NHL Entry Draft: NewDimension's Final Full Mock Draft for 2020

[newdimension]

This is my final, FINAL mock for this year's draft. For real this time. What a year. That said, I'm predicting Tampa exorcises their demons and wins the Cup this year, giving them the final pick in each round. Other than that, I'm about 95% sure this'll be the draft order. If not, then... oh well, it's been a long year.


Also, I'm not a scout obviously, just a fan that loves to follow the draft. Any and all comparables should be taken lightly, as everyone obviously isn't going to make the league and so on. However, when teams are making their picks, they're obviously thinking and hoping they hit on every single selection.

As per usual, there'll be a "tl,dr" per team summary at the end for lazy people such as myself.

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ROUND 1

1. New York Rangers: Alexis Lafreniere, LW
He's been the obvious choice for a while. After losing the buy-in, the Rangers get some luck with a lottery win. He'll go great with their current core, including Kaapo Kakko and should lead the way into being part of their new wave of talent. He's got future leader potential written all over him.

Comparison: He's a mix of Jamie Benn and Elias Pettersson. Even though he's not a center, he plays like one from the wing, owning excellent playmaking and two-way skill. He's built like a bull and plays an excellent all-around game with zero deficiencies.



2. Los Angeles: Quinton Byfield, C
Unless they trade back and target Jamie Drysdale, I think Byfield is their guy. He'd be a perfect fit, allowing him to learn from the likes of Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty, who'll both groom him to be the next star for their franchise.

Comparison: Mark Scheifele. He's got the potential to be a top line center that can help a franchise out in many ways. He's got the perfect size, playmaking skill and speed to be a dangerous offensive threat whenever he's on the ice.



3. Ottawa [from San Jose]: Tim Stuetzle, LW/C
At this point, the Sens grab the best player available. That'd be Stuetzle, whom they hope can develop into a #1 center for them, even if he's mostly played as a winger. There's no way they can pass on his electric, offensive upside. Impressively ties fellow German, Leon Draisaitl, as the highest drafted country-mate ever.

Comparison: Mathew Barzal. He's got bonafide blazing speed and tons of playmaking skill and offensive talent. He's been playing as a left winger, but has the capability, sight and vision to play center as well.



4. Detroit: Cole Perfetti, LW/C
There's a lot of smoke and fire to Perfetti going to the Wings. We know Kris Draper is tight with the Perfetti family, so he could definitely be of service to them, especially if they can convert him to play center. They need offensive firepower in their forwards, which is exactly the type of game he supplies. His desire to potentially play center would be great for the Wings, as well.

Comparison: Nikita Kucherov. Outside of the top 3, he's the player most likely to have 100 point upside. While his current skating isn't as good as Kucherov's, they both share similar qualities in how they can equally setup plays as well as snipe the puck.



5. Ottawa: Jake Sanderson, D
Things should get a little dicey around this selection. It wouldn't shock me if they were high on Sanderson, probably even holding him higher than Jamie Drysdale on their list, considering their own love of players with size. If anything, he'd help reduce the absurb amount of minutes Thomas Chabot has to play, all while playing a stabilizing, two-way game. They've got a history of drafting from North Dakota, too, so it may tip their hand in that direction.

Comparison: Ryan Suter. He's an excellent two-way defenseman that closes gaps easily, can shutdown opposition and brings a well-rounded game to the ice. There's plenty of room for him to develop his offense, with his current defensive play already being near-elite. His presence can be felt in all 3 zones thanks to his puck-movement and defensive skill.



6. Anaheim: Jamie Drysdale, D
Having a gaping hole on their right side of defense, Drysdale would make a perfect hit, filling it seamlessly. We've all seen how well puck-moving defensemen have performed in these playoffs, which could give both Sanderson and now Drysdale a good push up draft lists. They can use their other picks to draft some other talent upfront, including a sniper.

Comparison: Kris Letang. I think the team that drafts Drysdale hopes he can become a player along the likes of Letang. Maybe not a truly elite #1 defenseman. Instead, someone that helps keep the puck moving, can put points on the board and helps with the transition game.



7. New Jersey: Marco Rossi, C
I know they have similar other smaller, talented players in their organization, but Rossi would be the best player at this position and they'd just have to take them. It'd allow them to shift one of their other centers to the wing, or maybe even Rossi himself, setting up a dynamite offensive core. With their connections to the Ottawa 67's over the years, they likely know what they're getting in Rossi and are thus willing to give him a chance.

Comparison: Take Nicklas Backstrom's two-way talent, playmaking skill and slower, cerebral vision and skating; then mix it in with Brad Marchand's competitiveness and determination. That's essentially Rossi right there. Standing only 5'9", his height keeps him out of the top 5. Fortunately, he makes up for it with a bevy of talent. It's a little out of ordinary comparison, for an out of ordinary prospect with high offensive potential.



8. Buffalo: Lucas Raymond, RW/LW
Even with the huge turnover in Buffalo's scouting staff, I think the selection would be an easy one to make. Raymond's looked outstanding in the early portion of the year, which would be an amazing addition to the Sabres forward group. There's even some possibility of him playing as a center since he has the playmaking smarts and two-way skill to do so. He legit could go anywhere from #3 overall to #10.

Comparison: Artemi Panarin. A competitve, playmaking winger that loves to provide offense and plays to win every night. He can be an ultra-offensive, top end guy, even potentially playing center if necessary. Lack of playing time last year dropped him a little in standings, but he's been looking great early on this season.




9. Minnesota: Anton Lundell, C
With Judd Brackett now running their draft, they may turn towards an analytics route, which is where Lundell really shines. While concerns over his lack of offensive upside remain, there's still a lot to like, especially if you're a team needing center prospects such as the Wild. He's looked good in pre-season play overseas, so they may be inclined to take him.

Comparison: Jordan Staal; with a higher upside of Sean Couturier, if he can put it all together. He profiles as an excellent shutdown type of #2 center. While his offensive may not be as high, he can still put up respectable numbers. He's the type of guy you throw out there to help you win games and protect leads late in the game.



10. Winnipeg: Alexander Holtz, RW
I don't think the Jets are a team that's known for drafting local talent, so they may pass on drafting Seth Jarvis. Instead, I think the Jets keep it simple and draft the best player available, unless there's a trade, which is possible. The best player on the board would be Alexander Holtz, opening them up for various possibilies down the line. For example, if they want to trade Patrik Laine, they'd have the extra-reassurance in goal-scoring from Holtz, allowing them to address other areas.

Comparison: Filip Forsberg. Unlike countrymate, Lucas Raymond, Holtz is a little more physically developed and uses his pure shooting skill to provide offense.




11. Nashville: Jack Quinn, RW
They could definitely think hard on drafting Askarov or Jarvis. However, their historical luck with Russians hasn't been good and Quinn's a little bigger, so they pass on both. After drafting Philip Tomasino last year, they may be more inclined to take chances on CHL talent, opting to give Jack Quinn a shot. They need someone to be a goal scorer and he could definitely fill that roll for them in the future, playing alongside Tomasino.

Comparison: Brock Boeser. He's another goal-scorer/sniper for this draft. He's a little older, having just missed the cutoff date for last year's draft, but you can't deny he knows how to put the puck in the net in different ways.



12. Florida: Kaiden Guhle, D
In reality, if I were to be a betting man, I'd bet this pick is used to trade to another team for a defenseman, with Askarov then being selected by that team. Because this mock has no trades, I'll have Florida keeping their pick and taking the next best defenseman, Kaiden Guhle. He's someone they dream about pairing alongside Aaron Ekblad, giving them the defensive depth on their blueline that she sorely crave.

Comparison: Dion Phaneuf. He's a big, physical defenseman with raw upside and skill, who'll likely settle in somewhere as a #2-4 type of defenseman. Armed with a heavy point shot, he can probably put up a few points and can be impressive on the blueline with his physicality.



13. Carolina [from Toronto]: Yaroslav Askarov, G
Normally, they go for forwards with their first round selections... but they certainly didn't expect to be drafting this high. It's essentially a free first round pick for the Canes, who are rewarded with this pick after taking on Patrick Marleau's contract. With their goalie depth a little suspect and with overall depth in all other positions, they've got to take a chance on him. If Askarov is already gone, I'd suspect they look at Seth Jarvis as an option here, or maybe even Dylan Holloway.

Comparison: Tuukka Rask. He's an athletic goalie with future All-Star starter potential. He tracks pucks well, is mobile on his feet, can easily kick pucks into corners and does all the things that a starter should do.



14. Edmonton: Dylan Holloway, LW/C
If things play out as is, I think Holloway would be their pick over, for example, Seth Jarvis. Holland seems to building a team that's bigger and harder to play against, feeling Holloway gives them grit, depth and size on their left wing, making them more difficult to play against. They're wanting to assemble a team that's more suited to playoff-style hockey and Holloway could be that type. Plus he's an Alberta kid, making him that much more enticing... and he's capable of playing center, which Holland is on record of looking for.

Comparison: Timo Meier. He's a speedy, versatile forward that can do a little of everything and can plot in on any line as a complementary player. A "jack-of-all-trades" type, he does a little of everything, from playing physical, scoring, adding two-way play, etc.



15. Toronto [from Pittsburgh]: Braden Schneider, D
It's not the usual type of Kyle Dubas pick, but it's the type of player that they need. The play-in proved that the Leafs are kind of weak defensively and physically. A guy such as Schneider helps even the field; and likely isn't that far-off from making the jump to become a pro.

Comparison: Adam Larsson, with a top end of Shea Weber. Schneider's a mobile, physical defenseman that comes to compete every single night and does a lot of heavy lifting in order to help his team win. He comes armed with a blistering point shot, as well. If everything can work out, he could become a Shea Weber type of defenseman... but that's the perfect case scenario. Otherwise, maybe he's more of a minute-eating, hard-hitting, hard-working Adam Larsson type of big, physical defenseman.



16. Montreal: Seth Jarvis, RW
The only thing keeping Jarvis from being selected higher is his lack of size. It certainly doesn't bother the Habs, who went with the tiny Cole Caufield last year. They can then use their other picks within this draft to take some sizeable complementary players to help with their smaller offensive guys. This is right around the area where Bob McKenzie's own list has Jarvis falling, so it wouldn't surprise me if the Habs struck gold here. That said, I'm a Habs fan, so maybe there's some wish-fulfillment.

Comparison: Brayden Point, but as a winger. Blessed with explosive speed and scoring potential, Jarvis loves launching dangerous shots on net. He can be a high-octane, high-offensive threat for years to come.



17. Chicago: Dawson Mercer, RW/C
At this point, Mercer's the best player on the board, with the Hawks being unable to justify passing on him. They tend to love their players with high hockey IQ, which is exactly his style. I could see him taking over from Jonathan Toews in the future as part of their leadership core.

Comparison: Rickard Rakell. He's a two-way presence on the ice, a guy that excels in just about every situation of the game. He's got high hockey IQ, a wicked release and fights hard for pucks. His versatility allows him to play wing or center, work a powerplay and even a penalty kill.



18. New Jersey [from Arizona]: Lukas Reichel, LW
Grabbing the 2nd German off the board, the Devils grab Reichel, loving the pure offensive upside he could bring them. At minimum, it'd give them someone to play alongside Jack Hughes or Nico Hischier.

Comparison: Loui Eriksson. Not the modern day, broken down Loui; moreso the younger version of him, but with more speed. Reichel loves getting shots off from high-danger areas, goes hard to the net to produce garbage goals and can play a solid two-way game.



19. Calgary: Hendrix Lapierre, C/LW
The Flames have focused on the QMJHL a lot more in recent years. If it's true that Lapierre's concussion issues have been cleared, and were actually cervical spine issues, that'd be great news for him, since it's a much more treatable injury. It's early on in the year and he's looked great in pre-season play; much more like the player that dominated the previous Hlinka.

Comparison: Paul Stastny. Without the injury fears, he's a borderline top 10 pick due to his pure playmaking skill and two-way smarts. Injuries wrecked his previous season and he'll be looking to bounce back this year, which is quite possible if he can get everything back on track.



20. New Jersey [from Vancouver]: Helge Grans, D
With 3 first round selections, the Devils reserve the ability to take a high-risk chance on a player. That could be Helge Grans, who's a little chaotic with the puck, but could have tremendous upside thanks to his size, skating and smarts.

Comparison: Rasmus Ristolainen. Grans is a rangy, two-way defenseman that can work both special teams units and has good size and mobility for transitions. He can be chaotic in his own end, but it wouldn't shock me if teams were higher on him than expected due to his tools. He profiles as a potential top 4 defenseman.



21. Columbus: Rodion Amirov, LW
They've made some really smart selections from Russian these past few years. Amirov would be another one of those. He's looked good early on in the season and should provide some two-way, scoring depth that would fit well within the Blue Jackets's system.

Comparison: Reilly Smith. As a two-way forward, Amirov's a defensively-responsible forward that can strip pucks from opponents, provide offense and is a forward with definite top 6/top line potential. He can play any role and position given to him, making him a highly sought after prospect.



22. New York Rangers [from Carolina]: Connor Zary, C
Needing center depth, the Rangers take Zary, fulfilling that need. They've got a western scout that can push for players and Zary seems like someone that could potentially fill in as a #2/3 type of center for them in the not-so-distant future.

Comparison: Bryan Little. He's one of the older players in the draft, missing the cutoff from last year's draft by just a few days. All that said, he's a hard-working, versatile center that can lineup in any position and provides offense and defense in a depth role. Maybe not a high-end guy, but a Swiss Army Knife type that could help a team win important matchups by providing two-way play and some offensive skill.



23. Philadelphia: Mavrik Bourque, RW/C
When the Flyers make their first round selections, they tend to draft on primarily skill first. If that's the case, Bourque would make an excellent addition to their already talented crew. Having drafted from the Q before, he's someone that'd fit well on their team, especially loving his sniping ability.

Comparison: Claude Giroux. Oddly enough, he's a lot like their own Giroux, right down to the statistics/numbers they produce. They even share the similar "lesser" skating ability and can be playmaking wizards, with an excellent shooting ability.



24. Colorado: Ridly Greig, LW/C
The Avs tend to love drafting their western kids. As such, Greig could be a possibility for them, feeling he's someone that could definitely fill a role somewhere in their bottom 9. They could definitely use a pest-like forward such as Greig, who can also be a physical warrior on the ice. With Colorado in contendership status, he's someone that can sooner slot in and provide hard work.

Comparison: Nazem Kadri is his potential upside, especially if he can come in and play center. It's not a 100% comparison, but there are some similarities. Greig's one of the younger players in the draft, leaving him plenty of room to grow and develop. He's known for his tenacious play, loving to throw devastating hits at the opposition. He can also pester opposing players and get them riled up, while going hard to the net. At the pro level, He's probably more of a 2nd/3rd line type of forward that buzzes around and helps his team with versatility, physicality and determination.



25. Washington: Luke Evangelista, RW
Washington's been known to march to the beat of their own drum, so going off-the-board and taking someone high on their own personal list could occur. Last year's selection, Connor McMichael, is also a London Knight and plays with Evangelista. For the Caps, they could be looking for some in-team chemistry to develop that way.

Comparison: Ondrej Palat. The first thing to notice about Evangelista is his smarts. He does everything mistake-free and profiles as a two-way, playmaking winger that does a little of everything. His focus will be on creating plays and bringing solid, all-around play, which could help him slot around a top 9 of a team.



26. St. Louis: William Wallinder, D
As evidenced by their Cup win last year, they love their players big and mobile, which practically screams William Wallinder. With Alex Pietrangelo walking into free agency, along with Jay Bouwmeester likely being done, they have some holes to fill on their blueline. Someone such as Wallinder could help fill those patches and they'd give him ample developmental time.

Comparison: Tyler Myers. He's a big, puck-moving defenseman with upside. While his defensive play is clearly lacking, he'll work best when he's transitioning the puck, which should help him put up some points. He's the type of guy you pick for upside and hope he pans out.



27. Anaheim [from Boston]: Jacob Perreault, RW
As stated with their first selection, they could be on the hunt for a sniper. With Perreault practically falling into their hands, it'd be hard not to select him. With Drysdale and now Perreault, it gives them a solid core moving forward.

Comparison: Phil Kessel. Like Kessel, he can run hot and cold. He suffers through bouts of inconsistency, but he has the potential to be a big offensive producer and goal scorer. He's got some weird skating issues that need to be fixed... but in terms of speed, he's pretty good.



28. Ottawa: Tyson Foerster, RW
They need a sniper to play alongside Tim Stutzle on the right wing for the future. Enter Tyson Foerster, who they feel would be perfect for the role. Feeling they've addressed a lot of issues with their 3 first round selections, they can wait on Foerster to work on his skating issues, thinking their rebuild is well on their way to success.

Comparison: James Neal. He's a big winger with a lethal shooting ability, much like Neal. He also suffers from similar setbacks, such as poor skating ability, overall committment and isn't a physical guy for his size. That said, his game as a pro will be all about using his shot and putting pucks on the net.



29. Vegas: Justin Barron, D
As we've noticed in the playoffs, Vegas loves their defensemen to have excellent size and speed, both of which Barron has. Blood clot issues could propel him down the board, with Barron looking to rebound next season. At this spot in the draft, it'd be a wise move for Vegas, who hope to hit a homerun with him.

Comparison: Brady Skjei. He's a big, mobile defenseman that's decent on transition and has some upside. Going into the year, he was thought of as a top prospect, with illness playing a vital role in his drop. Now that he's healthy, he expects to have a much improved developmental path.



30. Dallas: Noel Gunler, RW
Knowing that the Stars love their forwards to have ample size, Gunler seems like the perfect selection for them in this range. Secondly, they'd be thrilled he's still even there. They've taken some Swedes in the past, so it wouldn't be out of the ordinary for them.

Comparison: Denis Gurianov. The main concerns over Gunler are issues related to attitude and his compete level... which I think are both overblown. In my opinion, he's a top 15 talent, probably even a top 10 guy overall. That said, he could slip and some team could run to the bank with him.



31. San Jose [from Tampa Bay]: JJ Peterka, RW/LW
The Sharks have pretty good history with Germans. Peterka would be the third countrymate off the board and would add good depth to the Sharks's wings, which needs to be built up. He's a high-floor type of player, so he likely slots in sooner rather than later.

Comparison: Chris Higgins. Questions surround his overall offensive upside; but his speed and determination could make him a two-way scoring threat, possibly on a 2nd line. That noted speed helps him in various situations and he seems like the type that'd crash the net to look for rebounds and score goals, which is always a positive.



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ROUND 2



32. Detroit: Marat Khusnutdinov, C
Starting day 2, the Wings could bolster their depth at center by taking the undersized, yet fiery Russian, Marat Khusnutdinov. He could be a first round candidate if a certain team really likes him. For now, I could see the Wings taking a liking to him, hoping he can produce in a top 9 role, at the very least.

Comparison: Anthony Beauvillier. Even with his lack of height, he's got tantalizing skill, speed and tenacity that every team loves. He'll come at you non-stop, having a relentless will to keep battling and fighting.



33. Ottawa: Brendan Brisson, LW/C
They've likely seen how well he performed at the previous World Junior A Challenge and love the sniping ability he could bring. They've got good history of selecting Americans, so he might be a choice at this location. He's got first round potential, too, so it wouldn't surprise me if he was taken in the top 31.

Comparison: Mike Hoffman. Brisson's a skilled player that's armed with a laser one-timer, an array of shots and all-around offensive prowess. He stood out at the World Junior A Challenge last year and it vaulted him into the top 40 of lists.



34. San Jose: Jan Mysak, LW/C
The Sharks would love to grab him at this spot, in my opinion. He'd join fellow Czech forward, Thomas Hertl, whom could take him under his wing and provide him with some guidance. His versatility is similar to Hertl's, able to play center or wing, which would be tremendous for the Sharks.

Comparison: Adam Henrique. He's a versatile forward that plays center or wing, has good speed, put up good numbers after coming over to play in the OHL and can kill you on a penalty kill by stripping opponents of pucks.



35. Los Angeles: Topi Niemela, D
They've made a few successful selections from Finland in previous years. Niemela could be another one. To add to that, they need some more defensemen in their core. It gives them another guy to play behind Doughty on their right side, which is always a plus.

Comparison: Vince Dunn. Niemela comes across as a modern type of two-way defenseman that can add some offense, play with some physicality, excels in transitions and works hard all over the ice.



36. Anaheim: Sam Colangelo, RW
It's another big, goal scoring winger for the Ducks, who fits a lot of the criteria they look for in talent. He's the 2nd player taken from the Chicago Steel, with the Ducks feeling he'd make a good potential winger to play alongside a Trevor Zegras.

Comparison: He's likely a Joel Armia type of winger, but Anders Lee is probably his overall upside. While he needs to work on his skating, Colangelo is a goal-scoring power winger that loves to unload and shoot pucks. There's a lot of rawness with him, but there's also top 6 upside if he can put it all together.



37. Nashville [from New Jersey]: Thomas Bordeleau, LW/C
A project such as Bordeleau could be a nice pickup for them, especially if they go with Jack Quinn in the first round. Bordeleau's a two-way, playmaker that could even play center, making him an interesting choice. They tend to pick a lot of American plays, plus his dad played for and is part of the organization.

Comparison: Jaden Schwartz. Like Schwartz, Bordeleau isn't a great skater, nor does he have good size. Instead, he makes up for it with his hockey sense and offensive ability, especially when playmaking and launching the puck off his stick.



38. Buffalo: Ryan O'Rourke, D
If they miss out on Jake Sanderson in the first round, they may want to take a player of similar ilk in the 2nd. Their previous regime loved drafting defensemen. Obviously, I don't know what the new staff could do, but they could grab a few defenders to keep that area well-stocked.

Comparison: Jake Muzzin. Once he fills out and puts on more weight, he could become a nice complementary, calm, two-way defenseman that can do a little of everything. He'll be able to play an all-around game and be an on-ice leader for the team that chooses him.



39. Minnesota: Theodor Niederbach, C
Just as Torgersson goes off the board, his current linemate, Niederbach goes next. He gives the Wild another pure center to build around, hoping he has fully recovered from the injuries that kept him out last year.

Comparison: Derek Stepan. He's kind of an industrious, playmaking center with excellent smarts and good enough two-way smarts. He's one of the better centers still on the board with top 6 upside, whose skating may be some concern after previous injuries.



40. Winnipeg: Jack Finley, C
After missing out on a center in the first round, they may want to grab one here in the 2nd round. Finley fits a lot of what they look for in forwards, namely his size. It might be a little early for him... but then again, size is something you can't teach.

Comparison: Kevin Hayes is probably his upside; to maybe an Adam Lowry-like 3rd liner. Finley's a towering 6'6" center that has some skill and plays an effective two-way game. I'm not sure if his game has anymore upside other than maybe a 3rd line center... however, he's one of the youngest kids in this draft, so there's definitely room for him to develop and grow even further.



41. Carolina [from New York Rangers]: Joni Jurmo, D
He screams "Hurricanes pick" to me. He could legit go anywhere within the 2nd round, depending on whether teams want to take a risk on his upside and potential or not. With the 'Canes loving their Finns, they're willing to give him abundant developmental time, which he'll need.

Comparison: Filip Kuba. Kuba was a huge, puck-moving defenseman. Not overly physical, he uses his size to motor through the neutral zone to provide offense and puck transitioning. There's also similarities to Philip Broberg last year, with Jurmo, of course, being a lot more raw and with a little less upside.



42. Nashville: Tyler Kleven, D
Needing a big defenseman, the Preds could give Kleven a shot. He's not my "type" of guy; but thanks to his size, he's the type of NHL teams love taking fairly early. With Nashville looking for defensive depth, he could be someone that they'd like to add.

Comparison: Scott Mayfield. Kleven's a big, punishing, physical defenseman that's also armed with a heavy point shot. He'll make his bread and butter by playing a stay-at-home, physical brand of hockey.



43. Florida: Jake Neighbours, LW
They seem to be building a team that's difficult to play against. Neighbours a guy that's close to participating in the league, even if it's in a bottom-six role, able to do a lot of things to help his team win. With Florida a "bubble team", he might be someone that really intrigues them.

Comparison: Nick Foligno. He's a heart-and-soul type of winger that'll work hard for everything he earns. He can play physical, crash the net, stand up for teammates, block shots and score goals. Probably more of a hard-to-play-against type of middle-six forward that can bring tenacity and intensity to the game.



44. Toronto: Ozzy Wiesblatt, RW
After going with size and depth on defense in the first round, they take a chance on someone that's more of a Kyle Dubas pick. Wiesblatt's a guy that puts up good underlying numbers and stats, especially in terms of zone entries and getting off shots from dangerous areas, thus making him a true target at this point.

Comparison: Max Domi. A pure puck-hound, Wiesblatt is a relentless, two-way forechecking forward with an inate ability to play a transition game. He's great on zone entries, loves to go to the high-danger areas and can be a leader on the ice.



[b[45. Detroit [from Edmonton]:[/b] Daniel Torgersson, RW
After adding Khusnutdinov with their prior pick, the Wings would like to take someone with a little more size for their next selection. They love to draft Swedes, often deferring to their experienced Swedish scouting staff. With Torgersson off to a good early start, he could definitely be of value.

Comparison: Alex Tuch. Torgersson's got excellent size, skating speed and is known to rush hard to net and/or stand in front of the net to poke in pucks. He profiles as a nice complementary power forward to play on a skilled line; or could even work anywhere within a bottom-nine.



46. Chicago [from Pittsburgh]: Drew Commesso, G
By winning the play-in, they miss out on the chance to draft Yaroslav Askarov. To make up for this, they take whom they feel is the best goaltender left on the board. This is right around the area in which the next set of goalies tend to go, so I'd expect Commesso to be taken around here.

Comparison: Ryan Miller. He's a speedy, athletic, confident goaltender that has starter potential, can track the pucks intently and can be flashy on the ice.



47. Montreal: Emil Heineman, LW
With their new Swedish scout, the Habs could take a shot at Heineman at this location. He'd join fellow Swedes, Jacob Olofsson, Mattias Norlinder and Lukas Vejdemo as recently drafted countrymates from the organization. They could love his physicality and depth that he'd bring their smaller core.

Comparison: Brandon Saad. A successful year gets him moving up draft boards. The team that drafts him gets themselves a speedy winger that loves to throw the body and shoot the puck. He's the type of complementary player that fills a depth role, able to provide depth on any line and can use his body effectively at all ends of the ice.



48. Montreal [from Chicago]: Brock Faber, D
American developmental systems have been a haven for the Montreal in recent years. In need of some depth on their right side of defense, they could take a chance on Faber, loving the type of simple, yet effective game he brings. He's got a late birthdate, not celebrating it ntil next August, which means he's got more room for growth and development, something else they'd like.

Comparison: Brett Pesce. While he's a non-flashy, keep it simple defender, he's the type of guy that makes excellent carries on the transition, moves the puck along nicely and has potential to become a top 4 two-way/shutdown type.



49. Arizona: -- forfeited pick --



50. Calgary: Tristen Robins, RW/C
Having a few more right-shooting forwards in their system would be good. Robins is also gifted that he brings a ton of versatility and speed to a lineup, something the Flames would love. After breaking out in the 2nd half of the season, he surges up rankings, landing in the laps of Calgary.

Comparison: Vincent Trochek. Not a huge guy, he's a hard-working, efficient, speedy forward that has definite top 6 potential. He'll do the little things to help win games, along with providing offense using his excellent senses.



51. Los Angeles [from Vancouver]: Lukas Cormier, D
You can always grab size late in the draft or in free agency. However, purely talented puck-movers such as Cormier usually need to be drafted pretty early. Despite taking a smaller guy, Niemela, earlier, they second him by drafting Cormier, hoping both guys can help with their transition game.

Comparison: Samuel Girard. Like Girard, Cormier's got excellent skating skill, which he uses to move the puck along and provide two-way play. Will he be as good as Girard? It remains to be seen. His numbers aren't as good as Girard's, but who knows.



52. Ottawa [from Columbus]: Dylan Peterson, RW
Again, they go back to American developmental systems and take the huge Dylan Peterson. They certainly love their players to have size, with Peterson being the latest addition, feeling he'd help insulate players such as Stuetzle.

Comparison: Patrik Berglund. I think he could become like the younger version of Patrik Berglund when he first entered the league. Basically, big in size, can do a little of everything, brings some physicality, provide some depth offense, etc..



53. Carolina: Jean-Luc Foudy, RW/C
Carolina's known for their high-upside picks. If Foudy's still there late in the 2nd, Foudy would be of value here. They've been known to select guys from the OHL, with Foudy being the latest to add to that pile.

Comparison: Erik Haula/Scott Gomez type of speedy forward that loves carrying the puck and initiating breakouts. His blazing speed allows him to cause turnovers and setup plays. There's some risk with Foudy, though; since he didn't produce a whole lot this year, along with concerns over his overall upside.



54. Philadelphia: Vasili Ponomaryov, C/RW
They've tested their luck on some Russians in previous drafts. Maybe Ponomaryov is their next attempt at trying to lock down a skilled, two-way center.

Comparison: Vladislav Namestnikov. He's an undersized, two-way forward that's excellent on the walls, makes plays, produces offense and can do a little of everything. Maybe more of a middle-six type... but he can help in many different ways.



55. San Jose [from Colorado]: Joel Blomqvist, G
The Sharks need some depth in their longterm goaltending prospects. Blomqvist is the best goalie left on the board, making him the easy option for them to take. Ideally, he becomes their "guy" for the future and can take over from Martin Jones in a few years.

Comparison: Braden Holtby. He's a technically sound goaltender that could very well go on to become a starter in the NHL. He knows how to position himself to make a stop and can become a solid goaltender at best.



56. Detroit [from Washington]: Emil Andrae, D
Steve Yzerman again defers to his Swedish scouting staff, feeling as if Andrae could potentially be the defense partner for Moritz Seider. If they like what they've seen in Andrae's early start, they could certainly take a chance on him, even if he's another 5'9" player.

Comparison: Torey Krug. Standing only 5'9", he's a physically solid offensive defenseman that can be tenacious and throw some hits. While his current level of skating isn't on par with Krug's, there are some similarities in how they play and see the game.



57. Montreal [from St. Louis]: Will Cuylle, LW
For years, it seems as if Montreal has been hunting for the next power forward. With Cuylle still on the board, they've just got to give him a chance. While his season wasn't spectacular, he does show power forward potential, which is something the Habs would love now that they have some smaller players in their system. Together, he and Heineman can bring physicality to Montreal's forward core, something that'll be much-needed.

Comparison: Josh Anderson. Cuylle can hit, he can fight, he can throw shots on the net and goes to compete in the hard areas. He has all the makings of a modern day power winger.



58. Boston: Daniil Guschin, RW
The Bruins need offense pretty badly. While he doesn't fit the "type" of player they normally love, they could take a risk on him, loving his upside. He's an undersized, all-out offensive forward that plays with a bevy of skill, able to make plays as well as he can score.

Comparison: Nicholas Robertson. Painfully undersized, Guschin's a shooting goal-scorer that's also readily able to setup plays. He's an offense-first kind of player. Combine that with his lack of size and it could push him down the board.



59. Ottawa [from New York Islanders]: Jeremie Poirier, D
For all we know, Poirier could be the guy that torpedoes down draft lists, with teams opting to take some "safer" picks. He's probably the most "boom-or-bust" type of player in this draft. There's boom in the offensive potential he brings. He loves banging pucks to the net from the point, putting up offense, etc.. On the other hand, there's the bust factor, ie: his horrid defensive play. At this point for the Sens, it's worth the shot, even if they're already deep on the left side. It's another potential asset, allowing them to draft from a position of power.

Comparison: At his pure top end, Mike Green is probably his closest comparable. Think of a goal-scoring defenseman that puts plenty of shots on goal, but is less than desired defensively. Maybe he's more of a Ryan Murphy type that never makes it due to his lack of defensive smarts. As repeated, he's a boom or bust guy.



60. Los Angeles [from Vegas]: Jan Bednar, G
Taking a chance on a goalie could be wise for the Kings. Not celebrating his birthday until late next August, Bednar's got plenty of time for growth and development. While he's a little rocky right now; over time, they hope he can develop into a potential starter.

Comparison: Frederik Andersen. Bednar's got the size of a modern day starter, along with the potential. He'll need to work on his consistency and compete, but as a longterm project, he'd be a nice choice.



61. Ottawa [from Dallas]: Nico Daws, G
It wouldn't shock me if the Sens threw a pick at a goalie. They have a few guys already percolating, another guy would be a nice addition to their core. Daws is the first overager off the board, with the Sens stuffing him in the minors, letting him develop over time.

Comparison: Mackenzie Blackwood. Daws has the size and skill of a modern day starter. It remains to be seen just how high his upside is, but I could see him battling for a starter's job in the future... then again, you never know with goalies.



62. Tampa Bay: Shakir Mukhamadullin, D
Impressing early in the KHL season, it may be enough to get KHL taken in the top 62. I could see teams being split on him; but if he puts his game together, he might be a good selection. The Bolts need some blueliners in their depth and he could be someone they target.

Comparison: Sheldon Souray is probably his upside. A lot of places are down on Mukhamadullin, viewing him only as a "size" defenseman and with little else. Well, teams still draft size pretty high. Similar to Souray, he's got an absolute bomb from the point, which he'd use to score goals on a powerplay; and even has the similar size, skating and puck handling issues. He's a project pick for sure.


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ROUND 3


63. Detroit: Calle Clang, G
With a lot of the other higher-end goalies flying off the board in the 2nd round, the Wings would be smart to grab a guy here, before it's too late. Clang is another Swede, which they love, giving them someone that has potential to become a starter down the line.

Comparison: Joonas Korpisalo. Clang's a steady, calming goalie with excellent size and puck-stopping ability. He likes to keep things loose and can handle high-pressure situations.



64. Ottawa: Evan Vierling, C/RW
If they grab Tyson Foerster, they may as well take his current center, Evan Vierling, as well. Keeping them united could be a smart way to build chemistry, as they will both be playing for Barrie, with both of them having already shown good compatability. On the plus side, it would be another addition to Ottawa's center depth.

Comparison: Anthony Cirelli. While he probably won't be as good as fast as Cirelli has been, he's a two-way, playmaking center that should give the team that drafts him some certain depth down the middle.



65. Detroit [from San Jose]: Roby Jarventie, LW
They've taken a few Finns in recent drafts. Jarventie could be another high-upside/boom-or-bust type here. There's a lot of aspects of a future goal scorer, ranging from his size, to his speed, to his ability to work along the boards. If he ever figures things out, he could be a nice complementary, offensive goal scorer.

Comparison: Brett Connolly. A very toolsy goal scorer with good size and skating ability. He knows how to wire the puck, but has some problems when it comes to the defensive zone and lacks compete. Maybe more of a Viktor Stalberg type, if he can't put it all together.



66. Los Angeles: Wyatt Kaiser, D
With a mobile defenseman such as Kaiser, the Kings get someone that can help bring offense via their transition play. In an attempt to build up their blueline depth, they take whom they feel is the best defenseman available, hoping one of their picks can/will workout.

Comparison: Neal Pionk. He's a mobile defenseman that rushes very well with the puck and can even play with some physicality and two-way defensive appeal.



67. Anaheim: Ty Smilanic, LW/C
Unfortunate illness and injury knock Smilanic into the third round. Early in the year, he was thought of as a first rounder. The Ducks feel they're getting a steal here, adding some scoring talent to their forward core.

Comparison: Oskar Lindblom. Smilanic's a guy with decent size and speed, who loves to shoot the puck and could be counted on to become a complementary type of scoring winger that can have some physicality in his game.



68. Vegas [from New Jersey]: Justin Sourdif, RW/C
Vegas tends to love their western kids. If he's still there, Sourdif might intrigue them, feeling as though he's a pick with good upside. If he can work on his compete level, they might have an interesting middle-six depth option for their forward lines.

Comparison: Blake Coleman. Sourdif seems like a two-way type of winger that uses his hockey smarts, IQ and skill to produce. He's a guy that uses his speed and ability to run you over to work both sides of the rink, rushing to the high-danger areas to provide offense, much like Blake Coleman can do.



69. Carolina [from Buffalo]: Roni Hirvonen, C/LW
The 'Canes are able to make another high-upside pick from Finland. This time it's Hirvonen, whose lack of size and lesser skating ability could drop him down the board, even though he's got first round level of talent. With the amount of skill he brings, the Hurricanes would be through the roof.

Comparison: Yanni Gourde. He's a 5'9", feisty, talented Finn that can play center or wing. He's able to equally put up points and provide excellent two-way play that'd allow him to play in any/every role.



70. Nashville [from Minnesota]: Eamon Powell, D
The Preds love American defensemen. If Powell's on the board, they'd be hard pressed to pass on him, knowing just how much they need young guys for their blueline. He plays on the right side, which is a further bonus.

Comparison: Devon Toews. Not a huge kid, he's a speedy, mobile, two-way defender that'd help with transitioning the puck, keeping things calm and simple and could help by using his hockey smarts.



71. Ottawa [from Winnipeg]: Luke Tuch, LW
It's another pick for the Sens to insulate their upcoming talent. They love their Americans and players with size and tenacity, both of which Tuch displays plenty of. If he's there, he'd be an option for them to help fill out their bottom-six.

Comparison: Oskar Sundqvkist. He may not have as much offensive upside as his older brother, Alex, but he's still the type of player that works hard, plays physical and brings a power forward element.



72. New York Rangers: Samuel Knazko, D
Steve Konowalchuk is a scout with the Rangers and he's got very close ties with the Seattle Thunderbirds, who recently drafted Knazko in the CHL import draft. Based on that information, the Rangers could really like him, loving his ability to play on either side of the ice. They've drafted some T-Birds in the past and could essentially do so again.

Comparison: Filip Hronek. He's a very mobile, two-way, versatile defenseman that plays both sides of the ice, adding offensive skill and puck-movement ability.



73. Nashville: Carter Savoie, LW
After obliterating the AJHL last year, putting pucks in the net at an impressive rate, Savoie will be attending school in America next year. As such, Nashville picks him up, liking his scholastic approach, willing to give a shot to players coming out of Canada to attend US collegiate ranks.

Comparison: Mike Cammalleri. Like Cammalleri, he's an undersized sniper that's a little lacking in skating ability. Not saying he'll be a future 30 goal guy such as Cammalleri, obviously; but there's some similarities.



74. Florida: Alexander Pashin, LW/RW
The Panthers decide to shoot for the stars with Pashin, hoping he can overcome a lot of the things that knock him into the third round. His lack of size and the Russian factor make him a risky selection, with Florida hoping he can become a future star. They've taken some Russian talent in the past. Pashin wouldn't be out of the ordinary at this point.

Comparison: Kirill Kaprizov. Pashin brings an exorbitant amount of skill, albeit in a very small, 5'8"/5'9" package. Like Kaprizov, who we actually have yet to see at the NHL level, he loves to provide offense, either by scoring or creating via playmaking.



75. Colorado [from Toronto]: Ian Moore, D
The Avs need depth on their right side of defense. If Moore's still here, he seems like someone that they'd like to add, loving his combination of size and skill. All that said, he's coming from high school hockey, which is always difficult to get a true read on. It's best they be patient with him and see how he turns out.

Comparison: Jake Gardiner. He's a big, mobile defenseman with a lot of offensive tendencies and is a little lacking in terms of defense. He's got potential... just how high is it?



76. Chicago [from Edmonton]: Martin Chromiak, RW/LW
Coming over from Europe, having been imported from Slovakia, Chromiak put up respectable numbers. If he's still available, the Hawks should be thrilled, feeling he'd make an excellent addition to their scoring core.

Comparison: Craig Smith. He's probably more of a complementary offensive forward at the pro level. Think of him like Craig Smith, who can get a lot of shots on net and tries to be a quick strike type.



77. Pittsburgh: William Villeneuve, D
They've taken some Q talent the past few years. Things aren't out of the ordinary here, either, with the Pens giving Villeneuve a pick-up. Playing alongside Jeremie Poirier, he displayed good two-way skill, with his skating being the one thing holding him back.

Comparison: Olli Maatta. Like Maatta, he has a distint, slower skating stride that may hinder him from becoming a full-time pro. There's skill and potential there. He just needs to work on some aspects of his game.



78. Montreal: Daemon Hunt, D
Hunt's a guy that could go under-drafted due to the fact that he missed a good portion of the season due to a tendon laceration that kept him out for several months. Even though Montreal doesn't need more left-shooting defenseman, they could see him as the best player on the board, swiftly scooping him up.

Comparison: Ryan Lindgren. Likely a shutdown defenseman at the pro level, Hunt's got an underrated ability to also move the puck and keep things simple, yet effective. He tends to do all the little things a defenseman should do to help win games.


79. Chicago: Sean Farrell, LW
Often drafting for skill, the Hawks grab Farrell, who's been playing with the monumental Chicago Steel. Thanks to this, maybe he's caught the eye of the Hawks, who'd give him a shot.

Comparison: Tyler Johnson. Skilled, undersized, two-way forward that can do a little of everything, including provide offense.



80. Washington [from Arizona]: Alex Cotton, D
The Caps have been noted to draft from the WHL a lot. They've also been known to select some overagers. Mix the 2 together and they could have interest in Cotton, who exploded offensively this year.

Comparison: Cody Franson. After getting passed over last year, Cotton put up excellent numbers this past season. That said, he's still got issues to work on, ie: his skating. It he can figure things out, he could become a dangerous offensive weapon.



81. Calgary: Yan Kuznetsov, D
Just missing out on Cotton, the Flames take the next best defenseman on the board. Kuznetsov's a big, physical defenseman that'd fit in well with the Flames backend. Not only do they need physicality back there, they need bodies, in general.

Comparison: Brayden McNabb. Kuznetsov's a tall, stay-at-home defenseman that loves to lay the body and is decent enough at keeping the puck in motion.



82. Vancouver: Donovan Sebrango, D
Sebrango's versatility could get him selected fairly high -- perhaps even in the 2nd round. For now, though, he slips into the late third, where the Canucks grab him, loving that he can play on either the left or right side.

Comparison: Justin Braun. He's likely not a high-end, offensive guy. He'll be more of a steady project that keeps pucks moving with short, accurate passing, good positioning and all-around play.



83. Los Angeles [from Columbus]: Kasper Simontaival, RW
Wickedly skilled, Simontaival is a Finnish forward with some flash. His lack of speed and size keeps him from going higher. The Kings risk it here, with Simontaival being a boom-or-bust type of offensive forward.

Comparison: Jiri Hudler. Hudler wasn't the fastest player, but was pretty skilled and liked creating offense. If he makes it, Simontaival probably has a similar role.



84. New Jersey [from Carolina]: Yegor Chinakhov, RW
A teammate of current Devils prospect, Arseni Gritsyuk, Chinakhov has put up good numbers as an overager in the KHL. They take the risk on Chinakhov, who has done a good job of raising his stock.

Comparison: Oliver Bjorkstrand. No idea if he'll ever be as good as Bjorkstrand has been, yet there's some similarities. Namely, they should both play at the same height and they both play a game that revolves around their excellent shooting skill. On the downside, they're both not fast or skilled skaters.



85. Tampa Bay [from Philadelphia]: Thimo Nickl, D
Nickl seems like a guy the Bolts could like. Coming out of the QMJHL, they take him, adding some depth to their blueline. He's got the size and potential that teams would like.

Comparison: David Savard. There's potential for Nickl to become a physical, all-around defenseman. He can be hard to play against, also coming armed with a heavy point shot.



86. Florida [from Colorado]: Jaromir Pytlik, C/RW
We know they need depth down the middle. Even though Pytlik's offense hasn't developed as hoped, he still could become a bottom-six type of shutdown center. It's still something every team needs, including the Panthers. He may get drafted higher due to the fact that he plays center... but for now, I have him going in this range.

Comparison: Brett Howden. Big center that likely steps into a bottom-six and penalty killing role. His offense may not be as big as originally thought, but he can still become a useful player, including fighting hard on a penalty kill.



87. St. Louis [from Washington]: Maxim Groshev, RW
Groshev's the exact type of forward the Blues love: big, tough and physical. Already looking good over in Russian, he's the type of player that can be situated in a bottom-six role and crash and bang.

Comparison: William Carrier. While his upside may not be elite, he's the type of player that'll work hard in a depth role. A true character guy.



88. St. Louis: Brandon Coe, RW
Again, the Blues grab another big winger. This time, it's Brandon Coe, who's coming from a weak North Bay Battalion team. Despite that, he seems like someone the Blues could like, loving his combination of size and scoring.

Comparison: Zach Sanford. He's a sizeable winger that's able to get off good shots and can create scoring chances.



89. Boston: Samuel Johannesson, D
The Bruins have had some luck with Swedes in the past. Maybe they go back there and take the overager, Samuel Johannesson, with a 3rd round selection. Some analytic sites say his worth maybe that of a 1st round selection. It's worth a shot, especially with Boston's aging blueline.

Comparison: Shayne Gostisbehere. He's an offensive producer from the blueline. Not big in size, he'll be a transitional defenseman, who uses his mobility and skill to potentially put up points.



90. New York Islanders: Blake Biondi, C/RW
Coming straight from high school hockey, Biondi could have some hidden upside. Lou and the Islanders like these types of high-energy, two-way, scoring forwards that compete really hard. Needing depth down the middle, Biondi feels like a smart pickup at this locale.

Comparison: Zach Hyman. Biondi never stops working. He cuts hard to the net, can play physical and has some two-way upside that allows him to produce at both ends of the ice.



91. Vegas: Ronan Seeley, D
He's the type of puck-moving defenseman that Vegas tends to love. Again, they go to western Canada and bring in someone that can be a skating, shutdown defenseman.

Comparison: Andy Greene. His skating is superb. He profiles a low-maintenance, low-penalty minute type of defenseman that plays a sound positional game and is able to close gaps, chase down pucks and brings an incredibly smart game every night.



92. New York Rangers [from Dallas]: Dmitri Zlodeyev, C
Zlodeyev's an interesting prospect out of Russia. He puts together an incredible skilled, cerebral, two-way, playmaking game. If he was playing in North America, he'd probably be a top 62 talent. Alas, he's from Russia. Nevertheless, the Rangers take a shot... and if he never comes over, at least they can say they tried.

Comparison: Valterri Filpulla. A skilled, two-way, playmaking pivot that knows where to position himself in order to produce offensively and defensively.



93. Tampa Bay: Tyler Tullio, RW/LW
The Bolts would love a player who's engine just never stops. That describes Tullio's game to a tee. Even though he's not the largest on the ice, Tampa's fine with that, giving him a chance, hoping he produces in a depth role.

Comparison: Ryan Callahan. Tullio's a ball of energy who doesn't stand out in any one area. He's got two-way skill, works hard all over the ice and can be an on-ice leader.

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ROUND 4


94. Tampa Bay [from Detroit]: Carson Bantle, LW
Adding some size might be a wise move for Tampa. If Bantle's there to start the 4th round, they should take him and run. He played for a very weak team last year and was a standout. It could be indicator of future success.

Comparison: Jordan Greenway. Bantle's a big winger with good skill. Worthy of a selection in the mid-round range due to his upside.



95. Ottawa: Zayde Wisdom, C/RW
Not only does Wisdom give them depth at right wing, it gives them someone that'll work hard every shift and who brings a great story. For a young, growing franchise such as Ottawa, they'd love to add some character guys such as Wisdom, who work hard and do as much as possible to win games.

Comparison: Casey Cizikas. He's a stocky winger/center and workhorse forward that'll do a bit of everything to help his team. He hits, agitates, scores and can be a future leader on and off the ice.



96. Buffalo [from San Jose]: Brett Berard, RW
Being just a week away from being eligible for next year's draft, Berard's one of the younger players in this class. With their new scouting staff coming from American systems, it wouldn't shock me if they grabbed a few American kids throughout the draft, with Berard being one of them.

Comparison: JG Pageau. A bundle of energy on the ice, he's got a great motor that likes to go to the net, plays chippy and loves to contribute at both ends of the ice. That said, he's still a smaller kid with a capped ceiling. I'd consider him like a small power forward.



97. Los Angeles: Oliver Suni, RW
Injuries plagued his season, thus dropping him into the 4th round. But he and the Kings hope he can rebound next season, showing why he was once considered a first rounder in this draft.

Comparison: Ilya Mikheyev. Profiles as a middle-six type of winger that'll provide some offensive play, some speed and some good hockey smarts. Injuries are a concern, with some upside in his overall play.



98. Montreal [from Anaheim]: Michael Benning, D
In terms of heritage, this would be a great pick for Montreal. His grandfather, Elmer Benning, was a long-time scout. The only thing keeping Benning from going higher is his lack of size and the fact that he's coming straight out of a lesser league, the AJHL. He'll be going to college in the United States next year, which the Habs tend to love in their players. All in all, it seems like a good fit for both clubs, especially with the Habs needing more bodies on their right hand side.

Comparison: Ty Barrie. Benning's a playmaking, offensive defenseman that comes in a 5'10" package. He put up similar numbers as Cale Makar did in the AJHL... but that isn't to stay he'll be as good as him. If he makes it, I'd expect something akin to a Ty Barrie-like all-offense, below average defense type of player.



99. New Jersey: Viktor Persson, D
They've had some success out of Sweden before. They return there, taking Persson, who's a fine-sized defenseman with good mobility and skill. He plays on the right side, as well, making him that much more intriguing.

Comparison: Justin Schultz. He blends solid skating, with his good size and overall potential. Lots of tools, he just needs to figure it all out.



100. Calgary [from Buffalo]: Ruben Rafkin, D
He'd join fellow Finn, Juuso Valimaki, in the organization. Rafkin's a physical blueliner with good mobility and puck-movement. He adds further depth to their blueline, which is something they'd love to address.

Comparison: Michael del Zotto. He's a good skater that mixes physicality and rough-edge play into the mix. Maybe not a pure top end guy, but someone that adds depth to the backend and keeps pucks going forward.



101. Minnesota: Eemil Viro, D
Viro's a guy that could go anywhere from the 2nd round to the 4th. If he's still somehow still here, Viro would be a good choice for the Wild, who'd like to take a guy that can provide some depth.

Comparison: Mark Pysyk. I'd consider him a mobile, smart, low-key defender that's smooth in transition, keeps things simple and does the small players to help win. Not a huge offensive guy; and not quite a stay-at-home type. He's the type of modern day defenseman that'll aide in transition.



102. Montreal [from Winnipeg]: Dmitri Rashevsky, RW
A classic late bloomer, the Habs take a shot at the overager, Rashevsky, liking what he could bring. They've taken a few overagers in previous drafts and he'd be another guy to add to the pile. He tore up the MHL last season and is off to another strong start in the VHL/MHL this year. A nice gamble here at #97.

Comparison: Radim Vrbata. Not a great skater, Rashevsky's the type of forward that produces a lot of shots and can also be a playmaker. He's an all-around offensive threat with scoring potential.



103. New York Rangers: Simon Kubicek, D
He's another Seattle Thunderbird player. They drafted Knazko earlier. They could take Kubicek here, feeling he'd make a nice, complete defenseman with good size and upside. He was a big minute-muncher at the World Juniors, showing good two-way ability and providing some stable play. The Rangers will hope he can keep providing that type of play, increasing their depth on the backend.

Comparison: Jonas Siegenthaler. He's an all-around type of defenseman that provides good depth to a team's blueline.



104. Anaheim [from Nashville]: Alex Laferriere, RW
The Ducks grab another sniper, loving his potential. He's yet another American, which they tend to love, giving them more firepower from the wings. They'll hope he can become a future top 6 goal scorer.

Comparison: Troy Terry. Laferriere plays a skill game that revolves around his shooting skill. He can roof the puck and could have some upside as an offensive winger.



105. Florida: Veeti Miettinen, RW
They've had a good history from drafting from Finland. They could take Miettinen, who drops a little due to his lack of size and some skating issues. His penchant for putting pucks on net makes him a good option as a scoring forward.

Comparison: Viktor Arvidsson. If he were taller, he'd be a surefire potential first rounder. Alas, he's only 5'9". He's a shooting winger that has the potential to be a top 6.



106. Torondo: Rory Kerins, C/RW
There's a Soo-connection with the Leafs, with Dubas likely sticking his neck out for Kerins. There's a lot of potential in his game, possibly as a middle-six talent that'll work a multitude of roles.

Comparison: Dylan Gambrell. Kerins is the type of versatile player that you plug into your lineup to play role. He probably won't be a star, but can be someone to be relied upon to win faceoffs, kill penalties, fight for pucks and battle hard night in and night out.



107. Detroit [from Edmonton]: Jacob Truscott, D
Adding more defense to their pool could be a wise investment to their assets. Truscott's an effect, two-way defenseman that could step in a few years and play a very well-rounded game. It'd be hard to bypass him here. Bonus fact: he's a Michigan kid that grew up in the area.

Comparison: Alec Martinez. He's a mobile, effective blueliner that does all of the little things just right. He's good in transition, keeps pucks moving and can bring defensive stability in his own end.



108. Pittsburgh: Yegor Sokolov, LW/RW
Once again, they go back to the QMJHL, this time selecting double-overager, Yegor Sokolov, who's just about ready to step into the NHL, which is good for the Penguins, who need some cheap bodies to fill roles. While his skating isn't up to par, they hope it's something that he can continue to work on.

Comparison: Patrick Maroon. Sokolov's a big, heavy power forward that goes to the net in order to produce. His upside may not be high, but he's a big bodied forward that'll come cheaply.



109. Montreal: Yevgeni Oksentyuk, LW/RW
Oksentyuk attended Montreal's rookie development camp last year as an invite and got rave reviews. If they don't take him earlier, they grab him right here in order to shore him up and get him under a future contract. He should have been selected last year. He wasn't. It doesn't happen again, as Oksentyuk has proven he's the real deal; with the one thing holding him back is his lack of size.

Comparison: Kailer Yamamoto. I don't know if he'll be as good as Yamamoto, a former first round pick; but he's a similarily sized, feisty, in your face forward that loves to produce offense.



110. Chicago: Luke Reid, D
Needing a right-handed blueliner, they grab Reid, the latest member of the Chicago Steel to go off the board. He's also from Illinois, which is what makes him quite appealing for the Hawks. It'd be hard to pass him up.

Comparison: Caleb Jones. Reid's an athletic, two-way defenseman with some skill and ability to play in multiple roles. Likely battles for a depth role in the future.



111. Arizona: Dylan Garand, G
It's a chaotic situation right now in Arizona. This is their first pick of the draft, so they take a goalie to give themselves some more depth in that area. They've likely seen him a lot while doing their illegal CHL testing, so they'd love his athleticism.

Comparison: Jordan Binnington. He's an incredibly athletic, flexible goalie with good agility and speed.



112. Los Angeles [from Calgary]: Cross Hanas, LW
A nice mid-round project for the Kings, Hanas gives them someone with some skill in his game. Every single team needs depth and Hanas would be a smart pick for a rebuilding team that needs depth.

Comparison: Danton Heinen. He's a skilled, depth forward that has good hands, vision and some physicality. He'll be a longterm project that likely fulfills a middle-to-bottom six role, adding some scoring depth.



113. Vancouver: Maxim Beryozkin, LW/RW
After grabbing Podkolzin last year, they may be more open to drafting Russian talent. A big, skilled winger such as Beryozkin could be of us, giving them depth and size upfront.

Comparison: Dmitrj Jaskin. Beryozkin is a heavy, powerful winger with skill that can show good drive to the net. He's got good hands, vision and skill, making him an interesting option.



114. Columbus: Ethan Edwards, D
Coming from the AJHL, Edwards will be going to university in America next year, where he'll slowly develop his trade. For the Jackets, they hope he can turn into another talented blueliner, enjoying the depth and speedy, two-way play he could bring.

Comparison: Sami Vatanen. Edwards is an undersized, speedy puck-mover that'll likely play a more focused, defensive game that other notable puck-movers. He's got good upside, though.



115. Carolina: Zion Nybeck, RW/LW
It's a pick made on pure upside. They love making these types of picks in the mid-rounds, hoping for some boom-or-bust selections. If this Swedish kid were a few inches taller, he'd be a probable top 20 pick. Fortunately for the 'Canes, he's still here, allowing them to take him and run.

Comparison: Mats Zuccarello. A potential first round level of talent that slips due to his lack of size. He brings great skill and excellent two-way play, with the possibility he could even wreck you on a penalty kill.



116. Philadelphia: Anton Johannesson, D
They've drafted a few Swedes over the years and it's worked out fairly well. With Johannesson, they get someone that they hope could take over and fill Shayne Gostisbehere's role in a few years. He's a boom or bust type, as he's quite small and will have to find a way to build size... but the talent is immense.

Comparison: At top end, he could be an Erik Brannstrom type. Also note that Brannstrom hasn't even become a full-time NHL'er yet. Maybe he's a Will Butcher type that plays in a #5 role and produces on a powerplay.



117. Colorado: Isaak Phillips, D
A long-term defense project for the Avs, who seems like they'd like what he could bring. With good size and plenty intangibles, he's someone that could fill out a depth role in a few years.

Comparison: Ben Chiarot. He's a thick, heavy defenseman with good athleticism and a stay-at-home presence. There's plenty of rawness in his game, so he'll need the time to work that out.



118. Washington: Kasper Puutio, D
They go for another puck-moving defenseman to help build up their backend. Puutio gives their blueline more options, also giving them someone that could play a role in the offensive side of the game as well.

Comparison: Henri Jokiharju. He can be a calming, puck-transitioning force when on the ice. I'm not sure if he'll be a huge offensive provider, but he should be able to put some points on the board.



119. St. Louis: Colby Ambrosio, RW/C
An underrated scorer with speed and a thrilling shot. The Blues take him here, hoping his offensive play can continue to the professional level. They can give him plenty of developmental time, hoping for the best possible outcome.

Comparison: Andrew Mangiapane. He's an undersized sniper with excellent skating and other tools. His versatility is a plus, allowing him to play either wing or center.



120. New Jersey [from Boston]: Will Cranley, G
Not only is there a 67's connection, but Cranley's got a lot of potential. He put up good numbers as a 67's rookie, with the Devils taking him in order to build up their longterm depth. While they currently have Mackenzie Blackwood putting up stellar numbers for them, it's still unknown if he's the longterm guy. Someone such as Cranley could be someone that adds depth.

Comparison: Matt Murray. Cranley's likely a guy that performs well behind a good team, but could get exposed when his team is of lesser caliber. That said, there's still lots to like about him. A team could take him early if they like his overall upside and skill.



121. New York Islanders: Ryan Francis, RW/C
The Isles have drafted from the Q pretty fervently throughout the years. Ryan Francis had a hot beginning to the year, but cooled down a little as things went on. At this point, though, he's worthy of a shot. He's likely a winger, but can play center as well, which is a positive in his case.

Comparison: Nicolas Petan. He's an undersized, playmaking, skilled winger that may battle consistency issues.



122. Toronto [from Vegas]: Connor McClennon, RW
An undersized goal scorer with grit and pure leadership skill seems to be right out of Toronto's playbook. As a mid-round gambit, it's a worthy selection, since McClennon was playing so well before his injury. His lack of size pushes him further down the board than he should be, with the Leafs loving his talent.

Comparison: Conor Garland. McClennon's a small guy, but he fights to go hard to the net, gets in goalie's faces and has good shooting skill.



123. Dallas: James Hardie, LW
Dallas again goes back to the OHL, selecting the sniper, James Hardie. At minimum, he brings more depth and scoring to an already talented group of forwards. They've likely seen a lot of him through their scouting and would be more than happy to take him here.

Comparison: Ryan Donato. Hardie's a thin goal scorer that needs to fill out. He has a precise laser for a shot and can be an offensive contributor if everything comes together.



124. Tampa Bay: Karel Klikorka, D
Tampa's taken a few Czechs in recent drafts. With Klikorka looking good in early play, he could be enticing at this spot. He's one of the more underrated d-men in this draft, performing well in all 3 zones.

Comparison: Nikita Zaitsev. Klikorka provides everything you love to see in a defenseman. Need some physicality, he's got it. Need someone to move pucks? He can do it. Need someone to provide offense, two-way play or smarts? He can do it.


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ROUND 5


125. Detroit: Victor Mancini, D
Mancini's a Michigan kid that's been playing in Sweden. Loving his combination of size, physicality and offense, the Wings take him, hoping he can find an extra gear by playing for him hometown team.

Comparison: Nick Holden. He's big, he's physical and he's got a booming shot. He's a late-round gamble that you hope pays off big.



126. San Jose [from Ottawa]: Pavel Novak, LW/RW
If Novak's still on the board, the Sharks take him and run for the hills. With how weird 2020 has been, it wouldn't shock me if he drops. With his offensive talent, vision and skill, it's hard to see him falling down the board... but hey, you never know.

Comparison: Ondrej Kase. Novak brings skill, good hands and vision and could vie for a potential top 9 scoring roll. He also has some good skating and scoring ability, which the team that drafts him hopes he can continue to develop.



127. San Jose: Luke Prokop, D
The Sharks grab the big defenseman, maintaining some size and depth on their backend. They'll hope, with proper development, that he can be a sizeable, rangy defenseman with some physicality that can lay on opposing forwards.

Comparison: Joel Edmundson. He's a powerful defenseman that can lay the body, does well in transition and brings the size needed for a modern day depth defensemen. Likely fill out as a depth defender on a bottom pairing.



128. Los Angeles: Dmitri Ovchinnikov, RW/LW
The fact that he isn't listed on mainstream scouting lists makes me think that he's going to go later than expected. In this case, it's the Kings, who feel like they're getting a 5th round steal. Ovchinnikov has all the tools needed to become a successful, scoring winger at the pro level and the fact that he drops this low would be ridiculous... but, like Pavel Novak, it's possible.

Comparison: Evgenii Dadonov is probably his overall upside. Maybe he becomes more of a Sven Baertschii-like talented forward that just can't seem to crack the NHL for various reasons.



129. Anaheim: Antonio Stranges, LW
The Ducks and London Knights have had some connections over the years, ie: Corey Perry. They could hook up again if Anaheim takes the falling Stranges. Concerns over his defensive play, his competiveness and overall hockey IQ send him down the board, with the Ducks finally giving him a chance in the 5th round.

Comparison: Jeremy Bracco. He plays with the similar 10-2 skating stride and brings a pure offensive game in an undersized frame. That said, can he become an NHL'er? That remains the question due to his play away from the puck and not using his teammates properly.



130. New Jersey: Bogdan Trineyev, LW
Grabbing a big power forward such as Trineyev might be a smart move for the Devils. They don't have too much in terms of "big" players to help play a support role. If Trineyev ever comes over, this could be his role.

Comparison: Austin Watson. Trineyev profiles as a modern day type of power winger that competes hards for pucks, has good smarts and brings good strength. Not a huge offensive guy or point getter, but a decent complementary winger.



131. Buffalo: Landon Slaggert, LW/C
A tireless worker and forechecker, Slaggert's a true leader and team player. He makes a perfect fit on any team that selects him, loving to play a physical, roleplayer game. He'd make a good player for an upcoming, young Sabres team.

Comparison: Jordan Martinook. While he may not be a top end type of forward, he's someone that'll work hard for every point and win earned. He'll play physical, muck it up the corners and could fill out a depth forward at the professional level.



132. Minnesota: Grant Slukynsky, C/LW
Coming from Minnesota high school hockey, Slukysky impressed in tournament play and was a finalist for the Mr. Hockey Award, ultimately losing out to Blake Biondi. Taking a hometown kid would be a good story for the Wild, who'd hope to help guide him in as soon as possible.

Comparison: Chris Tierney. If he makes it, it'd probably be as an energetic type of top 9 forward that plays various roles. His speed, hockey sense and competitiveness gives him a lot of potential to build upon.



133. Winnipeg: Zachary Uens, D
After drafting Johnathan Kovacevic from Merrimack last year, they return there and take a chance on the overager, Zachary Uens. He's got some tools that make him an interesting option, with the Jets giving him a thumbs up.

Comparison: Sami Niku. Like their own Niku, Uens has good size and excellent mobility. They should be comparable, puck-movers with upside, giving them down on the blueline.



134. New York Rangers: Alexander Nikishin, D
Rumors of a heart issue might drop Nikishin further down the board than expected. However, the Rangers could give him a shot here. He'd give them size, mobility and amazing physicality from the backend that could work out in their favor.

Comparison: Alexei Emelin. He's like a bigger, more swift version of Alexei Emelin. He loves trucking opponents left and right, able to completely wipe them out with his hits with his rushing ability.



135. Nashville: Juho Markkanen, G
They could take a goalie in this draft in order to bolster their goalie depth. While they have decent goalies right now, adding an extra one in order to play the odds might be a smart decision.

Comparison: Alexandar Georgiev. He's a lanky goalie that needs to bulk up or else he'll never make it. That said, his quickness and lateral movement looks good. He's got a lot of potential.



136. Montreal [from Florida]: Jeremie Biakabutuka, D
Knowing that his father is a former NFL athlete definitely puts him on their radar. Plus he's a Quebecois kid, too. Not only that, he adds depth to their right side of the blueline and also gives them someone with a lot of size and intangibles.

Comparison: Stephen Johns. He's mean, he's competitive, he's athletic and he's armed with a heavy point shot. He owns a lot of attributes that could lead to him being a savvy selection, even if he only settles into a depth role.



137. Florida [from Toronto]: Jack Thompson, D
A right-shooting defenseman with all-around skill could be a good pickup for the Panthers in this range. He's a guy that builds up their defensive depth, which is a positive since they're a little lacking in that area.

Comparison: Colin Miller. He's a hard-shooting, two-way defender that'd work in various situations, ranging from the penalty kill, to powerplay to 5-on-5.



138. Edmonton: Benjamin Baumgartner, C
With Baumgartner, the Oilers get an overager that's about ready to step in and contribute. They can sign him to a cheap deal, giving them more wiggle room with their other players.

Comparison: Tyler Ennis. Baumgartner's an Austrian double-overager that's quite likely to possibly step in and contribute right away. He can bring speed and skill in a tiny package, while going to the high-danger areas in order to produce.



139. Pittsburgh: Samuel Hlavaj, G
Hlavaj should have been drafted last year. He wasn't. Instead, he came back and put up excellent numbers in the Q. The Slovakian goalie was the recipient of the Jacques Plante trophy in the Q this past year, with the Pens happily selecting him, needing a boost to their goaltender ranks.

Comparison: Cam Talbot. Due to being older, Hlavaj is closer to getting signed and contributing right away, even if he has to spend some time in the AHL.



140. Carolina [from Montreal]: Riley Duran, C/LW
The Canes could use some "beef". Duran could provide that, giving them an energetic forward that can play a power forward game. They don't have too many of these types in their system, so he'd be a worthy selection.

Comparison: Sean Kuraly. Able to work as a center or as a wing, he brings physicality, hard work and overall toughness night in and night out. He profiles as a two-way type of buzzing forward.



141. Chicago: Theo Rochette, C/LW
Thanks to a bout of mono, Rochette struggled mightily in his sophomore season in the Q. As such, he could plummet down lists. Luckily, with Swiss countrymate, Phillipp Kurashev, already in the fold, the Hawks scoop him off the board, hoping he can rebound. With his skill level, they feel they're going to get a steal.

Comparison: Alex Kerfoot. He's a skilled, versatile type of playmaking forward that can line up in any position and bring some skill. Not a flashy guy, he gets by on his excellent instinct and smarts.



142. Arizona: Oskar Magnusson, RW/C
At #142, Magnusson could be a great pick for Arizona. He's a very projectable forward that's capable of contributing in a 3rd line/middle-six type of role if all things work out fine.

Comparison: Andreas Johnsson. Magnusson isn't a big guy, nor is he a speedster. He's more of a smart player that'll fight his way through checks, work hard and brings some offensive presence to a lineup.



143. Calgary: Christopher Sedoff, D
Grabbing another Finnish defenseman, Calgary adds Sedoff, someone that solidifies their backend. Playing for Red Deer is a good way to get noticed by the Flames, with Calgary liking his simple, calm approach to the game.

Comparison: Josh Gorges. Not sold on him being a high-impact defenseman. Moreso a guy that plays a safe defensive game.



144. Vancouver: Oliver Tarnstrom, RW/C
Tarnstrom's got a late-birthday, so he's still got a lot of development left to come. The Canucks have always shown love for Swedes, so they'd give him a chance at this selection. With his versatility, he could always develop into a bottom-six type of forward.

Comparison: Mattias Janmark. He plays an all-around, versatile game that enables him to play wing or center. He can fit into multiple roles, making him someone that could slide all over a lineup.



145. Columbus: Albert Lyckasen, D
Having gone undrafted last year, Lyckasen could find him taken this year after a breakout campaign. The Jackets love their Swedish defenders and he could top the list as someone they'd be really interested in.

Comparison: Oliver Kylington. He's an all-offense type of defenseman. In terms of defense, he's got a lot to work on, which could keep teams away. However, in terms of offense, he's a good one.



146. St. Louis [from Carolina]: Jesper Vikman, G
After trading away Jake Allen, it means the rest of their goalie pipeline gets a bump forward. In doing so, they may need to take another goalie to keep themselves stocked. Jordan Binnington was less than stellar in the playoffs, so having extra goalies in your pocket is a wise move.

Comparison: David Rittich. Another Swedish goaltender with good size, some confidence in his game and someone that could at least work as a backup, if given the right developmental curve.



147. Philadelphia: William Dufour, RW
Grabbing a power winger, the Flyers like the old school mentality of Dufour, feeling as if he's someone that could potentially protect some of their skilled guys. They usually use the later rounds of the draft to take some comeplementary types, so if he's still there, he could be of service.

Comparison: Christian Fischer. Not a high upside guy; maybe more of a bottom-six type of power winger that goes to the net to score, brings physicality and has an accurate shooting ability.



148. Colorado: Stanislav Rangayev, RW
Off to a good start so far this year, it might give him a boost up the rankings, with the Avs giving him a shot, knowing their penchant for taking Russians later in the draft.

Comparison: Tomas Nosek. Rangayev's got good size and decent potential to be a bottom-six type of winger that can add a little of everything. He's got potential to score goals and is a decent enough all-around type.



149. Washington: Gage Goncalves, C/LW
The Caps grab another overage. Goncalves is fresh off an outbreak of a season, in which he put up really good numbers. He plays at a center or a wing, making him extra valuable, with Washington hoping he can slide in pretty soon.

Comparison: Ryan Dzingel. Likely becomes a solid utility, scoring player that can fit into various roles. Thanks to his talent and skilled hands, he can be an offense creator too.



150. St. Louis: Ethan Cardwell, LW/C
At this point, he's a stellar pickup. He's got a late birthdate, thus it's likely he has a lot of developing and growing left to come. There's potential for him to be taken as a mid-to-late gambit.

Comparison: Chandler Stephenson. Cardwell's a highly intelligent, two-way player that knows where to go in order to produce. His hockey smarts could lead him to play a role in the future.



151. Boston: Trevor Kuntar, C
Taking a chance on the overager, Kuntar, the Bruins hope to build some depth down the middle. Originally set for Harvard, I believe he flipped to go to Boston College, which could interest the Bruins even further. He had a breakthrough year this year, making him a viable option.

Comparison: Brad Richardson. He's a multi-purpose American forward with some power and physicality in his game, along with the ability to score. Maybe not a high-upside guy, but a nice depth pick.



152. New York Islanders: Jacob Dion, D
Well-versed in QMJHL talent, the Isles select Dion, liking what he can do on the blueline. Dion's a guy that puts up great underlying numbers and stats. If they can grab him in the fifth round, they'd undoubtedly be thrilled.

Comparison: Matt Gryzelcyk. While he isn't large by any means, he's a guy that'll rely on his skill and distrubtion to produce for them. Even so, he'll need to bulk up or else he'll have trouble handling bigger players.



153. Toronto [from Vegas]: Artur Akhtyamov, G
Needing goalie depth, the Leafs grab Akhtyamov, who's been putting up fantastic numbers in Russia. They need to give him time to develop. If it works out, he could become someone that can step in within a few 4-5 years.

Comparison: Craig Anderson. He's a flexible, highly competitive goalie with great athleticism and consistency. Quick on his feet, he tracks pucks well and has shown decent potential.



154. Dallas: Joonas Oden, LW
With Oden as an overager and Dallas being contenders now, they'll need to be able to add a few cheap contracts for depth purposes. Since they've always loved Finns, he could be someone they show interest towards.

Comparison: Darren Helm. Oden's a fast skater, which is always one way to cause chaos. He's probably more of a two-way depth player, at best.



155. Ottawa [from Tampa Bay]: Jackson Hallum, LW
Speed kills. We all know Ottawa's trying to develop a team based on speed. Maybe someone such as Hallum would be a wise choice. He's looked really solid in early season play. They could jump on him here, if he's still on the board.

Comparison: Michael Grabner, He's got speed to burn, which his entire game should revolve around. Whether the rest of his game translate or not remains to be seen.


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ROUND 6


156. Detroit: Louis Crevier, D
They take a late round gamble on the huge Q defender. He was passed over last year. However, after a breakout season this year, it likely won't happen again. At worst, he gives their blueline even more size.

Comparison: Andrej Sustr. For a guy that's 6'8", Crevier skates pretty well. If this were the 90's, he'd be a first round talent. However, with this new era of hockey, he's a late round pick.



157. Tampa Bay [from Ottawa]: Matthew Gleason, RW/LW
Seems like the type of late round, undersized gamble the Bolts love to make. He's the next kid selected from the powerhouse Chicago Steel team. His lack of size is worrisome, but he's compete level is high, which is why the Bolts draft him.

Comparison: Paul Byron. Only 5'8", Gleason is a longshot to make it. However, if he does, he can provide high-energy play and do all the right things to help win games.



158. Ottawa [from San Jose]: Mitch Miller, D
The Sens grab another North Dakota kid. This time it's Mitchell Miller, who absolutely has 2nd round upside and talent. What causes him to fall like a rock is the personal issues he's had. A few years back, he was involved in some issues that were more than really bad. They were absolutely terrible. As a result, it may guide teams away from risking a chance on him.

Comparison: Anthony DeAngelo. On talent and skill alone, he's got really good upside. Like DeAngelo, he's got personal/character issues. If a team takes a chance on him, they'll hope he can figure things out and show some personal growth and development. Otherwise, he may be a lost cause. Not saying he'll ever be as good as DeAngelo was this past year... but sort of similar situations/scenario.



159. Los Angeles: Simon Knak, RW
He's off to a good start to the year playing with HC Davos after being loaned to them from Portland. Even if he's only a bottom-six type of forward in the pros, he's someone that could still be a useful player. It'd give the Kings some more depth upfront.

Comparison: Blake Comeau. Probably not a high-end type of player, Knak's a guy that'll work hard and do a little of everything.



160. Anaheim: Gunnarwolfe Fontaine, RW/LW
An overager, Fontaine deserves a selection in this year's draft. Needing more depth on their wings, they give him a chance, loving the fact he comes from the lauded-Chicago Steel team that everyone loved this year.

Comparison: Frank Vatrano. Last year, Fontaine put up good numbers with the Chicago Steel, profiling as a short, offensive winger that likes to wire the puck.



161. New Jersey: Ryder Rolston, RW
He's the son of Devils legend, Bryan Rolston. They grab him here, liking the tenacity he could bring. While his skill level may not be high, he plays hard, goes to the difficult areas and comes to compete every night.

Comparison: Dale Weise. Maybe not the most talented of guys, Rolston instead will crash and bang, work hard, forecheck relentlessly and cause trouble for opposing players. He'll be a leader on and off the ice.



162. Dallas [from Buffalo]: Leo Loof, D
Loof's got some projectability in his game. Maybe not a high-end defender, he's someone that could eventually help fill a role. He seems like someone the Stars could like.

Comparison: William Lagesson. He's likely more of a depth guy. While his upside isn't great, he can be physical, keeps the puck in motion and can add some stabilizing play.



163. Minnesota: Vsevolod Skotnikov, G
Skotnikov's a little smaller than the usual, modern day goalie. That said, he's still got immense talent. Grabbing him at this stage in the draft would be a good move.

Comparison: Antti Raanta. Not a huge guy, he's about average-sized. With teams perhaps being afraid to give the reins to someone that isn't big, there might be some risk with him. That said, he's looked really good overseas



164. Winnipeg: Jake Boltmann, D
They rely heavily on their American scouting department to take some late round gems. Boltmann's a guy that'd probably fit well within the Jets system.

Comparison: Riley Stillman. Physical defenseman that moves well with the puck, Boltmann's a reliable guy. His combination of puck skill and physicality bodes well for his potential.



165. New York Rangers: Oldrich Cichon, G
The Rangers make some sneaky good selections with goalies. Cichon was one of the best goalies in the Czech leagues last season, they may run take him just to maintain depth in their crease. It's not that they need goalies, it's moreso he might be a good upside selection.

Comparison: Jake Allen. As it always is with goalies, especially with late round European guys, it's hard to pinpoint exacty who or what he could be. Maybe he rounds out his game and becomes a starter; maybe he fades out. Who knows for sure.



166. Nashville: Marko Stacha, D
As a late round gamble, he's worth a shot. Maybe not a high-end player, but someone that could fill a role and keeps pucks in transitions. They love taking defensemen, so Stacha would go well within this range.

Comparison: Markus Nutivaraa. He's a fine-skating defenseman that uses his skating and mobility to defend well on/off the rush.



167. Florida: Max Glotzl, D
The Panthers have taken some Germans before. Glotzl is the fourth of the major guys from Germany in this draft. Adding someone such as him to their blueline core might not be a bad decision.

Comparison: Justin Holl. Likely a depth defenseman that brings size and some all-around play. Not a big-time offensive performer. Moreso a type that can use his size for leverage.



168. Toronto: Oscar Tellstrom, RW
It wouldn't surprise me if he has a similar career trajectory as a Jesper Bratt. They play a similar way and do all the little things to help win and provide offense. Will he be as good as Bratt? Who knows. But there are some similarities between them.

Comparison: Jesper Bratt. As stated, he's a lot like Jesper Bratt. Similar to Bratt, he's an undersized forward with nice two-way play and overall skill that works hard when he's on the ice.



169. Edmonton: Artem Shlaine, C
Teams always need centers. Of course, one of them are the Oilers, whose own GM has been public about wanting to increase depth down the middle. Maybe Shlaine turns into something some day; even if it's only as a depth option. Whatever the case, here's a good spot for him to land.

Comparison: Riley Nash. It's always difficult to nail down high school prospects. In some cases, they may figure it all out and become a higher-end player. In this case, Shlaine's the type that'll work hard, muck it out and do his best to win, even playing a two-way, physical role. He's a pretty good scorer in high school... if he can keep working hard, maybe it'll translate.



170. Pittsburgh: Alex Jefferies, RW
Often using some later picks on American players, the Pens give Jefferies a chance. He's a pure sniper that'll be given a lot of time to work on his play as he develops through the NCAA system.

Comparison: Daniel Sprong. He plays the role of a sniper. Every team needs a goal scorer, so someone like Jefferies is quite useful. It just depends on whether his scoring will crawl over to the big leagues or not.



171. Montreal: Devon Levi, G
With a barrage of picks spread throughout the draft, I could see Montreal using at least one of them on a goalie. While they have Price for now and Cayden Primeau close by in the pipeline, maintaining depth back there could be a wise decision. Levi's a smaller goalie coming from a smaller league, so he could drop. But hey, we've seen Anton Khubodin raise the value of smaller goalies in these playoffs, maybe he'll go higher. It certainly helps that he's a local kid, too.

Comparison: Pavel Francouz. Like Francouz, Levi's about the same height and size, albeit Francouz catches with his right. Despite that, they're both strong-willed goalies that look good and have some flash. Maybe he has starter's potential down the line. He's a long-term guy that'll be 4-5 years away.



172. Chicago: Elliot Ekmark, C/LW
Undersized, I once read that Ekmark is a like a Swedish version of Ozzy Wiesblatt. I can see it. He's a Swedish forward that's always in on the play and works hard to produce. If he's there in the 6th round, you're getting a hell of a lot of potential.

Comparison: Drake Caggiula. Ekmark's a fire-cracker that's shifty and can grind it out. He provides some smart, two-way play and could be counted as a nice longterm guy.



173. Arizona: Hayden Fowler, C
Due to being idle, I could see some CHL/OHL guys fall a bit. If he's there, they're getting a responsible forward with some two-way ability. He's an older kid in this draft, so he could project more quickly.

Comparison: Nick Cousins. There's some peskiness and two-way play in his game. He can also mix it up and add some secondary scoring.



174. Calgary: Garin Bjorklund, G
They go local, taking a kid from the area. They need someone to breakout and be their goalie for the future. Taking Bjorklund gives them more players to work with.

Comparison: Laurent Brossoit. Incredibly raw, Bjorklund's got potential... but can he achieve it?



175. Vancouver: Michael Krutil, D
Grabbing a right shooting defenseman with some size seems like another smart move for the Canucks. He's coming over from playing in the Czech Republic, where he plays a tone down, stay-at-home type. Worthy of a pick in the 6th round.

Comparison: Dylan Demelo. He's a physical defenseman that plays a defensively sound game and plays a stay-at-home style.



176. Columbus: Owen Pederson, LW
If he's still on the board, it could be a coup for Columbus. Pederson's got excellent size and is someone with excellent qualities that could translate well into being a pro.

Comparison: Morgan Geekie. Not a flashy kid, he's got good size and has offensive skill that whomever drafts him hopes he can develop further.



177. Toronto [from Carolina]: Stephen Halliday, LW
He's a kid from the area that'll be going to school in the USHL next year. He's got good size, too. He might be a worthy pick in this range, going for full upside.

Comparison: Mark Jankowski. Can he be anything more than a big player that plays a small player's game in a big frame? He's got skill and upside... but he's a mixed bag.



178. Philadelphia: Jackson Kunz, LW
American systems are familiar grounds for the Flyers, who take a chance on Kunz. With his size and shot, he might be a good pickup late.

Comparison: Alex Chiasson. He's another forward with good size and power, who uses his shooting ability to put pucks on the net.



179. Toronto [from Colorado]: Yaroslav Likhachyov, LW/RW
The Leafs are known for their late round gambles on overagers and Euros. He reads a lot like someone they'd have a lot of interest in. Passed on last year, Likhachyov returned this year and played much better, showing his true offensive potential.

Comparison: Taro Hirose. Likhachyov's a small, quick and shifty skater that's shown off flashes of offensive skill. He profiles as someone that gets by on his offensive ability and smarts.



180. Washington: Wyatt Schingoethe, C
Playing in the USHL last year, Schigoethe might be a decent pickup. I'm not sure what his upside could be, but he's a center and that's always valuable. He'll be going to the University of Denver next season. He might be a good guy to let percolate over the next few years, then check back to see how he's developed.

Comparison: Nate Thompson. With a late birthday, it's hard to say exactly what his upside could be. Maybe he fills a role ala Nate Thompson, who works hard, hustles and always brings some energy onto the ice. He cold become a nice grind-it-out bottom-six type some day.



181. Ottawa [from St. Louis]: Fabio Iacobo, G
Going back to the Q, they grab a goalie to keep their crease fully stocked. With Daws and Iacobo added to the mix, it gives them more options moving forward.

Comparison: Andrew Hammond. Projecting goalies is always difficult, so it's mainly guess-work around here. He could have a career like Andrew Hammond. Maybe someone that could have potential as a backup.



182. Boston: Colin Purcell, G
After opting out in the middle of the playoffs, Tuukka Rask has a lot of questions surrounding him. They might be best served to grab a goalie during the draft to maintain depth.

Comparison: Anders Lindback. Goalies that are ~6'6" are always a hot commodity. Teams love their size and when it comes to goalies it's no different. He's worth a late pick.



183. New York Islanders: Noah Ellis, D
There's potential in Ellis's game and it could be enough to have the Isles use a late pick on him. He's a right-hand shot and that's always an area of concern for teams.

Comparison: Nathan Beaulieu. He's a mobile defenseman with good size. Not sure on what his upside could be, but something akin to a Beaulieu #5-6 defenseman seems reasonable.



184. Vegas: Brayden Peters, G
Vegas grabs a western goalie to help boost their depth in the crease. He won "Rookie of the Year" with the Calgary Hitmen. He may be something to look forward to for the long haul.

Comparison: James Reimer. He's an agile goalie with good reflexes, good smarts and good upside. Might be a hard-working type that can fill a role.



185. Dallas: Josh Pillar, C
Tom Gagliardi is a co-owner of the Kamloops Blazers. They've taken some draft eligibles from that team in late rounds in previous years. Pillar could be another late pickup for them.

Comparison: Andrew Copp. Pillar's a hard-working, heart and soul type of player that'd probably work well in a depth role. Since every team needs depth, he'd be a nice pickup.



186. Tampa Bay: Ivan Didkovsky, RW
Didkovsky feels like a classic Tampa Bay late-round pick. He's got excellent skill and is known as a great shooter. They'll hope he's got Victor Olofsson breakthrough potential.

Comparison: Reid Boucher. Didkovsky's game relies upon his excellent shooting skill and good skating ability. Will he ever become anything more than a career AHL/KHL'er, though. A risky pick in the late rounds sounds about right for him.


======


ROUND 7


187. Detroit: Jakub Dobes, G
Dobes had an impressive World Junior A tournament last year. It could get him selected. Maybe by the Wings, who add another goalie to their depth.

Comparison: Michael Hutchinson. He could have potential as someone that finds work in the pros. He's got the size and athleticism. If keeps working and pushing, he might see some time.


188. Montreal [from Ottawa]: Matteo Costantini, C
Coming out of the BCHL, Constantini will be playing for the University of North Dakota in the future. The Habs love their university kids and would be willing to give him abundant time to develop. Worthy of a late round flyer.

Comparison: Jake Evans. He could become similar to their own Jake Evans, who followed a similar path, whom they also used a 7th round selection on. He sees the ice well, has all-around hockey smarts and some skill.



189. Toronto [from San Jose]: Pavel Tyutnev, LW
An undersized, skilled Russian in the 7th round seems quite typical for the Leafs. They could grab him here and play the wait and see game.

Comparison: Vinnie Hinistroza. He's an undersized, playmaking talent that can bring a lot of skill. If he makes it, it'd probably be in a depth role.



190. Los Angeles: Logan Morrison, C
Morrison would be more than worthy of a selection this late. Just like every other late round pick, he's got a lot to work on, with the Kings hoping he can be a steal.

Comparison: Matt Stajan/Allan McShane. He's a smart, versatile, playmaking center... but could be held back due to lack of explosion in his skating ability.



191. Vancouver [from Anaheim]: Hugo Ollas, G
With Markstrom likely moving on and Demko jumping into the starter role, they're going to have some holes to fill in the longterm. Grabbing someone such as Allas gives them a huge goalie to potentially fill in somewhere down the line.

Comparison: Mikko Koskinen. Like Koskinen, he's a giant in the net. Will he able to put his game together like him, though? It remains to be seen. He's a longshot type.



192. New Jersey: Mason Langenbrunner, D
They grab another kid with bloodlines to the organization. He's the son of longtime Devil, Jamie Langenbrunner. If you're getting a big, mobile defenseman like him in the 7th round, it's a nice high-range selection.

Comparison: Jan Rutta. He's a mobile, offensive defenseman that's big in size and skates well.



193. Buffalo: Grant Riley, G
They're not in need of a goalie, but a kid from Rochester would be a good story. He'll be a long-term project that they'd be willing to take on.

Comparison: Phoenix Copley. He's a big goalie that might have some upside down the line.



194. Minnesota: Joe Miller, RW
He's legit the youngest player in this draft, having been born on the cutoff date. He's a local kid, too, making him that more attractive. For a late round shot, he might be someone that goes on the gain size and develops more in the coming years.

Comparison: Dylan Sikura. Small in size, they'll hope Miller can gain size and work on bulking up in order to potentially become a pro.



195. Toronto [from Winnipeg]: Lleyton Moore, D
It's a shoot-for-the-moon type of pick. If Moore can ever figure his game out and correct his mistakes, he might be a valuable 7th round selection.

Comparison: Brad Hunt. Standing only 5'9", Moore's an undersized puck-moving defenseman. He didn't have that great of a season, but if he can turn things around, the sky would be the limit.



196. New York Rangers: Ryan Kirwan, LW
Kirwan's a local New York native, which might bode well for his chances to be picked by the Rangers. He'd serve as a depth option, who'd hopefully give them some physicality upfront.

Comparison: Garnett Hathaway. He's a big, heavy forward that likes to play a power game. Definitely a depth guy.



197. New York Rangers [from Nashville]: Kirill Tankov, C
Using a late pick on a Russian as talented as Tankov could be smart. They could let him keep developing in the KHL and hopefully bring him over when he's ready.

Comparison: Nikolai Prokhorkin. Tankov's a big forward that can provide a combination of size and skill. He's a project, of course, but he's worthy of a pick.



198. Florida: Nate Schweitzer, D
Using a pick to boost their RHD depth, Florida takes on the mobile, smart Schweitzer. He's a risky, long-term pick whom they give plenty of time in hopes of development. He'll be playing in college, where they hope to give him the room to breathe and develop. If they hit on him, the more the merrier.

Comparison: Jordan Oesterle. He's a mobile d-man that could provide depth to a blueline as a puck-mover.



199. Carolina [from Toronto]: Juuso Maenpaa, RW/LW
Woefully small, Maenpaa could go undrafted for that fact alone. Maybe the 'Canes take him late, since they always love their Finns. It's worth a shot at this point; and it could make all the other teams look foolish for passing on him.

Comparison: Aleksi Hepponiemi. Maenpaa's a truly talented winger that knows how to create offense and even goes to the high-danger areas to produce. His lack of size will be the lone factor that holds him back.



200. Edmonton: Brett Brochu, G
Much like Dustin Wolf last year, Brochu could fall into the 7th round and get picked late. The Oilers scoop him up, building some depth in net. With Khubodin and Halak proving doubters wrong, Brochu could be another "small" guy that makes the league as a goalie.

Comparison: Jaroslav Halak. Brochu is plenty talented... it's just that he's small. Many teams pass on goalies because of this. For his sake, he'll hope to prove them all wrong.



201. San Jose [from Pittsburgh]: Jack Smith, LW
The Sharks use a late pick on Smith, loving that he's still on the board. He seems a lot like someone they'd like, loving his slickness and skill.

Comparison: Alex Iafallo. He's a smart, skilled, playmaking winger that uses cerebral play in order to produce.



202. Philadelphia [from Montreal]: Landon Kosior, D
Kosior's got some personal connections to some prospects in the Flyers camp. He's a late-blooming talent and the defensive partner for Kaiden Guhle, who's a first round selection. He's definitely got potential, even if it's as a RHD depth guy.

Comparison: Brandon Montour. He's a puck-moving, offensive defenseman with some possible upside. The team that selects him can wait it out and see what happens with him.



203. St. Louis [from Chicago]: Ben Meehan, D
The Blues use a late pick on Meehan, who missed most of last year with an injury, resulting in him going undrafted. He returned this year and looked really good and was able to play an offensive producer. The Blues grab him to boost their blueline depth.

Comparison: Josh Mahura. Similar to Mahura in that injuries cost Mahura draft positioning and kept him out for a long time. They're both offensive defenseman that know how to make a different from the point.



204. Arizona: Lucas Mercuri, C
Wanting to add size and power down the middle, the Coyotes could select the 6'3" center, Lucas Mercuri. He'd give them the depth that they're in need of and they'd give him ample developmental time.

Comparison: Jim Vesey. Mercuri's a heavy power center that works hard, can play a physical game and plays like how an expected power forward would play.



205. Calgary: Charlie Desroches, D
Raiding the Q for more talent, the Flames select Desroches, a small, but effective right-shooting blueliner. It's a fine pickup for depth on their right side, which is definitely something that needs to be addressed.

Comparison: Connor Carrick. Desroches profiles as an undersized, yet average puck-moving defenseman that plays a smart two-way game.



206. New York Rangers [from Vancouver]: Jake Ratzlaff, D
A two-sport athlete, Ratzlaff plays both hockey and football. Concerns over him ultimately choosing football drops him down the board. If he's still here, the Rangers select him, hoping he sticks with hockey.

Comparison: Michael Stone. Ratzlaff's a big defenseman with a big shot. He skates well and is an athletic, mobile defender that can also be physical.



207. Columbus: Tanner Dickinson, C/LW
As an Ohio native, it might be a cool pick for the Blue Jackets. He might become a speedy bottom-six guy some day.

Comparison: Trevor Lewis. Likely becomes a speedy forward with some two-way skill and smarts. He's got a good engine and might compete for a bottom-six role at some point.



208. Carolina: Hugo Styf, D
Grabbing Styf late would be great for the 'Canes liking what the depth he could add. He seems like someone that could potentially fill in as a bottom pairing role if he's given the proper development.

Comparison: Roman Polak. He's a blueliner that fills a role on the back, plays physical, keeps the puck moving, etc..



209. Philadelphia: Carsen Richels, LW
Using a late pick to pickup a masher and grinder, the Flyers hope Richels can add some size to play with some of their smaller, skilled guys. For a 7th rounder, he's a guy that could work his way into a bottom-six role.

Comparison: John Hayden. Richels is a power winger that relies mainly on his size and grit to produce.



210. Colorado: Tyrel Bauer, D
Needing depth on the right side of their blueline, they take a chance on Bauer, whom they feel could be a nice complementary piece for their smaller, more offensively-inclined defensemen. They've drafted a lot of western kids last year. That trend could continue this year.

Comparison: Robert Bortuzzo. He won't be an offensive guy. He's a physical, on-ice leader who'll fight and stick up for his teammates. If he makes it, it'd probably be as a #6/7 defenseman.



211. San Jose [from Washington]: Tomas Chlubna, LW
He seems like a very "Sharks-like" late-round selection. He's got size and potential on his side; and I'm pretty sure he puts up good underlying numbers. Worthy of a gamble.

Comparison: Mason Appleton. Chlubna can bring talent and skill to the ice, with the likelihood of him adding offense in a depth role.



212. Toronto [from St. Louis]: Ville Ottavainen, D
He started off hot in the OHL, but then cooled off rather immenseley. He's headed back to Finland to play for the next few years. He could be a longterm player for the Leafs, who hope he can put it all together.

Comparison: Martin Marincin. He's a big, 6'4" defender that moves the puck well and attempts to play a mobile, simple game.



213. Boston: Lukas Svejkovsky, RW
His lack of size could effect where he goes in the draft. Perhaps he even goes undrafted because of it. That said, he's an American with Czech heritage, which might intrigue the Bruins. Maybe they hope David Pastrnak could take him under his wing.

Comparison: Dominik Kahun. Svejkovsky's an intelligent, play creating, offensive winger. His main drawback is his lack of size, as he stands only 5'9".



214. New York Islanders: Cam Butler, RW
Size is what likely gets Butler selected. He gives the Isles some size on their wings, which would be welcome. Well worth a late pick.

Comparison: Brett Ritchie. Raw forward with some power forward qualities. If he ever finds his game, he could definitely takeoff.




215. Vegas: Nick Malik, G
They grab a goalie late, with Malik as a possible option. He had a rocky season, which results in him falling into the 7th. He'd be a worthy pickup late, with both Vegas and Malik hoping he can right the ship.

Comparison: Petr Mrazek. Inconsistency will be the major thing holding him back. He's got good potential and a lot of raw upside.



216. Buffalo [from Dallas]: Axel Rindell, D
The Sabres use a late pick on the Finnish overage defender, Axel Rindell, whom they hope can provide an offensive presence for them. After getting passed over, he put up excellent numbers this year and looks to be a potential offensive defenseman.

Comparison: Adam Clendening. He's an offense-first defenseman that could become a decent depth option. He could step in sooner and bring his offense to a lineup.



217. Tampa Bay: Matthew Rempe, RW
For the final pick in the draft, Tampa goes for size and returns to the WHL, where they've selected a lot in recent years. Rempe's a hulking 6'8" forward and a giant on the ice. The Bolts would like that he could complement their skilled forwards quite well.

Comparison: Brian Boyle. There's not players as tall as him. Maybe someone such as Boyle is a comparable due to similar heights and maybe a similar skillset in which they both like to go to the net.



Notable omissions: Reid Valade; Aidan Campbell; Eric Engstrand; Brady Burns; Adam Wilsby; Maxim Krovyakov; Kyle Crnkovic; Elliott Desnoeyers; Yegor Suchkov; Senna Peeters; Adam Raska; Cameron Berg; Mikael Pyyhtia; Michal Gut. I could see most of these guys being selected as potential re-entries next year.



SUMMARY

Anaheim:
---
6. Jamie Drysdale, RD
27. Jacob Perreault, RW
36. Sam Colangelo, RW
67. Ty Smilanic, LW/C
104. Alex Laferriere, RW
129. Antonio Stranges, LW
160. Gunnarwolfe Fontaine, RW/LW


Arizona:
---
111. Dylan Garand, G
142. Oskar Magnusson, RW/C
173. Hayden Fowler, C
204. Lucas Mercuri, C


Boston:
---
58. Daniil Guschin, RW/LW
89. Samuel Johannesson, RD
151. Trevor Kuntar, C
182. Colin Purcell, G
213. Lukas Svejkovsky, RW


Buffalo:
---
8. Lucas Raymond, RW/LW
38. Ryan O'Rourke, LD
96. Brett Berard, RW
131. Landon Slaggert, C/LW
193. Grant Riley, G
216. Axel Rindell, RD


Calgary:
---
19. Hendrix Lapierre, C/LW
50. Tristen Robins, RW/C
81. Yan Kuznetsov, LD
100. Ruben Rafkin, RD
143. Christoffer Sedoff, LD
174. Garin Bjorklund, G
205. Charlie Desroches, RD


Carolina:
---
13. Yaroslav Askarov, G
41. Joni Jurmo, LD
53. Jean-Luc Foudy, RW/C
69. Roni Hirvonen, C/RW
115. Zion Nybeck, RW/LW
140. Riley Duran, C/LW
199. Juuso Maenpaa, RW/LW
200. Hugo Styf, LD


Chicago:
---
17. Dawson Mercer, RW/C
46. Drew Commesso, G
76. Martin Chromiak, RW/LW
79. Sean Farrell, LW
110. Luke Reid, RD
141. Theo Rochette, C/LW
172. Elliot Ekmark, LW/C


Colorado:
---
24. Ridly Greig, LW/C
75. Ian Moore, RD
117. Isaak Phillips, LD
148. Stanislav Rangayev, RW
210. Tyrel Bauer, RD


Columbus:
---
21. Rodion Amirov, LW/RW
114. Ethan Edwards, LD
145. Albert Lyckasen, RD
176. Owen Pederson, LW
207. Tanner Dickinson, C/LW


Dallas:
---
30. Noel Gunler, RW
123. James Hardie, LW
154. Joonas Oden, LW
162. Leo Loof, LD
185. Josh Pillar, C/LW


Detroit:
---
4. Cole Perfetti, LW/C
32. Marat Khusnutdinov, C
45. Daniel Torgersson, RW/LW
56. Emil Andrae, LD
63. Calle Clang, G
65. Roby Jarventie, LW
107. Jacob Truscott, LD
125. Victor Mancini, RD
156. Louis Crevier, RD
187. Jakub Dobes, G


Edmonton:
---
14. Dylan Holloway, LW/C
138. Benjamin Baumgartner, C
169. Artem Shlaine, C
200. Brett Brochu, G


Florida:
---
12. Kaiden Guhle, LD
43. Jake Neighbours, LW
74. Alexander Pashin, LW/RW
86. Jaromir Pytlik, C/RW
105. Vietti Miettinen, RW
137. Jack Thompson, RD
167. Max Glotzl, LD
198. Nate Schweitzer, RD


Los Angeles:
---
2. Quinton Byfield, C
35. Topi Niemela, RD
51. Lukas Cormier, LD
60. Jan Bednar, G
66. Wyatt Kaiser, LD
83. Kasper Simontaival, RW
97. Oliver Suni, RW
112. Cross Hanas, LW
128. Dmitri Ovchinnikov, RW/LW\
159. Simon Knak, RW
190. Logan Morrison, C


Minnesota:
---
9. Anton Lundell, C
39. Theoror Niederbach, C
101. Eemil Viro, LD
132. Grant Slukynsky, C/LW
163. Vsevolod Skotnikov, G
194. Joe Miller, RW


Montreal:
---
16. Seth Jarvis, RW
47. Emil Heineman, LW
48. Brock Faber, RD
57. Will Cuylle, LW
78. Daemon Hunt, LD
98. Michael Benning, RD
102. Dmitri Rashevsky, RW
109. Yevgeni Oksentyuk, LW/RW
136. Jeremie Biakabutuka, RD
171. Devon Levi, G
188. Matteo Constantini, C


Nashville:
---
11. Jack Quinn, RW
37. Thomas Bordeleau, LW/C
42. Tyler Kleven, LD
70. Eamon Powell, RD
73. Carter Savoie, LW
135. Juho Markkanen, G
166. Marko Stacha, LD


New Jersey:
---
7. Marco Rossi, C
18. Lukas Reichel, LW
20. Helge Grans, RD
84. Yegor Chinakhov, RW
99. Viktor Persson, RD
120. Will Cranley, G
130. Bogdan Trineyev, LW
161. Ryder Rolston, RW
192. Mason Langenbrunner, RD


New York Islanders:
---
90. Blake Biondi, C/RW
121. Ryan Francis, RW/C
152. Jacob Dion, LD
183. Noah Ellis, RD
214. Cam Butler, RW


New York Rangers:
---
1. Alexis Lafreniere, LW
22. Connor Zary, C
72. Samuel Knazko, LD
92. Dmitri Zlodeyev, C
103. Simon Kubicek, RD
134. Alexander Nikishin, LD
165. Oldrich Cichon, G
196. Ryan Kirwan, LW
197. Kirill Tankov, C
206. Jake Ratzlaff, RD


Ottawa:
---
3. Tim Stuetzle, LW/C
5. Jake Sanderson, LD
28. Tyson Foerster, RW
33. Brendan Brisson, LW/C
52. Dylan Peterson, RW
59. Jeremie Poirier, LD
61. Nico Daws, G
64. Evan Vierling, C/RW
71. Luke Tuch, LW
95. Zayde Wisdom, RW/C
155. Jackson Hallum, LW
158. Mitch Miller, RD
181. Fabio Iacobo, G


Philadelphia:
---
23. Mavrik Bourque, RW/C
54. Vasili Ponomaryov, C/RW
116. Anton Johannesson, LD
147. William Dufour, RW
178. Jackson Kunz, LW
202. Landon Kosior, RD
209. Carsen Richels, LW


Pittsburgh:
---
77. William Villeneuve, RD
108. Yegor Sokolov, LW/RW
139. Samuel Hlavaj, G
170. Alex Jefferies, RW


San Jose:
---
31. JJ Peterka, RW/LW
34. Jan Mysak, LW/C
55. Joel Blomqvist, G
126. Pavel Novek, LW/RW
127. Luke Prokop, RD
210. Jack Smith, LW/C
211. Tomas Chlubna, LW


St. Louis:
---
26. William Wallinder, LD
87. Maxim Groshev, RW
88. Brandon Coe, RW
119. Colby Ambrodio, RW/C
146. Jesper Vikman, G
150. Ethan Cardwell, LW/C
203. Ben Meehan, LD


Tampa Bay:
---
62. Shakir Mukhamadullin, LD
85. Thimo Nickl, RD
93. Tyler Tullio, RW/LW
94. Carson Bantle, LW
124. Karel Klikorka, LD
157. Matthew Gleason, RW/LW
186. Ivan Didkovsky, RW
217. Matthew Rempe, RW


Toronto:
---
15. Braden Schneider, RD
44. Ozzy Wiesblatt, RW
122. Connor McClennon, RW
153. Artur Akhtyamov, G
168. Oscar Tellstrom, RW
177. Stephen Halliday, LW
179. Yaroslav Likhachyov, LW/RW
189. Pavel Tyutnev, LW
195. Lleyton Moore, LD
212. Ville Ottavainen, RD


Vancouver:
---
82. Donovan Sebrango, LD
113. Maxim Beryozkin, LW/RW
144. Oliver Tarnstrom, RW
175. Michael Krutil, RD
191. Hugo Ollas, G


Vegas:
---
29. Justin Barron, RD
68. Justin Sourdif, RW/C
91. Ronan Seeley, LD
184. Brayden Peters, G
215. Nick Malik, G


Washington:
---
25. Luke Evangelista, RW
80. Alex Cotton, RD
118. Kasper Puutio, RD
149. Gage Goncalves, C/LW
180. Wyatt Schingoethe, C


Winnipeg:
---
10. Alexander Holtz, RW
40. Jack Finley, C
133. Zachary Uens, LD
164. Jake Boltmann, RD

Click to read more...

 

[Leon Draisaitl]

Damn, kudos to you for doing this all! I like Holloway at 14 to the Oilers, he seems to be a good "safe" player to play in our top 6 one day.

 

[grewalwings]

Yeah man, I rate the effort you put into this. I like those 2nd round picks for Detroit.

 

[The Puckhound]

A genuine thanks for taking the time to put this together...my draft excitement is ramping up again! it’s been a damn strange season and the draft will feel like some much needed closure. Some of the picks for my team wouldn’t be my first choice, but every time the philosophy was well-reasoned and informed based on team Selection history and play style! Nice work brother

 

[Dr Awesome]

Wow, lots of effort went into this and it’s appreciated.

 

[Reginald Dunlop]

Great work, lots of effort obviously went into this. Unless I missed a trade you made here, the Oilers have pick 76, not sure where Chicago picked it up.

Edit: nm, see it would go to them if given to Cgy in the Neal trade, but as commented below, highly likely Edm decides to keep it this yr.

 

[cheesymc]

Hardcore...

 

[themelkman]

I like most of the sharks picks here. Only issue is Blomqvist. Sharks have never taken a goalie in the top two rounds and I dont see that changing,

 

[OB5]

This is excellent and I really like this draft for the Habs

 

[Dan Kelly]

Damn, kudos to you for doing this all! I like Holloway at 14 to the Oilers, he seems to be a good "safe" player to play in our top 6 one day.

i like the Oilers first 3 picks a lot but the Oilers will definitely be keeping their 3rd rounder this year in the Neal/Lucic deal and defer their 2021 3rd rounder to the Flames instead ! also i'd be shocked if the Oilers wasted a 7th rounder on another goalie as they have had no success at all drafting goalies in the later rounds and have recently broken this cycle of failure by taking Rodrigue in the late 2nd round and Skinner in the early 3rd.

but great effort in putting together this detailed list !!

 

[sasha barkov]

Holy shit, just realized you got all of the first 3 of the ducks picks correct. Props