Senators Select Markus Nurmi 163rd Overall
The Ottawa Senators have selected Finnish forward Markus Nurmi in the sixth round.
For their final selection of the 2016 NHL Draft in Buffalo, the Ottawa Senators have selected Markus Nurmi at 163rd overall.
Nurmi, a native of Turku, Finland, is a 6'4" winger who is extremely reliable in his own end and shows some flash in the offensive zone. The common criticism throughout all scouts who have spent time watching him is that he's grown up, but he hasn't grown out. He's very tall at 6'4", but a bit of that height will always be wasted if he doesn't put on some more muscle.
However, his defensive game is praised by everyone who has a chance to witness it. Nurmi wins battles, teams up with his defensemen to track down the puck and doesn't leave the zone early. And from that, scouts determine that his abilities could potentially translate to the NHL game perfectly.
"He's a big, raw, hard-working kid who has some skill and is good around the net." - #Sens amateur scout Mikko Ruutu on Markus Nurmi
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) June 25, 2016
Playing with TPS Turku in the Finnish Junior Elite League this season, Nurmi racked up 36 points in 49 games. He was also a part of Finland's gold medal team at the U-18 World Championships in April.