Brogan Rafferty – McKeen's Hockey

SEATTLE KRAKEN EXPANSION DRAFT: Prospects to Target – Part One – Goaltenders and Defense

Brock Otten — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 16:02:06 +0000

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

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

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

GOALTENDERS

Daniel Vladar - Boston Bruins

A massive 6’5 netminder, Vladar has been terrific in the AHL since turning pro. The former third round pick led the AHL in save percentage and goals against average last season. Of course, his only NHL appearance came in last year’s bubble playoffs when he relieved Jaroslav Halak in a blowout loss to the Lightning.

Alex Nedeljkovic - Carolina Hurricanes

A former OHL Goaltender of the Year and AHL Goaltender of the Year, Nedeljkovic is a former highly touted prospect who has yet to break through as a consistent NHL goaltender, struggling in his spot starts for the Hurricanes. He passed through waivers unclaimed this year, to the surprise of many. With Petr Mrazek having thumb surgery recently, Nedeljkovic is getting another run as James Reimer’s back-up and it will serve as a great audition for him (perhaps a final one). He did recently post his first career NHL shutout against the defending Champion Tampa Bay Lightning.

Michael McNiven - Montreal Canadiens

McNiven, also a former OHL Goaltender of the Year, has been buried under the goaltending depth of the Canadiens the last few seasons. He was terrific in the ECHL last year and has shown glimpses of strong play in the AHL in previous seasons. This year, he will get a chance to truly showcase himself as the platoon partner of Cayden Primeau in Laval.

Filip Gustavsson - Ottawa Senators

Acquired as part of the package for Derrick Brassard, when he was traded to Pittsburgh three years ago, Gustavsson has struggled so far in the Senators organization. A former highly touted prospect, Gustavsson has yet to play this year as Ottawa has kept him on their taxi squad. Depending on if he bounces back this year (when he does play), he could be intriguing to the Kraken.

Joey Daccord - Ottawa Senators

A former seventh round selection, Daccord signed with Ottawa after a standout junior season with Arizona State, where he was a finalist for the Mike Richter Award (top NCAA goaltender). He had a strong rookie season in the AHL last year and will be looking to mimic that with Belleville again this season.

Vitek Vanecek - Washington Capitals

After five seasons in the AHL/ECHL, the former high draft selection is finally getting his chance to be an NHL netminder with the Capitals this season. Initially serving as Ilya Samsonov’s back-up, Vanecek has taken over the reigns as the starter with Samsonov’s lingering covid symptoms. Vanecek already has seven wins on the year. Given that the Capitals are sure to protect the younger Samsonov, Vanecek is likely to be available to Seattle.

Connor Ingram - Nashville Predators

An AHL all star the last two seasons, Ingram had emerged in the conversation as one of the better goaltending prospects in the league. However, the 2020/21 season has been very difficult for the former Kamloops Blazer. He was embroiled in controversy in Sweden earlier this year when he and his teammates were accused (but cleared) of match fixing. Now, he is in the NHL’s player assistance program and has not played this year. Hopefully the talented netminder gets the help he needs and is able to return at some point this season.

Josef Korenar - San Jose Sharks

Two years ago, Korenar burst onto the scene with a strong rookie performance in the AHL, putting himself on the prospect map. However, his sophomore campaign was not as impressive as he struggled with consistency. In his third pro season, Korenar has been part of the San Jose Sharks’ taxi squad thus far.

Ville Husso - St. Louis Blues

Husso has certainly been patient, awaiting his opportunity to play in the NHL. A former highly touted prospect, Husso already has four AHL seasons under his belt and is now finally getting his chance with the Blues as Jordan Binnington’s back-up. His play thus far has been underwhelming, but there is still plenty of season left.

Mikhail Berdin - Winnipeg Jets

Easily one of the league’s most underrated goaltending prospects, Berdin has been terrific in his first two AHL seasons with Manitoba. Blessed with size (6’2), athleticism, and composure, Berdin has what it takes to be an NHL netminder. With Connor Hellebuyck blocking him, his best chance to be an NHL Netminder could be with another organization like Seattle.

DEFENSE

Jake Bean - Carolina Hurricanes

Last year’s AHL Defenseman of the Year, Bean is a legitimate NHL prospect and one of the best young players on this list. However, due to the depth of the Carolina Hurricanes, there is a chance that they won’t be able to protect him from Seattle. The former first round pick is currently in the midst of his rookie NHL season with Carolina and his confidence has been blossoming of late. Do the Canes leave Dougie Hamilton and/or Brady Skjei exposed in order to protect Bean? Do they work out a trade with Seattle to prevent them from selecting any of the high end players they will ultimately have to leave unprotected?

Riley Stillman - Florida Panthers

Stillman did a bang up job last year helping the Panthers cover for injuries, even if he wasn’t quite ready yet to be a fulltime NHL defender. This year, he is back in the AHL where he has gotten off to a strong start in his third pro season. A physically intense defender who can play in any situation, Stillman could be a top target for Seattle if they intend to build the kind of team Vegas did.

Cale Fleury - Montreal Canadiens

Much like Stillman, Fleury finds himself back in the AHL this season after playing much of last year in the NHL. The addition of Alex Romanov has pushed Fleury down the depth chart and it seems unlikely Montreal will be able to protect him at the expansion draft. A right shot defender with size, Fleury could definitely be coveted if he performs well with Laval.

Sebastian Aho - New York Islanders

No, no, not that Aho. This is the defender in the Islanders organization. Undersized, but extremely talented offensively, Aho has been an AHL All-star in all three of his professional seasons in North America. Now waiver eligible, Aho has been on the Isles roster to start this season but has not yet played a game. Would Seattle look at him as a potential powerplay QB for their roster?

Cal Foote - Tampa Bay Lightning

A former high first round pick, Foote has finally received his shot to be an NHL player after two seasons in the AHL. Playing sparingly on the third pair, Foote is proving himself a capable NHL defender thus far. However, the Lightning have an abundance of talented young players to protect and Foote could be a casualty there if Tampa feels that his upside as an NHL player is limited.

Josh Mahura - Anaheim Ducks

The former Regina Pat and Red Deer Rebel standout has bounced between the AHL and NHL during his first two pro seasons and is considered one of Anaheim’s better defensive prospects. There is still hope that he develops into a quality two-way NHL defender. However, like some other teams here, Anaheim has other young defenders they may elect to protect over him.

Ben Gleason - Dallas Stars

A free agent signing by the Stars out of the OHL, Gleason came out gangbusters in his first pro season, even getting in limited NHL action and earning his first NHL point. However, last season was a step backwards. Unlikely to be protected by Dallas due to their defensive depth, Gleason will have a shot to impress Seattle with a strong AHL season this year and he has started off hot with Texas.

Austin Strand - Los Angeles Kings

A free agent signing out of the WHL by the Kings, Strand has made the Kings this season, his third professionally. With a strong season for Los Angeles, he can certainly put himself in the conversation to be protected, but it likely comes down to him or Kale Clague and it seems unlikely that the Kings protect Strand over Clague.

Brogan Rafferty - Vancouver Canucks

Because of his age, the Canucks will have to protect Rafferty after just his second pro season after signing out of Quinnipiac. The slick skating defender was a standout in the AHL with Utica last year, where he was an all star. This season, he has been used sparingly by Vancouver, shuttling between the active roster and taxi squad. There is a chance that Vancouver elects to protect Rafferty over one of their more experienced, more expensive defenders (like Tyler Myers or Nate Schmidt), but at this point, Rafferty looks to be on the bubble.

Logan Stanley - Winnipeg Jets

Stanley, a former first round pick, has cracked the Winnipeg roster this season, playing on the team’s third pairing, and playing well. The behemoth blueliner (6’7, 230lbs) is a physical specimen and would look good as a piece on the Seattle blueline if the Jets are unable to protect him. It will probably come down to him or Dylan DeMelo, depending on how Stanley plays to finish out this NHL season.

Sami Niku - Winnipeg Jets

No longer waivers exempt, the Jets have kept the former AHL defenseman of the year on their roster all season, even if they haven’t played him a ton. Looking like the odd man out, it seems very unlikely that Niku is protected at this point and he could certainly be a target for the Kraken, hoping to unlock his upside as a top four defender.

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

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Vancouver Canucks Top 20 Prospects

Rachel Howard — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 22:39:00 +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.

Vasili Podkolzin, RW (10^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 1)

Podkolzin is a dynamic winger with a lot of good assets in his toolbox. He is a strong skater with terrific balance and is technically solid. He can get to top speed within a few strides. He is exceptionally good at puck protection and has a creative hockey mind. He works hard and plays a physical game. He still lacks a bit of consistency in his production, but he has been a teenager playing against men and he gets pushed out physically when he tries to create. He is not a typical transition player; he likes to play tight to the body and create from down low which makes a lack of physical strength a natural problem. Podkolzin also sometimes tries to be too creative instead of just making the easy play. He will always aid his team’s puck possession with elite skills and do good things with that possession. Although he did not score many points, his underlying numbers were good, and it is expected that he will receive a bigger role in the KHL this season. He has one more year with St Petersburg after which he could compete for a top six role with the Canucks. - JH

Nils Hoglander, LW (40^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 2)

WJC star Hoglander plays intensively and is particularly strong in the corners and around the net. He will set up a power play or drive the play all over the ice. His passes to the slot were more frequent during the WJC than in the SHL as he was constantly trying to create. He is small and is not to able to break away from his opponents in the corners in the same way at the senior level as he did at the World Juniors, and that could be a concern as he prepares to transition to North America and the NHL, as his game prevails through stick handling, covering the puck and making quick turns and creative plays. That type of game will be tough for him in the NHL and he will need to vary his game. Hoglander was supposed to start the 2020-21 season with the Canucks organization, trying to earn a spot in the NHL; While he waits for the NHL to start, he has returned to the SHL, where his offensive game has begun to take off. - JH

Olli Juolevi, D (5^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 3)

After playing his first nearly full season as a professional with AHL Utica, Juolevi seemed to be playing back to the same high level as made him the fifth overall pick in 2016. He brings a high hockey IQ and composure to any situation and as he grew more comfortable facilitating more scoring chances as well. He is a good skater, a good puck handler, and the type of player you forget is on the ice until he helps out in scoring or putting the puck in the net himself. He should certainly be making his long-awaited debut with the Canucks’ bottom pairing in 2020-21, where he will stay until he has mastered the NHL game enough to move up the lineup. Juolevi will simply have to be more physical to differentiate himself and to earn added trust from the coaching staff, learning to protect himself better in an organization that is not known for their grit. - SC

Jett Woo, D (37^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 4)

Woo has the potential to play on a second pairing but lacks the offensive toolkit that many were expecting after his eye-popping seasons in Moose Jaw. He is an effective, physical, in-your-face defender who skates well and competes hard for every inch of ice. He is tenacious in his own zone using big hits, stick checks, good reads and aggression to minimize the opponent’s ability to get to his net. His gap control is good, and opponents know he will step up if they bobble the puck or show any hesitation in the neutral zone. He is a fine passer, capable of making good plays to start the transition, however his decision making in the offensive zone is concerning. His vision is good, but he frequently tries to do too much and turns over the puck at inopportune times. While Woo is capable of recovering better than most, he is more the complementary defender than the one the dictates the offense. He plays the game the right way and has an edge and abrasiveness in handling himself. He is willing to jump into the rush and has the speed to get himself into the play as a trailer. - VG

Jack Rathbone, D (95^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 5)

From the moment Rathbone stepped on the ice at Harvard, even as a freshman, he made an impact. While there is usually an adjustment period for rookies when transitioning to college hockey, especially for those who come straight from prep school as he did, some, like Rathbone, are exceptions. An offensive defenseman, last year he ranked fourth on the team in scoring, leading all Crimson defenders. His shot is characterized by a quick release. He appeared on the team’s second penalty kill unit and the first power play unit. He was possibly the team’s best puck mover on the power play. He is excellent at running the unit from the point. Defensively, he has a very active and quick stick and is able to poke check effectively, minimizing the negative impact of his smaller stature. Rahtbone’s offensive capabilities as well as his solid defensive skills give him a legitimate chance at making the NHL in a top half of roster role, a journey which will move to the professional ranks next season. - JS

Will Lockwood, RW (64^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 6)

On the small side, but incredibly feisty, Lockwood spent the full four seasons at the University of Michigan, before finally signing an ELC with the Canucks shortly after COVID-19 paused play the world over. The former USNTDP grinder had an up-and-down collegiate career with the Wolverines, but his best two seasons were certainly his last two. He is a strong skater who can flash creativity with the puck in the offensive zone, can tend to play too deliberately as well, negating his inherent skill set. When he plays decisively, Lockwood has been a disruptive presence at the collegiate level. He plays a physical game, especially when he plays angry and relishes open ice checking. He is the type of player who could be ready for the NHL within one season of turning pro, but whose reasonable upside is never more than a bottom six winger, who could frustrate with the hints of more, but who can’t show it consistently enough for the possibility to be reasonable. - RW

Michael DiPietro, G (64^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 7)

DiPietro brings a new definition to the word ‘focus’ with an ultra-dialed-in and intense personality. He performs reliably well every game and gives maximum effort, no matter the opponent. He has a good track record for performing well under pressure and for keeping a good attitude, going above and beyond when it comes to athleticism, which he must due to his smaller size. He reads plays well and does well in one on one situations however he will have to battle harder to get to his position in net scrambles, as he works towards a permanent NHL role. The future is bright for DiPietro, who is so naturally gifted with the right instincts, attitude, and athleticism needed to be a top level goaltender, look for him to have a go at an NHL job within the next season should he start off the upcoming season the same way with Utica. - SC

Zack MacEwen, RW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 3, 2017. Previous ranking: 8)

MacEwen is not a cookie cutter smooth-skating type. Instead he is the hard working, crash and bang guy that brings a lot of energy to a roster. He is not the most graceful of skaters and does not stand out for skill either, but he does well at completing the little things. He is a steady net front presence, forces turnovers, and plays the body at the right times. A little clumsy at times, he has learned to be a good backchecker and defend well in his own zone, however he still needs to work on his passing in order to avoid turnovers and better contribute to the breakout. It is no surprise that MacEwen has earned a spot on the Vancouver Canucks 2020 playoff roster as he brings the right energy and can get the job done in a way that the other players cannot, which is why he is an asset to their bottom six, and should continue to play at the highest level as long as his cap hit remains low. – SC

Jacob Truscott, D (144^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

In every game with the USNDTP, there will be one or two moments where Truscott authors a play that makes you take notice. And each of those moments were substantially different. Those good plays would not be at all possible if he were not an above average skater, with impressive acceleration, very good edges and pivots and top speed, and mostly incredible backwards skating. The package plays into his heads-up game. He reads and processes the game fast and is very decisive when the situation calls for action. He can react correctly to a broken play. He can also excel in driving the play, as he can set and alternately vary the pace. He plays with mature composure. On the other hand, Truscott lacks flash. He has a decent wrist shot from the point, but not a power play quarterback rocket. He can skate with the puck but doesn’t often execute high level trickery. He can time the odd big hit but lacks the big frame to play that style with regularity. At the end of the day, he can leverage what he has into a long and successful career on a good team’s second pairing. – RW

Joni Jurmo, D (82^nd overall, 2020. Previous ranking NA)

Jurmo is a big-risk/big-reward player. The physical tools are impossible to miss. He skates beautifully, with a fast and powerful stride. His edges are solid and his has four-way mobility, and the speed is remarkable. His carries out of his own end are thrilling. On the other hand, he is still incredibly raw. He has not often shown the ability to slow the game down, regroup and let the play come to him. He has shown significant improvement in his own zone work this year, to his credit, reading the play better and forcing opposing forwards to the outside, but he still has a way to go in this regard. There could also be some concern that he lacks experience at high levels, or at prestigious age-group tournaments. Jurmo recently moved from the Jokerit system to JyP, where he is expected to play in Liiga this season. If Vancouver can be patient, he represents a potential play on a future top four defender with dynamic qualities. He has come a long way in the last two seasons and still has room for added development. He might not get there, but it was a gamble worth taking. – RW

Kole Lind, RW (33^rd overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 9)

Lind has finally had the breakout confidence-replenishing year that staff and writers were hoping for. He is a good shooter and good at making quick plays and reacting to what is going on around him. He can be relied upon to play special teams, however he is not the smoothest of skaters, but he makes up for it in the way he gets to the net and his work ethic on the forecheck. Lind will certainly have to get faster and more agile on his blades, but his hands and his passing are good and lead him oftentimes to contributing to good scoring opportunities or assisting on plays. He will most likely earn his chance to crack the Canucks lineup this coming season as a potential third liner alternating in the bottom six if he finds another gear for his skating and on ice agility while continuing to work on his two way play. - SC

Brogan Rafferty, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed 1, 2019. Previous ranking: 10)

After leading the AHL Utica Comets in points for defensemen it is safe to say that Rafferty is a strong and dependable defenseman in the Vancouver pipeline. All of his skills are good, and his positioning and hockey IQ are what lead him to stand out, earning points in nearly every game. He will need to get a bit tougher when it comes to physicality and taking the body, but aside from that there is nothing of concern. He brings a great two-way game and is nearly always in the right position which could be an asset for the Canucks looking into next season, despite this past season only being Rafferty’s rookie year. A late bloomer, his potential may be surprisingly high because of the progression he has had so far, however when he gets the call up look to see him as part of the bottom four to start proving himself. - SC

Aidan McDonough, LW (195^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 12)

McDonough’s value may turn out to be higher than his seventh-round draft pick status. After graduating from prep school at Thayer Academy, McDonough spent one season in the USHL with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders before entering the collegiate ranks. As a freshman, he was one of the highest-scoring players for Northeastern and the highest-scoring freshman by a mile and earned the team’s rookie of the year award. He has a big frame but could be stronger on the puck, although he is not afraid to engage in puck battles. While he needs to pump his legs on his strides, he is very hard to contain in the offensive zone as he glides around. McDonough is a sharp passer and can score from multiple spots but buzzes frequently around the net. While he certainly held his own as a freshman, he is still raw and needs to refine his game more before turning pro. - JS

Marc Michaelis, RW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 19, 2020. Previous ranking: 13)

The NCAA’s top scorer over the past four seasons, Michaelis was a First Team WCHA All American through each of his four seasons at Minnesota State. The slight German winger already had a lengthy history of high-level international play, including two appearances at the World Championships for his homeland before signing as a free agent with Vancouver a few days into the COVID-19 lockdown. Michaelis makes himself seen through high end skating ability, which allowed him to skate laps around the WCHA competition, as well as very interesting playmaking potential, with vision and creativity. The skating will have to be his ticket to the NHL though, as his playmaking ability has been more a function of brains than pure skill, leaving in question how much those brains will allow him to play up as a pro. If Michaelis makes the adjustment to the pro pace and continues to make his presence felt in the offensive end, he could push himself up to the highest level for a lengthy stay. – RW

Dmitri Zlodeyev, C (175^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Zlodeyev is a strong two-way center who shows extremely well off the puck. He uses his strong skating to apply pressure on the forecheck and was one of the anchors of Russia’s penalty killing unit at the U18 level. Additionally, he excels at the faceoff dot. As an offensive player, he is at his best working the half wall, where he can use his quick feet to elude checks and create lanes to attack. He is more of a playmaker than a goal scorer but is willing to drive the net and can finish from in tight with a quick release. The remaining question is his upside. Zlodeyev is a skill player, but it is not clearly enough yet to project to a scoring line role in North America, and without the strength to play in a bottom six role, he may be stuck as a tweener. His early work this year in the VHL (Russia’s second men’s league) is promising enough that he might just make it work, even if he is only in the early stages of his journey. – BO

Linus Karlsson, C (Trade: Feb. 25, 2019. Originally: 87^thoverall, 2018 [San Jose]. Previous ranking: 14)

A big center with nice hands who was acquired in a pure Swedish prospect trade, as Jonathan Dahlen was sent the other way to San Jose. Karlsson is not as a big name in Sweden as Dahlen is but Karlsson is a decent prospect in his own right, and he scored 40 points in Allsvenskan as a 20-year-old. He is an offensive minded center with an above average shot and above average hands. He is not elite an any way but a decent depth prospect, and if everything goes well, he could be a good third line option in the future. He needs to work on his skating and play at a faster pace to reach the highest level. He will have a couple more years of development before he can be ready to compete for a spot. I would be surprised if he has a long NHL career, but I can definitely see him being a good SHL player in near future. – JH

Guillaume Brisebois, D (66^th overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 11)

The last three seasons with the Utica Comets for Brisebois have not gone as originally hoped since his near fifty-point final season in the QMJHL. Brisebois has struggled to produce a similar offensive output and anywhere near the success he had in major junior. He plays with grit and passion and brings a focus to every game that is admirable as he is always ready to make a play. The downside to his game is the fact that he has not been able to find the same confidence as he once had, and he has struggled to even get his passing game going. The hope is that next season Brisebois will finally find the extra gear he once seemed to have and reach his potential before it is too late. He will most likely be able to qualify for one more crack at a roster spot on the Canucks, hoping to find a home at the bottom of the defensive rotation. - SC

Arvid Costmar, C (215^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 15)

The 215th pick in 2019 took good steps during the season. He was a steady top line center for the junior team and played big minutes. His production went up and he doubled his goal total last season despite playing 15 games less than the year before. He received some cups of tea at the senior level as well, but without success. In Allsvenskan he had a more diminished role when he played. His skating speed needs to improve but is a skilled offensive-minded player with good hands. His puck skills excel well on the power play as he likes to set up the play. He is also skilled one-on-one and can make nice dekes. For next season, I would like to see him earn a top six role on an Allsvenskan team and compete for a WJC roster spot. To do so he will need to work on his all-around game and play at a higher pace. – JH

Petrus Palmu, LW/RW (181^st overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 16)

One of the smallest drafted prospects around, Palmu tore up the OHL as an Import player, but has spent the bulk of the past three seasons back in Finland. At every stop, he has left little doubt but that he is a dynamic, productive offensive player, with only the mild exception of his 12-game stint in the AHL in 2018-19. Just from a tools perspective, he isn’t the most impressive. He skates well, but questionably whether he is fleet enough to overcome his size concern. He has fast hands, and reads the game well, but neither approaching elite. He is not a sniper. But somehow, he has made it all work well together to give him an overall package that has been greater than the sum of his parts. Like all players of his stature, even ones who play with his courage, Palmu will need to prove himself anew at every new level, and next up is the AHL, to which he is expected to play this year. - RW

Carson Focht, C (133^rd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 17)

Drafted as a moderately offensive second year eligible, Focht’s post draft performance was somewhat disappointing, as he failed to take his game to another level in the WHL. Not meeting expectations is not new for Focht, the one-time seventh overall pick in the WHL Bantam Draft. This is not to imply that his professional prospects are dead, as his game has elements that could fit in a bottom six role. He has decent size, and he can play with some grit up and down the ice. When his team has possession, he some smooth hands and the wherewithal to keep the play moving in the right direction. On the right day, he can even look like a sniper, with a very quick release on his snapshot. He just doesn’t do it all at once, or consistently. Still unsigned, it is unclear where he will play this year, as he turns 21 in early February. - RW

MCKEEN’S 2020 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – VANCOUVER CANUCKS – ORGANIZATIONAL RANK: 13

Mon, 21 Sep 2020 13:01:28 +0000

Vancouver Canucks

As of the day of this writing (Jul. 10, 2020), there have been three truly notable occurrences in the world of Vancouver Hockey. From most recent to earliest:

Reports surfaced of the Canucks exploring a possible trade of Brock Boeser, possibly related to their desire to re-sign mid-season trade pickup Tyler Toffoli
Vancouver was seemingly a strong consideration to be named as one of the NHL’s hub cities, as the league sought to complete it season. Eventually, Vancouver fell short with Edmonton named Hub host for the Western Conference and Toronto handling the duties for the Eastern Conference
The Vancouver Canucks parted ways somewhat acrimoniously with their highly touted Director of Amateur Scouting (and a McKeens Hockey alum!) Judd Brackett.

You might have been able to guess that this space will focus on the third item in the above list, and not because of Brackett’s ties to our humble enterprise.

Brackett had been with Vancouver since 2008-09, starting as an Amateur Scout, and rising to the role of Director of Amateur Scouting in 2015-16. Brackett worked in the USHL before moving to the Canucks organization, and as a onetime collegiate player himself, was never averse to selecting players on the NCAA route. That started with his first ever pick, the aforementioned Boeser, at the time lighting it up for the Waterloo Black Hawks, and spent two strong seasons at the University of North Dakota before turning pro.

Boeser was the first of eight college-bound players drafted in Brackett’s five drafts. While it is too early to pass judgement on many of those, every single one of them is trending in the right direction and looking like they will provide great value for where they were drafted. Think Adam Gaudette and Quinn Hughes, in addition to Boeser, in the NHL, Tyler Madden who was the bait in the Toffoli trade, and top 15 prospects Will Lockwood, Jack Rathbone, and Aidan McDonough.

Brackett’s tenure was most notable for its draft day focus on players of skill, as opposed to size. Of the collegians, only Boeser and McDonough had average or better size. His five first round picks averaged a hair under 6-1”, and 185 pounds. Not small, but not bangers either. In fact, the Canuks were just as likely to look for grit as free agents, such as the signings of the unsigned CHL’ers Zack MacEwen and Jalen Chatfield. The former is on this list and spent 17 games up with the Canucks this season to boot.

If you can acquire good depth later on, why spend valuable assets at the draft on those same types who could end up as free talent acquisitions down the road? If anything, Brackett’s Canucks would seek players long on brains and intangibles (leadership types, gritty despite moderate size) in the later rounds, after the high skill players had already been taken off the board. Those types include the likes of the aforementioned Lockwood and Madden, but also Guillaume Brisebois, Kole Lind, Toni Utunen, etc.).

Based on comments from Vancouver GM Jim Benning, the replacement Director of Amateur Scouting in Vancouver will require more synergy with the rest of the Hockey Operations Department, particularly the GM himself. This doesn’t tell us how the Canucks will draft this October (presumably) but that second or third round pick might look less like Nils Hoglander, and more like Nikita Tryamkin or Cole Cassels. These were the last two third rounders selected by Vancouver before Brackett’s regime began. Vancouver’s loss will be Minnesota’s gain – the Wild just recently hired him to take on the same position he held with Vancouver – and the incoming Director of Amateur Scouting will lack the benefit of a first round pick to really give us a sense of what’s coming.

VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 21: Vasily Podkolzin puts on a hat after being selected tenth overall by the Vancouver Canucks during the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire)

Vasili Podkolzin, RW (10^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 2)

An elite NHL prospect who, as a teenager, plays on one the big clubs in the KHL, St Petersburg, where he had a limited role, playing less than nine minutes per game last season. Podkolzin is a dynamic winger with a lot of good assets in his toolbox. He is a strong skater with terrific balance and is technically solid. He can get to top speed with ease within a few strides. He is exceptionally good at puck protection and has a creative hockey mind. He works hard and plays a physical game.

He still lacks a bit of consistency in his production, and I can see two explanations for that. One is that he still is a teenager physically playing against men and he gets pushed out physically when he tries to create. He is not a typical transition player; he likes to play tight to the body and create from down low which makes a lack of physical strength a natural problem. When he gets stronger his style of play will fit well with the modern NHL game.

The other explanation is that he tries to be too creative and lacks instincts to just make the easy play, especially when his game is struggling, and he is lacking confidence. Podkolzin will always aid his team’s puck possession with elite skills and do good things with that possession. Although he did not score many points, his underlying numbers were good, and it is expected that he will receive a bigger role in the KHL this upcoming season. He has one more year with St Petersburg but after that I can see him competing for a top six role with the Canucks. - JH

Nils Hoglander, LW (40^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 7)

Hoglander is exciting to watch and is an expert on the lacrosse-goal move, which he has used with success in both the SHL and the WJC. At the WJC he was excellent on the top line with and was one of the most productive players in the tournament. His production at the SHL level was not as impressive, at least not in line with the reputation of a soon to be NHLer.

Hoglander plays intensively and is particularly strong in the corners and around the net. He will set up a power play or drive the play all over the ice. At the WJC he showcased some nice playmaking ability and a fast thinking mind deep into the offensive zone. His passes to the slot were more frequent than in the SHL as he was constantly trying to create.

One obvious answer to the question why he was more dangerous at the WJC is his role. In the SHL he rarely played more than 12 minutes per game. Another issue is that he is small and is not to able to break away from his opponents in the corners in the same way at the senior level and that could be a concern as his game prevails through stick handling, covering the puck and making quick turns and creative plays. That type of game will be tough for him in the NHL and he will need to vary his approach.

Hoglander was supposed to start next season with the Canucks trying to earn a spot in the NHL; Now he will start in the SHL while he waits for the NHL to start. I don’t think he is ready to play in the NHL right away and when he makes it, I am not yet sure if he is dynamic enough for a top six role. - JH

Olli Juolevi, D (5^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 4)

In the last year or so, Juolevi had been highly associated with injury and speculation as to if he would – or could - ever make a comeback befitting a top five pick. After playing his first nearly full season as a professional with the AHL Utica Comets, earning 25 points in 45 games, he seemed to be playing back to the same high level as he was before.

Juolevi brings a high hockey IQ and composure to any situation and as he became more comfortable throughout the season, he ended up facilitating more scoring chances as well. He is a good skater, a good puck handler, and the type of player you forget is on the ice until he helps out in scoring or putting the puck in the net himself. With the Vancouver organization the potential is there for Juolevi to become a top two defenseman at some point, but the worry is simply that he struggles to remain healthy enough to do so in the future.

By next season he should certainly be making his long-awaited debut with the Canucks’ bottom pairing, where he will stay until he has mastered the NHL game enough to be moved up the lineup. Juolevi will simply have to be more physical to differentiate himself and to earn added trust from the coaching staff, meaning that he does not have to go out and kill his opponents but he will need to protect himself better in an organization that is not known for their grit. - SC

Jett Woo, D (37^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 6)

Woo regressed a bit this year production-wise and that has left expectations at a more realistic level as he starts his pro career. He has the potential to play on a second pairing but does not have the offensive toolkit that many were expecting after his eye-popping seasons in Moose Jaw.

He is an effective, physical in-your-face defender who skates well and competes hard for every inch of ice. He is tenacious in his own zone using a combination of big hits, stick checks, good reads and aggression to minimize the opponent’s ability to get to his net. His gap control is good, and opponents know he will step up if they bobble the puck or show any hesitation in the neutral zone.

He is a fine passer, capable of making good plays that start the transition, however his decision making in the offensive zone is concerning. His vision is good in that he sees the ice well, but he frequently tries to do too much and turns over the puck at inopportune times. While Woo is capable of recovering better than most, he is more the complementary defender on a pairing rather than the one that dictates the offense.

He plays the game the right way and has a real edge and abrasiveness to how he handles himself. Offensively he has some skills, his puck handling is pretty good, and he moves down the wall offensively well but his decision making when under pressure is a concern. He is willing to jump into the rush and has the speed to get himself into the play as a trailer where he is most effective generating offense. His even strength points were less than half of his production this year which is a bit concerning for anyone expecting him to be an offensively dynamic blueliner at the pro level. - VG

Jack Rathbone, D (95^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 16)

A fourth-round draft pick, Rathbone has improved well even in just two years at Harvard. The Massachusetts native was a captain at his prep school for two years. He entered college hockey as a freshman with nothing more than four games at the USHL level as far as high-level competition under his belt.

While in high school, he was named to the All-USA Hockey First Team in 2016-17 and the All-USA Hockey Second Team in 2017-18. As a freshman at Harvard, he was named to the ECAC All-Rookie team. As a sophomore, Rathbone was named to the ECAC First All-Star Team, the All-Ivy League First Team and the NCAA First All-American Team.

From the moment Rathbone stepped in, even as a freshman, he made an impact. While there is usually an adjustment period for rookies when transitioning to college hockey, especially for those who come straight from prep school, that didn’t hinder Rathbone. An offensive defenseman, he ranked fourth on the team in scoring and led all Crimson defenders. His shot is characterized by a quick release. He appeared on the team’s second penalty kill unit and the first power play unit. Rathbone was possibly the team’s best puck mover on the power play. He is excellent at running the unit from the point.

Defensively, Rathbone has a very active and quick stick and is able to poke check effectively. Rahtbone’s offensive capabilities as well as his solid defensive skills give him a legitimate chance at making the NHL in a top half of roster role, a journey which will move to the professional ranks next season, as Vancouver recently signed him to an entry level contract. - JS

Will Lockwood, RW (64^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 5)

He is a strong skater who can flash creativity with the puck in the offensive zone, can tend to play too deliberately as well, negating his inherent skill set. When he plays decisively, Lockwood has been a disruptive presence at the collegiate level. He plays a physical game, especially when he plays angry and relishes open ice checking.

He is the type of player who could be ready for the NHL within one season of turning pro, but whose reasonable upside is never more than a bottom six winger, who could frustrate with the hints of more, but who can’t show it consistently enough for the possibility to be reasonable. - RW

Michael DiPietro, G (64^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 8)

The future is bright for DiPietro, who is so naturally gifted with the right instincts, attitude, and athleticism needed to be a top level goaltender, look for him to have a go at an NHL job within the next season should he start off the upcoming season the same way with Utica. - SC

Zack MacEwen, RW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 3, 2017. 2019 Rank: 15)

A little clumsy at times, he has learned to be a good backchecker and defend well in his own zone, however he still needs to work on his passing in order to avoid turnovers and better contribute to the breakout. It is no surprise that MacEwen has earned a spot on the Vancouver Canucks 2020 playoff roster as he brings the right energy and can get the job done in a way that the other players cannot, which is why he is an asset to their bottom six, and should continue to play at the highest level as long as his cap hit remains low. - SC

Kole Lind, RW (33^rd overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 11)

Lind will certainly have to get faster and more agile on his blades but his hands and his passing are good and lead him oftentimes to contributing to good scoring opportunities or assisting on plays. He will most likely earn his chance to crack the Canucks lineup this coming season as a potential third liner alternating in the bottom six if he finds another gear for his skating and on ice agility while continuing to work on his two way play. - SC

Brogan Rafferty, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed 1, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

He brings a great two-way game and is nearly always in the right position which could be an asset for the Canucks looking into next season, despite this past season only being Rafferty’s rookie year. A late bloomer, his potential may be surprisingly high because of the progression he has had so far, however when he gets the call up look to see him as part of the bottom four to start proving himself. - SC

Guillaume Brisebois, D (66^th overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: 12)

The downside to his game is the fact that he has not been able to find the same confidence as he once had, and he has struggled to even get his passing game going. The hope is that next season Brisebois will finally find the extra gear he once seemed to have and reach his potential before it is too late. He will most likely be able to qualify for one more crack at a roster spot on the Canucks, hoping to find a home at the bottom of the defensive rotation. - SC

Aidan McDonough, LW (195^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

He has a big frame but could be stronger on the puck, although he is not afraid to engage in puck battles. While he needs to pump his legs on his strides, he is very hard to contain in the offensive zone as he glides around. McDonough is a sharp passer and can score from multiple spots but buzzes frequently around the net. While he certainly held his own as a freshman, he is still raw and needs to refine his game more before turning pro. - JS

Marc Michaelis, RW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 19, 2020. 2019 Rank: IE)

Michaelis makes himself seen through high end skating ability, which allowed him to skate laps around the WCHA competition, as well as very interesting playmaking potential, with vision and creativity. The skating will have to be his ticket to the NHL though, as his playmaking ability has been more a function of brains than pure skill, leaving in question how much those brains will allow him to play up as a pro. If Michaelis makes the adjustment to the pro pace and continues to make his presence felt in the offensive end, he could push himself up to the highest level for a lengthy stay. - RW

Linus Karlsson, C (Trade: Feb. 25, 2019. Originally: 87^thoverall, 2018 [San Jose]. 2019 Rank: UR)

He is an offensive minded center with an above average shot and above average hands. He is not elite in any way but a decent depth prospect, and if everything goes well, he could be a good third line option in the future. He needs to work on his skating and play at a faster pace to reach the highest level. He will have a couple more years of development before he can be ready to compete for a spot. I would be surprised if he has a long NHL career, but I can definitely see him being a good SHL player in near future. - JH

Arvid Costmar, C (215^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

In Allsvenskan he had a more diminished role when he played. His skating speed needs to improve but is a skilled offensive-minded player with good hands. His puck skills excel well on the power play as he likes to set up the play. He is also skilled one-on-one and can make nice dekes. For next season, I would like to see him earn a top six role on an Allsvenskan team and compete for a WJC roster spot. To do so he will need to work on his all-around game and play at a higher pace. - JH

Brogan Rafferty – McKeen's Hockey

SEATTLE KRAKEN EXPANSION DRAFT: Prospects to Target – Part One – Goaltenders and Defense

Daniel Vladar - Boston Bruins

Alex Nedeljkovic - Carolina Hurricanes

Michael McNiven - Montreal Canadiens

Filip Gustavsson - Ottawa Senators

Joey Daccord - Ottawa Senators

Vitek Vanecek - Washington Capitals

Connor Ingram - Nashville Predators

Josef Korenar - San Jose Sharks

Ville Husso - St. Louis Blues

Mikhail Berdin - Winnipeg Jets

Jake Bean - Carolina Hurricanes

Riley Stillman - Florida Panthers

Cale Fleury - Montreal Canadiens

Sebastian Aho - New York Islanders

Cal Foote - Tampa Bay Lightning

Josh Mahura - Anaheim Ducks

Ben Gleason - Dallas Stars

Austin Strand - Los Angeles Kings

Brogan Rafferty - Vancouver Canucks

Logan Stanley - Winnipeg Jets

Sami Niku - Winnipeg Jets

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Vancouver Canucks Top 20 Prospects

Vasili Podkolzin, RW (10th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 1)

Nils Hoglander, LW (40th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 2)

Olli Juolevi, D (5th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 3)

Jett Woo, D (37th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 4)

Jack Rathbone, D (95th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 5)

Will Lockwood, RW (64th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 6)

Michael DiPietro, G (64th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 7)

Zack MacEwen, RW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 3, 2017. Previous ranking: 8)

Jacob Truscott, D (144th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Joni Jurmo, D (82nd overall, 2020. Previous ranking NA)

Kole Lind, RW (33rd overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 9)

Brogan Rafferty, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed 1, 2019. Previous ranking: 10)

Aidan McDonough, LW (195th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 12)

Marc Michaelis, RW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 19, 2020. Previous ranking: 13)

Dmitri Zlodeyev, C (175th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Linus Karlsson, C (Trade: Feb. 25, 2019. Originally: 87th overall, 2018 [San Jose]. Previous ranking: 14)

Guillaume Brisebois, D (66th overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 11)

Arvid Costmar, C (215th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 15)

Petrus Palmu, LW/RW (181st overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 16)

Carson Focht, C (133rd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 17)

MCKEEN’S 2020 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – VANCOUVER CANUCKS – ORGANIZATIONAL RANK: 13

Vancouver Canucks

Vasili Podkolzin, RW (10th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 2)

Nils Hoglander, LW (40th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 7)

Olli Juolevi, D (5th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 4)

Jett Woo, D (37th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 6)

Jack Rathbone, D (95th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 16)

Will Lockwood, RW (64th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 5)

Michael DiPietro, G (64th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 8)

Zack MacEwen, RW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 3, 2017. 2019 Rank: 15)

Kole Lind, RW (33rd overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 11)

Brogan Rafferty, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed 1, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

Guillaume Brisebois, D (66th overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: 12)

Aidan McDonough, LW (195th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

Marc Michaelis, RW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 19, 2020. 2019 Rank: IE)

Linus Karlsson, C (Trade: Feb. 25, 2019. Originally: 87th overall, 2018 [San Jose]. 2019 Rank: UR)

Arvid Costmar, C (215th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

Vasili Podkolzin, RW (10^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 1)

Nils Hoglander, LW (40^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 2)

Olli Juolevi, D (5^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 3)

Jett Woo, D (37^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 4)

Jack Rathbone, D (95^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 5)

Will Lockwood, RW (64^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 6)

Michael DiPietro, G (64^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 7)

Jacob Truscott, D (144^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Joni Jurmo, D (82^nd overall, 2020. Previous ranking NA)

Kole Lind, RW (33^rd overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 9)

Aidan McDonough, LW (195^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 12)

Dmitri Zlodeyev, C (175^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Linus Karlsson, C (Trade: Feb. 25, 2019. Originally: 87^thoverall, 2018 [San Jose]. Previous ranking: 14)

Guillaume Brisebois, D (66^th overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 11)

Arvid Costmar, C (215^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 15)

Petrus Palmu, LW/RW (181^st overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 16)

Carson Focht, C (133^rd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 17)

Vasili Podkolzin, RW (10^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 2)

Nils Hoglander, LW (40^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 7)

Olli Juolevi, D (5^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 4)

Jett Woo, D (37^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 6)

Jack Rathbone, D (95^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 16)

Will Lockwood, RW (64^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 5)

Michael DiPietro, G (64^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 8)

Kole Lind, RW (33^rd overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 11)

Guillaume Brisebois, D (66^th overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: 12)

Aidan McDonough, LW (195^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

Linus Karlsson, C (Trade: Feb. 25, 2019. Originally: 87^thoverall, 2018 [San Jose]. 2019 Rank: UR)

Arvid Costmar, C (215^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)