DBTB -

The countdown to Dahlin Day, er, Draft Day, has begun. As I type this we’re only 20 days away from the day when hope springs eternal and our dreams for a successful season reassert themselves once more from the drudgery of the 2018-19 season. Right next to the unicorns, rainbows and ju-ju bees.

Just to reaffirm, this is likely to be as accurate (or perhaps less so) as anyone else’s version so please include your thoughts or opinions in the Comments. Hell, leave your own Mock Draft if you’d like!

I waited for the Combine to wrap up, and some stuff is leaking out of there now that I find very interesting and will color some of the selections, but most of the players listed here were pretty close to their current spot already. Things like Martin Kaut's heart condition and things of that nature would affect some teams' outlooks on certain players. Just a few spots to move up or down given some of the things I’m hearing, and reading, mostly relative to interviews and a little bit about the testing. Otherwise, I’m pretty set as far as where I see most players going. The later rounds kind of change every day for me, but mostly I’m done as far as ranking players.

I’ll do one more Mock Draft that reflects some of the kids who went back into the Draft as of a couple days ago (like Brandon Hagel, Yogi Budik and other ‘former’ Sabre properties among others), but I haven’t really taken a close look at those players yet. And then one more Big Board right before the Draft. Also, Brass Master has taken the reins to start an email convo about prospects that he’s going to post in the FanPost section at some time before the Draft…so that’s cool. Hopefully we can get Seneca, Max, Brass and myself to nerd out about 18 year olds for a while and you’ll all get some enjoyment out of that.

One more item: to continue a recurring theme, I had BFLO trade down to get more picks. I think it’s possible they could do something along the lines of #39 and #48 for #32 and #94, or maybe even #117, but I went with something simpler just to make it easy. Suffice to say, Botterill would now have a pick in every round.

TRADE: BFLO #32 -> NYR #39 and #70.

Now onto the Draft. And for clarity’s sake, ** = an over-age, or player who has been eligible for the draft for more than one year.

ROUND 1:

#1 BFLO: Rasmus Dahlin, LHD, Frolunda, SWE (duh!)

#2 CAR: Andrei Svechnikov, RW, Barrie, OHL

#3 MTL: Quinn Hughes, LHD, Michigan, NCAA

#4 OTT: Filip Zadina, LW, Halifax, QMJHL

#5 ARZ: Noah Dobson, RHD, Acadie-Bathurst, QMJHL

#6 DET: Brady Tkachuk, C/LW, Boston University, NCAA

#7 VAN: Adam Boqvist, RHD, Brynas, SWE

#8 CHI: Oliver Wahlstrom, C, US NTDP

#9 NYR: Evan Bouchard, RHD, London, OHL

#10 EDM: Ty Smith, LHD, Spokane, WHL

#11 NYI: Jesse Kotkaniemi, C, Assat, FIN

#12 NYI (CAL): Bode Wilde, RHD, US NTDP

#13 DAL: Joel Farabee, LW, US NTDP

#14 PHI (STL): Dominik Bokk, RW, Vaxjo, SWE

#15 FLA: Joe Veleno, C, Drummondville, QMJHL

#16 COL: Ty Dellandrea, C, Flint, OHL

#17 NJ: Rasmus Sandin, LHD, Sault St. Marie, OHL

#18 CBJ: Rasmus Kupari, C, Karpat, FIN

#19 PHI: Barrett Hayton, C, Sault St Marie, OHL

#20 LAK: Vitali Kravtsov, W, Cheylabinsk, RUS

#21 SJ: Akil Thomas, C/W, Niagara, OHL

#22 OTT (PIT): Ryan Merkley, RHD, Guelph, OHL

#23 ANA: Ryan McLeod, C, Mississauga, OHL

#24 MIN: Jonatan Berggren, C/RW, Skelleftea, SWE

#25 TOR: Jon Tychonick, LHD, Penticton, BCHL

#26 NYR (BOS): Gregori Denisenko, LW, Yaroslavl, RUS

#27 CHI (NAS): Nils Lundkvist, RHD, Lulea, SWE

#28 STL (WIN): Isac Lundestrom, C, Lulea, SWE

#29 NYR (TB): Kevin Bahl, LHD, Ottawa, OHL

#30 WAS: K'Andre Miller, LHD, US NTDP

#31 DET (LVG): Alexander Alexeyev, LHD, Red Deer, WHL

ROUND 2:

TRADE: BFLO #32 -> NYR #39, #70

#32 NYR (BFLO): Serron Noel, RW, Oshawa, OHL

#33 DET (OTT): Sean Durzi, RHD, Owen Sound, OHL **

#34 FLA (ARZ): Mattias Samuelsson, LHD, US NTDP

#35 MTL: Jack McBain, C, Toronto Jr Canadiens, OJHL

#36 DET: Martin Kaut, RW, Paradubice, CZE

#37 VAN: Jared MacIssac, LHD, Halifax, QMJHL

#38 MTL (CHI): Jett Woo, RHD, Moose Jaw, WHL

#39 BFLO (NYR): Jakub Lauko, C, Chomutov, CZE

#40 EDM: Liam Foudy, C, London, OHL

#41 NYI: Filip Hallander, C/RW, Timra, SWE

#42 CAR: Jake Wise, C, US NTDP

#43 NYI (CAL): Jacob Bernard-Docker, RHD, Okotoks, AJHL

#44 DAL: Jacob Olofsson, C, Timra, SWE

#45 STL: Oliver Rodrigue, G, Drummondville, QMJHL

#46 WAS (FLA): Filip Johanssen, RHD, Leksands, SWE

#47 COL: Calen Addison, RHD, Lethbridge, WHL

#48 NYR (NJ): Blake McLaughlin, C/RW, Chicago, USHL

#49 CBJ: Jay O'Brien, C, Thayer, US HS

#50 PHI: Nicolas Beaudin, LHD, Drummondville, QMJHL

#51 LAK: Milos Roman, C/RW, Vancouver, WHL

#52 TOR (SJ): Kirill Marchenko, LW, Yugry, RUS

#53 PIT: Xavier Bouchard, RHD, Baie-Comeau, QMJHL

#54 ANA: Stan Demin, LHD, Wenatchee, BCHL

#55 ARZ (MIN): David Gustafsson, C, HV71, SWE

#56 MTL (TOR): Jesse Ylonen, RW, Blues, FIN

#57 BOS: Benoit Olivier-Groulx, C/W, Halifax, QMJHL

#58 COL (NAS): Nico Gross, LHD, Oshawa, OHL

#59 WIN: Filip Kral, LHD, Spokane, WHL

#60 TB: Niklas Nordgren, RW, HIFK, FIN

#61 MTL (WAS): Joey Keane, RHD, Barrie, OHL **

#62 LVG: Cole Fonstad, C/W, Prince Albert, WHL

ROUND 3:

#63 MIN (BFLO): Nathan Dunkley, C, London, OHL

#64 PIT (OTT): Martin Fehervary, LHD, Malmo, SWE

#65 ARZ: Justus Annunen, G, Karpat, FIN

#66 MTL: Gabriel Fortier, LW, Baie-Comeau, QMJHL

#67 DET: Jack Drury, C, Waterloo, USHL

#68 VAN: Riley Stotts, C, Calgary, WHL

#69 CHI: Jordan Harris, LHD, Kimball Union, US HS

#70 BFLO (NYR): Scott Perunovich, LHD, MN-Duluth, NCAA **

#71 EDM: Luka Burzan, C, Moose Jaw, WHL

#72 NYI: Alex Khovanov, C, Moncton, QMJHL

#73 ARZ (CAR): Adam Ginning, LHD, Linkoping, SWE

#74 CAL: Sampo Ranta, LW, Sioux City, USHL

#75 DAL: Aidan Dudas, C, Owen Sound, OHL

#76 STL: Danila Zhuravlyov, LHD, Irbis Kazan, RUS

#77 BOS (FLA): Nando Eggenberger, RW, Davis, SWISS

#78 COL: Philip Kurashev, LW, Quebec, QMJHL

#79 ANA (NJ): Cameron Hillis, C, Guelph, OHL

#80 CBJ: Matej Pekar, C, Muskegon, USHL

#81 DET (PHI): Alexis Gravel, G, Halifax, QMJHL

#82 LAK: Ty Emberson, RHD, US NTDP

#83 TOR (SJ): Jacob Ragnarsson, LHD, Almtuna, SWE

#84 DET (PIT): Blade Jenkins, C, Saginaw, OHL

#85 ANA: Ryan O'Reilly, RW, Madison, USHL

#86 MIN: Albin Eriksson, LW, Skelleftea, SWE

#87 CHI (WAS/NJ/TOR): Semyon Der-Aguchinstev, C, Peterborough, OHL

#88 NYR (BOS): Jakub Skarek, G, Dukla Jihlava, CZE

#89 NAS: Allan MacShane, C, Oshawa, OHL

#90 WIN: Kody Clark, RW, Ottawa, OHL

#91 TB: Nikita Rtischev, LW, CKSA Moskva, RUS

#92 WAS: Tyler Madden, W, Central Illinois, USHL

#93 MIN (LVG): Connor Corcoran, RHD, Windsor, OHL

ROUND 4:

#94 BFLO: Alec Regula, RHD, London, OHL

#95 OTT: Lukas Dostal, G, Brno, CZE

#96 CAR (ARZ): Jan Jenik, C/LW, Tygri Liberec, CZE

#97 MTL (LA/MTL): Anderson MacDonald, LW, Sherbrooke, QMJHL

#98 DET: Lenni Killinen, RW, Espoo Blues, FIN

#99 LVG (PIT/VAN): Luke Henman, C, Blainville-Boisbriand, QMJHL

#100 DAL (CHI): Axel Andersson, RHD, Djurgartens, SWE

#101 NYR: Pavel Gogolev, C, Peterborough, OHL

#102 MTL (EDM): Slava Kotkov, W, Chicoutimi, QMJHL

#103 NYI: Logan Hutsko, RW, Boston College, NCAA **

#104 CAR: Toni Utunen, LHD, LeKi, FIN

#105 CAL: Jack Perbix, C, Elk River, US HS

#106 DAL: Patrick Giles, C, US NTDP

#107 STL: Kyle Topping, C, Kelowna, WHL

#108 CAL (FLA): Ben Gleason, LHD, Hamilton, OHL **

#109 COL: Xavier Bernard, LHD, Drummondville, QMJHL

#110 NJ: Mathias Emilio Petterssen, C, Muskegon, USHL

#111 NAS (CBJ): Merrick Rippon, LHD, Ottawa, OHL

#112 PHI: Jaichym Kondelik, C/RW, Muskegon, USHL

#113 LAK: Giovanni Vallati, LHD, Kitchener, OHL

#114 SJ: Caleb Everett, RHD, Saginaw, OHL

#115 LVG (TB/PIT): David Tendeck, G, Vancouver, WHL

#116 ANA: Cole Krygier, LHD, Lincoln, USHL

#117 BFLO (MIN): Eric Florchuk, C/LW, Saskatoon, WHL

#118 TOR: Riley Sutter, RW, Everett, WHL

#119 BOS: Ryan Chyziowski, LW, Medicine Hat, WHL

#120 CHI (NAS): Curtis Hall, C, Youngstown, USHL

#121 TB: Ivan Prosvetov, G, Youngstown, USHL **

#122 MTL (WIN): Marcus Westfalt, C/W, Brynas, SWE

#123 WAS: Slava Yeromenko, RHD, Calgary, WHL **

#124 FLA (LVG): John Gruden, LW, US NTDP

ROUND 5:

#125 BFLO: Olof Lindbom, G, Djurgartens, SWE

#126 OTT: Brenden Budy, C, Langley, BCHL

#127 PHI (ARZ): Bulat Shafigullin, W, Reaktor, RUS

#128 MTL: Daniil Galenyuk, LHD, Yugry, RUS

#129 PIT (DET): Adam Liska, RW, Kitchener, OHL

#130 VAN: Alex Steeves, W, Dubuque, USHL

#131 NAS (CHI): Sam Bucek, W, Chicago, USHL **

#132 NYR: Santeri Salmela, LHD, KooKoo, FIN

#133 EDM: Kevin Mandolese, G, Cape Breton, QMJHL

#134 NYI: Dmitri Zavgorodny, RW, Rimouski, QMJHL

#135 LVG (CAR): Dennis Busby, RHD, Flint, OHL

#136 NJ (ARZ/CAL): Oscar Back, C, Farjestad, SWE

#137 DAL: Austin Chorney, RHD, Chilliwack, BCHL

#138 STL: Spencer Stastney, LHD, US NTDP

#139 FLA: Jacob Ingham, G, Mississauga, OHL

#140 COL: Samuel Fagemo, LW, Frolunda, SWE

#141 NJ: Amir Miftakov, G, Bars Kazan, RUS

#142 CHI (CBJ): Chase Wouters, RW, Saskatoon, WHL

#143 PHI: Chase Hartje, LHD, Moose Jaw, WHL

#144 LAK: Patrick Khoderenko, C, Michigan State, NCAA **

#145 SJ: Liam Kirk, C, Sheffield, ENG

#146 PIT: Zach Solow, W, Northeastern, NCAA **

#147 ANA: Jacob Semik, LHD, Dubuque, USHL

#148 MIN: Mitchell Hoelscher, C, Ottawa, OHL

#149 TOR: Matthew Kellenberger, RHD, Oakville, OJHL **

#150 WIN (BOS): Yegor Zamula, LHD, Calgary, WHL

#151 NAS: Akira Schmid, G, Langnau, SWISS

#152 TB: Ruslan Iskhakov, C, Trnava, SVK

#153 WIN: Jack Gorniak, F, West Salem, US HS

#154 MIN (WAS): Alexander Romanov, LHD, CKSA Moskva, RUS

#155 LVG: Igor Sokolov, LW, Cape Breton, QMJHL

ROUND 6:

#156 BFLO: Seth Barton, RHD, Trail, BCHL **

#157 OTT: Colin Schmidt, C, Wayzata, US HS

#158 ARZ: Wyatt Wylie, RHD, Everett, WHL

#159 DET (MTL): Jack Jensen, LW, Eden Prairie, US HS

#160 DET: Nikolai Kovalenko, W, Yaroslavl, RUS **

#161 VAN: Austin Wong, W, Spruce Grove, AJHL

#162 CHI: Simon Johanssen, RHD, Djurgartens, SWE **

#163 NYR: Angus Crookshank, LW, Langley, BCHL

#164 EDM: Tyler Weiss, C, US NTDP

#165 LAK (NYI): Curtis Douglas, C, Windsor, OHL

#166 CAR: Jordan Kooy, G, London, OHL

#167 CAL: Jacob Pivonka, C, US NTDP

#168 DAL: Michal Kvasnica, C, Mystek, CZE

#169 STL: Oliver Okuliar, LW, Trecin, CZE

#170 FLA: Brady Lyle, RHD, North Bay, OHL **

#171 COL: Max Paddock, G, Regina, WHL

#172 NJ: Karel Plasek, W, Brno, CZE

#173 CBJ: Jackson Leppard, RW, Prince George, WHL

#174 PHI: Martin Pospisil, RW, Sioux City, USHL

#175 LAK: Kristian Reichel, C, Red Deer, WHL **

#176 SJ: Yegor Sharangovich, C, Minsk, RUS **

#177 PIT: Carter Robertson, LHD, Ottawa, OHL

#178 ANA: David Hrenak, G, St. Cloud State, NCAA **

#179 MIN: Michel Ivan, LHD, Acadie-Bathhurst, QMJHL

#180 LVG (TOR): Juuso Ketola, RHD, Assat, FIN

#181 BOS: Matt Struthers, C, Owen Sound, OHL

#182 SJ (NAS): Sean Comrie, RHD, Spruce Grove, AJHL

#183 WIN: Jesper Sellgren, LHD, Modo, SWE **

#184 TB: Kirill Nizhnikov, RW, Barrie, OHL

#185 WAS: Ivan Morozov, W, Mamonty Yugry, RUS

#186 LVG: Libor Zabransky, LHD, Kelowna, WHL

ROUND 7:

#187 BFLO: Severi Lahtinen, LW, Pelicans, FIN **

#188 OTT: David Lilja, C, Karlskroga, SWE

#189 ARZ: Jack DeBoer, C, US NTDP

#190 PHI (MTL): Jack Lagerstrom, RHD, Shattuck St Mary's, US HS

#191 DET: Mike Callahan, LHD, Central Illinois, USHL

#192 VAN: Jonathan Mor, G, US NTDP

#193 CHI: Ryan Savage, W, Fargo, USHL

#194 OTT (NYR): Miska Kukkonen, RHD, Ilves, FIN

#195 EDM: Adam Thilander, RHD, North Bay, OHL **

#196 NYI: Jeremi Gerber, W, Bern, SWISS

#197 CAR: Paul Cotter, C, Lincoln, USHL

#198 CAL: Adam McCormick, LHD, Cape Breton, QMJHL

#199 DAL: Ivan Muranov, F, Dynamo Moskva, RUS

#200 STL: Jack Randl, LW, Omaha, USHL

#201 FLA: Jared Moe, G, Waterloo, USHL **

#202 COL: Artuu Nevasaari, RW, Karpat, FIN

#203 PHI (NJ): Samuel Salonen, LW, Sioux City, USHL

#204 CBJ: Samuel Asselin, C, Acadie-Bathhurt, QMJHL **

#205 PHI: Jesper Myrenberg, G, Linkoping, SWE

#206 TB (LAK): Damian Giroux, C, Saginaw, OHL

#207 SJ: Gabriel Seger, C/LW, Vaxjo, SWE

#208 PIT: Billy Moskal, C, London, OHL

#209 TOR (ANA): Alexei Polodyan, RW, Neva, RUS **

#210 MIN: Daniel Kowalcyzk, LHD, Brno, CZE

#211 TOR: Ben Kraws, G, Sioux City, USHL

#212 BOS: Jaxon Nelson, C, Sioux Falls, USHL

#213 NAS: Adam Samuelsson, LHD, US NTDP

#214 WIN: Jett Alexander, G, North York, OJHL

#215 TB: Lukas Wernblom, LW, Modo, SWE

#216 WAS: Bogdan Zhiliyakov, LHD, Dynamo St Petersburg, RUS

#217 CAR (LVG): Riley Hughes, RW, St. Sebastian, US HS

Rasmus Dahlin, LHD, Frolunda, SWE:

The belle of the Ball. A wire-to-wire #1, with only a vocal few advocating for Svechnikov to assume that role, Dahlin is a kid who has done it all, and at a very young age. Logging Top 4 minutes on the back-end since he was 16 (after converting from a forward only 2 years before that!) at the highest level of Swedish hockey – and on a pretty good team – Dahlin has a highlight reel a mile long. Has a wide assortment of head and shoulder fakes, can dangle with the best of them, and is very competent handling the puck under pressure at either blue line. As a skater, he’s got great explosion and can pick up a puck and get up ice much quicker than you would expect for someone with his size and long stride. He’s got a good shot that he disguises very well and loves to cut to the middle of the ice after keeping a puck in or pinching to create havoc with the defense and open up opportunities to shoot or pass.

What is most interesting to me is his defensive game. A very willing and capable backchecker, he has excellent gaps especially in transition where his footwork is exceptional. It’s that footwork that makes him so good skating in all directions. Will throw some big hits and will only get better in the physical game as he bulks up, but doesn’t seek out the big hit. Perhaps his best attribute is his smarts. Especially at speed, he sees the play develop on either side of the puck, and can beat players to their spots and gain a positional advantage anywhere on the ice. Seems to prefer playing on his off-hand in the O-zone, but better defensively on his strong hand IMO.

The scariest thing is, on the younger side of all the prospects in the Draft Class, as he’s a mid-April birthday, so he’s closer to the cut off date for next year’s class than he is to this year’s. It’s kind of hard for me to say, but he doesn’t have a whole lot more to prove in the SHL at 18 years old. He may take some time to adjust to the North American game, but once he does, look out. I’ve said it before, but he reminds me most of better-skating Larry Robinson (I know that’s going back to the Dark Ages).

Jakub Lauko, C, Chomutov, CZE:

I have been following this kid all year, and it's been a bit of a roller coaster ride. Came out smoking at the Hlinka, with 4G in 5 games, showing how explosive of a skater he is and the hands to make plays at high speed. Wore an A for the Czechs as well. Played a full-season in the Czech Men’s League on a bad Chomutov team that nearly was relegated to a lower league, and hung tough, tied for their leading scorer in the relegation rounds despite being a later birthday. Then he suited up for the World Juniors team, and his performance left people shaking their heads a bit. He only got about 10 mins of ice time but didn’t produce much in his limited time.

What he did do, and why I like him as a fit for BFLO, is that he competed every shift. A relentless motor, he goes all out every time he’s on the ice and has some agitator in him by virtue of his relentless style. Almost like a Will Carrier with puck skills. Finished strong in the 5 Nations and then again, was dominant at times at the U-18s, where he put up 6P in 7 games and then followed that up with a nice showing at the Combine.

His game is very transferable to the new NHL, especially if he can play the wing successfully, where his straight-line speed, great burst out of the box and non-stop engine will make him an effective middle-line player. Has a nose for the puck, finds it in tight where he can use his size and has the hands to get the puck up in a blink. Defensively, he’s very good. Awareness in his own zone is strong for a young player, and he uses his speed to jump on loose pucks and his strength to hold up the opposition without taking penalties. He’s not an immediate contributor, but with some development, he could be a real nice complimentary player that can add some speed and skill.

Scott Perunovich, LHD, MN-Duluth, NCAA **:

This kid I consider ‘Quinn Hughes Lite’. He’s a double-over-ager who is small in stature but not in productivity. At 5’9, he’s probably not getting much bigger, but that’s OK, because his game is predicated on his elite skating. In short, he can jet. Tremendous agility and lateral skating, has great burst up ice, understands and uses leverage to his advantage especially in his own zone. Was the leading scorer for the National Champ Minn-Duluth Bulldogs, and played a big role for the US team at the World Juniors where he routinely sprung transition opportunities. College Hockey’s Rookie of the Year has tremendous vision from his own zone out, and pressures defense with the speed of his feet and of his reads, which are almost always spot on.

His quickness with the puck creates space for his teammates, especially in the NZ. Doesn’t have a great shot, but gets it on net and has tremendous patience with the puck on his stick. Willing to deal with pressure until he knows one of his guys is getting open, then bang! the puck is on their tape. He’ll pair up with Dylan Samberg as quite possibly the best D-Pair in College hockey next season. He seems exactly like the kind of player Botterill targets – he’s a notably better version of Jacob Bryson, who the Sabres took in Round 4 last year.

Alec Regula, RHD, London, OHL:

Sturdy, steady defender with excellent mobility. Great size (6'4 200#) with very light feet and a tremendous burst, he's a smart player who makes the safe play on either end without any fuss. Won't wow you with dazzling play – he's only added 25P in 67 games for the Knights – but has been perhaps their most reliable guy on the back-end in terms of defending scoring chances. And on top of that, he added 13P in 17 games to finish the season on a high note. Crisp, smart first pass out of the zone on the tape, sees the forecheck and keeps the puck out of trouble.

Gets to loose pucks, uses an excellent reach and an active stick to shut down opposing puck carriers, and keep his gaps tight in transition. Plays on the top pair with Evan Bouchard (#9 overall) in London and will be half of one of the best pairs in the CHL next year on a really good London team unless Bouchard makes the NHL right out of the box. Could stand to be more active offensively, but that part of his game is starting to come. Very late birthday gives him a longer development window – he will never be a big asset offensively, but a steady, smart skating defender who doesn't make many mistakes in his own zone is valuable in any prospect pipeline.

Eric Florchuk, C/LW, Saskatoon, WHL:

Good-sized forward (6’1 175#) with some serious wheels. Has grown nearly a foot in less than a year, so he’s still getting accustomed to his frame but has a ton of game despite that. Has a very nice 2-way game and is a very willing defender, but where he may make his money is on offense. Traded during the season to Saskatoon, he piled up 21P in 27 games for the Blades and was slotted on a line with Kirby Dach, a likely Top 10, or even Top 5, pick in next year’s Draft. Blessed with a heavy, hard shot that he gets off in a snap, Florchuk is equally comfortable locking up the other team’s top center or playing a speed game on the wing. Smooth skater with real good top speed, very nimble, he reads his linemates well even at a high pace and always seems to be ready to receive the puck. Needs to pack on some muscle to play a pro-style board game, but his skating, versatility, motor, and skill set make him a potential sleeper. Looked solid as a late addition during the CHL Top Prospect game, where he flashed some of that speed, and performed well at the Combine.

Olof Lindbom, G, Djurgartens, SWE:

BFLO still could use some depth in net, and if Lindblom is around at the top of the 5th round, he’s a great add. Had somewhat of an inconsistent season. Started for the Swedes at the Hlinka, but had a rough go of it, but finished strong with .955 SV% for Djurgartens U-18 team where they won the League Title, and then nearly as impressive with a .949 SV% for the Swedish U-18 entry at the Worlds, where he was named Top Goalie – which led to him nearly making Team Sweden’s World Championships club. In between he had some struggles with the U-20 Djurgartens club, getting knocked around a bit in the playoffs where he sported a .855 SV%. Great focus, and the pucks seem to stick to him, so his rebound control is really good. Always seems to have no trouble tracking the puck. Decent size (6’2 185#), he is a later birthday which may allow him to grow a bit more.

Seth Barton, RHD, Trail, BCHL **:

This kid would likely have to fall to be available here, but stranger things have happened. Missing the draft cut-off by a couple weeks, he’s technically an over-ager but not by much. Great size (6’3 175#), has a lot of fluidity to his game and plays a smart, simple game. His steadiness is probably his best attribute. Forechecks of all sorts don’t seem to bother him, he’s more than capable of skating it out of trouble or passing it, and doesn’t put the puck in situations where it can get turned into a scoring chance the other way. Has some offense – had 11P in 15 games in the playoffs – and can really rip it from the point. Skating is very strong, although he’s not a real burner, but laterally he’s smooth and is excellent changing direction from offense to defense and vice versa. Needs to get stronger to play a similar game against better talent. Off to UMass-Lowell next year, where he could see time with Cale Makar or Mario Ferraro (both 2017 draft picks).

Severi Lahtinen, LW, Pelicans, FIN **:

If you’re drafting late, might as well take a chance on raw talent, right? An over-ager, this kid tore up Mestis – Finland’s (very roughly) AHL equivalent – to the tune of 37P in 32 games, placing him in the Top 4 in PPG. In addition, he managed to get 16 games in Liiga for a pretty mediocre (at best) Pelicans, adding 4P in 16 games there. Great size (6’2 190#), he’s got tremendous wheels and some real offensive skill, especially buttery-soft hands. Will take the puck wide and get to the net, and is capable of some really pretty, on-time passes in transition. Can also play in front of the net, has great hand-eye and with those hands, can make things happen around the net. Why is this guy a 7th rounder? Well, he’s very undisciplined is probably the best way to put it. He can try to do everything, including dangle 3 people down the middle of the ice, instead of relying on help from his teammates. Sometimes its OK to dump the puck in. When the puck isn’t on his stick, he can tend to lose focus chasing it instead of getting to the right spot on the ice and causing defensive breakdowns that lead to goals against. Can you coach his bad habits away? Maybe. It’s worth a shot in the 7th round.