Henrik Borgström was selected by the Florida Panthers in the 1st round, 23rd overall, in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, and this past season he proved that he was worthy of such a high selection.
The tall, skilled Finnish center was a force to be reckoned with for the University of Denver in 2016-17, putting up 22 goals and 21 assists in 37 games in just his first year in the NCAA. Borgström also capped off his season on a high note, as his Pioneers team edged Minnesota Duluth 3-2 to win the NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Championship.
Not bad at all for a prospect that 29 other NHL clubs could have drafted in 2015, the first time that he was eligible for the draft, for even just the cost of a 7th round pick.
Scouting hockey players is often an incredibly challenging endeavor, and far from an exact science. Every single year talented prospects get missed by every organization; some of these players eventually get recognized and drafted in the following years, while many of them do not. The reasons why can vary, but some common causes are injuries, getting limited ice time on deep teams, or playing somewhere that few scouts are watching (this was the primary case with Borgström, who was plying his trade in the second tier of junior hockey in Finland in 2014-15).
The 2017 draft is no exception, as there are a number of players that will be eligible for the second, third, or even fourth time that are deserving of getting selected this year. Let’s now take a closer look at my Top 10 names in alphabetical order, as well as some more honorable mentions at the end.
Jack Ahcan – Defense – St. Cloud State (NCAA)
Standing at only 5’8” and weighing roughly 184 pounds, far from a desirable size for a defenseman, it’s easy to see why Ahcan has been passed over in the draft twice already. The third time will likely be the charm, however, as Ahcan just keeps getting better and better. An agile skater and puck-mover that crucially knows how to evade forecheckers, he won gold with the United States at the 2017 World Juniors.
Dylan Coghlan – Defense – Tri-City Americans (WHL)
A versatile, well-rounded defender, it’s hard to imagine there being a single NHL team that wouldn’t be excited to add Coghlan to their prospect pool. He has a nice frame at 6’2” and has no significant holes in his game, keeping things clean in his own zone while also using keen instincts and efficient puck movement to chip in offensively. He’s the type of defenseman that coaches love because he can play in any situation.
Stephen Dhillon – Goaltender – Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
Not only did Dhillon face more rubber than any other goalie in the OHL this season, he saw a preposterous difference of 464 shots more than the next netminder. Suffice to say, he’s had plenty of practice. His positioning and technique still need refinement, but he covers a ton of net with his 6’4” frame and aggressively battles for pucks in his crease. A long-term project that could be an NHL starter if given proper development.
Maxime Fortier – Right Wing – Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
One of the most surprising omissions from last year’s draft, scouts would have seen a lot of Fortier this season while he played on the same line as potential 1st overall pick Nico Hischier. He’s a fast north-south skater that can gain separation speed, but he does his best work while slowing down the play in the offensive zone to try to exploit gaps in opposing defenses. A pass-first winger that can be lethal on the powerplay.
Morgan Geekie – Center – Tri-City Americans (WHL)
Out of all the overagers in this year’s draft class, Geekie is likely to be the first one off the board. He’s a tall, rangy center that possesses crisp puck distribution skills and displays some flashes of high-end offensive zone creativity. Netted 90 points in 72 games. Geekie is a very raw prospect that still needs to gain mass and fine-tune his skating, but he has enough tools at his disposal to make him an intriguing prospect.
Kevin Hancock – Left Wing – Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
Hancock frequently blended into the scenery on a high-octane Owen Sound team, but those paying closer attention saw a smart, trustworthy two-way forward that can play both left wing and center. He plays a clean game and usually ends up on the right side of the puck because he’s thinking one or two steps ahead of his opponents. Likely won’t ever be a Top 6 forward in the NHL, but could become a very reliable 3rd liner.
Denis Smirnov – Left Wing – Penn State (NCAA)
The upstart Penn State team exceeded all expectations this season and came within one win of reaching the Frozen Four thanks primarily to their offensive catalyst Smirnov, who had 47 points in 39 games. He’s small and his skating is a concern for a player of his size, but his puck control and hockey IQ are so advanced that he deserves a chance with an NHL club. Can continue developing in the NCAA for a few more years.
Denis Smirnov with a filthy pass to set up Penn State’s second of the night pic.twitter.com/wUZNZ1YPVR
— Ben Jones (@Ben_Jones88) February 18, 2017
Tim Soderlund – Left Wing – Skellefteå (SHL)
Soderlund made a big name for himself this past winter on one of the biggest stages in junior hockey: the World Juniors. He used his blazing speed to carve out checking line and penalty killing roles for himself on a loaded Swedish team, and even chipped in three points along the way. He’s only 5’9”, but has the potential to contribute in the NHL the same way that players like Paul Byron and Jean-Gabriel Pageau do.
Tyler Steenbergen – Center – Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
A rare shoot-first center, Steenbergen absolutely lit up the WHL this season to the tune of 51 goals (and eight more in 14 playoff games). Despite standing below six feet in height, he’s not afraid to put his body on the line and go to the dirty areas of the ice. Steenbergen is most dangerous, however, when he gets the puck in the slot with enough time and space to unleash his signature wrist shot, which is hard and accurate.
Linus Weissbach – Left Wing – Tri-City Storm (USHL)
Weissbach is an electrifying forward that is capable of driving the offense for his team. His one-on-one ability is exceptional, possessing enough quick jukes and jives to undress both defensemen and goaltenders alike. He’s only 5’8” but his phenomenal skating, passing and puck-handling abilities suggest that he should be able to translate his success to the pros. If a team wants their own Viktor Arvidsson, look no further.
Honorable Mentions:
Jack Adams, Thomas Grégoire, Ivan Kosorenkov, Vladimir Kuznetsov, Dominik Lakatos, Brennan Menell, Linus Ölund, Griffen Outhouse, Alexander Polunin, Igor Shvyrov, Matthew Timms, Artur Tyanulin