With Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Noah Hanifin and Mitchell Marner off the board, these next five picks could go in a variety of different ways. Teams are closer to the playoffs, and the teams are more likely to draft according to what they think their needs are. Add to that the fact that this draft pool has around 15 players who could be taken in the top-10 and you have a hard time predicting who will actually be in the rest of the top-10.
6. New Jersey Devils: Mikko Rantanen, Right Winger
The Devils 2.1 goals a game are bad enough to be third worst in the NHL. Adam Henrique is the center of the future at age 25, but he does not have much to work with in the NHL because the forwards around him are all in their mid to late 30’s. Also, because of their recent playoff success the last 10 years, they have few forward prospects that have the potential to be stars in the NHL. Not only do they not have elite right wing prospects, they also lack depth at the position. With an old team, there will soon be plenty of spots open on the roster. That’s why Mikko Rantanen makes so much sense. His 6’4’’ frame makes him a dominant player at both ends of the ice. That is important for a Devil team known for it’s defensive minded, physical game. The Finland native also proved he was clutch playing for his Finnish team TPS. He scored 14 points in seven playoff games, and could be Henrique’s future winger.
7. Philadelphia Flyers: Lawson Crouse, Left Winger
Ever since the departure of Mike Richards and Jeff Carter, the team has gradually becoming less and less physical each year. The team once referred to as the “Broad Street Bullies” only had Zach Rinaldo spend 100 or more minutes in the penalty box. While that sounds like it would be a positive thing, for a town like Philly that admires tough athletes it’s unacceptable. Crouse, also known as “The Sheriff”, has been terrorizing defenses wherever he has played. He uses his entire 6’4’’ frame whenever he plays, and scores all his goals in the slot. He has also been compared to Eric Lindros on a couple occasions, and seems like a player that would have fit in nicely with the Legion of Doom. He got 51 points last year in the OHL, and compares his game to the Bruin power forward Milan Lucic. If anyone knows what Philly wants, it’s GM Ron Hextall, and they want the Flyers to be feared across the NHL again. Grabbing Crouse could be a big step towards that goal.
8. Columbus Blue Jackets: Zachary Werenski, Defenseman
Columbus was one of the more disappointing teams last year. They were at the bottom of the pack after making the playoffs a year before. Their defense let former Vezina Trophy winner Sergi Bobrovsky down as the team let up three goals a game. They could use a defender with promise that is not that far away from playing in the NHL. Werenski fits that mold. In 37 games he got 59 blocked shots and a 9+/- rating which shows the impact he makes on defense. He also says that he models his game after current Columbus star defender Jack Johnson, who played 24 minutes for the Blue Jackets. At the University of Michigan, he proved he could compete with players older than him, and could soon work his way up to the NHL.
9. San Jose Sharks: Pavel Zacha, Center
The Sharks love big talented forwards. The last time the Sharks had the ninth pick, they followed this trend and drafted Logan Couture who turned to be a success at center. With Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau getting closer to retirement, they are looking for their replacements. Their prospect pool is solid, but does not have an elite prospect. That is why they will take Pavel Zacha, the 6’3’’ center from the Czech Republic. He is relentless on the ice, which resulted in 16 goals to go along with 34 points. Unlike the top four centers taken, he is a power forward just like Couture. It would seem Zacha would fit in nicely with the other power forwards for San Jose.
10. Colorado Avalanche: Timo Meier, Right Winger
While the Avalanche need defense, they already have a few defender prospects that are close to NHL ready. Where they could use help is in the winger positions. Jarome Iginla and Alex Tanguay were both wingers who got over 50 points for the Avalanche last year, but they are entering the twilight of their careers. With the openings that will come at the winger positions, they need prospects. Meier scored 44 goals along with 90 points in the QMJHL. He is a future star in the making and could one day be the winger for Ryan O’Reilly, Matt Duchene or Nathan MacKinnon.