Scouts marvel over U.S. and Finnish talent in 2016 NHL draft class

Even though most of the draft talk is surrounding Erie Otters superstar Connor McDavid and Boston University freshman Jack Eichel, elite talent out of the U.S. and Finland has scouts looking down the road to what the 2016 NHL draft class has to offer.

That’s not to suggest Canada is weak in skill in 2016. Mississauga Steelheads defender Sean Day, Vancouver Giants winger Tyler Benson and Regina Pats centre Sam Steel are just a few prospects that could be top-10 selections if they fulfill their potential. But unlike most of the more recent entry drafts, it seems The Great White North won’t have as many high-end young guns to hang its hat on.

American muscle

Despite not producing a prospect as highly regarded as Eichel, in 2016 the United States may have its best crop of talent since 2006, which included four top-10 picks (Erik Johnson, Phil Kessel, Kyle Okposo and Peter Mueller). America's elite group of 16-year-old prospects could not only give them bragging rights on the draft floor, but also another gold medal at the world junior championship.

Scottsdale, AZ., native Auston Matthews is regarded as one of the top U.S. talents. The 6-foot-2, 194-pound forward turned heads for his strong two-way game while playing for the USNTDP juniors in the USHL last year. If he decides not to go the NCAA route, the Everett Silvertips, who own his major junior rights, would be happy to find room for him on their roster.

“Matthews plays a great two-way game with some very exciting offensive characteristics,” says International Scouting Services scout Matt Grainda. “He has the confidence, poise and toughness to try just about anything. He controls the play each time he’s on the ice and possesses fantastic skill moves that help him create separation in 1-on-1 situations. He’s got explosive skating and really great situational hockey sense. Matthews is also pretty strong defensively.”

Jakob Chychrun, who has dual citizenship in the U.S. and Canada, is already a well-known defenceman in Ontario as the Sarnia Sting chose him with the No. 1 pick in the 2014 OHL draft. As one who possesses a 6-foot-2, 194-pound frame, elite composure, strong offensive tools and a physical edge, the sky is the limit for the product of the Florida minor hockey system. In addition, as the son of former NHLer Jeff Chychrun and nephew of Luke Richardson, he has enticing hockey bloodlines.

“Chychrun is a toolsy defender with an intimidating offensive and defensive presence,” says McKeen’s Hockey scout Brendan Ross. “The first elite-level skill that comes to the forefront is his natural powerful skating stride that allows him to either spearhead the rush or close defensive gaps effortlessly. With his imposing size and strength, Chychrun is capable of bone-crushing hits, unleashing a howitzer from the point or man-handling the opposition into turnovers.”

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Max Jones could be the best hockey player to come out of Michigan since Anaheim Ducks star Ryan Kesler. The combination of his size, skill and fearless attitude has scouts marveling over him as the next big power-forward. The 16-year-old winger will play for the USNTDP Juniors this year, but is expected to join the London Knights, who drafted him with the No. 16 pick in 2014, in the future.

“Jones is an absolute firecracker,” says Grainda. “He always wants the puck. His relentless compete level and explosive skating is off the charts. He’s got grit, tenacity, nastiness and great physicality in his game on every shift. His hustle helps him attack the play and his closing speed is really fun to watch. Jones also possesses a rocket of a shot with an extremely quick release. His puck skills and creativity are strong.”

Windsor Spitfires rookie forward Luke Kirwan won’t have to worry about hearing how he needs to fill out his stature. The Dewitt, NY., native already has a 6-foot-1, 231-pound frame just days after his 17th birthday. He uses it to his advantage by being a force along the wall and around the net.

“Kirwan is a beast of a hockey player with great NHL size and strength,” says Grainda. “His elite power-forward game helps him battle through checks, fight along the boards and fend off anyone right around the cage. He’s got great balance, really good stick skills and a cannon shot. Kirwan can also lay players out with his ability to land crushing body checks. He punishes people. There’s just no fear at all to Kirwan’s game.”

Kirwan’s teammate in Windsor – Logan Brown – is also on the 2016 draft radar. The hulking 6-foot-6, 216-pound centre from Chesterfield, Mo., was acquired by the Spitfires from the Niagara IceDogs in the offseason for a boatload of draft picks. He has the potential to develop into a top-notch power forward if he works on his consistency and develops more of an edge to his game.

Flashy Finns

Finland’s 1998-born talent has the potential to shine as bright as the skill the country produced in 2013 when Florida Panthers forward Alexsander Barkov and Buffalo Sabres prospect Rasmus Ristolainen were selected with top-10 draft picks. Three towering Finland natives - Jesse Puljujarvi, Patrik Laine and Olli Juolevi – currently stand out as having the potential to go on to become high draft choices.

Puljujarvi is ultimately the cream of the Finnish crop. He has already elicited comparisons to Barkov because

of his large 6-foot-2, 179-pound frame, superb offensive instincts and lethal shot. Moreover, like Barkov, he started playing against men at just 16-years-old.

“Puljujarvi is at present the best of the three,” says Goran Stubb of NHL Central Scouting Service. “He has already been on the Karpat (FIN Champions 2014) league team and scored his first goal in the league. When he, as a 16-year-old, played for FIN U20 at a U20 four-nation tournament in late August, he was the leading scorer with three goals and six points in the tournament. He has great size and reach and he’s a mobile power wing with great hands and offensive instincts. He has the same scoring instincts and skill set as Barkov.”

Laine is a half of a step behind Puljujarvi on the ice, but concerns surrounding the 6-foot-3, 209-pound forward’s character makes him a bit of a wildcard. He was sent home from the Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament for disciplinary reasons and was inconsistent while playing in the Fin 2 League. If he shows growth in his maturity, he could be one of the more enticing European prospects of the 2016 draft.

“Laine has the tools to be the No. 2 (of the group of three Finnish prospects), but he needs to grow up as a person,” says Stubb. “He will probably play with Tappara in the FIN league later in the season because he’s a powerful, strong skater with great offensive instincts and skills.”

Juolevi stands out as one of the draft’s more enticing blueliners. He’s not only mature physically with a 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame, but he also plays as though he’s well beyond his years with confidence and composure.

“Juolevi has shown steady development over the past year and solidified himself as the most intriguing '98-born Finnish defenseman,” says Finland-based scout Steve Cocker of ISS. “He exudes confidence on the puck and possesses veteran-like composure when advancing the puck. He’s beyond his years in all situations, has incredible upside and smarts on both sides of the puck."

Kelly Friesen is a Buzzing the Net columnist for Yahoo! Sports. Follow him on Twitter @KellyFriesen