SenShot 2014 NHL Mock Draft Picks 16-20

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Jun 30, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils chairman Jeff Vanderbeek speaks before the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

We start off the second half of our NHL Mock Draft and firmly enter the area where teams made the playoffs but didn’t advance as far as they would have liked or hoped.

There is more pressure on the scouting staffs of teams in this area, because these are the guys that are hit and miss. The top end of the draft are usually solid, if not can’t-miss, but once you get to the second half, there are diamonds still available but you have to find them.

#16 – Columbus Blue Jackets

Apr 19, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman

Jack Johnson

(7) celebrates with the Blue Jackets bench after scoring a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period in game two of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Columbus Blue Jackets have undergone a complete overhaul over the past couple of seasons, and it resulted in a return to the playoffs and the first playoff victory in franchise history.

Going forward, the Blue Jackets have a good group of young defensemen, but they are lacking size and skill on the wing.

Dylan Larkin from the US Under 18 Program is a scrappy player who provides a consistent forecheck, and has a decent shot. He is fast which allows him to pressure opposing blueliners and he has put up almost a point per game with the National Under-18 team. He is committed to Michigan for next season so will learn the game under one of the best in Red Berensen. He might not project to be a top 6 forward but will be an energy player in the future.

#17 – Philadelphia Flyers

Mar 20, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers head coach

Craig Berube

and assistant coach

John Paddock

behind the bench against the Dallas Stars during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers defeated the Stars, 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The Flyers had a disappointing first round playoff exit at the hands of the New York Rangers, and they are ready to re-load for next season.

Philadelphia has a solid group of prospects on the blue line, which they might be tapping into very soon with the aging Kimmo Timonen and Mark Streit‘s career winding down.

That being said, although the need is not imminent, they will require scoring ability on the wings to complement their very good group up the middle.

The Flyers would benefit from the talent of Robby Fabbri from the Guelph Storm of the OHL. His offensive output exploded from 10 goals and 33 points in 2012-13 to 45 goals and 87 points this year. He added 6 points in 4 games as the Storm made it to the final of the Memorial Cup.

He is not big, but the Flyers have plenty of size so this would be a nice fit for him.

#18 – Minnesota Wild

Apr 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Minnesota Wild head coach Mike Yeo on his bench in the first period against the Colorado Avalanche during game two of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota got to the second round of the playoffs by virtue of a first round upset of the Colorado Avalanche but were ousted by the Chicago Blackhawks in round 2.

The Wild system has some top-end talent, but they are not really deep in any area. They cannot afford to go drafting for specific position and must take the best player available.

That player at this point is Jared McCann of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the OHL. McCann is a solid 2 way center that needs to add size and strength, but the same could be said about most prospects at this age. His offense didn’t improve as much as you would hope from rookie year to sophomore in the OHL, but his rookie numbers were pretty solid. He was just under a point per game this season. He is smart, has good vision and nice hands.

#19 – Tampa Bay Lightning

Dec 12, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman

Matt Carle

(25) and the bench react after Tampa Bay Lightning right wing

Martin St. Louis

(26) scores a goal during the shoot out against the Detroit Red Wings at Tampa Bay Times Forum. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Detroit Red Wings in a shoot out, 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Lightning had the unfortunate task of playing their first round playoff series without Ben Bishop, resulting in being fodder for the Montreal Canadiens.

The Lighting need to build a core of defensemen, because they are aging in that area and although Victor Hedman is becoming the horse he was expected to be, the rest of the blue line is patchwork.

Defenseman Roland McKeown from the Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL combines decent size with a developing offensive touch. He is physical and a solid skater. Not huge for NHL defensemen standards, but he can handle himself and plays well positionally.

#20 – San Jose Sharks

Apr 1, 2014; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks head coach

Todd McLellan

behind his team on the bench during the third period against the Edmonton Oilers at SAP Center at San Jose. San Jose won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

The Sharks are a team in limbo. They signed their veteran forwards to contract extensions prior to the post-season, but another early exit (this time in remarkable fashion) has the team questioning its direction. They have already rid themselves of veteran blueliner Dan Boyle, and more changes could be on the way.

The Sharks system is not deep, and they can use help anywhere and everywhere.

However, the biggest need might be a shutdown defenseman, and that player is avaialable at this point.

Travis Sanheim of the Calgary Hitmen is one of the fastest risers in the draft. He has played only one season of major junior and once the team started giving him quality ice time, he responded in remarkable fashion. He had just 2 points in his first 31 games, but finished with 29 points in 67 games and was one of the top players for Team Canada’s under 18 team.

He is 6’3″ and will play at about 210-220 lbs when he fills out. He will definitely need another year of junior before even being considered for NHL duty, given his late blooming.

Jun 30, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; A general view of the stage between picks during the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Now two-thirds of the way through the first round, and we start moving into those teams that are close, but fell short. Those teams can start drafting for position if they feel the need, and this is also the area of the draft where teams can unearth a prospect that can make or break a team’s ability to be consistently competitive instead of being up and down.