McKinney might be the most complete player selected by the Sharks in this draft, next to Misa. His 61 points in 60 appearances led the way for the US National Training Development Program (NTDP), while displaying a strong two-way presence and on the penalty kill. He is a highly competitive player who, while not the hallmark of his game, will finish his checks and make decisions that usually end up being worth his while. McKinney is not likely to be a star in the NHL, but he is a player with a ton of utility. He stands to become a middle-six NHLer who can play up the lineup in a pinch. His value to the team will be the depth he helps them create in the matchup game and his pure competitiveness.

Selected 53rd overall, Cole McKinney is now a member of the San Jose Sharks.

Cole McKinney is a polished 2 way centre out of the USNTDP with a detail-oriented, professional play style. He’s a mature player, often staying under the puck and rarely cheating for offence. McKinney has shown commitment at both ends of the ice and is a player coaches may appreciate more than GMs. Due to his lack of production, it’s easy to grow weary of his offensive upside at the next level. McKinney’s raw shooting talent is there, but he’s been a product of a very weak NTDP class that has struggled to score goals and win games. Nonetheless, McKinney has looked good in isolation and will have time to develop at the NCAA Michigan.

Final Rankings – Arguably the most consistent member of the NTDP this season, McKinney is a 200-foot center with good maturity and hockey sense. He’s a reliable player with a mature game who could be a middle-six NHLer if he can add more speed to his skating. A skillset tailored for pro hockey.—