The Journey looks ahead to the 2016 NHL Entry Draft to see which teams are the best fit for some of this year’s top prospects.

Winnipeg Jets – 2nd Overall Pick – Patrik Laine –  Tappara (Liiga)

Talk about a perfect scenario for the Jets. Jumping up to the second overall pick after having the sixth best odds of winning top overall pick, Winnipeg has the easiest pick in the draft. When Toronto selects Auston Matthews, GM Kevin Cheveldayoff will take no time getting to the podium to draft the Finnish dynamo. If for some reason Toronto takes Laine in a shocker, Matthews is about the best consolation price possible. Winnipeg has nailed their drafts over the last few season, scooping up players like Kyle Connor and Nik Ehlers in value positions.

Laine’s stock has been skyrocketing lately with his play in the Liiga playoffs. He’s a dynamic scorer with a power forwards frame who should fit in perfectly in Winnipeg’s system. A top-six including Laine, Connor, Ehlers, Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler and and Bryan Little could be downright scary in the near future.

Vancouver Canucks – 5th Overall Pick – Matthew Tkachuk – London (OHL)

Vancouver was one of the disappointed teams the night of the lottery as they dropped from potentially third overall to fifth, but if the chips fall in the right fashion they could end up very pleased with the result. The Canucks decision will hinge greatly on what Edmonton does at fourth overall. The Oilers will have the option of shoring up their defense with their pick, adding yet another forward via the draft or trading out to acquire proven pieces.

If Tkachuk does fall to Vancouver he will be the best player available, and the Canucks greatly need an infusion of talent. His game can adapt to any style and he appears to be close to NHL ready. His best trait that he can bring to the Canucks may be his work ethic, because when Tkachuk is on the ice, other players must take notice. He is truly dangerous each shift he plays.

Arizona Coyotes – 7th Overall Pick – Olli Juolevi – London (OHL)

The Coyotes have been longing for a player who could complement superstar defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and the Finnish-born Juolevi could be the perfect fit.  Arizona could also go best player available here and take one of the available forwards to add to their already dynamic group, but if they are smart they will look to build from the defense out.

Juolevi projects to be an all-situation, minute munching defenseman at the pro level that plays with the possession game that is so coveted in today’s NHL. He should provide fantasy owners with multiple categories worth of stats for what could be a long NHL career.

Montreal Canadiens – 9th Overall Pick – Mikhail Sergachev (OHL)

Montreal has an aging blueline with Andrei Markov, Alexei Emelin, and Tom Gilbert all over 30 years old. Sergachev gives them a shot of youth to go along with last year’s first round pick Noah Juulsen, in an attempt to build a solid blueline around PK Subban.

The young Russian is a solid skater who has a strong competitive streak and a big shot that looks as if it could be a valuable tool on an NHL power-play. In his first year on North American soil, he scored 17 goals, eight of which came on the power-play. 

Carolina Hurricanes – 13th Overall Pick – Logan Brown – Windsor (OHL)

The son of former Whaler/Hurricanes defenseman Jeff Brown was actually born in Raleigh during his father’s 32 game stint in the city in the final season of his career. There is a very good chance Brown could be selected before the Canes pick at 13, but there are a lot of things to like about the towering center eventually ending up in Carolina. Since GM Ron Francis took over the reins from former GM Jim Rutherford, he has coveted big-bodied players who play a skillful all-around game and Brown fits the bill. A center group that includes Jordan Staal, and eventually Nicolas Roy and Logan Brown would be relentless down the middle in Coach Bill Peters puck possession game.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Canes give a look to one of the high talented wingers as well at 13 if they are still available. With their defensive corps likely set for the next few years given their group of talented youngsters, it’s time to match that talent in their forward group.

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