Kris’ Mock Draft 2016: 11-20

Introduction

Welcome to Part Two of my 2016 Mock Draft! Yesterday, I did part one, picks 1 to 10 over here for a more detailed analysis for each pick.

So far my draft board looks like this:

1. Toronto: Auston Matthews
2. Winnipeg: Patrik Laine
3. Columbus: Jesse Puljujarvi
4. Edmonton: Pierre-Luc Dubois
5. Vancouver: Matthew Tkachuk
6. Calgary: Alex Nylander
7. Arizona: Olli Juolevi
8. Buffalo: Mikhail Sergachev
9. Montreal: Logan Brown
10. Colorado: Jakob Chychrun

As before, I’m using a variety of sources including The Hockey News Draft Preview, Corey Pronman’s Top 100 Prospects , Eliteprospects.com and Craig Button’s list from TSN.ca . They are all great resources for prospects and I highly recommend reading them.

Now without further ado.

11. New Jersey Devils: C Michael McLeod, Mississauga

Boasted as one of the best skaters in the draft, McLeod had Alex Nylander as his line mate. He’s a big, strong skater with plenty of skill. Speed is definitely the name of McLeod’s game: he is able to do everything at a high speed be it for decision making, passing, skating. Has some decent hands as well. Had a Knee injury that cost him almost half the season but did not miss a step when returning for the OHL Playoffs.

12. Ottawa Senators : C Tyson Jost, Penticton

Does Ottawa get some lightning in the bottle from drafting from the BCHL? Their top centre, Kyle Turris was drafted from there. Jost will be committing to North Dakota and will be a longer term prospect but there is a lot to like here: he was named league MVP and has the tools to be better than Turris and Bozak (some BCHL grads), led the under 18s with 8 points in 3 games for Team Canada and a total of 15 points in 7 games. Has also shown a tenacious side in the corners: he won’t be knocking guys down, but he will fight for the puck.

13. Carolina Hurricanes: C Clayton Keller, USA NTDP

Keller was gunning Auston Matthew’s NTDP scoring record but his production eventually tailed off. A very dynamic centre, Craig Button said “Keller has pananoramic vision: there’s no play that he does not see and is always dangerous even when he does not appear to be.” For Team USA under 18s, Keller potted 14 points in 7 games. He’s committed to Boston University next season. One flaw to Keller: size as he is only listed at 5’10 170 pounds.

14.Boston Bruins: LW Max Jones, London

After drafting some big players in 2015, I think the Bruins continue their quest for size and Max Jones fits that need at 6’3 and 201 pounds. Had a nasty 12 games suspension during the playoffs for a hit to the head. Has a lot of high end skill but can be chaotic at times. He’s very competitive and has a passion and has a great combination of speed and size leading him to bulldozer over others.

15.Minnesota Wild: D Jake Bean, Calgary

Bean has great skating and is an offensive defenceman through and through. Bean had 64 points in 68 games with the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL. Has to do some work on his defensive game, but the offensive side is impressive: he is able to dish the puck with ease thanks to his excellent vision and can join the rush due to his fluid skating. He can run a Power Play. Make no mistake, he is not a bruising defenceman that will be manhandling guys in the corners.

16. Detroit Red Wings: LW Luke Kunin, Wisconsin

A bit of a reach here as both the Hockey News and Craig Button have Kunin ranked at 21st, but I feel the Wings are would be looking for skilled forwards. Sure, it’s drafting Best Player Available, but Kunin would be an intriguing prospect. He played on a very bad Wisconsin team, (they went 8-19-8) but Kunin led the way with 32 points in 34 games. Committed to Wisconsin, Kunin will be years away from joining the NHL. He’s skilled and is described as a swiss army knife , in a way that he can be doing everything. Last year’s World Under 18 he had 6 goals and 6 points in 7 games.

17. Nashville Predators: RW Julien Gauthier, Val d’Or

I was tempted to go with a defenceman for Nashville but with Gauthier sitting there I had them take the hulking 6’4 225 winger. Gauthier is your definition of a Power Forward: tremendous size, a knack for scoring goals where he scored 41 goals, 57 points in 54 games. The season before, he had a much more balanced production with 38 goals and 35 assists. He’s been described as a beast on the wing and is not a playmaker. Gauthier is very hard to handle due to his massive frame and has great hands when down low near the net.

18. Philadelphia Flyers: LW Kieffer Bellows, USA NTDP

The Flyers are fine at defence for the long term: Gostisbehere was a Calder nomination, Robert Hagg is in the system and Ivan Provorov destroyed the WHL this season. Hence, I think the Flyers will go with a forward for this pick in Brian Bellows’ son, Kieffer. He has a hair trigger shot, very much like his father. Has some killer offensive instincts, but is a bit of a one dimensional forward at this point. He’s committed to Boston University and will be several years away from the NHL. Posted a 50 goal, 81 point season in 62 games. Skills there, but some questions about his motor, kinda like his father.

19.New York Islanders: D Dante Fabbro, Penticton

This could go anywhere for the Islanders: they are in a good spot to draft a forward or a defenceman, but I leaned towards Fabbro. His production from the blueline was crazy as he posted 14 goals, 67 points in 45 games. All from the blueline! Not a really dynamic skater, Fabbro has the offensive smarts and shot to make up for it. Committed to Boston University next season. Even though he has an offensive edge, Fabbro has some really quality defensive quality. He’s not the most flashy prospect but is good all around.

20. Arizona Coyotes (via the New York Rangers) : LW Riley Tufte, Blaine

Boy, don’t the Rangers wish they had a first round pick? I like Tutfe here. He’s MASSIVE at 6’5 and 190 pounds and has been compared to fellow Blaine alumnus, Nick Bjugstad (who I am a big fan of). That said, Tutfe decided to return to his high school team in 2015-16, so there are questions of him facing some actual competition as he potted 47 goals and 78 points in only 25 games. He’s ready for the USHL right now. He has the skating and size and plays with a bit of an edge which is always nice. He’s committed to Minnesota-Duluth next season. Just imagining a kid this big on a team with the likes of Domi, Strome and Duclair is exciting.

Conclusion

That wraps up the second part of my mock draft. New Jersey drafts the skilled McLeod, while Ottawa snags Tyson Jost from the BCHL. The Hurricanes are thrilled that Keller falls to them at the 13th spot, while the Bruins stack up on size with Max Jones. Jake Bean goes to Minnesota, while Detroit goes with the NCAA route and takes Kunin. Nashville drafts Gauthier impressed with his Rick Nash like abilities, Philadelphia takes the skilled Kieffer Bellows. Wrapping up the last two picks are the intruiging Dante Fabbro going to the Islanders while the giant Riley Tufte joins Arizona.

Stayed tuned for Part Three that will be coming out tomorrow!