Alexander True – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – SEATTLE KRAKEN – Top 20 Prospects

Contributors – Brock Otten, Chapin Landvogt, Ethan Hetu, Dylan Krill, — Sun, 18 Sep 2022 21:14:08 +0000

MONTREAL, QC - JULY 07: Seattle Kraken pick Shane Wright stands between management during the first round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft on July 07, 2022 at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire)

1 - Matthew Beniers C

Despite the fact that he’s only played in ten NHL games, Matthew “Matty” Beniers is quickly becoming the face of the NHL’s newest franchise. When the Kraken drafted Shane Wright at the 2022 draft, Beniers was one of the first to reach out to welcome him to the team, a team Beniers himself is still quite new to. The Kraken have taken a bit of a different route to their fellow recent expansion team, the Vegas Golden Knights, in building their team, but make no mistake about it: any winner GM Ron Francis is attempting to build has Beniers as its centerpiece. If one takes just a short look at Beniers’ game film, it’d be easy to mistake the 19-year-old for being a seasoned NHL veteran. Beniers has an ever-active motor, and he’s always either around the play or in movement looking to get involved. His skill level keeps pace with his energy level, and his hands are the sort of sneaky good that only Kraken fans may come to appreciate fully. Beniers is a pass-first playmaker who drives any line he centers, and he’s a center with real potential to be one of those players who elevates the production of any linemate fortunate enough to be stapled to his wing. Beniers was extremely impressive in his short NHL action last year, and he could be counted on as a true top-six center as immediately as next season by coach Dave Hakstol. It’s challenging for any young player to take on a center role in the NHL, let alone a top-six one, but Beniers has what it takes to handle it. If he can keep up his progress, he can become a two-way force as a top-six center, anchoring a scoring line and the Kraken’s special teams. - EH

2 - Shane Wright C

The 4th overall selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, Shane Wright may have slipped in the draft farther than expected, but there is no question that he could still become the best player out of the draft. The former 1st overall selection in the 2019 OHL Draft had the opportunity to play in the OHL as a 15-year-old after being granted exceptional status. In his rookie year, Wright finished with 66 points (39G,27A) in 58 games. Like others, Wright was forced to miss the 2020-2021 season due to the Covid-19 shutdown. Fortunately for Wright, he got the opportunity to play in the U18 World Championship, being named captain for team Canada. In the 2021-2022 season, Wright finished with 94 points (32,62) in 63 games, which was 8th in the league in points, 6th in the league in assists and 2nd on the team in points. Wright’s best assets are his hockey sense and playmaking. He consistently makes smart decisions with and without the puck that help create high danger chances for his team and suppress chances against. He has a great understanding of how to create space for himself and teammates, attracting defenders to allow his teammates to get open for a pass or shot. Although Wright isn’t the flashiest player, he makes up for it because he’s so mature and plays a defensively committed 200ft game. He’s excellent in transition, both in driving the play and finding teammates for a quick give-and-go. Having the ability to find holes through defenders and execute with crisp and accurate passes. Going into the 2022-2023 season, Wright will be highly motivated to prove that three teams made a mistake on passing him. You can expect him to be one of the best players in the OHL, as well as a top producer, if not the very top. - DK

3 - Jagger Firkus RW

A favourite of ours at McKeen’s during our 2022 draft coverage, the Seattle Kraken made an astute selection with the dynamic, but undersized winger. Firkus is remarkably skilled. His ability to maintain control of the puck through changes of pace and direction makes him incredibly difficult to contain in transition, even without elite speed or strength. His shot is a major weapon, especially since it is incredibly deceptive due to his ability to shoot in motion and alter his quick release. Firkus is also a hard worker who has the tenaciousness that you look for in slightly smaller wingers. The key for him moving forward is to continue to upgrade those physical tools. Not a poor skater by any standards, but given his smaller frame, it would be beneficial for him to improve his speed and explosiveness. Additionally, he needs to bulk up to be better at playing through traffic, allowing him to be more consistent. Firkus will return to Moose Jaw this season where he will look to push for the WHL’s scoring title. He should also play a role on Canada’s WJC team in December. His projection currently remains the same as it was in our draft guide; we see him as a potential first line winger who can be one of Seattle’s top offensive options. - BO

4 - David Goyette C

The 61^st overall selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, David Goyette was a bit of a shock to some to see him drop out of the top 50 as he was projected by some to go in the first round because of his high-end tools and elite skating. Goyette has always been a highly talented player who has produced at a highly at every level. Goyette was the 11^th overall selection in the 2020 OHL Draft and was able to find some ice during the 2020-2021 OHL shutdown season, playing four games in the National Collegiate Development Conference for the P.A.L. Junior Islanders, finishing with six points (3G,3A). In the 2021-2022 season, Goyette was relied upon heavily as he was given the role of 1C on a line with two other rookies. Goyette took a little to adjust, but once he became more comfortable, his confidence became very high, and he started to produce and never seemed to stop. Finishing the year with 73 points (33G,40A) in 66 games, Goyette lead his team, all rookies and 27^th in the league in points for a very successful year. Goyette’s best assets are his skating and playmaking. He is an elite skater who controls the pace when the puck is on his stick. He can keep up with anyone and is very deceptive and difficult to defend against because of his quickness and agility. His ability to make plays in-tight and at high-pace are so effective, he can be dangerous anywhere in the offensive zone. Going into the 2022-2023 season, Goyette will be one of the most exciting players to watch in the OHL as his creativity and high skill catch eyes very easily. You could expect Goyette to be near the top in points in the OHL next season. - DK

5 - Ty Nelson D

The 68^th overall selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, Ty Nelson will look to have a big year to prove that he fell too far in the draft, as some viewed him as a potential late first round pick. Due to his size and not being an elite skater was most likely a result, but Nelson has the tools and ability to reach a level where he could become a very useful defenseman in the NHL. The former 1^st overall pick in the 2020 OHL Draft was unfortunate like others from that draft as they were hit with Covid-19 shutting down the 2020-2021 OHL season. Nelson took that opportunity to continue to grow and become stronger. Getting more off-season training than usual may have helped Nelson with being able to adapt to the OHL easier. During the 2021-2022 season, the Battalion relied on Nelson heavily. Playing on the top pair, playing in all situations and being the go-to guy on the blue line as a rookie is very impressive. Nelson was asked to do a lot, and he succeeded. Finishing the season with 51 points (9G,42A) in 66 games which was 6^th on his team in points, 6^th in OHL rookie points and also first in OHL rookie assists. Nelson’s best assets are his competitiveness and his hockey sense. Nelson is very noticeable when he’s on the ice. He flies around with great speed and plays like a bulldog, not backing down from any battle, no matter who the opponent is. Nelson also reads play very well and makes it difficult to play against because he doesn’t give up much space and plays very aggressive. Going into the 2022-2023 season, Nelson will once again be relied upon heavily and will be the main blue liner on the Battalion. You could expect an increase in points. - DK

6 - Jani Nyman RW

Taken 49^th overall this summer, Nyman is a 6’3”, 207-pound winger who just turned 18 on July 30th. His season was very unique for a 17-year-old, having suited up 34 times for the second league Mestis team Koovee, and putting up an outstanding 18 goals and 35 points, good for 25th overall in league scoring, causing observers to recall Roby Järventie (OTT), who had similar draft year production and more recently spearheaded the Finnish attack to a silver medal at this summer’s WJC. Will Nyman be doing the same as soon as this winter? His 34 Mestis games weren’t his only action this past season, as he added another two points in two postseason games and dressed for 10 Liiga games. He had already gotten his season off to a good start, with seven points in five Hlinka Gretzky Cup contests, and he wrapped things up nicely with four points in seven games as a key member of bronze-medal-winning Finland’s second line at the U18 Worlds. Nyman’s greatest asset is his shot. His wrister, snapshot and one-timer, are all legit weapons, with impressive velocity. He can also display some very sleek hands, moving along swiftly with the puck on his stick. He tends to play slower when he doesn’t have the puck on his stick. Additionally, his overall physical play isn’t indicative of his size. At the end of the day, Seattle feels very strongly that the shot and size are there for an NHL career. Nyman is scheduled to suit up for Ilves of the Finnish Liiga this winter. – CL

7 - Ryan Winterton RW

It certainly hasn’t been easy for Winterton in recent years. Like the other OHL players in his NHL draft class, he did not get to play much in his draft year due to the OHL hiatus. However, unlike most of his peers, he didn’t get to return to play immediately with the OHL returning this season. A shoulder injury kept him out of action for the first few months. Upon returning however, he was excellent. He was an integral part of a Championship winning Hamilton Bulldogs team. Not only is he a versatile player because of his strong IQ and two-way competence, but Winterton is also a skilled play driver who can create chances for himself or his linemates. His skating ability looked much improved this past season and he is difficult to separate from the puck as he drives the net and controls the wall. On many occasions, it was difficult to distinguish between Winterton and Mason McTavish (with both having jersey numbers in the 20’s), an excellent complement for the Seattle prospect. The only concern, at this point, is health and longevity. Winterton re-injured his shoulder in the OHL playoffs but should be ready for the start of this coming OHL season. If he can remain healthy, he will be a go-to offensive player on Hamilton and should be in line for a big year. He has a chance to be a really nice middle six option for Seattle in a few years. - BO

8 - Ryker Evans D

The Kraken shocked a lot of people, us included, when they selected Evans early in 2021. He was entering his final year of draft eligibility, and while we expected him to go, it was a bit shocking to see him go that high. However, it is easy to see why the Kraken liked, and continue to like Evans. He has elite level escapability on the back end, which makes him difficult to pin down in the defensive zone. There is a real effectiveness to his ability to start the breakout. Evans, a strong four-way mover, is also solid inside the offensive zone. He moves well laterally and is aggressive in seeking the middle of the ice and rotating down low to help create better puck movement. Evans is also a solid defender who is physically intense and makes opposing forwards earn space against him. Even if his production this year needs to be viewed with the lens that he was an overager, there is no doubting that Seattle has to be happy with his progression at both ends. He will start his pro career this season playing in Coachella Valley and given the state of Seattle’s system, he could move quickly if he plays well. At this point, Evans looks like a future #4-5 defender. - BO

9 - Kole Lind RW

A former WHL star and former high draft pick (33rd overall by Vancouver in 2017), Lind has yet to emerge as a definitive NHL player. After three years in the Vancouver system, Lind was selected by Seattle in the expansion draft. It looked like he would finally crack the NHL full time, but that was not the case as he split the year between the AHL (with Charlotte) and the Kraken. The good news is that Lind had his best professional season yet. The bad news is that his window to become an NHL player is closing fast. He is your classic power forward. He is at his best when he can dominate physically and find his way to the net. He has a big shot and good hands in tight, but also excels as a playmaker coming off the wall. The thing that has been holding him back is his skating ability and quickness. At the NHL level, Lind’s pace just hasn’t been up to par. This coming season Seattle has some openings in their bottom six and Lind is a candidate to grab one of them. Did he put in the work this offseason to improve his ability to keep up? There is still a chance that he can settle into a third line role in the future, but as mentioned, those chances become slimmer with each passing season. - BO

10 - Tucker Robertson C

The 123rd selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, Tucker Robertson had a lot to prove this past season being an overager in the OHL, but he quickly found a way to stand out and stayed consistent throughout the year. Robertson had a good rookie season on a stacked Petes team, finishing with 18 points (8G,10A) in 55 games. Unfortunately for Robertson, he missed the 2020-2021 season due to Covid-19, which was most likely a reason why he went undrafted in the 2021 NHL Draft. During the 2021-2022 season, Robertson went on to have a breakout season. He produced 81 points (41G,40A) in 68 games, which was 17th in the league in points, tied for 11th in the league for goals, 2nd on the team in points and assists and 1st on the team in goals. Robertson’s best assets are his competitiveness and puck handling. He plays with a great blend of skill and tenacity, having a bite to his game. He rarely takes a shift off and is always applying great pressure on puck carriers, making it difficult to play against. He’s not afraid to use his body and play physical, but he has the understanding of when it’s appropriate or when he should stay conservative, displaying good discipline. Robertson has the ability to beat opponents one-on-one with his deceptive and quick hands. He’s very strong along the boards and can contain possession for his team when needed, also being very effective in front of the net. Going into the 2022-2023 season, Robertson will be looked at again to be a leader for the Petes and be a top points producer in the league. - DK

11 - Ville Petman

A free agent signing by the Kraken after a breakout season in Liiga that saw Petman lead Saipa in scoring. A competitive two-way winger, his finishing skill and puck skill improved significantly last year.

12 - Jacob Melanson

A physically aggressive power forward, Melanson is a terror on the forecheck. However, his confidence and skill as a goal scorer took a huge step forward last season with Acadie-Bathurst.

13 - Niklas Kokko

A second-round selection by the Kraken in 2022, Kokko is a 6’3 Finnish netminder with good technical skill and improving athleticism. He will attempt to crack Liiga full time this season.

14 - Ville Ottavainen

A massive defender, Ottavainen is coming off his best season in Liiga yet. His mobility continues to improve, and he’s added a physical element to his game now too. He will continue his development in Finland this season.

15 - Tye Kartye

One of the OHL’s leading goal scorers this season, Kartye is a player who relies on his IQ to play in a variety of situations. He is deadly near the net front and the puck seems magnetically drawn to him. Improving his skating will be the focus as he turns pro this year.

16 - Tyson Jugnauth

This offensive defender out of the BCHL has a high ceiling because of his ability to create in transition. He loves to lead the attack. How he defends at higher levels is a mystery, but more will be known after his freshman year at Wisconsin next season.

17 - Semyon Vyazovoy

Vyazovoy was one of the top goalies in the MHL for the second season in a row, a year after being selected by Seattle. The Kraken are hoping that he can finally see some time in a men’s league this season, either the VHL or KHL.

18 - Justin Janicke

A hard-working checking line forward, Janicke’s effort is consistent in all three zones. The Notre Dame winger likely doesn’t have high upside as a pro player but could be a solid role player for the Kraken in the future.

19 - Alexander True

The big Danish center has proven that he can put up big numbers in the AHL, but has had trouble cracking the NHL full time. Is this the year he finally does it?

20 - Peetro Seppala

The Kraken signed Seppala, much like Petman, after a breakout season in Liiga last year. Seppala emerged as one of the top Finnish league’s best defenders and will be given every opportunity to crack Seattle’s roster this year.

2021-22 TOP 15 PROSPECTS: SEATTLE KRAKEN – RANK: #32- TIER VII

McKeen's Hockey — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 00:42:47 +0000

Seattle Kraken

#32 Seattle - This system has only 13 eligible prospects. This system can't really be judged on a list like this until at least 2023.

Matthew Beniers. Photo courtesy of University of Minnesota

Matthew Beniers

The 2021 season was an extremely impressive one for Beniers, capped off with his selection by the Kraken, their first in franchise history. Even without getting onto the scoresheet with regularity (he was limited to three points in seven games), Beniers was playing in a critical two-way top six role for the United States at the World Junior Championships. He also finished his freshman season with Michigan with one point-per-game, with 14 of his 20 points marked as primary points (goals and first assists).

The allure of Beniers is far more than his offensive production as he projects as a first line, two-way center in the mold of a Jonathan Toews, or a Patrice Bergeron. No matter where he plays as he establishes himself in the NHL, he will be making his linemates better, even if they suck up with accolades. He can play a ‘meat-and-potatoes’ game, being disruptive on the forecheck, and killing the clock on the penalty kill, and he can thrill with skill. He is involved in every play, even if they are not going to directly lead to scoring chances. His speed and ability to enter the offensive zone are also major highlights to his repertoire. It would be ideal to see Beniers return to school for one more year, taking on a more offensive-minded role, and focusing on skills growth. His upside could be first line even without it, but a little bit more creative play will give him a better idea of what he can accomplish before hitting the NHL, and ideally make his professional transition that much smoother. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Will Borgen

The expansion Seattle Kraken, as of the offseason doldrums of August, have five sure thing blueliners that they should feel confident about lining up with game in, game out. Giordano, Larsson, Soucy, Dunn, and Oleksiak are all guaranteed regular minutes. There are six other seasoned pro defenders who seem to be fixing to fight for the #6/7 roles. Lauzon, Carrick, Cholowski, and the Fleury’s, Cale and Haydn, no longer have prospect eligibility, but Borgen does! A 2015 fourth rounder, Borgen was brought along slowly by Buffalo, spending two full seasons in the AHL, honing his stay-at-home game, before finally spending all of last season up with the Sabres, albeit watching from the press box far more often than he got to take the ice.

Like the others (except possibly Carrick) with whom he will be fighting for an NHL job this year, Borgen offers very little offensively. To his credit, though, he has great size, shoots from the right side, is mobile, has shown that he knows how to play within his limitations, and relishes playing the body. The Seattle system is very shallow at present, as they have not had to build up too much depth as they won’t have their own AHL team right away. Borgen is the most NHL-ready who still qualifies for this list. The upside is low, but he could be on their bottom pairing on day one and no one would bat an eye. - RW

Joey Daccord

A relatively anonymous prep school goalie drafted very late in his second year of eligibility, Daccord was the first player of note to play for Arizona State after that institution joined the NCAA ranks in 2015. His numbers improved dramatically year-over-year through his three year stretch on campus, GAA dropping from 4.03 to 3.51 and finally to 2.35, while his save percentage saw a mirroring rise, from .892, to .909, and ending at .926. The Senators promised him an NHL game after signing, but his first full pro season was split between the AHL and ECHL. Daccord got a more prolonged NHL exposure last year, even earning his first win for the Senators, but he hurt his leg in mid-March, ending his season early.

Not that he had done enough by that point to convince Ottawa management that he should be their goalie of the future, but the injury did make it easier for the Sens to give more time between the pipes to the likes of Filip Gustavsson, Marcus Hogberg, and Anton Forsberg, and feel OK about exposing Daccord to the expansion draft. Seattle nabbed him, although with the big money contracts they gave to Philip Grubauer and Chris Driedger, more AHL is in store for Daccord, who will need to stay healthy and turn more of his promise into consistent performance. - RW

Ryan Winterton

Like some other OHL players, Winterton’s only game action this year was at the Under 18’s, where he was impressive in a checking line role for Canada. One of the youngest players available this year (September 4th birthday), Winterton’s physical tools appear to have improved greatly, making him a very intriguing selection by the Kraken in the third round.

Winterton profiles as an extremely versatile player at the next level. He can play any of the forward positions. He can work in the slot or bumper position on the powerplay with his quick hands and size. He can kill penalties because of his strong two-way awareness and ability to get his stick in passing lanes. He can be a support player on a scoring line because of his ability to win battles down low and because of his terrific wrist shot that allows him to finish off chances. He has also shown the ability to play center and lead transitional attacks, backing down defenders and driving the net. Just how much offensive potential Winterton has is the real mystery. At times in his rookie season in the OHL, especially later in the year, Winterton flashed creativity and the ability to create time and space for himself with his hands. However, at the U18’s, he played much more of a North/South, linear game. We should get a better read of what he is capable of in Hamilton this season as the OHL returns. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Ryker Evans

In his second (and final) year of draft eligibility, Regina Pats defender Ryker Evans finished the WHL season as the leader in assists by blueliners with 25 (over an assist per game). Ranked by us at McKeen’s last year, Evans worked hard to improve his skating, the consistency of his physicality, and his reads in the defensive end to be a more complete overall player. This is what made him a high selection by Seattle this year.

He may not be the kind of dynamic skater you want to see from an average sized defender, but he has made some necessary adjustments to his game. What the next step for him is remains to be seen. He could return to the WHL for his overage season, or he could turn pro and play in the AHL with Charlotte, who will be Seattle’s AHL affiliate this season. If he returns to Regina in order to further improve his two-way play and physical tools, Evans has a chance to be one of the WHL’s elite defenders. In terms of a high-end upside, Evans likely profiles as a second or third pairing defender who can also play on the powerplay. As an “older” drafted player, he could move through the system faster than some of Seattle’s other prospects. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Luke Henman

The very first player in history to be signed by the Seattle Kraken, Henman has proven to be an extremely consistent QMJHL player. He is not an elite player, but he is someone who is well rounded and brings a lot to the table. This includes being a terrific leader for Blainville-Boisbriand. He sets an example with his consistency and the excellence of his game in all facets. In addition to being such a complete player, Henman has also led the Armada in scoring the last two seasons.

He may not have the skills to be an impact player in the NHL, however, he executes the small details very well. He is responsible over 200 feet, and he is appreciated by everyone, as much for his qualities as a hockey player as for his qualities as a person. This should lead him to play at least a few games in the NHL at some point. He's still a little slight to face the more rigorous demands of the pro game, but it's something that can be easily improved. He will play in the AHL this coming season and could be a third- or fourth-line winger for the Kraken in a few years. - BB

Alexander True

After three full seasons of pro hockey, there was hope that True could jump to the NHL full-time in 2020-21, but he ended up splitting time between the Sharks (seven games, one point) and the Barracuda (27 games, 20 points). The summer got hectic for True, who went to the World Championships and appeared in seven games for his native Denmark. Then, he was selected by the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft, returning to the area where he played junior and delivered the championship-winning overtime goal in 2017. On the Kraken, True looks to become a full-time NHLer on a forward corps that certainly figures to have some open slots available to be grabbed in training camp.

True is a typical power forward with a developing set of hands and a mean streak. He saw penalty-killing duties for the Sharks last season and didn’t allow a goal. He utilizes his massive frame well and is starting to round out his offensive skills. His poor skating is probably what kept him from being drafted initially but is being improved. He struggles with discipline, takes far too many minors, and is likely limited in terms of upside at the NHL level, but certainly has the potential to be a full-time bottom of the lineup asset who could contribute on the penalty kill and even as the net-front body on the powerplay. - AS

Kole Lind

Kole Lind has taken a step in each of his first few seasons as a pro, culminating in seven NHL games with the Canucks during the most recent Covid shortened season. His game is that of a power forward where his skill level can surprise a bit. He has very good hands and a heavy shot that make him an offensive weapon. He doesn’t drive play as much as you would like for a player that plays the game like he does.

His skating is fine, but he doesn’t have the pull away speed or the high agility to be a very strong rush player or one on one attacker. His game away from the puck is still a work in progress and he may never improve enough on that side of the puck to make him a lock for consistent NHL minutes. He has shown that he can help offensively though and if he was paired with a defensively sound center, he could perhaps fit into a middle six role that suits his game more than a bottom six role would. He should get a great chance to open the year in the NHL on a new Seattle team looking to unearth a few gems in a bottom six role. - VG

Justin Janicke

Janicke’s role with the USNTDP was always as a bottom six forward, grinding, competing in board battles, and making sure that the opponent doesn’t have an easy time when his more skilled teammates were on the ice. He can get a second gear to push defenders back, is a creative passer, and has a decent shot release to boot. He might be able to produce more if given a bigger role and will try to earn one when he joins his older brother, Anaheim prospect Trevor, at Notre Dame this season.

Sometimes players like Janicke can be underutilized on the US U18 team, masking their true potential as offensive players as they conform to the role they are asked to play. While Janicke likely develops into a potential checking line player for the Kraken, there is a chance that his offensive skill set continues to improve at a quality program like Notre Dame. The answer to “what is Janicke’s high end upside,” likely is not answered any time soon as he probably spends at least three years in college before making the jump to the professional ranks. As mentioned, Justin will simply try to establish himself as a useful rotation player this coming season before earning greater trust. - - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Ville Ottavainen

Selected by Seattle in his second year of draft eligibility, Ottavainen had a much better 2020/21 season after returning home to Finland after playing the year prior for Kitchener in the OHL. With Kitchener, Ottavainen was limited to more of a depth role because of the depth of the Rangers and it prevented him from really showcasing his talents. Playing in the JYP program this past season, Ottavainen split the year between their U20 team and the main Liiga club.

One of the main reasons that Ottavainen put himself back on the scouting map was that he was able to improve his skating, in particular his explosiveness in all four directions. A big (6’4) right shot defender, Ottavainen's lack of power limited his effectiveness offensively and defensively playing with Kitchener in the OHL during his draft year. But, by making improvements to his skating, he was able to play with significantly more confidence back home in Finland. A potential two-way defender, with the potential to still develop into a powerplay quarterback, Ottavainen will remain in Finland again, where he will look to play a larger role in Liiga this coming season. He remains a long-term project, but the growth shown thus far remains encouraging. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Jacob Melanson

Injuries have really hurt the development of the hard hitting, power forward thus far in his young career. A combination of upper body injuries and a trade demand limited him to only 18 games in his draft year, but his finish to the year with Acadie-Bathurst was strong. He could be a breakout candidate in 2021.

Semyon Vyazovoi

A sixth rounder by the Kraken this year (the team’s inaugural draft), Vyazovoi performed well in the MHL this past year, posting the third best save percentage in the league. He will continue his development in Russia this season and is most definitely a longer-term project for the organization.

Carsen Twarynski

Selected from the Philadelphia Flyers organization, this former Kelowna Rockets (WHL) star has had difficulty putting up any sort of offensive numbers at the pro level the last three seasons. However, he does have NHL experience, can bring a physical element, and competes hard. He is a possible short-term solution in the bottom six until Seattle fills out their depth.

SEATTLE KRAKEN EXPANSION DRAFT: Prospects to Target – Part Two – Forwards

Brock Otten — Thu, 25 Feb 2021 20:49:20 +0000

It has been four years since the Vegas Golden Knights joined the National Hockey League through expansion. Through the expansion draft process, the Golden Knights balanced their initial lineup by selecting both veterans and youth, with a focus on team speed and competitiveness. Masterfully constructed, Vegas ended up winning the Pacific division and reaching the Stanley Cup finals in their inaugural season (2017-18).

Later this year, the Seattle Kraken will officially become the 32nd NHL franchise when they select their team through their expansion draft. July 17 is the date set for NHL teams to submit their protected lists (with Vegas being exempt) and July 21 is the date set for the expansion draft itself. Of course, these dates could change depending on how the NHL season finishes up in the midst of a global pandemic. However, as of right now, that is when we will find out who will be wearing that Kraken jersey to start the 2021-22 season.

Naturally, Seattle general manager Ron Francis, assistant general manager Jason Botterill, and director of player personnel Norm Maciver will be aiming to replicate the success that Vegas had (and has continued to have). They have to reach the salary floor with their selections, so they will be choosing some veterans (or trading for/signing some) to lead this group. However, much like Vegas, they will be looking to swing for the fences with some selections, by opting for a few young, unestablished players. This article aims to highlight some of the prospects who could be (and are likely to be) left unprotected by their NHL teams come July. The focus is on players who have yet to truly establish themselves as NHL players. The list will be organized by position and published in two parts. This is the second feature on the forwards. Part one can be found by linking here.

FORWARDS

Rasmus Asplund - Buffalo Sabres

A strong two-way center, Asplund has had a hard time breaking through with the Sabres to become a full time NHL player. Even this year, he has seen time on the Sabres roster, on the taxi squad, and in the AHL with Rochester. He could certainly be a potential bottom six center target for the Kraken.

Morgan Geekie - Carolina Hurricanes

A big forward, Geekie has broken through as a full time NHL player to start the 2021 season after a successful cup of coffee last year. Playing on the fourth line and the powerplay, Geekie has yet to hit the score sheet this year. However, given Carolina’s forward depth, it seems unlikely that they will be able to protect him.

Kevin Stenlund - Columbus Blue Jackets

If there is one forward on this list that I see possibly being protected, it is Stenlund. He has proven himself to be a quality NHL forward after a half a season last year and a hot start this year. The question is, if Stenlund is protected, it means someone like Max Domi, Boone Jenner, or the injured Gustav Nyquist will not be. Columbus could also try to work out a deal with Seattle to make sure that they leave Stenlund be.

Henrik Borgstrom - Florida Panthers

At this point, Borgstrom is probably a candidate for a change of scenery. The former University of Denver star got off to a good start in his pro career, but he has been unable to take that next step, with last year being a clear step backwards. As such, the Panthers loaned him to HIFK for the year. A talented playmaker, Borgstrom could be a great candidate for Seattle to select in hopes of unlocking his offensive potential.

Nathan Bastian - New Jersey Devils

A heavy winger, Bastian has improved every year as a pro thus far, finally making the Devils this season. He has played extremely well in a third line role and as a penalty killer. However, the Devils have a heck of a decision ahead of them for the expansion draft. Do they sacrifice Pavel Zacha in order to protect someone like Bastian or the others on this list?

Yegor Sharangovich - New Jersey Devils

Sharangovich got off to a hot start to the NHL season playing alongside Jack Hughes. While the offensive production hasn’t been consistent, he has certainly impressed in his first NHL season after starting the year in the KHL. An explosive goal scorer, the Devils may be reluctant to let him go given the energy and pace he plays with.

Janne Kuokkanen - New Jersey Devils

Like Bastian, Kuokkanen has emerged as a legitimate NHL player in his fourth pro season, excelling in the bottom six. The former London Knights standout and the key acquisition in the Sami Vatanen deal to Carolina, Kuokkanen is certainly someone who could draw the interest of Seattle.

Nick Merkley - New Jersey Devils

Merkley, an intelligent and hard working playmaker, seems to be behind Bastian, Sharangovich, Kuokkanen, and Mikey McLeod (who I assumed the Devils would be protecting) in the pecking order. However, that does not mean that he lacks talent or NHL potential. Look for the Devils to try to rotate the above players in and out of the lineup in order to truly evaluate who they could be willing to lose.

Kieffer Bellows - New York Islanders

Keiffer, the son of former NHL’er Brian Bellows, is a former high NHL draft pick whose high end goal scoring ability has yet to truly translate to terrific results at the pro level. Playing on the fourth line this year for the Isles, Bellows has yet to score this season. Given the forward depth that the Islanders have, it seems unlikely that Bellows will be able to be protected. If New York truly believes in his potential, they may try to look at a way to convince Seattle not to select him.

Julien Gauthier - New York Rangers

In the rare one for one prospect trade, the Rangers shipped Joey Keane to Carolina for Gauthier last season. The big, quick, physical winger has been a fixture on the Rangers’ fourth line to start this season, however it seems unlikely that he gets protected given the others New York must protect. One of Brendan Lemieux, Brett Howden, or Gauthier will likely get the nod with the other two being unprotected. How they finish the year will dictate who that is.

Vitaly Abramov - Ottawa Senators

A dynamic offensive player, Abramov had a breakout season in Belleville last year that really gave management hope that his skill set could translate to the NHL level. However, it seems unlikely that Ottawa will be able to protect him and how he plays in the AHL this season will dictate whether Seattle has interest in him.

Filip Chlapik - Ottawa Senators

Chlapik split last season between Ottawa and Belleville, performing only adequately in a depth role. This season, he has bounced between the main roster, the taxi squad, and the AHL. A good sized playmaking center, Chlapik may not get his chance in Ottawa, but he could be a target of Seattle.

Logan Brown - Ottawa Senators

It is certainly possible that the Senators protect Brown. The former 11th overall pick has performed admirably in the AHL, but his play at the NHL level has been uninspiring thus far. A hulking center at 6’6, Brown needs to play more between the dots and use his size; a criticism dating back to his draft year.

Nicolas Aube-Kubel - Philadelphia Flyers

A competitive and feisty forward, Aube-Kubel is a versatile player for the Flyers with the ability to play in any situation and any forward position. He has been in the Flyers system forever and is finally getting a chance to be a full time NHL player this season. However, it is unlikely that the Flyers will be able to protect him. He could be the perfect bottom six player for Seattle.

Alex Barre Boulet - Tampa Bay Lightning

The first two seasons of Barre-Boulet’s pro career probably couldn’t have gone better considering he was an undrafted free agent acquisition by Tampa. He was the AHL rookie of the year two years ago and an AHL all star last year. But due to Tampa’s depth he remains buried in the minors again this year (where he has continued his torrid pace). The dilemma for Tampa Bay will be, do they protect a player who...as of now, has not shown an ability to translate his offensive skill set to the NHL?

Alex Volkov - Tampa Bay Lightning

Ahead of Barre-Boulet on the Tampa depth chart currently and the recipient of a roster spot thanks to the Kucherov injury, Volkov is a skilled winger that the Lightning have high hopes for. However, like many young players in their system, it is unlikely that they will be able to protect him.

Mitchell Stephens - Tampa Bay Lightning

A former high selection by the Lightning, Stephens was set to play full time this year as the Lightning’s fourth line center. However, he suffered a lower body injury early on and is sidelined for a few months. No longer waiver eligible, he likely will continue to have a spot when he returns but will it be enough for him to earn one of those valuable protection spots?

Mathieu Joseph - Tampa Bay Lightning

A high energy winger, Joseph was a standout as a rookie for the Lightning in 2018/19, however the acquisitions of players like Goodrow and Coleman pushed him to the minors for a large chunk of last season. Fast forward to this year and he has his place back in the Tampa lineup and is playing fantastic hockey. Does Tampa protect a younger player like Joseph (or others on this list) and risk a higher salaried player like Yanni Gourde, Alex Killorn, or Blake Coleman being selected?

Boris Katchouk - Tampa Bay Lightning

A star in the OHL, Katchouk’s game has not translated to the AHL level as well as Tampa would have hoped thus far. Now in his third pro season, Katchouk will have to show that he can take that next step in his development as an offensive player before the Lightning consider him for a checking line role. He is definitely a potential candidate to be lost in the expansion draft and is also waivers eligible next year.

Taylor Raddysh - Tampa Bay Lightning

Another former OHL star, Raddysh has had similar difficulties translating his game to the AHL level. He has not been terrible, but the average offensive production hasn’t yet warranted a callup for the former Erie Otter. Ultimately, his lack of dynamic skating ability may hold him back from becoming a quality NHL player. However, if he plays well in his third AHL season this year, he could certainly attract attention from Seattle.

Joey Anderson - Toronto Maple Leafs

Acquired from the New Jersey Devils last year in exchange for Andreas Johnsson, Anderson has bounced back and forth between the NHL and the AHL the last three seasons. The former U.S. captain at the World Juniors, Anderson is a high energy, two-way forward who could definitely be an attractive, cheap target for Seattle as it is unlikely that Toronto protects him.

Isac Lundestrom - Anaheim Ducks

Already in his third pro season in North America despite being only 21 years old, the former first round selection has finally cracked the Anaheim Ducks roster full time this season. The two-way forward excels in defensive situations and on the penalty kill and could be a quality checking line option for the Kraken, with a chance to still improve offensively. William Karlsson part deux anyone?

Matthew Phillips - Calgary Flames

His lack of size (5’7) is certainly a deterrent (even if the game has changed to accommodate smaller players), but Phillips is most definitely a talented offensive player. He was an AHL all star last season in his second AHL campaign. This year, he returns to the AHL with Stockton and should be among the league’s scoring leaders.

Adam Mascherin - Dallas Stars

A terrific goal scorer and former OHL standout, Mascherin is entering his third AHL season, undoubtedly a huge one for his development. Thus far, the results have been great as he is among the league’s scoring leaders. At some point this year, it is likely that Dallas gives him a look if he continues to play well, as not only do they have to decide on who to protect for the expansion draft, but Mascherin is waiver eligible next year too.

Tyler Benson - Edmonton Oilers

The former first overall selection in the WHL bantam draft by the Vancouver Giants, Benson has come a long way since then. With two strong AHL seasons under his belt, Benson enters his third year with the hope that he can play well enough to earn a longer look at the NHL level in the event of an Oilers’ injury. It does seem unlikely that the Oilers will protect him from Seattle though.

Rem Pitlick - Nashville Predators

A competitive, goal scoring center and the son of former NHL’er Lance Pitlick, Rem is expansion draft eligible even though he is only in his second professional season. This is due to the Predators burning a year of his ELC in 2019 when he signed out of Minnesota. He has started out the AHL season well and could earn a look from the Predators at some point this year to see if they will want to protect him.

Jonathan Dahlen - San Jose Sharks

Dahlen is a very interesting case. Acquired from Vancouver, Dahlen spent one year in the AHL before returning to Sweden where he has torched the Allsvenskan the last two seasons. The opinions vary about his standing as an NHL prospect, given he plays in the Swedish second league and not the SHL. Where he stands in the Sharks organization remains a mystery, but they will have to protect him from Seattle.

Alexander True - San Jose Sharks

A free agent signing by the Sharks out of the WHL, True has played well in the AHL over the last three years. The Danish forward has seen some limited action in the NHL with mixed results, however his start to this AHL season has been terrific. It seems unlikely that San Jose protects him, but would Seattle consider him as a high upside pick?

Maxim Letunov - San Jose Sharks

Widely considered as one of San Jose’s top forward prospects, Letunov is a huge center (6’4) and a former second round selection. He played very well in the AHL last season and has been on the San Jose taxi squad so far this season. At some point this year, San Jose is going to have to give him more than the three games they gave him last year, especially given their struggles as a team.

Rudolfs Balcers - San Jose Sharks

One of the players traded to Ottawa in the Erik Karlsson trade, Balcers was reacquired by the Sharks earlier this season off waivers. He has proven to be a capable offensive player in the AHL during his career but has not yet taken that step forward to become an NHL player. San Jose is going to give him a serious look this year, along with some other young forwards. It seems likely that Seattle could have more interest in the other Sharks on this list, but who knows how Balcers finishes the season.

Kole Lind - Vancouver Canucks

A former high selection of the Canucks, Lind has steadily improved in each of his AHL seasons thus far. The big, physical winger currently is among the AHL’s leading goal scorers this year and will likely earn a look from Vancouver at some point this season if he continues to play well. Do the Canucks protect him over disappointing talents like Jake Virtanen or Adam Gaudette?

*Special thanks to the capfriendly expansion draft tool which helped to identify those players who are eligible to be selected.

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: San Jose Sharks Top 20 Prospects

Rachel Howard — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 21:27:01 +0000

McKeen's Top 20 New York Rangers prospects for the 2020-21 season. You can read an organizational assessment prior to the draft in Ryan Wagman's article found here. Following the draft we provided a review on each teams performance based on our rankings found here.

Ryan Merkley, D (21^st overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 1)

A move to the London Knights to play under Dale Hunter last offseason may have saved Merkley’s status as a top end defensive prospect, as he improved considerably in terms of maturity and engagement level. Merkley’s best assets are his four-way mobility and his creative playmaking. His edgework is high end, as his lateral movement is so fluid and explosive. He plays a higher risk style of game, pushing the pace, which leads to the odd turnover, but he did cut down on those turnovers last year by playing less selfishly and by selecting pinches more carefully. Even without a great shot, he moves well enough to keep defenders guessing. Previously prone to tantrums when things were not going his way, he appears to have figured out how to control his emotions more effectively. Additionally, we saw him more consistently engaged physically in his own zone. The Sharks would be wise not to rush him, ensuring that he can build up confidence at the professional level without becoming frustrated and reverting back to his previous tendencies. He still projects as a quality top four puck moving defender who can anchor a powerplay unit. – BO

Ozzy Weisblatt, RW (31^st overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

The competitive Weisblatt is an abrasive energy player. His speed and relentless pursuit of the puck makes him valuable in a variety of situations. He was a difference maker last year, finishing the shortened season second in team scoring, and among the leaders for all U18 players in the WHL. While not large, he is extremely quick, with the acceleration, powerful stride, and breakaway top speed to be a threat, with and without the puck. He will look to attack quickly in transition and is aggressive trying to beat defenders wide to the net. He is also one of the first back to the defensive end, applying back pressure and trying to force turnovers. Wiesblatt also has strong edgework that allows him to change direction quickly at full speed. He is an intelligent playmaker who demonstrates poise with the puck in all situations. At times, he can be too predictable in his attacks, leading to costly turnovers. He does not have a ton of confidence in his shooting, often passing up shot opportunities to pass instead. Even if Wiesblatt’s offensive abilities fail to translate, he could be an effective middle six piece who fits on both special teams’ units. – BO

Thomas Bordeleau, C (38^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Bordeleau greatest asset is a wicked wrist shot which he loves firing right over the goalie’s shoulder. He can fire it off successfully whether he is static or in motion, and his lightning release gives the netminder no time to set up. Before he prepares the shot, Bordeleau can also impress with his stick skills. His hands are quick and soft, and he regularly pulls off creative maneuvers. He is a dynamic zone entry machine, and his unpredictable approach leaves defenders guessing, and generally coming up short. He used to limit his effectiveness by staying to the offensive perimeter, but by last season’s second half, he was pushing play up the middle as well, and pulling it off more often than not. Bordeleau will have to show that he can more consistently play with the type of effort needed to succeed in the tough parts of the ice. Even with his greater willingness to play on the inside, that effort is not yet consistent. At higher levels, the outside path will prove much harder for generating scoring chances. He needs to keep his feet moving and get his nose dirty to reach his top six scoring forward potential. – RW

Jonathan Dahlen, LW/C (42^nd overall, 2016 [Ottawa]. Previous ranking: 3)

Dahlen is kind of an odd bird in the way that he chose to play in Allsvenskan in three of the last four seasons, although almost all teams in the SHL would have wanted to sign him. He is creative with strong offensive instincts. He has developed his playmaking and is a more dynamic offensive driver than earlier in his career. He is strong both on the power play and at even strength, generally serving as his line’s play driver. His top speed is average by NHL standards, but he has impressive agility and is very elusive with the puck in the offensive zone. Dahlen’s defensive play is okay but still not great and it can cause him to disappear during parts of games as he rarely plays the PK, wins battles in his own end, or turns the play around all on his own. He will need to improve on that side of the game to reach the highest level. He is a top six forward talent. The 22-year-old will probably play in Sweden for at least one more year, maybe even two. He is still a good prospect, and if he can keep developing, could reach his ceiling. - JH

Yegor Spiridonov, C/LW (108^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 2)

Spiridonov is a limited skater technically but has good balance has at least average speed. He is strong and smart and makes good decisions. He is strong along the boards and in tight areas, works hard and is smart without the puck. He finds open spaces offensively; he has good instincts getting ready to shoot and he plays responsibly defensively. He has the assets to be a useful player on both a power play and a penalty kill. He is good at getting open to shoot but his accuracy and timing on the puck could be better, and he hasn’t yet proven himself as a goal scorer, although he is fine as a playmaker. On the penalty kill, Spiridonov is particularly good at reading passing lanes and disturbing the play. He can detect where the play is going and act appropriately, rather than react after the fact. He has very limited men’s level experience, with much of his success coming in the Russian junior leagues. The lack of elite puck skills and limited skating give Spiridonov a third line ceiling, but his work ethic, strength, PK capabilities, and team play would fit that role, where he could provide offensive depth. - JH

Sasha Chmelevski, C (185^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 4)

The concern around Chmelevski has long been his skating, and in his first full AHL season, that lack of speed and agility was obvious. Though his puck skills and menacing wrist shot release have made him a lethal offensive option, he had trouble getting past the more mobile defenders of the pro ranks and was hesitant to carry the puck through the neutral zone. Even if he never improves on his feet, he still projects as a long-term NHL piece, as he excels in every other facet of the game. He processes the game at a high speed and makes great decisions with the puck, both offensively and defensively, and has shown himself capable as a penalty-killer. He dealt with injuries for stretches of the 2019-20 season but still posted a solid scoring line and exhibited an ability to score goals in different ways, including as a net-front guy and rebound goblin. Chmelevski's shot and hockey sense give him top-six potential in the future, but with his lack of speed and the uncertain ability to take on heavy responsibility on defense, the Sharks could ultimately deploy him as a middle-six two-way center once his time comes. - TD

Alexander True, C (Undrafted free agent, signed Jul. 18, 2018. Previous ranking: 5)

Not long ago, it was difficult to decide whether True was even a legitimate prospect worthy of being on the radar of an NHL organization. An undrafted center without particularly impressive numbers as a WHL overager has since progressed into one of the most heralded prospects in the San Jose system. He is a dangerous power forward with a plethora of offensive tools, the most notable of which is his overpowering size and balance, which makes him capable of driving the net and playing the cycle against nearly anyone. Possessing a hard shot and great passing skill, his offensive game is more than just grinding; he can set himself or anyone else up for a quality scoring chance from just about anywhere in the zone, though sometimes his decision making and skating speed lags behind his puck skills. Importantly, True is mean, and while that comes with some discipline issues, it also includes a likable assertiveness and aggression. He showed exactly what he can be during a brief NHL recall last season, a bottom six play-driving, cycling center who is hard to defend against. - TD

John Leonard, LW (182^nd overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 6)

A sixth-round draft pick, Leonard is a good example of a solid investment and solid development not ending on draft day. Leonard signed with San Jose following his junior season at UMass, and the late bloomer has not disappointed. He spent two seasons in the USHL where his offensive output increased from five goals and nine points to 19 goals and 34 points. Still, neither total was enough for an NHL team to draft him in his first two years of eligibility. His game picked up in a big way in college, and after finally hearing his name called at the draft following his freshman season, he netted a career-high 40 points as a sophomore and was on pace to eclipse that total as a junior, as he led the country in goals and led UMass in scoring before COVID-19 put an early end to the season. The junior was also named New England’s best forward as well as a Hobey Baker finalist. He has soft hands and is able to easily grab loose pucks. He is not afraid to shoot - as evidenced by his goal total — and has a quick release. The former afterthought now has some projecting top six potential. – JS

Tristen Robins, C (56^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Robins used a terrific second half last season to lead the Saskatoon Blades in scoring. There is a lot to like about him as a very well-rounded offensive player. He plays with pace both with and without the puck and has an elusiveness that makes him a constant threat. The transition to center showcased his ability to create with the puck on his stick and unlocked a new level of confidence. An aggressive shooter, he possesses a quality release which he utilizes for quick strikes coming through the middle. He works the give and go well with his linemates and is always looking to attack. He keeps his feet moving in the offensive zone and can be a menace to defend as he slips behind defenders. Robins is also a competent two-way player whose play without the puck really improved after that aforementioned move to the middle. He uses his speed well to apply back pressure and to angle off forwards in the neutral zone, forcing turnovers. Adding strength will be key for Robins’ effectiveness in traffic and in the cycle. – BO

Brandon Coe, RW (98^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

While North Bay struggled to find the win column consistently last season, Coe was able to elevate his game to become an offensive leader. The major allure of his game comes from his size and speed combination. He is very explosive and powerful for a 6-3” forward, consistently blowing past defenders in transition. However, he is more than just a North-South player, as his lateral quickness and edgework are strong, too, allowing him to cut in and out of traffic at top speed. Coe has also learned to use his size more effectively to protect the puck down low and has gained confidence in his heavy shot being a weapon. There is a question of whether he thinks the game well enough to be more than just a change of pace energy player at the NHL level. Additionally, he needs to improve his play away from the puck to become a more consistent three zone player. His physical tools are intriguing but developing them into a cohesive player will be a project. – BO

Danil Gushchin, LW (76^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Gushchin needs to play with an edge to be successful. It is clear that when he does so, his skill set can absolutely shine. His hands and feet are both very quick and deceptive. He is capable of pulling off fantastic zone entries. Despite lacking in size, he is incredibly dogged on the puck and skilled at sheltering it from backcheckers, earning himself more than a few penalties. In short, his puck skills are above and beyond is age group. But he does not always play with that edge, which can be spotted by a more lackadaisical approach to puck handling and an excess of turnovers. Gushchin doesn’t have blazing speed, but his feet play up thanks to edgework and agility that can dazzle. His ability to make extra sharp cuts plays into his usage on zone entries as he can carve up multiple layers of the defense. When he loses that edge, his feet stop moving, he stops taking risks, and he functionally disappears. Gushchin tends to be more “on” when his team has the puck, and flat when they don’t. He can go from an expert reading of the play to a disinterested bystander in a single shift. – RW

Artemi Knyazev, D (48^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 7)

Knyazev saw modest growth in his second season in North America for a much-improved Sagueneens team last year. His 43 points were tops among blueliners on the club, and among the top ten in scoring among defensemen in the QMJHL. He also fine-tuned his defensive game as he improved his play-reading on the smaller ice. His skating is the focal point of his play, and the gatekeeper to his success; it allows him to cover a lot of ice in a short time and in all directions. Not only fast, Knyazev is agile and reaches top speed quickly. He is an offense-first defender and thinks the game with offense in mind. He continued his play as a defensive sharpshooter with a second-consecutive year with double digits in goals. His 11 goals were the most on the team on the back end. His abilities slotted in well next to massive blueliner Louis Crevier, as the pint-sized Knyazev had more permission to freewheel with the big Crevier minding his post. Knyazev is still a project for the pro game, and undersized, but he has the foundation to be a solid powerplay contributor and speedy defender at the NHL level. - MS

Dillon Hamaliuk, LW (55^th overall, 20191. Previous ranking: 8)

Hamaliuk moved to Kelowna to help them compete for a Memorial Cup but like most of his teammates never really took stride last year. When his game is on, he is an imposing albeit somewhat lumbering figure on the ice. He is excellent in the cycle game where his size and reach help him dictate play along the walls. He has decent hands that work with his game, he can carry off the wall, and is a solid net front guy. He scores a lot of goals from the goal mouth where he can use his strength to finish off plays in traffic. His skating is a bit of a concern as he looks a step behind the play through the neutral zone and is reliant on others to get the puck in the zone. Defensively he is physical and willing to engage to make a play. It was somewhat of a disappointing season to only collect 31 points in 56 games after being brought in to bolster the offense, after nearly being a point-per-game player last season. - VG

Joachim Blichfeld, RW (210^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 9)

Blichfeld is yet another steal from untapped regions of Europe taken with a seventh-round pick by an organization deserving of tons of credit in the way they get max value out of every draft selection. After dominating the WHL in his final season with Portland with a league-best 114 points, his transition to the pros was a highly-anticipated one, and the Danish winger delivered with 16 goals and 16 assists in just 44 games of action as an AHL rookie. A big reason for his success with the Barracuda is his heavy, rapid shot, which is a weapon at even strength and on the power play (five of his 16 goals came on the man-advantage). Grading out as an average skater, Blichfeld is not really one to carry the puck, but does a superb job at finding open areas of the ice away from the puck to receive shooting chances. With steady hands and decent awareness of the ice, he is a fairly versatile player who could kill penalties and be a depth scorer in the NHL. - TD

Alexei Melnichuk, G (Undrafted Free Agent, signed May 4, 2020. Previous ranking: 10)

A late free agent signing, Melnichuk alone was responsible for moving the Sharks up two slots in our organizational prospect rankings. On the smaller side for a modern netminder, he gained some notoriety two years ago when a hot start with SKA-Neva St. Petersburg in Russia’s second men’s league, led to an invitation to wear the national colors during the Junior Super Series. Melnichuk excelled in the tune up series and earned a spot on the Russian WJC team as the backup. He bombed in his only game. That might have prevented him from being drafted, but two years later, with a stellar (mostly) full season debut in the KHL to his name, Melnichuk was back in the crosshairs of NHL scouts. He moves well in his crease and likes to challenge shooters when he can. He works hard for his saves and reads the games well, although the numbers at InStatScout make clear that he can really struggle with shots to the top corners, the bane of many smaller netminders. If Melnichuk adapts well to the AHL, he may be in the NHL before long. - RW

Jacob McGrew, RW (159^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 11)

Jake McGrew is a California native who has done enough to earn himself a look from as a late round flier. Unfortunately, his career has been derailed by a couple of season-ending knee surgeries. Last season started with high expectations after his first 30 goal season in 2018-19. He jumped out of the gate with five goals in his first six games and looked to be breaking out, but another season ending knee surgery put a halt to a promising overage campaign. At this point he seems to be a long shot to make the NHL and may even struggle to play in the AHL next season. When he is healthy, he plays an up-tempo game and has a great release that enables him to score goals. If he gets healthy, he has a shot at be a middle six forward if he can get his development back on track and avoid any more long-term injuries. - VG

Brinson Pasichnuk, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 31, 2020. Previous ranking: 12)

If you don’t have picks, you have to attack the free talent pool with gusto. Two members of the Sharks’ top 15 were free talent pickups, and the depth of the system includes a clean dozen others who received some consideration. Pasichnuk is the only one of the bunch that was added in 2020. A physical defender – although one who plays relatively clean – with a big shot from the point, the Arizona State graduate was one of the top NCAA free agents last offseason. Lauded for his maturity, on and off the ice, Pasichnuk may have a chance to break right into the San Jose NHL lineup whenever the 2020-21 season begins. In truth, he very well may deserve to rank higher on this list than the Spinal Tap number, as he has almost a sure-fire NHL player. The challenge is that that he is also older than most of the players above him and his ceiling may not be far above his floor. - RW

Santeri Hatakka, D (184^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 13)

Hatakka split the 2019-20 season between the Liiga and Mestis, Finland’s second-highest league. He also has a solid, yet unspectacular World Juniors tournament. He role was limited in the Liiga as he averaged fewer than 11 minutes of ice-time per game. A strong skater with very good acceleration, he moves well in all directions and can carry the puck from his own end. Stickhandling needs work, though, as he has occasional problems controlling the puck efficiently and keeping up his pace. His willing ness to battle has always stood out. Furthermore, he defends well in tight areas and is very assertive in the defensive zone. He did not have the strongest season possible, but he showed glimpses of potential in the Liiga and could break out as soon as the upcoming season if he can move up the depth chart. Overall, Hatakka is a mobile defenseman with strong physical tool and some untapped offensive potential. - MB

Scott Reedy, C/RW (102^nd overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 14)

A smart and versatile forward who finally put his sense to use offensively, scoring a career high 15 goals in his junior season with the Golden Gophers, Reedy has a few tools that suggest he could make a career for himself on the fourth line, playing in the corners and eating up some minutes on the PK. Before he gets there though, he has to show that he can regain some of the speed he showed in his first year with the USNTDP program. To his credit, his feet move well, but his legs are heavy. That means he can maneuver around small spaces nimbly enough but falls behind when the game opens up. He will have to stress his power credentials more and rely very heavily on his hockey IQ to overcome the skating deficit. Of course, he also has to sign, which he still has not as of this writing. He could become a free agent if he plays out his senior year without putting pen to paper with the Sharks. - RW

Lean Bergmann, LW/RW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed May 28, 2019. Previous ranking: 15)

In his current state, Bergmann is the definition of a raw prospect. He can score, he has very quick hands for someone his size, and he can effectively utilize his size and strength to create offensive chances for himself. The German loves to drive the net, with and without the puck, and has the physicality to make it happen. As a net-front power-play guy, he can get bumped off the puck in front of the goal pretty easily, which makes me fear for how ineffective his body strength would actually be at the NHL level. He is a good shooter and has solid skating speed, especially at 200+ pounds, but has little passing game. He played on the penalty kill with the AHL Barracuda and competes hard. He focuses his energy on shoveling pucks on goal and wearing down his opponents, which is precisely what an NHL team would want out of a depth player like Bergmann can be in the near future. - TD

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 – SAN JOSE SHARKS – ORGANIZATIONAL RANK: 25

Thu, 10 Sep 2020 11:45:50 +0000

San Jose Sharks

On the bright side, the San Jose system is not the worst in hockey. At least not now. For every team (there aren’t many) that is currently leaner, we have to remind ourselves that the Sharks will not have a first round pick whenever the 2020 draft actually happens. That pick, a lock for a lottery (if there is one), was transferred to Ottawa as part of the big Erik Karlsson trade.

I am sure that they will add some nice prospects with their pair of second rounders and the late first round pick they got in trade from Tampa Bay, but not having a high end first rounder while other teams will be injecting heavy doses of talent into their systems will likely knock the Sharks into the league basement when we re-do this exercise as part of the 2020-21 annual guidebook.

How do things get so bad? In a large part, this is related to the natural success cycle that many teams go through. Their top players are all veterans and are all very good, and the organization did whatever it could to maximize their chances at postseason success. While it’s true that the core of Joe Thornton, Brent Burns, Patrick Marleau, Joe Pavelski, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, and Logan Couture never won a Stanley Cup, they were always in the hunt. This will be only the second season since the lockout in which the Sharks did not qualify for the postseason, and in those 15 seasons, they got past the first round nine times, including four appearances in the Western Conference finals and one trip to the Stanley Cup.

One may lament the lack of rings, but San Jose should be proud of the success they experienced.

But that’s over now. Marleau left the team twice. Pavelski is with Dallas. Thornton is 40. Vlasic is 33 and struggling. Burns is 35 and still going strong, but 35 is not the new 25. Karlsson and Tomas Hertl will be healthy again, Couture still has time left before exiting his prime. Timo Meier and Evander Kane may be ready to become the new core up front. Yet there is no guarantee that the new core will have anywhere like the success of the old core. There are serious questions about the team’s goaltending as incumbent starter Martin Jones with two straight seasons with save percentages below .900.

In short, this is an organization that should be preparing to bring in fresh faces to a lot of spots in the lineup. There is not a single area, in the NHL or anywhere in the system, that can be fairly considered deep. We see three players who could, with some luck and the right opportunity, emerge as top half of the lineup players, although one has shown an unwillingness to stick with the slings and arrows of player development outside of his native Sweden. Another is among the more mercurial prospects in the sport. And even going deeper into the system, Martin Jones’ replacement is not yet here, with not a single goalie featuring in their top 15.

Finally, we remember that having a deep system is a numbers game, as the attrition rate is frightfully large. In the past four drafts, the Sharks have drafted five players thrice, and six once. San Jose has eight picks for 2020 at present. They need to make them count to supplement the new core. - RW

ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 20: San Jose Sharks defensemen Ryan Merkley (6) in action during a NHL preseason game between the Anaheim Ducks and the San Jose Sharks played on September 20, 2018 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire)

Ryan Merkley, D (21^st overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 1)

It has not always been easy for the highly touted Merkley in the Ontario Hockey League. Through his four years in the league, he has endured trades (from organizations who became too distraught with him), benchings (from coaches who grew distraught with him), and snubs from Hockey Canada. However, a move to the London Knights to play under Dale Hunter this offseason may have saved Merkley’s status as a top end defensive prospect. No bones about it, Merkley had a terrific year playing under Hunter and improved considerably in terms of maturity and engagement level.

Merkley’s best assets are his four-way mobility and his creativity as a playmaker. His edgework is among the best in the OHL, as his lateral movement is so fluid and explosive. This makes him very difficult to contain when he is manning the point. While he will likely always play a higher risk style of game by pushing the pace, and you will have to live with the odd turnover from him trying to beat a defender one on one, he did cut down on those turnovers this year by playing less selfishly and by selecting his times to pinch more carefully. His shot has never developed to become a huge weapon, but he moves well enough to keep defenders guessing.

Where we saw the biggest improvements this year from Merkley were in his defensive engagement and in his attitude on ice. Previously prone to tantrums when things were not going his way, we saw little of that in London. He appears to have figured out how to control his emotions more effectively, committing fewer undisciplined penalties and behaving maturely when things do not go his way. Additionally, we saw him more consistently engaged as a physical player in his own zone.

While it is extremely encouraging to see Merkley taking some steps forward, it is also important to temper expectations as he approaches his first pro season. The Sharks would be wise not to rush him, to ensure that he can build up confidence at the professional level without becoming frustrated and reverting back to his previous tendencies. In the future, he projects as a quality top four puck moving defender who can anchor a powerplay unit. - BO

Yegor Spiridonov, C/LW (108^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 3)

A two-way center who is good in many areas but without having elite skills. Spiridonov is a limited skater technically but has good balance and is not slow, with at least average speed. He is strong and smart and makes good decisions all over the ice. He is strong along the boards and in tight areas of the game but lacks a flashy offensive game. He works hard and is smart without the puck. He finds open spaces offensively; he has good instincts getting ready to shoot and he plays responsibly defensively.

He has the assets to be a useful player on both a power play and a penalty kill. On the power play I would like to see him improve his shot. He is good at getting open to shoot but his accuracy and timing on the puck could be better. He has yet to prove himself as a goal scorer. He is an okay playmaker. On the penalty kill he is particularly good at reading passing lanes and disturbing the play. He can detect where the play is going and act rather than react to a play when it is already happening.

Spridonov has yet to play in the KHL and if he does, it will probably be in a limited role. In VHL, Russia’s second pro league, is where he probably will play most of his next season trying to develop his game. His contract with St Petersburg is for one more year. The lack of elite puck skills and limited skating makes me project him as a third line center at best. His work ethic, strength, PK capabilities, and team play are what you look for a player in that role. He has good instincts to put up some points offensively as well in that role. - JH

Jonathan Dahlen, LW/C (42^nd overall, 2016 [Ottawa]. 2019 Rank: 8)

Originally a 2nd round pick of the Senators in 2016, Dahlen has been traded twice, played one season in the AHL and returned to Sweden for the 2019-20 season. He is kind of an odd bird in the way that he chose to play in Allsvenskan although almost all teams in the SHL would have wanted to sign him. He was named the top forward and league MVP in Allsvenskan scoring 77 points in 51 games and had five points in the first playoff game before the pandemic ended the season.

He is creative with strong offensive instincts. He has developed his playmaking and is a more dynamic offensive driver than earlier in his career. He is strong both on the power play and at even strength. He likes to be the driver as well and is not that comfortable when playing a smaller role on a line. His top speed is average by NHL standards, but he has impressive agility and is very elusive with the puck in the offensive zone.

His defensive play is okay but still not great and it can make him invisible during parts of games as he rarely plays the PK, wins battles in his own end, or turns the play all on his own. He will need to improve on that side of the game if he wants to reach the highest level. He is a top six forward talent and that is a tough position to reach in the NHL. I believe he will take his time before he steps over to North America again. The 22-year-old will probably play in Sweden for at least one more year, maybe even two. Still a good prospect and if he can keep developing, he could reach his ceiling. - JH

SAN JOSE, CA - SEPTEMBER 12: Sasha Chmelevski of the San Jose Sharks (Photo by Kavin Mistry/NHLI via Getty Images)

Sasha Chmelevski, C (185^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 2)

Chmelevski is a future NHLer and a certified steal three years removed from being selected by the Sharks in the sixth round. However, the concern around the Huntington Beach native has long been his skating, and in his first full AHL season, that lack of speed and agility was obvious. Though his puck skills and menacing wrist shot release made him a lethal offensive option, he had trouble getting past the more mobile defenders of the pro ranks and was hesitant to carry the puck through the neutral zone in fear of being unable to weave past defensemen as he did in the OHL.

Even if he never improves on his feet, I would bet a large sum on the former American WJC star becoming a long-term NHL piece, as he excels in every other facet of the game. He processes the game at a high speed and makes great decisions with the puck, both offensively and defensively, where he has shown himself capable as a penalty-killer. He dealt with injuries for certain stretches of the 2019-20 AHL season but still posted a solid 42-11-16-27 line and exhibited an ability to score goals in different ways, sometimes as a net-front guy and rebound goblin.

Chmelevski's shot and hockey sense give him top-six potential in the future, but with a lack of blistering speed and the uncertain ability to take on heavy responsibility on defense, the Sharks could deploy him as a middle-six two-way center as soon as his NHL career kicks off, which will be in the near future. - TD

Alexander True, C (Undrafted free agent, signed Jul. 18, 2018. 2019 Rank: 20)

The emergence of True over the past couple of seasons is one of the most fascinating development stories in hockey, and another example of San Jose’s terrific job of scouting otherwise unheralded European players. Not long ago, it was difficult to decide whether the Danish forward was even a legitimate prospect worthy of being on the radar of an NHL organization. An undrafted center without particularly impressive numbers as a WHL overager progressed into one of the most heralded prospects in the San Jose system.

True is a dangerous power forward with a plethora of offensive tools, the most notable of which is his freakish size and balance, which makes him capable of driving the net and playing the cycle against nearly anyone. Possessing a hard shot and great passing skill, his offensive game is more than just 90s-style grind; he can set himself or anyone else up for a quality scoring chance from just about anywhere in the zone, though sometimes his decision making and lack of skating speed lags behind his puck skills.

Most importantly for someone who plays this style, True is mean, and while that comes with some discipline issues, it also includes a likable assertiveness and mental aggression. True earned a brief NHL recall to the struggling Sharks and showed exactly what he can be long-term, a play-driving, cycling center who can be hard to defend against in the bottom-six of a good Sharks forward lineup. - TD

John Leonard, LW (182^nd overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: UR)

His game picked up in a big way in college, and after finally hearing his name called at the draft following his freshman season, he netted a career-high 40 points as a sophomore and was on pace to eclipse that total as a junior, as he led the country in goals and led UMass in scoring before COVID-19 put an early end to the season. The junior was also named New England’s best forward as well as a Hobey Baker finalist. He has soft hands and is able to easily grab loose pucks. He is not afraid to shoot - as evidenced by his goal total — and has a quick release. The former afterthought now has some projecting top six potential. - JS

Artemi Knyazev, D (48^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 12)

Knyazev saw modest growth in his second season in North America for a much-improved Sagueneens team this year. His 43 points were tops among blueliners on the club, and among the top ten in scoring among defensemen in the QMJHL. He also fine-tuned his defensive game as he improved his play-reading on the smaller ice.

His skating is the focal point of his play, and the gatekeeper to his success; it allows him to cover a lot of ice in a short time and in all directions. Not only fast, Knyazev is agile and reaches top speed quickly. He is an offence-first defender and thinks the game with offence in mind. He continued his play as a defensive sharpshooter with a second-consecutive year with double digits in goals. His 11 goals were the most on the team on the back end.

His abilities slotted in well next to massive blueliner Louis Crevier, as the pint-sized Knyazev had more permission to freewheel with the big Crevier minding his post. Knyazev is still a project for the pro game, and undersized, but he has the foundation to be a solid powerplay contributor and speedy defender at the NHL level. - MS

Dillon Hamaliuk, LW (55^th overall, 20191. 2019 Rank: 13)

Hamaliuk moved to Kelowna to help them compete for a Memorial Cup but like most of his teammates never really took stride this year. When his game is on, he is an imposing albeit somewhat lumbering figure on the ice. He is excellent in the cycle game where his size and reach help him dictate play along the walls. He has decent hands that work with his game, he can carry off the wall, and is a solid net front guy. He scores a lot of goals from the goal mouth where he can use his strength to finish off plays in traffic.

His skating is a bit of a concern as he looks a step behind the play through the neutral zone and is reliant on others to get the puck in the zone. Defensively he is physical and willing to engage to make a play. It was somewhat of a disappointing season to only collect 31 points in 56 games after being brought in to bolster the offense, after nearly being a point-per-game player last season. - VG

Joachim Blichfeld, RW (210^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 7)

A big reason for his success with the Barracuda is his heavy, rapid shot, which is a weapon at even strength and on the power play (five of his 16 goals came on the man-advantage). Grading out as an average skater, Blichfeld is not really one to carry the puck, but does a superb job at finding open areas of the ice away from the puck to receive shooting chances. With steady hands and decent awareness of the ice, he is a fairly versatile player who could kill penalties and be a depth scorer in the NHL. - TD

Alexei Melnichuk, G (Undrafted Free Agent, signed May 4, 2020. 2019 Rank: IE)

That might have prevented him from being drafted, but two years later, with a stellar (mostly) full season debut in the KHL to his name, Melnichuk was back in the crosshairs of NHL scouts. He moves well in his crease and likes to challenge shooters when he can. He works hard for his saves and reads the games well, although the numbers at InStathockey make clear that he can really struggle with shots to the top corners, the bane of many smaller netminders. If Melnichuk adapts well to the AHL, he may be in the NHL before long. - RW

Jacob McGrew, RW (159^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: UR)

At this point he seems to be a long shot to make the NHL and may even struggle to play in the AHL next season. When he is healthy, he plays an up-tempo game and has a great release that enables him to score goals. If he gets healthy, he has a shot at be a middle six forward if he can get his development back on track and avoid any more long-term injuries. - VG

Brinson Pasichnuk, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 31, 2020. 2019 Rank: IE)

A physical defender – although one who plays relatively clean – with a big shot from the point, the Arizona State graduate was one of the top NCAA free agents this year. Lauded for his maturity, on and off the ice, Pasichnuk may have a chance to break right into the San Jose NHL lineup whenever the 2020-21 season begins. In truth, he very well may deserve to rank higher on this list as he is almost a sure-fire NHL player. The challenge is that that he is also older than most of the players above him and his ceiling may not be far above his floor. - RW

Santeri Hatakka, D (184^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

A strong skater with very good acceleration, he moves well in all directions and can carry the puck from his own end. Stickhandling needs work, though, as he has occasional problems controlling the puck efficiently and keeping up his pace. His willingness to battle has always stood out. Furthermore, he defends well in tight areas and is very assertive in the defensive zone.

He did not have the strongest season possible, but he showed glimpses of potential in the Liiga and could break out as soon as the upcoming season if he can move up the depth chart. Overall, Hatakka is a mobile defenseman with strong physical tool and some untapped offensive potential. - MB

Scott Reedy, C/RW (102^nd overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 13)

To his credit, his feet move well, but his legs are heavy. That means he can maneuver around small spaces nimbly enough but falls behind when the game opens up. He will have to stress his power credentials more and rely very heavily on his hockey IQ to overcome the skating deficit. Of course, he also has to sign, which he still has not as of this writing. He could become a free agent if he plays out his senior year without putting pen to paper with the Sharks. - RW

Lean Bergmann, LW/RW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed May 28, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

He is a good shooter and has solid skating speed, especially at 200+ pounds, but has little passing game. He played on the penalty kill with the AHL Barracuda and competes hard. He focuses his energy on shoveling pucks on goal and wearing down his opponents, which is precisely what an NHL team would want out of a depth player like Bergmann can be in the near future. - TD

AHL Pacific Division Report, October – Developing prospects

Tom Dorsa — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 13:10:03 +0000

October is a month of formation for minor league hockey teams. In the first month of a long regular season, you start to see the players -- most often a mix of wily veterans and first- or second-year pros -- align and adapt to one another’s unique playing styles.

For some clubs, players, and coaches, that transition can be seamless, but for some it’s a disastrous early-season experiment. Such is the beauty of the American Hockey League, wherein young prospects are given chances to succeed not only in spite of, but because of, their early-season mistakes.

As mentioned above, development is a work in progress. Some young players can adjust with relative ease, while the unlucky struggle to acclimatize themselves to the speed, skill, and physicality of the hockey world’s second-best professional sanctioning body.

Today, we’ll be taking a look at the teams and notable prospects in the AHL’s Pacific Division. The teams on the West Coast, desert, and Rocky Mountains have all made strides and adjustments in the early portion of the campaign, and this article will take you through some of the news and notes from each of the Pacific Division’s seven member teams.

Stockton Heat (Calgary Flames)

Record: 7-1-1-1, 16 points, .800 points percentage

The Heat are absolutely on fire (pun intended) to start the 2019-20 AHL campaign. Exploding offensively, the youthful club has scored the most goals in the Western Conference (39) thus far and had four players averaging a point per game.

The job Cail MacLean has done with a team missing the two-way contributions of top-ranked prospect Jusso Valimaki cannot be overstated. Since moving from Glen Falls, New York to Stockton as part of the AHL’s California expansion four years ago, the Heat have never won a playoff series.

Their chances to do so look better than ever before in this season’s early parts. Unfortunately for the fans in San Joaquin county, looming concerns over an arena lease have clouded the much-deserved celebration of the club’s early success.

Calgary Flames Dillon Dube

Dillon Dube, 3rd in McKeen’s Yearbook preseason rankings of Flames farm system (7GP-1G-6A-7P): Though it was a disappointment for the 21-year-old to not crack the Flames’ opening night roster after a decent NHL showing last season, he was arguably the Heat’s best player in October. A playmaker and forechecker extraordinaire heading into the season, he is starting to display heightened awareness and patience on offense as well as an increased defensive presence and responsibility. With exceptional penalty kill work, the former Team Canada World Junior captain is one of the first guys going up to Calgary if needed and can easily find a way to contribute to the big-league team.

Eetu Tuulola, 14th (8-4-1-5): Skating was the biggest concern surrounding the first-year winger from Finland, and while his acceleration and balance can still lag at times, his straight-line speed looks solid. Adding some quickness to his massive 6-3”, 220lbs frame makes the 21-year-old Tuulola a scary player, as his body control, shooting ability, and versatile usefulness on the power play have already impressed scouts around the game.

Glenn Gawdin, 18th (8-2-6-8): Gawdin, a second-year pro, has long had an incredible offensive game, but like Tuulola, his skating had held him back from becoming a go-to option for offense in the pro ranks. His acceleration looks a little better, and he has displayed more energy out on the ice than in his 2018-19 rookie season. His point-per-game pace to this point is a direct reflection of that assertiveness, but I still see Gawdin as more of a two-way bottom-six center with some offensive potential. His smarts and discipline have always been his biggest draw to me, and his skating is too big of a concern for him to pan out as a top-six offensive option.

Tucson Roadrunners (Arizona Coyotes)

Record:8-3-0-0, 16 points, .727% points percentage

After injuries decimated their young club late into the 2018-19 season, the Roadrunners appear to be reaching the potential they missed out on due to ailments last campaign. Head coach Jay Varady’s club was briefly in first place in the Pacific Division in October.

While the club has been top heavy in terms of point-scoring, they have been carried mightily by a pair of young netminders, Adin Hill and Ivan Provsetov, who have combined to allow just 25 goals, the fewest in the AHL’s Western Conference.

After missing the playoffs last year, we expected the team to come back with a vengeance and contend for the top spot in the seven-team division, which they won in 2017-18. Their first 11 games, a solid 16 percent of their season schedule, confirms those beliefs.

Lane Pederson, Unranked in McKeen’s Yearbook preseason rankings of Coyotes farm system (11-9-5-14): Although the former WHLer is not the most intriguing prospect in the game, or the most well-known, Pederson has inarguably been the best skater on the Roadrunners roster this season. Third in the league in both goals and points, his offensive contributions are no coincidence if you remember his efforts in Coyotes training camp, through which he almost broke the NHL roster. His skating has improved from his WHL days, and while his passing game/vision are still to be developed, his shot is a force. He is reliable defensively and kills penalties for Tucson. He went undrafted, but if there was a second or third-round pick attached to his name, hype would be building fast for the potential middle-six center.

Ivan Prosvetov, 6th (3-1-0-0, 1.98 GAA, .944 Sv% in four starts): We knew that Prosvetov was a beast in the goal and would eventually turn into a high-end pro, but it’s somewhat surprising to see how quickly he has transformed into a mature, disciplined netminder. He was a hot head in the OHL, once receiving a five-game suspension for batting a puck into spectators during a stoppage of play. It looks like he has harnessed that competitive fire, boosting his package of 6-5” length and athletic ability with an energized demeanor on the ice. At 20 years old, younger than the large majority of AHL netminders, he is a step ahead of the competition.

Kyle Capobianco, 4th (3-0-2-2): Capobianco looks like, and is to a degree, an NHL player. He made the Coyotes’ opening night roster and has appeared in nine big-league contests so far, after his 2018-19 campaign came to a disastrous end due to a season-ending leg injury in February. So this prospect blurb acts like more of a check-up on a prospect than an actual scouting piece, in this case: he’s fine. He does not look a step slow due to his injury, his playmaking and skating are still capable of contributing in all three zones, and his potential as a power-play quarterback is still there. He will be a full-time NHLer in short order.

Ontario Reign (Los Angeles Kings)

Record: 6-2-2-0, 14 points, .700% points percentage

Last season, Ontario finished seventh out of seven Pacific Division teams, had a .441 points percentage, and recorded a -61 goal differential. Their struggles were a direct reflection of a Kings farm system that had become depleted due to their NHL parent club’s sustained success and desire for more.

The Kings of that era valued size and defensive strength over anything else, and now, as the game of hockey has progressed, so has the L.A. system. The revamped Reign roster is beginning to see the effects of the newly-implemented Rob Blake system, and have used that speed and skill to ascend back to the top of the division table.

Of course, a healthy chunk of the credit for the Reign’s turnaround has to go to head coach Mike Stothers, as well as many of their young players. If October is any indicator, the Reign could be playing postseason hockey again this season.

Los Angeles Kings Goalie Cal Petersen e)

Cal Petersen, 11th in McKeen’s Yearbook preseason rankings of Kings farm system (6-2-2-0, 2.55 GAA, .929 Sv% in ten starts): Since his pro debut in 2017-18, Petersen has been one of the AHL’s top goaltenders. Last season was grim, as his GAA floated over four due mostly to a horrid club in front of him, but he looks to have bounced back big time. The 25-year-old plays a wild, entertaining style of highly-athletic goaltending, and rarely cracks mentally. His hulking physical size and ability to read plays as they develop helps him compensate for a lack of decisive tool-selection and overall refinement. His contract goes from a two-way deal this year to one-way the next year and beyond, meaning he is essentially auditioning for an NHL job this season.

Carl Grundstrom, 8th (4-5-2-7): Along with a 2019 first round pick (used on Tobias Bjornfot), Grundstrom was the return from Toronto in the Jake Muzzin trade, and the young forward has added some instant value to the Kings system. In dominating the AHL in the early parts of the season, he has earned some appearances with L.A. and can only get better from here. He is a hard-working player who competes in all three zones, never slows down out there, and can flash a surprising goal-scoring touch. A hard forechecker to escape, that effort translates to the other end of the ice, where he has become an impactful penalty killer. He can be prone to mistakes, but Grundstrom’s relentless motor and two-way reliability give him a solid ceiling of a middle-six winger with some offensive upside that has not even been tapped into.

Matt Luff, 20th (9-3-4-7): The undrafted 22-year-old was one of Ontario’s best players (and a bright spot in his short Kings stint) last season, and he looks to have carried that promise and excellence into 2019-20. One thing that helps accumulate NHL-worthy stats is just how much the winger loves to shoot, leading the club with 34 shots through nine AHL games so far, in addition to being third on the team in shots (153) despite just 33 games with the AHL team has year. Luff has good reason to be a volume shooter, with a heavy, spinning wrist shot that has menacing velocity and tremendous accuracy, but his toughness and puck skills are also elements to watch out of the depth forward.

Bakersfield Condors (Edmonton Oilers)

Record: 5-5-1-0, 11 points, .500% points percentage

While Edmonton’s two superstar talents, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisiatl, have ripped the NHL to shreds in the early going of the 2019-20 season, some of the club’s top prospects are continuing the trend in the AHL.

Oilers’ CEO Bob Nicholson’s laid-out plan of allowing prospects to “over-ripen” seems to be the organization’s modus operandi, and the Condors are reaping the benefits of having more experienced, longer-tenured players on the roster this season.

For head coach Jay Woodcroft, it’s mostly the same players that dominated during their historic 2018-19 run that have been at the forefront of their 2019-20 operations. You can’t bank on Bakersfield having the same 17-game winning streak as the division champs did last season, but they will compete to bring playoff hockey to Kern County, California for the second time after relocating from Oklahoma City in 2015.

Tyler Benson, 4th in McKeen’s yearbook preseason rankings of Oilers farm system (11-2-7-9): His maturity, hockey IQ, and vision make it easy to forget, but Benson is only 21 years old and has just one full pro season under his belt. After pacing the Condors in points last season, his heads-up rushing action and high-end playmaking skills have put him out front early this year. A speedy skater with beautiful acceleration and swift pivots, his ability to draw space to himself and pass the puck off is reminiscent of the NHL’s preeminent puck-movers. His only flaw is his shot, which lacks speed and accuracy. His early-career development was plagued by injuries, but with full health, he looks downright scary good and could soon be a top-six facilitator for the Oilers.

Kailer Yamamoto, 6th (11-4-3-7): Sent down to Bakersfield as part of a rehab schedule for his wrist injury from last season, Yamamato has had a pretty decent start to his AHL season. The former first-round pick has been so-so on offense, and you would like to see him use his slippery skating, speedy hands, and creativity to drive offense more. But his penalty kill and overall defensive game have been exceptional, and it is impressive to see the way he has rounded out his game. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the 21-year-old get a recall to Edmonton soon, especially as the Oilers’ bottom six is starved for skill.

Evan Bouchard, 2nd (11-3-4-7): The reigning Max Kaminsky trophy winner as the Ontario Hockey League’s best blueliner, Bouchard has been playing up to that billing since joining the AHL ranks at the start of the season. With his creativity, vision, and booming shot, the 10th overall pick in 2018 has excelled with Bakersfield thus far. Two of the defenseman’s three goals have come on the man-advantage, which speaks to his effectiveness on the power play. His skating is not as big of an issue as it was in his draft season, but can still improve.

San Jose Barracuda (San Jose Sharks)

Record:4-4-0-1, 9 points, .500% points percentage

San Jose has so few certified “veteran” players on the roster that it is genuinely impressive that they have posted a .500 record so far this season. Kudos to Roy Sommer, the club’s head coach, but also, the team’s European scouting group for plucking legitimate talent from some obscure areas.

Swedish winger Joel Kellman, German forward Lean Bergmann, and Danish forwards Alexander True and Joachim Blichfeld are the club’s top-four scorers through nine games. All four of the Barracuda stars were either undrafted signees or seventh-round draft selections.

Their top goaltender, Josef Korenar, was also an undrafted signee who has emerged as one of the AHL’s top goalies at just 21. Hopefully the team can be carried by these otherwise-unheard of players to the club’s fifth consecutive postseason appearance since relocating from Worcester, Massachusetts.

Sasha Chmelevski, 2nd in McKeen’s yearbook preseason rankings of Sharks farm system (6-0-1-1): Both things can be true: Chmelevski has had a hard time adjusting to the pro ranks, and he has been battling injuries since the beginning of the season, having missed the last few Barracuda games with a lower-body ailment. So, you have to take his early-season results with a grain of salt. He has flashed some of that quick, precise passing and smart decision making early on in his pro career, especially on the San Jose power play, where he is playing first-unit minutes. His injuries have hampered his skating some, and you would like to see him use his heavy, accurate wrist shot more. He almost made the Sharks roster out of training camp, which means there is something special about the 21-year-old, but we just have to wait and see a fully healthy version of him.

Joachim Blichfeld, 7th (8-3-3-6): Whereas Chmelevski has had a troublesome professional hockey adjustment process, Blichfeld has been excellent since puck drop on opening night. While his offensive numbers don’t equal that of his godly WHL totals a year ago (68-53-61-114), he has been exceptional at what he does best; drive play with speed and creativity, fire the puck at will, and get into dirty areas without the puck. He has been a pest in front of the goal and seeks out crease-front rebounds at every chance. A power-play staple, the right-hander has played a variety of roles on the man-advantage. However, the Danish winger can be prone to frequent turnovers, and needs to amp up his three-zone awareness to prevent getting the puck stick-checked away.

Josef Korenar, 10th (3-2-1-2, 1.82, .932): An AHL All-Star last season, the 21-year-old Czech has only stepped his game up from there. Most importantly, the former undrafted signee has provided the Sharks with one thing they arguably didn’t have: a denoted goaltender of the future. His tool selection can still be a little spotty, and he plays an inconsistent positional game (when to come out and challenge, when to guard posts, etc), but his raw package is that of a future NHL stud. Korenar displays otherworldly smarts, vision, and anticipation while playing a calm and composed style in the crease. He is highly athletic and can scramble to make saves, and his rebound control has improved since last season.

Colorado Eagles (Colorado Avalanche)

Record: 4-5-0-0, 8 points, .444% points percentage

Whereas some teams have benefited from an influx of their organization’s brightest young stars, the Eagles have stagnated with a bunch of veteran guys with low ceilings. I don’t believe their slow start to the season is a coincidence; they just don’t really have that pure, youthful skill to mesh with the aged, seasoned pros on the club.

It is not like Colorado has no high-end prospects on the roster, as the club sports names like Shane Bowers, Conor Timmins, or Martin Kaut, but moreso that these young players are having trouble finding a rhythm or just coming into their own as prospects.

Luckily, they are through just nine games of the Pacific Division’s 68-game schedule. Head coach Greg Cronin and the club have time on their side and a group of experienced players who know what it takes to make it through the tough and tiresome winter months. With that, the goal is to bring playoff hockey to Loveland, CO, in just their second year in the AHL.

Conor Timmins, 6th in McKeen’s yearbook preseason rankings of Avalanche farm system (7-1-2-3): We all knew Timmins could play, but how quickly he has jumped back into action and found a way to contribute after missing the entirety of the 2018-19 season is nothing short of amazing. The right-shot defenseman who made the Avs roster out of camp has not missed a beat, and has emerged as the versatile, three-zone defender he was picked as in the second-round of the 2017 draft. His physical strength makes him capable of outmuscling anyone in a puck battle, and his vision to get the puck out of the zone — via his solid outlet pass or his skating — makes him a threat joining the rush. He has the potential to be a top-four minute-munching defender at the highest level of the game.

Nick Henry, 11th (9-1-2-3): An assist machine in his final year with WHL Lethbridge, Henry’s main asset — playmaking and transitional play — has translated well in his first full professional season. Although he is not racking up points at an insane pace, the 20-year-old has been instrumental in driving play for the Eagles’ fourth line. His skating is not great, but good enough to get through the neutral zone, where his vision and high hockey IQ can take over a rush. He is solid defensively, with decent strength for an undersized winger, and his energy and tenacity on the forecheck has been noticeable. His main issue is his hesitance to shoot, mainly defaulting to passing; he will need to improve upon his shot assertiveness to succeed long-term in the pros.

Logan O’Connor, 12th (9-1-2-3): The former University of Denver captain continued his emergence as a top-notch prospect in the Avs system in October. Boosted onto the top line for the Eagles (mostly playing with veterans T.J. Tynan and Erik Condra), O’Connor’s well-rounded, mature game has provided plus value for Colorado thus far. He has the acceleration and top speed of an NHL top-six winger, along with the hockey IQ and smarts to make an impact in all three zones. He can play any role, at any forward position, against any competition, and that kind of versatility is what makes him a surefire future NHLer.

San Diego Gulls (Anaheim Ducks)

Record: 2-6-0-0, 4 points, .250% points percentage

The diagnosis for their slow start is a simple one: the Gulls have suffered from a transitioning, transformative roster in Anaheim depleting the AHL club, which made the Western Conference Finals last season.

Head coach Kevin Dineen has his work cut out for him with a roster that has lost his stars from last campaign, such as former first-round picks Sam Steel and Max Jones as well as Team U.S.A. World Junior hero Troy Terry, all of whom are on the Ducks’ active roster.

There still shine some bright lights amid a dark and frightening tunnel however, as a Ducks farm system with a decent amount of talent steps on the ice in San Diego.

Isac Lundestrom, 4th in the McKeen’s yearbook preseason rankings of Ducks farm system (6-2-1-3): After starting the season eating healthy scratches with the Ducks, the 2018 first-rounder returned to the AHL and has fared well centering the Gulls’ third line, scoring his first career AHL goal just a few games ago. His ability as a puck carrier has received a well-deserved spotlight on the power play, and his versatility and maturity (it’s easy to forget that he is just 19-years-old) has received abundant penalty kill time thus far. The youthful Swede is such a multi-faceted player and thinks the game at such a high level that he will not need much more improving to do before being a solid, consistent NHL player. He just needs to improve upon his offensive assertiveness, most importantly how underused his wrist shot is.

Joshua Mahura, 9th (6-0-0-0): Mahura was recently recalled to the NHL roster (where he promptly recorded three assists in his season debut), and it was a well-deserved promotion. The scoresheet won’t prove it to you, but he had quietly been one of the Gulls’ better players in the young season. Playing on both special teams, the defender exhibited his high-end two-way versatility and desire to play up at most times. He is a highly dangerous option to start or join a rush at any opportunity, and that same mentality is paying off in the NHL, with his 3.9 CF% Rel. It’s early, and both the Ducks and Gulls are undergoing a lot of changes, but perhaps he has already played his last regular season AHL game.

San Jose Sharks 2019-20 Prospect Review: Top 20

Sat, 14 Sep 2019 13:10:26 +0000

As a team that is always in the midst of contention, the Sharks have long been in the habit of trading away draft picks as well as prospects in order to strengthen their current NHL roster and keep their window of contention open just that much wider. Think the recent trades for Erik Karlsson and Evander Kane and remember that there were others.

To illustrate this point further, they have not had a full complement of seven draft picks since 2015 – coincidentally their last year not in the playoff picture – and of their two first rounders in the four drafts since then, one (Josh Norris, 2017) was traded away in the Karlsson trade.

Compounding the lack of picks in the San Jose pipeline, a number of the players chosen have not panned out and while it is too early to place the bust label on many of them, it is fair to say that all too many of the Sharks’ recent picks have not trended in the right direction as far as their development has been concerned.

Even at the time of drafting a number of these players, it seemed clear that they were taking flyers on long shots, players who had aspects to their game to recommend them, but also had red flags. Think of 2018 pick Jasper Weatherby’s great numbers in the BCHL, but also his more advanced age. Or think of 2017 pick Jake McGrew’s performance as a teen in Southern California, but also that he missed his entire draft year to injury. 2018 pick Zachary Emond, a netminder, showed promise when he played, but he was a backup. Or think of 2015 second rounder Jeremy Roy. A smart and poised two-way defenseman but with a big knee injury already on his resume. More followed.

To help supplement a system lacking picks, the Sharks have scoured the free agent market for additional prospects. Of the 48 players currently defined as “prospects” in the San Jose system, an eye-catching 17 were brought into the system as free agents. Mostly of the undrafted sort, although a few had been previously selected by other teams at the draft and either never signed, or, in one case, signed but never received a second contract and is still prospect-eligible.

While free agent additions can always add depth to any system, and the hockey world is full of late bloomers who make legit careers for themselves, the downside is that these players were passed over for a reason. Sometimes similar reasons as the long shot draftees I discussed a couple of paragraphs above, and sometimes others.

Like with many of the Sharks’ long shot draft picks, many of the free agent signings will not pan out as full time NHLers. And of those that do, most will be playing on the bottom half of the lineup. Even with those caveats in mind, the gambit is thus far a positive one for this organization. Five of the 20 players listed here were acquired as free agents, including two netminders who aim to follow in current NHL starter Martin Jones’ footsteps, as he, too, entered the professional ranks as a free agent signee. -Ryan Wagman

San Jose Sharks center Antti Suomela (40) (Photo by Nick Turchiaro/Icon Sportswire)

1 Ryan Merkley, D (21^st overall, 2018. Last Year: 2) One of the most polarizing prospects on the planet, Merkley can dazzle with his skating ability and offensive talents, but can frustrate with his on ice composure and defensive commitment. Not even a trade from Guelph to Peterborough could alleviate those concerns. Merkley is competitive and plays the game with a chip on his shoulder. At times, when things do not go according to plan, his competitive nature turns to frustration that is expressed in negative ways on the ice. However, Merkley is extremely talented. His four way mobility is among the best of any defensive prospect, as he uses his agility to create both passing and shooting lanes. He is a dynamic puck carrier who can have a very large impact on the game. As such, patience is required on the part of San Jose and their development coaches. Merkley may always be a high risk, high reward defender, but in the right environment he could thrive as a primary puck mover and powerplay quarterback who can elevate the offensive play of those around him. - BO

2 Sasha Chmelevski, C (185^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 5) Chmelevski is a very pro ready prospect because of how he has been able to round out his game over the course of his OHL career. He is the type of forward who can excel in any situation and this versatility will make him an NHL player sooner rather than later. His best asset might be his shot release, which is lightning quick. But he is more than just a goal scorer, as he processes the game very well and is especially dangerous in transition with his ability to make quick decisions with the puck. His skating will probably need to continue to improve in order for him to hit his high end potential as a top six forward at the NHL level. But at the very worst, he seems like a safe bet to be a steady middle six option for San Jose, perhaps as early as the coming NHL season. - BO

3 Yegor Spiridonov, C/LW (108^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Spiridonov had a good season in Russia, scoring almost a point a game in the Russian junior league and playing more than 20 games on the international stage with the U18 national team, including at the Gretzky Hlinka Cup and the WU18. He was one of the top scorers for his team at the U18s, where he made a strong impression that most likely convinced the Sharks to take him with a relatively high pick. The Magnitogorsk native is a solid two-way center with good size and with a good knack for playing hard along the boards. He has also good hands and solid skates, that allow him to protect the puck while in the offensive zone. Spiridonov is a good passer and a decent scorer, but his top quality is his two-way ability. Hopefully, he will get some pro experience next year. - ASR

4 Dylan Gambrell, C (60^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 3) An fast and highly intelligent center, Gambrell’s versatility and playmaking make him the prototypical middle-six pivot the Sharks need for the future. He possesses the sensational top speed and plus edgework necessary to drive past defenders, and his intelligence and hockey sense make him a lethal playmaker. The accuracy of his wrist shot can be a weapon on the power play and in transition, though he is more of a facilitator. Gambrell -- with his great maturity and presence on defense -- projects more as a depth center and penalty-killing maestro than anything else, as his shot and vision are solid, but not top-six quality. That fact can be worrisome out of a former second-rounder and near point-per-game AHL player, but that is where his game is at right now. - TD

5 Ivan Chekhovich, LW (212^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 9) The QMJHL’s second-leading scorer is a sniper of the highest order. His 43 goals were beaten by teammate Nathan Légaré by two, but the Russian winger has an excellent wrister with a big sweeping motion. His four playoff points tied for second-best on the Drakkar in their disappointing seven-game loss in the opening round. Chekhovich turned that into a positive, with a strong end of the season with the Barracuda. It was the second year in a row that he joined the pro squad at the end of the year, and impressed both times. Chekhovich’s skating is powerful, and he pairs it with good edgework. Like most young forwards, he needs to get bigger and stronger, and he needs work away from the puck, but if his offensive potential continues to flourish at the AHL level, he is an NHL triggerman waiting to strike in San Jose. - MS

6 Noah Gregor, C (111^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 4) Playing in the WHL as a 20 year old you need to dominate the league to show you have the tools to make it to the pro game. More often than not Gregor showed that, although some nights he was inconsistent with his effort. What he excels at is a speed game where he can go at defenders with the puck. He is a very good puck handler who can shoot the puck hard and with good accuracy. He is a bit too small to be called a “power forward” but he is strong and is willing to take the puck to the net. He projects as a guy who plays bottom six minutes with some penalty kill time. - VG

7 Joachim Blichfeld, RW (210^th overall, 2016. Last Year: Not ranked) Blichfeld capped off his WHL career by putting up a whopping 53 goals and 114 points in 68 games for the Winterhawks. He was a real standout for Portland, and also impressed on the international stage with Denmark in two previous WJCs. Blichfeld is a natural scorer with very good offensive instincts, has a great shot, and plays a pretty good all round game. He will take his game up to the AHL as he will skate for the Barracudas this season, giving him a good taste at the professional level where he should be able to translate his game to a higher level of play. He will start as bottom six forward, and could move up to a top six role if he settles in and produces even a portion of his WHL production.- KO

8 Jonathan Dahlen, LW/C (42^nd overall, 2016 [Ottawa]. Last Year: 5 [Vancouver]) With crazy quick hands and the hockey IQ to put them to use on the attack, Dahlen has an exciting game that packs a punch in his small frame. He is an expert playmaker with a pair of scintillating hands and the lateral mobility to play up his otherwise sluggish skating speed, and is becoming more comfortable with unleashing his speedy shot. A predator on the forecheck, the 21-year-old can become a very good energy line player and depth scorer in time, but there are questions to be had on his work ethic and effort level, as he is already on his third organization, and his departure from Vancouver was an ugly one. If he shows well in training camp, he could be in contention for an NHL roster spot this fall. - TD

9 Antti Suomela, C (Undrafted free agent, signed Jun. 6, 2018. Last Year: 11) At the end of the 2017-18 NHL campaign, a small bidding war over Suomela, the Liiga scoring champion that season, was waged by a multitude of stateside organizations. The hype was justified, but as the 2018-19 season went forward, we saw how poorly the raw, fascinating skill of the 25-year-old translated to the North American game at the NHL level. His speed and skill were on display early in the season, but he ate up healthy scratches and wound up in the AHL by December. He still has the potential to be a top-six forward; a lethal skater and often deadly setup man, Suomela can contribute in many ways, even without the puck, as his anticipation for where the play is flowing is unreal. With some NHL spots up for grabs in San Jose this season, he could be the guy to count on for depth scoring. - TD

10 Josef Korenar, G (Unsigned free agent, signed Jul. 13, 2017. Last Year: Not ranked) Imagine being a 21-year-old unsigned free agent who effectively stole the starting job for a postseason-qualified AHL team, in spite of minimal pro experience beforehand; that is what Josef Korenar did in 2018-19, starring for the AHL San Jose Barracuda and exhibiting the potential to be the Sharks’ goaltender of the future. The AHL All-Star showed otherworldly smarts and play-reading vision in his first full year in the pros, complimenting a highly athletic and controlled style in the crease. His rebound control can be spotty, as his tool selection still needs some work, but that is a teachable quality. Expect him to get the bulk of starts with the Barracuda in 2019-20, with a non-zero chance of an NHL appearance after the troublesome years of netminders Martin Jones and Aaron Dell last season. -TD

11 Mario Ferraro, D (49^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 6) Always playing second fiddle to his superstar collegiate teammate Cale Makar, Ferraro could have returned as the big man on campus now that Makar has turned pro. Instead, Ferraro is taking his own creative, puck moving game to the pros as well. Although undersized, he plays with tremendous energy, while not neglecting his duties in his own zone. One of three Minutemen to wear the C last year, he leads by example with a strong point shot and attention to detail in his own end, allowing him to be used on both special teams’ units. There are still some raw elements to Ferraro’s game, but his strong collection of tools might allow him to play as high as the second pairing, as he is the type for whom the total package may be better than the sum of their parts. - RW

12 Artemi Knyazev, D (48^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Knyazev got the green light from Saugeneens’ coach Yanick Jean a lot in his first North American season, and he impressed offensively from the back end. His 34 points were second best among blueliners on his team, and the leader was an overager. The Chicoutimi team struggled to score at times, and Knyazev was a factor when they did put the puck in the net. He is an offence-first defender, who skates very well and covers a lot of ice for a smaller-sized player. Not only fast, he is agile and reaches top speed quickly. He can start or finish the offence, as proven by his great first pass and his 13 goals on the season. Knyazev is still a bit of a project, and will need to grow, but he has the foundation to be a solid powerplay contributor and speedy defender at the NHL level. - MS

13 Dillon Hamaliuk, LW (55^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) After starting the season very strong, Hamaliuk suffered a serious knee injury as a result of a knee on knee on hit that limited him to 31 games last season. He did put up 11 goals and 26 points in 32 games in that span, and played a very dominant physical game. He is your prototypical power forward, who also plays with a lot of speed and energy. He has a great shot, strong net presence, and plays a solid two-way game. His injury really affected his draft status, as he would have been a possible first round pick. Hamaliuk should have a career year after being moved to Kelowna in the offseason. With the Rockets hosting the Memorial Cup, he will be showcased and put in the spotlight where he should flourish. He projects to be a power forward with top six potential, if he should prove fully recovered with no loss to his skating ability. - KO

14 Andrew Shortridge, G (Undrafted free agent, signed Apr. 3, 2019. Last Year: IE) Shortridge is a 6-4” goalie who hails from Anchorage, Alaska. He just finished up a very successful three-year run with Quinnipiac University and was voted the ECAC Goaltender of the Year (Ken Dryden Award) and was also named as a Richter Award Finalist last season; he had a career-high and NCAA best .940 save percentage and a good run in the playoffs to boot. He is good at making that first save and gobbling up the puck. He is smart, he anticipates well and tracks the puck very well in traffic. Shortridge is also very athletic and can make the big saves that eventually win games. As he is thin at 185 pounds, he needs to get stronger before he can move beyond the Barracuda. - RC

15 Karlis Cukste, D (130^th overall, 2015. Last Year: 16) After four years in North America, the Latvian import seems to have grown accustomed to the style and pace of play. The high penalty minute totals of his freshman year at Quinnipiac are a thing of a past, while his offensive impact has increased. He lacks any true impact skills, but he is a fine skater and excels at skating the puck out of trouble. Cukste plays a fine two-way game, not bringing much in the way of flash, but playing steadily at both ends and keeping unforced errors to a minimum. He is expected to return to school for a final season, this time wearing the A on his chest, but the Sharks should be making clear that they will offer him a contract upon the completion of his collegiate eligibility. He has NHL upside. - RW

16 Jayden Halbgewachs, LW/C (Undrafted free agent, signed Dec. 28, 2017. Last Year: 12) Undrafted and signed by the Sharks near the midway mark of his electric, 129-point 2017-18 season with WHL Moose Jaw, the former junior scoring champion showed flashes of brilliance in his first pro year, but on the flip side, an utter lack of consistency and assertiveness. His elite positioning away from the puck, nifty wrist shot, and slippery hands make Halbgewachs a sneaky killer on offense. He loves to dangle through traffic and set up below the hash marks, where his intelligence and passing skill come into play, but his undersized, 5-8” frame, inability to beat defenders due to a lack of speed, and defensive insufficiencies make him a frustrating player to watch. He can still be a skilled depth scorer at the NHL level, but not without major upgrades in his game. - TD

17 Scott Reedy, C/RW (102^nd overall, 2017. Last Year: 15) When you see Reedy at his best, he almost seems dynamic. He has great size, eye catching speed, and can be a possession machine, creating zone entries and maintaining the puck even under physical duress. The tools are certainly there for him to be a legitimate contributor at the highest level. The problem is that he has been regressing – at a slow rate, but regression all the same – since his year with the USNTDP U17 squad. At that time, he was receiving cameos with the U18 team and looking like the next big thing. But Reedy underwhelmed in his draft year and now through two seasons with the Golden Gophers, he has not surpassed seven goals in a season and his assist rate has fallen. He still has a chance to play in a bottom six role, but he needs to step it up to reach even that level. - RW

18 Jeremy Roy, D (31^st overall, 2015. Last Year: 7) Roy’s career to this point, even dating back to his junior days, has been defined by injuries. It is very difficult to get into any kind of developmental rhythm when your body is failing you, but the potential for him to be an impact NHL defenseman is still there, just with a grain of salt. His smarts and puck skills scream big-minute NHL blueliner, while his size helps sustain a solid package of three-zone reliability and potency. He is not a very good skater, but has active feet and decent agility to play up his skating. Maybe the 22-year-old who has never played in an NHL game is a bust, but consider that the 58 games Roy played with AHL San Jose are the most he has laced up for in one season since his 2013-14 season in the QMJHL. Injuries have plagued him, but he is building health and strength and could still have an NHL future. - TD

19 Nick DeSimone, D (Undrafted free agent, signed Mar. 30, 2017. Last Year: 17) In terms of raw skill, there are not many players in the Sharks farm system that would outclass DeSimone. An offensively-oriented right-handed blueliner, he is aggressive at all times, uses his lanky, 6-2” frame to get inside position on the puck, and possesses the surprisingly quick wheels capable of blowing by defenders. With his blazing shot and craftiness with the puck, the Union College product became a mainstay on the Barracuda power play over the course of the 2018-19 campaign. Of course, raw skill does not just up and make you a great player, and the 24-year-old is a case study on that. Lacking defensive discipline and good decision-making in his own zone, he can be someone that drags his defense partner down and has his team playing unnecessary minutes in the defensive zone. – TD

20 Alexander True, C (Undrafted free agent, signed Jul. 18, 2018. Last Year: not ranked) An undrafted forward signed to an entry-level contract last year, True made the Sharks’ decision to put him on the NHL books a great one with a breakout year with AHL San Jose. The lanky 22-year-old formed into somewhat of a power forward threat in the top minor league last season, posting a career high in points that dates back into his WHL days (66-24-31-55). The Danish hybrid forward plays on both sides of the special teams, drives even-strength offense at will, and creates plays for his teammates with his intense cycle game. He is a subpar skater in almost every fashion, but can play a decent forechecking/depth scoring role in the NHL if he works on his shooting and defensive discipline. - TD

AHL Calder Cup Playoff Preview – Western Conference

Tom Dorsa — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 14:07:47 +0000

The Calder Cup Playoffs are upon us again, and in the Western Conference, we are seeing a lot of changes from the picture painted last season. The defending conference champions, the Texas Stars, failed to make the playoffs to defend their 2018 West title as one of five teams that competed in last season's Western Conference bracket that couldn't repeat as postseason teams.

Those teams are the Stars, Manitoba Moose, Rockford IceHogs, Tucson Roadrunners, and Ontario Reign. But with old teams and players out, new teams and players come in, setting up to shine under the bright lights of the Calder Cup Playoffs. The Iowa Wild, Milwaukee Admirals, San Diego Gulls, and Colorado Eagles (in their first season as an AHL team) are seeking to wreak havoc on the American Hockey League after missing out on a chance last season.

And in the case of Iowa and Colorado, this is their first postseason appearance in the history of the franchise's current setup. Fans in Des Moines and Loveland will get to see enthralling playoff hockey for the first time in the AHL.

Let's take a look at the first-round matchups in the Western Conference, as well as what to expect from the two teams in action. The playoffs begin on Wednesday, April 17.

Central Division:

CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 22: Milwaukee Admirals forward Eeli Tolvanen (11) on the ice during the first period of the American Hockey League game between the Milwaukee Admirals and Cleveland Monsters on February 22, 2019, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire)

Chicago Wolves (44-22-6-4) vs 4. Grand Rapids Griffins (38-27-7-4)

The Wolves have the identity of a prototypical postseason club: they are a physical and experienced unit with good goaltending and even better coaching. It helps when they also have speed, skill, and depth, with four players (Daniel Carr, T.J. Tynan, Brooks Macek, and Tomas Hyka) on the active roster registering more than 0.9 points per game.

They led the Western Conference in goals for (250) and were second in fewest goals against (199). Head coach Rocky Thompson has done a marvelous job for the Vegas Golden Knights' affiliate since taking the job in the summer of 2017, after leading the Windsor Spitfires to the Memorial Cup title.

While the Wolves have some size on their blueline with Nic Hague (4th-ranked Vegas prospect), Jake Bischoff (5th) and Griffin Reinhart (16th), they lost the bulk of their offensive contribution from their rearguards when Erik Brannstrom departed for the Senators organization in the Mark Stone trade.

Grand Rapids comes in with their own set of issues, the most notable of which is their freezing cold home stretch during which the Griffins lost their last nine games of the regular season (eight in regulation). There was no real reason for this besides a plain late-season struggle, as most of their two-way players are still with the club, and there is no lack of talent.

Regardless, the Griffins have proven twice during their seven-year stretch of playoff appearances that there is a potential championship run within them. The 2013 and 2017 Calder Cup champions have the experience and depth to make a run regardless of the poor final stretch.

The Griffins will have to limit penalties due to their division-worst 78.5% penalty kill percentage, while also playing well at five-on-five, on account of their power-play being mostly ineffective during the regular season (14.2%).

Prospects to Watch:

CHI: C Cody Glass (1st): Glass has perhaps the highest hockey IQ of any 2017 NHL Draft picks, and scored twice (with a game-high six shots on goal) in his professional debut on Friday, April 5.

CHI: G Oskar Dansk (14th): The netminder had a superb regular season (26-9-4, 2.47, .911) and looks to be the goalie of choice for Thompson and crew heading into the 2019 postseason.

GRG: RW, Filip Zadina (1st): The sixth-overall pick in last June's draft made an ambitious jump to the AHL this season, and at 18, performed well (59-16-19-35). His speed and shooting will be a big part of any possible turnaround for the Griffins this postseason.

GRG: D Joe Hicketts (11th): He isn't as noticeable as other prospects on the Grand Rapids blueline, but Hicketts had a solid 2018-19 campaign (64-3-24-27). The undersized defenseman packs a punch for the Griffins and is very patient with the puck.

Prediction: Wolves in four games.

Milwaukee Admirals (36-24-14-2) vs 3. Iowa Wild (37-26-8-5)

After missing the postseason last year, the Admirals are back with a vengeance and are looking for their first Calder Cup since 2004. The Nashville Predators' primary affiliate has done most of their winning this season on the back of youthful and speedy prospects, which is often times a key to success in the playoffs.

Four of their top-five regular season scorers were on a team's top 20 prospects list in our preseason farm system rankings (Adam Helewka, Anthony Richard, Alexandre Carrier, Eeli Tolvanen). The Admirals are spearheaded by youth and electric forechecking assertiveness, which can be a lethal combination in the playoff hockey atmosphere.

It helps when you come into the first round on a red hot winning streak. In a tight Central Division postseason race, Milwaukee went 11-0-2-1 to end their season, fighting from seventh in the Central to second-place and home-ice advantage in round one.

The Wild, on the other hand, have been carried by some savvy and experienced veterans like Cal O'Reilly, Gerald Mayhew, and Kyle Rau, as well as a dynamic goaltending duo of All-Star Kaapo Kahkonen and AHL Player of the Week Andrew Hammond. But they won't have to lean on goaltending and experience all postseason long.

Head coach Tim Army has emphasized speed and hard work in the neutral zone all year long, and systemically, the Wild seem ready for the test. In addition, the Minnesota Wild re-assigned forwards Ryan Donato, Jordan Greenway, and Luke Kunin down to Iowa after the NHL season ended in St. Paul. The trio will assist in generating that speed and scoring from the top lines, pushing nominal top six forwards into middle six roles and thus providing great depth to the offensive attack.

The most intriguing matchup to watch in this first-round series is special teams, specifically the Iowa power-play versus the Milwaukee penalty kill. The Wild posted the second-best power play percentage in the league (23.8%) in the regular season, but will line up against an Admirals' penalty kill unit that erased a Western Conference-high 85% of penalties. Army and fellow first-year head coach Karl Taylor will have their hands full of each other's high-end special teams groups in this one.

Prospects to Watch:

MIL: RW Eeli Tolvanen (1st): Though the Finn didn't have the year expected from the Nashville top prospect, Tolvanen was great down the stretch. His timely scoring and playmaking will no doubt be a factor in the playoffs.

MIL: D Alexandre Carrier (8th): His offensive output has always been there, but in his third full AHL year, the 5-11" playmaker evolved as a complete d-man. His gaps and stick-quickness have taken major strides, and in a top-four role, will be essential to any long playoff run in Milwaukee.

IA: G Kaapo Kahkonen (7th): Kahkonen has had himself a splendid first season in the North American pros, and depending on his role in the playoffs (keep Hammond in mind), he could be playing for a spot with the NHL club next season.

IA: LW Jordan Greenway (3rd): Coming off a full season with Minnesota, Greenway's presence post re-assignment has already been felt (5-3-3-6) down the stretch. A massive and skilled forward, the 22-year-old plays a playoff style of hockey.

Prediction: Admirals in five games.

Pacific Division:

Bakersfield Condors (42-21-3-2) vs 4. Colorado Eagles (36-27-4-1)

The Condors made history midway through the 2018-19 season when they stormed through a 17-game winning streak, the second-longest undefeated run in the history of the AHL. They were lifted to the summit of the Pacific Division after being outside of a postseason spot before the streak, which speaks to their depth and attitude.

First-year Condors Tyler Benson (4th) and Cooper Marody (5th) have carried the club for the better part of the season, and the two leading Bakersfield scorers are extremely dangerous on the power play, where 43 of their combined 130 points have come, helping the Condors' man-advantage operate at a division-best 20.5% clip.

The Condors will have to lean on the aforementioned duo, as what they have in top-end skill, they lack in scoring depth. Bakersfield's next-leading point scorer after Benson (66) and Marody (64) is Joe Gambardella, who is 16 points shy of the top two. Along with Josh Currie, these four are the only ones on the roster with more than 40 points this season.

The Eagles, on the other hand, needed final-weekend drama and help to clinch a postseason spot. They won their final regular season game over San Jose and saw division rival Tucson lose an hour later to grab the fourth spot in the Pacific by one point.

Late-season grinds like that can inspire a team, though, and Colorado has a solid mix of veterans and young guns to generate momentum with in its first year as an AHL franchise. AHL ringers like forward Andrew Agozzino and defenseman David Warsofsky have been leaders at their respective positions and have alleviated the pressure on the Martin Kaut and Nicolas Meloche types for high-stakes moments like this: the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs.

They have an elite penalty kill (84.1%), accrued after a lot of practice, as they also accumulated a Western Conference-high 1,114 penalty minutes in the regular season. The club will have to remain disciplined to have a shot in the first round, as they can ill afford to line the Condors up with power play opportunities.

Prospects to Watch:

BAK: D Caleb Jones (14th): After a frustrating rookie season in 2017-18, Jones has established himself as a top-pair fixture with much-improved two-way reliability, and still has his offensive chops ready to go.

BAK: LW Tyler Benson (4th): Plagued by injuries for much of his young career, Benson has finally stayed healthy for an extended period of time and is showing everyone just how good he is this season.

COL: RW Martin Kaut (4th): Another 19-year-old in the AHL, Kaut is highly intelligent and is due to start scoring goals after an unsustainably unlucky 9.7 shooting percentage during the season. He has been solid in all three zones this season, but the Eagles might need him to take another step up.

COL: LW A.J. Greer (18th): The former second-round draft selection had the best year of his pro career after inconsistencies before 2018-19, and his combination of physicality and smarts are a sight to behold.

Prediction: Condors in four games.

San Jose Barracuda (39-22-3-4) vs 3. San Diego Gulls (36-27-4-1)

The Barracuda have a set of advantages and disadvantages coming into their matchup with their rivals down Interstate-5 in California. One pro is their higher place in seeding, which grants home-ice rights, but a major disadvantage is their NHL parent club, the San Jose Sharks, being tied up in a playoff race.

At any time, some of the Barracuda's most important contributors can be recalled and leave the AHL team flat, such as occurred with Monday's promotion of Dylan Gambrell, the Sharks' third-ranked prospect and the 'Cuda's fourth-leading scorer. However, this club is still very skilled, especially from the blue line going forward. Nick DeSimone is one of the finest offensive defensemen in the league, and Kyle Wood is a rock in his own zone.

Unheralded forward prospects like Alexander True and Francis Perron have jumped into the spotlight this season and can provide plus value as the team's top two scorers in the regular season.

After missing the playoffs on the last night of the 2017-18 season, the Gulls cleared the playoff bubble and secured a return appearance to the postseason this spring. The club has been led by several once-valued prospects that were given up on by their previous franchises (Sam Carrick, Chase De Leo, Justin Kloos), as well as emerging home-grown prospects like Sam Steel and Troy Terry.

Either way, this team is pretty young and just as exciting. Though Terry is done for the season (non-displaced leg fracture), Steel and other top prospects like Kalle Kossila and Max Jones will have to carry the water of a rather juvenile club.

The Gulls scored the second-most goals in the division (239), are solid on special teams (20.3 PP%, 80.9 PK%), and have solid veteran goaltending with Kevin Boyle and Jeff Glass in net. This is a team without a clear, deadly weakness. They also have the same amount of wins at home as they do away from San Diego (18) which will pay off when the series shifts to Northern California.

Prospects to Watch:

SJ: LW Francis Perron (not ranked): Packaged as part of the Erik Karlsson trade, the forward has been another reason as to why the Sharks won the September transaction. On the Barracuda top line, the 22-year-old has been better than ever in the regular season.

SJ: C/LW Jayden Halbgewachs (12th): The leading scorer in the WHL last season had a major test jumping into the pros, and it all pertained to whether he will be able to score at will in the AHL, as he did in junior. While he didn't have the best regular season on offense, a big playoff run in the San Jose top-six can help his case.

SD: C Sam Steel (1st): Though Steel has not had an ideal season after making the big-league club out of training camp, he still posted solid numbers as a 21-year-old in the AHL (53-20-21-41). He can impact the game with or without the puck with his great rink sense and beautiful shot.

SD: D Josh Mahura (6th): Mahura has made monumental leaps to his defensive game after being mostly an offensive specialist in the WHL, and should pencil into the bottom-four of the San Diego postseason lineup.

Prediction: Gulls in four games.

How the Rest of the West Playoffs Will Unfold:

Western Conference Semifinals: Milwaukee Admirals over Chicago Wolves, 4-2.

Bakersfield Condors over San Diego Gulls, 4-1.

Western Conference Finals: Bakersfield Condors over Milwaukee Admirals, 4-3

Alexander True – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – SEATTLE KRAKEN – Top 20 Prospects

2021-22 TOP 15 PROSPECTS: SEATTLE KRAKEN – RANK: #32- TIER VII

SEATTLE KRAKEN EXPANSION DRAFT: Prospects to Target – Part Two – Forwards

Rasmus Asplund - Buffalo Sabres

Morgan Geekie - Carolina Hurricanes

Kevin Stenlund - Columbus Blue Jackets

Henrik Borgstrom - Florida Panthers

Nathan Bastian - New Jersey Devils

Yegor Sharangovich - New Jersey Devils

Janne Kuokkanen - New Jersey Devils

Nick Merkley - New Jersey Devils

Kieffer Bellows - New York Islanders

Julien Gauthier - New York Rangers

Vitaly Abramov - Ottawa Senators

Filip Chlapik - Ottawa Senators

Logan Brown - Ottawa Senators

Nicolas Aube-Kubel - Philadelphia Flyers

Alex Barre Boulet - Tampa Bay Lightning

Alex Volkov - Tampa Bay Lightning

Mitchell Stephens - Tampa Bay Lightning

Mathieu Joseph - Tampa Bay Lightning

Boris Katchouk - Tampa Bay Lightning

Taylor Raddysh - Tampa Bay Lightning

Joey Anderson - Toronto Maple Leafs

Isac Lundestrom - Anaheim Ducks

Matthew Phillips - Calgary Flames

Adam Mascherin - Dallas Stars

Tyler Benson - Edmonton Oilers

Rem Pitlick - Nashville Predators

Jonathan Dahlen - San Jose Sharks

Alexander True - San Jose Sharks

Maxim Letunov - San Jose Sharks

Rudolfs Balcers - San Jose Sharks

Kole Lind - Vancouver Canucks

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: San Jose Sharks Top 20 Prospects

Ryan Merkley, D (21st overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 1)

Ozzy Weisblatt, RW (31st overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Thomas Bordeleau, C (38th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Jonathan Dahlen, LW/C (42nd overall, 2016 [Ottawa]. Previous ranking: 3)

Yegor Spiridonov, C/LW (108th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 2)

Sasha Chmelevski, C (185th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 4)

Alexander True, C (Undrafted free agent, signed Jul. 18, 2018. Previous ranking: 5)

John Leonard, LW (182nd overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 6)

Tristen Robins, C (56th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Brandon Coe, RW (98th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Danil Gushchin, LW (76th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Artemi Knyazev, D (48th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 7)

Dillon Hamaliuk, LW (55th overall, 20191. Previous ranking: 8)

Joachim Blichfeld, RW (210th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 9)

Alexei Melnichuk, G (Undrafted Free Agent, signed May 4, 2020. Previous ranking: 10)

Jacob McGrew, RW (159th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 11)

Brinson Pasichnuk, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 31, 2020. Previous ranking: 12)

Santeri Hatakka, D (184th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 13)

Scott Reedy, C/RW (102nd overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 14)

Lean Bergmann, LW/RW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed May 28, 2019. Previous ranking: 15)

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

MCKEEN’S 2020 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – SAN JOSE SHARKS – ORGANIZATIONAL RANK: 25

San Jose Sharks

Ryan Merkley, D (21st overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 1)

Yegor Spiridonov, C/LW (108th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 3)

Jonathan Dahlen, LW/C (42nd overall, 2016 [Ottawa]. 2019 Rank: 8)

Sasha Chmelevski, C (185th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 2)

Alexander True, C (Undrafted free agent, signed Jul. 18, 2018. 2019 Rank: 20)

John Leonard, LW (182nd overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: UR)

Artemi Knyazev, D (48th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 12)

Dillon Hamaliuk, LW (55th overall, 20191. 2019 Rank: 13)

Joachim Blichfeld, RW (210th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 7)

Alexei Melnichuk, G (Undrafted Free Agent, signed May 4, 2020. 2019 Rank: IE)

Jacob McGrew, RW (159th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: UR)

Brinson Pasichnuk, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 31, 2020. 2019 Rank: IE)

Santeri Hatakka, D (184th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

Scott Reedy, C/RW (102nd overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 13)

Lean Bergmann, LW/RW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed May 28, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

AHL Pacific Division Report, October – Developing prospects

San Jose Sharks 2019-20 Prospect Review: Top 20

AHL Calder Cup Playoff Preview – Western Conference

Central Division:

Chicago Wolves (44-22-6-4) vs 4. Grand Rapids Griffins (38-27-7-4)

Milwaukee Admirals (36-24-14-2) vs 3. Iowa Wild (37-26-8-5)

Ryan Merkley, D (21^st overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 1)

Ozzy Weisblatt, RW (31^st overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Thomas Bordeleau, C (38^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Jonathan Dahlen, LW/C (42^nd overall, 2016 [Ottawa]. Previous ranking: 3)

Yegor Spiridonov, C/LW (108^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 2)

Sasha Chmelevski, C (185^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 4)

John Leonard, LW (182^nd overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 6)

Tristen Robins, C (56^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Brandon Coe, RW (98^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Danil Gushchin, LW (76^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Artemi Knyazev, D (48^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 7)

Dillon Hamaliuk, LW (55^th overall, 20191. Previous ranking: 8)

Joachim Blichfeld, RW (210^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 9)

Jacob McGrew, RW (159^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 11)

Santeri Hatakka, D (184^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 13)

Scott Reedy, C/RW (102^nd overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 14)

Ryan Merkley, D (21^st overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 1)

Yegor Spiridonov, C/LW (108^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 3)

Jonathan Dahlen, LW/C (42^nd overall, 2016 [Ottawa]. 2019 Rank: 8)

Sasha Chmelevski, C (185^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 2)

John Leonard, LW (182^nd overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: UR)

Artemi Knyazev, D (48^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 12)

Dillon Hamaliuk, LW (55^th overall, 20191. 2019 Rank: 13)

Joachim Blichfeld, RW (210^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 7)

Jacob McGrew, RW (159^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: UR)

Santeri Hatakka, D (184^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

Scott Reedy, C/RW (102^nd overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 13)