Yesterday, we looked at the top ten picks in Friday’s draft. Today, we take a look at picks eleven through twenty. The Florida Panthers open up this portion, while the Edmonton Oilers find themselves on the clock for the second time this round. Without further ado….
#11 FLORIDA PANTHERS – F Timo Meier (Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL): The Panthers have a plethora of defensive prospects and young blue-liners at the NHL level. They also have some solid young forwards, but they still are looking for that game-breaking goal scorer. Meier might just be that guy, and he might just be ready to roll this fall. Top-ten talent who could make a dynamic duo with Aleksander Barkov down the road.
#12 DALLAS STARS – C Pavel Zacha (Sarnia Sting, OHL): Zacha is a big center with tons of skill who could be the steal of the first round. He has all the intangibles you want, and possesses some solid offensive skill. His biggest issue? He was inconsistent this season and didn’t produce as expected. Was a top-five pick going into the season, the talent is there. Stars need defense, but Zacha is easily the best player left here.
#13 LOS ANGELES KINGS – F Kyle Connor (Youngstown, USHL): The Kings have thrived for years with solid two-way forwards, which makes me think they go back to that this draft. Connor is a solid two-way forward who has some size on him. He’s also got some offensive talent, evident by his 80 points in the USHL this past season. He’s NCAA bound next season, meaning he’s a few years out. That said, the Kings can wait and develop him.
#14 BOSTON BRUINS – D Jakob Zboril (Saint Johns Sea Dogs, QMJHL): The Bruins are, always have been, and always will be a defense first team. Zboril is the best defender left on the board, and provides the B’s with a mobile puck-moving defender. While he’ll need some development time, his offensive game is impressive already. He also has that size the Bruins love, and possesses a bit of a nasty streak. I think this is a perfect match.
#15 CALGARY FLAMES – C Travis Konecny (Ottawa 67’s, OHL): Brian Burke loves big, tough players. Konecny isn’t the biggest guy, only 5’9”, but he plays that physical style. Our friend Lowetide compares him to Bobby Clarke, which makes sense when you look at his offensive production and rugged style. He’d be a perfect 3C for the Flames behind Sean Monahan and Sam Bennett moving forward.
#16 EDMONTON OILERS (VIA PIT) – F Yevgeni Svechnikov (Cape Brenton Screaming Eagles, QMJHL): Svechnikov already has a handful of pro games under his belt (KHL) and looks like a legit prospect. He dominated the QMJHL this past season, and provides an interesting skill set. He’s a capable offensive player with size and some grit to his game. He’ll be a perfect piece up front for Edmonton moving forward. Could be ready fall of 2016.
#17 WINNIPEG JETS – C Joel Eriksson-Ek (Farjestads BK, SEL): The Jets have a ton of solid defensive prospects, but could use a good forward in their stable. Eriksson-Ek will provide that to them. While he isn’t an offensive dynamo, he’s a solid two-way player that should be able to score at a second-line rate down the road. Also has some size, which fits the Winnipeg motto right now.
#18 OTTAWA SENATORS – C Nick Merkley (Kelowna Rockets, WHL): Ottawa will be looking for some skill, and they’ll find it here. Merkley is slightly undersized, but he packs a punch with his play-making abilities. Was tremendous at the Memorial Cup this spring, and played a large role on a Rockets team that dominated the WHL this season. Likely two years away, put could be a real offensive player of note for the Sens when he arrives.
#19 DETROIT RED WINGS – F Paul Bittner (Portland WinterHawks, WHL): The Wings have never jumped on board the size train, but they’ll finally give in with this pick. Bittner provides a large frame and a physical style, playing a power-forward’s game. His offensive ability does not scream game changing, but it’s good enough where a future in the NHL should be expected. Likely a solid complementary piece down the line.
#20 MINNESOTA WILD – G Ilya Samsonov (Magnitogorsk, KHL): With the Devan Dubnyk situation uncertain, and with no help on the way in terms of prospects, the Wild go goalie hunting with their first pick. Samsonov is the best goalie in this draft, and is said to have starting potential. He’s locked into the KHL this coming season, but some think he might be ready shortly after that. It’s certainly a risk, but the Wild desperately need a long-term solution in net.
Final part comes tomorrow. The Buffalo Sabres will lead us off.
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