31. Jett Woo, D
44 gp, 9 g, 16 a, 25 p (14 pgp, 2 g, 1 a, 3 p). Moose Jaw Warriors, WHL.
Great skating, and can remain in the play with fast forwards and lead a rush. Has limited offensive upside, though he can make plays. The defensive area of his game is where he excels, and he looks like a combination of the modern defenseman and the old stay at home player. Leans into checks and can make the important defensive stop.
Ideal player comparison: Niklas Hjalmarsson.
32. Mattias Samuelsson, D
58 gp, 11 g, 20 a, 31 p. National U18 Team, USDP.
A defensive player with the smarts and work ethic to be consistently relied upon defensively. Apart from the mindset offensively, Samuelsson doesn’t have much there. He’s a lot like Woo, if not a better skater. He can transition the puck well, moving it quickly, but apart from that could be an issue in the opposing zone.
Ideal player comparison: Chris Tanev.
33. Jonny Tychonick, D
48 gp, 9 g, 38 a, 47 p (11 pgp, 3 g, 14 a, 17 p).
Smaller defenseman with effective skating and a calm mentality that allows him to pass the puck well. Has lost battles to bigger forwards, which causes concern, but has played well more than often. Competitive nature allows him to continue to battle.
Ideal player comparison: Cam Fowler.
34. David Gustafsson, C
45 gp, 6 g, 6 a, 12 p (2 pgp, 0 g, 0 a, 0 p). HV71, SHL.
Skating will hamper his effectiveness unless it’s addressed, but Gustafsson has a lot of potential as a two-way center with offensive upside, especially as a gifted passer. Transitioned to the SHL this past season, meaning he played professional hockey at a high level. Can be a net front presence, protect the puck, and is strong enough to play physically against men.
Ideal player comparison: Ryan Kesler.
35. Alex Alexeyev, D
45 gp, 7 g, 30 a, 37 p (3 pgp, 2 g, 3 a, 5 p). Red Deer Rebels, WHL.
Alexeyev is not a dynamic player, but he is a big defenseman at 6’3″ and can move really well. Poised offensively, but where he stands out is defensively, where he uses positioning and vision to deny chances and make plays. Has a chance to be a top four defenseman, if not an altogether offensive one.
Ideal player comparison: Ron Hainsey.
36. Calen Addison, D
68 gp, 11 g, 54 a, 65 p (16 pgp, 7 g, 12 a, 19 p). Lethbridge Hurricanes, WHL.
Addison is 5’10”, which is why he’s so low in this draft. He does everything right offensively, including having wonderful skating with speed and the hands to keep up with that speed. Addison can make plays and also has a solid shot from the point. He could be a modern puck-moving defenseman, and a good one, if it wasn’t for his size hampering his abilities defensively.
Ideal player comparison: Jared Spurgeon.
37. Filip Hallander, F
40 gp, 9 g, 11 a, 20 p (9 pgp, 1 g, 1 a, 2 p). Timra IK, Allsvenskan.
Not a guy who’s going to lay a hit often, Hallander does everything else, especially offensively. Pushes the pace, has vision, hands, and can score. Helped elevate his Swedish team to the SHL. A talented playmaker who’s going to help a team’s middle six. Awkward stride while skating, however.
Ideal player comparison: David Perron.
38. Jack McBain, C
48 gp, 21 g, 37 a, 58 p (4 pgp, 6 g, 3 a, 9 p). Toronto Jr. Canadiens, OJHL.
Skilled, big center who can win draws and play defense. Bad skater, however, and defense can quickly collapse on him. He’s best in a defensive role, and could be an excellent bottom six center who could score more often than average.
Ideal player comparison: Nick Bonino.
39. Ty Dellandrea, C
67 gp, 27 g, 32 a, 59 p. Flint Firebirds, OHL.
Versatile center with size and power. Good in the transition game, and can get back on defense effectively. No clear and present weaknesses, though he never excels in any area. Should be a dynamite middle six center who pitches in in both zones.
Ideal player comparison: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
40. Jonatan Berggren, C/RW
38 gp, 18 g, 39 a, 57 p (3 pgp, 1 g, 4 a, 5 p). Skelleftea AIK, SuperElit.
He’s like if Marcus Smart played hockey. He’s not an elite talent, but he makes a difference every game, in some way or another. Eventually earned the top forward role with the Swedish U18 team, and has the ability to play on both special teams. Great skating, good hands, good scorer.
Ideal player comparison: Ryan O’Reilly.