Something, Something, Something, Dark Side. Something, Something, Something, Complete.
1. Edmonton Oilers Select Connor McDavid 2. Buffalo Sabres Select Jack Eichel 3. Arizona Coyotes Select Mitchell Marner 4. Toronto Maple Leafs Select Noah Hanifin 5. Carolina Hurricanes Select Ivan Provorov 6. New Jersey Devils Select Dylan Strome 7. Philadelphia Flyers Select Mathew Barzal 8. Columbus Blue Jackets Select Zachary Werenski 9. San Jose Sharks Select Pavel Zacha 10. Colorado Avalanche Select Jakub Zboril 11. Florida Panthers Select Mikko Rantanen 12. Dallas Stars Select Lawson Crouse 13. The Los Angeles Kings Select Kyle Connor 14. The Boston Bruins Select Timo Meier 15. The Calgary Flames Select Nick Merkley 16. The Edmonton Oilers Select Yevgeni Svechnikov 17. The Winnipeg Jets Select Joel Eriksson Ek 18. The Ottawa Senators Select Travis Konecny 19. The Detroit Red Wings Select Gabriel Carlsson 20. The Minnesota Wild Select Paul Bittner 21. The Buffalo Sabres Select Ilya Samsonov
22. The Washington Capitals Select Centre Jansen Harkins from the Prince George Cougars in the WHL
6’1 183lbs, 18 years old
70gp 20g 59a 79p
If there is one player in the late-second round who might be able to crack an NHL squad in his first year it’s probably Harkins. He has a polished two-way game and excels without the puck. He plays very well on the penalty kill and is a shorthanded threat. He ended up leading the Cougars in points with his excellent playmaking, which was good for 6th in the WHL with assists. If there’s a knock against him it’s that he can stand to shoot more, because when he does he’s extremely dangerous. He showed that at the U18’s. The Capitals will need to continue to bolster their forward core and Harkins seems like a Trotz player to me. Would be a good fit in my opinion.
NHL Comparable : Ryan O’Reilly
Potential : Second/Third Line Two-Way Centre
23. The Vancouver Canucks Select Centre Colin White from the USNTDP in the USHL
6’0 183lbs, 18 years old
20gp 4g 13a 17p
Worked out for them last time when drafting an American centre with the last name White right? All kidding aside, White is a player all over the map right now. He’s as high as 12 and as low as around 30. All I’ve been able to see of him was at the U18’s on that US squad that was so clockwork in its dominance it made for a predictable ending. He was very strong, though overshadowed by the juggernaut American offense as one cog among many. The interesting thing to me is that he played in the shadow of Matthews playing as the second line centre behind him. Something he’s used to in the USHL. He’s shown in the past that he can put the puck in the net, including an eye opening U17 10 goal 18 point performance to lead the tournament in both categories. He’s a three zone player and known for his puck possession abilities. His ability to suppress shots and control the direction of the puck when he’s on the ice makes up for a lack of real dynamic flashy qualities. Vancouver has selected players of similar molds in Horvat and McCann in the first round recently, but that shouldn’t stop them from taking a player like White at 23. Depending on which scouts you ask his upside is all over the place, but his dependability remains the same. If all three can pan out to what they’re expected to be, Horvat-McCann-White would be a pain to play against.
NHL Comparable : Mikael Backlund
Potential : Second/Third Line Two-Way Forward
24. The Toronto Maple Leafs Select Defenseman Noah Juulsen from the Everett Silvertips in the WHL
6’1 175lbs
68gp 9g 43a 52p
Oh no! Another defender! Well at least this one is right handed. The other Noah is a player who has catapulted his way into the discussion of a first round selection. His development between where he was entering the season and where he leaves it is astounding. He was thrust from a number 5 defenseman role into the spotlight of a number one defenseman tasked with all zone starts, including heavy lifting on the penalty kill and power play. He ended up finishing sixth in PPA’s behind only Merkley and Provorov among draft eligible players in the WHL. More impressive is that he was one of the most dominant defensemen at even strength in the WHL at both ends of the ice. The area he really needs to focus on is his strength levels. He’s a lanky defender whose compete and willingness to be physical doesn’t match his stature. In interviews he’s said that is his main focus and rightfully so. Juulsen is a longer term investment than many other players around this selection. He’s a guy that needs another 2-3 years, maybe 4 to find his size to compliment his naturally skilled abilities. Finding the balance of physical strength and the speed that allows him to be competitive up and down the ice. As most Toronto fans (and seemingly management) know, this isn’t going to be a pretty ride and patience is key. Also come on…Noah passes it to Noah. Almost as good as Rielly to O’Reilly to Reilly.
NHL Comparable : Kevin Bieksa (He seems to insist it's who he wants to be)
Potential : Top-Four Two-Way Defenseman
Thanks for reading. Frank you Symba.