Future Watch: 2016 NHL Mock Draft – Top 10 Prospects – The 2016 NHL Entry Draft will be held from June 24–25, 2016 at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York. The eyes of the hockey world will be focused on, yet another, very talented draft class.
Several teams will be able to add players that will play with their respective teams this year. This is certainly true for the teams holding the top three picks in Toronto, Winnipeg and Columbus.
Most experts, around the league, are fairly confident in the selection order for the first ten players. However, anything can happen.
For collectors, in all likelihood, it is almost assured that, at least, the top three picks will have Young Gun rookie cards in 2016-17 Upper Deck Series 1 Hockey.
The atmosphere will certainly be electric, as always, so without future adieu here is a look at my Future Watch: 2016 NHL Mock Draft – Top 10 Prospects.
Future Watch: 2016 NHL Mock Draft – Top 10 Prospects
#1. Auston Matthews – Toronto Maple Leafs – 6-2, 210 – C – The Scottsdale, Az native will help usher in a new 
era for the Leafs. He’s marketable, he’ll play right away, and head coach, Mike Babcock loved what he saw out of him at the World Championships. He’s always played against older players and excelled. He’s a generational center. It doesn’t get any better than that.
#2 Patrik Laine – Winnipeg Jets – 6-4, 209 – LW – He was the MVP of the Finnish Elite League postseason. He 
won another MVP award in the World Championships. In both situations he played against older players. He has a pro wrist shot, a physical game, and he attracts the opposing defense leaving his linemates open for scoring chances. He’ll play in the NHL next season.
#3 Jesse Puljujärvi – Columbus Blue Jackets – 6-3, 203 – RW – This Finnish playmaker should play in the 
NHL next season. He’s starred internationally and now he’s ready to turn pro in North America. His overall agility is that of a smaller player and he’s hard to knock off the puck. He can score from almost anywhere on the ice.
#4 Olli Juolevi – Edmonton Oilers – 6-2, 183 – D – There’s going to be a run on Finnish players and why not? 
They’ve been dominating at all levels lately. This talented blue liner just hoisted the Memorial Cup with the London Knights. He may be a year away from the NHL but he’s the most well-rounded defenseman in the draft. His power play prowess, his excellent first pass, his poise and sneaky fast wrist shot will give the Oilers a future star.
#5 Logan Brown – Vancouver Canucks – 6-6, 218 – C – The second generation pivot will be hard for teams to pass on. He has speed, a terrific physical game, and a great demeanor on and off the ice. His great wrist shot and package makes him very hard to match up against.
#6 Pierre Luc-Dubois – Calgary Flames – 6-3, 201 – C – He’s listed as a center but may have to play the wing in 
the NHL. Either way Brian Burke (President of Hockey Ops) will like his truculence. He’s a coaches son and his hands and stick and puck control are elite. He’s solid defensively and his excellent stamina could land him in the NHL very soon.
#7 Matthew Tkachuk – Arizona Coyotes – 6-1, 195 – LW – They could sure sell a lot of Tkachuk jerseys in the 
desert if he’s still available at this spot. His dad Keith, starred there for six seasons. Matthew has a great hockey I.Q., rare poise, and a very quick release on his shot. He loves to go in traffic and come out with the puck.
#8 Jakob Chychrun – Buffalo Sabres – 6-2, 214 – D – He’s a physical specimen with a big shot. This 
offensive defenseman has a very hard and accurate wrist shot. He excels on the power play and the penalty kill. He plays a safe defensive game and can get even faster over time.
#9 Clayton Keller – Montreal Canadiens – 5-10, 168 – C – This Swansea, Illinois native will make the 
Habs even faster sometime in the near future. He’s 99% committed to Boston University for next season and he set the all-time points record at the NTDP beating the likes of Patrick Kane, Phil Kessel and Auston Matthews to name a few. The defense always chases him and he can score or be a playmaker. Terrific all-around pivot.
#10 Mikhail Sergachev – Colorado Avalanche – D – 6-2, 205 – There’s an outside chance that this talented 
Russian could play in the NHL next season. His speed and long reach enable him to catch speedy players from behind. He has a very hard shot and he lays some heavy hits. He can make a long, accurate pass and he plays good defense under duress.
Future Watch: 2016 NHL Mock Draft – Top 10 Prospects
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