#FINAL DRAFT 7 UPGRADE PROFESSIONAL#

Jiricek possesses possibly the hardest point shot in the draft to go along with his contributions in the offensive zone. He averaged 18 minutes a game for the club this past season. The coaching staff with Plzen trusted the youngster. He helps drive possession for his team as well. While not the greatest goalscorer, he contributes at both ends of the ice. The 18-year-old recorded 11 points in 29 games with HC Plzen in the Tipsport Extraliga this season. The Czechian international suffered a knee injury at the World Juniors in December. 6) Columbus Blue Jackets (via Chicago Blackhawks): David Jiricek, RD, HC PlzenĪnother big defenseman with professional-level experience, Jiricek is a candidate to go higher than this as well. It may be a bit higher than most expect, but don’t be surprised if Gauthier lands here on Thursday. This prospect is the type of player new head coach John Tortorella loves. Gauthier flashes a surprising amount of speed and displays decent enough vision on the ice. While not exactly the most menacing power forwards, his 6’3″ frame allows him to finish through his checks and help regain possession. He’s shown the ability and willingness to crash the net hard, fight for loose pucks, and create scoring chances for himself. The Boston College commit has worked hard to mold his game from simply putting pucks on the net. That chatter also shows they like Gauthier, a versatile forward who possesses the ability to play down the left-hand side or kick inside at center. This is a pick that’s a bit off the board, but recent chatter around the league indicates the Flyers may pull off the first big surprise of the draft. 5) Philadelphia Flyers: Cutter Gauthier, C/LW, US NTDP And that’s precisely what this young franchise needs. Nemec is the type of defenseman the Kraken can begin to build their future around.

He may not be a true game-breaking force offensively, but he’s still a player teams need to monitor. For his age, he has a rare combination of composure and deception that makes him a threat. He is a complete three-zone defender who can organize the play from the back. This past year in the playoffs, he recorded 17 points in 19 games. The HK Nitra star has played 112 games at a pro-level in his native Slovakia, recording 65 points.

#FINAL DRAFT 7 UPGRADE PROFESSIONAL#

The 18-year-old, like his fellow countryman Slafkovsky, has experienced playing at a professional level. However, he falls to the NHL’s youngest franchise and is scooped up here.Īfter taking Michigan’s Matty Beniers second overall last year, the Kraken will likely look to add a top-of-the-line blueliner. Nemec is a candidate to go before this pick, potentially at the very top of the draft. 4) Seattle Kraken: Simon Nemec, RD, HK Nitra He is a scout and coach’s dream on the ice, and should easily go within the top three. He is a high-skill and high-motor player who combines blazing speed with a hard-nosed attitude.

Final draft 7 upgrade