Monday was the top ten, yesterday the middle ten, and tonight the final ten. How will the first round of Friday’s entry draft end? I take my best shot at figuring it out. Without further ado, let’s close out the proceedings, shall we?
#21 BUFFALO SABRES (VIA NYI) – D Jeremy Roy (Sherbrooke Phoenix, QMJHL): Buffalo has already snagged a franchise forward in the draft, and now will turn their attention to the blue-line. Roy is a mobile defender with exceptional offensive skills. He’s crafty with the puck, and can have an impact on the game. Scored 43 points in 46 games this past season.
#22 WASHINGTON CAPITALS – D Thomas Chabot (Saint Johns Sea Dogs, QMJHL): With Mike Green likely leaving, the Capitals will need to find a player to replace him with. While Chabot won’t be ready next season, he does provide Washington with a solid offensive defender moving forward. He also possesses decent size, and is a strong defensive player in the Q. Scored 41 points in 66 games this past season.
#23 VANCOUVER CANUCKS – D Oliver Kylington (Farjestads BK, SHL): The Canucks have a number of aging defenders on their NHL roster, but no real young help outside of Chris Tanev and Frankie Corrado. Kylington has some real risk to him, but he’s also a player who could come with a high reward. Good skater with offensive sense and who is smart in his own end. Was talked about as a top-ten option early in the season.
#24 TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (VIA NSH) – C Jansen Harkins (Price George Cougars, WHL): With Mitch Marner already in the stable, the Leafs will want to find some help down the middle. Harkins doesn’t possess the same kind of offensive chops as Marner, but he’s a responsible two-way forward who could very well be a second line option down the road. He’ll need a few years to develop, but he fits what the Leafs are doing.
#26 MONTREAL CANADIENS – LW Jake DeBrusk (Swift Current Broncos, WHL): Montreal is looking for size and scoring. DeBrusk is the total package here for the Habs. He stands in at 6’0” and 177 pounds while playing a bit of a heavy game. He’s got some offensive ability too, evident by his 42 goals this past season.
#27 ANAHEIM DUCKS – C Colin White (USNTDP, USHL): Strong two-way center who has drawn comparisons to Boston’s Patrice Bergeron. Has some offensive ability, but is more known as an all-around player. He’ll likely be ready to step in when Ryan Kesler slows down in three or four years. Talk about perfect timing.
#28 TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING (VIA NYR) – D Noah Juulsen (Everett Silvertips, WHL): Good skating defender who possesses a bomb of a shot. For Tampa Bay, that’s going to be perfect in a few years time. On top of that, he’s a mobile defender that can generate offense. Will need time, but could be ready when the current blue-line (Carle, Garrison) begins to slow a bit.
#29 PHILADELPHIA FLYERS (VIA TBL) – RW Daniel Sprong (Charlottetown Islanders, QMJHL): The Flyers need more scoring than just Claude Giroux, Wayne Simmonds and Jakob Voracek. Sprong is a goal scoring winger that could provide that secondary threat down the road. Some say he has one of the best shot releases in the draft. Lacks a two-way game, but makes up for it offensively.
#30 ARIZONA COYOTES (VIA CHI) – F Denis Guryanov (Lada Togliatti, KHL): The theme of offense continues with Arizona, who selects the big 6’2” Russian forward. Guryanov is a goal scorer, he possesses a dangerous shot and has a knack for being in the right spot at the right time. He has the potential to be a real high-end scorer for the Yotes down the line, lining up with the likes of Max Domi, Anthony Duclair and Dylan Strome.
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