2016 NHL Draft War Room: Second Round Risers

by Eldon MacDonald (edited by @ChrisRalphTHW)

THW’s War Room Top 210 NHL Draft Rankings for May have already been released.

We’ve taken a more in-depth look the top 30 prospects along with some thoughts behind the rankings, and grouped these impact prospects in tiers in a two-part series (Part 1 and Part 2). In this article, we dive into the potential hidden gems of the second round, those prospects on the rise and if things go right for them, they could be significant contributors in the big league.

The likelihood of success of becoming a full-time NHLer drops off dramatically when you get to the second round. By my calculations, the chances of success for players drafted in the 31-45 range is only 33 percent. This further drops to 24 percent for players drafted 46 to 60. The reason most of these talented players are in the second round is usually for one of the following:

Size and strength
Skating

There have been some gems in the second round over the years. Maybe your team can come up with the equivalent of one of the following (to name a few) former second round selections this year.

Boston: Milan Lucic – 2006, 50^th
Boston: Patrcie Bergeron – 2003, 45^th
Carolina: Justin Faulk – 2010, 37^th
Chicago: Duncan Keith – 2002, 54^th
Colorado: Ryan O’Reilly – 2009, 33^rd
Dallas: James Neal – 2005, 33^rd
Los Angeles: Mike Cammelleri – 2001, 49th
Montreal: P.K. Subban – 2007, 43^rd
Nashville: Roman Josi – 2008, 38^th
Nashville: Shea Weber – 2003, 49^th
New Jersey: Damon Severson – 2012, 60^th
Rangers: Derek Stepan – 2008, 51^st
San Jose: Mark-Edouard Vlasic – 2005, 35^th
Louis Blues: David Backes – 2003, 62^nd
Tampa: Nikita Kucherov – 2011, 58^th

Dineen, Cam

North Bay, OHL
0.9 PPG (points-pet-game)
68GP 13G 46A 59P +18
5’11, 182
Defenseman, Shoots Left, USA (nation)
32^nd, up from 74; NHL Central Scouting Combined – 48^th

#MrHSMP (High-Speed Mental Processor)

What’s impressive: High-speed mental processing of game, results, vision
Improvements to make: Strength, shot, edge (a bit of nastiness)
Commentary: Putting up almost a point a game on a team where defense always comes first. Coach, Stan Butler: “Wow!”
Goal: Link here

Cam Dineen's sky-high hockey IQ has him defying the odds in his draft year: https://t.co/qlLhDwdyKm @NaitSAYger pic.twitter.com/rdrqlrMNLm

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 16, 2016

Mascherin, Adam

Kitchener, OHL
1.2 PPG
65-35-46-81 +19
5’10, 206
LW, L, CDN
34^th, up from 59; NHL Central Scouting Combined – 56^th

#MrBigShot

What’s impressive: NHL ready shot, finish, playmaking, skating, work ethic
Improvements to make: Play without the puck
Commentary: It’s all about the shot
Profile: Link here

Pu, Cliff

London, OHL
0.5 PPG
63-12-19-31 +12
6’2, 192
RW, R, CDN
36^th, up from unranked; NHL Central Scouting Combined – 105^th

#MrWho

What’s impressive: Size, speed, dangle, passing, hard shot, forechecking, anticipation
Improvements to make: Consistency
Commentary: Cliff’s game has gone from Mr. Pew to Mr. Who this year. He has become a force for London in the playoffs. Size, speed, skill – it gets me every time.
2016 Playoff Goals: Link here

Katchouk, Boris

Sault Ste. Marie, OHL
0.8 PPG
63-24-27-51 +7
6’1, 181
LW, L, CDN
37^th, up from 69; NHL Central Scouting Combined – 30^th

#MrWithaVengeance

What’s impressive: Stickhandling, hard accurate shot, physical play, high energy, good finish, no quit, no holds barred attitude
Improvements to make: Skating, strength
Commentary: You are likely to find a place for Boris in your lineup because he is willing to do almost anything, “Mr. With a Vengeance!”
Goal: Link here

Fitzpatrick, Evan

Sherbrooke, QMJHL
8 PPG
54 GP, 3.42 GAA, .896 SV%
6’3, 220
G, L, CDN
38^th, up from unranked; NHL Central Scouting Combined – 35^th

#MrBigStop

What’s impressive: Size, athleticism, tracking and reading the play, calmness, work ethic
Improvements to make: Consistency
Commentary: When he is on, he looks like the guy you want your team to have as its No. 1 goalie in the future. He is Mr. Big Stop. He just has to keep the button on more often.
His coach’s comments: Link here

Bitten, Will

Flint, OHL
~1.0 PPG
68-30-35-65 -29
5’10, 163
C, R, CDN
41^st, up from 49; NHL Central Scouting Combined – 57^th

#Mr.BuzzLightning

What’s impressive: Skating, agility, hockey sense, creativity, stickhandling, finish, forechecking, work ethic, persistence.
Improvements to make: Weight and strength, shot
Commentary: Will Bitten is a smaller player who works like a bumblebee and buzzes around hard on the puck or hard in pursuit of the puck. Add the skill (skating, agility, creativity, stickhandling) to the buzz and you have a hockey player that brings an infectious excitement to fans and teammates alike.
2015-16 Highlights: Link here

Sokolov, Dmitri

Sudbury, OHL
0.8 PPG
68-30-22-52 -40
6’0, 208
C/LW, L, RUS
42^nd, up from unranked; NHL Central Scouting Combined – 183th

Boom or Bust? #2016NHLDraft prospect Dmitri Sokolov was a projected 1st round pick, dropped to potential 4th round! https://t.co/qPtNfHW14Q

— Peter Harling🏒 (@pharling) March 31, 2016

#MrHighRiskWithaSniperReward

What’s impressive: Great shot, great release, great finish, play in tight, cycle, stickhandling, puck protection
Improvements to make: Recovery from shoulder problems, adherence to training and dietary regiment, skating speed, consistency of effort, play without the puck
Commentary: Touted as a potential top 10 coming over from Russia last fall, Dmitri Sokolov didn’t meet expectations due to being out of shape and having a season-long shoulder problem. He also needed to work on his consistency of effort and his defensive game. Dmitri worked on his training regimen during the year to bring himself into shape, and will put his shoulder to off-season surgery. He generally looked better as the season progressed. He ended the season with 15 goals in his last 23 games, not too shabby. Will a NHL team gamble on a High Risk prospect with the possibility of a sniper reward earlier than others project? In a draft year with a good first round and not so much after 45 or so, I am willing to bet yes.
Highlights: Link here

Kyrou, Jordan

Sarnia, OHL
8 PPG
65-17-34-51 +13
6’0, 179
RW/C, R, CDN
45^th, up from 56; NHL Central Scouting Combined – 41^st

#MrUnless

What’s impressive: Elite skating, passing, stickhandling, shot, tempo
Improvements to make: Strength, play without the puck, work in dirty areas
Commentary: Jordan has some high-end skills to his game, particularly his skating, that would look good in today’s NHL . His passing is noteworthy as well. However, he will not become an NHL regular despite his skills unless he significantly adds to his strength, spends more time in the dirty areas and works on his play without the puck.
2016 Playoff Goals: Link here

Parsons, Tyler

London, OHL
49-2.33-.921
6’1, 184
G, L, CDN
51^st, up from unranked; NHL Central Scouting Combined – 55^th

#MrLateRiser

What’s impressive: Athleticism, positioning, ability to challenge the shooters, puck tracking, glove hand, explosiveness, work ethic, difference maker
Improvements to make: Can overplay the puck
Commentary: Goalie of the month in the OHL for March, Tyler Parsons has continued his hot play in the playoffs. He is Mr. Late riser.
Penalty Shot Save: Link here

Allison, Wade

Tri-City, USHL
8 PPG
56-25-22-47 +16
6’2 ,205
RW, R, CDN
53^rd, up from unranked; NHL Central Scouting Combined – 84^th

#MrMVP

What’s impressive: Size, power forward ability, strength, finish
Improvements to make: Skating
Commentary : MVP of the USHL Playoffs, MVP of Team West for the USHL Top Prospects Game, Wade Allison is Mr. MVP. When the game is high stakes, you want Wade Allison on your side.
5 star performer: Link here

https://twitter.com/USHLCommish/status/733918878158495744

Morrison, Cam

Youngstown, USHL
1 PPG
60-24-32-66 +38
6’3 ,201, LW, L, CDN
54^th, up from 64; NHL Central Scouting Combined – 63^rd

#MrLunchBucket

What’s impressive: Size, power forward, hockey sense, consistency, puck protection, drive to the net, finish.
Improvements to make: Agility, edgework, play without the puck
Commentary: Cam Morrison is the kind of guy who goes to work every game and gives a consistent workman-like effort who also possesses the size and finish to put his team on the scoreboard and make a difference.

Lindgren, Ryan

USA NTDP U18, USHL
4 PPG
61-6-19-25
6’0, 198
D, L, USA
55^th, up from unranked); NHL Central Scouting Combined – 67

#Mr.Solid

What’s impressive: Leadership, high compete, lower body strength, defensive awareness, consistency, work in tight quarters, calmness, solid defensive defenseman
Improvements to make: Offense
Commentary: Ryan Lindgren is that solid, defensive defenseman you can call on every night for leadership (Captain of Team USA at the IIHF U18’s), consistency and just getting the job done. He is Mr. Solid.
High school: Link here

Stillman, Riley

Oshawa, OHL
3 PPG
62-6-15-21 -9
6’1, 180
D, L, CDN
56^th, up from unranked; NHL Central Scouting Combined – 91^st

#McLeadership

What’s impressive: Leadership, NHL bloodlines (son of former NHLer Cory Stillman), hockey sense, vision, open ice hits.
Improvements to make: Strength
Commentary: For those of you who don’t believe off-ice conditioning can make all the difference, talk to Riley

ICYMI, here's my story and Q & A with Riley Stillman, a very underrated player for this year's draft IMO. https://t.co/PjFO0nvBXQ

— Brock Otten (@BrockOtten) March 4, 2016

Fox, Adam

USA NTDP U18, USHL
9 PPG
64-9-50-59
5’10, 179
D, L, USA
58^th, up from unranked; NHL Central Scouting Combined – 68^th

#MrQB

What’s impressive: Vision, playmaking, puck moving, transition, QB abilities,
Improvements to make: Weight, strength
Commentary: The top defenseman at the IIHF U18s has all the skills to be a top defenseman in the NHL. He is just missing the size part of the NHL composition. Will his skills be enough, I am sure that at least a few teams looking for a power play QB will give him a hard look in the second round.

https://twitter.com/TheDraftAnalyst/status/729023899938103300

Pitlick, Rem

Muskegon, USHL
6 PPG
56-46-43-89 +6
5’10, 195
C, L, USA
59^th, up from unranked; NHL Central Scouting Combined – 131^st

#MrMuchMoreThanImpressive

What’s impressive: Speed, shot, stickhandling, finish, vision, results (USHL scoring champion), work ethic, consistency, NHL bloodlines (son of Lance Pitlick)
Improvements to make: Physical play
Commentary: Going from 5’7, 170 lbs. of shrimp last year to 5’10 195 lbs. of solid this year plus adding some speed – more than impressive. Winning the USHL scoring title by 23 points – much, much more than impressive. I think a player with Rem Pitlick’s dimensions, skills, speed and terrific results should strongly be considered a second round pick in the upcoming draft.
Profile: Link here

2016 NHL Draft War Room: Top 30 Impact Prospects

Part 1 (Prospects 1-15)

Part 2 (Prospects 16-30)

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THW’s War Room Top 210 NHL Draft Rankings (May Edition)

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2016 NHL Draft War Room: Second Round Risers