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
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