The NHL draft lottery on May 5 revealed the team that won the first overall pick and also filled out the full first-round order ahead of this summer’s draft set for June 26-27.
The Toronto Maple Leafs were the night’s big winner and are now expected by many to choose between elite forward prospects in Penn State’s Gavin McKenna and Frolunda HC’s Ivar Stenberg with the draft’s No. 1 pick.
Michigan State hockey fans will have a close eye on the draft as three prospects who are poised to join the Spartans and be big factors during the upcoming season are potential first-round picks.
Here’s a look at those players and their possible draft fit in next month’s draft.
Chase Reid: 6-2, RHD, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
Reid is ranked as the second overall North American skater behind McKenna by NHL Central Scouting and is arguably the top defense prospect in the draft. Reid was a standout at the World Juniors and is among the most consistent defensemen in the OHL.
Reid’s 18 goals and 30 assists in 45 games this season show that he can bring an offensive punch, and he is already a tremendous skater who will continue to develop the intricacies of his game while at MSU. He has a sturdy frame, and even if he only spends a single year with the Spartans, he will be an extremely important piece on the blue line this winter.
Possible Fit: Chicago Blackhawks (No. 4 overall) – The Blackhawks have used two of their last three high first-round picks on forwards Connor Bedard and Anton Frondell, so getting another prospect to solidify the back end would be a great match. The Blackhawks do have two high-end defense prospects in former MSU blue-liner Artyom Levshunov and former Minnesota Gopher Sam Rinzel, but Reid would be a home-run insurance policy if either of those players falls short of expectations.
Nikita Klepov: 6-0, RW, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Klepov became the first OHL Rookie of the Year since Patrick Kane in 2007 to also lead the league in scoring with 37 goals and 60 assists in 67 games. He has risen on draft boards over the past year after showing consistent growth with the Spirit. Klepov had just 31 points in 59 USHL games the season prior.
Klepov is the eighth-ranked NA skater by NHL Central Scouting and should find himself being selected somewhere in the middle of the first round. At MSU, Klepov will be a top-six forward for multiple seasons as he continues to grow into his game.
Possible Fit: Los Angeles Kings (No. 17 overall) – The Kings finished 29th in goals scored this past season and traded one of their top forward prospects in Liam Greentree for Artemi Panarin at this past trade deadline. Klepov would give the Kings a consistent, high-producing prospect that would help rebuild the depleted forward farm system in Los Angeles.
Jack Hextall: 6-0, C, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
Hextall put together a terrific second season at the USHL level with 20 goals and 38 assists for the Phantoms in 59 games, including recording a goal and an assist in four playoff games.
Most rankings have Hextall somewhere in the 30s, but a handful have him in the 20s, and The Hockey News’ writer Tony Ferrari has him as high as 14th. NHL Central Scouting isn’t as high on Hextall, who is ranked 34th among NA Skaters.
Hextall has a tremendous motor, something that should fit right into MSU coach Adam Nightingale’s style of play. He’s a great set-up guy, but likely a few years away from being at the level of an NHL-ready player.
Possible Fit: New York Rangers (No. 27 overall) – After a disappointing season, the Rangers need all the help they can get, and snagging a reliable, two-way center late in the first round would be a great pickup. Down the line, Hextall would project as a second- or third-line center who could contribute in numerous ways.
Contact Nathaniel Bott at nbott@lsj.com and follow him on X @Nathaniel_Bott
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: With NHL draft order set, here’s where 3 MSU prospects may fit as early picks
Reporting by Nathaniel Bott, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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