The NHL Entry Draft takes place on Friday June 24. While the first eight players seem, to be relatively the same in most experts estimations, the order is definitely not set.
The real challenge will be the rest of the first round as most seem to think that picks 9-45 could be interchangeable. Look for lots of trading on the draft floor as teams move up and down depending on what is still available according to its draft list.
This draft has talent at the top of the list but every player with the exception of Adam Larsson is a project at this time and needs to develop. The class is weak in comparison to some previous years and there could be a lot of third and fourth line players to come out of the 2011 Draft so it could be a good move for teams to look for players with size who are able to fill their needs as bottom six players.
Scouts look for the four S's, skating, speed, skill and smarts. Every player is evaluated based on these qualifications.
If you have all four you are a superstar a la
Sidney Crosby.
If you have three you are a star like Adam Larsson is projected to be.
If you have two or less, then you are a project and it really depends on how you develop.
Rotoworld will have a live chat starting at 7:00 ET on Friday for the Draft and well as up to the minute coverage on the first round. Please join us. Special thanks to Michael Leutner, Jared Ostroff, Jesse Rubinoff and Marc Lapierre for all their fine work with the commentary.
1.
Edmonton: Adam Larsson (D). The Oilers definitely need a top defenseman and as much as they could also use a playmaking center like
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, we think that Edmonton will go with the stud defenseman. A very impressive stint at the world juniors assured scouts that Larsson is the real deal. NHL scouts have gone as far as comparing the young Swede to future Hall of Famer and fellow countryman
Nicklas Lidstrom. The youngster certainly has a skill set reminiscent of the Red Wing's captain. Factor in his massive six foot, three inch, 200-plus pound frame and you have the standout defenseman in this year's draft. The highly intelligent, puck-moving Larsson now has three years experience playing in the Swedish Elite league. The high level of competition has readied the young defenseman to enter the NHL next season. The young Swede represents a can't miss franchise defenseman for years to come.
2.
Colorado: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (C). Nugent-Hopkins is a brilliant playmaker who sees the ice extremely well. He also possesses an underrated shot that he gets off both quickly and accurately. In 2010-11, he finished the season tied for third overall in league scoring with 106 points including 75 assists. He doesn't have any glaring weaknesses but will probably struggle at first to handle the physicality of the NHL over a grueling 82-game season because of his small frame. However, he is gritty, throws hits and is willing to battle in traffic. Defensively, he is reliable and has become a dangerous takeaway artist capable of stripping the puck off the sticks of unsuspecting players and quickly counter-attacking. Nugent-Hopkins possesses a very high-end skill set that is arguably the best in the entire draft. The Avalanche also covet Larsson and may attempt to trade up to get him. Nugent-Hopkins is likely the top fantasy player in this draft although he may need to go back to junior hockey and fill out a bit.
3.
Florida:. Gabriel Landeskog (LW). The Panthers pick third overall for the second year in a row and could luck out with the most draft-ready player in 2011. Landeskog is not your typical European. While the majority of Swedish prospects remain in their homeland until at least their draft year, Landeskog took a different approach, playing for the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL. Landeskog is a terrific all-around talent who can both distribute and snipe. The hard-nosed Kitchener captain (at age 17 yet!) has a great package of competitiveness, offensive talent and leadership. He has the size, skill and toughness to do it all and makes others around him better.
4.
New Jersey Sean Couturier (C). Couturier is a smart offensive player who has excellent size, is a good stick-handler and has a creative touch. Couturier was thought to be a top-two choice heading into this past season but struggled at times. He had 96 points in each of the last two seasons, but more was expected last season, He is a complete player at both ends of the ice. Couturier could use some extra work with his skating skills and that might prevent him from gainful employment in the NHL next season. The Devils have very little in their farm system and could be persuaded to flip the pick with Ottawa as the Senators have the sixth pick overall and another first round selection to go with three picks in round two.
5.
New York Islanders Dougie Hamilton (D). The Islanders draft fifth overall for the second year in a row as they took Nino Nieterreiter in 2010. They really need a blueliner and Dougie Hamilton nicely fits the bill. Many teams in the NHL covet right-handed defensemen that can shoot the puck, especially those as big and physical as Hamilton. Although he currently weighs in at a trim 193 pounds, expect the Toronto native to grow into his massive frame. Hamilton demonstrated the offensive side of his game, registering a remarkable 58 points with Niagara this past season. Hamilton also has excellent leadership skills and could be a major offensive force in the NHL if his game continues to grow.
6.
Ottawa Jonathan Huberdeau (C). There's a lot of buzz about Huberdeau's dynamic offensive play. His skating and balance are extremely unique and he has this ability to shift forward, backward and sideways on his skates that is reminiscent of
Corey Perry. He is also feisty and has no hesitation to go to ugly spaces in the crease to jam home a puck. The Memorial Cup MVP was one of the most dangerous players in Major Junior hockey all season and has an explosive dynamic that few others in this class can match. He's a terrific, imaginative player who is at his best when the pressure is at its highest. Should the Senators select here and not trade up, they have their number one center of the future.
7.
Winnipeg Ryan Strome (C). At the time of this writing it is still officially the Atlanta Thrashers but that should change on June 21. The first pick for the Winnipeg franchise will be Ryan Strome. Strome is a highly skilled forward with a great pair of hands. Strome has the ability to create a scoring chance out of little. His skating is strong and he works hard in both ends of the arena. Strome played in 65 games for the Niagara Ice Dogs in 2010-11, scoring 33 goals and adding 73 assists. He's may be the best stickhandler in the draft and a human highlight reel at times, capable of taking the puck end-to-end at any moment even making good defenders look foolish. He's also a gamebreaker, reminiscent of Jordan Eberle, as he can score clutch goals. Strome needs to bulk up as he can be moved off the puck without a lot of effort. He will probably need at least another year in the OHL to add some strength before he makes the jump and may need a year in the minors to continue filling out.
8.
Columbus Ryan Murphy (D). The Blue Jackets need an offensive defenseman more than any other team in the NHL and hopefully they finally get the player that they need at pick number eight. As an undersized offensive-defenseman with a right hand shot, Murphy has drawn many comparisons to Nashville prospect
Ryan Ellis. As with Ellis the knock on Murphy is his undersized frame. Yet NHL scouts believe Murphy to be a stronger skater than his counterpart. His excellent skating ability warranted his selection as the OHL's Western Conference "best skater" award. Considered second prize behind Adam Larsson, any team would relish the 79 points Murphy produced from the blue line this past season. Expect Murphy to continue lighting the lamp from the blue-line for many years to come.
9.
Boston (via Toronto) Nathan Beaulieu (D). In 65 games for the Sea Dogs in 2010-11, Beaulieu potted 12 goals and added 33 assists. He has good vision and is able to make the all important first pass. Scouts have drooled over the patience he portrays in his game as he has the ability to buy time for himself and make good decisions with the puck. Over the past couple of months, he has done a better job of picking his spots when looking to jump into the rush and play an offensive style. He will be a key contributor to the Sea Dogs' defense corps for the next few seasons and does have the ability and skill set to take it to the next level. The issue is that he doesn't have an overly dominant aspect to his game which raises some questions about what his role will be at the next level. Boston is looking to improve on the blueline and have the time to wait to allow Beaulieu to develop. He will return to Saint John and spend some time in the minors before he sees regular NHL action.
10.
Minnesota Mika Zibanejad (C). The Wild need a lot of pieces on their team and really need skilled players so if Mika Zibanejad is still around at number 10, look for him to land in Minnesota. Zibanejad has had an astronomical rise through the draft rankings this past season. He is a very skilled center with great hockey sense and hands. The versatile Swede is a rugged power forward with size and a big-time shot. He goes into heavy traffic without thinking twice and will initiate physical play. He combines speed with power and plays both ends of the ice equally well. He is also a terrific face-off man. At worst, he could be a third line grinder with good offensive skills, but has the potential to become one of the best two-way centers in the NHL.
The NHL Entry Draft takes place on Friday June 24. While the first eight players seem, to be relatively the same in most experts estimations, the order is definitely not set.
The real challenge will be the rest of the first round as most seem to think that picks 9-45 could be interchangeable. Look for lots of trading on the draft floor as teams move up and down depending on what is still available according to its draft list.
This draft has talent at the top of the list but every player with the exception of Adam Larsson is a project at this time and needs to develop. The class is weak in comparison to some previous years and there could be a lot of third and fourth line players to come out of the 2011 Draft so it could be a good move for teams to look for players with size who are able to fill their needs as bottom six players.
Scouts look for the four S's, skating, speed, skill and smarts. Every player is evaluated based on these qualifications.
If you have all four you are a superstar a la
Sidney Crosby.
If you have three you are a star like Adam Larsson is projected to be.
If you have two or less, then you are a project and it really depends on how you develop.
Rotoworld will have a live chat starting at 7:00 ET on Friday for the Draft and well as up to the minute coverage on the first round. Please join us. Special thanks to Michael Leutner, Jared Ostroff, Jesse Rubinoff and Marc Lapierre for all their fine work with the commentary.
1.
Edmonton: Adam Larsson (D). The Oilers definitely need a top defenseman and as much as they could also use a playmaking center like
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, we think that Edmonton will go with the stud defenseman. A very impressive stint at the world juniors assured scouts that Larsson is the real deal. NHL scouts have gone as far as comparing the young Swede to future Hall of Famer and fellow countryman
Nicklas Lidstrom. The youngster certainly has a skill set reminiscent of the Red Wing's captain. Factor in his massive six foot, three inch, 200-plus pound frame and you have the standout defenseman in this year's draft. The highly intelligent, puck-moving Larsson now has three years experience playing in the Swedish Elite league. The high level of competition has readied the young defenseman to enter the NHL next season. The young Swede represents a can't miss franchise defenseman for years to come.
2.
Colorado: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (C). Nugent-Hopkins is a brilliant playmaker who sees the ice extremely well. He also possesses an underrated shot that he gets off both quickly and accurately. In 2010-11, he finished the season tied for third overall in league scoring with 106 points including 75 assists. He doesn't have any glaring weaknesses but will probably struggle at first to handle the physicality of the NHL over a grueling 82-game season because of his small frame. However, he is gritty, throws hits and is willing to battle in traffic. Defensively, he is reliable and has become a dangerous takeaway artist capable of stripping the puck off the sticks of unsuspecting players and quickly counter-attacking. Nugent-Hopkins possesses a very high-end skill set that is arguably the best in the entire draft. The Avalanche also covet Larsson and may attempt to trade up to get him. Nugent-Hopkins is likely the top fantasy player in this draft although he may need to go back to junior hockey and fill out a bit.
3.
Florida:. Gabriel Landeskog (LW). The Panthers pick third overall for the second year in a row and could luck out with the most draft-ready player in 2011. Landeskog is not your typical European. While the majority of Swedish prospects remain in their homeland until at least their draft year, Landeskog took a different approach, playing for the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL. Landeskog is a terrific all-around talent who can both distribute and snipe. The hard-nosed Kitchener captain (at age 17 yet!) has a great package of competitiveness, offensive talent and leadership. He has the size, skill and toughness to do it all and makes others around him better.
4.
New Jersey Sean Couturier (C). Couturier is a smart offensive player who has excellent size, is a good stick-handler and has a creative touch. Couturier was thought to be a top-two choice heading into this past season but struggled at times. He had 96 points in each of the last two seasons, but more was expected last season, He is a complete player at both ends of the ice. Couturier could use some extra work with his skating skills and that might prevent him from gainful employment in the NHL next season. The Devils have very little in their farm system and could be persuaded to flip the pick with Ottawa as the Senators have the sixth pick overall and another first round selection to go with three picks in round two.
5.
New York Islanders Dougie Hamilton (D). The Islanders draft fifth overall for the second year in a row as they took Nino Nieterreiter in 2010. They really need a blueliner and Dougie Hamilton nicely fits the bill. Many teams in the NHL covet right-handed defensemen that can shoot the puck, especially those as big and physical as Hamilton. Although he currently weighs in at a trim 193 pounds, expect the Toronto native to grow into his massive frame. Hamilton demonstrated the offensive side of his game, registering a remarkable 58 points with Niagara this past season. Hamilton also has excellent leadership skills and could be a major offensive force in the NHL if his game continues to grow.
6.
Ottawa Jonathan Huberdeau (C). There's a lot of buzz about Huberdeau's dynamic offensive play. His skating and balance are extremely unique and he has this ability to shift forward, backward and sideways on his skates that is reminiscent of
Corey Perry. He is also feisty and has no hesitation to go to ugly spaces in the crease to jam home a puck. The Memorial Cup MVP was one of the most dangerous players in Major Junior hockey all season and has an explosive dynamic that few others in this class can match. He's a terrific, imaginative player who is at his best when the pressure is at its highest. Should the Senators select here and not trade up, they have their number one center of the future.
7.
Winnipeg Ryan Strome (C). At the time of this writing it is still officially the Atlanta Thrashers but that should change on June 21. The first pick for the Winnipeg franchise will be Ryan Strome. Strome is a highly skilled forward with a great pair of hands. Strome has the ability to create a scoring chance out of little. His skating is strong and he works hard in both ends of the arena. Strome played in 65 games for the Niagara Ice Dogs in 2010-11, scoring 33 goals and adding 73 assists. He's may be the best stickhandler in the draft and a human highlight reel at times, capable of taking the puck end-to-end at any moment even making good defenders look foolish. He's also a gamebreaker, reminiscent of Jordan Eberle, as he can score clutch goals. Strome needs to bulk up as he can be moved off the puck without a lot of effort. He will probably need at least another year in the OHL to add some strength before he makes the jump and may need a year in the minors to continue filling out.
8.
Columbus Ryan Murphy (D). The Blue Jackets need an offensive defenseman more than any other team in the NHL and hopefully they finally get the player that they need at pick number eight. As an undersized offensive-defenseman with a right hand shot, Murphy has drawn many comparisons to Nashville prospect
Ryan Ellis. As with Ellis the knock on Murphy is his undersized frame. Yet NHL scouts believe Murphy to be a stronger skater than his counterpart. His excellent skating ability warranted his selection as the OHL's Western Conference "best skater" award. Considered second prize behind Adam Larsson, any team would relish the 79 points Murphy produced from the blue line this past season. Expect Murphy to continue lighting the lamp from the blue-line for many years to come.
9.
Boston (via Toronto) Nathan Beaulieu (D). In 65 games for the Sea Dogs in 2010-11, Beaulieu potted 12 goals and added 33 assists. He has good vision and is able to make the all important first pass. Scouts have drooled over the patience he portrays in his game as he has the ability to buy time for himself and make good decisions with the puck. Over the past couple of months, he has done a better job of picking his spots when looking to jump into the rush and play an offensive style. He will be a key contributor to the Sea Dogs' defense corps for the next few seasons and does have the ability and skill set to take it to the next level. The issue is that he doesn't have an overly dominant aspect to his game which raises some questions about what his role will be at the next level. Boston is looking to improve on the blueline and have the time to wait to allow Beaulieu to develop. He will return to Saint John and spend some time in the minors before he sees regular NHL action.
10.
Minnesota Mika Zibanejad (C). The Wild need a lot of pieces on their team and really need skilled players so if Mika Zibanejad is still around at number 10, look for him to land in Minnesota. Zibanejad has had an astronomical rise through the draft rankings this past season. He is a very skilled center with great hockey sense and hands. The versatile Swede is a rugged power forward with size and a big-time shot. He goes into heavy traffic without thinking twice and will initiate physical play. He combines speed with power and plays both ends of the ice equally well. He is also a terrific face-off man. At worst, he could be a third line grinder with good offensive skills, but has the potential to become one of the best two-way centers in the NHL.
11.
Colorado via (St. Louis) Sven Baertschi (LW). The Avalanche pick for the second time in the round as a result of the trade that brought
Erik Johnson from the Blues but they had to part with
Kevin Shattenkirk and
Chris Stewart to do so. Bartschi came into the season as a fairly unknown prospect from Switzerland, but quickly established himself as a prolific scorer for the Portland Winterhawks. In 66 games, he potted 34 goals and added 51 assists to go along with 74 penalty minutes. Bartschi has excellent hands, vision on the ice and is definitely a natural goal scorer. A touch on the small side, however, he doesn't seem afraid of contact at all and goes to the traffic areas to create offense. He could be the next
Milan Hejduk as he knows how to sneak past people into open areas. A bit more muscle and experience and he should to be quite the player.
12.
Carolina Duncan Siemens (D). The fourth ranked defenseman in the 2011 entry draft is Duncan Siemens, one of the youngest players at this year's event. Scouts are very pleased with the puck-moving and skating ability of the big six foot, three inch WHL standout. Siemens registered an impressive 43 points this year for Saskatoon, while amassing 121 penalty minutes along the way. The WHL standout Siemens offers teams a solid player at both ends of the rink. Although Duncan is most noted for his physicality, scouts have praised the youngster for his superlative skating ability. He projects to be a steady blueliner who will not rack up enough points to be anything more than a four-five defenseman in deep fantasy pools.
13.
Calgary Mark Scheifele (C). Calgary was slated to pick here last season but dealt their pick to Phoenix. Now they get a chance to grab a talented center. At the IIHF U18 World Championships this past year, Scheifele showcased how dangerous he can be as he led Canada in goals with six in seven games. His first season in the OHL with the Barrie Colts was no different as he helped carry a lackluster team with 75 points in 65 games. His playmaking and work ethic is exceptional, which helped improve the play of his linemates throughout the season.
Scheifele will return to junior hockey as he needs to add muscle to his frame.
14.
Dallas Mark McNeill (C). When one first looks at McNeill, many will be quick to point out his size. He is a very strong forward who is only going to get stronger. He plays a great perimeter game, and is very good around the net. McNeill was also one of the fastest skaters at the CHL Top Prospects game. Another major asset for the team that drafts McNeill is that he is a gritty player with the composure to not let it get him into penalty trouble. McNeill should develop into a very reliable power forward. The 18-year-old went from a 24 point season in 2009-10 to 81 points this past season.
15.
New York Rangers Vladislav Namestnikov (C). Namestikov is a deceptively quick forward who is building himself a reputation of being a solid two-way forward with great vision and anticipation. Perhaps his greatest asset however, is his playmaking ability. His above-average level of patience gives him the extra time needed on the ice to make the right play. The only knocks on the 18 year-old is that he has shown some patches of inconsistency and lacks the physical capability to immediately make the jump to the pro level. His first season in North America was good with 30 goals and 68 points. He will definitely benefit from being a London Knight as the Hunter brothers certainly know how to develop NHL players.
16.
Buffalo Joel Armia (RW). Armia is a pure goal-scorer who possesses an accurate shot with a quick release. Even though he is big, he has very good hands and has the ability to dangle with the puck in the offensive zone. His skating has improved a lot this season in Finland, which has helped his game and confidence as well. However, Armia is not a player who has developed his physical tools yet. Also, his decision making and defensive play need work. The Finn is still pretty raw, but a winger with his size and skill is an attractive package. The Sabres have a good-top six in the forward department so they can wait for Armia to develop.
17.
Montreal Boone Jenner (C). While Jenner may not be the most offensively gifted forward in this year's draft, he is one of the few prospects with no major flaw to his game. He is a natural leader that does all the little things well, and will do whatever it takes to win. He is very strong on his skates, and despite the knocks on his offensive ability, he managed to put up 66 points in 63 games this past season with the Oshawa Generals. He is a safe pick with a little upside as he knows how to play in both ends of the rink. The Canadiens could use a goal scorer as they potted only 216 goals last season, fifth least in the NHL, but they will be hard-pressed to get a good scorer at this stage of the draft and even if they did, he would still be years away from contributing.
18.
Chicago Zack Phillips (C). Phillips is an average skater who lacks explosiveness, but he has an outstanding hockey sense that has helped him develop into one of the most opportunistic scorers in this year's class. The Saint John Sea Dog drives hard to the net and has the hands to be able to consistently score goals from that close range. He will have to improve his skating if he plans to successfully make the jump to the NHL. He will get a chance to go back to junior and continue to develop his skills as the Blackhawks are set at forward at the present time. He should be a top-six forward when he is ready as he does possess some outstanding skills.
19.
Edmonton (via Los Angeles) John Gibson (G). The Oilers really need a netminder in their system and they likely will use their second first round pick to grab the top goalie in the draft. Gibson led Team USA to gold at the World U-18 Championships, where he had a 2.34 GAA and a .926 save percentage in six games and was named the best goaltender of the tournament. The 17-year old has great size, which makes his ability to move comfortably around the net even more impressive. He is very technically sound and rarely finds himself out of position. Scouts have also taken a liking to Gibson's calm demeanor and love his size at six foot, three inches and 205 pounds. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native has committed to playing at the University of Michigan starting this fall.
20.
Phoenix Tomas Jurco (RW). There are many forwards in this year's class who can fly, but it is difficult to find one who not only possesses the speed, but who also has the stickhandling ability and moves to accompany it. This combination of talent gives Jurco the ability to be a game-breaker on any given night. The only problem with the Saint John Sea Dog is that he has a strong tendency to go through dry spells. If he can find consistency to his game, he will be a game changer at the top level. Jurco played six games for Slovakia at the Under-20 World Junior Championship and managed to score once. He will get another chance next season and should star at the age of 19.
21.
Ottawa (via Nashville) Nicklas Jensen (LW/RW) The Senators could trade this pick to move up earlier in the draft. If they select look for Ottawa to take Nicklas Jensen. When Jensen has the puck, he can be the most dangerous player on the ice. He possesses excellent offensive instincts. He has the speed, the size, the touch and the shot, but needs to improve his game away from the puck. He has also been criticized for his lack of toughness and average skating ability. Regardless, this Oshawa General was very consistent down the stretch and is one of the hottest prospects heading into the draft. Denmark is starting to become an interesting place to look for hockey talent with
Frans Nielsen,
Jannik Hansen,
Lars Eller,
Peter Regin, Mikkel Boddker, defenseman
Philip Larsen and now Nicklas Jensen.
22.
Anaheim Joe Morrow (D) Originally tabbed as a physical stay at home defenseman, scouts have been surprised by Morrow's improved skating game. The Portland Winterhawk has worked hard this past season on improving his footwork to cement himself as a capable two-way defenseman. Morrow registered a solid 49-point campaign while establishing himself as a tough fighter in the WHL. An injury plagued junior career may cause some NHL teams to shy away from the defenseman. The Ducks picked up a great blueliner last season in
Cam Fowler and can now afford to watch Morrow develop.
23.
Pittsburgh Brandon Saad (LW) The Pittsburgh Penguins have a lack of depth at the wing position in the NHL. Saad is a great two-way forward who is responsible in all zones. He is physically ready to make the jump to the NHL, which is rare, but the rest of his game could use a little work. Saad was expected by many to breeze through his first season as a Saginaw Spirit and at the halfway point it appeared that way with twenty goals. The second half of the season was a different story as he only registered seven goals. The talent is there, Saad just needs a little bit of grooming. Look for Saad to spend another year in the OHL. He is a high risk/high reward selection.
24.
Detroit Jonas Brodin (D). The Detroit Red Wings will need some help on the blueline in the years to come as
Nicklas Lidstrom cannot last forever. The Red Wings love going to Europe in the draft and this year should be no exception. There are two players to choose from at this time, Jonas Brodin and Oscar Klefbom. Both are Swedish and Brodin is projected to be selected ahead of his teammate Klefbom. Many scouts believe the two to be very similar players, it will be interesting to see if this projection holds true. In 42 games this year Brodin finished with four assists, but keep in mind he was a mere teenager playing on the best team in all of Sweden. He displayed his strong skating and vision when called upon to play very important minutes for the Swedish national team in the world juniors. Jonas is not an overly physical defenseman, rather he relies mostly on his skating and puck moving skills. He is a prototypical Detroit selection and they will take their time in developing the Swede.
25.
Toronto (via Philadelphia) Ty Rattie (RW). Should the Maple Leafs decide not to trade up look for them to take a skilled Ty Rattie at this time. Rattie is a work in progress with a lot of upside. He possesses the raw talent needed to succeed at the higher level such as crisp passing and a strong shot, but seriously lacks in size and strength. Although he is an elusive skater that plays with an edge, the Portland Winterhawk has been forced to play a lot of hockey on the perimeter. If he can improve his defense and his strength, he should make the transition nicely. The Maple Leafs have plenty of truculence in their lineup so the skill of Rattie is an asset they could use.
26.
Washington Jamie Oleksiak (D). As 28 teams sit and watch the Stanley Cup Final, you can be sure almost all of them would love to have
Zdeno Chara patrolling their blue line. Many of those teams will therefore have a hard time passing up on Oleksiak, a six foot, seven inch, 244 pound monster. Scouts say Oleksiak has soft hands for such a big man and has the potential to fill an offensive roll in the future. Oleksiak made the jump to the college level with Northeastern last season and scouts were very pleased with his seamless transition. The salary cap and the increased speed of the game has made versatile big men a treasured commodity. Washington will grab him here if he has not been selected earlier and wait for him to develop.
27.
Tampa Bay Rocco Grimaldi (C). Grimaldi has been featured in many magazines as a huge talent, but his size will drop him to the late first round or a second round selection. The five foot, six-inch, 163 pounder has a ton of offensive talent and is strong with the puck so he needs a team to believe in him and select him despite his diminutive size. He will play for North Dakota so that will give his draft team plenty of time to watch his development. Tampa Bay could also use a goaltender so it would not be a surprise if they grabbed Christopher Gibson or Jordan Binnington at this spot.
28.
San Jose Lucas Lessio (LW) Lessio is a speedy winger who fit in nicely with the Oshawa Generals this past season. Lessio is likely to project to be a third line player at this stage of his development and that could be a nice pick at this time as he is hard working player with some size and will be able to score on occasion.
29.
Vancouver Dmitri Jaskin (RW) The one word that best describes Jaskin's style of play is passionate. He finishes his hits, he fights his way to the net, and he uses his body well. He has a quick release and knows how to protect the puck. The only question mark surrounding this Czech forward is his skating as he lacks a quick burst. His competitive nature is hard to come by, and if he can improve his skating, he will become a prospect with a very high ceiling.
30.
Toronto (via Boston) Tyler Biggs (RW). Biggs is a typical Brian Burke player. He is big (just look at his name) and chippy. What he may lack is scoring ability and that should force him down the draft board in the first round. He managed to score seven goals and 11 points in 20 games this season for the United States Developmental under-18 team. He will likely play for Miami University next season and continue his development.
Other possible first round selections: Alexander Khokhlachev (C), Matt Puempel (LW), David Musil (D), Mario Lucia (LW), Scott Mayfield (D), Phillip Daneault (LW), Daniel Catenacci (C), Christopher Gibson (G), Jordan Binnington (G), Oscar Klefbom (D).