2016 NHL Mock Draft: 3rd Edition

Here is my third 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- Michael McLeod, Center, Mississauga (OHL): Every scout believes McLeod will be a player. The discord comes when they argue about what type of player he'll be. Some see him as a dependable, two-way forward who makes things happen at both ends of the ice with his skating. Others think he can be a dangerous weapon once his hands catch up to his feet. He'd add size and speed to an organization that is loaded on the back end and needs some talent up front.

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- Julien Gauthier, Wing, Val-d’Or (QMJHL): Gauthier is a specimen. His combination of size, speed, power and desire make him a challenge for any defender to handle ... but it's his ability to finish that makes him so intriguing. His Cy Young-like stat line raises eyebrows, but for a team that needs size as much as scoring touch, that's something the Wild are likely to overlook.

16. Detroit Red Wings- Jake Bean, Defenseman, Calgary (WHL): Didn’t get to play under-18s because of a broken foot. Might be best puck mover of the first round blueline candidates.

17. Nashville Predators- Luke Kunin, Center, Wisconsin (NCAA): Kunin 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.

18. Philadelphia Flyers- Max Jones, Wing, London (OHL): Big, strong, aggressive, borderline dirty ... this kid was born to wear black and orange. Jones projects as a middle-six power forward who can rev up the team with his motor or a big hit. Plays a hard north-south game and has better offensive tools than he gets credit for. If the Flyers don't go for Jones, winger Riley Tufte could be an option here.

19. New York Islanders- German Rubstov, Center, RussiaU18 (MHL): The Isles will likely lose Kyle Okposo, Matt Martin, and/or Frans Neilsen to free agency. Rubstov would be a nice fit for the Isles.

20. Arizona Coyotes (via New York Rangers)- 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.

21. Carolina Hurricanes (via Los Angeles Kings)- Riley Tufte, Wing, Fargo Force (USHL): Tufte could be a good long-term option, but he’s really raw and his dominance of high-school hockey didn’t translate to junior. He would be a nice fit with Carolina.

22. Winnipeg Jets (via Chicago Blackhawks)- Logan Stanley, Defenseman, Windsor (OHL): With one first round win under their belts, the Jets can afford to swing for the fences with this high-upside prospect. Stanley is a massive, shutdown defender who uses his size and physicality to quell any opposing attack. But is that all there is? Any team using a first-rounder on him will have to believe that he can become more effective outside his own zone.

23. Florida Panthers- Tage Thompson, Center, Connecticut (NCAA): A frame like that is bound to grab the attention of scouts, but that doesn't mean they agree on what he could become. Thompson's 14 goals were a decent total for a freshman, but 13 of them came with the extra man. That will drop him in some books, but raise him in others since that total led the nation. 

24. Anaheim Ducks- 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.

25. Dallas Stars- Alex DeBrincat, Center/Wing, Erie (OHL): Five years ago, DeBrincat wouldn't have been drafted at all, let alone be considered in the first round. But times have changed, and the smaller player is the beneficiary. Now scouts see the back-to-back 51-goal seasons, the skating ability and the fearless way he attacks the greasy areas and can picture him translating that production to the NHL. The Stars are loaded on the back end, so adding the forward with the most upside makes sense for the organization. 

26. Washington Capitals- Libor Hajek, Defenseman, Saskatoon (WHL): Solidly build, defense-first defenseman. That's not to downplay his skating ability or hockey sense—he's strong in both areas. But his natural inclination is to take care of his own zone. He has great instincts, has a good stick and is tough to beat one-on-one. He's a safe bet to play on the second pair.

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- Dennis Cholowski, Defenseman, Chilliwack: It's all projection with Cholowski, who feasted on lesser competition in the BCHL this season. He's painfully thin and that's made him easy to push around, but scouts look at how quickly he's grown and think it's only a matter of time before his body fills out. In the meantime, they rave about his skating, his hockey sense and his positioning. 

29. Boston Bruins (via San Jose Sharks)- Wade Allison, Wing, Tri City (USHL): If last year's draft was any indication, the B's are likely to go off the board with their second of two first-rounders (acquired in the Martin Jones trade). Allison fits the bill perfectly. The power forward plays a Bruins-style game, wreaking havoc along the walls and down low. He won't make anything happen in open ice, but he knows where to go to score. He led the USHL playoffs with nine goals, and was named postseason MVP after helping the Storm win the league title. 

30. Anaheim Ducks (from Toronto Maple Leafs via Pittsburgh Penguins)- Boris Katchouk, Wing, Ste. Marie (OHL): There's nothing fancy about Katchouk. He fills that hard-nosed energy role, bringing intensity and determination to every shift. He's more of a support player in the attack zone than a driver, but don't underestimate his offensive potential. He won't be a highlight reel staple, but he'll score the kind of goals that make a difference come crunch time.