Road to the 2016 NHL Draft: 60th Overall

By Alex Hobson

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to my brand new series here on PHU. We will call this one "Road to the Draft". What will happen is I will be counting down the days until the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, and for each day, I'll take a look at the last 10 picks to be taken at that number. For example, when there's 37 days until the draft, I'll take a look at the last ten 37th overall picks taken in between 2006 and 2015. Not only will this be an exciting way to hype up for the draft, it'll also show you guys how well good scouting can work out for some teams.

To kick things off, there are currently 60 days until the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, so we'll be tackling the last ten 60th overall selections. Let's take a look, starting in 2006.

2006 - Jesse Joensuu, LW (New York Islanders)

Drafted as a hulking power forward out of the SM-Liiga, Joensuu appeared in a total of 129 NHL games, posting 24 points along the way. He split time between the New York Islanders and the Edmonton Oilers. Is currently playing for Jokerit of the KHL.

2007 - Ruslan Bashkirov, LW (Ottawa Senators)

Bashkirov had somewhat high hopes after posting 67 points in 64 games in his rookie QMJHL season, but never panned out for the Senators and has since spent his entire playing career in Russia, splitting time between the KHL and the VHL.

2008 - Jimmy Hayes, LW (Toronto Maple Leafs)

The first pick on this list to have stabilized a solid NHL career, Hayes never actually played for the Maple Leafs but has become an established NHLer playing for the Florida Panthers and now the Boston Bruins. Has a career total of 95 points in 243 NHL games.

2009 - Tomas Tatar, LW (Detroit Red Wings)

Tatar is a classic Detroit Red Wings pick. Skilled European forward that was kept in the minors until management knew he was ready for sure, and is now a key player for the Wings. He's had a solid career to date, recording 148 points in 203 NHL Games.

2010 - Stephen Johns, D (Chicago Blackhawks)

Johns was drafted as a big, gritty, defensive defenseman who teams hate to play against. He never appeared in any games for the Hawks, as he was dealt along with Patrick Sharp to the Dallas Stars in July, but has since become a reliable bottom pair defenseman for the Stars. Has a total of three points in 14 NHL games to date.

2011 - Mario Lucia, LW (Minnesota Wild)

A big left winger drafted out of college, Lucia is a rare native of Alaska and has been reliable for the University of Notre Dame, recording 24 points in 37 games this season. He has since joined the Wild's AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild, where he's totaled four points in nine games.

2012 - Damon Severson, D (New Jersey Devils)

It's hard to tell whether or not Severson will end up being the best player drafted 60th overall since 2006 right now, but he definitely developed the quickest. He's become a regular defenseman on the Devils' core, recording 21 points in 72 games this season.

2013 - Linus Arnesson, D (Boston Bruins)

Arenesson made the transition from Sweden to North America full time this season, and has been a staple on the Providence Bruins' defensive core as a stay at home guy. That being said, his offensive totals are underwhelming, with only five assists in 48 games.

2014 - Alex Lintuniemi, D (Los Angeles Kings)

Lintuniemi was drafted as a big, defensive defenseman who fits the Kings' play style. He could be a project, however. He was cut from the Ontario Reign, the AHL affiliate, and has spent this season on their ECHL team, the Manchester Monarchs, recording 18 points in 38 games.

2015 - Oliver Kylington, D (Calgary Flames)

Kylington has a rather odd story. He was originally hailed as a top five pick in the deep 2015 NHL Draft, but due to injury slipped to the second round, where the Flames were able to snag him with their pick. He finished his AHL season with the Stockton Heat, recording 12 points in 47 games.

BEST PLAYER TAKEN 60TH: Tomas Tatar

It's easy to say that Tatar has looked like a steal for the Red Wings. With a career high of 57 points and regular top six minutes on his resume, he's looking like a potential solid player for years to come.

RUNNER UPS: Jimmy Hayes, Damon Severson

POTENTIAL STEALS: Oliver Kylington, Stephen Johns