We’re through five spots on our 2016 BSH Community NHL Draft Board, and here’s where things stand after a week since the last post because we got super damn side tracked it’s a busy time of year OK?
The 2016 BSH Community NHL Draft Board
- Auston Matthews, C, Zurich (Switzerland)
- Patrick Laine, LW, Tampere (Finland)
- Jesse Puljujarvi, RW, Karpat (Finland)
- Matthew Tkachuk, LW, London (OHL) (48% of the vote)
- Pierre-Luc DuBois, F, Cape Breton (QMJHL) (57% of the vote)
- ???
Last Friday we opened the voting for the 5th spot on the board, and you chose Cape Breton Screaming Eagles center Pierre-Luc DuBois in runaway fashion with 57 percent of the vote.
Let’s move on and select the No. 6 player on our board.
Alexander Nylander, LW, Mississauga (OHL)
With 28/47/75 in 57 games in the OHL this season after deciding to come over to North America prior to his draft year, Alexander looks to be cut from the same cloth as his slightly older brother (though William played in Sweden prior to being drafted, so there isn’t a “numbers” comparison to be made). As his numbers show, he clearly didn’t have any trouble making the adjustment.
Nylander, much like his older brother, can skate at a world-class level, and has the hands and stick creativity to be an offensive threat as he matures. I’ve seen multiple sources cite his skating as “explosive” and his offensive creativity has stuck out in various write-ups as well. He finished as the #3 North American skater in the final Central Scouting rankings, and slots in fourth behind the Big Three in the April ISS Top 30.
Jakob Chychrun, D, Sarnia (OHL)
An unyielding two-way defen[s]eman, Jakob Chychrun is a rising star with a toolbox bursting at the seams. Consistently displays elite four-way skating ability and is not afraid to throw his weight around physically. Plays with poise and composure through high pressure situations and, with the puck on his stick, can direct the play up-ice. Exhibits a particularly potent shot that works its magic on the power play and on the forecheck. Excellent first pass and uses his vision and awareness to keep the puck moving in the direction of the opposition’s tail or to a teammate with more time and space. Defensively adept at tracking the puck and staying a step ahead of the opposition. Proactive with his stick and body, exerting pressure on the opposition and forcing them to make hurried decisions.
All-in-all, a well-rounded two-way defender that competes with pro-level drive and makes his authoritative presence felt at both ends of the ice.
Olli Juolevi, D, London (OHL)
Going into this season, Jakob Chychrun was considered the best defenseman available in the draft. Yet in his stellar rookie season with the Knights, Juolevi has rocketed up the draft boards to the Top 10.
After starting his development in Finland, Juolevi really turned heads with an excellent performance at the World Junior Championship, as the backbone of a defensive corps that carried the Finns to the Gold Medal.
It’s easy to see why. Juolevi is a smooth skater with a powerful shot and a keen sense of where to be on both ends of the ice. He’s at home on defense, and can jump into the play on offense. His light touch and ability to fire off a quick wrister mid-stride should remind Coyotes fans quite a bit of Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
Clayton Keller, C, US National Team U18
Immediately, you can see the appeal. Whether it was midget hockey, USHL play with the USNTDP, or the U-17 and U-18 teams playing their season or abroad, Keller has been at least a point per game player. The USHL and USA Hockey sites do not list shot totals, but the consistent PPG-plus rates makes me feel reasonably confident that his production is not a case of being hot for a season.
The international tourneys may be the most impressive part of his track record. According to Elite Prospects’ profile, Keller led the Under-17 World Hockey Challenge tournament in points as the US took silver; he was key member of the U-18 team that won it all in the 2015 U-18 World Championships; and while US took bronze in the recent 2016 U-18 World Championships, Keller was still named MVP of the tournament. That latter piece is rather impressive as Tyson Jost edged him for the tourney’s leader in scoring and that the US didn’t win the whole thing. What it also means is that Keller has been excellent when going up against the best of his peers in the world as opposed to just being a beast on the USNTDP.
Mikhail Sergachev, D, Windsor (OHL)
A dominant two-way defenceman whose tenacity and competitiveness characterize his style of play. Plays with a poise and confidence that facilitates his creativity with the puck as well as split-second decision making. Naturally fluid skater who is always looking to be engaged, if not the center, of each unfolding play. All-in-all, a diligent two-way defenceman who excels at finding ways to be a difference-maker in games.
Logan Brown, C, Windsor (OHL)
Brown isn’t the power forward you might expect him to be based on his measurements, as he prefers the role of playmaker. He has good hockey sense and vision, and excels at recognizing what his teammates are doing in order to get them the puck in a cycle or for a scoring chance.
He put up 53 assists last year, 30 of which were primary. He really earns his points, not getting a lot of gifts in the assist column. One criticism that arises from this is that he could stand to use his shot more, as it is pretty good, but he rarely lets it go.
He is a very good skater for someone his size as well. He has a smooth stride, and is much faster than you might expect. You don’t often see him get to top gear, but when he does, it is impressive. He also has quick lateral movement that allows him to confuse defenders and get around them.
Since we’re a bit behind on this and we want to get to No. 18 before the Draft next Friday, we’re gonna pack em in bit over the course of the next week. We’ll have another poll up for No. 7 tomorrow morning, and we’ll get through two on Saturday so stay tuned to cast your vote.
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As always, please use your vote below to answer the following question: If all of the players listed were available when the Flyers were on the clock, who would you want them to pick?
Who should rank 6th on the Draft Board?
| Alexander Nylander | 38 |
| Jabob Chychrun | 24 |
| Olli Juolevi | 11 |
| Clayton Keller | 19 |
| MIkhail Sergachev | 4 |
| Logan Brown | 8 |
