The Journey examines which mid-round picks from the 2016 NHL Entry Draft are fantasy value picks based on their drafted position and team. These are players who if they become NHL players could be fantasy relevant additions down the road.

Jordan Kyrou – Drafted 35^th Overall – St. Louis Blues

Kyrou was a strong three-zone player for Sarnia this past season. He is an elite skater who uses his speed and control to gain time and space in the offensive and neutral zones. He has a good amount of offensive potential and has shown high-level ability in flashes throughout his career with the Sting. Last season he put up 58 points in 72 regular season and playoff games, and added another eight in seven games while playing for Canada at the U-18’s

As he continues to get stronger, Kyrou’s shot should improve, and if that happens, he could be a potential steal in the second round. He is joining a St. Louis organization that will allow him the time needed to develop. Kyrou should take on more offensive responsibility for Sarnia next year and with that should come higher point totals.

Samuel Girard – Drafted 47^th Overall – Nashville Predators

Girard was named the QMJHL’s Defenseman of the Year last season, piling up a league-best 64 assists for his position. As a fluid skater, he excels at zone-exits and zone-entries due to his ability to carry the puck confidently. Girard is a pass-first player who does a ton of damage with the man advantage, preferring to set up his teammates for scoring opportunities. As he gets stronger, his shot should continue to improve, which will add another element for opposing players to have to defend.

Given the logjam on the Predators blueline for the near future, and the drafting of Dante Fabbro with their first-round pick, Girard’s eventual future could be with another organization. He is a good ways away from playing professional hockey, but projects as a bottom-four defenseman at even strength, and a dynamo with the man-advantage.

Vitali Abramov – Drafted 65^th Overall – Columbus Blue Jackets

At 5-foot-9 and just 175 pounds, Abramov will have a tough climb to the NHL, but he does have the top-end skills to make it. After being the 13^th overall pick in the CHL Import Draft, the undersized Russian impressed for Gatineau leading all rookies in goals (38), assists (55) and points (93) in the QMJHL.

Abramov is a terrific skater and has good hands, which is important in a player of his stature. Defenders tend to back off the shifty winger in fear of getting beat, which opens up passing lanes that Abramov is able to exploit with his good vision. Columbus is building prospect depth after a number of graduations and trades in recent years, and with Brandon Saad their only winger under 26, Abramov could push for a spot in the future.

Adam Fox – Drafted 66^th Overall – Calgary Flames 

If it weren’t for his size, Fox would have been taken much higher then his early third-round draft position. He is a terrific playmaker who set the USNTDP record for points by a defenseman with 59 in 64 games this past season. Fox possesses terrific hockey sense and vision, and at times can control the game from the backend.

Calgary is putting together a solid future corps of blueliners with Oliver Kylington, Rasmus Andersson and Tyler Wotherspoon, and Fox appears to be the next to join that group. He is a high-ceiling player who could end up being a power-play specialist in the future.

Will Bitten – Drafted 70^th Overall – Montreal Canadiens

Montreal taking a chance on Bitten in the third round could prove to be a steal. There were many varying opinions of the two-way forward when it came to his ranking position, but there is no denying that he is a talented prospect with high upside. Playing in a no-win situation with the Flint Firebirds last season, Bitten handled himself admirably with 65 points in 67 games.

Bitten is an offensive weapon both at even-strength and on the power play, and despite his smallish frame, he is not afraid to mix it up physically. He has a knack for finding high-danger scoring areas and uses his competitive drive to win battles in front of the net resulting in easy goals. He has the ceiling of a top-six, secondary scorer if he reaches the NHL and should be an asset on the power play.

Jonathan Ang – Drafted 94^th Overall – Florida Panthers

Rarely can you find a player in the fourth round of a draft that has top-end skills, but the Panthers have that in Ang. The Peterborough Petes forward has electric skating ability and may very well have the best wheels in the draft. He is a shift disturber on the forecheck that is incredibly tough to handle in one-on-one situations where he has a chance to get his legs moving. He'll likely end up on the wing given his size, and will need to build confidence in his all-around offensive game to be an impact prospect as a professional.

Florida is locked and loaded with their forward group for the near future, but with talk recently of wanting their group to play at a higher pace, it’s easy to see why they took a chance on Ang. He is a player to watch for next season to see if he takes a step forward in his development as a point-producer.

Give Kevin a follow @kleblanchockey for NHL prospect talk and happenings.