Every year's NHL draft class features some prospects who don't make my final top-100 rankings -- which will be published early next week -- but make for decent value picks in the mid-to-late rounds. These draft sleepers stand out to me mainly for their potential upside as low-risk, high-reward swings after the top names are off the board.
Here are 14 such players who make for intriguing depth draft selections.
Marc Del Gaizo, D, UMass (Hockey East)
Age: 19 | Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 188 | Shot: L
41 GP | 13 G | 16 A
Undrafted a year ago despite winning the USHL's Defenseman of the Year award, Del Gaizo is a tad undersized, but he plays an aggressive brand of defense aided by his strong gap control and ability to close on forwards quickly. While he certainly benefited from pairing with Cale Makar at UMass last season, Del Gaizo handles his own business quite well. The main thing holding him back at this point is his skating, which is probably average. But he has a lot of other tools that suggest he can make a case for himself this draft season. I was especially impressed with his maturity and the effectiveness of his game as a freshman defenseman.
Matej Blumel, RW, Waterloo (USHL)
Age: 19 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 198 | Shot: L
58 GP | 30 G | 30 A
He was one of my sleepers for last year's class, and I simply won't give up on the kid. I put a lot of value in versatile, multidimensional players, and that's exactly what Blumel is. He's aggressive, physical and smart, and he has good defensive skills. He'll be headed to UConn next season, where he should get a pretty decent opportunity to play a key role right away. I think his work ethic, compete level and versatile game could get him to the higher levels of the game.
Cameron Rowe, G, USA U18 (NTDP)
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 208 | Catch: L
30 GP | 0.875 Sv% | 3.4 GAA
As Spencer Knight's backup toward the end of the season, his playing time dwindled and he had a harder time recovering from an average season. But those who have been watching Rowe know there's a whole lot of potential in there to unlock. He's not necessarily the most technically sound, but he's incredibly athletic and mobile in the crease. He has a pretty natural feel for the game but is going to need some refining.
Rowe is slated to play for the Des Moines Buccaneers next year in the USHL before heading to the University of North Dakota. Des Moines' new head coach is former goaltender Peter Mannino, who should be a good mentor, and North Dakota just hired another goaltending expert in Karl Goehring from the Tampa Bay Lightning. Basically whichever team drafts him is going to get three to four years of free development from excellent sources.
Grant Silianoff, RW, Cedar Rapids (USHL)
Age: 18 | Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 169 | Shot: L
55 GP | 18 G | 23 A
Having seen Cedar Rapids quite a bit this season, Silianoff always stood out for positive reasons. He has good defensive sense, plays a smart game within control and he can be used in just about any situation. He also has some power in his game. Silianoff isn't exciting in terms of skill, but you always notice him because he brings effort to every single shift.
Elmer Soderblom, RW, Frolunda Jr. (Sweden Jr.)
Age: 17 | Ht: 6-6 | Wt: 219 | Shot: L
44 GP | 9 G | 8 A
Soderblom is one of the biggest forwards in this draft, but the reason I think he should be drafted isn't so much his 6-foot-6 size, but rather how he carries it. His feet are not terribly heavy, though he lacks breakaway speed. He has soft hands and can make a few plays, and there's a foundation off which he can build. The combination of size and just enough skill is makes him worth a swing in the later rounds.
Layton Ahac, D, Prince George (BCHL)
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 190 | Shot: L
53 GP | 4 G | 28 A
A highly-mobile defenseman with size, Ahac really took off during the BCHL playoffs, averaging a point per game in 17 postseason contests. He stands out as a competent defender who manages opposition speed well. I think his mobility and pro frame give him an edge in making the necessary jump in development I'd expect to see from him at Ohio State next season.
Kristian Tanus, LW, Leki (Finland 2)
Age: 18 | Ht: 5-8 | Wt: 160 | Shot: L
33 GP | 13 G | 31 A
Tanus was one of my ranked players for last year's draft, even while knowing that his 5-foot-8 size was going to be an issue. This year, however, the dynamic talent showed that he can produce against men in Finland's second division. He finished top 10 in league scoring and put up more points than any U20 player had in the history of Mestis. He also had six points in 17 Liiga games, which is a respectable clip for a 18-year-old in Finland's top pro league. Size will continue to be an issue with Tanus, but the skill and the excellent season he had should get the winger drafted.
Arseny Gritsyuk, RW, Omsk 2 (Russia Jr.)
Age: 18 | Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 169 | Shot: L
30 GP | 12 G | 9 A
Gritsyuk has the kind of skill that suggests a lot of upside. He makes plays in tight spaces well, handles the puck confidently and has some creativity. Gritsyuk has a pretty solid release and can make plays around the net. He's a bit more on the slight side in terms of size, but he doesn't shy away from the dirty areas of the ice and has some finish to his game.
Ilya Mironov, D, Yaroslavl 2 (Russia Jr.)
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 201 | Shot: L
36 GP | 1 G | 5 A
I really appreciate Mironov's mobility, ability to defend and willingness to be physical when he needs to be. But I don't necessarily love his offensive game. There's not a ton of upside there, even though he moves the puck fine and can protect his own end well. His skating and size bring optimism to what he can be in the near future, but I wouldn't go much earlier than the seventh round on him. The inconsistency in his game ups the risk factor.
Trevor Janicke, C, Central Illinois (USHL)
Age: 18 | Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 190 | Shot: R
58 GP | 22 G | 26 A
Good work ethic and speed give Janicke a shot to be drafted. He can fit into a variety of roles, and this season proved that he can produce when given a bigger role. Janicke was part of the U.S. National Team Development Program last season and didn't get as much ice time as some of his more accomplished teammates, but he always managed to impact games thanks to his tenacity and willingness to play a role.
Case McCarthy, D, USA U18 (NTDP)
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 198 | Shot: R
62 GP | 5 G | 24 A
McCarthy has some intriguing talent and good size. He defends adequately and can move the puck, but I left games this year wanting to see more shift-in-shift-out consistency from him. He sometimes lacked intensity or attention to detail, but he skates well, and there's a foundation of skill there. McCarthy very well could be a top-three-round pick, but I'd be more comfortable if I were landing him later on Day 2.
Taylor Gauthier, G, Prince George (WHL)
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 193 | Catch: R
55 GP | 0.899 Sv% | 3.25 GAA
Gauthier is an especially athletic goaltender who can make the flashy save. Some of the goalie scouts I've spoken to want to see more technical skill. He has great reactions, but maybe it was compensating for the hockey sense. The fact of the matter is, he has the quickness to make those incredible saves, and if there's more development that comes with that, he has a chance to be a home-run pick in the latter half of the draft.
Blake Murray, C, Sudbury (OHL)
Age: 17 | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 187 | Shot: L
66 GP | 30 G | 20 A
A big forward with some decent speed, Murray doesn't have exceptional puck skills, and I have a few concerns about hockey sense. But he can play. There is a good physical frame and compete level there, and he can score. I certainly wouldn't be stunned to see Murray as a top-three-round pick, but I'm not sold completely yet to take that big of a leap.
Luke Toporowski, C, Spokane (WHL)
Age: 18 | Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 179 | Shot: L
67 GP | 21 G | 28 A
I've got so much time for Toporowski. He plays the game hard, has decent enough speed and is excellent on the forecheck. He doesn't boast exceptional size, but he plays big and gets after defenders especially well. The offensive elements of his game are still developing, though he can contribute. His father, Kerry, was a legendary enforcer in the minor leagues, to the tune of 1,338 penalty minutes in 236 games. That's not exactly Luke's game, but he certainly doesn't lack toughness.