2014 NHL Draft: Scouting the Southeast’s Top Picks

Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Aaron Ekblad puts on a team sweater after being selected as the number one overall pick to the Florida Panthers in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Florida Panthers: Aaron Ekblad

With the first overall pick in this years draft, Florida Panthers general manager Dale Tallon decided to hang onto his selection and take the best player available in Ekblad.

At 6′ 3″, Ekblad led all Ontario Hockey League (OHL) blueliners with 23 goals last season. That led to him being named the league’s best defender last season.

He also was picked first for the second time in the past three years after being granted exceptional player status by Hockey Canada prior to the 2011-12′ season. Because of that, his maturity level is far and away better than most other prospects in this draft class.

Ekblad’s got a nice combination of size, speed and smarts. He knows when to join the rush and when not to, and can make things happen if the opportunity presents itself.

In South Florida, Ekblad will team up with other top draft selections Aleksander Barkov, Nick Bjugstad and Jonathan Huberdeau among others to build a team capable of making the playoffs instead of missing them. Ranking: 3 stars

Carolina Hurricanes, Haydn Fleury

After finishing outside of the playoff picture for yet another season, despite boasting offensive superstars Eric Staal and Jeff Skinner to name a few, the Hurricanes decided to get bigger by choosing Red Deer Rebels defenseman Haydn Fleury.

Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Haydn Fleury poses for a photo with team officials after being selected as the number seven overall pick to the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Known for his physicality, Fleury has the size to intimidate opponents on a nightly basis. That would fit extremely well in Carolina, as Staal needs someone to distract other teams, thus allowing him more room to roam.

He’s also able to jump in offensively, tallying 46 points with the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels last season. Pretty good numbers for a guy who’s often times throwing the body around which, in turn, can lead to injuries.

Compared to Jay Bouwmeester, Fleury’s extremely smooth in his own zone, yet when the opportunity presents itself he’s quick to jump-start a rush up ice.

With the Hurricanes, Fleury has the ability to grow and develop at his own pace because of the young defenseman that look to be NHL ready. Guys like Andrej Sekera and Justin Faulk spent a good chunk of last season with the big club, and will likely crack the opening day roster this year.

Rating: 2 stars

Nashville Predators, Kevin Fiala

Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Kevin Fiala poses for a photo with team officials after being selected as the number eleven overall pick to the Nashville Predators in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

For the Nashville Predators, missing the playoffs is not considered acceptable. More so when they fall short in two consecutive seasons. Because of this, their drafting becomes very important.

After selecting top defenseman Seth Jones fourth overall back in 2013, the Preds decided to upgrade their offense by first acquiring Pittsburgh Penguins forward James Neal in exchange for Patric Hornqvist and Nick Spaling, then picking center Kevin Fiala.

Standing at 5′ 10″ Fiala’s one of the smaller players in this years class, but that didn’t stop him from putting up big numbers in some of Sweden’s top leagues last season. In fact, he put up nearly a point per game for both HV-71’s junior and Swedish elite league team.

Offensively, Fiala skates well and has no problem finding the back of the net with a lethal but accurate shot.

While it’s unlikely Fiala jumps straight to the NHL this season, his overall offensive instincts and speed make him a big-league player 2-3 years down the road.

Rating: 2 stars

Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Brendan Perlini puts on a team cap after being selected as the number twelve overall pick to the Arizona Coyotes in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona Coyotes, Brendan Perlini

A team that barely missed the playoffs last season, the newly renamed Arizona Coyotes wanted to make a good first impression during this years draft. They did that by choosing winger Brendan Perlini.

Unselfish with the puck, Perlini’s 71 points were second on the Niagara team. He wasn’t afraid to shoot either, as his 34 goals in 58 games led the IceDogs last season.

The 6′ 2″ forward can handle the puck and even score with the best. Whether he does that, however, remains to be seen as one knock has been his inconsistency. One minute Perlini’s dominating, yet the next he’s close to invisible on the ice.

Compared to new Predators forward Neal, Perlini isn’t as physical but has no issue getting creative with the puck in an attempt to set up quality scoring chances for himself or teammates.

With the Coyotes, Perlini will likely return to juniors next season with an eye on improving his consistency to match that of NHL-caliber players before beginning his big league climb.

Rating: 1.5 stars

Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Jakub Vrana puts on a team sweater after being selected as the number thirteen overall pick to the Washington Capitals in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Capitals, Jakub Vrana

For a team that underachieved in so many ways last season, the Washington Capitals needed to draft a player that could develop in their minor league system before being thrust into the pressure-packed fire that comes with playing in Washington, D.C. Hopefully they found that by drafting winger Jakub Vrana.

A playmaking talent, Vrana is very good at creating chances whenever he’s on the ice. He averaged over a point per game with the Linkoping junior team, yet only put up three points as an 18-year-old in the Swedish Hockey League. That could have something to do with playing against older, more experienced guys, but it’s still a concern.

His defensive game needs work as well, though a few years in juniors should help him round that more into form. Of course, if Alex Ovechkin‘s still part of the Capitals when Vrana makes it to the NHL, he’d probably end up teaching the kid some bad habits. The good thing: Vrana would make a good set-up man for Ovie and vice versa, so Washington’s goal scoring might be enough to cover up some horrid play in their own zone. Hey, it was almost enough last season!

Rating: 2 stars

Dallas Stars, Julius Honka

For a team that finally cracked the postseason in 2013-14′, the Dallas Stars made the most of their first round pick this year by selecting Finnish defenseman Julius Honka.

Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Julius Honka prepares to put on a team sweater in front of team officials after being selected as the number fourteen overall pick to the Dallas Stars in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

An excellent skater with great vision, Honka knows exactly when to join the rush and when he needs to stay back. If he does get the puck watch out because he’s looking to score or make a play, as evidenced by the team-leading 16 goals, 40 assists and 56 points he amassed with the Swift Current Broncos last season.

Compared to current Ottawa Senators blueliner Erik Karlsson, Honka is fun to watch and will fit in well on the Stars defense sometime down the road. For now, however, he’ll return to junior and work on the parts of his game which need a little polishing.

Rating: 2.5 stars

Tampa Bay Lightning, Anthony DeAngelo

After so many years of picking in the top 10 or 15, the Tampa Bay Lightning and general manager Steve Yzerman had to be pleased with picking lower (19th overall) this season because it meant they made the playoffs. With that pick, they chose defenseman Anthony DeAngelo.

Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Anthony Deangelo smiles while greeting team officials after being selected as the number nineteen overall pick to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The 18-year-old isn’t afraid to jump in offensively, evidenced by the 71 points he tallied in only 51 games played with the OHL’s Sarnia Sting last season. That total led all OHL defenseman. DeAngelo’s also coming off two straight years in which he led every OHL blueliner in assists.

With six of his 15 goals during 2013-14′ coming with the man-advantage, it’s pretty easy to see that DeAngelo has the ability to quarterback one of the teams power play units.

His off-ice issues are a real concern, however. DeAngelo was suspended eight games for violating the OHL’s harassment and abuse/diversity policy after using a racial slur. I know, I know. Teenagers make mistakes, but this wasn’t one as it marked the second time he was punished because of something like this. He also amassed suspensions for a few other incidents during the season.

If he’s able to put that in his past, DeAngelo’s a player that could help the Lightning on down the road.

Rating: 1.5 stars