Berkly Catton – McKeen's Hockey

NHL: Victor Nuño – DYNASTY STOCK WATCH – Seattle Kraken Edition

Victor Nuño — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 15:17:32 +0000

PHILADELPHIA , PA - OCTOBER 20: Seattle Kraken center Berkly Catton (77) is shown during the game between the Seattle Kraken and the Philadelphia Flyers on October 20th, 2025 at the Xfinity Mobile Center in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire)

McKeen’s Hockey: Dynasty Stock Watch

Seattle Kraken Edition

After a surprising playoff run in 2023 followed by a step back in 2024–25, the Seattle Kraken remain a team in transition. They have established a competitive identity built on depth, structure, and two-way responsibility, but they still lack high-end offensive difference-makers. The addition of Berkly Catton and the continued development of prospects like Shane Wright are critical to unlocking the next phase of the franchise: a team that can generate consistent offense and drive play through skill, not just balance.

The Kraken have also begun to cycle out some early expansion pieces and are entering a phase where their draft picks will shape the roster more than free agency or veteran fillers. For dynasty managers, this is the time to monitor which young players are rising into core roles and which ones may be getting squeezed out. Seattle has opportunities available in the top six and on the power play, and prospects who seize those spots could see their fantasy value spike quickly. Conversely, some well-known names may not have as clear a path to long-term impact as the public perception suggests.

Buy Candidates

Shane Wright (C, 21)

Why Buy?
Wright’s development curve has been slower than some expected, but that has created an excellent buying window in dynasty formats. His hockey sense, defensive reliability, and faceoff ability have already translated to the NHL level, and his offensive game has begun to round into form. Wright has shown that he can drive play, protect the puck, and create offense in tight areas. His shooting volume has improved, and he has started to attack the middle of the ice more consistently, which signals growing confidence.

His Evolving Hockey player card highlights a clear trend, showing that early in his career his defensive play lagged behind expectations, but it has since improved dramatically, allowing him to play with more confidence and structure. Now that the defensive foundation is in place, his offensive potential could flourish over his next hundred NHL games. Seattle does not have a locked-in second-line center behind Matty Beniers, and Wright is the most logical candidate to fill that role. His power-play role should increase, and his ceiling remains that of a top six, power-play contributor. If his offensive breakout comes as expected, you will want to be holding shares when it happens.

Berkly Catton (C, 19)

Why Buy?
Catton was one of the most dynamic players in his draft class, combining elite processing speed with creativity and relentless pace. His ability to read off linemates, find seams, and manipulate defenders makes him a natural play-driver. His Hockey Prospecting model still shows elite potential, and while Leon Draisaitl may be an overly optimistic comparable, his list of comparables is still impressive. Even if he never reaches superstar status, getting close would be a huge fantasy win.

Despite being a January birth date, Seattle chose to keep Catton in the NHL rather than send him back to the WHL. While he has a handful of points, the Kraken generate fewer expected goals and are weaker defensively when he is on the ice per HockeyViz.com. That is not unusual for a rookie adjusting to NHL pace, and Seattle may still manage his minutes carefully, similar to Wright's path. This presents a clear buying opportunity for dynasty managers. His elite skillset is intact, and if you can use this rocky start as trade leverage, you could land a long-term offensive gem at a temporary discount.

Jani Nyman (RW, 21)

Why Buy?
Jani Nyman continues to fly under the radar despite quietly carving out a productive and physical role in the NHL. His blend of size, balance, and scoring touch makes him a natural fit for Seattle’s long-term plans, and he has already shown the ability to finish from multiple areas of the ice. His shot is heavy and accurate, and he has demonstrated the confidence to use it at five-on-five. While his power-play time has fluctuated, he remains one of the few players on the roster with true goal-scoring instincts.

The cost of acquisition in dynasty leagues is still surprisingly low, which makes this the time to invest. The Kraken need reliable scorers, and Nyman’s style fits that gap perfectly. He could eventually develop chemistry with Catton, creating a playmaker-finisher duo that complements Seattle’s structure. Even if the offensive ceiling takes time to reach, his physicality already brings value, with more than a hit per game and consistently strong peripherals as shown in his Fantasy Hockey Life skater card. With a realistic projection as a 25 to 30 goal scorer who also contributes across categories, Nyman is the kind of underappreciated asset you want to acquire before everyone else catches on.

Sell Candidates

Ty Nelson (D, 21)

Why Sell?
Nelson remains a fan favorite thanks to his energetic playing style and strong offensive numbers from junior, but his AHL results suggest that his scoring may not fully translate to the professional level. He still activates frequently and has a heavy shot from the point, yet his transition game and play-driving have been inconsistent against stronger competition. With players like Vince Dunn and Ryker Evans already ahead of him on Seattle’s depth chart for offensive opportunities, Nelson’s path to a meaningful role looks limited.

His Fantasy Hockey Life skater card highlights real concerns about his transition play and overall ability to drive possession. He does remain a steady contributor for peripherals, though that also decreased in his transition from the OHL to AHL. His junior production and name recognition could net a solid return before managers catch on that his upside may be capped. Nelson should reach the NHL, but more likely as a depth or complementary defenseman than a reliable fantasy asset.

Jake O’Brien (C, 18)

Why Sell?
O’Brien is an excellent prospect whose fantasy profile may never quite match his on-ice value. His strong motor, high IQ, and dependable two-way play should make him a long-term NHLer, but his game lacks the volume and peripherals that translate to fantasy success. He is a pass-first (second and third) center who thrives on facilitating play. Unless he develops into a true 50-plus assist player, his fantasy ceiling will be limited.

One of his Hockey Prospecting comparables is Mathew Barzal, which feels fitting, as both are talented, creative players who can frustrate fantasy managers because if they are not scoring, they do not offer much else. O’Brien does not provide hits, shots, or defensive stats that pad fantasy categories, and his offensive contributions may come inconsistently early on. That combination makes him a sell candidate while his “recent first-round pick” label still holds weight. His fantasy stock may never be higher than right now.

Blake Fiddler (D, 18)

Why Sell?
Blake Fiddler brings size, strength, and a physical edge that NHL coaches love. He defends well, uses his long reach effectively, and shows composure under pressure in his own zone. He projects as a steady, defense-first blueliner with penalty-killing and matchup potential. The problem for fantasy managers is that his offensive game is limited. He does not create many primary scoring chances, and his transitional impact is fairly average.

Fiddler’s bloodlines are strong, as he is the son of former NHLer Vernon Fiddler, and his skating ability gives him a chance to carve out a long professional career. His pNHLe sits just above 60, but defenders typically get a small statistical boost from the model, and peripheral contributions in blocks, shots, and hits are just average, which might make him a tough fantasy hold. He will likely be better in real life than in fantasy. If other managers in your league are drawn to his pedigree or draft position, now is a good time to move him before his limited fantasy upside becomes more obvious.

Summary

Player	Role	Key Insight
Shane Wright	Buy	Two-way center trending upward with top six and PP opportunity
Berkly Catton	Buy	Elite processor with star upside and growing NHL readiness
Jani Nyman	Buy	Power winger with scoring touch and a clear path to the top six
Ty Nelson	Sell	Offensive numbers inflated by junior play, blocked in Seattle
Jake O’Brien	Sell	Safe middle-six projection, limited fantasy ceiling
Blake Fiddler	Sell	Defensive defenseman with minimal offensive upside

NHL: CULLEN – 20 FANTASY POINTS – An 18-year-old defenceman who is already a star, goaltenders stepping up, Zegras making an impact in Philadelphia, and more!

Scott Cullen — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 17:45:04 +0000

ELMONT, NY - OCTOBER 11: New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer (48) warms up before a game between the Washington Capitals and New York Islanders at UBS Arena on October 11, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire)

Each week, I dig into the stats to find information that can help you make better fantasy hockey decisions. This week, an 18-year-old defenceman who is already a star, goaltenders stepping up, Zegras making an impact in Philadelphia, and more!

#1 The first overall pick in the 2025 Draft by the New York Islanders, 18-year-old Matthew Schaefer has been incredibly impressive to start his NHL career, registering eight points (3 G, 5 A) and 31 shots on goal in his first 10 games. The last 18-year-old defenceman to score at a higher rate over a full season was Phil Housley, who had 66 points (19 G, 47 A) in 77 games in 1982-1983. The last 18-year-old defenceman to average more than three shots on goal per game was Bobby Orr, in 1966-1967. It’s very early in Schaefer’s career and 10 games is not a big enough sample to determine a player’s fate, but what if this is only the beginning? What if he improves on what could be historically great production? That is the potential that lurks for the Islanders and fantasy managers alike.

#2 When the Florida Panthers drafted Spencer Knight with the 13th overall pick in 1999, he was one of the top up-and-coming goalie prospects in the game. It has not been a smooth path for him, but the Chicago Blackhawks acquired him last season and he seems to have found his game this season. He has a .914 save percentage and 8.72 Goals Saved Above Expected in all situations, which ranks third behind Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck (9.58 GSAx) and Montreal’s Jakub Dobes (8.89 GSAx).

#3 With Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was injured in the preseason, the Buffalo Sabres thrust Alex Lyon into the role of starting goaltender and Lyon, who has been a career backup, has responded to the challenge. He has delivered a .912 save percentage and 3.24 GSAx, which could make it difficult for Luukkonen to reclaim the crease. His case was not bolstered by allowing four goals on 23 shots at Toronto in his season debut.

#4 When the Philadelphia Flyers acquired Trevor Zegras in the summer, it was seen as a risk worth taking. Zegras is a highly skilled playmaker but had just 32 points (12 G, 20 A) in 57 games for Anaheim last season. He has had two seasons with more than 60 points, so it’s clear that he can do better, and he is at least off to a productive start in Philadelphia, contributing 12 points (4 G, 8 A) and 16 shots on goal in 10 games. His low shot rate is a concern, but it’s good to see him putting up points early because it will help him stay in a prominent role with the Flyers.

#5 A 27-year-old right winger who had played a total of 95 regular-season games prior to this season, Justin Brazeau is making the most of his opportunity with the Pittsburgh Penguins. It’s not like he is suddenly playing a ton, though this season’s 13:29 ATOI would be the highest of his career, but he has mostly played a second-line role alongside Evgeni Malkin and Brazeau has 12 points (6 G, 6 A) with 22 shots on goal in 12 games. Brazeau also has 17 hits and 12 blocked shots, which gives him a solid statistical base, but if he could see that ice time creep up a little bit more then there is a better chance for his production to be sustainable. Even if he’s not a point-per-game player over the long haul, if Brazeau scores 20-plus goals that would have to be considered a major step forward in his career.

#6 There is a bigger window for Brazeau to get comfortable in a top six forward role for the Penguins because Rickard Rakell will be out for 6-to-8 weeks following hand surgery. Rakell had eight points (3 G, 5 A) and 17 shots on goal in nine games before getting hurt, and rookie Filip Hallander has moved onto Sidney Crosby’s line in Rakell’s absence. It’s too soon to recommend Hallander, but he does have a couple of assists in the past four games, so he’s worth keeping an eye on for managers in deep leagues.

#7 Chicago Blackhawks centre Frank Nazar had a strong start to the season but that has continued. Nazar has 11 points (5 G, 6 A) in 11 games and is averaging 19:37 of ice time per game, ranking second among Blackhawks forwards behind only Connor Bedard. There is some valid concern about his percentages as he is scoring on 21.7 percent of his shots on goal and has a five-on-five on-ice shooting percentage of 14.8 percent, both of which are quite lofty and highly likely to regress.

#8 The Vancouver Canucks have lost right winger Conor Garland to an undisclosed injury and when Brock Boeser had to leave Thursday’s game against the Blues early, that provided even more ice time for blue collar winger Kiefer Sherwood, who played a career high 24:12 against the Blues and recorded a hat trick, giving him nine goals in 12 games. He’s also a hitting machine, with 54 in 12 games after recording 462 last season, so he is very valuable in fantasy circles.

#9 Columbus Blue Jackets winger Dmitri Voronkov made nice progress last season, going from 34 points as a rookie in 2023-2024 to 47 points (23 G, 24 A) last season, and it looks like he’s on track to continue that upward momentum in his third season. He has 10 points (5 G, 5A) and 21 shots on goal in 10 games and has a spot on Columbus’ top line with Sean Monahan and Kirill Marchenko as well as getting first unit power play time, good spots for him to remain productive.

#10 The Seattle Kraken are off to a solid start and they are giving 2024 eighth overall pick Berkly Catton a legitimate chance to stick, especially with Kaapo Kakko and Jared McCann both injured. Catton has three assists in five games and is skating at left wing on Seattle’s top line with Matty Beniers and Jordan Eberle. Catton had 225 points (92 G, 133 A) in 125 games across the past two seasons in the Western Hockey League, so he has strong offensive pedigree, and the Kraken could definitely use more offensive skill.

#11 Veteran winger Marcus Johansson has reached a stage of his career where he can move into a variety of roles. He’s a skilled player who might just fit in near the bottom of the depth chart, but he knows his way around the offensive zone, so if there are openings he can move up and, right now, he is skating on Minnesota’s top line with Kirill Kaprizov and Marco Rossi. Johansson has five points (2 G, 3 A) in his past four games and played more than 22 minutes against San Jose on Sunday.

#12 As the Calgary Flames look for answers, and no easy ones seem to be forthcoming, they are giving Morgan Frost a shot at right wing alongside Nazem Kadri and Jonathan Huberdeau. Frost has five points (1 G, 4 A) during a five-game point streak, which is a good way to hold onto a spot higher on the depth chart. He has had two seasons with more than 40 points in his career, but never more than 46, so it’s fair to be cautious about just how much he can produce over the long haul.

#13 Knowing primarily for his checking prowess, Tampa Bay Lightning centre Anthony Cirelli put up a career-high 59 points (27 G, 32 A) last season and has started strong this season, too. Through 11 games, Cirelli has 10 points (6 G, 4 A) and 19 shots on goal. He is scoring on 41.6 percent of his shots, a ridiculously high rate, so that is going to regress, but with Brandon Hagel on his left side, he has a reliable linemate. The right side is more of a revolving door, but Cirelli is a solid source of secondary offence for Tampa Bay.

#14 When the Los Angeles Kings traded defenceman Jordan Spence to the Ottawa Senators in the offseason, that created more of an opening for Brandt Clarke to have a regular spot on the Kings blueline. Clarke has five points (1 G, 4 A) and 10 shots on goal in his past four games, which is a promising sign for a young offensive defenceman. The challenge will be finding his way to the Kings’ top power play unit, where he can maximize his offensive output, but is currently running with five forwards.

#15 The Pittsburgh Penguins traded to acquire Arturs Silovs in the offseason, desperately hoping that he could help stabilize their goaltending. Incumbent starter Tristan Jarry was coming off a down season, during which he was demoted to the AHL, but now the Jarry and Silovs tandem is giving the Penguins a chance to win almost every night, as the Penguins’ .921 save percentage is best in the league. Silovs, who struggled in Vancouver last season before starring during Abbotsford’s run to the Calder Cup in the AHL, has a .919 save percentage in six games for Pittsburgh, splitting time in the crease with Jarry.

#16 Sometimes, the right partner can help steady goaltending. It’s happening in Columbus, too, as Jeat Greaves has emerged as a quality option for the Blue Jackets, but Elvis Merzlikins also has a .915 save percentage in five games. After three consecutive seasons of below average performance, he is off to a good start in 2025-2026 and it might be a case of less is more. He’s more effective when sharing the crease rather than trying to handle a full starter’s workload.

#17 Veteran left winger Jaden Schwartz has helped the Kraken to a good start this season, contributing nine points (4 G, 5 A) and 19 shots on goal through the first 10 games. He is a six-time 20-goal scorer and last season’s 26 goals was the second highest total of his career, so he has known his way around the net for a long time and on a team without offensive stars, like the Kraken, they need solid veterans like Schwartz to deliver.

#18 Montreal Canadiens winger Patrik Laine suffered a core muscle injury that is expected to keep him out of the lineup for 3-4 months, a tough financial hit for him considering that his contract expires at the end of the season. He wasn’t off to much of a start this season anyway, with one assist and six shots on goal in five games. If looking for sources of secondary scoring in Montreal, maybe Oliver Kapanen will have a chance because he has taken over as the second line centre, between Alex Newhook and Ivan Demidov and Kapanen has seven points (4 G, 3 A) in 11 games despite playing just 12:24 per game.

#19 With standout Nashville Predators defenceman Roman Josi considered week-to-week with an upper-body injury, Brady Skjei moves into his spot on Nashville’s top power play unit. He has just three assists and 17 shots on goal in 12 games, but Skjei is playing more than 23 minutes per game and if he is getting time on PP1, then that’s always worth considering. Skjei had 10 power play points, out of 33 points total, last season, so when the opportunity presents itself, he can contribute with the man advantage.

#20 Staying in Nashville, rookie winger Matthew Wood has landed a spot alongside Filip Forsberg and Ryan O’Reilly on the Predators’ top line and he is not playing a lot yet, he does have a goal and an assist with 11 shots on goal in five games. If he proves that he belongs and can lift his ice time from the current 12:40 per game that he is playing, then Wood – the 15th pick in the 2023 Draft – could have a chance to provide value.

*Advanced stats via Natural Stat Trick

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – SEATTLE KRAKEN – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #6

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 19:49:09 +0000

Jake O’Brien

Prospect System Ranking – 6th (May 2025 - 6th)
GM: Ron Francis Hired: July 2019
COACH: Lane Lambert Hired: May 2025

The Seattle Kraken’s prospect system slips one spot but remains in strong shape. After parting ways with Dan Bylsma following just one season, the team brought in Lane Lambert as its third head coach since entering the league in 2022-23.

On the ice, the organization has already seen a wave of youth secure full-time NHL roles, with Shane Wright, Matty Beniers, and Ryker Evans all playing significant minutes in 2024-25. The next group is ready to follow suit.

Jani Nyman led Coachella Valley in goals and finished second among all AHL rookies with 28, using his elite release to emerge as a power play threat. After a brief NHL audition, he appears ready to compete for a full-time spot in Seattle. Berkly Catton, McKeen’s 12th-ranked prospect, capped his junior career with 109 regular season points and an additional 42 in the playoffs, leaving little left to prove before turning pro. He’ll likely join Carson Rehkopf, who graduates from the OHL after a productive 250-game career that saw him score at over a point-per-game pace.

They’ll bolster a deep group of developing talent that includes Jagger Firkus, David Goyette, Eduard Sale, Ty Nelson, and goaltender Niklas Kokko—each coming off promising rookie seasons with the Firebirds and pushing toward NHL readiness.

The Kraken also added another notable piece in 2025, selecting Jake O’Brien from the OHL, a versatile forward who debuts as McKeen’s 42nd-ranked prospect. In the second round, they grabbed right-shot defenseman Blake Fiddler from the Edmonton Oil Kings, adding mobility to their blueline pipeline.

Looking ahead, Seattle holds an enviable stockpile of draft capital: five first round and five second round picks over the next three drafts. Their slow and deliberate build hasn’t yet produced playoff success. Still, with an NHL roster already bolstered by homegrown talent and another wave of reinforcements on the way, the payoff appears to be just around the corner.

Seattle Kraken Top-15 Prospects

1 - Berkly Catton

After back-to-back 100-point seasons in the WHL you can bet that the Kraken are going to take a long, hard look at Catton in their training camp and preseason this upcoming fall. Playing in the NHL as a teenager is no easy feat, and teams always need to be careful when they allow it, but he's an exceptionally special talent, and it wouldn't surprise anyone if he more than proved that he was up to the task. The way that he can control the puck, see the ice and make correct decisions while flying full speed around the rink is a sight to behold for fans, and an absolute nightmare for opposing defenders. Where he deserves more credit than he usually gets, though, is with his defensive play, as his awareness is astute and he doesn't skip doing necessary dirty work in ways that many other top prospects do. Between Matty Beniers, Shane Wright and soon Catton, the Kraken might be set down the middle for a decade.

2 - Jake O’Brien

An elite playmaking pivot, the Kraken made O’Brien the eighth overall selection in the 2025 draft. There’s no doubt that he has among the highest offensive upsides of any player selected in the most recent draft. The focus for O’Brien has to be on bulking up to help him to drive play more consistently at even strength. He’s an elite level processor who has the skill and vision to make passes few can execute. However, he can be too easily separated from the puck currently and it helps to explain why his numbers at five-on-five have lagged behind his exceptional power play production. An underrated component of O’Brien’s game is his defensive play. He can kill penalties, and his high IQ translates very well to being a disruptive force in his own end. Again, adding strength will help him be even more effective in this regard. O’Brien will return to Brantford of the OHL this coming year and is a candidate to lead the league in scoring on a strong Bulldogs team.

3 - Jani Nyman

Nyman’s first professional season in North America was a highly successful one as he led Coachella Valley in goal scoring and even found success in a cup of coffee with Seattle. This is a player who is ready for a full time NHL role next season. The big winger is a credible goal scorer thanks to his big shot, strong scoring instincts, and his ability to work to the inside. As he matures physically and continues to add muscle, he’s only going to become more dangerous and consistent. This will also help him round out his game to become a more effective player off the puck and in all three zones. As mentioned, look for Nyman to be a full-time NHL player next year, playing in Seattle’s top nine. He is a potential perennial 30-goal scorer and someone who can help finish off plays and clear space for Seattle’s terrific young playmakers.

4 - Carson Rehkopf

Traded from Kitchener to Brampton this past year, Rehkopf had another solid OHL season that saw him post 40+ goals for the second straight year. This saw him shift to the wing full time after seeing some time at center with Kitchener previously; the wing is where his NHL future is. He still offers very intriguing NHL upside because of the power game he flashes and the NHL quality shot that he possesses. His play away from the puck remains fairly inconsistent, but on the puck, he can be a load for defenders because of his strength and ability to protect the puck. He also projects as a power play weapon at the NHL level because of that heavy one timer from the flank. It will all come down to whether Rehkopf is able to find more consistency in his physical intensity level. He has top six upside but will need seasoning in the AHL to round out his game further.

5 - Jagger Firkus

There were definitely some growing pains for the reigning CHL player of the year as he began his pro journey this past season. However, we’d be lying if we said we didn’t expect that. Firkus is highly skilled. He’s a tremendous goal scorer thanks to his lightning quick release and instincts. His quick feet and agility allow him to escape pressure and control the pace of play. Yet, the growing pains were expected because Firkus is slight, and he needs to pack on muscle to play the kind of no fear game at the pro level that he did at the WHL level. With Coachella, he was kept to the perimeter too often and should work to further improve his explosiveness as an average sized winger to help him get the kind of separation he needs. Firkus’ offensive upside remains sky high. This is someone who could be a point-per-game NHL player. However, he’s going to need a few seasons to really improve his conditioning and adjust to playing against men. Thankfully, Seattle can be patient thanks to strong system depth.

6 - Niklas Kokko

After a great Liiga season and playoff run as a 19-year-old, Kokko transitioned seamlessly to the AHL for his 20-year-old season. He’s been a very reliable and high-end starter for Coachella. He’s smart and a great play-reader. He often makes the correct save selection or alteration to his positioning based on the play that he’s reading. He’s also a very good skater with very strong pushes and quick, active feet that he pairs with smart routes to travel through the crease with ease. He’s also pretty athletic, which gives him a good chance of making stretched saves. His only real problems are that he seems to completely lack any kind of rebound control and looks to lose track of the puck on the more chaotic rebounds or if the shot is blocked. His tracking otherwise seems fine, which is why it shouldn’t be much of a concern. His rapid development at a young age and skill set bodes well for his future as a potential starter in the NHL.

7 - Ty Nelson

After a successful OHL career with North Bay that saw Nelson improve considerably defensively, he took the plunge into the waters of the professional level this past year with Coachella Valley. It was largely a successful endeavour too, with Nelson’s offensive and defensive abilities translating well thus far. Nelson isn’t a long defender, but he’s stocky and strong as an ox. He hasn’t backed down an inch as a pro, showing a competitive streak in the defensive end that you don’t always see from rookie defenders, especially ones with Nelson’s offensive skill set. He didn’t receive a ton of power play time thanks to Coachella Valley’s depth, but he created well at even strength with his heavy point shot and strong puck rushing ability. His decision making with the puck was solid as a rookie pro too. With another strong year in the AHL next season, hopefully with even more ice time and responsibility, Nelson should position himself for a full-time role with Seattle.

8 - Blake Fiddler

Heading into the 2025 draft Seattle's prospect pool skewed heavily towards the forward positions, in terms of both quality and quantity, so there was a clear need to add at least one defenceman with one of their earlier picks. They lucked out nicely, getting Fiddler at 36th overall, more than 10 spots lower than his final ranking on the McKeen's draft board. Blake doesn't play center like his dad Vernon did over the course of the latter's long and respected NHL career, but he shares the same knack for being a shutdown specialist. The younger Fiddler is lanky, strong, and doesn't flinch when he has to stare down the most dangerous offensive weapons on other teams, all of which make him hard to beat defensively. There is some scoring prowess to his game at times too, usually coming from finding opportunities with his keen awareness, opposed to breaking things open through skill. Fiddler is a pretty safe bet to become an NHLer, which will help the Kraken buy time as they look to acquire other young blueliners.

9 - Lukas Dragicevic

Dragicevic joined the Raiders via trade last summer a month before the team made a separate deal to acquire another talented prospect in forward Tomas Mrsic, and the duo certainly made the most of the big changes, leading Prince Albert to their first divisional title since 2019-20. The right-shooting defender is a true power play specialist from the blueline, and he quarterbacked his squad to the third-best success rate in the league during the regular season. His best weapon is easily his shot, which is an absolute howitzer that he's not shy at all about using. The main knocks against him have always revolved around poor decision-making and poor effort, but while those issues haven't been removed from his game completely, they have been reduced by a lot. If the Kraken are patient with Dragicevic and can find the right partners for him then he could eventually reach his NHL ceiling as a middle-pair defender and go-to option when his team has a man advantage.

10 - Julius Miettinen

The Silvertips finished with the best regular season record in the WHL in 2024-25, and Miettinen was a huge part of that success, even in spite of missing nearly three months due to injury. Their record was notably better with him in the lineup than it was with him out. The big Finnish center is a major workhorse for that team, taking a ton of faceoffs and logging a lot of minutes, including both sides of special teams. There are few prospects out there who are better at working in tight to the net on power plays, and that includes goalie screens and defender tie-ups, which is crucial work that usually doesn’t show up on the score sheet. He’s also put in a ton of work on his skating and conditioning since coming over to North America, which has led to more influence all over the ice. Miettinen has “NHLer” written all over him.

11 - Eduard Sale

Sale is starting to earn the reputation of being a supremely talented player who simply can’t put consistently impressive seasons together. As a first-year pro with Coachella Valley (although still eligible for OHL play), Sale’s rather unspectacular AHL totals included a fair share of ups and downs, and minimal playoff action, but he did shine at the WJC with a six-goal, eight-point performance for the bronze medal winning Czechs, a team he captained. Very young, top six potential abounds.

12 - Ryan Winterton

Winterton hasn’t had a completely healthy season for as long as we can remember going back to his DY-1. But when he has played, he always looked like a future NHLer. This past regular season was his best and most well-rounded to date. It was no surprise that he got into 12 NHL games at this point, even if his -11 was cringeworthy. He’s knocking on the door, but things are getting crowded in Seattle.

13 - David Goyette

It was a tough first year of pro play for the physically underdeveloped Goyette, who - like many CHL stars before him - got a dose of reality discovering that the speed, size, and strength of AHL players requires better conditioning on his part and more attention to details. Patience will be key for Seattle, which can at least build on Goyette’s having ended last season on a high note. Nonetheless, there’s plenty of prospect competition on the AHL roster, so Goyette will need to show more.

14 - Oscar Fisker Mølgaard

Don’t let the slight drop in SHL points (in 13 fewer games) this past season fool you; the Danish forward saw his game improve in leaps and bounds as an all-rounder this year. By the time the Men’s Worlds rolled around, Mølgaard was one of the best players on the ice for upstart host Denmark, sneaking in seven points in 10 games. Seattle has plenty of reasons to be excited about his prospects as a middle six center with strong transitional abilities.

15 - Semyon Vyazovoi

After two very promising seasons in Russia’s second flight VHL, the former sixth-round draft pick arrived on the scene as a bonafide 1B in the KHL this year, even getting into nine playoff contests for Salavat, effectively taking over the starting job in the second round. He’ll be part of the same goaltending tandem this season and Seattle will be hoping he has his eyes on the prize that is the starting job for one of the league’s most competitive outfits.

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: #6 Seattle Kraken– Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

Sun, 01 Jun 2025 12:41:38 +0000

PARADISE, NV - JUNE 28: Berkly Catton of the Spokane Chiefs is drafted by the Seattle Kraken 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

Seattle 25 Prospects

2025 WORLD JUNIORS: McKeen’s Medal and Player Predictions

McKeen's Staff — Tue, 24 Dec 2024 22:00:17 +0000

The 2025 World Junior Championships are set to kick off on Boxing Day (December 26), with Ottawa, Ontario hosting. Can Canada get back on the podium on home soil? Can the United States repeat? Members of the McKeen’s team have come together to bring you our predictions for the tournament.

Final Medal Standings Predictions

GOLD

USA - 9 votes
Canada - 8 votes

SILVER

USA - 6 votes
Canada - 6 votes
Sweden - 5 votes

BRONZE

Sweden - 8 votes
Czechia - 4 votes
Canada - 3 votes
USA - 1 vote
Finland - 1 vote

Who Wins Tournament MVP?

Ryan Leonard - 5 votes
Cal Ritchie - 2 votes
Gavin McKenna - 2 votes
Berkly Catton - 2 votes

Also receiving votes (1): Zeev Buium, Easton Cowan, James Hagens, Gabe Perreault, Bradly Nadeau, and Axel Sandin Pellikka

Who Wins Best Forward?

Ryan Leonard - 5 votes
Gavin McKenna - 3 votes
Gabe Perreault - 3 votes
Cal Ritchie - 2 votes

Also receiving votes (1): Dalibor Dvorsky, Berkly Catton, Otto Stenberg, and Easton Cowan

Who Wins Best Defender?

Zeev Buium - 8 votes
Axel Sandin Pellikka - 7 votes

Also receiving votes (1): Sam Dickinson and Tanner Molendyk

Who Wins Best Goaltender?

Trey Augustine - 14 votes
Carter George - 2 votes

Also receiving votes (1): Michael Hrabal

Which 2025 NHL Draft Eligible Prospect Has the Best Tournament?

Matthew Schaefer

“It's a close call between Schaefer and teammate Porter Martone, but I gotta go with my gut. Schaefer is the type of player who lives for big games like this. He'll provide solid defence, stellar and efficient transition play, and highlight-reel offence. He can do everything, and I could see him playing himself into more and more responsibility as the tournament goes on - even with the depth that Canada has on the back end. He'll prove to the world why he's a future 1D in the NHL.” (Felix Robbins)

“I think Matthew Schaefer will have the best tournament out of all the 2025 NHL draft-eligible players. Canada has a good defense corps, but they left off some great offensive players like Zayne Parekh and Carter Yakemchuk, so there's definitely room for Schaefer to see significant minutes at both ends of the ice. With the increased opportunity, Schaefer's tremendous skating ability, and Canada's offensive skill in the tournament, Schaefer really has a chance to thrive.” (Michael Moroz)

“He has met every challenge he's faced and even managed to exceed the very high expectations placed upon him. He's captained multiple gold medal-winning editions of Team Canada at previous age groups and stood out as one of the best players at every tournament or showcase game he's played in. Why would that stop at the World Juniors? Canada will rely on other D more but Schaefer will have a Dahlin 2018-esque tournament.” (Kyle Watson)

“The Canadian points record for a U18 defender at this tournament is 7 by Ryan Ellis. I think Schaefer can threaten that record. He was Canada’s best defender through the exhibition schedule and I think he ends up being the kind of player who rarely leaves the ice by the end of the tournament. Could this be Schaefer’s only WJC tournament for Canada? It seems like he’s the kind of player who rises to tackle any challenge and that could make him an NHL defender as early as next year.” (Brock Otten)

“Matthew Schaefer, even at only 17 years old, plays like a veteran and he is solid defensively with his mobility, in addition to creating offensively. He is the defenseman playing on the first powerplay unit for Canada and could have some ice time on the penalty kill. I was very impressed by his mature game in the first pre-tournament game against Switzerland where he looked like the number one defenseman for Canada that can do it all.” (Jeremy Rivet)

“I truly believe that if Schaefer is going to cement himself as the #1 pick in the draft, it could be here in this tournament. Whether it is U18s or the Hlinka-Gretzky, Schaefer performs and thrives on the big stage. I fully expect Schaefer to quarterback the Canada power play and earn more crucial minutes as the tournament goes on.” (Liam Staples)

“This a close one between Schaefer, Hagens, and Martone. Both Hagens and Martone will have a huge opportunity to repeat their U18 performances from April and claim this honour. However, I think Schaefer impacts his draft stock the most by becoming Canada’s all situations #1D by the end of the tournament and establishes himself as the draft’s #1 player.” (Ben Misfeldt)

“Despite his age, he'll be one of the best players on the Canadian roster and be a huge reason why they're successful. He'll also use the tournament to cement his new status as the frontrunner to go 1st overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.” (Derek Neumeier)

“Schaefer, I think he has a chance to grab a stranglehold on the #1 spot. Without Parekh on the roster in front of him, Schaefer might be able to push past Molendyk and Bonk onto the top PP unit and rack up some points.” (Jamison Derksen)

James Hagens

“James Hagens is in a great spot to succeed, he should play on the first line along with his Boston College linemates Gabe Perreault and Ryan Leonard. Hagens had been the front-runner for the #1 overall pick for a long time but he seems to be losing the spot to Matthew Schaefer and others. This is a great opportunity for Hagens to prove himself; do not put him out of the debate yet.” (Matej Deraj)

“He’ll be playing alongside Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault on a world stage, with Zeev Buium supporting from the back end, and other NCAA stars joining him on the PP. With an even stronger lineup, Hagens is slated to repeat his historical run at the U18s and catch lightning in a bottle once again.” (Sean Boyd)

“Playing on the big stage and wearing USA colors on a team filled with past and present teammates might just be enough to take Hagens' solid start to the next level. A line with Leonard and Perrault could be the perfect combo to put up record-breaking numbers at the WJC.” (Henry Lawrence)

Porter Martone

“Best position to succeed. His play style is pro and physical.” (Josh Klicka)

Victor Eklund

“For the average well-informed fan, the go-to answer should and would likely be US center James Hagens or perhaps Canadian winger Porter Martone. Due to Group B play and Sweden's probable role therein, I'm answering this question with the name Victor Eklund. Why? Because for anyone who has seen him in the HockeyAllsvenskan the past two years, you'll know we're talking about a winger who has no qualms or hesitation in being an active producer and skilled passer with and against men in a league that features a number of former NHLers and AHLers. His pro team Djurgarden is filled with prominent names in/on the Swedish and international scene, and he's right there contributing in a top 6 role. We love his involvement and sneaky intelligence with simply no back-down in situation where his performance belies his age. Time to go above and beyond against his peers, even if he's a good year younger than most in Ottawa this holiday season. He can do so here without having to be the star, but I'm thinking he will be.” (Chapin Landvogt)

What is the Biggest Surprise of the Tournament?

“I’ll give you two in a tournament that I don’t think has a ton of surprises. The first is that Kazakhstan gives Switzerland a close call in the round-robin and then makes a team sweat in the relegation round. Normally the promoted team from Division A doesn’t have many returning players, but this Kazakhstan team is bringing back a lot of the pieces that helped them earn promotion. It’s not the Nik Antropov era, but it’s still a chance to repeat in the main group. The second is that Sweden falls to Czechia in the round-robin and then loses in the quarterfinals to one of Canada, Finland, or the United States after the crossover. I’m just not sure this Swedish team creates enough offense through the middle of the ice to be a medal contender.” (Brock Otten)

“I guess they can no longer be called a surprise by any stretch of the imagination in light of their overall success in the past 5 WJCs, but expect the Czechs to not only finish top 2 in Group B play but then march right on to a bronze medal on the final day of the tournament. The program has not only caught itself from the developmental fallout of yesteryear (if we can call it that) but features up to 14(!) participants who are currently playing in North America, a clear advantage over just about all other European participants. *From a player standpoint, it shouldn't surprise anyone if 17-year-old David Lewandowski of Team Germany is a player we'll all be talking about and following a lot more after this tournament.” (Chapin Landvogt)

“Slovakia - this 05 group ended up 4th at the U18s two years ago and all the key players will be here. The obvious leader is Dalibor Dvorský, one of the best players of the tournament and an All-Star Team candidate. Dvorský has been great in the AHL and he’ll be ready to put Team Slovakia on his back. The returnees in defense (Maxim Štrbák, Luka Radivojevič) and offense (Juraj Pekarčík) should be able to help as well. Slovakia is also bringing some exciting talent in Tomáš Pobežal and Ján Chovan who should bring some secondary scoring. If this Slovak team is able to find a solid #1 goalie, they are able to make it to the semifinals again.” (Matej Deraj)

“Zeev Buium ties or breaks the record for most points scored by a defenceman in WJC history. Last year, Buium was the lone draft-eligible defenceman on a very offensively inclined blueline (blocked by guys like Lane Hutson and Seamus Casey) and STILL mustered 5 points in 7 games - all at even strength. This year, he's the guy - 1D, PP1 QB, all of it. With the increased role and ice-time, I think it'll be very hard to keep a talent like Buium off the score sheet 14 times.” (Felix Robbins)

“The biggest surprise will be just how big the gap is between Canada and the United States compared to all the other teams. The likes of Sweden, Finland and Czechia won't be true contenders, and there will be no feel-good Cinderella or underdog stories. Early on in the tournament, it will be obvious that it is a two-horse race this year, with those top nations cruising through the round-robin and early elimination games, while everyone else dukes it out to win bronze.” (Derek Neumeier)

“I'm curious to see what kind of performance Sweden will have in this tournament. They have 2 early first-round prospects on the backend, Willinder and Sandin-Pellikka. Can they push Sweden to the medal round? I do not think so. Sweden has the skill, but in my opinion, countries like Czechia and Finland have caught up to them talent-wise in this tournament. I think this will be another year where Sweden fails to win a medal and we see Czechia competing for a medal.” (Liam Staples)

“I think it will be that the USA will lose in the semi-final despite the quality of their roster, the fact that they won last year and that they have about 10 veterans from last year. I think because they are missing grit and leader players like they had last year with McGroarty, Snuggerud and Gauthier they will be missing an element that will make them fall short.” (Jeremy Rivet)

“Victor Eklund. He’s been the significant driving force for one of the best teams in the HockeyAllsvenskan. He’s one of few players at the World Juniors who has the experience of carrying a team to hard-earned wins at the professional level. He and Sandin-Pellikka should put on a show this year for Sweden.” (Sean Boyd)

“I’m gonna say that Tanner Howe scores at least two game-winners for Canada. I know he’ll be a depth forward on this team but it seems like every year there’s a 3rd or 4th liner that steps up when one of the top teams needs it most, and I feel like Howe can certainly be a catalyst for that with Canada.” (Jamison Derksen)

“Finland fails to medal again - they have been the talk of the tournament in years gone by, defying expectations and causing major upsets. This group, while led by talented names in Helenius, Halttunen, and Kumpalainen - doesn't have the depth or the grit to shock anyone this time around.” (Kyle Watson)

“Led by Dalibor Dvorsky, Slovakia makes the semifinals. He might just be the best player in the tournament and is playing very well in the AHL. Outside of him, Slovakia always plays hard and with good goaltending, they can come close to medaling at this year’s WJC.” (Ben Misfeldt)

“Finland. This appears to be one of the strongest rosters from Finland in the past few years. Haltunen, Helenius, Kiviharju might just give Finland enough offensive firepower to pull off an upset or two.” (Henry Lawrence)

“Gavin McKenna dominates and finishes the tournament leading the Canadian team in points, which struggled to score goals due to a lack of high-end veteran talent offensively.” (Jeremy Tremblay)

“I think even though people are saying Canada maybe didn't bring their best roster and are, on betting odds, not even favorites, easily win the gold without really ever struggling.” (Jeremi Plourde)

“USA will struggle immensely on defense and have to rely heavily on Augustine more than wanted.” (Josh Klicka)

“Kazakhstan stays alive in the top pool!” (Dave Hall)

2025 WORLD JUNIORS: Team Preview – Team Canada

Derek Neumeier — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:00:30 +0000

_{GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN - DECEMBER 27: Latvia vs Canada Preliminary Round - Group A action at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship at Scandinavium on December 27, 2023 in Gothenburg, Sweden. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/IIHF)}

For every Canadian contingent at the annual World Juniors tournament, there is only one goal, one standard that is strived for: winning gold. Anything less than that is considered a failure.

At the same time, however, there are still different degrees of failure that exist for the hockey juggernaut when it comes to this event. So when Canada only finished 5th last year, after being bounced by Czechia in the quarterfinals and getting sent home before they were even able to compete for a medal of any colour, it was nothing short of a catastrophe on all fronts.

The good news is that it's still possible to turn last year's outcome into little more than a blip in the country's long history of World Juniors success stories. After all, Canada had won gold the two preceding years, and then again two years before that.

And perhaps the host city for this year's tournament is a good omen for a comeback. Not only will Canada have the advantage of playing on home soil, but they'll be doing so again in Ottawa, where they emerged victorious back in 2009, which was the fifth iteration in an incredible stretch of five consecutive championships. That also happened to be one of the most iconic Canadian performances ever in this tournament, from the violent drama of the New Year's Eve match against the United States to Jordan Eberle's game-tying goal against Russia in the semifinals, to a masterful, top-to-bottom assault that stunned Sweden in the deciding game.

This year won’t be a cakewalk, however. The Americans are dangerous and seen by many as the favorites coming in, younger players than usual will be tasked with important roles, and some very highly-regarded names were controversially left off the team in an attempt to strike a better kind of balance within the roster, decisions that will be scrutinized even further if Canada underperforms expectations.

The stakes are high and the pressure is mounting. Now it’s time to see what these Canadian players are made of.

Key Players

Cole Beaudoin, Center

Anyone who might feel skeptical about Beaudoin making this team needs to go back and watch the gold-medal game of the 2024 IIHF U18s, between Canada and the United States. He was nothing short of fantastic in that pivotal contest, scoring a 3rd-period goal and putting in stalwart defensive work throughout his 20 minutes of ice time, especially when Canada was defending their lead late against a final American push. That was a quintessential Beaudoin performance, showing him at the peak of what his impact can be as a workhorse center who has no trouble carrying a heavy load. And because he's so experienced, comfortable and effective with how he plays it makes it easy for his coaches to know exactly how to use him. Any time Canada needs to close out a win in this tournament you can be sure that Beaudoin will be coming over the boards.

Oliver Bonk, Defense

Bonk is usually not particularly entertaining to watch, but he's the type of player that you could set your watch to. When it comes to producing consistently solid two-way hockey as a defenseman, he is nearly unparalleled for this age group. He can eat up a lot of minutes in all situations and rarely leaves his team in a worse spot than the one that they were in when he stepped onto the ice. And perhaps most crucially, after back-to-back appearances in the OHL finals with the London Knights, one trip to the Memorial Cup, and him being a returnee for this tournament, he's not likely to be intimidated or thrown off of his game by the bright spotlight that will be shining directly on him and the rest of the home team. If he can act as a calming presence for this blueline it could make a bigger difference than most spectators realize.

Berkly Catton, Center

Getting the opportunity to don the maple leaf will be a thrill for every player on this roster, but it's safe to assume that Catton will be a little extra excited about it. He was nothing short of heroic last year for a young and outgunned Spokane Chiefs club, playing a mind-boggling amount of minutes and putting in an immeasurable amount of work to help his team make the playoffs, often lifting them up single-handedly. Unfortunately for him, that long grind took a toll on his body and forced him to sit out last spring's IIHF U18 tournament due to injury, denying him the chance to improve upon the bronze medal that he won in the same event the year prior as an underage player. Now that he's healthy again and surrounded by a strong supporting cast we could really see him thrive in Ottawa, using his elite hockey sense, lighting-quick acceleration and deep bag of puck tricks to carve up enemy defenses.

Easton Cowan, Wing

Over the past couple of years Cowan has become fondly known by his nickname of "Cowboy," and a large part of why he's so successful as a prospect is because he knows how to bring a lot of "yeehaw" to how he plays. To put it another way, his work rate and tenacity are unmatched, his enthusiasm and confidence are infectious, and he's utterly fearless when it comes to any challenge that he faces. The effect of those intangibles is just as pronounced and impactful as what he actually does with the puck on his stick, which is also quite a lot, including routinely making big plays in big, game-deciding moments. Unlike most of his teammates, Cowan has yet to ever win an international gold medal with Canada, so he might be especially motivated in Ottawa by the chance to finally cross that kind of dreamed-about milestone off of his career to-do list.

Sam Dickinson, Defense

To say that Dickinson has been unstoppable in the OHL so far this season might still be selling it short. He's produced a staggering 46 points in 26 games, which is not only the most among all defenders in that league, but also put him in the Top 10 of overall scoring before he headed to Canada's selection camp. His success stems primarily from his combination of a 6-foot-3 frame, exceptional athleticism and explosive skating prowess. The way he can rush the puck up the ice is frequently jaw-dropping, and he is making progress with learning how to use those same tools to be a moving wall defensively. There are still some hiccups with his decision-making and puck management, so his coaches will need to be careful with his usage in such a short tournament, but if they ever need to increase the pace of a game or push for a much-needed goal then he'll be a go-to option.

Carter George, Goaltender

It shouldn't come as a surprise that George made this roster, given his prior success for Canada internationally. He backstopped his home nation to two gold medals just last year, first at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and then at the 2024 IIHF U18s, and was named the best goaltender at the latter event. He's about as focused and unflappable as goalies come at this age group, regardless of whether he's facing a barrage of shots all game or only periodic chances, and he's previously shown the ability to shut out all the outside noise and pressure that often sinks Canadian netminders in best-on-best competition. George might not outright steal any games in this tournament, but that's alright because he shouldn't have to. If he can manage his crease with poise and consistency that should be enough to lead his team to victory.

Gavin McKenna, Wing

Like Connor Bedard three years ago, and Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby going even further back, McKenna was named to a Canadian World Juniors roster before he reached his 17th birthday because of his sheer amounts of skill, hockey sense and potential to be a difference-maker were all simply too high to leave him off, regardless of his age. The reigning CHL Rookie of the Year leads the WHL in scoring heading into the holiday break thanks to his dazzling puck control, incisive vision and the competitive chip on his shoulder. McKenna is currently the scouting industry's consensus projection to become the 1st-overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, and that distinction will be further cemented if he shines bright in Ottawa, which is a likely outcome given his track record and body of work up to this point in his career.

Bradly Nadeau, Wing

Nadeau is the only member of this Canadian roster who has been playing hockey full-time at a professional level this season (with the AHL's Chicago Wolves, where he has an impressive 15 points in 22 games), which will help minimize this particular advantage that is always held by the top European clubs, who routinely bring multiple players with pro experience. He also might be something of a wildcard for this team, because he's highly talented and has been enjoying a steep upward trajectory with his development in recent years, yet this will be his first time representing Canada internationally. If everything comes together just right for Nadeau he could be a top player in this event, showing off his slippery transition play and booming slapshot, and using the opportunity as a springboard to turn him into a much bigger name in the hockey world.

Cal Ritchie, Center

Ritchie is one of three players on this roster who have already dressed for NHL regular-season games, though he's the only one so far who has collected his first goal at the sport's highest level. He probably could have stuck around all season in Colorado and succeeded, but getting to chase a gold medal at the World Juniors was one of the reasons why the Avalanche chose to send him back down to the OHL one last time. The big, abundantly skilled center is scoring at a pace of nearly two points per game with his club team in Oshawa and might be Canada's single-best offensive weapon here, especially considering he's older and more experienced than most of the others who will be wearing the maple leaf. He can generate offense in any way that he wants to, and can do so at both even strength and on the power play.

Matthew Schaefer, Defense

Just how special is Schaefer as a prospect? Let's put it this way: he is the first 17-year-old defenseman to be named to a Canadian World Juniors roster since Ryan Ellis, all the way back at the 2009 tournament. And there is a long list of great Canadian defensemen who came around between then and now but didn't get that privilege. When you watch him play he certainly doesn't look his age, with a poise and maturity well beyond his years, and he has an expert understanding of how to use his sublime skating ability to be a difference-maker all over the ice. Schaefer is one of only three players to ever win gold at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, IIHF U18s and the Hlinka, and if he adds another one to his trophy case here it will break even more new ground and add another chapter to an already remarkable story that he has only just begun writing for himself.

Sleeper Player

Carson Bjarnason, Goaltender

While Carter George comes into this tournament as Canada's expected number-one goalie, there's still a real chance that Bjarnason will take over the reins at some point and hold onto them in the elimination games. He doesn't have the same track record of international success that George does, but he's a year older, he's bigger, and he's faster in his movements. An argument could rationally be made that, on paper, Bjarnason is the better goalie at this point in time. There are still some consistency issues in his game, but he's pulled off more than a few show-stopping performances in his years in Brandon, and a goalie only needs to stay hot for a few matches in a row to lead his team to glory at the World Juniors. If he turns out to have the hottest hand among the Canadian goalies then his coaches would be remiss to not put their trust in him.

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – SEATTLE KRAKEN – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #5

Introduction - Dave Hall, Profiles - Brock Otten — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 18:00:09 +0000

_{CALGARY, AB - SEPTEMBER 25: Seattle Kraken Forward Carson Rehkopf (74) skates during the first period of an NHL preseason game between the Calgary Flames and the Seattle Kraken on September 25, 2023, at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB. (Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire)}

Prospect System Ranking – 5th (Previous Rank - 8th)
GM: Ron Francis Hired: July 2019
COACH: Dan Bylsma Hired: May 2024

Now under the guidance of new bench boss Dan Bylsma, the Seattle Kraken head into their fourth NHL season with a rapidly growing prospect pipeline, climbing to the fifth spot in our rankings. This development comes from leveraging 14 first/seconds-round (four first rounds/10 second rounds) picks over their first four years, injecting a plethora of young talent in quick succession.

With their inaugural draft picks, Matty Beniers and Ryker Evans, now graduated, the next wave from the 2022 draft class is set to make their professional debuts. Second rounders Jagger Firkus (62nd), Jani Nyman (103rd), David Goyette (108th), and third-rounder Ty Nelson (154th) are all poised to begin their pro careers down in Coachella Valley, while Shane Wright (12th), the fourth overall pick in 2022, appears to be ready for his first full-time NHL opportunity.

Looking at the 2023 and 2024 drafts, Seattle’s top picks are progressing well in their junior careers. Berkley Catton (17th), their most recent first-round selection, just completed an explosive 116-point campaign with the Spokane Chiefs. Meanwhile, Carson Rehkopf (89th) (2023 second rounder) finished with 95 points for the Kitchener Rangers, defenceman Lukas Dragicevic (194th) (2023 second rounder) tallied 50 points for the Tri-City Americans, and Eduard Šalé (166th) (2023 first rounder) nearly reached a point-per-game pace after transitioning to the OHL from Czechia mid-season. All this to say, the Kraken's system is budding nicely and is well on track to continue churning out mid-to-high ranged pedigree talent.

Despite signing Chandler Stephenson and Brandon Montour to large contracts this summer, the Kraken have essentially maintained the core of last season’s 34-35-13 roster. Although still a few years away from true contention, the Kraken are steadily positioning themselves for long-term success in the Pacific Northwest.

Seattle Kraken Top-15 Prospects

1. Shane Wright

Has Shane Wright lived up to the hype that is usually attached to former CHL exceptional status players? Most would argue no. However, he’s still a top-notch NHL prospect who had a very solid first professional season. Wright was particularly strong in the second half, showing well with Seattle in a cup of coffee and helping Coachella Valley reach the Calder Cup finals. The real difference in Wright’s improved play has been his adjustment to the pace of the pro game. Later in the year, Wright began to use his speed more to his advantage, with and without the puck, and the results were terrific. This has always been something that has been inconsistently applied and hindered his production. Of course, Wright remains a highly intelligent pivot with a high upside as a goal scorer because of his quick release. While the likelihood that Wright becomes a superstar, as once predicted, has decreased, he is still a potential long-time contributor in Seattle’s top six; the one/two punch of Beniers and Wright remains tantalizing.

2. Berkly Catton

Given the strength of this year’s defender crop at the draft and the fact that Seattle had yet to use a first on a defenseman, most people (us included) expected the Kraken to take a blueliner at 8th overall. They sure fooled us all when they took dynamic Spokane pivot Berkly Catton. Catton is a more dynamic play creator compared to Beniers and Wright. He’s exceptionally slick and creative with that unique ability to consistently evade pressure. The lack of size is going to concern some, but Catton’s tenaciousness is an underrated component of his game. Having three quality young centers is a problem most franchises would kill to have. Catton will almost certainly return to the WHL this season. Individual success seems inevitable, but what Seattle would really love to see is Catton help Spokane make a deep playoff run; the Chiefs have not had a strong team in his two years in the WHL.

3. Jagger Firkus

The leading scorer in the WHL last year, Firkus had a tremendous season with Moose Jaw. The former high second round selection has developed according to plan as a dominant offensive player. Firkus is an elite manager of the game who can keep the puck on a string and who manages to work inside consistently despite being on the smaller side. Over his WHL career, he’s worked hard to improve his strength on the puck to increase his chances of becoming a top-notch offensive contributor at the NHL level. In a nutshell, Firkus is the complete package as an offensive player, and he has the upside to be a point per game player in the NHL. Firkus will turn pro this year, and what that means remains to be seen. The smart prediction would have Firkus spending the majority of a year in the AHL, just as former WHL standout Logan Stankoven did last season. However, don’t count out Firkus from making an impact at the NHL level at some point.

4. Carson Rehkopf

While Rehkopf wasn’t quite able to sustain the blistering pace he started the year with, it was a very positive draft plus one year for him with Kitchener. An emerging OHL star, Rehkopf has so many intriguing physical tools. The size and skating combination makes him very tough to stop in motion, however he’s also very strong on the puck, making him difficult to stop down low. Opposing defences need to key in on him away from the puck because of his high-end shooting ability. He can really rifle the puck, and this makes him a monster weapon on the powerplay on the flank where he can cleanly one-time pucks past netminders. The next step for Rehkopf is to continue to improve his engagement level as a two-way, physical player. This would help him truly dominate in all fashions and make him a top NHL prospect.

5. Jani Nyman

It seems like most of the Kraken’s top prospects progressed terrifically last year and Nyman certainly falls under that category. He exploded in Liiga, scoring 26 goals in Finland’s top professional league. He was also a standout at the World Junior Championship, playing against his peers. Nyman’s skating and play on the puck has improved greatly since being drafted. He’s extremely confident in his ability to drive the net and he’s difficult to separate from the puck along the wall and inside the dots. He’s not an overtly physical player. Even though he’s got a big frame, at 6-foot-4, he’s not really a power winger. However, Nyman projects as a complementary piece on a scoring line thanks to his scoring ability and the consistency with which he works inside to open up space. He’ll be in North America to start this year, likely playing in Coachella Valley to start.

6. David Goyette

The second Kraken prospect to lead his CHL league in scoring last year, Goyette was remarkable for the OHL Sudbury Wolves. The preseason favourite to win the OHL’s Eddie Powers trophy, Goyette followed through by posting 117 points. In a system with so many high-end goal scorers like Shane Wright, Carson Rehkopf, and Jani Nyman, Goyette stands out for his excellent playmaking ability. He extends plays with his feet and his hands, and he has outstanding vision. Simply put, he is the type of player who makes those around him better. Goyette is also an underrated off puck player who competes hard for loose pucks and in the defensive end. This part of his game has grown substantially since being drafted and it has improved his projection. Like others in the system, he will turn pro next year and should be an immediate contributor for Coachella Valley.

7. Ty Nelson

After such a monster season two years ago, expectations for Nelson were sky high coming into last year. He never quite reached those, but he still had a solid year, and his development remains on a positive track. Nelson was one of the better defenders in the OHL, helped North Bay to another solid season, and played for Canada at the World Junior Championships. The stocky defender’s best weapon remains his booming point shot. He is a prime scoring weapon from the backend, however he’s also a strong overall puck mover because of his mobility. Nelson has worked hard since being drafted to become a better defensive player and he is now at the point where he is ready for a new challenge at the pro level. Continuing to focus on his decision making, with and without the puck, will be key as he adjusts to the AHL level next season. Nelson is a potential top four defender and powerplay quarterback down the line.

8. Eduard Sale

The 20th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, Sale’s first season in North America didn’t quite go as well as many had anticipated. Splitting the year between Barrie and Kitchener of the OHL, Sale never quite found the confidence and effectiveness to be a consistent scoring threat. Watching Sale in the OHL, it’s plainly obvious that his skill level is high. He can beat defenders one on one, and he can be dangerous in transition and on the powerplay when he has extra room to operate. However, his game has been too perimeter-oriented, and he has struggled to play through contact on the smaller ice surfaces of the OHL. There is a need for him to add strength this offseason so that he can find more success playing through the middle of the ice. Sale remains a forward with high upside, but it’s become apparent that he may be more of a longer-term project than initially believed. He could turn pro next in the AHL or return to Kitchener of the OHL this year.

9. Niklas Kokko

Don’t let Kokko’s disappointing World Juniors performance shape your opinion of him. While he unquestionably struggled at that event, he was lights out in Liiga action last season, helping Pelicans reach the Liiga final; for a 20-year-old netminder this is remarkable. The 6-foot-4 goaltender plays a hybrid style that is very technically sound. He covers his angles well and plays up his size well, ensuring that he takes up as much of the net as possible. He’s improved as an athlete since being drafted and this is helping him to challenge shooters more consistently. Kokko is already signed by Seattle, so one would have to think that after his strong end to season, that he will come over to play in the AHL next season. Chris Driedger has moved on to another organization, so the starting gig in Coachella Valley is up for grabs. As of right now, he’s emerged as one of the better netminders outside of North America.

10. Julius Miettinen

We ranked Miettinen as a first-round prospect for the 2024 Draft; needless to say we approved of Seattle’s selection of him at 40th overall. The big pivot improved so much over the course of his first season in North America with Everett of the WHL. In particular, his skating made huge strides, allowing him to become dominant on the puck at times. Equal parts goal scorer and playmaker, Miettinen uses his size well to make plays in high traffic areas. Miettinen is also a dedicated two-way player who can provide versatility to his coaches. So long as he continues to improve his skating, he projects as a quality middle six center for Seattle in the future. This coming year, Miettinen will return to Everett and the expectation is that he becomes one of the better forwards in the WHL, on top of leading the Silvertips deeper in the playoffs.

11. Ryan Winterton

For Winterton, it was always about staying healthy. He’s always been a talented player with an NHL future, but shoulder injuries had previously derailed his development in the OHL. The great news is that this past year in the AHL Winterton has remained healthy, and the results were terrific. He has emerged as one of Seattle’s most NHL-ready prospects, as evidenced by his semi long call up to the Kraken last year.

12. Oscar Fisker Mølgaard

The Danish forward secured a permanent position at the SHL level last year with HV71 and played a secondary scoring role for them, helping them narrowly avoid relegation to the Hockey Allsvenskan. Fisker Mølgaard is a well-rounded offensive player who excels as a playmaker because of his vision and quick feet. A second-round selection last year, he remains more of a longer term project, but one who could play a middle six role in the future for Seattle.

13. Lukas Dragicevic

Being a top defender on one of the worst teams in your league can never be easy, but it was likely good for Dragicevic’s development this past year. Tri-City finished near the basement of the WHL, but Dragicevic still produced at a nice clip from the backend. The highly skilled rearguard will return to the WHL, now with a better Prince Albert team, to continue rounding out his game.

14. Logan Morrison

A savvy free agent signing by Seattle out of the OHL, Morrison was one of the AHL’s top rookies last year, helping Coachella Valley make a deep playoff run. Skating has always been the knock for Morrison, but thus far he’s proved that his high-end vision and offensive awareness are good enough to help him overcome that.

15. Caden Price

Another 2023 draft pick who had a strong draft plus one year, Price emerged as one of the WHL’s best two-way defenders last year. The Kelowna Rockets have proven to be a defenceman factory the last few decades and Price could be the next in line. Continuing to tighten up his reads and decision making will be key for him moving forward.

2024 NHL SCOUTING REPORT (VIDEO + GRADES): Berkly Catton, C, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)

Derek Neumeier — Sat, 22 Jun 2024 15:00:10 +0000

Berkly Catton - Photo by Steve Dunsmoor

Berkly Catton

C - #27 Spokane Chiefs (WHL)

5’11, 163 lbs, Shoots: L

DOB: 14.01.2006 - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

When the 2023-24 season began every scout in the industry knew that Catton was a prodigiously skilled prospect. There were no doubts whatsoever that he was going to be a play driver for the Spokane Chiefs and that he would score a boatload of points. There was, however, a lot of curiosity about what the overall picture would look like. Here was a potential superstar under a very big microscope in his draft year, but one who was playing on a terrible team without much support around him, and was likely going to be put through the ringer on a game-by-game basis.

Amazingly, not only did Catton live up to the enormous expectations that were placed upon his shoulders, he shattered them. He doubled his offensive output from the prior season and finished fourth in WHL scoring, and he did so even though he went into every match as the number one shutdown target for other teams. And as if that wasn't impressive enough, he also rounded out his game incredibly well, becoming a much more complete 200-foot player, so much so that he ended up leading the entire league in shorthanded points.

When you zoom out and look at Catton's season as a whole, what he accomplished is nothing short of incredible. He consistently played a mammoth amount of minutes, wasn't sheltered from heavy usage, produced at an elite clip and didn't abandon his less glamorous duties, and he did all of that in spite of playing for a Spokane club that got outplayed most games and was never anywhere close to being a true contender. That speaks volumes about how committed Catton is and how much character he possesses.

Are there some questions or concerns about his long-term NHL potential? Yes, to a degree. He is well below average in terms of size and strength, which could cause issues for him when it comes to enduring the rigours of NHL seasons and managing the wear and tear on his body. And maybe those same physical limitations will force him to play the wing instead of down the middle, probably not permanently, but perhaps until his mid-20s. That being said, though, it is abundantly clear that Catton is a rare kind of young talent, and he displays a lot of qualities that are shared by some of the NHL's brightest stars.

Skating

While Catton isn't necessarily one of the fastest players in this year's draft, due in large part to the shortness of his strides, he is certainly among the quickest, if not outright alone at the top of that category. The value of his skating comes more from his acceleration and agility than it does from his top speed. He possesses excellent footwork and balance, which he combines with a motor that revs high and an innate desire to play the game at a breakneck pace. He can get his feet churning in a hurry, and when he does that he can easily push opposing defenders back in a straight line or weave through them or around them with his crossovers. His footwork can be very deceptive, too, which makes it difficult for enemies to anticipate where he's going to attack.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Catton-entry-scoot-goal.mp4

This is a great example of how Catton can be dangerous with his acceleration. You can almost see the realization as it dawns on the Victoria defenders that they’re in a bad spot and that they’re about to get burned.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Catton-Hustle-dust-goal-in-tight.mp4

He won’t win a disproportionate amount of even-odds footraces at the NHL level, but he’s certainly no slouch. In this clip we see him turn on the jets to establish the rush as a clear 2-on-1 and get himself in the right position to receive a pass. His skating technique here looks impeccable, maximizing the output of every step.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Catton-rush-dance.mp4

Catton has the ability to make defenders look foolish when he reaches his top speed coming through the neutral zone because his lateral footwork is just so fast and fluid. He can shift his weight and change his angle of attack without losing any momentum.

Grade: 55

Shot

Catton potted 54 goals in 68 games this season, so it's safe to say that he knows how to fill the back of the net. However, he's not exactly an elite goal-scorer in the way that those numbers might suggest. His shot accuracy and placement are undeniably superb. When the puck is on his stick in high-danger ice he can beat goalies clean by elevating it, threading it through holes, or making a deft deke in tight. He will occasionally try to score from distance as well and finds some success in doing so at this level, but he probably won't be able to get enough heat behind his shots to regularly beat NHL goalies in that way.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Catton-deke-deke-goal.mp4

This is a quintessential Catton kind of goal. He attacks the entry with speed, dangles around an opposing defenseman, and then dangles the goalie too just for good measure, before casually sliding the backhand into the net.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Catton-snip-snip.mp4

Here is a great look at his ability to bury shots from a bit of distance. He’s thinking shot the whole way and he snipes it so perfectly in the top corner that the goalie had no chance.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Catton-dust-snipe.mp4

While Catton does score on this shot, after clearly picking the spot that he wanted to place it, it’s not exactly a howitzer coming off his stick. This is the type of shot that NHL goalies will almost always stop if they can see it cleanly.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Catton-dangle.mp4

Despite what was just said about the last clip, maybe Catton doesn’t need to be an overly powerful shooter, since he’s so good at making quick adjustments between the dots and firing before the goalie can catch up to what’s happening and reposition himself.

Grade: 55

Skill

To put it simply, it's a real treat to watch Catton handle and distribute the puck. There are few players in the world, at any age or in any league, who can do it at the level that he can. It looks like the puck is glued to his stick at times, which is especially mesmerizing to watch when he's carrying it around the ice at full speed and trying to make difficult dangles with it. A huge part of what makes him so good offensively is that he's equally as lethal carving to the inside through sticks and skates as he is when he slows things down and sets up along the wall, calculating what his best option is.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Catton-entry-dangle-goal.mp4

It’s almost unfair how Catton can make his incredible puck skill look completely effortless. Most forwards his age would be thrilled to make a play like this once or twice per season, but for Catton, this is just something that he does on a regular basis and can pull out of his bag of tricks on any given shift.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Catton-poise-playmaking.mp4

Catton is the type of player that coaches are more than happy to let hog the puck a little. In this clip he handles the biscuit for just long enough, and carefully gets it into just the right position, to perfectly set up his teammate who activates off the blue line. The fact that it’s a no-look pass is the icing on the cake.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Catton-no-ish-look-assist.mp4

Could you consider this a textbook way to defend this situation? Definitely not. But nevertheless, that’s a ridiculous pass by Catton, who hooks the puck all the way around the right side of his body and connects it tape-to-tape, without plainly telegraphing what his intentions are.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Catton-shot-pass.mp4

This is the sort of precision shot-pass that an elite NHLer like Nikita Kucherov would make, which would then show up in nightly highlights and year-end YouTube compilations. It’s also just Catton being Catton, and him further displaying all the different ways that he can leave his mark offensively.

Grade: 65

Smarts

Not only is Catton arguably the smartest player in this entire draft class, but he can apply that wealth of knowledge in a variety of different areas. There are many ways to out-think the opposition or cleverly elevate the play of teammates, and he is proficient in pretty much all of them. You can tell from afar that he's a dedicated student of the game and a sponge for knowledge, while also having an innate level of hockey sense and overall understanding of the sport that simply cannot be taught.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Catton-assist.mp4

Catton has an uncanny ability to keep a running mental log of where everyone is on the ice and what they’re doing. Not only does he know that his teammate is open on the far side in this clip, he also knows that not a single player in a dark sweater is going to expect him to snap a no-look backhand pass as he does.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Catton-shoulder-checks.mp4

Watch Catton’s head throughout this clip as he trails the play and gets himself in position to receive a pass. It might seem like a little thing, but scanning this frequently and quickly is a high-level habit, and it’s going to pay huge dividends for him in his career and he continues to get better and better at it.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Catton-forecheck-steal-assist.mp4

This is such a cheeky play. He undoubtedly would have clocked that the defenseman going in for the handoff from the goalie was the 16-year-old Jackson Smith, who might not have been experienced enough to recognize the danger he was in. Catton sneaks in quietly and pounces at the precise split second, jacking the puck into his control, and then adding insult to injury by putting some flair on his assisting pass. He didn’t try to spin-o-rama just to be dramatic, though. He saw the attempts to block the lane in front of him and knew that he could change his pass and send it behind the defenders before they could change the positioning of their sticks.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Catton-quick-give-and-go-goal.mp4

Great situational awareness from him here. Nothing flashy, but he knows that as soon as he slides between the two penalty killers that he’ll have an open lane to the net and that the puck could come back to him, which it does. He also gives a couple of quick extra pushes to time his pass reception better and reduce the chances that someone can catch him from behind. While this is a simple and straightforward play, he executes it brilliantly.

Grade: 65

Physical/Compete

It feels wildly unfair that a prospect as exceptional as Catton might slide a bit come draft day because of reasons that are outside of his control, namely, the limitations of his frame and body type. But the reality is that being an NHLer is a demanding and often dirty job, and some players are naturally better equipped to withstand that grind than others. Now, much to his credit, he’s pretty darn determined and fearless. He rolls up his sleeves when he needs to, and he’s always willing to try taking the puck to the inside, even when he knows that it’s going to result in bumps and bruises. Unfortunately, it cannot be denied that he struggles to withstand physical play at times, and can get neutralized by opponents who are bigger and stronger than he is.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Catton-knocked-over-against-boards.mp4

This is the type of highlight that gives scouts a bit of pause because it happens to Catton a lot. A lot of other forwards his age would easily be able to bounce off this check, but it knocks him over and results in a change in possession, even though it wasn’t a very hard bump. Yes, Catton will add some muscle to his frame as he matures, but defenders are going to get bigger and stronger too, and he’s always going to be at a disadvantage in his way.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Catton-knocked-over-in-50-50.mp4

Here’s another example of Catton on the receiving end of a physical engagement. Not only does he lose the 50-50, he gets knocked over again and goes into the boards. Nothing bad actually comes from this play, but it’s easy to envision how a similar situation in the NHL could be perilous for him if he’s going into it faster, gets hit harder, and slides into the boards in a more awkward position. It’s very easy for injuries to rear their ugly heads in moments like that.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Catton-angled-eliminated.mp4

This play isn’t even really a hit, but it’s the type of thing that you see a lot at the NHL level, where a defender angles an opposing forward into the corner and then tries to stand them up. With more strength, Catton could have been able to push the defender off and keep himself moving forward with the puck, but this one ends in a change of possession. It’s going to be imperative that Catton maintains his quickness and elusiveness as he develops, to minimize the number of situations where he can be easily bottled up or knocked out of the play.

Grade: 50

OFP: 59.25

A note on the 20-80 scale used above. We look at five attributes (skating, shooting, puck skills, hockey IQ and physicality) for skaters and six for goalies (athleticism/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, technique/style, rebound control and puck handling). Each individual attribute is graded along the 20-80 scales, which includes half-grades. The idea is that a projection of 50 in a given attribute meant that our observer believed that the player could get to roughly NHL average at that attribute at maturity.

MCKEEN’S HOCKEY 2024 NHL DRAFT GUIDE: TWO-ROUND MOCK DRAFT

Brock Otten — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 15:03:17 +0000

#1. San Jose Sharks - Macklin Celebrini - C - Boston University (HE)

At this point, San Jose might as well announce this now. The entire hockey world knows that Celebrini is going to be its guy. This is a pivot without any true weaknesses who projects as a franchise leader for the Sharks moving forward. Think of the impact that Jonathan Toews had on turning the Blackhawks rebuild around.

#2. Chicago Blackhawks - Artyom Levshunov – D - Michigan State (B1G)

Part of me believes that Chicago might really like Sam Dickinson because of how much value they have been placing on skating in recent drafts, but another part believes that Levshunov will be the Hawks guy. We prefer Dickinson, but there’s no doubting that Levshunov has among the highest two-way upside of any defender in this draft. With his high-end skill and offensive aggressiveness, he’ll be able to give the Hawks a dynamic puck mover on both of their first two pairings (with Korchinski).

#3. Anaheim Ducks - Anton Silayev – D - Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)

On one hand, the Ducks haven’t used a Top 50 pick on a Russian based player (as in playing in the KHL, MHL, etc) since Stanislav Chistov in 2001. It’s obvious that they have preferences for other regions. However, what’s also obvious is the fit here. The Ducks have so many terrific puck moving defenders. The system is loaded. However, the team’s high end defensively oriented prospects have had their development stall like Noah Warren and Drew Helleson. Anaheim could see Silayev as an amazing fit beside guys like Mintyukov and Zellweger, allowing them to play freely and aggressively.

#4. Columbus Blue Jackets - Ivan Demidov – RW - SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)

The Jackets have had great success with young Russian players recently, even forming a great Russian kid line involving Chinakhov, Voronkov, and Marchenko. Not only is Demidov clearly the best player available at this point, but he also helps add significant skill to the wing for the organization that needs it. This is an offensive play driver solely needed.

#5. Montreal Canadiens - Cayden Lindstrom – C - Medicine Hat (WHL)

This is one of the best-case scenarios for Montreal. Is Lindstrom’s injury history a concern? Likely for some teams. However, the upside here is too large for Montreal to pass up. Not only is Lindstrom a fantastic young player, but he also helps the Canadiens get bigger and heavier up front, which was a reason for preferring Slafkovsky at first overall two years ago.

#6. Utah Hockey Club - Zeev Buium – D - Denver (NCHC)

Seems likely that Utah could lean towards taking one of the high-end offensive defenders available with this pick. In the last five drafts, the Coyotes have not taken a single player out of the OHL. This leads me to believe that Buium is a guy that the team could find really attractive at #6. He’s such an intelligent playmaker from the backend and he would really help Utah improve their transitional game and powerplay production.

#7. Ottawa Senators - Sam Dickinson – D - London (OHL)

Dickinson is the perfect defender for the modern era thanks to his high-end skating ability. He’s the kind of blueliner who projects as an all situations, minute eater. Given how terrific he has been in this year’s OHL playoffs (and the Memorial Cup), Ottawa likely sees him as a terrific fit as a “winner” who can help them get over the hump in the coming years. The Sens really need to hit on this pick and Dickinson is as safe as safe can be to be an impact player.

#8. Seattle Kraken - Beckett Sennecke – RW - Oshawa (OHL)

There is a ton of traction for Sennecke to be a high pick and Seattle strikes us as a likely landing spot. They’ve targeted the OHL pretty heavily and, playing in the Pacific, they want to load up their lineup with heavier players who can withstand the punishing style in the division. Sennecke oozes upside as an athletic winger still growing into his frame. He is skilled, physical, and intelligent. A great combination. Logic says Seattle finally uses their first on a defender, but something about this spot screams Sennecke.

#9. Calgary Flames - Tij Iginla – C - Kelowna (WHL)

Maybe this is far-fetched. But maybe it’s not. Teams don’t use top ten selections for the sole purpose of nostalgia. But how can you pass up the opportunity to draft an iconic name, who also happens to be worthy in this spot. Iginla was terrific in the second half of the year, and this gives Calgary an injection of skill and tenacity. He could have a similar impact to his father in Calgary.

#10. New Jersey Devils - Konsta Helenius – C - Jukurit (Fin-Liiga)

The Devils are a team that definitely don’t want to be picking in this range. The organization has been trying to escape the rebuilding phase, so would it not make sense for them to target a player who has great upside, but who can also make an impact pretty quickly? Helenius fits in well with the players already in New Jersey and the Devils have liked the region in recent drafts.

#11. Buffalo Sabres - Zayne Parekh – D - Saginaw (OHL)

Yeah, we know that the Sabres already have Dahlin and Power on the back end. That powerplay unit is already loaded. However, at some point, you have to say that Parekh is too good to let slide further. One of the draft’s most creative and intelligent defenders, Parekh is the ultimate wild card. He could go as high as the top five or fall out of the lottery all together. This would be great value for the Sabres.

#12. Philadelphia Flyers - Cole Eiserman – LW - U. S. NTDP U18

Often tagged as being the draft’s purest goal scorer, Eiserman had an up and down year with the NTDP. However, he still managed to break the program’s scoring record and that is impressive. Big wingers who can put the puck in the net do not grow on trees. While the Flyers could go defense here, having just dealt top prospect Cutter Gauthier for defender Jamie Drysdale, it seems unlikely that they will go that route.

#13. Minnesota Wild - Carter Yakemchuk – D - Calgary (WHL)

This seems low for Yakemchuk. But someone is going to need to fall a bit considering the talent available in the lottery. While Yakemchuk’s upside is significant, we think teams may have concerns over his puck management and skating combination. That said, he’s a great fit in Minnesota as a potential puck mover and triggerman who can help their powerplay and move quickly through the system.

#14. San Jose Sharks (via Pittsburgh Penguins) - Stian Solberg – D - Valerenga (Norway)

The draft is bound to get pretty wild around this point given the wild fluctuation among rankings. Solberg has had a ton of momentum the last month and we really like this fit. Solberg was tremendous at the World Championships, showing that he can impact the game in a lot of different ways. This is someone who can come in and be a defensive stalwart for the Sharks in the future.

#15. Detroit Red Wings - Berkly Catton – C - Spokane (WHL)

This is much lower than our ranking for Catton, but we realize that we may be more aggressive on him compared to the NHL community. He is the kind of play driver who can elevate Detroit’s first two lines in the future. He’s more skilled than Danielson and Kasper, but he has that same kind of high-end work ethic. If Catton is still available at fifteen, this should one hundred percent be his landing spot.

#16. St. Louis Blues - Trevor Connelly – LW - Tri-City (USHL)

Where does Connelly go? That’s one of the draft’s biggest questions considering the noise around his off-ice “issues.” However, we do think that someone bites considering Connelly has among the highest offensive upsides of any forward in this draft. The Blues need more firepower. They need more play drivers. Connelly is someone who can make this St. Louis team better down the line if he progresses well.

#17. Washington Capitals - Adam Jiricek – D - Plzen (Czechia)

It was a pretty tough draft year for Jiricek, after he missed the majority of the year with injury. However, he came into the year as a potential top ten selection for a reason. He’s talented and a potential two-way stalwart like his brother David. So many options here but could see the Caps lean defense if Jiricek is still on the board.

#18. Chicago Blackhawks (via New York Islanders) - Michael Brandsegg Nygard – RW - Mora (Allsvenskan)

The Hawks have really been focusing on selecting strong skaters in recent years, so there’s a chance that they team will jump on a guy like Jett Luchanko here. However, we like Brandsegg Nygard here for a few reasons. One, he’s one of the best players available. Two, he’s an excellent fit alongside some of the high-end skill that Chicago has brought in. His hard work and attention to detail could make him the kind of high-end role player that Chicago had during their Cup runs.

#19. Vegas Golden Knights - EJ Emery – D - U. S. NTDP U18

Did you know that Vegas has never drafted a player out of the U.S. NTDP? Seems wild, but this could be the year. Vegas has used their first selection on a center every year of existence. That kind of commitment is impressive. However, we believe that this is the year that the streak breaks. We love Emery’s physical tools and upside as a defensive stalwart, and he fits the exact mold of the kind of defender Vegas seems to love. The team’s defensive core is getting older, and he could be a great fit there in a few years.

#20. New York Islanders (via Tampa Bay Lightning) - Michael Hage – C - Chicago (USHL)

We like this potential landing spot for Hage. He was, perhaps, the best player in the USHL in the second half of the year. This was the real Michael Hage, after he put some personal turmoil behind him. He has upside as a top six, power center and his skill is badly needed in a prospect pool that is currently lacking it.

#21. Los Angeles Kings - Jett Luchanko – C - Guelph (OHL)

We know the Kings love the OHL. Luchanko would be a great pick here. The tenacious and intelligent pivot brings speed and playmaking ability to the table and looks like a future fixture as a second line center. There aren’t a ton of natural pivots in the system right now, so it also makes sense for Los Angeles to target that position, if a good one is available.

#22. Nashville Predators - Leo Sahlin Wallenius – D - Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)

A strong skating, potential two-way defender, Sahlin Wallenius proved to be a bit of a chameleon in his draft year. What’s his real future role? Regardless, the physical tools are going to be intriguing to a team like Nashville.

#23. Toronto Maple Leafs - Harrison Brunicke – D - Kamloops (WHL)

This would be the first time since 2018 that Toronto uses its first-round selection on a defender. We’d say it’s needed. Brunicke is a strong skating rearguard with upside at both ends. He excelled defensively at the U18’s and he’s the kind of modern-day defender that Toronto sorely lacks. The organization would have also seen a fair amount of Brunicke while scouting Fraser Minten in Kamloops.

#24. Colorado Avalanche - Igor Chernyshov – LW - Dynamo Moskva (KHL)

We could see Colorado moving this pick at the draft for some immediate help after their disappointing playoff performance. However, if they keep this selection, a guy like Chernyshov could make a ton of sense. He can attack with speed and power, playing a North/South game that fits their system.

#25. Ottawa Senators (via Boston Bruins) - Liam Greentree – RW - Windsor (OHL)

Back-to-back OHL players for Ottawa in our mock, this time the team selects Windsor winger Greentree, who has the potential to be a Jason Robertson kind of player in the future. He is creative and skilled but needs to improve his skating. We believe improving the team’s skill and finishing ability on the wing should be a focus.

#26. Montreal Canadiens (via Winnipeg Jets) - Sam O’Reilly – RW - London (OHL)

With a strong OHL playoffs and Memorial Cup performance, O’Reilly has surged up draft rankings to close out the year. The physical, two-way center has more offensive upside than he has shown thus far playing in a secondary scoring role. Worst case scenario could see him developing into a Scott Laughton type, which would still be terrific value at this point of the first.

#27. Carolina Hurricanes - Alfons Freij – D - Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)

The Hurricanes always seem to love the same kind of players that the amateur scouting community love. Freij is one of those amateur scouting darlings this year that we (as a community) seem to love more than the NHL community (as a whole). The skating ability and skill are evident. He was a standout at nearly every international event for Sweden and projects as a skilled top four defende

#28. Calgary Flames (via Vancouver Canucks) - Cole Beaudoin – C - Barrie (OHL)

After drafting Iginla early, the Flames opt for a different kind of forward late in the first. Beaudoin projects as the kind of guy you win in the playoffs with. He brings versatility. He brings leadership. He brings consistency. He is an intelligent playmaker and can excel as a middle six complementary piece. Just seems very likely that at least one NHL team likes his intangibles enough to draft him in the first.

#29. Dallas Stars - Emil Hemming – RW - TPS (Fin-Liiga)

The Stars haven’t drafted a player out of Finland since Miro Heiskanen in 2017, but we’d say that has worked out pretty well. At this point, Hemming fills a need and represents the best player available. He brings tenaciousness and he is one of the draft’s best goal scorers from the wing.

#30. New York Rangers - Charlie Elick - D - Brandon (WHL)

Elick has a similar profile to Braden Schneider when the Rangers drafted him and that worked out pretty well. The size, skating, and physicality combination make Elick a potential shutdown defender for a decade. His decision making needs to improve, but New York has actually improved this component in several of their defensive prospects.

#31. Anaheim Ducks (via Edmonton Oilers) - Julius Miettinen – C - Everett (WHL)

Miettinen improved by leaps and bounds over the course of the year and represents a big body with skill. His skating took a big leap from the beginning of the year to the end, and it has really improved his projection as a top six forward. Anaheim really seems to favor forwards with a well-rounded profile and that’s Miettinen.

#32. Philadelphia Flyers (via Florida Panthers) - Ben Danford – D - Oshawa (OHL)

This pick might surprise some people, but Danford is a player who rocketed up rankings in the second half as part of an Oshawa team that went to the OHL finals. He’s one of the better defensive players in the draft; a shot blocking expert who has terrific defensive instincts. He’s also a strong skater who has shown flashes of more offensively. Shades of Oliver Bonk here and that worked out really well so far.

—----------------------------

#33. San Jose Sharks - Dean Letourneau – C - St. Andrew's (CHS-Ontario)

There’s definitely a chance that Letourneau goes in the first, but we feel that teams may be more comfortable using a second on a prep player given that many of those chosen in the first have not developed well. The Sharks can take a chance on Letourneau, given the team’s window is a ways away. The big man oozes upside because of his athleticism.

#34. Chicago Blackhawks - Henry Mews – D - Ottawa (OHL)

With the Hawks focusing so much on strong skating ability, Mews makes sense here. He’s a terrific four-way mover who possesses excellent upside as an offensive defender. He’s a creative rush attacker and his defense did improve over the course of the season.

#35. Anaheim Ducks - Terik Parascak – RW - Prince George (WHL)

A highly intelligent playmaker, Parascak makes up for only average skating by being a step ahead of others mentally. He’s skilled. He’s tenacious. He projects as a quality complementary piece in the top six and he would fit in perfectly with what Anaheim already has in the system.

#36. Philadelphia Flyers (via Columbus Blue Jackets) - Sacha Boisvert – C - Muskegon (USHL)

Why not double down on a top goal scorer? After drafting the draft’s best in Cole Eiserman, the Flyers now take one of the other best options in power center Sasha Boivert. His skating needs to continue to improve, but he can really fire it.

#37. Winnipeg Jets (via Montreal Canadiens) - Cole Hutson – D - U. S. NTDP U18

Wouldn’t it be fitting if the Jets used the Montreal pick to select Lane’s brother Cole? Cole battled some injuries this year, but he closed out the year on a high note by returning for the U18’s. He can control the tempo with his handling ability and mobility. His defensive game is also probably more advanced compared to Lane’s at the same age.

#38. Utah Hockey Club - Teddy Stiga – C - U. S. NTDP U18

Back-to-back NTDP members are chosen here as Stiga ends up being Utah’s pick. He is a terrific complementary piece who was one of the NTDP’s most improved players this year. He plays at a feverish pace, and he is skilled and intelligent enough to play with high end, creative playmakers. Could be the perfect future linemate for Logan Cooley.

#39. Ottawa Senators - Linus Eriksson – C - Djurgardens (Allsvenskan)

Erikson is a strong skating, two-way center with a strong chance of developing into an excellent and versatile middle six piece. He was solid for Sweden internationally this year and adds great depth to Ottawa’s center position down the line.

#40. Seattle Kraken - Will Skahan – D - U. S. NTDP U18

One of the draft’s most physical defenders, Skahan is big, reasonably mobile, and projects as a top four shutdown blueliner. Seattle has never really drafted a player like Skahan, and we would argue that in order for them to take that next step, they’ll need players like him in the Pacific.

#41. Calgary Flames - Dominik Badinka – D - Malmo (SHL)

Strong, two-way defender who played a ton at the SHL level. His true offensive upside was hidden by playing sheltered minutes against men. The Flames opt for defense here and have had some luck taking Swedish based defenders in recent years (Badinka is Czech but played out of Sweden).

#42. San Jose Sharks (via New Jersey Devils) - Andrew Basha – LW - Medicine Hat (WHL)

The Sharks opt for a bit of a safer selection at this spot after really rolling the dice with the previous two picks. Basha is an excellent complementary piece who projects as someone who can elevate the play of a creative and skilled pivot. He could be the perfect linemate for the likes of Celebrini, Smith, or Eklund because he is skilled and does the dirty work to open up ice.

#43. Buffalo Sabres - Maxim Masse – RW - Chicoutimi (QMJHL)

Buffalo makes Masse the first QMJHL player off the board. He’s one of the better pure goal scorers in the draft and he plays a mature, pro style game that sees him get to the middle of the ice. The skating needs to keep improving, but this is a player who could fit in well with some of the others in Buffalo’s system.

#44. Pittsburgh Penguins (via Philadelphia Flyers) - Lucas Pettersson – C - MoDo Hockey (Swe J20)

With their first pick in the draft, the Penguins opt for Swedish center Lucas Pettersson. He’s a strong skating, two-way pivot who projects as a solid middle six piece who can play in a variety of different situations. Building up prospect depth needs to be a focus of Kyle Dubas, after the system was bled dry for the last half a decade.

#45. Minnesota Wild - Brodie Ziemer – RW - U. S. NTDP U18

A Minnesota native heading to the University of Minnesota, the Wild get the captain of this year’s NTDP. He projects as a terrific complementary piece in the top nine who can help bring out the best in more skilled players. He plays a heavier game, which fits in with the theme that Minnesota seems to be focusing on at the draft in recent years.

#46. Pittsburgh Penguins - Aron Kiviharju – D - HIFK (Fin-Liiga)

If there is a team that is going to take a chance on Kiviharju bringing everything together, the Penguins make a ton of sense. With a couple of seconds, they should be focusing on bringing in high upside players and Kiviharju is just that. Is there concern that he has plateaued? Absolutely. However, there’s also a chance that injuries this year really prevented him from being at his best.

#47. Detroit Red Wings - Leon Muggli – D - Zug (Sui-NL)

The Red Wings opt for Leon Muggli, a Swiss defender who really emerged as a top-notch NHL prospect this year. He showed well playing against men in the NL. He’s intelligent and mobile and should have a solid floor as an NHL rearguard in some capacity.

#48. St. Louis Blues - Matvei Shuravin – C - Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)

Long and lean Russian defender with intriguing two-way upside. He was a player who was hard to get a read on this year with his limited minutes in the KHL, however he has an intriguing combination of size and mobility. It’s possible that he reminds the Blues of drafting Colton Parayko back in the day.

#49. Utah Hockey Club (via Washington Capitals) - Yegor Surin – C - Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)

Utah and their scouts have not been shy about selecting Russian players in recent drafts. Surin is better than the 49th player selected. He is a competitive, but skilled pivot who could end up developing into a versatile player for Utah down the line. Maybe the perfect linemate for fellow Russian Daniil But?

#50. Chicago Blackhawks (via New York Islanders) - John Mustard – C - Waterloo (USHL)

One of the best names in the draft, but also one of the best skaters. Mustard had a breakout campaign in the USHL this year. He’s an explosive player and a talented goal scorer. However, he is also an intense competitor, something that should make Mustard an NHL player in some capacity if the offensive game doesn’t translate.

#51. Philadelphia Flyers (Compensation Pick for Jay O’Brien) - Ryder Ritchie – RW - Prince Albert (WHL)

Ranked as a first rounder by us, there is thought that we are higher on him than NHL scouts after a bit of a disappointing second half mired by injuries. Ritchie is a competitive winger who plays bigger than his size (excuse the cliche). He has solid upside as a complementary piece on a scoring line. This is a nice swing for Philadelphia with their compensation pick.

#52. Washington Capitals (via Vegas Golden Knights) - Marek Vanacker – LW - Brantford (OHL)

The Capitals opt for speedy Hamilton winger Marek Vanacker, the last of our first round graded players. He was extremely consistent all year long and has intriguing offensive upside because of the pace he can play at. Washington would be very familiar with him thanks to their scouting of Patrick Thomas.

#53. Nashville Predators (via Tampa Bay Lightning) - Heikki Ruohonen – C - Kiekko-Espoo (Fin-U20)

The Preds have long loved Finnish players, with a strong presence in that market. Ruohonen was one of the biggest risers in the second half of the year; he was excellent at the U18’s for the Finns. He is a competitive, two-way, power center eventually heading to Harvard.

#54. New York Islanders (via Los Angeles Kings) - Adam Kleber – D - Lincoln (USHL)

Kleber is a massive defender whose game really improved over the second half of the year. His mobility, in particular, really took a positive step forward. The USHL rearguard projects as a physical stay at home type, but he does flash some intriguing offensive tools too.

#55. Nashville Predators - Mikhail Yegorov – G - Omaha (USHL)

There has been a ton of talk about Nashville moving on from Juuse Saros, handing over the keys to Askarov. However, there isn’t much of a back-up plan behind Askarov if he doesn't pan out. Taking a goalie makes sense for the Preds in round two and Yegorov is an excellent athlete who their goaltending development coaches can really work with.

#56. St. Louis Blues (via Toronto Maple Leafs) - Luke Misa – C - Mississauga (OHL)

Misa is a speedy, two-way forward who projects as a solid middle six option for St. Louis down the line. He had a solid year for Mississauga in the OHL and is the type of player who could move quickly through the system as a later birthday.

#57. Montreal Canadiens (via Colorado Avalanche) - Tory Pitner - Youngstown (USHL)

Montreal has done well by selecting heady defenders in recent years and Pitner is definitely that. He’s one of the draft's most intelligent blueliners, especially in the defensive end. He competes hard and projects as a solid two-way, second pairing type.

#58. Anaheim Ducks (via Boston Bruins) - Tarin Smith – D - Everett (WHL)

A team with an already loaded defensive talent pool can afford to take chances on high upside defenders like Smith. He’s very raw, but his physical tools are excellent. He skates well. He can create offense. How it all comes together remains to be seen, but Anaheim can afford to be patient.

#59. Nashville Predators (via Winnipeg Jets) - Adam Jecho – C - Edmonton (WHL)

An enigma to the highest degree, Jecho is one of the draft’s ultimate boom or bust prospects. At times, he dominates in the offensive end with his size and skill. Other times, he looks lumbering, lazy, and disengaged. Which Jecho will emerge as the real one? Nashville has always loved wingers like this with high end physical tools.

#60. Carolina Hurricanes - Nikita Artamonov – LW - Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)

This just seems like an amazing fit. The Canes have loved players like Artamanov. High end processor. Not the quickest or most physical, but efficient. They’ve also been one of the most aggressive NHL franchises in drafting Russian talent recently.

#61. New York Islanders (via Vancouver Canucks) - AJ Spellacy – RW - Windsor (OHL)

Spellacy was outstanding in the second half of the OHL season after he fully recovered from a knee injury. He has great length and speed and projects as a high end third line player who can be an elite penalty killer and defensive forward. The last Windsor forward NYI took worked out well.

#62. Calgary Flames (via Dallas Stars) - Raoul Boilard – C - Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)

What’s the finished product going to look like with Boilard? This is completely unknown due to some consistency issues. However, the Flames need to improve their center depth in the organization and Boilard is a rangy pivot who could end up being a solid middle six piece.

#63. Seattle Kraken (via New York Rangers) - Jesse Pulkkinen – D - JYP (Fin-Liiga)

The first re-entry to go in this mock draft, Seattle has not shied away from selecting players outside of their first year of eligibility. Pulkkinen is a big offensive defender who plays an aggressive style. He needs major refinement, but the tools are there.

#64. Edmonton Oilers - Pavel Moysevich – G - SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)

Have to think the Oilers go with a goalie here if there is one on the board that they really like. Moysevich is a re-entry who was fantastic in the KHL this past season. He is one of the draft’s best athletes and he could move quickly through the system.

#65. Utah Hockey Club (via Florida Panthers) - Jack Pridham – RW - West Kelowna (BCHL)

There is a connection between Utah (previously Arizona) and the St. Andrew’s College program of late. Pridham is a graduate of that program who had a solid year in the BCHL. He is a big winger with great skating ability. The upside is a bit of a mystery, but the tools are legitimate.

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL DRAFT GUIDE – TOP 32 FINAL RANKINGS

Brock Otten — Sat, 01 Jun 2024 16:00:27 +0000

It’s that time! The McKeen’s scouting staff has finalized our final rankings for the 2024 NHL Draft ahead of the release of our draft guide releasing soon. This year, the McKeen’s team has made the executive decision to rank 300 players outright, rather than include honorable mentions. This is a change in our previous methodology.

As has been the case all season long, Macklin Celebrini remains our top ranked prospect and we expect him to be the first overall selection by the San Jose Sharks. Rounding out the top five are Russian winger Ivan Demidov, London defenseman Sam Dickinson, power center Cayden Lindstrom, and the fast-rising Tij Iginla. Iginla was ranked 12th on our midseason list, but his strong finish to the WHL season, coupled with his excellent U18 performance, has elevated him into our top five.

Filling out our top ten are Michigan State defender Artyom Levshunov, spark plug center Berkly Catton, towering defender Anton Silayev, Denver defender Zeev Buium, and Western defender Carter Yakemchuk. Buium moves up from 15th at midseason thanks to his remarkable consistency all year long, in addition to a great Frozen Four performance for Denver. While Russian blueliner Silayev moves out of our top five after a lukewarm second half that saw his offensive production drop off.

Other players who have elevated their stock significantly include Norwegian defender Stian Solberg, Oshawa winger Beckett Sennecke, NTDP defender EJ Emery, Finnish power forward Julius Miettinen, offensive blueliner Cole Hutson, gritty Barrie forward Cole Beaudoin, Oshawa defender Ben Danford, and speedy Brantford winger Marek Vanacker. Solberg jumps up over 30 spots, springboarding into our first round after a terrific second half in the Norwegian men’s league, followed by an eye-opening performance at the men’s World Championships. The athletic and projectable Sennecke also makes a huge jump, from the late first to the earlier first after an outstanding second half and playoff performance for Oshawa, helping the team make the OHL finals.

Other players who have seen their stock drop include Henry Mews, Adam Jecho, Maxim Masse, Raoul Boilard, Jesse Pulkkinen, Aron Kiviharju, and Simon Zether. Ottawa defender Henry Mews has fallen out of our first round due to consistency and defensive engagement concerns. We still value his upside but believe other players have had stronger second half pushes. The same can be said about Finnish defender Aron Kiviharju. Injuries derailed his development this year and his performance at the U18’s (albeit coming off a long layoff) was uninspiring.

As far as goaltenders go, none cracked our top 50. We love the depth for the position this year, and as such, we would feel more comfortable waiting longer to select our first netminder in 2024. Owen Sound’s Carter George, and Russian netminders Pavel Moysevich and Mikhail Yegorov are our top netminders.

Overall, the strength of this draft crop has really grown on us as a scouting team. Early on in the season, we weren’t enamored with the quality of top end players available, nor the depth. The defenseman group available has always been deemed as strong, but what has really elevated this crop is the fact that so many forwards finished the year well, altering their projection and draft standing. We feel that those drafting inside the top 20 have a great chance of grabbing a high impact player.

Look for the release of our 2024 Draft Guide soon (Week of June 10^th). It will include all of our rankings and reports, a mock draft, a preview of the 2025 NHL Draft, and much more.

Subscribers can see the full Top 300 Ranking here.

If you are interested in a subscription, you can learn more here.

RANK	PLAYER	POS	HT/WT	DOB	TEAM	GP	G/GAA	A/SV%	PTS	PIM
1	Macklin Celebrini	C	6-0/190	13-Jun-06	Boston University (HE)	38	32	32	64	18
2	Ivan Demidov	RW	5-11/180	10-Dec-05	SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)	30	23	37	60	20
3	Sam Dickinson	D	6-3/200	7-Jun-06	London (OHL)	68	18	52	70	30
4	Cayden Lindstrom	C	6-3/210	3-Feb-06	Medicine Hat (WHL)	32	27	19	46	66
5	Tij Iginla	C	6-0/185	1-Aug-06	Kelowna (WHL)	64	47	37	84	35
6	Artyom Levshunov	D	6-2/205	28-Oct-05	Michigan State (B1G)	38	9	26	35	44
7	Berkly Catton	C	5-10/170	14-Jan-06	Spokane (WHL)	68	54	62	116	41
8	Anton Silayev	D	6-7/210	11-Apr-06	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	63	3	8	11	10
9	Zeev Buium	D	6-0/185	7-Dec-05	Denver (NCHC)	42	11	39	50	20
10	Carter Yakemchuk	D	6-3/200	29-Sep-05	Calgary (WHL)	66	30	41	71	120
11	Zayne Parekh	D	6-0/180	15-Feb-06	Saginaw (OHL)	66	33	63	96	64
12	Michael Hage	C	6-0/190	14-Apr-06	Chicago (USHL)	54	33	42	75	53
13	Konsta Helenius	C	5-11/180	11-May-06	Jukurit (Fin-Liiga)	51	14	22	36	10
14	Beckett Sennecke	RW	6-2/175	28-Jan-06	Oshawa (OHL)	63	27	41	68	67
15	Cole Eiserman	LW	6-0/195	29-Aug-06	USN U18 (USDP)	57	58	31	89	34
16	Michael Brandsegg-Nygard	RW	6-1/195	5-Oct-05	Mora (Allsvenskan)	41	8	10	18	19
17	Liam Greentree	RW	6-2/210	1-Jan-06	Windsor (OHL)	64	36	54	90	33
18	Trevor Connelly	LW	6-0/160	28-Feb-06	Tri-City (USHL)	52	31	47	78	88
19	Alfons Freij	D	6-0/185	12-Feb-06	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)	40	14	19	33	14
20	EJ Emery	D	6-3/185	30-Mar-06	USN U18 (USDP)	61	0	16	16	61
21	Jett Luchanko	C	5-11/185	21-Aug-06	Guelph (OHL)	68	20	54	74	36
22	Harrison Brunicke	D	6-2/185	8-May-06	Kamloops (WHL)	49	10	11	21	47
23	Stian Solberg	D	6-2/195	29-Dec-05	Valerenga (Norway)	42	5	10	15	47
24	Adam Jiricek	D	6-2/180	28-Jun-06	Plzen (Czechia)	19	0	1	1	2
25	Emil Hemming	RW	6-1/200	27-Jun-06	TPS (Fin-Liiga)	40	7	4	11	0
26	Ryder Ritchie	RW	6-0/175	3-Aug-06	Prince Albert (WHL)	47	19	25	44	24
27	Dominik Badinka	D	6-3/185	27-Nov-05	Malmo (SHL)	33	1	3	4	6
28	Sacha Boisvert	C	6-2/180	17-Mar-06	Muskegon (USHL)	61	36	32	68	86
29	Julius Miettinen	C	6-2/205	20-Jan-06	Everett (WHL)	66	31	36	67	32
30	Yegor Surin	C	6-1/190	1-Aug-06	Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)	42	22	30	52	108
31	Leo Sahlin Wallenius	D	5-11/175	10-Apr-06	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)	43	11	31	42	38
32	Marek Vanacker	LW	6-0/175	12-Apr-06	Brantford (OHL)	68	36	46	82	55