Alex Formenton – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – OTTAWA SENATORS – NHL Player Profiles

Graeme Nichols – Forwards and Defense, Catherine Silverman - Goaltending — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 20:48:07 +0000

OTTAWA, ON - NOVEMBER 14: Ottawa Senators Defenceman Thomas Chabot (72) keeps a close eye on the play during third period National Hockey League action between the Calgary Flames and Ottawa Senators on November 14, 2021, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)

FORWARDS

Brady Tkachuk

Brady Tkachuk’s reputation as power forward and net-front presence is renowned after just four seasons in the league. He is the only player in the league to finish in the top-10 in both hits (270, 5^th) and shots on goal (288, 10^th). His willingness to go to the dirty areas of the ice is what spurs his incredibly high volume of shots. Across all situations, NaturalStatTrick’s data had Tkachuk finishing 13^th amongst league forwards in shots per 60 minutes of ice-time. With most of these shots occurring around the goal mouth, it not surprising to learn that only five players in the league had a higher expected goals per 60 minutes of ice-time rate than Tkachuk last season. That kind of volume in such a dangerous area will lead to great results, so it was not a surprise to see Tkachuk record his first career 30-goal season and set a career high in goals and points (67). Like a few of Ottawa’s other young forwards, one area of growth that needs to improve is Tkachuk’s defensive impact. According to HockeyViz.com’s isolated defensive impact, Tkachuk rates poorly creating 0.16 expected goals against per 60 minutes of ice-time. Evolving-Hockey’s ‘Total Defence’ (DEF) metric that combines even-strength and shorthanded impact rated Tkachuk as having the team’s lowest mark (-3.7) amongst its forwards. Unfortunately, what makes Brady a special player could be working against him inside the defensive zone. If he can reign some of that aggressiveness in, it may lead to more structured team defence that benefits everyone.

Josh Norris

The best thing that Josh Norris did in the last calendar year was bet on himself. Rather than negotiate a contract with a year left on his entry-level contract, Norris decided to wait until this summer to open discussions. It paid off as the centre exploded setting career highs in goals (35) and points (55). Armed with a new eight-year pact carrying an AAV of $7.95 million, the pressure will be on Norris to replicate or even improve upon last season’s numbers. There may be concern he is due for regression simply because of his 20.3 shooting percentage. There are a few reasons to be optimistic his production will not diminish. The biggest reason is because Norris’ shot is a weapon. Last season’s mark is not far removed from his 2020-21 shooting percentage (17.7), but Norris really showcased what he could do when given time and space on the power play. Of the forwards who logged over 100 minutes of power play ice time per NaturalStatTrick.com, only two forwards averaged a higher goals per 60 minutes of ice time than Josh Norris – Chris Kreider and Leon Draisaitl. Not surprisingly, those were the only two forwards who bested Norris’ 16 power play goals on the season. Even if teams adjust their coverage and target Norris, the hope is that the addition of Alex DeBrincat on the opposing flank keep the opposition honest. Norris can overcome regression by shooting more and as the team continues to improve around him, the hope is that Ottawa will spend more time in the offensive zone creating more opportunities for Norris and the rest of Ottawa’s young core.

Drake Batherson

If Josh Norris cashed in at the right time, Drake Batherson just missed out on his chance. After inking a six-year contract carrying a $4.975 million last summer, Batherson was Ottawa’s most productive player (13 G, 34 Pts in 31 GP) when a collision with Buffalo goaltender Aaron Dell put him on the shelf for two months with a high ankle sprain. That injury forced Batherson to miss playing in his first NHL All-Star Game. Batherson would return in March to tally eight goals and 16 points in his final 22 games. He finished second on the team in points per 60 minutes of ice-time (3.03) trailing only Mathieu Joseph who only played in 11 games. Batherson’s progression as a producer makes his six-year extension a bargain and with the salary cap ceiling expected to rise within two years, that contract will continue to pay dividends down the road. Like Tkachuk, Batherson’s defensive play could use some improvement, but the hope is that as the team improves around them, their defensive performance will improve. The Tkachuk-Norris-Batherson line often received the toughest matchups while playing in front of one of the league’s worst defensive units. The additions of DeBrincat and Giroux will bolster the scoring depth and create matchup problems but improving the quality of the blue line would do wonders to boost the defensive metrics of Ottawa’s forwards.

Alex DeBrincat

In one of the most unanticipated and biggest moves of the offseason, the Senators went out and acquired a 24-year-old Alex DeBrincat who scored 41 goals last season. The Senators sent the seventh overall selection in 2022 and a second and third-round pick to the Blackhawks for one of the league’s most prodigious goal scorers over the past five seasons. In that span of time, only six players have scored more goals than Alex DeBrincat (160). And, only seven players have scored more power-play goals than DeBrincat’s 33. The Senators will be counting heavily on DeBrincat to give the team two dangerous lines and help boost a first power play unit that almost relied exclusively on feeding Josh Norris to create offence. If there is any genuine concern about DeBrincat’s play, it is going to stem from how he will fare after he logged significant minutes playing alongside one of the league’s most dynamic offensive players in Patrick Kane. Last season DeBrincat’s underlying metrics were worse when he played away from Kane, but across a larger sample of data, he surprisingly fared better. According to NaturalStatTrick’s last three seasons worth of data, the Hawks actually generated a greater percentage of expected goals and scoring chances when DeBrincat did not play with Kane. Although it is true that the Senators currently do not have a dynamic offensive talent like Kane, stylistically speaking, the hope is that Tim Stützle can eventually provide many of the similar elements.

Tim Stützle

Tim Stützle’s 2021-22 campaign was characterized by two acts. The first begins with Stützle playing on the wing. Thanks to the return of Colin White and the emergence of Shane Pinto, Stützle returned to the left wing. The prevailing belief was that fewer defensive responsibilities and a green light to fly the zone would create chances and protect his development. Through his first 16 games however, that philosophy clearly was not working. Stützle only scored one goal while recording 32 shots. Injuries to White and Pinto created the opportunity Stützle needed to transition to centre in late November. Once there, he never looked back. Having more defensive responsibility made him a more engaged player and more puck touches played to Stützle’s strengths. His skill and elusiveness carrying the puck meant more controlled entries and more opportunities to create chances. It also allowed Stützle to draw a significant volume of penalties. Only Connor McDavid (50) and Pierre-Luc Dubois (50) drew more penalties than Stützle’s 45. From March onward, Stützle’s game and confidence grew. He averaged more than a point-per-game while playing predominantly with Alex Formenton and Connor Brown. After the ‘Summer of Pierre’ brought in Alex DeBrincat and Claude Giroux, Stützle’s quality of linemates improved significantly. If there is a wart to Stützle’s game, it is his faceoff prowess. Of the forwards to take more than 400 draws, Stützle’s 38.3 percent success rate was the league’s fourth-worst mark. Adding Claude Giroux and his 60.3 percent success rate will ease that burden and hopefully allow this line to gain control and create more offensive chances earlier in shifts.

Claude Giroux

After months of rumours speculated on Claude Giroux’s interest in returning home, the star forward put pen to paper minutes after unrestricted free agency opened and signed a three-year contract ($6.5 million AAV). Giroux will turn 35-years-old next January, but despite being in his mid-30’s, he is still an impactful player. In 75 games between the Flyers and Panthers, the forward contributed 21 goals and 44 assists. Even if there is some age-related decline in production, his ability to impact the game at both ends of the ice will be a huge addition to the Senators’ lineup that has lacked a significant two-way presence since Mark Stone was dealt to Vegas. Last season at five-on-five, his teams generated 55.04-percent of the total shots (CF%), 57.32-percent of the goals (GF%) and 54.48-percent of the expected goals (xGF%). Not only will Giroux’s on-ice performance help insulate the young core that management has put together, but as a former captain who has experienced success in this league — a Hart Trophy finalist in 2013-14; a 7-time NHL All-Star, a second-team NHL All-Star in 2017-18 — his experiences, leadership and intangibles are going to play a pivotal role in helping develop this team’s young core.

Alex Formenton

Alex Formenton has played parts of the last four seasons in Ottawa, but the 2021-22 campaign represented his first full season with the Senators.In 79 games, the speedy left winger scored 18 goals while adding 14 assists. Per NaturalStatTrick, Formenton (8.19) finished second on the Senators in five-on-five shots per 60 minutes of ice-time behind only Brady Tkachuk (9.26). Considering how Formenton played in a third line checking role and spent a lot of time in his own end defending (47.04 CF%), it speaks volumes about how he creates offence. Almost all of it is done exclusively through his skating. As one of the league’s fastest skaters, the majority of Formenton’s offence is created off the rush. The individual chances he creates off are electric and easily perceptible, but right now, they limit his upside to a third-line, penalty killing specialist role. On the penalty kill, Formenton thrived. Per NaturalStatTrick’s shorthanded data, of the skaters who logged more than 100 minutes of shorthanded ice-time, only four skaters averaged a higher individual expected goal rate per 60 minutes (ixG/60) than Formenton. For a penalty kill group that lost big contributors like Connor Brown and Nick Paul, Formenton will be relied upon heavily. His speed makes him a dynamic threat, but Formenton to take his game to another level, he needs to add to his toolbox and find ways to create more offence through sustained offensive zone pressure. From January on last season, Formenton showcased flashes displaying an improved awareness and ability to create offensively, but until it happens more consistently, he will probably be best served in a depth role.

Mathieu Joseph

After being traded to the Ottawa Senators at last year’s trade deadline for Nick Paul, Mathieu Joseph was a relevation to the Senators in the 11 games that he played. The Senators saw enough in Joseph to reward him with a relatively inexpensive four-year extension worth $11.8 million ($2.95 million AAV). In an admittedly small sample size of games, Joseph averaged 3.89 points per 60 minutes of ice-time in a Senators jersey. He benefited from his career-high 21.1 shooting percentage, so there will likely be some regression there. Like the aforementioned Formenton, there were some concerns that Joseph was more of a slasher in terms of how he generated offence. He would use his speed and defensive acumen to create individual rush chances that would never really result in sustained offensive zone pressure. Fortunately, Joseph’s 7.01 shots per 60 minutes of five-on-five ice time represented a career-high for him and it is an encouraging sign that Joseph can recreate some of the offensive touch that he showcased down the stretch. In just his short time in Ottawa, Joseph demonstrated that he could be an exceptional penalty killer and with the departures of Nick Paul and Connor Brown, he will play a prominent role there.

Austin Watson

A favourite of head coach D.J. Smith, Austin Watson had one of his best NHL seasons. The veteran right winger reached double-digits goal mark (10) for only the second time in his eight-year career while recording 16 points. On the ice, Watson is somewhat of a throwback archetypical fourth line winger. He is relied upon to provide intangibles and a physical presence to a roster that is overflowing with young talent. Although the dynamics of the league have changed in the modern era, the Senators still place a value on having a player like Watson around to protect its young talent. To only portray Watson in that way is unfair however, because he draws a ton of penalties and has become a valued member of the team’s penalty kill. NaturalStatTrick’s numbers show that only Tim Stützle has a higher drawn penalty rate than Watson. And according to HockeyViz.com’s isolated impact data, when Watson was on the ice while the team was shorthanded, he positively influenced the team’s expected goals allowed rate (-0.37 xGA/60). After losing a few valued members of a penalty kill unit that finished with the league’s 11^th-highest penalty kill success rate (83.9%), Watson is going to factor heavily into this season’s success.

DEFENSE

Thomas Chabot

Thomas Chabot is the lynchpin of the Senators’ defence and was the team’s most valuable player last season according to Evolving-Hockey.com’s ‘Wins Above Replacement’ (WAR) metric. Chabot’s WAR (3.0) led all Senators skaters and was the league’s eighth-highest mark amongst all defencemen – which really shows how strong his season was considering he was limited to 59 games because of a broken hand. Chabot finished his season contributing seven goals and 38 points while finishing only behind only Seth Jones (26:13) in average ice-time per game (26:12). Like every season, how impactful Chabot can be, may be mitigated by his defensive partner. Barring a trade this offseason, the Senators’ weakest defensive position is its right side. Chabot’s most common partner at five-on-five last season was Artyom Zub. When on the ice together, the Senators generated a greater share of the five-on-five goals (55.64 GF%) and expected goals (53.10 xGF%) per Evolving-Hockey. If Smith moves Zub around to have two stronger pairings, it could negatively impact Chabot’s numbers if he has to log significant minutes alongside Travis Hamonic or Nikita Zaitsev. If there is one area of improvement for Chabot, it is that he is not an impactful power play performer. Despite the first power play unit’s talent level and Chabot’s ability to distribute the puck, he has never been a dangerous power play performer.

Artyom Zub

Zub has developed a cult following in Ottawa not only because of his name is fun to say when he touches the puck at the Canadian Tire Centre, but because he has asserted himself and quickly become the team’s best defensive defenceman. In fact, he may be one of the better defensive defencemen in the league. According to Evolving-Hockey’s ‘Total Defence’ (DEF) metric that combines all even strength and shorthanded contributions, only 15 defencemen in the league had a higher defensive impact than Zub’s 5.7. He will never bring fans out of their seats with a devastating hit, but Zub’s gap control and active stick allow him to disrupt plays before they evolve into dangerous chances. Coupled with his ability to consistently move the puck and it is easy to understand why he makes the players around him better. With so much riding on the performance and development of Jake Sanderson, it is this stabilizing presence that could lead the Senators to utilizing him as an insulator to ensure that the rookie’s career gets off to a fantastic start.

Travis Hamonic

At the recommendation of assistant coach Jack Capuano who was familiar with Travis Hamonic from their time on Long Island, the Senators unexpectedly acquired the defenceman from the Vancouver Canucks at the 2022 NHL trade deadline. Rather than wait to see what the offseason market would bring, Pierre Dorion moved to avoid the possibility that he would come away emptyhanded in the summer. In 19 games for the Senators, Hamonic scored one goal and added two assists while recording a +5 rating. One of the interesting dynamics in the Ottawa market is that Hamonic is often viewed positively for his contributions to the team down the stretch. Some of that probably has to do with the Senators’ scoring 51.72 percent of all the total five-on-five goals while Hamonic was on the ice. A lot of that is luck dependent. A look into Hamonic’s numbers on NaturalStatTrick.com reveals that the Senators only generated 45.96 percent of the total shots (CF%), 46.11 percent of the shots on goal (SF%), and 44.34 percent of the expected goals (xGF%). All these metrics are worse than his numbers were in Vancouver and if not for the Senators shooting 9.74 percent while he was on the ice, he probably would not be viewed as favorably.

Erik Brannstrom

It feels like every season is a make-or-break year for Erik Brannstrom. After the finish to the 2020-21 campaign looked like it solidified him as a regular, the Senators went out last offseason and acquired Michael Del Zotto and Nick Holden. Brannstrom’s two-way contract worked against him, and he started the season in Belleville. It took some time for Brannstrom to be recalled and dress regularly, but when he did, the numbers were not particularly flattering. As an undersized defenceman who is best known for puck-moving ability, Brannstrom has not consistently demonstrated that he is dynamic or talented enough to offset his limitations as a defender. As a player who struggles to box out, win battles or outmuscle the opposition, Brannstrom needs to find other ways to disrupt plays and create turnovers to help tilt the ice in Ottawa’s favour. In 2021-22, the opposition generated more than 50 percent of the shots, goals, expected goals and scoring chances when Brannstrom was on the ice. The only area where Brannstrom has consistently demonstrated an ability to contribute is on the power play. Chabot’s injury created that opportunity for him, but with Chabot’s return to health and the presence of the well-regarded Jake Sanderson, Brannstrom may not get the chance to showcase his puck distribution skills again. And if those power play opportunities become limited, or the organization prefers to place veterans like Nick Holden, Travis Hamonic and Nikita Zaitsev ahead of Brannstrom on the depth chart, the former highly touted prospect may not be long for the organization.

GOALTENDING

Cam Talbot

It’s unlikely that Cam Talbot expected the Minnesota Wild to deal for another starter last year, and it seems even less likely that he expected the team to re-sign the older option in Marc-Andre Fleury when Talbot himself was clearly still available to navigate the ship this upcoming season. So although both Talbot and the Wild have stressed that it wasn’t per his request, it seems likely that there’s a sense of relief for the netminder after he was dealt to the Ottawa Senators to take over in their tandem for the recently-moved Matt Murray.

The trade may have pushed Talbot from a clear playoff contender to a fringe Wild Card roster, but it’s a very apparent upgrade for the team itself. Where Matt Murray still seemed to be struggling to shake some of his bad habits as the team’s reclamation project over the last few years, Talbot has very obviously cleaned his game up in the aftermath of his tumultuous tenure with the Edmonton Oilers. Gone are the days where he’d play stretches of games just a few inches off angle from oncoming shots; instead, he’s back to being a goaltender who sits in the middle of his crease and waits for shots to dictate how much he needs to move, with good tracking sense and a seemingly unshakeable demeanor no matter what the score looks like on the jumbotron above the ice. That’s good news for both the Senators and his new tandem partner Anton Forsberg, who is still in the early years of his own redemption story arc and could use a more stabilizing presence to work alongside.

Projected starts: 45-50

Anton Forsberg

Anyone who has followed Anton Forsberg’s career since his tenure in Columbus will find it hard not to root for the veteran netminder this year. After a confidence-draining stint with the Chicago Blackhawks that saw him suddenly asked to shoulder a substantial workload, he ended up bouncing around for a few years at the AHL level with scattered NHL starts peppered in throughout – and slowly but surely, he managed to shake the bad habits he developed during the Chicago season and re-establish himself as a technically structured, quietly fun netminder with plenty of promise. His game gives off the impression that the development coaches he worked with from 2018 to 2021 stripped his technique down to the basics and built him back up again; he spends less time trying to settle in to get centered for an oncoming shot, which frees him up to make quick adjustments instead of having to course-correct and then snag deflections. His confidence paid off, too; although he hadn’t played in a statistically significant volume of games since the 2017-18 NHL season, Ottawa was pleased enough with his performance in limited games during the 2020-21 season to bring him into the fold to tandem with Matt Murray last season. And even playing behind a rebuilding Senators roster, which could have resulted in a season that mimicked Forsberg’s panic-driven Chicago year in 2017, the 29-year-old Swedish netminder managed to clearly emerge as the team’s best option; he posted a .917 save percentage in all situations over 46 games, recording quality starts in 67 percent of those and earning his first career NHL shutout in the process. Now, he’ll split the helm with veteran Cam Talbot as Ottawa attempts to take a step forward – and although it seemed nearly impossible to imagine two or three years ago, that could be the catalyst behind a re-emergence of the Atlantic Division club as a legitimate Wild Card contender this spring.

Projected starts: 35-40

CULLEN: 20 FANTASY POINTS – Rising young stars like Tim Stutzle, Tage Thompson, Matt Boldy, and Jesper Bratt are making their mark, plus goaltenders that are challenging for more playing time as the season heads into the second half.

Scott Cullen — Fri, 28 Jan 2022 13:49:02 +0000

Each week I will dive into the numbers and offer some insights that should help when it comes time to make fantasy hockey decisions.

In this week’s edition of 20 Fantasy Points, rising young stars like Tim Stutzle, Tage Thompson, Matt Boldy, and Jesper Bratt are making their mark, plus goaltenders that are challenging for more playing time as the season heads into the second half.

OTTAWA, ON - MARCH 22: Ottawa Senators Left Wing Tim Stutzle (18) skates during the first period of the NHL game between the Ottawa Senators and the Calgary Flames on March 22, 2021 at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Steven Kingsman/Icon Sportswire)

#1 Second year Ottawa Senators center Tim Stutzle had some early struggles in terms of production, coming up with just eight points (1 G, 7 A) in the first 21 games, but even during that slump, he would show flashes of potential. Well, the production is starting to come now for Stutzle, who has moved to centre, and he has 12 points (6 G, 6 A) and 38 shots on goal in his past 15 games. With Drake Batherson and Josh Norris injured, the Sens will need Stutzle’s production even more.

#2 It is starting to look like the St. Louis Blues have something of a goaltending controversy on their hands, as Ville Husso has been playing so well that he is starting to take time away from Jordan Binnington. After Thursday’s win against Calgary, Husso has started four of the past five games for the Blues and his save percentage is up to .944 in 14 games this season. That is unsustainably high but when a goaltender is playing that well, he deserves the opportunity to play to find out just how sustainable his performance might be.

#3 While pleasant surprises can get lost on a losing team, there is fantasy value to be uncovered in some of those situations. Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson was a big part of the trade that sent Ryan O’Reilly to the Blues, but it has taken some time for the 6-foot-7 forward to make his mark in the NHL. In his past nine games, Thompson has 10 points (4 G, 6 A) and 29 shots on goal, giving him 28 points (14 G, 14 A) in 39 games this season and he now looks like a core piece in the Sabres’ rebuild.

#4 The Pittsburgh Penguins signed 37-year-old Jeff Carter to a two-year contract extension, and he earned it. In his past 17 games, Carter has delivered 15 points (7 G, 8 A) and 48 shots on goal. When Carter was winding up his time in Los Angeles, he scored on just 8.0% of his shots in his last two-plus seasons with the Kings, a span of 176 games. In 51 games since joining the Penguins, Carter has scored on 13.9% of his shots. When the percentages change to that degree, the whole perception of a player can shift, too.

#5 Although he can get overshadowed by the stars in Tampa Bay, Lightning center Anthony Cirelli is enjoying a strong bounce-back season after he faded badly in the second half of last season. Cirelli has seven points (3 G, 4 A) and 14 shots on goal in the past seven games, giving him 27 points (12 G, 15 A) in 39 games while logging career-high ice time of 19:36 per game.

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 21: Chicago Blackhawks Center Dylan Strome (17) and Minnesota Wild Left Wing Matt Boldy (12) skate in action during a game between the Minnesota Wild and the Chicago Blackhawks on January 21, 2022 at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire)

#6 We covered Minnesota Wild rookie winger Matt Boldy when he was first called up from the AHL, but not enough fantasy managers have been paying attention because he is still widely available. The 20-year-old has produced six points (3 G, 3 A) with 18 shots on goal in seven games and has played more than 17 minutes in five of those games. The opportunity is there in Minnesota for Boldy to keep putting up points especially since he’s getting time on the Wild’s first power play unit.

#7 It has not been an easy season for Chicago Blackhawks center Dylan Strome, who has had spotty playing time, been a healthy scratch, and seems destined for a trade out of the Windy City, but Strome has been scoring more lately and that can’t hurt his marketability. After a hat trick at Detroit on Wednesday, Strome has nine points (4 G, 5 A) with 15 shots on goal in his past eight games.

#8 For deep league value, consider Nashville Predators winger Luke Kunin, who supplements his offense – 5 G, 1 A in the past 10 GP – with a decent shot rate (24 shots on goal in the past 10 games) and an elite hit rate (32 hits in those 10 games). It’s enough to give him fantasy appeal when his pure offensive production might not be enough to get there.

#9 Skating on Tim Stutzle’s wing has worked well for speedy Ottawa Senators winger Alex Formenton, who has gone from fourth liner to productive scorer in the blink of an eye. Formenton has 14 points (5 G, 9 A) and 35 shots on goal in the past 14 games, playing more than 15 minutes per game in the process.

#10 It is not yet to the point of a goaltending controversy in Colorado, but Avalanche netminder Pavel Francouz is playing well enough that he might force his way into a bigger role if Darcy Kuemper does not improve (or if the Avs trade for another goaltender). Francouz missed all of last season and the start of this season but in seven games played he does have a .932 save percentage, and he is coming off back-to-back shutouts. The Avalanche are enough of a powerhouse that whoever is getting the chance to play in net for them is going to provide fantasy value.

#11 If I told you that there are two New Jersey Devis forwards averaging a point per game this season, Jack Hughes would probably be an easy enough pick for one of the players, but how long would it be before you guess Jesper Bratt? The 23-year-old has put up 15 points (6 G, 9 A) in the past 10 games and has a career-high 39 points in 39 games.

#12 Los Angeles Kings winger Adrian Kempe has hit a career high with 18 goals in 41 games. He is scoring on a career high 14.8% of his shots but that is not an outrageous percentage and, importantly, Kempe is generating shots on goal. After putting up 2.27 shots on goal per game last season, Kempe is up to 2.98 shots on goal per game this season. He is skating on the Kings’ top line and getting first-unit power play time, so Kempe is in a good spot to maintain that level of production.

#13 Demoted to the American Hockey League earlier in the season, Ottawa Senators goaltender Matt Murray is showing some positive signs recently. Tread carefully, because Murray’s recent track record is not great, but he does have a .937 save percentage in his past five starts and fantasy managers that need goaltending at this stage of the season might need to consider him.

#14 After posting a career-low save percentage of .889 last season, Dallas Stars goaltender Braden Holtby is delivering a strong season in Dallas. Holtby has a .917 save percentage in 21 games this season, which would be his highest save percentage in a season since 2016-2017. As long as the Stars are in playoff contention, Holtby probably stays in a tandem with Jake Oettinger, but if the Stars lose ground, Holtby might draw some interest in the trade market.

#15 It has obviously been a terrible season for the Montreal Canadiens, but the Habs’ struggles do present an opportunity to grab undervalued assets. Veteran winger Tyler Toffoli started slowly this season and has landed on the waiver wire in many fantasy leagues as a result but is working his way out of it. In the past 13 games, Toffoli has contributed 13 points (4 G, 9 A) and 34 shots on goal.

#16 Although his point production ebbs and flows, Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard continues to offer fantasy value because of his ability to get the puck to the net. In the past nine games, Bouchard has just three points (2 G, 1 A) but he also has 24 shots on goal in that time and has played more than 23 minutes in six of those nine games.

#17 Second-year Chicago Blackhawks winger Brandon Hagel is playing his way into fantasy relevance. He has moved up the Chicago depth chart to play with Patrick Kane and Dylan Strome, and Hagel has scored six points (3 G, 3 A) in the past seven games, playing more than 18 minutes in each of those seven games.

#18 According to Natural Stat Trick, the forwards with the highest rate of individual expected goals in all situations this season (ixG/60, minimum 200 minutes) are: Matthew Tkachuk (1.59), Sebastian Aho (1.59), John Tavares (1.54), Andrei Svechnikov (1.50), Sam Bennett (1.45), Timo Meier (1.44), Connor McDavid (1.42), Max Pacioretty (1.42), Auston Matthews (1.42), and Chris Kreider (1.41).

#19 Defensemen with the highest rate of individual expected goals in all situations (ixG/60, minimum 200 minutes): Dougie Hamilton (0.61), Roman Josi (0.46), Aaron Ekblad (0.42), Cale Makar (0.42), Victor Hedman (0.42), Zach Werenski (0.42), Adam Boqvist (0.41), Shea Theodore (0.41), Darnell Nurse (0.41), and Damon Severson (0.41).

#20 As was rumored, the Edmonton Oilers signed left winger Evander Kane to a one-year contract. The Oilers are desperate to make the playoffs and could present a fantastic opportunity for Kane. Throughout his career, Kane has been an elite shot generator and has scored more than 25 goals in a season five times. If he ends up with an opportunity to play alongside Connor McDavid, that could lift Kane to new heights offensively. Kane has not played in the NHL this season but did have eight points (2 G, 6 A) in five AHL games.

Advanced stats via Natural Stat Trick.

CULLEN: 20 FANTASY POINTS – Evgeni Malkin returns to action and Evander Kane might have a new team soon. Jared McCann, Nico Hischier, Clayton Keller, Trevor Moore and more

Scott Cullen — Sat, 15 Jan 2022 22:57:13 +0000

Each week I will dive into the numbers and offer some insights that should help when it comes time to make fantasy hockey decisions.

In this week’s edition of 20 Fantasy Points, Evgeni Malkin returns to action and Evander Kane might have a new team soon. Jared McCann, Nico Hischier, Clayton Keller, Trevor Moore and more.

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 09: Pittsburgh Penguins Center Evgeni Malkin (71) handles the puck during the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Rangers on March 9, 2021, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire)

#1 The Pittsburgh Penguins have waited patiently and finally had Evgeni Malkin make his season debut this week after a long recovery from knee surgery. He has taken his place on Pittsburgh’s first power play unit and is centering Jeff Carter and Kasperi Kapanen. While injuries have plagued Malkin throughout much of his career, he is still averaging 1.17 points per game since 2017-2018, the seventh highest rate in the league in that time.

#2 After the San Jose Sharks waived left winger Evander Kane for the purposes of terminating his contract, the door was open for Kane to sign with any team as a free agent. The Edmonton Oilers may be the landing spot most loudly rumored. That would obviously present a beneficial opportunity for Kane, who might even get to play with Connor McDavid. Alas, before the deal could even get signed, the league was reportedly investigating another potential COVID-19 protocol violation from Kane and that has put any signing on pause.

#3 If you can get past the off-ice issues, of which there are many, Kane has been a very productive player. In the three seasons prior to this one, Kane was tied for sixth among left wingers with 78 goals. He was tied with Tom Wilson for most penalty minutes among forwards (317) and his 405 hits ranked 13^th among left wingers. Kane’s 678 shots on goal in that span ranked third among left wingers. The shots and goals are difference makers in most fantasy leagues, the hits and penalty minutes are typically in the realm of banger-style leagues. Of course, he comes with more risk than the average player for a lot of reasons but, for fantasy purposes, he does have higher upside than the standard waiver wire addition.

#4 Seattle Kraken center Jared McCann had a breakthrough season for the Penguins last year, stepping into a bigger opportunity when Malkin was injured, and he has continued producing with the expansion Kraken. In his past five games, he has six points (3 G, 3 A) and 21 shots on goal and is up to 15 goals in 31 games. He has emerged as the No. 1 centre for the Kraken, which might even be better than was expected when he was selected in the expansion draft.

NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 04: New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier (13) skates during the first period of the pre-season National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the Washington Capitals on October 4, 2021 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)

#5 Nico Hischier was limited to 21 games last season and the New Jersey Devils captain started slowly this season, but he has been rounding into form. In the past 23 games, Hischier has 19 points (6 G, 13 A) and 43 shots on goal. Pavel Zacha has been his most consistent linemate this season, though Jesper Bratt, Tomas Tatar, and Jimmy Vesey have skated with Hischier, too. With Jack Hughes picking up the scoring pace, the Devils are starting to see what could happen as their top two centers start to reach their offensive potential.

#6 Goals don’t come easily for the Arizona Coyotes. Their 2.15 goals per 60 minutes ranks 31^st, ahead of only the Montreal Canadiens (2.07), and yet Clayton Keller has really started to hit his stride offensively. In the past 18 games, Keller has 20 points (9 G, 11 A) and 61 shots on goal while averaging 20:49 of ice time per game. He is widely available in fantasy leagues and while the Coyotes are likely to shed some veteran talent before the trade deadline, Keller might just hang around and play big minutes on a bad team for the rest of the season.

#7 Point production has been inconsistent for Blake Coleman in his first season with the Calgary Flames, but the hard-driving winger does offer fantasy value in other categories, too. He had finished 2021 with one point in 14 games but in 2022 he has four points (2 G, 2 A) to go with 24 shots on goal and 15 hits in five games. As a player with multiple 20-goal and multiple 200-hit seasons, Coleman has sufficient fantasy upside.

#8 All of the schedule changes this season have resulted in a dramatic difference in terms of games played, so a team like the New York Islanders figures to offer more appeal going forward. The Islanders have played just 29 games, 10 fewer than the teams with the most games played. Mathew Barzal is the obvious target on the Islanders but, in deeper leagues, consider Oliver Wahlstrom, who has 10 points (3 G, 7 A) and 24 shots on goal in the past nine games, and Kieffer Bellows, who has eight points (3 G, 5 A) in his past eight games.

#9 The Ottawa Senators are another team that has played fewer games, with game No. 30 coming Thursday night in Calgary. Drake Batherson and Brady Tkachuk are the more obvious targets for the Sens but consider winger Alex Formenton, whose role is increasing, and he has produced nine points (4 G, 5 A) and 24 shots on goal in his past 10 games.

#10 If the Islanders and Sens are teams to target because they are low on the games played list, it stands to reason that the team that have played more might come with a buyer beware tag. Those teams include the Anaheim Ducks, Vegas Golden Knights, and Tampa Bay Lightning. Beware Ducks veteran center Ryan Getzlaf, who had a productive start to the season but has four points (1 G, 3 A) and 15 shots on goal in his past 13 games.

#11 The Golden Knights appear to be a team on the rise but there is some reason to be cautious with them, too. Chandler Stephenson, for example, has 36 points (10 G, 26 A) in 38 games. That includes seven points (1 G, 6 A) and 12 shots on goal in the past 11 games but that is not the real reason to worry about Stephenson’s production the rest of the way. The bigger concern is what will happen to his ice time once Jack Eichel is ready to play next month. There may be other line shuffling opportunities for the Golden Knights but if Stephenson drops from the top line to make room for Eichel, that could obviously impact his offensive upside.

#12 Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brady Skjei is experiencing an offensive surge, putting up eight points (4 G, 4 A) and 21 shots on goal in his past six games. That shot rate is very encouraging and Skjei has a chance to have his best offensive output since scoring 39 points as a rookie in 2016-2017.

#13 Calgary Flames defenseman Oliver Kylington had a breakthrough early in the season and was a hot commodity in fantasy circles but is available in more leagues now. He has seven points (1 G, 6 A) in his past 13 games but 33 shots on goal in that time is a decent indicator that Kylington’s production should continue at a reasonably high level.

#14 When Trevor Moore scored 23 points (10 G, 13 A) in 56 games last season, that counted as the best season of his career. The Los Angeles Kings winger then opened this season with zero points in 11 games. Time has brought about new opportunity, though, and Moore is now skating with Phillip Danault and Viktor Arvidsson on the Kings’ second line and Moore has produced 10 points (3 G, 7 A) and 23 shots on goal in the past seven games.

#15 Florida Panthers defenseman Radko Gudas has long been a fantasy sleeper, but it bears repeating that his hit totals can be a major factor. Since the beginning of December, Gudas is averaging 4.2 hits per game, tops among defensemen that have played at least 10 games in that span. (Edmonton’s Markus Niemelainen had 5.1 hits per game in seven games.)

#16 Other defensemen bringing the boom, with the most hits per game since the start of December, include Montreal’s Alexander Romanov (4.1), Vancouver’s Luke Schenn (4.0), Nashville’s Mark Borowiecki (4.0), Columbus’ Andrew Peeke (3.4), and Seattle’s Jeremy Lauzon (3.4).

#17 A prime fantasy category for defensemen is blocked shots and given its nature as a peripheral type of statistic, sometimes it’s an area which might offer some undervalued players. Chicago’s Connor Murphy (3.0 blocks per game), St. Louis’ Colton Parayko (2.9), Vegas’ Brayden McNabb (2.8), and Montreal’s David Savard (2.8) are the per-game blocked shot leaders since the start of December. Savard and Murphy are both averaging more than 2.4 hits per game in that span, too.

#18 Sometimes it can be hard to find goaltending value at this stage of the fantasy season. Usually, the safe and reliable options are taken but short-term value can come from backup goaltenders getting a chance due to injuries. Some of the best backups this season include Anaheim’s Anthony Stolarz (.929 SV%) and Minnesota’s Kaapo Kahkonen (.915 SV%) who have had some opportunity to play a bit more recently.

#19 Dallas’ Jake Oettinger was not a starter at the beginning of the season, but it sure appears that is the path the Stars have now chosen. Oettinger has earned it, with a .923 save percentage in 17 games.

#20 If there is a backup goaltender who might get a shot at the starting role it is Edmonton’s Stuart Skinner. It is possible that the Oilers make a trade for a more established veteran but, if not, 23-year-old Skinner has a .916 save percentage in 10 appearances for the Oilers this season in addition to a .925 save percentage in eight AHL games. Given the struggles of Mikko Koskinen and injury woes plaguing Mike Smith, Skinner might have some potential to steal the starting job. It is at least enough to make him worth monitoring.

Advanced stats via Natural Stat Trick.

2021-22 TOP 15 PROSPECTS: OTTAWA SENATORS – RANK: #4- TIER II

McKeen's Hockey — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 16:35:31 +0000

Ottawa Senators

#4 Ottawa - Graduations are thinning out the upper tier, and will continue to hollow out the system this year as a few more top guys look ready for the NHL.

VANCOUVER, BC - APRIL 22: Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto (57) skates up ice during their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on April 22, 2021 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire)

Jake Sanderson

One of the most powerful skating defensemen on the planet, Sanderson – son of similarly fast former Hartford Whaler Geoff Sanderson – could probably find his way into the Ottawa lineup now, but he prefers a second season in Grand Forks, North Dakota, playing workhorse minutes with a chance at glory (NCAA title) over fighting for third pairing minutes on the Senators with the chance at being demoted to Belleville for the sake of more playing time. This decision is understandable and will not harm his long-term prospects in the least.

In addition to Sanderson’s wheels, he also plays with a clear physical edge, ready, willing, and able to lay an opponent flat at the hint of an opportunity. His off-puck game is more than just looking for checking chances, though, as he is more than capable of ending a rush with a well-times stick check, and good luck trying to catch him out cheating his own-zone responsibilities for a fast break opportunity. For all of his speed and defensive abilities, Sanderson is also rather capable with the puck. He has a strong point shot and the touch to make plays with the puck, both handling the puck himself, and dishing it off to better-positioned teammates. Ottawa has a good number of high-end talents coming down the defensive pipeline, but more than any of them, Sanderson projects as a future #1, all-situations, game changer. - RW

Shane Pinto

Another Senators prospect who we were not as high on as the Senators at the time of his draft selection, Pinto was not so much a late bloomer as he was a multi-sport athlete who committed later than most to hockey. He emerged practically out of nowhere in his draft year, playing first for Lincoln, and then for Tri-City in the USHL, bringing a two-way, heavy game with enough skill to imagine a middle-six outcome. The Senators saw him as more of a top six center, and after two years at the University of North Dakota, they might have been correct.

Pinto brings great size, a strong skating stride, and the type of offensive zone skill set that works best when he has at least one other highly skilled player on his line that he can work in support of. He is hard to play against without being overly physically aggressive. He is very hard to dislodge from his preferred stomping grounds between the dots, and more often than not, between the hash marks. Pinto signed his ELC at the conclusion of his sophomore season, finishing his collegiate career one point shy of a point-per-game average, and then moved right into the NHL where he fit right in, at both ends. In addition to the point accumulation, Pinto is even stronger off the puck, holding things in check in his own end and doing the ‘little things’ reliably, such as his strength on faceoffs. He may or may not begin this year in the NHL, but if not, it won’t be long before he is a regular. - RW

Jacob Bernard-Docker

We were definitely wrong to not rank Bernard-Docker as a first round talent in 2018. In fact, were it not for the presence of Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot in the Ottawa system, we would say right now that JBD has the makings of a future top pairing defender in the NHL. That assessment starts with his ability to eat up a huge number of minutes on the blueline without any tangible degradation in the quality of his play. When we look at his skill set, on an individual skill basis, nothing there sticks out, for good, nor bad. He does everything at a solid, if unspectacular level. But it all ties together in his head, so the totality of his game is clearly better than the sum of his parts.

He can hold the line against the best the opposition has to offer. He can help make sure that the puck is moving in the right direction more often than not, even against those opposing first lines. He can be trusted to defend tight leads late in games. His right-handed shot is solid enough to deserve some time on a second power play unit. It would be preferential to see him spend one year in the AHL to work on his confidence playing the puck, as he can be prone to the safe play when he has enough time for something a little more daring, but his time in the AHL shouldn’t be long. He will be up soon, and to stay, and if not as a #1, the second pairing is his floor. - RW

Alex Formenton

After a strong rookie pro season with Belleville that saw Formenton make the 2019/20 AHL All Rookie team, the expectations were very high for him coming into last year. While his offensive production at both the AHL and NHL level did leave a little to be desired, Formenton did manage to establish himself as an NHL player in the second half. Playing a checking line role, Formenton managed to score four goals (in 20 games) and excelled as a penalty killer, utilizing his speed to the best of his capabilities.

Of course, speed is the highlight of Formenton’s game and is what put him on the NHL radar in the first place. An aggressive forechecker and attacker, there have never been any doubts about his ability to play a checking line role at the NHL level. It would appear that he has locked himself into that role for Ottawa this coming year. However, his upside as a scorer and someone who can play higher up in the lineup does remain a question mark. The next two seasons will be crucial for Formention, first to establish himself as a high-end checker, but then to build up confidence in his offensive abilities (specifically as a goal scorer) so that he can earn more responsibility from DJ Smith and the Ottawa coaching staff. - BO

Tyler Boucher

The son of longtime NHL goalie Brian Boucher, Tyler was adding a much-appreciated offensive component to his game this year, showing the potential to play higher up the lineup than he had in the past, before being struck with a season-ending knee injury in January. The result is a projection based on less ice time than most. Given the questions surrounding his high-end offensive upside, it was a surprise to see the Senators select him inside the Top 10 in 2021.

To his credit, in the short period of time that Boucher was able to take the ice this year, he took on a more offensively active role and was flourishing in it. Beyond just using his clear size and strength advantage to play a physical game, he was more effective at using physicality for puck possession, both gaining the puck and keeping it away from opponents. If not fending off checkers, he also showed some budding creativity with the puck, both in terms of what he could do with and passing with good touch. Boucher also showed strong enough skating ability to be able to play on a skill line. He has good edges, his stride is smooth, and he reaches top speed fairly quickly through crossovers. For all that he has seemingly added to his offensive game, the Senators are hoping that he can be a modern-day power forward (closer to a young Wayne Simmonds or a Tom Wilson than Ryan Reaves) after he finishes his stint at Boston University. Of course, he will have to prove that he is fully recovered from his knee injury to reach that projection. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Ridly Greig

Ridly Greig is one of the most intense players on the ice during his games. He is a relentless forechecker, back checker and physical presence. He doesn’t take a shift off, and makes his opponents take notice when he is on the ice. He is a player you would describe as “in the fabric of the game.” His game is more than just straight effort though. Greig isn’t just a wrecking ball. He is an intelligent player and is helpful in the transition game even if he isn’t the fleetest of foot. His skating lets him down a bit as his edges and tight turns are not as effective as they could be when trying to maintain speed during dynamic directional changes. His speed in the north/south style of game is fine which suits his style of play though.

His shot is a good weapon for Greig as he has velocity and accuracy. His playmaking is good, but not elite. Greig makes a living working hard on puck retrievals and driving to the net with and without the puck. He has a bit of Kris Draper in him, where you know exactly what he will give you and where you can line him up. He will be able to handle difficult line assignments, provide energy and could be a 20-goal support player. He plays a brand of hockey that old school hockey people will love and despite not being a physical monster (in terms of his physical size), it has not prevented him from playing like one. - VG

Tyler Kleven

One of the beneficiaries of the COVID-forced absences of players from Michigan and Boston University from the WJC, Kleven actually only appeared in two games for the Gold Medal winning American side but made his mark when he had the opportunity. Tall, strong, and rangy, he is first and foremost a defensive-minded defender. He keeps tight gaps, and closes them effectively and efficiently, shutting down opposing rushes with ease. A strong, swift skater, his legs greatly assist in his at-home duties. Kleven also occasionally attempts to put his feet to use in the offensive zone, although any fleeting success he has there is at least as much a function of the timing of his foray as it is about his inherent skillset.

He has the booming shot you might expect given his size, although he doesn’t give it the full wind-up treatment all that often. His hands, lacking much suppleness, hold back his ability to produce offense, and limit his puck carrying to 2-3 steps, and his passing game to mostly D-to-D type movement. I would expect Kleven to spend another two years on campus, emerging at the end as half of a reliable shutdown pair, adding time on the penalty kill to his duties at even strength. More of a coach’s favorite than a player sought after in fantasy hockey, Kleven should develop into a solid pro. - RW

Egor Sokolov

Sokolov is the personification of perseverance. A former highly touted young prospect, he went through the draft twice after two decent seasons in the QMJHL. However, entering his final year of draft eligibility, Sokolov dedicated himself to improving his conditioning and the results were extraordinary. He transformed himself into one of the best players in the QMJHL and was rewarded with a second-round selection by the Senators.

The biggest takeaway from that final QMJHL season was that by improving his conditioning, Sokolov was also able to improve his skating considerably. A big, strong power winger, Sokolov’s hands and finishing ability are excellent. By improving his overall quickness and elusiveness, everything else fell into place. As a first-year pro in Belleville last year, Sokolov continued his incredible progression by leading the AHL in rookie goal scoring with 15. At this point, he should begin to push for a roster spot in Ottawa as early as this season, given the rebuilding nature of the Senators. He has the potential to be a top six forward for Ottawa and someone who figures into their long-term plans despite the incredible forward depth that they have accrued. - BO

Logan Brown

It is clear that the Ottawa Senators still believe in Logan Brown as a potential NHL forward, as they protected him from the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft. But it is also clear that the opportunity window for the former 11th overall pick is slowly closing. Now eligible for waivers, Brown has seen the likes of Tim Stutzle, Colin White, and Drake Batherson pass him on the depth chart. This coming season may be his final opportunity to earn a permanent spot on the Senators.

A massive center, Brown has always been lauded for his playmaking ability, vision, and puck protection talents. He can drive time of possession in the offensive end. His play away from the puck has certainly come a long way from his time in the OHL, but consistency has remained an issue. Brown has become a high end first line player in the AHL, but at the NHL level, he has looked a step behind the play and has been unable to dominate down low and near the net the way that he has shown at other levels. Knowing that this may be his last training camp to make a positive impression, Brown has to come into training camp this year and earn that permanent spot. It is not too late for him to live up to his potential as a top six center. - BO

Roby Jarventie

For as much as Jarventie’s disappointing showing at the last WJC can be seen as concerning, his consistently strong domestic play should be seen as more telling of the positive developmental steps taken in the year since the Senators made him a second-round pick. A big, bodied winger with a very strong shot and a good skating stride, the most likely case is that his shutout at the WJC (no points in six games) was the exception and his impressive work in Liiga (top goal scorer among rookies in that circuit) and in a late-season short stint in the AHL were the rule.

The question that Ottawa will be trying to answer this year as Jarventie (likely) spends the season with AHL Belleville, is can he be anything more than a sniping winger who has to be shielded from defensive situations? He has never been one to spend time on the penalty kill, and that is unlikely to change going forward, but he has at least shown in his past that he can play in the dirty areas and do well enough when it comes to fighting for loose pucks. Likely he will need at least two full(ish) seasons in the AHL to both acclimate to the North American game and establish how he can fit in productively. The best-case scenario is a top six NHL power play specialist who puts the puck in the net. Worst case is a quickish return to Finland, where he plays the same role. - RW

Leevi Merilainen

Ottawa Senators and Kingston Frontenac fans alike wait with bated breath to see how Merilainen performs in his first season in North America, as he will backstop the Shane Wright led Fronts in the OHL this year. Fresh off a strong performance for Finland at the World Junior summer showcase, Merilainen is rising quickly up the Ottawa prospect depth chart.

Mads Sogaard

The massive (6’7) Danish netminder was undefeated, a perfect 7-0, in his first pro season on a Belleville team with a bit of a logjam in net. The loss of Joey Daccord to Seattle should open up more opportunity for him this coming season and with another good year, he could really put himself in a grouping among the best goaltending prospects on the planet.

Filip Gustavsson

Yes, yes...another goalie. Really, these three could be ranked in any order, with Gustavsson being the closest to making an impact. Formerly acquired as part of the Derick Brassard deal to Pittsburgh, Gustavsson was solid in a cup of coffee at the NHL level last season and will push Anton Forsberg for the back-up gig behind Matt Murray this season.

Lassi Thomson

2020/21 was perhaps a year to forget for the former first-round selection. The smooth skating two-way defender took a step backwards in Liiga to start the year, then had a tough time with the pace and physicality of the AHL to finish the year. Entering his second pro season, he will look to bounce back before he gets passed on the depth chart by other prospects in a deep system.

Angus Crookshank

After a solid, but unspectacular three years at the University of New Hampshire (a low scoring, balanced team), Crookshank turned pro after his junior season and had a terrific pro debut to close out last year with Belleville. A pest with skill, Crookshank looks the part of a future elite third liner for the Sens and could move quickly through the system with another solid pro year.

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Top 300 Prospect Rankings

McKeen's Hockey — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 17:09:56 +0000

These are our final prospect ranking prior to the start of the season. As a subscriber you can download the list in an excel chart and can link to the player pages in the chart found here. As always, the rankings you see below are based on our 20-80 scouting system looking at five categories for skaters (Skating, Shot, Puck Skills, Hockey Smarts, Physicality) and six for netminders (Athleticism/Quickness/Speed, Compete/Temperament, Vision/Play Reading, Technique/Style, Rebound Control, Puck Handling). Our prospect team spent large portions of their last few months pre-COVID in the rinks, watching the players below and many others, and further work on video (Instat Hockey has been a terrific resource in recent days) before passing judgement on their future projections.

The 20-80 scouting system is meant to allow players from different leagues in different parts of the world to be compared to one another, such that grades on a player in the OHL can be directly compared to grades from an AHL player, and to grades of someone playing in the MHL.

PROSPECT CRITERIA

Players under 26 years of age as of the September 15th prior (Sep. 15, 1994) to the season in question who have appeared in less than 60 NHL games (30 for goalies) and less than 35 in any one season – or 25 last year (20 for goalies, 15 last season) are considered prospects

RANK	PLAYER	NHL	POS	AGE	HT/WT	ACQUIRED
1	Alexis Lafreniere	NYR	LW	19	6-1/195	`20(1st)
2	Tim Stutzle	Ott	C	18	6-1/185	`20(3rd)
3	Quinton Byfield	LA	C	18	6-4/215	`20(2nd)
4	Trevor Zegras	Ana	C	19	6-0/170	`19(9th)
5	Kirill Kaprizov	Min	LW	23	5-10/200	`15(135th)
6	Lucas Raymond	Det	LW	18	5-11/170	`20(4th)
7	Dylan Cozens	Buf	C	19	6-3/185	`19(7th)
8	Bowen Byram	Col	D	19	6-0/195	`19(4th)
9	Peyton Krebs	VGK	C	19	5-11/180	`19(17th)
10	Jake Sanderson	Ott	D	18	6-1/185	`20(5th)
11	Moritz Seider	Det	D	19	6-3/185	`19(6th)
12	Jamie Drysdale	Ana	D	18	5-11/175	`20(6th)
13	Igor Shesterkin	NYR	G	25	6-1/190	`14(118th)
14	Alexander Holtz	NJ	RW	18	6-0/190	`20(7th)
15	Cole Perfetti	Wpg	LW	19	5-10/180	`20(10th)
16	Marco Rossi	Min	C	19	5-9/185	`20(9th)
17	Vasili Podkolzin	Van	RW	19	6-1/190	`19(10th)
18	Victor Soderstrom	Ari	D	19	5-11/180	`19(11th)
19	Nick Robertson	Tor	LW	19	5-9/160	`19(53rd)
20	Cole Caufield	Mtl	RW	19	5-7/165	`19(15th)
21	Yaroslav Askarov	Nsh	G	18	6-3/175	`20(11th)
22	Spencer Knight	Fla	G	19	6-3/195	`19(13th)
23	Philip Broberg	Edm	D	19	6-3/200	`19(8th)
24	Jack Quinn	Buf	RW	19	6-0/180	`20(8th)
25	Matthew Boldy	Min	LW	19	6-1/190	`19(12th)
26	Nils Lundkvist	NYR	D	20	5-11/180	`18(28th)
27	Seth Jarvis	Car	RW	18	5-10/175	`20(13th)
28	Ty Smith	NJ	D	20	5-10/180	`18(17th)
29	Grigori Denisenko	Fla	LW	20	5-11/185	`18(15th)
30	Barrett Hayton	Ari	C	20	6-1/190	`18(5th)
31	Alex Newhook	Col	C	19	5-10/195	`19(16th)
32	Thomas Harley	Dal	D	19	6-3/190	`19(18th)
33	Alex Turcotte	LA	C	19	5-11/185	`19(5th)
34	Vitali Kravtsov	NYR	RW	21	6-3/185	`18(9th)
35	Philip Tomasino	Nsh	C	19	5-11/180	`19(24th)
36	Connor McMichael	Wsh	C	19	5-11/175	`19(25th)
37	Dawson Mercer	NJ	C	19	6-0/180	`20(18th)
38	Ilya Sorokin	NYI	G	25	6-2/180	`14(78th)
39	Gabriel Vilardi	LA	RW	21	6-3/200	`17(11th)
40	Ryan Merkley	SJ	D	20	5-11/170	`18(21st)
41	Alexander Romanov	Mtl	D	20	5-11/185	`18(38th)
42	Kaiden Guhle	Mtl	D	18	6-2/190	`20(16th)
43	Samuel Poulin	Pit	LW	19	6-1/205	`19(21st)
44	K'Andre Miller	NYR	D	20	6-3/205	`18(22nd)
45	Scott Perunovich	StL	D	22	5-10/175	`18(45th)
46	Evan Bouchard	Edm	D	21	6-2/195	`18(10th)
47	Braden Schneider	NYR	D	19	6-2/200	`20(19th)
48	Juuso Valimaki	Cgy	D	22	6-2/205	`17(16th)
49	Cam York	Phi	D	19	5-11/175	`19(14th)
50	Anton Lundell	Fla	C	19	6-1/185	`20(12th)
51	Morgan Frost	Phi	C	21	5-11/180	`17(27th)
52	Owen Tippett	Fla	RW	21	6-1/200	`17(10th)
53	Albert Johansson	Det	D	19	5-11/165	`19(60th)
54	Liam Foudy	CBJ	C	20	6-0/175	`18(18th)
55	Kieffer Bellows	NYI	LW	22	6-0/200	`16(19th)
56	Arthur Kaliyev	LA	RW	19	6-2/190	`19(33rd)
57	Oliver Wahlstrom	NYI	RW	20	6-1/205	`18(11th)
58	Nils Hoglander	Van	RW	20	5-9/185	`19(40th)
59	Matias Maccelli	Ari	LW	20	5-11/170	`19(98th)
60	Tobias Bjornfot	LA	D	19	6-0/200	`19(22nd)
61	Jacob Bernard-Docker	Ott	D	20	6-0/180	`18(26th)
62	Connor Zary	Cgy	C	19	6-0/180	`20(24th)
63	Dominik Bokk	Car	RW	20	6-1/180	T(StL-9/19)
64	Ryan Suzuki	Car	C	19	6-0/180	`19(28th)
65	Dylan Samberg	Wpg	D	21	6-3/190	`17(43rd)
66	Jake Bean	Car	D	22	6-1/175	`16(13th)
67	Josh Norris	Ott	C	21	6-1/195	T(SJ-9/18)
68	Rasmus Kupari	LA	C	20	6-1/185	`18(20th)
69	Jakob Pelletier	Cgy	LW	19	5-9/165	`19(26th)
70	Drake Batherson	Ott	RW	22	6-1/190	`17(121st)
71	Jan Jenik	Ari	RW	20	6-1/180	`18(65th)
72	John-Jason Peterka	Buf	LW	18	5-11/190	`20(34th)
73	Kirill Marchenko	CBJ	LW	20	6-3/190	`18(49th)
74	Bode Wilde	NYI	D	20	6-2/195	`18(41st)
75	John Beecher	Bos	C	19	6-3/210	`19(30th)
76	Tyler Madden	LA	C	21	5-10/155	T(Van-2/20)
77	Jack Studnicka	Bos	C	21	6-1/170	`17(53rd)
78	Jake Oettinger	Dal	G	22	6-4/210	`17(26th)
79	Alex Formenton	Ott	LW	21	6-2/165	`17(47th)
80	Matthew Robertson	NYR	D	19	6-3/200	`19(49th)
81	Calen Addison	Min	D	20	5-10/180	T(Pit-2/20)
82	Ty Dellandrea	Dal	C	20	6-0/185	`18(13th)
83	Akil Thomas	LA	C	20	5-11/170	`18(51st)
84	Mavrik Bourque	Dal	C	18	5-10/180	`20(30th)
85	Ian Mitchell	Chi	D	21	5-11/175	`17(57th)
86	Jason Robertson	Dal	LW	21	6-2/195	`17(39th)
87	Hendrix Lapierre	Wsh	C	18	5-11/180	`20(22nd)
88	Brendan Brisson	VGK	C	19	5-11/180	`20(29th)
89	Theodor Niederbach	Det	C	18	5-11/175	`20(51st)
90	Zac Jones	NYR	D	20	5-10/175	`19(68th)
91	Robert Mastrosimone	Det	LW	19	5-10/160	`19(54th)
92	Joe Veleno	Det	C	20	6-1/195	`18(30th)
93	Rodion Amirov	Tor	LW	19	6-0/170	`20(15th)
94	Jake Neighbours	StL	LW	18	5-11/195	`20(26th)
95	Julien Gauthier	NYR	RW	23	6-4/225	T(Car-2/20)
96	Justus Annunen	Col	G	20	6-4/215	`18(64th)
97	Egor Zamula	Phi	D	20	6-4/175	FA(9/18)
98	Shane Pinto	Ott	C	20	6-2/190	`19(32nd)
99	Noel Gunler	Car	RW	19	6-2/175	`20(41st)
100	Ridly Greig	Ott	C	18	5-11/165	`20(28th)
101	Jesse Ylonen	Mtl	RW	21	6-1/185	`18(35th)
102	Samuel Fagemo	LA	RW	20	6-0/195	`19(50th)
103	Mattias Norlinder	Mtl	D	20	5-11/180	`19(64th)
104	Olli Juolevi	Van	D	22	6-3/200	`16(5th)
105	Kristian Vesalainen	Wpg	LW	21	6-3/205	`17(24th)
106	Raphael Lavoie	Edm	RW	20	6-4/195	`19(38th)
107	Jan Mysak	Mtl	C	18	5-11/180	`20(49th)
108	Cayden Primeau	Mtl	G	21	6-3/180	`17(199th)
109	Pavel Dorofeyev	VGK	LW	20	6-1/170	`19(79th)
110	Morgan Barron	NYR	C	22	6-2/200	`17(174th)
111	Ville Heinola	Wpg	D	19	5-11/180	`19(20th)
112	Dylan Holloway	Edm	C	19	6-0/205	`20(14th)
113	Jack Dugan	VGK	RW	22	6-2/185	`17(142nd)
114	Alexander Khovanov	Min	C	20	5-11/195	`18(86th)
115	Jacob Perreault	Ana	RW	18	5-11/195	`20(27th)
116	Jake Evans	Mtl	C	24	6-0/185	`14(207th)
117	Adam Beckman	Min	LW	19	6-1/170	`19(75th)
118	Jett Woo	Van	D	20	6-0/205	`18(37th)
119	Nolan Foote	NJ	LW	20	6-3/190	T(TB-2/20)
120	Logan Brown	Ott	C	22	6-6/220	`16(11th)
121	Martin Kaut	Col	RW	21	6-1/175	`18(16th)
122	Jack Rathbone	Van	D	21	5-10/175	`17(95th)
123	Ozzy Wiesblatt	SJ	RW	18	5-10/185	`20(31st)
124	Ryan O'Rourke	Min	D	18	6-0/180	`20(39th)
125	Lukas Reichel	Chi	LW	18	6-0/170	`20(17th)
126	Jordan Harris	Mtl	D	20	5-11/180	`18(71st)
127	Lukas Dostal	Ana	G	20	6-1/170	`18(85th)
128	Egor Afanasyev	Nsh	RW	19	6-3/205	`19(45th)
129	Conor Timmins	Col	D	22	6-1/185	`17(32nd)
130	Lassi Thomson	Ott	D	20	6-0/190	`19(19th)
131	Eeli Tolvanen	Nsh	RW	21	5-10/175	`17(30th)
132	Kasper Simontaival	LA	RW	18	5-9/180	`20(66th)
133	Roni Hirvonen	Tor	C	18	5-9/165	`20(59th)
134	Thomas Bordeleau	SJ	C	18	5-9/180	`20(38th)
135	Benoit-Olivier Groulx	Ana	C	20	6-1/195	`18(54th)
136	Tyler Kleven	Ott	D	18	6-4/200	`20(44th)
137	Tyson Foerster	Phi	C	18	6-1/195	`20(23rd)
138	Helge Grans	LA	D	18	6-2/205	`20(35th)
139	Jonathan Dahlen	SJ	LW	23	5-11/185	T(Van-2/19)
140	Marat Khusnutdinov	Min	C	18	5-11/175	`20(37th)
141	Alexander Alexeyev	Wsh	D	21	6-3/200	`18(31st)
142	Pierre-Olivier Joseph	Pit	D	21	6-2/170	`17(23rd)
143	Topi Niemela	Tor	D	18	5-10/160	`20(64th)
144	Oskari Laaksonen	Buf	D	21	6-2/165	`17(89th)
145	Filip Hallander	Tor	LW	20	6-1/185	T(Pit-8/20)
146	Serron Noel	Fla	RW	20	6-5/205	`18(34th)
147	Martin Chromiak	LA	LW	18	6-0/185	`20(128th)
148	Shakir Mukhamadullin	NJ	D	18	6-3/180	`20(20th)
149	Mattias Samuelsson	Buf	D	20	6-3/215	`18(32nd)
150	Janne Kuokkanen	NJ	LW	22	6-1/190	T(Car-2/20)
151	Ryan Johnson	Buf	D	19	6-0/175	`19(31st)
152	Sean Farrell	Mtl	C	19	5-8/175	`20(124th)
153	Martin Fehervary	Wsh	D	21	6-1/190	`18(46th)
154	Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen	Buf	G	21	6-4/195	`17(54th)
155	Will Lockwood	Van	RW	22	5-11/175	`16(64th)
156	Isac Lundestrom	Ana	C	21	6-0/185	`18(23rd)
157	Michael DiPietro	Van	G	21	6-0/195	`17(64th)
158	Jonatan Berggren	Det	RW	20	5-10/185	`18(33rd)
159	Kevin Bahl	NJ	D	20	6-6/230	T(Ari-12/19)
160	Aliaksei Protas	Wsh	C	19	6-5/205	`19(91st)
161	Reilly Walsh	NJ	D	21	5-11/180	`17(81st)
162	Nick Abruzzese	Tor	C	21	5-9/160	`19(124th)
163	Tyler Tucker	StL	D	20	6-1/205	`18(200th)
164	Arseni Gritsyuk	NJ	RW	19	5-10/170	`19(129th)
165	Klim Kostin	StL	C	21	6-3/195	`17(31st)
166	Brayden Tracey	Ana	LW	19	6-0/175	`19(29th)
167	Joel Hofer	StL	G	20	6-3/160	`18(107th)
168	Joey Anderson	Tor	RW	22	6-0/195	T(NJ-10/20)
169	Yegor Spiridonov	SJ	C	19	6-2/195	`19(108th)
170	Sam Colangelo	Ana	RW	19	6-1/205	`20(36th)
171	Joey Keane	Car	D	21	6-0/185	T(NYR-2/20)
172	Jared McIsaac	Det	D	20	6-1/195	`18(36th)
173	Jamieson Rees	Car	C	19	5-10/175	`19(44th)
174	Ivan Morozov	VGK	C	20	6-1/180	`18(61st)
175	Rem Pitlick	Nsh	C	23	5-11/200	`16(76th)
176	Tyce Thompson	NJ	RW	21	6-0/170	`19(96th)
177	Michael McLeod	NJ	C	22	6-2/195	`16(12th)
178	Jaret Anderson-Dolan	LA	C	21	5-11/190	`17(41st)
179	Dustin Wolf	Cgy	G	19	6-0/165	`19(214th)
180	Antti Tuomisto	Det	D	19	6-4/190	`19(35th)
181	Brett Berard	NYR	LW	18	5-9/155	`20(134th)
182	Luke Evangelista	Nsh	RW	18	5-11/170	`20(42nd)
183	Joel Blomqvist	Pit	G	18	6-1/180	`20(52nd)
184	Joni Ikonen	Mtl	C	21	5-10/170	`17(58th)
185	Olivier Rodrigue	Edm	G	20	6-1/165	`18(62nd)
186	Lucas Elvenes	VGK	RW	21	6-0/175	`17(127th)
187	Anthony Angello	Pit	RW	24	6-5/205	`14(145th)
188	Tuukka Tieksola	Car	RW	19	5-10/160	`19(121st)
189	Declan Chisholm	Wpg	D	20	6-1/190	`18(150th)
190	Cole Koepke	TB	LW	22	6-1/195	`18(183rd)
191	Valtteri Puustinen	Pit	RW	21	5-9/185	`19(203rd)
192	Ty Smilanic	Fla	C	18	6-1/175	`20(74th)
193	Patrik Puistola	Car	LW	19	6-0/175	`19(73rd)
194	Justin Barron	Col	D	19	6-2/190	`20(25th)
195	Andrew Peeke	CBJ	D	22	6-3/210	`16(34th)
196	Michael Vukojevic	NJ	D	19	6-3/210	`19(82nd)
197	Alec Regula	Chi	D	20	6-3/200	T(Det-10/19)
198	Connor Corcoran	VGK	D	20	6-1/185	`18(154th)
199	Jeremy Swayman	Bos	G	22	6-1/190	`17(111th)
200	Pyotr Kochetkov	Car	G	21	6-1/175	`19(36th)
201	Mikey Anderson	LA	D	21	6-0/195	`17(103rd)
202	Carter Savoie	Edm	LW	18	5-9/190	`20(100th)
203	Samuel Walker	TB	C	21	5-11/160	`17(200th)
204	William Wallinder	Det	D	18	6-4/190	`20(32nd)
205	Jack Drury	Car	C	20	5-11/180	`18(42nd)
206	Emil Andrae	Phi	D	18	5-9/185	`20(54th)
207	Cal Petersen	LA	G	26	6-3/190	FA(7/17)
208	Jeremie Poirier	Cgy	D	18	6-0/200	`20(72nd)
209	Tarmo Reunanen	NYR	D	22	6-0/180	`16(98th)
210	Simon Holmstrom	NYI	RW	19	6-1/185	`19(23rd)
211	Aleksi Saarela	Fla	RW	23	5-11/200	T(Chi-10/19)
212	Anton Johannesson	Wpg	D	18	5-9/155	`20(133rd)
213	Lauri Pajuniemi	NYR	RW	21	6-0/185	`18(132nd)
214	Morgan Geekie	Car	C	22	6-2/180	`17(67th)
215	Shane Bowers	Col	C	21	6-2/190	T(Ott-11/17)
216	Sasha Chmelevski	SJ	C	21	5-11/190	`17(185th)
217	Ruslan Iskhakov	NYI	C	20	5-8/155	`18(43rd)
218	Cole Schwindt	Fla	RW	19	6-2/185	`19(81st)
219	Hugo Alnefelt	TB	G	19	6-3/195	`19(71st)
220	Nikita Okhotyuk	NJ	D	20	6-1/195	`19(61st)
221	Sampo Ranta	Col	LW	20	6-2/205	`18(78th)
222	Alexander Volkov	TB	LW	23	6-1/190	`17(48th)
223	Alexander True	SJ	C	23	6-5/205	FA(7/18)
224	John Leonard	SJ	C	22	5-11/190	`18(182nd)
225	Carl Grundstrom	LA	LW	23	6-0/195	T(Tor-1/19)
226	Dmitri Semykin	TB	D	20	6-3/200	`18(90th)
227	Cal Foote	TB	D	22	6-4/215	`17(14th)
228	Jean-Luc Foudy	Col	C	18	5-11/175	`20(75th)
229	Alex Barre-Boulet	TB	C	23	5-10/165	FA(3/18)
230	Tristen Robins	SJ	RW	19	5-10/175	`20(56th)
231	Max Gildon	Fla	D	21	6-3/190	`17(66th)
232	Nikita Alexandrov	StL	C	20	6-0/180	`19(62nd)
233	Michael Benning	Fla	D	18	5-9/180	`20(95th)
234	Justin Sourdif	Fla	RW	18	5-11/175	`20(87th)
235	Tanner Laczynski	Phi	C	23	6-1/200	`16(169th)
236	Eamon Powell	TB	D	18	5-11/165	`20(116th)
237	Kaedan Korczak	VGK	D	19	6-3/190	`19(41st)
238	Drew Commesso	Chi	G	18	6-1/180	`20(47th)
239	Nikolai Kovalenko	Col	RW	21	5-10/175	`18(171st)
240	Pius Suter	Chi	C	24	5-11/170	FA(7/20)
241	Wade Allison	Phi	RW	23	6-2/205	`16(52nd)
242	Bobby Brink	Phi	RW	19	5-10/165	`19(34th)
243	Lukas Cormier	VGK	D	18	5-10/180	`20(68th)
244	David Farrance	Nsh	D	21	5-11/190	`17(92nd)
245	Roby Jarventie	Ott	RW	18	6-2/185	`20(33rd)
246	Dmitri Voronkov	CBJ	LW	20	6-4/190	`19(114th)
247	German Rubtsov	Phi	C	22	6-2/190	`16(22nd)
248	Vitaly Abramov	Ott	RW	22	5-9/175	T(CBJ-2/19)
249	Alex Laferriere	LA	RW	19	6-0/175	`20(83rd)
250	Trey Fix-Wolansky	CBJ	RW	21	5-8/185	`18(204th)
251	Isaac Ratcliffe	Phi	LW	21	6-5/200	`17(35th)
252	Kale Clague	LA	D	22	6-0/180	`16(51st)
253	Landon Slaggert	Chi	LW	18	5-11/180	`20(79th)
254	Wyatt Kalynuk	Chi	D	23	6-1/180	FA(7/20)
255	Mikko Kokkonen	Tor	D	19	5-11/200	`19(84th)
256	Kevin Mandolese	Ott	G	20	6-4/180	`18(157th)
257	Daniil Tarasov	CBJ	G	21	6-5/185	`17(86th)
258	Evan Barratt	Chi	C	21	6-0/190	`17(90th)
259	Tyler Benson	Edm	LW	22	6-0/200	`16(32nd)
260	Yegor Korshkov	Tor	RW	24	6-4/215	`16(31st)
261	Hunter Skinner	NYR	D	19	6-2/175	`19(112th)
262	Riley Damiani	Dal	C	20	5-9/165	`18(137th)
263	Ryan McLeod	Edm	C	21	6-2/205	`18(40th)
264	Ilya Konovalov	Edm	G	22	6-0/195	`19(85th)
265	Will Cuylle	NYR	LW	18	6-3/205	`20(60th)
266	Evan Vierling	NYR	C	18	6-0/165	`20(127th)
267	Emil Heineman	Fla	LW	19	6-0/180	`20(43rd)
268	Zayde Wisdom	Phi	RW	18	5-10/195	`20(94th)
269	Hunter Jones	Min	G	20	6-4/195	`19(59th)
270	Ty Tullio	Edm	RW	18	5-10/165	`20(126th)
271	Jordan Spence	LA	D	19	5-10/165	`19(95th)
272	Dmitri Zavgorodny	Cgy	LW	20	5-9/175	`18(198th)
273	Alex Beaucage	Col	RW	19	6-1/195	`19(78th)
274	Matiss Kivlenieks	CBJ	G	24	6-2/190	FA(5/17)
275	Artyom Zub	Ott	D	25	6-2/200	FA(5/20)
276	Urho Vaakanainen	Bos	D	22	6-0/185	`17(18th)
277	Dmitri Samorukov	Edm	D	21	6-2/180	`17(84th)
278	Michal Teply	Chi	LW	19	6-3/185	`19(105th)
279	Colby Ambrosio	Col	C	18	5-8/170	`20(118th)
280	Mads Sogaard	Ott	G	20	6-7/195	`19(37th)
281	Jeremy Lauzon	Bos	D	23	6-3/205	`15(52nd)
282	Dennis Gilbert	Col	D	24	6-2/200	T(Chi-10/20)
283	Trent Frederic	Bos	C	22	6-4/215	`16(29th)
284	Lucas Carlsson	Chi	D	23	6-0/190	`16(110th)
285	Zack Macewen	Van	RW	24	6-3/205	FA(3/17)
286	Brandon Hagel	Chi	LW	22	6-1/175	FA(10/18)
287	Vasily Ponomarev	Car	C	18	5-10/180	`20(53rd)
288	Jakub Zboril	Bos	D	23	6-1/200	`15(13th)
289	Garrett Pilon	Wsh	RW	22	5-11/190	`16(87th)
290	Jeremy Bracco	Car	RW	23	5-9/180	FA(10/20)
291	Dylan Sikura	VGK	RW	25	6-0/170	T(Chi-9/20)
292	Kyle Capobianco	Ari	D	23	6-1/180	`15(63rd)
293	Sami Niku	Wpg	D	24	6-0/175	`15(198th)
294	John Farinacci	Ari	C	19	5-11/185	`19(76th)
295	Jackson Lacombe	Ana	D	19	6-1/170	`19(39th)
296	David Cotton	Car	LW	23	6-3/205	`15(169th)
297	Erik Portillo	Buf	G	20	6-6/210	`19(67th)
298	Jacob Truscott	Van	D	18	6-1/170	`20(144th)
299	Mikhail Berdin	Wpg	G	22	6-2/165	`16(157th)
300	Cam Hillis	Mtl	C	20	5-10/170	`18(66th)

MCKEEN’S 2020 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – OTTAWA SENATORS – ORGANIZATIONAL RANK: 10

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 16:13:41 +0000

Ottawa Senators

As one of the most abject organizations in hockey, Senators’ fans can at least take some solace in the steps taken under GM Pierre Dorion who has done an admirable job of restocking the cupboard. This despite starting off with a large, self-inflicted handicap resulting from the ill-fated trade acquisition of Matt Duchene, which cost the Sens their ‘natural’ first round pick last year, which the Colorado Avalanche converted into Bowen Byram, currently one of the top prospects in the sport.

That might sting one day, but the Senators are looking at a plethora of future riches ascending to the top. In fact, quite a lot of those riches are already at the top. Outside of a few notable veterans dotting the NHL roster, much of the team is young. It is very easy to envision under-25s including Thomas Chabot, Brady Tkachuk, Colin White, and Anthony Duclair playing key roles on the next playoff team from Ottawa. Those were just the 2019-20 regulars. Additional critical pieces Drake Batherson, Logan Brown, and Erik Brannstrom also played up with the Senators for large chunks of this past season. The latter played enough to lose his prospect eligibility, even if he didn’t play well enough, consistently enough to cement his status for 2020-21.

Outside of the NHL, the Sens have a second tier of probable NHL’ers who have spent all, or at least the bulk of last season in the AHL. That crew incudes Josh Norris, Vitali Abramov, Alex Formenton, and Joey Daccord. Many teams largely skip their top prospects over the AHL entirely, but with Ottawa’s NHL projections for the last two years being so low, there was little reason to push these players right into the NHL, not counting a cup of coffee or three. Additionally, when so many of the players expected to suit up for the team by 2022 are currently this young, it really makes no sense to debut them all at once, never mind the cap implications that would entail. Better to stagger their respective arrivals, bringing up a few each year until they are ready to strike fear into all opponents.

Finally, we have the group who are at least one full season away, considering their current development stage, and/or contract status. Here I am talking about players such as 2018 first rounder Jacob Bernard-Docker, Shane Pinto, Lassi Thomson, Jonathan Gruden, and whoever the Senators draft with the third and fifth overall picks in the upcoming draft. One of the latter pair could feasibly join next year’s crew, but definitely not both, and considering the philosophy the Senators seem to practice, and the players likely available, neither are likely to spend all of 2020-21 in the NHL.

Another way to gauge how the Senator’s future is shaping up is to look at the system, position by position. Without knowing who the Senators will draft in October, the strength of the organization seems to be up front. One could easily envision a quartet down the middle consisting of Colin White, Josh Norris, Logan Brown, and Shane Pinto. That allows the flanks to include the likes of Tkachuk, Duclair, Batherson, Formenton, Abramov, Gruden, and at least two others. Even if we don’t yet know who the Senators will draft, knowing the strength of the draft class (wingers), it is likely that at least one of their top two picks will be used on a player who can fortify the wings, possibly as soon as 2021-22.

On the blueline, the discussion starts with Chabot, one of the best handful of young defensemen leaguewide. Regularly eating up 30 minutes per game, the load is lessened on the rest of the defense-corps. But I will also include Brannstrom, who has a lot more in the tank than he showed at the NHL level last year. Thomson and Bernard-Docker round out an intriguing top four, while the third pairing possibilities are currently a bit light within the system. There are options of course, but none that stick out as sure things.

Finally, in the crease, the Senators have built up a nice reservoir of four youngsters who each have a decent shot to matriculate into long-time NHLers, in addition to 25-year-old Marcus Hogberg, who may be good enough to start while the team waits for the cavalry to arrive. Goalies are notoriously hard to predict, but all of Daccord (7^th round), Kevin Mandolese (6^th round), Mads Sogaard (2^nd round), and Filip Gustavsson (trade) have their fans within the organization and without.

The present is dark, but the future is very bright in Ottawa.

Jacob Bernard Docker. Photo by Avid Photography.

Jacob Bernard-Docker, D (26^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 4)

The best way to start this profile is with a mea culpa. We were wrong about Bernard-Docker. Two years ago, with the draft in Dallas, we thought of the AJHL blueliner as a decent late second round pick, ranking him 56^th in the draft class. Not only was that wrong, but the way that the University of North Dakota blueliner is trending, at least 10, if not 15, of the teams that picked before Ottawa in that class were also wrong. I will go so far as to say that, when all is said and done, there will be little to separate Bernard-Docker from Noah Dobson, who was drafted 12^th by the Islanders earlier that same day.

Having continued to watch him develop with the Fighting Hawks and with Team Canada at the WJC, I now see a defender who reasonably projects as a first pairing blueliner at the NHL level, playing upwards of 25 minutes a minutes a night, in all situations, and shutting down the opposition’s finest. The native Albertan does everything at an above average level, but has high end hockey IQ, allowing the entire package to play better than the sum of his parts.

Without being a dynamic skater, he moves is feet very well. He has the rare ability to be both safe and creative when he carries the puck out of his zone. He is not a blueline bomber, but he has a very impressive wrist shot from the point that he can use to pick out targets when he takes his time. His own zone play is remarkable for his mature positioning and tight gap control.

As a right-handed shot, there will soon be room for Bernard-Docker to line up alongside Thomas Chabot, giving the Senators a long term first pairing that can play against anyone and excel. - RW

Josh Norris, C (Trade: Sep. 13, 2018. Originally: 19^th overall, 2017 [San Jose]. 2019 Rank: 2)

It is an understatement to say that the acquisition of Norris, a former San Jose first round pick, was a steal of a trade for the Senators. In his rookie season after coming over from the Michigan Wolverines, Norris finished the year leading AHL Belleville in points and earning a brief three game stint with the big club where his performance was good albeit a little shaky at times, indicating that he may still need time in the AHL to start next season.

Although he is a great playmaker and team player, his shot, paired with his individual efforts on the ice, are what make him a deadly player. The fact that he finished nearly even in both goals and assists is indicative of the versatility of his offensive contributions. Norris is a good-sized forward and a strong skater, he is agile, reads the play well, and possesses an NHL level skillset with hands and a shot to go alongside his skating abilities.

He has a full bag of tricks with no real negatives in his game, all working together to make his transition from college to the pros practically seamless. Norris is approaching NHL readiness and will be seen again in an Ottawa Senators jersey as soon as next season, if not full time at least as Ottawa’s first forward call up. He is a naturally good all-round player with a high ceiling and the potential to be a first line forward, top six at the very least, when his time comes back in the NHL. - SC

Drake Batherson, C (121^st overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 6)

For a small-town boy, who before the 2018 World Juniors was largely unknown, Batherson has made his climb as one of the Senators’ top prospects with ease and determination. He still has a few small details to touch up and tighten up with his game, but overall he has grown tremendously as a player and his maturity has come a long way with time spent up with Ottawa as well as on the farm.

As a hard-working forward who plays both wing and center, he is versatile and can also be relied upon to play both powerplay and penalty kill. He is a good two-way player but can still work to improve his defensive coverage and play with more patience in his own end. As a bigger forward, Batherson has the potential to be a very dominant force when it comes to getting to the net and finishing plays but he will have to be more confident on NHL ice and that will come with more time spent up with the Senators.

He is almost at the point now where he has outgrown the AHL and is ready for a bigger challenge in the NHL. He should have no worries when it comes to making a full-time adjustment to the league and finding a spot in the Ottawa top six at some point in the near future. With such a tight race between the club’s forward prospects it will be up to Batherson to maintain his high compete level going into next season and earn his spot permanently. - SC

Alex Formenton, LW (47^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 3)

The Senators want Formenton to succeed and that is evident in the way they tried to start him up with the NHL club last season. However, he was not quite ready for the NHL game and instead spent the bulk of his season with Belleville in AHL, where he finished third in team scoring.

Formenton is the type of forward that every team should have, as he is fast and forechecks well, handles battles safely, keeps his feet moving, and has the offensive mindset of a natural goal scorer. He will need to find a way to protect his own end better and work on his two-way mindset and other than that he simply needs to maintain the same performance level and same high energy when he gets called back up. He enjoys being on a team where he stands out, which means he needs to find a way to up his confidence and force his way to a prominent role at the next level.

This past season with Belleville there were issues with consistency regarding effort and speed and for a player who relies heavily on his high end top speed, he will need to bring consistent effort each game in order to fulfill his potential and be deserving of a full-time, permanent spot with Ottawa. Formenton has the skillset, the speed, and the potential to be a top six forward but he cannot simply coast around because while he may be fast enough to afford playing at less than his top speed, playing at the next level requires constant effort and he will need an adjustment to his mindset before getting there. - SC

Shane Pinto, C (32^nd overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 11)

Another player here that we had underrated in his draft year. A very late bloomer, Pinto was not drafted into the USHL until the 21^st round of 2017, and spent another year playing AAA hockey in Connecticut before reporting to Lincoln, Nebraska. Pinto’s transition from AAA to the USHL was seamless, but as a player without dynamic skills backing up his impressive point totals, we were non-plussed.

As a freshman at North Dakota, teaming up with Bernard-Docker, Pinto’s game has continued to develop at a rapid clip. He has enough muscle on his 6-3” frame to play in a power role, hanging out near the opposition net and preventing the defenders from dislodging him. In fact, not only does Pinto serve as a distraction for the netminder, but he also is an ace shot tipper, demonstrating high end hand eye coordination to get his blade on point shots in mid-air and angling them just so to squeak past the goalie.

He also uses his body well when carrying the puck, to shield defenders off, and maintain possession of the puck. There is little fancy about his game, as he is most effective playing largely in straight, north-south lines, but he can be extremely effective as a foil for two more highly skilled linemates.

Most comfortable below the hashmarks, Pinto still has many possible outcomes for his career. He can fit anywhere in the middle six, including both at center and at right wing, where I think he might ultimately be most effective. One more year of consistent performance, and possibly a little extra jam would prove that he is ready for the pros. - RW

Logan Brown, C (11^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 5)

Despite being able to transfer all his skills and his game to the AHL, Brown, a former high first round pick, seemed to have trouble converting those same skills to the NHL, notwithstanding his offensive production. During the time spent up with Ottawa last season, he seemed to have difficulty adjusting to the pace of the NHL, meaning he will need to quicken the pace at which he moves the puck as well as his overall footspeed heading into next season.

Brown is a strong player with a very big body and a lot of talent. If he can find a way to get to the net consistently and make faster plays, he will be a deadly playmaker and a forward who is a bear to stop. He has good hands, a hard shot, and a good eye during odd man rushes that would all be welcomed assets to Ottawa’s bottom six when he is up to speed with his game. - SC

Lassi Thomson, D (19^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 7)

Thomson’s first pro season was a somewhat difficult one. As a first round NHL Draft pick, he joined Ilves with high expectations, yet he struggled with consistency and decision making from time to time. He was the captain of the Finnish team at the World Juniors, but even there his play left a lot to be desired.

He is a very physical defenseman who hits with authority when defending. He does not shy away from contact, plays the body and is tough to play against. He can close gaps quickly with his skating speed. His acceleration is very good, and he can carry the puck from his own end.

Thomson has a hard, heavy slap shot and one-timer with good wind up. His wrist shot is accurate, and he can release it without much set up. His decision making, especially with the puck, was an occasional issue in the past season.

The potential that he displayed in the WHL is still there, he just needs to put all the pieces of his game together. In the long run, Thomson projects as a top-four NHL defenseman with special teams assets. - MB

Vitali Abramov, RW (Trade: Feb. 22, 2019. Originally: 65^th overall, 2016 [Columbus]. 2019 Rank: 9)

Abramov is yet another positive example of a trade working out well for both the Ottawa organization and the player personally, and since moving from the Columbus organization to the Senators, he has seen much better results. Abramov finished fourth in points with AHL Belleville this past season amidst the tight prospect scoring race featuring a number of intriguing young talents in this system.

He is a small forward, but he makes up for his lack of size by bringing a lot of skill and hockey sense to the game. He is well positioned, has good hands, and makes plays quickly and efficiently with few turnovers. His primary challenge will be to continue to push his physicality and better his strength when fighting for position in front of the opposing net.

Expect to see Abramov called up again next season for a longer stint as part of the Ottawa bottom six as he strives for a bigger future role with the club. - SC

Kevin Mandolese, G (157^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: UR)

Mandolese earned the top Q goalie honors this season by refining his game and using his frame to the best of his ability, putting together the best season so far in his career. While he is quick and athletic enough to make highlight reel saves every game, he has harnessed his fundamental skills to make repeatable saves much more consistently this year and was rewarded for it.

He has the size scouts look for in a goalie, and will be given time to marinate on the farm in the Sens system. The Senators rewarded him with an entry-level deal this offseason, and Mandolese will look to start his pro career this coming season, likely as a backup at the AHL level or as a starter at a lower level. He will take a while, but Ottawa could be rewarded with a cat-like goalie that uses his size efficiently. - MS

Artyom Zub, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed May 1, 2020. 2019 Rank: IE)

In his fifth full season in the KHL, Zub more than doubled his previous career high in points, putting up 22 for the perennially contending SKA St. Petersburg club. The right-handed shot with good size, Zub does a lot of things well, suggesting a high floor, and near term NHL readiness, but there is conversely little about his game that sticks out as well above average, thus seemingly putting a cap on his ceiling.

The Olympic Gold Medalist skates well but is not a burner. He has a decent wrist shot and solid puck handling ability, capable of carrying the puck from the blueline to the slot, but nothing dynamic. He is reliable and tends to make the right decision but is not a shutdown defender. He is big enough but not overly physical.

There were 10 Russian blueliners in the NHL last year, four of which came over as free agents. Of those free agent imports, only new Ottawa teammate Nikita Zaitsev is a full-fledged regular. If he can be more Zaitsev than Ilya Lubushkin, Alexander Yelesin, or Nikolai Knyzhov, the Senators will rightly be pleased. - RW

Mads Sogaard, G (37^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 10)

Sogaard has the prototypical body type that pro teams covet. He is long and lean, and his 6-7” frame makes him an intimidating presence in the net for even the best shooters. His GAA dropped from an outstanding .921 in his draft year to a still respectable .908 this season.

Overall, he didn’t show much improvement in his deficient areas this season which was a bit disappointing. His five hole is still a problem and if opponents get him moving laterally there is room to get pucks through. He is still a bit leaky where a puck will hit him and he loses control of it, either leading to a tap-in, or the puck trickling by him.

The positives are certainly still there, though. He is a true puck stopper with good ability to track the puck. His butterfly is solid and when he goes down his shoulders still cover the top of the net. This allows him to cover his post top to bottom while still being in position to protect the lower part of the net laterally. His deficiencies all have coachable fixes, so he still holds a lot of promise. - VG

Joey Daccord, G (199^th overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: 8)

Despite the fact that Daccord spent the start of last season back down in the ECHL, he quickly proved that he was much better suited for the AHL. He ended up splitting the Belleville Senators starts pretty evenly over the second half with fellow goaltender prospect Filip Gustavsson.

Daccord plays a structured and calm game, bringing focus and good puck tracking skills to the table. He reads plays well and gets into good position. As a rookie goaltender last year, he adjusted well and is still continuing to make the necessary adjustments needed to continue improving. Daccord needs to make sure to not overplay the puck too much or bite too soon on certain plays and when facing dekes, but the more he plays, the more he will familiarize himself with players and situations and improve his reactions.

He has not been the quickest to develop and it is tough to say when he will reach starting level but with the way the Ottawa goaltending situation looks, look for Daccord to at least get one call up next season and even a few starts. - SC

Jonathan Gruden, RW (95^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 18)

A former NTDP member, Gruden left Miami University after his freshman season in order to join the London Knights this year. Gruden operates well as an offensive support player. He controls the wall well, keeps his feet moving in the offensive zone, and possesses the vision and awareness to find those soft spots in coverage.

While his skating ability, skill level, and physical skill set would be deemed average, he is successful at the OHL level due to his high-end IQ. As such, Gruden projects best as a bottom six forward at the NHL level. At the pro level, there may certainly be an adjustment period as his skating and strength improve to the level that they need to in order for him to succeed in a “grind it out” role against men. - BO

Maxence Guenette, D (187^thoverall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

Guénette is very good at some aspects of the game and even his worst skills grade out as decent. His best asset is his skating ability. He doesn’t overstep his skillset and try to make plays he can’t finish, and he stays within himself to be a reliable rearguard. His plus-minus, while a controversial stat, was a -11 this season, which is a marked improvement over his previous two campaigns, and he was the highest scoring defenseman on his team.

The biggest plus for Guénette last season is the alternate captain A on his sweater in Val-d’Or, as that shows that not only is he a good defenseman in all facets of the game, but he shows character and leadership as well.

He will return to the QMJHL next season, where he will look to dominate at times, as he is fighting for an entry level contract. If his trajectory continues, he could become a dependable defender for an NHL team someday, but it will be an uphill climb. - MS

Mark Kastelic, C (125^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

Kastelic has the size that teams covet down the middle. He is a meat and potatoes player who does his best offensive work by using his body on the forecheck. Once in the offensive zone he is a cycle machine who can protect the puck and drive the net, creating sustained offensive pressure that leads to mistakes and scoring opportunities for his team.

At 6-3” 220 pounds he isn’t the best skater, but he has improved enough that he should be able to keep up with play at the pro level. Physically he is a dominating player and controls the net front on the power play with his body and frame. He makes good sound decisions and can keep his hands free to jump on rebounds or move pucks out of the scrum to an open man. 25 of his 37 goals last season came from below the dots. He plays in the hard areas of the ice and is able to make plays when he is there.

He does a nice job defensively down low supporting his defenseman and was a top faceoff guy in the entire WHL, where he took the fourth most draws in the league and won an impressive 61.5% of them. - VG

MCKEENS 2020 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT – TOP 250 PROSPECTS

McKeens Hockey; Article by Ryan Wagman — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 11:50:55 +0000

I write these words less than 24 hours after the Dallas Stars took game one of the Stanley Cup Finals against the heavily favored Tampa Bay Lightning. Unlike most seasons wherein the end of the Stanley Cup marks the beginning of off-season player movement, this year teams have taken an early start to the transactional Ferris wheel as many expect the upcoming offseason (from the awarding of the Cup, through to the draft in the first week of October to the start of the 2020-21 season perhaps as soon as early December, pending COVID trends in North America) to be especially turbulent.

We have seen a few trades of NHL pieces, one deal which impacted this guidebook, as Toronto sent Kasperi Kapanen to Pittsburgh and Swedish winger Filip Hallander was among those coming back to Toronto. Hallander was our selection for the second-best prospect in the Penguins system and now holds that title for the Maple Leafs. That trade knocked the Penguins down a few slots on our organizational rankings and allowed Toronto to go the other way accordingly.

Of course, with the draft roughly 17 days away, and with it a complete re-shuffling of the organizational rankings, this is just a snapshot in time of how every team’s system shakes up. We will re-run this list, incorporating the drafted players, in our pre-season fantasy guide, where we will expand the lists up to 20.

What you are about to dive into is a comprehensive list of all prospect eligible players on all 31 teams. To hold prospect eligibility, a player needs to 25 or younger, as of September 15, 2020. All skaters need to have played less than 60 career games, with no more than 35 of those games coming in a single season (or 25 for this past shortened season). For goalies, the age criteria remain the same, but the games played benchmark drops to 30 career games and 20 in a given season (or 15 last year). Any cutoff that does not hew exactly to the Calder Trophy award criteria is, by nature, arbitrary, but we aim to be inclusive for all players who have not yet cemented NHL jobs and/or have not had a prolonged chance to prove himself capable – or incapable.

We rank 15 per team, as depth is as important as the high end. Our goal is to identify players who could – if they have an advocate for them within the team’s braintrust – play a role in the NHL. These players were identified through our thorough vetting of each prospect across the globe, assigning scores, or grades, to five areas for skaters (skating, shot, puck skills, smarts, physicality) and six for netminders (athleticism/speed/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, positioning/technique, rebound control, and puck handling). Depending on the position, the grades are run through an algorithm to come up with an overall future projection (OFP).

The OFP, if the scout is being honest, measures the future role we anticipate the prospect being able to hold. A 50 score is the lower threshold to be a regular 4^th line forward, or bottom pairing defender. Grades over 56 are potential top line/pairing skaters. The grades in between, obviously project to the middle of the lineup.

As we are reminded every year, development is not linear. Some players take unexpected sudden leaps forward (see Marino, John), and others stagnate (see Ho-Sang, Josh), and many do exactly what we expect of them when they are given the chance. As much as I trust the analysts in our team, I can also tell you that this exercise is always humbling. There will be at least one player who we rate highly who bombs. There will be at least one player who did not feature on his team’s top 15 who becomes an NHL regular next year. We accept those errors in judgment and promise you, our faithful subscriber, that we will learn from them and refine our work for next year, as we learn just as NHL teams learn.

Until then, please enjoy this snapshot view of the future of the beautiful, frozen game. Putting this together has provided at least some sense of normalcy during this crazy summer.

NHL	RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	TM	Acquired
Ana	1	Trevor Zegras	C	19	6-0/170	Boston University (HE)	`19(9th)
Min	2	Kirill Kaprizov	LW	23	5-10/200	CSKA (KHL)	`15(135th)
Col	3	Bowen Byram	D	19	6-0/195	Vancouver (WHL)	`19(4th)
Buf	4	Dylan Cozens	C	19	6-3/185	Lethbridge (WHL)	`19(7th)
Fla	5	Spencer Knight	G	19	6-3/195	Boston College (HE)	`19(13th)
VGK	6	Peyton Krebs	C	19	5-11/180	Winnipeg (WHL)	`19(17th)
Ari	7	Victor Soderstrom	D	19	5-11/180	Brynas (Swe)	`19(11th)
Mtl	8	Cole Caufield	RW	19	5-7/165	Wisconsin (B1G)	`19(15th)
Van	9	Vasili Podkolzin	RW	19	6-1/190	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	`19(10th)
Edm	10	Philip Broberg	D	19	6-3/200	Skelleftea AIK (Swe)	`19(8th)
Tor	11	Nick Robertson	LW	19	5-9/160	Peterborough (OHL)	`19(53rd)
Col	12	Alex Newhook	C	19	5-10/195	Boston College (HE)	`19(16th)
Det	13	Moritz Seider	D	19	6-3/185	Grand Rapids (AHL)	`19(6th)
Fla	14	Grigori Denisenko	LW	20	5-11/185	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	`18(15th)
Min	15	Matthew Boldy	LW	19	6-1/190	Boston College (HE)	`19(12th)
NJ	16	Ty Smith	D	20	5-10/180	Spokane (WHL)	`18(17th)
LA	17	Alex Turcotte	C	19	5-11/185	Wisconsin (B1G)	`19(5th)
Nsh	18	Philip Tomasino	C	19	5-11/180	Nia-Osh (OHL)	`19(24th)
Pit	19	Samuel Poulin	LW	19	6-1/205	Sherbrooke (QMJHL)	`19(21st)
Wsh	20	Connor McMichael	C	19	5-11/175	London (OHL)	`19(25th)
LA	21	Gabriel Vilardi	RW	21	6-3/200	Ontario (AHL)	`17(11th)
NYR	22	Igor Shesterkin	G	24	6-1/190	Hartford (AHL)	`14(118th)
Dal	23	Thomas Harley	D	19	6-3/190	Mississauga (OHL)	`19(18th)
Ari	24	Barrett Hayton	C	20	6-1/190	Arizona (NHL)	`18(5th)
NYR	25	Nils Lundkvist	D	20	5-11/180	Lulea (Swe)	`18(28th)
LA	26	Arthur Kaliyev	RW	19	6-2/190	Hamilton (OHL)	`19(33rd)
Cgy	27	Juuso Valimaki	D	21	6-2/205	DNP - Injured	`17(16th)
Det	28	Jared McIsaac	D	20	6-1/195	Hal-Mon (QMJHL)	`18(36th)
NYR	29	Vitali Kravtsov	RW	20	6-3/185	Hartford (AHL)	`18(9th)
Edm	30	Evan Bouchard	D	20	6-2/195	Bakersfield (AHL)	`18(10th)
NYR	31	K'Andre Miller	D	20	6-3/205	Wisconsin (B1G)	`18(22nd)
Edm	32	Raphael Lavoie	RW	19	6-4/195	Hal-Chi (QMJHL)	`19(38th)
NYI	33	Ilya Sorokin	G	25	6-2/180	CSKA (KHL)	`14(78th)
Det	34	Albert Johansson	D	19	5-11/165	Farjestads (Swe)	`19(60th)
Ari	35	Matias Maccelli	LW	19	5-11/170	Ilves Tampere (Fin)	`19(98th)
Van	36	Nils Hoglander	RW	19	5-9/185	Rogle (Swe)	`19(40th)
Ari	37	Jan Jenik	RW	20	6-1/180	Hamilton (OHL)	`18(65th)
Phi	38	Cam York	D	19	5-11/175	Michigan (B1G)	`19(14th)
Phi	39	Morgan Frost	C	21	5-11/180	Lehigh Valley (AHL)	`17(27th)
Ana	40	Lukas Dostal	G	20	6-1/170	Ilves Tampere (Fin)	`18(85th)
LA	41	Tobias Bjornfot	D	19	6-0/200	Ontario (AHL)	`19(22nd)
SJ	42	Ryan Merkley	D	20	5-11/170	London (OHL)	`18(21st)
NYI	43	Kieffer Bellows	LW	22	6-0/200	Bridgeport (AHL)	`16(19th)
NYI	44	Oliver Wahlstrom	RW	20	6-1/205	Bridgeport (AHL)	`18(11th)
LA	45	Rasmus Kupari	C	20	6-1/185	Ontario (AHL)	`18(20th)
CBJ	46	Liam Foudy	C	20	6-0/175	London (OHL)	`18(18th)
LA	47	Tyler Madden	C	20	5-10/155	Northeastern (HE)	T(Van-2/20)
Mtl	48	Alexander Romanov	D	20	5-11/185	CSKA (KHL)	`18(38th)
NYI	49	Bode Wilde	D	20	6-2/195	Bridgeport (AHL)	`18(41st)
Ott	50	Jacob Bernard-Docker	D	20	6-0/180	North Dakota (NCHC)	`18(26th)
Cgy	51	Jakob Pelletier	LW	19	5-9/165	Moncton (QMJHL)	`19(26th)
LA	52	Akil Thomas	C	20	5-11/170	Nia-Pbo (OHL)	`18(51st)
Wpg	53	Dylan Samberg	D	21	6-3/190	Minn-Duluth (NCHC)	`17(43rd)
Chi	54	Ian Mitchell	D	21	5-11/175	Denver (NCHC)	`17(57th)
Ott	55	Josh Norris	C	21	6-1/195	Belleville (AHL)	T(SJ-9/18)
NYR	56	Matthew Robertson	D	19	6-3/200	Edmonton (WHL)	`19(49th)
VGK	57	Pavel Dorofeyev	LW	19	6-1/170	Magnitogorsk (KHL)	`19(79th)
Dal	58	Jake Oettinger	G	21	6-4/210	Texas (AHL)	`17(26th)
Ott	59	Drake Batherson	RW	22	6-1/190	Belleville (AHL)	`17(121st)
LA	60	Samuel Fagemo	RW	20	6-0/195	Frolunda (Swe)	`19(50th)
Col	61	Justus Annunen	G	20	6-4/215	Karpat Oulu (Fin)	`18(64th)
Bos	62	John Beecher	C	19	6-3/210	Michigan (B1G)	`19(30th)
Phi	63	Egor Zamula	D	20	6-4/175	Calgary (WHL)	FA(9/18)
NYR	64	Zac Jones	D	19	5-10/175	Massachusetts (HE)	`19(68th)
CBJ	65	Kirill Marchenko	LW	20	6-3/190	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	`18(49th)
VGK	66	Jack Dugan	RW	22	6-2/185	Providence (HE)	`17(142nd)
StL	67	Scott Perunovich	D	22	5-10/175	Minn-Duluth (NCHC)	`18(45th)
Bos	68	Jack Studnicka	C	21	6-1/170	Providence (AHL)	`17(53rd)
Dal	69	Ty Dellandrea	C	20	6-0/185	Flint (OHL)	`18(13th)
Min	70	Calen Addison	D	20	5-10/180	Lethbridge (WHL)	T(Pit-2/20)
NYR	71	Julien Gauthier	RW	22	6-4/225	Charlotte (AHL)	T(Car-2/20)
Van	72	Olli Juolevi	D	22	6-3/200	Utica (AHL)	`16(5th)
NJ	73	Nolan Foote	LW	19	6-3/190	Kelowna (WHL)	T(TB-2/20)
NJ	74	Janne Kuokkanen	LW	22	6-1/190	Cha-Bng (AHL)	T(Car-2/20)
Ott	75	Alex Formenton	LW	21	6-2/165	Belleville (AHL)	`17(47th)
Det	76	Robert Mastrosimone	LW	19	5-10/160	Boston University (HE)	`19(54th)
NYR	77	Morgan Barron	C	21	6-2/200	Cornell (ECAC)	`17(174th)
Mtl	78	Jesse Ylonen	RW	20	6-1/185	Pelicans (Fin)	`18(35th)
Car	79	Dominik Bokk	RW	20	6-1/180	Rogle (Swe)	T(StL-9/19)
Nsh	80	Egor Afanasyev	RW	19	6-3/205	Windsor (OHL)	`19(45th)
Ana	81	Benoit-Olivier Groulx	C	20	6-1/195	Hal-Mon (QMJHL)	`18(54th)
Min	82	Alexander Khovanov	C	20	5-11/195	Moncton (QMJHL)	`18(86th)
Det	83	Joe Veleno	C	20	6-1/195	Grand Rapids (AHL)	`18(30th)
NJ	84	Kevin Bahl	D	20	6-6/230	Ottawa (OHL)	T(Ari-12/19)
Car	85	Ryan Suzuki	C	19	6-0/180	Bar-Sag (OHL)	`19(28th)
Van	86	Jett Woo	D	20	6-0/205	Calgary (WHL)	`18(37th)
Mtl	87	Mattias Norlinder	D	20	5-11/180	MODO (Swe 2)	`19(64th)
Min	88	Adam Beckman	LW	19	6-1/170	Spokane (WHL)	`19(75th)
Bos	89	Jeremy Swayman	G	21	6-1/190	Maine (HE)	`17(111th)
Wpg	90	Kristian Vesalainen	LW	21	6-3/205	Manitoba (AHL)	`17(24th)
Tor	91	Filip Hallander	LW	20	6-1/185	Lulea (Swe)	T(Pit-8/20)
Fla	92	Owen Tippett	RW	21	6-1/200	Springfield (AHL)	`17(10th)
Car	93	Jake Bean	D	22	6-1/175	Charlotte (AHL)	`16(13th)
Ott	94	Shane Pinto	C	19	6-2/190	North Dakota (NCHC)	`19(32nd)
Col	95	Martin Kaut	RW	20	6-1/175	Colorado (AHL)	`18(16th)
Van	96	Jack Rathbone	D	21	5-10/175	Harvard (ECAC)	`17(95th)
Tor	97	Nick Abruzzese	C	21	5-9/160	Harvard (ECAC)	`19(124th)
Bos	98	Urho Vaakanainen	D	21	6-0/185	Providence (AHL)	`17(18th)
Wsh	99	Alexander Alexeyev	D	20	6-3/200	Hershey (AHL)	`18(31st)
NYI	100	Simon Holmstrom	RW	19	6-1/185	Bridgeport (AHL)	`19(23rd)
LA	101	Jaret Anderson-Dolan	C	21	5-11/190	Ontario (AHL)	`17(41st)
Car	102	Joey Keane	D	21	6-0/185	Hfd-Cha (AHL)	T(NYR-2/20)
Wsh	103	Martin Fehervary	D	20	6-1/190	Hershey (AHL)	`18(46th)
StL	104	Tyler Tucker	D	20	6-1/205	Bar-Fnt (OHL)	`18(200th)
SJ	105	Yegor Spiridonov	C	19	6-2/195	Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk (MHL)	`19(108th)
NJ	106	Joey Anderson	RW	22	6-0/195	Binghamton (AHL)	`16(73rd)
Col	107	Conor Timmins	D	21	6-1/185	Colorado (AHL)	`17(32nd)
StL	108	Klim Kostin	C	21	6-3/195	San Antonio (AHL)	`17(31st)
Mtl	109	Cayden Primeau	G	21	6-3/180	Laval (AHL)	`17(199th)
SJ	110	Jonathan Dahlen	LW	22	5-11/185	Timra IK (Swe 2)	T(Van-2/19)
NJ	111	Reilly Walsh	D	21	5-11/180	Harvard (ECAC)	`17(81st)
Buf	112	Oskari Laaksonen	D	21	6-2/165	Ilves Tampere (Fin)	`17(89th)
NJ	113	Arseni Gritsyuk	RW	19	5-10/170	Omskie Yastreby (MHL)	`19(129th)
Wsh	114	Aliaksei Protas	C	19	6-5/205	Prince Albert (WHL)	`19(91st)
Cgy	115	Dustin Wolf	G	19	6-0/165	Everett (WHL)	`19(214th)
StL	116	Joel Hofer	G	20	6-3/160	Portland (WHL)	`18(107th)
VGK	117	Ivan Morozov	C	20	6-1/180	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	`18(61st)
Mtl	118	Jake Evans	C	24	6-0/185	Laval (AHL)	`14(207th)
Nsh	119	Eeli Tolvanen	RW	21	5-10/175	Milwaukee (AHL)	`17(30th)
Wpg	120	Ville Heinola	D	19	5-11/180	Lukko Rauma (Fin)	`19(20th)
VGK	121	Lucas Elvenes	RW	21	6-0/175	Chicago (AHL)	`17(127th)
TB	122	Cole Koepke	LW	22	6-1/195	Minn-Duluth (NCHC)	`18(183rd)
Ana	123	Isac Lundestrom	C	20	6-0/185	San Diego (AHL)	`18(23rd)
NYR	124	Tarmo Reunanen	D	22	6-0/180	Lukko Rauma (Fin)	`16(98th)
Mtl	125	Jordan Harris	D	20	5-11/180	Northeastern (HE)	`18(71st)
Ana	126	Brayden Tracey	LW	19	6-0/175	MJ-Vic (WHL)	`19(29th)
Phi	127	Tanner Laczynski	C	23	6-1/200	Ohio State (B1G)	`16(169th)
Chi	128	Alec Regula	D	20	6-3/200	London (OHL)	T(Det-10/19)
Buf	129	Mattias Samuelsson	D	20	6-3/215	Western Michigan (NCHC)	`18(32nd)
Car	130	Jamieson Rees	C	19	5-10/175	Sarnia (OHL)	`19(44th)
Edm	131	Olivier Rodrigue	G	20	6-1/165	Moncton (QMJHL)	`18(62nd)
Fla	132	Serron Noel	RW	20	6-5/205	Osh-Kit (OHL)	`18(34th)
Det	133	Antti Tuomisto	D	19	6-4/190	Assat Pori (Fin Jr)	`19(35th)
Dal	134	Jason Robertson	LW	21	6-2/195	Texas (AHL)	`17(39th)
Mtl	135	Joni Ikonen	C	21	5-10/170	DNP - Injured	`17(58th)
Nsh	136	Rem Pitlick	C	23	5-11/200	Milwaukee (AHL)	`16(76th)
Ott	137	Logan Brown	C	22	6-6/220	Belleville (AHL)	`16(11th)
TB	138	Samuel Walker	C	21	5-11/160	Minnesota (B1G)	`17(200th)
Phi	139	Wade Allison	RW	22	6-2/205	Western Michigan (NCHC)	`16(52nd)
Wpg	140	Declan Chisholm	D	20	6-1/190	Peterborough (OHL)	`18(150th)
NJ	141	Tyce Thompson	RW	21	6-1/180	Providence (HE)	`19(96th)
VGK	142	Connor Corcoran	D	20	6-1/185	Windsor (OHL)	`18(154th)
Ana	143	Jackson Lacombe	D	19	6-1/170	Minnesota (B1G)	`19(39th)
NYR	144	Lauri Pajuniemi	RW	21	6-0/185	TPS Turku (Fin)	`18(132nd)
Car	145	Tuukka Tieksola	RW	19	5-10/160	Karpat Oulu (Fin Jr)	`19(121st)
CBJ	146	Andrew Peeke	D	22	6-3/210	Cleveland (AHL)	`16(34th)
Ana	147	Axel Andersson	D	20	6-0/180	Moncton (QMJHL)	T(Bos-2/20)
Car	148	Patrik Puistola	LW	19	6-0/175	Tap-Juk-Koo (Fin)	`19(73rd)
NJ	149	Michael McLeod	C	22	6-2/195	Binghamton (AHL)	`16(12th)
Car	150	Pyotr Kochetkov	G	21	6-1/175	SKA-VIT (KHL)	`19(36th)
NJ	151	Michael Vukojevic	D	19	6-3/210	Kitchener (OHL)	`19(82nd)
NYI	152	Ruslan Iskhakov	C	20	5-8/155	UConn (HE)	`18(43rd)
Wpg	153	Sami Niku	D	23	6-0/175	Manitoba (AHL)	`15(198th)
TB	154	Hugo Alnefelt	G	19	6-3/195	HV 71 (Swe)	`19(71st)
NJ	155	Nikita Okhotyuk	D	19	6-1/195	Ottawa (OHL)	`19(61st)
NYR	156	Hunter Skinner	D	19	6-2/175	London (OHL)	`19(112th)
LA	157	Mikey Anderson	D	21	6-0/195	Ontario (AHL)	`17(103rd)
Col	158	Shane Bowers	C	21	6-2/190	Colorado (AHL)	T(Ott-11/17)
NYI	159	Joshua Ho-Sang	RW	24	6-0/175	Bri-SA (AHL)	`14(28th)
LA	160	Cal Petersen	G	25	6-3/190	Ontario (AHL)	FA(7/17)
Col	161	Sampo Ranta	LW	20	6-2/205	Minnesota (B1G)	`18(78th)
Wpg	162	Mikhail Berdin	G	22	6-2/165	Manitoba (AHL)	`16(157th)
Bos	163	Jeremy Lauzon	D	23	6-3/205	Providence (AHL)	`15(52nd)
Nsh	164	David Farrance	D	21	5-11/190	Boston University (HE)	`17(92nd)
Van	165	Will Lockwood	RW	22	5-11/175	Michigan (B1G)	`16(64th)
NYI	166	Sebastian Aho	D	24	5-10/175	Bridgeport (AHL)	`17(139th)
Wpg	167	Logan Stanley	D	22	6-7/225	Manitoba (AHL)	`16(18th)
Buf	168	Ryan Johnson	D	19	6-0/175	Minnesota (B1G)	`19(31st)
Van	169	Michael DiPietro	G	21	6-0/195	Utica (AHL)	`17(64th)
VGK	170	Kaedan Korczak	D	19	6-3/190	Kelowna (WHL)	`19(41st)
Car	171	Jack Drury	C	20	5-11/180	Harvard (ECAC)	`18(42nd)
StL	172	Nikita Alexandrov	C	19	6-0/180	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	`19(62nd)
Col	173	Nikolai Kovalenko	RW	20	5-10/175	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	`18(171st)
Nsh	174	Juuso Parssinen	C	19	6-2/205	TPS Turku (Fin)	`19(210th)
Chi	175	Pius Suter	C	24	5-11/170	ZSC Lions (NLA)	FA(7/20)
Fla	176	Aleksi Saarela	RW	23	5-11/200	Rfd-Spr (AHL)	T(Chi-10/19)
Bos	177	Trent Frederic	C	22	6-4/215	Providence (AHL)	`16(29th)
CBJ	178	Dmitri Voronkov	LW	20	6-4/190	Ak Bars Kazan (KHL)	`19(114th)
Ott	179	Lassi Thomson	D	19	6-0/190	Ilves Tampere (Fin)	`19(19th)
Car	180	Morgan Geekie	C	22	6-2/180	Charlotte (AHL)	`17(67th)
CBJ	181	Trey Fix-Wolansky	RW	21	5-8/185	Cleveland (AHL)	`18(204th)
Ott	182	Vitaly Abramov	RW	22	5-9/175	Belleville (AHL)	T(CBJ-2/19)
TB	183	Alexander Volkov	LW	23	6-1/190	Syracuse (AHL)	`17(48th)
Tor	184	Mikko Kokkonen	D	19	5-11/200	Jukurit (Fin)	`19(84th)
Ott	185	Kevin Mandolese	G	20	6-4/180	Cape Breton (QMJHL)	`18(157th)
CBJ	186	Daniil Tarasov	G	21	6-5/185	Assat Pori (Fin)	`17(86th)
LA	187	Carl Grundstrom	LW	22	6-0/195	Ontario (AHL)	T(Tor-1/19)
LA	188	Kale Clague	D	22	6-0/180	Ontario (AHL)	`16(51st)
Ott	189	Artyom Zub	D	24	6-2/200	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	FA(5/20)
Edm	190	Tyler Benson	LW	22	6-0/200	Bakersfield (AHL)	`16(32nd)
Det	191	Jonatan Berggren	RW	20	5-10/185	Skelleftea AIK (Swe)	`18(33rd)
Tor	192	Yegor Korshkov	RW	24	6-4/215	Toronto (AHL)	`16(31st)
Dal	193	Riley Damiani	C	20	5-9/165	Kitchener (OHL)	`18(137th)
VGK	194	Zach Whitecloud	D	23	6-2/210	Chicago (AHL)	FA(3/18)
Buf	195	Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen	G	21	6-4/195	Cincinnati (ECHL)	`17(54th)
Car	196	David Cotton	LW	23	6-3/205	Boston College (HE)	`15(169th)
Chi	197	Wyatt Kalynuk	D	23	6-1/180	Wisconsin (B1G)	FA(7/20)
Min	198	Hunter Jones	G	19	6-4/195	Peterborough (OHL)	`19(59th)
LA	199	Jordan Spence	D	19	5-10/165	Moncton (QMJHL)	`19(95th)
Cgy	200	Dmitri Zavgorodny	LW	20	5-9/175	Rimouski (QMJHL)	`18(198th)
Col	201	Alex Beaucage	RW	19	6-1/195	Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)	`19(78th)
TB	202	Dmitri Semykin	D	20	6-3/200	SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)	`18(90th)
CBJ	203	Matiss Kivlenieks	G	24	6-2/190	Cleveland (AHL)	FA(5/17)
StL	204	Ville Husso	G	25	6-3/205	San Antonio (AHL)	`14(94th)
Phi	205	Bobby Brink	RW	19	5-10/165	Denver (NCHC)	`19(34th)
NYI	206	Otto Koivula	C	22	6-4/220	Bridgeport (AHL)	`16(120th)
Car	207	Eetu Makiniemi	G	21	6-2/180	KOOVEE (Fin 2)	`17(104th)
NYI	208	Anatoli Golyshev	RW	25	5-8/180	Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg (KHL)	`16(95th)
Chi	209	Evan Barratt	C	21	6-0/190	Penn State (B1G)	`17(90th)
Buf	210	Erik Portillo	G	20	6-6/210	Dubuque (USHL)	`19(67th)
Fla	211	Cole Schwindt	RW	19	6-2/185	Mississauga (OHL)	`19(81st)
Chi	212	Michal Teply	LW	19	6-3/185	Winnipeg (WHL)	`19(105th)
Ott	213	Mads Sogaard	G	19	6-7/195	Medicine Hat (WHL)	`19(37th)
Buf	214	Jonas Johansson	G	24	6-4/205	Rochester (AHL)	`14(61st)
TB	215	Cal Foote	D	21	6-4/215	Syracuse (AHL)	`17(14th)
StL	216	Niko Mikkola	D	24	6-5/200	San Antonio (AHL)	`15(127th)
NYI	217	Robin Salo	D	21	6-1/190	SaiPa (Fin)	`17(46th)
Bos	218	Jakub Zboril	D	23	6-1/200	Providence (AHL)	`15(13th)
Buf	219	Will Borgen	D	23	6-2/200	Rochester (AHL)	`15(92nd)
Pit	220	Pierre-Olivier Joseph	D	21	6-2/170	Wilkes-Barre (AHL)	`17(23rd)
SJ	221	Sasha Chmelevski	C	21	5-11/190	San Jose (AHL)	`17(185th)
Ari	222	Kyle Capobianco	D	23	6-1/180	Tucson (AHL)	`15(63rd)
Det	223	Keith Petruzzelli	G	21	6-5/180	Quinnipiac (ECAC)	`17(88th)
Wsh	224	Garrett Pilon	RW	22	5-11/190	Hershey (AHL)	`16(87th)
NJ	225	Nikola Pasic	RW	19	5-10/185	Karlskoga (Swe 2)	`19(189th)
TB	226	Alex Barre-Boulet	C	23	5-10/165	Syracuse (AHL)	FA(3/18)
Edm	227	Ryan McLeod	C	20	6-2/205	Bakersfield (AHL)	`18(40th)
NYI	228	Samuel Bolduc	D	19	6-3/210	BLB-She (QMJHL)	`19(57th)
Ott	229	Joey Daccord	G	24	6-2/195	Belleville (AHL)	`15(199th)
StL	230	Hugh McGing	C	22	5-9/180	Western Michigan (NCHC)	`18(138th)
Edm	231	Cooper Marody	C	23	6-0/180	Bakersfield (AHL)	T(Phi-3/18)
Tor	232	Jeremy Bracco	RW	23	5-9/180	Toronto (AHL)	`15(61st)
Phi	233	German Rubtsov	C	22	6-2/190	Lehigh Valley (AHL)	`16(22nd)
Wsh	234	Brian Pinho	C	25	6-1/195	Hershey (AHL)	`13(174th)
Col	235	Logan O'Connor	RW	24	6-0/170	Colorado (AHL)	FA(7/18)
Buf	236	Casey Fitzgerald	D	23	5-11/190	Rochester (AHL)	`16(86th)
NJ	237	Daniil Misyul	D	19	6-3/180	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	`19(70th)
Ari	238	John Farinacci	C	19	5-11/185	Harvard (ECAC)	`19(76th)
Edm	239	Aapeli Rasanen	C	22	6-0/195	Boston College (HE)	`16(153rd)
Pit	240	Anthony Angello	RW	24	6-5/205	Wilkes-Barre (AHL)	`14(145th)
Mtl	241	Cam Hillis	C	20	5-10/170	Guelph (OHL)	`18(66th)
Cgy	242	Mathias Emilio Pettersen	RW	20	5-9/170	Denver (NCHC)	`18(167th)
SJ	243	Alexander True	C	23	6-5/205	San Jose (AHL)	FA(7/18)
NYI	244	Reece Newkirk	C	19	5-11/175	Portland (WHL)	`19(147th)
Dal	245	Dawson Barteaux	D	20	6-0/180	RD-Wpg (WHL)	`18(168th)
Bos	246	Jack Ahcan	D	23	5-8/185	St. Cloud State (NCHC)	FA(3/20)
Det	247	Seth Barton	D	21	6-2/175	Mass-Lowell (HE)	`18(81st)
Fla	248	Max Gildon	D	21	6-3/190	New Hampshire (HE)	`17(66th)
Ari	249	Aku Raty	RW	19	6-0/175	Karpat Oulu (Fin)	`19(151st)
Wpg	250	David Gustafsson	C	20	6-1/195	Winnipeg (NHL)	`18(60th)

AHL 2019-20 Preview: Eastern Division

Shaiyena Cote — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 19:24:06 +0000

LAVAL, QC - MARCH 06: Toronto Marlies right wing Jeremy Bracco (27) tries to maintain control of the puck while under pressure from Laval Rocket center Hayden Verbeek (17) during the Toronto Marlies versus the Laval Rocket game on March 06, 2019, at Place Bell in Laval, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire)

The 2019-20 AHL season marks the start of the professional careers for many of the top prospects representing each of the 31 NHL teams.

Although some of the AHL teams are located in smaller cities or far from their parent clubs (for example Utica and Vancouver) the start of the AHL season marks the start of a game of chess and musical chairs for NHL and AHL clubs and their internal player dealings as they work with their prospects and shift lines around to allow for injuries and call ups throughout the season.

Below is a brief segment on every team in the East as well as a glimpse at their three top prospects. Team run down is presented alphabetically by division and not as a prediction for the upcoming 2019-2020 AHL season.

Note: All quotes have been taken from the 2019-20 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook.

Atlantic Division

The AHL’s Atlantic Division plays host to teams all over the eastern US coastline from Rhode Island to North Carolina. The Atlantic encompasses eight teams, some states play host to multiple teams such as Pennsylvania and Connecticut. Last season the Charlotte Checkers were able to bring the Calder Cup back to the Atlantic and this season the same will presumably be expected.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers (New York Islanders)

Even though Bridgeport was able to clinch a playoff spot last season, they were no match for the defending Calder Cup champion Charlotte Checkers. Bridgeport finished second in the Atlantic division and second also in penalty minutes. Despite having a mass of talent on Bridgeport, they did not play as a group and therefore could not achieve the desired playoff goal.

The Islanders organization are not as progressive with getting their prospects in the NHL lineup as say the Montreal Canadiens or New York Rangers. Losing Michael Dal Colle and Oliver Wahlstrom to the Islanders this season may have lessened Bridgeport’s offence somewhat but with Sebastian Aho back down and coming off a career year last season their defence is stronger than ever and may be just what Bridgeport needs to “bridge” their offensive gap.

Players to Watch

Sebastian Aho

“The Swedish born Aho is a smooth skating and smart playing defenseman. Although not known for his shooting ability, he is accurate and his shots from the point are of quality. He is a strong passer and a creative playmaker which was notable in his second AHL season.”

Otto Koivula

“Koivula is a massive forward and a very handy player to have in front of the net as his positioning is generally very good in all areas of the ice. He sees the play very well and has a good eye for making difficult passes in tight spots and from behind the net. Overall, he is a very clean and skilled player.”

Kieffer Bellows

“Bellows is a strong, dominant force on the ice with physical prowess and a highly competitive attitude. He plays to win and with an impressive amount of passion to compliment his natural scoring ability and skill set. He will need to have better control of his game next season and step up his play a bit to earn a spot at the next level.”

Charlotte Checkers (Carolina Hurricanes)

Charlotte is the Southern-most team in the Atlantic division and boasts some of the hottest weather for an Atlantic division team. The defending 2019 Calder Cup Champion Checkers who posted a record of 51-17-7-1 last season and had an impressive playoff run to say the least, but have not had the best start to the 2019-20 season. Upon losing their two top forwards with Aleksi Saarela being traded (to Chicago, since moved to Florida) and Martin Necas graduating to the Hurricanes, Charlotte has had to rebuild their offensive core one draft pick at a time and with many of their high end prospects still playing major junior or overseas, the Checkers will have to devise a plan to do so.

Just over ten games into the season Charlotte is sitting second from the bottom and with not a lot of goals scored. Many of their shots last year came from guys like Saarela and Necas but now without them, they’ll be turning to the players who flew under the radar last season such as Morgan Geekie and Eetu Luostarinen to create offensive opportunities in hopes of repeating Charlotte’s Calder Cup success.

Players to Watch

Morgan Geekie

“He has plus size, moves well for a big man and has quietly effective offensive instincts which help him to outproduce his tools. He has the strength to protect the puck, and the quickness of hands to capitalize on a broken play and make something happen.”

Eetu Luostarinen

“His skating was fairly good in his draft year but he has since added explosiveness, quickness, and improved his endurance. Moreover, he has added power to his game, not only strength-wise but his shot is also more powerful than it used to be. Luostarinen is dependable without the puck and can play in a more defensive role if needed.”

Jake Bean

“He has a very high panic threshold, allowing him to remain calm with the puck in the face of opposing pressure. He can walk the blueline nicely, but his best work comes in his ability to exit his own zone with total control. Whether he skates the puck out or finds a passing option, he can be relied on to kickstart the transition to offense.”

Hartford Wolf Pack (New York Rangers)Now to move on to from one of the bottom placed teams with the Charlotte Checkers to the top team in the Atlantic; the Hartford Wolfpack feeder team to the original six New York Rangers have gotten off to an electric start this season. So far Hartford has spun things around 180 degrees on the poor outcome the Wolf Pack had last season with only 29 wins and no real chance at qualifying for the playoffs. Their disappointing 2018-19 was a bi-product of their ever-changing rosters as the Rangers frequently called players up and as a result Hartford’s lines were constantly changing and their play was inconsistent and messy. They also boasted the highest goals against number and the lowest goals for on the season.

With the positive start, the Wolf Pack sit atop the Atlantic Division rolling into the start of November and over the hump of new teams and settling into new line combinations. With key acquisitions and veteran experience added during the offseason, Hartford will be a hard opponent to knock off the top. Although heading into his last season of prospect status, Vinni Lettieri can offer just the right amount of knowledge and offensive talent to make up for the recent temporary loss of top Rangers prospect Vitali Kravtsov, who departed the Wolf Pack for a year long loan deal back to his KHL club Traktor Chelyabinsk.

Players to Watch

Vinni Lettieri

“Often overlooked due to his stature, Lettieri’s speed and tenacity make up for any doubts his size may have caused. If given the chance, he could carry a role on the top penalty kill unit with his speed and overall forechecking knowledge.”

Igor Shestyorkin

“The 23-year old goalie has accumulated enough experience in the KHL and on the international stage and is more ready than your average rookie netminder. Shestyorkin is an agile goaltender, a bit on the small side for today’s trends, but won’t going to suffer from it.”

Joey Keane

“An elite skater, Keane is built for the modern NHL age. With his mobility, he is incredibly difficult to pin deep in his own zone, because he takes such good routes to dump ins and is able to transition to offense in a flash. As he moves to the pro level, he will need to keep the game simple, using his mobility to aid in his learning curve.”

Hershey Bears (Washington Capitals)

Despite Hershey Pennsylvania being the home of the Hershey Chocolate World, the Bears could certainly argue that the end of their 2018-19 season could have been a little sweeter. Not only did the Bears manage to end the season third from the bottom in goal production but they were also swept by Charlotte in the second round of playoffs.

With Hershey being the feeder team for the offensive powerhouse Washington Capitals it would seem the club has big shoes to fill. This season is looking somewhat different and the team is off to a better start offensively, already doubling the number of goals they had at the tail end of last season. Their back end is loaded with new talent, many of whom are responsible for quarterbacking their offensive play. With Jonas Siegenthaler now a permanent Capitals fixture the Bears look to have their rookie defensemen, namely; 2018 first rounder Alex Alexeyev and speedy 2^nd rounder Martin Fehervary, taking over in the back. Look for the Bears to be playoff hopefuls once again.

Prospects to Watch

Axel Jonsson-Fjallby

“When he is at his best, Jonsson-Fjallby is a highly energetic and quick player to play with and tough to keep up when paired against. His speed makes him a force to be reckoned with and his hockey IQ has improved drastically in the last year. He has become a smart and reliable two way player, whereas once his defensive game was insubstantial.”

Martin Fehervary

“An aggressive import from Slovakia, Fehervary played full time in the SHL last season, in his last year qualifying for junior hockey. He played in his customary aggressive style, with quick skating, physicality, and good reach. He still has NHL potential, with the look of a third pairing blueliner. His skating, reach and aggressiveness will becoming a strong defensive defender.”

Alex Alexeyev

“Alexeyev is a very good player who has all the tools to be a top four defender in the NHL. He has good size, skates very well, and has more snarl in his game then most give him credit for. Couple all that with a defender who is an excellent passer both in his own zone as well as when quarterbacking a powerplay, and he shows real promise. He has been one of the top defenders in the WHL since his arrival from Russia.”

Lehigh Valley Phantoms (Philadelphia Flyers)

Last season the Phantoms missed playoffs by two points, finishing fifth in the Atlantic Division. For an AHL team that seems to fly under the radar and whose parent team of Philadelphia seems to be known more for their mascot antics than their play, so far their success in the opening part of the season has not gone unnoticed. With rookie Morgan Frost leading the way and riding a seven game point streak as of this writing and carrying the team with nine points through the opening ten games, Lehigh’s young blood has been off to a strong start.

However, one point streak is not enough to create a winning team and with the departures of defenceman Phillippe Meyers and goaltender Carter Hart to the Flyers, their offence will surely have to be a strong point. This year Lehigh Valley welcomes many new faces to their roster which could be a turning point in the Flyers system due to their struggles with team cohesiveness in the past. The Phantoms look to have a promising amount of offensive rookie talent, many of whom bring energy to a slow to start returning AHL group.

Players to Watch

Morgan Frost

“Frost is ready for the next challenge in his young career. The talented playmaking center has improved his skating and strength on the puck over his OHL career and those should allow for an easy transition to pro hockey. He generates well off the rush, using a variety of dif- ferent attacks which speaks volumes to his creativity with the puck.”

Isaac Ratcliffe

“Ratcliffe is a hulking power winger with massive goal scoring potential at the next level. He has an extremely powerful shot that sees him use his size well to shield defenders before releasing the puck quickly. His skating continues to improve, especially his ability to cut and maintain possession through to the net.”

German Rubtsov

“He is a fast skating, quick shooting, high tempo player who plays with a lot of intensity and drive. He is a promising forward with much offensive potential and enough speed that he can get back on the backcheck as well. Rubtsov has the hands, the shot and the speed to be a standout forward with Philadelphia in the future if he can stay healthy.”

Providence Bruins (Boston Bruins)

One of the most controversial and most talked about clubs in the NHL is the Boston Bruins who seem to be Stanley Cup contenders every year, but can the same be said for the Bruins’ American Hockey league team? Last season the Providence Bruins managed to clinch the last playoff spot in the Atlantic division but were eliminated in the first round by the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. With the third lowest goals against average in the league and many other stats ranking somewhere in the middle of the pack, for Providence they were the quintessential “average” team. They played a safe, controlled and structured breakout, regroup and forecheck game but there seemed to be a missing spark in their 2018-19 season.

The team has had a firecracker of a start and from the very first game it was evident that Providence would be a much faster and more skilled team than they were last year. With speedy rookies like Jack Studnicka and Oskar Steen added to the lineup, Providence’s offensive zone time has been rising. Should Providence stay healthy, they will be playoff contenders for sure.

Players to Watch

Urho Vaakanainen

“Vaakanainen is a smooth skating, dynamic defenseman who had
a good transition from SaiPa in the Liiga to the Providence Bruins. He is not known for any particular offensive abilities but his neutral zone play and puck movement are still amongst the top on this list. He makes precise passes and knows when to skate the puck and when to dump it.”

Trent Frederic

“He is a fine skater with enough puck skill and offensive instinct to earn middle six minutes at maturity. His grinder, to the net style also bodes well for that role. Boston will be looking for more consistent production before giving an NHL look.”

Jack Studnicka

“It could probably be argued that Studnicka is one of the more well-rounded forward prospects in hockey. There is no role that he cannot play on the ice for his team. Given how pro ready his game is, he could be much closer to making an impact in Boston than some think.”

Springfield Thunderbirds (Florida Panthers)

Although the Florida Panthers continue to struggle with their attendance, their feeder team in Springfield, MA seems to do fine and will continue to do so this season with a start as hot as the one they’re having now. The Thunderbirds have soared to second place in the Atlantic division after just over ten games played and currently lead in goals for.

With the recent additions of rookies Owen Tippett and Aleksi Heponiemi to the regular roster it is no wonder they are on the fast track to success. Tippett is a scoring machine and can shoot from anywhere on the ice while Heponiemi had unbeatable major junior years in the WHL as a playmaker and only continues to shine in the AHL. With young players like these only continuing to gain momentum, look for Springfield to maintain their top four Atlantic division status throughout the season.

Players to Watch

Owen Tippett

“While his ability to put the puck in the net will be his ticket to an NHL career, he has improved his play away from the puck and his patience with it to become a player who can make an impact even when he is not scoring. With good size and skating ability, Tippett is at his best when he is attacking North/South, hunting for opportunities to unleash his terrific wrist shot.”

Aleksi Heponiemi

“A nifty stickhandler with excellent vision and offensive awareness, he is a natural playmaker who can finish, too. His shot has improved quite a bit, he has the ability to pick his spots and be a dual threat in the final third. While not fast, Heponiemi is highly agile on his skates and can make shifty moves to evade defenders.”

Jonathan Ang

“A brilliant skater, Ang’s hands are almost as quick as his legs. The question he has always been asked about is his offensive ceiling. For as much as his speed allows hi to be one step ahead of the play and very difficult to contain, his numbers have never really stood out. He flashes the tools that got him drafted, but not consistently and he struggles to finish what he starts.”

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (Pittsburgh Penguins)

It is no secret that the Pittsburgh Penguins are in trouble when it comes to their prospect system, however after just one draft that can be turned around and with a trade a team can be bolstered dramatically. Not to say that the Penguins prospect system needs a revamp but if they continue to draft the way they have, their feeder team in Wilkes-Barre will remain average, at best. For the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins momentum is hard to find, not only is the arena an older venue but there is just is not enough talent on the back end to drive offensive plays. To boot, the average age of Wilkes-Barre is 25 which means very few prospects are seeing ice time at the AHL level and the team lacks in youthful energy.

For the Pittsburgh Penguins the next few years will be a tipping point for their prospects and current players. That said, there is hope with defenceman Pierre-Olivier Joseph paving the way for a hardworking, play making defencemen, W-B/S may be able to generate enough offence to up their scoring chances. As the season progresses, look for forward Kasper Bjorkqvist to earn top mention and top minutes with the Baby Penguins on the front end.

Players to Watch

Pierre-Olivier Joseph

“Joseph’s best two assets are his work eth- ic and his hockey sense. He rarely makes a bad decision and, most importantly, knows his limitations. He is slight for the pro game at 168 pounds, but he is as adept at defending positionally as he is physically, and has figured out how to read many schemes with the puck to best attack from the back end.”

Jordy Bellerive

“Bellerive is a player who can play the game in any style. He is happy to drive the net and work hard to create his offense but he has a shot that can beat goalies cleanly from distance. He works his tail off in both zones and often generates additional chances from chasing down the play. He makes good passes both in transition and below the dots.”

Kasper Bjorkqvist

“He uses his solid size to play near the opposing crease and has a plan for the puck when he gets it, resulting in quick touches and quickly released shots. At his best, he has a nice shot an can play or pass the puck well, but he can go for prolonged stretches at less than his best, effectively becoming a non-factor in the play.”

North Division

The North Division is home to three out of the four Canadian teams in the AHL and some of the coldest climates, ranging from Binghamton, NY up to Laval, QC. Two seasons ago the Calder Cup was hoisted by the Toronto Marlies in dramatic fashion against the Texas Stars, and we should look to the North to be hungry for the Cup once again.

Belleville Senators (Ottawa Senators)

As one of the newest teams in the AHL with one of the smaller arenas, the Belleville Senators had a reasonable season last year but failed to qualify for the last playoff spot in the North Division. Belleville is still capable of packing an offensive punch and holding their own. Making up for the absence of Rudolfs Balcers who has earned a spot on Ottawa, will be rookie Josh Norris and Drake Batherson, the latter of whom earned the AHL All-Star MVP last season.

Although Belleville looks to be offensively equipped it will be interesting to see how they fare defensively this season after losing Erik Brannstrom and Christian Wolanin to Ottawa. Both were responsible for much of Belleville’s offensive play last season, particularly after Brannstrom joined the club in the Mark Stone trade from Vegas.

Prospects to Watch

Drake Batherson

“He is an elusive player that slips under the radar and is quiet on the ice until the puck is found in the net as a result of his strong playmaking ability. He is a highly adaptable and entertaining player to watch in both even strength and special team situations, his adjustment to the AHL level has been tremendous.”

Josh Norris

“A high IQ center with a standout two-way game, the former USNTDP standout is a strong play driver, with a fantastic shot and strong playmaking abilities. He was the hockey wherewith- al to play a bottom six role right away, but he projects as a clear top six center at his best.

Alex Formenton

“The foundation of Formenton’s game is his elite skating ability. He has an effortless, yet powerful stride that allows him to be such an effective high-energy winger. Additionally, Formen- ton is a physical player who is aggressive on the forecheck, making him a terrific penalty killer. As an offensive player, his best asset is a quick release.”

Binghamton Devils (New Jersey Devils)

Although the Binghamton Devils finished last in the North Division last season, their big sister club New Jersey made some key trades as well as draft acquisitions during the off season in hopes of deepening their system. Despite their place in the standings, that did not stop the Devils from having a successful development year for many of their prospects who received the chance to play up with New Jersey.

With a plethora of prospects to choose from Binghamton will be expected to move further up the ranks in the 2019-20 season standings. With additions like 2019 first overall pick Jack Hughes and Swedish prospect Jesper Boqvist to New Jersey’s forward lineup, look to Michael McLeod, Joey Anderson, Nathan Bastian, Mikhail Maltsev and Marian Studenic to pad up Binghamton’s offence. There is an abundance of top level prospects in New Jersey’s system and after the 2019 draft, look to the Devils to potentially have one of the best systems on paper.

Prospects to Watch

Michael McLeod

“Although not the smoothest of skaters to watch, he is strong and good both with and without the puck. McLeod’s defensive game has grown a lot this season making him a better two way player. He is a talented and smart playmaker and with a good start in the AHL and given more confidence he will definitely be in the right shape again to be shipped back up to the Devils.”

Marian Studenic

“Studenic had a solid start to his professional career this year with Binghamton and his natural skill and skating ability helped him to stand out amongst fellow rookie forwards. He is a deadly player when he gets to the net and is quick to capitalize on turnovers.”

Mikhail Maltsev

“He is a two-way forward with excellent size and good physical abilities, smooth hands and a solid positional game. Maltsev is a great choice for the third or fourth line considering his mass, defensive skills, and great reading of the ice in any situation at both ends of the rink.”

Cleveland Monsters (Columbus Bluejackets)

With an average height of 6-2” the name “Monsters” fits the tallest team in the AHL perfectly. Ironically enough Cleveland’s parent club, the Columbus Bluejackets, is home to one of the shortest and most skilled forwards in the NHL in 5-8” Cam Atkinson. Last season, Cleveland got off to a good start but faded quickly after the January All-Star break, barely making the playoffs. This coming year Cleveland once again seems to be hugging the fourth place spot in the North Division but perhaps they are still acclimatizing and pacing themselves, especially after seeing Sonny Milano and Kole Sherwood move up to the parent club.

With offence hanging in the brink for Cleveland, look to their firecracker of a forward Trey Fix-Wolansky to fire things up offensively and to Kevin Stenlund to add a physical punch to the Monsters’ offence. With 2018 first round pick Liam Foudy not quite ready to make the jump to the AHL yet, the Monsters will also have to rely on good goaltending from Finnish product Veini Vehvilainen to keep them in the game. Expect a decent back half of the season playoff run from the Monsters once they get settled.

Players to Watch

Veini Vehvilainen

“He is a very quick goalie. His lateral quickness and post-to-post movement are both high end and he can recover loose pucks quickly. He is also highly athletic and flexible. He rarely allows a soft goal and if he does, he is able to bounce back quickly.”

Trey Fix-Wolansky

“Fix-Wolansky is a player that has really grown over the past couple of seasons. That has improved substantially in this regard as has his foot speed. His playmaking and shooting skills have always been there but now he has the pace and the drive to impact every play. He has a real shot at being a success story as his offensive tools are very good.”

Kevin Stenlund

“Stenlund plays a gritty and hard on the puck type of game, he wins battles and uses his size to his advantage. Stenlund may have used his size as an advantage but his size is also what made him stand out despite being one of the slower players on the ice. He is strong on the puck but it sometimes appears to be an effort for Stenlund to maneuver easily in tight spots.”

Laval Rocket (Montreal Canadiens)

There is only one team in the league who conducts most of their business in a language other than English and that would be the Montreal Canadiens who have been a staple original six team as well as a symbol of French Canadian culture for decades. Now fast forward to the Laval Rocket who play in one of the nicest arenas in the AHL, La Place Bell, which housed one of the poorest performing teams in the North Division last season. Laval had a less than desirable year finishing second last in the standings having managed to score only 195 times through the whole season while every other team in their division surpassing the 200 goal mark.

Montreal has had some major prospect developments and a few small turnarounds from where they were sitting last season with Nick Suzuki, Victor Mete and Ryan Poehling all pulling their weight in the big leagues. That being said, it’s an exciting time for the Canadiens who have prospect momentum heading into the next year year with NCAA product Jake Evans in his sophomore season with Laval and Noah Juulsen, an unexpected cut from Montreal, returning to the lineup. Laval will be a dark horse this season and only time will tell where they will finish in the standings.

Players to Watch

Jake Evans

“Evans is an elite level passer who can make crisp on-the-tape passes in the most difficult of situations. He is a really solid player and has good jump to his stride and energy to his game. Evans has the full package, and he just needs to muster up more grit and stay consistent with his play and he will be set to dawn a Canadiens jersey soon.”

Noah Juulsen

“For a smooth skating defenseman who can shoot from just about anywhere on the ice, Juulsen has not had the same amount of success in the pro ranks as he had during his major junior days with Everett in the WHL. He is not the most mobile defender and his actions seem even more stiff and mechanical when he begins to think too much.”

Otto Leskinen

“A mobile defenseman, he skates well both backwards and laterally. He is light on his skates and there is little wasted motion in his stride. Leskinen has the abilities to be an impactful player offensively. He can make a crisp first pass or carry the puck up into the zone. He has a hard slap shot and a wrister with a very quick release.”

Rochester Americans (Buffalo Sabres)

For the past few seasons the Buffalo Sabres have been the team that starts out strong and finishes in last place but the opposite can be said about their feeder team, the Rochester Americans. Last season, Rochester duked it out with the Syracuse Crunch all season long for top spot in the North Division with only a three point margin separating the two teams. Rochester was led by veteran defenceman Zach Redmond and rookie forward Victor Olofsson, the latter of whom has since moved up to clinch a well-deserved spot with the Sabres.

Although Olofsson is no longer on the farm, his Swedish line mate Rasmus Asplund continues to gain momentum and acclimatize to North American play. Asplund is off to a much better start this season and his linemate C.J. Smith also looks to add to Rochester’s offensive depth. Netminder Ukka-Pekka Luukkonen remains a dark horse, soon set to return from rehab for surgery he had during the offseason. With Luukkonen, who is arguably one of the top goaltending prospects - and a future starting netminder in the NHL- joining Rochester it will be safe to say that should Rochester make playoffs their back end composure will be more than okay.

Players to Watch

Rasmus Asplund

“He is a smaller forward but a great forechecker working well to fill a spot as a grinder. Always keeping his feet moving, many of his 41 points this year came from rebounds and net scrambles. At times he is a little bit sloppy with his positioning which may be the reason why he has yet to earn a call up to the Sabres.”

Ukka-Pekka Luukkonen

“He is the complete package as a goaltender with his size and athleticism. Luukkonen moves so well in his crease, but with his size is able to square up to shooters still and take away all angles. He also reads and reacts to the play around him as he is rarely caught out of position. His composure in the crease this year was one of his more impressive features.”

C.J. Smith

“Smith is a great example of this as he is an entertaining player to watch and brings energy and drive to each game. His natural skill and scoring ability made him a stand out forward for the Americans last year, and are what will hopefully push him to work hard to gain a top six spot.

Syracuse Crunch (Tampa Bay Lightning)

Recapping the post season for the Tampa Bay Lightning franchise in the 2018-2019 season is simply depressing, as not only did Tampa fail to impress in their playoffs despite running away with the regular season, but Syracuse followed the exact same pattern. The Crunch led the North Division all season long but were swept in the first round of playoffs by the fourth place Cleveland Monsters. Truly disappointing but nonetheless a wakeup call to a franchise that may have gotten a little overconfident.

After the humbling events of last season, Syracuse has started off in a very modest middle of the pack spot with the departure of Alexander Volkov and Erik Cernak from the Crunch to the Lightning. It has been up to many of the guys heading into their sophomore seasons like Boris Katchouk, Taylor Raddysh and Cal Foote to make up for the absences on the blueline as well as on the offensive attack. Syracuse will have to work much harder with their young squad if they want to achieve the same results as they achieved in 2018-19.

Players to Watch

Cal Foote

“Foote’s ranking as Tampa Bay’s number one prospect is well deserved as he is the perfect mix of a skilled offensive blueliner with a highly physical and dependable defensive defenseman. He has exceptional awareness and his hockey IQ is what makes him a great player. He has size and plays a calm, aware positional game that makes him stand out as being the most mature and dynamic prospect on this list.”

Taylor Raddysh

“Raddysh is a natural goal scorer with a knack for getting to the net in even the most difficult of situations. He is a good skater and a strong shooter capable of getting shots off in tight situations. He is especially good with one timers and adapting to bad passes. Raddysh will have to work on being more creative and being stronger on the puck in open ice situations, his level of want for the puck will have to improve.”

Mitchell Stephens

“He is a very competitive player who likes to win and who brings such passion to the game. He wins draws, gets to the net, blocks shots and plays a strong physical game. The only thing missing is an extra gear, as he needs that extra speed to be able to make a solid impact at the next level.”

Toronto Marlies (Toronto Maple Leafs)

The Toronto Maple Leafs are one of the most iconic teams in the league, boasting some of the most loyal fans around. That being said, they are also one of the younger player systems in the NHL with a core group of high end young players, and theirs is not a system like Boston or Washington which are reliant on veteran talent. That also means that for the Toronto Marlies, the Leafs’ AHL affiliate, it may be harder to make the opening night lineup than ever with very few retiring and new talent being drafted every year- the only thing mixing things up being the cap hit. However, despite monetary constrictions and trades all around, the Marlies have managed to not only win a Calder Cup in 2018 but also qualify for playoffs again the following year.

This season seems a little different and so far with so many changes, the core group consisting of Jeremy Bracco, Rasmus Sandin, Timothy Liljegren, Pierre Engvall and Adam Brooks have all adjusted well and have continued to put up a North Division leading 7-0-3 record through their first ten games of the season. Look to see the Marlies either on top of the divisional race or just below in second by the time the 2019-20 season draws to a close.

Players to Watch

Jeremy Bracco

“Bracco is a creative playmaker to say the least and every play holds different possibilities thanks to his level of hockey sense. He is a powerful and agile skater that can easily maneuver around opponents with his edgework, often opting to use his inside edges for turns rather than traditional crossovers.”

Rasmus Sandin

“Sandin is a versatile defenseman capable of leading rushes and quar- terbacking them as well. He is a skilled player with a good shot and great hockey sense. He sees the plays before they happen and stays one step ahead and remains focused while doing so.”

Yegor Korshkov

“He has a lot of good traits in his game that could translate well to the NHL, like the way he can cover the puck in the corners and create scoring chances from there. He has strong balance which will get stronger with more overall strength.”

Utica Comets (Vancouver Canucks)

Having played host to the 2019 World Juniors in Vancouver as well as the 2019 NHL Draft, Vancouver has been quite the hockey destination within the past months. However, for many fans who do not reside on the west coast, it may be easier to catch a Utica Comets game instead. Utica has had quite the roster turn around from last season offering a better start to the season as well.

With the addition of former Team Canada goaltender and top prospect Michael DiPietro, Utica now can rest assured that the net is covered as DiPietro moves like no other goaltender and possesses ultimate composure and focus while in the net. Another key addition is 2016 fifth overall pick Olli Juolevi who has come back from injury and is padding up the defensive end for the Comets. Utica is battling with Toronto back and forth for first spot in the North, which should be the race all season long should Utica not move any players. Note that former Canucks regular Nikolay Goldobin is still down with Utica and only adds to their offensive talent.

Players to Watch

Michael DiPietro

“He relies on his reads and his athleticism to make saves and he can be a real game changer because of it. At the pro level, there are often growing pains for these types of goaltenders because the game moves faster, the top part of the net becomes an easier target, and confidence can wane. But DiPietro remains a very solid pro prospect and should eventually develop into an asset.”

Olli Juolevi

He is a smart defenseman capable of reading the play and being one step ahead. He is a spot on passer and he can shoot from anywhere on the ice with speed and precision. His goal should be to keep his feet moving equally in all zones of the ice and to get back to playing a physical game.

Lukas Jasek

“An underdog type of player, Jasek has the ability to sneak past opponents and get into open ice without notice, giving him a leg up on his counterparts. He is a lightweight and a rather small looking player but his deceptiveness is scary when it comes to how aggressive he is on the puck. He plays with energy and passion and never gives up on a play.”

Ottawa Senators 2019-20 Prospect Review: Top 20

Sat, 14 Sep 2019 12:41:50 +0000

The overdue rebuild that was stunted when the Senators traded away a future first round pick along with a few other quality assets for around 18 months of Matt Duchene, finally reached the bottom last season. We think. As bad as the post-Duchene Senators were in 2017-18, finishing as one of the worst teams in the league, with Duchene, Mark Stone, and of course Erik Karlsson, they were even worse last year, trading all three of those men, and a few other strong performers besides, before the trade deadline.

It isn’t that the Senators couldn’t be worse than last season, but the rebuild has (must have) hit its nadir as the team no longer has valuable assets that could be dealt for meaningful returns, unless they start trading entry-level and second contract players, like budding stars Thomas Chabot, Brady Tkachuk, or Colin White, or find a way to unload an anchor contract or two, such as those of Bobby Ryan or Craig Anderson.

The official rumor that kicked off the sell-off was that Eugene Melnyk’s Senators had offered Erik Karlsson a large contract extension last offseason, which he turned down. Whether it was due to friction in the dressing room (see the Mike Hoffman incident) or distaste with the direction of the franchise, stuck in a suburban arena that rarely fills up and with a team owner who is in the news for the wrong reasons all too often, Karlsson was ready to go. So before the season started, he was traded to San Jose, along with AHLer Francis Perron for a package that included Josh Norris, Chris Tierney, Rudolfs Balcers, Dylan DeMelo and up to four draft picks, three of which had conditions attached. (We now know that those picks will be the Sharks’ second rounders in 2019 and 2021 and their first rounder in 2020. The fourth pick’s condition was not met.) So that is three NHLers, one of whom would have made the below list near the middle had he played in two fewer NHL games last year. They also got their current number two prospect in Norris, and used their 2019 second rounder (along with an additional later pick) to trade up to select Mads Sogaard (#10 below) and will see two more high picks in the next two seasons.

As the season proceeded and the Senators couldn’t stay out of the negative headlines for both on and off-ice reasons, the cleaned house in the week leading up to the trade deadline. In the space of 24 hours, they sent both Duchene and Ryan Dzingel to Columbus, picking up three high picks, including the 19^th pick this June (Lassi Thomson, #7 below), as well as Vitali Abramov (#9) and Jonathan Davidsson (#15).

Finally, on deadline day, they sent Mark Stone and his expiring contract to Vegas (they had also apparently tried to re-sign him first) for a package headlined by the new Ottawa number one prospect, Erik Brannstrom. While it is far too early to know whether the rebuild was a success, the results are all over their top 20 list, with six players, including the top two coming directly or indirectly from the tear down. I suppose it could always have been worse.

-Ryan Wagman

Ottawa Senators Defenceman Erik Brannstrom (26) . (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)

1 Erik Brannstrom, D (15^th overall, 2017 [Vegas]. Last Year: 3 [Vegas]) As of this writing, we have yet to decide if Brannstrom is the best defenseman prospect in hockey. If he is not, he’s really close though. We are talking about a player with all of the traits we usually look for when describing the epitome of the modern blueliner. He doesn’t skate as much as he flies. He has sublime puck skills. He is a consummate playmaker from the blueline and his lack of great size is not an impediment when he is trying to protect the puck from opposing defenders. His vision is elite and he has the defensive acumen to play in defensive situations and get the puck where it needs to go. It would be nice if he had a bigger bomb from the point, but he has a knack for getting himself into good shooting positions and hitting the mark anyway. Ottawa is in a bad way as an organization, but between Brannstrom and young Thomas Chabot, they have the makings of a top first defensive pairing for many years to come. - RW

2 Josh Norris, C (19^thoverall, 2017 [San Jose]. Last Year: 1[San Jose]) We don’t yet know what will come of the picks the Senators acquired from San Jose in the Erik Karlsson, but as far as flesh and blood players are concerned, they have to be pleased with Josh Norris and the steps he took before he hurt his shoulder late in the WJC and had to sit out the rest of the season. A high IQ center with a standout two-way game, the former USNTDP standout is a strong play driver, with a fantastic shot and strong playmaking abilities. Norris signed an ELC with Ottawa shortly after Michigan’s season ended and he will have a good chance of making the NHL roster right off the hop next season. He was the hockey wherewithal to play a bottom six role right away, but he projects as a clear top six center at his best, presuming full health in the shoulder. - RW

3 Alex Formenton, LW (47^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 5) The foundation of Formenton’s game is his elite skating ability. He has an effortless, yet powerful stride that allows him to be such an effective high-energy winger. Additionally, Formenton is a physical player who is aggressive on the forecheck, making him a terrific penalty killer. As an offensive player, his best asset is a quick release. His offensive potential may be limited due to only average puck skill and vision. In particular, his decision making with the puck will need to improve should he want to be more than a 3rd line winger. Short term, he should be able to jump right into Ottawa’s lineup next year as a 4th liner and penalty killer, especially after a cup of coffee last season. Long term, he profiles as a middle six goal scoring winger. - BO

4 Jacob Bernard-Docker, D (26^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 8) There is always some element of doubt when a player makes the jump from Junior A hockey to a big-time NCAA program. For as highly touted as Bernard-Docker was for Okotoks, he managed the transition to the collegiate game at North Dakota with aplomb. His tools all grade out as average to good, but his heightened hockey sense helps everything to play up. In short order, he was playing in all situations at UND. He is a strong transitional defender, excelling at retrieving the puck in his own zone and making the right play to move it out sustainably. He is built strong and he makes it very difficult to get past him in one-on-one situations. He has also proven to be proficient in the offensive end, although he projects as more of a steady two-way type at the highest level instead of a first power play unit type of player. He should spend another year on campus before considering the start of a professional career. - RW

5 Logan Brown, C (11^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 2) Brown saw only two games up with the Sens this season. That said, he had a successful inaugural professional season with 42 points in 56 games with Belleville of the AHL. Using his physical stature and size to his advantage he managed to keep his penalty minutes on the low and his offensive play on a high. Brown matured a lot over the course of the season as he became more comfortable with the speed of the game. His defensive game improved and with his on-ice intelligence and skillset he should only become harder to stop as he plays more pro games. A forward of Brown’s size may not have the jump in their stride that smaller and more agile players do, but that being said, he would do well to find a faster gear. With all else rounded out, he should see much more time up with the Ottawa Senators this coming season. - SC

6 Drake Batherson, C (121^st overall, 2017. Last Year: 6) As a fourth rounder, Drake Batherson may have seemed like an unlikely prospect but ever since his energetic 2018 World Junior performance Batherson has been on fire. He is an elusive player that slips under the radar and is quiet on the ice until the puck is found in the net as a result of his strong playmaking ability. In the 20 games spent up with the Ottawa Senators this season he only managed 9 points, however he certainly made up for it in his AHL debut as he led Belleville with 62 points in 59 games and earned a spot on the AHL All-Rookie Team. He is a highly adaptable and entertaining player to watch in both even strength and special team situations, his adjustment to the AHL level has been tremendous and a player with his hockey IQ and natural skill set should definitely see a more promising NHL performance this season. - SC

7 Lassi Thomson, D (19^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) In his first campaign North America, Thomson put up an impressive 17 goals and 41 points in 63 games for the Rockets. The smooth skating defender carries a big shot, is very mobile, and brings a nice physical element to his game. He has adapted very nicely to the North American style game, and should only improve on his play and his numbers. Thomson has openly come out and said that he would like to return to Finland to play next season, but would have a more dominant role sticking it out with the Rockets, especially with Kelowna hosting the Memorial Cup, in which he will be able to showcase his skills on a bigger stage. Thomson projects to be a top four defender who will play lots of minutes, anchor the power play, and can be utilized everywhere. He has good offensive instincts, plays a nice two way game, but could further work at honing his skills on the defensive side of the puck. - KO

8 Joey Daccord, G (199^th overall, 2015. Last Year: Not ranked) Goalies mature later than most players and now at the age of 22, late bloomer Joey Daccord is turning into a top-flight goalie prospect. In 2017-18 there were murmurs that he was getting better, as his Arizona State squad was improving as well. His .926 save percentage last season was excellent. So good, that he was a finalist for the Mike Richter Award. He was also on the second all-American team in the West and he had a nice run in the NCAA playoffs. Senators GM Pierre Dorian scouted him personally with members of his staff and signed him soon after his run ended. His athleticism, rebound control, and stickwork are his strengths along with his goalie I.Q., thanks to his father Brian, who is a goalie consultant for Toronto. While he still needs work on tracking the puck, especially from distance, he has a chance to be a starter in Ottawa someday, but must first battle Filip Gustavsson for the starters' job in Belleville this season. - RC

9 Vitaly Abramov, RW (65^th overall, 2016 [Columbus]. Last Year: 2 [Columbus]) With massive numbers in the QMJHL, expectations would have it that Abramov would have a good start as a pro, however that was not exactly the case as he had an average start in the AHL with Cleveland before being traded from Columbus to Ottawa in the Matt Duchene deal, where he finished the season with seven points in 18 games with Belleville. Hope would be that Abramov continues to get stronger and learns to play better at a pro pace. At this point a full season spent in the Ottawa Senators organization would be beneficial for his confidence to grow along with the chance of getting more than a one game callup to the NHL. Abramov keeps his feet moving at all times and is a good two-way player, who has the potential for a longer call up next season as he continues to stand out for his work ethic. - SC

10 Mads Sogaard, G (37^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Sogaard is a very intriguing combination of size and athleticism. At 6-7” he fills the net in the typical large goalie frame but there are many other things to like about his game as well. He moves well laterally and tracks the puck very well. He can shake off a bad goal, period, or game and come back ready for the next one. After the World Junior’s, where he was under siege the entire tournament on an outmanned Denmark squad, he posted back to back solid outings in Medicine Hat. In the playoffs against Edmonton he was main reason the series was close. His mental make-up includes a great blend of relaxed, take it as it comes, with a fiery competitiveness bubbling just under the surface. His rebound control needs to keep on improving as he tends to leave pucks around the net that he can’t always cover up. He has a ways to go, but his upside is immense. Like him. - VG

11 Shane Pinto, C (32^nd overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Although I was underwhelmed seeing Pinto’s name called out first on Day Two of the 2019 draft, that doesn’t mean that I don’t think he is a viable NHL prospect. Pinto is a late bloomer, who was not considered a real prospect in any sense until he was almost 17. He moved from local midget hockey to the USHL to play for Lincoln. The Stars were no good, but Pinto stood out an Tri-City, the top team in the league, traded for him. As a USHL rookie, his numbers were outstanding, topping the point-per-game mark. But while he has the overall game to contribute, none of his tools stands out as better than pretty solid, making me question his ability to keep it up at the higher levels. He also doesn’t do too much when he isn’t scoring. If he learns to play at both ends, he could work his way to a middle six role down the line. - RW

12 Michael Carcone, LW (Undrafted free agent, signed Jul. 15, 2016 [Vancouver]. Last Year: Not ranked [Vancouver]) Having played last season strictly with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL, Carcone is a new addition to Ottawa’s system. It will be interesting to see where he fits in his new organization as he moved many times up and down the lineup with the Marlies. However, if there is one thing to be said about Carcone it is his ability to score overtime and even strength goals despite his overall stats this season sitting around average. His stamina on the ice is an asset and his aggressiveness and ability to win puck battles make up for his small size. His passing needs to become more dependable if he is to nab a spot on Belleville’s middle six. That being said, Carcone may find more opportunity for a call up with Ottawa than with Toronto. - SC

13 Andreas Englund, D (40^th overall, 2014. Last Year: 12) For a player who was drafted from one of the top clubs in the SHL, Djurgardens IF, Englund's development has been a slow process. In his first two North American professional seasons he has seen a few highlight reel goals and many fights. His big frame and tough style of play are key assets that highlight his game but the question remains, does Ottawa need a physical stay at home defenceman in their lineup or a smooth skating, offensive defenseman in the likes of Erik Brannstrom? Englund needs to raise his ceiling more and develop a more three dimensional style of play before being called up to Ottawa for more than the nine games he has already clocked in the NHL. If he can incorporate a better offensive side to his game, with his size and hockey sense he may see a potential second pairing spot with Belleville and more games spent with Ottawa. - SC

14 Max Veronneau, RW (Undrafted free agent, signed Mar. 12, 2019. Last Year: IE) Max Veronneau had been getting better every season for Princeton. For the past two seasons, he had been heavily scouted and even turned down contract offers after his junior campaign to keep the band together. He finally signed with Ottawa, giving his hometown team a pro-caliber winger who is fast, smart, and shoots the puck from anywhere on the ice. He is defensively responsible and even though Princeton had an off-year, he didn’t, with 37 points in 31 collegiate games, was an early Hobey nominee and finished out the season playing 12 NHL games getting an even two goals and two assists. At 23, with a lot of opportunity with the Senators, he can play a third-line role and could also be used on the penalty kill as he gains more confidence. He needs to get stronger so he can have more push back at the next level. - RC

15 Jonathan Davidsson, RW (170^th overall, 2017 [Columbus]. Last Year: 10 [Columbus]) A 22-year-old winger who has a couple of seasons of pro hockey under his belt, Davidsson has put up good numbers in the SHL without being a topline player. He had 31 points in a full 2017-18 season and an additional 21 points last season before his campaign was cut short in February due to a concussion. Davidsson is an offensive player with nice puck skills, a quick shot release and good vision. He is an agile, quick skater who accelerates well. His best asset is his ability to read the game fast. He isn’t physically strong and struggles with consistency. His chances to reach the NHL as a top six forward are limited. He will need to show progress in the AHL for a season or two before reachig the NHL for good. That said, with the team Ottawa has right now, he might get to see some NHL games the upcoming season regardless of his readiness. - JH

16 Jonny Tychonik, D (48^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 7) We were not alone last year in rating Tychonik ahead of fellow Canadian Jr A standout and North Dakota recruit Jacob Bernard-Docker. If one year is anything to go by, the Senators were wise to see JBD as the better prospect. While their first round pick stepped right into a top pairing role as a freshman, Tychonik really struggled to make an impact. Struggled to the tune of four assists in 28 games. To his credit, he is an above average skater. He also flashes puck skills when carrying, but the things that worked in the BCHL did not work in the NCHC. He needs to show better ability to process the game quickly to have a more positive impact. His pedigree ensures that we won’t give up on him yet, but to reach even a third pairing upside, he needs to take a step or two forward. - RW

17 Nick Ebert, D (211^th overall, 2012 [Los Angeles]. Last Year: Not Ranked [unaffiliated]) A 7th round pick of the LA Kings in 2012 with 157 career AHL games under his belt was one of the best defensemen in the SHL last season. Ebert has puck skills and can dominate in the offensive zone, joining the rush and using his dangerous shot. He played on a weak team in Sweden but scored an impressive 11 goals and 33 points from the blueline and was the top point getter on his team. He had strong possession numbers and was by far the best player for Orebro. As for his NHL potential he needs to play in the top four although he lacks some agility in his skating and his hockey sense is not elite. At 25 years of age, his room for improvement is limited as well. He will probably start in the AHL and if he can dominate there as well as he did in the SHL, chances are that he will get a shot in big league also. - JH

18 Jonathan Gruden, LW (95^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 9) College isn’t for everyone. Nor is college hockey. Gruden did not struggle with a poor Miami program as badly as Jonny Tychonik did with North Dakota, but 15 points in 38 games did not make the impact either he or the Senators had hoped. While it was good enough to play on a second line for the RedHawks, the former USNTDP stud left the program after his freshman year, signing an ELC with Ottawa and moving to London of the OHL for the next stage of his development. The Knights have had a good run of refining the games of former collegians in a pro-like atmosphere and Gruden could easily jump up this list next year with a smooth transition. He thinks the game very well and has a solid enough tool collection to not laugh at a middle six projection. But he has a ways to go to get there. - RW

19 Christian Wolanin, D (107^th overall, 2015. Last Year: 10) Wolanin sits at an undeserving 19th spot in Ottawa’s prospects rankings but his skills and maturity when playing the game put him amongst some of Ottawa’s top prospects. The way Wolanin plays the game with poise and the way he shoots the puck can be attributed to defensemen like Ottawa’s newly acquired Nikita Zaitsev. Wolanin is an excellent shot and a mature passer which makes him a highly dependable defenseman with a moderate ceiling. Having already played 40 games in the NHL throughout two seasons, his most recent stint included 12 points as a third pairing defenseman. Wolanin’s development seems to be heading in the right direction with him starting in the NHL next season, nevertheless look for him to spend more time at the back of Ottawa's roster. - SC

20 Filip Chlapik, C (48^th overall, 2015. Last Year: 17) Despite having 25 NHL appearances under his belt, Chlapik continues to play a young game and finds more success at the AHL level with Belleville than with the NHL. Playing 57 games this season and coming out with 34 points is not too bad for a forward in his second professional season. However many aspects of Chlapik’s game need to be tightened up if he expects to be given any further chances. He wins his draws, plays a good defensive game but occasionally gets lost in the neutral zone. There are certainly positives to his style of play but Chlapik still needs to develop more fluidity to his game and better his play with the puck. Expect Chlapik to start the season in Belleville’s top six and work for a call up to Ottawa during the season as he aims to prove he belong on a NHL bottom six. - SC

McKeen’s 2019 NHL Shadow Draft

Ryan Wagman — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 12:00:27 +0000

Before writing up our division by division draft reviews, I wanted to take some time to conduct the McKeen's Hockey Shadow draft and then share a few draft thoughts. As a reminder, for the shadow draft, we assume that we are picking 16^th in any given round and simply draft the top ranked player on our board at that point, with the only tweaks being that we cannot draft more than one netminder and that our shadow draft class needs at least two forwards and two defensemen.

For additional context, here are our shadow classes from the 2017 and 2018 drafts, including the slot, the player we would have chosen, where that player was actually selected (if he was selected at all), and the actual player selected at that slot.

Pick #	2017 Draft - Player	McKeens Rank	Actual Draft slot	Actual Pick
16	Kristian Vesalainen	9	24	Juuso Valimaki
47	Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen	32	54	Alex Formenton
78	Keith Petruzzelli	37	88	Stuart Skinner
109	Adam Ruzicka	40	109	Adam Ruzicka
140	Sasha Chmelevski	61	185	Zach Fischer
171	Kirill Slepets	74	Undrafted	D'Artagnan Joly
202	Emil Oksanen	76	Undrafted	Filip Sveningsson

The positional rules went into effect after the 2017 draft saw us pick two goalies and zero defensemen. How did we do? I think we come out ahead for 2017. Vesalainen has yet to fully breakthrough in the NHL while Valimaki split last season between the NHL and the AHL. I still believe that Vesalainen has greater upside. Formenton and Luukonen both had tremendous final seasons of junior eligibility last year, but “our” guy looks like a potential number one netminder and Formenton still seems more likely to top off as a third line forward with exceptional speed. Petruzzelli and Skinner might be a wash as it is too early to tell on either and neither has really demanded attention.

Ruzicka was nailed in the fourth round while we crushed the NHL in both the fifth and sixth rounds. The NHL picks at those slots – Zach Fischer and D’Artagnan Joly – were both left unsigned and their NHL rights were surrendered. We drafted Sasha Chmelevski, who has since blossomed into a top CHL player while Slepets went undrafted until now, but Carolina took him this year, showing that we were definitely on to something. I will give the seventh round to the NHL as Svenningson is moving up the ranks in Sweden, having a solid first senior season in the Allsvenskan. He isn’t yet signed to an ELC, but our pick Emil Oksanen was not been drafted or signed anyway and his career hasn’t really taken off.

Pick #	Player	McKeens Rank	Actual Draft slot	Actual Pick
16	Joe Veleno	10	30	Martin Kaut
47	Akil Thomas	26	51	Kody Clark
78	Blake McLaughlin	40	79	Sampo Ranta
109	Aidan Dudas	52	113	Tyler Weiss
140	Alexis Gravel	67	162	Brandon Saigeon
171	Merrick Rippon	85	Undrafted	Nikolai Kovalenko
202	Danila Galenyuk	96	Undrafted	Shamil Shmakov

It is harder to yet judge the 2018 results, but we’ll give it a shot. The real #16, Martin Kaut, went right to the AHL and more or less held his own as a teenager while also impressing at the WJC. Our pick, Joe Veleno, also made Canada’s WJC roster and finished fourth in QMJHL regular season scoring. Veleno may have had more of an eye-popping season this year, but I will not discount Kaut’s accomplishments in his D+1 season. Let’s call it a wash for now even if I may yet prefer Veleno as bias might be present.

In the second round, I prefer our pick of Akil Thomas to Colorado’s selection of Kody Clark. If we are comparing fathers, Clark wins hands down, but Thomas finished eighth in OHL scoring this year while Clark had less than half as much production. In a nice little coincidence, the third-round picks both went on to play for the University of Minnesota. McLaughlin had a slightly more effective freshman season especially looking better over the season half of the season, but the gap is not enough to overcome the confidence interval. We’ll call it even for now.

In the fourth round, neither our pick (Aidan Dudas) nor the real pick (Tyler Weiss) had especially good seasons. Dudas essentially repeated his production from his draft year while Weiss struggled to impact in his first NCAA campaign. No winner. I am prepared to give McKeens a slight edge in the fifth round, as Alexis Gravel took a big step forward last year, and was a rock in the QMJHL playoffs, taking Halifax to the Q finals and keeping up the good work in the Memorial Cup. To be honest, Saigeon had a nice season as well, but he was an onverager, so his step forward was less noteworthy. Neither of our last two picks, Merrick Rippon or Danila Galenyuk were drafted. Rippon was basically the same guy this year while Galenyuk took a modest step forward and I think we should continue to keep our eyes on him.

The NHL easily wins the sixth round, as Nikolai Kovalenko spent the year in the KHL and played in the WJC. He is still a far ways from the NHL but he is still on the radar. The NHL seventh rounder, netminder Shamil Shmakov, took a step back while failing to get out of the Russian junior ranks. I prefer Galenyuk at this stage, but will call it a tie, because Shmakov at least has his NHL rights under control for now.

Track record established (pretty solid) let’s look at how our shadow draft for 2019 played out.

Pick #	Player	McKeens Rank	Actual Draft slot	Actual Pick
16	Peyton Krebs	8	17	Alex Newhook
47	Albert Johansson	26	60	Drew Helleson
78	Pavel Dorofeyev	31	79	Alex Beaucage
109	Marshall Warren	35	166	Marc Del Gaizo
140	Yegor Chinakhov	49	Undrafted	Sasha Mutala
171	Nikola Pasic	53	189	Luka Burzan
202	Oleg Zaytsev	66	Undrafted	Trent Miner

Once again, we are going up against the Colorado Avalanche scouts this year, who had the 16^th pick, although the fourth-round pick of Del Gaizo was actually made by Nashville following a pick swap.

If you look at where we had ranked the players drafted, we are clearly excited by how our shadow draft played out. Krebs was a top ten talent and may have fallen a few slots due to an achilles injury that will delay his 2019-20 season a touch but should have zero impact on his long-term prognosis. We had our second and third rounders also slotted as first round talents. Both Johansson and Dorofeyev have dynamic offensive skills and I especially feel that Johansson will make his real draft slot look laughable (in a good way) within two years. He was a late riser and capped his season with an impressive WU18 tournament. Dorofeyev has his warts, namely lack of interest in his own zone, but I am happy to bet on the skills here.

As much as I like those picks, I love getting Marshall Warren in the fourth round. His real-life fall to the sixth was the biggest shock of the draft for me. He is a truly dynamic puck moving defender and while he can play a risky game, having seen him extensively, I always got the sense that his risks were calculated. I have inquired around with some sources about why he might have fallen and received some speculative theories, but nothing definitive. One source simply stated that he had no clue. Our bottom three round picks were long term plays with European flavor, although Zaytsev spent this past season in the WHL. They are all tools bets and I am happy to take those in any draft, but especially in the back half.

I am happy to welcome these seven young men into the McKeen’s family. We will look back at these picks again next year to track everyone’s progress.

Now for some random thoughts about the draft

I had thought that all of the USNTDP U18 class, barring Danny Weight, would be drafted. As it turns out, Michael Gildon and Cam Rowe joined him in limbo. Gildon’s not being selected was especially surprising. He plays a heavy game, but with good wheels and good hands. He can play with talented players and keep the pace. He is going to a good program at Ohio State and will have a chance to play in a top six role right away as the Buckeyes have had a lot of turnover. Rowe is a very athletic netminder, but his technical game falters way too quickly. North Dakota has a good reputation for developing goalies and he could be a redraft with a bit of refinement to his game.
As I personally cover the USHL most fervently, the late seventh round pick of McKade Webster by Tampa was odd. In his first year of eligibility, I liked him enough with Green Bay, although not enough to consider him for our draft rankings. A decent future collegian basically. He went back to Green Bay for 2018-19 but has limited to six games due to injury. What did he do in six games that he didn’t show when healthy the year before? I have no clue.
There were 41 players drafted that we didn’t have on our expanded list, slightly better than the 44 we completely whiffed on last year. A good number of the 41 we didn’t rank were redrafts we didn’t feel had improved enough. Most of the rest were deep scouting cuts from Europe. Also, there was Cade Webber, who I think we meant to have in our top 217, but somehow omitted. I will take the blame on that one. He went higher than we would have ranked him, but I will not slam Carolina for taking him in the fourth round when completed by reviews in the coming days.
I mentioned Marshall Warren in the shadow draft above as being the biggest faller. The biggest risers were a quintet of second rounders who we had as much later picks. Shane Pinto was the first pick of day two and while his numbers were great and he is a late bloomer, I never saw him as a dynamic player and would have been more comfortable with him in the third round. Artemi Knyazev was similar. Dillon Hamaliuk was ranked in the fifth-round area, but with the caveat that he could have been graded considerably higher if not for a devastating knee injury which cut his season short. We are not privy to medicals, so I will presume that San Jose was fine with what they saw there. The final two who jumped were a pair of combine stars in Jayden Struble and Samuel Bolduc. We actually had Bolduc as an honorable mention player (218-325) and probably should have ranked him closer to the 150 range. Still would have been drafted too high for our tastes, but live and learn. The combine can boost some guys into the second tier.
I didn’t count how many, but teams are more and more willing to draft second- and third-year eligible players, even pretty high. If I’m not mistaken, three were taken in the second round (Kotchetkov, Fagemo, Leason), all roughly in line with where we had them ranked.
This means nothing but a few giggles from myself on the media riser on day two, but we ranked a few guys exactly where they were drafted after the top two. Going exactly in line with our rankings were Matthew Boldy (12), John Beecher (30), Vladislav Kolyachonok (52), Gianni Fairbrother (77), Sasha Mutala (140), Elmer Soderblom (159). 24 picks were made within two slots of where we had them ranked.
92 of our top 100 were drafted, one less than last year, but roughly on par with our expectations. I’ll be satisfied when we break 95, but our misses included players from Russia, the Czech Republic, OHL, WHL, and the USHL. No real patterns to glean lessons from but we will come back better and stronger next year. Ever onwards, ever upwards.

Alex Formenton – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – OTTAWA SENATORS – NHL Player Profiles

CULLEN: 20 FANTASY POINTS – Rising young stars like Tim Stutzle, Tage Thompson, Matt Boldy, and Jesper Bratt are making their mark, plus goaltenders that are challenging for more playing time as the season heads into the second half.

CULLEN: 20 FANTASY POINTS – Evgeni Malkin returns to action and Evander Kane might have a new team soon. Jared McCann, Nico Hischier, Clayton Keller, Trevor Moore and more

2021-22 TOP 15 PROSPECTS: OTTAWA SENATORS – RANK: #4- TIER II

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Top 300 Prospect Rankings

MCKEEN’S 2020 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – OTTAWA SENATORS – ORGANIZATIONAL RANK: 10

Ottawa Senators

Jacob Bernard-Docker, D (26^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 4)

Josh Norris, C (Trade: Sep. 13, 2018. Originally: 19^th overall, 2017 [San Jose]. 2019 Rank: 2)

Drake Batherson, C (121^st overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 6)

Alex Formenton, LW (47^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 3)

Shane Pinto, C (32^nd overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 11)

Logan Brown, C (11^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 5)

Lassi Thomson, D (19^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 7)

Vitali Abramov, RW (Trade: Feb. 22, 2019. Originally: 65^th overall, 2016 [Columbus]. 2019 Rank: 9)

Kevin Mandolese, G (157^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: UR)

Artyom Zub, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed May 1, 2020. 2019 Rank: IE)

Mads Sogaard, G (37^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 10)

Joey Daccord, G (199^th overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: 8)

Jonathan Gruden, RW (95^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 18)

Maxence Guenette, D (187^thoverall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

Mark Kastelic, C (125^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

MCKEENS 2020 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT – TOP 250 PROSPECTS

AHL 2019-20 Preview: Eastern Division

Ottawa Senators 2019-20 Prospect Review: Top 20

McKeen’s 2019 NHL Shadow Draft

Alex Formenton – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – OTTAWA SENATORS – NHL Player Profiles

CULLEN: 20 FANTASY POINTS – Rising young stars like Tim Stutzle, Tage Thompson, Matt Boldy, and Jesper Bratt are making their mark, plus goaltenders that are challenging for more playing time as the season heads into the second half.

CULLEN: 20 FANTASY POINTS – Evgeni Malkin returns to action and Evander Kane might have a new team soon. Jared McCann, Nico Hischier, Clayton Keller, Trevor Moore and more

2021-22 TOP 15 PROSPECTS: OTTAWA SENATORS – RANK: #4- TIER II

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Top 300 Prospect Rankings

MCKEEN’S 2020 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – OTTAWA SENATORS – ORGANIZATIONAL RANK: 10

Ottawa Senators

Jacob Bernard-Docker, D (26th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 4)

Josh Norris, C (Trade: Sep. 13, 2018. Originally: 19th overall, 2017 [San Jose]. 2019 Rank: 2)

Drake Batherson, C (121st overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 6)

Alex Formenton, LW (47th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 3)

Shane Pinto, C (32nd overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 11)

Logan Brown, C (11th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 5)

Lassi Thomson, D (19th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 7)

Vitali Abramov, RW (Trade: Feb. 22, 2019. Originally: 65th overall, 2016 [Columbus]. 2019 Rank: 9)

Kevin Mandolese, G (157th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: UR)

Artyom Zub, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed May 1, 2020. 2019 Rank: IE)

Mads Sogaard, G (37th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 10)

Joey Daccord, G (199th overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: 8)

Jonathan Gruden, RW (95th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 18)

Maxence Guenette, D (187th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

Mark Kastelic, C (125th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

MCKEENS 2020 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT – TOP 250 PROSPECTS

AHL 2019-20 Preview: Eastern Division

Ottawa Senators 2019-20 Prospect Review: Top 20

McKeen’s 2019 NHL Shadow Draft

Jacob Bernard-Docker, D (26^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 4)

Josh Norris, C (Trade: Sep. 13, 2018. Originally: 19^th overall, 2017 [San Jose]. 2019 Rank: 2)

Drake Batherson, C (121^st overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 6)

Alex Formenton, LW (47^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 3)

Shane Pinto, C (32^nd overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 11)

Logan Brown, C (11^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 5)

Lassi Thomson, D (19^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 7)

Vitali Abramov, RW (Trade: Feb. 22, 2019. Originally: 65^th overall, 2016 [Columbus]. 2019 Rank: 9)

Kevin Mandolese, G (157^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: UR)

Mads Sogaard, G (37^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 10)

Joey Daccord, G (199^th overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: 8)

Jonathan Gruden, RW (95^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 18)

Maxence Guenette, D (187^thoverall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

Mark Kastelic, C (125^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)