Post by brentdog on Jul 8, 2017 9:02:05 GMT -5
11) Arvid Eljas (C) – Luleå HF – SHL
It’s almost a cliché these days to use the term ‘responsible’ when describing a Swedish centerman, but that’s exactly what Arvid Eljas is. A model of consistency in all areas of the ice, he won’t disappoint teams in search of skill players, but the fact that Eljas forechecks and backchecks better than most of his draft peers makes him even more desirable. Strong at the dot and can be leaned on for tough assignments. Very good skater with a variety of moves to get inside the offensive zone to both create and finish plays.
12) Luke Mittelstadt (RD) – USNTDP – USHL
The younger brother of former 1st round pick Casey Mittelstadt, Luke is a dynamic offensive defenseman who has put up 48 points in 54 games for the US development team. Instincts and smarts with the puck are elite and he is a real driver of the offence from the back end. Has fantastic hands that allow him to dangle through defenders with relative ease. Despite a decent frame doesn’t really play aggressively, instead preferring to use his body position and speed to box out players. Very good at cutting off angles by getting his stick into lanes to close them off.
13) Anton Olsson (LD) - IF Malmö Redhawks – ALL
Olsson (6’2”, 194lbs) is that rare beast: a strong and physical Swedish blueliner, one who isn’t afraid to flex his muscles and play nasty if required. Uses his long reach and size advantage to get sticks on pucks and keep opposing attackers to the outside. Capable of absolutely demolishing opponents with a well-timed check. Steadying presence in his own end and is good at playing the simple pass out of danger. Defensive positioning could use some refinement and needs to sharpen his skating, but has the necessary tools to be a dominant shutdown D man with some offensive upside.
14) Francesco Arcuri (C) – Niagara IceDogs – OHL
A high-end playmaker with a ton of speed and skill, Arcuri has all the offensive weapons you could want: great skating, excellent stickhandling and real creative flair. Has an attacking mentality and always seems to be thinking what his next move will be to create a scoring chance, either for himself or his linemates. Shot selection is impressive as his wrist shot and snap shot both have a very quick release and strong accuracy. More gritty and willing to battle than his flashy instincts would indicate.
15) Cole Sillinger (LW) – Prince George Cougars – WHL
An agile and shifty offensive forward, Sillinger (5’11”, 171lbs) was picked 7th overall by Prince George in the WHL bantam draft. Very exciting player to watch; can turn on a dime and together with his excellent stickhandling this means he can beat a player in any direction. Dual threat as both a scorer and playmaker. Adept at ghosting into space to either pick a pass or unleash his quick, accurate wrist shot. Doesn’t shirk his defensive responsibilities and reads the game well when on the backcheck.
16) Justin Robidas (RW) – Moncton Wildcats – QMJHL
The leading rookie scorer in the QMJHL with 107 points in 68 games, Justin is the son of former iNHL defensive stalwart Stéphane Robidas. Unlike his father, Justin is a dangerous winger who lives to score and create chances. Powerful skater who generates impressive north-south speed and has the agility and balance to maintain possession in traffic. Attacks hard and fast and consistently displays excellent puck control. His decision making is very good, indicative of his high level of hockey sense. All in all an intense, quick-thinking competitor that can elicit a crowd’s excitement when he’s on the ice.
17) Logan Stankhoven (RW) – Brandon Wheat Kings – WHL
The purest scorer available in the draft, Stankoven is an expert sharpshooter with a quick release. Can shoot in stride, with speed on a rush, or unleash an Ovechkin-like one-timer off the half boards on the power play and bang in some dirty goals from the crease as well. Choppy skating can lead to average foot speed from a mobility standpoint, but remains adept at finding the soft defensive areas on the ice.
18) Charles-Alexis Legault (LD) – Shawiningan Cataractes – QMJHL
Legault is a big defenseman who isn’t afraid to use his size in the corners and along the walls. Very active using the stick and seems to like to get under the skin of the other team. Happy to grind it out to regain possession and will use his body to knock opponents around and get the puck. Owns a booming shot from the point and makes a speciality of one-timers off the powerplay. Needs to improve his decision making when under pressure as sometimes can get a little overwhelmed on the forecheck.
19) Niko Huuhtanen (C) – Pelicans Lahti – Liiga
Undersized at just 5’9″, Huuhtanen is a tremendous skater who has scored at a very impressive 0.5 PPG pace in his rookie Liiga season. His ability to change speeds is a weapon that he uses to fool defenders on the rush and in the cycle game. Excellent edge work and great agility allow him to be extremely elusive in one-on-one situations. Creative and skilled with his hands; can dance around the ice with the puck on a string. Whilst he lacks his iNHL frame, in terms of skills and creativity Huuhtanen has drawn favourable comparisons with Pelicans alumnus Peter Tiivola.
20) Sam Sedley (RD) – Sudbury Wolves – OHL
The epitome of a modern puck-moving blueliner, Sedley is a picture-perfect skater who excels when joining the rush. Has great stick control which he uses to elude forecheckers and move the puck into dangerous areas, either with a strong first pass or by skating the puck out of his own end. Very good at controlling the gap and combined with his skating this can make him difficult to beat one-on-one. Far from physical and falling below the six-foot mark could work against him as his development path takes him through the bigger, thicker forwards.
It’s almost a cliché these days to use the term ‘responsible’ when describing a Swedish centerman, but that’s exactly what Arvid Eljas is. A model of consistency in all areas of the ice, he won’t disappoint teams in search of skill players, but the fact that Eljas forechecks and backchecks better than most of his draft peers makes him even more desirable. Strong at the dot and can be leaned on for tough assignments. Very good skater with a variety of moves to get inside the offensive zone to both create and finish plays.
12) Luke Mittelstadt (RD) – USNTDP – USHL
The younger brother of former 1st round pick Casey Mittelstadt, Luke is a dynamic offensive defenseman who has put up 48 points in 54 games for the US development team. Instincts and smarts with the puck are elite and he is a real driver of the offence from the back end. Has fantastic hands that allow him to dangle through defenders with relative ease. Despite a decent frame doesn’t really play aggressively, instead preferring to use his body position and speed to box out players. Very good at cutting off angles by getting his stick into lanes to close them off.
13) Anton Olsson (LD) - IF Malmö Redhawks – ALL
Olsson (6’2”, 194lbs) is that rare beast: a strong and physical Swedish blueliner, one who isn’t afraid to flex his muscles and play nasty if required. Uses his long reach and size advantage to get sticks on pucks and keep opposing attackers to the outside. Capable of absolutely demolishing opponents with a well-timed check. Steadying presence in his own end and is good at playing the simple pass out of danger. Defensive positioning could use some refinement and needs to sharpen his skating, but has the necessary tools to be a dominant shutdown D man with some offensive upside.
14) Francesco Arcuri (C) – Niagara IceDogs – OHL
A high-end playmaker with a ton of speed and skill, Arcuri has all the offensive weapons you could want: great skating, excellent stickhandling and real creative flair. Has an attacking mentality and always seems to be thinking what his next move will be to create a scoring chance, either for himself or his linemates. Shot selection is impressive as his wrist shot and snap shot both have a very quick release and strong accuracy. More gritty and willing to battle than his flashy instincts would indicate.
15) Cole Sillinger (LW) – Prince George Cougars – WHL
An agile and shifty offensive forward, Sillinger (5’11”, 171lbs) was picked 7th overall by Prince George in the WHL bantam draft. Very exciting player to watch; can turn on a dime and together with his excellent stickhandling this means he can beat a player in any direction. Dual threat as both a scorer and playmaker. Adept at ghosting into space to either pick a pass or unleash his quick, accurate wrist shot. Doesn’t shirk his defensive responsibilities and reads the game well when on the backcheck.
16) Justin Robidas (RW) – Moncton Wildcats – QMJHL
The leading rookie scorer in the QMJHL with 107 points in 68 games, Justin is the son of former iNHL defensive stalwart Stéphane Robidas. Unlike his father, Justin is a dangerous winger who lives to score and create chances. Powerful skater who generates impressive north-south speed and has the agility and balance to maintain possession in traffic. Attacks hard and fast and consistently displays excellent puck control. His decision making is very good, indicative of his high level of hockey sense. All in all an intense, quick-thinking competitor that can elicit a crowd’s excitement when he’s on the ice.
17) Logan Stankhoven (RW) – Brandon Wheat Kings – WHL
The purest scorer available in the draft, Stankoven is an expert sharpshooter with a quick release. Can shoot in stride, with speed on a rush, or unleash an Ovechkin-like one-timer off the half boards on the power play and bang in some dirty goals from the crease as well. Choppy skating can lead to average foot speed from a mobility standpoint, but remains adept at finding the soft defensive areas on the ice.
18) Charles-Alexis Legault (LD) – Shawiningan Cataractes – QMJHL
Legault is a big defenseman who isn’t afraid to use his size in the corners and along the walls. Very active using the stick and seems to like to get under the skin of the other team. Happy to grind it out to regain possession and will use his body to knock opponents around and get the puck. Owns a booming shot from the point and makes a speciality of one-timers off the powerplay. Needs to improve his decision making when under pressure as sometimes can get a little overwhelmed on the forecheck.
19) Niko Huuhtanen (C) – Pelicans Lahti – Liiga
Undersized at just 5’9″, Huuhtanen is a tremendous skater who has scored at a very impressive 0.5 PPG pace in his rookie Liiga season. His ability to change speeds is a weapon that he uses to fool defenders on the rush and in the cycle game. Excellent edge work and great agility allow him to be extremely elusive in one-on-one situations. Creative and skilled with his hands; can dance around the ice with the puck on a string. Whilst he lacks his iNHL frame, in terms of skills and creativity Huuhtanen has drawn favourable comparisons with Pelicans alumnus Peter Tiivola.
20) Sam Sedley (RD) – Sudbury Wolves – OHL
The epitome of a modern puck-moving blueliner, Sedley is a picture-perfect skater who excels when joining the rush. Has great stick control which he uses to elude forecheckers and move the puck into dangerous areas, either with a strong first pass or by skating the puck out of his own end. Very good at controlling the gap and combined with his skating this can make him difficult to beat one-on-one. Far from physical and falling below the six-foot mark could work against him as his development path takes him through the bigger, thicker forwards.