Three favorite picks from each round of the 2021 NHL draft
Continuing on the series following my takes on the 2020 and 2019 draft. These are not necessarily my favorite players, though many are, but more kudos on value and decisions made.
ROUND ONE
#5 – Kent Johnson – Columbus Blue Jackets
It is pretty easy to get excited over a top five pick but to nab perhaps the most skilled forward in the whole draft a few spots down is a job well done.
#18 – Chaz Lucius – Winnipeg Jets
Two of the most difficult things to find: goal scoring and a right handed center both in this player.
#27 – Zachary L’Heureux – Nashville Predators
Trading back up in to the first round (to possibly thwart Colorado) and grab this unique type of talent was a fantastic move.
ROUND TWO
#44 – Aleksi Heimosalmi – Carolina Hurricanes
Possibly the biggest steal of the draft in a pro style defenseman who is only improving.
#50 – Nikita Chibrikov – Winnipeg Jets
First round talent at pick 50 is a win every time.
#61 – Sean Behrens – Colorado Avalanche
Fantastic value on a much needed prospect LD and a local kid too.
ROUND THREE
#66 – Sasha Pastujov – Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim adds to an impressive young forward group with a guy who could have gone in the first round.
#84 – Kirill Kirsanov – LA Kings
A great value pick and one of the safest bets to contribute — soon.
#92 – Tristen Lennox – NY Islanders
Feels like a spot where a once overlooked goalie right after Colorado’s pick will eventually shine.
ROUND FOUR
#97 – Olivier Nadeau – Buffalo Sabres
A bit of a sleeper is a good find to start the fourth round.
#111 – Conner Roulette – Dallas Stars
Goal scoring punch outside the top 100 is always a worthy bet.
#126 – Dylan Duke – Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa type pick to take talent and they’ll figure out how to get him ready for the NHL.
ROUND FIVE
#131 – Jacob Melanson – Seattle Kraken
Found a rare skill with physicality type player plus a Nova Scotian as well.
#152 – Kirill Gerasimyuk – Florida Panthers
Great selection of the most talented goaltenders in the class.
#153 – Ty Voit – Toronto Maple Leafs
For a very thin draft class Toronto found a interesting skill gamble pretty late.
ROUND SIX
#179 – Simon Knak – Nashville Predators
Nice place to grab an improved overager and Swiss WJC captain.
#190 – Artur Cholach – Vegas Golden Knights
Good on Vegas giving a Ukrainian a chance at NHL development.
#191 – Xavier Simoneau – Montreal Canadiens
Finally in his third time through the draft someone takes a chance on this small but very effective and successful QMJHL player.
ROUND SEVEN
#205 – Arsenii Sergeev – Calgary Flames
Calgary gets the scouting award for finding a Russian goalie playing in Shreveport.
#213 – Andre Gasseau – Boston Bruins
Size and skill always welcome at the end of a draft class.
#219 – Joel Nystrom – Carolina Hurricanes
As the 13th and final pick in an epic two-day haul which saw Carolina make five trades to either move down or defer to 2022 and they still found talent and upside in a puck moving defenseman with nearly the last pick in the draft.
