HispanicAtTheDisco
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With the world juniors starting tomorrow, I feel like now would be a good time to start discussing draft eligible players, and which ones we hope to get at the draft.
Here are the draft eligible prospects at the world juniors expected to go in the first round, as well as a little bit about them.
Auston Matthews (C) – USA:
Matthew Tkachuk (LW) – USA:
Jesse Puljujarvi (RW) – Finland:
Patrik Laine (LW/RW) – Finland:
Julien Gauthier (RW) – Canada:
Alex Nylander (LW/RW) – Sweden:
Olli Juolevi (D) – Finland:
Charlie McAvoy (D) – USA:
Chad Krys (D) – USA:
Alex DeBrincat (C/RW) – USA:
All player descriptions are from www.thedraftanalyst.com/
Here are the draft eligible prospects at the world juniors expected to go in the first round, as well as a little bit about them.
Auston Matthews (C) – USA:
Consensus top pick since last season shocked the hockey world by playing pro ball in Switzerland, then proceded to be one of its top scorers before a minor back injury put him on the shelf. An elite playmaker who last season broke Patrick Kane’s NTDP single-season scoring mark, the Arizona native is the crown jewel of the NHL’s bite into the Southwest. Matthews is a wizard with the puck, specifically during board battles and cycles where he always seems to pull a play out of thin air. He’s got the puck on a string, and pretty soon the world as well.
Matthew Tkachuk (LW) – USA:
Savvy, atheltic power forward who’s strikingly similar to father Keith Tkachuk in both appearance and play. Shows ridiculous vision and delivers in the clutch, and a fearless mindset coupled with a mature frame can provide a club with a stabilizing presence in their top six for a long time. He might not be a quick as dad was during his pre-draft days at Boston University, but he’s still able to push the puck up the ice with authority.
Jesse Puljujarvi (RW) – Finland:
Another power forward with elite scoring ability, only this Finn owns the draft’s best anticipation skills. Puljujarvi owns an explosive first step, and his long stride and balance pose a nightmarish scenario for retreating opponents. The instinctive nature of his goal scoring is one thing; the way he can finish is truly a thing of beauty. He has been a fixture on Karpat’s top line for most of the season.
Patrik Laine (LW/RW) – Finland:
Massive and mature sniper who dominated a handful of international tourneys, then proceeded to tear up Finland’s premier circuit before a minor shoulder injury. A strength-and-finesse power forward with excellent accuracy and velocity off the pass, Laine’s natural feel for goal scoring is unmatched in this draft. He helped form Finland’s top line at the 2015 U18’s, where it lost in overtime to the U.S. in the gold medal game.
Julien Gauthier (RW) – Canada:
Every year, this two-way stud is at the top of his age group in production. In 2015-16, he’s one of the CHL’s best of any age, and his unique blend of finishing and knowing his way around the defensive end are just a few of the reasons why Team Canada invited him to their U20 WJC Camp. With goal scoring taking a hit at the NHL level, prospects like Gauthier need to be gobbled up quick.
Alex Nylander (LW/RW) – Sweden:
Explosive player in both speed and scoring ability, the son of former NHL set-up man Michael Nylander is not necessarily cut from a similar cloth; he’s shifty, elusive and creative like his dad, but he’s also a sniper with a quick release who can murder you in the transition game. Nylander showed he didn’t mess around with the disc while playing on the flank of Sweden’s top line at the Hlinka — he loves to shoot the puck and it shows.
Olli Juolevi (D) – Finland:
Some might say it’s hard for a player to distinguish himself if he plays on a loaded roaster in his draft year. We don’t. This Finn is built perfectly for the modern game: smooth, coordinated, skilled and highly intelligent. He’s beginning to show the discipline required to handle heavy pressure in his own end.
Charlie McAvoy (D) – USA:
The Long Island native is already playing on Boston University’s top pairing and helping the power play, displaying the same confidence and flair which made him stand out among older players at the U18’s last April.
Chad Krys (D) – USA:
Excellent athlete who runs a Team USA power play loaded with skilled puck movers in any of its units. Outstanding at using his vision and skating to calmly set plays up in the opposing end, Krys is part of David Quinn’s ridiculous 2016-17 recruiting class at Boston University, which may very well ice five 2016 first rounders on opening night next fall. Krys is a first-round talent with some fixable defensive deficiencies, but the production hasn’t come thus far.
Alex DeBrincat (C/RW) – USA:
Size, schmize. This kid — all 5’7 of him — can flat out score, and does so because of hustle, determination and the softest set of hands of any draft eligible. The Michigan native is slippery and quick, but not only when he can sense a scoring opportunity. He’s going to make it to the highest level because he’s proven to score with or without help.
All player descriptions are from www.thedraftanalyst.com/
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