With the NHL Draft a day away, here’s how I see it playing out.
1- Toronto- Auston Matthews, C, Zurich
If you look at how good teams start their re-build, it generally starts with an impact centre down the middle. Matthews is the real-deal.
2- Winnipeg- Patrik Laine, RW, Tappara
The big winger plays the game hard, physical and he’s got a great shoot. Adding him to one of the larger teams in the NHL is going to make going to Winnipeg even tougher on the opposition. He might be the frontrunner for the Calder with that supporting cast.
3- Calgary (From CBJ)- Jesse Puljujarvi, RW, Karpat
Calgary makes the first big move trading No. 6 and No. 35 to the Blue Jackets for No. 3 and David Clarkson – Blue Jackets keep 1.5 million of Clarkson’s salary. The big winger has all the makings of a franchise player and might be the best point producers in the draft. Don’t be shocked if he wins an Art Ross one day.
4- Edmonton- Matthew Tkachuk, LW, London
After a red-hot playoffs, the Oilers take another top-6 forward with some jam to replace Eberle – a trade is coming people, BOOK IT. Tkachuk has okay size and is a monster on the wall. His puck battling and protection skills are the best in the draft. He’ll be good with RNH or McDavid.
5- Montreal (From VAN)- Pierre-Luc Dubois, LW/C, Cape Breton
At the No. 5 spot we see our second deal of the night. The Canucks drop down a few spots and gets back a couple of 2nd round picks. The Canadiens pay a steep price, but they get a young forward that should be a very good top-6 forward.
6- Columbus (From CGY)- Logan Brown, C, Windsor
The Blue Jackets are rumoured to love Logan Brown. The big centre has a great shoot – I wish he showed it off more – and he plays a 200-foot game.
7- Arizona- Olli Juolevi, D, London Knights
The Coyotes are rumoured to be looking defence this season and Juolevi is a very complete player. He moves the puck well and all he’s done this season is win.
8- Minnesota (From BUF)- Alexander Nylander, LW, Mississauga
With only four picks in the entire draft, the Wild move Jonas Brodin, the LHD that the Sabres are looking for, to get a top-10 pick. Nylander is a pure goal-scorer that will help the Wild’s offence in a year or two. He might be the most dangerous one-on-one player in the draft.
9- Vancouver (From MTL)- Mikhail Sergachev, D, Windsor
I really believe the Canucks want to draft a defenceman and might even look hard at taking one of the top-3 defencemen at No. 5. Sergachev developed nicely this season to the point where some feel he’s the best D in the draft. Lots of upside in this big, strong and skill defenceman.
10- Colorado- Jacob Chychrun, D, Sarnia
He’s slid a little bit in the rankings but the upside of a big, strong, fast, tough and skilled defenceman is too good for the Avalanche to pass on. Worst case scenario, he’s a second pairing guy, best, he’s a No. 1 defenceman.
11- New Jersey- Tyson Jost, C, Penticton
The Devils have had good luck with college players and they take one that will need a season or two with North Dakota before he’s NHL ready. Jost is a complete player that has a nose for the net and outstanding leadership skills.
12- Edmonton (From OTT)- Dante Fabbro, D, Penticton
Ottawa made it clear that last year was not good enough and as a result, I think they go big game hunting. They deal the No. 12 pick and Curtis Lazar to the Oilers for Jordan Eberle. The Oilers add a talented right-handed defenceman, who plays a smooth game.
13- Carolina- Clayton Keller, C, USA U-18
He’s a little undersized, but his skill and grit reminds some of Doug Gilmour. Keller makes anyone who plays with him better and he can play in all situations. Someone is getting a real steal on draft day.
14- Boston- Jake Bean, D, Calgary
The Bruins need a young, puck-moving defenceman and that is Jake Bean to a tee. Bean is an outstanding skater that knows how to get pucks on net. He might be the best pure power-play QB type in the draft.
15- Minnesota- Kieffer Bellows, LW, USA U-18
His dad went second overall to the North Stars in ’82 and went on to score 30+ goals in seven of his 10 season in Minnesota. Kieffer is cut from the same cloth as his dad and has an out standing shot. He’s a pure goal-scorer.
16- Detroit- Luke Kunin, RW/C, Wisconsin
The Wings love smart, competitive players with speed. Luke Kunin has one of the best motors in the draft and should become a really good two-way player with offensive upside. He’s a solid player that should wear a letter down the road.
17- Nashville- Charlie McAvoy, D, Boston University
The Preds seem to always have very good defenceman sitting right there for them and this year is no different. McAvoy is a very complete defenceman that does everything well. He should be a solid second-pair type guy.
18- Philadelphia- Michael McLeod, C, Mississauga
The Flyers are set with young blueliners, so this year they add up front. McLeod might be the best skater in the draft and once he fills out he will be hard to handle on the forecheck. He’s another guy that works hard all the time and could round into a solid No. 2 centre.
19- NY Islanders- Julien Gauthier, RW, Val-d’Or
The Islanders have taken a few risks with their picks in recent years and this year they play it safe with a guy that should be a quality NHL player. Gauthier could play at around 240lbs and have an explosive first step.
20- Arizona (From NYR)- Dennis Cholowski, D, Chilliwack
Maybe the biggest riser in the draft, Cholowski is a calm, smooth skating, smart defenceman that makes smart plays. He will surprise some people with his solid 2-way game.
21- Carolina (From LA)- Max Jones, LW, London
The Canes add another forward with great compete level. Jones has NHL level size and is one of the best skaters in the draft. He finishes his checks and make life tough on defenceman. He should be a very good top-9 winger.
22- Winnipeg (From CHI)- Logan Stanley, D, Windsor
The Jets are loaded with young players so they can take a gamble on a player that will take some time to round out his game. At six-foot-seven, Stanley has the potential to be a shutdown defenceman.
23- Florida- Boris Katchouk, LW, S.S. Marie
He has NHL level size and plays the game as hard as any player in the draft. He good at scoring in the tough areas and along the wall. He should be a smart, two-way, top-9 type of player.
24- Anaheim- German Rubtsov, C, Russia MHL 98
Getzlaf and Kesler can’t play forever, and Rubtsov is the best player on the board. He plays a real complete, smart game and has the upside to be a good second line centre.
25- Dallas- Brett Howden, C, Moose Jaw
He’s a real good, 2-way player that projects to be a solid top-9 player. He has NHL size and is a pretty good skater. Great at applying pressure on the forecheck, he causes a lot of turnovers and is also a good penalty killer.
26- Washington- Pascal Laberge, C/RW, Victoriaville
Laberge is a real solid two-way guy, with some offensive upside. He’s no fun to play against and is a hard-worker on the wall and in front of the net. Leberge projects as a “safe” pick and at worst he should be a solid third line player.
27- Tampa Bay- Riley Tufte, LW, Blaine HS
He’s a bit of a project, but the Lightning have enough good young players in place to wait for him. He projects to be a solid, 6’5, top-9 winger.
28- St. Louis- Libor Hajek, D, Saskatoon
He’s a ways away from the NHL, but he wants to make a difference every time he’s on the ice. Off the charts work ethic and competitiveness, he should grow into a solid second pairing guy.
29- Boston (From SJ)- William Bitten, C, Flint
He might be my favourite player in the draft because he uses his speed well, is aggressive on the forecheck and he isn’t afraid of anything. Bitten is one of the best skaters in the draft and has the skill to put the puck in the net. In a lot of ways, he reminds me of Brad Marchand, minus the dirty play.
30- Anaheim (From PIT & TOR)- Alex DeBrincat, C/RW, Erie
With two picks in the first round, the Ducks can take a chance on a “boom or bust” type of player that has been the best scorer in Junior hockey the past two seasons. DeBrincat is small, but with his track record I have to believe someone grabs him on day 1 of the draft.
Trades
· Calgary trades picks No. 6 and 35 to Columbus for pick No. 3 and David Clarkson – Columbus keeps 1.5 million of Clarkson’s salary.
· Montreal trades picks No. 9, 39 and 45 to Vancouver for pick No. 5
· Minnesota trades Jonas Brodin to Buffalo for pick No. 8
· Ottawa trades pick No. 12 and Curtis Lazar to Edmonton for Jordan Eberle
Thanks for reading. Enjoy the show tomorrow.
Ian