Cam Dineen – McKeen's Hockey

Arizona Coyotes 2019-20 Prospect Review: Top 20

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 20:24:22 +0000

I have to admit to being impressed with the Arizona Coyotes’ current standing in the organizational strength rankings. As of this writing, those rankings aren’t yet complete, but they stack up around the middle of the teams for whom we already have graded out and their overall score seems geared to stay up the middle once all is said and done.

On the one hand, for a team that has struggled to such a great extent to make the postseason in recent years – seven years in a row with an early start to the offseason – which would indicate that the team has been hoarding top picks and should be in the upper third of teams as opposed to the middle. But instead of looking at why Arizona isn’t ranked more highly, I think their current standing is a positive, after we consider what has changed since the last time we did these rankings.

We can look at last season’s top 20 and note that the number 12 and 18 prospects, Ilya Lyubushkin and Conor Garland, respectively, have both graduated from consideration. That isn’t a big deal, and neither is the trade of last year’s #14, Laurent Dauphin, to the Nashville system. That latter move at least brought in the current #15, Emil Pettersson.

What is most impressive is how the team traded their top prospect, Dylan Strome, and their number four, Pierre-Olivier Joseph, as part of packages to bring in top six forward talent to the NHL. Strome was a big part of the Nick Schmaltz trade while Joseph was a key return to get Phil Kessel to the desert.

This serves as a great reminder that the object of stockpiling quality prospects is not so as to appear high on our or other publication’s pre-season lists, but to fortify the NHL roster. In some cases, the fortification is done through player graduations and in others, the use of those prospects as trade capital to convince other teams to part with their NHLers.

Another angle from which we could be impressed by the Arizona system as it stands today is that a lot of the players ranked below took positive steps forward last season. For every Tyler Steenbergen (#12) type who struggled in his first taste of the pro game, we have players still trending in the right direction such as the pair of highly touted netminders Adin Hill (#3) and Ivan Prosvetov (#6), who each jumped from their spots last year, gaining three and nine spots respectively.

For a Cam Dineen, whose season was curtailed by injury, we counter with Nathan Schnarr and Jan Jenik, who took big steps forward in the OHL. With two of the five 2019 draftees to jump right onto the list being college-bound, and number two prospect Barrett Hayton the only top prospect whose name is even penciled into the NHL roster, the organization will have a good chance to see their ranking rise this time next year, even if improved play on the ice results in a lower draft spot.

-Ryan Wagman

Arizona Coyotes goalie Adin Hill (31) (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire)

1 Victor Soderstrom, D (11^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) This year’s first-round draft pick, Soderstrom will go over to North America to try to earn a spot on the Coyotes’ blue line. If he doesn’t succeed, he will get back to play in SHL for another year. Both are good opportunities for the smart defenseman. I wouldn’t be surprised if he plays games in the NHL already this season. He started last season in the junior league and when he got promoted to the SHL, he played the same game against men. His hockey-IQ is at an elite level and that helps him adjust quickly to new situations. His offensive production is good, but not at a superstar level. His contribution mostly comes from strong mobility and smart decisions with the puck. On the power play, he moves and reads the play well and has quite a good wrist shot. The potential for offense is there as well, but he doesn’t need to produce points to be effective. - JH

2 Barrett Hayton, C (5^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 2) It was kind of a disjointed season for Hayton, who played in only 39 regular season games for the Soo Greyhounds (OHL). He got a late start to the year after being returned from Arizona, then missed time for the WJC, followed by a month-long absence due to a lower body injury. But Hayton is a top prospect who does a lot of things well on the ice. He can be used in nearly any situation and plays a very pro ready game. He is a very committed two-way player who excels on the penalty kill. He is extremely effective down low and in tight to the crease where his great hands, quick release, and ability to read the play are on display. He also moves well and has improved his power and quickness since being drafted. His future – perhaps starting as soon as this year - likely lies on the second line in Arizona and could be a future captain for the franchise. - BO

3 Adin Hill, G (76^th overall, 2015. Last Year: 8) At 6-6”, Hill’s size is the first thing that jumps out about the 2015 third-rounder, but his incredible technical refinement and immeasurable mental composure are major bright spots in the development of the Coyotes’ goaltender of the future. With both AHL Tucson and the NHL club, Hill displayed his excellent total package as a near-term big-leaguer. He uses his size well, limiting holes and utilizing each of his tools with athletic ease, as well as getting up and down in the crease effectively. His compete level is as high as any goalie at his level and age. He could be better at handling rebounds and controlling the puck, but neither will hinder his immediate NHL future. - TD

4 Kyle Capobianco, D (63^rd overall, 2015. Last Year: 7) If a late-season injury from 2018-19 does not hold him back, Capobianco is a guy who can crack the NHL roster out of training camp this September. His dynamic two-way play and multi-faceted offensive game give him a very solid chance to achieve a full-time NHL role in 2019-20. Before fracturing his leg on a hit against the boards in a February game against the Blue Jackets, Capobianco had wowed many at the AHL and NHL levels. A shifty and fast skater, he is someone who can and will lead the charge into the offensive zone at any opportunity. His shot from the line is superb and complements his insane vision and anticipation. His active stick and tight gaps when skating backwards make him a versatile two-way guy. The 21-year-old could be more physical when trying to retrieve the puck in his own end, but it’s a small price to pay for a future top-four blueliner. - TD

5 Nick Merkley, RW/C (30^th overall, 2015. Last Year: 3) The early portion of Merkley’s career has been more or less defined by the injuries that have kept him from emerging as an NHL forward, but in spite of those ailments, the 2015 first-rounder has shown immense future value for the Coyotes down with AHL Tucson. He missed a large chunk of the season after rebounding from knee surgery in 2018-19, and was rusty upon his return, but still contributed 10 goals and 24 assists. Agile and athletic, he has the edgework and plus acceleration to make up for his small, albeit stocky, stature. His creativity with the puck is fueled by his elite hands, and his shot is an ever-evolving weapon. It is difficult to tell what kind of player Merkley is going to be, but if he can finally stay healthy, the 22-year-old has the skill and potential to be a future top-six winger. - TD

6 Ivan Prosvetov, G (114^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 15) Prosvetov is a hulking netminder who has a rare combination of athleticism and size. He is 6-5”, but he moves so quickly in his crease, taking away the bottom of the net with strong pushes. He is also quite the character and made a name for himself in the OHL this past season for his antics on the ice. Unfortunately, that also saw him suspended during a pivotal playoff series that Saginaw ultimately lost. Moving forward, like any goaltending prospect, Prosvetov will require patience. His positioning and reads will need improvement at the pro level, where he is likely to begin this year. Some time in the ECHL may even be required, but that is common for goaltending prospects. In time, Prosvetov has the skill set to become an NHL netminder; it may just take time. - BO

7 Kevin Bahl, D (55^th overall, 2018, Last Year: 10) A behemoth defender, Bahl has progressed well since being drafted in the second round by Arizona. At 6-6”, he just swallows up space in the defensive zone with his reach and his solid mobility for a bigger blueliner. Playing for the first place Ottawa 67’s this year, he was one of their most important players, seeing a ton of ice time and matching up against the opposition’s best forwards. Bahl’s offensive game likely won’t transfer over exceptionally well to the pro level, but he has made nice strides with his decision making and play with the puck. Limiting his turnovers and improving his breakout passes will be areas of focus moving forward. In the next couple of years, Bahl could develop into a top four shutdown defender for the Coyotes and be utilized similarly to the way the Boston Bruins use young defender Brandon Carlo. - BO

8 Nathan Schnarr, C (75^th overall, 2017. Last Year: Not ranked) After a breakout season with the OHL Champion Guelph Storm, Schnarr has put himself on the prospect map. He finished the year with over 100 points, way more than he had accumulated in his previous two years of OHL action. Schnarr is a big bodied center who is at his best when he can use his size and reach down low in the offensive zone. He controls the wall very well and is able to drive possession and open up passing lanes. His skating has improved a fair amount over the last three OHL seasons and he is now able to be effective in puck pursuit and in transition. He projects as a middle six forward at the NHL level who will need some time to adjust to the speed of the pro game. His playmaking ability and size are definite assets but it remains to be seen whether he has enough puck skill to be an offensive contributor for the Coyotes. - BO

9 Ty Emberson, D (73^rd overall, 2018. Last Year: 6) Playing on a disappointing Wisconsin team as a freshman, Emberson requires a few viewings to truly appreciate what he brings to the rink. He doesn’t play with a great deal of flash and his offensive contributions will never be of the type to have fans clamoring to see him quarterback a power play, but he does have some burgeoning offensive instincts which started to come out as his first collegiate season progressed. He knows how to read the defense in front of him and make himself into a useful attacking option for his team. His defensive zone reads need work, but he is committed to playing strong in his own end and he is a big open ice hitter, while rarely crossing the line that leads to time in the penalty box. I expect him to take a big step in his offensive game next year and a second pairing blueliner at the highest level is not out of the question. - RW

10 Jan Jenik, C (65^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 13) Jenik is an aggressive, attacking, North/South style forward who really uses his strong skating stride to push the pace and attack the offensive zone. He also possesses very good hands and has the capability to make defenders miss as he cuts through traffic on his way to the net. He is also a tenacious player who excelled in his half season in the OHL by relishing in the opportunity to take the body and playing a general pest role. As Jenik gains strength and is able to have more success driving the net and maintaining possession in the offensive zone, look for him to really breakout in a big way. He could have a big offensive season playing alongside Arthur Kaliyev in Hamilton. - BO

11 Filip Westerlund, D (44^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 5) The second-round draft pick from 2017 hasn’t stepped up his development yet. He has had a tough time earning a big role for top SHL club Frolunda. His offense hasn’t stood out as much for him to get power play time and his defensive play isn’t aggressive enough for him to play on the PK. The potential is still there for him though, but he will need to find a fit with a team that can give him top pairing minutes. He had that last season when he got picked up by Timra, but just four promising games (and two goals) in he suffered a season ending shoulder injury and the team was later relegated. He has since rehabilitated and is still in search for a fit with a new SHL team. Westerlund is a mobile puck-moving defenseman with good hockey sense, a quiet and smart potential top four defenseman with some puck skills, but he is still a long-term project. - JH

12 Tyler Steenbergen, C (128^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 9) An offensive juggernaut with Swift Current of the WHL for four years, Steenbergen was drafted as a no-risk overager in the fifth round of the 2017 NHL Draft. In contrast to many high-scoring junior players with some flaws, the former World Junior hero has developed into somewhat of a safe, conservative player. His 200-foot game, defensive responsibility, and effectiveness as a bottom-six, penalty-killing guy who can play all three forward spots reliably gives him something many players of his ilk have not: a surefire NHL ceiling. His speed as a skater and his blistering shot give him some high-end offensive capabilities, and that will be more on display this upcoming season as he takes a step up with Tucson. How far away he is from cracking the Coyotes roster is an open question, but he is a fairly simple prospect with solid NHL tools. - TD

13 John Farinacci, C (76^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) As hard as it can be to properly assess talent playing in the American high school system, Farinacci was good enough during his brief stints with Muskegon of the USHL, or wearing the American colors during last year’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup that he was firmly on the radar throughout his draft year. He is loaded with plus offensive tools, most notably his blistering shot, but his skating and puck skills also both work in his favor. Headed to Harvard in the Fall, there is a good chance that the Coyotes will have to wait through all four years to get him signed, but the raw ingredients are there for the team to feel justifiably excited to track his development. - RW

14 Hudson Fasching, RW (118^th overall, 2013 [Los Angeles]. Last Year: 16) At 24 years old, Fasching -- on his third pro organization since being drafted in the fourth round of the 2013 draft -- only has so many chances to impress an NHL team. With Arizona inking him to a two-year, two-way deal this offseason, it’s clear that the Coyotes’ brass has confidence in what he can become, even this late in his development. The hulking, powerful winger is a solid skater for a forward of his size and weight and has the ability to prolong offensive possession with his patience and physical moves. His skill (hands, passing, technical skating) are all sufficient, though he lacks consistency and one-on-one moves. He did see a recall to the Coyotes last season and has a chance to crack the roster this year, but he is starting to slip out of prospect status and will need to make his mark soon. - TD

15 Emil Pettersson, C (155^th overall, 2013 [Nashville]. Last Year: 13 [Nashville]) The 2013 sixth-round selection may never be more than Elias’ less-talented brother, but the Coyotes are holding out hope for him. Although he is already 25, the decision to retain his North American rights as he heads back to Sweden could pay off in the long term. Pettersson is a gifted playmaking center with loads of defensive responsibility and effectiveness, as his pure intelligence and hockey sense make him a high-level player at the AHL level. He can handle the puck well at full stride, as well as play the cycle game better than most. His skating is mushy at best, and his shot, though very accurate and whippy, is on the slower side, making him a difficult guy to see fitting on an NHL roster. If he ever returns to the states, it will be as a Coyote, as the qualifying offer extended to him before he signed with Vaxjo of the SHL allowed Arizona to retain his rights. - TD

16 Cam Dineen, D (68^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 11) Still a long-term project, Dineen struggled to get comfortable with the pro side of the sport in his first season in the AHL. The 2016 third-rounder dominated the OHL over four seasons with his mobility and power-play potency, but had his fair share of issues in translating his game to Tucson, where his offensive output slumped (57-3-9-12) and his efforts on the power play (just two man-advantage points) were nearly nonexistent. He can add to his impressive package of offensive skills (his smooth skating and deceptively quick shot being the highlights) by adding strength to his smaller-statured body and becoming more confident in his ability to move the puck up the ice. He is a very solid defensive defenseman for someone who does not fit the conventional mold of one, and so he only needs to mature his transitional game. He could be a bottom-four NHL guy with power-play time in the near future. - TD

17 Matias Maccelli, LW (98^th overall, 2016. Last Year: IE) It has been some time since the Coyotes had a prospect to follow in Finnish hockey. With Maccelli, in a roundabout way, they now have one. Selected out of Dubuque in the USHL, the Finnish import is expected to return home after two stateside seasons to continue his development in the Liiga with Ilves. For as good as his production was with the Fighting Saints, Maccelli lacks the high-end tools that would increase his odds of success at the highest rungs. While capable of brief moments of speed, his normal skating pace is dawdling. He is a gifted passer with fine vision and a nice shot to boot, but his lack of size or a physical nature will put more onus on his feet. If he can gain a step or two, he could be a solid middle six option in a few years, but bust potential exists. - RW

18 Anthony Romano, C (176^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Despite middling numbers during the regular season, and being a frequent no-show during Sioux Falls’ run to the Clark Cup title last season, Romano’s 2018-19 campaign must be seen as a success, as he was able to play the same two-way disruptive game in the USHL as he had previously in the OJHL. Romano is a fine skater with a hard enough shot that suggests some future utility in a middle six and even some power play minutes from the half wall. He reads the game at an advanced level and provides the type of energy most coaches like to see in their bottom six. Heading to Clarkson to continue his development, the Coyotes will take a patient approach with their recent sixth round pick. Even without the high upside, Romano is a good bet to maximize the talent that he does have. - RW

19 Liam Kirk, C/LW (189th overall, 2018. Last Year: Not ranked) The pride of Great Britain’s fledgling hockey program, Kirk took some time adjusting to North American hockey in the OHL this past season. He was terrific in the second half of the year, looking much more confident and comfortable. Kirk has very good hands in tight and possesses an excellent wrist shot, qualities that make him a potential goal scorer at the NHL level. He also skates well and has begun to gain confidence in his ability to lead the charge into the offensive zone. The rest of his game remains a work in progress, with a lot of that attributing to a lack of strength. As such, he is very much a long-term project. But if the Coyotes are patient, Kirk could eventually develop into a top 6 scoring winger. – BO

20 Valentin Nussbaumer, C (207^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Nussbaumer had a tough first year in North America, but not entirely due to his own play. His team, the Shawinigan Cataractes, battled through some tough stretches at times in 2018-19, but ultimately were able to make the playoffs and take a pair of games off the Memorial Cup champion Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. He also struggled at times early in the season with spacing, as moving from big ice to smaller ice is always an adjustment. He eventually adapted well and put up four points in six playoff games. Nussbaumer is a major offensive threat with the puck because of his creativity and his quickness. His hands are lightning quick, and his feet keep pace; his footwork and agility may be the best in the QMJHL. He is a project, especially without the puck, but he will have an offensive impact on his teams, whether in the NHL or elsewhere. - MS

Arizona Coyotes Prospect System Overview

Tom Dorsa — Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:33:26 +0000

Some consider the Arizona Coyotes to be a sleeper postseason team, and they have a stacked prospect core to thank for their potential berth into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. As a young team on the cusp of contending again, their rebuild is nearing its end, a rebuild that saw not only a change on the roster sheet, but in the front office, as the team switched presidents, owners, head coaches, and general managers all within the past few seasons.

Out of all of the changes, as is often the case, it has been the GM that has had the biggest cultural impact on the Coyotes, bar none. John Chayka, an NHL general manager in his 20s, is the first to fully incorporate analytics into a team-building approach. The Coyotes do not trade for a prospect, sign a free agent, or acquire a proven NHL player without first consulting their advanced metrics.

It is a method never before seen in the NHL, but one that could come to fruition with the prospects in the pool today. With the help of analytics and a lengthy run as a rebuilding club selling off NHLers for prospects and/or picks at every opportunity, the Coyotes have built their prospect core up to a very high level. It helps when you get lottery picks like Clayton Keller and Dylan Strome, but a good bulk of this top 20 countdown consists of players picked late into drafts or acquired via trade.

For an organization still being roughed into shape, it is integral to grab a solid mix between players with stout past production and those with lesser numbers but with great future projected statistics. For example, Christian Dvorak had crazy numbers in OHL play, and has continued that success into the NHL, earning a long-term contract this offseason; Kyle Capobianco projects to be a top-four offensive defenseman after less impressive junior stats.

It won't be long until Arizona is back to competing for division titles and postseason spots. The future has already arrived in one sense, with Keller, Dvorak, and crew, but they have even more dynamic supplemental additions on the way. The immediate and long-term future looks bright in Glendale.

Dylan Strome

1 Dylan Strome, C (3rd overall, 2015. Last year: 2nd) It's true that Dylan Strome has failed to live up to expectations, but his pure talent is a big reason to remain optimistic. After posting a 1.06 a point-per-game mark with AHL Tucson, Strome was impressive in a late season recall with the Coyotes, scoring six points in his final 10 NHL games. The big center has all the tools to be a game-changer, with his vision being one and his unbelievably fast 70-grade wrist shot being another. He has nasty hands, a lot of skating skill despite inefficient and relatively slow feet, and his unmatched hockey sense allows him to think the game through a different way. His pure foot speed will never be a selling point, but his unique combination of skill, size, and shooting screams impact NHL player. It is likely he'll make the Coyotes roster out of training camp this season.

2 Barrett Hayton, C (5th overall, 2018. Last year: IE) Barrett Hayton is nothing if not incredibly versatile and reliable. The fifth-overall pick from last June's draft, Hayton comes from a stacked Sault Ste. Marie club that featured fellow first-rounders Rasmus Sandin and Morgan Frost, where he racked up an impressive 60 points in 63 games while fighting for top-six minutes. Hayton has great puck skills, particularly in protecting the puck with some elusive specialty moves and with his impressive body strength, as well as facilitating offensive plays and creating scoring chances from scratch. A natural center but one that can play the wing just as effectively, Hayton is an intelligent player with a great wrist shot. Otherwise, he does all the little things well and brings a certain spark of energy with him out onto the ice. Out of his draft class, he's one of the safest players to pick in terms of NHL ceiling, even if he doesn't have a single dynamic asset.

3 Nick Merkley, RW (30th overall, 2015. Last year: 3rd) Drafted as a skilled but undersized player at the end of 2015's first round, Nick Merkley had not yet reached the level seen in the WHL due mostly to a ACL injury in the 2015-16 season. It appeared that Merkley had rekindled the energetic speed and skill that the Coyotes liked when they drafted him in his first pro season, scoring at over a point-per-game rate in the AHL and earning league All-Star honors, but his season again ended prematurely with a knee injury. His lower-body health is a concern given his history, but when he's healthy, his agility, swift hands, and creativity with puck movement show consistent potential for success at the NHL level. His skating, in particular his edgework and acceleration, is also a plus skill. Of course, he's undersized and can't seem to stay healthy, but with offensive results like what he has produced at 100%, he remains an intriguing and valuable prospect.

4 Pierre-Olivier Joseph, D (23rd overall, 2017. Last year: 5th) Just like his older brother, Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Mathieu, Pierre-Olivier Joseph's game revolves around his high-end athleticism and his lanky frame. Both Joseph brothers have speed that comes from their lightweight body styles and quick footwork, skills that Pierre-Olivier used to become an offensive force in all situations for the Charlottetown Islanders. His 46 points with the QMJHL club last season was second on the team, while placing fourth in goals and first in helpers. His hockey IQ was on full display on the Islanders' power-play, where 21 of his points came. In addition to his great skating, Joseph has tremendous hands that allow him to play the puck smoothly in any situation and good defensive zone coverage that makes him as reliable on the ice as anyone at that level. The 19-year-old needs to add some muscle to his 6-2" frame, but otherwise looks to be a complete defenseman with a lot of potential for an NHL shutdown role.

5 Filip Westerlund, D (44th overall, 2017. Last year: 9th) Filip Westerlund is an extremely interesting player to watch. A defenseman with wondrous speed and nifty hands that allow him to routinely exit his zone with relative ease, Westerlund doesn't compile points the way a blueliner with that skillset should. Instead, he's more of a passive defenseman with a poor, hesitant shot and a lack of playmaking skills despite a pretty high hockey IQ. When you have the good gap control and willingness to be physical in spite of an undersized frame, however, you can still provide plus value to a team, and Westerlund gives it his all in that regard. It also doesn't hurt to be a fixture on the blueline with Frolunda, perhaps the best hockey team in Europe. With the Coyotes being so analytically-influenced, Westerlund fits the mold of a future top-four defenseman that puts up high-quality numbers in advanced metrics and does his job, even if he doesn't pass the initial eye test.

Ty Emberson

6 Ty Emberson, D (73rd overall, 2018. Last year: IE) Ty Emberson is the prototypical hit or miss prospect. A very physical, tough defenseman that emulates a style better suited for the NHL as it was 20 years ago, Emberson is willing to check in open ice, along the boards, and just about anywhere in between, and staying disciplined and mostly penalty-free in the process. However, the U.S. National Team Development alum doesn't have a very refined offensive game; other than a speedy shot that can generate a lot of rebounds, Emberson's play with the puck is unimpressive. His patience lacks, his passing skills are subpar, and he's better feeding a teammate for a breakout than skating the puck out himself. He has good enough pure footwork to become an improved offensive defenseman over time, but for now, he's a solid defensive d-man with near elite physicality, good gap control, and smarts within his own zone.

7 Kyle Capobianco, D (63rd overall, 2015. Last year: 12th) In his first full pro season, Kyle Capobianco showed off an impressive skillset that made him the best offensive defenseman in the system with AHL Tucson. His 30 points led all Roadrunners defensemen in 2017-18, while his 28 assists were second on the club behind just top prospect Dylan Strome. His skating is graceful, as he's very quick to get up to speed, with fantastic edgework as well. Capobianco is a playmaker by every definition, as his vision and hockey sense are both strengths in his game, but he doesn't risk position and defensive responsibility to create scoring chances; the opportunities the left-hander generates are always from scratch as he develops his defensive game. He has an underwhelming physical game and a substandard point shot, but the 21-year-old has the tools to be a quality top-four guy with the Coyotes in the near future.

8 Adin Hill, G (76th overall, 2015. Last year: 11th) Goaltenders generally take longer to come to fruition than position-playing prospects, but Adin Hill, the unofficially denoted Coyotes goaltender of the future, is 22 and has already made major splashes at pro levels. With his NHL debut already in the bag, Hill held down the starting job with Tucson, posting a 19-11-0 record with a 2.28 goals against average in his second full pro year after an impressive tenure with Portland of the WHL. Hill is a very calm netminder who limits second chances well and uses his next-level size (6-6", 206 lbs) to close down any holes that would ail a smaller goalie. He is unfazed by a heavy workload or a lot of traffic around him, and has efficient foot movement in the crease that allows him to move from side to side well. He is not the best at reading plays as they develop, and could use some more seasoning with the Roadrunners.

9 Tyler Steenbergen, C (128th overall, 2017. Last year: 20th) Put on an international stage with the game-winning goal in the World Juniors final, Tyler Steenbergen is more than just a Canadian hero, he is a solid prospect with a couple of high-end skills that bring his NHL potential way up. Jumping from 20th to ninth in the prospect rankings, he ranked sixth in goals (47) and points (102) in the WHL this past season and inked his entry-level contract with the Coyotes in March. Drafted as a 19-year-old overager, Steenbergen's production in junior was hard to ignore, and that production comes from good overall skating, a splendid shot with a swift and heavy release, and effective puck distribution – he has also improved his two-way game mightily over the past season. The question for the undersized center is whether he just a good point-producer junior player or a more complete package with skills to succeed in the pros.

Kevin Bahl

10 Kevin Bahl, D (55th overall, 2018. Last year: IE) In today's world of pro hockey, Kevin Bahl is a bit of an anomaly, mostly because of his unique combination of incredible size for an 18-year-old (6-6", 231lbs) and blistering speed for a guy of that stature. With a monstrous frame, he is a terrifying physical presence in his own zone, and has the athleticism and the wheels to skate the puck out and through the neutral zone. However, his offensive game has absolutely no other impact asset as of now, and his OHL performance with Ottawa has been not been striking from an offensive perspective. Nonetheless, he's smart, makes good reads, and has a strong first pass out of his zone. If his ceiling, a big defensive-defenseman who can skate well enough to become a part of the offensive attack, is what Bahl reaches in the future, then Arizona should be pleased.

11 Cam Dineen, D (68th overall, 2016. Last year: 14th) Though health has been a recurring issue for Cam Dineen, the young lefthander has too much offensive upside to forget yet. The 2016 draftee was at near a point-per-game scoring rate with the North Bay Battalion and Sarnia Sting last season, and yet, it was suspected that Dineen wasn't ever fully healthy; imagine what he can do at 100%. Dineen has above-average lateral mobility and agility, making him a refined technical skater with some good top speed to boot, and exhibits strong puck skills such as his fast hands and nifty passing abilities. He has a high hockey IQ and plays an intelligent two-way game with a knack for anticipating and cutting down passes. Dineen, who has signed an ELC and will play with AHL Tucson, just needs to stay healthy and work on his consistency to further develop.

12 Ilya Lyubushkin, D (Free Agent Signing: May 23, 2018. Last year: IE) A rock solid defensive defenseman, Ilya Lyubushkin was on the radar of many NHL teams this season and signed with the Coyotes after five seasons with Yaroslavl Lokomotiv of the KHL. With the Russian club, Lyubushkin tallied 36 points in 257 games over the past five years, exhibiting a hesitance to get involved offensively, but mainly because that is the opposite of what makes the 24-year-old an effective presence. A classic, old-school stay-at-home defenseman, Lyubushkin has a tendency to play physical at all times, which helps limit high-danger inside scoring chances. He is also a relatively smart defenseman who makes good reads and likes to cut off passes and shots. His signing represents a gamble, especially in a system with more NHL-ready defensemen than big-league roster spots, but if he can stay calm and play his game, his defensive upside should be enough to fight for a spot on the Coyotes.

13 Jan Jenik, RW (65th overall, 2018. Last year: IE) Jan Jenik was the youngest player in the 2018 draft, eligible for the summer draft season by just 24 hours given his September 15, 2000 birthday. On that account, it is difficult to project how the 17-year-old will come to be in the future against what he has shown scouts so far. What he does have is a very lanky, narrow body frame (6-1", 161lbs) that has the potential to be an effective power forward asset, a good wrist shot, and very quick hands. He is dangerous in one-on-one situations and can blow by defenders to get right to the net, where the Czech youngster is just as lethal thanks to his elusive specialty moves. However, he has played just six games at any major-league level, and at 17, there's no way of telling if these skills will hold up in higher levels. For an early third-round pick, though, Jenik has a high ceiling.

14 Laurent Dauphin, C (Trade: Jan. 10, 2018 [Chicago]. Last year: 6th [Chicago]) Now 23 years old and in his second stint with the Coyotes organization before solidifying any real NHL roster spot, Laurent Dauphin could still have some underlying value hidden in him. A Coyotes draft pick, traded to Chicago in the Niklas Hjalmarsson deal and then back to Arizona in the Anthony Duclair trade, Dauphin has been mostly an afterthought in his short NHL playing time, with just four points in 34 games to his name. Still, he skates pretty well, has a good wrist shot release, and plays a serviceable two-way game that suggests the ability to squeak out a job on an NHL fourth line and play well enough to stick. He is a high-energy guy who could score more often if given an extended chance at the major-league level.

15 Ivan Prosvetov, G (114th overall, 2018. Last year: IE) Drafted in his second eligible year, Prosvetov stole the show for the USHL's Youngstown Phantoms in 2017-18, outplaying former Blackhawks draft pick Wouter Peeters and leading Youngstown to the league finals. With a 19-9-1 record, 2.90 goals against average, and .913 save percentage, Prosvetov passes the statistical test, but his eye test results are even more impressive; the big, 6-4" goaltender is surprisingly athletic and light for his size, an advanced rebound controller, and very consistent in his work. The Russian could stand to use his lanky body to challenge shooters better, but utilization of size is something goalies generally learn on the fly as time goes by. Moving to the OHL to play with Saginaw next season, he has a lot of tools to inspire confidence in the Coyotes brass.

Hudson Fasching

16 Hudson Fasching, RW (Trade: Jun. 14, 2018 [Buffalo]. Last year: 6th [Buffalo]) At this juncture in the career of Hudson Fasching, it's hard to tell where he is heading as a prospect. If he could rekindle some of the excellence he displayed at the NCAA level in the pro ranks, he would be an NHL bottom-six anchor, but his foray into the AHL and NHL has not been an easy one. He was a gifted scoring winger who played a fabulous mix between power forward and playmaker at Minnesota, showing a knack for creating scoring opportunities from the boards by using his body to prolong his team's puck possession. He also drove right to the goal with the puck pretty often and showed sone neat hands in tight. In a new organization, the 23-year-old will have a chance to battle for an NHL spot instantly, trying to impress the Coyotes with some recovered college skills.

17 Adam Helewka, LW (Trade: Jun. 12, 2018 [San Jose]. Last year: 15th [San Jose]) An obscurity in the WHL until his age-20 season during which he scored 44 goals for Spokane, Adam Helewka was drafted in his third eligible season in 2015. Arizona acquired the now third-year pro in a trade with Pacific Division rivals San Jose and inherit an intriguing, albeit inconsistent prospect with some bottom-six potential. Helewka placed second on the postseason-qualifying San Jose Barracuda with 38 points last season, tallying 29 helpers by driving possession with his superb vision and patience. He has goal-scoring chops and good positioning away from the puck, but is mostly a facilitator that plays a decent two-way game. His skating is a major issue, and at 23, he doesn't have much more room to grow, but a two-way, bottom-six NHL role is plausible for the hard-working Canadian.

18 Conor Garland, RW (123rd overall, 2015. Last year: 10th) Conor Garland is a prime example of why NHL teams drafting tools over stats is important. Twice the leading scorer in the Canadian junior system, Garland's point-scoring has not translated to the pros in the slightest of ways; his 129-point final QMJHL campaign has been followed only by a 27-point AHL season last year. Not to say the 21-year-old is a finished product, though, as the best version of him is still enough to keep him around. When he is on his game, the undersized forward is an absolute pest on the puck, and capable of both facilitating plays with great passing and hockey sense as well as scoring from distance and from in tight. He dropped eight spots in the Arizona prospect rankings from last year, but his determination and playmaking makes him someone to keep an eye on.

19 Cameron Crotty, D (82nd overall, 2017. Last year: Unranked) As a Junior-A player with little press around him, Cameron Crotty was seen as a potential sleeper pick before the 2017 draft kicked off, and his unique skillset could allow him to come to fruition as such. His skating mobility and playmaking acumen make him a dangerous player to try and defend in the neutral zone and beyond, and his size (6-3", 183 lbs) gives him a big advantage over his peers in the defensive zone. The Boston University talent, similar to Filip Westerlund, projects to be a defensive-defenseman that plays with a mobile, agile approach, like Chris Tanev or Colton Parayko; he will not put up eye-popping numbers, but his advanced metrics will be good and he will pass the eye test with ease. He is a long-term project with some holes in his game (the way he uses his reach, his vision, etc), but his upside is high.

20 Merrick Madsen, G (Trade: Jun. 16, 2017 [Philadelphia]. Last year: 18th) Brought in from the Philadelphia system as a challenger to the notion of Adin Hill having the goalie-of-the-future spot in the bag, Merrick Madsen has been a quality presence in the blue paint for Harvard University over the past three years. Now, with an ELC inked, Madsen looks to contend with Hill in Tucson this season. A very tall, very physically lean goaltender, Madsen has the size to compete in his crease, while using his above-average play reading abilities and ample body strength to stay strong in the paint. His technical game could use some work, as could his focus, but the pro game should help remedy those flaws.

OHL Playoff Preview: Greyhounds pacing the pack

Brock Otten — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 20:51:07 +0000

The 2018 Ontario Hockey League playoffs kick off this week after the regular season wrapped up this past weekend. Heading into the playoffs, the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds are the clear favorites to come out of the OHL and represent the league at the Memorial Cup in Regina. They have spent the vast majority of the season as the top ranked team in the CHL, one of only two teams to chart the entire season (along with Blainville-Boisbriand of the QMJHL). But competition is always fierce and there are no sure bets in the OHL. Let us now take a look at each first round match-up.

Eastern Conference

#1 - Hamilton Bulldogs vs. #8 - Ottawa 67’s

Season Series: Hamilton leads 5-0

Will Bitten of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Analysis: The Conference Champion Bulldogs face off against the 67’s after the Steelheads won on the final Sunday, securing the number 7 seed. Hamilton has been the cream of the crop of the Eastern Conference for the vast majority of the season. They have been extremely active in trades this year to give them the best chance of coming out of the East. The Bulldogs added Robert Thomas (St. Louis), Riley Stillman (Florida), Nic Caamano (Dallas), Ryan Moore, and Nic Mattinen (Toronto) to an already stacked lineup, giving Ottawa an extremely daunting challenge in round one. This team rolls three powerhouse offensive lines with Matthew Strome (Philadelphia), Will Bitten (Montreal), Mackenzie Entwistle (Arizona), Marian Studenic (New Jersey), and Brandon Saigeon being other top options. Forward Arthur Kaliyev (2019) is another name to watch. He is the first 16 year old to score 30 goals in the OHL since Alex Galchenyuk and he is a potential lottery pick next year as a power winger. In net, the Bulldogs boast one of the OHL’s most improved players this year in Kaden Fulcher (Detroit).

Kevin Bahl of the Ottawa 67's. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Ottawa, on the other hand, is a very young team. In a few years’ time, they could be Memorial Cup contenders. They could have five players drafted in the first three rounds this year (Kody Clark, Mitchell Hoelscher, Merrick Rippon, Kevin Bahl, and Carter Robertson). Offensively, they are paced by Sasha Chmelevski (San Jose), Travis Barron (Colorado), Austen Keating (2018) and Tye Felhaber. Chmelevski was a much hyped prospect who fell hard at last year’s draft (all the way to the 6th), but he has returned much stronger this season. His play away from the puck has greatly improved and it has taken his game to another level. But for all their talent offensively, the 67’s have had a very difficult time keeping the puck out of their own net this year. Overager Olivier Tremblay has not provided the stability that the team had hoped for when they brought him in early this year.

This one has all the makings of a quick series. This Ottawa team, as talented as they are young, is not yet ready for this type of challenge. The Bulldogs are one of the deepest teams in the OHL and their offensive firepower is likely to overwhelm an inexperienced defense and inconsistent netminder. One particular thing worth watching is the 67’s struggling penalty kill going up against one of the league’s best powerplay units from Hamilton. This has to be troubling for Ottawa because they also happen to be one of the league’s most undisciplined teams. And while Ottawa does have some great young offensive talent, the Bulldogs have one of the oldest defensive units in the league and are likely to limit the offensive chances of the 67’s. I look for Robert Thomas to have a big series here (and a big playoff performance overall). His points per game has taken a big dip since joining the Bulldogs, but I think he explodes this postseason.

Prediction: This Hamilton team is just too experienced and too talented for the 67’s. They have the advantage in nearly every area and should dominate. If Ottawa was getting better goaltending, I would say that they might be able to steal a game or two, but I do not even see that happening. Hamilton in 4.

#2 - Barrie Colts vs. #7 - Mississauga Steelheads

Season Series: Mississauga leads 4-2

Michael McLeod of the Mississauga Steelheads. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Analysis: If I was a betting man, I would bet that this is the match-up that Barrie wanted to avoid in the opening round. In fact, it was probably the match-up every team wanted to avoid in the first round. Mississauga has underachieved all season long, but they have shown some signs of finally coming to life the last month or so. Offensive talent is not to be questioned. Their first two lines include names like Michael McLeod (New Jersey), Ryan McLeod (2018), Owen Tippett (Florida), Trent Fox, Albert Michnac (2018), and Mathieu Foget. This group of six matches up well against any top six in the Eastern Conference and it helps to explain why the Steelheads are the third highest scoring team in the Conference. And this excludes their leading scorer, defenseman Nic Hague (Vegas), who was the first OHL defender to score 30+ since Allan Rourke. But keeping the puck out has been a challenge at times. Swedish import and defensive stalwart Jacob Moverare (Los Angeles) has been injured and that has really challenged their younger defensive players to play more minutes than they are ready for. Furthermore, young netminder Jacob Ingham (2018) has had an awful sophomore season that has seen him essentially lose the starting job to Emanuel Vella.

Andrei Svechnikov of the Barrie Colts. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

This is potentially trouble because Barrie is the highest scoring team in the Conference and the 3rd highest scoring in the OHL. Their first line of Andrei Svechnikov (2018), Aaron Luchuk (Ottawa), and Dmitry Sokolov (Minnesota) has been absolutely shredding teams of late. The supporting offensive cast includes guys like Ryan Suzuki (2019), Jason Willms (2018), and Zach Magwood who work extremely hard in all three zones and bring energy that exhausts the opposition so that the first line can go to work. The Colts do not have any stars on the blueline, but they are a tight knit unit who work well with Barrie’s forwards to play a terrific team defense. In net, overager Leo Lazerev starts and while he does not necessarily win any games outright for the Colts, he is a mostly reliable presence. It should be noted that he has yet to win an OHL playoff series in his career and probably goes into this match-up with just as many question marks as Mississauga’s tenders.

There is no question that this is not your average #2 versus #7 seed match-up. This is especially true when you consider the fact that Mississauga largely dominated the season series, winning all three games in the new year by a combined score of 18-10. For whatever reason, the speed of Mississauga’s forwards gives the defense of Barrie a tough time and Lazerev has an .840 save percentage against the Fish this season. This is complicated even more by the fact that Andrei Svechnikov has been suspended for the first four games of the series for a head check. But I admit, I have a tough time picking Mississauga to win this series. I do not trust their defense to be able to handle Barrie’s depth up front. And if these games go to an offensive shootout like they did in the regular season, I think Barrie ends up coming out on top this time. Mississauga’s Mathieu Foget has also been suspended for the first four games of the series and his loss might actually be felt more because of Mississauga’s lack of depth. His acquisition really triggered the turnaround for the team. Barrie also needs to stay out of the box. In the regular season, they gave Mississauga almost double the amount of powerplays that they received and it cost them dearly with the Steelheads clicking at over 30% with the man advantage. If they can stay out of the box, and Lazerev can make a few saves, I still like Barrie to come out on top.

Prediction: The result of this series would not surprise me either way, even with the difference in seeding. But depth is critical in the playoffs and Barrie has the advantage there. I am excited to see how the Svechnikov/Luchuk/Sokolov unit handles the pressure of the playoffs. Svechnikov, in particular, can really cement himself as the #2 prospect available in the draft with a strong postseason performance once he returns from suspension (as long as Barrie does not get swept). Barrie in 7.

#3 - Kingston Frontenacs vs. #6 - North Bay Battalion

Season Series: Kingston leads 3-1

Gabriel Vilardi of the Kingston Frontenacs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Analysis: This is an intriguing match-up because of how differently these two teams approached the OHL season. Kingston brought in Gabe Vilardi (Los Angeles), Max Jones (Anaheim), Cliff Pu (Buffalo), Sean Day (New York Rangers), and Mitchell Byrne at the deadline to bolster an already solid line-up and make them contenders to come out of the East. While they failed to secure a division banner, the results post deadline have been mostly extremely positive. A healthy and re-invigorated Vilardi has provided the biggest boost, as his 1.87 points per game in Kingston is second to only Jordan Kyrou (St. Louis) in the OHL. His strength, on and off the puck, makes him a dominant force in all three zones and the type of player who works to tire and grind out opposing defenses.

Justin Brazeau of the North Bay Battalion. Photo by Terry Wilson /OHL Images,

The North Bay Battalion were sellers at the deadline this year, shipping out veterans Cam Dineen (Arizona), and Brett McKenzie (Vancouver). Those moves only worked to light a fire under the Battalion roster and the team actually improved their record in the New Year thanks to the play of new acquisitions Matthew Struthers (2018), and Jake Henderson, as well as veterans Justin Brazeau (2018), and Adam Thilander (2018). Brazeau, in particular, is a player to watch. The 6-5” winger finished just inside the Top 20 of league scoring and was named as the East’s most underrated player in the recent coaches poll that was released.

If we are measuring up these two teams, we need to give the edge to Kingston in nearly every area. The Fronts lead the season series 3-1, winning the three most recent games (February on). The biggest advantage Kingston has is in net with Jeremy Helvig (Carolina) manning the crease. The overager and veteran netminder has 19 OHL playoff games under his belt and is unquestionably one of the league’s top netminders. Meanwhile, the Battalion will rely on either Christian Propp (2018) or Julian Sime, who have a combined zero OHL playoff appearances. Kingston also has a heavy advantage on special teams, with their powerplay and penalty killing units operating at a higher level. With Robertson and Vilardi operating down low on the powerplay, North Bay is going to need to stay out of the box to have any chance in this series. One wild card to keep an eye on is the health of Max Jones. Jones has been out since the end of January after undergoing surgery on a broken finger. It is likely he returns at some point in these playoffs and he can be a major x-factor.

Prediction: Ultimately, Kingston’s experience and leadership should carry them to a relatively easy victory in this match-up. Gabe Vilardi and Sean Day won a Memorial Cup together last year. Mitchell Byrne won an OHL Championship last year. And Cliff Pu and Max Jones won an OHL Title and Memorial Cup in 2016. Kingston in 5.

#4 - Niagara IceDogs vs. #5 - Oshawa Generals

Season Series: Tied at 1 game apiece

Akil Thomas of the Niagara IceDogs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Analysis: Two teams that do not see a ton of each other match-up in round one. Niagara and Oshawa also happen to be two of the hotter teams in the OHL heading into the playoffs. The IceDogs are a team that rely on speed and energy to play an up tempo and offensively oriented style of game. They get after it on the forecheck and have a powerplay that has been much improved since the acquisition of overager Sam Miletic (Pittsburgh) from London. On top of Miletic, Niagara has a trio of offensive weapons that they rely on in Kirill Maksimov (Edmonton), Akil Thomas (2018), and Ben Jones (Vegas).

Jack Studnicka of the Oshawa Generals. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Oshawa, on the other hand, prefers to slow things down and grind it out in the offensive end. Their fearless leader is Jack Studnicka (Boston), an excellent two-way center who makes an impact in so many different ways. A pair of first time draft eligible forwards support Studnicka; Serron Noel (2018), and Allan McShane (2018). Defenseman Matt Brassard (Vancouver) is also critical to their offensive success. He was one of the highest scoring defenders in the league in the second half and finished the year 7th in defensive scoring.

If we are truly comparing these two teams, it is difficult to determine who has a clear advantage. In goal, the nod should be given to Oshawa and their starter Kyle Keyser (Boston). Keyser has been a stable presence in net this year, definitely more so than Stephen Dhillon who has struggled for Niagara this year, or the inexperienced Colton Incze. Up front, I give the slight edge to Niagara because of their explosiveness and depth. On defense, the two teams boast slightly inexperienced units who are mobile, but can be mistake prone. Ultimately, I see two things possibly tipping the favor in Niagara’s direction. The first is special teams play. As mentioned, Niagara’s powerplay has been performing at a high level lately and Oshawa has one of the league’s worst penalty killing units. The second is home ice advantage, which Niagara owns after finishing the regular season on a 7 game winning streak.

Prediction: With home ice advantage, better special teams play, and a slightly more explosive offense, I like Niagara to win this series. Their goaltending concerns me slightly, but between Dhillon or Incze, they should be able to make enough big saves to at least get the IceDogs into the second round. But this one will be close. Niagara in 7.

Western Conference

#1 - Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds vs. #8 - Saginaw Spirit

Season Series: SSM leads 7-1

Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League. Photo by Terry Wilson

Analysis: The juggernaut Greyhounds kick off their Memorial Cup push against the Saginaw Spirit, whose five game losing streak to end the season forced them down the standings and into this first round match-up. Sault Ste. Marie has nine NHL draft picks on their roster and two more potential first rounders for 2018. Up front, Boris Katchouk (Tampa Bay), Taylor Raddysh (Tampa Bay), Jack Kopacka (Anaheim), Tim Gettinger (New York Rangers), Barrett Hayton (2018), and the underrated Hayden Verbeek pace the attack. But the real star is OHL 2nd leading scorer Morgan Frost (Philadelphia), one of the breakout stars of this season. On the backend, the Hounds are equally strong, led by Conor Timmins (Colorado), and Rasmus Sandin (2018). Neither seem to make a mistake with the puck and both are just as good in their own end as they are offensively. In net, Matthew Villalta (Los Angeles) has been a steady presence who makes the saves when he needs to.

Evan Cormier of the Saginaw Spirit. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Saginaw’s strength actually starts in net where overager Evan Cormier (New Jersey) keeps the Spirit in a lot of games that they do not deserve to be in. This is important because the Spirit struggle to score goals. They were only one of three teams in the OHL to not score 200 goals on the season and the other two finished dead last in their conferences (Flint and Sudbury). Furthermore, their powerplay was a league worst 14.7%. There is definitely some offensive talent on this team, but the team’s best days are ahead of them as guys like Blade Jenkins (2018), Nicholas Porco (2019), Ryan Stepien (2020), Aidan Prueter (2020), and Damien Giroux (2018) gain experience. In fact, the team’s only NHL drafted forward, Brady Gilmour (Detroit) finished 9th in team scoring.

In all honesty, this series should not be close and is not likely to be close. The Spirit have a talented young roster, but they are not currently an equal to the Greyhounds. Sault Ste. Marie has the advantage in nearly every area except maybe goaltending. Even then, Evan Cormier can only do so much. Heck, we might see the Greyhounds score more shorthanded goals than the Spirit score powerplay goals in the series.

Prediction: I want to say that Evan Cormier can do enough to steal a game for the Spirit in this series, but I cannot even see the Spirit winning a game. The Greyhounds are just too strong. SSM in 4.

#2 - Kitchener Rangers vs. #7 - Guelph Storm

Season Series: Kitchener leads 5-3

Logan Brown of the Kitchener Rangers. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Analysis: This is an interesting first round match-up between two teams that did not end the regular season the way they wanted to. Kitchener, a strong team all season, struggled down the stretch, although managed to hang on to their Division crown. Meanwhile, the Guelph Storm were one of the league’s worst teams in the last few months that saw them lose their grip on the #6 spot in the West. Kitchener loaded up at the deadline by bringing in Logan Brown (Ottawa), Givani Smith (Detroit), Mario Culina, and Austin McEneny. I think it would be fair to say that Kitchener is still waiting to see the best out of three of those four, with Culina playing well so far as a starter. It has been the guys around all season like Adam Mascherin (Florida), Kole Sherwood (Columbus), Joseph Gareffa, Logan Stanley (Winnipeg), and Riley Damiani (2018) that have been driving the team’s success. Moving into the playoffs, it will be about whether the newer faces can finally find chemistry or not. The health of defensive stalwart Connor Hall (Pittsburgh) could also impact the series.

Ryan Merkley of the Guelph Storm. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Guelph, as mentioned, has also struggled down the stretch, especially when it comes to preventing goals. Goaltender Anthony Popovich (2018) appeared to tire of late after seeing a huge jump in workload this season. The defensive group, led by Ryan Merkley (2018), and Dmitri Samorukov (Edmonton) also struggled, to the point where Merkley was a healthy scratch at times down the stretch. The Storm do have a hard working forward group who is capable of icing multiple scoring lines. The offensive leaders are unquestionably Isaac Ratcliffe (Philadelphia) and Cam Hillis (2018), who along with Alexei Toropchenko (St. Louis) form a quality first line.

Looking at this series a little more under the microscope, it is probably closer than people are making it out to be. The special teams match-up pretty well. Neither team has a dominant goaltender that one would qualify as a game-changer (no offense meant to Culina or Popovich). Both teams struggled down the stretch with team chemistry issues. The tipping point for me is experience. The Rangers have the clear advantage there, especially on the defensive end. Guys like Logan Stanley and Austin McEneny, who won a Memorial Cup together with Windsor last year, should really help to stabilize things, even without Connor Hall. I also look for longtime Rangers like Mascherin or Connor Bunnaman (Philadelphia) to really step up offensively to get this team over the first round hump.

Prediction: As mentioned, I feel like Kitchener’s experience advantage will help them come out on top in this series. I also feel that they have a much better team defense approach that likely plays out better for success in the playoffs. Guelph has talent, but they play a very high risk game that, without a ton of playoff experience, could be their undoing. It will be close, but Kitchener in 6.

#3 - Sarnia Sting vs. #6 - Windsor Spitfires

Season Series: Sarnia leads 5-1

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

Analysis: No offense meant to the rest of the Windsor Spitfires, but this match-up is about two things. The Sarnia offense (2nd best in the OHL) versus the goaltending of Michael DiPietro (Vancouver). The dynamic DiPietro is one of the few goaltenders in the OHL who is capable of stealing a series victory for his team. The Spitfires rebuilt, dealing off the majority of their veterans held over from their Memorial Cup victory last year, but decided to hang on to their star netminder for this reason. They battle hard in the offensive end behind the likes of Curtis Douglas (2018), Cole Purboo (2018), Cody Morgan (2019), Luke Boka, and Matthew MacDougall (2018). And they play smart in their own end thanks to Connor Corcoran (2018), Nathan Staios (2019), Grayson Ladd (2019), and Zach Shankar. But this team has zero NHL drafted players outside of DiPietro and are incredibly inexperienced.

Jordan Kyrou of the Sarnia Sting. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

The Sting, conversely, were one of the biggest buyers throughout this OHL season, bringing in talented veterans like Cam Dineen (Arizona), Jonathan Ang (Florida), and Michael Pezzetta (Montreal). The lifeblood of the team is Jordan Kyrou (St. Louis), the league’s leader in points per game this year and possibly the best offensive player in the OHL. He is currently zero for three in first round appearances and is likely to do everything in his power to finally reach the second round (and beyond). You could likely argue that overager Justin Fazio is the team’s second most important player in the series, especially considering that he has to match-up against DiPietro. The margin for error is slim.

One of Sarnia’s biggest strengths is on the powerplay where Kyrou, Adam Ruzicka (Calgary), and Drake Rymsha (Los Angeles) have a combined 34 powerplay goals this year. Problem is, Windsor takes among the least amount of penalties in the OHL so as long as Windsor can continue to stay out of the box, Sarnia is going to need to beat DiPietro 5 on 5. The question I have is, how will Windsor manage to score goals, at least enough goals to win this 7 game series? It will not be with the man advantage either (likely) as the Sting have the league’s top penalty killing unit. I am slightly worried about Sarnia’s inexperienced defense though, but that concern is more directed towards round two or three (if the Sting advance that far). Sarnia will need big guys like Ruzicka, Pezzetta, Jordan Ernst, and Hugo Leufvenius (2018) to crowd DiPietro’s space as much as possible and really make him uncomfortable. Shoot, shoot, and shoot some more. Windsor fans can tell you, sometimes the best way to beat Michael DiPietro is through sheer luck and bad bounces.

Prediction: As much as I want to predict a Windsor victory, I do not see it in the cards. DiPietro will steal a few games and he will make Sarnia sweat. But the offensive firepower of Sarnia, combined with the inexperience of Windsor’s defense is likely to give the Sting too many scoring chances for the Spitfires’ star netminder to handle. Sarnia in 6.

#4 - Owen Sound Attack vs. #5 - London Knights

Season Series: London leads 4-2

Evan Bouchard of the London Knights. Photo by Terry Wilson/OHL Images.

Analysis: As is usually the case, the 4/5 matchup in the Western Conference looks to be the closest match-up of the first round, and subsequently the most difficult to prognosticate. London traded off the vast majority of their big guns to retool to fight another day. Instead, the team played inspired hockey down the stretch led by a host of younger players eager to make their mark. When talking about London, we have to start with defenseman Evan Bouchard (2018), the lifeblood of the Knights. His 87 points are the highest by a blueliner since Ryan Ellis hit the 100 point mark in 2011. The speedy Alex Formenton (Ottawa) is also playing the best hockey of his OHL career thus far with 12 goals in 14 games to close out the regular season. And you cannot talk about London without mentioning how good the “kid” line of Liam Foudy (2018), Billy Moskal (2018), and Nathan Dunkley (2018) has been since the trade deadline. This trio was challenged to step up their games with increased ice time and they all responded accordingly.

Owen Sound Attack of the Ontario Hockey League. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Owen Sound, on the other hand, was expected to be one of the top teams in the OHL this year but struggled to keep their star players healthy all year and subsequently struggled to perform consistently. That is, until the last few months when they have been, arguably, the OHL’s best. This team is scary good when healthy and they are now finally healthy. They roll three outstanding scoring lines, including a top unit of Jonah Gadjovich (Vancouver), Kevin Hancock (2018), and Nick Suzuki (Vegas) that has been one of the OHL’s best over the last two seasons. They also have one of the OHL’s top offensive blueliners in Sean Durzi (2018), who if he did not get injured, likely could have challenged Bouchard for the defenceman scoring title. It is in net where Owen Sound has struggled this season as Olivier Lafreniere and Mack Guzda (2019) have battled to find consistency. No question, Owen Sound has to have their offense rolling to win because they are not going to win many 2-1 games.

So who has the advantage going into this match-up? Experience wise, the nod has to be given to Owen Sound...and by a wide margin. The Attack are returning the vast majority of a roster that lost in the Conference finals last season. The Knights are an extremely well coached team, but they are relying on a lot of rookies and sophomores in key roles and that can often prove to be a recipe for disaster in the postseason. The deciding factor in this series probably comes down to the goaltending. So long as Owen Sound can get at least adequate goaltending from one of Lafreniere or Guzda, they should win this series. But if their goaltending struggles and team is forced to constantly play catch-up, the series tips in London’s favor, a team with nothing to lose.

Prediction: I have to give the nod to Owen Sound here because now that they are fully healthy, they look like a tough team to stop. This is especially true for a team as inexperienced as London; even if they are extremely talented. The Attack can get the saves they need to win this one, even if London pushes them and makes them sweat. Owen Sound in 6

OHL Finals Prediction

When the field is finally narrowed down to two teams who battle it out for OHL supremacy, I expect those two teams to be the Kingston Frontenacs and the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

From the East I like Kingston for a couple reasons. The first is experience. As I already alluded to, they have a lot of players on that roster who have already won a Memorial Cup or OHL Championship (or both). That type of leadership goes a long way in the playoffs. The second is special teams play. The great Scotty Bowman always said combined special teams play was a great indicator of postseason success. Well the Fronts have the best powerplay in the league and the second best penalty kill. The third is goaltending. Jeremy Helvig is a veteran netminder who is about as consistent as they come. I have a ton of confidence in his ability to make saves when he needs to.

From the West, I like the Soo Greyhounds as they have looked about as dominant as anyone in the OHL has over the last few years. Their 116 points is the most since Barrie put up 116 in 2010. This team has it all. Special teams success. Good goaltending. Speed. Physicality. But most of all...depth. Drew Bannister’s players rarely seem to take a shift off and they rarely make mistakes with the puck. That composure at both ends of the ice makes them the favorite.

For the OHL Title, I am taking the Soo Greyhounds to win their first J. Ross Robertson Cup since they won back to back championships in the early 90ś.

State of the CHL: The Ontario Hockey League

Brock Otten — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 16:07:48 +0000

Frontrunners Load Up at the Trade Deadline

Showdown in the East Division

This year’s OHL trade deadline was exceptionally busy with over 40 players and 70 draft picks moved. OHL fans have become accustomed to the proverbial arms race with many teams in the Western Conference loading up at the deadline each year. So it was remarkably refreshing to see two Eastern Conference teams step up and be among the league’s top buyers. And it just so happens that both of these teams, Hamilton and Kingston, play in the East Division.

Kaden Fulcher of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Hamilton has been the cream of the crop in the Eastern Conference for the majority of this season. Thanks to some great goaltending from Detroit prospect Kaden Fulcher, a deep defensive unit, and balanced scoring, the Bulldogs have held the lead atop the Conference for several weeks and have held a place in the CHL Top 10 for seven weeks running.

It was also the Bulldogs who struck early on, capitalizing on a hot start, by bringing in forwards Nic Caamano (Dallas) and Ryan Moore from Flint in a blockbuster deal. These two helped Hamilton increase their division lead over Kingston to double digits as we approached the deadline. But it didn’t stop Hamilton from continuing to build by adding defenders Riley Stillman (Florida) and Nic Mattinen (Toronto), in addition to London’s Robert Thomas (St. Louis). The Thomas add, in particular, is huge. The gold medalist from the most recent World Junior Hockey Championships is a dynamic offensive player who also happens to be terrific in all three zones and can play in all situations. He gives the Bulldogs one of the top centerman in the entire OHL.

However, do not tell the Frontenacs that the division is locked up already. With overager and Hurricanes prospect Jeremy Helvig in his last OHL season, Kingston decided to go all in and make a run for an OHL Championship. They owe it to their dedicated fan base, having lost in the Conference Semi-finals the last two years. In fact, Kingston has never made a trip to the OHL Finals and hope to re-write that part of history this year.

Gabriel Vilardi of the Kingston Frontenacs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Kingston brought in star forwards Gabe Vilardi (Los Angeles), Max Jones (Anaheim), and Cliff Pu (Buffalo) to insulate offensive dynamo Jason Robertson (Dallas). They also added former exceptional status grantee Sean Day (NY Ramgers) to an already large, and menacing blueline. The addition of Vilardi was a risky one, considering he had yet to play this year due to back surgery. But the early results have been fantastic as the Kings’ first rounder is showing little rust and has 14 points in 9 games.

As this article is being written, Hamilton’s lead over Kingston in the division remains double digits with just over 20 games left to play. The two teams will meet only one more time this regular season, on Friday, February 23rd in Kingston. Even if the division may be a tall order for the Frontenacs, they look poised to overcome Barrie or Niagara (who are battling for the Central Division) to take that coveted 3rd spot in the Conference heading into the playoffs. That would mean, pending no upsets, we could see a Hamilton/Kingston Eastern Conference final and that would be one heck of a series.

Catching Up to SSM in the West

Meanwhile, the Western Conference also saw a few teams loading up, in this case to try and catch the Soo Greyhounds atop the standings. While the regular season crown may be a far-fetched goal, Sarnia and Kitchener each brought in a host of talented players in order to push Sault Ste. Marie come playoff time.

Jordan Kyrou of the Sarnia Sting. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Sarnia has been one of the league’s most surprising teams this season. Thanks to superstar Jordan Kyrou (St. Louis), who was leading the league in scoring before leading Canada in scoring at the World Junior Championships, and OA goaltender Justin Fazio, the Sting have been pushing the Greyhounds all season long. It was becoming apparent (especially with Kyrou and Adam Ruzicka [Calgary] away at the WJC’s) that their depth just was not at the same level as the Soo’s. So before their hot start fizzled away, the team went out and brought in Jonathan Ang (Florida), Michael Pezzetta (Montreal), and Cam Dineen (Arizona). This gives them two terrific scoring lines, and the puck moving defender and PP Quarterback that they sorely lacked.

Kitchener, on the other hand, has had a firm grasp on the Midwest Division all season, thanks to the disappointing starts of London and Owen Sound and the rebuild of the Erie Otters. This was despite not having a ton of confidence in their goaltending. It has been the worst kept secret in the league that the Rangers were out to improve their goaltending at this year’s deadline. Fans were shocked when it was not Michael Dipietro (Vancouver), Dylan Wells (Edmonton), or another star netminder brought in, but overager Mario Culina, who had actually spent time with Ryerson University (of USports) earlier this year after he failed to catch on with an OHL team this offseason. Yet the early results have silenced critics and arm-chair scouts. Culina remains perfect with the Rangers and even sported a shutout streak of over 150 minutes recently.

The Rangers also brought in hulking center Logan Brown (Ottawa), veteran defender Austin McEneny, and power forward Givani Smith (Detroit) to ensure that they hold off all on-comers in the division.

The question is, even with the moves Kitchener and Sarnia have made to shore up any weaknesses, are they in the same league (metaphorically of course) as the Greyhounds?

Greyhounds The Team to Beat

That, of course, brings us to the Greyhounds, the top ranked team in the entire CHL, and owners of a 23 game win streak earlier this season. You would be hard pressed to find a single person who believes that any other team in the OHL is the frontrunner for this year’s OHL Championship, even with the bevy of deals made by other competitors.

Rasmus Sandin of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

The Greyhounds boast the league’s current leading scorer in Morgan Frost (Philadelphia). They have the league’s second leading goal scorer in Boris Katchouk (Tampa Bay). They have two of the highest scoring defenders in the league (points per game) in Conor Timmins (Colorado) and Rasmus Sandin (2018). They have the current goals against average leader in Matthew Villalta (Los Angeles) manning the pipes. They have the league’s second best powerplay at over 25%. They also have a remarkable 17 shorthanded goals so far (the Saginaw Spirit have 25 powerplay goals this year as a comparison). Get the drift yet? This is one heck of a dominant team.

Yet, the Hounds were not content to stand pat at this year’s trade deadline. They acquired veterans Taylor Raddysh (Tampa Bay) and Jordan Sambrook (Detroit) from the Erie Otters, who have a combined 89 games of playoff experience. This includes winning an OHL Championship last season. Raddysh showcased terrific chemistry with Boris Katchouk at this year’s World Juniors and will make an already stacked powerplay that much stronger.

The OHL playoffs will begin the week of March 19th and it will be then, and only then, when we will find out if a team can usurp the Greyhounds; if all those moves and all the young assets jettisoned out were worth it. But one thing is certain, the favorite to represent the OHL in Regina at this year’s Memorial Cup is still Sault Ste. Marie.

Don’t Sleep on

Steelheads look to Repeat on Last Year’s miracle second half

Last year, the Mississauga Steelheads were the near unanimous selection to take the OHL’s Eastern Conference in preseason polls. Yet at midseason, they found themselves near the bottom of the Conference. Miraculously, they exploded in the second half, played up to their capability, took the Central Division, and ultimately the Eastern Conference title come playoff time.

Michael McLeod of the Mississauga Steelheads. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

This year, the Steelheads were picked by many to repeat as Eastern Conference champs and Division winners. Yet again, they had a disappointing start to the year and find themselves near the bottom of their division. Many expected them to sell off a few key assets (like Michael McLeod [New Jersey] or Nic Hague [Vegas]) and rebuild. Instead they stayed the course, made a few minor acquisitions (like Mathieu Foget, Reagan O’Grady, and Cole Carter), and are suddenly blazing up the standings again. Since the Foget deal, the Steelheads are 6-2, with victories against Sault Ste. Marie (ending the latter’s 23 game win streak), Kitchener, Kingston, and division leaders Barrie.

Do they have another remarkable comeback in them? I would say that it is unlikely. Last year, the Central Division was atrocious with Mississauga as the only team above .500. This year, the Barrie Colts and Niagara IceDogs are playing excellent hockey and made some key acquisitions themselves. The better question is, do any of these Eastern Conference contenders want to see the Steelheads in the opening round(s) of the playoff? A very likely scenario could be a first round match-up between Kingston and Mississauga, or a second round match-up with Hamilton. And if the Steelheads continue to close out the regular season on a high note, we may not even be able to consider them as underdogs.

Owen Sound Attack Better than standings show

Another team that has underwhelmed this year is the Owen Sound Attack. They were able to return, fully intact, one of the league’s most dangerous lines from last year; Nick Suzuki (Vegas)-Jonah Gadjovich (Vancouver)-Kevin Hancock. And even though they were losing their captain, Santino Centorame, and their starting goaltender, Michael McNiven (Montreal), the expectation was that they had the depth to counteract those losses.

But it’s been a frustrating year for the Attack and its fans. Injuries have been an issue, especially with Hancock and Gadjovich both missing significant time. And finding a replacement for McNiven has been near impossible. They picked up Zach Bowman from Sudbury this offseason, but he left the team at midseason for personal reasons. Then they recently acquired Olivier Lafreniere from Ottawa, but he has since injured his groin and is out long term. So the reigns have been given to 17 year old rookie Mack Guzda.

However, the Attack are finally healthy again with Hancock returning to the lineup recently. They went out and got Brett McKenzie (Vancouver) from North Bay to improve their second line. Import (and Flyers pick) Maksim Sushko is playing terrific hockey since returning from the World Juniors. And Aidan Dudas (2018) and Sean Durzi are in the middle breakout seasons as stars in the OHL. The team looks to be turning a corner and certainly has the talent and experience to do damage in the playoffs, even if they draw one of the big three (Sault Ste. Marie, Kitchener, or Sarnia) in the first round. Like Mississauga, this is a potentially dangerous team come playoff time; and one capable of pulling off an upset.

Re-Tooling to Fight Another Day

London and Windsor start the cycle

Having already discussed many of the contenders loading up at this year’s deadline, one had to ask, “where are all these players coming from?” The answer this year is rare, as perennial contenders the London Knights and Windsor Spitfires sold off assets. The Knights traded Robert Thomas, Max Jones, Cliff Pu, and Sam Miletic (Pittsburgh), while the Spitfires traded Logan Brown, Gabe Vilardi, Sean Day, and Austin McEneny. While it has not been uncommon for these two to sell off assets, it has been rare for it to occur in the same year. We have to go back to the 2001-02 season (16 years ago) to see neither London nor Windsor with home ice advantage in the opening round of the playoffs. With the Knights and Spitfires currently sitting 4th and 6th (respectively) right now, that is an entirely possible outcome.

Even then, this is not a normal sell-off. We’re looking at two firmly established playoff teams with a chance of finishing in the top four of the Conference, selling off assets. The question is...why? And the answer is the reason why London and Windsor have remained such competitive forces in the OHL over the last 15 years (they combine for five of the last six OHL Memorial Cup victories). Spitfires GM Warren Rychel gave an interview recently where he was asked about the concept of re-tooling. His response was that it made no sense to be in limbo. You either need to be competitive for first, and if you won’t be, then you might as well finish lower in the standings and get assets that can help you finish first again in the near future. This is the credo that the Knights and Spitfires have lived by and it is the reason why they have been able to win so many championships in recent years.

Curtis Douglas of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

This year is a perfect example. London and Windsor trade off their best veteran players and pick up three outstanding young players (each), in addition to a boatload of high end draft picks. These young players (like Nathan Dunkley [2018] or Curtis Douglas [2018]) are already good players and they slide into the line-up and contribute. Both London and Windsor now have three recent first round picks (among the top 2001 born players in the province) in their lineups, allowing them to grow together and improve under the tutelage of excellent coaching staffs. With a boatload of draft picks, they also are not afraid to take a chance on the top American players available in hopes that they eventually commit to the Ontario Hockey League. And you better believe that with high selections at this year’s Import Draft, both of these franchises will be selecting high end talents.

That is what separates the Knights and Spitfires from many of the other franchises in the OHL. They hate mediocrity. They aspire for a Championship. And if they do not feel that they can achieve that, they cut and run and bring in as many future assets as they can, even if it means an early playoff exit. It also might mean trading off players who still have potential service time, like Robert Thomas or Gabe Vilardi. If these two return to the OHL next year, they will be among the better players in the league. However, it is also possible that they make their respective NHL rosters and then London and Windsor would have received nothing for them (like the Guelph Storm, who are still feeling the effects of not getting anything for Robby Fabbri a few years ago after he left early for St. Louis).

Other OHL teams become obsessed with merely making the playoffs in hopes that anything can happen. But the way teams load up (call it the NBA super team effect), it’s a pipe dream for most. Would you not rather bring in three quality young players and maybe lose in the first round, than keep your veterans, get swept in the second round and then lose them for nothing when they graduate?

The Race for Quinton Byfield

Erie, Sudbury, & Flint battle for the highly touted youngster

As many teams hunt for a conference crown, division title, and playoff spot, an equally important battle is occurring at the bottom of the OHL standings; the race for the Jack Ferguson recipient. And this year, the crown jewel appears to be quite a special player. His name is Quinton Byfield and he’s a 6-3”, 200lbs center who seems destined to become the league’s next true superstar. Many consider him to be one of the better talents to come out of the province in recent years.

The race for Byfield is occurring between three teams, all of whom have different storylines. Those three teams are the Erie Otters, Sudbury Wolves, and Flint Firebirds.

Erie is rebuilding after four straight years of excellence on the backs of the likes of Connor McDavid, Dylan Strome, and Alex DeBrincat. This includes an OHL Championship last year. A player like Byfield would accelerate the rebuild nicely and spoil the Otters’ fanbase yet again with another potential generational talent.

Sudbury, on the other hand, is stuck in what seems to be a perennial rebuild. They’ve drafted first, second, and seventh the last three years and once again find themselves at the bottom. With new ownership, and new management in place, things are finally starting to look up for this once storied franchise. A dominant power center like Byfield would be just what the doctor ordered to get this team back near the top of the standings, perhaps even as early as next year.

Lastly, Flint is still looking to escape the shadow of the controversy that dominated their inaugural season. 2016/17 saw them take a significant step forward but this year has been a step in the wrong direction and suddenly the team is rebuilding again (after trading away top talent like Nic Caamano, Ryan Moore, and Nic Mattinen). But this is a very talented young team that is bound to explode either next year or the year after. Forgive me if you have heard this before, but Quinton Byfield is the star this franchise needs in order to climb out of mediocrity.

A Broken System

OHL Teams Will Soon Trade for the Unborn

As previously mentioned, over 70 draft picks changed hands this trade deadline. Due to crazy circumstances, over half of those picks are from beyond the year 2020. This includes the movement of draft picks from the year 2026, 2027, and 2028. Yes, that is correct. A 5 year old was traded this January.

For those that find this absurd, you would be correct. In the Western Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, teams cannot move draft picks that far in advance. And unlike the OHL, teams are also permitted to move their first round draft picks. Let us examine some major moves in all three leagues this trade deadline to compare the effect this has. Kale Clague moved for two quality young players, two first round picks, and a 2nd round pick. Drake Batherson went for three solid young players and a first round pick. Robert Thomas went for a top young player, four 2nd rounders and two 3rd rounders. Because of the high prices and inability to move first rounders, teams like Hamilton and Kingston are almost completely devoid of 2nd round picks for the foreseeable future. Hamilton has two 2nd rounders this year, but then does not own one until 2026 after that. Kingston does not have a 2nd round pick until 2026.

The prices being paid for these players who are essentially rentals, has also spiraled out of control. Let us examine some past deadline deals in the OHL for perspective.

In 2012, the London Knights and Niagara IceDogs battled for an OHL Championship. The Knights brought in rugged two-way star Austin Watson from Peterborough at the deadline at the cost of a moderate young player, two 2nd round picks, and a 4th. Meanwhile, Niagara brought in power forward Brett Ritchie at the cost of three 2nd round picks.

In 2000, perhaps the largest trade in OHL history up until that point occurred and that was the trade of Jason Spezza from Mississauga to Windsor. In return, Mississauga got four players (none could be considered among Windsor’s top young players, save maybe Ryan Courtney), a 2nd round pick and a 6th round pick.

Needless to say, things are changing and these trades are getting out of hand. We’re seeing upwards of six quality draft picks in addition to a team’s top young player changing hands in exchange for one player.

Just what the OHL can do to rectify this remains to be seen, if they wish to rectify it. Would allowing teams the option of trading first rounders lower the cost? What about putting a restriction on how far in advance draft picks can be moved? Regardless, it no longer makes sense for the OHL to differ from the WHL and QMJHL in accordance with transaction limitations. This broken system needs to be fixed. How soon before we get a draft pick trading hands where said future draft pick is not even born yet?

OHL: Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia – St. Louis), Cam Dineen (North Bay – Arizona)

Brock Otten — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 15:55:17 +0000

Jordan Kyrou is electrifying the OHL and leading in scoring (19-17-26-43). Drafted 35th by the St. Louis Blues and ranked fourth in our ranking of the top 20 prospects in the organization Brock Otten provides a detailed look at Kyrou below. McKeen's ranked Cam Dineen 14th on the Coyotes prospect group after entering the season having missed 2/3rds of 16-17 appearing in only 29 games with disappointing results (29-6-8-14) after his draft year (2o16) performance (68-13-46-59). Having scored 20 points in 21 games so far - 17-18, Otten takes a close look at how he is rebounding from injury.

A note on the 20-80 scale used below. 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.

Jordan Kyrou	2016 Draft (35th - St. Louis Blues)
Position: C/RW, Shoots R	H/W: 6-0", 180 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-PTS-PIMS)	Sarnia Sting, OHL (18-17-25-42-8)

Jordan Kyrou of the Sarnia Sting. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Skating: Kyrou is easily one of the OHL’s best skating players. He has been mentioned in the OHL’s coaches poll in this capacity two years running (and is a lock for a 3rd year come this March, when the annual poll is released). He is just an effortless skater who glides around the offensive zone with ease. He makes sharp lateral cuts to open up lanes for himself and has an explosive first few steps that allow him to exploit those gaps. The one thing that is noticeable this year is improved strength and balance in his stride. He is a lot harder to knock off stride so he is able to use that speed and explosiveness to be dangerous every time he touches the ice. Kyrou is a waterbug out there. Grade: 65

Shot: Not a stretch to say that Kyrou has always been known more for his playmaking prowess. But he is scoring more this year despite not really increasing his shot generation totals. Has his shot improved? Kyrou has always had a good little wrist shot with an excellent release. I do think that he has finetuned his accuracy a little bit. Ultimately, I think the improvements in his goal scoring totals this year has to do with his improved play in traffic and aggressiveness attacking the net (which I will touch on in the physicality heading). Grade: 55

Skills: Kyrou can be electrifying to watch because of how he can keep the puck on a string. Named the OHL’s Western Conference 2nd best stickhandler last year in the aforementioned coaches poll and in my opinion he is a lock for 1st this year. Not only is he elusive because of how good his agility is, but he is also a master with the puck who is able to maintain control through these tight turns or explosive bursts. He can beat you wide with speed, or he can dangle around you. If you watch Kyrou play, it is pretty much a given at this point that you see him expose at least one defender during the game. One thing he does really well is create time and space for himself to get his wrist shot off. Very good at the toe drag. Again, Kyrou has always had this in him, but with added strength and a change in strategy, he has been able to utilize it more effectively. Grade: 65

Smarts: In previous seasons, turnovers in the offensive end were an issue at times because Kyrou would try to do a little too much with the puck. Alternately, he would be kept to the perimeter and eventually try to force a bad pass or rush to the middle. But we are seeing way, way, way less of that this season. He has almost eliminated it entirely from his game. Playing with purpose and is demonstrating significant improvement in his puck poise. Again, vision and distribution ability have never been an issue. I think he loses some marks in this department for a lack of high end IQ in the defensive end. As he moves to the next level, there may still be some growing pains in the decision making department as he looks to utilize his high skill level to get the best out of his linemates. Grade; 55

Physicality: Before this season, I probably would have had Kyrou in the 40’s for physicality. A wavering intensity level and borderline perimeter play always kept him from being the impact player that he was capable of being. We are seeing a totally different mindset and player this year. He is attacking the middle of the ice with a vigor not yet seen from him as an OHL player. No more messing around. He has a game plan and he is executing it. Getting his nose dirty in front of the net, forcing turnovers in the neutral zone, and working the wall are all things he is doing with consistency to show that he is willing to do whatever it takes to create scoring chances. He is wearing the ‘C’ in Sarnia this year and leading by example for one of the OHL’s elite teams. Major props to the improvements in this area this year. Now, that is not to say that Kyrou is a physical player. He is not. But he is way more engaged when the puck is not on his stick and he is way more aggressive when it is. And for that, he deserves recognition because it is the main reason we have seen him become an absolutely dominating force this year. Grade: 50

Summary: Jordan Kyrou is deserving of all the praise he is receiving of late. The Olympic consideration is no joke. He has emerged as one of the best offensive prospects on the planet, as he leads the OHL in scoring. He has his warts, but he has worked hard to improve them. His offensive ceiling is extremely high, so long as he continues to play a more in your face brand of hockey to pair with his elite skill level. If you have a chance to watch him play (be it in the Super Series, the World Juniors, or with Sarnia in the OHL), get out and do it. He is worth the price of admission (has been held pointless only once and has 10 multi-point games already). Of note, while listed as both a winger and center, he clearly projects as a winger going forward and is graded as such.

Overall Future Projection (OFP): 59.5

Cam Dineen	2016 Draft (68th - Arizona Coyotes)
Position: D, Shoots L	H/W: 5-11", 185 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-PTS-PIMS)	North Bay Battalion, OHL (20-6-13-19-8)

Cam Dineen of the North Bay Battalion. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Skating: This is the one area where Dineen was docked as a draft eligible player and one of the main reasons he fell to the 3rd round in 2016. He moves laterally and backward very well, showcasing solid pivots and a smooth crossover. This really helps him defend the rush, and more critical to his skill set, to quarterback the point of the powerplay. On the other hand, he lacked explosiveness as a straight ahead skater and in a lot of ways, that hindered the impact he had 5-on-5 as a premium puck rusher. Then the knee injury happened last year and there were concerns that skating would not have a chance to improve. Early on this season it is obvious that he has put in the work to get back to 100% and then some. He looks a little quicker this year and it is helping him be more active leading the rush, evading the forecheck and jumping up in the play. That said, while he has improved this area for the OHL, continued improvement will be necessary for the next level and he will probably never possess more than slightly above average mobility. Grade: 55

Shot: This is definitely an area we have seen an improvement in this season. He has always done a good job getting a good low wrister through to the net from the point, but we are seeing him be more aggressive in jumping up in the rush looking to get himself in position as a trailer or 3rd/4th man in. It is clear that both his wrister and his slapshot possess more power now, as he is on pace for a 20 goal season from the backend. That said, I still believe that he projects more as a smart, puck mover like a Paul Martin, than a big time powerplay trigger man. Grade: 50

Skills: Dineen is a very smooth operator with the puck. He compensates for a lack of elite foot speed by being excellent at protecting the puck cutting through the neutral zone. He also makes an excellent first pass, which is one of the most important skills for any offensive blueliner. Coach Stan Butler trusts him and gives him the freedom to operate as a puck rusher. Dineen also is excellent at keeping pucks in at the line while working the point of the powerplay. Has great hand/eye and bides time for himself and his linemates to open up shooting lanes. That said, he is not elite in this department, and the vast majority of his scoring chances are created through his hockey IQ. Grade: 55

Smarts: This is Dineen´s bread and butter. His effectiveness as an offensive defender is completely correlated to how well he processes the game. He possesses excellent vision and he picks his spots so well when it comes to making a simple exit pass, or knowing when to lead or jump up into the rush. Again, this is evident on the powerplay as he rarely forces plays, always opting for the lower risk pass or shot. Defensively, I think we have seen a ton of growth. Taking better angles to opposing forwards off the rush, and chasing the play less in his own zone. I think there will still need to be improvements made defensively moving forward, but there has most definitely been progression. Grade: 60

Physicality: This is definitely still Dineen´s weakest area. At 5-11”, 185, he has put on some weight to better handle the league’s bigger forwards. He is also showing more gumption when defending the rush. I have seen him angle off forwards to the wall hard this year, preventing them from attacking the net. I can think of one game earlier against Barrie where he did so several times against Andrei Svechnikov (certainly not an easy player to check). He can still be beat one on one in loose puck battles and he needs to be better at tying up forwards in front of the net. He has improved some, but will need further growth to be an impact two-way defender at the next level. Grade: 45

Summary: Overall, this season has been a major success for Cam Dineen in a return from a major knee injury. His mobility has returned and even improved from his pre-injury days. His confidence in his offensive abilities has never been higher. He has also improved both his defensive awareness and physicality. He looks highly motivated to show the Coyotes that they were right to give him a contract last year despite suffering that knee injury. Looks like he is on the path to become a quality 4-5 defender who can contribute on the powerplay at the NHL level.

Overall Future Projection (OFP): 54.25

Arizona – System Overview

Ryan Wagman — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 20:11:28 +0000

As one of the first teams to whole-heartedly embrace analytics as a driving factor in team building, the Coyotes have been a fascinating case study on how to acquire prospects under the new-aged rubrics.

The analytics era in Arizona can be directly traced to the hiring of John Chayka as General Manager in May 2016, approximately one month prior to the 2016 Entry Draft. Between his two draft classes, the Coyotes have added 14 players to the system, five in his first go round and nine this summer. It is clearly too early to come to any sort of conclusion, but there are some patterns that can be discerned in the tea leaves.

Before we look too closely into the Chayka drafts, we should recap how the team had previously made their selections, as a number of players featured on their top 20 are from previous draft classes. In the two draft classes before Chayka (BC), the Coyotes selected 18 players, 11 of whom were taken out of the CHL, three out of the US National Development Program, and the other four all out of Sweden. The forwards all had two-way ability in addition to above average offensive production as juniors, while the defensemen were rarely drafted at all – only three in the last two years of BC drafting.

Looking at that last note, it seems that one of the first commitments of the Analysts Draft (AD) era in Arizona has been to add positional balance to the system, using nine of the first 14 AD picks on blueliners. With one very notable exception, the forwards drafted have been as noteworthy for their unrealized tools as for previous production.

As for the AD defensemen drafted, they can be characterized by above average skating at minimum, relatively mature hockey sense and, like their forward brethren, toolsiness. It is still too early to analyze the Coyotes’ AD strategy for goalie development, as they had not drafted any, but have acquired two from the collegiate ranks, one as a free agent and one in trade for one of the forwards drafted BC. AD drafts have also stuck with Sweden as the only geographical talent overseas from which they have selected, which could be a function of available scouts, but is more likely a matter of small sample sizes. That said, they have been very open to drafting from lower profile amateur leagues in North America, having selected players from the OJHL, MJHL, and CCHL, in addition to the non-USNTDP portion of the USHL, demonstrating a belief in player characteristics being able to trump the more easily projectable numbers accrued in the well-scouted CHL leagues.

As a result of these four draft classes, both BC and AD, as well as the other means of prospect acquisition employed by both regimes, the Coyotes have a system mixed with both past production and projections for future production. The team has high end athleticism as well as heightened hockey sense. For an organization whose NHL roster is still being roughed into shape, there will be a lot of options available internally depending on how specific players develop in juniors, college, Europe or the AHL and how openings arise at the NHL level. At least a few spots should open up this year, which leads us to the two players most likely to gobble them up.

Clayton Keller

1 Clayton Keller – The early front-runner for the 2017 Calder Trophy, Keller is a magical puck player. He has breakaway speed, but can change up his gears in order to fool opposing defenders, or to help create a gap for hitting a teammate in stride. His offensive vision is near elite and he adds high-end agility to his speed to keep his body safe from bigger players. After excelling at the USNTDP, he barely needed one dominant season with BU before turning pro. His two assists in his first three games with the Coyotes are a nice preview of what is to come.

HELSINKI, FINLAND - DECEMBER 26: Canada's Dylan Strome #9 celebrates after scoring Team Canada's second goal of the game during preliminary round action at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

2 Dylan Strome – He was never as good as former Erie teammate Connor McDavid, nor the 2015 2nd overall pick Jack Eichel, and his career has not taken off like pick #4 Mitch Marner, but Strome is definitively not a bust. He has improved his skating to the average level. Everything else is plus-plus. He has an elite shot with power, speed and timing. He is a top tier playmaker and very good in the faceoff circle. If Keller is the Calder frontrunner, Strome is close behind.

3 Nick Merkley – While Strome’s failure to immediately launch into the stratosphere is not a disappointment, Merkley’s relative stagnation has been. Drafted late in the 2015 first round as a skilled, agitating big moment player, he seriously hurt his knee in his post draft year and has not really returned to previous levels. That said, he still has plus hands and is a very skilled puck mover. His edge work also still flashes plus. He is ready for pro hockey.

4 Christian Fischer – A strong skater for a wide body, Fischer has impressive jump. Like those ranked above him in this list, he sees the ice very well and can execute tricky and creative passes. Unlike those others, the big winger is more a goal scorer than a playmaker. He goes to the net and can beat most goalies with his sharp wrist shot from the slot area on in. While his AHL rookie numbers were strong, he needs to cut down on forcing plays, which lead to too many turnovers.

Pierre-Olivier Joseph

5 Pierre-Olivier Joseph – Tall and very lanky, Pierre-Olivier is the younger brother of Tampa Bay prospect Mathieu Joseph. He is an exceptional skater with a keen understanding of the game and high-end athleticism. He clearly needs to add weight to his 6-2”, 165 frame, but his smarts, skating and ability to play the puck will allow him to play a critical two-way blueline role wherever he plays on his way up the hockey ladder. His development will not be quick, but his upside is quite high.

6 Kyle Wood – Among rookie defenders in the AHL, Wood finished third in scoring with 43 points, including 14 goals. Including all of the top 20 scoring AHL rookies, none had a worse +/- than Wood’s -23. While he has elite size, a booming point shot and is comfortable and precise with the puck, Wood has one glaring deficiency to his game and that is skating. He has slow feet and poor acceleration. Will always need to be sheltered.

7 Brandon Hickey – After rebounding from a down sophomore year (offensively, at least) Hickey was dealt by Calgary to Arizona in the days leading up to the draft as the main part of the package that sent starting goalie Mike Smith to Alberta. Quicker than fast, Hickey plays with good alertness in his own zone, allowing him to pick off many a loose pass or from sloppy stickwork. He has a decent enough shot to profile on a second power play unit, but his best work is in his own zone.

8 MacKenzie Entwistle – A high-risk, high-reward projection pick, the Coyotes selected Entwistle in the third round this year after a stellar WU18 tournament put a bow on what was otherwise a disappointing draft year with Hamilton in the OHL between injury and lack of production. He is an above average skater who has decent puck protection skills, but struggled to convert that into good scoring opportunities in league play. With some offensive refinement, could be a two-way threat.

9 Filip Westerlund – A strong skater with great puck skills for a blueliner, as well as high hockey IQ. In spite of those gifts, it is easy to underrate Westerlund as he is quite undersized and has a weak shot from the point. He will be a more effective skater for his real NHL team than for fantasy hockey players. In other words, he will be key in getting the puck out of his own zone, but once in the offensive end, he will mostly leave it to his teammates.

10 Conor Garland – After leading the CHL in points in two consecutive seasons with Moncton, Garland struggled to reach the scoresheet in his first pro season with Tucson. With his diminutive stature, he can sneak up on people, and when he is on his game, can be a pest. He is an active puck hunter in his own zone and has plus hand-eye coordination. He tries to make up in bravery what he lacks in size/strength, but he is easily nullified when he spends too much time in the dirty areas of the ice.

11 Adin Hill – Although the raw numbers behind Adin Hill’s first pro season do not stick out, particularly after a rougher go of things in the season’s second half, he was Tucson’s most reliable (if not consistent) goaltender across the grand scheme of the season. He is a calm netminder who limits second chances and is unfazed by heavy traffic or a heavy workload. The Coyotes brought in two other young goalies to compete for the title of “Goalie of the Future” in the desert, but Hill should still be the front-runner.

12 Kyle Capobianco – A decent two-way defenseman who spent his entire OHL career on a Sudbury team that was unable to rebuild competently, Capobianco has been their leading blueline scorer for each of the past three seasons. Although he skates well when underway, he is slow to transition. Further, his shot, while heavy, is too often off-target. He will be tested more seriously in his upcoming rookie pro season.

13 Noel Hoefenmayer – A bit under the radar with a middling Ottawa 67s team this year, Hoefenmayer took a big step forward in his draft year, impressing primarily with his hockey IQ and puck moving skills. His skating, particularly his turns, can let him down when it comes to dealing with speedy rushes down the wing. His shot is also a solid weapon, and he is able to hit the target from the point with any of his wrist, slap or snap shots.

14 Cam Dineen – After taking the brunt of a knee-on-knee hit in December, Dineen missed the second two-thirds of the season with an MCL injury. Despite his down numbers before the injury, his draft year performance should not be forgotten. He has significant offensive upside from the blueline with above-average mobility and puck skills. Also shows promise off the puck, despite his lack of size. His positioning is advanced and he has a knack for cutting down the passing lanes in his own end.

15 Nate Schnarr – Nate Schnarr bears more than passing resemblance to the aforementioned MacKenzie Entwistle, but without the standout performance at the WU18s. Physically gifted, with strong potential in both his shooting ability as well as his stickhandling skills, he was unable to get much going offensively with a putrid Guelph team this year. Tall, lanky, and very young, there could be much more here. Check back in a few years.

16 Patrick Kudla – Drafted as an overager out of Oakville in the OJHL, Kudla moved up the hockey ladder to play with Dubuque of the USHL, and was none the worse for wear in the new league. He took on a central role for the Fighting Saints, leading rushes, using his stick very well in the defensive zone, flashing a heavy slap shot. As an example of his two-way potential, Dubuque often used him on the wing in the second half of the season. He is going to continue his career next year with Arizona State.

17 Ryan MacInnis – The son of Hockey Hall of Famer Al MacInnis, Ryan MacInnis is, to be both fair and blunt, not the player his father was. A versatile forward, he was a decent scorer at the OHL level, although never elite in that regard. In his first professional season, he looked lost more often than not. While his wheels are above average, particularly in terms of straight-ahead speed, the pace of the game seemed to be faster than he could process. He needs to step up in his sophomore campaign.

18 Merrick Madsen – One of the two collegiate goalies brought in this offseason to challenge Adin Hill for future starts in Arizona, Madsen has been very strong for the past three seasons with Harvard, taking the team to the Frozen Four as a junior this year. Physically resembling Matt Murray (very tall very lean), he reads plays well and has good balance. His athleticism is only moderate and he needs improvement in his technical game, but there are the seeds of an NHL netminder here.

19 Jalen Smereck – An unheralded defenseman with Bloomington of the USHL during his first draft year, Smereck moved north of the border to play in the OHL and the gamble paid off. After one solid season in Oshawa, he was offered an ELC by Arizona after a strong rookie camp. His follow-up OHL season, now with Flint, was even more impressive. Never the biggest, and sometimes rough on his feet, he has a strong shot and is tough to play against in his own zone.

20 Tyler Steenbergen – An undersized one-way player in his first draft year, Steenbergen exploded for 50 goals in his second draft eligible year in Swift Current, earning the chance to hear his name called by Arizona in the fifth round. In a draft class characterized by tools over production, Steenbergen was the exception for the Coyotes. His game is based on offense, but he has made strides in his own zone, particularly in terms of positioning.

Having taken a portfolio approach to player acquisition since taking over the helm, GM John Chayka now has player types available for all occasions in the system. The cream of their crop – Keller and Strome – should be in the NHL right away, but the battle of attrition to be among that second wave of graduating prospects should make for a better NHL team in the near future.

NHL Draft Review and Grades: Arizona Coyotes

Grant McCagg — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 14:40:28 +0000

04 June 2015: NHL Combine participant, center Clayton Keller (78) works out during the Fitness testing at the 2016 NHL Scouting Combines at the Harbor Center in Buffalo, NY. (Jerome Davis/Icon Sportswire)

Given that the Coyotes already have centermen Dylan Strome, Christian Dvorak and Ryan MacInnis in the system it surprised some that they chose yet another pivot with their top selection, but Clayton Keller has the offensive tools to be a top-end NHL point producer. The all-time leading scorer in the US development program had a sensational performance at the U-18 in leading the US to a Bronze Medal, fortifying his standing as a top-ten draft candidate.

RND	PICK	RNK	PLAYER	POS	CTY	HT/WT	TEAM
1	7	11	Clayton Keller	C	USA	5-9/170	NTDP (USA)
1	16	13	Jakob Chychrun	D	CAN	6-2/205	Sarnia (OHL)
3	68	88	Cam Dineen	D	USA	5-11/185	North Bay (OHL)
6	158	NR	Patrick Kudla	D	CAN	6-3/175	Oakville (OJHL)
7	188	NR	Dean Stewart	D	CAN	6-2/175	Portage (MJHL)

Jacob Chychrun of the Sarnia Sting was selected by the Arizona Coyotes in the first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft in Buffalo, NY on Friday June 24, 2016. Photo by Aaron Bell/CHL Images

When Jakob Chychrun kept dropping on draft day, Arizona moved up to take the chiseled blueliner with the 16^th overall pick, filling a need on the blueline while also grabbing what most believe was not only the best player on the board, but a steal if he puts all the pieces together. One of the most physically mature and best skating prospects in the draft, he is a likely candidate to make the NHL out of training camp on a team that needs defensive help.

Cam Dineen of the North Bay Battalion was selected by the Arizona Coyotes at the 2016 NHL Draft in Buffalo, NY on Saturday June 25, 2016. Photo by Aaron Bell/CHL Images

Dineen has work to do on his defensive game, but undoubtedly his offensive output as an OHL rookie impressed the Coyotes, who could use some second-unit power play blueliners in the future. Patrick Kudla and Dean Stewart were unheralded Junior A blueliners with size who have hockey sense concerns.

Grade B+ - Would be higher if there was more depth…top two picks make the draft

OHL Prospect Watch: Konecny stings, Chychrun perplexes

David Burstyn — Mon, 28 Mar 2016 14:45:52 +0000

A change of scenery is sometimes all a player needs to renew their passion and feel re-energized - as Travis Konecny has undeniably proven this season.

Disgruntled and underachieving, at least by his standards, Konecny was traded to the Sarnia Sting in a blockbuster mid-season trade that netted the Ottawa 67's ten draft picks and a pair of prospects.

The Sting caught fire with Konecny aboard, posting a 23-6-3-1 record to vault ahead of the Windsor Spitfires and capture the West Division title (Sarnia were at 19-13-2-1 prior to the trade). His arrival gave Sarnia a solid top six up front to help compete against the likes of London, Kitchener, and Erie - all of whom ranked among the top ten in the CHL.

Konecny thrived under the new systems of coach and former NHLer Derian Hatcher who employed more of a puck-possession driven game. He has linemates now that can get the puck back to him which in turn has boosted his passing and playmaking effectiveness. Not as one-dimensional as he was last season when he operated as strictly a shooter, Konecny has added layers to his game and been a model of consistency. He recorded at least a point in 27 of his 31 games with Sarnia while firing an impressive 23 goals (31-23-33-56); finishing tied for seventh overall in league scoring.

Highly competitive and driven to succeed; Konecny exploits his low centre of gravity and powerful lower body to motor up the ice and zig-zag through scoring lanes with ease. He is fearless in pursuit of the puck and able to win many one-on-one battles despite his smaller stature.

Never before has Konecny been surrounded by such a deep cast of proven players and not expected to assume the bulk of the scoring load as he was in Ottawa.

The results have been rewarding so far and Sarnia are hoping he can lead the club past the opening round of the playoffs which they haven't been able to accomplish since 1997.

Here are notes on several other prospects on the McKeen's Watch List.

Nathan Bastien (2016), RW, Mississauga

Bastien tends to float in and out of games and is the perfect example of a streaky scorer who doesn't always get involved and needs to score early to get 'into a game'. The Kitchener, Ontario native possesses the tools that NHL teams covet in a prospect - namely soft hands and great size. He also has a good shot and can pass the puck. However his play often has a lethargic quality as he does not always take charge and seems content to be a passenger. He goes through the motions and plays up and down his wing barely showing any creativity, while flashing enticing bouts of skill in other games. His lack of game-to-game consistency is concerning, as is the skating which continues to be a work in progress. As for future development, Bastien will need a considerable amount of time to groom in the minors, however one has to question his true desire to get better and be the 'go-to' guy moving forward.

Jakob Chychrun (2016), D, Sarnia

Although he was exposed at the Top Prospects Game for some suspect decision making under pressure, Chychrun has thrived in league play during his second season with Sarnia. A physical specimen; Chychrun is extremely athletic and possesses tremendous strength for his age. Backed by a good one-timer, he displays a healthy amount of poise and skill at the line. He generally makes solid decisions and can execute a healthy first pass, though is prone to overhandling the puck at times. Errors and poor reads tend to creep into his game, particularly when his time and space are pressured. Skating continues to become more polished, his backwards mobility being especially accomplished. His reverse movement bolsters his overall defensive play as he is highly competitive and usually doesn't allow a player to get by him without taking a piece of his opponent in the process. Chychrun is always looking to push the pace, however is at his best when he keeps the game simple. In certain ways, his style of play and game compares favourably to that of Dion Phaneuf at this point.

Cam Dineen (2016), D North Bay

The native of Toms River, New Jersey was among the league's bigger revelations this season as he recorded 59 points including 13 goals to finish second among all blueliners in the OHL. Not blessed with an overabundance of size or skill, Dineen very quietly gets the job done. Ever alert, he constantly plays with his head up and is the type of player that you won't notice yet has made contributions to the scoresheet. Dineen is always in the right position to make a play and excels with the puck on his blade. Equally effective as a passer and puckrusher, he does a solid job of supporting the power play by finding outlets and always looking to set up partner Kyle Wood and take advantage of his wicked slap shot/one timer. His skating is very deceiving as it contains subtle quickness to which aids him in all areas of the ice. His defence and physical play are areas that are lacking however. Dineen is purely methodical in his approach while defending and not one to muscle a man off the puck or engage in board battles. Adding a layer of sandpaper would greatly boost his overall value as a draft prospect.

Riley Stillman (2016), D, Oshawa

The son of former NHLer Cory Stillman, Riley played a handful of games last year before joining the reigning Memorial Cup Champions on a full-time basis this season. He has been a healthy shot in the arm for the rebuilding Oshawa Generals and gained the trust of the coaching staff to be used in all situations. Plays in the top-four defensive rotation and excels more so with the puck than without it. Stillman is able to make quick heads-up plays up ice and is backed by a strong one-timer which garners time on the second power play unit. He snaps passes and displays confidence logging the puck up ice. An adequate skater whose mechanics are sound, yet his feet still need work. He is not explosive and must upgrade his fluidity and overall mobility. Stillman’s primary flaw at this point are his defensive reads. He plays with a longer stick to help break up plays, but too often gets caught on the wrong side of the puckcarrier. Also prone to losing his man even if he competes well enough in the defensive zone.