him gone at #4 to Nashville. I can’t imagine him dropping out of the top 6.
6. Sean Monahan, Center, Ottawa 67’s: If you’re team selects this kid you will love him. He is a fantastic player and a great person. He is mature beyond his years. I think he is a bit of the forgotten man this year but expect him to be front and center on draft day. I can’t see him dropping past the 5th spot. I think Carolina grabs him or a team like Edmonton trades up to get him. He is a 200 foot player. He is smart and can be used in all situations. He posted points again this year on an awful team. He didn’t complain about his team, he became an even better leader.
7. Elias Lindholm, Center, Brynas: His game is a lot like Monahan’s. We ranked him behind Monahan because we think it’s pretty even but gave Monahan the nod since we have obviously viewed him many more times. This kid is an example of why I love what I do. Our Vancouver based scout, Charles An saw Lindholm in November of 2011. He raved about him. We ranked Elias 5th overall in February 2012 in our early look at the 2013 Draft. It’s 17 months later and we have him ranked 7th overall. Elias is another one of the players in this draft class with great hockey sense. He is a playmaker and like Monahan, can be used in all situations. I’m not sure if he will go off the board in the top 7, but I he is one of my top 7 players in this draft.
So your team is picking later in the draft? Here are some other players our staff and myself like in the first round and beyond.
Chris Bigras, Defense, Owen Sound Attack: One of my risers this year. I liked him every time I saw him. He has more offensive ability than he gets credit for. He is a smart player. He logged a ton of minutes and shutdown the best the league had to offer. Other than not being a huge kid, I don’t see any real weaknesses.
Ranked 26th overall by HockeyProspect.com
Olivier Bjorkstrand, Right Wing, Portland Winterhawks: I liked him when I saw him last year and I have been impressed with him this season. The kid has an NHL release and he has impressed me with his compete level all over the ice. I like his scoring upside at the next level. Ranked 32nd overall by HockeyProspect.com
Madison Bowey, Defense, Kelowna Rockets: I love the feet, his skating is high end. I have seen flashes of a physical game which I like. He has PP 2 upside and moves the puck well. I think he has lots of room to get even better. Has the occasional brain cramp. He was good in Sochi at the U18. Ranked 15th overall by HockeyProspect.com
Remi Elie, Left Wing, London Knights: One of our sleepers. I love the way he plays a pro game already. He does all the little things right. You won’t see him turnover pucks on failed dangles. You will see soft chips and relentless fore checking. This kid finishes every check. His shot is a cannon. Remi has a lot of upside. I love watching him play. I spoke to him earlier this season, he had played the point on the power play that day. He said Dale just decided to throw him out there, the kid let a few bombs go that day. Ranked 45th overall by HockeyProsect.com
Bo Horvat, Center, London Knights: If the Oilers don’t trade up, I wouldn’t be surprised if this was their pick. He had a slump this year that seemed to end about the same time that he changed his (brand of) skates. He started beating Defensemen wide and played with more confidence. He made more plays with the puck. Bo is a complete player, the kind that coaches rely on in the last minute of tight games. I expect him gone by pick number fifteen at the latest. His playoffs were outstanding. Ranked 11th overall by HockeyProspect.com
Morgan Klimchuk, Left Wing, Regina Pats: I am a fan of this kid. Liked him all year long and I liked his energy in Sochi, minus a few lapses. I often refer to players that coaches will like and want to have on their teams. I think he’s one of those guys. Ranked 23rd overall by HockeyProspect.com