'Heureux (Halifax)

30th overall by Vegas: Zachary Dean (Gatineau)

Rounds 2-7 take place on Saturday. Sea Dogs forward Peter Reynolds will very likely hear his name called at some point.

Other players to keep an eye are Sea Dogs forward Cam MacDonald; former Sea Dogs forward Joshua Roy; 2020 Dogs draft pick and Providence College commit Guillaume Richard; and former Dogs prospect Bobby Orr.

Some other news and notes...

• Four of the top five picks were University of Michigan guys. Wild.
• Boston University commit Tyler Boucher, who was projected to be a second-round pick by most, went 10th overall to the Ottawa Senators.
• The Habs selecting Logan Mailloux, who renounced himself from the draft a few days ago, with the 31st overall pick was the biggest shocker - and disappointment - of the night. Please read The Athletic's coverage on this situation.