Plenty of high-end talent has come out of the middle of the first round in the NHL Entry Draft: Filip Forsberg, Kyle Connor, and Erik Karlsson are just a few examples of players who fell in the middle 10 picks and went on to have extremely successful NHL careers.
There are a lot of unknowns about this batch of picks -- for example, whether the Penguins and Canadiens will hang onto their respective back-to-back selections or choose to make a trade instead. Assuming all of the selections remain the same, here is how picks No. 11 through 20 could shape up.
11. Pittsburgh Penguins - Roger McQueen
The center coming out of the WHL's Brandon Wheat Kings has been ranked as high as No. 5 by some scouts, but ESPN describes McQueen as a "high risk, high reward" type of skater that could see him slip out of the top 10 on draft day. That coupled with a back injury that held him to just 17 games was somewhat limiting for him.
Still, the 6'5" center can do everything a team needs out of a large-framed forward. McQueen brings a nice balance of grit and goal-scoring that can be hard to come by. He won't be pigeonholed into a grinder type of role, based on his offensive prowess that saw him score four goals in a single game for the Brandon Wheat Kings. The Penguins have a fairly shallow prospect pool that would be greatly strenghtened by such a dynamic and strong power forward like McQueen.
12. Pittsburgh Penguins - Jackson Smith
If Pittsburgh chooses McQueen at No. 11, then it would make perfect sense to round out the No. 12 pick with a sturdy defenseman like Smith. This do-it-all blueliner can emulate the play of someone like Dougie Hamilton: he is capabale of leading a breakout and generating a cycle, but Smith is also a staple on the first units of the power play and penalty kill.
As a team in need of more defensive depth, then Smith would fill the Penguins' needs perfectly. He has been called a "chameleon" type of player by Bleacher Report -- fast, physical, and versatile with strong puck movement skills. As he heads to the NCAA with Penn State next season, he will benefit greatly from the increase in competitiveness and could develop into a strong top 4 NHL D-man down the line.
13. Detroit Red Wings - Carter Bear
Bear dealt with an unfortunate Achilles injury towards the end of his draft-eligible season, but that does not distract from the potential he has to be a competitor in the NHL. He led the WHL's Everett Silvertips with 40 goals and 82 points in just 52 games.
Luckily, Bear is expected to be ready to go for training camp this summer. If he joins Detroit, then the team will enjoy the upside of a fast winger that can take advantage of open areas while also creating space for himself using his 6'0", 180 lb frame. Bear has experience anchoring the power play as well as contributing on the PK, showing his versatile skills and above-average work ethic.
14. Columbus Blue Jackets - Kashawn Aitcheson
The Blue Jackets could use a physically engaging, yet offensively proficient defenseman like Aitcheson in their prospect pool. He stands out because of his old-time hockey style of defending, seeking out opponents for leveling hits and locking down the netfront.
But Aitcheson is still capable of hitting the scoresheet, too. He tallied 26 goals and 59 points in 64 games for the OHL's Barrie Colts. He's drawn comparisons to Charlie McAvoy, which speaks to his well-rounded game.
15. Vancouver Canucks - Lynden Lakovic
This 6'4", 190 lb winger uses his size to his advantage without limiting his offensive skills. He improved immensely over this past season, producing 27 goals and 58 points in 47 games for the WHL's Moose Jaw Warriors -- a struggling team that finished with the worst record in the league.
Lakovic's best asset is his passing, and Elite Prospects has noted that he is a low-risk, high-reward playmaker who is constantly generating chances for his linemates. But he can convert on opportunities himself just as well, while protecting and carrying the puck very efficiently.