NHL Draft 2016: Team-by-Team Needs and Targets
This weekend marks the next opportunity for NHL clubs to take steps toward a championship.
The results of the 2016 NHL draft may not be felt for years to come in many cases, but for some, the impact will be immediate.
There are some special players available in the top five or six slots and a solid group of second-tier prospects deep into the first round that are capable of having bright NHL careers. But who goes where beyond perhaps the top two or three picks? That's anybody's guess.
The crapshoot begins on Friday in Buffalo, New York, as all 30 teams look to plug holes in their current or future lineups.
To get an idea of what may occur when things get started, here's a look at the biggest needs of every NHL team and the players they should target in the early rounds.
Anaheim Ducks
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Biggest Needs
The Ducks need to replenish the prospect pool at forward. Their 2014 first-round pick, Nick Ritchie, is still developing and has shown promise at the AHL level, but the rest of their most talented young players between the ages of 20 and 25 have already graduated to the NHL club.
The defensive group is solid both at the NHL level and in the pipeline. More skill, especially on the wings, is what the Ducks should be gunning for.
Targets
There are a couple of strong two-way forwards who could be available at the No. 24 spot when the Ducks hit the podium. Prospect Rasmus Asplund can play at center or on the wing and was a standout performer at the World Juniors who kept up just fine with top prospect Alex Nylander on Team Sweden. Although smallish at 5'11", Asplund is a quick and aggressive player with a nice touch around the net.
A bigger version at 6'1" is the QMJHL's Pascal Laberge of the Victoriaville Tigres. Laberge is also capable of playing either position, although he thrived more as a winger and had a strong finish to his season there. He's a strong skater and very competitive—an attribute the Ducks appreciate.
Left winger Riley Tufte is coming out of the Minnesota high school system and has a massive 6'5" frame but more skill than a typical power forward. He's going to the University of Minnesota-Duluth, so the team can give him a little time to develop.
Arizona Coyotes
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Biggest Needs
The Coyotes have a lot of young and talented forwards, with rookies Max Domi and Anthony Duclair starting the season as early Calder candidates. Fellow freshman Jordan Martinook also grew into a larger role as the 2015-16 season progressed. And with last year's third overall pick in Dylan Strome and 2014 second-rounder Christian Dvorak developing, the Coyotes can look to fortify the back end.
Goalie Louis Domingue looks like he could be a future starter. He was forced into action and had a decent showing in 39 appearances as a rookie. That means the Coyotes can focus on defense at the 2016 draft and have a pair of first-round picks at Nos. 7 and 20 that could quickly replenish the prospect pool on the blue line.
Targets
One of the top defensive prospects in the draft is going to be available, and that means they could land one of the Ontario Hockey League's best blueliners: Jakob Chychrun of the Sarnia Sting, Olli Juolevi of the London Knights or Mikhail Sergachev of the Windsor Spitfires.
Juolevi has size at 6'2" and is a good puck-mover who would complement Oliver Ekman-Larsson, the only legitimate star the Coyotes have on the back end. Sergachev is even bigger and may have the most offensive upside of the bunch. Chychrun doesn't have as much offensive prowess but is the most physical and would add a different element to the Coyotes blue line.
Whichever direction they go, the Coyotes can supplement that with the addition of another defenseman who falls or take a look at a physical winger to add to the highly skilled prospects in the pool. Someone like Julien Gauthier of the Val-d'Or Foreurs or Max Jones of the London Knights.
Boston Bruins
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Biggest Needs
There is a glaring need on defense for the Bruins, with top defender Zdeno Chara in the latter stages of his career and no one seemingly capable of becoming that driving force on the back end. Torey Krug is a restricted free agent, and Dennis Seidenberg is a potential buyout candidate.
With two picks in the first round, the Bruins could go a long way toward solidifying the position.
Targets
Charles McAvoy of Boston University is an easy choice given his ties to the area and his success as a freshman with the Terriers. He put up 25 points in 37 games in his first year in the NCAA, which is incredible for an 18-year-old.
If Logan Stanley of the Windsor Spitfires lasts until late in the first round when the Bruins are up again, he'd make a great eventual successor to his idol, Chara—at least when it comes to size and defensive abilities. Stanley stands 6'7" and is a physical rearguard who may just need a little time to develop into a solid NHL top-four shutdown defenseman.
Jacob Moverare of Sweden's HV71 has size, skill and mobility. He isn't producing big offensive numbers but has a lot of room to grow in that area.
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Buffalo Sabres
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Biggest Needs
The Sabres have a promising future thanks in part to the drafting of Jack Eichel last year and the graduation of Sam Reinhart—giving the team some great depth at center behind Ryan O'Reilly. They have other prospects at forward waiting for chances behind the veterans but not a great deal of top talent on the blue line behind the impressive emergence of Rasmus Ristolainen this past season.
With the eighth pick in the 2016 draft, they should be able to address that need early. With six picks in the first three rounds, the Sabres can work on their depth at forward and could land a goaltender to groom as well.
Targets
Jakob Chychrun of the OHL's Sarnia Sting had a rough start to the year after shoulder surgery and fell in the rankings among defenders. He still has the potential to be the best of the group. He's very mobile and mature and has good size at 6'2".
The other more offensively touted defenders include Olli Juolevi of the London Knights and Mikhail Sergachev of the Windsor Spitfires. They may not last until the eighth spot. If they don't, then the Sabres would likely be able to pounce on one of the top forwards who fell.
That could be someone such as Alexander Nylander of the Mississauga Steelheads.
Calgary Flames
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Biggest Needs
Skilled forwards are still the most glaring need for a Calgary Flames team that has added Sean Monahan, Johnny Gaudreau and Sam Bennett in the past few drafts. The already impressive NHL roster on defense is backed by some promising prospects in Rasmus Andersson and Oliver Kylington.
Up front, we're still unsure what Emile Poirier will turn into, and the pure skill level plummets after that. Fortunately, picking at No. 6 overall gives the Flames the opportunity to add more top-end talent there with a focus on the wing.
Targets
Three Ontario Hockey League prospects—Matthew Tkachuk of the London Knights, Alexander Nylander of the Mississauga Steelheads and Logan Brown of the Windsor Spitfires—all offer offensive gifts in different packaging. Tkachuk is a feisty and powerful left winger with plenty of scoring punch. Nylander is a smaller but more slick offensive weapon who also plays the left flank.
Brown is a massive center but has the skill set comparable to a more diminutive and nimble player. Adding him might mean a shift to the wing for someone like Sam Bennett.
Another consideration is Pierre-Luc Dubois of the QMJHL's Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. He has the versatility to play all three forward slots but seems most comfortable in the middle. Dubois is a stellar two-way player. It will be interesting to see which direction the Flames choose with a couple of these names available to them.
Carolina Hurricanes
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Biggest Needs
The Hurricanes are absolutely loaded on the defensive front with young players who have already cracked the NHL lineup in Noah Hanifin, Jaccob Slavin and Brett Pesce. They've also got Haydn Fleury and Roland McKeown hoping to make the leap this year.
Eddie Lack will slowly take over in goal for Cam Ward over the next couple of years, but the team could use more depth there and could snag a netminder with one of their two second-round selections.
The top need, though, is skilled forwards. With a pair of picks in the middle of the first round, the Hurricanes can load up on talent.
Targets
When it comes to a smaller guy with supreme skill, the Hurricanes could look to Clayton Keller (who is generously listed at 5'10", and 164 pounds). He led USA National Team Development Program U-18 team with 70 assists and 107 points and helped the U.S. win bronze at the 2016 IIHF World Under-18 Championship. His 14 points were second in the tournament.
Kieffer Bellows is bigger and led the same USHL team with 50 goals this year. He was also second to Keller with 81 points. Nine of his 50 goals were game-winners.
Jumping up in size again, the Hurricanes could look for Riley Tufte, the 6'5" left winger who bounced between high school and the USHL, or big goal-scoring winger Julien Gauthier (6'4") of the the Val-d'Or Foreurs.
Chicago Blackhawks
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Biggest Needs
An already thin group of prospects and promising new NHLers at the forward ranks got even more meagre with the departure of Teuvo Teravainen in a trade that was made to free up more salary-cap space. So the Blackhawks will now use the second-round draft pick they got from the Carolina Hurricanes to try to replace the skill they lost in the deal.
They may also look to add a goaltending prospect with the knowledge that they could lose a netminder in the expansion draft. And if it comes to best player available, it's possible the Hawks will be forced to take a defenseman.
Targets
Some good second-tier defensemen should be going in the second round, including Cam Dineen of North Bay, Lucas Johansen of the Kelowna Rockets, Adam Fox of the U.S. development team, Markus Niemelainen of the Saginaw Spirit and Swedish prospect Jacob Moverare.
Goaltender Carter Hart of the Everett Silvertips may still be around and tempting to take with the 50th selection.
Alternatively, they could look at a risk/reward player like Dmitry Sokolov of the Sudbury Wolves. Sokolov has a great deal of skill and a stellar shot but may need to work on his defensive game to fit in at the NHL level.
Colorado Avalanche
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Biggest Needs
Somewhat surprisingly, there is actually some nice depth on the Avalanche blue line with the addition of Eric Gelinas this season providing even more youth. But the prospect pool behind the NHL contracts is paltry, so the Avs could look to the defensive talent available at the top end of the coming draft.
Sticking with the best-player-available mantra, the Avs could wind up with a steal at forward and sit on him for a year or two until certain contracts (like Jarome Iginla's) come off the books.
Targets
If Logan Brown is available, it might be impossible to turn the 6'2" power forward in the making down. The Windsor Spitfires center can keep up with the speedy Avs squad but add some sandpaper to the mix as well.
The exceptions that might force a defensive pick include Most Outstanding Defenseman in the OHL this year, Mikhail Sergachev. The 6'2" puck-mover had 17 goals, 57 points and 31 power-play points in 67 games as a rookie. He may not last all the way to 10th.
Jakob Chychrun of the Sarnia Sting may not either, but if he does, he is considered one of the most physically complete blueliners in the draft.
Columbus Blue Jackets
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Biggest Needs
A top-line center has been a big need ever since the Blue Jackets shipped out Ryan Johansen in the deal for defenseman Seth Jones. However, if the team decides to shuffle things around internally, an elite winger would be a fine addition.
The goaltending spot appears secure with Sergei Bobrovsky holding down the starter's job and 22-year-old Joonas Korpisalo showing promise during his time in goal this season when Bob went down.
The back end has plenty of young prospects earning shots at making this year's roster, but more depth there is also a need to keep the high-end pipeline moving forward.
Targets
Finland's Jesse Puljujarvi is the most likely target even after knee surgery kept him from working out at the draft combine. He has some competition from the likes of the London Knights' Matthew Tkachuk, however. Even Pierre-Luc Dubois of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles is in play here.
Puljujarvi was so dominant at the World Juniors that it would be tough imagining anyone outside of the top two passing on the sniper who appears NHL-ready. The big-bodied and competitive right winger would immediately bolster the top six in Columbus.
Defensemen they may look to grab high in the second round include the lightning-fast Kale Clague of the Brandon Wheat Kings, agile offensive weapon Libor Hajek of the Saskatoon Blades and Chicoutimi Sagueneens player Frederic Allard, who has the tools to become a complete player when he dedicates himself to better defense.
Dallas Stars
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Biggest Needs
An elite playmaking forward is something the Stars are lacking in the pipeline. Jason Spezza has been great, but he's no longer a truly elite player at this stage of his career. Tyler Seguin might be the one guy who qualifies as a playmaker, but he is equally adept at shooting as he is setting people up. And Jamie Benn is more than a power forward, but his physical nature sets him apart, along with his sniping ability.
So while offensive defensemen would be welcome in the wake of the Alex Goligoski deal (his negotiating rights were traded to the Arizona Coyotes), the Stars may want to look at some more forward skill to avoid leaning so heavily on one line to do all the scoring—even though it does that so well.
Targets
Size—specifically a lack of it—hasn't stopped Alex DeBrincat from succeeding so far. The 5'7" Erie Otters winger has back-to-back 50-goal seasons in the OHL and would look great on a line with Benn and Seguin in the not-too-distant future
German Rubtsov of Team Russia U-18 plays a solid two-way game but has skill offensively and isn't afraid of traffic in front of the net. Tage Thompson is a 6'5" powerhouse whose one-timer rarely misses the target. He can play center or right wing and offers an element the Stars have little of when it comes to hulking size on the wing.
If the Stars go with defense, they could look to the offensively gifted Libor Hajek of the Saskatoon Blades. He has a way of making the play seem like it's happening in slow motion around him as he uses his vision and agility to create open ice.
Detroit Red Wings
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Biggest Needs
The departure of Pavel Datsyuk makes center a need, but the Red Wings got a steal in Dylan Larkin with the 15th overall pick last year. He made the team right away and played mostly alongside Henrik Zetterberg, who is now the team's top man in the middle. Larkin will likely slot in as the second, and the Wings will rely on a lot of young players for scoring depth.
The bigger need is a scoring defenseman who can be groomed to take over when Mike Green is gone. Green had a decent season for the Red Wings with 35 points, but the 30-year-old is only signed for the next two seasons. Niklas Kronwall is 35 and was only able to suit up for 64 games because of injury this year. He had 26 points, but no other defensemen earned more than 20 on the year.
2011 second-rounders Xavier Ouellet and Ryan Sproul are waiting in the wings to make the NHL, but when they do, their spots in the minors will be waiting for this year's crop.
Targets
Jake Bean is a popular name at this area of the draft with the Red Wings picking 16th overall. The Calgary Hitmen defenseman led all WHL blueliners with 23 goals this past season and finished sixth in scoring at the position. Considering he wasn't even drafted into the junior ranks two years ago, he wouldn't be projected in the first round of the NHL draft without a tremendous work ethic. He's a great power-play quarterback with an incredible shot. He's also the kind of player who can contribute to a solid puck-possession game.
Other potential picks at this stage in the draft are Dante Fabbro from the Penticton Vees of the BCHL and Kale Clague of the WHL's Brandon Wheat Kings. Both offer tremendous offensive upside because of their smooth skating and ability to make the breakout pass.
If they go for a center, it could be German Rubtsov of the Russian national U-18 team or Luke Kunin of the University of Wisconsin. Both provide a lot of offensive upside as value picks in the middle of the round.
Edmonton Oilers
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Biggest Needs
Given how often the Oilers have been in the No. 1 slot—four times in the past six years—there is still a glaring hole on the back end when it comes to top talent. The cupboard is bare behind defensemen Oscar Klefbom and Darnell Nurse, so that makes adding to the defensive group the biggest need.
They have focused on offense primarily with Connor McDavid, Nail Yakupov, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Taylor Hall in the top spot. In terms of skill up front, they've also got Jordan Eberle and Leon Draisaitl. But sometimes the spot in which you select plays a factor, and it may be tough for the Oilers to get away from drafting the best player available unless they trade down from No. 4.
If they do go with a forward, they'll want to add size and competitiveness.
Targets
If the Oilers go for the defensive player, they will have their pick of the litter at fourth overall. The highest-ranked ISS defenders are Jakob Chychrun of the Sarnia Sting (OHL), Mikhail Sergachev of the Windsor Spitfires (OHL) and Olli Juolevi of the London Knights (OHL). Sergachev and Juolevi have more upside offensively, and that may be more attractive than the physical attributes Chychrun offers.
It may be impossible to take a pass on Juolevi's teammate Matthew Tkachuk, however. The left winger would bring much-needed tenacious and competitive elements to the group up front, along with the kind of skill that would complement centers McDavid and Draisaitl.
Florida Panthers
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Biggest Needs
The Panthers went out and picked up the exclusive negotiating rights for defenseman Keith Yandle in a trade with the New York Rangers this week, per Alain Poupart of NHL.com, and have a young group of up-and-comers already on the blue line along with the veterans. They'll want to add depth on D in later rounds but could use some more skill up front to add to a burgeoning core with their opening pick.
Another skilled, playmaking forward to add to the likes of Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov, Vincent Trocheck, Quinton Howden, Lawson Crouse and Rocco Grimaldi in the under-25 club could help the Panthers in the playoff hunt even after the ageless wonder Jaromir Jagr decides to hang up the skates.
They could use another goalie in the pipeline along with last year's third-round pick Samuel Montembeault but that selection can wait until the middle rounds.
Targets
Luke Kunin is a popular mid-round name. He's got flashy offensive skills but a lot of work to do on the defensive side of the game, which is why the University of Wisconsin center isn't touted as one of the top prospects.
Kieffer Bellows is a left winger from the USA U-18 development league who has NHL bloodlines (dad, Brian Bellows, was drafted second overall by the Minnesota North Stars in 1982) and a shot that is tough for goaltenders to stop.
Although small, the skills of right winger Alex DeBrincat of the OHL's Erie Otters are top-shelf. Think Calgary Flames Johnny Gaudreau. DeBrincat had back-to-back 50-goal seasons with the Otters.
Quinton Howden's brother Brett is also in play here, given the family connection.
Los Angeles Kings
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Biggest Needs
The Kings have a deep forward group at the NHL level and some good prospects such as Adrian Kempe and Michael Mersch in the pipeline. Where they need to add immediately is defense. The team still misses the skill and puck movement of Slava Voynov and has had to rely too heavily on Drew Doughty for big minutes.
There are a couple of defensive prospects with size in Derek Forbort and Erik Cernak but a more offensively gifted blueliner would be a nice pickup. Unfortunately for the Kings, they've mortgaged the future a bit and have just one pick in the first three rounds—at 51st overall.
The Kings could also use a goaltender since they keep trading away their promising backups.
Targets
The Kings would be fortunate if someone such as North Bay Battalion blueliner Cam Dineen of the Ontario Hockey League was around by the time they pick. Dineen was barely on the radar at the start of the season but rocketed up the NHL Central Scouting Service rankings thanks to 13 goals and 59 points in 68 games.
Goalies drafted in the first round rarely pan out as hoped, so top goaltending prospects such as Filip Gustavsson of Lulea in the Swedish League, Evan Fitzpatrick of the QMJHL's Sherbrooke Phoenix and Carter Hart of the Everett Silvertips may be available for the Kings.
Minnesota Wild
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Biggest Needs
The Wild still don't have a game-breaking forward among them, with all due respect to Zach Parise. The veteran Parise needs more goal-scoring support, and although it's tough to find a real gem who can make an impact within a year or two of being drafted at No. 15 overall, it is possible.
On defense, there are plenty of stay-at-home blueliners and some more puck-movers the Wild wouldn't mind patrolling their blue line.
Targets
Center Michael McLeod of the Mississauga Steelheads is a playmaker with strong instincts and a lot of speed. He's unafraid of taking the puck to the net whenever possible but also rates high as a passer.
Left winger Kieffer Bellows of the USHL is the son of former Minnesota North Star Brian. Kieffer plays with an edge but is definitely a goal-scoring talent who uses a dominant shot to take control of his shifts.
Big-bodied right winger Julien Gauthier of the Val-d'Or Foreurs would be a great pickup at the middle of the first round. He has everything in the tool box, from speed and agility to a heavy shot and slick dangling skills.
If the team goes defense, an offensive whiz such as Jake Bean of the Calgary Hitmen may still be on the board.
Montreal Canadiens
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Biggest Needs
Scoring help in the form of a true power forward is something the Canadiens are missing desperately. Their prospect pool at the forward ranks may be led by Nikita Scherbak, but the versatile center/winger only managed 23 points in 48 AHL games this past season.
Max Pacioretty is a bit of a pest, and he has shown he can score regularly, but he doesn't dominate games physically, and the Habs could use that in the pipeline, if not immediately on the roster.
If they can't land a top forward and one of the top offensive defensemen is available, they could shift gears. Andrei Markov is 37 and entering the final year of his current deal.
Targets
Picking up at No. 9 thanks to a hugely disappointing season that fell apart after goalie Carey Price got hurt, the Canadiens should be able to add an impact player. If Pierre-Luc Dubois from the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles falls in their laps, the Habs would be ecstatic. Dubois is a physical specimen who plays with an edge but can also score and set others up. He may not fall past the top five, though, so the Habs may want to trade up.
Right winger Julien Gauthier of the Val-d'Or Foreurs is a 6'4" specimen with great hands and speed for his size. Lefty Max Jones of the London Knights or center Logan Brown of the Windsor Spitfires are also big boys with offensive gifts.
Nashville Predators
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Biggest Needs
The Predators are relatively small in today's NHL, and they could use some size-skill combination up front to bolster the prospect pool.
Defensively, the NHL roster is solid and youthful, but the pipeline is lacking in top-end talent. A succession plan for when Shea Weber leaves could be invested in now.
Targets
Picking 17th overall doesn't guarantee the Preds a player who will make a difference any time soon, but someone who can join the big club with one or two years of seasoning is likely. Having traded away Seth Jones this past season, picking up a guy such as Dante Fabbro from the BCHL's Penticton Vees could be a perfect fit. Fabbro is a great puck-mover who can carry it out of the defensive zone himself if necessary.
University of Boston prospect Charlie McAvoy is another smooth-skating blueliner who could be around when the Preds pick—if the Detroit Red Wings don't snatch him first.
If the team goes for some size up front, Julien Gauthier of the Val-d'Or Foreurs is a big goal-scoring winger who impressed at the combine.
New Jersey Devils
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Biggest Needs
Skill and scoring up front is top of mind for the New Jersey Devils with the No. 11 pick in the first round. They relied heavily on Mike Cammalleri and Kyle Palmieri for scoring in 2015-16 and need to find ways to spread that out in the coming years as they rebuild.
There are some nice pieces in place defensively but more skill can be added to the prospect pool there, too.
Targets
Center Tyson Jost of the Penticton Vees in the BCHL oozes leadership, and his comparisons to Zach Parise may make the Devils feel nostalgic. Jost is the 2016 RBC Canadian Junior Hockey League National Player of the Year after finishing fifth in the BCHL with 42 goals and third with 104 points in just 48 games. The 5'11" pivot is committed to the University of North Dakota, where Parise played a pair of seasons.
If size is of no consequence, center Clayton Keller of the USHL offers elite vision and playmaking ability.
If defense comes first, it may be because the physical Jakob Chychrun of the Sarnia Sting is available. The 6'2", 200-pounder has slipped a little in the rankings because of concerns about his ability to think quickly under pressure in the pros. But he should be able to overcome that when instinct takes over.
New York Islanders
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Biggest Needs
The top prospects in the Islanders organization are forwards, with Michael Dal Colle, Mathew Barzal and perhaps Josh Ho-Sang ready to make an impact in the next year or two.
Defensively, though, the cupboard is relatively bare. Not that there is any space at the NHL level at the moment with Nick Leddy, Johnny Boychuk, Travis Hamonic, Thomas Hickey, Calvin de Haan and Ryan Pulock forming a solid group of six.
At 19th overall this weekend, the Isles should be able to address the talent level on the back end with a good second-tier defenseman or find a guy ready to fill a gap up front to push fringe prospects to be better or be passed.
Targets
Dante Fabbro is a great replacement for Boychuk when the veteran 32-year-old no longer produces value for his $6 million salary. He's quick both on the ice and in his head when it comes to making decisions. His offensive abilities are right up there just below some of the top prospects, but his defensive game is even better.
Offensive leader Luke Kunin of the University of Wisconsin can help captain John Tavares with key duties in the future, while the more temperamental Max Jones of the London Knights can provide some of the fire that will be missing with Kyle Okposo likely moving on as a free agent.
New York Rangers
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Biggest Needs
The New York Rangers' elite prospects are already playing for the NHL club. And there are not a whole lot of them, either. That's a credit to how well the Rangers have done over the last decade, making the playoffs in 10 of the last 11 seasons.
They now need to add to the prospect pool at every position.
Unfortunately, they don't pick this year until the third round of the draft.
Targets
The Rangers can hope for a couple of names to fall further than expected. Dimitry Sokolov of the Sudbury Wolves is one player who has enough question marks to dip beyond the second round but also enough offensive upside to be of interest to the Rangers.
Defenseman Sean Day has had to deal with questions about his bulk throughout his hockey career so far, and that could lead him into the third round where a team like the Rangers can take a crack at him.
His rankings have been all over the place, with NHL Central Scouting slotting him 59th among North American skaters. He was 43rd midway through the season. North American Central Scouting has him rated 47th overall in its final rankings. Future Considerations puts him 91st.
Day has tremendous skating ability, but his footwork likely projects less toward offensive ability and more toward being able to gain positioning on opponents in his own end as a shutdown defender.
Ottawa Senators
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Biggest Needs
Skilled forwards are the most urgent need, with a bit of a focus on the center position to offer flexibility to play Mika Zibanejad and/or Jean-Gabriel Pageau on the wing. Kyle Turris is the de facto No. 1 center and Zibanejad played well there as well at times this season. Most of the prospects already in the system, though, are wingers, with the exception of last year's top pick, center Colin White.
With Dion Phaneuf and Erik Karlsson locked up long term, the Senators aren't in need of offensive defensemen, but they could use some depth from more of a well-rounded player on the back end.
Targets
Tyson Jost is a talented center from the Penticton Vees of the BCHL. He's committed to the University of North Dakota next year, but the 5'11" has already proved himself against tough competition as a member of Team Canada's U-18 team. He's a slick player who could also project to the wing, which would give the Sens even more flexibility.
Clayton Keller is another highly skilled pivot from the U-18 USHL development team.
Michael McLeod is a speedster with the Mississauga Steelheads who also boasts size and grit. The speed, though, is what sets the center apart from other big boys.
Philadelphia Flyers
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Biggest Needs
With plenty of young prospects getting closer to transitioning into the NHL on defense, the Flyers' biggest needs are up front.
The most talented forward regardless of position when the Flyers pick at No. 18 will likely be snatched up. Claude Giroux, Jakob Voracek and Wayne Simmonds need some help from secondary sources of scoring.
Bonus points for grit.
Targets
Max Jones could be the perfect match for the Broad Street Bullies. The London Knights power forward, who is coming off a Memorial Cup victory, has a nasty streak equal to his incredible speed. The left winger is in the mold of Milan Lucic of the Los Angeles Kings—or maybe his former Boston Bruins teammate Brad Marchand but with Lucic's size.
He'll have to keep his cool at the NHL level, but he is going to be a great pickup in the middle part of the draft.
The 6'4" Julien Gauthier is another power forward to watch at that spot. He's a strong skater who can score, and he also plays with an edge. He had 41 goals and 57 points in 54 games with the Val-d'Or Foreurs of the QMJHL.
Pittsburgh Penguins
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Biggest Needs
With a pair of second-round picks but none in the first, the Stanley Cup champs can work on replenishing a very depleted pipeline on the blue line. The Penguins leaned heavily on Kris Letang and a ragtag group of prospects to get through the playoffs victoriously.
The group is looking good up front with arguably the best top nine in the league—or at least the 2016 playoffs.
Targets
Luke Green of the St. John Seadogs might be a bit of a diamond in the rough, but the offensive instincts are top-notch, and he showed growth on the defensive side of things as well this past year. His skating ability and confidence with the puck can't be taught.
Cam Dineen jumped up NHL Central Scouting's prospect rankings by 78 spots from January to May thanks to an off-the-charts hockey sense and on-ice vision. He's able to create all kinds of offense but didn't crack the top 30 in the North American rankings—likely because he is considered undersized at 5'11".
If the Pens can somehow land both of these guys near the bottom of the second round, they'll have significantly improved the defensive core for the future.
San Jose Sharks
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Biggest Needs
The Sharks have some great prospects at the forward ranks with left winger Nikolay Goldobin and right-flanker Timo Meier playing big roles for their respective teams this year. A young batch up front has already made the jump to complement a veteran core as well.
Defensively, there are hopes for prospects Mirco Mueller and Jeremy Roy, but some more top-tier talent will be needed in the coming years because the NHL group is quickly growing older and needs to be pushed.
Defensemen with shutdown abilities aren't sexy picks, but this is the type of player the Sharks need to round out the pipeline.
Targets
At 6'5", Markus Niemelainen of the Saginaw Spirit in the OHL is a beast with a big reach who will be a nice project to work on as he prepares to make the NHL leap.
If they go for offensive attributes, the Sharks could reach for Adam Fox, who had a big year with the National Team Development Program. Fox had 59 points in 64 games in 2015-16 and might have drawn enough interest to get into the second round. He's small, but so is Philadelphia Flyers offensive dynamo Shayne Gostisbehere.
St. Louis Blues
25 of 30
Biggest Needs
Speed and skill should be added to the Western Conference finalists, who fell a little short against the San Jose Sharks this year. The team has a growing core with rookie Robby Fabbri joining Vladimir Tarasenko this season.
With Troy Brouwer and David Backes both potentially leaving, a bigger forward with grit to go along with the offensive abilities might be on the menu for the Blues.
Targets
Boris Katchouk was a relative unknown coming into the season but established himself as a powerful winger with a nose for the net. The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds left flanker is a force at even strength and plays with consistent intensity.
Similarly, Taylor Raddysh of the Erie Otters aggressively hunts down pucks and was great at getting them to the more skilled teammates he played with in Dylan Strome and Alex DeBrincat.
Tampa Bay Lightning
26 of 30
Biggest Needs
If Steven Stamkos is on his way out as an unrestricted free agent, adding a center with some size would become a priority for Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman.
However, there is also a need on the back end, where the lack of depth showed in the playoffs this year. Jason Garrison, Braydon Coburn and Matthew Carle are all 31.
The playoff breakout by forward Jonathan Drouin may alleviate the feeling of loss around Stamkos for the coming year if that's how it plays out. With some good, mobile defensemen in the prospect pool—such as Anthony DeAngelo (19th in 2014) and Dominik Masin (35th in 2014)—the Lightning can afford to grab a more physical specimen for the dirty work on the back end.
Targets
When it comes to beef on defense, Dennis Cholowski of the Chilliwack Chiefs and the OHL Windsor Spitfires' Logan Stanley make great choices. Cholowski needs to grow into his 6'1" frame, but his game is well-rounded. Logan is a monster at 6'7" and has a nasty edge. He's a good skater, but if he becomes a great skater, that transition to the NHL will be much more smooth in a couple years.
Tage Thompson of the University of Connecticut is a popular pick at center for the Lightning thanks to his big 6'5" frame and raw skill. He scored 13 of his 14 goals on the power play in 36 games as a UConn freshman this past year, but not just by plopping himself in the front of the net; he's got moves that lead to scoring plays.
Toronto Maple Leafs
27 of 30
Biggest Needs
The Maple Leafs haven't had a big No. 1 center since Mats Sundin left town and need a franchise player up front to help lead the team through the current rebuild. Even though the team has William Nylander and Nazem Kadri there, the depth has been dismal for years.
Goaltending was another area the team was in need of an upgrade, but it now becomes more of a depth issue since the Leafs picked up Frederik Andersen from the Anaheim Ducks on Monday, per David Satriano of NHL.com.
Targets
Auston Matthews of the Swiss League is a surefire franchise center the Leafs will almost certainly draft with the first overall pick they secured in the lottery. There may be flashier prospects at the top, but Matthews is a total package with hockey IQ that belies his age.
With the top selection in the second round, the Leafs will be able to add a another prospect with some real upside.
They could look for a defenseman such as Samuel Girard—a small but very offensively skilled member of the the QMJHL's Shawinigan Cataractes. Dennis Cholowski of the BCHL's Chilliwack Chiefs was a big climber this year who could be available late in the first round, and fellow rearguard Kale Clague of the WHL's Brandon Wheat Kings dropped in the Central Scouting rankings this year and might also be there.
CHL Goaltender of the Year Carter Hart of the Everett Silvertips or Filip Gustavsson of Sweden's Lulea could be targets later in the draft.
Vancouver Canucks
28 of 30
Biggest Needs
The Canucks have a history of steering away from drafting defensemen in the first round, but they may want to buck that trend this year. The team lacks a true No. 1 blueliner, and Dan Hamhuis is a pending unrestricted free agent.
It may be difficult, however, because so many high-end forwards will be available at the fifth overall slot where the Canucks sit. And there is a need there despite the fact the team has attempted to prepare for the eventual departure of aging stars in Daniel and Henrik Sedin with the additions of Sven Baertschi, Linden Vey, Markus Granlund, Bo Horvat, Jake Virtanen and Emerson Etem.
None of them stand out as game-breakers just yet.
Targets
The Canucks could potentially be the first to make a selection on defense, depending on what division rival Edmonton does. They'll be looking for someone with offensive abilities above all else, and that means a long look at Mikhail Sergachev of the Windsor Spitfires (OHL) and Olli Juolevi of the London Knights (OHL).
Sergachev is big at 6'2" and can be aggressive and physical even though his biggest strength lies in the offensive zone. He's in good company as the OHL's Max Kaminsky Trophy winner as the most outstanding OHL defenseman, joining Drew Doughty, Dougie Hamilton and Aaron Ekblad.
Juolevi may eventually be the best defenseman in the class. He has size, smarts and is great with the puck on his stick.
Washington Capitals
29 of 30
Biggest Needs
The Washington Capitals are one of the most well-rounded teams heading into this offseason and don't have any glaring needs. That means they are able to draft the best player available at No. 26, whether it's a defenseman who dropped or a project forward they can sit on for a couple of years of growth.
The more centers a team can add, the better. Mike Richards is an unrestricted free agent, and that leaves them with four true middle men on one-way deals at the moment.
Targets
Center Brett Howden of the Moose Jaw Warriors represents the solid two-way prospect capable of offense but who will be reliable behind the dynamic Evgeny Kuznetsov and Nicklas Backstrom. Rasmus Asplund of Farjestads in the Swedish league and Pascal Laberge of the QMJHL's Victoriaville Tigres represent middle men with more of an offensive upside who could eventually give the Capitals the most impressive group of top-nine scorers the league has ever seen.
Winnipeg Jets
30 of 30
Biggest Needs
In terms of the prospect pool, the Jets are probably more in need of some defensive depth, with a number of good forwards already in the system. However, more skill up front is always welcome, and that's an area that they will cover quickly with the second overall pick.
Size on the wing is important with the loss of gritty captain Andrew Ladd and former power forward Evander Kane.
Targets
With the second overall pick, Patrik Laine of Tappara in the Finnish Elite League is a no-brainer. He was the MVP and best forward at the World Juniors, as he guided the Finns to the final against Canada. His shot is already of NHL quality, and the sniper has great size at 6'4". He's going to play quickly and may be the league's best rookie in his first year in the league.
On the back end, the Jets could look to land Kale Clague of the Brandon Wheat Kings. Other options if they fall far enough are the Chilliwack Chiefs' Dennis Cholowski or the Penticton Vees' Dante Fabbro with their second pick in the first round at No. 22. These two BCHL Junior A products are strong skaters and puck-movers with a lot of offensive upside.
The Jets could wait and add someone to the blue line in the second round outside the top tier of defensive prospects such as David Quenneville and instead use their second first-rounder for another forward. A center such as Brett Howden of the WHL's Moose Jaw Warriors. The brother of Florida Panthers forward Quinton Howden is big, strong and smart. He's a well-rounded forward who could turn out to be a Ryan Kesler type of player in the pros.
Statistics via NHL.com and HockeyDB.com.
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