New York Islanders #16: LW/C Anthony Beauvillier (Shawinigan Cataractes – QMJHL)
Original Pick #16: C Mathew Barzal (Seattle Thunderbirds – WHL)
Obviously, Anthony Beauvillier is no Mat Barzal, however, he has proved to be a valuable top-six forward for the New York Islanders and has shown to be a playoff hero for the team in the past two seasons.
As skilled as he is though, Beau has yet to fully unleash his elite productivity in the NHL regular season as he’s compiled 89 goals and 84 assists in 374-games played. In a deep Islanders forward group, Beauvillier finds himself straddling the bar between the third and second line. If the team can find the perfect linemate for him, the speed demon could breakout in scoring.
Winnipeg Jets #17: RW/LW Conor Garland (Moncton Wildcats – QMJHL)
Original Pick #17: LW Kyle Connor (Youngstown Phantoms – USHL)
Surely Kyle Connor wouldn’t make it past the top 10, thus leaving the Winnipeg Jets to draft Conor Garland out of the QMJHL. Despite his rather small frame of just 5’10” – 165 lbs., he doesn’t let it stop him from lighting up the scoreboard.
In his draft year, Conor Garland absolutely smoked the competition as he scored 35 goals and added 94 assists in 67 games. To prove that this season wasn’t a fluke, he would put up 39 bingos and 84 apples the following year in 62-games played. Safe to say he caught the league’s attention.
Though his production has struggled to transfer to the NHL, playing for the Arizona Coyotes, the laughing stock of the NHL, certainly doesn’t help.
Ottawa Senators #18: C Anthony Cirelli (Oshawa Generals – OHL)
Original Pick #18: D Thomas Chabot (St. John Sea Dogs – QMJHL)
Taken in the third round, No. 72 overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2015 Draft, Anthony Cirelli has emerged as a true second-line center in the NHL. Though his offensive game has the most impact, he’s recognized for being a nuisance for opposing teams as he’s relentless when attacking the puck carrier.
Playing for Oshawa in the 2014-15 season, Anthony Cirelli was drafted after his rookie season in the OHL even after totaling some 36 points in 68 games for the Generals. The Lightning knew that from that season alone, Cirelli was destined for the NHL. Two back-to-back Stanley Cups are all that needs to be said on what he can bring to the table.