The 2016 NHL Draft finally has arrived.
After months of scouting, it’s time for teams to select players that will represent the future of their franchise, for better or worse.
Auston Matthews, Patrik Laine and Jesse Puljujarvi are expected to be the top three picks in some order, and the real fun will begin after that.
The Edmonton Oilers have admitted to being open to trading the No. 4 pick, probably because there aren’t any franchise defensemen worth spending a top four pick to acquire. The Vancouver Canucks at No. 5 are a wild card as well because they have so many needs.
Here’s our final 2016 mock draft.
1. Toronto Maple Leafs: Auston Matthews, C, ZSC Lions (SWI)
2. Winnipeg Jets: Patrik Laine, RW, Tappara (FIN)
3. Columbus Blue Jackets: Jesse Puljujarvi, RW, Karpat (FIN)
4. Edmonton Oilers: Matthew Tkachuk, LW, London (OHL)
5. Vancouver Canucks: Pierre-Luc Dubois, C/LW, Cape Breton (QMJHL)
6. Calgary Flames: Olli Juolevi, D, London (OHL)
7. Arizona Coyotes: Alexander Nylander, RW/LW, Mississauga (OHL)
8. Buffalo Sabres: Jakob Chychrun, D, Sarnia (OHL)
9. Montreal Canadiens: Mikhail Sergachyov, D, Windsor (OHL)
10. Colorado Avalanche: Logan Brown, C/LW, Windsor (OHL)
11. New Jersey Devils: Clayton Keller, LW, US-NTDP
12. Ottawa Senators: Logan Stanley, D, Windsor (OHL)
13. Carolina Hurricanes: Tyson Jost, C/RW, Penticton (BCHL)
14. Boston Bruins: Jake Bean, D, Calgary (WHL)
15. Minnesota Wild: Kieffer Bellows, C/LW, US-NTDP
16. Detroit Red Wings: Dante Fabbro, D, Penticton (BCHL)
17. Nashville Predators: Luke Kunin, C/RW, Wisconsin (NCAA)
18. Philadelphia Flyers: Michael McLeod, C, Mississauga (OHL)
19. New York Islanders: Charlie McAvoy, D, Boston University (NCAA)
20. Arizona Coyotes (via NY Rangers): German Rubtsov, C, Russia U-18
21. Carolina Hurricanes (via L.A. Kings): Max Jones, LW, London (OHL)
22. Winnipeg Jets (via Chicago Blackhawks): Riley Tufte, LW, Fargo, (USHL)
23. Florida Panthers: Rasmus Asplund, C, Farjestad (SWE)
24. Anaheim Ducks: Brett Howden, C, Moose Jaw (WHL)
25. Dallas Stars: Dennis Cholowski, D, Chiliwack (BCHL)
26. Washington Capitals: Julien Gauthier, RW, Val-D’Or (QMJHL)
27. Tampa Bay Lightning: Pascal Laberge, C/RW, Victoriaville (QMJHL)
28. St. Louis Blues: Sam Steel, C, Regina (WHL)
29. Boston Bruins (via San Jose Sharks): Tage Thompson, C, Connecticut (NCAA)
30. Anaheim Ducks (via Toronto from Pittsburgh): Nathan Bastian, RW, Mississauga (OHL)
Thumbnail photo via Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports Images
