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NHL Draft: Big Winner/Loser, Surprise Risers/Fallers

By Ryan Ritchie

(EDITORS NOTE: caption correction) Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Matthew Tkachuk poses for a photo after being selected as the number six overall draft pick by the Calgary Flames in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
(EDITORS NOTE: caption correction) Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Matthew Tkachuk poses for a photo after being selected as the number six overall draft pick by the Calgary Flames in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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NHL Draft in Buffalo: Evaluating the Big Winner/Loser, and Surprise Risers/Fallers

All seven rounds of the NHL Draft are now concluded, and free agency period began on Saturday where players can begin talking to teams (although they can’t sign until July 1). Between trades and surprise picks, the annual event in Buffalo did not disappoint.

Stay tuned over the next couple of days as we dig deep to analyze the NHL Draft weekend.

To kick-off our draft analysis, let’s take a look at the biggest winner/loser, and two surprise risers/fallers:

Winner: Calgary Flames

After knocking it out of the park in 2015 with picks such as Oliver Kylington, Rasmus Andersson, and Andrew Mangiapane, the Flames were at it again in 2016, snagging several high quality prospects. 

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At 6th overall, Matthew Tkachuk has the potential to slide in next to Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau on the top line filling a longtime need. He could be in the lineup as early as this Fall.

At 54th, Calgary snagged what some may argue to be the top goaltender of the class – scouts knock him for being 6’1 (seriously?!).

Two picks later at 56th, the Flames grabbed a falling Dillon Dube, a promising center from WHL Kelowna who was expected to go near the top of the 2nd.

Calgary also had value picks in Adam Fox (66th), Linus Lindstrom (96th), Mitchell Mattson (126th), and Eetu Tuulola (156th).

For a second year in a row, the Flames use a late pick on a highly-skilled undersized 5’6 forward in Matthew Phillips. They closed out the draft with 6’7 giant defender Stepan Falkovsky who was a projected 3rd-4th rounder.

Along with a solid draft, Calgary found their stop-gap answer in goal until Jon Gillies or Mason McDonald is ready. They acquired Brian Elliott from St.Louis for an extremely affordable cost of draft picks.

Related Story: NHL Weekly Roundup: Latest News and Rumors

Loser: Columbus Blue Jackets

GM Jarmo Kekalainen admitted to our exact accusation from last night following the first round. He believes Pierre-Luc Dubois can be a center long-term, having gone as far to say that he was most impressive up the middle in the 2015-16. 

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That’s a flat out lie Blue Jackets fans. Ask any scout, and they will tell you that Dubois’ long-term value is on the LW.

Instead of having Oliver Bjorkstrand and Jesse Puljujarvi locked in at RW for the next 15 years, more uncertainty lies ahead. For Jarmo’s sake, he better hope his odd decision works out, otherwise, this is the type of decision that costs a GM their job.

In another odd move, Columbus traded prospect Kerby Rychel to Toronto for Scott Harrington and a draft pick. The return value is pathetic in this deal. Harrington projects to be nothing more than a bottom pair defender, and at this point, he may struggle to reach the NHL full-time. 

If you’re looking for positive notes out of this weekend. The Blue Jackets might have found a pair of gems in their 2nd and 3rd round draft picks.

Defenseman Andrew Peeke one was of the top RH shots in the 2016 class, while Vitaly Abramov was considered a 1st rounder by many. Scouts knock his 5’9 frame, but there’s a reason he nearly topped 100 points in the QMJHL.

Related Story: 5 Bold Predictions for 1st Round

Surprise Risers

Jonathan Dahlen (Ottawa 42nd overall) – After having Dahlen go late 2nd in our mock draft for much of the year, some questioned whether Jonathan could actually slide into the 2nd round. He ended up at the top of the 3rd in our final rankings, but it seems the Senators thought highly of Ulf Dahlen‘s son.

Wouter Peeters (Chicago 83rd overall) – The Belgian-born netminder was one of the quickest risers on draft boards in 2016. Playing in a German 2nd tier league, Peeters is set to join the KHL in 2016-17. Watch out, this kid will continue to climb the goalie prospect chart over the next couple of years as exposure to him increases.

Next: NHL Mock Draft 7.0: 7 Rounds of Prospect Analysis

Surprise Fallers

Carl Grundstrom (Toronto 57th overall) – Largely considered a first round talent by most, it was surprising to see him fall to the end of the 2nd. Grundstrom is said to play like a tough Canadian power forward, and could fit into Toronto’s 3rd line down the road with his mix of skill and physicality.

Dmitri Sokolov (Minnesota 196th overall) – Believe it or not, Sokolov was largely considered a 1st round talent heading into the 2015-16 season. He made the choice to come to North America and play for OHL Sudbury, which ultimately destroyed his draft stock. We knew he would drop, although projections had him going in the 3rd-4th round.

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