19. Mikhail Gulyayev (D, 5’10”, 172 lbs) – Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets will be ecstatic to be able to take the second defenseman off the board with their 19th pick in the draft. They will take Mikhail Gulyayev.
The Russian has already worked his way up to the KHL this season. He played in 13 games for Avangard Omsk. In the MHL with Omskie Yastreby this year, Gulyayev laced up for 22 contests where he scored a pair of goals along with picking up 23 assists.
20. Quentin Musty (LW, 6’1″, 200 lbs) – Seattle Kraken
There have been high hopes for Quentin Musty ever since he exited the North Jersey Avalanche AAA minor hockey program. He was taken first-overall in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection by the Sudbury Wolves.
Now in his second year with the Wolves, Musty has managed to amass 24 goals and 51 assists for 75 points in 52 games. He is an assistant captain on the club and their second-leading point producer. Musty finds himself just behind last year’s second-round pick for the Seattle Kraken, David Goyette, in points collected.
21. Ethan Gauthier (RW, 5′ 11.25″ 176 lbs) – Nashville Predators (Edmonton Oilers Pick)
For the second selection in a row, a former first-overall pick is taken in the NHL Draft. That’s because the Nashville Predators will choose Ethan Gauthier, the 2021 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) Entry Draft’s opening pick.
Gauthier, who is from Phoenix, Arizona, plays for Sherbrooke Phoenix in the QMJHL. It’s the team that is partially owned by former NHL goaltender, Jocelyn Thibault. In Sherbrooke this season, Gauthier has played in 65 games where he has registered 30 goals and 39 assists for a total of 69 points.
Gauthier is related to the current NHL right-winger on the Ottawa Senators with the same last name, Julien. Julien’s father is the brother of Ethan’s dad, Denis. It also happens that Denis Gauthier is a former NHLer himself.