2016 NHL Mock Draft: Picks #11-20

By Alex Hobson

Welcome back to my 2016 NHL Mock Draft. In my last segment of this three part series, I went over picks #1-10 that saw Auston Matthews don a Leafs jersey and the Fantastic Finns in Jesse Puljujarvi and Patrik Laine go to Edmonton and Winnipeg respectively. In this piece, we'll take a look at picks #11-20 as per the request of my good friend Jacob Du. Again, this is not my opinion on who finishes where, this is based off of the current standings. Without further ado, let's take a look at the next group of young talent.

11. Ottawa Senators - Michael McLeod (C, Mississauga Steelheads, OHL)

The Senators owned two first round picks in the 2015 NHL Draft last year, which they used to select strong two way defenseman Thomas Chabot and big two way forward Colin White respectively, so bringing in Mike McLeod would be a great addition to their forward pool. McLeod is currently producing at a steady pace with 61 points in 57 games and he's possibly one of the fastest skaters in this draft class. He would be a good pickup for the Sens should he be availible when they make their pick.

12. Carolina Hurricanes - Clayton Keller (C, USNTDP, USHL)

The Hurricanes used their last two first rounders to take some big names defensively in Haydn Fleury and Noah Hanifin, so given the fact that they had trouble scoring this year, it would be wise of them to take a smaller, skilled forward, and that's exactly what they would be getting in Keller. He currently has 85 points in 51 games for the U.S National U18 team, and is committed to Boston University in 2016-17.

13. Minnesota Wild - Dante Fabbro (D, Pentitcton Vees, BCHL)

Fabbro is an exceptional player and has impressed many scouts during his tenure with Penticton this season. He's a strong two way defenseman, but has a big shot and currently has 67 points in 45 games for the Vees. The Wild used their last two first rounders on forwards Alex Tuch and Joel Eriksson Ek respectively, so they would be wise to take Fabbro if he's on the board when they are on the clock.

14. Colorado Avalanche - Jake Bean (D, Calgary Hitmen, WHL)

Bean has been an exceptional player for the Calgary Hitmen this season, putting up amazing offensive totals with 64 points in 68 games. It's no secret that the Avalanche desperately need defensive depth on the blue line, so they would be wise to grab Bean if he's on the board. He would slot in nicely in the future alongside of an Erik Johnson or a Tyson Barrie.

15. Philadelphia Flyers - Riley Tufte (LW, Fargo Force, USHL)

Tufte has split time this year between Blaine High of the USHS, where he's team captain and has an outstanding total of 78 points in 25 games, and the Fargo Force of the USHL where he currently has 8 points in 20 games. Tufte would fit in perfectly to the Flyers' system as he's a big power forward who can score goals and provide offense for a team that already has a stacked defensive core.

16. Toronto Maple Leafs (From Pittsburgh Penguins) - Charlie McAvoy (D, Boston University, NCAA)

If my wishes come true and the Leafs win the draft lottery to select Auston Matthews this season, then they would be wise to draft a defenseman with their second pick. In this case, they would have one who would fit in perfectly into Mike Babcock's system. He currently has 24 points in 36 games for Boston U, similar to Noah Hanifin's totals at Boston College last season, and he's right handed, which is something the Leafs desperately need.

17. Detroit Red Wings - Max Jones (LW, London Knights, OHL)

Knowing the Red Wings, no matter who they select in any draft, they will never get a bad player. Though if they take Jones, they'll be getting a good player anyway. He's a big power forward who drives the net and has a knack for scoring goals. He would fit nicely alongside of a Dylan Larkin in the future should the Red Wings take him.

18. Nashville Predators - Tyson Jost (C, Penticton Vees, BCHL)

Like fellow Penticton teammate Dante Fabbro, Tyson Jost is also dominating the BCHL. And when I say dominating, I mean he's absolutely killing it. He currently has a whopping total of 104 points in 48 games, and considering the Predators already have an insanely stacked defensive pool, Jost would provide them with some very solid offense up front. The St.Albert native is committed to the University of North Dakota for 2016-17.

19. New York Islanders - German Rubtsov (C, Team Russia U18, MHL)

Rubtsov is an interesting prospect in the sense that he doesn't garner a lot of scouting reports because of his location. He's currently playing in the MHL, the Junior league of the KHL, and to this day has 26 points in 28 games for Team Russia. Should the Islanders take Rubtsov with their first rounder, he will not disappoint and could become a solid top six forward for the Isles.

20. Boston Bruins - Kieffer Bellows (C, USNTDP, USHL)

Bellows, like Clayton Keller, is producing steadily in the USNTDP. He currently has 31 points in 21 games for the Junior team and 68 points in 51 games for the National U18 team. The Bruins have a steady defensive prospect pool to this day, so they could very well go with the skilled forward in Bellows this year.