Road to the 2016 NHL Draft: 50th Overall

By Alex Hobson

Welcome back to my "Road to the Draft" series. Yesterday, we took a look at the last ten players drafted 51st overall, highlighted by Derek Stepan and Calle Jarnkrok. There are now 50 days until the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, so today we'll take a look at the last ten players drafted 50th overall.

2006 - Milan Lucic, LW (Boston Bruins)

One of the most hated players around the league, but one of the most effective nonetheless, Lucic spent the majority of his career with the Bruins before being dealt to the Los Angeles Kings last summer. His career high season was a 30 goal, 62 point performance in 2010-11.

2007 - Nico Sacchetti, C (Dallas Stars)

Sacchetti never made it to the ECHL, let alone the AHL or NHL. After some underwhelming seasons with the University of Minnesota, he now plays in the EIHL for the Fife Flyers.

2008 - Cameron Gaunce, D (Colorado Avalanche)

Gaunce has only appeared in 20 NHL games, spending most of his days as an AHL journeyman. He currently plays for the Portland Pirates and has recorded 134 points in 419 AHL games.

2009 - Kenny Ryan, RW (Toronto Maple Leafs)

A classic Brian Burke pick. A big, American power forward. He's currently playing in the Anaheim Ducks' system, where he recorded 10 points in 41 games for the San Diego Gulls of the AHL this season.

2010 - Connor Brickley, C (Florida Panthers)

Brickley continues to develop in the Panthers' farm system, now playing for the Portland Pirates. He recorded 27 points in 45 games, and 5 points in 20 games in his short stint with the Panthers.

2011 - Johan Sundstrom, C (New York Islanders)

Sundstrom spent the majority of his career playing in Sweden for Frolunda HC, but has played short stints in both the NHL and AHL. He returned to Frolunda this season where he put up 36 points in 51 games.

2012 - Colton Sissons, C (Nashville Predators)

Sissons is slowly developing into a very effective young forward for the Predators. After putting up nice totals in the AHL for the Milwaukee Admirals, he earned himself a callup and put up 6 points in 34 games.

2013 - Dillon Heatherington, D (Columbus Blue Jackets)

Heatherington has been a solid defensive defenseman his entire career, and has put up decent totals in his first AHL season after a lengthy junior career with the Swift Current Broncos, with 19 points in 61 AHL games.

2014 - Roland McKeown, D (Los Angeles Kings)

McKeown is looking like a very solid pick for the Kings so far. Originally a projected first rounder in 2014, he slipped to the second round and the Kings took him without hesitation. He put up 42 points in 69 games for the Kingston Frontenacs this season, and is likely to make the move to the AHL next season.

2015 - Jordan Greenway, LW (Minnesota Wild)

Greenway, a hulking power forward, had a great freshman season at Boston University. He put up 26 points in 39 games and could develop into a very good physical, offensive presence for the Wild in the future.

BEST PLAYER DRAFTED 50th: Milan Lucic

Lucic is the best NHL player taken 50th without a doubt. Like him or not, he's a great asset for any team to have and has a knack for physical play and scoring goals.

RUNNER UP: Colton Sissons

POTENTIAL STEALS: Roland McKeown, Jordan Greenway