2021 NHL Entry Draft: Looking at the best players available on Day 2

Here’s a look at some of the best prospects still on the board on Day 2 of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Round 1 of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft is in the books, and it was an absolute doozy as teams bolstered their farm system with high-end talent, with the Detroit Red Wings, Columbus Blue Jackets and the Buffalo Sabres in particular all enjoying good starts to the Draft.

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The same couldn’t be said for the likes of the Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens, however, but they have six more rounds to try and add some absolute studs to their farm system and there will be some great talent available.

With teams like the Ottawa Senators going off the board early in the First Round, that meant that certain names fell completely and will now hope to be taken early in Round 2, starting with a player who leads off our list…

Best prospects available on Day 2 of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft

Daniil Chayka, D

We had Daniil Chayka going late in the First Round in our Mock Drafts, and he could have been a good option for teams like the Minnesota Wild who are looking for stud defensemen.

Instead, Chayka fell and he will now be hoping that a team takes a chance on him at the top of the Second Round, with the Seattle Kraken and the Vegas Golden Knights two teams that could want a blueliner with lots of upside, big size, good skating ability and strong hockey smarts.

Nikita Chibrikov, RW

Considered one of the best offensive prospects in this year’s Draft, Chibrikov wasn’t taken in the First Round but it will be a shock if he doesn’t go quickly on Day 2. After all, he had 13 points for Russia at the U18 Worlds, he boasts superb playmaking ability and he projects to be top-six forward who can excel on the power play.

Don’t be surprised if the Sabres take him at the top of the Second Round.

Aatu Raty, C

Aatu Raty is an interesting case because a year or so ago he was viewed by many as the consensus No. 1 overall pick in this year’s Draft, but he endured a tough 2020-21 season and saw his Draft stock absolutely plummet as a result.

Despite the significant concerns looming over his game after his offense disappeared, Raty still has great upside, a boatload of skill and he could protect as a second-line center in the NHL if some team is willing to take a gamble on him.

We’ll see how far he falls on Day 2.

Samu Tuomaala, RW

I thought Samu Tuomaala would have been a great fit for a team like the New Jersey Devils at the end of the First Round, but they went elsewhere.

It was a shame because Tuomaala is an excellent skater, he’s an explosive forward, he has a lethal shot and he could be a threat on the power play especially. I really like his game.

Francesco Pinelli, C

You can never have enough centers in the NHL and Francesco Pinelli is a highly-intelligent player who is tough to play against, he can win puck battles and he’s a proven goalscorer, which should translate to the NHL level.

Logan Stankoven, C

Logan Stankoven could be a middle-six forward in the NHL and he does everything well. He plays at a high tempo, he can force turnovers, he plays with aggression, he boasts a superb wrist shot and his game has a lot to like about it.