The second and third rounds of the NHL Draft is where organizations find value to fill their lineups with prospects that can make an impact down the road. Finding prospect depth in picks 30-90 imperative to a winning NHL organization. In fantasy, these players can be extremely valuable as well, to get a leg up on your competition before sleepers become stars. No 2016 second or third rounders have made the league yet, but both NHL and Fantasy owners are starting to see production from their 2014 and 2015 crop. Guys like Sebastian Aho, Brandon Carlo, Christian Dvorak, Ivan Barbashev and Brayden Point are providing value at a low cap number.

Connor Timmins – Defenseman – Colorado Avalanche – Selected 32^nd Overall

Timmons was projected by most outlets as a first rounder, so it’s no surprise that he went off the board with the first pick of the second round. The Avalanche clearly are looking to build their defense around playmakers, after scooping up Cale Makar with the fourth overall pick in round one.

The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhound posted 61 points in his draft year, a number that was tied for the league among CHL defensemen. His 54 assists were third among all OHL blueliners, with an impressive 40 of them coming at even strength, a number that led the league. Colorado is a long way away from being a contender, but in Timmins and Makar, they have a solid pair of offensive-minded defensemen who can develop together and potentially will run the Avalanche power play in the future.

Jesper Boqvist – Center – New Jersey Devils – Selected 36^th Overall

Early in the second round, the Devils chose wisely, adding Boqvist to a draft haul that already included the number one overall pick in Nico Hischier.  New Jersey had been a wasteland of prospect talent during their downturn, but looks to be rebounding nicely after putting together a couple solid drafts over the last few years.

The Swedish center, who split time between the Brynas and Timra in his draft year, is a quick, skilled prospect who can pot goals from anywhere below the circles. He projects as a likely middle-six option, but one who will see significant time on special teams, and who can be a 20-plus goal scorer in the future. He’s a name that many may not know about, as fantasy owners at times gravitate towards players in amateur drafts who they have heard more about.

Jason Robertson  – Right Wing – Dallas Stars – Selected 39^th Overall

Owen Tippett was selected 10^th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft by Florida. Robertson, who finished two goals behind him in OHL goals, had to wait 38 picks before his name was called 39^th overall. The biggest knock against Robertson is his feet, as his goal scoring abilities and instincts were among the best in the draft.

Robertson will be at his best in the NHL when surrounded by talented playmakers. Despite not having the best skating ability, he knows his way around the offensive zone, finding pockets of space where he can be the most effective. Sounds like the profile of an eventual sniper on the power play, and a player who can be even more dangerous when he has reliable players getting him the puck when he gets open.

Aleksi Heponiemi  – Center – Florida Panthers – Selected 40^th Overall

The diminutive Finnish center is a classic case of seeing a player’s size and questioning his ability and effectiveness when translating to the NHL level. Heponiemi was terrific for Swift Current in the Western Hockey League in his first season in North America, playing on a team that took Regina to a seventh game in the WHL’s second round.

Much like many of the smaller, skilled players who have come before him, Heponiemi relies on his ability with the puck and playmaking traits to be a factor. Clearly, prospects that are 5’10” and 150 pounds don’t always make the NHL level, but with a second round selection in your prospect drafts he is one to look at as a high ceiling option. His potential as a bust is there if his offense doesn’t translate, but you could do worse in this high risk, high reward situation.  

Robin Salo – Defenseman – New York Islanders – Selected 46^th Overall

Salo was a personal favorite of mine as a second round option, as I think he can be a two-way option at the NHL level. New York got a good prospect in the top 50 that has the potential to develop overseas for a couple seasons, adding offensive elements to his game that could make him a huge sleeper down the road.

As a capable defender already, Salo is continuing to refine his game, but he has the size and smarts to be a top four guy at the NHL level. Think of him as a smaller version of a player like Mattias Ekholm. A defenseman who can be a minute-muncher at the NHL level, but additionally could have sneaky offensive output. Clearly he’s not going to be the most sought after fantasy prospect in the draft, but one who can provide value down the road, especially in multi-category leagues.

Joni Ikonen – Center – Montreal Canadiens – Selected 58^th Overall

Finding a goal scorer like Ikonen nearing the end of the second round is rare, but that’s exactly what the Canadiens were able to accomplish. The young Finn posted 22 goals in 40 games for Frolunda’s U20 team averaging over a point per game, and added four goals in seven games at the U18’s.

Ikonen can play either center or wing, which gives the Canadiens options on where he can slot in (and multi-position eligibility for you) in the future. He is a smooth, offensive force who will be best if given top six minutes and power play time where he can drive point production and goal scoring for his team. Ikonen is a ways off, but once he shows he can be relied upon defensively should make an impact as a secondary scorer.

Alexei Lipanov – Center – Tampa Bay Lightning – Selected 76^th Overall

Tampa has been drafting well for years, so it’s always good to follow the Lightning’s picks when filling out your own roster. Guys like Point, Taylor Raddysh, Anthony Cirelli, Mitchell Stephens, and Mathieu Joseph have all been middle round picks for Tampa over the last few drafts. Lipanov could be the next in line to make a similar post draft impact.

The young Russian forward was selected by the Barrie Colts in the 2016 CHL Import Draft, and will join first overall pick and potential 2018 top NHL overall draft pick Andrei Svechnikov in the OHL next season. Lipanov plays the game of a modern NHL forward, built on speed and smarts and is dangerous in one-on-one situations. He has the skill level of a first rounder, but his slight build and the Russian factor likely dropped him down draft boards. He’s a guy who should go higher in fantasy drafts than he did in the NHL.

David Farrance – Defenseman – Nashville Predators – Selected 92^nd Overall

Another favorite of mine from the draft process was Farrance, who I was shocked didn’t go before 92^nd overall. Not surprising by any means to see where the USNTDP player ended up, as Nashville has been drafting well defensively for years now.

The New York native will be attending Boston University this fall, and I see some similarities to another New Yorker who was drafted in the third round a year ago and had a breakout season in the NCAA’s in Adam Fox. Modern defensemen need to be able to move the puck and that’s exactly what Farrance does. Whether it be by skating the puck out of trouble or pinging stretch passes in transition to his forwards, the blue liner projects as one of the better offensive-minded options at this point in the draft.

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