First Niagara Center and the HarborCenter will once again play host to the NHL Scouting Combine, May 30 through June 4. Roughly the top 110 prospects for the 2016 NHL Entry Draft will be in Buffalo where they’ll be interviewed, poked, prodded and tested in hopes of determining their potential. It’s both a mental and physical grind for players as they showcase themselves for all 30 NHL teams in attendance.
Teams will have the opportunity to interview players 1-on-1 for 20 minutes. Physically, there are two grueling endurance bike tests, as well as tests for grip strength, jumping, bench press at 75-80 percent body weight and agility.
This year’s draft class has excellent depth and some legitimate NHL-ready caliber players at the top of the list, including American Auston Matthews. The poised and confident 6’2” forward has been compared to Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, using his size and strength to create separation and make plays.
Finnish stars Patrik Laine and Jesse Puljujarvi are slated to be the next two picks. Laine, a 6’4” 210 pound winger was named MVP at the 2016 IIHF World Championship recently. The OHL’s Matthew Tkachuk, a 5’11” winger and the QMJHL’s Pierre-Luc Dubois, a 6’3” center/winger are also expected to be selected in the first round. Tkachuk just scored the OT winner for the London Knights in the Memorial Cup final.
Last year, future Sabres Jack Eichel and Brendan Guhle, Buffalo’s top two picks in the 2015 Draft, each finished in the top 10 among all prospects in seven tests.
The event is closed to the public.
Shown here is a projection of the top 10 picks.