2016 NHL Mock Draft: 2nd Edition

Here is my second edition of my 2016 NHL Mock Draft.

1. Toronto Maple Leafs- Auston Matthews, Center, Zurich, Switzerland: Matthews has the look of the kind of franchise center a team can build around. Matthews was a dominant force in the Swiss league and was Team USA's best player at the World Championship at just 18 years old. He appears to be the total package, with good speed, strength, excellent hockey sense, a quick and accurate shot, high-end puck skills and improving defensive play. He could be an instant impact player for the Leafs. 

2. Winnipeg Jets- Patrik Laine, Wing, Tappara, Finland: There's a good reason Laine has closed the gap on Matthews in the first overall debate. His MVP performance in the Finnish league playoffs during which he scored 10 goals in leading Tappara to the championship was nothing short of remarkable. A natural goal scorer with a big 6-foot-4, 209-pound frame, he has the potential to be one of the NHL's elite snipers.

3. Columbus Blue Jackets- Jesse Puljujarvi, Wing, Karpat, Finland: The Blue Jackets are reportedly entertaining the idea of trading this pick, but it appears more likely they'll keep it. Puljujarvi, who had 28 points in 50 games in the Finnish league this year, would be the best player available. Puljujarvi is a gifted all-around forward, whose skill has allowed him to be a top offensive contributor. Puljujarvi was the MVP of the World Junior Championship last year after putting up an absurd 17 points in seven games in leading Finland to gold.

4. Edmonton Oilers- Matthew Tkachuk, Wing, London (OHL): It’s definitely a reach for the Oilers to consider taking a defenseman at this point, and we think it’s more likely the Oilers package this pick with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or Nail Yakupov to deal for a veteran blueliner. But if they stay put, it would be awfully hard to pass on a gritty winger who can ride shotgun to Connor McDavid for the next decade.

5. Vancouver Canucks- Pierre-Luc Dubois, Wing/Center, Cape Breton (QMJHL): Dubois is an intriguing talent out of the QMJHL where he had 99 points in 62 games for the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. Another big-bodied forward who plays primarily on the wing, Dubois has some more power-forward elements in his game. He's also considered among the better two-way forwards in this group of the top five. He has the size, strength and snarl that should attract the Canucks even though they'd have to think long and hard about taking one of the top three defensemen in this position.

6. Calgary Flames- Logan Brown, Center, Windsor (OHL): He’s a 6-6 center, and the Flames want to be a big team that is difficult to play against. Can’t you see Brown playing for a Brian Burke team?

7. Arizona Coyotes- Olli Juolevi, Defenseman, London Knights (OHL): The Coyotes desperately need another Oliver Ekman-Larsson on the back end to move the puck and start their transition game. This kid is a carbon copy of Ekman-Larsson, and the two of them would team up to give Arizona a tremendous power play point duo.

8. Buffalo Sabres- Mikhail Sergachev, Defenseman, Windsor (OHL): Many GMs see the young Russian as the best defenceman in the draft. Could easily be gone by the time Tim Murray picks.

9. Montreal Canadiens- Alexander Nylander, Wing, Mississauga (OHL): Nylander had 75 points in 57 games for Mississauga in the OHL last year and showed some of the flair of sill possessed by older brother William and dad Michael Nylander. He also starred for Sweden at the World Juniors and U18s, often looking superior offensively against many of his peers. The Habs have a lot of wings in their prospect pipeline already, but Nylander probably moves right up to the top among them based on his overall skill level.

10. Colorado Avalanche- Jakob Chychrun, Defenseman, Sarnia (OHL): Coming into the year, many believed Chychrun was Matthews' best competition for No. 1, but just because Chychrun slipped down the rankings doesn't mean he had a disappointing year. A solid two-way defenseman, the Avs would be loving it if he slipped to 10. Chychrun had 49 points in 62 games.

11. New Jersey Devils- Clayton Keller, Center U.S. National Development Team: Keller had a record-breaking year at USA Hockey's National Team Development Program in Michigan with 107 points. He also became the vaunted program's all-time leading scorer with 189 over his two years there, surpassing the likes of Phil Kessel and Patrick Kane to do it. A gifted playmaker, with tremendous on-ice vision, Keller should be a point-producing machine throughout his career.

12. Ottawa Senators- Tyson Jost, Center, Penticton (BCHL): Another player that very well could go higher than this, Jost was phenomenal this season. Set to play for the University of North Dakota next year, teams are going to be taken by his high-end offensive IQ with the puck skills to match. He had 42 goals in 48 games for Penticton, then dominated the World U18 Championship with 15 points in seven games for Canada.

13. Carolina Hurricanes- Kieffer Bellows, Wing, U.S. National Development Team: After taking defensemen with their top picks in each of the last two years, the Hurricanes could be looking at a forward at No. 13. One of the best available is Bellows, who put up 50 goals playing alongside Clayton Keller last season at the National Team Development Program. The son of former NHL sniper Brian Bellows, Kieffer has some power elements in his game to go along with his devastating shot.

14. Boston Bruins- Charlie McAvoy, Defenseman, Boston University (NCAA): Hey, he’s already playing about 15 minutes away (at Boston University) from the Bruins’ home rink, so you know they’ve got a good read on him. Boston has a lot of age to replace on the blue line over the next two years, and this kid might be a Ryan Suter-style defenseman:  efficient, effective, does everything well. Will play at a high level for many, many years.

15. Minnesota Wild- Jake Bean, Defenseman, Calgary (WHL): After going with forwards in each of their last two first rounds, the Wild can look to defense again. Also, considering that they run the risk of losing one of their better young defensemen in a potential expansion draft, nabbing a player of Bean's caliber at 15 will feel like a steal. Bean had 24 goals and 64 points for the Calgary Hitmen in the WHL last year as he showed some dynamic offensive abilities.

16. Detroit Red Wings- German Rubstov, Center, RussiaU18 (MHL): With Pavel Datsyuk returning to Russia, why not replace him with another fine two-way Russian center. He’s not another Datsyuk offensively, but he’s sturdy, aggressive, and intelligent.

17. Nashville Predators- Riley Tufte, Wing, Fargo Force (USHL): He is 6-5 and has the kind of size/skill combination every team is searching for. The Preds have some top scorers with the big club, but could use a couple more in their pipeline.

18. Philadelphia Flyers- Michael McLeod, Center, Mississauga (OHL): Could he be another Ryan O’Reilly? He skates better at this age and has a little more size. Shutdown centers who can contribute offensively have real value.

19. New York Islanders- Julien Gauthier, Wing, Val-d’Or (QMJHL): A fascinating forward with tremendous size (6-3, 225), Gauthier was dominant in the QMJHL this year. The power winger had 41 goals and 57 points in 54 games for Val-d'Or. He also was named to Canada's World Junior Championship roster as an underager. That's pretty significant. His lopsided goals-assists numbers are a little quirky, but he plays a style that still has a lot of value in today's NHL.

20. Arizona Coyotes (via New York Rangers)- Alex DeBrincat, Center/Wing, Erie (OHL): Having nabbed a defenseman earlier in the draft, the Coyotes can go back to building their massive stable of high-end forwards. DeBrincat would fit right in, especially in a system that already includes his Erie Otters teammate Dylan Strome. Back-to-back 51-goal seasons have set aside many of the hesitations about his size.

21. Carolina Panthers (via Los Angeles Kings)- Max Jones, Wing, London (OHL): Jones' projections are all over the map, but the Hurricanes should be pleased if he falls to 21st. A powerful skater, whose bursts of speed might catch you off guard due to his 6-foot-3, 205-pound frame, Jones had 52 points for the Memorial Cup champs last season. While he's prone to some poor decisions on the ice, usually involving penalties, he brings an element the Hurricanes may lack in their system presently.

22. Winnipeg Jets (via Chicago Blackhawks)- Luke Kunin, Center, Wisconsin (NCAA): Having taken a winger earlier in the draft, the Jets will be pleased if Kunin is still there at 22. He never looked like a true freshman at Wisconsin last season. The 18-year-old finished with 32 points in 34 games and was the best player on a poor team. While Winnipeg surely could be looking for a defenseman here, Kunin's skill set and maturity make him a very attractive option.

23. Florida Panthers- Vitaly Abramov, Wing/Center, Gatineau (QMJHL): Yes, he’s on the small side, but he’s also feisty and fearless with dynamic skills and playmaking ability. When your leading scorer is 44 years old, maybe you want to spruce things up?

24. Anaheim Ducks- Dante Fabbro, Defenseman, Penticton (BCHL): Fabbro is a talented puck mover who will also be in the neighborhood bext year as he has committed to play at Boston University. He had 67 points in 45 games last season and starred for Canada at the World Under-18 championship.

25. Dallas Stars- Brett Howden, Center, Moose Jaw (WHL): There's a good chance Howden doesn't slip this low, especially after his outstanding performance at the World Under-18 Championship in the spring. He had five goals over six games at that tournament, which followed his junior season. With the WHL's Moose Jaw Warriors, Howden had 64 points in 68 games and put up 15 points in 10 postseason contests. Another center with a pro build, Howden should have the edge on the players remaining.

26. Washington Capitals- Tage Thompson, Center, Connecticut (NCAA): He’s 6-5, and he’s the son of a former NHL player and current coach. Has the size and hands, but still needs to grow into his body.

27. Tampa Bay Lightning- Pascal Laberge, Wing/Center, Victoriaville (QMJHL): Speaking of liking Russian forwards, the Lightning would probably take Rubtsov or Abramov if either of them are available here. Instead, Tampa Bay takes Laberge, who was the first star of the CHL Top Prospects Game.

28. Saint Louis Blues- Logan Stanley, Defenseman, Windsor (OHL): When you see a 6-7 defenseman playing major junior, it’s not hard to convince yourself that he will someday blossom into a monstrous force at the NHL level. You just call him a project, work with him, and hope nature takes its course. Hey, it worked for them with Colton Parayko, didn’t it?

29. Boston Bruins (via San Jose Sharks)- Sam Steel, Center, Regina (WHL): Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci are both 30. Time to start thinking about depth down the middle.

30. Anaheim Ducks (from Toronto Maple Leafs via Pittsburgh Penguins)- Tyler Benson, Wing, Vancouver Giants (WHL): Physical winger oozes skill, but injuries could knock him out of first round.