Road to the 2016 NHL Draft: 49th Overall

By Alex Hobson

Welcome back to my "Road to the Draft" series. Yesterday, we took a look at the last ten players drafted 50th overall, highlighted by Milan Lucic and Colton Sissons. There are now 49 days until the 2016 NHL Draft, so today we'll look at the last ten players drafted 49th overall.

2006 - Ben Maxwell, C (Montreal Canadiens)

Maxwell had a good WHL career along with some successful AHL stints and even a few decent NHL stints, but after being traded three times he never ended up making it to the NHL full time. He now plays for HK Sochi of the KHL.

2007 - Trevor Cann, G (Colorado Avalanche)

Cann never made it to the NHL after a lengthy career in the AHL, and is currently playing in the ECHL for the Brampton Beast. He also appeared in one game for the Stoney Creek Generals of the ACH.

2008 - Jared Staal, RW (Phoenix Coyotes)

Shortly after turning pro, Staal was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes to be united with his brothers, Eric and Jordan. Jared's career never took off like his brothers' did, however. He's currently playing in the ECHL for the South Carolina Stingrays.

2009 - Stefan Elliott, D (Colorado Avalanche)

After being traded twice recently, Elliott is now playing for the Milwaukee Admirals in the Nashville Predators organization. He's put up decent totals, with 19 points in 35 games.

2010 - Calvin Pickard, G (Colorado Avalanche)

It took some time, but Pickard is developing into a solid NHL goalie. After Reto Berra was injured last season, Pickard earned himself a callup and became the full time backup this season, posting a record of 7-6-1 with a 2.56 GAA and a .922 save percentage.

2011 - Christopher Gibson, G (Los Angeles Kings)

After the Kings didn't sign him, Gibson signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs where he spent the majority of his time there with the Toronto Marlies organization. He was recently traded to the New York Islanders in a six player deal and has played in the AHL with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

2012 - Martin Frk, LW (Detroit Red Wings)

Frk had a solid junior career with the Halifax Mooseheads and has since made his way to the AHL for the Red Wings, recording 68 points in 149 AHL games.

2013 - Gabryel Paquin-Boudreau, LW (San Jose Sharks)

Boudreau just finished a solid junior career in the QMJHL, splitting time between the Baie-Comeau Drakkar, Chicoutimi Sagueneens, and Gatineau Olympiques. He will report to the San Jose Barracuda next season.

2014 - Vaclav Karabacek, RW (Buffalo Sabres)

Karabacek is described as a player who will not wow you with his skills in any area, but he's just a very solid forward who plays a simple game. He's recorded 117 points in 171 QMJHL games so far.

2015 - Roope Hintz, C (Dallas Stars)

The big Finn has grown into a very reliable forward for HIFK of the SM-Liiga. He recorded four points in seven games for Team Finland at the World Juniors and he recorded 20 points in 33 games for HIFK.

BEST PLAYER DRAFTED 49th: Calvin Pickard

Pickard highlights a very weak list of players drafted to 49th. He's been a solid goalie for the Avs, but still needs to develop his game. Nonetheless he could become a quality goaltender for the Avs in the near future.

RUNNER UP: Stefan Elliott

POTENTIAL STEALS: Gabryel Paquin-Boudreau, Roope Hintz