This years NHL Entry draft lacks that generational talent, the supremely special player. That doesn’t mean however that these players are useless. The draft has a lot of energy and character guys that will make nice players for the teams that draft them. There is a shortage of top end skill, but pleantly of players have offensive upside.
*Please click here for THW’s draft guide The Next One’s
**Every players name will link to their THW profile. Click on it for stats and in depth scouting reports.
***For Chris Ralph’s Final Rankings Please Click Here
1- Edmonton Oilers – Ryan Nuget-Hopkins (C)
Current Teams – Red Dear Rebels (WHL)
Height – 6.00…..Weight – 155…..Born – Apr 12, 1993
The Oiler draft that dynamic center they have been lacking, will fit perfectly alongside Taylor Hall and rack up the assists.
2- Colorado Avalanche – Adam Larsson (D)
Current Team -Skelleftea HC (SEL)
Height – 6.02…..Weight – 209…..Born – Nov 12, 1992
The Avalanche can’t pass up on the franchise defensemen who will look awfully nice in the future with Erik Johnson
3- Florida Panthers – Gabriel Landeskog (LW)
Current Team – Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
Height – 6.00…..Weight – 201…..Born – Nov 23, 1992
Remember when Dale Tallon was the Blackhawks General Manager and he drafted Jonathan Toews for his intangibles and leadership ability? This pick will look exactly like that in a few years, when Landeskog is wearing the C for the panthers.
4- New Jersey Devils – Dougie Hamilton (D)
Current Team – Niagara Ice Dogs (OHL)
Height – 6.04…..Weight – 193…..Born – Jun 17, 1993
The Devils add a nasty puck mover to their back-end, who could be a real force if he put on a little weight.
5- New York Islanders – Sean Couturier (C)
Current Team – Drummondville Voltigeurs (QJMHL)
Height – 6.04…..Weight – 191…..Born – Dec 7, 1992
Once thought to be a number one pick, Couturier didn’t do anything to hurt his stock; other players just really helped theirs. The Islanders will have a great one-two punch with Tavares and Couturier, and as we have seen in recent years, being strong down the middle is a key to winning in this league.
6- Ottawa Senators – Jonathan Huberdeau (LW)
Current Team – Saint John Sea Dogs (QJMHL)
Height – 6.01…..Weight – 171…..Born – Jun 4, 1993
Ottawa takes a dynamic offensive winger, which will help speed along the rebuilding process. It helps that he scored over 100 points in the QJML last year, and had a monster postseason.
7- Winnipeg Nameless – Ryan Strome (C)
Current Team – Niagara Ice Dogs (OHL)
Height – 6.01…..Weight – 183…..Born – Jul 11, 1993
Winnipeg takes the dynamic OHL scorer to help solidify them down the middle for a long time. With the Burmistrov pick last year, and Strome this year, they will be set.
8- Columbus Blue Jackets – Ryan Murphy (D)
Current Team – Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
Height – 5.11…..Weight – 176…..Born – March 31, 1993
Columbus needs offense but will hope the getting the top PMD in the draft will help that. Murphy may be small but has an undeniable amount of offensive talent.
9- Boston Bruins (Via TOR) – Duncan Siemens (D)
Current Team – Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
Height – 6.03…..Weight – 192…..Born – Sep 7, 1993
Boston takes the big physical defender who will fit their system perfectly. Being one of the youngest players in his draft class, it makes what he did this year even more impressive.
10- Minnesota Wild – Mika Zibanejad (C)
Current Team – Djurgardens IF Stockholm (SEL)
Height – 6.01…..Weight – 183…..Born – April 18, 1993
A player whose stock has risen greatly in the last few months, Mika has shown he can play a great two-way game, and has a lot of offensive potential. Despite being solid down the middle, you take the BPA if he falls to you.
11- Colorado Avalanche (Via STL) – Sven Bartschi (LW)
Current Team – Portlans Winterhawks (WHL)
Height – 5.10…..Weight – 180…..Born – Oct 5, 1992
Baertschi is a big time riser in the months before the draft and for good reason. The Swiss forward has huge offensive potential, and after taking Larsson earlier, they take the offsensive winger in Bartschi.
12- Carolina Hurricanes – Mark McNeill (C)
Current Team – Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
Height – 6.02…..Weight – 210…..Born – Feb 22, 1993
McNeill is a tough centerman with size and grit, but untapped offensive potential. Carolina drafts a guy that will look perfect behind Staal on the depth chart if Skinner becomes a full time winger.
13- Calgary Flames – Joel Armia (RW)
Current Team – Assat Pori (SM-liiga)
Height – 6.03…..Weight – 187…..Born – May 31, 1993
Armia has dynamic offensive abilities, something the flames could really use. If Armia can mature and put it all together he could be one of the best goal scorers from the class.
14- Dallas Stars – Jamieson Oleksiak (D)
Current Team – Northeastern (NCAA)
Height – 6.07…..Weight – 220…..Born – Dec 21, 1992
There were rumors that Dallas wanted Dylan McIlrath with the eleventh pick last year. Well Oleksiak is a nice consolation prize. Dallas just has to hope they drafted the next Zdeno Chara, and not Boris Valabik.
15- New York Rangers – Mark Scheifele (C)
Current Team – Barrie Colts (OHL)
Height – 6.03…..Weight – 175…..Born – Mar 15, 1993
New York drafts the big two way center, with playmaking center potential. A safe pick, and a smart one by Clark and company.
16- Buffalo Sabres – Nathan Beaulieu (D)
Current Team – Saint John Sea Dogs (QJMHL)
Height – 6.03…..Weight – 191…..Born – Dec 5, 1992
A great transitional, puck moving defensemen, Buffalo may have the biggest steal of the draft.
17- Montreal Canadiens – Boone Jenner – (C)
Current Team – Oshawa Generals (OHL)
Height – 6.01…..Weight – 193…..Born – Jun 15, 1993
Montreal takes the versatile forward that can do it all. Score, grind, and kill penalties.
18- Chicago Blackhawks – Matt Puempel (LW)
Current Team – Peterborough Petes (OHL)
Height – 6.00…..Weight – 190…..Born – Jan 24, 1993
Despite having hip surgery this year, Puempel is still a dynamic scorer, who may even find himself a top line forward in a few years.
19- Edmonton Oilers (Via LAK) – Jonas Brodin (D)
Current Team – Peterborough Petes (SEL)
Height – 6.00…..Weight – 172…..Born – Jul 12, 1993
After not getting Larsson, Brodin becomes the Swedish defenseman of the future for the Edmonton Oilers.
20- Phoenix Coyotes – Tyler Biggs (RW)
Current Team – U.S. National Development Team (USHL)
Height – 6.02…..Weight – 200…..Born – Apr 30, 1993
Phoenix takes a big American power forward; will fit the teams system very well.
21- Ottawa Senators (Via NSH) – Nicklas Jensen (RW)
Current Team – Oshawa Generals (OHL)
Height – 6.03…..Weight – 186…..Born – Mar 6, 1993
Jensen is a sure bet to be a good energy guy, with some offensive upside. Jensen is incredibly versatile, the Senators are happy to have a guy that can fill many roles on their time.
22- Anaheim Ducks – Rocco Grimaldi (C)
Current Team – U.S. National Development Team (USHL)
Height – 5.06…..Weight – 160…..Born – February 8, 1993
Arguably the most dynamic offensive play in the draft, Grimaldi should thrive with the skill they have in place long term in Anaheim.
23- Pittsburgh Penguins – Brandon Saad (LW)
Current Team – Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Height – 6.02…..Weight 211…..Born – Oct 27, 1992
Big, strong and athletically gifted, Saad drops all the way down to Pittsburgh based perceived lack of improvement. Also helps that he is a Pennsylvania native.
24- Detroit Red Wings – Oscar Klefbom (D)
Current Team – Slavia Praha HC (Czech)
Height – 6.02…..Weight – 210…..Born – July 20, 1993
Detroit is already losing Rafalski, and Lidstrom may soon follow. Klefbom could be the next Swedish stud defenseman.
25- Toronto Maple Leafs – Jonathan Miller (C)
Current Team – U.S. National Development Team (USHL)
Height – 6.01…..Weight – 198…..Born – March 3, 1993
A perfect Brian Burke type player. A big power forward who should develop his offensive skills further this year at North Dakota.
26- Washington Capitals – Thomas Jurco (RW)
Current Team – Saint John Sea Dogs (QJMHL)
Height – 6.02…..Weight…..193…..Born – Dec 28, 1992
With a slick set of hands, Washington goes all offensive upside with this pick.
27- Tampa Bay Lightning – Alexander Khokhlachev (C)
Current Team – Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Height – 5.10…..Weight – 172…..Born – Sep 7, 1993
Tampa takes a chance on the skilled Russian of the draft. “Koko” possesses dynamic offensive skills and is one of the youngest players in the draft. Has more time to add size and strength.
28- San Jose Sharks – Zack Phillips (C)
Current Team – Saint John Sea Dogs (QJMHL)
Height – 6.00…..Weight – 180…..Born – Oct 28, 1992
Phillips had a great offensive year playing for the best team in the entire CHL. He also has sixteen points through nine playoff games.
29- Vancouver Canucks – Vladislav Namestnikov (C)
Current Team – London Knights (OHL)
Height – 6.00…..Weight – 170…..Born – Nov 22, 1992
Namestnikov possesses great playmaking skills and is very defensively responsible. He’s already committed to playing in North America so there should be no concerns about him bolting to KHL.
30- Toronto Maple Leafs (Via Boston) – Scott Mayfield (D)
Current Team – Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
Height – 6.04…..Weight – 200…..Born – Oct 14, 1992
A big bruising defenseman, Mayfield has potential to develop a good two-way game.