Would love if they could snag Bittner, I bet he's gone by when Florida picks though. Huge guy. Failing that, Crouse certainly will still be available. Want the team to just be full of power forwards.
Crouse is almost certainly in the eyes of most/all a Top 15 pick, but with some organisations who value certain traits, comfortably in the Top 10. We shall see where we finish, but it's probable Crouse is picked high.
Bittner conversely won't be in the Top 30 for some teams. He'll be available where we pick as things stand.
Options at where we currently sit are a little difficult to predict, since there is fluidity within a tier of players ranked in that range, and lots of hockey to still be played.
Forwards who aren't small ; Rantanen, Zacha and Svechnikov.
Rantanen is multi-dimensional, good puck skills, can shoot but is possessed with very good playmaking skills, protects the puck, drives to the net.
Zacha definitely more raw, but skates extremely well, can be very physical and mean, can make plays at high speed with the puck. Concerned a little that he these aren't all combined yet, but higher end potential.
Svechnikov is a dynamic offensive player. Skates really well, very good hands and competes well. Nationality may see him drafted in the late teens.
Other forwards who are (or could) be in our current range are Barazal, Konecny, Merkley and White.
Barzal is average sized, silkly smooth offensive player with very good vision, hands and shot. Highly touted, but injuries and average start have hindered his season. Might be ranked all over the place, with some having him well inside their Top 10, whilst others are more reserved.
Konecny has a similar profile to Barzal. Could be ranked all over the place.
White i'm not knowledgeable on.
Merkely is a smaller forward who is individually very talented, fundamentally a playmaker who will rely on vision and decision making a the next level. Has had a very good developmental year.
These probably realistically make up the bulk of Forwards we may look at. You can add Sprong perhaps too. Lots of potential there and much of it depends on what you value more. Scouts will have a better idea of who projects more at the next level than i do.
