Post by Travis (DET) on Dec 27, 2015 19:21:00 GMT -5
19-28 Bios coming soon.
1. Auston Matthews (C) - ZSC - NLA - Previous Month: N/A
The Arizona native has been thriving in the Swiss National League. He has put up 40 points in 34 games, putting him second in the leagues scoring. Matthews is the undisputed #1 overall pick in the 2016 draft, that will be a huge asset to whichever team drafts him.
2. Mathew Tkachuk (LW) - London - OHL - Previous Month: N/A
The son of former NHLer Keith Tkachuk and the London Knights have been dominating the OHL this season. Tkachuk leads the OHL with 55 points in 33 games. He has 25 goals this season and has gotten 12 of them on the power play. His play has been huge in helping the Knights to a 29-2-2 record this season. Tkachuk possesses fantastic offensive capabilities and has great defensive abilities as well.
3. Jesse Puljujarvi (RW) - Oulu - SML - Previous Month: N/A
Puljujarvi, has been tearing up SML with Karpat Oulu this season. The Finnish forward has netted 15 goals and 7 assists to make 22 points in 28 games this season. He has great hands and is quick on his feet.
4. Jakob Chychrun (LD) - Sarnia - OHL - Previous Month: N/A
Jakob Chychrun is the best defenseman in the 2016 draft. He has the potential to become an elite defenseman in the iNHL. Chychrun is a workhorse on the ice and possesses incredible strength. He has 25 points which puts him only at 16th in points for OHL defenseman which is holding him back from being ranked higher.
5. Clayton Keller (C) - NTDP - USHL - Previous Month: N/A
Clayton Keller has surprised everyone this season. The Illinois native has an impressive 40 points in 24 games, making him 1st in USHL points. He is smart, agile and a fast player on the ice. He shows great potential and could become a top player in the NHL.
6. Patrik Laine (RW) - Tampere - SML - Previous Month: N/A
Laine brings a strong set of offensive skills to the game. He has a powerful and accurate shot and is able make great plays as well. A weak start to the season has projected him to be drafted lower than initially expected at this years beginning. His play has improved as we approach the new year as he has 10 goals in 21 games.
7. Sam Steel (C) - Regina - WHL - Previous Month: N/A
The Regina Pats forward Same Steel is second in points in the WHL for draft eligible players in 2016. He has 12 goals and 24 assists in 33 games. He is very smart and skilled who plays a fast paced game. At 5'11", he is one of the shorter players in the first round. He could end up being the 'Steel' of the draft.
8. Olli Juolevi (LD) - London - OHL - Previous Month: N/A
Olli Juolevi is one of four players of the London Knights projected to be drafted in the first round. He leads OHL defensemen in points with 25 assists and 34 points. He is a strong offensive defenseman, but he will need to improve his defensive play if he hopes to make it in the iNHL.
9. Dmitri Sokolov (C) - Sudbury - OHL - Previous Month: N/A
The highest ranked Russian-born player in the 2016 draft, Dmitri Sokolov had a great start to his season in Sudbury. Sokolov is 6th in OHL points with 18 goals and 26 assists. He is a great skater with good vision on the ice.
10. Tyler Benson (LW) - Vancouver - WHL - Previous Month: N/A
The 1st Overall pick in the 2013 WHL Bantam was Tyler Benson, picked by the Vancouver Giants. Benson is tied for 21st in WHL scoring with 12 goals and 34 points.
11. Julien Gauthier (RW) - Val-d'Or - QMJHL - Previous Month: N/A
Gauthier is one of the most iNHL ready prospects of this years draft. He is a gifted scorer who can play well at both of ends of the ice. His strength and size would make him a good physical presence in the iNHL.
12. Logan Brown (C) - Windsor - OHL - Previous Month: N/A
Logan Brown towers at 6'6" and is not afraid to use his size. He is a power forward who has a fantastic scoring ability. Brown could easily move up the draft rankings if he continues at his current pace.
13. Jake Bean (LD) - Calgary - WHL - Previous Month: N/A
Bean is one the most offensively capable defensemen of this years draft. He has 25 assists and 31 points in 31 games played with the Calgary Hitmen. He plays a clean game and has good hockey sense. He will need to build more strength and improve his defensive game before he can reach his potential.
14. Kale Clague (LD) - Brandon - WHL - Previous Month: N/A
Brandon's Kale Clague has had an excellent start to the 2016 season. Clague is an offensive defenseman with great playmaking abilities. He has put up 29 points in 35 games this year. With a strong finish in the season, he could possibly push into the top 10.
15. Alexander Nylander (RW) - Mississauga - OHL - Previous Month: N/A
The Brother to Maple Leafs prospect, William Nylander has been making his mark in the OHL this year. Alexander has put up 39 points with the Steelheads. He needs to build up his physical strength and defensive play before he can be iNHL ready.
16. Pierre-Luc Dubois (C) - Cape Breton - QMJHL - Previous Month: N/A
Dubois possesses impressive offensive talent and great hands. He has tallied 38 point and this season, playing great alongside Red Wings prospect, Evgeny Svechnikov in Cape Breton. Dubois is 6'3" and 210lbs, making him physically capable as well. He needs to improve the defensive aspects of his game.
17. Mikhail Sergachev (LD) - Windsor - OHL - Previous Month: N/A
Spitfires defenseman, Sergachev is considered to be one of the best defensemen of this year's draft. Sergachev plays has plays a very strong defensive game. He has 69 blocked shots and 35 takeaways this season. He is capable of carrying a large workload and playing a large number of minutes.
18. Vitali Abramov (LW) - Gatineau - QMJHL - Previous Month: N/A
Vitali Abramov is a quick skater who can dominate in the offensive zone. He has strong hockey sense and good vision, making him great at reading the play. The Russian forward has 32 points in 34 games with Gatineau this season. Abramov is only 5'9" and needs to get stronger before he will be ready for the iNHL.
19. Max Jones (LW) - London - OHL - Previous Month: N/A
20. Dante Fabbro (RD) - Penticton - BCHL - Previous Month: N/A
21. Tyson Jost (RW) - Penticton - BCHL - Previous Month: N/A
22. Nick Pastujov (LW) - NTDP - USHL - Previous Month: N/A
23. Michael McLeod (C) - Mississauga - OHL - Previous Month: N/A
24. Victor Mete (LD) - London - OHL - Previous Month: N/A
25. Samuel Girard (LD) - Shawinigan - QMJHL - Previous Month: N/A
26. Carl Grundstrom (LW) - MODO - SHL - Previous Month: N/A
27. Mike Prapavessis (RW) - Kootenay - OHL - Previous Month: N/A
28. Luke Green (RD) - Saint John - QMJHL - Previous Month: N/A
29. Taylor Raddysh (RW) - Erie - OHL - Previous Month: N/A
Taylor Raddysh has been playing successfully in Erie alongside Coyotes prospect, Dylan Strome. Raddysh has scored 17 goals and 36 points in 33 games.
30. Jacob Cederholm (RD) - HV71 - SHL - Previous Month: N/A
HV's Cederholm has played fantastically in the SHL this season. Jacob is tied for 6th in points, with 8 goals and 7 assists. He is a big, strong defender, who plays a strong two-way game.
Honorable Mentions: Charlie McAvoy, Kenny Johnson, Luke Kirwan