2016 First-Round NHL Mock Draft

The 2016 NHL Draft is getting closer and closer with another very talented draft class. Not only is the draft filled with studs, but so is the trade market. The 2016 NHL Draft has the makeup of a memorable one. Here are my first-round projections.

1. Toronto Maple Leafs: Auston Matthews, C, ZSC Lions (Swiss National League A): 36 GP: 24G, 22A, 46pts

2. Winnipeg Jets: Patrik Laine, LW/RW, Tappara (SM-Liiga): 46 GP: 17G, 16A, 33 pts

3. Columbus Blue Jackets: Jesse Puljujärvi, RW, Kärpät (SM-Liiga): 50 GP: 13G, 15A, 28 pts

4. Edmonton Oilers: Olli Juolevi, D, London Knights (OHL): 57 GP: 9G, 33A, 42 pts

5. Vancouver Canucks: Pierre-Luc Dubois, C/LW, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL): 62 GP: 42G, 57A, 99 pts

6. Calgary Flames: Matthew Tkachuk, LW, London Knights (OHL): 57 GP: 30G, 77A, 107 pts

7. Arizona Coyotes: Alexander Nylander, RW/LW, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL): 57 GP: 28G, 47A, 75 pts

8. Buffalo Sabres: Mikhail Sergachev, D, Windsor Spitfires (OHL): 67 GP: 17G, 40A, 57 pts

9. Montreal Canadiens: Logan Brown, C, Windsor Spitfires (OHL): 59 GP: 21G, 53A, 74 pts

10. Colorado Avalanche: Clayton Keller, C, U.S. National U-18 Team (USDP): 62 GP: 37G, 70A, 107 pts

11. New Jersey Devils: Jakob Chychrun, D, Sarnia Sting (OHL): 62 GP: 11G, 38A, 49 pts

12. Ottawa Senators: Tyson Jost, C/LW, Penticton Vees (BCHL): 48 GP: 42G, 62A, 104 pts

13. Carolina Hurricanes: Michael McLeod, C, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL): 57 GP: 21G, 40A, 61 pts

14. Boston Bruins: Dante Fabbro, D, Penticton Vees (BCHL): 45 GP: 14G, 53A, 67 pts

15. Minnesota Wild: Kieffer Bellows, C/LW, U.S. National U-18 Team (USDP): 62 GP: 50G, 31A, 81 pts

16. Detroit Red Wings: Jake Bean, D, Calgary Hitmen (WHL): 68 GP: 24G, 40A, 64 pts

17. Nashville Predators: Vitali Abramov, LW/RW, Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL): 63 GP: 38G, 55A, 93 pts

18. Philadelphia Flyers: Max Jones, LW, London Knights (OHL): 63 GP: 28G, 24A, 52 pts

19. New York Islanders: Julien Gauthier, RW, Val d’Or Foreurs (QMJHL): 54 GP: 41G, 16A, 57 pts

20. Arizona Coyotes: Charles McAvoy, D, Boston University (NCAA): 37 GP: 3G, 22A, 25 pts

21. Carolina Hurricanes: Tage Thompson, C/RW, University of Connecticut (NCAA): 36 GP: 14G, 18A, 32 pts

22. Winnipeg Jets: Logan Stanley, D, Windsor Spitfires (OHL): 64 GP: 5G, 12A, 17 pts

23. Florida Panthers: Dennis Cholowski, D, Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL): 50 GP: 12G, 28A, 40 pts

24. Anaheim Ducks: Riley Tufte, LW, Blaine High (USHS): 25 GP: 47G, 31A, 78 pts

25. Dallas Stars: Lucas Johansen, D, Kelowna Rockets (WHL): 69 GP: 10G, 39A, 49 pts

26. Washington Capitals: Boris Katchouk, LW, Soo Greyhounds (OHL): 63 GP: 24G, 27A, 51 pts

27. Tampa Bay Lightning: Luke Kunin, C, University of Wisconsin (NCAA): 34 GP: 19G, 13A, 32 pts

28. St. Louis Blues: German Rubtsov, C, Team Russia U18 (MHL): 28 GP: 12G, 14A, 26 pts

29. Boston Bruins: Pascal Laberge, C/RW, Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL): 56 GP: 23G, 45A, 68 pts

30. Anaheim Ducks: Brett Howden, C, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL): 68 GP: 24G, 40A, 64 pts

*Image Source: letsgoleafs.com