Ranking the top forwards available at the NHL Draft (15-11)
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Goaltenders: 10-6 | 5-1 | Defensemen: 20-16 | 15-11 | 10-6 | 5-1
Forwards: 20-16 | 15-11 | 10-6 | 5-1 |
15. Joel Eriksson Ek, C, Farjestad (SHL)
The fourth-ranked European skater heading into the draft, Eriksson Ek developed his game with Farjestad in Sweden, making the jump from the youth program to the big climb this past season.
As an 18-year-old, he recorded four goals and two assists in 34 games, demonstrating glimpses of what he's capable of at the pro level.
Described as a competitive, powerful center who is able to play effectively at both ends of the ice, Eriksson Ek brings with him a balance of scoring touch and defensive responsibility that likens him to his childhood idol, Peter Forsberg.
14. Brock Boeser, RW, Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
Boeser is as close to a pure, natural goal scorer as any player in this year's draft.
He recorded 35 goals in 57 games for a share of the USHL lead, and possesses high-level offensive skills, as described by Curtis Joe of Elite Prospects:
(Boeser has) great instincts and is able to quickly get into position for premium scoring chances; possesses an accurate release on his shot which he can get off in the blink of an eye. He always knows where his linemates are, and is a great passer; that being said, his individual puck possession play is incredible and sets him apart as an offensive player.
The knock on Boeser is his defensive zone coverage and his compete level along the boards, but teams looking for a scorer will certainly give him a look.
13. Yevgeni Svechnikov, LW, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL)
Svechnikov made the jump from Russia to North America last season, to great success. In 55 games with Cape Breton, the skilled winger rattled off 32 goals and 46 assists, finishing with a plus-19 and sitting second in points by a rookie.
He followed that up by averaging a point per game through seven playoff contests, and setting a franchise record for assists by a rookie in one postseason game (three).
The offensive tools all are present, with a 6-foot-2, 182-pound frame to boot. Work is needed on the defensive end, but that's not really rare among players at his stage of development.
12. Travis Konecny, C/RW, Ottawa 67s (OHL)
Capable of playing down the middle or on the wing, Konecny boasts incredible skating ability that allows him to regularly display his puck-handling skills and quick release.
Konecny scored 29 goals and added 39 assists in 60 games for the Ottawa 67s, and is described as a player who rarely, if ever, gives up on a play, demonstrating a tenacity and determination that helpfully complements his above-average offensive skills.
While not the biggest player in the draft, he could be one of the most hard working, giving the team that drafts him a player with a knack for the net, but who can help in all three zones.
11. Timo Meier, RW/C, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Meier put up gaudy numbers during his second QMJHL season, scoring 44 goals and adding 46 assists in 61 regular season games. He topped that average by recording 10 goals and 21 points in 10 playoff contests.
He enters the draft as the highest-ranked QMJHL player, and was named the league’s best professional prospect at their annual Golden Puck Awards.
Meier, a native of Switzerland, isn't your typical, high-scoring Quebec-league forward, according to Curtis Joe of Elite Prospects:
A physically dominant winger with the ability to play in a skill or character role. In the offensive end, Meier is very aware and gets himself into spaces where he can easily make seeing eye passes or snap hard, accurate shots. Can impact the game in a number of different ways, and is very consistent in his efforts. All-in-all, the kind of versatile player that you can put on a skill line, and trust to create dangerous chances, or on a shutdown line, and trust to help stop pucks from going into your net.
Meier could very well find himself selected in the top-ten on June 26.