The Flyers are woefully thin on defensive prospects, and while Zadorov is a project at this point in time, he is also an intriguing player that has size and could in time, fill the hole left by Chris Pronger. After all, the Flyers can't be relying on stop gaps such as Mark Streit forever.
12. Phoenix Coyotes: Anthony Mantha, Val D'Or Foreurs
Phoenix needs scoring, and fast. Mantha was one of three players in major junior to have scored 50 goals last season, and with the possibility of filling out a 6'4" frame, Mantha could very well give the Coyotes the power forward that they have not had since Keith Tkachuk.
13. Winnipeg Jets: Elias Lindholm, Brynas (Swe)
The best (and safest) player available at this point in the draft, the Jets have some good prospects right now and can afford to take the best player available. Lindholm will be a good two-way forward that the Jets can afford to let develop, particularly if fellow center Mark Schiefele sticks with the Jets full time next season.
14. Columbus Blue Jackets: Hunter Shinkaruk, Medicine Hat Tigers
The Blue Jackets need NHL-caliber forwards, and Shinkaruk is the best goal scorer left on the board. While he lacks size and could stand to develop more away from the puck, the Blue Jackets can live with his deficiencies, as he could end up being to the Blue Jackets what Patrick Kane was to the Blackhawks in 2007.
15. New York Islanders: Frederik Gauthier, Rimouski Oceanic
The Islanders have plenty in terms of defensive prospects, and with John Tavares, Matt Moulson, and Michael Grabner entrenched as the offensive stalwarts, the Islanders need secondary scoring and two-way play down the middle. Gauthier would solve both, and with his size, it would be too good for the Islanders to pass up, and if the Isles are patient with him (as they have been with both Ryan Strome and Griffin Reinhart), they'll have their third-line center for the forseeable future (after Tavares and Strome, if the latter makes the jump to the NHL).
No comments:
Post a Comment