Round 5: Jonas Taibel, F/Rapperswil
One of the 2024 NHL Draft’s most interesting prospects, Jonas Taibel has made his mark at the international level and he’s got a chance to do the same in NL this season. He’s already familiar with both the North American and European games, so if he makes it back to the US/Canada, he won’t face as much of a transition.
Round 7A: Alex Mercier, RW/Moncton
At 5’10, Alex Mercier doesn’t have a frame that will hold much more muscle, but he’s still a solid 190 pounds and has gotten more productive throughout his three seasons in the QMJHL. He won’t score many goals, and he may never even reach a point per game, but his sheer intensity is what will make him a great value pick here, so I took a flier on him with this pick.
Round 7B: Loic Goyette, LW/Drummondville
Like Alex Mercier, I spent my second seventh-round pick on a player whose points production wasn’t a big deal, but one who brought more of a hardworking, high-intensity approach. Loic Goyette wouldn’t be much more than organizational depth with perhaps the occasional NHL appearance when he’s ready for the pro game, but he will be a surefire competitor.
(Statistics provided by Elite Prospects)