Dr. Tee’s final 21 for ‘21
Table of Contents
Tier 1… My Picks For The 1st Pick
Tier 2… Probably the trickiest picks to
evaluate in the draft
Tier 3… The “big opinion” picks
.
TIER 1… MY PICKS FOR THE FIRST PICK
No. 1… Matthew Beniers, C, Michigan University, NCAA
Beniers has solidified himself as one of the best pure centermen we’ve ever seen come through the draft, with players such as Alex Turcotte. Beniers scored at a point per game pace as a freshman this year, and his offensive game will only improve, as his role with the Wolverines will only grow next season, assuming he comes back.
No. 2… William Eklund, C/LW, Djurgårdens IF, SHL
Some say the regular small skilled winger… I say otherwise. Eklund became one of the first Swedish players under the age of 20 to score at the pace that he did since Markus Naslund. Eklund played in 40 games for his Swedish men’s club, recording 23 points, and starting the year on an absolute tear, scoring 8 points in his first 10 games. Eklund has the upside of a 75+ point scorer at his lowest, and is an exciting player to watch. He’ll be a big part to any team that may get him in the draft.
No. 3… Fabian Lysell, LW/RW, Luleå IF, SHL
Lysell is by definition the Swedish Roadrunner of this year's draft. Lysell played this season with fellow draftee Jesper Wallstedt who is getting praise from many top scouts, and analysts as potentially the best goaltending prospect since Carey Price. Lysell is a fast, and deceptive winger. He creates chances off the rush constantly, and there’s never a time on the ice when he ain’t a threat to score. He starred in the U18 world championships for Sweden where he solidified himself as a legit top 5 pick in many eyes, although definitely not all. Lysell is not a player that’ll put up astonishing numbers, but a consistent player that will give a team offensive spark. Kind of like Viktor Arvidsson of the LA kings, but with a much higher ceiling.
TIER 2… Probably the trickiest picks to evaluate
No. 4… Jesper Wallstedt, G, Luleå IF, SHL
Jesper Wallstedt has been getting praise as a potential candidate for the first overall pick in this crowded, and unclear draft class, and has become the favorite of many analysts like Craig Button who is often found raving about him on his draft shows. The 18 year old Swedish prospect put up impressive numbers with a 2.23 goals against average, and a .908 save percentage in 22 games which is by far the best season by any overseas goalie prospect since Henrik Lundqvist.
No. 5… Luke Hughes, D, U.S. National Development Team
Finally… the last Hughes Brother, and perhaps the best. Luke Hughes was by far the best defensemen for the U.S. Development team following his foot injury back in early May. The 6’2” 180 pound defenseman has great offensive upside, and outstanding skating. His defense could use some work, but so does just about every really good offensive defensemen in every draft. There have been reports coming out saying he has a bad attitude, and is very negative, which adds to the fact he’s a pretty hit or miss prospect. However, if those reports are true or not, he’ll need to mature in his game no matter what. A good comparable for him would be his brother, Quinn, who plays for the Vancouver Canucks.
No. 6… Brandt Clarke, D, HC Nove Zamky, Slovakia 5 Goals, 10 Assists, 15 Points, 26 Games Played
No. 7…. Simon Edvinsson, D, Frölunda, SHL 0 Goals, 1 Assist, 10 Games Played
No. 8…. Kent Johnson, LW/C, University Of Michigan, NCAA, 9 Goals, 18 Assists, 27 Points, 26 Games Played
No. 9…. Chaz Lucius, C/LW, U.S. Development Team, 13 Goals, 7 Assists, 20 Points, 13 Games Played
No. 10, Fyodor Svechkov, W/C, Lada Togliatti, VHL, 5 Goals, 10 Assists, 15 Points, 38 Games Played
TIER 3… THE BIG OPINION PICKS
No. 11…. Simon Robertsson, RW, Skellefteå AIK, SHL, 1 Goal, 1 Assist, 2 Points, 22 Games Played
No. 12… Dylan Guenther, RW, Edmonton Oil Kings, WHL, 12 Goals, 12 Assists, 24 Points, 12 Games Played
No. 13…. Owen Power, D, University of Michigan, NCAA , 3 Goals, 13 Assists, 16 Points, 26 Games Played
No. 14…. Mackie Samoskevich, F, Chicago Steel, USHL , 13 Goals, 24 Assists, 37 Points, 36 Games Played
No. 15…. Aatu Räty, C, Kärpät, Liiga, 3 Goals, 3 Assists, 6 Points, 35 Games Played
No. 16…. Scott Morrow, D, Fargo Force, USHL , 0 Points, 6 Games Played
No. 17…. Isak Rosen, RW/LW, Leksands IF, SHL , 0 Goals, 1 Assist, 1 Point, 22 Games Played
No. 18…. Mason McTavish, RW, EHC Olten, SL, 9 Goals, 2 Assists, 11 Points, 13 Games Played
No. 19…. Oskar Olausson, LW/RW, HV71, SHL, 3 Goals, 1 Assists, 4 Points, 16 Points
No. 20…. Logan Stankoven, C/RW, Kamloops Blazers, WHL 7 Goals, 3 Assists, 10 Points, 6 Games Played
No. 21…. Cole Sillinger, C, Sioux Falls Stampede, USHL ,24 Goals, 22 Assists, 46 Points, 31 Games Played
Honorable Mentions
Dmitri Kuzmin, D
Matthew Coronato, RW/C
Corson Ceulemans, D
Olen Zellweger, D
Nikita Chibrikov, RW
Carson Lambos, D
Zachary L’Heureux, LW
Xavier Bourgault, LW
Samu Tuomaala, LW/RW
Zachary Dean, C
Sasha Pastujov, LW/C
Daniil Chayka, D
Ryder Korczak, C
Sean Behrens, D
