Cole Sillinger – C
Why Yzerman picks him over other prospects available: Work ethic, high hockey IQ, and speed. Wheeler had a source who used “freak” and “stud” as descriptors. Sillinger has the attributes that Yzerman looks for but also boasts the strength in a forward that you see as a hallmark of his former team’s forward group. Think of any of stronger goal scoring forward on Tampa and that’s what you can compare Sillinger to. It’s not a surprise to see him up the board as a result, and it’s also not out of the realm of possibility that along with Johnson and McTavish, he stands one of the better chances of being drafted.
Why Yzerman passes on him: He values Johnson or McTavish higher. Honest to God, I think Sillinger is one of the more underrated players on the board and fits what Yzerman wants in a forward with so many of his attributes.