1 | | - | | The 1C that Montreal has been looking for |
2 | | - | | Big winger for Hughes or Hischier. |
3 | | - | | Highest offensive ceiling and BPA |
4 | | - | | Last year they used the #2 overall for a center, this year they score the #1 defenseman |
5 | | - | | This is the tough pick. Gauthier, Jiricek, and Kemell all look good here as well but in terms of highest offensive upside, Philly should go for Savoie. Got to see him play twice and wow |
6 | | | | It's Jiricek or Kemell here in my mind. I think with the young power they have up front, a top-RHD prospect to pair with Werenski would be a blessing |
7 | | - | | So-far No-good on that power RW Ottawa drafted last year. Plenty of time still, but maybe this is the offensive RW the team needs. Goal-scoring premium |
8 | | - | | Gauthier managed to slip a bit. Detroit loves their Swedes in the draft, and while Guathier played in the USNTDP, he is a Swedish-born player |
9 | | - | | The thought is Buffalo is going for skill up front seeing that they've drafted two #1 overall LHD. My guess is Lekkerimaki is the BPA at this point in terms of skill |
10 | | - | | This one is a doozy and I could be way off. I'd like to think that Nazar is underrated and should go by the end of the top 10 but with a few higher-end defenseman here (Korchinski, Mateychuk, and Mintyukov), it's hard to say. |
11 | | - | | Next best defenseman available based on offensive ability which will be huge as the Sharks blueline ages out of being able to handle top-PP duties. |
12 | | - | | With Columbus having two picks in the top-12, they should absolutely go for a riskier pick here. Lambert would be fun to see, but probably still too early. But Yurov is all the rage in scouting reports everywhere and is still ranked 7th in the EU on Central Scouting. Maybe this is the fit |
13 | | - | | The Islanders risked it on Raty last year and I believe they'll do it again. This team isn't bad enough to be drafting here again next year, right? |
14 | | - | | I think it's a coin-flip for Geekie or Mateychuk here. Both Manitoba natives but they already have a Geekie-type player in Perfetti. And while Korchinski would be good too, I believe this team has holes (and will continue to have holes) on defense and could use an all-situations reliable defensive option. |
15 | | - | | If Winnipeg doesn't take Geekie, I can't see him last past here. Big center who they can take their time with |
16 | | | | One thing Buffalo lacks in their system and on their team is a higher-end two-way guy who can get to the dirty areas. Ohgren has that talent according to many scouts. Teammate of their first draft pick too |
17 | | - | | The next two picks are players that have dropped down the board in my opinion. The question will be in what order these two go in (if they aren't already gone at this point) |
18 | | - | | (See last description) |
19 | | | | The Wild manage to get another 1st pick from the Kings and now they can sneak Miroschnichenko here. Good place to draft him considering the teams right below are in a position to take this risk as well |
20 | | - | | A top-10 NA ranked player in Central Scouting. Maybe even fell a little in some people's eyes. |
21 | | - | | BPA. Guy is real good offensively. Pittsburgh needs high-end offensively-talented prospects like him |
22 | | | | With Nazar taken at 10th, I could see them getting a sizeable defenseman here. These last three picks have very high-ceilings |
23 | | - | | Two-way centers are a staple in St. Louis and this guy has been great late-season. Probably BPA here |
24 | | - | | For their 2nd, less-risky pick. A goal-scoring RW who was born in Minnesota, played in Minnesota, and is now a Minnesota University player. Just like his father, and grandfather who both played for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Funny how this pick works out |
25 | | - | | The Leafs pick will be strange. Could be anywhere. It's anyones guess here but I believe the BPA is Mesar who is reported to be excellent at getting pucks along the boards. Kind of like Bunting in a way. |
26 | | | | Yes they did just draft a center but Gauthier is more defensive-oriented (nominated for QMJHL defensive forward of the year) and also won the professional prospect award. Might be a good attitude for a franchise that faced criticism last year. Also from Quebec. |
27 | | | | Low-floor, Top-10 NA on Central Scouting. Quality pick for Arizona as a BPA |
28 | | | | Two-way RHD that can hopefully be a top-4 guy? Hopefully good for Dahlin and/or Power |
29 | | - | | Buffalo could've taken the third forward on Djugardens but he falls to Edmonton. May be a BPA, might have had a lot of help from the other 2 forwards |
30 | | | | Winnipeg already secured a quality defenseman so they go for a riskier late-season riser. Saw him play too. He's always engaged way more than anyone else. Smaller, but an offensive weapon. NA 12 on Central Scouting |
31 | | - | | Tampa is still competing and could use players that are close to being ready, especially on the right side of defense. Casey could fill that hole with an already great set of skating attributes. Just needs to fill out |
32 | | | | EU 9th on Central Scouting, why not go for him? 6'5 LHD rated this high is a unicorn. They can be patient with development too. |