Artyom Duda – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – UTAH MAMMOTH – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #5

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 19:41:49 +0000

BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 21: Utah Hockey Club defenseman Maveric Lamoureux (10) waits in warm up before a game between the Boston Bruins and the Utah Hockey Club on November 21, 2024, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire)

Prospect System Ranking – 5th (May 2025 - 8th)
GM: Bill Armstrong Hired: September 2020
COACH: André Tourigny Hired: July 2021

Fresh off their inaugural 2024-25 season, the freshly minted Utah Mammoth are already building a foundation for long term relevance.

A young NHL core—Clayton Keller, Logan Cooley, Nick Schmaltz, Dylan Guenther, Josh Doan, Mikhail Sergachev, and Sean Durzi—gives them a competitive starting point, while a strong wave of prospects is set to push them forward.

On defense, two towering blue liners headline the next group. Maveric Lamoureux (6-foot-7) split last season between the NHL and AHL and looks poised for full-time duty in 2025-26. Dmitri Simashev, fresh from Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in the KHL, brings shutdown ability and is expected to step right into Utah’s lineup. Up front, Daniil But also arrives from Lokomotiv after a breakout KHL season (28 points in 55 games) and could make an immediate impact.

In goal, Michael Hrabal continues to shine at the University of Massachusetts, posting a .924 save percentage in his sophomore season and cementing his status as Utah’s future franchise netminder.

The system also features high-upside forwards working their way toward the NHL. Tij Iginla, despite losing much of his draft-plus-one season to hip surgery, remains a key long term piece. Cole Beaudoin, the 24th-overall pick in 2024, offers a blend of skill and physicality suited for a future middle six role.

Utah’s prospect pool got another boost at the 2025 draft with the addition of fourth-overall pick Caleb Desnoyers. Though he’ll miss the start of 2025-26 following surgery, he projects as one of the franchise’s top players within a few years.

While they haven’t yet added extra selections for next year, the Mammoth still hold a staggering 26 picks over the next three drafts. With a competitive core in place and an injection of NHL-ready talent on the way, Utah’s climb toward playoff contention looks well underway.

Utah Mammoth Top-15 Prospects

1 - Caleb Desnoyers

Caleb Desnoyers was selected fourth overall in the 2025 NHL Draft by the Utah Mammoth. Not only did he produce an impressive 84 points in 56 games, Desnoyers can do about anything you want in a top six center. The defensive involvement and intelligence is already elite. The physical game was sneakily one of the best in the entire draft. Desnoyers is also an offensive maestro, being able to lead and create offensive chances with his elite level of playmaking. He makes his teammates much better by simplifying their lives. Desnoyers has the hands to execute what he has in mind and can play the penalty kill and the power play as well. With his stat line of 30 points in 19 playoff games, the former first overall in the QMJHL draft has shown to be reliable when it matters the most. He is also one of the most decorated prospects, with gold medals at the U17, U18, and Hlinka-Gretzky, along with a QMJHL championship and playoff MVP. Recently, he underwent wrist surgery and will miss the NHL training camp. On the bright side, he will now almost certainly represent team Canada at the World Juniors to potentially earn another gold medal.

2 - Dmitri Simashev

Dmitri Simashev has emerged as one of the KHL’s top shutdown defenders, showing promise for a long NHL career. In his second full KHL season, he has refined his strengths—using size, footwork, and stickwork to control play on both ends. His agility makes him tough to beat, while improved timing and positioning allow for tighter control in all zones. Simashev’s game looks polished enough for an NHL role right now. His main weakness is on offence, where his numbers dropped this year due to a lack of aggressiveness. Despite having good puck-handling skills and a heavy shot, he needs more confidence to utilize them effectively. Once he gains that, he could become a more dangerous scoring threat. Simashev could fit into Utah’s top four this upcoming season and might be one of the biggest steals from his draft class. He will get a good look after signing with the Mammoth at the beginning of the summer.

3 - Tij Iginla

The Rockets must be devastated that Iginla was limited to just 21 games this season before undergoing hip surgery, because they probably would have been a playoff team if he had been healthy and consistently contributing to their lineup. Just how essential was he to their 2024-25 plans? Not long after it was announced that he was done for the year the team dealt away longtime stars Andrew Cristall and Caden Price, essentially punting on this season. Luckily for Iginla, however, he should be back to normal sometime in 2025-26, and Kelowna will be hosting the Memorial Cup that spring with him as their forefront star player. Tij, the oldest of Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla's two sons, is a high-impact forward who can do everything and leaves his mark in a variety of different ways, all of which are fueled and enhanced by his excellent hockey IQ, competitiveness, and leadership abilities.

4 - Daniil But

Daniil But, Utah’s 2023 12th overall pick, made solid progress in his DY+2 season, scoring 28 points in 54 games while taking on a bigger role with Lokomotiv. After adding muscle to his lanky frame, his confidence and ability to compete in battles improved significantly. He now plays with more composure, staying in position and effectively shutting down chances. His biggest asset is net-front play, using his size to create space and capitalize on loose pucks. However, his decision making at the pro level needs more work as he often over handles the puck and forces plays. To secure a role in Utah, he must improve his battle game and become harder to play against. While he shows flashes of elite handling, some moves that work now may not succeed against NHL defenders. But projects as a middle six forward with good potential offensive upside if he continues to develop.

5 - Maveric Lamoureux

Since being a first-round selection by the Arizona/Utah franchise, Lamoureux has developed extremely well; truly a best-case scenario thus far. His offensive game gained confidence at the QMJHL and his overall decision making improved greatly. This helped to transform Lamoureux into a solid two-way defender leaving junior hockey. This past year, as a first-year pro, he was excellent, splitting time between the AHL and the NHL with Utah. His massive frame and solid mobility give him such immense upside as a defensive player. He’s shown absolutely no fear playing physically and taking on NHL forwards head on, a testament to his strength gains. While he may not have significant offensive upside as an NHL player, he should still end up being a quality top four defender and penalty killing anchor for Utah. This could happen as early as next year if the team decides to look for trades for some of their older defenders like Ian Cole.

6 - Michael Hrabal

Standing at 6-foot-6, Michael Hrabal is one of the tallest goalies there is period. Understandably so, he covers the net extremely well, giving him an advantage in a reverse vertical horizontal technique. Hrabal is an excellent goalie on his feet. He has tightened up his stance and gained more control over his body since being drafted. He anticipates passes well, tracks the puck quickly, has impressive athleticism for his size, and when he grabs ice well with his edges, can fly through the crease. The problem is that his edges aren’t always consistent, and he can sometimes just fail to get the needed power on a push. It’s an issue that is seen the most when transitioning to a butterfly slide, or any push made while down. While yes, he can look smooth, he can also look like he’s fighting the ice. He’s also shown a big weakness in his five hole, which has been a source of many goals against. His all-around good skill set gives him a high likelihood of being a solid starter in the NHL, but to be anything more, his edges will have to improve.

7 - Cole Beaudoin

Beaudoin hasn’t quite taken that next step forward offensively like you might expect from a recent first-round selection, but he remains a valuable prospect for the versatility he brings to the ice. One could probably argue that Utah drafted Beaudoin fully understanding that his offensive upside could be limited. Here is a player who plays both sides of the ice equally effectively. Who kills penalties and takes tough defensive assignments. Who works hard on the forecheck and who earns his touches. Who wins faceoffs but also has shown an ability to play the wing. Who blocks shots and competes to no end. Best of all, he’s competitive, but does not lack discipline. Bottom line, Beaudoin is a highly intelligent two-way player who should be able to develop into a high-end third line player for Utah in the near future. That said, Utah will want to see his skating and puck play take another step next season when he takes on a larger offensive role with Barrie (or another OHL club).

8 - Artyom Duda

What horrific adjective could we use to describe Duda’s development path? He basically missed an entire year of development after the NCAA refused to approve his scholarship with Maine due to his KHL time. When the case was finally settled, it left Duda without a place to finish the season, so he joined TMU of USports (Canadian University) for a dozen games. The good news? It doesn’t appear to have affected his development. Duda had a terrific rookie season in the AHL with Tucson that saw him lead the team in plus/minus, in addition to nearly hitting the 30-point mark. The strong skating, two-way rearguard looks like a potential top four option for Utah in the near future; the kind of player who can play in any situation and provide versatility to his coaches.

9 - Will Skahan

Will Skahan is in the process of adjusting to the college level, where the increased pace of play has impacted his consistency, particularly in puck play and making outlet passes. While his execution under pressure fluctuates, he has displayed strong defensive tools, utilizing an active stick and his length effectively to disrupt plays in his own zone. His ability to close gaps and break up plays has been a positive aspect of his game, showing his potential as a reliable defender. He has progressed well down the stretch of the college hockey season. As a two-way, defensive-minded player, Skahan was deployed in a depth role as a freshman. His ability to adapt to the speed and physicality of the college game will be crucial for his development. Continued improvement in his skating efficiency and decision making under pressure will determine his ability to take on greater responsibility. With time and experience, he has the potential to carve out a steady role as an NHL defenceman, particularly if he refines his transitions, passing, and overall poise with the puck.

10 - Max Psenicka

Psenicka is the type of prospect that scouts need to analyze more so on projection than actual results thus far. He didn't have a bad draft year by any means, playing games in the top pro league in Czechia before coming to North America and helping the Portland Winterhawks go on a deep playoff run as one of their go-to defencemen. But the reason why he was picked so high by Utah, even though he currently has some notable issues with his puck management and decision-making, is because he’s still far from a finished product, with a lot of development runway left for him to utilize. He’s a smooth skater with good mechanics, and some of his current balance issues should sort themselves out as he grows into his gangly body more. It’s a similar story with his strength too, as he shouldn’t be scrawny like this for much longer. With the foundation that Psenicka already has to work with the Mammoth could receive quite a return in the future if they’re smart and careful with their investment in him.

11 - Maks Szuber

Szuber is already two seasons into his North American pro career after making the jump from the DEL. Blessed with good size at his position, he can make the simple play with the puck and disrupt opposing chances with his stick. He will battle for NHL duty in camp this fall.

12 - Tomas Lavoie

A solid two-way defenceman with size, Lavoie saw a breakout season offensively in Cape Breton las year and will look to continue to build on that in his final season of major junior with the Eagles.

13 - Vadim Moroz

The aggressive, rangy forward had a breakout offensive season in the KHL last year and followed that up with a solid international showing for Belarus. Utah has not shied away from KHL players, and he could be another talent that could eventually prove them right. He’ll continue to ply his trade for Dinamo Minsk for the foreseeable future.

14 - Noel Nordh

Nordh racked up the frequent flier miles last season, competing for Sweden at the World Juniors, playing for Soo in the OHL, and then finishing off the season in the AHL. He had a strong offensive season in the OHL, finishing over a point per game. He’ll start next season in the AHL for Tucson.

15 - Julian Lutz

A forward with solid size and some playmaking, Lutz didn’t see the offensive numbers he would have liked in his AHL rookie season. However, his strong showing in the USHL the year prior suggests there’s more in the tank for his sophomore season.

NHL: Victor Nuño – DYNASTY STOCK WATCH – Utah Mammoth Edition

Victor Nuño — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 20:34:56 +0000

McKeen’s Hockey: Dynasty Stock Watch

The Dynasty Stock Watch is designed to go team-by-team across the NHL and evaluate which prospects dynasty managers should be looking to buy and which they should be looking to sell. The goal isn’t to rank prospects in a vacuum, but to assess their current fantasy market value relative to long-term upside. “Buy” candidates are players whose cost is likely lower than their future production potential, creating opportunities to acquire them before their stock rises. “Sell” candidates are players whose value is inflated by pedigree, recent performance, or name recognition, making it a good time to cash out before regression or role limitations set in. Each installment provides dynasty-specific context, helping you navigate short-term hype and long-term sustainability in building your roster.

Utah Mammoth Edition

Team Outlook

The Utah Mammoth narrowly missed the playoffs last season, but with their young core gaining another year of experience, expectations are rising quickly. The roster blends emerging stars with a wave of prospects who are pushing for NHL roles, giving dynasty managers plenty to track. Utah’s system still offers a mix of volatility and upside, with high-end skill near the top and several steady contributors developing underneath, but the organization appears to be turning the corner toward sustained contention.

The Mammoth should be right back in the playoff mix this season, and with more reinforcements on the way, their long-term trajectory looks increasingly promising for both the franchise and fantasy investors.

Buy Candidates

Tij Iginla (F, 19)
Why Buy?

Iginla appeared in just 24 WHL games last season, and that missed time understandably cooled some of the enthusiasm surrounding his breakout. For dynasty managers, that lull represents a clear buying opportunity. Before the injury, he was producing at an impressive clip and showing the shot, compete, and puck-driving ability that made him a top ten draft selection. Despite the limited action, his pNHLe via the NHL Rank King application remains near a point per game, reinforcing that his offensive trajectory is still on track.

There is some risk given the disruption in his development, but his upside remains extremely high. Iginla has the skill set to grow into a top six scorer, and if he earns consistent minutes next to one of Utah’s emerging centers, his production could spike quickly. This is a player whose temporary dip in perceived value might be the best window to buy before his breakout fully resumes.

Michal Hrabal (G, 20)
Why Buy?

Goalies require patience, and Hrabal is a clear example of why waiting can pay off. He has been excellent for UMass in the NCAA and continues to shine for Czechia on the international stage, showing poise well beyond his years. His combination of size, positioning, and calm under pressure continues to impress scouts. For dynasty managers, Hrabal remains under the radar compared to flashier names, which makes him an appealing buy-low candidate before his value climbs.

With Connor Ingram no longer in Utah, Hrabal’s long-term path to the crease looks much clearer. Karel Vejmelka is the only real obstacle between him and a future starting job, and Hrabal has the tools to seize that role within a few seasons. His development has been steady, his track record strong, and his Hockey Prospecting profile shows promising comparables in Filip Gustavsson and Nikolai Khabibulin. Those would be excellent outcomes for the Mammoth, and they highlight just how valuable Hrabal could become as a long-term dynasty stash.

Artyom Duda (D, 21)
Why Buy?

Duda made his North American debut with Tucson in the AHL last season and held his own against older competition. His combination of skating, offensive instincts, and vision on the power play continues to stand out, and his transition game hints at real top four potential. His Fantasy Hockey Life skater card suggests there is still some growth ahead before he reaches his ceiling, which only reinforces his value as a long-term investment.

The uncertainty surrounding his trajectory has created a discount that patient dynasty managers can take advantage of. Duda’s upside as a mobile, two-way defender with power-play utility fits perfectly within Utah’s emerging core. If he earns a larger role or receives a look on the second power-play unit, his fantasy stock could rise quickly. With the hardest transition year behind him, he appears poised to make a steady climb toward becoming an NHL regular.

Sell Candidates

Daniil But (F, 20)
Why Sell?
But’s size and raw skill made him a first-round pick, but his skating and overall pace of play remain areas of concern. The prestige of his draft pedigree continues to buoy his perceived value, yet his development trajectory suggests he may settle into more of a complementary role than a primary scorer. Despite his imposing frame, he is not overly physical, and his production profile raises questions about whether his offense will fully translate to the NHL level. For managers who invested early, this may be an ideal time to explore trade value while expectations remain high.

According to the NHL Rank King application, But projects as a sub-60-point player at his peak, which limits his fantasy appeal without strong peripheral contributions. Since his blocks, shots, and hits contributions are more modest, his real-world effectiveness may not mirror fantasy value. While he appears likely to carve out a steady NHL career, the upside for dynasty formats looks capped. This is a moment to consider selling before his market adjusts to a more modest projection.

Dmitri Simashev (D, 20)
Why Sell?
Simashev is a smooth-skating, defensively reliable blueliner, but his fantasy upside is limited. Across 137 KHL games, he has recorded only 16 points, and he has never shown a consistent scoring touch in any league he has played. His skating and defensive awareness make him a valuable real-world player, yet his offensive instincts and involvement in transition remain muted. Given that he is unlikely to run a power play, his point totals may stall out in a second-pair, shutdown role.

His pedigree as a former high draft pick still gives him perceived value in dynasty formats, which makes this a prime opportunity to sell before expectations recalibrate. Simashev’s long-term NHL future looks solid from a defensive standpoint, but his fantasy utility will be limited unless his offensive game takes a major leap. Without scoring volume or meaningful peripherals, he is better suited to anchoring a blue line than a fantasy roster.

Maveric Lamoureux (D, 21)
Why Sell?
Standing at 6-foot-7 and carrying significant physical presence, Lamoureux draws intrigue. He’s shown flashes of activation in the offensive zone and throws his size around on defense, but his developmental curve is slow. In his first full AHL season he posted 13 points in 42 games with Tucson, plus a brief stint in the NHL for 15 games with Utah. Even so, there is little evidence to suggest he will ever be a reliable fantasy scorer, especially given his lack of history producing offense in prior leagues.

His fantasy upside is extremely limited, since he’s unlikely to ever run a power play, and his point totals may flatten out in a second-pair, defensive role. His peripheral contributions aren’t great (though he does deliver a fair number of hits), which only compounds the risk. Like Simashev, he will probably settle into a shutdown role more than an offensive one. For dynasty managers holding him for upside, this is an ideal window to explore trading him before the opportunity cost of that roster spot becomes too steep.

Summary

Player	Role	Key Insight
Tij Iginla	Buy	High-upside scorer whose value dipped due to injury, prime time to buy
Michal Hrabal	Buy	Large, composed goalie still under the radar with starting potential
Artyom Duda	Buy	Skilled defenseman with power-play tools, discounted by uncertainty
Daniil But	Sell	Pedigree inflates value, skating/pacing issues cap long-term upside
Dmitri Simashev	Sell	Reliable defender with low fantasy ceiling, sell while pedigree still sells
Maveric Lamoureux	Sell	Shutdown project with minimal offensive upside, roster spot better used elsewhere

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: #8 Utah Mammoth – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

Fri, 30 May 2025 12:21:50 +0000

PARADISE, NV - JUNE 28: Tij Iginla is drafted by the Utah Hockey Club in the first round during the Upper Deck NHL Draft on June 28, 2024 at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Speer/Icon Sportswire)

Subscribers can download the PDF in subscriber downloads.

Please note you can scroll through the PDF document here as well

Utah 25 Prospects

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #3 Utah – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Player Profiles - Derek Neumeier, Team Overview - Robert Howard — Sun, 09 Jun 2024 18:00:12 +0000

TEMPE, AZ - MARCH 30: Arizona Coyotes Right Wing Josh Doan (91) follows the play during an NHL game between the Arizona Coyotes and New York Rangers on March 30, 2024, at Mullett Arena in Tempe, AZ. (Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire)

The desert dogs are finally on the move after a tumultuous time in Arizona. The word leaked out the franchise was moving to Utah after the season ended to a surprised hockey world, and the Coyotes players themselves. The state of Utah inherits the third overall prospect pool in the NHL with some prime pieces to build a winner out of. They have graduated two first rounders in Dylan Guenther (9th overall – 2021) and Logan Cooley (3rd – 2022). They own three prospects in the top 20 of McKeen’s prospect ranking including Russian teammates Dimitri Simashev (16th overall), and Daniil But (20th). They are joined by 18th ranked Conor Geekie, who could make the team next season. The fourth prospect at 55th overall is Josh Doan, one of the fastest rising prospects on this list. He has already made a strong impression in scoring nine points in 11 games in an NHL callup. He will also likely graduate next season.

GM Bill Armstrong has largely focused on acquiring picks and prospects in trades over his four years at the helm. He has amassed 14 picks in the 2024 NHL Draft, including seven in the first three rounds. He also has seven picks in the 2025 NHL Draft, also in the first three rounds. With new ownership comes a new boss. There was a level of dysfunction in the organization and bringing that to an end will be a benefit. It is an extremely young roster anchored by 25-year-old Clayton Keller. The high draft picks mentioned above are still a couple of years away. It is too early to determine if the philosophy has changed and how impatient the new ownership is to make an impression in Utah. The team has improved in recent seasons, and there are the chips to play if it wants to add more support around the kids.

RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	TM	Acquired	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
1	Dmitri Simashev	D	19	6-4/198	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	`23(6th)	63	4	6	10	18
2	Conor Geekie	C	19	6-3/193	Wen-SC (WHL)	`22(11th)	55	43	56	99	66
3	Daniil But	LW	19	6-5/203	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	`23(12th)	55	10	11	21	10
4	Josh Doan	RW	22	6-1/183	Tucson (AHL)	`21(37th)	62	26	20	46	32
					Arizona (NHL)	`21(37th)	11	5	4	9	0
5	Maveric Lamoureux	D	20	6-7/214	Drummondville (QMJHL)	`22(29th)	39	9	24	33	53
6	Michael Hrabal	G	19	6-6/209	Massachusetts (HE)	`23(38th)	30	16	12	2.59	0.912
7	Aku Raty	RW	22	6-1/190	Tucson (AHL)	`19(151st)	55	15	29	44	22
8	Julian Lutz	LW	20	6-1/185	Green Bay (USHL)	`22(43rd)	50	24	44	68	71
9	Justin Kipkie	D	18	6-3/195	Victoria (WHL)	`23(160th)	67	16	36	52	35
10	Sam Lipkin	LW	21	6-2/190	Quinnipiac (ECAC)	`21(223rd)	39	15	20	35	37
11	Artyom Duda	D	20	6-1/187	Toronto Metro Univ. (Usports)	`22(36th)	12	2	5	7	10
12	Miko Matikka	RW	20	6-3/200	Denver (NCHC)	`22(67th)	43	20	13	33	41
13	Maksymilian Szuber	D	21	6-3/190	Arizona (NHL)	`22(163rd)	1	0	0	0	2
14	Matt Villalta	G	24	6-3/190	Tucson (AHL)	FA(7/23)	51	31	17	2.54	0.911
15	Nathan Smith	C	25	6-0/177	Tucson (AHL)	T(Wpg-3/22)	60	12	19	31	38

1. Dmitri Simashev, D, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)

Some Coyotes fans were surprised when their team picked Simashev with the 6th overall pick in 2023, but his play this season as a full-time defenseman in the KHL helped showcase precisely why the organization is so excited about him. With his size and exceptional skating ability he is already able to comfortably defend at a professional level, and if everything goes right in his development he could become one of the best shutdown blueliners in the entire NHL, someone who is able to stick like glue to speedy superstars like Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon. That’s significantly more important in defending these days than pure brawn. And while his offensive tools were only noticeable last year when you watched him closely enough and saw the right games, he's also made important progress at actually converting them to points for his stat line.

2. Conor Geekie, C, Swift Current Broncos (WHL)

It would be hard to overstate just how great of a season Geekie had, especially following his midseason trade to Swift Current. A finalist for WHL Player Of The Year, he was an utterly dominant force since opening night, and provided such a spark for his new Broncos club that they went into the playoffs with red-hot momentum behind them. His puck skills, hands and shot are all high end, and he continues to make essential improvements with his skating ability and how he uses his size and strength to bully opposing defenses in the cycle. When all the cylinders are firing for him at the same time he is incredible to watch. While some time in the AHL might be the best thing for him long-term, it will be very, very hard for the Coyotes to keep him off their roster straight out of training camp.

3. Daniil But, LW, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)

Like his Yaroslavl Lokomotiv teammate Simashev, But became a KHL regular this season and didn't look out of place at all against that level of competition. He's a very tantalizing prospect because of his overflowing toolbox, which includes the size, reach and puck control to maintain possession in the cycle, the speed and explosiveness to open up space on the rush, and the scoring and playmaking ability to generate goals in either style. While his point totals aren't eye-popping yet, the KHL is the best league in the world outside of the NHL, and huge and lanky guys like him usually need extra time to grow into their bodies. What’s most important to remember with But is that the foundation is in place to eventually build up to a uniquely high ceiling, it’s just going to be a little while before anyone gets to see the finished product.

4. Josh Doan, RW, Tucson Roadrunners (AHL)

There weren’t a lot of feel-good stories coming out of the desert, even before news of the team’s move to Utah was confirmed, but Doan’s rapid development and immediate impact upon being called up to the NHL certainly count as one. Shane Doan was the face of that franchise for a long time, and despite some lofty expectations, his son has turned out to be the prince who was promised. It’s obvious, and quite impressive, how much he embraced the situation he was in. His game presents a three-zone blend of skill, grit and leadership, and there is little question where he gets those attributes from. Regardless of his team’s new home, he’ll be a huge part of the organization for years to come, both as someone who can log a lot of ice time in all situations as a core roster player, and also as someone who can help instill a culture and identity.

5. Maveric Lamoureux, D, Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)

Injuries have robbed Lamoureux of a lot of games played over the past two seasons, so there’s something to be said about just how good he has looked when he’s actually been in the lineup. It’s so rare to find a prospect of this size who has this much raw skating ability, and he can easily gobble up mountains of minutes without having to expend as much energy as other defenders do when moving around the ice. This style of player usually takes a long time to grow into his body and figure out the necessary small-area skill, and luckily Utah, Lamoureux has already made a lot of progress in this regard. His upside is a little murky to project right now, especially if the injury issues stick around, but the organization will happily be patient with him for as long as they can just to see what the final product looks like.

6. Michael Hrabal, G, University of Massachusetts (NCAA)

The gargantuan Hrabal continues to trend in the right direction, albeit with some fits and spurts along the way. He won the starting job with UMass-Amherst this past season over another drafted goalie who was four years his senior and put forth some stellar individual performances throughout the year. However, he did struggle and falter at bad times for Czechia at the World Juniors, letting in too many weak goals. He covers so much net naturally and without effort, but on the downside and much like others just like him, still has issues at this age with pucks squeaking through under his arms and between his legs. Goalies his size usually need extra time to build enough strength to keep moving so much mass around their crease and to get everything about their play fine-tuned, and Hrabal is still on course to get there eventually.

7. Aku Raty, RW, Tucson Roadrunners (AHL)

Raty continues to make steady, upwards progress in his development. His stats in the 2023-24 regular season were almost identical to what they were last year, but they are more impressive when you remember that producing points in the AHL is more difficult than doing it in the Liiga or most other European leagues. His success wasn’t quite enough to say that he is clearly ready for permanent NHL duty, but at the rate he keeps getting better and better, that seems like it’s not far out. He’s a well-rounded winger who is impressively smooth, both in the way he moves and the way he moves the puck, and he doesn’t sacrifice his defensive responsibilities to make magic happen offensively. He projects more as a complementary player than the primary driver of a line, but there is value in the NHL for forwards who know how to thrive in that kind of role.

8. Julian Lutz, LW, Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)

A major change of scenery, going from the top German pro league to Green Bay in the USHL, has turned out to be exactly what Lutz needed after a couple of seasons that were significantly hampered by injuries and reduced ice time. He scored a hat trick in just his third game in his new environment and then he never looked back from there, quickly establishing himself as one of the most singularly dangerous players in the entire league. He’s embracing an identity as a power forward, relying on his big shot and soft hands around the net to rack up points, while also using his size and strength to bring a physical presence. There is a lot to like about him, so he and the new Utah team will need to be careful when figuring out what is the best level for him to play at next season.

9. Justin Kipkie, D, Victoria Royals (WHL)

The Victoria Royals took a nice step forward this season after three straight finishes at the bottom of their division, and Kipkie is a key part of their ongoing turnaround. He plays a lot of minutes on that roster, and they're not exactly easy minutes, either, considering how young that roster is and how frequently they’re playing under siege. He leaves an outsized impact offensively and defensively, and few defenders his age have as hard of a shot as he does, which he is more than happy to utilize. There is a tactful maturity to how he uses his size and strength, though he'll get emotional and inflict punishment, too, if challenged. His performance faded down the stretch, in lockstep with the rest of his team, but if the Royals are playing meaningful hockey next spring you can expect Kipkie to be a heart-and-soul leader for them.

10. Sam Lipkin, LW, Quinnipiac University (NCAA)

Speaking bluntly but fairly, Lipkin didn't look particularly noticeable or stand out in any major ways in his draft year. He was, however, playing for the Chicago Steel, which is regularly one of the best organizations in the world at nurturing young hockey talent, evidenced in part by them winning the 2021 USHL championship. As such, the now-Utah scouts knew confidently that his growth was in good hands. Quite unsurprisingly, given the environment he was in and the staff he was working with, his performance immediately began to skyrocket the very next season, which he then carried over into two great campaigns with Quinnipiac as well, including an NCAA title in 2023. He is an impressive natural athlete who continues to find new ways to round out and elevate his game, which helps open up different NHL pathways for him.

PROSPECT CRITERIA: Players under 26 years of age as of 9/15/2024 who have appeared in less than 60 games (30 for goalies) and less than 25 in one season (25 for goalies).

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – ARIZONA COYOTES – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #4

Brock Otten, Derek Neumeier, Chapin Landvogt and Josh Bell — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 16:00:22 +0000

Top 20 Arizona Coyotes Prospects

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 15: Arizona Coyotes right wing Dylan Guenther (11) made his NHL debut during a game between the Boston Bruins and the Arizona Coyotes on October 15, 2022, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire)

1. Logan Cooley - C

Cooley grew up in Pittsburgh during the peak of Sidney Crosby's career, and it's almost uncanny how much the former's game has been clearly influenced by the latter. While the former University of Minnesota center doesn't project to become a generational player like Sid has been, Cooley’s game is built around a very similar foundation: ample lower body strength and balance, excellent hockey sense, tenacious competitiveness, sublime puck skill, commitment in all three zones, and an advanced maturity for how he conducts himself. There were some scouts in the industry who argued for him to be the first prospect picked in the 2022 draft, and that argument is even stronger now. Arizona is trying to build things from the ground up (figuratively and literally), and Cooley is about as good as it gets as a foundational piece to build around.

2. Dylan Guenther - RW

Guenther started his 2022-23 season in the NHL and looked right at home, scoring at a nice clip. When Arizona let him go to the World Juniors and then back to the WHL afterwards it wasn't as a punishment — it was to let him stretch his legs a little more, add a gold medal that he didn't already have, maybe get a healthy crack at the Memorial Cup after injuries held him out during the previous year, and finally come back to the NHL as an even better player in 2023-24. It must feel like a punishment to all the junior-aged players he has gone up against though, because he was basically too good for that level already. He lit up the WHL playoffs in Seattle and barely looked like he was breaking a sweat while doing so. He should enjoy the moment, because once he's back in the NHL he won't be leaving again.

3. Dmitri Simashev - D

Simashev is a unicorn of a player, with a tantalizing amount of raw skill contained within a menacing physical package. He is a truly remarkable skater for such a gigantic defenseman. Not only is he explosive in a straight line, with long, flawless strides, but his crossovers and edge work are both essentially perfect. The way that he can pick the puck up behind his own net, reach his top gear within a few steps and then blow down the entire length of the ice without breaking a sweat is simply jaw-dropping. He can also gap up on opponents with ease, and good luck ever dumping the puck into his corner, because he's going to get to it first, quickly pivot, and then use his frame to help him shield the puck. His low point totals might suggest that he's not much of an offensive contributor, but he helps his team enter the attacking zone and set up, and if he sees an opportunity to take the puck all the way to the opposing net himself, he will do so. He also uses his elusive footwork well to control the offensive blueline. All that being said, he probably won't ever be a big point-scorer.

4. Daniil But - LW

When you have a 6’ 5” forward who can skate, shoot, handle the puck, and make plays how do you even begin to describe him? There might not actually be one single trait that But has that is elite, however his overflowing toolbox of very good traits makes him special. It's nearly impossible to miss someone that big during his shifts, yet he makes it even easier to notice him because he covers so much ice all the time with his skyscraper legs and how he works to get them churning to build momentum. He can also create with his hands, whether that's with a long sweeping move to get around a defender or some quick manoeuvring in traffic to maintain possession. He is a major threat on both the rush and in the cycle because he's just so powerful and hard to contain. Sometimes he plays with clever nuance, while at other times he is a bull in a china shop. He's pretty uncoordinated and clumsy right now, although it's obvious that he is still filling out his frame after a big teenage growth spurt. It's almost scary to think of how good But could potentially be when he's done developing.

5. Conor Geekie - C

Geekie did not seem to progress very much last season compared to his draft year, which is concerning when you consider the incredibly favourable situation he has been in, playing on a dominant Winnipeg Ice team. With talented linemates to work with, and opposing defense spread thin with too much to handle, it should have been a feast for a prospect with such an overflowing toolbox. Instead, he blended into the scenery more often than he stood out. Luckily for the Coyotes though, there is still a ton here for their development staff to work with. His puck skills, hands, and shot are all high end, and he should be able to make improvements with his skating ability while using his size and strength to bully opposing defenses in the cycle. When all the cylinders are firing for him at the same time, Geekie is one of the scariest prospects in the country, and getting that to happen more frequently is the long-term focus.

6. Victor Soderstrom - D

After three seasons in North America, Soderstrom has yet to establish himself as a full-time NHLer, and questions are beginning to arise about where things are going to go with his career next. It's never a good sign when a player hits a plateau season over season in his early 20s. His mobility and hands are both still assets, but he is having trouble utilizing them in ways that make a positive difference. The offensive production isn't really coming along, and he's struggling with defending and moving pucks out of trouble. At the same time, the whole organization is going through growing pains, so further patience is needed to fully analyse the situation. The Coyotes want Soderstrom to be a key piece on their roster and will likely give him more chances to prove that he can be one.

7. Josh Doan - RW

Doan finds himself in a truly unique situation, not just as the son of a former NHLer who was drafted by the same organization that his father starred for, but also because he is already playing in the same state that his dad helped bring hockey to for the first time. If the built-in expectations and scrutiny created any unwanted pressure, the younger Doan certainly hasn't show that he’s been frightened by its effects. If anything, he seems to relish being a future face of hockey in Arizona. His game presents a three-zone blend of skill, grit, and leadership, and there is little question as to where he gets that from. He'll be a huge part of this organization for years to come, both as someone who can log a lot of ice time in all situations, but also as someone that can help instil a positive culture and identity in the locker room.

8. Jan Jenik - C

It's a real shame that Jenik battled through injury issues last season, because if he had stayed healthy, he was on course to have a big breakout season in the NHL. He is one of the most well-rounded and complete players in the Coyotes organization, and it's hard to find any real faults in his game. Coaches love to send him over the boards in various situations because he's always around the puck or involved in the play, battling or thinking his way into earning copious puck touches. When he gets to work in the offensive zone, he is very hard to contain thanks to his size, puck skill, and offensive versatility. Everything about his game just screams long-term professional. Expect him to see a lot of NHL minutes this season if he is healthy.

9. Michael Hrabal - G

Coming up as a dominant, borderline generational netminder in his home country of Czechia, Hrabal is no stranger to expectations. Standing at 6’6”, it doesn’t take much for him to cover the net, even from his knees. His frame covers the twine so well when he’s down in a butterfly that his pads take away the entire bottom of the net. Despite this size, his mobility and footwork are also both big strengths of his. He navigates the crease well, going post-to-post with ease. His feet are very quick, kicking away stray pucks as needed. He has quick hands to match, especially his glove hand. Given his size, he tends to play back in his net too far, so he will need to learn to challenge a bit more to really cut down the amount of net he leaves open, especially when facing better shooters at higher levels. Goaltenders always take a longer path, and he will be no exception. That's not a concern though, as he has all of the tools in place to become a starting netminder in the NHL one day, or at least a likely reliable backup.

10. Maveric Lamoureux - D

Lamoureux missed the first half of last season due to injury, and once he was healthy joined a Voltigeurs team that struggled to climb out of the basement of the league. But what matters most about his profile is that when he was playing, it was in an important role, because he is very much a long-term project who needs as much ice time as possible if he's going to reach his full potential. It's so rare to find a prospect of this size who has this much raw skating ability, and that kind of player usually takes a long time to grow into his body and figure out the necessary small-area skills for success. The hope is that his reach and range will help him eventually grow into a space-dominating player who can log top-four minutes without having to expend as much energy as other defenders moving around the ice.

11. Artyom Duda - D

In a strange twist of events, Duda has left Russia to pursue a scholarship at the University of Maine. Due to him having played at the KHL level already, there are hurdles to jump through regarding his eligibility, but this move should be great for his development. A smooth skating, two-way defender, Duda was a very high pick in 2022.

12. Julian Lutz - LW

For Lutz, the battle to stay healthy remains his largest hurdle. He has had issues with injuries the last two seasons, and this has prevented him from playing a significant role at the DEL level in Germany. The talent is there. Perhaps a move to North America (like say in the OHL) would be best for his development.

13. Aku Raty - RW

Raty was fantastic in Liiga action last year, finishing among the leading scorers on a strong Ilves team. Now the hard working, complementary winger will be coming to North America to get his first taste of action across the pond. If he has a good camp and performs well in the AHL, he could move through the system quickly.

14. Vladislav Kolyachonok - D

2022-23 was a positive year for Kolyachonok’s development as he emerged as one of Tuscon’s top defensive players. The key to his success remains his strong skating ability and he has a chance to crack the Arizona blueline full time soon.

15. Nathan Smith - C

After starting so well in the NHL after signing at the end of the 2021-22 season, Smith’s first full season in the AHL was a disappointment last year. His upside at the NHL level may be capped, but he needs to become a go-to offensive player with Tuscon first.

16. Sam Lipkin - LW

A former standout with the Chicago Steel, Lipkin had a remarkable freshman year with Quinnipiac. Not only did he capture an NCAA championship, but he was named ECAC rookie of the year. Lipkin is returning to college to continue to improve his skating, but the skill components of his game are progressing nicely.

17. Miko Matikka - RW

Matikka is a big, skilled winger with significant offensive upside. He played in the USHL last year but will be attending the University of Denver this year in hopes of earning a top six role immediately. The question is whether Matikka can improve his off-puck play.

18. Michael Kesselring - D

Acquired from the Oilers in exchange for Nick Bjugstad, Kesselring is a big defender with a surprisingly smooth stride. He saw some time with the big club last year and could be a contender for a permanent roster spot this year.

19. Ilya Fedotov - LW

A competitive winger with skill and upside who finally broke through as a KHL contributor last year. Fedotov has since moved to the SKA organization for next year and is still in Arizona’s long-term plans.

20. Maksymilian Szuber - D

The big German defender improved a lot last year in the DEL, impressing enough to earn both a WC invite and an ELC from the Coyotes. He’ll be loaned back to EHC Munchen again though, where it is hoped that he continues with his rapid progression.

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #9 Arizona Coyotes

Derek Neumeier — Mon, 22 May 2023 15:11:54 +0000

There has been a lot of losing in the desert over the years with only one playoff appearance in 11 years. That should translate to a lot of high draft picks to populate the prospect pipeline. They did have to forfeit a second-round pick in 2020 and a first in 2021, GM Bill Armstrong’s first draft in the driver’s seat. Nonetheless, development has been an issue as many high picks have just not reached their potential compared to where they were drafted. Only four graduations in Janis Moser, Matias Maccelli, Barrett Hayton, and Kevin Bahl in the last five drafts. They may all be fine NHL’ers but few home runs. 2019 11^th overall pick Victor Soderstrom has not made the leap yet and seems stagnant as a prospect.

Since Armstrong has been in charge, they have added two blue chip prospects, including the number one overall prospect on our McKeen’s list in Logan Cooley. He is followed closely by number six ranked Dylan Guenther. Last year’s 11^th overall pick, Conor Geekie ranks #49 on our list, and brings size, strength, puck skills, hands and a good shot in an intriguing package with the right development. Jan Jenik would likely have joined the graduate list in a breakout season if not for injuries. The Coyotes have 12 picks in the first three rounds of the next two drafts, 2023 and 2024. Armstrong has been busily gathering those in trades. How he deploys them may best be seen in his flipping three picks (#27, #34, #45) for the 11^th pick, in which he grabbed Geekie after getting Cooley third. He has extracted reasonable prices in moving his veterans, but how he and the organization handle the development of these promising pieces going forward will be critical if they are ever to be competitive. That is how we will know change has indeed arrived in Arizona.

TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 26: University of Minnesota Forward Logan Cooley (92) looks to break up a pass during a College Hockey game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Arizona State Sun Devils on November 26th, 2022, at Mullett Arena in Tempe, AZ. (Photo by Zac BonDurant/Icon Sportswire)

Logan Cooley

Cooley grew up in Pittsburgh during the peak of Sidney Crosby's career, and it's almost uncanny how much of the former's game has been clearly influenced by the latter. While the University of Minnesota center doesn't project to become a generational player like Sid is, his game is built around a very similar foundation: ample lower body strength and balance, excellent hockey sense, tenacious competitiveness, sublime puck skill, commitment in all three zones and an advanced maturity for how he conducts himself. There were some scouts in the industry who argued for him to be the first prospect picked in the 2022 draft, and that argument is even stronger now than it was a year ago. Arizona is trying to build things from the ground up (figuratively and literally), and Cooley is about as good as it gets for a foundational piece to build around.

2. Dylan Guenther

Guenther started his 2022-23 season in the NHL and looked right at home, scoring at a nice clip. When Arizona let him go to the World Juniors and then back to the WHL afterwards it wasn't done as a punishment — it was to let him stretch his legs a little more, add a gold medal that he didn't already have, maybe get a healthy crack at the Memorial Cup after injuries held him out last year, and come back to the NHL an even better player next year. It must feel like a punishment to all the junior-aged players he's going up against, though, because he's basically too good for this level now. He was lighting up the WHL playoffs in Seattle and barely looked like he was breaking a sweat doing it. He should enjoy the moment, because once he's back in the NHL he won't be leaving again.

3. Conor Geekie

Geekie did not seem to progress very much this season compared to last season, which is concerning when you consider the incredibly favourable situation he is in, playing on a dominant Winnipeg Ice team. With talented linemates to work with, and opposing defense spread thin with too much to handle, it should have been a feast for a prospect with such an overflowing toolbox. Instead, he blended into the scenery more than he stood out. Luckily for the Coyotes, though, there is still a ton here for their development staff to work with. His puck skills, hands and shot are all high end, and he should be able to make improvements with his skating ability and using his size and strength to bully opposing defenses in the cycle. When all the cylinders are firing for him at the same time, he's one of the scariest prospects in the country, and getting that to happen more frequently is the long-term focus.

4. Jan Jenik

It's a real shame that Jenik has battled through injury issues this season, because if he had stayed healthy he was on course to have a big breakout season in the NHL. He is one of the most well-rounded and complete players in the Coyotes organization, and it's hard to find any real faults in his game. Coaches love to send him over the boards in various situations because he's always around the puck or involved in the play, battling or thinking his way into earning copious puck touches, and when he gets to work in the offensive zone, he is very hard to contain thanks to his size, puck skill and offensive versatility. Everything about his game just screams long-term professional. Expect him to see a lot of NHL minutes next season if he is healthy.

5. Victor Soderstrom

After three seasons in North America Soderstrom has still yet to establish himself as a full-time NHLer, and questions are beginning to arise about where things are going to go with his career next. It's never a good sign when a player hits a plateau season over season in his early 20s. His mobility and hands are both still assets, but he is having trouble utilizing them in ways that make a positive difference. The offensive production isn't really coming along, and he's struggling with defending and moving pucks out of trouble. At the same time, the whole organization is going through growing pains, so further patience is needed to fully analyze the situation. The Coyotes want Soderstrom to be a key piece on their roster and will likely give him more chances to prove that he can be one.

6. Josh Doan

Doan finds himself in a truly unique situation, not just as the son of a former NHLer who was drafted by the same organization that his father starred for, but also because he is already playing in the same state that his dad helped bring hockey to for the first time. But if the built-in expectations and scrutiny created any unwanted pressure, the younger Doan certainly doesn't show its effects. If anything, he seems to relish being a future face of hockey in Arizona. His game presents a three-zone blend of skill, grit and leadership, and there is little question where he gets that from. He'll be a huge part of this organization for years to come, both as someone who can log a lot of ice time in all situations, and also as someone that can help instill a culture and identity in the locker room.

7. Maveric Lamoureux

Lamoureux missed the first half of his season due to injury, and once he was healthy joined a Voltigeurs team that has struggled to climb out of the basement of the league. But what matters most is that he's playing again, and in an important role, because he is very much a long-term project who needs as much ice time as possible if he's going to reach his full potential. It's so rare to find a prospect of this size who has this much raw skating ability, but that kind of player usually takes a long time to grow into his body and figure out the necessary small-area skill. The hope is that his reach and range will help him eventually grow into a space-dominating player who can log Top 4 minutes without having to expend as much energy as other defenders moving around the ice.

8. Julian Lutz

EHC München did a fantastic job of developing young Buffalo Sabres winger John-Jason Peterka, and the Coyotes are hoping that the same environment — which notably features a few former NHLers on the roster — will have similar benefits on Lutz. It has been a tough couple of years for the highly touted German winger, as injuries have limited his games played and, in turn, held back his growth. He possesses a high-end shot and the frame and hands to protect pucks, but the actual goals haven't materialized for him much lately because he's still working on how to get into prime shooting spots against top competition. Correcting his stiff skating stride and gaining more agility will be his main focuses moving forward, as right now it's too easy to gap up on him and neutralize him from the play.

9. Artyom Duda

Duda is a real jack-of-all trades defenseman, and already plays a very professional style of game that is responsible yet effective. He's the type of blueliner who you don't notice often, good or bad, but usually ends up with a few points on the score sheet. He's just very efficient with his puck touches, moving the play up the ice over and over with minimal mistakes, and then helping find ways to crack opposing defenses from the blueline in. It doesn't have to be exciting work, so long as it leads to more goals scored than goals allowed, which he accomplishes. He's even started slowly doing that at Russia's higher levels, too, spending about half of his 2022-23 season in his nation's top two pro leagues and holding his own. He might even have what it takes to move to the KHL full-time next year.

10. Aku Raty

The older brother of Vancouver Canucks prospect Aatu Räty, Aku isn't as purely talented as his younger sibling, but the argument could easily be made that he's a more well-rounded player. He was drafted for attributes like his forechecking, consistent effort and responsible off-puck play, but maybe there is some brotherly sharing of tips and tricks going on, because he played his way up the lineup into a Top 6 role this season and didn't look out of place at all, emerging as one of the top scorers for Ilves. After a season like that in a professional league, combined with his ability to thrive as a Bottom 6 winger, it's easy to project Räty as an eventual NHLer, with the possibility that he could become a true core piece on a team's roster. Championship teams can't be made up of entirely star players, after all.

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – ARIZONA COYOTES – Top 20 Prospects

Sun, 18 Sep 2022 12:30:54 +0000

1 - Logan Cooley C US

The Arizona Coyotes are slowly building their next contender, stockpiling picks and prospects more aggressively than any NHL franchise has done before. Armed with the third overall pick at the 2022 draft, the Coyotes began to lay the foundation for their next era by selecting Logan Cooley, a center out of the U.S. National Team Development Program. Cooley instantly became the most promising prospect in the Coyotes’ system, and just one look at his game film from his draft year will show why. Despite playing on a USNTDP team fully stocked with top prospects, Cooley kept finding ways to stand out above the pack. There’s one word that best describes Cooley’s game: dynamic. Cooley’s puck skills are elite, and he’s always finding creative ways to get himself out of trouble and make his way through defensive coverage. When the puck is on his stick, Cooley’s linemates are always open for a pass. Cooley is more of a creative skater than a true burner, relying more on his edgework and stop-start ability than pure speed. While that fact of his game means his skating won’t set him apart at the NHL level the way his puck skills will, it also means he’ll have an easier time translating his offensive habits to the NHL level, where most defenders are strong enough on their feet to avoid being beaten through speed outright. Cooley has a wide-open offensive toolbox that is arguably the best in his age group, and he’ll head to the University of Minnesota next season with the expectation of being an instant impact scorer. With the Cooley pick, the Coyotes added an all-too-rare commodity to their system: a prospect with the chance to become an NHL number-one center in the NHL. - EH

2- Dylan Guenther RW WHL

At this time last year, one would have probably assumed that Guenther would play out the season with Edmonton (WHL) and then make a run at the Arizona Coyotes roster in 2022/23, possibly as a top Calder candidate. However, a knee injury suffered in the WHL playoffs this year has altered those plans. Guenther will not be ready for Coyotes training camp this year and that likely means he returns to the WHL for another year. The Coyotes will be patient and cautious with one of their top prospects. Guenther did have a great year for the Oil Kings last season and remains one of the top goal scoring wing prospects in the NHL. His combination of size and skill is impressive and rare these days. And while he’s not a power forward in the traditional sense, he took big steps forward this season as someone who can play that power game by driving the net and playing through contact. His shot is a major weapon, and his offensive zone awareness is at a near elite level. He is never likely to be a top end two-way player and there is still some room for improvement in his decision making/vision with the puck, but his development has him tracking towards being a quality top six winger for the Coyotes and someone who could potentially be a consistent 30 goal scorer. If his injury recovery goes according to plan, he should be ready to jump into Arizona’s lineup in 2023/24. - BO

3 - Matias Maccelli LW AHL

The only U22 forward in the AHL to have a better points per game average than Maccelli last season was top prospect Jack Quinn. Since being drafted in the fourth round in 2019, Maccelli has done nothing but progress positively. Two strong years in Liiga (in Finland), the first of which saw him named as Liiga’s rookie of the year. Then the aforementioned strong AHL debut last year. Granted, he did struggle in his first attempt at the NHL after a midseason call-up, scoring a single goal across 23 games (despite getting decent ice time and some powerplay responsibility). However, this was only the first bump in the road for Maccelli. The 5’11 winger is extremely skilled and creative, giving him significant upside as a top six NHL forward. Originally, there were concerns over his lack of speed, explosiveness, and ability to dictate pace, however he has made significant strides in these departments since being drafted. Of course, as his brief stint in the NHL showed, he still has room to grow as a player, but the potential for him to develop into a solid point producer for the Coyotes is very real. Look for Maccelli to secure a permanent spot on the Coyotes this year out of training camp, as he will be given every opportunity to jump into a top nine role. He may even be a nice sleeper for the Calder Trophy (still eligible because he played just under 25 games). - BO

4 - Conor Geekie C WHL

While Geekie's statistical output from the 2021-22 isn't especially notable, it doesn't sufficiently reflect how good of a hockey player he is — and just how much better he can become over time, with the right development. The 2nd overall pick in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft (behind Winnipeg Ice teammate Matthew Savoie) and the 11th overall selection by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, he possess an enticing and hard to find package of size, deft puck skill and advanced offensive vision. He has a natural touch for the puck, able to get it under control with ease or distribute it naturally on the forehand or backhand. He can also really lean into his wrist shots, getting enough power behind them that the speed and force can cause problems for goalies. Even better, with his bulky 6'4" frame he is able to fend off defenders more effectively than most of his peers, giving him more time to scan the play unfolding around him and find more opportunities to create offense. At his best, his skill package makes him a major headache for opposing defenders to handle. He is, however, a below-average skater. Skating will never be a strength for him, but something that he can improve — and needs to focus on improving — is his pace and willingness to keep his feet moving. He also had a bad tendency last season on a stacked team to hang back and let his teammates lead the charge. There were too many shifts where he wasn't noticeable, and that inconsistency ultimately showed up in his scoring totals. The Ice are primed for another championship-contending season in 2022-23, and Geekie is expected to be a bigger part of their efforts. - DN

5 - Victor Soderstrom D AHL

Arizona has been excited about getting Söderström into its lineup, but it ended up being just 16 pointless games last season and all he had to show for it was a -7 rating. He kicked the season off with the team but was eventually sent back to the AHL and re-called for a stint in January and again in April. In between, he enjoyed his most productive AHL outing to date, even if his 19 points in 32 games was accompanied by a -12 rating. The 11^th overall pick in the 2019 draft, Söderström was drafted straight out of the SHL. He upgraded an already impressive SHL season in his draft year with an even more impressive sophomore season for Brynäs, leading many to feel he was on the fast track to a spot in the desert. His six-point performance in the 2020 WJC only helped boost this impression. Alas, it’s been somewhat slow cooking since arriving in North America.A very confident player with the puck on his stick, Söderström has spent considerable time on learning and reinforcing his habits without the puck. His competitiveness continues to be one of his strongest traits. When suiting up for Arizona this past season, he never once saw less than 11:45 of ice time and only saw less than 15:20 minutes in two of his 16 outings. In a 5-3 loss to the Florida Panthers, he chalked up over 20 minutes of ice time. As such, the question has not been whether he’s ready and willing to take a regular shift, but rather just how much he has to gain from an all-round perspective playing with a still growing club in the NHL when he could be an all-purpose player in the AHL. For now, Arizona will be going to camp with a spot open for Söderström right from the beginning, so opportunity abounds. - CL

6 - Josh Doan RW US

At face value, the selection of Josh Doan near the top of the second round at the 2021 NHL draft looked more like an organization hoping to please its fans than an organization looking to select the absolute best player available. Doan had gone undrafted in his first year of draft eligibility and was selected by the Coyotes after a 70-point campaign with the USHL’s Chicago Steel. But after a freshman year at Arizona State that saw Doan rank among the team’s top scorers, the Coyotes’ choice is looking wiser and wiser. In his first year in the NCAA, Doan began to show why he was such a high selection at the 2021 draft. Despite the lofty expectations that come with his name in Arizona, Doan’s game stands on its own merit. Doan has an active motor and wants to be the focal point of every shift. Offensively, his shot is his best weapon, and he’s got the ability to pick a corner on a goalie and score from a distance. He has the ability to fire strong shots from less than opportune angles, and his goal-scoring is his most translatable NHL tool. Doan also is comfortable with the physical side of the game, and he’s growing into his six-foot-two frame, learning to better use his size to consistently win battles for pucks. Defensively, Doan is more of a work-in-progress, but he should improve that side of his game as he gets more college hockey under his belt. Doan’s skating has improved since his draft year, but it still isn’t where it needs to be for him to comfortably project to the NHL level, He still very likely has an NHL future, but adding an extra gear to his skating could mean the difference between a future in an NHL bottom-six or a chance to stick on a scoring line. - EH

7 - Jan Jenik C AHL

Jenik is another in the line of Coyotes prospects who got an extended look at the NHL level last season: the life of a pro prospect on a rebuilding team. However, this was also in part thanks to the terrific sophomore season that Jenik had in Tucson. If you recall, Jenik was in the midst of a breakout season in the OHL nearly three years ago (pre pandemic), before injuring his knee at the World Junior Championships. This set him back a bit and his first pro season was somewhat turbulent. However, last year was a major step forward for the competitive center. Jenik has a very well-rounded profile. He is skilled and can beat defenders one on one to create time and space. He is quick and can drive the pace of play. He competes hard at both ends of the ice and can be utilized in any situation. As such, Jenik looks like a really solid bet to become a dependable middle six forward for Arizona in the next year or two. At the NHL level last year, Jenik played on the wing, but at the AHL level he played down the middle. This coming season, there is definitely an opportunity for him to grab one of Arizona’s top three center spots, along with Barrett Hayton and Travis Boyd. Worst case scenario, he splits the year between the NHL and AHL before being ready full time in 2023-24. - BO

8 - Maveric Lamoureux D QMJHL

At 6’7’’, it’s not surprising to see scouts drooling about what a defenseman like Lamoureux could become at the NHL level. Lamoureux impresses with his size, ferocity, and ability to skate very well for his aforementioned size. On the flip side, he should look to become more consistent in his game as he can make frequent mistakes defensively. Physically, his potential is immense. He can dominate down low by pushing around the opposition. He takes away space so well. However, his reads and reaction time need work if he wants to become a quality defensive player at the NHL level. As an offensive player, he can lead the attack, however, his reads are inconsistent, and turnovers can be an issue. Even though he possesses the potential to be an offensive catalyst, he is currently at his best when he keeps things simple. Did the Coyotes reach by selecting Lamoureux in the first round? It is way too early to make that assumption. His development could take a lot of different forms because of his athletic tools. Eyes will be fixed on him in Drummondville this season as he looks to help the Voltigeurs to a better record and become one of the Q’s top two-way defenders. - EB

9 - Artyom Duda D Russia

It’s hard to find a lot of prospects that would seem to me as controversial in terms of the game style as Artyom Duda. He is really enjoyable to watch in the attacking zone (especially when orchestrating the powerplay), as he got the skating, puck skills and a very dangerous shot. When it comes to his all-around game, I’d say watching him can be even annoying, as he leaves an impression that his game style is too relaxed and lacks intensity, which is not something you can get away with outside of the junior level. Still if we look at this season the positive side of him clearly prevailed, as his offensive production was just outstanding and that convinced the Coyotes management to draft him relatively early – at the start of the second round of the 2022 NHL draft. Considering the concerns that I have described above it would be very interesting to see Duda playing at least on the VHL level next season, but unfortunately, judging by the preseason it is not something guaranteed at all. If I understood correctly, he still has two more seasons on the current KHL contract, so the Coyotes fans will have to wait a bit, but at least at that point it might be clearer what we are getting in him and how his development is going, still I think it would be fair to say that we can have a Top4 NHL defenseman potential in our mind.

10 - John Farinacci C US

While John Farinacci’s development track hasn’t been the smoothest ride — just one look at his 2020-21 season confirms that — he has made steady progress since being drafted 76th overall at the 2019 draft, and he’s one of many quality Coyotes prospects currently playing college hockey. Farinacci has been a useful player at Harvard, but he hasn’t truly cemented himself as a high-end college player the way his teammates, fellow NHL prospects such as Matthew Coronato and Sean Farrell, have. There are positives and negatives to the outlook and projection of players who play specific roles in college, and Farinacci’s game is no different. On one hand, Farinacci is playing the sort of role he’s likely to occupy as a pro, getting extensive experience in the situations he’ll be asked to handle in pro hockey. He’s a leading penalty killer, and he’s a bit of a Swiss army knife, playing a versatile enough game to fill in the gaps anywhere he’s asked. The result of this is Farinacci should have a relatively easy time meeting the expectations of the professional game. But the downside associated with his college role has been that his upside as a pro player remains relatively limited. Beyond a decent shot that’s allowed him to score double-digit goals in each of his two college seasons, Farinacci lacks the offensive tools that will lead him to reliably create offense at the next level. There’s no separation gear to Farinacci’s game, and when he does go on the attack he doesn’t deceive or manipulate defenders, he doesn’t have the sort of habits that give confidence that his offense will translate to more difficult levels of hockey. The other aspects of his game will have to carry him, and to what degree his offense carries from college to pro hockey will determine his likelihood of having an NHL career. - EH

11 - Julian Lutz

The big German winger’s draft year was a disaster because of injuries; however, he remained a high pick for a reason. His combination of size, speed, and scoring ability make him a potential NHL player.

12 - Jack McBain

The Coyotes acquired the rights to McBain after a terrific senior year at Boston College. He should make an immediate impact for the Coyotes in their bottom six with his size and physicality.

13 - Nathan Smith

Similar to McBain, Smith had his rights acquired by the Coyotes and then immediately joined the team to finish the season. An intelligent two-way forward, he profiles as a future middle six player for Arizona.

14 - Vladislav Kolyachonok

The Belarussian defender split last season between Arizona and the AHL and could be positioned for a full-time role this year. His mobility is a major asset in the defensive end as he can be aggressive in closing quickly on attackers.

15 - Ivan Prosvetov

The massive netminder likely has the inside track at the back-up job behind Vejmelka this season after three (somewhat inconsistent) years in Tucson.

16 - Conor Timmins

Injuries have derailed a once promising career and Timmins has struggled to remain healthy as a pro so far. This coming season is a big one for the former Soo Greyhound standout.

17 - Aku Raty

Raty showed great improvement in Liiga last season, and the expectation is that his offensive game will continue to blossom. The former 5th round pick is a potential bottom six player for Arizona because of his strong off puck play.

18 - Rasmus Korhonen

The 6’5 netminder will try to establish himself as a full time Liiga player this year after playing out last year in Mestis (second division).

19 - Ben McCartney

McCartney was a pleasant surprise for the Coyotes last year, after a strong pro debut with Tucson. The hard-working winger is the perfect complement to more skilled players and is starting to look like a potential NHL player.

20 - Jeremy Langlois

A third-round selection of the Coyotes in 2022, Langlois is a competitive two-way defender. He will return to Cape Breton of the QMJHL and look to become one of the league’s elite defenders.

2022 NHL DRAFT MIDSEASON RANKING: TOP 100 PLAYER PROFILES WITH VIDEO – #41 thru #50

Brock Otten — Tue, 08 Feb 2022 19:47:29 +0000

With this series of articles it is our intention is to briefly introduce you to each of the players ranked in our Top 50. Below you will find a short summary of their games in addition to a top highlight. In the coming months you will see in depth scouting reports published by our regional scouts on each of these players (like the Shane Wright one linked below).

Sam Rinzel - Defense - Chaska (USHS-MN)

One of the toughest things talent evaluators have to do each year is determine where to slot prospects playing at lower levels. One such player is athletic defender Sam Rinzel. The top prospect out of the Minnesota high school hockey loop this year, Rinzel combines size, mobility, and skill to make him a very effective offensive defender. The 6’4, right shot defender can pick up speed quickly leaving the defensive zone and this helps him really push the pace as a puck transporter. With deft moves and quick directional changes, he navigates his way through the neutral zone and becomes an asset by leading the attack in transition. The rest of his game is a work in progress, the evidence of that was a poor performance at the Biosteel All American Game recently. However, he has largely shown well at the USHL level this year with Waterloo (where he hopefully finishes the year) and has the physical tools to reach a high ceiling should an NHL team be patient with his development. It is to be determined if he spends next year in the USHL or heads to the University of Minnesota, but Rinzel is looking like a big home run swing right now and the upside has him moving up our list.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Top-100-41-sam_rinzel_-_1st_period_13_1_-_13_15.mp4

Frölunda's Ludwig Persson during the ice hockey match in the SHL between Frölunda and Skellefteå on 6 November 2021 in Gothenburg. Photo by Michael Erichsen

Ludwig Persson - Wing - Frölunda J20 (Swe J20)

Our list shifts from one of the draft’s biggest risers thus far to a player who seems to be falling out of favour. Ludwig Persson entered the year as the odds-on favourite to be the first Swedish forward selected, however his development appears to have stagnated to date. A late born 2003 forward, Persson has failed to make a larger impact at the SHL level or establish himself as a regular depth player with Frolunda. There is still plenty to like about his game. He is one of the quicker forwards available this year and a dynamic mover overall. He uses this quickness to attack and is very active without the puck. He can excel in a variety of roles, making him a versatile player. However, his finishing ability and overall offensive skill set has not yet caught up to his skating ability. He can struggle to finish in tight and his hands are not always moving as fast as his feet. This could point to a relative lack of upside as an NHL player. Persson has a solid floor as a prospect and looks like someone who could be a terrific bottom six player and penalty killer, however he will need to show more offensively down the stretch to remain in our top 50 to close out the year.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Top-100-42-ludwig_persson_-_3rd_period_7_32_-_7_44.mp4

Artyom Duda - Defense - Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)

Originally thought of to be more of a stay-at-home type, Duda’s offensive game and confidence has exploded this year in the MHL where he has been one of the league’s top scoring blueliners. His ability to hold the line, get the puck on net, and prolong possession in the offensive end has really helped him hit the scoresheet and this overall evolution in his game is making the scouting community rethink his projection. Of course, Duda is doing this while still excelling in the defensive end by showing strong awareness and tenacity that helps him take away time and space. Now a dual threat, Duda has slowly been climbing our rankings. The only question is, is he a dynamic enough skater to truly be a play creator at the NHL level? Of course, this can be improved upon, but Duda is best described as being more agile than quick. Look for him to get more action at the VHL and perhaps KHL level down the stretch, before helping to anchor the Russian entry at the U18’s in April.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Top-100-43-artem_duda_-_2nd_period_6_56_-_7_8.mp4

Jani Nyman - Wing - KOOVEE (Fin-Mestis)

A big power winger, Nyman has grown significantly the last few years and as such, he is very much still growing into his skill set. But there is a lot to like. Firstly, his skating has improved a lot over the last year, and he is now a big factor in transition as he looks to push through defenders by driving wide or cutting to the middle. Secondly, his shot is an asset, and he has a high ceiling as a goal scorer. He has been a consistent scorer in the Finnish second league against men this season. His play without the puck has made strides this year, but it still needs to improve. In a perfect world, Nyman could use his size to be consistently impactful in pursuit and to help win those positional battles, especially along the wall. By adding more layers to his game and improving his passing touch, Nyman could be an integral player even when he’s not scoring. But his package of size, scorer’s touch, and linear quickness can be difficult to find. He definitely has upside as a top six forward with a profile similar to Senator’s prospect Roby Jarventie.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Top-100-44-jani_nyman_-_3rd_period_5_44_-_5_56.mp4

Matyas Sapovaliv - Center - Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

A big (6’4), but lanky center, Sapovaliv is playing in his first OHL season with the Spirit and has been excelling as the team’s first line center. Sapovaliv is the kind of player who is a noticeable difference maker even when he’s not hitting the scoresheet because of his awareness and effort in all three zones. His skating has taken huge steps forward this year, especially his agility and fluidity in all four directions. This has made him a difficult player to separate from the puck in the offensive zone, as he puts defenders on his back to prolong possession coming off the wall. His vision as a facilitator stands out in a positive way, however he also has great awareness without the puck and consistently works his way into soft spots in coverage to get scoring chances. Armed with incredible reach, he is a disruptive force, consistently forcing turnovers or clogging passing lanes. As he fills out his frame, his puck protection ability and his defensive effectiveness will improve, which is scary because they already show well. A change in mindset to become a little more physically engaged would also really help his game and consistency. Again, hopefully that script flips as he matures and adds bulk. An intriguing package of physical tools and IQ, Sapovaliv is bound to be a favourite of many NHL scouts who see significant upside in this young Czech.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Top-100-45-matyas_sapovaliv_-_1st_period_13_0_-_13_12.mp4

Korchinski_Kevin. Photo credit Megan Connelly

Kevin Korchinski - Defense - Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

At this point in time, Korchinski resembles the story of Jekyll and Hyde. There are games where he looks like a surefire first round selection. There are games where he looks like someone you may not draft at all. As such, he has very much divided our western scouting staff. At his best, Korchinski is a terrific puck mover from the back end because of his quickness and ability to cleanly execute the breakout. A strong skater who also happens to have a good frame (6’2), Korchinski definitely has high upside as an offensive player. However, his decision making and vision with the puck leaves some to be desired currently and it leads to some of these inconsistent performances. Additionally, Korchinski will need to increase his physical intensity level in the defensive end, as he is too easily bullied in one-on-one battles and as such, is not the most effective defensive player at this current time. If you rank Korchinski highly, you are banking on him improving his game management ability to match his strong mobility. Where we rank him reflects our belief that he has significant offensive upside, but also reflects the mitigation of some risk associated with him as a prospect.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Top-100-46-kevin_korchinski_-_3rd_period_27_19_-_27_31.mp4

Gleb Trikozov - Wing - Omskie Yastreby (MHL)

Talk about a polarizing prospect. You are likely to see Trikozov ranked anywhere from the first round to the third round right now. This is even reflected in our own scouting rankings, where our video scouts believe Trikozov should be ranked quite highly, but our European regional scouts are less high on him. What cannot be argued against is Trikozov’s effectiveness as a transitional attacker. He problem solves well cutting through the neutral zone, showing poise, confidence, and creativity in his ability to stickhandle through traffic to gain the zone. While he would not be considered an elite skater, he does well to alter pace and direction while maintaining possession to help him evade checks. More of a playmaker than goal scorer, Trikozov also does well to maintain possession along the wall, keeping his feet and his hands moving to be elusive, then often creating high-end chances in the slot with a great spot pass through a needle. His play without the puck can be inconsistent, with him being too casual and perimeter focused. Additionally, the physical tools won’t dazzle you. However, it should also be noted that he is one of the youngest players eligible this year. Perhaps further physical maturation will improve his quickness and ability to play a heavier game. Performing well of late in the MHL, Trikozov will be a player to watch down the stretch.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Top-100-47-gleb_trikozov_-_3rd_period_8_11_-_8_23.mp4

David Goyette - Center - Sudbury Wolves (OHL)

Even though the Wolves haven’t really had the best of seasons, Goyette has been a standout, especially of late. Goyette is lethal in transition because of his ability to blend his skating ability and skill with the puck. Able to keep the puck on a string, even at top speed, Goyette consistently shows an ability to beat defenders one on one to the outside. However, he also shows a great understanding of how to use change of pace or direction to help gain the line or get to the middle; a skill that not all speedsters possess early on. Early in the year, Goyette struggled to find ways to consistently win battles and maintain possession. But as the season has progressed, he is succeeding more in traffic and as a result, his offensive contributions have increased tenfold. He will never be the biggest player, but his creativity, poise, and speed give him a chance to be a top six player at the NHL level. In a lot of ways, Goyette resembles young St. Louis Blues star Jordan Kyrou at the same age. While opinions in the scouting community seem fairly split on Goyette, we really like his upside and the progression he has already shown this year.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Top-100-48-david_goyette_-_2nd_period_4_11_-_4_24.mp4

Owen Pickering - Defense - Swift Current Broncos (WHL)

Pickering is a big defender who oozes potential because of his athletic tools. The fluidity of his stride at 6’4 is very impressive. His excellent four-way mobility makes him incredibly difficult to beat one on one. This is especially true when you factor in his love for physically punishing players below the goal line. As he fills out, he projects as a very good player in the defensive end at the next level. How you view Pickering’s upside depends on your opinion of his offensive talents. Truthfully, our scouting group is divided on this. He can look impressive lugging the puck out of his own end and is slowly gaining the confidence to consistently lead the attack. He certainly has the explosiveness to get separation and to gain the zone. At times, he also looks extremely comfortable running the point in the offensive end, using his quickness to beat stick checks to work down low. However, there are other times where he looks rigid and seems to lack some of the small area skill to be a consistent difference maker with the puck. How he finishes the year as a point producer likely dictates his final ranking. If his offensive game becomes more consistent, he should win over the rest of our scouting team and rise significantly.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Top-100-49-owen_pickering_-_2nd_period_4_40_-_4_52.mp4

Lian Bichsel - Defense - Leksands (SHL)

Big defenders who can move well. That is sort of a recurring theme in this year’s draft class. NHL teams obviously love this, given how integral they have proven to be when it comes to consistent team success (especially in the playoffs). Swiss defender (who happens to play in Sweden) Lian Bichsel is another who fits this category. The 6’5 blueliner moved to Sweden this year to further his development and considering he has seen regular time at the SHL level, that would appear to have been the right move. He is a graceful mover and as such, shows high end potential as a transitional attacker. However, his poise and decision making with the puck will need to grow further in order for him to truly become an offensive weapon. Even without further progression as a puck mover, Bichsel could still be a long time NHL defender because of his potential in the defensive end. His mobility is an asset there as he shuts down transitional attacks. He also is competitive physically. Bottom line here is that Bichsel has both a high floor and a high ceiling because of his physical tools, so long as you believe that he thinks the game at a high enough level.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Top-100-50-lian_bichsel_-_1st_period_18_35_-_18_47.mp4

2022 NHLDRAFT: MCKEEN’S MID-SEASON RANKING – TOP 100

Brock Otten — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 20:59:29 +0000

RED DEER, ALBERTA - DECEMBER 26: USA vs Slovakia preliminary round action at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship at WP Centrium on December 26, 2021 in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

A new year means a new draft ranking at McKeen’s Hockey, as we expand our list at mid-season to a Top 100. Back in mid-November, we released our preliminary ranking, a top 32, so this serves not only as an update, but an expansion too.

Like many, we were disappointed with the abrupt ending of the World Junior Championships, not just because it robbed us of some terrific hockey, but because it prevented a high-quality look at some of the best talents in this draft year. While a poor showing at the World Juniors is often dismissed, a strong showing can really help elevate a player’s standing. Ultimately, the decision to stop the tournament was the correct one, given the circumstances, however, hopefully the World Under 18’s can occur in Germany as planned in April.

At this point Kingston Frontenacs center and former CHL exceptional status player Shane Wright remains at the top of our rankings, however the gap is admittedly closing between him and some of the other players inside of our top five. Defenseman Simon Nemec is having a historically good season in the Slovak men’s league and will play for Slovakia at the Olympics. Center Logan Cooley is proving to be a dynamic two-way threat and is fresh off a terrific performance at the Biosteel All American Game. Center Matthew Savoie of the Winnipeg Ice continues to lead the WHL in scoring on the top ranked team in the Canadian Hockey League. A year ago, it was unfathomable to imagine anyone else but Wright being selected first overall. That concept is not as far-fetched today. Without question, Wright will need to pick up his play in the second half to withstand his competitors.

Looking specifically at those ranked inside our first round (top 32), the positional breakdown is as follows: 10 defenders, 22 forwards, and zero goaltenders. In fact, we do not have a single goaltender ranked inside the first two rounds. Tyler Brennan and Topias Leinonen are our top goaltenders, ranked 84th and 87th, respectively. The quality and depth of goaltenders available this year may be the worst that we have ever seen as a scouting staff.

Regionally, the breakdown is as follows: ten players from the CHL, seven players from the USHL (more specifically the NTDP), four players in Sweden, four players in Russia, three players in Finland, two players in Slovakia, and two players in Czechia. The U.S. National Development program is extremely well represented with ten players inside of our first two rounds.

This top 100 was formed in consultation with our regional scouts and our video scouting team. Now that we have our midseason list formed, look for our annual, in-depth individual scouting reports to start being published in the very near future.

Shane Wright of the KIngston Frontenacs. Photo by Robert Lefebvre/OHL Images.

RANK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	GP-G-A-PTS
1	Shane Wright	C	Kingston (OHL)	6-1/190	5-Jan-04	25-12-19-31
2	Simon Nemec	D	HK Nitra (Svk)	6-1/190	15-Feb-04	28-0-19-19
3	Matthew Savoie	C	Winnipeg (WHL)	5-9/180	1-Jan-04	35-19-34-53
4	Logan Cooley	C	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/180	4-May-04	25-15-20-35
5	Danila Yurov	RW	Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)	6-1/175	22-Dec-03	21-0-0-0
6	Joakim Kemell	RW	JyP (Fin-Liiga)	5-11/175	27-Apr-04	21-12-6-18
7	Juraj Slafkovsky	LW	TPS (Fin-Liiga)	6-4/225	30-Mar-04	20-1-3-4
8	Conor Geekie	C	Winnipeg (WHL)	6-4/205	5-May-04	35-11-27-38
9	Brad Lambert	C	JyP (Fin-Liiga)	6-0/180	19-Dec-03	24-2-4-6
10	Ivan Miroshnichenko	LW	Omskie Krylia (VHL)	6-1/185	4-Feb-04	30-9-6-15
11	David Jiricek	D	HC Plzen (Cze)	6-3/190	28-Nov-03	29-5-6-11
12	Filip Mesar	C	HK Poprad (Svk)	5-10/165	3-Jan-04	22-6-5-11
13	Pavel Mintyukov	D	Saginaw (OHL)	6-1/190	25-Nov-03	31-6-17-23
14	Denton Mateychuk	D	Moose Jaw (WHL)	5-11/190	12-Jul-04	35-7-24-31
15	Marco Kasper	C	Rogle BK (SHL)	6-1/185	8-Apr-04	27-4-2-6
16	Alexander Perevalov	LW	Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)	6-0/190	16-Apr-04	29-19-20-39
17	Seamus Casey	D	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/160	8-Jan-04	31-5-13-18
18	Frank Nazar	C	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/175	14-Jan-04	33-15-23-38
19	Noah Ostlund	C	Djurgardens J20 (Swe J20)	5-10/160	11-Mar-04	19-6-18-24
20	Cutter Gauthier	C	USN U18 (USDP)	6-2/190	19-Jan-04	33-20-12-32
21	Jonathan Lekkerimaki	C	Djurgardens J20 (Swe J20)	5-11/170	24-Jul-04	25-19-15-34
22	Tristan Luneau	D	Gatineau (QMJHL)	6-2/175	12-Jan-04	26-5-10-15
23	Nathan Gaucher	C	Quebec (QMJHL)	6-3/205	6-Nov-03	30-15-11-26
24	Ty Nelson	D	North Bay (OHL)	5-9/195	30-Mar-04	33-5-21-26
25	Vladimir Grudinin	D	Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)	5-10/160	9-Dec-03	15-2-7-9
26	Owen Beck	C	Mississauga (OHL)	5-11/190	3-Feb-04	33-13-16-29
27	Simon Forsmark	D	Orebro (SHL)	6-2/195	17-Oct-03	22-0-1-1
28	Mats Lindgren	D	Kamloops (WHL)	5-11/175	26-Aug-04	34-2-19-21
29	Rutger McGroarty	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	6-1/205	30-Mar-04	27-15-17-32
30	Jiri Kulich	C	Karlovy Vary (Cze)	6-0/175	14-Apr-04	31-7-4-11
31	Isaac Howard	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/180	30-Mar-04	33-15-24-39
32	Jimmy Snuggerud	RW	USN U18 (USDP)	6-1/185	1-Jun-04	33-16-22-38
33	Filip Bystedt	C	Linkopings (SHL)	6-4/185	4-Feb-04	14-1-1-2
34	Brandon Lisowsky	LW	Saskatoon (WHL)	5-8/175	13-Apr-04	35-19-10-29
35	Jagger Firkus	RW	Moose Jaw (WHL)	5-10/155	29-Apr-04	38-23-21-44
36	Maveric Lamoureux	D	Drummondville (QMJHL)	6-7/195	13-Jan-04	30-3-8-11
37	Matthew Poitras	C	Guelph (OHL)	5-11/175	10-Mar-04	29-10-13-23
38	Adam Ingram	C	Youngstown (USHL)	6-2/165	14-Oct-03	27-16-20-36
39	Liam Ohgren	LW	Djurgardens (SHL)	6-0/185	28-Jan-04	21-1-1-2
40	Calle Odelius	D	Djurgardens J20 (Swe J20)	6-0/185	30-May-04	28-4-17-21
41	Sam Rinzel	D	Chaska (USHS-MN)	6-4/180	25-Jun-04	13-3-13-16
42	Ludwig Persson	LW	Frolunda J20 (Swe J20)	6-0/180	8-Oct-03	24-16-19-35
43	Artyom Duda	D	Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (Rus)	6-1/180	8-Apr-04	36-11-20-31
44	Jani Nyman	RW	KOOVEE (Fin-Mestis)	6-3/210	30-Jul-04	23-14-9-23
45	Matyas Sapovaliv	C	Saginaw (OHL)	6-3/180	12-Feb-04	31-10-16-26
46	Kevin Korchinski	D	Seattle (WHL)	6-1/185	21-Jun-04	32-4-24-28
47	Gleb Trikozov	RW	Omskie Yastreby (MHL)	6-1/185	12-Aug-04	17-9-8-17
48	David Goyette	C	Sudbury (OHL)	5-11/170	27-Mar-04	32-12-18-30
49	Owen Pickering	D	Swift Current (WHL)	6-3/180	27-Jan-04	34-6-15-21
50	Lian Bichsel	D	Leksands (SHL)	6-5/215	18-May-04	13-0-1-1
51	Paul Ludwinski	LW	Kingston (OHL)	5-11/175	23-Apr-04	28-6-13-19
52	Jordan Dumais	RW	Halifax (QMJHL)	5-8/165	15-Apr-04	30-16-31-47
53	Aleksanteri Kaskimaki	LW	HIFK (Fin U20)	6-0/185	6-Feb-04	22-15-14-29
54	Luca Del Bel Belluz	C	Mississauga (OHL)	6-1/180	10-Nov-03	33-18-27-45
55	Ryan Chesley	D	USN U18 (USDP)	6-0/195	27-Feb-04	32-2-5-7
56	Danny Zhilkin	C	Guelph (OHL)	6-2/185	19-Dec-03	27-10-14-24
57	Isaiah George	D	London (OHL)	6-0/195	15-Feb-04	29-1-9-10
58	Rieger Lorenz	LW	Okotoks (AJHL)	6-1/185	30-Mar-04	43-28-39-67
59	Tyler Duke	D	USN U18 (USDP)	5-8/180	19-Jul-04	27-1-7-8
60	Mattias Havelid	D	Linkopings (SHL)	5-9/170	1-Jan-04	12-0-0-0
61	Arseni Koromyslov	D	SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)	6-3/180	3-Nov-03	22-0-8-8
62	Jack Hughes 2	C	Northeastern (NCAA-HE)	6-0/165	2-Nov-03	22-5-4-9
63	Lane Hutson	D	USN U18 (USDP)	5-8/150	14-Feb-04	33-4-25-29
64	Gavin Hayes	RW	Flint (OHL)	6-1/175	14-May-04	30-8-9-17
65	Otto Salin	D	HIFK (Fin-Liiga)	5-11/185	7-Mar-04	5-0-1-1
66	Hunter Haight	C	Barrie (OHL)	5-10/175	4-Apr-04	24-8-6-14
67	Antonin Verreault	LW	Gatineau (QMJHL)	5-8/165	28-Jul-04	29-8-18-26
68	Cameron Lund	RW	Green Bay (USHL)	6-2/185	7-Jun-04	30-11-9-20
69	Bryce McConnell-Barker	C	Soo Greyhounds (OHL)	6-1/185	4-Jun-04	34-11-12-23
70	Brennan Ali	C	Lincoln (USHL)	6-1/195	9-Feb-04	2-0-0-0
71	David Spacek	D	Sherbrooke (QMJHL)	6-0/170	18-Feb-03	27-5-20-25
72	Angus Booth	D	Shawinigan (QMJHL)	6-0/175	27-Apr-04	30-1-20-21
73	Jake Livanavage	D	Chicago (USHL)	5-9/160	6-May-04	32-2-25-27
74	Markus Vidicek	C	Halifax (QMJHL)	5-10/160	21-Mar-04	30-9-18-27
75	Matthew Seminoff	RW	Kamloops (WHL)	5-10/160	27-Dec-03	30-15-18-33
76	Kasper Kulonummi	D	Jokerit (Fin U20)	6-0/175	1-Mar-04	25-2-16-18
77	Vinzenz Rohrer	RW	Ottawa (OHL)	5-10/160	9-Sep-04	30-9-14-23
78	Elias Salomonsson	D	Skelleftea J20 (Swe J20)	6-1/170	31-Aug-04	24-8-9-17
79	Liam Arnsby	C	North Bay (OHL)	5-10/180	20-Nov-03	32-8-10-18
80	Daniil Orlov	D	Sakhalinskiye Akuly (MHL)	6-2/180	21-Dec-03	44-8-18-26
81	Quinn Finley	LW	Madison (USHL)	6-0/170	8-Aug-04	14-5-5-10
82	Topi Ronni	C	Tappara (Fin U20)	6-1/180	5-May-04	21-7-11-18
83	Jordan Gustafson	C	Seattle (WHL)	5-11/180	20-Jan-04	29-13-18-31
84	Tyler Brennan	G	Prince George (WHL)	6-4/190	27-Sep-03	8-11-2, 3.34, .902
85	Cole Spicer	C	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/175	13-Jun-04	31-10-12-22
86	Ryan Greene	C	Green Bay (USHL)	6-1/175	21-Oct-03	28-10-16-26
87	Topias Leinonen	G	JyP (Fin U20)	6-4/215	19-Jul-04	17GP, 2.17, .919
88	Alexander Suzdalev	LW	HV 71 J20 (Swe J20)	6-2/175	5-Mar-04	31-11-22-33
89	Pano Fimis	C	Niagara (OHL)	5-10/175	17-Jun-04	27-5-14-19
90	Spencer Sova	D	Erie (OHL)	6-1/185	10-Jan-04	30-2-12-14
91	Yoan Loshing	C	Moncton (QMJHL)	5-9/160	29-Feb-04	19-8-5-13
92	Jack Devine	RW	Denver (NCHC)	5-11/175	1-Oct-03	19-2-12-14
93	Ruslan Gazizov	RW	London (OHL)	5-11/185	21-Jan-04	20-5-11-16
94	Jackson Dorrington	D	Des Moines (USHL)	6-2/190	13-Apr-04	27-3-7-10
95	Jorian Donovan	D	Hamilton (OHL)	6-1/180	5-Apr-04	31-3-9-12
96	Jere Lassila	C	JyP (Fin U20)	5-9/170	8-Mar-04	13-7-4-11
97	Tucker Robertson	C	Peterborough (OHL)	5-11/190	22-Jun-03	31-19-23-42
98	Noah Warren	D	Gatineau (QMJHL)	6-5/215	15-Jul-04	29-3-9-12
99	Zakary Lavoie	RW	Mississauga (OHL)	5-11/170	15-Mar-04	31-10-15-25
100	Boston Buckberger	D	Brooks (AJHL)	5-10/175	1-Jun-03	42-11-9-20

2022 NHLDRAFT: MCKEEN’S MID-SEASON RANKING – TOP 32

Brock Otten — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 20:58:52 +0000