Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; NHL commissioner Gary Bettman addresses the crowd before the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; NHL commissioner Gary Bettman addresses the crowd before the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
The Vancouver Canucks are falling down the standings, improving their 2016 NHL Draft Lottery odds.
Nobody likes seeing the Vancouver Canucks lose against some of the worst teams in the league. Nobody likes to admit that they, too, are one of the worst teams in the league. But, thanks to the draft system, being bad always gives us something to look forward to: the NHL Draft.
We have taken a look at several players throughout the 2016 NHL Draft in the past weeks, but it may be time to take a look at the top-five prospects as well. Yes, the Vancouver Canucks have a very real chance to end up drafting that high.
Over the past years, there have been many extremely talented players who came in through the draft, especially from the top of the first round. Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche, 1st overall 2013), Seth Jones (Nashville Predators, 4th overall), Aaron Ekblad (Florida Panthers, 1st overall 2014), Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers, 1st overall 2015), Jack Eichel (Buffalo Sabres, 2nd overall 2015) — to name just a few. This year will be no different.
At the top of almost every ranking sits centre Auston Matthews. Scouts agree, Matthews would have been good enough to play in the NHL in the 2015-16 season. But he didn’t because he was born on September 17th, 1997, just two days past the date for eligibility for last year’s draft.
Two days.
So, instead of being selected second or third overall right before or right after Eichel as the youngest player of the 2015 Draft, Matthews will now be selected first overall in 2016, as the oldest player. That’s just the way things go sometimes.
Behind that, there are several other interesting prospects, some of which will be ready to jump right in and be difference makers in the world’s best hockey league. Sooner or later, though, there will likely be a drop-off in talent.
Benning says draft drops off after top 15 & #Canucks will take best player available in 1st round regardless of position/organizational need
Canucks general manager Jim Benning is not the only one to mention that — and he’s probably got a point. Which is, in turn, just another reason why missing the playoffs wouldn’t be all that bad for the Canucks.
Time to take a look at who Benning might be able to select come June.
Auston Matthews decided to take an unusual route to the draft. Instead of playing North American junior or college hockey, Matthews decided to play for the Swiss club Zurich Lions in the National Liga A. Playing against men while making a first salary? There are probably worse things a draft prospect could do.
A high octane dynamo that thrives under the microscope, Auston Matthews is a complete offensive forward who consistently boasts quick hands, feet, and thinking at both ends of the ice. Naturally nimble skater that accelerates to top speed very quickly. An unwavering focus on fine tuning elements of his own game facilitates confidence and competence in his young, but mature, mind. Prolific goal scoring ability and doesn’t wait for opportunities to show themselves. He makes his own luck, so to speak, maximizing the use of his body and stick to gain leverage against the toughest of opponents. All-in-all, a generational talent that has the potential to develop into a top flight franchise center. (Curtis Joe, EP 2016)
Matthews is completely outstanding in Zurich. His 23 goals in 32 games rank second in the entire league. His 38 points are good for second on the team and 13th in the league. Good numbers for an 18-year old that just show Matthews indeed would have been ready to play in the NHL this season. Had he been selected third overall by the Arizona Coyotes who went with Erie Otters centre Dylan Strome instead, Matthews could now be leading an NHL team into the playoffs. Maybe next year.
At least Team USA was lucky to have Matthews playing outside of the NHL, as he was one of the best players at the 2016 World Junior Championship in Helsinki. There, he recorded seven goals and 11 points in seven games and was named to the tournament All-Star Team.
Then again, he certainly would have been an option for Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Patrik Laine, a 6-foot-4, 207-pound forward from Finland, is the only player who could dethrone Matthews — at least in McKeen’s Hockey’s ranking. However, looking at the top-four independent scouting services, Laine sits in a different top-four position in each ranking. NHL Central Scouting has him ranked third among European skaters.
From EliteProspects.com:
Laine is a towering winger with a knack for scoring big goals. A good skater, albeit not the most agile forward in traffic. Has a set of soft hands combined with good vision, but prefers to use his swift and heavy shot. Able to find openings to use his shot. Likes to play physical, but doesn’t get carried away by hitting the opponents. Playing in pro ranks has matured his game considerably.(EP 2016)
As a 16-year-old, Laine was a regular for LeKi in Finlands second-tier division in the 2014-15 season, but he also made his Liiga debut for Tappara in the same year. Today, Laine, a player who feels comfortable on both wings, is a big-time contributor for his team, having scored 13 goals and 27 points in 36 games so far this season.
Furthermore, Laine won the 2016 World Junior Championship with Team Finland and was named to the tournament All-Star Team. He had seven goals and 13 points in seven tournament games.
Unless a team in the top five prefers to pick a defenceman, Laine should not be selected later than third.
Jesse Puljujarvi is the other Finnish forward fighting for the second spot on draft rankings. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 201 pounds, Puljujarvi also possesses the size of an NHL power forward and combines size and high-end skill — which is something NHL GMs drool over.
From EliteProspects.com:
Puljujärvi is a big winger who combines size, skating and skill. A strong skater who can blast past the opposition in full speed. Able to use his size, reach and stickhandling skills to retain the puck in speed. A smart player at both ends of the ice, both on and off the puck. Great work ethic and positive attitude. More of a playmaker than a scorer and could improve his shooting skills. Doesn’t shy away from physical play, but could use his size more to his benefit.(EP 2016)
Laine and Puljujarvi are slightly different player types, which makes it even harder to determine who is the better prospect. While Laine is more of a traditional power forward who drives the net and likes to use his shot, Puljujarvi is more of a skilled playmaker. He knows how to be physical as well but doesn’t hit quite as much as Laine.
Puljujarvi only has eight goals and 20 points in 44 games so far this season, but he showed what he can do at the 2016 World Juniors. There, the 17-year-old had five goals and 17 points in seven games and was named the best forward and best player of the tournament.
Jacob Chychrun is widely regarded to be the top defensive prospect in this year’s draft. Only Hockeyprospect.com and McKeen’s Hockey have him outside of the top five. Before Laine and Puljujarvi emerged as a second tier behind Matthews, Chychrun was even ranked second on most rankings.
“Jakob is a talented defenseman that is both physically gifted and has elite hockey sense,” one FC evaluator said of Chychrun. “It shows immediately when you see him, but my favourite aspect of his game is what little hesitation he plays with. He just keeps on coming at the other team with different ways to attack.”
Expectations are high for Chychrun. John Matisz of the Ottawa Sun even claims he looked better than Aaron Ekblad did when he came into the league.
“His score was, I want to say, 25% further than any other player,” Sting coach Trevor Letowski said Wednesday, almost in disbelief months later, “including the 19, 20-year-olds.” Chychrun’s results towered over what other Sarnia players could muster. He was ranked “No. 1 by far” in the pre-season screening. “You don’t see that very often, for a 16-year-old to come in and lead the way like that,” Letowski said.
Will Chychrun be as good as Ekblad? We will probably have to wait a decade or so to find out. But one thing is clear: Chychrun possesses all the tools to become an elite defenceman in the NHL very soon.
Chychrun, an assistant captain of the OHL’s Sarnia Sting, only has nine goals and 39 points in 52 games so far this season, which is hardly an improvement over last season’s 16 goals and 33 points in 42 games. That and the fact that Chychrun was not on Team Canada’s roster for the 2016 World Juniors might be reasons why he is falling down rankings.
With Matthew Tkachuk, we have one last forward in the projected top five. Tkachuk, a 6-foot-4, 194-pound winger, is in his first season with the OHL’s London Knights.
From EliteProspects.com:
A multi-dimensional energy winger that plays a pro-style, adaptive game. Well-versed as a guy who can consistently put up points, but also as an agitator who plays with a little bit of bite and nastiness. Skates with excellent balance and speed, outclassing many in his age range. No lack of offensive instincts and knows how to score in many different ways. Confidence in his abilities and playing to the extent of his capabilities strengthens his work ethic and creativity. All-in-all, a unique and effective forward who defines his own limits and seeks to exceed them, along with all on-ice expectations. (Curtis Joe, EP 2016)
Tkachuk currently sits at 22 goals and 81 points in 43 games — third on the Knights and only two points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 2015 first-round selection Mitch Marner. Furthermore, he was another standout at the 2016 World Juniors, recording four goals and 11 points for Team Canada.
So, you see, falling out of a playoff spot could end up being great for the Canucks if they pick in the top five. Laine, Puljujarvi or Matthews on the roster? Who would say no to that?
