Road to the 2016 NHL Draft: 54th Overall

By Alex Hobson

Welcome back to my "Road to the Draft" series. Yesterday, we took a look at the last ten players drafted 55th overall, highlighted by Marco Scandella and Dmitri Orlov. There are now 54 days left until the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, so today we'll look at the last ten 54th overall picks.

2006 - Artem Anisimov, C (New York Rangers)

The big Russian centre has split his NHL career to date between the Rangers, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Chicago Blackhawks, totaling 234 points in 489 games. He just came off of a 20 goal season for the Hawks, centering superstar Patrick Kane and rookie phenom Artemi Panarin.

2007 - Jeremy Smith, G (Nashville Predators)

Smith has been a solid AHL goalie during his career, but is yet to see a decent amount of NHL games. He's split time between the Providence Bruins and Iowa Wild this season, sharing the crease with Malcolm Subban with Providence.

2008 - Patrice Cormier, C (New Jersey Devils)

Cormier has seen some NHL action since being drafted, but not very much. He's been more of an AHL mainstay and is now in the Winnipeg Jets farm system.

2009 - Eric Gelinas, D (New Jersey Devils)

Gelinas spent the majority of his development with the New Jersey Devils organization before being traded to the Colorado Avalanche in the middle of the 2015-16 season. He's amassed a total of 54 points in 162 games.

2010 - Justin Holl, D (Chicago Blackhawks)

Holl never made it in the Blackhawks organization after a few years at the University of Minnesota, but he's enjoying a decent stint with the Toronto Marlies this season, putting up 21 points in 60 games for the team.

2011 - Scott Harrington, D (Pittsburgh Penguins)

Harrington spent a few years with the Penguins' organization before being dealt along with fellow prospect Kasperi Kapanen to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the trade that sent Phil Kessel to Pittsburgh. Harrington missed a large chunk of this season due to injury, but has had solid progression nonetheless.

2012 - Mike Winther, C (Dallas Stars)

Winther enjoyed a few solid years in the WHL between the Prince Albert Raiders, Kamloops Blazers, Calgary Hitmen and Lethbridge Hurricanes. He now plays for the University of Calgary of the CIS.

2013 -  Philippe Desrosiers, G (Dallas Stars)

The Stars didn't really have room for Desrosiers on their AHL team, so he spent this season mainly with the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL, posting a 2.34 GAA and a .913 save percentage.

2014 - Hunter Smith, RW (Calgary Flames)

An absolutely monstrous player standing at 6'8 and 223Klbs, Smith could potentially be one of the most feared players in the NHL. He's currently playing for the Stockton Heat of the AHL, posting eight points in 54 games this season.

2015 - Graham Knott, LW (Chicago Blackhawks)

Knott took a minor step back this season after a solid campaign in his draft year with the Niagara Ice Dogs. The power forward recorded 42 points in 68 games.

BEST PLAYER TAKEN 54TH: Artem Anisimov

He centered arguably the best line in the NHL this season, and has become a lock as the second line centre on the Blackhawks. Doesn't have outstanding point totals, but could very well be a solid player for the Hawks for years to come.

RUNNER UP: Eric Gelinas

POTENTIAL STEALS: Graham Knott, Scott Harrington