- 2016 NHL Mock Draft: Round 1
- 2016 NHL Mock Draft: Round 3
- 2016 NHL Mock Draft: Rounds 4 to 7
- 2016 NHL Mock Draft: Team Results
- 2015 NHL Mock Draft: Round 1
- 2015 NHL Mock Draft: Round 2
- 2015 NHL Mock Draft: Round 3
- 2015 NHL Mock Draft: Team Results
Picking up where we left off, the Toronto Maple Leafs are back on the clock with the 31st overall selection to start the second round.
Second Round
31) Toronto Maple Leafs — Sean Day (LHD, Mississauga, OHL)
Height/Weight: 6-2, 230 (CO)
Playoff Stats: 7 GP-1 G-2 A-3 PTS
Regular Season Stats: 57 GP-6 G-16 A-22 PTS
Central Scouting: 59 NAS
ISS Hockey: NA
Future Considerations: 91
McKeen’s Hockey: NA
TSN Bob McKenzie: 58
TSN Craig Button: NA
Sportsnet Damien Cox: NA
ANALYSIS: Haters are gonna hate here, but not every pick will happen according to the consensus rankings. Reality is, if Day wakes up tomorrow and decides he wants to try and dominate, he’s basically Drew Doughty 2.0 and could still develop into the best defenceman from this draft class. What could motivate Day more than playing for the Leafs? He’s got all the tools, but the toolbox seems to have holes in it. If Toronto’s brass believes it can do some patch work, then Day is worth the risk here. And the Leafs, more than anybody else, can afford that risk with their prospect depth and plethora of other picks. Sure, Day might still be available when Toronto selects again at No. 57 or even at No. 62 to start the third round, but there’s no guarantee and that would be an agonizingly long wait if the Leafs are this high on him. If not Day, maybe a goaltender? Or another talented Swedish forward in Rasmus Asplund, who surprisingly slipped out of the first round?
32) Edmonton Oilers — Carter Hart (G, Everett, WHL)
Height/Weight: 6-1, 180 (CO, previously listed at 6-0)
Playoff Stats: 6 GP-2.39 GAA-.929 Save%
Regular Season Stats: 63 GP-2.14 GAA-.918 Save%
Central Scouting: 2 North American Goaltenders (NAG)
ISS Hockey: NA
Future Considerations: 45
McKeen’s Hockey: NA
TSN Bob McKenzie: 57
TSN Craig Button: 24
Sportsnet Damien Cox: NA
ANALYSIS: The Oilers don’t seem sold on Laurent Brossoit as their goalie of the future after he struggled in his late-season NHL audition. Hart is a better prospect — he won CHL goalie of the year honours — and he’s a local product from Edmonton who could be Canada’s starter at next year’s world juniors. Hart isn’t the biggest guy, but he plays big and positionally sound. Cam Talbot will be manning Edmonton’s crease for the foreseeable future, but Hart and Brossoit could end up battling for crease time down the road. Worth noting, and thanks to Guy Flaming for the heads-up on this tidbit, but Hart trains in the offseason with Oilers goalie coach Dustin Schwartz, which makes this pick more probable if Hart is still available here.
33) Florida Panthers (from Vancouver) — Brett Howden (C/LW, Moose Jaw, WHL)
Height/Weight: 6-2, 190 (CO)
Playoff Stats: 10 GP-4 G-11 A-15 PTS
Regular Season Stats: 68 GP-24 G-40 A-64 PTS
Central Scouting: 22 NAS
ISS Hockey: 20
Future Considerations: 32
McKeen’s Hockey: 26
TSN Bob McKenzie: 24
TSN Craig Button: 18
Sportsnet Damien Cox: HM
ANALYSIS: The Panthers go for the family reunion here, with Brett’s skill-set quite similar to his brother, Quinton, who Florida drafted 25th overall in 2010. As a chip off that block, the younger Howden would pass the eye test, but the analytics may well favour Asplund in this spot. Now with two picks separated by 10 spots thanks to the Gudbranson trade, the Panthers can pass on Howden in the first round and perhaps still get him in this spot.
34) Columbus Blue Jackets — Rasmus Asplund (C/LW, Farjestad, Sweden)
Height/Weight: 5-10.25, 176 (CO)
Playoff Stats: 3 GP-0 G-0 A-0 PTS
Regular Season Stats: 46 GP-4 G-8 A-12 PTS
Central Scouting: 4 EUS
ISS Hockey: NA
Future Considerations: 26
McKeen’s Hockey: 23
TSN Bob McKenzie: 31
TSN Craig Button: 36
Sportsnet Damien Cox: 26
ANALYSIS: The Blue Jackets make another “easy” pick here, selecting a consensus first-round talent in the second round. Apslund is a high-skill player who had a strong showing for Sweden at the world juniors. He’s capable of playing centre and could be a nice complement to his countryman Alex Wennberg in Columbus.
35) Calgary Flames — Boris Katchouk (LW/RW, Sault Ste. Marie, OHL)
Height/Weight: 6-1.25, 190 (CO)
Playoff Stats: 12 GP-6 G-4 A-10 PTS
Regular Season Stats: 63 GP-24 G-27 A-51 PTS
Central Scouting: 25 NAS
ISS Hockey: 27
Future Considerations: 31
McKeen’s Hockey: NA
TSN Bob McKenzie: 29
TSN Craig Button: 49
Sportsnet Damien Cox: NA
ANALYSIS: Katchouk could be this year’s Zach Senyshyn, his junior teammate who shot up from a second-round ranking into the middle of the first round at last year’s draft. In saying that, Katchouk could go 10 spots higher or lower, but this seems about right. Luckily for play-by-play callers, the Flames didn’t end up getting Tkachuk in the first round. Imagine if that combination came to fruition, Tkachuk on one wing and Katchouk on the other? Yikes.
36) Winnipeg Jets — Cam Morrison (LW, Youngstown, USHL)
Height/Weight: 6-2.5, 209 (CO, previously listed at 200)
Playoff Stats: NA
Regular Season Stats: 60 GP-34 G-32 A-66 PTS
Central Scouting: 46 NAS
ISS Hockey: NA
Future Considerations: 65
McKeen’s Hockey: NA
TSN Bob McKenzie: 59
TSN Craig Button: 47
Sportsnet Damien Cox: NA
ANALYSIS: For the second year in a row, the Jets select one of the draft’s biggest risers out of Youngstown. It worked wonders with Kyle Connor at 17th last year and Morrison put up impressive numbers as a rookie on that team this season. Could Winnipeg reach for Morrison, rather than Clague, at No. 22? That’s within the realm of possibility, that those picks could flip flop with Clague going here instead.
37) Arizona Coyotes — Taylor Raddysh (RW, Erie, OHL)
Height/Weight: 6-1.5, 203 (CO)
Playoff Stats: 12 GP-4 G-6 A-10 PTS
Regular Season Stats: 67 GP-24 G-49 A-73 PTS
Central Scouting: 36 NAS
ISS Hockey: 28
Future Considerations: 58
McKeen’s Hockey: NA
TSN Bob McKenzie: 42
TSN Craig Button: 40
Sportsnet Damien Cox: NA
ANALYSIS: The Coyotes take a no-brainer here, selecting Dylan Strome’s linemate from junior. Strome, the third overall pick from 2015, will likely make the jump to the NHL next season and Raddysh will continue to develop without him in Erie, but Raddysh is a strong talent in his own right and wasn’t just riding the coattails of Strome and DeBrincat this season.
38) Buffalo Sabres — Adam Fox (RHD, U.S. National Development Team)
Height/Weight: 5-10.75, 185 (CO)
Playoff Stats: NA
Regular Season Stats: 64 GP-9 G-50 A-59 PTS
Central Scouting: 50 NAS
ISS Hockey: NA
Future Considerations: 36
McKeen’s Hockey: 27
TSN Bob McKenzie: 55
TSN Craig Button: 38
Sportsnet Damien Cox: NA
ANALYSIS: The Sabres would sure be bolstering their back end by getting Juolevi at No. 8 and Fox at No. 38. Fox is more of an offensive puckmover, who could develop into a Tyson Barrie type. Fox’s stock is on the rise after being an under-18 all-star and he’s from the state of New York — about three hours from Buffalo — so the Sabres might be keen on picking him.
39) Montreal Canadiens — Frederic Allard (RHD, Chicoutimi, QMJHL)
Height/Weight: 6-1, 179 (did not test)
Playoff Stats: 6 GP-1 G-2 A-3 PTS
Regular Season Stats: 64 GP-14 G-45 A-59 PTS
Central Scouting: 32 NAS
ISS Hockey: NA
Future Considerations: 49
McKeen’s Hockey: NA
TSN Bob McKenzie: NA
TSN Craig Button: 75
Sportsnet Damien Cox: HM
ANALYSIS: Marc Bergevin and the Canadiens keep the run of defencemen going by also staying close to home in selecting this Francophone. Allard put up impressive numbers in the Q and he’ll be high on the Habs’ wish-list for this spot.
40) Colorado Avalanche — Carl Grundstrom (LW, Modo, Sweden)
Height/Weight: 5-11.5, 195 (CO)
Playoff Stats: 7 GP-1 G-3 A-4 PTS
Regular Season Stats: 49 GP-7 G-9 A-16 PTS
Central Scouting: 6 EUS
ISS Hockey: NA
Future Considerations: 44
McKeen’s Hockey: NA
TSN Bob McKenzie: 40
TSN Craig Button: 67
Sportsnet Damien Cox: HM
ANALYSIS: The Avs take a Swedish forward who has some of the same qualities that Colorado adores about its captain, Gabriel Landeskog. Grundstrom plays with a physical edge that could make him a good fit for this team in the future. If Allard is still available, he’d be a strong candidate to Colorado as well.
41) New Jersey Devils — Will Bitten (C, Flint, OHL)
Height/Weight: 5-10, 167 (CO)
Playoff Stats: NA
Regular Season Stats: 67 GP-30 G-35 A-65 PTS
Central Scouting: 43 NAS
ISS Hockey: NA
Future Considerations: 28
McKeen’s Hockey: NA
TSN Bob McKenzie: 47
TSN Craig Button: 25
Sportsnet Damien Cox: HM
ANALYSIS: The Devils get a high-skill forward here who played through a tough situation with a meddling owner in the well-documented gongshow that was the Flint Firebirds this past season. In a different environment, Bitten might have done enough to crack the first round and some team may still see it that way. If he’s available into the 40s, Bitten could end up being a steal.
42) Ottawa Senators — Evan Fitzpatrick (G, Sherbrooke, QMJHL)
Height/Weight: 6-2, 203 (CO, previously listed as high as 223)
Playoff Stats: 5 GP-3.41 GAA-.920 Save%
Regular Season Stats: 54 GP-3.42 GAA-.896 Save%
Central Scouting: 1 NAG
ISS Hockey: NA
Future Considerations: 50
McKeen’s Hockey: NA
TSN Bob McKenzie: 64
TSN Craig Button: 80
Sportsnet Damien Cox: NA
ANALYSIS: The Senators aren’t in dire need to add another goaltending prospect, but Fitzpatrick could start to look attractive around this spot. As could Filip Gustavsson, with the thought that once one goalie goes, a couple more could follow in fairly short order. The coin flip goes to Fitzpatrick in this case.
43) Carolina Hurricanes — Janne Kuokkanen (RW, Karpat Jr., Finland)
Height/Weight: 6-1, 179
Playoff Stats: 3 GP-0 G-1 A-1 PTS
Regular Season Stats: 47 GP-22 G-31 A-53 PTS
Central Scouting: 20 EUS
ISS Hockey: NA
Future Considerations: 43
McKeen’s Hockey: NA
TSN Bob McKenzie: 43
TSN Craig Button: 31
Sportsnet Damien Cox: NA
ANALYSIS: The Hurricanes reached a bit for a Finnish forward early in the second round of the 2015 draft and, a year later, Sebastian Aho is looking like a steal. Finland is obviously pumping out a lot of quality prospects as evidenced by winning both the world juniors and the under-18s this year. Kuokkanen had seven points in as many games at the latter tournament and also scored twice in his only pro game with Karpat, ensuring his draft stock is trending up. If not Kuokkanen here, then perhaps a Scandinavian centre in Finland’s Aapeli Rasanen or Sweden’s Jonathan Dahlen.
44) Tampa Bay Lightning (from Boston) — Dmitry Sokolov (RW, Sudbury, OHL)
Height/Weight: 6-1, 205
Playoff Stats: NA
Regular Season Stats: 68 GP-30 G-22 A-52 PTS
Central Scouting: 129 NAS
ISS Hockey: NA
Future Considerations: 88
McKeen’s Hockey: NA
TSN Bob McKenzie: NA
TSN Craig Button: 94
Sportsnet Damien Cox: NA
ANALYSIS: The Lightning could maybe wait a little longer to take Sokolov and hope he’s still there at No. 57, but Tampa Bay won’t want to miss out on this Russian sniper. Better safe than sorry, so they pick Sokolov ahead of schedule here. His stock fell a bit because he didn’t dominate during his first season in North America — Sokolov was once considered a top-10 talent in this draft class by some — but Tampa Bay won’t hesitate in selecting a Russian playing major junior. Going back to 2011, it worked out well with Vladislav Namestnikov (27th overall in the first round, drafted out of OHL London) and Nikita Kucherov (58th overall in the second round, drafted out of Russia but later played in the QMJHL). Sokolov has drawn comparisons to Kucherov, so it’s unlikely that the Lightning pass on him more than once. Heck, Tampa Bay could even grab their guy on the first chance back at No. 27.
45) Montreal Canadiens (from Minnesota via Buffalo) — Cam Dineen (LHD, North Bay, OHL)
Height/Weight: 5-11, 185 (CO)
Playoff Stats: 11 GP-0 G-8 A-8 PTS
Regular Season Stats: 68 GP-13 G-46 A-59 PTS
Central Scouting: 39 NAS
ISS Hockey: NA
Future Considerations: 40
McKeen’s Hockey: NA
TSN Bob McKenzie: 72
TSN Craig Button: 22
Sportsnet Damien Cox: NA
ANALYSIS: The Canadiens got a righty in Allard and could grab a lefty here in Dineen, whose father is named Kevin but is not the former NHLer now serving as an assistant coach for Chicago. Dineen’s stat-line puts him right up there with the best blue-liners in this draft class, but he’s not as highly regarded for whatever reason. Granted, all it takes is one team to like him enough to make him a first-rounder, but more than likely Dineen will slide into the second round and become a good value pick around this spot.
46) Detroit Red Wings — Filip Gustavsson (G, Lulea Jr., Sweden)
Height/Weight: 6-1.5, 190 (CO)
Playoff Stats: 1 GP-3.00 GAA-.870 Save%
Regular Season Stats: 20 GP-3.22 GAA-.893 Save%
Central Scouting: 1 European Goaltenders (EUG)
ISS Hockey: NA
Future Considerations: 60
McKeen’s Hockey: NA
TSN Bob McKenzie: 44
TSN Craig Button: 68
Sportsnet Damien Cox: 29
ANALYSIS: The Red Wings are one of the teams that could use another netminder in their pipeline and Gustavsson seems like an appropriate pick here. However, he could already be long gone — there’s a strong possibility that Gustavsson will be the first goalie selected, rather than the third as predicted in this mock. If a goalie were to sneak into the first round, Gustavsson could be that guy too. It doesn’t appear that he’s related to The Monster, former Red Wing Jonas Gustavsson, but this Gustavsson actually posted better numbers in his brief stint with Lulea’s pro club, registering a 2.17 goals-against average and .910 save percentage in six regular-season appearances.
47) Nashville Predators — Sam Steel (C, Regina, WHL)
Height/Weight: 5-11, 178 (CO)
Playoff Stats: 12 GP-6 G-10 A-16 PTS
Regular Season Stats: 72 GP-23 G-47 A-70 PTS
Central Scouting: 30 NAS
ISS Hockey: NA
Future Considerations: 35
McKeen’s Hockey: NA
TSN Bob McKenzie: 41
TSN Craig Button: 56
Sportsnet Damien Cox: 30
ANALYSIS: The Predators go back to the WHL to select Steel, a childhood rival of their first-rounder Benson. Some believe Steel has a higher offensive upside than Benson, but getting both wouldn’t be a bad plan of attack for Nashville. Benson might be a reach at No. 17, but this is the right spot to snag Steel. They could be a dynamic duo in the years to come. If Steel is gone by here, not that Nashville necessarily needs a defence prospect, but maybe the Preds take Ryan Johansen’s younger brother Lucas if he’s available — a two-way blue-liner from the same junior program as Shea Weber, Colton Sissons and Justin Kirkland.
48) Philadelphia Flyers — Nathan Bastian (C/RW, Mississauga, OHL)
Height/Weight: 6-4.5, 206 (CO)
Playoff Stats: 5 GP-0 G-4 A-4 PTS
Regular Season Stats: 64 GP-19 G-40 A-59 PTS
Central Scouting: 35 NAS
ISS Hockey: NA
Future Considerations: 37
McKeen’s Hockey: NA
TSN Bob McKenzie: 36
TSN Craig Button: 82
Sportsnet Damien Cox: HM
ANALYSIS: The Flyers go for another brute here, following up their first-round pick of Gauthier with Bastian. Put them on the same line and opponents will have their hands full to say the least. They aren’t the same style of player with Bastian being more of a set-up man, so they could complement each other rather than being redundant in their skill-sets. Bastian, like the majority of these second-rounders, is another guy who could go 20 spots higher at the end of the first round.
49) Boston Bruins (from Islanders) — Dennis Cholowski (LHD, Chilliwack, BCHL)
Height/Weight: 6-1, 177 (CO, previously listed at 170)
Playoff Stats: 20 GP-4 G-11 A-15 PTS
Regular Season Stats: 50 GP-12 G-28 A-40 PTS
Central Scouting: 23 NAS
ISS Hockey: NA
Future Considerations: 51
McKeen’s Hockey: 18
TSN Bob McKenzie: 25
TSN Craig Button: 26
Sportsnet Damien Cox: HM
ANALYSIS: The Bruins might just make it three straight defencemen to start their draft after picking McAvoy and Stanley in the first round. That position will be a priority and Cholowski could be deemed the best player available here too. Cholowski is still very raw but came on strong in the second half, showing enough upside to garner some first-round consideration. The big question is will Cholowski follow through on his commitment to St. Cloud State or will he end up in Prince George playing major junior under Richard Matvichuk? The WHL option got a lot more enticing with that coaching hire.
50) Carolina Hurricanes (from Rangers) — Aapeli Rasanen (C, Tappara Jr., Finland)
Height/Weight: 6-0, 183
Playoff Stats: 3 GP-1 G-0 A-1 PTS
Regular Season Stats: 50 GP-19 G-19 A-38 PTS
Central Scouting: 21 EUS
ISS Hockey: NA
Future Considerations: 59
McKeen’s Hockey: NA
TSN Bob McKenzie: NA
TSN Craig Button: 52
Sportsnet Damien Cox: NA
ANALYSIS: Another Finn for the Hurricanes? Sure, why not? Rasanen also flashed his potential at the U18 tournament with nine points in seven games, so you can bet he’s on Carolina’s radar as another riser and could potentially go ahead of Kuokkanen at No. 43. Rasanen could also get a slight bump up the draft board because he’s coming to North America next season with plans to play for the USHL’s Sioux City Musketeers. Getting both would be quite the coup for Carolina.
51) Los Angeles Kings — Libor Hajek (LHD, Saskatoon, WHL)
Height/Weight: 6-1.5, 196 (CO)
Playoff Stats: NA
Regular Season Stats: 69 GP-3 G-23 A-26 PTS
Central Scouting: 31 NAS
ISS Hockey: NA
Future Considerations: 38
McKeen’s Hockey: NA
TSN Bob McKenzie: 26
TSN Craig Button: 84
Sportsnet Damien Cox: NA
ANALYSIS: The Kings took a right-handed Slovak with their first pick in 2015 — that being blue-liner Erik Cernak (second round, 43rd overall) — so a left-handed Czech here might make for a good future pairing. Hajek has really won over some scouts who believe he’s a first-round talent, but he may also get passed over for comparable defenders and thus land in L.A.’s lap.
52) Philadelphia Flyers (from Chicago) — Adam Mascherin (LW, Kitchener, OHL)
Height/Weight: 5-9, 193 (CO, previously listed at 5-10, 206)
Playoff Stats: 9 GP-6 G-6 A-12 PTS
Regular Season Stats: 65 GP-35 G-46 A-81 PTS
Central Scouting: 42 NAS
ISS Hockey: NA
Future Considerations: 34
McKeen’s Hockey: NA
TSN Bob McKenzie: 53
TSN Craig Button: 57
Sportsnet Damien Cox: NA
ANALYSIS: The Flyers get another solid forward here who brings a well-rounded skill-set along the lines of L.A.’s Tanner Pearson but more of a scorer like Ottawa prospect Matt Puempel. Mascherin might not play in Philadelphia’s top-six, but put him on a checking line with Sean Couturier and Scott Laughton or Nick Cousins and they’ll create plenty of chaos while chipping in offensively. Mascherin would be a safe pick here, but a good one.
53) Arizona Coyotes (compensatory pick) — Lucas Johansen (LHD, Kelowna, WHL)
Height/Weight: 6-1.75, 175 (CO)
Playoff Stats: 18 GP-2 G-6 A-8 PTS
Regular Season Stats: 69 GP-10 G-39 A-49 PTS
Central Scouting: 26 NAS
ISS Hockey: NA
Future Considerations: 57
McKeen’s Hockey: 29
TSN Bob McKenzie: 28
TSN Craig Button: 50
Sportsnet Damien Cox: NA
ANALYSIS: There’s bloodlines and familiarity at play here for the Coyotes. Johansen is the younger brother of Nashville centre Ryan and a teammate of Nick Merkley, who Arizona took with the final pick of last year’s first round. That junior team in Kelowna has a reputation for churning out NHL defenders and Johansen is fairly similar to another alum in New Jersey’s Damon Severson, who was drafted 60th overall by the Devils in 2012. Wanting to avoid any bias towards Kelowna — for those who don’t know, I cover the Rockets full-time — I may have drafted Johansen and Dillon Dube too late rather than too early. They could both go 20 spots higher in Buffalo, but they could also go right around where I have them slotted here.
54) Calgary Flames (from Florida) — Conner Bleackley (C, Red Deer, WHL)
Height/Weight: 6-0, 192
Playoff Stats: 4 GP-0 G-2 A-2 PTS (Memorial Cup)
Regular Season Stats: 55 GP-13 G-33 A-46 PTS
Central Scouting: NA
ISS Hockey: NA
Future Considerations: NA
McKeen’s Hockey: NA
TSN Bob McKenzie: NA
TSN Craig Button: NA
Sportsnet Damien Cox: NA
ANALYSIS: Wouldn’t this be funny, the Flames picking the player that the Coyotes chose not to sign in order to receive the above compensatory pick. It’s not out of the realm of possibility. Bleackley is from High River, just outside Calgary, and he had first-round talent in 2014. He’s had some injuries and some off-ice issues that have brought his character into question over the last two seasons, but Bleackley’s skill-set as a speedy scoring pest will still be attractive to many teams and he’ll likely be selected again inside the top 100 and potentially this high. I’m anticipating one of the Alberta teams taking Bleackley in the second or third round.
55) Pittsburgh Penguins (from Anaheim via Vancouver) — Jonathan Dahlen (C, Timra Div. II, Sweden)
Height/Weight: 5-11, 176
Playoff Stats: 5 GP-6 G-1 A-7 PTS
Regular Season Stats: 51 GP-15 G-14 A-29 PTS
Central Scouting: 11 EUS
ISS Hockey: NA
Future Considerations: 52
McKeen’s Hockey: NA
TSN Bob McKenzie: 62
TSN Craig Button: 54
Sportsnet Damien Cox: NA
ANALYSIS: The 2016 Stanley Cup champion Penguins have to wait until the second round to make their first pick for the second year in a row, but they made the most of it in 2015 by selecting Daniel Sprong (46th overall) and Dahlen could be a similar steal this time around. The son of Ulf Dahlen has been ranked as high as 24th overall by HockeyProspect.com and will likely go higher than here if fewer defencemen and/or goaltenders are picked to this point in the second round. There’s a shortage of centres in this draft class, so Dahlen could become a hot commodity. He’s been showing up in the 25 to 45 range on some recent mocks and could definitely go ahead of Rasanen, but Pittsburgh should be interested if Dahlen is still available.
56) Calgary Flames (from Dallas) — Markus Niemelainen (LHD, Saginaw, OHL)
Height/Weight: 6-6, 205
Playoff Stats: 4 GP-0 G-0 A-0 PTS
Regular Season Stats: 65 GP-1 G-26 A-27 PTS
Central Scouting: 52 NAS
ISS Hockey: NA
Future Considerations: 63
McKeen’s Hockey: NA
TSN Bob McKenzie: 38
TSN Craig Button: 58
Sportsnet Damien Cox: NA
ANALYSIS: The Flames stole a Swede, Rasmus Andersson, at No. 53 in 2015, so they may as well try it again with a giant Finn in Niemelainen. Andersson was also drafted out of the OHL, from Barrie, so the dots can be connected to Calgary. Niemelainen might not have the same offensive instincts and his skating ability may not be on Andersson’s level, but he’s significantly bigger and efficient at both ends of the ice.
57) Toronto Maple Leafs (from Washington) — Cliff Pu (RW, London, OHL)
Height/Weight: 6-1, 187
Playoff Stats: 18 GP-8 G-5 A-13 PTS
Regular Season Stats: 63 GP-12 G-19 A-31 PTS
Central Scouting: 75 NAS
ISS Hockey: NA
Future Considerations: 66
McKeen’s Hockey: NA
TSN Bob McKenzie: 50
TSN Craig Button: 74
Sportsnet Damien Cox: NA
ANALYSIS: The Leafs are very familiar with all things London — their scouting director Mark Hunter is a part owner of that junior franchise — so expect Toronto to take at least one Knight if not more as the draft progresses. Pu is a speedster surging up the rankings thanks to a strong showing at the Memorial Cup, which generated some speculation that he could make it four Knights in the first round (along with Tkachuk, Juolevi and Jones). That seems like a stretch unless the Leafs are really high on Pu, thus using a late first or No. 31 on him instead of Girard or Day. It depends who is more likely to drop to this spot and many will say Day rather than Pu. However, the counter-argument is that Pu doesn’t have the same elite potential to be a big impact player, so the Leafs may be better off swinging for the fences with those earlier picks. Toronto might even pass on Pu again here and pick London’s goaltender Tyler Parsons instead.
58) Tampa Bay Lightning — Jordan Kyrou (RW, Sarnia, OHL)
Height/Weight: 6-0, 169 (CO, previously listed as high as 179)
Playoff Stats: 7 GP-1 G-6 A-7 PTS
Regular Season Stats: 65 GP-17 G-34 A-51 PTS
Central Scouting: 34 NAS
ISS Hockey: NA
Future Considerations: 33
McKeen’s Hockey: 28
TSN Bob McKenzie: 34
TSN Craig Button: 29
Sportsnet Damien Cox: NA
ANALYSIS: The Lightning select another standout from the CHL Top Prospects Game, taking Kyrou in addition to their first-rounder, Laberge. Tampa Bay can go with the best-player-available approach here, even if it means picking a third straight right-winger. Kelowna’s Dube is a comparable player that could interest Tampa too. If the Lightning are seriously considering moving one of their goalies sooner than later — be it Ben Bishop or Andrei Vasilevskiy — then this could be a good spot to restock that position. Maybe another Russian in Mikhail Berdin?
59) St. Louis Blues — Ryan Lindgren (LHD, U.S. National Development Team)
Height/Weight: 5-11.75, 203 (CO, previously listed at 198)
Playoff Stats: NA
Regular Season Stats: 61 GP-6 G-19 A-25 PTS
Central Scouting: 49 NAS
ISS Hockey: NA
Future Considerations: 41
McKeen’s Hockey: NA
TSN Bob McKenzie: 46
TSN Craig Button: 77
Sportsnet Damien Cox: NA
ANALYSIS: The Blues take the top defenceman left on their list here, debating between Lindgren and his USNTDP teammate Chad Krys. The latter has been regarded as a top prospect in this draft class for longer, but Krys has seen his stock go down while Lindgren’s has been going up. Either of them could go in this spot.
60) San Jose Sharks — Dillon Dube (F, Kelowna, WHL)
Height/Weight: 5-10.5, 183 (CO)
Playoff Stats: 18 GP-2 G-5 A-7 PTS
Regular Season Stats: 65 GP-26 G-40 A-66 PTS
Central Scouting: 41 NAS
ISS Hockey: NA
Future Considerations: 46
McKeen’s Hockey: NA
TSN Bob McKenzie: 37
TSN Craig Button: 28
Sportsnet Damien Cox: HM
ANALYSIS: The Sharks already stole one forward prospect out of Kelowna, getting Rourke Chartier in the fifth round in 2014, and San Jose would happily take Dube here. Dube was projected to be a first-rounder at the start of the season, potentially in the teens, but he didn’t do much in the Top Prospects Game and tailed off in the second half of the season before struggling for much of the playoffs. Dube will probably tumble down the draft board as a result, but some team will be lucky to get him this late and it could very well be San Jose. The Sharks know the player and will have had plenty of live viewings over the past two seasons while checking in on Chartier. Dube played all three forward positions this season, but he’s a natural centre and will likely get a role in the middle next season.
61) Pittsburgh Penguins — Chad Krys (LHD, U.S. National Development Team)
Height/Weight: 5-11, 183
Playoff Stats: NA
Regular Season Stats: 53 GP-3 G-26 A-29 PTS
Central Scouting: 53 NAS
ISS Hockey: NA
Future Considerations: 61
McKeen’s Hockey: NA
TSN Bob McKenzie: 67
TSN Craig Button: 91
Sportsnet Damien Cox: NA
ANALYSIS: The Penguins are presumably in the same boat as St. Louis here, eyeing Krys and Lindgren for this pick. Pittsburgh settles for Krys, who happens to hail from Pennsylvania (albeit from Philadelphia). A year ago, Krys was thought to be a first-round talent, perhaps challenging Chychrun to be the top defenceman drafted, but his stat-line left a lot to be desired this season as an offensive-minded blue-liner. Still, the Penguins would be pumped to come away with Dahlen and Krys from the second round.
Recapping the Second Round
31) Toronto Maple Leafs — Sean Day (LHD, Mississauga, OHL)
32) Edmonton Oilers — Carter Hart (G, Everett, WHL)
33) Florida Panthers (from Vancouver) — Brett Howden (C/LW, Moose Jaw, WHL)
34) Columbus Blue Jackets — Rasmus Asplund (C/LW, Farjestad, Sweden)
35) Calgary Flames — Boris Katchouk (LW/RW, Sault Ste. Marie, OHL)
36) Winnipeg Jets — Cam Morrison (LW, Youngstown, USHL)
37) Arizona Coyotes — Taylor Raddysh (RW, Erie, OHL)
38) Buffalo Sabres — Adam Fox (RHD, U.S. National Development Team)
39) Montreal Canadiens — Frederic Allard (RHD, Chicoutimi, QMJHL)
40) Colorado Avalanche — Carl Grundstrom (LW, Modo, Sweden)
41) New Jersey Devils — Will Bitten (C, Flint, OHL)
42) Ottawa Senators — Evan Fitzpatrick (G, Sherbrooke, QMJHL)
43) Carolina Hurricanes — Janne Kuokkanen (RW, Karpat Jr., Finland)
44) Tampa Bay Lightning (from Boston) — Dmitry Sokolov (RW, Sudbury, OHL)
45) Montreal Canadiens (from Minnesota via Buffalo) — Cam Dineen (LHD, North Bay, OHL)
46) Detroit Red Wings — Filip Gustavsson (G, Lulea Jr., Sweden)
47) Nashville Predators — Sam Steel (C, Regina, WHL)
48) Philadelphia Flyers — Nathan Bastian (C/RW, Mississauga, OHL)
49) Boston Bruins (from Islanders) — Dennis Cholowski (LHD, Chilliwack, BCHL)
50) Carolina Hurricanes (from Rangers) — Aapeli Rasanen (C, Tappara Jr., Finland)
51) Lose Angeles Kings — Libor Hajek (LHD, Saskatoon, WHL)
52) Philadelphia Flyers (from Chicago) — Adam Mascherin (LW, Kitchener, OHL)
53) Arizona Coyotes (compensation pick) — Lucas Johansen (LHD, Kelowna, WHL)
54) Calgary Flames (from Florida) — Conner Bleackley (C, Red Deer, WHL)
55) Pittsburgh Penguins (from Anaheim via Vancouver) — Jonathan Dahlen (C, Timra Div. II, Sweden)
56) Calgary Flames (from Dallas) — Markus Niemelainen (LHD, Saginaw, OHL)
57) Toronto Maple Leafs (from Washington) — Cliff Pu (RW, London, OHL)
58) Tampa Bay Lightning — Jordan Kyrou (RW, Sarnia, OHL)
59) St. Louis Blues — Ryan Lindgren (LHD, U.S. National Development Team)
60) San Jose Sharks — Dillon Dube (F, Kelowna, WHL)
61) Pittsburgh Penguins — Chad Krys (LHD, U.S. National Development Team)
Traded Picks
Vancouver to Florida
Boston to Tampa Bay
Minnesota to Montreal
New York Islanders to Boston
New York Rangers to Carolina
Chicago to Philadelphia
Florida to Calgary
Anaheim to Pittsburgh
Dallas to Calgary
Washington to Toronto
Compensatory Pick
Arizona for not signing 2014 first-round pick Conner Bleackley, acquired from Colorado