NHL Draft Grades 2016: Report Cards for Every Pick in Round 1
The first round of the NHL draft is complete, and it didn't quite go according to conventional wisdom. Yes, Auston Matthews was selected first overall, but there were some surprises thereafter.
The first night of the two-day draft morphed into something of a supposed trade-fest, which provided more buzz than drafts of yesteryear. Friday night in Buffalo, though, the big blockbusters some speculated would happen did not occur.
This slideshow, however, will focus on grading each pick in the first round. This likely will forever be remembered as the "Matthews Draft," where the kid from Scottsdale, Arizona, became the first American taken at No. 1 since Patrick Kane in 2007.
Please read on for the grades, starting with Toronto's selection at No. 1.
No. 1 Toronto Maple Leafs: Auston Matthews
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The Player: Auston Matthews
The Pick: No. 1
Analysis
Rare is the case where there is any suspense anymore at who will go first overall, in any sport, and this was no exception.
Matthews is a big No. 1 center who has a year of pro hockey already under his belt in Switzerland.
"I think they should be very excited," his former coach for Zurich in Switzerland, Marc Crawford, told ESPN.com's Scott Burnside. "He's the real deal. People will be impressed by his humility. They will be impressed with his professionalism, but mostly I think they'll be impressed by his talent."
Grade: A
The Maple Leafs couldn't go wrong with this pick, and they didn't. Matthews will be a star in the NHL immediately.
No. 2 Winnipeg Jets: Patrik Laine
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The Player: Patrik Laine
The Pick: No. 2
Analysis
He's only 17 but already has dominated older men in the Finnish pro league. At 6'4", he's big and can really get up and down the wing. He is a finisher type of scorer. He instantly becomes the best Finn to play for Winnipeg since the Teemu Selanne days.
Grade: A
Laine would have gone first overall in many other years. His offensive skill is elite level.
No: 3 Columbus Blue Jackets: Pierre Luc-Dubois
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The Player: Pierre Luc-Dubois
The Pick: No. 3
Analysis
A lot of people were pretty surprised the Blue Jackets took Luc-Dubois so high, but NHL analyst Ray Ferraro told Bleacher Report: "I think Dubois is going to be really special."
Turning 18 Friday, Luc-Dubois won the CHL's prospect of the year award, and at 6'2", 205 pounds, he has good size as a left wing. There are some questions about his speed, but he's a strong prospect.
Grade: B
I think the Blue Jackets missed out on a better prospect in Finn Jesse Puljujarvi, but time will tell.
No. 4 Edmonton Oilers: Jesse Puljujarvi
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The Player: Jesse Puljujarvi
The Pick: No. 4
Analysis
Just what the Edmonton Oilers needed, right? Another forward prospect.
In this case, though, the Oilers had no choice but to take the 6'3", 208-pound right winger from Finland. Some believe he might prove to be the best player overall when the history of this draft is definitively written. No argument here. Puljujarvi has everything: size, speed, toughness and elite skill.
Grade: A
The Oilers get an elite young forward prospect every year it seems. Let's see if they can put this kid to better use—to get out of the draft lottery finally.
No. 5 Vancouver Canucks: Olli Juolevi
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The Player: Olli Juolevi
The Pick: No. 5
Analysis
While Juolevi was the third Finn taken in the top five, he was the first defenseman taken. He's big, at 6'2", 188 pounds but has quick feet and can move the puck. Is he ready to jump right into the NHL? Probably not. He probably needs more time to fill out and get used to a North American-style game. But there's no question he is a strong prospect for the future.
Grade: A-
The Canucks do need immediate help, so having to wait a while on Juolevi ups the chances for another non-playoff year. But eventually, they'll have a player in this kid.
No. 6 Calgary Flames: Matthew Tkachuk
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The Player: Matthew Tkachuk
The Pick: No. 6
Analysis
Like his father, former NHL star Keith Tkachuk, he gets knocked some for his skating ability. But if he's anything close to the scorer dad was, the Flames will have a heck of a player for years. He is considered a strong player in front of the net who plays with, as Flames president Brian Burke would appreciate, some "truculence."
Grade: B+
At 6'1", 202 pounds, Tkachuk already has good NHL size. He projects as a strong power forward.
No. 7 Arizona Coyotes: Clayton Keller
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The Player: Clayton Keller
The Pick: No. 7
Analysis
At 5'10", 164 pounds, Keller won't beat you with size and strength around the net. But he has speed and skill, and that's been good enough for other fellow Americans such as Patrick Kane, hasn't it? Some projected Keller as more of a middle-round pick, but new Coyotes general manager John Chayka obviously thought differently.
Grade: A-
Keller put up 107 points for the U.S. development team in 62 games. He's got skill to spare.
No. 8 Buffalo Sabres: Alexander Nylander
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The Player: Alexander Nylander
The Pick: No. 8
Analysis
The brother of top Maple Leafs prospect William, the younger Nylander had a strong season for Mississauga of the Ontario Hockey League with 28 goals and 75 points in 57 games. He needs to get stronger at only 6'0", 178 pounds, but the skill is there. His stick-handling is off the charts.
Grade: B+
He's probably two or three years away from being a regular NHLer, and the Sabres arguably could have used more immediate help. But they got a good player for the future.
No. 9 Montreal Canadiens: Mikhail Sergachev
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The Player: Mikhail Sergachev
The Pick: No. 9
Analysis
A left-shot defenseman, Sergachev was named the OHL's best defenseman as a rookie as a member of the Windsor Spitfires. At 6'2", 221 pounds, the Russian's skating ability is a big bonus in addition to his size. Some believe he has a chance to develop into a Victor Hedman-style player.
Grade: A
With his size and skating ability, this is a potential steal for the Habs. He can do it all. Once he matures more in all phases, Montreal could have an All-Star for years.
No. 10 Colorado Avalanche: Tyson Jost
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The Player: Tyson Jost
The Pick: No. 10
Analysis
This was a puzzler of a pick. The Avalanche have plenty of centers already in the organization and have said they want to get bigger as a team. So why take a 5'11" center? Good question, but the Avs' decisions often invite curiosity.
Jost's stock went way up after a great showing in the under-18 World Championships for Canada with 15 points in seven games.
Grade: B-
Colorado needs defensemen, not centers. This pick doesn't address that need. But he probably will still pan out to be a pretty good player.
No. 11 Ottawa Senators: Logan Brown
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The Player: Logan Brown
The Pick: No. 11
Analysis
At 6'6", 222 pounds, Brown has imposing size as a center. He was projected on most mock draft lists, including Sportsnet's Sam Cosentino's, as a higher selection than No. 11, but lingering questions about his speed and quickness might have scared off a few teams.
He is a project type of prospect. The reward could be huge with the right patience and development. Or, he could be just another big guy.
Grade: B+
He posted 74 points in 59 games for Windsor, so he's proved he can play in a high-speed, high-skill league. But Sens fans should show some patience here.
No. 12 New Jersey Devils: Michael McLeod
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The Player: Michael McLeod
The Pick: No. 12
Analysis
A 6'2", 185-pound center, McLeod's speed is his greatest asset. He's still very raw and needs to fully develop physically, but with his wheels he's already ahead of the game. He projects as a possible second-line center who can also play some defense.
Grade: B
McLeod posted 61 points (20 goals) in 57 games for Mississauga this past season. Nothing earth-shattering. But there is plenty of reason to believe he'll get better.
No. 13 Carolina Hurricanes: Jake Bean
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The Player: Jake Bean
The Pick: No. 13
Analysis
Bean projects as a good offensive defenseman, having had a strong season for the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League with 24 goals and 64 points in 68 games. He has received strong notices for his passing ability and overall skating.
Grade: B+
The Hurricanes already have some good offensive D-men, led by Justin Faulk, but why not one more? At 6'1", 173 pounds, he has good size and will get stronger.
No. 14 Boston Bruins: Charlie McAvoy
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The Player: Charlie McAvoy
The Pick: No. 14
Analysis
The Bruins made a good pick here, taking the Boston University sophomore-to-be. At 6'0", 199 pounds, McAvoy had a good freshman season for the Terriers with 25 points in 37 games on defense.
Some seemed to think McAvoy would go later in the first round, so obviously, the Bruins think they know something about him others didn't.
Grade: B+
There are some questions about his defensive ability, but nobody ever really knows about defensive prospects as the draft progresses. One thing is for sure: He's at a good school for hockey, with a rich tradition of pumping out quality players.
No. 15 Minnesota Wild: Luke Kunin
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The Player: Luke Kunin
The Pick: No. 15
Analysis
As a player at Wisconsin, Kunin has drawn good marks for his compete level and overall toughness, with some skill with the puck, too. He put up 32 points in 34 points for the Badgers this past season and will play for a former longtime NHL player and coach this fall in Tony Granato.
Grade: B+
At 5'11", 193 pounds, Kunin projects as a solid third-line type of player who could slot into a top-six role with more time to mature.
No. 16 Arizona Coyotes: Jakob Chychrun
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The Player: Jakob Chychrun
The Pick: No. 16
Analysis
His stock slipped some after what some scouts felt was a mediocre season for Sarnia of the OHL. At 6'2", 200 pounds, he obviously has size. But scouts also like his offensive talent and overall puck-handling skill. Yet he put up a relatively pedestrian 49 points in 62 games.
Grade: B-
Maybe sliding down in the first round some will light a fire under the kid. Or maybe the other scouts who passed on him knew something the Coyotes didn't. Either way, it's too early to say.
No. 17 Nashville Predators: Dante Fabbro
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The Player: Dante Fabbro
The Pick: No. 17
Analysis
As a defenseman for Penticton of the BCHL, Fabbro put up 67 points (14 goals) in 45 games. He's speedy and moves the puck well. At 6'0", 192 pounds, he has some size, too. The Predators got a nice prospect with this pick.
Grade: B+
His type of game should translate well to the NHL game. He can move the puck, but he's big enough to handle the game in his own end.
No. 18 Winnipeg Jets: Logan Stanley
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The Player: Logan Stanley
The Pick: No. 18
Analysis
At 6'7", Stanley was the tallest player taken in the first round. At 224 pounds, he's not a beanpole either. Stanley, who plays for Windsor of the OHL, is a project type of prospect. Yes, he might be physically imposing, but he needs to keep working on his puck-handling and overall situational awareness.
Grade: B
With that kind of size for a D-man, you're always intrigued. He's a long way from becoming the next Zdeno Chara, however.
No. 19 New York Islanders: Kieffer Bellows
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The Player: Kieffer Bellows
The Pick: No. 19
Analysis
The son of former NHL scoring star Brian Bellows, the U.S. national development team forward plays a physical game and has good hands. Will he ever become the scorer his dad was? Probably not. He projects more as a grinder type, though he did put up 50 goals and 81 points in 62 games this past season. Clearly, he has the ability to put the puck in the net.
Grade: B
There are some questions about Bellows' skating. But there is little question about his competitiveness and overall toughness.
No. 20 Detroit Red Wings: Dennis Cholowski
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The Player: Dennis Cholowski
The Pick: 20
Analysis
At 6'1", 177 pounds, the defenseman for Chilliwack of the BCHL is still skin and bones. But assuming he packs on more size in the coming years, the Red Wings might get a heck of a player eventually. His skating ability is top-notch, and he's shown good offensive instincts, putting up 40 points for the Chiefs this past season.
Grade: B+
It'll take a while probably, but Cholowski figures to be a regular player in the NHL some day, possibly a very good one.
No. 21 Carolina Hurricanes: Julien Gauthier
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The Player: Julien Gauthier
The Pick: No. 21
Analysis
At 6'3", 231 pounds, Gauthier already brings better-than-average size to the table. As a right winger, he put up 41 goals in 57 games for Val d'Or of the Quebec League. He's just big and likes to shoot a lot, as evidenced perhaps by his lack of assists (16) compared to goals. There are questions about his speed, which is why he might have fallen some in the first round from where most thought he'd go.
Grade: A-
At 21, I like this pick a lot for Carolina. He definitely needs to work on his skating some, but with that size and shooting ability, he could be a good goal scorer in the NHL for a long time.
No. 22 Philadelphia Flyers: German Rubtsov
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The Player: German Rubtsov
The Pick: No. 22
Analysis
The Russian center is considered a good defensive player with decent puck-handling ability and a good skating stride. He played in an under-18 Russian league last season and probably is a few years away from being a realistic NHL prospect.
Grade: B-
Draft history is full of guys from overseas who projected well only to flop in trying to make the transition to the North American game. You worry a bit about that with this kid, but let's give him a chance first. But overall, he seems a little underwhelming for a first-round pick.
No. 23 Florida Panthers: Henrik Borgstrom
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The Player: Henrik Borgstrom
The Pick: No. 23
Analysis
The Panthers went off the board some in tabbing the 6'3" Finnish center in the first round. Borgstrom will attend the University of Denver as a freshman this fall, and he posted some good scoring numbers (29 goals, 55 points) in 40 games in an under-20 Finnish league this past season.
Grade: C+
Most scouting lists had him going in the second round or beyond, so this is a gamble for Florida. But with the Finnish leagues pumping out better and better players, this might be a gamble worth making. Still, there were probably safer picks than this.
No. 24 Anaheim Ducks: Max Jones
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The Player: Max Jones
The Pick: No. 24
Analysis
At 6'2", 206 pounds, Jones plays a mean, physical game. He should fit right in as a Duck, in other words.
He already has a man's body, so for now, it's just a matter of getting more of that learning curve stuff accomplished. He probably is the strongest player taken in the first round. You don't want to mess with him.
Grade: B
There are some questions about his speed and skill, but Jones projects well as a tough power forward. There is plenty of time to work on his skating.
No. 25 Dallas Stars: Riley Tufte
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The Player: Riley Tufte
The Pick: No. 25
Analysis
Most lists had Tufte going later than this, so Friday was a great day for the kid. Like Max Jones, he projects as a hard-nosed forward unafraid to battle in the corners and in front of the net. He's 6'6", so you don't want to mess with him much physically, either. He will attend Minnesota-Duluth as a freshman this fall.
Grade: B+
Despite his size, Tufte has better-than-average wheels. He's a Minnesota native, so you know he lives and breathes the game.
No. 26 St. Louis Blues: Tage Thompson
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The Player: Tage Thompson
The Pick: No. 26
Analysis
At 6'5", Thompson's selection continued a trend for first-round selections—most of them are pretty big kids.
A center, there have been some questions about Thompson's physical game for someone his size. He'll take a while to fill out, but anyone with his physique intrigues scouts.
Grade: B-
The University of Connecticut forward is the first Husky ever selected in the first round. He seems like a bit of a long-range project, though.
No. 27 Tampa Bay Lightning: Brett Howden
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The Player: Brett Howden
The Pick: No. 27
Analysis
Another kid with good height (6'2"), Howden proved he could handle the rough-and-tumble game of the Western Hockey League this past season for Moose Jaw, posting 64 points (20 goals) in 68 games.
That's a good point total, but he probably projects as more of a third-line, defensive-type player at the next level. He works hard and has a brother (Quinton) already in the NHL.
Grade: B
Nothing wrong with this pick. He's a tough, two-way center who has a brother that's already shown him what it takes to make it to the NHL. That matters.
No. 28 Washington Capitals: Lucas Johansen
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The Player: Lucas Johansen
The Pick: No. 28
Analysis
A defenseman with Kelowna of the WHL, Johansen posted 49 points in 69 games this past season. Oh yeah, and his brother, Ryan, plays center for the Nashville Predators.
He plays a solid two-way game, though he's probably not going to put up those kinds of offensive numbers at the NHL level. He gets good marks for his sound decision-making with the puck, however, and like others from this first round, he has some family heritage.
Grade: B
The Capitals could use some better depth on defense, and this kid figures to provide it some day reasonably soon.
No. 29 Boston Bruins: Trent Frederic
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The Player: Trent Frederic
The Pick: No. 29
Analysis
The Bruins definitely went off the board here, as Frederic was not on anyone's radar as a first-rounder. A 6'2", 203-pound defenseman, Frederic will play for Wisconsin as a freshman this fall under head coach Tony Granato. So, there is obviously some promise with the kid.
He has played for the U.S. on under-18 national teams, but he was ranked 47th overall among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.
Grade: C+
Hey, it's always a gamble picking this late in any round. But the Bruins did pass on plenty of other players who had higher marks than him. They'd better be right.
No 30 Anaheim Ducks: Sam Steel
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The Player: Sam Steel
The Pick: No. 30
Analysis
The Edmonton native posted 70 points in 72 games for the Regina Pats of the WHL this past season. He also posted 16 points in 12 playoff games. There are some questions about his defensive game, but he has good puck-handling skills as a shifty center.
Grade: B
First off, you've got to love his name—Sam Steel. Tough to beat that one for a hockey player. Will he be a steal for the Ducks as the last pick of the first round? Seems like there's a chance, at least.
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