8. Malte Gustafsson (HV71, Sweden U-20)
The 6-foot-4 Swede Malte Gustafsson is a textbook play-killer on the blue line on defense. Gustafsson impressed the coaching staff and scouts while playing in the top-four defensively in the roster lineup for HV71 in Sweden this past season.
Gustafsson is an adept skater and uses his size well defensively. His defensive game and large frame will be the biggest benefactors for him in the first round of this draft.
7. Tommy Bleyl (Moncton, QMJHL)
Moncton defenseman Tommy Bleyl has emerged as one of the most fascinating and skilled blue-liners in this draft class this offseason. Bleyl has polished skill and he is one of the best and most agile skaters in this draft class at his position.
He scored over 80 points as a breakout scorer from the blue line for Moncton in the QMJHL this past season. Bleyl plays a composed and confident brand of hockey as an offensive creator in the zone from the point. Bigger and more sizable competition doesn't scare him.
For teams that need offensive production and playmaking on the blue line on defense, Bleyl could be a nice fit to contribute in a potential top four role in the core.
6. Ryan Lin (Vancouver, WHL)
While he is undersized, Vancouver Giants defenseman Ryan Lin has the potential to be one of the most skilled and creative blue-liners in this draft class. He's got great vision on the ice, consistently makes good decisions moving the puck, and plays with a high motor on both sides of the ice.
Regardless if he's trying to find an open teammate in the offensive zone or driving the play to the net with the puck on his stick, Lin is a potent weapon to create plays in the zone and in transition. In the right situation, Lin easily projects to be a top-four caliber defenseman at the next level from this draft class.
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