Less than two weeks away from the 2016 NHL Draft, it is time for a final 2016 NHL Mock Draft.
A lot of things happened since my first 2016 NHL Mock Draft, and after thinking everything through, things even changed in the top 10. The Vancouver Canucks will most likely miss out on the “big three” Auston Matthews, Patrik Laine and Jesse Puljujarvi. But can they get the No. 4 player on their list, who is likely Pierre-Luc Dubois?
If the Edmonton Oilers keep their pick, the best thing they could do is to pick the best player available. Now, do they think that best player at No. 4 is Dubois? Or do they go for the No. 1 defenseman? Who is the No. 1 defenseman even?
You see, behind the top three, there is a ton of question marks. But it gets even worse outside of the top 10. Worse yet, outside of the top 20.
There are roughly 25 players who definitely deserve to be and likely will be selected in the first round. The remaining five spots, however, could be filled with about 50 players who have an equal chance to crack the first round. Looking at draft rankings from the major scouting services, there is little consensus, which makes for an interesting draft.
My final NHL Mock Draft for the 2015-16 season, off we go.
Next: Picks 1-5
1. Toronto Maple Leafs
2. Winnipeg Jets
3. Columbus Blue Jackets
4. Edmonton Oilers
5. Vancouver Canucks
Next: Picks 6-10
6. Calgary Flames
7. Arizona Coyotes
8. Buffalo Sabres
9. Montreal Canadiens
10. Colorado Avalanche
Next: Picks 11-15
11. New Jersey Devils
12. Ottawa Senators
13. Carolina Hurricanes
14. Boston Bruins
15. Minnesota Wild
Next: Picks 16-20
16. Detroit Red Wings
17. Nashville Predators
18. Philadelphia Flyers
19. New York Islanders
20. Arizona Coyotes (from NY Rangers)
Next: Picks 21-25
21. Carolina Hurricanes (from Los Angeles)
22. Winnipeg Jets (from Chicago)
23. Florida Panthers
24. Anaheim Ducks
25. Dallas Stars
Next: Picks 26-30
26. Washington Capitals
27. Tampa Bay Lightning
28. St. Louis Blues
29. Boston Bruins (from San Jose)
30. Toronto Maple Leafs (from Pittsburgh)
Next: Picks 31-40
31. Toronto Maple Leafs
32. Edmonton Oilers
33. Florida Panthers (from Vancouver)
34. Columbus Blue Jackets
35. Calgary Flames
36. Winnipeg Jets
37. Arizona Coyotes
38. Buffalo Sabres
39. Montreal Canadiens
40. Colorado Avalanche (from Colorado via San Jose)
Next: Picks 41-50
41. New Jersey Devils
42. Ottawa Senators
43. Carolina Hurricanes
44. Tampa Bay Lightning (from Boston)
45. Montreal Canadiens (from Minnesota via Buffalo)
46. Detroit Red Wings
47. Nashville Predators
48. Philadelphia Flyers
49. Boston Bruins (from NY Islanders)
50. Carolina Hurricanes (NY Rangers)
Next: Picks 51-60
51. Los Angeles Kings
52. Philadelphia Flyers (from Chicago)
53. Arizona Coyotes (compensatory)
54. Calgary Flames (from Florida)
55. Pittsburgh Penguins (from Anaheim via Vancouver)
56. Calgary Flames (from Dallas)
57. Toronto Maple Leafs (from Washington)
58. Tampa Bay Lightning
59. St. Louis Blues
60. San Jose Sharks
61. Pittsburgh Penguins
Next: Picks 62-70
62. Toronto Maple Leafs
63. Edmonton Oilers
64. Vancouver Canucks (from Vancouver via NY Islanders, Buffalo and Pittsburgh)
65. Columbus Blue Jackets
66. Calgary Flames
67. Carolina Hurricanes (from Winnipeg)
68. Arizona Coyotes
69. Buffalo Sabres
70. Montreal Canadiens
Next: Picks 71-80
71. Colorado Avalanche
72. Toronto Maple Leafs (from New Jersey via Pittsburgh)
73. Ottawa Senators
74. Carolina Hurricanes
75. Carolina Hurricanes (from Boston)
76. Florida Panthers (from Minnesota)
77. New Jersey Devils (from Detroit)
78. Nashville Predators
79. Philadelphia Flyers
80. Ottawa Senators (from NY Islanders)
Next: Picks 81-91
81. New York Rangers
82. Philadelphia Flyers (from Los Angeles)
83. Chicago Blackhawks
84. Florida Panthers
85. Anaheim Ducks
86. Buffalo Sabres (from Dallas)
87. St. Louis Blues (from Washington)
88. Tampa Bay Lightning
89. Buffalo Sabres (from St. Louis)
90. Dallas Stars (from San Jose)
91. Edmonton Oilers (from Pittsburgh)
Next: All Picks by Team East
Picks by Team – Eastern Conference
Next: Picks by Team West
Picks by Team – Western Conference
Next: Canucks Analysis
Vancouver Canucks Draft Analysis
The Vancouver Canucks did not have the greatest of times at the NHL Draft Lottery, dropping down to No. 5. Things got worse when they missed out on Pierre-Luc Dubois, who went fourth overall to the Edmonton Oilers. But, looking at it objectively, it is hard to be disappointed about Matthew Tkachuk.
"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, EliteProspects 2016)"
It will be a while before Tkachuk breaks into the league, but he will be a great addition to the top six once he is there. Well, if the Canucks really do draft him like predicted in this mock.
After dealing the 33rd pick to the Florida Panthers in the deal that acquired Erik Gudbranson, the Canucks are left with only the 64th pick. Unfortunately, there aren’t too many players left to choose from, if Vancouver wants someone really special, so they opt for defensive defenseman Andrew Peeke.
With Gudbranson and Nikita Tryamkin already on the roster, the Canucks could have a lot of size on the blue line about five years down the road. In addition to that, they will have some talented puck-moving players like Ben Hutton, Tate Olson and Jordan Subban, and Chris Tanev could still be around as a veteran presence. Plus, they could still draft more D-men in those five years as well.
Next: 2016 Draft: 5 Sleeper Picks
In the 2015-16 season, the defense was a weakness for Vancouver, but that might change with the players mentioned above. However, Vancouver is still missing a true No. 1, and looking at the players above, they still will in five years.
The upcoming season should definitely be an improvement, but there is still work to be done.