Brandon Coe – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #9 San Jose Sharks – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Player Profiles - Derek Neumeier, Team Overview - Robert Howard — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 18:00:52 +0000

NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 28: San Jose Sharks draft choice William Smith is shown during the first round of the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft, held on June 28, 2023, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire)

Mike Grier has been in the General Managers chair less than two years and has just begun to put his stamp on the team. The 2023 NHL Draft was his first calling the shots and he delivered some exciting prospects. They include our number one ranked affiliated prospect, Will Smith, who led the nation in scoring in the NCAA and is a dazzling offensive weapon. Also, in the first round he chose Quentin Musty, who personifies a boom or bust prospect, with offensive instincts, but also plays a physical game. If he can fix the problematic areas of his game, he could be a gem at 26th overall at the draft. It is this year where the excitement begins to build with the franchise picking first overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, almost certain to be Macklin Celebrini from Boston College. Celebrini, Smith and graduated prospect William Eklund could be weaving magic as early as next season. Regardless they will give the Sharks fans something to be excited about for many years to come and base to build upon.

Grier has been active on the trade front, weaponizing cap space, and largely acquiring young players and prospects, along with picks. He has not been afraid of blockbusters with many moving parts, have moved both Tomas Hertl at the trade deadline this year, and Timo Meier last year. Those trades netted three of their top ten prospects in David Edstrom, plus a first-round pick for Hertl, and Shakir Mukhamadullin in a huge package for Meier with many parts, but also included a first-round pick that turned into Musty. He further weaponized his cap space in the Erik Karlsson trade to Pittsburgh to take on some troublesome contracts and was rewarded with Pittsburgh’s pick this year, which should net a quality prospect at 12th overall. Coach David Quinn was let go at the end of the season, and the search is on as of this writing.

RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	TM	Acquired	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
1	Will Smith	C	19	6-0/175	Boston College (HE)	`23(4th)	41	25	46	71	14
2	Quentin Musty	LW	18	6-2/200	Sudbury (OHL)	`23(26th)	53	43	59	102	72
3	Shakir Mukhamadullin	D	22	6-3/180	San Jose (AHL)	T(NJ-2/23)	55	7	27	34	24
					San Jose (NHL)	T(NJ-2/23)	3	0	1	1	4
4	Thomas Bordeleau	C	22	5-9/180	San Jose (AHL)	`20(38th)	35	11	14	25	26
					San Jose (NHL)	`20(38th)	27	6	5	11	18
5	Filip Bystedt	C	20	6-4/205	Linkopings (SHL)	`22(27th)	47	8	9	17	2
					San Jose (AHL)	`22(27th)	8	4	3	7	8
6	David Edstrom	C	19	6-3/185	Frolunda (SHL)	T(VGK-3/24)	44	7	12	19	8
7	Kasper Halttunen	RW	18	6-3/205	London (OHL)	`23(36th)	57	32	29	61	61
8	Danil Gushchin	RW	22	5-8/165	San Jose (AHL)	`20(76th)	56	20	34	54	24
					San Jose (NHL)	`20(76th)	4	1	1	2	0
9	Tristen Robins	C	22	5-10/175	San Jose (AHL)	`20(56th)	42	7	11	18	12
10	Jack Thompson	D	22	6-0/180	Syr-SJ (AHL)	T(TB-3/24)	62	6	35	41	16
					TB-SJ (NHL)	T(TB-3/24)	3	0	0	0	0
11	Mattias Havelid	D	20	5-9/170	Linkopings (SHL)	`22(45th)	43	2	10	12	8
12	Cameron Lund	RW	19	6-2/190	Northeastern (HE)	`22(34th)	35	11	19	30	22
13	Ethan Cardwell	RW	21	5-11/195	San Jose (AHL)	`21(121st)	71	23	20	43	52
14	Brandon Coe	RW	22	6-4/190	San Jose (AHL)	`20(98th)	57	12	5	17	43
15	Ozzy Wiesblatt	RW	22	5-10/185	SJ-Mil (AHL)	`20(31st)	50	4	13	17	55

1. Will Smith, C, Boston College (NCAA)

He's still just 19 years old, but it really seems like two things are going to be constants for Smith throughout the remainder of his career: scoring boatloads of points and winning big hockey games. His lethal offensive talents helped lead USA Hockey to back-to-back gold medals internationally, first at the 2023 IIHF U18s and then the 2024 World Juniors. He also came excruciatingly close to winning an NCAA title too, before ultimately getting denied when his Boston College team fell in the Frozen Four final to Denver, but he did end up leading the entire nation in scoring, which is an exceptional feat for a freshman to achieve. With elite hockey sense, puck skill and playmaking ability he's a dazzling superstar in the making, and also worth mentioning, he should be able to further elevate the talented wingers in San Jose’s system that he will likely play with.

2. Quentin Musty, LW, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)

The Sudbury Wolves like to play loose, take chances, and push the attack without mercy, and that style certainly pairs well with Musty's mentality. His game is all about inflicting damage, which usually comes in the way of scoring chances, but can also come through his physical play as well. There is something impressively innate about how he sees the offensive zone and the way can manipulate the puck at his whim. It's like it just comes second nature to him somehow, or that his stick is an extension of his body. However, that is both a blessing and a curse. He's so used to things coming easily to him that certain habits are lacking, which causes glaring weaknesses in areas that he has neglected to work on, such as his skating and defensive play. Few other prospects out there are so boom or bust.

3. Shakir Mukhamadullin, D, San Jose Barracuda (AHL)

Far more than just a fun name to say out loud, Mukhamadullin was the best defenseman for the Barricuda this season. He probably deserved more time with the Sharks based on merit, but the organization acted wisely and patiently, letting his development keep rolling in the AHL while keeping him mostly insulated from the chaos that besieged the parent club. His long reach and impressive mobility give him a huge range of influence every time he steps on the ice, and while he’s still prone to mistakes with his puck decisions and play tracking, he can recover and get back into position in the blink of an eye. And then there’s his shot, which is a bazooka from the blueline, and he’s not shy about flipping the safety off. One more year on the farm might be best for him, but after that it should be time to unleash him.

4. Thomas Bordeleau, C, San Jose Barracuda (AHL)

Going from the prestigious USA Hockey National Team Development Program and then the explosive University of Michigan to the painstakingly rebuilding Sharks organization must have been a whiplash-like culture shock for Bordeleau. And yet, this dramatic shift at this particular time might end up being the best thing for his long-term career once it’s eventually looked back upon in hindsight, because there was a prior need in his game for more grit and a better understanding of how to be resilient through adversity. He’s always been both a wizard and a seer once the puck is on his stick in the offensive zone, but it’s not going to get there very often in the NHL unless you lean into doing the requisite dirty work. Luckily, Bordeleau is already making these necessary gains, and once the Sharks can eventually field a competitive young roster he’ll be better equipped to step up.

5. Filip Bystedt, C, Linkoping HC (SHL)

Bystedt didn’t garner a lot of fanfare or media attention during his draft year, so a lot of Sharks fans were confused when the team seemingly went off the board and picked him in the 1st round in the 2022 draft. It always needs to be said, however, that development is a marathon and not a sprint, and the signs were there that the Swedish center was going to start picking up a lot of steam in short order. And now, after two prosperous seasons in the SHL and a terrific but short-lived first stint in North America, those carefully watered seeds are beginning to bear fruit. He is impossible to miss at times, with his forceful, elegant skating and ability to make high-end plays with the puck in motion. With his high-end traits and balanced supporting tools it seems inevitable that he’ll become a valuable NHLer.

6. David Edstrom, C, Frolunda HC (SHL)

There probably isn't a hockey coach in the world who wouldn't fall in love with Edstrom almost immediately. He is about as consistent, versatile and low-maintenance as hockey players come, and there is a ton of plug-and-play value to him, especially as a center. He can play the game any way you like and fit anywhere in a team's lineup. He’s already so wise and mature as a hockey player, and as a teenager this season in the SHL he looked like someone who could have already been in the league for 10 years. He's reminiscent of another former Frolunda center in Lars Eller, in the sense that he'll likely never be a superstar, but it's easy to foresee him as someone who plays 1,000 games in the NHL and is always great to have on your roster come playoff time.

7. Kasper Halttunen, RW, London Knights (OHL)

Halttunen crossed the pond for the first time this season, leaving his homeland of Finland for London in the OHL, and that decision is paying major dividends so far. He crossed the 30-goal mark during the regular season and got to experience a playoff push on a great club while being surrounded by extremely talented teammates that he can learn from and grow alongside. The Knights are also already looking like they will be favourites to win the OHL next year, so that will be even more valuable experience that he will have access to. His best asset is undoubtedly his rocket of a one-timer, which he utilized to earn a tie for most powerplay goals in the league with 16. Look for him to be a leader for the Finns at next year's World Juniors as a returnee and top talent.

8. Daniil Gushchin, RW, San Jose Barracuda (AHL)

It's already well-known and well-documented how rough of a season the Sharks organization had from top to bottom, so give full marks to Gushchin for how great of a job he did blocking out the noise. He kept up a point-per-game scoring pace from bow to stern, and also potted a goal and an assist in the four games where he was called up to the big club. His energy level is matched by few others and he loves to keep his motor revved high, and most of his offensive production comes as a direct result of his hustle, but he's no slouch either when it comes to setting up his teammates or finishing plays himself. One man's crisis is another's opportunity, and Gushchin is using the situation in San Jose to force his way into an NHL roster spot.

9. Tristen Robins, C, San Jose Barracuda (AHL)

Making a living as a professional hockey player is an incredibly demanding job, and being successful usually involves striking a balance between the skill elements and the athletic elements. Knowing that, you have to feel for Robins a little, because he grades super highly with how he thinks the game, how he carries himself, how hard he competes, and what he can do with the puck, but he is inescapably limited in some ways because of the physical tools he was born with. He’s just not very big or naturally fast, and with the reach and mobility of modern defensemen he’s always going to be at a disadvantage when it comes to creating enough time and space for himself to work with. All that being said, his character is just so high that it will take him a long way. Don’t count him out completely.

10. Jack Thompson, D, San Jose Barracuda (AHL)

The Lightning moved Thompson to the Sharks in the Anthony Duclair trade but it must have really stung them to do so, considering he was their best defense prospect and is already looking like a success story for their scouting and development system. The pecking order in San Jose is a whole lot more crowded compared to Tampa Bay's thin prospect pool, but if he keeps progressing like he has since he was a teenager then he'll be just fine, because teams will always find ways to make room for a right-shooting blueliner with workable mobility, a heavy slapshot, and a willingness to dig in and defend hard. There's a comfortable NHL projection with Thompson because he fits so well with so many different kinds of defense partners, and there’s still a realistic chance that he could play as high up a team’s lineup as the second defense pairing.

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

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

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

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

1 - William Eklund LW

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

2 - Thomas Bordeleau C

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

3 - Mattias Havelid D

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

4 - Benjamin Gaudreau G

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

5 - Tristen Robins RW

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

6 - Ozzy Wiesblatt RW

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

7 - Filip Bystedt C

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

8 - Cameron Lund RW

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

9 - Artemi Knyazev D

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

10 - Brandon Coe RW

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

11 - Danil Gushchin

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

12 - Nick Cicek

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

13 - Eetu Makiniemi

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

14 - Michael Fisher

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

15 - Gannon Laroque

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

16 - Strauss Mann

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

17 - Sasha Chmelevski

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

18 - Santeri Hatakka

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

19 - Mason Beaupit

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

20 - Magnus Chrona

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2020 NHL Draft Team Reviews: Pacific Division

Ryan Wagman — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 20:03:03 +0000

For an introduction to these reviews, please see the review of the draft classes of the Metropolitan Division.

San Jose Sharks

1/31 Ozzy Weisblatt, RW, Prince Albert (WHL)

2/38 Thomas Bordeleau. C, USNTDP (USHL)

2/56 Tristen Robins, C, Saskatoon (WHL)

3/76 Danil Gushchin, LW, Muskegon (USHL)

4/98 Brandon Coe, RW, North Bay (OHL)

7/196 Alex Young, C, Canmore (AJHL)

7/201 Adam Raska, RW, Rimouski (QMJHL)

7/206 Linus Oberg, C/RW, Orebro HK (SHL)

7/210 Timofey Spitserov, RW, Culver Military Academy Prep (USHS-IN)

Before the draft, the Sharks had one of the most barren systems in the league, ranking 25^th overall in our recently released Prospect Report. While the top prospect in the system at that time was a defenseman, the strength of the system, if there could be said to be a strength, was up front, with seven of the top ten all forwards. If you can’t see where this is going, take another look at the players the Sharks drafted this year, right above this paragraph. Take a moment to spot the trend. I’ll wait right after the line break. You can do it.

You did it! The Sharks had nine picks in this draft, after their wheeling and dealing, and used each of those picks on forwards. Some of these forwards are really good mind you, shaking up the look of the system and providing the Sharks and their fans with some future excitement. Especially the players they selected in the first four rounds, all of whom have both considerable ceilings and respectable floors in their projections. Also notable in this draft class is the lack of size in the players taken. Brandon Coe is the only one of the nine drafted forwards who measures in over 6-0” tall.

Another notable trend that the Sharks seem to have targeted with their 2020 picks was a history of offensive production. Most everyone selected, with the possible exception of seventh rounder Adam Raska, put up strong numbers in their respective draft seasons, and even Raska had put up the points in previous seasons, before he came over from the Czech Republic, to play in the QMJHL. Having utilized the free talent market extensively in recent seasons to augment their work at the draft table, I expect the Sharks to continue to use those channels to fill in the defensemen and the goalies that they ignored at the virtual draft. It’s an interesting and bold strategy and as of right now, there is no reason that it could not work, adding multiple pieces to the next competitive Sharks’ roster.

Best value pick: Brandon Coe

As much as we love the potential of the first four forwards drafted by the Sharks this year (all have top six upside), they were all selected right around where we had them ranked. So, they would all provide good value relative to slot. Coe, on the other hand, was taken 24 slots later than where we had him ranked. We already alluded to his size, coming in at 6-4”, 190, but didn’t mention that the size does not hamper his skating in the least and he moves tremendously well. His offensive tools also project to above average, giving him middle six upside. The former third overall pick in the 2017 OHL Draft, ahead of a few people drafted in the first round of the NHL draft last year, has been a top scorer on a middling North Bay team, and could blossom with a stronger supporting cast.

Worst value pick: Linus Oberg

Considering how much we liked the Sharks picks in the first four rounds, and they then waited until the seventh round to add additional talent to the organization, there really wasn’t any bad value in the San Jose selections. Of the four players they took in the seventh round, I have the least faith in Oberg exceeding his draft expectations. The only player currently based in Europe (not counting COVID loans), he was in his third year of draft eligibility, gaining some prominence last season as an SHL rookie and a depth forward on Sweden’s Bronze Medal winning WJC squad. He could make it, but depth is the ceiling.

Los Angeles Kings

1/2 Quinton Byfield, C, Sudbury (OHL)

2/35 Helge Grans, D, Malmo J20 (SuperElit)

2/45 Brock Faber, D, USNTDP (USHL)

3/66 Kasper Simontaival, RW, Tappara U20 (Jr. A SM-liiga)

3/83 Alex Laferriere, RW, Des Moines (USHL)

4/112 Juho Markkanen, G, SaiPa U20 (Jr. A SM-liiga)

5/128 Martin Chromiak, RW, Kingston (OHL)

5/140 Ben Meehan, D, Cedar Rapids (USHL)

7/190 Aatu Jamsen, RW, Pelicans U18 (U18 SM-sarja)

As with the New York Rangers (Alexis Lafreniere) and the Ottawa Senators (Tim Stutzle), the Kings were automatic winners of the 2020 draft as soon as the lottery balls dictated that they would be picking second overall. Lafreniere would be gone, but Rob Blake and friends would have the choice of Byfield or Stutzle. In the end, they elected to select the King-sized center instead of the fleet of foot German. The Kings have been steadily building up one of the best systems in the game, and Byfield waltzes in to take his place on their proverbial prospect throne. But as with any self-respecting rebuilding club, the Kings did not stop after welcoming Byfield to the organization but added eight more players as well. And wouldn’t you know it, but they continued their recent tradition of drafting for skill and production at every opportunity.

Overall, the Kings diversified their draft class, selecting five forwards, three defensemen and one goaltender. Geographically, their picks were mostly split between Finland (3), the OHL (2), and the USHL (3), with the other pick coming out of Sweden. If there is a trend to their picks, it is in their size. Unlike division rivals San Jose, LA largely selected players who are, well, large, or at least, not small. Outside of third rounder Kasper Simontaival, all other picks measure at least 6-0” in height, although some of them still have a lot of filling out to do. For the most part, the drafted players have also all exhibited well-refined hockey IQs, a keen understanding of the flow of the game and the wherewithal to make smart choices. Even if some of the players selected lack top half of the roster upside (I am thinking here of Brock Faber), they have the total package to find their ways up to the NHL.

With so much high-end talent now in the system, the test for the Kings will be to develop their prospect bounty, refining their games and timing their ascension to the NHL carefully. Once the cream rises to the top, the team will also be tasked with finding roles for everyone. Great prospect depth does not always lead to great success at the NHL level, but drafting well is the first step in building a sustainable winner, and the Kings have performed that step rather nicely. The tear down is over. The Kings are ready to start stepping into the future.

Best value pick: Martin Chromiak

So many choices here. In some systems, Alex Laferriere would qualify for this title as a player on the rise with a high end shot and commendable work ethic taken in the third round. In most systems, getting Kasper Simontaival in the third round would be the heist of the draft, as he could easily have gone a full round higher, and has one of the best shots in the draft class. But neither Laferriere nor Simontaival can match the value the Kings fell into when they finally stopped the slide of Martin Chromiak in the fifth round. Between his skating, hands, August-02 birthdate, proven ability to play with top flight players (Zayde Wisdom and Shane Wright with Kingston) and his smooth adaptation to North American hockey, Chromiak is not only Slovakia’s greatest hope for returning to the top flight in junior hockey, but also a player with top six ceiling and an NHL floor. Chromiak should not have been available this deep into Day Two of the draft, but he was, and the Kings will reap the rewards.

Worst pick value: Juha Markkanen

While I was not a big fan of Brock Faber (I preferred four of his USNTDP defense mates in this draft class, but only two were already off the board when the Kings called on Faber), I know that many others had a different opinion and he would likely have been drafted later in the second or early in the third even if the Kings passed on him. He plays a safe, smart game, akin to Kings’ 2019 first rounder Tobias Bjornfot, albeit much further from the NHL than Bjornfot was last year. We are instead choosing Markkanen for this dubious distinction. The sone of former Oilers’ netminder Jussi Markkanen, Juha was born in Edmonton, raised in Switzerland, and moved back to Finland as a young teen, where he is currently in the SaiPa system of which his father is the GM. The young Markkanen struggled in Finland’s top junior league last year, and outside of decent mobility, does not have much to suggest that he was worth drafting at all, much less in the fourth round.

Anaheim Ducks

1/6 Jamie Drysdale, D, Erie (OHL)

1/27 Jacob Perreault, RW, Sarnia (OHL)

2/36 Sam Colangelo, RW, Chicago (USHL)

3/67 Ian Moore, D, St. Mark’s School (USHS-MA)

4/104 Thimo Nickl, D, Drummondville (QMJHL)

5/129 Artyom Galimov, LW, Ak Bars Kazan (KHL)

6/160 Albin Sundsvik, C, Skelleftea (SHL)

7/207 Ethan Bowen, C, Chilliwack (BCHL)

Even with the recent prospect graduations of such talents as Sam Steel, Maxime Comtois, Max Jones, and Troy Terry, the Anaheim pipeline is still pretty strong, and still forward heavy. In our recently released Prospect Report, four of the top five prospects in the system – including the number one prospect in the game prior to the draft in Trevor Zegras – were forwards and the fifth was a goalie. Not that we ever advocate drafting for need, but it was especially fortuitous for the Ducks that the best player available when they made the sixth pick in the 2020 draft was a defenseman. Whether the Ducks would have taken Jake Sanderson instead if Ottawa went for a forward with the fifth pick is unknown, but the industry was largely split on the identity of the top blueliner in this class and an argument can be made that Anaheim drafted him with their first round pick of Jamie Drysdale.

The Ducks did not overthink their next two picks either – one later in the first round, and the next one early in the second – taking a pair of wingers who were in the discussion for the best available in their respective slots. The wingers were followed by two more defenders and the team finished their draft with three more forwards. Notably, after the first round, the Ducks followed the growing industry trend of avoiding CHL picks in the later rounds, with only fourth rounder Thimo Nickl, and Austrian import who spent last season playing for Drummondville, of the QMJHL, breaking that run. In fact, if Nickl was playing in the Q as a loaned player, or if he is counted as a European as he left Quebec for Sweden, to play with Rogle’s J20 team, then the Ducks will have only drafted the two CHLers. That trend plays right into the Ducks ongoing relationship with the Chicago Steel of the USHL. In recent years, they have drafted Jack Badini (2017), Blake McLaughlin (2018) and Jackson Lacombe (2019), all with deep Steel ties. This year, their third pick, Sam Colangelo, spent the past two seasons playing for the Steel, while their fourth pick, Ian Moore, will be playing there next season before moving on to the collegiate game.

Beyond the push to draft players for whom they will have plenty of time to bring under contract, the Ducks leaned towards their roots of size and skill, with none of the drafted players standing under 5-11”, and five of the eight coming in at 6-0” or taller. Much like their anti-CHL bias, two of the three 5-11” picks were the Ducks first rounders, indicating that when the upside is that high, size is less of a concern, but when the upside is muted in the later rounds, they would prefer a taller player to a shorter one.

Best value pick: Jamie Drysdale

The truth is that the Ducks did not draft anyone significantly later than where we had them ranked. Six of their eight picks were listed in our top 217, and they were all selected very close to where we had them listed. Without having the benefit of drafting a player below his projected outcomes, then the best value naturally comes at the top. In Drysdale, the Ducks have a world class skater, who exhibits equal measures of calmness and dynamism when transporting the puck up the ice. Without owning a bigtime point shot, he has the vision and skill set to be an offensive quarterback, directing the play and helping his team maintain possession for multi-chance offensive zone possessions. This is a future star deservedly selected at the top of the draft. That’s value.

Worst value pick: Thimo Nickl

As the majority of the Ducks’ picks were made near where we had them ranked, we can only give this spot to their one pick who didn’t make either our main or Honorable Mention lists, which combine to cover 317 players in total. A right shot defender, Nickl put up strong numbers in his first North American season last year, and played a key role in helping Austria gain promotion into the top rung of U20 hockey, but he is a subpar skater and his tools do not otherwise make us confident that his skating can be overcome in other ways.

Arizona Coyotes

2/49 – Forfeited pick

4/111 Mitchell Miller, D, Tri-City (USHL)

5/142 Carson Bantle, LW, Madison (USHL)

6/173 Filip Barklund, C/LW, Orebro J20 (SuperElit)

7/192 Elliot Ekefjard, RW, IF Bjorkloven J20 (J20 Elit)

7/204 Ben McCartney, LW, Brandon (WHL)

Mario Ferraro, Kirill Marchenko, and Matthew Robertson were the three players picked 49^th overall during the 2017, 18, and 19 drafts, respectively. The Coyotes would have had the 49^th pick of the 2020 draft had they not been busted for repeatedly violating the league’s mandate for teams not to independently have draft eligible prospects work out for them privately. For these transgressions, the Coyotes were stripped of their second-round pick from the 2020 draft and their first round pick in 2021. Their 2020 first rounder had already been traded to New Jersey in the Taylor Hall trade before the league handed down its punishment. For the record, the 49^th player drafted this year – who will forever be listed as the 50^th pick due to the prior forfeiture – was Yan Kuznetsov, to Calgary.

In addition to the lost picks in the first two rounds, the Coyotes also did not have their third round pick, which was traded to Colorado (and then on to Washington and finally, Calgary), as part of the package for Carl Soderberg. Between the Hall trade – which included some of the Coyotes top prospects in addition to the picks – and the forfeited picks, the Coyotes future is in the hole. This year’s presence in the playoffs might be the franchise’s last for a while without a gigantic turnaround under new GM Bill Armstrong. Incidentally, Armstrong was not allowed to be active in the draft room this year, a condition of his recent hire away from the St. Louis Blues.

Looking only at the picks that Arizona did make, there is the small mercy that they started strong, picking a pair of USHL studs with legit NHL upside. One of those picks had some disturbing incidents in his past that had him drop down many teams’ lists – and off the list altogether for a few teams – which gives the Coyotes some solid buy-low projection there. As for their other three picks, two were used on Swedish wingers who had been flying way below the radar, and a second time eligible winger from the WHL. The value received in their first two picks is a net positive for the franchise as it begins to dig out of their current predicament. But even so, they are not enough to get the franchise on a sustainable, positive future direction.

Best value pick: Carson Bantle

Just looking at on-ice capabilities, Miller is the best value pick the Coyotes made in this draft class. He is a right-shooting defender who is quick and has great edges and is both creative with the puck and tough without it. But, as alluded to above, there is an incident from his past which is both incredibly disturbing and damaging. If it was, as he stated, a product of immaturity, then he could easily overcome the transgression. If not, then he is only a fourth-round pick that Arizona can easily walk away from. Bantle, on the other hand, has no shadows cast over his capabilities. He is very big, skates very well, especially considering his size, has a very strong shot, and can play a power game. He will spend some time at Michigan Tech before turning pro, but he should have been long gone by the fifth round.

Worst value pick: Elliot Ekefjard

We didn’t have any real notes on sixth rounder Filip Barklund either, but Barklund at least spent a full season playing in Sweden’s top junior league and is off to a nice start this year as well. Ekefjard, in contrast, spent last year flitting between the country’s two main U18 leagues, and then the second highest U20 league. The numbers are OK, but against subpar competition. He, too, is off to a solid start in the top U20 league this year, but he has zero track record against top competition. On the other hand, he’s huge. So there’s that.

Calgary Flames

1/24 Connor Zary, C, Kamloops (WHL)

2/50 Yan Kuznetsov, D, University of Connecticut (NCAA/Hockey East)

3/72 Jeremie Poirier, D, Saint John (QMJHL)

3/80 Jake Boltmann, D, Edina HS (USHS-MN)

4/96 Daniil Chechelev, G, Russkie Vityazi Chekhov (MHL)

5/143 Ryan Francis, RW, Cape Breton (QMJHL)

6/174 Rory Kerins, C, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

7/205 Ilya Solovyov, D, Saginaw (OHL)

As the world zigs, the Flames have zagged. I am talking here about the shift of more and more teams using later picks on European and college-bound players, giving themselves more time to make a decision on a draft pick before losing the player’s rights. And here are the Flames, using five of their eight picks on CHLers. If more than one of those guys doesn’t progress enough to be offered an ELC, this draft will not look as good. Think Milos Roman, the team’s 4^th rounder in 2018, who was allowed to walk this year as he never really upped his game in the two years since he was drafted.

I can also extend the idea of going against the grain in terms of the Flames being part of the only two day one trades, as they traded down twice to get additional picks. They first sent pick 19 to the Rangers for picks 22 and 72 (3^rd round). They then flipped pick 22 to Washington for picks 24 and 80. The 19^th pick was used on Braden Schneider. The 22^nd pick was used on Hendrix Lapierre. Calgary used the 24^th pick on Connor Zary. We had Zary ranked right between Schneider and Lapierre. If Zary was a prettier skater, he would likely have been ranked higher than both of the others. As is, he still has strong top six upside. And Calgary was able to add two high upside defensemen to their system by virtue of those trades.

All told, we have mixed views on the players Calgary added to its system this year. There is a nice blend of upside, including Zary, the two players drafted with the traded for third rounders (Jeremie Poirier and Jake Boltmann) and Ryan Francis. On the other hand, the other four picks smack of safe, low upside types with little hope of future NHL impact. I would be happy to be wrong on them, and I wish them great success, but they simply weren’t inspiring picks.

Best value pick: Jeremie Poirier

We were not among those outlets that saw Poirier as a first-round type. He is incredibly talented, with among the best hands of any defenseman in this draft class, but his risk heavy game was so pronounced that at some point we have to understand it as a handicap in his ability to read and react to opponents when off the puck as opposed to being a reflection of calculated risk taking. So, there is definitely boom or bust potential with this pick, but his boom outcome is as an All Star. If you have the chance to take someone with All Star potential in the third round, even if there is an equal chance that he never make the NHL at all, you must take that chance. Kudos to Calgary for going there.

Worst value pick: Daniil Chechelev

I wasn’t a fan of second rounder Yan Kuznetsov either, but he was a clear draft pick who has already accomplished quite a bit before his 18^th birthday, playing big minutes at the collegiate level in a power conference. And with Calgary’s two defensive pickups in the third round, I can stomach the safe approach on a blueliner immediately prior. Chechelev, a truly under-the-radar Russian netminder, is now in his third season in Russia’s top junior league, the MHL. His numbers have been fine, considering the context of the level of play, but certainly not eye-popping. In fact, his current crease-mate has better numbers, which is not a great sign. I suspect there is a relation between Calgary drafting Chechelev and USHL Sioux City taking a 15^th round flier on him in the most recent USHL Entry Draft. Sioux City’s current Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations, Luke Strand, was a former amateur scout for Calgary. Could be some information sharing there. Regardless of the spy game potentially at play here, there is little to suggest that Chechelev would not have been available two or three rounds later as well.

Vancouver Canucks

3/82 Joni Jurmo, D, Jokerit U20 (Jr. A SM-liiga)

4/113 Jackson Kurz, C, Shattuck-St. Mary’s Prep (USHS-MN)

5/144 Jacob Truscott, D, USNTDP (USHL)

6/175 Dmitri Zlodeyev, C, MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)

7/191 Viktor Persson, D, Brynas J20 (SuperElit)

Without any picks in the first two rounds, the Canucks were one of the last teams to make a pick this year (see Arizona). As most every pick after the first 100 selections is a long shot to a degree, I respect Vancouver’s using each pick on an upside play. If anyone makes it, it is a victory, and if no one makes it, well, none of them were high picks to begin with. The plan here was to get as much talent as they could, and it looks like they succeeded. Not that every scout and GM will agree with our rankings (although they really should), but the Canucks drafted two players who we had ranked higher than where they made their first selection.

They did not have enough picks to discern any trends in their approach, other than spreading things out geographically. No two players were in the same league last year, unless you count fourth rounder Jackson Kunz’ five games with the Green Bay Gamblers meaning he was in the same league as fifth rounder Jacob Truscott, a USNTDP alum. It would have been interesting to see where else they would have drawn players from had they had a few more picks to play with.

The players they did select tended to the bigger side of things, with only Dmitri Zlodeyev measured below 6-0” at present. It will likely be years before we have a clue on how the Canucks did at the 202 draft, but I sense that when the judgment is made, it will be deemed a success, with at least one of the blueliners drafted turning into an NHL regular.

Best value pick: Jacob Truscott

Not as dominant as Jake Sanderson. Not as big as Tyler Kleven. Not as fast as Eamon Powell. Not as right-handed as Brock Faber. It was too easy to overlook Truscott on this year’s USNTDP. But keep watching. Every game, he will show another element to his package that can help win a shift. He is a very good skater, if not quite a blazer. He can play in a shutdown role or help drive and extend an offensive zone possession with well-timed forays deep into the zone. He can surprise you if you pay attention. He isn’t done surprising observers. So, yeah, I’m a fan.

Worst value pick: Jackson Kunz

I get the appeal. He has an August 2002 birthdate and is already a physical specimen. He played a key role on a prep hockey hotbed in Minnesota that allowed him to play a ton and against a varied level of competition. On the other hand, he struggled to adapt in a limited stint in the USHL with Green Bay. He is heavy-footed and is likely to struggle to keep up when the game quickens. I expect him to learn to hold his own in a full season in the USHL, but what will happen after that, when he plays at the University of North Dakota? The Canucks may have to wait the full five years (one in the USHL, four in NCAA) on Kunz before he might be ready for pro hockey.

Edmonton Oilers

1/14 Dylan Holloway, LW, University of Wisconsin (NCAA/Big 10)

4/100 Carter Savoie, LW, Sherwood Park (AJHL)

5/126 Tyler Tullio, RW, Oshawa (OHL)

5/138 Maxim Berezkin, LW, Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)

6/169 Filip Engaras, C, University of New Hampshire (NCAA/Hockey East)

7/200 Jeremias Lindewall, LW, MODO J20 (SuperElit)

Slowly, slowly, without bringing much attention to themselves, the Edmonton Oilers are moving away from the CHL for their draft picks. After CHL heavy draft classes from 2015-18, in each of their last two draft classes, the Oilers have used only one pick each time on a CHL-based prospect. Last year that was second rounder Raphael Lavoie, this time the honors go to fourth rounder Tyler Tullio. I would like to think that it marks a further move away from their common practice during the pre-McDavid years of rushing prospects to the NHL. The bulk of the players they are drafting now are years away from turning pro, much less pulling on an NHL sweater. Also, and this may in fact be nothing, but the Oilers neglected to draft a goaltender after drafting at least one every year for the previous six drafts.

As for what they did draft, well, each of their six picks were used on forwards, and all but one is listed as wingers. If there is really anything that unites these six picks as prospects, it may well be that all of them have some intriguing tools, but these are raw players, whose wholes have not yet equaled the sum of their collective parts. All draft picks are diamonds in the rough, but this group is especially undefined.

Considering the lack of international experience from their back half picks, all three of whom are European, we have less of a read on those players, but there is at least enough upside with the Oilers’ first three picks – Holloway, Savoie, and Tullio – to be optimistic that these young men will be able to contribute to a successful organization down the line. And while this is at least two seasons premature, stylistically, Holloway could be a good fit on a line with Connor McDavid. He has the speed and the brawn to keep up with the superstar and help him find space to operate in the offensive zone.

Best value pick: Carter Savoie

We were, admittedly, very high on Savoie from the get-go, even keeping his name in consideration for the first round of our rankings. Ultimately, we were aware that his type – smaller guys who have a ton of offensive skill but lacking great skating chops – rarely go that high and so we left him just outside of the top 31. Literally. We ranked Savoie 32^nd on our final list. A holistic view of his skill set brings to mind Bobby Brink, who was selected in the second-round last year. Brink was more of a pure shooter, while Savoie is more exciting as a puck handler, but the type of role he would play on a team is largely similar. In fact, Savoie will be joining Brink at the University of Denver this season.

Forget the fact that the Oilers would have been more familiar with Savoie due to the winger’s playing in their backyard for Sherwood Park. There was not a single player with his upside available after the second round ended. Picking him at 100^th overall is pure larceny. Honorable mention as well to fifth rounder Tullio. He is great value that late and would not have looked out of place in the least going two rounds higher.

Worst value pick: Filip Engaras

First, a note about Dylan Holloway, who went around 10 picks before we would have been ready to sign off on it. Provided he remains healthy, he will play in the NHL. We are less convinced that he could be a top six contributor due to his inability or unwillingness to vary his motor and slow the game down. As mentioned above, he could be a great stylistic fit with a McDavid type, and he was a no-doubt first rounder for what he already is. He might end up providing less than a few others who went after him in the first, but he will provide solid value. And if he does learn more subtlety, it could be great value. We are going with sixth rounder Engaras here because he was so completely off the radar as a 1999 born collegian at New Hampshire who was not a top performer in his junior days back in Sweden and was basically a depth forward on a middling Wildcats. We will have to pay more attention to him going forward, but his selection was certainly a head-scratcher.

Vegas Golden Knights

1/29 Brendan Brisson, C, Chicago (USHL)

3/68 Lukas Cormier, D, Charlottetown (QMJHL)

3/91 Jackson Hallum, C, St. Thomas Academy HS (USHS-MN)

5/125 Jesper Vikman, G, AIK J20 (SuperElit)

6/184 Noah Ellis, D, Des Moines (USHL)

7/215 Maxim Marushev, C, Bars Kazan (VHL)

While the amateur draft has not been the key driver of Vegas’ success since their debut three seasons ago, it has been a key contributor. The Golden Knights don’t get Tomas Tatar if they did not draft Nick Suzuki. They don’t get Mark Stone without first drafting Erik Brannstrom. And this doesn’t include their use of future picks to secure present-day assets. For as much love as their drafting has received, Cody Glass and Nicolas Hague are their only drafted players who played enough in the NHL for Vegas to lose their prospect eligibility. Every year we are provided with more evidence of their drafting prowess and it’s really been more hit and miss since that first draft than an unmitigated success. We are still a ways away from being able to accurately judge the Golden Knights’ drafting record, and we have reservations about the players selected this year, even if we are fully on board with their first two picks.

This draft class does follow some trends that have been prevalent in previous Vegas drafts. For one thing, the Golden Knights have never been shy about drafting Russians. Perhaps that is a remnant of former GM and current President of Hockey Operations George McPhee’s success with Russians from his previous gig as the GM of Alex Ovechkin’s Washington Capitals. Prior to this draft, two of the Golden Knights’ top four prospects – Ivan Morozov and Pavel Dorofeyev – were Russian. 2020 seventh rounder Maxim Marushev will not ascend to the top of the organization’s prospect ranking anytime soon, but the 21 year old put up very impressive numbers in the VHL (Russia’s second best men’s league) where he was second among all players with at least 30 games in points-per-game.

Another Vegas trend is the drafting of prep players. This started with their first draft with Jack Dugan, who is right up there with Morozov and Dorofeyev as a top prospect in the system. Peter Diliberatore was a prep product when Vegas selected him in 2018 and that honor fell to Ryder Donovan in 2019. This year, Vegas’ high schooler of the year is Jackson Hallum from Minnesota powerhouse St. Thomas Academy.

Best value pick: Brendan Brisson

While we also think very highly of third rounder Lukas Cormier, we felt that Brisson was the top option of the players in the fourth tier of draft eligible (essentially picks 22-40). Some considered him challenging to scout, playing on a powerhouse Chicago Steel team last year, which laid waste to the USHL. He was often playing with fellow draft eligibles like Sam Colangelo, Sean Farrell, and Gunnarwolfe Fontaine, as well as USHL leading scorer Mathieu De St. Phalle. But Brisson also destroyed all comers at the WJAC tournament. And when he was away, Chicago’s offense ran dry.

Close watching of their team (which I was able to do) showed a player who can drive a line and lead the pace in the attack. His ability to make his linemates more effective is only partially reflected in his own numbers. If there is a downside with Brisson, it is that he is heading to Michigan this year to play for the Wolverines and looks like a three-year collegian. Vegas has shown the willingness to be patient, and they will have to be patient again.

Worst value pick: Jackson Hallum

We had questions aplenty about the Golden Knights’ final four picks. Swedish goalie Vikman and Russian overage forward Marushev make sense, even if they would not have been our picks. Noah Ellis was a bit out of left field as he didn’t show very much at all as a USHL rookie with Des Moines. Perhaps the Golden Knights see more untapped potential from the native Iowan, as he would not have been exposed to much high caliber talent in his youth hockey career. Perhaps they placed more weight in his impressive showing at the preseason Hlinka Gretzky Cup. And at pick 184, all that’s left are projects anyway. Hallum, on the other hand, was third rounder. His senior high school season was solid, but he had no real history of high-level production prior to that. He wasn’t even drafted into the USHL until this offseason, as the Green Bay Gamblers used a fifth-round pick on him. In other words, even knowing that he isn’t committed to a university (Michigan, with Brisson) until 2022-23, he was drafted higher in the NHL draft than he was in the USHL draft. I’ll all for drafting with your convictions, but it is likely that he would have remained available at least to Vegas’ next pick.

OHL: Brandon Coe, RW, North Bay (2020)

Michael Rand — Tue, 10 Mar 2020 12:53:41 +0000

While playing on a young North Bay Battalion team that is in a rebuild mode, Brandon Coe’s play should not go unnoticed. For a team that has struggled for the better half of the season, he has shown leadership and is one of their best players on most nights. Coe’s season will be winding down very shortly as the Battalion have not qualified for the playoffs, but a strong finish to his season will really solidify his draft stock come June.

Playing the style Coe plays right now as a big strong power forward who can score goals and also make great plays is what makes him such an intriguing prospect. The speed mixed with the skill and tenacity will allow him to be an impactful player at the next level. It is not unrealistic to see him suiting up and playing NHL games within the next three to four seasons. Coe will likely hear his name called on day two, but there are some teams that could consider him on day one.

Brandon Coe	2020 NHL Draft Eligible
Position: RW, Shoots: R	H/W: 6-3", 185lbs
Stats to Date (GP-G-A-PTS-Pims)	North Bay Battalion, OHL (57-23-32-55-35)

Brandon Coe of the North Bay Battalion. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Skating: Skating is one Coe’s best assets. Standing 6-3” and possessing the speed he does, he poses a big threat to the opposition. With a late 2001 birth date, he finds himself entering his draft year with three years of OHL experience already under his belt compared to two for most of his counterparts. This has given him a little more time for the development of his stride which is now very powerful, and it does not take him long to reach top speed. He utilizes his speed and size to his advantage as much as he can and routinely takes the puck to the net. Another aspect that stands out is his edge work which can be difficult at his height. His ability to beat defenseman wide with his speed and protect the puck is when he is at his best. Defenseman must be aware when he is on the ice because he is always a threat. Continuing to focus on getting even stronger and faster before the next level, he will be able to hit the ground running fast. Grade: 60

Shot: Coe’s shot is quite good. He possesses the ability to get off a good hard shot when given the opportunity. The kinds of goals he scores vary, but he is not afraid of mixing it up and scoring some greasy goals. He always goes to the net with his stick on the ice which helps him to collect goals. He can also fly down the wing and release a wicked wrist shot. Another subtle detail in his shot is the ability he has to wait that split second to make sure he gets the shot through or waits for his spot to open before ripping it. Some players do not always have the best shot selection or patience, but this is something he does well. When he gets to the next level, it will only be tougher to beat goalies so continued practice will be essential. Grade: 55

Skills: Coe is a skillful player who plays calm when he has the puck on his tape. He is a play driving winger who, as mentioned above, loves to take the puck to the net and beat the D-man wide with speed. His passing ability is a very strong part of his game. He can thread the needle when in tight quarters. However, there are occasions when he skates with his stick in the air, instead of along the ice, ready to receive the puck. This is a small detail that if he corrected, he will be able to poke pucks away more often. When he has the puck on his tape it is difficult to get it off him because he protects it quite well, which in turn creates a lot more space for himself and his line mates. Grade: 55

Smarts: Even with Coe’s high-level energy and tenacious attack, it is his impressive hockey IQ that puts him into those positions to succeed. He has a strong sense of what it takes to play when he does not have the puck on his stick. His spatial awareness is another strong point. He has good understanding and reads off his teammates well in the offensive zone, as well as in the d-zone. On the forecheck, he does a very good job at recognizing lanes and intercepts passes and turns them into scoring chances. Also, he is super poised when carrying the puck on the power play and does not panic when entering the zone. This is something some young players struggle with just dumping the puck in. Continued attention to details in the defensive zone, will only give him more offensive opportunities come the next level. Grade: 50

Physicality: Coe is a physically strong engaging power forward who will throw the body when necessary. When getting in on the forecheck, he will win more board battles than he loses. He can handle playing in traffic well as he has good puck protection using his big frame to shield off the opposition. Continuing to get stronger legs and speed will only help him more at the next level so he can continue to play a physical style of game. Grade: 50

Overall Future Projection (OFP): 55

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.

CHL: KUBOTA CHL/NHL TOP PROSPECTS GAME – Game and Player Notes

Michael Rand — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 14:42:10 +0000

Jack Neighbours 21 Cole Perfetti 91 Jaromir Pytlick 26 Quinton Byfield 55 and Dawson Mercer 19 at the KUBOTA/CHL Top Prospects Game. Photo courtesy of CHL

Tyson Foerster of the Barrie Colts stock continues to rise following his three-point effort in a Team White victory as they defeated Team Red by a score of 5-3 Thursday night (January 16) in Hamilton, at the 2020 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects game. Team Red found the back of the net first, just 3:58 into the first period with a goal from defenseman Jeremie Poirier. He slid down from the point and took a pass from Luke Evangelista in the middle of the slot before ripping it past Samuel Hlavaj. Only minutes later, Team White would tie the game off a shot from Prince Albert Raiders D-Man Kaiden Guhle. After some nice board play along the wall from Cole Perfetti, the Saginaw snipper found Guhle sneaking into the slot from where he ripped it past rival WHL goalie Brock Gould of the Moose Jaw Warriors. With 1:53 remaining in the first period, the OHL trio of Jack Perreault, Marco Rossi, and Jack Quinn went to work in the offensive zone. Rossi made a great play on the half wall to evade the d-man and took the puck towards the slot. He then made a great pass over to Perreault who immediately one touched it backdoor to Quinn. The ensuing goal gave Team Red a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes.

Team White came out flying as the second period commenced. Connor Zary found Tyson Foerster streaking in on the left wing. The latter elected to keep the puck until ripping it past the goalie to tie the game at 2-2. With 9:58 left in the second, the Foerster-Zary combo struck again with a very nice passing play that started with Ryan O’Rourke forcing the turnover in the d-zone. He carried the puck into the o-zone and dropped it to Ridly Greig, who touched it to Zary, who then dished it to Foerster. All the latter had to do was raise the puck, which he did, resulting in his second goal of the game. Minutes later, after some good work along the boards from Greig, who again fed the puck to Zary, who again dished it off to Foerster. Foerster found blueliner Braden Schneider sneaking in back door and the Brandon prospect gave Team White a 4-2 lead, which was the score at the end of the period.

The two teams traded scoring chances in the third period, which was spruced up by a big fight between OHLers. Will Cuylle threw a big hit along the benches to which opponent Donovan Sebrango took exception. The two squared off, dropping gloves for a good bout, after which both teams expressed their appreciation for the combatants. Team Red pulled their goalie with just under three minutes to go in the game and Cole Perfetti capitalized on the opportunity, sealing the game with an empty net goal after throwing the puck from the boards towards the crease where an opponent slid, knocking the puck into his own net. Team Red would go on to score an inconsequential goal with one second left, as Dawson Mercer popped it in before time had officially expired. It was too little too late for Team Red though, and Team White took the game by a final score of 5-3.

For Team White, goalies Samuel Hlavaj and Dylan Garand split the decision with Garand playing 30 seconds less, but allowing only one goal on 11 shots. Team Red was set to split their time between the pipes with Brock Gould and Team Canada Gold Medal Winner, Nico Daws. Daws, however, was a late game scratch due to an oblique injury, far too late for a replacement netminder to be added to the roster, so Gould played the entirety of the game for the Reds giving up 4 goals on 31 shots. Tyson Foerster was named the star of the game for Team White and Jack Quinn was recognized for the Red side.

Alexis Lafreniere and Marco Rossi - Action from the 2020 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game from Hamilton Ontario. Photo courtesy of CHL

Here are some performance takeaways from in the stands observations from McKeens’ Brock Otten and myself

Kaiden Guhle & Braden Schneider:

Played very well together as a pairing. They brought a physical edge and took away time and space from the forwards. Both ended up finding the back of the net on smart decisions to pinch down and make themselves targets for passing. As the game wore on, they grew more confident with joining the rush which really solidified the back end for Team White. Guhle showcased his strong skating ability numerous times, preventing Team Red from establishing any zone time as he was quick to any dump ins, took good routes to those puck retrievals, and showed a great ability to start the breakout quickly and efficiently. Schneider has a great ability for reading the attackers and pinching them off immediately when opponents try to gain the zone. He has great size and an active stick for disrupting any kind of entry.

Ridly Greig-Connor Zary-Tyson Foerster:

Very productive game from this line. Ridly Greig really created the time and space by getting in on the forecheck for Zary and Foerster to go to work. Greig also showcased his ability at times to slow down the game to his pace where he can make plays and read off his teammates better. Connor Zary showed off his playmaking abilities adding three assists in the contest, but also made several smart plays both with and without the puck. Zary was also one of the more noticeable skaters at the event and is quite good on his edges. Foerster showed an excellent shot. He found the back of the net twice and demonstrated instant chemistry with his linemates. Another strength of Foerster’s is finding the open space in the offensive zone. He has good hockey IQ and it was on display here. Speaking with Foerster after the game, he mentioned how this game is a little different from any other game, saying “It was a lot louder, a lot faster, and more fans.”

Ryan O’Rourke:

Strong game defensively for the Sault St. Marie Greyhounds defenseman. In his own zone, he stood out by making a couple big shot blocks and being hard to play against. He managed the puck quite well and as the game wore on, he took offensive chances. He made a great play to facilitate his team’s fourth goal of the game by making a great read in the d-zone. Asking how one might adjust his game for an event like this, he noted “I didn’t do a lot of things different. Just stuck to my game.”

Brandon Coe:

He was on a great line that featured to fellow OHLers Cole Perfetti and Jaromir Pytlik. He was the straw that stirred the drink for that trio. He used his speed to gain the offensive zone, to retrieve dump ins, and to pressure the d-man on the forecheck. He had a really nice net drive to beat the defenseman wide and went in hard at the goalie, only to be denied as he tried to tuck it far side.

Alexis Lafreniere & Quinton Byfield:

The arguable first and second overall picks come June were both OK in the game. Lafreniere scored a really nice goal eight minutes into the game only to have it called back for an offside. He threw multiple hits which created puck separation and got him physically engaged in the game. Byfield was a little less physical than Lafreniere, and ultimately was not his normal overpowering self. Still getting his feet back under him from the World Juniors could help to explain his lack of domination at an event like this. Byfield had a tough time keeping the puck on his tape and his defensive play was lackluster.

Jeremie Poirier:

Very smooth skating defenseman. He was paired with Jamie Drysdale and the two played very well together. He is a very good puck mover, plays with confidence, and is not afraid to join the rush as he did so on numerous occasions. Also, he added in a nice goal and made a number of smart decisions with the puck. His goal started with a very nice read to jump into the play and wrist one past the goalie.

Antonio Stranges:

Stranges is a flawless skater and is amazing on his edges. That said, he committed numerous turnovers in the neutral and offensive zones. This at times can hinder him and he needs to manage the puck better. Throughout the season, this has been known to happen and it is something he will need to tidy up going forward. He regularly gains significant speed though from his edge work and tidying up those puck management skills will really help him going forward.

Jacob Perreault:

Perreault is a nice skater, but is not elite by any means. He may not have the edge work of some of his fellow 2020 draft prospects, but skates well. As with Stranges, his puck management in the neutral and offensive zones needed to be better. His line generated quite a few scoring chances, but there were a couple of times the puck was turned over as a result of poor decisions by Perreault. Cleaning up those decisions and having better puck management will only help him develop into a NHL player one day.

OHL 2018-19 Season Preview

Brock Otten — Tue, 02 Oct 2018 18:24:24 +0000

The 2018/19 OHL season is underway but it is still early enough to preview the league and converse about some potential season highlights. Who are the contenders? Who are the pretenders? Who are some of the top NHL prospects to keep an eye on? And who are the top NHL draft prospects for 2019?

The Contenders

London Knights

Liam Foudy

Currently the top ranked team in the OHL in the weekly CHL rankings, the Knights also happen to be the top preseason favorite of most in the media. This team has it all; top end scoring talent; a strong defense; quality goaltending. After getting Adam Boqvist (Chicago) from Blackhawks camp, London is still waiting on a few other stars to be assigned; Evan Bouchard (Edmonton), Alex Formenton (Ottawa), and Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa). All three seem likely to start the year in the NHL and late October is probably a more likely arrival date, if it happens at all. A safe assumption would be that London gets at least one of the above. Until then, stars like Liam Foudy (Columbus), Alec Regula (Detroit), and Boqvist will need to pace the offense. In net, overager veteran Joseph Raaymakers and Jordan Kooy (Vegas) should combine to provide quality goaltending. As with any London team, depth is a serious strength. Once the situation surrounding their top players has been given closure, look for the Knights to use their depth to acquire a few big fish to put them over the top.

Oshawa Generals

This is a veteran squad that should be considered among the favorites in the Eastern Conference. Team defense and goaltending are major strengths. At 6-1”, Nico Gross (NY Rangers) is the smallest defender who sees regular playing time, and Kyle Keyser (Boston) is a top contender for goaltender of the year. Up front, Jack Studnicka (Boston) is a serious candidate for the Red Tilson and the scoring title now that he has returned from a long stay at Bruins camp. Swiss import Nando Eggenberger (2019) is another player everyone has their eye on. Overager Matt Brassard (Vancouver) returned this past weekend too, and he should be one of the top defenseman in the OHL this season. The Generals are just a well balanced squad.

Niagara IceDogs

Along with Oshawa, the IceDogs are a preseason favorite to take home the Eastern title. Niagara has a very strong nucleus at forward with Akil Thomas (Los Angeles), Kirill Maksimov (Edmonton), Ben Jones (Vegas), and Ivan Lodnia (Minnesota), which should help them score a ton of goals. They also have a very mobile blueline, which may lack size, but makes up for it with speed, puck skill, and heart. Billy Constantinou (2019) is a player to watch here as one of the most dynamic young defenders in the OHL.

Saginaw Spirit

The Spirit received a bevy of media attention this off-season due to their recruiting efforts. The team brought in Bode Wilde (NY Islanders), Ivan Prosvetov (Arizona), and Cole Perfetti (2020). This was after they were able to bring Blade Jenkins (NY Islanders) into the fold last year. This team has a lot of depth and fans should be excited about the fact that this team is the favorite to take home the West Division. Cole Coskey (2019) is a player to watch as one of the most underrated players in the OHL. Perfetti is an electrifying offensive player and one of the top players in his age group in Ontario, as well as a potential lottery pick in 2020.

Ottawa 67’s

Sasha Chmelevski of the Ottawa 67's. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Maybe a year early to talk about the 67’s as a potential Memorial Cup contender, but make no mistake, this team is insanely talented. Not only do they have five NHL draft picks already, but they have several top prospects for the 2019 and 2020 drafts as well. Sasha Chmelevski (San Jose) is a top contender for the Red Tilson this year after a breakout last season. The progression he has shown as a prospect has been extremely encouraging. Austrian Import Marco Rossi (2020) is another name to watch. The recent import selection is currently touted as a potential top 5 pick in 2020 and he could have a Nico Hischier type impact for the 67’s. The only thing that this team is missing is a top flight goaltender. Look for them to go out and find one at some point. Worth noting that the 67’s currently have 12 second round picks over the next four OHL priority selections. That is some serious trade ammunition.

The Pretenders

Kingston Frontenacs

The Frontenacs loaded up last year to make a run at an OHL title that ultimately fell short. The cyclical nature of the CHL means that this team could struggle this year due to numerous high end graduations. Star Jason Robertson (Dallas) is still around, but he will be a top trade target at some point. The future of injured playmaker Gabe Vilardi (Los Angeles) also hangs in the balance as Kingston waits to see if they will get him back once he is healthy. But depth is an issue, as is goaltending. Kingston has to capitalize on a few solid trade assets to recoup what was lost previously.

Erie Otters

After an impressive four year run that saw the Otters compete for and win an OHL Championship, the time has come for this team to rebuild. There are still some solid veteran pieces in place that could keep the team afloat, like star overager Kyle Maksimovich. But this team does not have a single NHL affiliated player and that hurts. Hayden Fowler (2020), and Petr Cajka (2019) do give this team hope for the future.

Mississauga Steelheads

Another team that now lacks serious depth after some serious runs the previous years. Graduations and failed draft picks (like Jack Hughes) have left this team pretty sparse in a lot of areas heading into the year. They do have Owen Tippett (Florida) and Ryan McLeod (Edmonton) back in the fold and they should both be among the best players in the league this year. However, just how long they remain Steelheads remains to be seen.

North Bay Battalion

Like Erie, North Bay does not have a single NHL affiliated player. There is some solid firepower up front with overager Justin Brazeau, Brandon Coe (2020), and Matthew Struthers (2019), but depth is an issue. This is especially true on the back-end. The lack of experience on the blueline could mean that this North Bay team gives up a ton of goals. No Stan Butler coached Battalion team has ever given up 280+ goals against, but this year’s edition may be the first. And speaking of Butler, he is currently taking a leave of absence from behind the bench and that may be bad news for Battalion fans.

Flint Firebirds

Disastrous start to the year for the Firebirds. As of the creation of this article, Flint has yet to win and has given up an ugly 24 goals in 4 games. This team has talent, like Ty Dellandrea (Dallas), Fedor Gordeev (Toronto), and Dennis Busby (Arizona). But missing on the 6th overall Import selection this year (Jan Jenik) is a big black mark and the team just cannot seem to separate itself from the drama of their ownership under Rolf Nilsen.

Five Candidates for the Red Tilson

Nick Suzuki

Fresh off being the centerpiece of the Max Pacioretty deal, the new Montreal Canadiens prospect returns to the OHL and will look to the hit the 100 point plateau for the second year in a row. He is bound to miss some time for the WJC, but Suzuki only needs 92 points to pass Bobby Ryan as the Attack franchise’s all-time leading scorer.

Morgan Frost

Highest returning scorer from last year, the Flyers’ prospect should be a shoe-in for a spot in the top 5 in scoring. There were some who felt that Frost should have been the Red Tilson winner last year so maybe this is the year he takes it home. The Hounds offense has lost some talent to graduation, but there is enough remaining to give Frost the supporting pieces he needs.

Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Michael DiPietro

Reigning OHL Goaltender of the year, the Canucks prospect returns to Windsor to help a young team improve. DiPietro will likely be Canada’s starter at this year’s WJC. He is also a likely trade candidate, unless Windsor is pushing for the division. The talented netminder is one of the few gamebreakers at the position in the league.

Jack Studnicka

Nearly earned the 3rd line center spot in Boston with a strong training camp performance, but the Generals captain returns for a final OHL season and should be one of the league’s elite offensive catalysts. If the Generals are as good as many think they will be, he will be a top candidate for player of the year. His strong two-way play allows him to impact the game on so many different levels.

Sasha Chmelevski

It seems like so long ago that Chmelevski fell at the draft after a very poor draft year showing. He bounced back in a big way last year, re-inventing his game under new head coach Andre Tourigny. Now a committed player away from the puck, Chmelevski will look to lead a young Ottawa team to a championship, perhaps a year ahead of schedule.

Five Draft Eligibles to Monitor

Ryan Suzuki of the Barrie Colts. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Ryan Suzuki (Barrie Colts)

After a strong Hlinka performance, Suzuki is off to a blazing hot start as one of the early leaders in OHL scoring. Suzuki, brother of Nick, is an exceptionally talented playmaker whose vision and puck skill are game breaking qualities. As of right now, Ryan looks like the lone potential candidate for the top 10 from the OHL.

Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs)

Another of the early scoring leaders is also a draft eligible forward. Kaliyev had one of the best 16 year old seasons in recent memory after scoring 30+ goals last year. He looks to round out the rest of his game in Hamilton, improving his playmaking ability and play away from the puck to match his strength on the puck and NHL quality shot.

Matvey Guskov (London Knights)

An import selection by the Knights this year, Guskov has matched the high expectations thus far, averaging over a point per game. Guskov was one of only three OHL players mentioned on Bob McKenzie’s preseason draft ranking and the playmaking Russian forward looks like a serious first round candidate come June.

Blake Murray (Sudbury Wolves)

A big, power center who is being overshadowed a bit due to the arrival of top 2020 prospect Quinton Byfield. Murray possesses all the qualities that NHL teams look for in centers these days, with size, skating, and finishing ability. Murray has the potential to be that complete package.

Michael Vukojevic (Kitchener Rangers)

Vukojevic may not be the sexiest of defenders at this point. He is not yet a truly dynamic player, but he is as steady as they come and plays the game with the composure of a five year OHL veteran. His defensive acumen projects him to be, at the very least, a terrific stay at home top four defender at the NHL level. The question is, just how much offensive ability does he possess?

Brandon Coe – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #9 San Jose Sharks – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

1. Will Smith, C, Boston College (NCAA)

2. Quentin Musty, LW, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)

3. Shakir Mukhamadullin, D, San Jose Barracuda (AHL)

4. Thomas Bordeleau, C, San Jose Barracuda (AHL)

5. Filip Bystedt, C, Linkoping HC (SHL)

6. David Edstrom, C, Frolunda HC (SHL)

7. Kasper Halttunen, RW, London Knights (OHL)

8. Daniil Gushchin, RW, San Jose Barracuda (AHL)

9. Tristen Robins, C, San Jose Barracuda (AHL)

10. Jack Thompson, D, San Jose Barracuda (AHL)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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