who de-committed from Boston University to play major junior. Erne has a solid north-south game, and while he's a few years away the Sabres are happy to wait, especially with Lindholm in the fold.
17. Ottawa Senators: Rasmus Ristolainen, D
(TPS Turku - FIN)
The Senators have somehow assembled a deep prospect pool at all major positions and grab the proverbial Best Player Available, who in this case is Ristolainen. He's big, he skates well, and he can be responsible in his both end while still displaying offensive potential. It's a very safe bet that we will see him on the blue line in Ottawa for many years to come.
18. Detroit Red Wings: Curtis Lazar, C
(Edmonton - WHL)
Lazar's offensive upside in the professional ranks is questionable, but he is incredibly responsible in his own end and has a strong work ethic. The Wings live for players like this, and as per their MO they will let Lazar marinate for as long as he needs.
19. Columbus Blue Jackets: Kerby Rychel, C (Windsor - OHL)
With Ryan Pulock in the stable, the Blue Jackets continue their prospect rebuild with a do-it-all forward in Rychel, who put up 40 goals in the OHL this past season. Rychel can skate, he's defensively responsible, has a solid work ethic, and has a ceiling as a top-6 scoring forward. Jarmo Kekalainen is happy to start his tenure with these 2 players.
20. San Jose Sharks: Robert Hagg, D
(MoDo - SEL)
The Sharks add a "safe" defensive prospect in Swede Robert Hagg. Hagg has high-end hockey smarts and is reliable in his own end. He can improve his decision-making, but he can stay in the Swedish Elite League with increasing responsibility for at least another year, if not 2. If nothing else, Hagg could be Douglas Murray 2.0, without the Cornell degree.
21. Toronto Maple Leafs: Anthony Mantha, LW
(Val D'Or - QMJHL)
Mantha scored goals at a stunning pace in the Q, but he slips because he has a late birthday and barely missed the cutoff for the 2012 draft. He will have to prove to the Leafs, and the teams that passed on him, that his success was not a result of an "over-age" year. Mantha has a solid north-south game and a deadly shot from below the circles. He's likely a project, and he needs to use his size better, but the Leafs are happy to have him.
22. Calgary Flames: Samuel Morin, D
(Rimouski - QMJHL)
With a high-end prospect like Shinkaruk on board and another pick at the end of the round, the Flames jump on a bit of a project in Samuel Morin. His skating is exceptional for a player of his size (6'7!), and he played a key shutdown role on Canada's U-18 squad, which won gold last month. Morin uses his size well, and he is willing to mix it up, making him a great fit for Calgary.
23. Washington Capitals: Valentin Zykov, LW (Baie-Comeau, QMJHL)
The Capitals love their Russians, and they pick up one who led all first-year QMJHL forwards in goals and points. Zykov needs to work on his skating, but he has shown flashes of high-end offensive skill combined with a willingness to get involved in the physical game. The Capitals will be happy to add him to their prospect pool, which is significantly thinner since the surprising trade of Filip Forsberg at the deadline.
24. Vancouver Canucks: Josh Morrissey, D
(Prince Albert - WHL)
Morrissey's physicality is a concern, but his high-end hockey sense and offensive skills. He is a dynamic offensive defenseman with plus skating and shot skills, and the Canucks hope he will be a fixture on their blue line and power play for many years.
25. Montreal Canadiens: Andre Burakowsky, LW (Malmo - SEL)
For once, we did not take the easy way out and simply plug in Gauthier to the Habs. Burakowsky, like most 18 year old prospects, needs to improve his strength, but his skating and grit are top-notch, and his work ethic is at least equal to his skill. The Habs will probably leave him in Sweden for another year or 2 to help him get top-line minutes against men, and they hope it will pay dividends.
26. Anaheim Ducks: JT Compher, C
(US NTDP)
The Illiniois-born Compher was the best player on the USA's U18 team in Sochi. He doesn't have many natural physical gifts, but he seems to do everything well on the ice and plays a very up-tempo style. He's committed to the University of Michigan for the fall, and as far as Wolverines go the Ducks are hoping for a little more Mike Cammalleri and a little less Mark Mitera.
27. Columbus Blue Jackets: Mirco Mueller, D (Everett - WHL)
The Blue Jackets are thrilled that Mueller is still on the board at 27. The big (6'3) Swiss import came over to Everett and has been mentored by Ryan Murray, the 2nd overall pick from the 2012 draft. The Blue Jackets hope that relationship will continue and bear fruit for them. Mueller's hockey sense and positioning are top-notch, but he needs to work on his puck skills.
28. Calgary Flames: Frederik Gauthier, C (Rimouski - QMJHL)
The Flames got skill up front with Shinkaruk, size on the back-end with Morin, and now they round out their 1st round with size up front in Frederik Gauthier. Gauthier's offensive upside is questionable at higher levels, but his defensive game is solid and he plays a full 200-foot game on the ice. The Flames hope he anchors their 3rd line for many years to come and would be thrilled if he turns out to be a similar player to Paul Gaustad.
29. Dallas Stars: Ryan Hartman, RW
(Plymouth - OHL)
Hartman was a key cog on Team USA, which won gold at the World Junior Championships. He is a tough player with scoring upside, and his tail-off in production at the end of the year was a result of a shoulder injury. The Stars are happy to have him here.
30. Chicago Blackhawks: Chris Bigras, D
(Owen Sound - OHL)
The Hawks love defensemen like Chris Bigras. He defends at a high level - some have called him a rock - and makes up for his lack of size with exceptional positioning. He makes good outlet passes from his own zone and can join the rush
if needed. ◉