9th Overall: Calgary Flames - Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, RW/Mora
The Calgary Flames have a few young players to rebuild their team around, like Connor Zary, so drafting a player with a simpler, hardworking approach like Michael Brandsegg-Nygard would be a good choice. Not that he wouldn’t elevate his game later, as I can see Brandsegg-Nygard doing so, but it’s a logical move on a few fronts.
10th Overall: New Jersey Devils - Artyom Levshunov, D/Michigan State
Yeah, if you could name the most ideal scenario for the New Jersey Devils, this one might be it. It’s clear that they haven’t solved their woes at the blue line just yet, but drafting a dynamic player like Artyom Levshunov, if he somehow makes it down this far, puts them one step closer to solving those problems.
11th Overall: Buffalo Sabres - Cole Eiserman, LW/USNTDP
I’ve seen a few simulations already with Cole Eiserman falling to the Sabres, but I’m not ready to believe it just yet. That said, if it happens, then he’s a steal, and could you name a better eventual successor to Jeff Skinner? I doubt he’ll fall to No. 11, but if he’s there, I also doubt he falls past No. 11.
12th Overall: Philadelphia Flyers - Tij Iginla, C/Kelowna Rockets
Even if the Philadelphia Flyers had their pick between Cole Eiserman and Tij Iginla, I’m still going with the latter, but in this simulation, only Iginla was available. Philadelphia already has a great prospects pool despite losing Cutter Gauthier, but Tij Iginla is a more than worthy replacement in the system.