The Leafs have had recent success with drafting a center from London (see: Kadri, Nazem), and Horvat fills a need down the middle while offering the Leafs a hard worker that can win faceoffs and score goals. Oh, and he scores when it counts the most (see: Game 7 against Barrie in the OHL Finals).
22. Calgary Flames (from St. Louis): Zachary Fucale, Halifax Mooseheads
The Flames also need a defenseman here, but with an additional pick later in this round, combined with a plethora of defensemen available, the Flames can afford to wait on that option. Here, I have them going with a future replacement for Miikka Kiprusoff in Fucale, who was lights out in the major junior tournaments this season. Yes, Laurent Brossoit and Kari Ramo are options, but neither are proven at the NHL level, and the Flames need all the help they can find in replacing Kiprusoff soon.
23. Washington Capitals: Valentin Zykov, Baie-Comeau Drakkar
The Caps need to restock the blue line and need immediate help in the middle, but they also need top-end talent, and that is where Zykov will come in. 40 goals with a Baie-Comeau team that made the QMJHL Finals (and handed Halifax their only loss of the QMJHL playoffs in the process) is nothing to sneeze at, and his size is a plus for his style of play.
24. Vancouver Canucks: Adam Erne, Quebec Remparts
Like Washington, Vancouver needs top end talent in the pipeline, and Erne put up good numbers in Quebec, with 28 goals and 44 assists. A Ryan Kesler clone, only less flashy.
25. Montreal Canadiens: Samuel Morin, Rimouski Oceanic
The Canadiens need size in their pipeline, and with Jarred Tinordi likely to stick with the Canadiens next year, that means the Canadiens can take their time with Morin. Morin provides more offense from the blue line, which will play well when P.K. Subban is not on the ice and the Canadiens need some offense in that time.
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