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Friday, June 27, 2014

LIVE 2014 NHL Entry Draft Blog

 This blog will be updated live during the 2014 NHL Entry Draft in Philadelphia, Pa. Every selection, trade, or transaction of any kind will be updated instantly as it is announced and posted to this page.
 Any transactions that take place during the draft will be written in italics and highlighted in yellow.
 Every draft pick will also be accompanied by a brief description of each prospect for a better understanding of what any team has added to its system.


 FIRST ROUND
 1. FLORIDA PANTHERS
Aaron Ekblad – (D) Barrie Colts, OHL:
Mature beyond his years both mentally and physically. Typically well positioned in his own end and can punish opponents with his strength. Occasionally gets sucked out of position to lay a big hit, but it’s a bad habit he’s been cutting down on. Has a great first pass and a pretty strong slap shot. Can eat up minutes against quality opponents in all situations. Doesn’t possess high-end north-south speed but is a great transitional skater.


 2. BUFFALO SABRES
Sam Reinhart – (C) Kootenay Ice, WHL:
Has the offensive skillset to take over a hockey game, but his instincts are what serve him best game-in and game-out. Thinks the game on a very high level. He simply knows how to find teammates. Can adjust to playing the game at any pace. Has an impressive, accurate shot. Deceptively quick while skating in any direction, but doesn’t have true breakaway speed.


 3. EDMONTON OILERS
Leon Draisaitl – (C/LW) Prince Albert Raiders, WHL:
Not an overly physical force or too aggressive on the forecheck, but don’t think you’ll knock him off the puck easily. Uses his big body to protect the puck exceptionally well, and then strike by dishing it off to a nearby teammate or ripping a wrister of his own. Has good speed and acceleration when skating straight ahead. Offensive instincts make him a great playmaker.


 4. CALGARY FLAMES
Sam Bennett – (LW) Kingston Frontenacs, OHL:
A very “slippery” offensive talent who has the knack for avoiding defensemen stepping up on him. An energizer bunny built in a hockey sweater. Skates well. Has extremely soft hands, but don’t expect him to try anything too flashy. Possesses a hard, accurate snap shot. Plays a heavy game despite not having a heavy frame (yet). Has scorer’s sense in the o-zone, and average to above average d-zone positioning.


 5. NEW YORK ISLANDERS
Michael Dal Colle – (LW) Oshawa Generals, OHL:
Plays a power forward’s game, and uses his large frame to his advantage. Knows how to maneuver the puck in tight spaces whether he’s dangling defenders or getting off a quick shot. Battles hard at both ends of the ice, and is a load to handle along the boards. As a playmaker, he’s demonstrated good passing ability, but sometimes his decision comes a split second too late. Working on all elements of his skating would be a great benefit.


 6. VANCOUVER CANUCKS
Jake Virtanen – (LW) Calgary Hitmen, WHL:
A “take no prisoners” hockey player, he’s expected to bring power and energy to any line-up he’s put in. Has more offensive upside than your everyday grinder, though, and packs a strong shot. Fearlessly, he’ll attack the crease and battles hard along the boards. Not blazingly fast, he still has good speed, and his stride has the strength and drive of a locomotive. Good luck knocking him off balance.


 7. CAROLINA HURRICANES
Haydn Fleury – (D) Red Deer Rebels, WHL:
A great skater for a bigger d-man, quickly transitions in any direction. Will rub opponents out against the boards or punishes with big hits. Has a good sense of how a play is developing. Above average passer, but just that. Packs a potent slapper, but sometimes waits too long to get it off and is often blocked. Doesn’t tire out when logging massive minutes in a game. Is good in his own end usually, but can get sucked out of position down low by looking for a hit.


 8. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
William Nylander – (C) MODO, SHL (Sweden):
One of the most creative and offensively gifted, if not the most offensively gifted, players in the draft. Has the hands of the magician and spot-on accuracy with his wrist and snap shots. Is a “put the crowd on the edge of its seat” talent, and looks like he’s far from his offensive ceiling. His defensive game, however, is close to non-existent at this stage of his career, and he sometimes gets caught trying to do too much. An incredibly agile skater with great speed, too.


 9. WINNIPEG JETS
Nikolaj Ehlers – (LW) Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL:
This great Dane has blinding speed that has already drawn comparisons to, wait for it… Pavel Bure. Not only is he fast in the straightaway, he has tremendous footwork and can dart in different directions to create prime scoring chances. Has shown great puck-handling moves and playmaking vision/creativity. Makes fearless decisions with the puck, which either pays huge dividends or gets him in trouble. Doesn’t handle board play well, but he’ll drive the net hard.


Pittsburgh trades James Neal to Nashville for Patric Hornqvist and Nick Spaling

 10. ANAHEIM DUCKS*  (acquired from Ottawa in the Bobby Ryan trade)
Nick Ritchie – (LW) Peterborough Petes, OHL:
Freight train power forward with NHL-caliber scoring touch already. Will absolutely run people over when he feels up to it. His shot is accurate, and has a deceptively quick release. Packs power in his slap shot/one-timers, as well. Some scouts say his puckhandling skills must improve, while others call them “underrated”. His work habits and d-zone commitment is inconsistent, and that has to change. Has a strong stride and surprisingly agile feet.


 11. NASHVILLE PREDATORS
Kevin Fiala – (LW) HV 71, SHL (Sweden):
A good, agile skater with a bullet shot and knows how to get himself in position to score goals. Possesses plenty of puck skills. Has a very high compete level and takes a lot of pride in his game. He’ll go to the corners and battle, but tries his best avoid physical contact when the puck is on his stick, sometimes to a fault by giving the puck away. Doesn’t understand many defensive concepts yet.


 12. ARIZONA COYOTES
Brendan Perlini – (LW) Niagara IceDogs, OHL:
A big body with an excellent set of wheels. His skating ability mixed with his good hands and scoring touch makes his a game-breaking talent when the puck is on his stick. Uses his large frame to protect the puck well, but doesn’t use his body enough in the dirty areas of the ice when he doesn’t have the puck. Needs to improve his defensive zone play, but it’s not from a lack of effort.


 13. WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Jakub Vrána – (RW/LW) Linköpings, SHL (Sweden):
A very gifted offensive player, he has a laser shot and good passing ability to pair with his fantastic vision in the opponent’s end of the ice. His effort in his own end and willingness to attack the dirty areas are inconsistent. Has tremendous speed and lateral quickness. Occasionally gets caught trying to do too much with the puck.


 14. DALLAS STARS
Julius Honka – (D) Swift Current Broncos, WHL:
Defenseman who excels on the offensive aspect of the game, but knows his way around his own zone well, too. Always decisive with his decision-making, and they’re more often than not the best decision. Pinpoint passing on the rush. Becomes a lethal force on the PP by utilizing his skills and smarts. Isn’t intimidated by bigger players or heavy-hitting forecheckers, but can be outmuscled in front. He has the speed to make him a threat on the rush, and the agility to make him unflappable in transition. 


 15. DETROIT RED WINGS
Dylan Larkin – (C) USNTDP, USHL:
Possesses above average speed thanks to tremendous edgework and technique, but won’t win any speed skating competitions. His brain processes the game like a supercomputer in all three zones. He knows where needs to be. Some scouts have left wishing he would use his teammates more often, while others will be clamoring for him to shoot the puck more. Speaking of his shot, he has a great slapper and an accurate wrist shot. Ultimately, good things seem to happen for everyone on the ice for his team when he’s out there.


 16. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
Sonny Milano – (LW) USNTDP, USHL:
A creative offensive talent who likes to play a finesse game. Shooting isn’t overly impressive at this juncture of his career, but he goes from stationary to full speed exceptionally well for anyone, not just for someone his age. Uses great edgework to evade defenders, and sees the ice well enough to set-up teammates for golden opportunities on a regular basis. Puck-handling is top notch, and when matched with his speed and agility, it makes up for his lack of size.


 17. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
Travis Sanheim – (D) Calgary Hitmen, WHL:
Effectively uses his long reach for frequent poke checks and disrupting passes. Also very willing to block shots. Improved tremendously in many areas during the season, including reading the play on the rush, agility and pivots, and puck skills. His slap shot packs a decent punch, but it takes him an extra moment to get it off, and his wrist shot is poor. Despite improving his agility, his footwork still needs go up several notches.


 18. MINNESOTA WILD
Alex Tuch – (RW) USNTDP, USHL:
Large-and-in-charge power forward with a great offensive package. Forechecks well, drives the net hard, but does more than just bang bodies. Has a quick release and impressive hands. He has a strong stride and handles himself well in one-on-one situations, but lacks high end speed nor is he very agile. Protects the puck exceptionally well. The defensive side of the puck is no mystery to him, either, and he can be trusted to backcheck regularly.


 19. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
Anthony DeAngelo – (D) Sarnia Sting, OHL:
A smooth, agile skater with great acceleration. He likes to rush the puck up ice, and he’s pretty good at it. Also a fantastic passer, knows exactly what to do when the puck is on his stick. Is willing to engage physically, but needs to bulk up to impose himself more on opponents. Needs to continue to tighten up his play in his own zone.


San Jose trades picks No. 20 and 178 to Chicago for picks No. 27 and 62

 20. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS* (acquired from San Jose during the draft in a pick-swap)
Nick Schmaltz – (C) Green Bay Gamblers, USHL:
A speedy offensive player with great edgework. Knows how to elude opposing defenders to put himself in prime position to break a game open. No shortage of confidence with the puck. Has limited interest in his defensive end, and hasn’t shown many signs of being able to make teammates that much better. Lacks the playmaking sense you’d like to see from a skilled centerman.


 21. ST. LOUIS BLUES
Robby Fabbri – (C) Guelph Storm, OHL:
Uses quick feet and an explosive stride to elude defenders and create countless offensive opportunities. Incredibly agile. Has a great wrister, and has a great sense of when to pass and when to shoot. A bit undersized, but plays fearless in the face of bigger, stronger opponents, and can be expected to be a greater force on the forecheck with a natural strength progression. Backchecks hard, but can get lost in his own end sometimes.


 22. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Kasperi Kapanen – (LW) KalPa, Liiga (Finland):
Shifty, agile skater with good speed and hockey sense. Knows how to create plenty of scoring chances for himself and teammates, and has shown smart play in his own end, too. His hands are top notch and is a lot to handle in one-on-one situations. Clearly does not enjoy the physical side of hockey and will rarely sacrifice his body to go the extra mile on a play. Shooting is A-grade.


 23. COLORADO AVALANCHE
Connor Bleackley – (C) Red Deer Rebels, WHL:
In one word: “Workhorse”. Mature beyond his years, Bleackley leads both in the locker room and on the ice. Finishes hits and relentless on the forecheck. Creates most offensive opportunities from his forechecking pressure, but improved his offensive hockey sense a lot this season. Possesses a heavy wrist shot that he likes to peel out from behind the net and let rip. Great defensively and on the PK. He’s a good technical skater, but could improve his acceleration.


 24. VANCOUVER CANUCKS* (acquired on draft day from Anaheim in the Ryan Kesler trade)
Jared McCann – (C) Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, OHL:
Not a “dynamic” offensive player, but still excels in every aspect of the offensive side of the game. Has great hockey sense and vision in the o-zone, and that allows him to beat opponents with his wicked shot, crisp passes, or soft hands. Plays responsibly in his own end, as well. Demonstrates excellent agility. Intense competitor who backchecks and forechecks hard. Primarily a playmaking, two-way centerman.


 25. BOSTON BRUINS
David Pastrňák – (RW) Södertälje, Allsvenskan (Sweden):
Czech winger has jaw-dropping shooting and stick-handling ability. Could burn holes in the netting with his wrist shots. Awesome edgework makes him slippery and hard for defenders to flag down. Individually, he remains effective in tight spaces, but puts his head down and forgets about his teammates. Skillset and speed makes him a burden to handle one-on-one. Can attempt one too many dangles and give up the puck, and needs to learn the defensive side of the game.


 26. MONTRÉAL CANADIENS
Nikita Scherbak – (LW) Saskatoon Blades, WHL:
Most of his overall skills remain very raw, but he’s shown great skating ability and an unrelenting willingness to sacrifice his body in the battle areas. Goes hard to the front of the net and will take a hit to make a play. Also shows a good skill set to go with his skating, but his defensive game needs work. Grew more comfortable and accustomed to the North American game with every passing week.


 27. SAN JOSE SHARKS(acquired from Chicago during the draft in a pick-swap)
Nikolai Goldobin – (C) Sarnia Sting, OHL:
An offensive dynamo, Goldobin has great puck skills, offensive flare, and playmaking sense to die for. Can let loose an absolute rocket of a snap shot. Tends to “get lost” and roam in the defensive zone and won’t backcheck hard unless the puck is in his immediate area. Takes needless penalties at times, too. He might know his way around the offensive zone as well as anyone in this draft class, but his end of the ice is a complete mystery to him.

Tampa Bay trades pick No. 28 to NY Islanders for picks No. 35 and 57

 28. NEW YORK ISLANDERS* (acquired during the draft from Tampa Bay via NY Rangers in a pick-swap)
Joshua Ho-Sang – (C/RW) Windsor Spitfires, OHL:
A tremendous puck-handler who may have the very best hands in the draft. Makes artful and creative plays consistently. His footwork and edgework are equally impressive. His combination of skill, speed, and offensive acumen keep defenders on their heels. Gained a reputation as a easily frustrated player who takes needless penalties, and tends to try and be a one-man show in big situations.


 29. LOS ANGELES KINGS
Adrian Kempe – (C) MODO, SHL (Sweden):
Attacks opposing defenses with hard hits and determination to get the puck back for his team. Works well in corners and in front of the net, and packs a heavy shot. His puck-handling and passing need work. Skates well, and gets a great jump from his first few steps. Has good balance and a strong stride that fits his style of play.


 30. NEW JERSEY DEVILS* (pick stripped then reawarded at 30th overall as part of cap circumvention punishment)
John Quenneville – (C) Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL:
Loves to forecheck, and he’s really good at it, but he should drive to the net more. He’s got good hands and makes smart plays in traffic. To call his skating artful would be a lie, but his edgework is surprisingly effective and he always keeps his legs churning. Does not have a quick/explosive first step. His vision and timing in the offensive zone is great.


 SECOND ROUND
 31. BUFFALO SABRES
Brendan Lemieux – (LW) Barrie Colts, OHL:
Loves to bang bodies, and seems to relish playing against mean, physical opponents instead of softer ones he can pick on more easily. Hits hard and isn’t shy about giving an extra shot to burrow under an opponents’ skin. Chips in offensively usually because of his willingness to crash the net, not because of a sniper’s shooting ability. Actually has some above average hands, but hasn’t shown great vision to set up teammates after a skillful move on his part. Not as tenacious a backchecker as he is a forechecker.

 32. FLORIDA PANTHERS
Jayce Hawryluk – (C) Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL:
Impresses with his play in all three zones and his grit despite lack of size. Loves to play a workman’s game, and is smart enough to put himself in high-scoring areas in the offensive zone. Doesn’t have one overly impressive offensive trait (except maybe consistency,) but isn’t missing any tools either. Agitates with the best of ‘em. Typically strong in the faceoff circle. 


 33. ST. LOUIS BLUES*  (acquired from Edmonton in the Magnus Pääjärvi / David Perron trade)
Ivan Barbashev – (C/LW) Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL:
Gritty Russian CHL import who hates to be on the losing side of a contest, whether it be in the context of an entire game, or one shift, or even one puck battle. Positions himself astutely defensively. Natural playmaking ability is questionable, as he’s inconsistent in finding creative ways to find teammates. Has an absolutely wicked release that leaves goaltenders looking over their shoulder often. Needs to improve in the faceoff circle if he’s a center in the NHL.


 34. CALGARY FLAMES
Mason McDonald – (G) Charlottetown Islanders, QMJHL:
Tall, lanky netminder with lightning quick reflexes down low. One of the more confident puck-handling goalies available in this draft, as well. Often puts himself in odd positions where he’s “fighting” the puck instead of simply stopping it. Has trouble absorbing rebounds when surrounded by traffic. However, he shows a calm demeanor and doesn’t rattle easily.


 35. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING* (acquired during the draft from NY Islanders as a part of a pick-swap)
Dominik Mašín – (D) Slavia Praha U20, Czech Junior:
Stay-at-home defender adores shutting down top offensive talent of other teams. Wisely chooses when to step up and rub out an opponent and when to hang back and eliminate other options. Hands of stone. Calm under pressure with the puck and makes diligent decisions regardless of time or situation. Distributes the puck very well whether it’s on the breakout or the man advantage. His shot from the point is good, but not great.


 36. VANCOUVER CANUCKS
Thatcher Demko – (G) Boston College, NCAA:
When he’s at his best, Demko will never be caught off an angle and is always square to the shooter. Though he needs to become more consistent in this area, he has the competitiveness and raw athleticism to battle for saves when caught out of position. Gets caught overcommitting to plays sometimes. Snaps in and out of the butterfly quickly, and covers the bottom of the net well.


 37. CAROLINA HURRICANES
Alex Nedeljkovic – (G) Plymouth Whalers, OHL:
Looks small but plays big. Excellent edgework allows him to reposition himself quickly and move laterally with an apparent ease. Makes acrobatic saves regularly. Very aggressive and has great rebound control, as well. Needs to improve much of his technical base, as he relies on his natural athleticism too much.


 38. ANAHEIM DUCKS* (acquired from Toronto in the Peter Holland trade)
Marcus Pettersson – (D) Skellefteå J20, SuperElit (Sweden):
Stands like the Eiffel Tower: tall and majestic, but thin and wirey. Uses his long wingspan to eliminate passing lanes and smack pucks off of opponents’ sticks, but does not utilize his size enough in a physical capacity. He shows excellent mobility on the rush, and has an accurate shot from the point. Occasionally gives away too much gap, but is well positioned in just about every other situation. Very effective power play quarterback.

Buffalo trades pick No. 39 to Washington for picks No. 44 and 74

 39. WASHINGTON CAPITALS* (acquired from Buffalo via Minnesota via Winnipeg in a draft day two pick-swap)
Vinet Vaneček – (G) Binatky nad Jizerou, Czech 2:
“Vanecek is a small but quick, reflex goaltender who can make the highlight reel save. He moves well in the crease and has both a quick glove and the ability to shoot out both pads in a blink. He has so much to work on but the raw potential is there.” – Future Considerations

 40. OTTAWA SENATORS
Andreas Englund – (D) Djurgården J20, SuperElit (Sweden):
Heavy defenseman who relishes the physical game. Clears the crease and maintains a good gap. Doesn’t always deliver painful open ice checks, but he’ll make sure the puck carrier loses control. Isn’t particularly swift or agile, but his north-south speed is passable. Picks his spots as to when to join the rush, but is not by any means an offensively gifted d-man.


 41. NEW JERSEY DEVILS
Josh Jacobs – (D) Indiana Ice, USHL:
Great defensive-minded d-man with skating ability. Agility and edgework allow him to move in all directions efficiently and shut down plays before they even happen. Sees the ice well for outlet passes and moving it from the point in the offensive zone, but his own offensive upside is limited. Will rub guys out, but isn’t physically imposing despite a decent build.


 42. NASHVILLE PREDATORS
Vladislav Kamenev – (C) Stalnye Lisy Magnitigorsk, MHL (Russia):
Doesn’t do things the flashy way, but he’s one of the best two-way centerman available in the draft. Already tall and filled out, Kamenev plays a power forward’s game in the offensive end. Asserts himself to win board battles. Loves to be set up in the slot for devastating wrist shots and one-timers. Protects the puck exceptionally well and has a powerful stride, but never seems to build up to an impressive speed. Takes comically bad retaliation/frustration penalties.


 43. ARIZONA COYOTES
Ryan MacInnis – (C) Kitchener Rangers, OHL:
Raw centerman with a great head for the game. When he’s on top of things, he’s a fantastic two-way forward who is well-positioned in all three zones, but he legitimately looks like he doesn’t care on some nights. Has a heavy shot and decent speed, but most of his mechanics need a lot of work. His stride is slow and he takes too long to build to top speed. Wins a lot of face offs, but not many puck battles.


 44. BUFFALO SABRES(acquired from Washington in a draft day two pick-swap)
Eric Cornel – (C/RW) Peterborough Petes, OHL:
A great playmaker in the offensive zone and a reliable player on the defensive side of the game. When he’s willing to forecheck, he does an okay job, but he simply doesn’t crash the dirty areas enough. Deceptive release lets loose a hard snap shot that fools goaltenders. A shifty skater, but isn’t explosive. Takes him a few strides to get up to full speed, but that full speed is very good.


 45. DALLAS STARS
Brett Pollock – (C) Edmonton Oil Kings, WHL:
Plays a simple game that gains him the trust of every coaching staff he’s ever played for. Forechecks well and scores greasy goals. Began to produce more and make artful plays when placed with more skilled teammates. His shots are usually hard and on target, but his release is too slow. Has poor skating technique that will need coaching, and is easily knocked over or knocked off the puck because of his poor balance. Defensive commitment is lacking.

Nashville trades pick No. 46 to San Jose for pick No. 51 and a 2015 4th rounder

 46. SAN JOSE SHARKS* (acquired from Nashville via Detroit in a draft day two pick-swap)
Julius Bergman – (D) Frölunda J20, SuperElit (Sweden)


 47. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
Ryan Collins – (D) USNTDP, USHL:
Defensive defenseman knows how to play his role. Will play physical and rub men out against the wall, but some scouts feel he could play “meaner” and more aggressive physically given his size. Can sometimes take too long to make a decision with the puck. Lacks offensive skill. Decent skating ability that needs some mechanical work here and there, but he uses it more to adjust to shifty attackers in his own end and not so much on the rush for his own squad.


 48. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
Nicolas Aubé-Kubel – (RW) Val-d’Or Foreurs, QMJHL:
Plays his best when the puck is off his stick. Shows an excellent 200-foot game every night. Will pressure the puck carrier, clog up passing lanes, drives the net, and will forecheck and backcheck with energy. Has a strong, quick stride, but could improve his first few steps for a more explosive start. Sometimes he shows too much patience with the puck, other times not enough. Often plays indecisive when he has the puck and doesn’t hit teammates right on the tape enough.

Vancouver trades pick No. 50 to Los Angeles for Linden Vey

 49. BUFFALO SABRES* (acquired from Minnesota in the Jason Pominville trade)
Václav Karabáček – (RW) Gatineau Olympiques, QMJHL:
Everyone agrees on two things: He’s got an elite offensive skillset, but he’s the poster boy for consistently inconsistent players. Lightning quick release on wrist and snap shots gives goalies a nice tan on the back of their necks. An excellent skater whose speed gives him coast-to-coast scoring ability. That said, he might try to do too much himself sometimes. Will go to the corners and battle, but likes to pull up if he and a defender are crashing a puck at the same time. Defensive game is questionable. He’ll completely disappear for periods or even entire games.


 50. LOS ANGELES KINGS* (acquired on draft day from Vancouver via Tampa Bay in exchange for Linden Vey)
Roland McKeown – (D) Kingston Frontenacs, OHL:
A very mobile defenseman who can quickly transition in all directions. A very effective puck rusher and passer, a testament to his great, unteachable hockey sense. Wins many puck battles in the corners and behind his net, but doesn’t lay hits enough. Knows how to distribute the puck, too. Could improve his positional play, but is far from incompetent in his own zone.


 51. NASHVILLE PREDATORS* (acquired from San Jose in a draft day two pick-swap)
Jack Dougherty – (D) USNTDP, USHL:
Reliable, sturdy d-man who plays mistake-free in his own zone and on the breakout. Likes to block shots and can be trusted to come out of battles with the puck. Though he’s all about control then finesse, he still contributes on the offensive side of the puck with his smart passes and great skating. Unafraid to lug the puck up the ice on his own. Doesn’t truly have any weaknesses.


 52. ST. LOUIS BLUES
Maxim Letunov – (C/LW) Youngstown Phantoms, USHL:
Skilled forward with a commitment to playing in all three zones. Plays in all special teams situations. Has good straight ahead speed, but has an awkward stride and should work on his mobility in transition. Possesses a wicked wrist shot and is a smart, strong passer. Sometimes gets knocked off the puck by big bodies, but can still be a bull in battle situations in the corners when he decides to go in there. Needs to head to those battle areas with more consistency.


 53. SAN JOSE SHARKS* (acquired from Pittsburgh in exchange for Douglas Murray)
Noah Rod – (LW) Geneve, NLA (Switzerland):
Well-rounded winger who brings his fire to the ice every night. Has good puck skills, dangling defenders and dishing good sauce when necessary. Tries to beat defenders while he’s standing flat-footed, which will not work in the NHL. Gets involved in the forecheck and will wear d-men down. Is willing to take a hit to make a simple play. Prone to brain farts in his own end.


 54. CALGARY FLAMES* (acquired from Colorado in exchange for Reto Berra)
Hunter Smith – (RW) Oshawa Generals, OHL:
Undrafted in 2013. His skating kept him from being an effective player in the OHL a year ago, but now he’s improved enough to go from one point in 30 games to 40 in 64. Loves to throw his gargantuan body around. Will stand at the front of the net and isn’t easy to move. Surprise, his hands are very impressive for anyone, not just a big guy, adding to the power forward element of his game. That said, his skating still needs lots of work, and he requires defensive tutoring.


 55. ANAHEIM DUCKS
Brandon Montour – (D) Waterloo Blackhawks, USHL:
Undrafted in 2012 and ’13. Loves to play an offensive game, and that’s because he’s really good at it. Shows great instincts and playmaking ability. Loves to jump into the play on the rush and in the o-zone. He even plays aggressive in his own end, springing like a snake at open passing lanes and puck carriers to separate them from the puck. Obviously, his high risk style can bite him in the butt, often. Gets caught floating out of position in either end while looking for an opportunity to attack.


 56. BOSTON BRUINS
Ryan Donato – (C) Dexter School, High School (Mass.):
“An intelligent player who sees the ice well and has plenty of offensive skill. Possesses slick hands, solid vision, and creative moves with the puck but has some issues with his mobility. Thinks the game at a high level.” - Future Considerations


 57. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING* (acquired during the draft from NY Islanders via Montréal as a part of a pick-swap)
Johnathan MacLeod – (D) USNTDP, USHL:
Isn’t a player that jumps out at you and wows you with incredible plays on the first night you see him, or the second night, or third… it takes a while to appreciate his trustworthy game. Smarts and physical nature makes him difficult to play against. Doesn’t have much offensive upside at all, but he’s always good in his own end. A modest skater, but one who wants to improve.


 58. ARIZONA COYOTES* (acquired from Chicago in the David Rundblad trade)
Christian Dvorak – (LW) London Knights, OHL:
“This player played well, has a very wide skating stride and this translates very well to skating in
traffic and protecting the puck. Not blazing speed but he is quick and carried the puck well through the neutral zone” – Ross MacLean, ISS


 59. NEW YORK RANGERS
Brandon Halverson – (G) Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, OHL:
Spent most the season as a back-up to star Matt Murray, so there’s still very little we know about Halverson when it comes to game situation. What we do know, is that he has ideal NHL size for a netminder and a natural athleticism other young goalies would envy. From the small sample size we have, he tends throw technique out the window when facing heavy pressure.


 60. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS* (acquired from Los Angeles in the Marian Gaborik trade)
Alex Lintuniemi – (D) Ottawa 67’s, OHL:
“Lintuniemi is a big strong two-way blue liner who uses his size well to defend, can handle the puck, makes a strong outlet pass and joins the rush but has some inconsistency issues in his game and slower feet that need to be addressed.” – Future Considerations


 THIRD ROUND
 61. BUFFALO SABRES
Jonas Johansson – (G) Brynäs J20, SuperElit (Sweden):
“Covers plenty of net utilizing his large 6-foot-4 frame... agile on his feet, moves around his crease swiftly - with movements being calm and controlled. Plays a more stay-at-home style – protecting the middle of the net - and playing in the paint for the most part. Tough to beat down low as he transitions to his butterfly fluently – sealing off the ice effectively with his long legs ... quick to react and get into his stance - without any extraneous movements once set .. must guard against dropping too early and exposing the upper portions of his net.” – McKeen’s Hockey

San Jose trades pick No. 62 to Nashville for picks No. 72 and 102

 62. NASHVILLE PREDATORS(acquired from San Jose via Chicago via Florida during the draft in a pick-swap)
Justin Kirkland – (LW) Kelowna Rockets, WHL:
Shows excellent north-south speed, but his footwork needs improvement. Choppy stride takes him a while to get up to full speed. Wiiiiiiiiiide turning radius. Tireless worker away from the puck. Delivers hits regularly, but they aren’t quite punishing enough to wear down defensemen over the course of a game or series yet. Most offensive skills are still a work in progress, but not hopeless. Loves to pounce on rebounds and buries them with regularity.


 63. DETROIT RED WINGS* (acquired from Columbus via Los Angeles via Edmonton)
Dominic Turgeon – (C) Portland Winterhawks, WHL:
Inconsistent in his offensive production. He’s often first on the forecheck and can score goals around the net. Has good offensive instincts to create for himself and others. He’s a player who has clearly spent a lot of time as a kid practicing passing over and over again, because he’s really good at it. Can’t skate very well. Work in the defensive zone is questionable.


 64. CALGARY FLAMES
Brandon Hickey – (D) Spruce Grove Saints, AJHL:
Recognizes his limitations and plays his game accordingly. Shuts things down in his own end using good positioning and physicality. Plays with an edge. Doesn’t project as a major offensive threat, but he’ll be good for double-digit well-earned points a year. Skates well enough to not get burned to the outside and keep a good gap, but doesn’t have puck-rushing speed.


 65. FLORIDA PANTHERS (acquired from NY Islanders)
Juho Lammikko – (LW) Ässät Pori U20, Jr.-A Liiga (Finland):
Power forward with good hockey IQ. Competes along the walls and wreaks havoc in front of the net. He’s going to try hard at both ends of the ice, but needs coaching on the defensive side of the puck. Identifies where his teammates are in the o-zone and releases hard, accurate, crisp passes. He might take too long to make his decisions, though. His first step and acceleration need work.


 66. VANCOUVER CANUCKS
Nikita Tryamkin – (D) Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg, KHL (Russia):


 67. CAROLINA HURRICANES
Warren Foegele – (LW) St. Andrew’s College, High School (Canada):
“A hard driving, good skating, get in the 'guts of the action' player who plays unselfishly and does the spade work for his team. Is just tapping into his potential and has great room to grow further and thus increase his impact.” – TSN’s Craig Button


 68. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Rinat Valiyev – (D) Kootenay Ice, WHL:
Undrafted in 2013. Mobile defenseman with soft hands and good passing skills. Knows how to make short, crisp breakout passes or long, accurate stretch passes. Good sauce. Calm under pressure from forecheckers. Runs around in his own end and struggles with the concept of defensive positioning.


 69. WINNIPEG JETS
Jack Glover – (D) USNTDP, USHL:
Glover has been enigmatic in the eyes of many scouts. Some say he tries to do too much, others say he needs to be more creative. Some claim he leaves passing lanes open, other applaud his d-zone awareness. Some say his offensive upside is limited, while supporters point to his team-leading points among defenseman this past season. One thing is for sure, though, at 6’3”, his skating ability is well above average, and while he lacks electrifying speed, he will never get turned around by attackers. He’s well-versed in the art of sauce, too.


 70. OTTAWA SENATORS
Miles Gendron – (D) Rivers Red Wings, Prep School (Mass.):
Recently converted from forward to defense and it shows. Adores jumping into the play. Has tremendous speed and agility, which adds a whole new element to his wild horse approach. Loses puck battles like Taylor Swift loses boyfriends. Despite the lack of experience on defense, he always keeps a good gap and knocks pucks out of passing lanes (if he’s where he’s supposed to be.) Needs to seriously add some strength to improve his overall game.


 71. NEW JERSEY DEVILS
Connor Chatham – (RW) Plymouth Whalers, OHL:
Has above average skills on the offensive side of the puck, but nothing that falls under game-breaking category. He’s a presence in the locker room and competes hard every night, but sometimes leaves scouts wishing he’d utilize his size more in wall battles. Processes plays in the offensive zone well, but the same can’t be said about the d-zone. Can disappear in some games.


 72. SAN JOSE SHARKS* (acquired in a draft day pick-swap with Nashville)
Alex Schoenborn – (RW) Portland Winterhawks, WHL:
The quintessential role player, for the good reasons as well as the poor. Gets pesky on the forecheck and finishes his hits. Is willing to drop the gloves to defend teammates, and falling somewhere between light heavyweight and welterweight, he shouldn’t have a problem finding opponents and being outmatched. Has limited offensive gifts, but he hustles to front of the net.


 73. MONTRÉAL CANADIENS* (acquired from Arizona)
Brett Lernout – (D) Swift Current Broncos, WHL:
6’4” rearguard plays with a mean streak and hasn’t met an opponent he likes. Delivers punishing hits that come close to crossing the line, but typically don’t go much farther than that. His skating is good for a big guy, but still not that great overall. His plays with the puck need to earn some consistency, as he already has hands of stone and he can sometimes botch a simple breakout pass. Plays well in his own end, and thrives in physical games, not firewagon skillfests.


 74. BUFFALO SABRES(acquired from Washington in a draft day two pick-swap)
Brycen Martin – (D) Swift Current Broncos, WHL:
Passing ability on the breakout is his real attention-grabber. Has a hard shot that gets through traffic. Could play more physical, and needs to improve his d-zone positioning, but he’s not hopeless. Has a great sense of when to pinch and when to hang back. He doesn’t respond well in games in which he’s playing poorly. Follows bad plays with mopey play or overcompensating for his mistakes and getting into more trouble.

St. Louis trades Roman Polak to Toronto for Carl Gunnarsson and pick No. 94

 75. DALLAS STARS
Alex Peters – (D) Plymouth Whalers, OHL:
Plays defense-first hockey and has a great passing ability. Covers a wide area with an active stick, large wingspan, and agility. However, he lacks speed out of his first step, or any step, for that matter. Executes a breakout well, but has little to no offensive upside. Great on the penalty kill.


 76. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS* (acquired from Detroit in a pick-swap)
Elvis Merzļinkins – (G) Lugano, NLA (Switzerland):
“A very athletic butterfly-Goaltender who is well sized and covers a lot of the net. He loves to challenge shooters and never gives up on a shot. Despite his decent reflexes, he is a goaltender who lets the puck hit him and control the rebounds. Needs to play a more composed game, as he tends to overplay certain situations. Handles the puck very well… is a respectable stickhandler and can play long outlet passes.” – Rafik Soliman, eliteprospects.com / Undrafted in 2012 and '13


 77. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
Blake Siebenaler – (D) Niagara IceDogs, OHL:
Tremendous player in transition. Makes quick decisions with the puck and delivers swift, pin-point passes. Skates well in all directions and thinks with his head on a swivel. His slap shot isn’t overly intimidating, but it often finds its way through traffic and on goal. His defensive game needs fine-tuning, but is far from hopeless. He gets caught puck watching instead of focusing on his immediate surroundings.


 78. NEW YORK ISLANDERS* (acquired from Philadelphia in the Andrew MacDonald trade)
Ilya Sorokin – (G) Metallurg Novokuznetsk, KHL (Russia):
Undrafted in 2012. Athletic, battle-tested netminder who’s been playing in the concealed area of eastern Russia. Typically well positioned between the pipes, but makes acrobatic saves when he must. Edgework/skating is a strong suit, but his technique needs a little work. Doesn’t stand tall in goal; he’ll shrink his chest and leave the top corners of the net unnecessarily unattended.


Minnesota swaps picks No. 79 and 80 with Tampa Bay

 79. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING* (acquired from Minnesota in a pick-swap)
Brayden Point – (C) Moose Jaw Warriors, WHL:
He’s got a head like Will Hunting and hands like Charmin: Super smart and ultra-soft. PP specialist is constantly outsmarting his opposition. Impressive speed mixed with Agile footwork allows him to dart around the ice. Committed to a 200-foot game. Gets bodied off the puck and loses more than half his puck battles because of his Lilliputian build.


 80. MINNESOTA WILD(acquired from Tampa Bay in a pick-swap)
Louis Belpedio – (D) USNTDP, USHL


 81. SAN JOSE SHARKS
Dylan Sadowy – (C) Saginaw Spirit, OHL:
Plays determined on every shift and his passion helps motivate teammates, too. Dedicated to doing the little things to win and responsible play at both ends of the ice. Just as effective on the forecheck as F1 as he is as F3. Good penalty killer, but don’t expect him to contribute much to the PP. Lacks any outstanding offensive traits, but isn’t poor enough to hold back more skilled linemates. Could be even more effective if he added leg strength for a more explosive stride.


 82. ST. LOUIS BLUES
Jake Walman – (D) Toronto Jr. Canadiens, OJHL:
Smooth-skating d-man whose stride is effortless enough to make figure skaters jealous. Has excellent agility and first-step explosiveness. Has a hard shot, but needs to learn to get it on net. Very poised with the puck, but sometimes inexplicably misses the mark on passes. Defensive zone play needs a lot of fine tuning. It takes a lot to make him nervous in games, but takes losing very seriously. Which is to say, he hates it. Pro: Upped his physicality significantly this season. Con: Also significantly upped his PIM total as a result.

Calgary trades pick No. 83 to Chicago for Brandon Bollig

 83. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS* (acquired from Calgary via Pittsburgh in exchange for Brandon Bollig)
Matheson Iacopelli – (RW) Muskegon Lumberjacks, USHL


 84. COLORADO AVALANCHE
Kyle Wood – (D) North Bay Battalion, OHL:
Tough defenseman punches in bunches and hits anything that moves. Throws his 6’5” into opponents and into shooting lanes to block shots. His straight-ahead speed is actually sort of impressive, but his agility/lateral mobility is a mess. He’s always in position, and reads developing plays well, but sometimes gets in trouble chasing hits.


 85. NEW YORK RANGERS* (acquired on draft day from Vancouver via Anaheim)
Keegan Iverson – (C) Portland Winterhawks, WHL:
Pummels opponents with his hard (clean) hits and forechecking skills. He has hands like a lumberjack, chopping wood even when he has the puck in open ice. Offensively, he isn’t very gifted, but he’s good enough to bang in goals on the doorstep and he crashes the crease with frequency. Will serve as net-front presence, but likes to bang bodies more than anything.


 86. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS* (acquired from Boston in exchange for Andrej Meszaros)
Mark Freidman – (D) Waterloo Blackhawks, USHL


 87. ARIZONA COYOTES* (acquired from Montréal)
Anton Karlsson – (RW) Frölunda, SHL (Sweden):
A tireless worker on and off the ice and a player who not only will go to the corners, but thrives there. Forces plenty of turnovers with heavy hitting on the forecheck and knows how to create good scoring chances from working the cycle. Has soft hands and decent speed, and has a knack for finding the puck amidst net-front traffic. No consensus among scouts as to how much offense can he produce against NHL-level competition.


 88. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
Beau Starrett – (LW) South Shore Kings, EJHL:
Prior to the season, his coach challenged him to boost his compete level, and he appears to have done so by adding muscle mass from off-ice workouts and consistently proving to be a tenacious forechecker. Has good offensive hockey sense. Will distribute just as frequently as he will shoot, which keeps opposing defenses and goalies on their toes. Takes undisciplined penalties sometimes. His shot is very good on both the forehand and backhand.


 89. WASHINGTON CAPITALS* (acquired from NY Rangers)
Nathan Walker – (LW) Hershey Bears, AHL


 90. LOS ANGELES KINGS
Michael Amadio – (C) North Bay Battalion, OHL


 FOURTH ROUND
 91. EDMONTON OILERS* (acquired from Minnesota via Buffalo in exchange for Ilya Bryzgalov)
William Lagesson – (D) Frölunda J20, SuperElit (Sweden)


 92. FLORIDA PANTHERS
Joe Wegwerth – (RW) USNTDP, USHL


 93. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS* (acquired from Toronto via Edmonton in the Dave Bolland trade)
Nick Magyar – (RW) Kitchener Rangers, OHL:
Power forward with an excellent understanding of how the o-zone works. Drives hard to net and demonstrates good puck protection. Knows where to be when he doesn’t have the puck, and rips one-timers. His offensive zone awareness doesn’t work as well in his own end. Some games, it looks like he simply doesn’t care for defense. He improved his skating a lot this season, but he was only “okay at best” to start with.


 94. ST. LOUIS BLUES* (acquired from Toronto via Calgary as a part of the Roman Polak / Carl Gunnarsson swap)
Ville Husso – (G) HIFK, Liiga (Finland):
Undrafted in 2013, Husso spent this season stepping up into a man’s role in the Finnish elite league. He is solid positionally, makes his chest big, and recovers incredibly well if and when he get tripped up by lots of puck movement. Is very confident, but could challenge shooters more to cut down angles. Can be beaten up high as his glove and blocker as a result of his inconsistent aggression.


 95. NEW YORK ISLANDERS
Linus Soderstrom – (G) Djurgården J20, SuperElit (Sweden)


 96. CAROLINA HURRICANES* (acquired from Vancouver in a minor league trade)
Josh Welsey – (D) Plymouth Whalers, OHL


 97. CAROLINA HURRICANES
Lucas Wallmark – (C/RW) Luleå AIK, SHL (Sweden):
Undrafted in 2013. Sees the ice incredibly well and shows great hockey sense. Passes very well and can always find the open teammate. Plays with passion and works hard to create o-zone opportunities as well as working tirelessly in practice. Scores timely goals. A special teams demon and great on draws. Biggest knock on him last year was his poor skating. Now he’s a decent skater, but still definitely not good.


 98. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS* (acquired from Colorado viaToronto)
Fredrik Olofsson – (LW) Chicago Steel, USHL


 99. WINNIPEG JETS
Chase De Leo – (C) Portland Winterhawks, WHL:
What he lacks in size he makes up for in heart. Never quits on a play and keeps his legs churning through hits. He has good speed, but his stride is short, and he could get even faster with a little instruction. First few steps lack explosiveness. A great playmaker whose impact shows up on the scoresheet more when he’s playing with skilled linemates. Isn’t consistent enough in his own end. Will drive the net regularly and isn’t afraid of big opponents along the boards.


 100. OTTAWA SENATORS
Shane Eiserman – (LW) Dubuque Fighting Saints, USHL:
Power forward who’s a handful for defenders to play against along the boards and in the corners. Has a very quick release and gets a lot of power behind it, but could work on his accuracy. Has decent speed, but doesn’t has a quick first step and doesn’t adjust laterally well. Shows a good amount of smarts and rarely panics with the puck on his stick.


 101. WINNIPEG JETS* (acquired from New Jersey in exchange for Alexei Ponikarovsky)
Nelson Nogier – (D) Saskatoon Blades, WHL:


 102. SAN JOSE SHARKS(acquired in a draft day pick-swap with Nashville)
Alexis Vanier – (D) Baie-Comeau Drakkar, QMJHL:
Huge, hulking defender who could be a lot better in his own end. Occasionally leaves men wide open in his area. On the other hand, he’s not afraid to throw his weight around. Shows great, decisive decision-making with the puck, and has great hands for a big guy. Skating is clunky and lateral mobility is an issue, but he has surprising and deceptive straight ahead speed. His powerful clapper could be a useful tool on the PP, but if there’s a bonus in NHL contracts for shooting right into shin guards, he could become the highest paid player in history.


 103. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS* (acquired in exchange for Matthew Lombardi)
J.J. Piccinich – (RW) Youngstown Phantoms, USHL:
Sits really low in his stride to get maximum power. Has very good speed. Has some soft hands, but no death-defying one-on-one dangles. Unafraid to go anywhere in the offensive zone, sometimes to a fault by sucking himself out of position. His playmaking sense with the puck on his stick is his greatest asset. Some scouts have questioned the consistency of his effort.


 104. NEW YORK RANGERS*  (acquired from Washington in a pick-swap)
Ryan Mantha – (D) Indiana Ice, USHL:
Very easy to read this prospect: He’s a big, strong defensive defenseman who would be even better if he utilized that size and strength more against opponents. He uses a hideous, clunky stride and doesn’t project to produce on offense, but he’s typically a well-positioned obelisk in his own end. Thrives on the penalty kill.


 105. DALLAS STARS
Michael Prapavessis – (D) Toronto Lakeshore Patriots, OJHL:


 106. DETROIT RED WINGS
Christopher Ehn – (D) Frölunda J20, SuperElit (Sweden)


 107. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
Julien Pelletier – (LW) Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, QMJHL:
QMJHL rookie could be a great two-way player at the next level if he had the right coach to refine his defensive positioning. He’s always competing, always playing to win instead of not to lose. Shows a high level of hockey intelligence on offense, but mostly only for himself. That’s not to say he’s selfish, but he just creates for himself more than teammates. Has soft hands and a very good release on his shot. Commitment to grinding in the corners is inconsistent.


 108. NEW YORK ISLANDERS* (acquired from Philadelphia in the Mark Streit trade)
Devon Toews – (D) Quinnipiac University, NCAA


 109. MINNESOTA WILD
Kaapo Kähkönen – (G) Espoo Blues U20, Jr.-A Liiga (Finland):
An interesting tending prospect who loves to utilize a potpourri of styles and techniques between the pipes. Keeps his chest up, snaps in and out of his butterfly with a bullet’s speed and travels post-to-post like a jet. Angles well and calmly absorbs rebounds. Some have questioned his competitive edge and if he has that instinct to battle for pucks when it seems all hope is lost. Statistics deflated due to his workload with average to below average teams all year.


 110. ST. LOUIS BLUES* (acquired from Tampa Bay in the B.J. Crombeen trade)
Austin Poganski – (RW) Tri-City Storm, USHL:
Young winger already has size, strength, and a full frame. Plays in powerful, straight lines, and owns real estate along all the boards in every USHL rink. Has strong legs, but his skating style is awkward and his agility could use work. As a result, he isn’t very fast. His natural hockey sense at both ends of the ice is questionable at best, especially in his own zone.


 111. EDMONTON OILERS* (acquired from San Jose in exchange for Mike Brown)
Zachary Nagelvort – (G) University of Michigan, NCAA


 112. NASHVILLE PREDATORS* (acquired from St. Louis in a pick-swap from the 2013 Draft)
Viktor Arvidsson – (D) Skellefteå J20, SuperElit (Sweden)


 113. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Sam Lafferty – (C/LW) Deerfield Academy Big Green, Prep School (Mass.):
Undrafted in 2013


 114. COLORADO AVALANCHE
Alexis Pépin – (C/LW) Charlottetown Islanders, QMJHL:
Has good straight ahead speed for his hulking 6’2” body, and has great puck control. Uses his big body to shield the puck from defenders when driving to the net. Shot is good enough to score when the opportunity presents itself, but won’t make any highlight snipes. Plays smart in his own zone, but sometimes isn’t positioned where he could be for a prime scoring chance on offense. Passes are often crisp and always accurate. His commitment to conditioning is lacking.


 115. DALLAS STARS* (acquired from Anaheim in exchange for Stephane Robidas)
Brent Moran – (G) Niagara IceDogs, OHL:
Quick-legged with good lower body strength, he pairs his quick lateral movements with sound technique to float effortlessly across his crease to make saves. Had a slow start to the 2013-14 season, but as he got comfortable, he stopped more shots. Determined to work off the ice. Often gets caught overcommitting on certain plays.


 116. BOSTON BRUINS
Danton Heinen – (C/LW) Surrey Eagles, BCHL:
Undrafted in 2013


 117. ARIZONA COYOTES* (acquired from Montréal)
Michael Bunting – (LW) Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, OHL:
Not a physical force by any means, but earns every inch of ice he gets because he works for it. Classic “little engine that could” player. Works his butt off and is a leader in the locker room. Doesn’t have a wildly hard shot, but soft hands around the net and in other high-traffic areas give him a lot of goals. Knows where he should be at all times. Decent skater who will need to work on his explosiveness and agility. 


 118. NEW YORK RANGERS* (acquired from Washington)
Igor Shestyorkin – (G) Spartak Moskva, KHL:
Lacks a strong technical base, so he is the prototypical desperation goalie. Splashes like Magikarp, gets results like Gyarados. Makes the big saves at the big moment of a game. Is very aware of his surroundings and will battle to the whistle on every puck for 60 minutes. Despite his reputation as an acrobat and not a true, well-trained goalie, he covers the bottom of the net well and has great post-to-post movement. Gets caught biting early in breakaway situations.


 119. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING* (acquired from NY Rangers)
Ben Thomas – (D) Calgary Hitmen, WHL:
Well-rounded d-man is a jack of all trades. Demonstrates excellent poise with the puck, whether it’s making good passes while under duress or even slick stick-handling moves. Good north-south skater, but should work on his pivots and skating in transition. Still, when the wheels are in motion he keeps a good gap and is well-positioned in his own end of the ice.


 120. LOS ANGELES KINGS
Steven Johnson – (D) Omaha Lancers, USHL:
Undrafted in 2012 and '13


 FIFTH ROUND
 121. BUFFALO SABRES
Max Willman – (C) Williston Northampton, Prep School (Mass.):
Efficient hockey player, far from an offensive dynamo. Has above average speed, but won’t blow by defenders. Will use his speed to push the pace of the game and pressure opponents. Handles the puck well under duress and knows when to get it off his stick. Has a nose for net and can be trusted to finish when set up by teammates. Needs to add both upper and lower body strength. Disciplined in his own end and disciplined mentally so as not to take dumb penalties.


 122. NEW YORK RANGERS* (acquired from Florida in exchange for Casey Wellman)
Richard Nejezchleb – (RW) Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL:
Undrafted in 2012 and ’13. Big-bodied power forward who provides a pesky net-front presence every game. Has slow, choppy first steps, but builds up to a strong stride with good speed. Possesses a heavy shot with good accuracy. Protects the puck very well. Occasionally gets baited into taking retaliatory penalties. 


 123. ANAHEIM DUCKS* (acquired from Edmonton in exchange for Viktor Fasth)
Matthew Berkovitz – (D) Ashweubenon Jaguars, High School (Wis.):
“Berkovitz is a smooth skating rearguard that makes good decisions. He reads the play extremely well and in a split second reacts accordingly. He pushes the puck up ice and defends intelligently using his stick and by closing off lanes.” – Future Considerations


 124. ST. LOUIS BLUES* (acquired from Calgary in exchange for Kris Russel)
Jaedon Descheneau – (RW) Kootenay Ice, WHL:
The wizard stuck in the body of a munchkin. Shows grade-A vision and creativity in the o-zone. Shot isn’t half bad, either, but he’s a pass first player and any teammate benefits offensively from playing with him. Skates like the wind, but could be more agile. Defensive positioning needs work, and his small stature keeps him from winning any physical confrontation. Undrafted in 2013.


 125MONTRÉAL CANADIENS* (acquired from NY Islanders in the Thomas Vanek trade)
Nikolas Koberstein – (RW) Olds Grizzlys, AJHL


 126. VANCOUVER CANUCKS
Gustav Forsling  (D) Linköpings J20, SuperElit (Sweden)


 127. CAROLINA HURRICANES
Clark Bishop – (C) Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, QMJHL:
With plenty of heart, Bishop is a threat on forecheck because of his physical nature and speed. Doesn’t have much skill to his game at all, but can still bang in a rebound on the doorstep, if the opportunity presents itself. Positions himself well in his own end, and can be relied on for a big PK.


 128. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Dakota Joshua – (C/LW) Sioux Falls Stampede, USHL:
Already has good size and uses it to his advantage to protect the puck from opponents. Also likes to utilize his long reach for an active poke check. His skating technique is fine, but his speed is only average and will likely improve with much-needed added leg strength. Likes to grind, but his scoring touch and raw skills give him intriguing offensive upside, too.


 129. WINNIPEG JETS
Clinston Franklin – (LW) Sioux Falls Stampede, USHL


 130. EDMONTON OILERS* (acquired from Ottawa in exchange for Aleš Hemský)
Liam Coughlin – (C/LW) Vernon Vipers, BCHL:
Undrafted in 2012 and '13


 131. NEW JERSEY DEVILS
Ryan Rehill – (D) Kamloops Blazers, WHL:
He punches people. Limited in both offensive talent and mobility. Still, he has defensive zone smarts that make it challenging for opponents to gain good opportunities. Punishes players in the corners and along the wall. He also punches people.


 132. NASHVILLE PREDATORS
Joonas Lyytinen – (D) KalPa, Liiga (Finland):
Undrafted in 2013


 133. ARIZONA COYOTES
Dysin Mayo – (D) Edmonton Oil Kings, WHL:
Offensive-minded defenseman with a great set of wheels. Has good mobility in all directions. Is very confident with the puck on his stick, sometimes to a fault making ill-advised pass attempts. Takes a lot of risks jumping into the rush and pinching in the offensive zone. Does not avoid the physical game at all, and often connects on open ice hits. Excellent gap control.


 134. WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Shane Gersich – (C) USNTDP, USHL:
Plays an up tempo game and has the skating ability to push the pace of play every shift. Good face-off man. His skill with the puck impressive; he’ll pull a rabbit out of his hat every other game. Doesn’t use his teammates as often as one would like, and his defensive awareness is lacking. Still, scouts like him on the penalty kill because his speed keeps attackers on edge. Is unafraid to go to the net and into the corners, but lack of size and strength render him ineffective.


 135. DALLAS STARS
Miro Karjalainen – (D) Jokerit J18, Jr.-B SM-sarja (Finland)


 136. DETROIT RED WINGS
Chase Perry – (G) Wenatchee Wild, NAHL:
Calm, poised, big-bodied netminder who will come out to cut down angles and has covers the bottom of the net well with his extended butterfly style. Has solid glove hand and blocker positioning. Won’t allow pucks to hit him and then “leak” through. Needs to improve his lateral movement. Highly flexible and athletic, nonetheless, and can make several big saves in a row.


 137. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS* (re-acquired from Edmonton)
Tyler Bird – (RW) Kimball Union Academy, Prep School (N.H.):
Has a pretty good offensive tool box, but nothing that really opens your eyes. Will battle along the walls and win about half of those battles, and, man, does he love going for the power move drive to the net. Tends to lose his defensive assignments, and occasionally leaves the defensive zone too early looking to get a head start on the rush the other way.


 138. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
Oskar Lindblom – (RW) Brynäs J20, SuperElit (Sweden):
Responsible forward in his own end bruises defenders at the other. He’s got a strong, “man” stride, but just doesn’t have explosiveness coming out a stationary position or overall speed you’d like to see from someone who already has good lower body strength. His handy-work with the puck isn’t always pretty, but he possesses a very good snap shot and he’s willing to bang in the corners and set screens in front to help the offense instead.


 139. MINNESOTA WILD
Tanner Faith – (D) Kootenay Ice, WHL


 140. NEW YORK RANGERS*  (acquired from Tampa Bay)
Daniel Walcott – (D) Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, QMJHL


 141. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS* (acquired from San Jose in a pick-swap from the 2013 Draft)
Luc Snuggarud – (D) Eden Prairie Eagles, High School (Minn.):
A great puck-moving defenseman. Makes crisp passes and will join the rush with authority. Can sometimes wait too long to make a decision or not have a plan B if one lane is clogged, and get into trouble as a result. Has an excellent stride and will take off like a rocket if he gets the chance to wheel around the back of his net. Isn’t as physical as one would like to see, but he positions himself shrewdly in his own end.


 142. NEW YORK RANGERS* (acquired from Tampa Bay via St. Louis)
Tyler Nanne – (D) Edina Hornets, High School (Minn.):
Intelligent, puck-rushing d-man who has shown flashes of “game-breaker” ability. He has top-notch lateral agility and speed in transition. He isn’t big, and he isn’t muscular, but his strong positioning makes him a good defender in his own right and a good penalty killer. Gets in trouble with turnovers, and struggled in his few games in the USHL when his high school season ended. Has a heavy slap shot that he gets off rather quickly.


 143. FLORIDA PANTHERS* (acquired from Pittsburgh in exchange for Marcel Goc)
Miguel Fiddler – (LW) Edina Hornets, High School (Minn.)


 144. COLORADO AVALANCHE
Anton Lindholm – (D) Skellefteå J20, SuperElit (Sweden)


 145. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS* (acquired from Anaheim in exchange for Ben Lovejoy)
Anthony Angello – (C) Omaha Lancers, USHL:
“Brash power forward who uses his size to drive the net and plays an in-your-face type of game. A tenacious fore checker, he is constantly trying to make plays whether it be with or without the puck. Gangly stride that is spider-like as his limbs tend to flail all over the place... needs work on his top gear but with enhancements to his lower body strength he should get quicker. Just average hockey sense. Showed good resolve in his ability to shelter the puck down low to make plays while playing a committed physical game” – McKeen’s Hockey


 146. BOSTON BRUINS
Anders Bjork – (C/LW) USNTDP, USHL


 147. MONTRÉAL CANADIENS
Daniel Audette – (C) Sherbrooke Phoenix, QMJHL:
Quick, agile, all-directions skater who eludes defenders with his exceptional skating ability. Knows how to get the puck to a teammate in scoring space quickly. Great playmaking sense, but not a phenomenal shooter. Listed as a generous 5’8”, he lacks the size and strength to assert himself physically in any game and if he doesn’t evade defenders with his top notch skating, he’s knocked off the puck easily. Doesn’t win many puck battles, but he will backcheck like a demon.


 148. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
Andreas Söderberg – (D) Skellefteå J20, SuperElit (Sweden)


 149. SAN JOSE SHARKS* (acquired from NY Rangers in the Ryane Clowe trade)
Rourke Chariter – (C) Kelowna Rockets, WHL


 150. LOS ANGELES KINGS
Alec Dillon – (G) Victoria Grizzlies, BCHL


 SIXTH ROUND
 151. BUFFALO SABRES
Christopher Brown – (C) Cranbrook-Kingswood Aardvark, Prep School (Mich.):


 152. NEW JERSEY DEVILS* (acquired from Florida in the Krystopher Barch trade)
Joey Dudeck – (C) Kimball Union Academy, Prep School (N.H.)


 153. EDMONTON OILERS
Tyler Vesel – (C) Omaha Lanchers, USHL


 154. DALLAS STARS* (acquired from Calgary in exchange for Lane McDermid)
Aaron Haydon – (D) Niagara IceDogs, OHL:
Bruiser on the blue line that strikes fear into soft opponents. Sometimes he crosses the line with his hits, and he doesn’t always get away with his, um, “liberal” stick checks. He makes hard, accurate passes, but doesn’t always make the best decisions with the puck. To his credit, he worked a lot to remedy that this season. Below average transition skating gets him in trouble.


 155. NEW YORK ISLANDERS
Kyle Schempp – (C) Ferris State, NCAA:
Undrafted in 2012 and '13


 156. VANCOUVER CANUCKS
Kyle Pettit – (C) Erie Otters, OHL


 157. LOS ANGELES KINGS* (acquired from Carolina in the Anthony Stewart / Kevin Westgarth trade)
Jake Marchment – (C) Belleville Bulls, OHL:
Undrafted in 2013.


 158. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Nolan Vesey – (LW) South Shore Kings, USHL


 159. WINNIPEG JETS
Steven Spinner – (RW) Eden Prairie Eagles, High School (Minn.)


 160. MINNESOTA WILD* (acquired from Ottawa in exchange for Matt Kassian)
Pontus Själin – (D) Östersunkds IK, Division 1 (Sweden)


 161. NEW JERSEY DEVILS
Brandon Baddock – (LW) Edmonton Oil Kings, WHL


 162. NASHVILLE PREDATORS
Aaron Irving – (D) Edmonton Oil Kings, WHL:
Reliable two-way defender who doesn’t have one outstanding quality. Well-positioned in his own zone, always maintains a good gap and knows when to close it. Will box opponents out of the crease, but doesn’t finish his hits with enough consistency. Shows a good first pass, and his creativity was at a career high early this past season, but his confidence appeared to dwindle as the year went on.


 163. ARIZONA COYOTES
David Westlund – (D) Brynäs J20, SuperElit (Sweden)


 164. WINNIPEG JETS* (acquired from Washington)
Pavel Kraskovskiy – (LW) Loko Yaroslavl, MHL (Russia):
Has ideal NHL size, but has the muscle mass of a 12-year-old. Plays a smart two-way game, and could probably kill penalties at the NHL if he progresses properly. Smart with the puck, as he’ll confidently distribute good passes to open men often. Operates the half wall well on the PP. Shot is better than average, but nothing special. His skating needs work. Big time boom or bust.


 165. DALLAS STARS
John Nyberg – (LW) Frölunda J20, SuperElit (Sweden)


 166. DETROIT RED WINGS
Julius Vähätalo – (LW) TPS, Liiga (Finland)


 167. MINNESOTA WILD* (acquired from NY Rangers via Columbus in the Justin Falk trade)
Chase Lang – (C) Calgary Hitmen, WHL:


 168. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
Radel Fazleev – (C) Calgary Hitmen, WHL:
Uses great edgework to swerve away from d-men, and added lower body strength this season to make it harder for him to be knocked off balance when he’s utilizing his edges. Moreover, he doesn’t move well in transition and doesn’t have good north-south speed. Does not fear going to places that get him greasy goals and always finishes his checks. Showed flashes of good playmaking ability as the season progressed.


 169. MINNESOTA WILD
Reid Duke – (C) Lethbridge Hurricanes, WHL


 170. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
Christiano DiGiacinto – (RW) Windsor Spitfires, OHL


 171. SAN JOSE SHARKS
Kevin LaBanc – (RW) Barrie Colts, OHL


 172. ST. LOUIS BLUES
Chandler Yakimowicz – (RW) London Knights, OHL


 173. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Jaden Lindo – (RW) Owen Sound Attack, OHL:
“Possessing a seemingly non-stop motor, Lindo is quick on the forecheck and a pain to play against. He plays 200-feet, does the little things and is willing to take the necessary abuse to help his team win.” – Future Considerations


 174. COLORADO AVALANCHE
Maximilian Pajpach – (G) Team Slovakia U18, Slovakia


 175. CALGARY FLAMES* (acquired in exchange for Tim Jackman)
Adam Ollas Mattsson – (D) Djurgården J20, SuperElit (Sweden):
Takes his job as a defenseman very seriously. Clears out the crease, finishes his checks, and makes meeting him along the boards hurt. Has good reach and uses it to his advantage. Packs a powerful point shot, but can sometimes stray off-target. If you like defensive zone turnovers, he’s your guy. He’s not a good skater, either, and didn’t handle quick, shifty opponents well.


 176. ST. LOUIS BLUES* (acquired from Boston in exchange for Wade Redden)
Samuel Blais – (C) Victoriaville Tigres, QMJHL


 177. MONTRÉAL CANADIENS
Hayden Hawkey – (G) Omaha Lancers, USHL


 178. SAN JOSE SHARKS(acquired from Chicago during the draft in a pick-swap)
Dylan Sikura – (C) Aurora Tigers, OJHL


 179. NEW YORK RANGERS
Ivan Nalimov – (G) SKA St. Petersburg2, MHL (Russia)


 180. LOS ANGELES KINGS
Matt Mistele – (LW) Plymouth Whalers, OHL:
Very skilled forward who was also gifted with a big body. Demonstrates great vision with the puck on his stick, and gets the puck off his stick in a hurry when we wants to shoot. His shot is always strong and often on target. Isn’t good defensively, and despite his size, he’s always being outworked for pucks. Bad habit of waiting for plays to come to him.


 SEVENTH ROUND
 181. BUFFALO SABRES
Victor Olofsson – (RW) MODO J20, SuperElit (Sweden)

 182. FLORIDA PANTHERS* (re-acquired from Montréal as a part of the George Parros trade)
Hugo Fagerblom – (G) Frölunda J18, Junior Allsvenskan (Sweden)


 183. EDMONTON OILERS
Keven Bouchard – (G) Val-d'Or Foreurs, QMJHL


 184. CALGARY FLAMES
Austin Carroll – (RW) Victoria Royals, WHL


 185. NEW YORK ISLANDERS
Cameron Darcy – (C) Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, QMJHL


 186. VANCOUVER CANUCKS
Mackenzie Stewart – (D) Prince Albert Raiders, WHL


 187. CAROLINA HURRICANES
Kyle Jenkins – (D) Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, OHL


 188. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Pierre Engvall – (LW) Frölunda J20, SuperElit (Sweden):
Energizer bunny who pairs a high compete level with natural goal scoring ability. Consistently goes to tough areas around the net and bangs in pucks on the doorstep. His shooting ability goes well beyond just smacking in rebounds, though. He has a quick release with pin-point accuracy. His hands are below average, however, and he plays heads down hockey with the puck on his stick. Wears down defenders on the forecheck every game. Well positioned defensively.


 189. OTTAWA SENATORS* (acquired from Winnipeg)
Kelly Summers – (D) Carleton Place Canadians, CCHL:
“Summers is best when he keeps things simple and more often than not that is just what he does. Poised under pressure, makes accurate breakout passes, chips the puck out of danger. Uses his size to defend and block shots, but not enough physically. Not great feet but improving.” – Future Considerations


 190. OTTAWA SENATORS
Francis Perron – (LW) Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, QMJHL:
Playmaker with above average wheels. Biggest concern is his inconsistent attitude when it comes to mucking and grinding to make plays. Some nights, he’ll put in the work and his team benefits greatly, while other nights it’s like he’s allergic to the boards. Anticipates plays well, and great on the man advantage.


 191. ARIZONA COYOTES* (acquired from New Jersey in exchange for Steve Sullivan)
Jared Feigl – (LW) USNTDP, USHL


 192. WINNIPEG JETS* (acquired from Washington via Nashville)
Matt Ustaski – (LW) Langley Rivermen, BCHL:
Undrafted in 2012 and '13


 193. ARIZONA COYOTES
Edgars Kulda – (LW) – Edmonton Oil Kings, WHL:
Undrafted in 2013 after a very modest rookie year in the WHL, Kulda exploded for almost four times the offense this season and was named Memorial Cup MVP. A quick skater and tireless worker, he gets himself into scoring position to release an accurate shot, though his release isn’t all that quick. Will go to the dirty areas, but won’t outmuscle many off the puck. Is a trigger man, not a set-up man. Supports the puck well and will backcheck consistently.


 194. WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Keven Elgestål – (LW/RW) Frölunda J20, SuperElit (Sweden)


 195. DALLAS STARS
Patrick Sanvido – (D) Windsor Spitfires, OHL


 196. DETROIT RED WINGS
Axel Holmström – (C) Skellefteå J20, SuperElit (Sweden)


 197. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
Olivier LeBlanc – (D) Saint John Sea Dogs, QMJHL:
He’s small, for sure, but he makes up for it with his reliable play. Breaks the stereotype of undersized d-men, who are thought to be all run-and-gun offensive-minded water bugs. Makes shrewd decisions with the puck, can thread the needle on stretch passes, but doesn’t project as much of an offensive defenseman. Competes along the boards and comes up with surprisingly good contact on his hits. Plays in all situations because of his smarts in all three zones.


 198. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
Jesper Pettersson – (D) Linköpings, SHL (Sweden):
Undrafted in 2013.


 199. MINNESOTA WILD
Pavel Jenyš – (C) Kometa Brno, Extraliga (Czech):
“Has great size and willingness to use it in corner battles as well as in front of the oppositions cage. Has a good shot that is both hard and accurate. Lacks touch on his passes and can over handle the puck. Does not always bring the same high level of effort each game.” – Future Considerations


 200. NEW YORK ISLANDERS* (acquired from Tampa Bay)
Lukas Sutter – (C) Red Deer Rebels, WHL:
Drafted in 2012 by Winnipeg, then ent unsigned and re-entered the draft. A gritty two-way player, most offensive opportunities come as a result of his physical play. Face-offs are a strength, too. Has decent bursts of speed, but his sloppy stride holds him back from developing good speed. Prone to taking stupid penalties.


 201. DETROIT RED WINGS* (acquired from San Jose in exchange for the rights to Brad Stuart)
Alexander Kadeykin – (C) Atlant Mitischchi, KHL (Russia):
Undrafted in 2012 and '13.


 202. ST. LOUIS BLUES
Dwyers Tschantz – (RW) Indiana Ice, USHL


 203. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Jeff Taylor – (D) Union College, NCAA:
Undrafted in 2012 and '13


 204. COLORADO AVALANCHE
Julien Nantel – (C/LW) Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, QMJHL:"A solid skating two-way forward who will use his frame to protect the puck, has a scorers shot with quick release and knows where to go in the offensive zone to get that scoring chance. Consistency in his efforts needs to be improved." - Future Considerations


 205. ANAHEIM DUCKS* (re-acquired from Toronto as a part of the Peter Holland trade)
Ondřej Kaše – (C/RW) Piráti Chomutov, Extraliga (Czech):
Versatile speed-skating forward with tons of creativity. Makes crisp passes and attempts to thread the needle on plays some players wouldn’t even dream of trying. Sometimes that gets him in trouble, but when it works, it’s awe-inspiring. He goes to battle along the boards, but his lack of strength prevents him from doing much once he’s there. Gets knocked off the puck a little too easily. A talented puck-handler, but unlike his passes, he won’t try anything he know he won’t get away with; no dangling for dangling’s sake. Owns a decent shot, but needs to hit the net.


 206. BOSTON BRUINS
Emil Johansson – (D) HV 71 U20, SuperElit (Sweden)


 207. MONTRÉAL CANADIENS
Jake Evans – (C/RW) St. Michael's Buzzers, OJHL


 208. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
Jack Ramsey – (C) Penticton Vees, BCHL


 209. LOS ANGELES KINGS* (acquired from NY Rangers in exchange for Daniel Carcillo)
Spencer Watson – (RW) Kingston Frontenacs, OHL:
Knows how to find open areas of the offensive zone and put himself in prime scoring position. Shoots a quick, accurate, hard shot that beats goalies as often as the sun sets in the west. Gets knocked off the puck too easily, but this might be corrected with adding muscle. His desire to battle for the puck diminished over the course of a long season, and his d-zone play is poor. If he’s not scoring, he’s next to useless.


 210. LOS ANGELES KINGS
Jacob Middleton – (D) Ottawa 67’s, OHL:
He’s big, strong, willing to stick up for teammates, and pretty darn good in his own end. Constantly clogging passing lanes and using his long reach to his advantage and to the disdain of skilled attackers. Inconsistent in his offensive effectiveness. Sometimes he’s great on breakouts and moving the puck in the o-zone, while other night he has you asking, “What was he thinking!?” Needs to improve his mobility.



Special Thanks to International Scouting Service, HockeyProspect.com, McKeen's Hockey, The Hockey News,
Kevin Hart, Jason Seidling, SB Nation College Hockey, Red Line Report, Future Considerations,
Bill Placzek, NeuLion, and TSN's Bob McKenzie, Craig Button, and Matt Cade.