Benjamin Gaudreau – McKeen's Hockey

PROSPECTS: 2022-23 SEASON PREVIEW – One Drafted and One Draft Eligible Prospect from Each Scouting Region

Sat, 08 Oct 2022 13:39:38 +0000

The 2023 scouting season is upon us! As we head into a new draft season, we, at McKeen’s Hockey, have made a few changes to our roster of writers and scouts. This piece serves as an opportunity to not only meet the team, but also preview some of the players to watch across the globe this hockey season. We asked our staff to give us one draft eligible player and one already drafted player from their region to keep a close eye on.

Director of Scouting/Ontario Region - Brock Otten

https://twitter.com/BrockOtten

2023 Player to Watch: Beau Akey, D, Barrie Colts

"Akey is a highly mobile two-way defender with the Colts who will likely take on a top four role on a strong Barrie team this year. He would have likely been on the Canadian Hlinka team this summer had he not picked up an injury at the beginning of camp. Akey is a preseason regional favourite of mine and after a strong preseason performance, he looks poised to be a steady riser over the season."

Already Drafted to Watch: Ben Gaudreau, G, Sarnia Sting

The San Jose Sharks draft pick heads into the OHL season as my preseason favourite to be the OHL's top netminder (Jim Rutherford award) this year. He doesn't have an NHL contract yet and is playing for one this season, but I fully expect him to earn one. The athletic Gaudreau should also be the starting netminder for Canada at the WJC's this year.

Benjamin Gaudreau of the Sarnia Sting. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Assistant Director of Scouting/Western Canada Region - Derek Neumeier

https://twitter.com/Derek_N_NHL

2023 Player to Watch: Riley Heidt, C, Prince George Cougars

The Cougars haven't had a winning season since 2016-17, but they also haven't had a prospect as good as Heidt to help turn that tide until now. His hockey sense and puck skills are high-end, and he has the right mental makeup to handle the pressure that will be placed upon him as his team's number one center and best player.

Already Drafted Player to Watch: Logan Stankoven, C, Kamloops Blazers

The reigning WHL Player of the Year has already accomplished a lot (including winning World Juniors gold) but will have a new challenge this season: leading his Blazers team as they host the 2023 Memorial Cup. It barely seems possible that Stankoven could be more dynamic or terrorizing offensively, but he always finds a way to surpass expectations.

Western Canada Region - Arlo Schulz

2023 Player to Watch: Andrew Cristall, F, Kelowna Rockets

"Cristall begins this season under the radar as all eyes are on Connor Bedard in the WHL this year, but that won't last long. Cristall had a terrific rookie season last year and with the young Rockets returning almost their entire roster, they won't need time to gel and Cristall could explode out of the gate. He possesses elite offensive instincts, a slick set of hands, and is constantly creating something out of nothing in the offensive zone. He lacks explosiveness but focused on his skating during the offseason and showed well at the Hlinka in August. He projects as a 1st-rounder and could shoot up draft boards as the year progresses."

Already Drafted to Watch: Mats Lindgren, D, Red Deer Rebels

"Lindgren is a beautiful skater who was projected to go in the top two rounds last draft but slipped to the 4th round (Sabres) amid concerns about his inconsistency and offensive upside. An effortless mover who can carry the puck with ease and distribute well, Lindgren was one of the youngest players in his draft class and could take a massive step forward in his D+1 season. He requested a trade and was dealt to the Rebels, where he will assume greater responsibilities and play in all situations. His skillset is tailor-made for the modern game, as a mobile defenseman with terrific instincts. It will be fascinating to watch if the rest of his game catches up to his potential this year."

Sweden Region - Jacob Smeds

https://twitter.com/Scouting_Jacob

2023 Player to Watch: Kalle Carlsson, C, Örebro HK

Kalle Carlsson is a potential riser throughout the season. He is a playmaker who creates space for his teammates with his strong skating and high hockey IQ. In the same way that his hockey sense allows him to thrive offensively, he can also play defense efficiently thanks to his smartness.

Already Drafted to Watch: Jonathan Lekkerimäki, RW, Djurgårdens IF

Lekkerimäki is a pure goal scorer with tremendous offensive instincts. In the offensive zone, he works hard off the puck to create space to shoot. He also brings the puck to the net to challenge goalies in tight using his soft hands. Lekkerimäki is looking to establish himself at the pro level in the Swedish second tier league this winter and his preseason bears the promise of a smooth transition from the junior leagues.

211021 Djurgårdens Jonathan Lekkerimäki under ishockeymatchen i SHL mellan Djurgården och Oskarshamn den 21 oktober 2021 i Stockholm.
Foto: Andreas L Eriksson / BILDBYRÅN / COP 106 / AE0062

Eastern Canada Region - Éloi Biondo

https://twitter.com/eloi632211

2023 Player to Watch: Etienne Morin, D, Moncton Wildcats

Etienne Morin is a mobile two-way defenseman who can move the puck up the ice very effectively and make plays in the offensive zone. He averaged 21 minutes a game last year as a rookie blue-liner for the Wildcats and tallied an impressive 34 points in 70 games. Morin could’ve probably played at the most recent Hlinka-Gretzky cup tournament, but Team Canada probably preferred a more steady and physical option on their blue line— something that Morin will have to work on this upcoming season.

Already Drafted Player to Watch: Jordan Dumais, RW, Halifax Mooseheads

Dumais was one of the most polarizing prospects for the most recent NHL Draft. The undersized winger has been scoring at historic rates in the QMJHL and is poised for another big year with the Moose. Such numbers and offensive abilities would usually guarantee you of a high-end draft pick. However, Dumais’ skating and physical tools are just not what you want in an NHL prospect, which made him a third-round selection by the Columbus Blue Jackets, instead of a higher selection. It will definitely be very interesting to see how he progresses this upcoming season.

Western Canada Region - Adam Tate

https://twitter.com/ADTate39

2023 Draft Eligible Player to Watch: Riley Heidt, C, Prince George Cougars

Having led the Cougars in scoring last season, Riley Heidt will be looked upon to be the “do everything” centre for the team again this year. Coming off a strong showing in this past summer’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup, I’m looking forward to seeing if he can solidify a middle of the 1st round draft ranking.

Already Drafted Player to Watch: Owen Pickering, D, Swift Current Broncos

The first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins in last year’s NHL draft, Owen Pickering is looking to improve his raw talents in Swift Current this season. If his skating and offense can start to catch up to his size and transitional skills, he could very well secure a spot on Canada’s WJC roster this year.

Russia Region - Viktor Fomich

https://twitter.com/RUSProspects

2023 Player to Watch: Roman Kantserov, W, Stalnie Lisy Magnitogorsk, MHL

Roman Kantserov is a winger whose every movement is just oozing attacking skill. He might not always be showing that on a consistent basis, but when he is on his game he is definitely as electrifying to watch as the top Russian guys like Matvei Michkov or Mikhail Gulyayev. He still should be evaluated more closely to find out what outweighs here: skill or inconsistency.

Already Drafted Player to Watch: Nikolai Kovalenko, W, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, KHL

For Colorado Avalanche wing prospect Nikolai Kovalenko, last season was one to forget due to a heavy concussion that left a question mark on his NHL upside. After an amazing start to this KHL season, he suffered another concussion. Even though he is back now, we have the same questions about his health and ability to reach the NHL level in two years (when his KHL contract is up). This season should provide some answers though.

Director of Video Scouting - Will Scouch

https://twitter.com/Scouching

2023 Player to Watch: Caden Price, D, Kelowna Rockets

After a strong Hlinka camp and tournament performance logging tons of minutes, Price is exactly the defender I'm looking for. Mobile, quick, skilled, jumps into offensive situations, deceptive with the puck and a reliance on his feet to do a lot of defensive work. There's creativity in spades to execute plays well, and his youth in this draft class combined with his current ability are tantalizing to consider. He's been ranked in late first rounds at times but I get the feeling that keen-eyed observers will come around a little more.

Already Drafted Player to Watch: Simon Robertsson, W, Skellefteå AIK

I've been a big believer in Robertsson and believe that patience will be rewarded with more development in Sweden. A slow start in the SHL gave way for a relatively strong finish in very limited minutes, but Robertsson's shot, evasive skill, and improving straight line speed could make him a more threatening SHL scorer this season. There may be better players out there right now developing, but Robertsson's offensive upside is hard to ignore and still has plenty of time to emerge against men.

Video Scout - Zack Szweras

https://twitter.com/Zack_Szweras

2023 Player to Watch: Otto Stenberg, W, Frölunda, SHL

Stenberg is an exciting offensive winger, with plenty of creativity as both a playmaker and scorer. Stenberg captained team Sweden to a silver medal recently in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He also led the team in scoring. After a strong tournament, Stenberg has a good chance to increase his draft stock with his flashy and crafty play.

Already Drafted Player: Noah Ostlund, C, Djurgardens IF, SHL

Ostlund, the 16th overall pick by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2022 NHL Draft, is poised for a larger role at the pro level. Ostlund will split time between the J20 and HockeyAllsvenskan for Djurgårdens IF. He produced over a point per game in the J20 last season but will be looking to achieve that playing against men. Ostlund is a strong playmaking centre, who will have a chance to crack Sweden’s World Junior roster in December too.

Djurgården's Noah Östlund celebrates after 1-2 during the final in the Junior SM for J20 between Djurgården and Linköping on April 10, 2022 in Nyköping.
Photo: Tobias Sterner / BILDBYRÅN /

Central Europe Region - Chapin Landvogt

https://twitter.com/Csomichapin

GERMANY

2023 Player to Watch: Linus Brandl, F, Mannheim Jungadler (DNL)

In a season where not a single name stands out as a surefire draft pick next summer, the 6-foot Brandl has followed up a somewhat eye-opening, yet unassuming Gretzky Hlinka Cup (2-3-5 in 4 games) by kicking off the DNL season with 5-5-10 in 6 games. Brandl won't stick out with any specific tool, but he simply never fails to produce. He just "gets it" when it comes to generating offense with what he has. Pro play is in the cards this season.

Already Drafted to Watch: Dominik Bokk, RW, Frankfurt Lions

The DEL's new team has brought in a big fish in Dominik Bokk, who already concluded last season (minimally) helping Berlin grab the league title. Growing long in the prospect tooth and clearly not looking like a player in Carolina's plans, the 22-year-old has kicked off things with a bang, going 4-3-7 with a +4 in his first 4 games of the season.

SWITZERLAND

2023 Player to Watch: Leo Braillard, F, Biel-Bienne U20

Playing together with skilled overager Mattheo Reinhard, Braillard has put up 7-3-10 numbers in 6 U20 games thus far. Already having represented Switzerland at every level between U16-U18, he has been a constant producer for his club, having captained the U17 outfit last season for which he put up 62 points in 30 games. A U18 Worlds appearance at home next spring is a given after his 4-1-5 output at the Gretzky Hlinka Cup this summer.

Already Drafted to Watch: Simon Knak, RW, HC Davos

After being drafted as an overager, Knak went from being a productive winger for the Portland Winterhawks to chugging away in the pro ranks as a 19-year-old to the tune of 15 points in 51 games. A multi-year captain of the U20 team, Knak is back at it for Davos this season and has a 1-1-2 statline in 4 NL games this year. More importantly, he's playing a line higher than last year, averaging just over 14 minutes a night.

Ontario Region - Dylan Krill

https://twitter.com/dylan_krill

2023 Player to Watch: Cam Allen, D, Guelph Storm

Allen is a high-end two-way defenseman who looked like a veteran in his rookie year. After a strong Hlinka tournament where he served as captain for team Canada, Allen will look to have a big season with Guelph, establishing himself as the premier defenseman of the 2023 NHL Draft.

Already Drafted Player to Watch: David Goyette, C, Sudbury Wolves

The 61st overall selection by the Seattle Kraken in the 2022 draft, David Goyette was my favourite player last year because of his blend of high-end creativity and puck skills with elite skating. After finishing with the most points by a rookie, he will look to have another big season on an improved Sudbury team.

David Goyette of the Sudbury Wolves. Photo by Robert Lefebvre /OHL Images.

Slovak and Czech Region - Matej Deraj

https://twitter.com/MatoDeraj

2023 Player to Watch: Ondrej Molnár, W, HK Nitra

Molnár is an electric winger who has nifty hands, good hockey sense and a dangerous shot, although he’s more of a playmaker. His biggest asset is his skating; he’s quick, agile and his acceleration is at the top level. The main room for improvement is in his defensive game and awareness. Overall, an intriguing player to watch who’s dangerous every time he steps on the ice.

Already Drafted Player to Watch: Adam Sýkora, W/C, HK Nitra

Sýkora has gained a lot of confidence since last year. The second-round pick of the 2022 draft had impressed everybody with his tremendous worth ethic and compete level, but the expectations are now higher for the Rangers prospect. I believe Sýkora will use his speed and skills to improve his last year’s point record and earn a call-up to the Men’s National Team.

Eastern Canada Region - Charles Lassonde

https://twitter.com/cl_hockeyscout

2023 Player to Watch: Mathieu Cataford, RW, Halifax Mooseheads

Cataford has been outstanding since the second half of the last season with Halifax. He elevated his game to a higher standard and had a strong showing in the playoffs. Despite a quiet Hlinka-Gretzky tournament, I really think that everything is set for Cataford to establish himself as a 1st round pick or at least a second-round selection in the 2023 NHL draft. His skating remains the weakness in his game, but his skill level, intensity, hockey sense and responsible 200-feet game style will quickly erase the doubts of the scouts in Cataford’s game

Already Drafted to Watch: Tristan Luneau, RD, Gatineau Olympiques

The Anaheim Ducks 2nd round pick has already been sent back to Gatineau after getting two points (1 goal and 1 assist) in his only exhibition game with the Ducks. Despite dealing with injuries in the 2020-21 season, Luneau surely didn’t show the best of himself last year. Knowing him from the M18AAA in Quebec, I’m sure that he’ll be in a better shape and ready to bring his game to the level he knows it can be.

AHL Coverage - Josh Bell

https://twitter.com/JoshuaBell31

Already Drafted to Watch: Yaroslav Askarov, G, Milwaukee Admirals (AHL)

The Nashville Predators 11th overall draft pick in 2020 is finally making the trip overseas, joining the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals as he adjusts to the North American game. Touted as the next Carey Price in his draft year, the Russian netminder will likely be sharing the crease with another strong goaltending prospect in Connor Ingram, but Askarov will get his share of starts and is one injury or hot streak away from taking over the starting reins.

Already Drafted to Watch: Jiri Kulich, C, Rochester Americans (AHL)

One of my favourite prospects in the 2022 NHL Draft, Kulich is entering his first professional season in North America. He had a remarkable 2021-22 campaign, leading all rookies in points in the top-Czech men’s league before captaining the Czechs in the World Under-18s, leading the tournament in goals and being named MVP. Plus, he finished over a point-per-game at the U20s. I’m excited to see how he adjusts in the AHL.

U.S. Region - Ethan Hetu

https://twitter.com/EthanHetu

2023 Player to Watch: William Whitelaw, C/RW, Youngstown Phantoms

The University of Wisconsin commit starred last year at Shattuck St. Mary’s alongside top 2024 prospect Macklin Celebrini and now will play his draft season as “the guy” for the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms. Whitelaw is a creative playmaker and an aggressive, pace-pushing offensive generator. Whitelaw has said that he’d like to improve his defensive game and become the most well-rounded player of the 2023 class, so it’ll be intriguing to see how he evolves as he strives to commit more to the 200-foot game.

Already Drafted Player to Watch: Lane Hutson, D, Boston University

Concerns about how Lane Hutson’s size (he is listed at five-foot-nine, 155 pounds) would limit his game’s translatability to more difficult levels of hockey caused the dynamic blueliner to have to wait until the 62nd pick of the 2022 draft to hear his name called. A more difficult level of hockey has now arrived for Hutson, who at Boston University will look to continue to break the mold of what the modern NHL defenseman “should” look like.

Lane Hutson

Russia Region - Dmitri Blokhin

https://twitter.com/DVBlokhin

2023 Player to Watch: Mikhail Gulyayev, D, Omsk Yastreby VHL

Gulyayev shines bright and stands out among Russian draft eligibles because of his hockey IQ. He is really great with the puck in the offensive zone and he’s also very confident and reliable in the defensive end. He has a high skill level, playmaking and quarter-backing ability, and character. He started this season with VHL team Omskiye Krylia and already played several games with Avangard KHL. The expectations are high for him.

Already Drafted to Watch: Alexander Perevalov, F, Kunlun Red Star KHL

Selected in the 3rd round of the 2022 draft by the Carolina Hurricanes, Perevalov has high expectations due to his talent level. His last season was a controversial one with his play being inconsistent and his character being questionable. Nevertheless, he gets a trade from CSKA system in the new season and finds himself with the Kunlun Red Star KHL team. He's already showing more confidence, and in a recent game against CSKA he scored 2 goals and was successful in the game winning penalty shot. If his growth is consistent, he'll be able to develop his talent to 100% and play in the NHL after his current contract expires.

Eastern Canada Region - Benoit Belanger

https://twitter.com/BenoitGBelanger

2023 Player to Watch: Miguel Tourigny, D, Shawinigan Cataractes

At just 16, he turned heads with a stellar performance in the President's Cup Championship and Memorial Cup. His calm play, his intelligence, his maturity, combined with his skills, make him a player with great potential. He did very well during the U18 Hlinka-Gretzky tournament. Very good across 200 feet, very good hockey sense, with good passing and skating skills. He is a player to watch.

Already Drafted to Watch: Angus Booth, D, Shawinigan Cataractes

After an emotional and experience-filled season, including a President's Cup and a Memorial Cup appearance, Booth saw that memorable season come to a close with his 4th round selection by the Los Angeles Kings. It will be a totally different situation for him this year, with a team starting a junior cycle again. But it will be interesting to follow how he will react to this challenge and if he will be able to take his level of play to another level. I'm curious to see the full extent of his intelligence being passed on to his younger teammates.

Finland Region - Mikko Kuikka

https://twitter.com/mijukui83

2023 Player to Watch: Arttu Karki, D, Tappara U20 SM

“Karki is a very mobile defenseman with good shooting skills. Overall, he is a puck moving defenseman with good size (187cm) and good skating. At the moment, Karki is a 2nd/3rd-round talent, but if he has another great year, he could climb higher.”

Already Drafted Player to Watch: Joakim Kemell, W, Jyp

“Kemell is a strong shooter who can also create his own chances. Drafted by Nashville Predators 2022 Draft as a first-round pick, he is playing this season at Jyp Jyvaskyla (Finnish liiga) as a loan player from Nashville Predators. I hope he makes this an injury free season that will show his real potential playing at the men's level.”

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – SAN JOSE SHARKS – Top 20 Prospects

Contributors – Brock Otten, Ethan Hetu, Dylan Krill, Zack Szweras, — Sun, 18 Sep 2022 21:04:46 +0000

SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 09: San Jose Sharks left wing William Eklund (72) carries the puck during the San Jose Sharks game versus the Vegas Golden Knights on October 9, 2021, at SAP Center at San Jose in San Jose, CA. (Photo by Matt Cohen/Icon Sportswire)

1 - William Eklund LW

Eklund was selected with the 7^th overall pick in the 2021 NHL draft by the San Jose Sharks. He got a taste of the NHL last season playing in nine games with the Sharks at the start of the season. Eklund looked comfortable in the best league in the world, producing four points. After that short stint, the Sharks decided it was best for the organization to loan him back to Djurgårdens in the SHL to allow for his entry level contract to slide. Eklund exploded on the scene as a draft eligible with his ridiculous start to the 2020-21 season where he was dominating play in the SHL as an 18-year-old. As the season went on, Eklund had a battle with COVID and could not get back to the same form as at the start of the season. He finished that year with 23 points in 40 games on route to being selected by the Sharks. In his return to the SHL this year, he played top minutes for a poor Djurgårdens team that was relegated to Sweden’s second league Allsvenskan. Eklund produced one goal and 14 points in 29 games for Djurgårdens last season. His game is a combination of puck skills and speed. He has a unique ability to weave through the ice, navigating through the opposition. He is capable of contributing in all three zones, often being relied on in the defensive end to make a play to transition the puck. Eklund has a good set of hands which he uses to win battles in tight. On top of that, he also has a powerful shot which can be a threat from in tight and mid-range. While there are some conversations about Eklund staying down the middle in the NHL, his game is better suited for the wing, which allows him to burst up the boards and deke into the middle of the ice. No matter what position he plays, Eklund is expected to have a role with the Sharks to start next season. - ZS

2 - Thomas Bordeleau C

Thomas Bordeleau was a second-round pick at the 2020 NHL draft, but he’d likely find his way into the first-round if the draft were re-done today. After his time at the U.S. National Team Development Program, Bordeleau went to the University of Michigan, where he authored a brilliant freshman season, leading a stacked Wolverines team in scoring with 30 points in just 24 games. Bordeleau’s next season was similarly good, and he made strides in his overall game, earning him a selection to the USA’s Winter Olympic team. With a brilliant World Junior Championships under his belt and a solid eight-game run at the NHL level, Bordeleau looks poised to face the tests of his NHL rookie season. Bordeleau is an undersized center, but that doesn’t stop him from being an effective driver of play. He approaches his role as a scoring-line center like a basketball point guard, always looking to be the focal point of play, the premier passer, and the place where his line’s offensive chances are first generated. He’s got exceptional hands and his overall offensive toolbox is where it needs to be for a player with his style. Bordeleau’s skating is what allows him to create time and space with the puck as well, and his skill level regularly solves the problems he faces on the ice. But the flip side of that reality is that some would knock Bordeleau for too often relying on his skill to solve problems, and if he struggles to score at the NHL level it’ll likely be because he hasn’t been able to adjust his more perimeter-oriented style he played in college to the NHL level, where effective scorers need to utilize the middle of the ice. Additionally, it’s fair to wonder if he can stick at center and weather all the pressures placed on NHL pivots. But even with those two drawbacks taken into account, Bordeleau is a promising prospect who offers skill that’s difficult to find. He could be an effective top-six player if he learns to how to effectively translate his talent to the NHL game. - EH

3 - Mattias Havelid D

Havelid was selected 45^th overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2022 NHL draft. He was the second Swedish player selected by the Sharks in this draft, following Linköping teammate and best friend Filip Bystedt. Havelid is an offensively skilled, undersized defenceman, who makes up for his lack of size with strong gap control and body balance even when pressured physically. Offensively, he has a wicked wrist shot which he loves to shoot from the point. To complement his shot, he is also an effective passer, he is calm under pressure and surveys the ice for open teammates before crisply sending the puck their way. His decision making is another area that stands out, as he rarely gets flustered and usually makes the right decision. Havelid had a strong season in the J20 league for Linköping scoring 10 goals and 19 points in 29 games. He also contributed 10 points in 8 playoff games. He also made an impact internationally, as Sweden’s assistant captain during the April U18 tournament, where he dominated the tournament with 12 points in six games, helping lead Sweden to a gold medal over the powerhouse US. Havelid’s 12 points not only led all defenceman in the tournament, but he was second overall in points behind only teammate Jonathan Lekkerimaki. If Havelid continues to play with confidence and adds more strength to his frame, he could be poised for a long NHL career. He is expected to begin next season with Linköping hopefully in a top-six role in the SHL. - ZS

4 - Benjamin Gaudreau G

Don’t let the average stats fool you, Gaudreau is one of the best goaltenders in the Ontario Hockey League. The reality is that since entering the OHL, the defense in front of him with the Sarnia Sting has been inexperienced and porous. That leads to Gaudreau being left hung out to dry on a lot of odd man rushes and high danger scoring chances against. Yet he consistently finds a way to keep the Sting in games. His technical abilities are very sound. He tracks the play extremely well and always seems to be in the correct position. Additionally, his movements in the crease are refined, allowing him to remain square. His athletic abilities, composure, and rebound control are all above average as well. This coming season should be a breakout one for Gaudreau to establish himself as one of the best goaltending prospects outside of the pro level. The Sting should be a top team in the OHL’s Western Conference and Gaudreau is the leading candidate to be the starting netminder for Canada at the 2023 World Junior Championships. He should also be a leading candidate for the Jim Rutherford trophy, awarded to the OHL’s top netminder. - BO

5 - Tristen Robins RW

In a somewhat surprising move, the Sharks sent Robins back to the WHL for his overage year this past season. Many expected the talented pivot to start the year in the AHL, but San Jose felt it would be best for his development to play another year with Saskatoon. Truthfully, from a production standpoint, his year was only mediocre. More was probably expected of him. Does that change his future outlook? Probably not, but it would have been great to have seen Robins dominate the way that he is capable of. Robins’ game is very well rounded. He is at his best when he can attack the offensive zone with speed, catching defenders flat footed. However, he is also tenacious and will fight through checks to make plays. Equal parts playmaker and shooter, his offensive zone awareness is also a standout quality. Moving to the pro level finally this year, it will be interesting to see how Robins performs. A potential middle six forward for San Jose in the future, he should have little trouble adjusting at the AHL level. However, his only average overage season this past year has cast a tiny bit of doubt about whether he can transcend above a depth piece. - BO

6 - Ozzy Wiesblatt RW

It was a tough year for Wiesblatt on a lot of fronts. For one, the former first round selection struggled with injuries and ended up being shut down for the year with a shoulder injury. For two, he scored only ten goals and was kept under the point per game mark for the first time since his U17 season. Now, granted, Prince Albert was a lower scoring team and that needs to be taken into consideration. However, expectations were no doubt higher for Wiesblatt in his final WHL season. A tenacious, high-energy attacker, Wiesblatt never stops moving his feet and is constantly engaged in the play. He can use his speed to apply pressure, but is also physical and fearless, finding a way to win many of the battles he engages in. At the very least, Wiesblatt does look like someone who could play a bottom six role for the Sharks and excel on the penalty kill. Whether he plays higher in the lineup depends on the further development of his offensive skill set, in particular his finishing ability and ability to make skilled plays with the puck at full speed. Assuming his shoulder is fully healed, Wiesblatt will start the year in the AHL with the Barracuda. The true nature of his upside likely won’t be determined for a few years at that level. - BO

7 - Filip Bystedt C

Bystedt was recently selected 27^th overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2022 NHL draft. He is a big-bodied centre who uses a combination of size and speed to advance play. Standing at 6’4”, 205 Ibs, he uses his large frame to protect the puck when attacking. On top of puck protection, he generates power through his skating stride. Bystedt often has long, powerful strides and a quick first step allowing him to generate speed efficiently. Offensively, he is a good playmaker, often protecting the puck, waiting for a passing lane to open up before crisply sending the puck to his linemates. On top of his playmaking ability, Bystedt also has a quick release on his shot, making it an additional threat. This past season, he excelled in the J20 league for Linköping contributing 33 assists and 49 points in 40 games. He also saw action in the SHL in a limited role finishing with 2 points in 15 games. At the U18 tournament in April, he had more of a quiet performance for Sweden’s gold medal run with only 3 points in 6 games. Bystedt has looked different at each level he performed at last season. Next season, he should look to further establish his identity and play to his strengths of speed, puck protection, and playmaking. Bystedt is expected to split time between the J20 and SHL with Linköping. - ZS

8 - Cameron Lund RW

As one of the top picks in the second round of the 2022 draft, Cameron Lund might disappoint those who simply look at his box score numbers. Lund’s 50 points in 62 games is hardly the dominating production one would expect from a top-of-the-line USHL prospect. But like with most players, looking at just Lund’s box score statistics doesn’t tell the full story of what kind of player he is. Lund was one of the faster-rising prospects of last year’s draft cycle, improving with each and every passing USHL game. By the end of the year, Lund looked exponentially more sure of himself and confident in his abilities on both ends of the ice. A six-foot-two center, Lund uses his size to protect the puck and create space for himself and his teammates in order to generate offensive chances. Since Lund isn’t a great skater and doesn’t have the sort of straight-line speed or edgework to create space with his feet, whether Lund’s strength and poise with the puck will continue to allow him to be a strong puck protector at the next level will go a long way to determining just how high his offensive upside is. If Lund can actually make some adjustments to how he skates and find a new gear to his game, then at that point a whole new level of NHL upside would be possible. But at this moment, Lund’s skating looks like it could hold him back. There’s still enough in his game to give confidence that he can make the NHL despite his less-than-ideal feet, and he already has enough pro-style qualities in his game to make one think that he’ll find a way to carve out a role in the NHL if he can’t quite cut it as a scorer. - EH

9 - Artemi Knyazev D

Knyazev is a former standout in the QMJHL who is coming off his first pro season in the AHL. On a struggling San Jose Barracuda team, he certainly got his minutes and that was great for his development. However, it also proved that he still has a long way to go before becoming an NHL defender. Knyazev is intriguing because of his athletic tools on the blueline. He is a terrific mover who is both fluid and explosive. This allows him to play a higher risk game as an offensive player because he has the speed to recover his positioning. He also likes to play a physical game and is aggressive in seeking out big hits. However, his decision making at both ends and his overall defensive awareness are a big work in progress. He has a tendency to chase the play and his risky rushes were not always well timed as a pro. A longer-term project, Knyazev has the potential to be an NHL defender. He is skilled and he has the mobility to be an asset in today’s game. It will be up to San Jose’s coaching staff and development team to refine his approach and bring out the best in his skill set. He will return to the Barracuda this year and should continue to see a ton of ice time in a variety of different situations. - BO

10 - Brandon Coe RW

The 98th overall selection in the 2020 NHL Draft, Brandon Coe had a breakout season with the Battalion and looks like great mid-round pick for Sharks. The former 3rd overall selection in the 2017 OHL Draft adapted well in his rookie season and finished with 23 points (10G,13A) in 63 games. In the 2018-2019 season, Coe finished with 37 points (17G,20A) in 65 games. During the 2019-2020 season, Coe took a step forward and finished with 57 points (25G,32A) in 60 games, which was 2nd on the team in points. In the 2020-2021 season, Coe got the opportunity like some others to play in the AHL, which was an exception made because of the OHL being shutdown. He was able to adapt well with his size and finished with five points (1G,4A) in 17 games. During the 2021-2022 season, Coe made the return to the OHL and had a breakout season, finishing with 101 points (34G,67A) in 62 games, which was 5th in the league for points, 4th in the league for assists and 1st on the team in both assists and points. Coe’s best assets are his hockey sense and physicality. He understands how to utilize his size while driving play, being able to protect the puck very effectively and contain possession for his team. He fights his way into space easily and shows no difficulty controlling the puck in traffic, making offensive zone entries consistently. He’s also very strong defensively, actively using his stick and body to breakup plays. Coe plays with a bite and knows how to use his physicality to wear down opponents and win puck battles consistently. Going into the 2022-2023 season, Coe will make his return to the AHL and look to bring his confidence from last year with him. - DK

11 - Danil Gushchin

The highly skilled winger is not given enough credit for his competitiveness off the puck, an area of his game that has improved since being drafted. How his game translates to the AHL level remains to be seen, but his upside is undeniable.

12 - Nick Cicek

After a strong season in the AHL with San Jose, the Sharks signed the former Portland Winterhawk (WHL) captain to an ELC. The big defender projects as a strong and physical two-way presence and has emerged as one of the top defensive prospects in the system.

13 - Eetu Makiniemi

Acquired in the recent Brent Burns to Carolina deal, Makiniemi enters a San Jose system loaded with goaltending depth, but lacking in a true future heir apparent in net. He was great in limited games last season with Charlotte and should play more this year.

14 - Michael Fisher

Drafted out of the Massachustettes prep scene, Fisher is a highly athletic defender who oozes potential at both ends. He likely plays in the USHL this season before heading to Northeastern.

15 - Gannon Laroque

One of the breakout stars of the WHL last season, the 6’2, right shot defender emerged as a confident puck mover to go with his staunch defensive player. He has already been named Victoria’s captain for this season and should be one of the WHL’s best defenders.

16 - Strauss Mann

Mann’s development path has not been traditional thus far. After starring for the University of Michigan, he bet on himself by going to the SHL after graduation. He turned a strong performance with Skellefteå into an ELC.

17 - Sasha Chmelevski

The Sharks will retain the rights to the former OHL star after he decided to sign in the KHL this season. It is odd timing considering that he had a great chance to crack San Jose full time this year.

18 - Santeri Hatakka

The Finnish defender showed some positive things in his first pro NA season last year with the Barracuda. The strong skating, defense first rearguard looks like a potential #4-6 defender for San Jose in the future.

19 - Mason Beaupit

The key to Beaupit’s development will be his ability to harness his athleticism to play a more technically refined game in the crease. The Spokane Chiefs (WHL) netminder has intriguing tools and could be a diamond in the rough among the team’s many goaltending prospects.

20 - Magnus Chrona

The 6’6 netminder won a National championship with Denver this past season. Acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning a year ago, he will return for his senior season and may prove to be a difficult sign for the Sharks.

2021 NHL DRAFT: McKeen’s April Rankings – Pre-U18 World Championship – Top 32

Brock Otten — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 21:43:22 +0000

Scouting the draft certainly has not been easy this year. We could go on at length about that. Delays to the WHL season. The (recent) cancelation of the OHL season. Shortened junior seasons in Europe. Constant disruptions due to covid protocols. Rink restrictions. A greater reliance on video. These are the struggles that independent scouting agencies like ourselves have had to endure in order to evaluate and rank the best the 2021 NHL Draft has to offer. But the show must go on. Just because scouting has been different this year does not mean that our scouts have not been putting in the work. That work just looks a little different.

It has been over two months since the release of our preliminary Top 32 ranking. This time around, for our mid-season ranking, we will be increasing the length of our list to 64, along with some honorable mentions.

While the top 5 remains unchanged from our previous list (Beniers, Power, Hughes, Wallstedt, Edvinsson), there have been some pretty significant changes to the way we have ranked the players inside the Top 15. Chaz Lucius, Matthew Coronato, and Sebastian Cossa have made significant jumps, while Carson Lambos, Zachary L’Heureux, and Corson Ceulemans have seen large drops.

Lucius, of the U.S. National Development Team, was injured early on in the season, severely limiting our views of him. Now fully healthy, he is playing exceptional hockey (averaging over a goal per game in the USHL) and has moved up into our Top 10. Coronato has sustained his high level of play from earlier in the USHL season, leading the USHL in goal scoring. While Sebastian Cossa has been sensational to start the WHL season in Edmonton, currently leading the ‘Dub” in save percentage. His 6’6 frame and stopping ability are going to make him very attractive to NHL scouts inside the lottery range. The last time we had two goalies taken inside the Top 15 was 2006 when Jonathan Bernier (11th) and Riku Helenius (15th) were selected. There is a very real possibility of that happening again in 2021.

Carson Lambos is definitely a widely debated prospect these days. His play in Finland (on loan) was indifferent and, unfortunately, his season was ended early due to a medical procedure which halted his WHL season two games in and has prevented him from playing at the World Under 18’s in Texas. Ultimately, our scouts are less sure of his high-end offensive potential than they were a year ago, or even several months ago. Zachary L’Heureux is a talented player, no doubt, but his inability to stay in the Halifax lineup due to suspensions has become a concerning trend. And Ceulemans’ play since the AJHL returned has not been at the same level as it was before the stoppage. His play at the U18’s in support of Brandt Clarke on Team Canada will go a long way in determining his value for the draft.

In total, there are seven new faces ranked inside of our first round compared to last time. Those would be the aforementioned Chaz Lucius, Logan Stankoven, Aidan Hreschuk, Jack Bar, Ayrton Martino, Simon Robertsson, and Ville Koivunen.

Of course, this list is far from being set in stone. The IIHF World Under 18’s in Texas, which commence at the end of April, will be highly scrutinized. With the cancellation of events like the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup, the World Junior A Challenge, and the Five Nations, this will be the first time scouts will have an opportunity to compare the top talent against one another. While it is important to not use a single tournament as the basis of your evaluation on a player, there is no doubt that the results of the U18’s will have wide sweeping effects on the year end lists of NHL scouts. Of our ranked top 64, 32 (exactly half) are scheduled to play at the U18’s.

While tempering projections based on the U18’s will be one challenge, the other main one is the cancellation of the OHL season. Typically, nearly 20% of all players drafted come from the Ontario Hockey League. While some of the top players have played in Europe (like Brandt Clarke and Mason McTavish) or will be participating in the Under 18’s (like Ben Gaudreau and Wyatt Johnson), others will have their evaluations and grades based upon their performances last season. That is unless the CHL and Hockey Canada can successfully stage a prospect tournament in a bubble setting sometime before the draft (which is apparently being discussed and on the table). Where to slot OHL based players inside our final rankings will be a challenge.

As mentioned, this time around we have ranked the Top 64. Of course, there were several players who just missed this list. Our ‘Honorable Mentions’ for midseason were as follows (alphabetically): Eric Alarie, William von Barnekow, Josh Doan, Liam Gilmartin, David Gucciardi, Jayden Grubbe, Samuel Helenius, Brent Johnson, Tristan Lennox, Robert Orr, Kyle Masters, Connor Roulette, Joshua Roy, Ryan Winterton, and Trevor Wong.

Without further ado...the McKeen’s April top 32 rankings for the 2021 NHL Draft. Subcribers can access the top 64 by linking here.

RANK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	GP-G-A-PTS
1	Matthew Beniers	C	Michigan (B1G)	6-1/175	5-Nov-02	24-10-14-24
2	Owen Power	D	Michigan (B1G)	6-6/215	22-Nov-02	26-3-13-16
3	Luke Hughes	D	USN U18 (USDP)	6-2/175	9-Sep-03	38-6-28-34
4	Jesper Wallstedt	G	Lulea (SHL)	6-3/200	14-Nov-02	12-10, 2.23, .908
5	Simon Edvinsson	D	Vasteras (Swe 2)	6-4/200	5-Feb-03	14-0-5-5
6	Chaz Lucius	C	USN U18 (USDP)	6-0/175	2-May-03	12-13-5-18
7	Dylan Guenther	RW	Edmonton (WHL)	6-0/170	3-Apr-03	12-12-12-24
8	Brandt Clarke	D	Nove Zamky (Svk)	6-1/180	9-Feb-03	26-5-10-15
9	Fabian Lysell	RW	Lulea (SHL)	5-10/175	19-Jan-03	26-2-1-3
10	William Eklund	LW	Djurgardens (SHL)	5-10/175	10-Dec-02	40-11-12-23
11	Kent Johnson	C	Michigan (B1G)	6-1/170	18-Oct-02	26-9-18-27
12	Aatu Raty	C	Karpat Oulu (Fin)	6-2/185	14-Nov-02	35-3-3-6
13	Matthew Coronato	LW	Chicago (USHL)	5-9/180	14-Nov-02	50-46-37-83
14	Cole Sillinger	LW	Sioux Falls (USHL)	6-0/195	16-May-03	31-24-22-46
15	Sebastian Cossa	G	Edmonton (WHL)	6-6/210	21-Nov-02	12-0, 1.61, .939
16	Mason McTavish	C	Olten (Sui 2)	6-0/200	30-Jan-03	13-9-2-11
17	Francesco Pinelli	C	Acroni Jesenice (Slv)	6-0/185	11-Apr-03	13-5-6-11
18	Logan Stankoven	C	Kamloops (WHL)	5-8/170	26-Feb-03	6-7-3-10
19	Oskar Olausson	RW	HV 71 (SHL)	6-1/180	10-Nov-02	16-3-1-4
20	Ryder Korczak	C	Moose Jaw (WHL)	5-10/170	23-Sep-02	13-3-11-14
21	William Stromgren	LW	MODO Hockey (Swe 2)	6-3/175	7-Jun-03	27-3-6-9
22	Isak Rosen	RW	Leksands (SHL)	5-11/155	15-Mar-03	22-0-1-1
23	Aidan Hreschuk	D	USN U18 (USDP)	5-11/180	19-Feb-03	43-5-28-33
24	Jack Bar	D	Chicago (USHL)	6-2/190	24-Oct-02	32-5-10-15
25	Corson Ceulemans	D	Brooks (AJHL)	6-1/190	5-May-03	8-4-7-11
26	Simon Robertsson	RW	Skelleftea (SHL)	6-0/190	5-Feb-03	22-1-1-2
27	Ayrton Martino	LW	Omaha (USHL)	5-10/170	28-Sep-02	36-18-36-54
28	Zachary L'Heureux	LW	Halifax (QMJHL)	5-11/195	15-May-03	33-19-20-39
29	Xavier Bourgault	C	Shawinigan (QMJHL)	6-0/170	22-Oct-02	29-20-20-40
30	Stanislav Svozil	D	Kometa Brno (Cze)	6-1/180	17-Jan-03	30-1-2-3
31	Ville Koivunen	LW	Karpat Oulu (Fin Jr)	5-11/160	13-Jun-03	38-23-26-49
32	Brennan Othmann	LW	Olten (Sui 2)	5-11/170	5-Jan-03	34-7-9-16

2021 NHL DRAFT: McKeen’s April Rankings – Pre-U18 World Championship – Top 64 (Subscribers)

Brock Otten — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 21:00:58 +0000

Without further ado...the McKeen’s April top 64 rankings for the 2021 NHL Draft.

RANK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	GP-G-A-PTS
1	Matthew Beniers	C	Michigan (B1G)	6-1/175	5-Nov-02	24-10-14-24
2	Owen Power	D	Michigan (B1G)	6-6/215	22-Nov-02	26-3-13-16
3	Luke Hughes	D	USN U18 (USDP)	6-2/175	9-Sep-03	38-6-28-34
4	Jesper Wallstedt	G	Lulea (SHL)	6-3/200	14-Nov-02	12-10, 2.23, .908
5	Simon Edvinsson	D	Vasteras (Swe 2)	6-4/200	5-Feb-03	14-0-5-5
6	Chaz Lucius	C	USN U18 (USDP)	6-0/175	2-May-03	12-13-5-18
7	Dylan Guenther	RW	Edmonton (WHL)	6-0/170	3-Apr-03	12-12-12-24
8	Brandt Clarke	D	Nove Zamky (Svk)	6-1/180	9-Feb-03	26-5-10-15
9	Fabian Lysell	RW	Lulea (SHL)	5-10/175	19-Jan-03	26-2-1-3
10	William Eklund	LW	Djurgardens (SHL)	5-10/175	10-Dec-02	40-11-12-23
11	Kent Johnson	C	Michigan (B1G)	6-1/170	18-Oct-02	26-9-18-27
12	Aatu Raty	C	Karpat Oulu (Fin)	6-2/185	14-Nov-02	35-3-3-6
13	Matthew Coronato	LW	Chicago (USHL)	5-9/180	14-Nov-02	50-46-37-83
14	Cole Sillinger	LW	Sioux Falls (USHL)	6-0/195	16-May-03	31-24-22-46
15	Sebastian Cossa	G	Edmonton (WHL)	6-6/210	21-Nov-02	12-0, 1.61, .939
16	Mason McTavish	C	Olten (Sui 2)	6-0/200	30-Jan-03	13-9-2-11
17	Francesco Pinelli	C	Acroni Jesenice (Slv)	6-0/185	11-Apr-03	13-5-6-11
18	Logan Stankoven	C	Kamloops (WHL)	5-8/170	26-Feb-03	6-7-3-10
19	Oskar Olausson	RW	HV 71 (SHL)	6-1/180	10-Nov-02	16-3-1-4
20	Ryder Korczak	C	Moose Jaw (WHL)	5-10/170	23-Sep-02	13-3-11-14
21	William Stromgren	LW	MODO Hockey (Swe 2)	6-3/175	7-Jun-03	27-3-6-9
22	Isak Rosen	RW	Leksands (SHL)	5-11/155	15-Mar-03	22-0-1-1
23	Aidan Hreschuk	D	USN U18 (USDP)	5-11/180	19-Feb-03	43-5-28-33
24	Jack Bar	D	Chicago (USHL)	6-2/190	24-Oct-02	32-5-10-15
25	Corson Ceulemans	D	Brooks (AJHL)	6-1/190	5-May-03	8-4-7-11
26	Simon Robertsson	RW	Skelleftea (SHL)	6-0/190	5-Feb-03	22-1-1-2
27	Ayrton Martino	LW	Omaha (USHL)	5-10/170	28-Sep-02	36-18-36-54
28	Zachary L'Heureux	LW	Halifax (QMJHL)	5-11/195	15-May-03	33-19-20-39
29	Xavier Bourgault	C	Shawinigan (QMJHL)	6-0/170	22-Oct-02	29-20-20-40
30	Stanislav Svozil	D	Kometa Brno (Cze)	6-1/180	17-Jan-03	30-1-2-3
31	Ville Koivunen	LW	Karpat Oulu (Fin Jr)	5-11/160	13-Jun-03	38-23-26-49
32	Brennan Othmann	LW	Olten (Sui 2)	5-11/170	5-Jan-03	34-7-9-16
33	Samu Tuomaala	RW	Karpat Oulu (Fin Jr)	5-10/175	8-Jan-03	30-15-16-31
34	Mackie Samoskevich	RW	Chicago (USHL)	5-10/175	15-Nov-02	36-13-24-37
35	Nikita Chibrikov	LW	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	5-10/160	16-Feb-03	16-1-1-2
36	Jack Peart	D	Fargo (USHL)	5-11/180	15-May-03	22-1-13-14
37	Carson Lambos	D	Winnipeg (WHL)	6-0/200	14-Jan-03	2-0-0-0
38	Anton Olsson	D	Malmo (SHL)	6-1/185	26-Jan-03	39-0-4-4
39	Zach Dean	C	Gatineau (QMJHL)	6-0/175	4-Jan-03	23-10-10-20
40	Evan Nause	D	Quebec (QMJHL)	6-2/185	20-Jan-03	32-4-18-22
41	Fyodor Svechkov	C	Lada Togliatti (VHL)	6-0/180	5-Apr-03	38-5-10-15
42	Justin Robidas	C	Val d'Or (QMJHL)	5-7/175	13-Mar-03	35-19-17-36
43	Red Savage	C	USN U18 (USDP)	5-11/175	15-May-03	39-16-22-38
44	Daniil Chayka	D	CSKA (KHL)	6-3/190	22-Oct-02	11-1-1-2
45	Benjamin Gaudreau	G	Sarnia (OHL)	6-2/165	11-Jan-03
46	Sasha Pastujov	RW	USN U18 (USDP)	6-0/185	15-Jul-03	34-23-29-52
47	Logan Mailloux	D	SK Lejon (Swe)	6-3/215	15-Apr-03	19-7-8-15
48	Liam Dower Nilsson	C	Frolunda (Swe Jr)	5-11/170	14-Apr-03	16-5-12-17
49	Prokhor Poltapov	LW	Krasnaya Armiya (MHL)	5-10/160	1-Feb-03	61-25-27-52
50	Sean Behrens	D	USN U18 (USDP)	5-9/175	31-Mar-03	39-6-25-31
51	Vincent Iorio	D	Brandon (WHL)	6-2/190	14-Nov-02	20-4-7-11
52	Roman Schmidt	D	USN U18 (USDP)	6-5/210	27-Feb-03	38-3-10-13
53	Artyom Grushnikov	D	Hamilton (OHL)	6-2/185	20-Mar-03
54	Victor Stjernborg	C	Vaxjo Lakers (SHL)	5-10/200	22-May-03	30-2-2-4
55	Wyatt Johnston	C	Windsor (OHL)	6-0/180	14-May-03
56	Zachary Bolduc	C	Rimouski (QMJHL)	6-1/175	24-Feb-03	27-10-19-29
57	Ryan Ufko	D	Chicago (USHL)	5-9/175	7-May-03	52-10-28-38
58	Colton Dach	C	Saskatoon (WHL)	6-2/185	4-Jan-03	17-8-6-14
59	Brett Harrison	C	KOOVEE (Fin Jr)	6-1/175	7-Jun-03	7-4-5-9
60	Chase Stillman	RW	Esbjerg (Den Jr)	5-11/175	29-Mar-03	8-9-7-16
61	James Malatesta	LW	Quebec (QMJHL)	5-9/180	31-May-03	32-10-13-23
62	Alexander Kisakov	LW	Dynamo Moskva (Rus Jr)	5-9/160	1-Nov-02	61-36-37-73
63	Ethan Del Mastro	D	Mississauga (OHL)	6-3/195	15-Jan-03
64	Kirill Kirsanov	D	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	6-1/195	19-Sep-02	29-0-3-3

2021 NHL DRAFT: McKeen’s Staff Honourable Mentions for the First Round

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 21:45:11 +0000

Recently, we at McKeen’s Hockey released our preliminary Top 32 ranking for the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. In any year, that first list is always a difficult one to create as regional scouts try to determine how their prospects compare to those in other regions. However, the global COVID pandemic made that exercise infinitely more difficult this season, especially with many players on loan to other leagues/countries and the OHL/WHL still on hiatus.

If you recall, we listed 11 honorable mentions who just missed the cut on that initial list. The intent of this article is to highlight some of those honorable mentions (in addition to a few others) who have a chance to move into the first round later this season. Each of our regional scouts has submitted the player(s) they feel fit the criteria and should be closely monitored as the season progresses.

Europe

Simon Robertsson - RW - Skelleftea AIK (SHL)

Robertsson is a smart offensive winger. He is a top six forward talent with good traits to reach that potential. He has a powerful skating stride and uses it effectively and can shift his pace when needed, too. He does not just skate at top speed and can be agile in tight places. One thing that also sticks out with Robertsson is his quick release. He is a good goal scorer and strong from the right side on a power play. He plays more with his head than power though. He can read defenses well and uses his skills to manipulate the space around him. He detects open spaces well and acts fast creating chances for himself and others. He lacks high elite traits (from an offensive point of view) and is therefore ranked outside our top 32 at this moment. He prematurely plays a 12^th/13^th forward role in the SHL and that is the only hockey he plays now while junior hockey is shut down. The situation is not beneficial for him and maybe a loan to Allsvenskan would be preferable. - Jimmy Hamrin

*BONUS

Simon Robertsson is a player that has caught my eye as a potential steal if he’s not drafted in the 1st round this year. His ability to generate speed and use open ice to attack the neutral zone with and without the puck has taken big steps since last year. His offensive tools are diverse, but his shot has been a hallmark. His release is excellent and his quick footwork and agility allows him to find open ice quickly and let his shot go. My tracking work isn’t as optimistic as I am on him, but his offensive transition success rate is excellent across both bluelines, and he hasn’t lost a step in his transition to the SHL. His ability to clog the neutral zone and cut off transitions has steadily improved game over game in my work, all while registering stronger and stronger pass completion rates. With his natural instincts away from the puck, and the fundamental tools he has, I would like to see him build on his puck skill over time and show a bit more confidence in the offensive zone to put defenders on their heels a bit more, as he seems to be sticking more to the perimeter in the SHL. I’ve got Robertsson in my 2nd tier, and ranked side by side with Simon Edvinsson at 10/11 overall. Exciting player with tons of potential. - Will Scouch

Anton Olsson - D - Malmo (SHL)

Olsson is a highly competitive and physical defenseman with good puck skills. He plays a two-way game and plays well with the puck. He is a good skater with a long stride and strong balance. His potential in the defensive zone is higher than in the offensive zone. He can use his skating and defensive smarts to play with good gap control and does not shy away from being physical either. With the puck, he has good individual puck skills. He is a good first passer and has a good shot. He can also deke creatively and has good control of the puck. Although he has the skill, he does not have the offensive hockey IQ to use it effectively in the offensive zone. He plays simplistic with the puck and does not have power play potential. I can see him more as a defensive second or third pair defenseman. His competitiveness stands out but nothing else is elite in his game. For that reason I see him more as a second round pick for the draft but that said, he plays regularly in the SHL at 17 which is not common by a player with his traits. - Jimmy Hamrin

Samuel Helenius - C - JYP (Liiga)

Samuel Helenius has been one of the few bright spots for JYP in the Liiga this season. He brings energy and physicality each night, plays well on the penalty kill and can chip in offensively. He also played really well as a fourth-line center at the World Juniors. The massive forward moves well and can reach a good top speed. He has smoothed out his stride and his mobility has improved. In his own end, he clogs passing lanes, applies stick pressure and plays with his head on a swivel. He reads the game well and shows awareness of his surroundings. In the offensive zone, he knows where to go to be effective. He has an accurate and hard wrist shot with a quick release, and he does not need many chances before the puck is in the back of the net. Helenius is physical and tenacious, finishes his checks with authority and pressures opponents into bad decisions. He can cover a lot of the ice. I think he could sneak into the late first round if he keeps improving his offensive game. Overall, I like how his game is trending. He has been a player to watch for a few years already, but his skating has gotten much better and it has enabled him to emerge as a quality NHL draft prospect. - Marco Bombino

Kirill Kirsanov - D - SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)

Kirill Kirsanov seems to be the kind of a defenseman who likes to play cerebral game, and while there is still some progress to be made, his defensive awareness is already good enough to not look too shabby at both the KHL and WJC levels. Additionally he is already pretty physical and is competent at both shooting the puck and distributing it to teammates. The limiting factor here is the skating, as it isn't remarkable in any way, therefore I am quite skeptical about his first round chances. With that being said, while Kirsanov doesn't look like a stereotypical first round pick, I can't exclude that in the year of pandemic, and playing all season long might be beneficial for his chances. At this point I can think of Kirsanov developing into someone like Vladislav Gavrikov and that ceiling sounds totally worthy of a second round pick to me. - Viktor Fomich

Fyodor Svechkov - C/LW - Lada Togliatti (MHL/VHL)

Evaluating Russians can be tough, but I am relatively confident with my read on Svechkov. He might be one of the smarter and more dynamic positional centers available in this draft. He can play with pace, but doesn’t often have to. He can play with skill, but doesn’t often have to. He is a tremendous offensive transition driver, maintaining control on 60/80 total offensive transitions against VHL competition, and his ability to drive dangerous shot attempts is impressive. Of his team’s ten total dangerous shot attempts through five games tracked, Svechkov has taken four of them. That’s the other side of the coin. Lada Togliatti is… not a good hockey team. Svechkov’s pass percentage is well below average, but his head is in the right place. Teammates giving up pucks under no pressure, flying through the neutral zone before Svechkov can even spot them, and plenty more funny business can hide the positives in Svechkov’s game. His work rate and intelligence anticipating board cycles is not matched by many of his linemates, and with his ability to grab turnovers and turn play around, leading to excellent transition results, I am willing to bet that he will continue to put up better and better results, especially if he can get himself onto a better program. - Will Scouch

North America

Artyom Grushnikov - D - Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL)

Grushnikov is a player who has long been hyped as one of the top Russian players available for the 2021 draft. The last few years, he has played up a level with the Russian National team, excelling at the U17’s two years ago as a 16 year old and playing at the Hlinka/Gretzky and World Junior A Challenge last year as a 17 year old. Touted as a strong two-way defender, there is a certain level of mystique surrounding Grushnikov’s true offensive capabilities because he has been playing with players older than him, thus requiring him to play more of a simple game while deferring to older linemates or defensive partners to lead the breakout or entry. Following the most recent CHL Import Draft, Grushnikov signed on with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the OHL, which would have been a terrific litmus test for him. Hamilton has a strong forward group, but needed an all situations, top pairing defender to eat minutes and help facilitate offense. Needless to say, playing for the Bulldogs would have given scouts a much better idea of his offensive skill set. Unfortunately, the OHL has yet to begin the year and this has left Grushnikov in limbo. If, or when, the OHL can actually commence, he could quickly move up draft boards if he shows the necessary progression from a year ago. His mobility and tenaciousness could make him a strong stay at home, top six defender at minimum. - Brock Otten

Benjamin Gaudreau - Goaltender - Sarnia Sting (OHL)/Tristan Lennox - Goaltender - Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

McKeen’s already had two goaltenders in their preliminary Top 32 (Wallstedt and Cossa), however these two OHL netminders are not far behind. Coming out of U16 in North Bay, Gaudreau was thought to be one of the best goaltending prospects out of Ontario in recent years. His rookie season in Sarnia had many ups and downs, mostly because of Sarnia’s defensive struggles. Hung out to dry on many occasions, Gaudreau faced over 35 shots on most nights, yet he held his own and flashed the ability to steal games for Sarnia. He is an extremely technically sound goaltender whose strength lies in his ability to track pucks and cut down angles. Lennox, on the other hand, has already played two OHL seasons with an October 2002 birth date. Despite the hype which preceded him, Lennox’s 2019-20 season did not go according to plan. He suffered a lower body injury while starting for Canada at the Hlinka/Gretzky and when he returned to the OHL in late September, his game never got on track as he struggled with consistency and positioning. Lennox is still extremely highly regarded, as his inclusion at this year’s Canadian World Junior camp would indicate (even if he was cut). Interestingly enough, he recently signed an ATO with the Toronto Marlies. His combination of size and athleticism is intriguing and he is certainly capable of being one of the OHL’s (and CHL’s) elite netminders. No question, if the OHL is able to start, both of these goaltenders have the potential to push Sebastian Cossa as the second best goaltender available behind Jesper Wallstedt, and subsequently could be considered first round candidates. - Brock Otten

Chaz Lucius - C - USDP (USHL)

Lucius garnering a spot as a Honorable Mentionee in our first draft ranking set is paying homage to past accomplishments. Like most young players from the OHL or the WHL, Lucius has yet to play in a competitive game this year. Unlike his cohort north of the border, who are prevented from playing due to the pandemic preventing their respective leagues from starting, Lucius has not yet suited up due to a reported lower body injury. Lucius tied for the U17 team lead in scoring last year across all competition, along with Sasha Pastujov, and looked pretty sharp in a relatively brief cameo playing up with the U18s. Scouts who have tracked the USNTDP class closely are still convinced that the highest skilled forwards on the roster are Lucius and Pastujov. The hope is that Lucius returns soon enough to give scouts something recent to chew on before slotting him in their own teams’ draft lists. If he isn’t too rusty, there aren’t any current U18 members who have been playing well enough to keep him from a top six role. - Ryan Wagman

(update – Lucius made his league debut last Friday – Feb 19 – scoring twice in a victory over the league leading Chicago Steel)

Aidan Hreschuk - D - USDP (USHL)

Without any real flash or pizzaz to his game, Hreschuk is the early favorite to be the second defenseman drafted out of this year’s USNTDP class. His size is moderate to average, but he plays a strong, gritty game defensively, with good work along the boards and a dependable defensive stick. He is vocal, too, an underrated trait that speaks to his maturity as a player and a potential leader. While his defensive contributions might be the first that catches the eye – that is what caught my eye first – Hreschuk also has intriguing offensive elements to his game. He is a very smooth skater, helping his average foot speed play up. He takes direct routes to the play on both sides of the puck. In the offensive zone, he is liable to drive the net with the puck and do his part to generate scoring chances. His game reminds me a bit of Brock Faber’s from last year’s USNTDP, but with maybe a touch higher upside. The Southern Californian is committed to play at Boston College starting next year. - Ryan Wagman

Mackie Samoskevich - C - Chicago Steel (USHL)

Before an injury kept him off the ice since January 8 (he returned this Sunday – Feb. 21), allowing Matt Coronato to run away with the scoring lead on the team – and the USHL in total – Samoskevich was neck and neck with his high scoring teammate in terms of draft stock. In fact, I would often flip the two in my own internal preference list after almost every game in the early going. Samoskevich is a dynamic skater, with great short area speed and quickness. He can win any puck race and would blow by opposing defenders with regularity. He is on the slighter side and doesn’t grind very much in the dirty areas, but the Michigan commit has a very high skill level and is the type of center that makes his linemates look better thanks to his work. He is a play driver and phenomenal passer, currently sitting at just under one assist per game. What Samoskevich really needs to improve upon over the remainder of the season is his game-to-game consistency. Whereas Coronato famously started the season on a 19 game point streak, Samoskevich has six multi-point games (including a season opening five point performance against Muskegon), but also six games where he failed to put his name on the scoresheet. Like with Lucius, a return to action, which we are expecting in a couple of weeks*, could play an outsized role on Samoskevich’s draft stock - Ryan Wagman

*He returned this Sunday – Feb. 21 – scoring an overtime winner against the USNTDP U17 squad,

Brent Johnson - D - Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)

I was recently pointed in his direction on a livestream and I’m glad that I was. Johnson is a quick, skilled defensive defenseman who has continuously gotten more and more comfortable on USHL ice after playing at the 16U level, and just two years removed from AAA hockey in his hometown of Dallas, Texas. His ability to create turnovers, grab pucks and quickly turn them around through carrying or hard, quick passing decisions is an excellent fundamental set of strengths for a modern defender. He is mobile, can be physical if necessary, and at the time of writing, has registered 13 points in 14 games since the new year compared to just 5 points in his previous 14. He is a fast riser in my books and is on the verge of breaking into my 1st round. His puck management can be a bit panicky under pressure, but he is evasive with his feet and hands, and is rarely taken out of the play. With a few years of development there could be a real player here who seems to be staying well under the radar. - Will Scouch

Logan Stankoven - C - Kamloops Blazers (WHL)

Logan Stankoven is a great small area skater as his low center of gravity and strength on his skates enable him to make quick explosive turns and pivots. This helps him be a very effective forechecker where despite not being overly physical, he is highly effective by quickly closing off space, forcing turnovers and preventing clean zone exits. He has been a volume shooter and led all draft eligible players in shots and goals last time the WHL played. His shot is a real weapon with his quick release. He does not have incredible power on his shot but it leaves his stick so quickly that he is still able to beat goalies from midrange positions. What also impresses is the developing 200 foot game, as he is relentless with his back pressure as well as on the forecheck. His defensive awareness in his own zone helps him get into lanes, rare for a player in his draft -1 season. There are two concerns with his game that keep him out of the first round for me. The first is he is only an average passer/playmaker which can make him a bit one dimensional offensively and the second is his size. - Vince Gibbons

Conner Roulette - LW - Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

Conner Roulette was one of the more interesting players to have a strong draft -1 season in the WHL. On a team that had suffered from regression from most of its top talents, Roulette was able to carve out a top six role where he produced effectively at 5-on-5. He is an effective player that has good skill, good use of his body, a good shot, good puck handling skills, and good passing skills. What makes him stand out is his effort, particularly in the offensive zone. He works very hard in the cycle game, goes and gets pucks, wins more than his fair share of 50/50 battles, and is always willing to drive to the net. His offensive skill is solid overall but he lacks any truly dynamic skill. His puck handling is not a weakness but for a player with his offensive instincts it sometimes lets him down as he can be prone to turning the puck over. - Vince Gibbons

Evan Nause - D - Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)

It’s easy for Evan Nause : he has faults that go with his positive qualities. What do I mean by that? He is not flashy. He will not carry the puck from one end of the ice to the other. He is not going to deke five players before scoring a Lacrosse style goal. Does that mean he can't do it? I do not know. But above all, there is no need to do so. He is efficient and that’s what matters. The fact that he's not flamboyant and doesn't rack up a ton of offensive stats makes him less noticeable; he goes under the radar for the moment in my opinion. However, he is a great player and I believe that the more he develops, the more you will notice his tremendous qualities. He is an excellent skater, he moves the puck very well and he is excellent in transition (the quality of his first pass is really impressive). He can be used as much to lead a power play as to defend a one goal-lead or kill a penalty. Right now what most keeps him from being classified as a 1st round player is his focus on doing the little things well instead of trying to impress. Plus, he had to adapt to a change of league, and a new team, in the complicated times of COVID-19. We can already see a certain adaptation on his part since the Christmas break, as we see him more at ease, more comfortable. He is definitely a type of player every coach would want on his roster. The offensive side and the points will come, no doubt about that. - Benoit Belanger

Justin Robidas - C - Val-d’Or Foreurs (QMJHL)

He is 5-7” tall. That’s it. I do not agree at all with that but it is the sad reality, even still in 2021. Seriously, that's the only explanation I see. It's true that there aren't many established players with this size in the NHL. It's cliché, but I don't find that to be a factor in Justin Robidas' case. He has a lot of energy and grit. He likes to get involved in 1-on-1 duels. He goes in the corners, in front of the net, and in traffic. Of course, for a center, in order to offer excellent support in all three zones, he must still add physical maturity. So far, he is doing very well using his high IQ and excellent vision for the game. He is a great skater and an excellent playmaker. It might take a little longer than for other players but I believe in the end he will become a pro one day. His coaches never hesitate to send him out in any situation, powerplay or penalty killing. He is a real catalyst and he has the seed of a captain with his leadership. I would love to see him land at the end of the 1st round in the draft because I think that's where he stands in terms of talent and Hockey IQ. - Benoit Belanger

Joshua Roy - C/RW - Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL)

On several lists (not to say “all lists”), he finds himself behind Zachary Bolduc, L’Heureux and Dean. Yet statistically, Joshua Roy is doing very well. Among players born in 2003, he is (as I write these lines) the leader in goals (13) and points, with 24. So what's the matter with Joshua Roy? I will attempt an explanation, which may not be the answer but a hypothesis. When we watch Joshua Roy play, he doesn't seem like the most involved player. He is not the one who is going to go into the physical fights, the 1-on-1 duels. This is reflected in his low number of penalties he receives (just 4 penalties so far in his junior career). When you look at him closely, he seems lazy at times, uninvolved and/or interested. With experience, I would say that this is often a criticism that is attributed to certain talented players. One assumption is that they see the "game" in a superior way to others. This means they don't have to shout out in one-on-one battles to get to their end. Roy is skilled enough to do this without committing physically. He has incredible eye/hand coordination. His puck handling is excellent and he uses his body well to win his duels. In addition, the quality of his shot is excellent. He manages to change the angle of his shot just before he shoots and he has excellent accuracy. His skating is mediocre. He is not particularly explosive, but he is average. It is mostly his intelligence that makes him such a formidable player. He is constantly in the right place on the ice (especially in the offensive zone). He has always impressed me with his ability to successfully exit the zone. Additionally, he shows an ability to play the off-wing as he is a left-hander that has played as a right winger since the start of the current season (in both St-John and Sherbrooke). Recently he was traded following a request on his part and he landed in Sherbrooke a month ago. His lack of involvement in the game at times and his lack of consistency in energy are currently why he is pushing out of the 1st round of the draft. Scouts may be worried that his game won't translate well to the professional level, where it takes a lot more consistent commitment. - Benoit Belanger

Zach Dean - C - Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)

Zach Dean possesses two attributes that you need to have in order to break into the NHL, which are skating and smarts. His skating compliments the way he thinks the game on both ends. Offensively he is able to make tight turns with his edge work which allows him to skate in small spaces to move around his opponents. When faced with double coverage against the boards he is able to read the issue and either use his speed to move the puck closer to the net or move the puck up the boards to a teammate who is closer. In the defensive zone he is the support player you want. He will not overuse his energy to follow opponents with the puck but read the ice and understand where his opponents and his teammates are going to be. Once he understands where the puck will be played he will support his teammate if there is a 50/50 battle in the corner to gather the loose pucks or assist his teammate if they turn the puck over in the defensive zone. His smarts also help him enter the zone with the puck. If he understands he can move past a player he will take the chance but if he is evenly matched one on one he will dump the puck in and use his speed to chase the puck down. His weakness is his upper body strength which does not help him in 50/50 battles as he is usually the support player and not the fighter in the dirty areas. - Scott Crawford