With over half of the regular season in the books and the World Junior Championship behind us, this is one of the most popular times for 2016 NHL draft rankings. At this point you start to get a feel on players and where they should/could go come June.
I decided to toss my name into the ring as well and give you my rankings. This is not a mock draft but rather how I would pick if the draft were held today. I value skill the highest regardless of size, so expect to see some small skill players on the list. Jeremy Crowe (@307x) and I have seen the majority of these players play and have linked back to the scouting report in the player’s name.
- Auston Matthews – C, ZSC Lions (NLA)
- Had a great World Juniors and continues to rip up the Swiss League. He remains the top prospect for this class.
- Jesse Puljujarvi – RW, Karpat (Liiga)
- Strong WJC performance bumps him up but not enough to surpass Matthews. He’s elite in many areas particularly skating. I think he’s just a smidge better than Laine but could go either way.
- Patrik Laine – RW, Tappara (Liiga)
- Used his insane shot to score all of the goals at the WJC. Has been impressing in the Liiga with 18 points. His 0.67 points per game rate is eighth all time for a U18 player.
- Complete package from the backend. Is a very smart player, with a tremendous shot. Does everything for Sarnia.
- Great playmaker as he displayed at the WJC. His 53 assists are first in the OHL. Plays with an edge to game.
- Stepped up big for Sweden when his brother went down. Has been dynamite on Mississauga, leading the team in scoring with 54 points.
- Pierre-Luc Dubois – LW, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL)
- Putting up a ton of points in the QMHJL. Is another big highly skilled player. Doesn’t turn 18 until June.
- Clayton Keller – C, USA U-18 (USHL)
- Been ripping up the USNTDP with 69 points in 36 games. Been great against USHL players as well with 27 points in 14 games. Is smaller (5’10) but quick and highly skilled.
- Is a smooth skater with great puck handling ability. Slight concern McLeod only had one goal and one assist in the five games Nylander missed at the WJC.
- Jake Bean –D, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
- Third highest scoring defencemen in the WHL. Does more than just rack up assists, has 16 goals on the year.
- Did everything for Finland. Been outstanding in London too. A very calming presence who can skate himself out of trouble. Could easily jump into the top 10.
- Samuel Girard –D, Shawinigan Cataracts (QMJHL)
- Is second among all CHL defencemen with 49 points. Yes it’s the Q but point per game defencemen do not come around often.
- An unfortunate World Juniors but can’t drop him too much. Been ridiculous in the OHL even with McDavid gone.
- Dante Fabbro – D, Penticton Vees (BCHL)
- Wasn’t as dynamic as I expected at the World Junior A Challenge. Still has the tools you want in a defencemen and has the best point per game rate for a U18 BCHL defencemen ever.
- Vitali Abramov – LW, Gatineau Olympics (QMJHL)
- His 68 points are fifth in the Q and tops among rookies. Haven’t seen him but watching highlights his speed and hands are evident.
- Has been ranked in the top 10. Having a good year with 33 points in 44 games. He’s strong in both the offensive and defensive zones. He does it all for Windsor.
- Julien Gauthier –RW, Val-d’Or Foreurs (QMJHL)
- Has 32 goals in 33 games. Concern is his 26.2% shooting percentage is highest among the top 10 goal scorers in the QMJHL. He only has eight assists on the season, if the goals dry up he may be in tough to put up points.
- Had an increased role in London with their stars away. In seven games without Tkachek, Mitch Marner, Christian Dvorak and Juolevi, Jones had four goals and five assists. Low point totals on the season partially due to lack of power play time.
- Tyson Jost –C, Penticton Vees (BCHL)
- Wasn’t impressed when I saw him at the WJAC. Been impressive in the BCHL however. Strong two way centre with a ppg rate of 1.97.
- Kieffer Bellows – C, USA U-18 (USHL)
- Much like Keller above Bellows has been great with the USNTDP. More of a goal scorer than a playmaker with 28 goals vs just 19 assists (in 37 games). Is regarded for his puck handling ability and great release.
- Bafflingly wasn’t invited to the BMO top prospects game. Been dynamite for Kitchener with 53 points in 38 games.
- Tyler Benson – LW, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
- Dealt with injuries this year which explains why he’s struggled to an extent offensively. Was fifth in WHL scoring for 16yr olds last year. Is a strong two way player. Named Captain in the BMO top prospects game.
- Charlie McAvoy –D, Boston University (NCAA)
- Among freshmen defencemen he ranks 10th with 12 points, and tops among first time draft eligible’s. Only one goal on the year but averages two shots per game.
- German Rubtsov – C, Team Russia U18 (MHL)
- In the lone U18 MHL player to be over a point per game this season (minimum 10 games). Was great at the World Junior A Challenge with five points in four games. Is highly regarded for his smarts/hockey sense.
- Sam Steel – C, Regina Pats (WHL)
- Is just under a point per game this season. Much like Benson had a great 16 year old season. Could be in for a big second half.
- Will Bitten – C, Flint Firebirds (OHL)
- With the situation surrounding Flint it’s remarkable he’s been able to perform like he has. Bitten has been carrying the team. His 44 points are 15 more than the next highest on his team and 16 more than third.
- Rasmus Asplund – LW, Farjestad (SHL)
- His seven points are second among draft eligible players in the SHL, behind Carl Grundstrom. What gives Asplund the edge here was I thought he played better in the WJC, they are close.
- Undersized defencemen, but can really move the puck. High end skater who can shoot it. Ranks 8th among OHL defencemen with 30 points.
- Luke Kunin – C, University of Wisconsin (NCAA)
- Is the highest scorer on his team with 18 points, no easy task for a freshman. He averages 3.80 shots per game which puts him between Kyle Connor (3.86) and Collin White (3.75) among all freshmen.
- Neither Jeremy or myself was super impressed when we saw him. Hard to argue against his production, he’s close to a point a game. Considering how poor North Bay has been, and that Dineen is a rookie, makes his stats look all the more impressive.
Just Missed
Carl Grundstrom – LW, Modo (SHL)
Taylor Raddysh – LW, Erie Otters (OHL)
Logan Brown – C, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Dillon Dube – C, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
Comments or Questions? Leave me a comment or hit me up on Twitter @PaulBerthelot
Featured image courtesy of EQ Images.
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