TribalPhoenix
Former TribalPhoenix
1) 
select, from the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League, center Shane Wright
This pick just makes too much sense for the Habs, adhering to the tried and true model of having two keystone centers in your organization. Wright is the consummate pro, future captain material, and a player who is going to give it all for every inch of ice - likely a 75-85 point, 25-30 goal scorer, he is face-of-the-franchise material. He and Suzuki will be a dynamite 1-2 punch.
2)
select, from TPS Turku of the SM-Liiga, right winger Juraj Slafkovsky.
Using the above rationale, the Devils feel like they've gotten their man anyways by adding an elite scoring winger to their existing pivot compliment of Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier. While I think people put a bit too much weight in his Olympic performance, the fact he could produce reasonably well as a mainly 17-year-old in the Liiga is a huge plus. His size and finishing ability will bring a whole new dimension to the Devils top-line for years to come.
3)
select, from the United States National Training & Development Program, center Logan Cooley
The Coyotes are more than happy to start their gutting by adding an elite forward prospect like Cooley, who some would argue is the most naturally talented offensive prospect in the draft class. While not a big player, Cooley doesn't really have a lot of flaws in his game, and his sublime hockey IQ and vision will offset his mediocre shot and finishing ability. Wouldn't be surprised if he fulfilled at least his first year of commitment to University of Minnesota as there is nothing to gain by bringing him into the dumpster fire that will be Arizona State Uni... I mean the Coyotes organization next season.
4)
select, from HC Plzen of the Czech Extraliga, defenceman David Jiricek
The Kraken may be willing to throw a lot of money around in free agency, and I believe they will shock some people, but they still need to build a crop of what's coming. After adding a true blue-chipper in Matty Beniers, adding a stalwart on the backend is the next move and a dynamic offensive defender with good size in the 6'3" Jiricek should have them grinning from ear to ear. While he's not your quintessential PPQB, he has a booming shot and great lateral mobility to walk the line and find a lane to let it go. He needs to use his size and gain some more snarl, but his upside is huge.
5)
select, from the United States National Training & Development Program, center Cutter Gauthier.
The Flyers are in shambles, and they need someone who is going to bring some skill and swagger back to their identity. Gauthier has that in spades; verstatile to play the wing or up the middle, Gauthier has the kind of skill that you envision immediately as a top-six forward, and possibly top-line pivot should development go as it would. Philly is in a big state of transition right now, and while adding a guy like Nemec would be tempting, I think they can't resist taking a kid whose work ethic and willingness to go to the dirty areas is going to endear him to fans & teammates.
6)
(VIA CHI) select, from HK Nitra of the Slovakian Extraliga, defenceman Simon Nemec
The Blue Jackets do a dead sprint to the podium to pick up who many believe to be arguably the best defenceman in the draft. A very capable two-way defender with great skating and agility, as well as a high hockey IQ and PPQB potential, he appears to be the most complete rearguard in the draft, and the Jackets are thrilled to add him after stocking up on forwards heavily in the past couple of drafts in the high rounds.
7)
select, from the Winnipeg Ice of the Western Hockey League, center Matthew Savoie
With a plethora of high picks in the past couple of drafts, picking up defenders like Jake Sanderson, Tyler Kleven, and Ben Rogers, as well as wingers Tyler Boucher, Roby Jarventie, and Ridley Grieg, the Sens swing for the fences on one of the purest offensive talents in the draft in Savoie. While he's lacking in size, he is the kind of player who hypnotizes defenders with his stickhandling ability and scoring prowess. Yes, his size does concern many as a pivot in this league, however giving him time to physically mature and work on his lower body strength are all the Sens need to do to have possibly the steal of the draft.
8)
select, from Djurgardens of the Swedish Hockey League, right winger Jonathan Lekkerimaki
After the Red Wings have pulled in an absolute haul of the past couple of drafts with the likes of Lucas Raymond, Simon Edvinsson, William Wallinder and others, the Wings go back to Sweden to select a top-shelf offensive winger in Lekkerimaki. While he needs to build a lot of strength to his slight frame, his great vision and lethal wrist shot are the tools that will serve well on an emerging Red Wings club where he will likely find himself riding on the right side of Dylan Larkin (provided they can get him signed to a proper extension) for many years to come.
9)
select, from JYP of the SM-Liiga, right winger Joakim Kemell
Although the Sabres have gone forward heavy in their drafting in recent years, the lure of a player as talented and confident as Kemell is one they simply can't turn down. While he's a little ways away from coming into the league, his nose for the net in close is something the Sabres will value in years to come, though he will have to continue learning when and where to shoot from as the goaltending and defending will only get harder as he moves to North America. That said, he has the potential to be a legit top-six winger who can get things done around the hash marks.
10)
select, from the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League, Pavel Mintyukov
With the Ducks drafting very well over the past few seasons, including emerging stars Mason MacTavish and Jamie Drysdale, the Ducks are thrilled to add another elite skating on the left side of Drysdale in the Russian import Mintyukov. While there are other great defenders available at this spot, Mintyukov's skating ability will allow for what could become the league's most mobile defensive pairing if he can gel with Drysdale. While he may not have the top-end speed of Drysdale, his ability to elude forecheckers and come away with pucks in the defensive zone and transition would be a huge boon.
11)
select, from the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League, defenceman Denton Mateychuk
As the Sharks are in pure rebuild mode right now, and having another high pick at their disposal, they look to the fluid and explosive Mateychuk to add a potential top-four defender to their prospect pool. What he lacks in pure size, he makes up for in aggressiveness in the defensive zone, and the ability to break the puck up ice with confidence, while using his skating to control the gap well against larger forecheckers.
12) select, from Lahti Pelicans of the SM-Liiga, center Brad Lambert
With another high pick, the Blue Jackets can afford the pseudo-gamble that is Brad Lambert; as the inevitable enigmatic forward that seems to appear in every draft, Lambert is a top-10 talent whose streakiness has him all over team draft boards. Potentially the best skater in the whole draft, Lambert can create offense out of nowhere and brings the kind of talent that screams top-six pivot, and with Jarmo Kekkalainen's ties to FInland, he brings another blue chip prospect into the fold.
13)
select, from the US National Training & Development Program, left wing Isaac Howard
One of the most natural goal scoring forwards in the draft, Sweet Lou Lamoriello decides to go slightly off the board here with a pick for a player who is going to immediately provide a boost to his offensive future. After lacking higher picks in the past few seasons, the Isles bring in a player who has a ton of offensive potential even if the rest of his game is raw and will need some time to develop. Fortunately, the University of Minnesota-Duluth commit is going to get that time as he won't be rushed into the league, and a strong program that promotes two-way play at UMD will only help him.
14)
select, from the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League, defenceman Kevin Korchinski
While many believe that the Jets will look to their own backyard for Connor Geekie, the Jets have spent a lot of resources drafting high end forward talent so turn their attention to the 6'2" Korchinski. Bringing good size and extremely strong playmaking ability from the blue line, Korchinski brings great tools as a two-way defender. He'll need some development time to be certain, as most defenders do, but his upside projects him to be a solid second-pairing defender who could quarterback the powerplay.
15)
select, from the Winnipeg Ice of the Western Hockey League, center Connor Geekie
Having missed out on some high draft picks over the past few years, the Canucks are in BPA mode, and having a hulking center like Connor Geekie in their prospect pool helps matters greatly. A center with offensive prowess and great size to barge through defenders at the junior level, the obvious questions of skating and agility come into question. This is something that can be addressed in coming seasons where Geekie projects as a middle-six center who will provide a mean net front presence on special teams.
16) (via VGK) select, from Rogle of the Allsvenskan, center Marco Kasper
The Sabres reach out to Europe to pluck away the talented Austian forward who brings a complete game without any single elite talent. His ability to execute in the offensive zone is well noted, where he can set up plays, finish them, and anticipate the play without the puck. Nice about this player is that he isn't afraid to get physical in his play without the disc, which makes him a great addition to a Buffalo team that appears to finally be on the upswing.
17)
select, from Djurgardens of the Swedish Hockey League, defenceman Calle Odelius
The Preds have a reputation for drafting defensive gems, and after loading up on the like of Philip Tomasino, Yaroslav Askarov, Luke Evangelista and Fedor Svechkov the past few drafts to address up front and between the pipes, David Poile goes back to old habits. Odelius is exactly what the Preds like in their defenders - smooth skating and smart, making beautiful transitions up ice and keeping his head on a swivel both attacking and defending. In a program that breeds solid defenders, and with the mentorship of a guy like Roman Josi, he could be a steal at this point.
18)
select, from the United States National Training & Development Program, right winger Jimmy Snuggerud
Dallas grabs a solid scoring winger with a lot of potential in Snuggerud, who still has room to improve on his skating. While it improved this past season, there is much more work to do to get it to the next level, but his offensive prowess and well-roundedness to his game make him a very appealing option. He has worked hard this past season, and it's shown, making him a solid candidate as a middle-six winger with second-line upside.
19)
(via LAK) select, from HK Poprad of the Slovakian Extraliga, center Filip Mesar
More likely to play wing at the pro level, Minnesota adds a right-shot pivot who will likely find his way on the right side. He has sublime skill, with great hands and quick feet, allowing him to be one of the more dynamic players available in the draft. While his lack of size will need to be overcome with getting stronger, and will likely hinder him on the defensive side of the puck, he projects to be a middle-six winger who can play on the top power play unit.
20)
select, from Karlovy Vary of the Czech Extraliga, center Jiri Kulich
After drafting Connor McMichael and Hendrix Lapierre with their last two first round picks, the Caps go back to the well to try and replace the aging Niklas Backstrom and select Kulich. He is a player who likes to score, and has a great shot to make that happen, while has the frame to buy himself time once he adds more muscle to it. While he has some room to grow defensively to make himself a legitimate NHL center, he has the kind of upside that make him a very strong possibility to play a middle-six pivot role in 2-3 years.
21)
select, from the United States National Training & Development Program, center Frank Nazar
The Penguins have a fairly bare shelf when it comes to prospects, having dealt many of their high picks over recent years to stay competitive. This year, with an aging core and potentially losing Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang to free agency, it is time they start looking at a post-Sid future and start stocking the pipeline. Nazar is a good candidate for this; although he likely projects as a middle-six forward with the upside of a second-liner. Despite his skill, he lacks awareness of the zone and needs to become stronger to deal with the rigours of the next level. I see him as a boom/bust property, and the Pens are in a position to need the boom.
22) (VIA BOS) select, from the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League, defenceman Owen Pickering
They Ducks add another key defensive piece, taking the 6'4" Pickering to potentially solidify their left-side for years to come along with earlier selection Pavel Mintyukov. Whereas Mintyukov is more an offensive threat, Pickering brings the size and mobility you want in a defender and looks like the type who will be able to play up and down in your top-6. This pick brings Anaheim to one of the most dynamic prospect pools in the league, where he could easily be the safety blanket for a player like Drysdale to really use his offensive abilities.
23)
select, from the United States National Training & Development Program, defenceman Lane Hutson
The Blues have spent some draft capital to remain competitive, and adding a savvy defender like Hutson is a great get for their program. While an under-sized defender, he's extremely smooth and moves the puck with silky grace, finding first passes consistently and showing great smarts. Does he need to get stronger? Absolutely, but the Blues are in a position not to rush him and time at Boston University is only going to allow him that extended learning curve to physically mature before walking into the pros.
24) selects, from Djurgardens of the Swedish Hockey League, center Noah Ostlund
The Wild are thrilled to select this sublimely talented center to further compliment the recet addition of Filip Mesar, as well as the likes of Matthew Boldy and Marco Rossi up front. Ostlund shows great hockey IQ and stickhandling which will pose problems for defenders should he keep developing. He doesn't strike much of an image as a goal scorer, and his numbers bear that out, but he looks like a quintessential second-line center who will get lots of time on the PP.
25)
select, from the Gatineau Olympiques of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, defenceman Noah Warren
While the Leafs have a habit of drafting small, skilled players, the time has come to address a player who brings the size and strength to go along with the mobility. At 6'5" and over 200 pounds, Warren may appear on paper as a plodding defender, but in reality has outstanding mobility and explosiveness. He is not a player who is going to eat up offensive minutes, but the Leafs have plenty of defenders in their pipeline who can do that - he's a player who will run a PK, and who you will have on against top tier players to shut them down. This is something Toronto lacks, and now they can fill that gap in their pool.
26) (via CGY) select, from Djurgardens of the Swedish Hockey League, left winger Liam Ohgren
The Habs have nailed down their top-two centers in Wright and Suzuki for the future, and can now focus their attention on scoring wingers to compliment them. Ohgren brings some size and a bit of grit, but a natural playmaking ability that will serve well with either Suzuki or Wright. He may not be ready for a couple of years and will likely stay in Sweden until that time, but he projects as a middle-six winger with a very solid offensive skillset.
27) (via CAR via MTL) select, from the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League, right winger Jagger Firkus
With the bevy of picks the Coyotes possess, there comes a point where you want to draft guys who will not just help you win, but help sell the game. Firkus is as exciting as a player in this draft to watch, with a great motor and combination of finish and playmaking to compliment his great hockey IQ. If he was four inches taller, and 30 pounds heavier, we would be talking about this player as potentially a top-10 pick, but the Coyotes are happy to bring his skill as they can be patient and allow him to mature before bringing him in.
28) (via FLA) select, from the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, center Nathan Gaucher
With the amount of skill the Sabres have drafted, they can afford to spend a higher pick on a player whose attention the defensive side of the game is his main strength. Gaucher is big, mobile, and nasty. This doesn't mean he can't produce offensively, but there are questions if that will translate to the next level; that said, with all the skill the Sabres will have as they turn their franchise around, Gaucher will be that turnover-generator that makes coaches drool.
29)
select, from Chaska High School in Minnesota, defenceman Sam Rinzel
With the Philip Broberg selection in 2019 to be a stop/start and choppy in nature, the Oilers refocus their draft capital on a big, smart, and dynamic defender in Rinzel. He's a commit to University of Minnesota, where he is going to play a big role in a strong program, and will allow him to work on his defensive decision making and focus his energy at both ends of the ice rather than his breakout prowess. The Oilers have time to allow him to develop, and will be happy they did.
30) (via NYR) select, from the Drummonville Voltigeurs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, defenceman Maveric Lamoureux
The Jets take a look at this 6'7", right shot defender, and look at what they did with past monster defender Logan Stanley, and say "Alright, let's do it again!". You simply couldn't ask for a more physical package than Lamoureux, and like Stanley, his game is going to take a lot of refinement before he gets to the show. That said, the Jets can be patient with him, and give him that time where he looks like an absolute shut-down defender who can consistently eat up minutes in the 4/5 spot on your D corps.
31)
select, from Omskie Yastreby of the MHL, left winger Ivan Miroshnichenko
And here is where the new Russian factor plays in; with things going on the geo-political stage between North America and Russia, and the recent news of Flyers prospect Ivan Fedotov being detained by Russian police for "evading military service", this will play a part in GM's minds. Memories of Evgeni Malkin's borderline defection come back vividly, as the KHL will not give up their homegrown talent easily, especially in this climate. That said, when you're the Bolts who are a historically great team, they can take a chance on this one; if he comes over, he could be an absolute home run.
32) (via COL) select, from Stalnye Lisy of the MHL, right winger Danila Yurov
With their wealth of draft capital, Arizona goes out and grabs the super skilled Yurov far later than he would typically go if it weren't for his passport. It may not be a popular opinion, but I believe non-North American Russian players are going to see their draft stock drop severely, and it will be teams with a lot of picks who are going to take the liberty of drafting these players and assuming the risk that comes with it.
33) select, from the United States National Training & Development Program, left winger Rutger McGroarty
The Habs have had a lot of success with players coming from the US in general, and McGroarty is a great piece to fall to them in the second round. McGroarty has the size to create space, and some fantastic playmaking ability. He still needs a lot of polish on other elements of his game, but the University of Michigan commit will get the time he needs to join the club in 2-3 years after he's had some seasoning and ready to go pro.
34) select, from the United States National Training & Development Program, defenceman Ryan Chesley
After adding some serious offensive ability in the first round, the Coyotes add a first-round talent on the backend in Chesley. An all-around defender with some decent size that does everything well, but nothing great and brings a right hand shot to the party. Has a ceiling that really peaks out around a #4 guy, but probably finds his spot as a 16-18 minute #5 who can kill penalties with the best of them. A fairly safe pick who has the skillset to make the big show.
35) select, from the Mississauga Steelheads of the Ontario Hockey League, center Luca Del-Bel-Belluz
Seattle is thrilled to have LDBB drop to them in the second round, as a player who has taken huge steps since his freshman season in the OHL. As a pivot with average size, and solid playmaking ability, it's his shot that makes him most dangerous - particularly down low between the hash marks. He charts as a middle-six center at the pro level, but if he can develop as many believe he can, he could be a potent compliment to Matty Beniers as a one-two punch in the future.
36) (via PHI) select, from the Gatineau Olympiques of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, defenceman Tristan Luneau
Yet another piece to their blueline, the Coyotes add a true swiss army knife on their back end. Luneau, a former first overall pick in the QMJHL Draft, has shown that he can do everything fairly well, but nothing spectacularly. He's a lunchpail type of player who does his job, and is at his best when you don't notice him on the ice, then notice he ate 23 minutes. Mobile at both ends of the ice, with good reads and a sense of how to defend, he may not score a lot of points but will be a coaches dream defending the net.
37) select, from Leksands IF of the Swedish Hockey League, defenceman Lian Bischel
A beast of a player at 6'5" and over 220 pounds is a physically mature speciman who has the strength to walk onto the ice right now. That said, despite the fact that he brings good skating and skill to the table, his overall game is rough around the edges. With the right development, and some time to stay in Sweden to continue his development, there is every reason to believe that he could find himself playing along the right side of Luke Hughes in the future using his huge wingspan and reach to provide Hughes the security to explore his offensive game more.
38)
select, from Lokomotiv of the Kontinental Hockey League, left winger Alexander Perevalov
Whereas some teams may draft Russians because they can afford, Chicago is taking the risk because they don't have much of a choice. After dealing a great much of their draft capital for roster players, and having it not work out so well, the Blackhawks really lack high end talent in their prospect pool. At this point in the draft, Perevalov is a first round offensive talent who has shown elite finishing ability. In a weaker draft, do the Hawks take the gamble or make a safer North American or European pick? I believe with Perevalov there, they take the former.
39) select, from the United States National Training & Development Program, defenceman Seamus Casey
Going back to the program, as they've done the with the likes of Jake Sanderson, Tyler Kleven, and Tyler Boucher over the past couple of drafts, Ottawa selects a defender of a different mold - an undersized puck mover, who has shown a really solid understanding of the game. This is a necessity, as he stands barely 5'10" and weighs around the 160-170 pound range. There are questions as to if the offence will catch up to his skillset, but it's a gamble worth taking given the physical skill.
40) select, from the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League, center David Goyette
The Wings have a nose for finding sneaky talent, and boy does Goyette fit the bill. Not a big player, but always manages to find space to unleash a lethal quick shot that can beat goaltenders clean. Arguably one of the purer goal scorers in the draft, his size (or lack thereof) will be a hindrance in finding open space in the tough areas in front of the net, but with the proper physical maturity, there is no reason to think he won't get there and provide solid complimentary scoring in the NHL.
41) select, from Omskie Krylya of the VHL, left winger Gleb Trikozov
With their fourth selection in the draft, the Sabres can afford to gamble on a first round talent like Trikozov. His playmaking is NHL potential, as is his puck handling abilities which give defenders fits. While his consistency is a bit of a point of concern, the physical package and skillset is one that is worth using the pick as his potential to be a legitimate offensive producer in the league is legitimate.
42) select, from HK Nitra of the Slovakian Extraliga, right winger Adam Sykora
With their defensive needs shored up, and the existing one-two punch of MacTavish and Zegras for years to come, the Ducks go to Slovakia to find their relenteless, puck-hounding forechecking forward with skill. Sykora brings that in spades, and although he lacks the ideal size at just 5'10" and 170 pounds, his energy level and compete go well with his soft hands to go puck-hunting for his more skilled linemates. After seeing what Zach Hyman has done for Edmonton, and the value those players bring, this is a coup for the Ducks.
43) (via SJ) select, from EHC Munchen of the Deutsche Extra Liga, left winger Julian Lutz
A jack-of-all-trades forward who shows a nose for the net and a willingness to go to the dirty areas, Lutz is a player with a lower ceiling but can serve a purpose on a skilled team. Is he a player who is going to put up a ton of points? Maybe, or maybe not, but the jury is out. That said, he's already physically mature and has shown the fight and sandpaper to dig out pucks and be a headache as a net front presence. He's going to be a project, likely 4-5 years before reaching the show, but he could be an invaluable piece when he's there and his rough edges have been smoothed out.
44) select, from the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, defenceman Isaiah George
One of the best pure skaters in the draft, George has the size, skill, and mobility to have a huge upside in the NHL; think legitimate second-pairing potential. He is smooth and easy on his skates, highly effective in transition, and can contribute positively in all three zones. All that said, his decision-making and hockey IQ are going to need a fair bit of refinement; he struggles with quick reads, and it can cost him and his team overall. Given the right amount of coaching and time to progress, this is a pick that has a ton of upside.
45) (via NYI) select, from the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League, defenceman Mats Lindgren
Yup, another Coyotes pick... and at this point, they just go for BPA as they are so deep in picks that positional need starts to wane. A quinessential offensive defender, Lindgren is polarizing; where it's obvious he needs to work on his all-around game, his point production abilities are what he's being drafted for, and some don't believe they will translate. I believe he will struggle eating a lot of minutes at the NHL level, but looks like a solid third-pairing puck mover who will PPQB a second unit.
46) (via WPG) select, from Krasnaya Armiya of the MHL, defenceman Vladimir Grudinin
If there was a team that is going to have fewer problems bringing Russian players overseas, it is most certainly the Caps who can lean on Alex Ovechkin's influence in his mother country. This is a great pick for the Caps who pick up a highly intelligent, competitive defender with great potential at both ends of the ice because of his outstanding skating and agility. His size is a large cause for concern, at about 5'10" and around the 155 pound mark, but given time to physically mature and gain strength, Grudinin is a player who could make Caps fans very happy at this point in the draft.
47) (via VAN via ARZ) select, from Linkopings of the Swedish Hockey League, defenceman Mattias Havelid
Addressing their offensive needs in the first round, the Wild are thrilled to go back to Europe and select the likes of Havelid. Boasting a wealth of offensive skill, Havelid plays a consistent and simple style of game where he focuses on making intelligent plays and rarely every panics. Although he's another undersized defender at 5'9", he has the brain for the position and will need to keep getting stronger to take his game to the next level.
48)
selects, from the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League, Nicholas Moldenhauer
Vegas finally gets to pick in this draft, and they use their selection to go somewhat off the board with Moldenhauer. Not overly large at 5'10" and 175 pounds, Moldenhauer has had something of a comeback season after getting injured, and returning from injury to wrap up nearly a point-per-game tally with the powerhouse Chicago Steel. A player with offensive ability, as well as the ability to play responsibly in his own end, he has the potential to be a bit of a diamond in the rough at this point in the draft. Development will be intriguing, as he currently doesn't have an NCAA commitment but has his OHL rights owned by Sarnia which reduces his development window considerably.
49) (via NSH) select, from Skelleftea AIK of the Swedish Hockey League, defenceman Elias Salomonsson
The Kraken continue to build out their back end by adding a highly skilled player in Salomonsson. This is very much a boom/bust pick, as Salomonsson has shown that both his IQ and decision-making can be suspect at times, and not what is required to play at the next level. I, however, disagree on that - and I think Seattle will too. While he will take time to acclimate himself, Salomonsson is a very solid player and one who has the kind of upside that could turn him into a second pairing defender. Surprisingly, he was not selected in the CHL Import Draft, which I thought would help him acclimate to smaller ice and quicker decisions without playing against men.
50) select, from the North Bay Battalion of the Ontario Hockey League, defenceman Ty Nelson
A former first overall selection in the OHL Priority Selection, Nelson is a player who great things were expected from. Although his first season was a bit of a stop/start in terms of his overall development, he's shown this season to be a highly capable rearguard with a huge amount of upside. His offensive numbers haven't been what you'd hope from a player of his size, barely reaching 5'10", but he's a stocky and strong player who has embraced the grind down low. With some patience, and time at the AHL level, Nelson has the potential to lock up a spot on the right side of the Stars second pairing if things go well.
51)
select, from the Mississauga Steelheads of the Ontario Hockey League, center Owen Beck
The Kings add another forward here to go along with their young stable of Quinton Byfield, Alex Turcotte, and Franceso Pinelli up the middle from past drafts. That said, Beck is more likely to become a winger as a pro, and as such gives versatility. Beck has blazing speed and skating, to go along with a propensity to throw his body around and go to the dirty areas. That said, the question of his offensive game is somewhat in question; I don't see where his playmaking or finishing abilities translate to the NHL. That said, with his ability to find space and soft hands, he could be that complimentary piece in a top-nine spot.
52) (via WSH) select, from the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League, Matyas Sapovaliv
In their own backyard, the Red Wings add a big-bodied forward to the mix with Sapovaliv. Standing 6'3", he will need to grow into his body to fully use it to his advantage, while not losing his mobility and quickness. He's a smart player who can both set up and finish, though unlikely in a top-six role in the NHL. He projects as a very solid third-line option, who can play occasional spot duty in the top-six due to injury.
53) (via PIT) select, from the Youngstown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League, center Adam Ingram
Committed to St. Cloud State University, Ingram is a forward who the Ducks can take their time with given their depth up front. Producing at a point-per-game in the USHL, Ingram showed that he is capable of both setting up plays and finishing them - however, the rest of his game remains a bit of an unpolished item. He will not plenty of seasoning over the course of his collegiate career, which is ideal for the Ducks who are firmly entrenched with MacTavish and Zegras as their top two centermen on the big club.
54)
select, from the Sault-St. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League, center Bryce McConnell-Barker
A center with decent size, McConnell-Barker fell off a cliff in terms of his draft projection this year. He didn't produce offensively at a level many thought he would, despite being a solid 200-foot contributor to his club. That kind of work ethic is what will draw him to the Bruins, though, where he can use his draft+1 and draft+2 years to continue to develop his overall game where the hope his he can elevate and refine his game to that of a third-line pivot at the pro level.
55) (via STL via NYR) select, from Ilves of the SM-Liiga, right winger Jani Nyman
In a draft full of undersized players, the Jets go to the other end of the spectrum and pluck this 6'3", 210+ pound winger from Finland. Nyman is a goal scorer - he pounds the puck with a banger of a shot that can beat goalies clean, but is also can be criticized as a one-tool player. He lacks a sense of urgency, and tends to rely excessively on his shot to be dangerous from anywhere - that's a bit of a red flag at the NHL level, where time and space is at a premium. Still, the Jets see enough there that they feel they can work with and mold him into a bottom-six forward who can put in 15-20 goals a year.
56) select, from the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League, center Danny Zhilkin
Zhilkin has been on scouts radar for a while now, dating back to his days playing Bantam with the Toronto Red Wings progra in the GTHL. Having hit his growth spurt, he has matured to a big bodied but quick offensive player in the OHL, although with the same questions surrounding his motor and compete level dogging him. This is something that the Wild can work on, and hope that he will find it internally as he assumes more of a leadership role, the Wild are happy to add him here.
57) (via MIN) select, from Northeastern University, center Jack Hughes
Certainly not of the same pedigree as his namesake in a Devils uniform, Hughes is a polarizing prospect; he enjoyed a solid season as a freshman in Northeastern, but his offensive abilities are still looked at as being great at the collegiate level, but maybe not at the level for the pro game. Does he have enough away from the puck to make himself a useful option outside of a scoring role? Time will tell, but Hughes comes from a great hockey bloodline, and the Hawks will bank on that at this point in the draft.
58) (via TOR) select, from Zvezda Chekhov of the VHL, defenceman Artyom Duda
Around this point is where we start to see the Russians be worth more of a risk, and the Kraken are willing to add this offensive defenceman with adequate size to their pipeline. Can they afford to wait a few years before he may, potentially, come over the North America? Given the current situation, I would warrant that they can as they are still in the process of building and urgency is not crazy... particularly with all their cap space to shore themselves up for the near future
.
59)
select, from the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League, right winger Matthew Seminoff
For their first pick of the draft, the Flames focus on the Sutter identity - farm strong ,work hard, and good results will come. Seminoff is that kind of player, who will get gritty and dirty to get the job done, and will put in some occasional offence in the process. This is the kind of guy you want playing with skill guys, and plays a heart and soul style. Being from the dub doesn't hurt as they add more grit to their prospect pipeline.
60)
select, from Linkopings of the Swedish Hockey League, center Filip Bystedt
6'4" centres simply don't grow on trees, and Carolina is more than happy to grab one late in the second round. Bystedt is an all-around kind of player who plays effectively in all three zones, but shouldn't be looked at to be a big point contributor in North America unless he starts embracing the physical game. If the Hurricanes can bring that out in him, they will have a heck of a net front presence on their hands who can cause some havoc down low.
61) (via FLA vis CGY) select, from the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League, center Matthew Poitras
Adding more up front after shoring up the back end, Poitras is that kind of utility player who can play up and down your lineup. Is he a line driver? Absolutely not, but he has the skillset to be useful in basically all situations. One area he really developed with Guelph was his commitment to playing defensively; as a member of well-known Whitby Wildcats AAA program in his minor hockey days, his offence was his calling card, but realized early he needed to add more to his repertoire. This type of versatility is a boon to his future development.
62) (via EDM) select, from the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League, left winger Stephen Halliday
A bit off the board as a now 20-year-old, second time draft entrant, Halliday has emerged a much more complete product out of the USHL. Formerly drafted first overall in the Phase 1 draft, Halliday has been a slow and steady product of consitent improvement to his skating and overall agility to go along with his vision and playmaking ability. Finishing second in league scoring this past season before heading off to Ohio-State University where he'll be leaned on right away for big minutes, he'll need to still work on his compete level; if he can find that, the Habs will be very happy to have grabbed him at this point.
63)
select, from the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League, center Paul Ludwinski
The Rangers swing on this forward from the Frontenacs, who has shown strong skill and commitment to a 200-foot game. While he looks like a player with potential middle-six abilities, he needs to bring that more consistently - he has too many off games, but when he is on his game, he looks like a legit prospect who could turn into a pro player. The question is if that will happen, and if not, can he be a contributor otherwise? The Rangers believe he can.
64) (via TBL) select, from the Ottawa 67's of the Ontario Hockey League, center Vinzenz Rohrer
Going to their own backyard, the Sens bring in the Austrian-born Rohrer who has been a consistent contributor on the junior team this past season. Not a large player at around 5'10", Rohrer's ability to survive is being able to evade larger, stronger players, and to create space for himself. If his skill in this regard can bring him to the pro game, there is every reason to think the Sens could have a bottom-six forward on hand with some PP upside.
65) (via COL) select, from the United States Training & Development Program, right winger Devin Kaplan
The Isles know how to spot quiet talent, and Kaplan is very underrated. He had an up and down year, where he was going between the U18 and U20 team due to injuries, of which he dealt with himself as well. He brings a big frame and showed that he could produce to some degree at both levels, however I think the fact that he never got to find any stability belies what he's capable of. He won't be a top tier scorer, but definitely has the tools to be a useful player.
select, from the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League, center Shane WrightThis pick just makes too much sense for the Habs, adhering to the tried and true model of having two keystone centers in your organization. Wright is the consummate pro, future captain material, and a player who is going to give it all for every inch of ice - likely a 75-85 point, 25-30 goal scorer, he is face-of-the-franchise material. He and Suzuki will be a dynamite 1-2 punch.
2)
select, from TPS Turku of the SM-Liiga, right winger Juraj Slafkovsky.Using the above rationale, the Devils feel like they've gotten their man anyways by adding an elite scoring winger to their existing pivot compliment of Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier. While I think people put a bit too much weight in his Olympic performance, the fact he could produce reasonably well as a mainly 17-year-old in the Liiga is a huge plus. His size and finishing ability will bring a whole new dimension to the Devils top-line for years to come.
3)
select, from the United States National Training & Development Program, center Logan CooleyThe Coyotes are more than happy to start their gutting by adding an elite forward prospect like Cooley, who some would argue is the most naturally talented offensive prospect in the draft class. While not a big player, Cooley doesn't really have a lot of flaws in his game, and his sublime hockey IQ and vision will offset his mediocre shot and finishing ability. Wouldn't be surprised if he fulfilled at least his first year of commitment to University of Minnesota as there is nothing to gain by bringing him into the dumpster fire that will be Arizona State Uni... I mean the Coyotes organization next season.
4)
select, from HC Plzen of the Czech Extraliga, defenceman David JiricekThe Kraken may be willing to throw a lot of money around in free agency, and I believe they will shock some people, but they still need to build a crop of what's coming. After adding a true blue-chipper in Matty Beniers, adding a stalwart on the backend is the next move and a dynamic offensive defender with good size in the 6'3" Jiricek should have them grinning from ear to ear. While he's not your quintessential PPQB, he has a booming shot and great lateral mobility to walk the line and find a lane to let it go. He needs to use his size and gain some more snarl, but his upside is huge.
5)
select, from the United States National Training & Development Program, center Cutter Gauthier.The Flyers are in shambles, and they need someone who is going to bring some skill and swagger back to their identity. Gauthier has that in spades; verstatile to play the wing or up the middle, Gauthier has the kind of skill that you envision immediately as a top-six forward, and possibly top-line pivot should development go as it would. Philly is in a big state of transition right now, and while adding a guy like Nemec would be tempting, I think they can't resist taking a kid whose work ethic and willingness to go to the dirty areas is going to endear him to fans & teammates.
6)
(VIA CHI) select, from HK Nitra of the Slovakian Extraliga, defenceman Simon NemecThe Blue Jackets do a dead sprint to the podium to pick up who many believe to be arguably the best defenceman in the draft. A very capable two-way defender with great skating and agility, as well as a high hockey IQ and PPQB potential, he appears to be the most complete rearguard in the draft, and the Jackets are thrilled to add him after stocking up on forwards heavily in the past couple of drafts in the high rounds.
7)
select, from the Winnipeg Ice of the Western Hockey League, center Matthew SavoieWith a plethora of high picks in the past couple of drafts, picking up defenders like Jake Sanderson, Tyler Kleven, and Ben Rogers, as well as wingers Tyler Boucher, Roby Jarventie, and Ridley Grieg, the Sens swing for the fences on one of the purest offensive talents in the draft in Savoie. While he's lacking in size, he is the kind of player who hypnotizes defenders with his stickhandling ability and scoring prowess. Yes, his size does concern many as a pivot in this league, however giving him time to physically mature and work on his lower body strength are all the Sens need to do to have possibly the steal of the draft.
8)
select, from Djurgardens of the Swedish Hockey League, right winger Jonathan LekkerimakiAfter the Red Wings have pulled in an absolute haul of the past couple of drafts with the likes of Lucas Raymond, Simon Edvinsson, William Wallinder and others, the Wings go back to Sweden to select a top-shelf offensive winger in Lekkerimaki. While he needs to build a lot of strength to his slight frame, his great vision and lethal wrist shot are the tools that will serve well on an emerging Red Wings club where he will likely find himself riding on the right side of Dylan Larkin (provided they can get him signed to a proper extension) for many years to come.
9)
select, from JYP of the SM-Liiga, right winger Joakim KemellAlthough the Sabres have gone forward heavy in their drafting in recent years, the lure of a player as talented and confident as Kemell is one they simply can't turn down. While he's a little ways away from coming into the league, his nose for the net in close is something the Sabres will value in years to come, though he will have to continue learning when and where to shoot from as the goaltending and defending will only get harder as he moves to North America. That said, he has the potential to be a legit top-six winger who can get things done around the hash marks.
10)
select, from the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League, Pavel MintyukovWith the Ducks drafting very well over the past few seasons, including emerging stars Mason MacTavish and Jamie Drysdale, the Ducks are thrilled to add another elite skating on the left side of Drysdale in the Russian import Mintyukov. While there are other great defenders available at this spot, Mintyukov's skating ability will allow for what could become the league's most mobile defensive pairing if he can gel with Drysdale. While he may not have the top-end speed of Drysdale, his ability to elude forecheckers and come away with pucks in the defensive zone and transition would be a huge boon.
11)
select, from the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League, defenceman Denton MateychukAs the Sharks are in pure rebuild mode right now, and having another high pick at their disposal, they look to the fluid and explosive Mateychuk to add a potential top-four defender to their prospect pool. What he lacks in pure size, he makes up for in aggressiveness in the defensive zone, and the ability to break the puck up ice with confidence, while using his skating to control the gap well against larger forecheckers.
12)
select, from Lahti Pelicans of the SM-Liiga, center Brad LambertWith another high pick, the Blue Jackets can afford the pseudo-gamble that is Brad Lambert; as the inevitable enigmatic forward that seems to appear in every draft, Lambert is a top-10 talent whose streakiness has him all over team draft boards. Potentially the best skater in the whole draft, Lambert can create offense out of nowhere and brings the kind of talent that screams top-six pivot, and with Jarmo Kekkalainen's ties to FInland, he brings another blue chip prospect into the fold.
13)
select, from the US National Training & Development Program, left wing Isaac HowardOne of the most natural goal scoring forwards in the draft, Sweet Lou Lamoriello decides to go slightly off the board here with a pick for a player who is going to immediately provide a boost to his offensive future. After lacking higher picks in the past few seasons, the Isles bring in a player who has a ton of offensive potential even if the rest of his game is raw and will need some time to develop. Fortunately, the University of Minnesota-Duluth commit is going to get that time as he won't be rushed into the league, and a strong program that promotes two-way play at UMD will only help him.
14)
select, from the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League, defenceman Kevin KorchinskiWhile many believe that the Jets will look to their own backyard for Connor Geekie, the Jets have spent a lot of resources drafting high end forward talent so turn their attention to the 6'2" Korchinski. Bringing good size and extremely strong playmaking ability from the blue line, Korchinski brings great tools as a two-way defender. He'll need some development time to be certain, as most defenders do, but his upside projects him to be a solid second-pairing defender who could quarterback the powerplay.
15)
select, from the Winnipeg Ice of the Western Hockey League, center Connor GeekieHaving missed out on some high draft picks over the past few years, the Canucks are in BPA mode, and having a hulking center like Connor Geekie in their prospect pool helps matters greatly. A center with offensive prowess and great size to barge through defenders at the junior level, the obvious questions of skating and agility come into question. This is something that can be addressed in coming seasons where Geekie projects as a middle-six center who will provide a mean net front presence on special teams.
16)
(via VGK) select, from Rogle of the Allsvenskan, center Marco KasperThe Sabres reach out to Europe to pluck away the talented Austian forward who brings a complete game without any single elite talent. His ability to execute in the offensive zone is well noted, where he can set up plays, finish them, and anticipate the play without the puck. Nice about this player is that he isn't afraid to get physical in his play without the disc, which makes him a great addition to a Buffalo team that appears to finally be on the upswing.
17)
select, from Djurgardens of the Swedish Hockey League, defenceman Calle OdeliusThe Preds have a reputation for drafting defensive gems, and after loading up on the like of Philip Tomasino, Yaroslav Askarov, Luke Evangelista and Fedor Svechkov the past few drafts to address up front and between the pipes, David Poile goes back to old habits. Odelius is exactly what the Preds like in their defenders - smooth skating and smart, making beautiful transitions up ice and keeping his head on a swivel both attacking and defending. In a program that breeds solid defenders, and with the mentorship of a guy like Roman Josi, he could be a steal at this point.
18)
select, from the United States National Training & Development Program, right winger Jimmy SnuggerudDallas grabs a solid scoring winger with a lot of potential in Snuggerud, who still has room to improve on his skating. While it improved this past season, there is much more work to do to get it to the next level, but his offensive prowess and well-roundedness to his game make him a very appealing option. He has worked hard this past season, and it's shown, making him a solid candidate as a middle-six winger with second-line upside.
19)
(via LAK) select, from HK Poprad of the Slovakian Extraliga, center Filip MesarMore likely to play wing at the pro level, Minnesota adds a right-shot pivot who will likely find his way on the right side. He has sublime skill, with great hands and quick feet, allowing him to be one of the more dynamic players available in the draft. While his lack of size will need to be overcome with getting stronger, and will likely hinder him on the defensive side of the puck, he projects to be a middle-six winger who can play on the top power play unit.
20)
select, from Karlovy Vary of the Czech Extraliga, center Jiri KulichAfter drafting Connor McMichael and Hendrix Lapierre with their last two first round picks, the Caps go back to the well to try and replace the aging Niklas Backstrom and select Kulich. He is a player who likes to score, and has a great shot to make that happen, while has the frame to buy himself time once he adds more muscle to it. While he has some room to grow defensively to make himself a legitimate NHL center, he has the kind of upside that make him a very strong possibility to play a middle-six pivot role in 2-3 years.
21)
select, from the United States National Training & Development Program, center Frank NazarThe Penguins have a fairly bare shelf when it comes to prospects, having dealt many of their high picks over recent years to stay competitive. This year, with an aging core and potentially losing Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang to free agency, it is time they start looking at a post-Sid future and start stocking the pipeline. Nazar is a good candidate for this; although he likely projects as a middle-six forward with the upside of a second-liner. Despite his skill, he lacks awareness of the zone and needs to become stronger to deal with the rigours of the next level. I see him as a boom/bust property, and the Pens are in a position to need the boom.
22)
(VIA BOS) select, from the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League, defenceman Owen PickeringThey Ducks add another key defensive piece, taking the 6'4" Pickering to potentially solidify their left-side for years to come along with earlier selection Pavel Mintyukov. Whereas Mintyukov is more an offensive threat, Pickering brings the size and mobility you want in a defender and looks like the type who will be able to play up and down in your top-6. This pick brings Anaheim to one of the most dynamic prospect pools in the league, where he could easily be the safety blanket for a player like Drysdale to really use his offensive abilities.
23)
select, from the United States National Training & Development Program, defenceman Lane HutsonThe Blues have spent some draft capital to remain competitive, and adding a savvy defender like Hutson is a great get for their program. While an under-sized defender, he's extremely smooth and moves the puck with silky grace, finding first passes consistently and showing great smarts. Does he need to get stronger? Absolutely, but the Blues are in a position not to rush him and time at Boston University is only going to allow him that extended learning curve to physically mature before walking into the pros.
24)
selects, from Djurgardens of the Swedish Hockey League, center Noah OstlundThe Wild are thrilled to select this sublimely talented center to further compliment the recet addition of Filip Mesar, as well as the likes of Matthew Boldy and Marco Rossi up front. Ostlund shows great hockey IQ and stickhandling which will pose problems for defenders should he keep developing. He doesn't strike much of an image as a goal scorer, and his numbers bear that out, but he looks like a quintessential second-line center who will get lots of time on the PP.
25)
select, from the Gatineau Olympiques of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, defenceman Noah WarrenWhile the Leafs have a habit of drafting small, skilled players, the time has come to address a player who brings the size and strength to go along with the mobility. At 6'5" and over 200 pounds, Warren may appear on paper as a plodding defender, but in reality has outstanding mobility and explosiveness. He is not a player who is going to eat up offensive minutes, but the Leafs have plenty of defenders in their pipeline who can do that - he's a player who will run a PK, and who you will have on against top tier players to shut them down. This is something Toronto lacks, and now they can fill that gap in their pool.
26)
(via CGY) select, from Djurgardens of the Swedish Hockey League, left winger Liam OhgrenThe Habs have nailed down their top-two centers in Wright and Suzuki for the future, and can now focus their attention on scoring wingers to compliment them. Ohgren brings some size and a bit of grit, but a natural playmaking ability that will serve well with either Suzuki or Wright. He may not be ready for a couple of years and will likely stay in Sweden until that time, but he projects as a middle-six winger with a very solid offensive skillset.
27)
(via CAR via MTL) select, from the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League, right winger Jagger FirkusWith the bevy of picks the Coyotes possess, there comes a point where you want to draft guys who will not just help you win, but help sell the game. Firkus is as exciting as a player in this draft to watch, with a great motor and combination of finish and playmaking to compliment his great hockey IQ. If he was four inches taller, and 30 pounds heavier, we would be talking about this player as potentially a top-10 pick, but the Coyotes are happy to bring his skill as they can be patient and allow him to mature before bringing him in.
28)
(via FLA) select, from the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, center Nathan GaucherWith the amount of skill the Sabres have drafted, they can afford to spend a higher pick on a player whose attention the defensive side of the game is his main strength. Gaucher is big, mobile, and nasty. This doesn't mean he can't produce offensively, but there are questions if that will translate to the next level; that said, with all the skill the Sabres will have as they turn their franchise around, Gaucher will be that turnover-generator that makes coaches drool.
29)
select, from Chaska High School in Minnesota, defenceman Sam RinzelWith the Philip Broberg selection in 2019 to be a stop/start and choppy in nature, the Oilers refocus their draft capital on a big, smart, and dynamic defender in Rinzel. He's a commit to University of Minnesota, where he is going to play a big role in a strong program, and will allow him to work on his defensive decision making and focus his energy at both ends of the ice rather than his breakout prowess. The Oilers have time to allow him to develop, and will be happy they did.
30)
(via NYR) select, from the Drummonville Voltigeurs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, defenceman Maveric LamoureuxThe Jets take a look at this 6'7", right shot defender, and look at what they did with past monster defender Logan Stanley, and say "Alright, let's do it again!". You simply couldn't ask for a more physical package than Lamoureux, and like Stanley, his game is going to take a lot of refinement before he gets to the show. That said, the Jets can be patient with him, and give him that time where he looks like an absolute shut-down defender who can consistently eat up minutes in the 4/5 spot on your D corps.
31)
select, from Omskie Yastreby of the MHL, left winger Ivan MiroshnichenkoAnd here is where the new Russian factor plays in; with things going on the geo-political stage between North America and Russia, and the recent news of Flyers prospect Ivan Fedotov being detained by Russian police for "evading military service", this will play a part in GM's minds. Memories of Evgeni Malkin's borderline defection come back vividly, as the KHL will not give up their homegrown talent easily, especially in this climate. That said, when you're the Bolts who are a historically great team, they can take a chance on this one; if he comes over, he could be an absolute home run.
32)
(via COL) select, from Stalnye Lisy of the MHL, right winger Danila YurovWith their wealth of draft capital, Arizona goes out and grabs the super skilled Yurov far later than he would typically go if it weren't for his passport. It may not be a popular opinion, but I believe non-North American Russian players are going to see their draft stock drop severely, and it will be teams with a lot of picks who are going to take the liberty of drafting these players and assuming the risk that comes with it.
33)
select, from the United States National Training & Development Program, left winger Rutger McGroartyThe Habs have had a lot of success with players coming from the US in general, and McGroarty is a great piece to fall to them in the second round. McGroarty has the size to create space, and some fantastic playmaking ability. He still needs a lot of polish on other elements of his game, but the University of Michigan commit will get the time he needs to join the club in 2-3 years after he's had some seasoning and ready to go pro.
34)
select, from the United States National Training & Development Program, defenceman Ryan ChesleyAfter adding some serious offensive ability in the first round, the Coyotes add a first-round talent on the backend in Chesley. An all-around defender with some decent size that does everything well, but nothing great and brings a right hand shot to the party. Has a ceiling that really peaks out around a #4 guy, but probably finds his spot as a 16-18 minute #5 who can kill penalties with the best of them. A fairly safe pick who has the skillset to make the big show.
35)
select, from the Mississauga Steelheads of the Ontario Hockey League, center Luca Del-Bel-BelluzSeattle is thrilled to have LDBB drop to them in the second round, as a player who has taken huge steps since his freshman season in the OHL. As a pivot with average size, and solid playmaking ability, it's his shot that makes him most dangerous - particularly down low between the hash marks. He charts as a middle-six center at the pro level, but if he can develop as many believe he can, he could be a potent compliment to Matty Beniers as a one-two punch in the future.
36)
(via PHI) select, from the Gatineau Olympiques of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, defenceman Tristan LuneauYet another piece to their blueline, the Coyotes add a true swiss army knife on their back end. Luneau, a former first overall pick in the QMJHL Draft, has shown that he can do everything fairly well, but nothing spectacularly. He's a lunchpail type of player who does his job, and is at his best when you don't notice him on the ice, then notice he ate 23 minutes. Mobile at both ends of the ice, with good reads and a sense of how to defend, he may not score a lot of points but will be a coaches dream defending the net.
37)
select, from Leksands IF of the Swedish Hockey League, defenceman Lian BischelA beast of a player at 6'5" and over 220 pounds is a physically mature speciman who has the strength to walk onto the ice right now. That said, despite the fact that he brings good skating and skill to the table, his overall game is rough around the edges. With the right development, and some time to stay in Sweden to continue his development, there is every reason to believe that he could find himself playing along the right side of Luke Hughes in the future using his huge wingspan and reach to provide Hughes the security to explore his offensive game more.
38)
select, from Lokomotiv of the Kontinental Hockey League, left winger Alexander PerevalovWhereas some teams may draft Russians because they can afford, Chicago is taking the risk because they don't have much of a choice. After dealing a great much of their draft capital for roster players, and having it not work out so well, the Blackhawks really lack high end talent in their prospect pool. At this point in the draft, Perevalov is a first round offensive talent who has shown elite finishing ability. In a weaker draft, do the Hawks take the gamble or make a safer North American or European pick? I believe with Perevalov there, they take the former.
39)
select, from the United States National Training & Development Program, defenceman Seamus CaseyGoing back to the program, as they've done the with the likes of Jake Sanderson, Tyler Kleven, and Tyler Boucher over the past couple of drafts, Ottawa selects a defender of a different mold - an undersized puck mover, who has shown a really solid understanding of the game. This is a necessity, as he stands barely 5'10" and weighs around the 160-170 pound range. There are questions as to if the offence will catch up to his skillset, but it's a gamble worth taking given the physical skill.
40)
select, from the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League, center David GoyetteThe Wings have a nose for finding sneaky talent, and boy does Goyette fit the bill. Not a big player, but always manages to find space to unleash a lethal quick shot that can beat goaltenders clean. Arguably one of the purer goal scorers in the draft, his size (or lack thereof) will be a hindrance in finding open space in the tough areas in front of the net, but with the proper physical maturity, there is no reason to think he won't get there and provide solid complimentary scoring in the NHL.
41)
select, from Omskie Krylya of the VHL, left winger Gleb TrikozovWith their fourth selection in the draft, the Sabres can afford to gamble on a first round talent like Trikozov. His playmaking is NHL potential, as is his puck handling abilities which give defenders fits. While his consistency is a bit of a point of concern, the physical package and skillset is one that is worth using the pick as his potential to be a legitimate offensive producer in the league is legitimate.
42)
select, from HK Nitra of the Slovakian Extraliga, right winger Adam SykoraWith their defensive needs shored up, and the existing one-two punch of MacTavish and Zegras for years to come, the Ducks go to Slovakia to find their relenteless, puck-hounding forechecking forward with skill. Sykora brings that in spades, and although he lacks the ideal size at just 5'10" and 170 pounds, his energy level and compete go well with his soft hands to go puck-hunting for his more skilled linemates. After seeing what Zach Hyman has done for Edmonton, and the value those players bring, this is a coup for the Ducks.
43)
(via SJ) select, from EHC Munchen of the Deutsche Extra Liga, left winger Julian LutzA jack-of-all-trades forward who shows a nose for the net and a willingness to go to the dirty areas, Lutz is a player with a lower ceiling but can serve a purpose on a skilled team. Is he a player who is going to put up a ton of points? Maybe, or maybe not, but the jury is out. That said, he's already physically mature and has shown the fight and sandpaper to dig out pucks and be a headache as a net front presence. He's going to be a project, likely 4-5 years before reaching the show, but he could be an invaluable piece when he's there and his rough edges have been smoothed out.
44)
select, from the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, defenceman Isaiah GeorgeOne of the best pure skaters in the draft, George has the size, skill, and mobility to have a huge upside in the NHL; think legitimate second-pairing potential. He is smooth and easy on his skates, highly effective in transition, and can contribute positively in all three zones. All that said, his decision-making and hockey IQ are going to need a fair bit of refinement; he struggles with quick reads, and it can cost him and his team overall. Given the right amount of coaching and time to progress, this is a pick that has a ton of upside.
45)
(via NYI) select, from the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League, defenceman Mats LindgrenYup, another Coyotes pick... and at this point, they just go for BPA as they are so deep in picks that positional need starts to wane. A quinessential offensive defender, Lindgren is polarizing; where it's obvious he needs to work on his all-around game, his point production abilities are what he's being drafted for, and some don't believe they will translate. I believe he will struggle eating a lot of minutes at the NHL level, but looks like a solid third-pairing puck mover who will PPQB a second unit.
46)
(via WPG) select, from Krasnaya Armiya of the MHL, defenceman Vladimir GrudininIf there was a team that is going to have fewer problems bringing Russian players overseas, it is most certainly the Caps who can lean on Alex Ovechkin's influence in his mother country. This is a great pick for the Caps who pick up a highly intelligent, competitive defender with great potential at both ends of the ice because of his outstanding skating and agility. His size is a large cause for concern, at about 5'10" and around the 155 pound mark, but given time to physically mature and gain strength, Grudinin is a player who could make Caps fans very happy at this point in the draft.
47)
(via VAN via ARZ) select, from Linkopings of the Swedish Hockey League, defenceman Mattias HavelidAddressing their offensive needs in the first round, the Wild are thrilled to go back to Europe and select the likes of Havelid. Boasting a wealth of offensive skill, Havelid plays a consistent and simple style of game where he focuses on making intelligent plays and rarely every panics. Although he's another undersized defender at 5'9", he has the brain for the position and will need to keep getting stronger to take his game to the next level.
48)
selects, from the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League, Nicholas MoldenhauerVegas finally gets to pick in this draft, and they use their selection to go somewhat off the board with Moldenhauer. Not overly large at 5'10" and 175 pounds, Moldenhauer has had something of a comeback season after getting injured, and returning from injury to wrap up nearly a point-per-game tally with the powerhouse Chicago Steel. A player with offensive ability, as well as the ability to play responsibly in his own end, he has the potential to be a bit of a diamond in the rough at this point in the draft. Development will be intriguing, as he currently doesn't have an NCAA commitment but has his OHL rights owned by Sarnia which reduces his development window considerably.
49)
(via NSH) select, from Skelleftea AIK of the Swedish Hockey League, defenceman Elias SalomonssonThe Kraken continue to build out their back end by adding a highly skilled player in Salomonsson. This is very much a boom/bust pick, as Salomonsson has shown that both his IQ and decision-making can be suspect at times, and not what is required to play at the next level. I, however, disagree on that - and I think Seattle will too. While he will take time to acclimate himself, Salomonsson is a very solid player and one who has the kind of upside that could turn him into a second pairing defender. Surprisingly, he was not selected in the CHL Import Draft, which I thought would help him acclimate to smaller ice and quicker decisions without playing against men.
50)
select, from the North Bay Battalion of the Ontario Hockey League, defenceman Ty NelsonA former first overall selection in the OHL Priority Selection, Nelson is a player who great things were expected from. Although his first season was a bit of a stop/start in terms of his overall development, he's shown this season to be a highly capable rearguard with a huge amount of upside. His offensive numbers haven't been what you'd hope from a player of his size, barely reaching 5'10", but he's a stocky and strong player who has embraced the grind down low. With some patience, and time at the AHL level, Nelson has the potential to lock up a spot on the right side of the Stars second pairing if things go well.
51)
select, from the Mississauga Steelheads of the Ontario Hockey League, center Owen BeckThe Kings add another forward here to go along with their young stable of Quinton Byfield, Alex Turcotte, and Franceso Pinelli up the middle from past drafts. That said, Beck is more likely to become a winger as a pro, and as such gives versatility. Beck has blazing speed and skating, to go along with a propensity to throw his body around and go to the dirty areas. That said, the question of his offensive game is somewhat in question; I don't see where his playmaking or finishing abilities translate to the NHL. That said, with his ability to find space and soft hands, he could be that complimentary piece in a top-nine spot.
52)
(via WSH) select, from the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League, Matyas SapovalivIn their own backyard, the Red Wings add a big-bodied forward to the mix with Sapovaliv. Standing 6'3", he will need to grow into his body to fully use it to his advantage, while not losing his mobility and quickness. He's a smart player who can both set up and finish, though unlikely in a top-six role in the NHL. He projects as a very solid third-line option, who can play occasional spot duty in the top-six due to injury.
53)
(via PIT) select, from the Youngstown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League, center Adam IngramCommitted to St. Cloud State University, Ingram is a forward who the Ducks can take their time with given their depth up front. Producing at a point-per-game in the USHL, Ingram showed that he is capable of both setting up plays and finishing them - however, the rest of his game remains a bit of an unpolished item. He will not plenty of seasoning over the course of his collegiate career, which is ideal for the Ducks who are firmly entrenched with MacTavish and Zegras as their top two centermen on the big club.
54)
select, from the Sault-St. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League, center Bryce McConnell-BarkerA center with decent size, McConnell-Barker fell off a cliff in terms of his draft projection this year. He didn't produce offensively at a level many thought he would, despite being a solid 200-foot contributor to his club. That kind of work ethic is what will draw him to the Bruins, though, where he can use his draft+1 and draft+2 years to continue to develop his overall game where the hope his he can elevate and refine his game to that of a third-line pivot at the pro level.
55)
(via STL via NYR) select, from Ilves of the SM-Liiga, right winger Jani NymanIn a draft full of undersized players, the Jets go to the other end of the spectrum and pluck this 6'3", 210+ pound winger from Finland. Nyman is a goal scorer - he pounds the puck with a banger of a shot that can beat goalies clean, but is also can be criticized as a one-tool player. He lacks a sense of urgency, and tends to rely excessively on his shot to be dangerous from anywhere - that's a bit of a red flag at the NHL level, where time and space is at a premium. Still, the Jets see enough there that they feel they can work with and mold him into a bottom-six forward who can put in 15-20 goals a year.
56)
select, from the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League, center Danny ZhilkinZhilkin has been on scouts radar for a while now, dating back to his days playing Bantam with the Toronto Red Wings progra in the GTHL. Having hit his growth spurt, he has matured to a big bodied but quick offensive player in the OHL, although with the same questions surrounding his motor and compete level dogging him. This is something that the Wild can work on, and hope that he will find it internally as he assumes more of a leadership role, the Wild are happy to add him here.
57)
(via MIN) select, from Northeastern University, center Jack HughesCertainly not of the same pedigree as his namesake in a Devils uniform, Hughes is a polarizing prospect; he enjoyed a solid season as a freshman in Northeastern, but his offensive abilities are still looked at as being great at the collegiate level, but maybe not at the level for the pro game. Does he have enough away from the puck to make himself a useful option outside of a scoring role? Time will tell, but Hughes comes from a great hockey bloodline, and the Hawks will bank on that at this point in the draft.
58)
(via TOR) select, from Zvezda Chekhov of the VHL, defenceman Artyom DudaAround this point is where we start to see the Russians be worth more of a risk, and the Kraken are willing to add this offensive defenceman with adequate size to their pipeline. Can they afford to wait a few years before he may, potentially, come over the North America? Given the current situation, I would warrant that they can as they are still in the process of building and urgency is not crazy... particularly with all their cap space to shore themselves up for the near future
.
59)
select, from the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League, right winger Matthew SeminoffFor their first pick of the draft, the Flames focus on the Sutter identity - farm strong ,work hard, and good results will come. Seminoff is that kind of player, who will get gritty and dirty to get the job done, and will put in some occasional offence in the process. This is the kind of guy you want playing with skill guys, and plays a heart and soul style. Being from the dub doesn't hurt as they add more grit to their prospect pipeline.
60)
select, from Linkopings of the Swedish Hockey League, center Filip Bystedt6'4" centres simply don't grow on trees, and Carolina is more than happy to grab one late in the second round. Bystedt is an all-around kind of player who plays effectively in all three zones, but shouldn't be looked at to be a big point contributor in North America unless he starts embracing the physical game. If the Hurricanes can bring that out in him, they will have a heck of a net front presence on their hands who can cause some havoc down low.
61)
(via FLA vis CGY) select, from the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League, center Matthew PoitrasAdding more up front after shoring up the back end, Poitras is that kind of utility player who can play up and down your lineup. Is he a line driver? Absolutely not, but he has the skillset to be useful in basically all situations. One area he really developed with Guelph was his commitment to playing defensively; as a member of well-known Whitby Wildcats AAA program in his minor hockey days, his offence was his calling card, but realized early he needed to add more to his repertoire. This type of versatility is a boon to his future development.
62)
(via EDM) select, from the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League, left winger Stephen HallidayA bit off the board as a now 20-year-old, second time draft entrant, Halliday has emerged a much more complete product out of the USHL. Formerly drafted first overall in the Phase 1 draft, Halliday has been a slow and steady product of consitent improvement to his skating and overall agility to go along with his vision and playmaking ability. Finishing second in league scoring this past season before heading off to Ohio-State University where he'll be leaned on right away for big minutes, he'll need to still work on his compete level; if he can find that, the Habs will be very happy to have grabbed him at this point.
63)
select, from the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League, center Paul LudwinskiThe Rangers swing on this forward from the Frontenacs, who has shown strong skill and commitment to a 200-foot game. While he looks like a player with potential middle-six abilities, he needs to bring that more consistently - he has too many off games, but when he is on his game, he looks like a legit prospect who could turn into a pro player. The question is if that will happen, and if not, can he be a contributor otherwise? The Rangers believe he can.
64)
(via TBL) select, from the Ottawa 67's of the Ontario Hockey League, center Vinzenz RohrerGoing to their own backyard, the Sens bring in the Austrian-born Rohrer who has been a consistent contributor on the junior team this past season. Not a large player at around 5'10", Rohrer's ability to survive is being able to evade larger, stronger players, and to create space for himself. If his skill in this regard can bring him to the pro game, there is every reason to think the Sens could have a bottom-six forward on hand with some PP upside.
65)
(via COL) select, from the United States Training & Development Program, right winger Devin KaplanThe Isles know how to spot quiet talent, and Kaplan is very underrated. He had an up and down year, where he was going between the U18 and U20 team due to injuries, of which he dealt with himself as well. He brings a big frame and showed that he could produce to some degree at both levels, however I think the fact that he never got to find any stability belies what he's capable of. He won't be a top tier scorer, but definitely has the tools to be a useful player.
