#6 - New Jersey Devils - Dylan Strome (C)
The Devils need offensive help, and they'd be thrilled if they were able to land Dylan Strome of the OHL's Erie Otters at pick #6. The competition between London Knights Mitch Marner and Strome has been evident for mock drafters all year, and I believe the Leafs MAY take Strome at #4, but I did say they chose the skilled Marner over Strome. If the Devils do end up getting him at #6, they've found a sure-fire #1 center of the future. Strome led the OHL with 129 points (Wow!) in 68 games (45G, 84A). He did have more games played than McDavid and Marner, so I wouldn't count on him being #1 up there if McDavid and Marner had the same # of games played. I do still think Strome is an extremely smart player that's outstanding when the puck is on his stick. He's an elite playmaker and has a rocket of a shot. His only setback is his skating, which will have to improve if he wants to keep up with the NHL pace. Overall, the Devils would be ecstatic to land Strome nonetheless.
#7 - Philadelphia Flyers - Ivan Provorov (D)
Ivan Provorov has quietly found himself being debated about whether he's the top d-man in the draft. I believe that is Noah Hanifin's honour, but the Russian Provorov is not far behind. The Flyers have been looking for young defensive studs for a while, and though they have found decent prospects in Shane Gostisbehere, Samuel Morin, and Robert Hagg, Provorov could be the piece they're missing. One of the best rewards Provorov comes with is he played in the WHL with the Brandon Wheat Kings, meaning he's come over from Russia and knows the North American style of play. Provorov had an impressive season, notching 61 points in 60 games (15G, 46A). Things to note about his game is he's an excellent passer, and is great at making plays on the fly. He's also not afraid to throw his 6" 200 lb frame around, which is always a plus. He had a little bit of a shaky world juniors with Russia, only putting up 1 assist in 7 games while playing little minutes. Expect Provorov to be a top 7 pick, and a future impact defenseman.
#8 - Columbus Blue Jackets - Zach Werenski (D)
The Columbus Blue Jackets are an interesting team, they have a really bright future up front, but on the back end they're missing some pieces. That's why I think they grab American d-man Zach Werenski with the 8th pick. Werenski had 25 points in 35 games with the Michigan Wolverines in The Big 10 (9G, 16A). A couple words to describe Werenski's game are he's a big, strong, offensive player that can quarterback a PP. More physicality would round out the Michigan-born player's game, as his size is a large part of his game. Expect Werenski to be taken off the board as the #3 defenseman in the draft.
#9 - San Jose Sharks - Mathew Barzal (C)
"Jumbo" Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau are reaching the end of their milestone NHL careers, so why not re-stock the shelves with young offensive dynamos like Mathew Barzal. An off-ice knee injury kept Barzal off the ice for 3 or so months, impacting his draft year. He has responded very well, after putting up 57 points in 44 games with the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds (12G, 45A). Like many other prospects, he sees the game out of this world, as his soft hands and footspeed make him an elite playmaker and #1 center. He was the first overall pick in the 2013 WHL junior draft, as his skill was evident even back in junior hockey, Barzal has a bit of risk, as he has looked inconsistent at times, but I believe he will end up as an offensive dynamo in the NHL.
#10 - Colorado Avalanche - Pavel Zacha (C/LW)
Pavel Zacha's season was a short one, as his draft year was majorly affected by injuries and suspensions. The Colorado Avalanche already have a plethora of good young forwards, but why not throw in the 6"3 214 lb Zacha, a combo of skill and size that makes him a very rounded player. Born in Czech Republic, Zacha moved to North America to expert his game, as he spent the year with the OHL's Sarnia Sting, tallying 34 points in 37 games, to go with 56 PIMS. (16G, 18A). Zacha's numbers may not pop out at you, but many scouts say they are not a representation of what he's worth. They say he's a large power forward with goal scoring capability and skill, some scouts comparing his play style to that of Alex Ovechkin. Let's not get ahead of ourselves, but Zacha is bound to make his presence felt in the big leagues.
Thanks,
~UWNHL TEAM
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