NHL Draft Recap – Picks 21 to 25

The NHL draft continues with the bottom 1/3 of the first round….

The St. Louis Blues selected one of the top OHL goal scorers in Robby Fabbri at #21, who dropped a little in the draft, possibly due to his lack of size.  However, he has great hockey sense and determination that makes up for lack of size. The Blues have plenty of size already and they need offense, which will eventually come from Fabbri.

Pittsburgh sent new assistant coach and former Flyers great Rick Tocchet to make the 22nd pick but he was received by a chorus of boos.  The Penguins took another second generation NHLer, Kasperi Kapanen who played this past season with his dad Sami Kapanen in Finland.  Kapanen is versatile and will be a bargain at the 22nd pick.

Colorado selected a player who idolized the Avalanche and Joe Sakic, Conner Bleackley from the Red Deer Rebels.  He played for Brent Sutter, and was the captain of the Rebels so you know he has character

Vancouver chose Jared McCann with 24th pick, a big defesneman who suggested he was ready to play now, but likely needs a year of seasoning back in the OHL before the thought enters the Canucks heads about him being ready.

Boston chose Czeck forward David Pastrnak, an ultra skilled if inconsistent forward that hasn’t yet faced top level competition.  He will be a few years away but the Bruins have to be excited about his offensive potential.