Road to the 2016 NHL Draft: 58th Overall

By Alex Hobson

Welcome back to my "Road to the Draft" series. Yesterday, we took a look at the last ten players drafted 59th overall, highlighted by Brandon Pirri and Jason Zucker. There are 58 days left until the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, so today we'll look at the last ten 58th overall picks.

2006 - Alexander Vasyunov, LW (New Jersey Devils)

Vasyunov was once regarded as a top prospect for the Devils coming out of the 2006 NHL Draft. After a brief stint in the NHL and AHL for the Devils organization, he returned to Russia. He unfortunately passed away during his tenure with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, when their team plane crashed on September 7th, 2011.

2007 - Nick Spaling, C (Nashville Predators)

Spaling, while never really being looked at as an exciting player, has enjoyed a steady NHL career playing for a number of different teams including the Predators, Pittsburgh Penguins, Toronto Maple Leafs, and San Jose Sharks. He has amassed a total of 124 points in 437 career NHL games as a solid defensive forward.

2008 - Dmitri Kugryshev, RW (Washington Capitals)

Kugryshev never panned out in the NHL, but had brief stints in the AHL and ECHL and has since been enjoying a solid KHL career in his native Russia with CSKA Moscow.

2009 - Jesse Blacker, D (Toronto Maple Leafs)

Blacker had a successful OHL career between the Windsor Spitfires and Owen Sound Attack, but has yet to find his groove in the NHL or AHL. He's played in one NHL game, and has recorded 85 points in 280 AHL games.

2010 - Kent Simpson, G (Chicago Blackhawks)

One of the best looking goalie prospects out of the 2010 NHL Draft, Simpson also hasn't found his groove in the minors. He's spent this season in the Calgary Flames' farm system, splitting time between the AHL's Stockton Thunder and the ECHL's Adriondack Thunder.

2011 - Nikita Kucherov, RW (Tampa Bay Lightning)

After very successful stints in Russia, the QMJHL, and the AHL, Kucherov assumed a full time NHL role in 2014-15, where he immediately made an impact, recording 64 points in 82 games. This season, he recorded his first 30 goal season at age 22 as part of a 66 point, 77 game campaign with the Lightning.

2012 - Jordan Martinook, RW (Phoenix Coyotes)

Martinook played in his first full NHL season this year, recording a total of 24 points in 81 games. He looks to be a potential solid utility forward in the future for the Yotes.

2013 - Tyler Bertuzzi, LW (Detroit Red Wings)

The nephew of former NHL power forward Todd Bertuzzi, Tyler enjoyed a decent campaign in his first pro season with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL, recording 30 points in 71 games.

2014 - Christian Dvorak, LW (Arizona Coyotes)

Dvorak is looking to be a great pick for the Coyotes so far. Appearing on the OHL's powerhouse London Knights' top line alongside of Mitch Marner and Matthew Tkachuk, Dvorak amassed a total of 121 points in 59 games in what will be his final OHL season.

2015 - Kevin Stenlund, C (Columbus Blue Jackets)

Stenlund spent this season with HV71 of the SHL, recording two points in 43 games. He had a good campaign with HV71 J20, however, with 24 points in 17 games.

BEST PLAYER DRAFTED 58TH: Nikita Kucherov

It's not hard to make this decision here, as this is another weak class of prospects. Kucherov has already had a 30 goal season at age 22 and has locked himself into Tampa Bay's young core featuring the likes of Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat, and Steven Stamkos. Kucherov is already a very talented player and still has lots of time to get better.

RUNNER UP: Nick Spaling

POTENTIAL STEALS: Christian Dvorak, Tyler Bertuzzi