Most draft pundits would put US National Team center Oliver Wahlstrom behind other prospects like Tkachuk and Zidina. However, this ranking looks at who would be best for the Canes to take with the team’s current roster situation.
Few teams have a bigger need to add a first line center to the mix than the Canes. Drafting Wahlstrom puts the Canes in a position to have Aho and Teravainen centered by a potential 60 point scorer when he develops into his best years.
With the US National Team in the World Junior Championships, Wahlstrom racked up an impressive nine points in seven games. Moreover, Wahlstrom is committed to play college hockey at Harvard University next season, and spent this past year with the US National Development program. That’s where he posted 92 points in 62 games played.
It’s tough to think up a better prospect for the Canes to nab outside of the obvious top two guys. Wahlstrom fills a need for the Canes and he’s get a great scoring prowess for how young he is. His skating ability, puck handling, and quick shot make him a very unique forward for the Canes to take a deeper look into.