Chaz Lucius – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – WINNIPEG JETS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #18

Introduction - Dave Hall, Profiles - Derek Neumeier — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 13:00:20 +0000

_{MONTREAL, QC - SEPTEMBER 29: Winnipeg Jets forward Brad Lambert (47) tracks the play during the Winnipeg Jets versus the Montreal Canadiens preseason game on September 29, 2022, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire)}

Prospect System Ranking – 18th (Previous Rank - 13th)
GM: Kevin Cheveldayoff Hired: September 2011
COACH: Scott Arniel Hired: May 2024

The Winnipeg Jets are the epitome of a middling team striving to take that next step. With just three playoff series wins to show for their seven playoff appearances since moving to Manitoba, it’s been a constant battle for the Jets to improve.

Despite this, the team has managed to stay competitive both at the NHL level and within their prospect system. With seven prospects in our top 200 and the recent graduation of Cole Perfetti, GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has ensured a steady influx of youthful talent.

The Manitoba Moose, Winnipeg’s AHL affiliate, has been home to an impressive crop of young players recently, all of whom have put together strong seasons early in their careers. Most notably, Brad Lambert (39th) is coming off a potent rookie campaign, finishing second among all AHL rookies with 55 points in 64 games. While he’s likely to start the year back on the farm, there’s a strong chance he will get his first taste of NHL action this season. Nikita Chibrikov (122nd), who finished with 48 points, also placed in the top 10 among AHL rookies. Chaz Lucius (105th) continues to be a highly regarded prospect, but his durability remains a concern. He has suited up in just 71 games since the start of the 2021-22 season, putting his development on hold for much of his post-draft career. When healthy, Lucius is an upside player, but the challenge has been keeping him on the ice.

On the backend, Ville Heinola (119th) continues to develop his game, and with 152 AHL games under his belt, it feels like his number should be called this upcoming season for full-time employment. He’ll be joined by 2022 second-rounder Elias Salomonsson (240th), who is set to make his North American debut after a solid career in Sweden.

Colby Barlow, who sits just outside our top 50 (53rd), is still a few years away, but another strong season with the Owen Sound Attack could see his ranking rise considerably.

GM Cheveldayoff was able to resolve a difficult situation with Rutger McGroarty, who effectively forced a trade, indicating he had no plans to join the Jets post NCAA. He moved him in a one for one trade for Brayden Yager. The two prospects are ranked closely by McKeens with McGroarty at 61st and Yager at 69th, representing a good value return with his hands tied. Yager will return to Moose Jaw for one more season in the WHL. After scoring 250 points across 211 WHL games, he is expected to go out with a bang in his fifth and final junior year.

Winnipeg Jets Top-15 Prospects

1. Brad Lambert

Getting to join the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds halfway through last season was exactly what the doctor ordered for Lambert’s development. He found himself excelling at a high level once again, he got to feed off other top prospects in his age group, he got to experience what it takes to win a league championship, and most important of all, he has carried over all that progress with him to the professional level. He had an incredible AHL rookie season with the Moose, finishing as the team’s top scorer. That barn can get pretty raucous at times, and the way that he was able to regularly feed off of that energy and use it to his advantage was a great preview to him being able to do it in the NHL. He is a thrilling center who is borderline elite with his skating ability and puck skills.

2. Colby Barlow

Barlow's game did not take a big step forward this season as expected, and while there's no reason to overreact or hit the panic button, the Jets surely would have had questions for him about what happened. In his defense, playing for an outgunned Owen Sound team that never really looked like a contender was probably a large part of the equation. And even though his assist totals cratered, he still cracked the 40-goal mark for the second consecutive year. He's an explosive skater, hard-nosed grinder, and an authoritative finisher, and he shouldn't need to make any serious adjustments to how he plays in order to be successful as an NHLer because his strengths are so useful in multiple roles and situations. He's an odds-on favourite to make the Canadian roster for the next World Juniors and might even wear a letter for that group.

3. Brayden Yager

Brayden Yager continued to terrorize WHL defences. The dynamic center amassed 95 points in 57 games for the Moose Jaw Warriors, showcasing his elite shooting ability and knack for finding teammates. He's quite strong and compact, which helps him out in various ways, whether that's staying on his feet as he fights through checks or generating a lot of power through his shot. While his offensive production is undeniable, consistency remains a talking point. There were stretches where he dominated, but there were also quieter nights. The bright spots, however, were undeniable. His work on the power play was a highlight, and his burgeoning two-way play suggests a well-rounded future. He'll need to add strength to compete at the NHL level, but the raw tools are undeniably there. Expect him to spend another year in the WHL before turning pro, but his NHL debut could be on the horizon soon.

4. Chaz Lucius

Is Lucius one of the unluckiest top prospects in the hockey world? It certainly seems that way. He’s only 21 years old but has already experienced his hockey career being beset with knee, ankle, and shoulder injuries that have all required surgery. It’s an incredible shame, too, because he always looks excellent when he’s healthy, and has shown no trouble at all adjusting to different leagues and levels of hockey. The greatest strengths of his game have always been in the offensive zone and around the opposing team’s crease, but that’s also an area where a lot of punishment is doled out, and there are now unfortunate yet unavoidable questions about whether his body will be able to withstand making a career out of playing that way. If good luck isn’t going to come to him naturally then he might need to make some adjustments to save his career.

5. Ville Heinola

If Heinola doesn’t make the Jets out of training camp next fall the reaction from some fans of the team could be riotous, because he’s a highly touted prospect who’s been on the cusp of making the team for five years in a row without being allowed to fully take that plunge. Making matters even more urgent, his waiver eligibility begins in 2024-25, so there would be a huge risk in trying to send him down again. He is a clever, fleet-of-foot defenceman who excels with puck retrievals and breakouts. There’s some offensive generation to his game as well, but it’s unlikely he’ll ever be a powerplay quarterback in the NHL. There are also concerns about his play-stopping ability that will be hard to ever shake. Winnipeg has three defencemen coming up for free agency this summer, so it feels like it’s going to be now or never for Heinola.

6. Nikita Chibrikov

After three straight years of splitting time across three levels of hockey, Chibrikov enjoyed newfound stability in 2023-24, dressing for 70 games with the Moose. And he must have had no complaints whatsoever about the single outlying game where he donned a different sweater, because that was his NHL debut with the Jets, and he got to celebrate it by scoring his first goal. He and fellow AHL rookie Lambert have found a lot of chemistry together, as they both possess blazing speed and slick hands that can make enemies miss, and they're bringing much-needed fresh blood into the organization's forward ranks. He’s also handled the increased physicality of hockey on this side of the world much better than was expected. As he continues to adjust to the structure of North American hockey his skill should gradually keep shining through.

7. Alfons Freij

Freij was a bit of a tricky prospect to get a comfortable read on this season. There were some games where he was a true standout, but in some others, you wouldn’t be able to pick him out of a police lineup. And while he would routinely dazzle you with his shifty footwork and deceptive dekes, a lot of those plays failed to result in goals, leaving his point totals on the season looking a little lackluster. Was he simply unlucky, or is there a disconnect somewhere in how he utilizes his teammates or reads the play? One way or the other, he possesses a high base level of skill, which could potentially be built up over time, and he’s going to keep getting looks with the Swedish national program and gain more access to their resources.

8. Elias Salomonsson

Injuries continue to be a recurring theme in Salomonsson's young career, but the good news is that they don't seem to be slowing down his long-term progression all that much. Him earning a legitimate roster spot and regular ice time on a great Skellefteå team has played a key role in keeping things on track, because they fought their way to back-to-back appearances in the SHL final, which provided him with more games to play in and a beneficial type of experience that not all prospects receive. He's a puck-moving defenceman who is slippery and serpentine on breakouts and at the offensive blueline, in an oddly similar way to Skellefteå alumnus John Klingberg, and has been rounding out his game in the time since his draft day by becoming more gritty and committed in his own zone.

9. Dmitry Rashevsky

Rashevsky isn’t exactly considered a top prospect, but when it comes to sheer entertainment value, there aren’t many others out there who can match him. He’s an offense-first winger who is almost monomaniacal about beating opposing defenders one-on-one, and it’s kind of hard to fault him for that, because he’s undeniably great at it. He’s endlessly confident, and at the drop of a hat is always ready to launch another attack. There were previous frustrations about him having horse blinders on too often and not working with his teammates enough, as well as about him not applying the same level of furious commitment to his off-puck play, but he’s made a lot of progress in those areas over the past three seasons in the KHL. Can he stick in the NHL with how he plays? If it does happen, he’ll be pretty unique among wingers in the league.

10. Jacob Julien

The secret to scouting doesn't lie with simply analyzing what a prospect is good or bad at right now, but rather, trying to project how they will develop and predict what their game will look like in the future. That was Winnipeg's philosophy when they drafted Julien, and so far it's looking pretty darn wise. The lanky center keeps growing into his body, the London Knights keep using their development expertise to grow his skillset, and the results of the project have been fantastic, with significant year-over-year growth. As of this writing he's one of the top scorers on a Knights team that is chasing an OHL title, and as their number one center he had back-to-back hat tricks to eliminate Kitchener in the second round. His long reach and fluid footwork make him hard to contain and help him navigate the ice while exerting minimum effort.

11. Danny Zhilkin

Zhilkin enjoyed some moderate success during his time in the OHL but had a disastrous first year in the AHL. Drafted relatively high because of perceived upside as a two-way center, there are now concerns because his progression in both areas seems to have stalled. None of his individual tools stand out enough and the overall package might not be enough to set him apart. Can he make a regular living in the NHL as a bottom six pivot?

12. Domenic DiVincentiis

It was a trying year for DiVincentiis, who battled injury and consistency issues, which cost him a roster spot at the World Juniors and then North Bay’s starting job in the playoffs. It was especially a shame because he had some wind under his sails coming into the season after an impressive sophomore campaign. An NHL future isn’t out of the question so long as he can get things back on track.

13. Thomas Milic

All Milic ever does is defy the odds and quiet his naysayers. After winning a WHL title in 2023 and then getting drafted as a re-entry prospect, he turned pro, before quickly surging up the organization’s goalie depth chart from fifth to third. His goalie IQ is miles above most of his peers. He’ll never be big, but does he have a bit of that magic that Dustin Wolf and Devon Levi possess as undersized netminders?

14. Dmitri Kuzmin

The jump to professional hockey proved to be a steep one this season for Kuzmin, as he failed to hold down a spot in the AHL and then didn’t really make any kind of statement a level lower in the ECHL. For as good as he is with the puck and as hard as he can shoot it, he’s not nearly quick or agile enough for his size, which he will need to rectify sooner rather than later.

15. Kevin He

Give a loud stick tap to He, who had to suit up for an atrocious Niagara team in his draft season but still came to the rink every day ready to play and to compete. There’s something to be said about getting consistently blown out on the scoreboard but still finding the inner will to pot 31 goals. He’s a speedster who is all gas and no brakes, but at least he knows how to finish plays.

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #13 Winnipeg Jets – Organization Overview – Top 15 Profiles

Player Profiles - Derek Neumeier, Team Overview - Robert Howard — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 15:02:11 +0000

MONTREAL, QC - SEPTEMBER 29: Winnipeg Jets forward Brad Lambert (47) tracks the play during the Winnipeg Jets versus the Montreal Canadiens preseason game on September 29, 2022, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire)

What a difference a year makes. The Jets have had high expectations for a number of seasons, coach Rick Bowness had inspired the team to squeak into the playoffs in 2022-23, but ultimately lost in the first round of the playoffs. There was a lot of speculation to start the season around two key players in Mark Scheifele and elite goaltender, Connor Hellebuyck, and their future on the prairies. In the summer, GM Kevin Cheveldayoff traded Pierre Luc Dubois for a healthy return in Alex Iaffalo, Gabriel Vilard, Rasmus Kupari, along with Montreal’s second in 2024 (37th) suggesting further change to come. He then surprised the hockey world by signing both his key free agents to eight-year, $8.5 million AAV contracts on the eve of the start of the season, cementing them as core pieces. Retiring coach Bowness, while missing some time for health reasons, did a masterful job producing a 100-point season, good for fourth in the league. Hellebuyck returned to Vezina trophy form, and there is optimism in Winnipeg again.

Cheveldayoff was an aggressive buyer at the deadline picks to acquire Sean Monahan, Tyler Toffoli and Colin Miller, all UFA’s this summer. The return was a first (2024), second (2025), third (2024) and a fourth-round picks (2026). Effectively clearing out significant draft capital. Whether any of those players return, with only a first-round loss to Colorado to show for it, Cheveldayoff sent a message that their window is now. The prospect system remains healthy, and relatively deep. There are seven prospects in our top 200, with a couple of players who could join Cole Perfetti as a graduate next season in Brad Lambert and Ville Heinola. They know their window for a championship is open, and with picks already gone, it would not be surprising to see any of the players move for more immediate help.

RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	TM	Acquired	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
1	Brad Lambert	C	20	6-0/180	Manitoba (AHL)	`22(30th)	64	21	34	55	38
					Winnipeg (NHL)	`22(30th)	1	0	1	1	0
2	Colby Barlow	LW	19	6-0/195	Owen Sound (OHL)	`23(18th)	50	40	18	58	27
3	Chaz Lucius	C	20	6-1/185	Manitoba (AHL)	`21(18th)	17	2	11	13	6
4	Rutger McGroarty	LW	20	6-1/200	Michigan (B1G)	`22(14th)	36	16	36	52	6
5	Ville Heinola	D	23	6-0/180	Manitoba (AHL)	`19(20th)	41	10	17	27	24
6	Nikita Chibrikov	RW	21	5-10/170	Manitoba (AHL)	`21(50th)	70	17	30	47	53
					Winnipeg (NHL)	`21(50th)	1	1	0	1	0
7	Elias Salomonsson	D	19	6-1/185	Skelleftea (SHL)	`22(55th)	31	2	9	11	58
8	Dmitry Rashevsky	RW	23	6-1/165	Dynamo Moskva (KHL)	`21(146th)	67	24	19	43	20
9	Jacob Julien	C	19	6-4/180	London (OHL)	`23(146th)	67	29	49	78	53
10	Danny Zhilkin	C	20	6-1/195	Manitoba (AHL)	`22(77th)	44	2	5	7	22
11	Domenic DiVincentiis	G	20	6-2/185	North Bay (OHL)	`22(207th)	42	27	9	3.13	0.895
12	Thomas Milic	G	21	6-0/180	Manitoba (AHL)	`23(151st)	33	19	9	2.72	0.900
13	Daniel Torgersson	LW	22	6-3/200	Manitoba (AHL)	`20(40th)	52	1	8	9	12
14	Dmitri Kuzmin	D	21	5-10/175	Norfolk (ECHL)	`21(82nd)	24	2	7	9	4
					Manitoba (AHL)	`21(82nd)	18	1	2	3	6
15	Parker Ford	C	23	5-8/170	Manitoba (AHL)	FA(3/23)	72	18	23	41	57

1. Brad Lambert, C, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

Getting to join the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds halfway through last season was exactly what the doctor ordered for Lambert’s development. He found himself excelling at a high level once again, he got to feed off of other top prospects who were his age, he got to experience what it takes to win a league championship, and most importantly of all, he has carried over all that progress with him to the professional level. He had an incredible AHL rookie season with the Moose, finishing as the team’s top scorer. That barn can get pretty raucous at times, and the way that he was able to regularly feed off of that energy and use it to his advantage was a great preview of him being able to do it in the NHL. He is a thrilling center who is borderline elite with his skating ability and puck skills.

2. Colby Barlow, LW, Owen Sound Attack (OHL)

Barlow's game did not take a big step forward this season as expected, and while there's no reason to overreact or hit the panic button, the Jets surely would have had questions for him about what happened. In his defense, playing for an outgunned Owen Sound team that never really looked like a contender was probably a large part of the equation. And even though his assist totals cratered, he still cracked the 40-goal mark for the second consecutive year. He's an explosive skater, hard-nosed grinder and an authoritative finisher, and he shouldn't need to make any serious adjustments to how he plays in order to be successful as an NHLer because his strengths are so useful in different roles and situations. He's an odds-on favourite to make the Canadian roster for the next World Juniors and might even wear a letter for that group.

3. Chaz Lucius, C, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

Is Lucius one of the unluckiest top prospects in the hockey world? It certainly seems that way. He’s only 21 years old but has already experienced his hockey career being beset with knee, ankle and shoulder injuries that have all resulted in surgery being required. It’s an incredible shame, too, because he always looks excellent when he’s healthy, and has shown no trouble at all adjusting to different leagues and levels of hockey. The greatest strengths of his game have always been in the offensive zone and around the opposing team’s crease, but that’s also an area where a lot of punishment is doled out, and there are now unfortunate yet unavoidable questions about whether his body will be able to withstand making a career out of playing that way. If good luck isn’t going to come to him naturally then he might need to make some adjustments to save his career.

4. Rutger McGroarty, LW, University of Michigan (NCAA)

McGroarty is a very intriguing prospect, because his game is fairly pigeonholed, yet he’s an undeniable expert in two specific areas: in the cycle and at the net front. There’s actually an art to scoring greasy, blue-collar goals, and he seems to have mastered it. He is an absolute tank sometimes down low, with an abundance of lower-body strength, and once he gets himself dug in at the top of the crease, he can be nearly impossible to box out or win body positioning against. He’s also very hard to contain when he tries to take the puck from the wall or behind the goal line into a better scoring position. His feet are, unsurprisingly based on what was just said, quite heavy and slow, but he keeps working hard to improve his quickness and mobility. There was talk of him turning pro this spring, but he elected to spend another year in college.

5. Ville Heinola, D, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

If Heinola doesn’t make the Jets out of training camp next fall the reaction from some fans of the team could be riotous, because he’s a highly touted prospect who’s been on the cusp of making the team for five years in a row without being allowed to fully take that plunge. Making matters even more urgent, his waiver eligibility begins in 2024-25, so there would be a huge risk in trying to send him down again. He is a clever, fleet-of-foot defenseman who excels with puck retrievals and breakouts. There’s some offensive generation to his game as well, but it’s unlikely he’ll ever be a powerplay quarterback in the NHL. There are also concerns about his play-stopping ability that will be hard to ever shake. Winnipeg has three defensemen coming up for free agency this summer, so it feels like it’s going to be now or never for Heinola.

6. Nikita Chibrikov, RW, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

7. Elias Salomonsson, D, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

Injuries continue to be a recurring theme in Salomonsson's young career, but the good news is that they don't seem to be slowing down his long-term progression all that much. Him earning a legitimate roster spot and regular ice time on a great Skellefteå team has played a key role in keeping things on track, because they fought their way to back-to-back appearances in the SHL final, which provided him with more games to play in and a beneficial type of experience that not all prospects get to receive. He's a puck-moving defenseman who is slippery and serpentine on breakouts and at the offensive blueline, in an oddly similar way to Skellefteå alumnus John Klingberg, and has been rounding out his game in the time since his draft day by becoming grittier and more committed in his own zone.

8. Dmitry Rashevsky, RW, Dyanmo Moskva (KHL)

Rashevsky isn’t exactly considered to be a top prospect, but when it comes to sheer entertainment value, there aren’t many others out there who can match him. He’s an offense-first winger who is almost monomaniacal about beating opposing defenders one-on-one, and it’s kind of hard to fault him for that, because he’s undeniably great at it. He’s endlessly confident, and at the drop of a hat is always ready to launch another attack. There were previous frustrations about him having horse blinders on too often and not working with his teammates enough, as well as about him not applying the same level of furious commitment to his off-puck play, but he’s made a lot of progress in those areas over the past three seasons in the KHL. Can he stick in the NHL with how he plays? If it does happen, he’ll be pretty unique among wingers in the league.

9. Jacob Julien, C, London Knights (OHL)

10. Danny Zhilkin, C, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

Zhilkin enjoyed some moderate success during his time in the OHL but had a disastrous first year in the AHL. Drafted because of perceived upside as a two-way center, there are now concerns because his progression in both areas seems to have stalled. None of his individual offensive tools stand out and the overall package doesn’t seem like it will be enough to set him apart, so his shot at becoming a future NHLer will rest on his skillfulness killing penalties, handling tough matchups, and eating a lot of heavy defensive zone minutes in general. Can he make a regular living in the NHL as a Bottom 6 pivot? He already has the commitment and shift-over-shift work rate in place, but he will still need to improve his top speed and mix in a little more sandpaper to his defending than he’s used to currently.

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

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: TOP 30 NHL PROSPECTS

McKeen's Hockey — Sat, 01 Jun 2024 12:22:26 +0000

At McKeen’s Hockey we do a ranked affiliated prospect list twice a season. Our first, this ranking, follows the end of the regular season for most prospects but does not include the playoffs. It is a ranking of the top 200, plus the top 15 by team, prior to the NHL Draft. Once the NHL Draft is complete, we begin the process of updating the organizational ranking to a top 20, and then rank the top 300. That is completed in August, once the dust has settled on free agency, and any trades that are made in the meantime. We include that ranking in our McKeen’s NHL Yearbook, published in late August, Early September.

Our team of 16 scouts are based in key markets around the world, in the rinks, supported by video scouting. They utilize some terrific tools from Hudl/InStat, which can isolate so many aspects of a player’s game, along with proprietary statistics. They spend countless hours in rinks and in front of screens and are deeply familiar with these players and their progression. Our management team of Brock Otten (Director of Scouting) and Derek Neumeier (Assistant Director of Scouting/Senior Western Regional Scout), along with Video Scouting Coordinator, Josh Bell, will take the teams input and finalize the list you see below. Brock, Derek and Josh are responsible for the player write-ups in the Prospect Guide.

The organizational rankings are based on an algorithm that takes into account how many prospects are ranked within the top 200. The teams are broken down by the number of prospects in our top 1 -25, 26 - 50, 51 - 100, and 101 - 200. A weight is attached to each group and then some subjective tweaking is done based on our knowledge of the players. There can be a wider discrepancy in the top 25 group than the latter groupings that needs to be taken into account.

Here is our definition of an NHL prospect: Players under 26 years of age as of 9/15/2024 who have appeared in less than 60 NHL games (30 for goalies) and less than 35 in one season (25 for goalies).

Check back in with us in the fall to see how things change following the draft. We are releasing out top 30 NHL Prospects free to non-subscribers. If you want to learn more, link here.

Subscribers can link to the full top 200 listing here

Here is an excerpt of Brock Otten's Risers and Fallers article from the magazine to give you more perspective and a little taste of our content.

The best part of scouting is the somewhat unpredictable nature of human development. Some players improve dramatically from one year to the next…others do not. When we compare the rankings from our 2023-24 NHL Yearbook (where we did a Top 300 prospect ranking) to now, these are the players who have risen/fallen the most.

Risers

DALLAS, TX - APRIL 22: Dallas Stars center Logan Stankoven (11) reacts to a goal score during game one of the Western Conference First Round between the Dallas Stars and the Vegas Golden Knights on April 22, 2024 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire)

Logan Stankoven (27 to 5) - Dallas Stars

Stankoven’s jump from one of the best players in the WHL to one of the best players in the AHL has been impressive. So has his quick start in the NHL.

Ryan Leonard (32 to 6) – Washington Capitals

Leonard is returning to Boston College after a Championship barely eluded him this year. However, he has proven to be an elite play driver to go with his strong off puck play.

MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 11: Look on Montreal Canadiens right wing Joshua Roy (89) during warm-up before the St. Louis Blues versus the Montreal Canadiens game on February 11, 2024, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire)

Josh Roy (63 to 35) – Montreal Canadiens

Roy continues to prove doubters wrong after a terrific AHL season with Laval. His skill set has become so well rounded since being drafted.

Conor Geekie (68 to 18) – Utah

Geekie’s power game from the middle of the ice makes him such an interesting prospect for today’s NHL. His skating continues to improve.

Mavrik Bourque (79 to 23) – Dallas Stars

Bourque emerged as one of the best players in the AHL this season as a sophomore professional. He’s ready to take that next step with the Stars.

Gabe Perreault (86 to 19) – New York Rangers

Once thought to be the third wheel on the talented Will Smith/Ryan Leonard threesome, Perreault’s progression as a play driver at Boston College this season has altered the perception that he can be a front-line NHL player.

Bradly Nadeau (109 to 34) – Carolina Hurricanes

Drafting early out of the BCHL has yielded inconsistent results, however Nadeau was exceptional as a freshman at Maine. Did he leave school too early though?

Jagger Firkus (112 to 47) – Seattle Kraken

Firkus took his game to another level this year in his final WHL season, leading the league in scoring. He’s ready to be a pro.

Gavin Brindley (122 to 66) – Columbus Blue Jackets

One of the most improved players in the NCAA this year, Brindley emerged as a star for the University of Michigan and really altered his projection as a potential top six forward.

Quentin Musty (125 to 51) – San Jose Sharks

The dynamic American winger worked hard to fine tune components of his game in Sudbury this year and deserves a bump for improving his consistency.

Jani Nyman (135 to 81) – Seattle Kraken

Nyman emerged as one of the top goal scorers in Finland this season as a U20 player. This, combined with his strong WJC performance, has helped push him up our board north.

Logan Mailloux (145 to 45) – Montreal Canadiens

Mailloux proved to be way more refined at the AHL level than previously perceived. Simply put, he was one of the best defensive prospects in the AHL this year.

Josh Doan (153 to 55) - Utah

What a terrific story to the end of the Coyotes franchise. Doan emerged as a potential star this season and finished the year strong in the NHL, scoring in his debut.

Riley Heidt (157 to 44) – Minnesota Wild

We still don’t understand how Heidt fell as far as he did in the 2023 draft, however he is proving NHL scouts wrong thus far after a remarkable year with Prince George.

Ville Koivunen (165 to 71) – Pittsburgh Penguins

The main piece of the Jake Guentzel to Carolina deal, Koivunen emerged as one of the top players in Liiga this year.

Ethan Del Mastro (169 to 73) – Chicago Blackhawks

There was little doubt that Del Mastro’s strong defensive ability would translate to the AHL level well, but he continues to improve offensively and that has altered his projection.

Theo Lindstein (185 to 91) – St. Louis Blues

Lindstein’s strong year for Brynas has helped to elevate his upside as a two-way defender. We may have ranked him too low in our 2023 Draft Rankings.

Carson Rehkopf (201 to 69) – Seattle Kraken

Consistency off the puck and a lack of engagement held Rehkopf back last year. This year marked improvement in those areas helped him emerge as a top offensive talent in the OHL.

Easton Cowan (204 to 67) – Toronto Maple Leafs

One of the surprises of the 2023 draft, Cowan set a new OHL record with a 42-game point streak. More than just a high energy guy now, he can be a difference maker offensively.

Seamus Casey (214 to 63) – New Jersey Devils

Casey continues to improve in the NCAA. He may not have elite size, but he has everything else, and it has the Devils excited about his future.

Jacob Fowler (222 to 52) – Montreal Canadiens

Fowler compiled a list of accolades as a freshman this year at Boston College, emerging as one of the top goaltending prospects in the game.

Fraser Minten (226 to 84) – Toronto Maple Leafs

After starting the year with the Leafs, Minten returned to the WHL and ended up captaining Canada at the World Juniors.

Jackson Blake (277 to 117) – Carolina Hurricanes

A finalist for the Hobey Baker this year, Blake became an NCAA star for North Dakota, and he now turns pro.

Erik Portillo (Unranked to 118) – Los Angeles Kings

Acquired by the Kings, Portillo turned pro after three years at Michigan and he was one of the best goaltenders in the AHL as a first-year pro.

Rodwin Dionicio (Unranked to 139) – Anaheim Ducks

Dionicio still plays a high risk, high reward game from the back end, but his offensive upside has become too large to ignore.

Fallers

EDM - Xavier Bourgault

Xavier Bourgault (from 48 to 113) – Edmonton Oilers

After a mediocre first professional year last season, Bourgault was even more disappointing as a sophomore with Bakersfield. The Oilers just haven’t been developing prospects well in recent years.

Eduard Sale (72 to 140) – Seattle Kraken

Sale’s first year in North America did not go according to plan as he struggled to be a consistent impact player in the OHL.

Jack Rathbone (96 to not ranked) – Pittsburgh Penguins

Perhaps we ranked Rathbone too aggressively this summer, but not only did he fail to earn a spot on Vancouver, but he’s now an NHL after thought after entering Pittsburgh’s organization via trade.

Jacob Perreault (127 to not ranked) – Montreal Canadiens

Perreault’s off puck play and skating just haven’t improved to the point where he can be a consistent pro and it caused the Ducks to move on from him, trading him to Montreal.

Jan Jenik (156 to not ranked) - Utah

Once a highly ranked prospect, Jenik continues to fall. He just hasn’t been able to take that next step and even passed through waivers this year unclaimed.

RNK	PLAYER	NHL	POS	AGE	HT/WT	TM	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
1	Will Smith	SJ	C	19	6-0/175	Boston College (HE)	41	25	46	71	14
2	Matvei Michkov	Phi	RW	19	5-10/170	SKA St. Petersburg-HK Sochi (KHL)	48	19	22	41	26
3	Brandt Clarke	LA	D	21	6-2/185	Los Angeles (NHL)	16	2	4	6	10
4	Cutter Gauthier	Ana	LW	20	6-2/190	Boston College (HE)	41	38	27	65	18
5	Logan Stankoven	Dal	C	21	5-8/170	Dallas (NHL)	24	6	8	14	4
6	Ryan Leonard	Wsh	RW	19	5-11/190	Boston College (HE)	41	31	29	60	38
7	Alexander Nikishin	Car	D	22	6-3/195	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	67	17	39	56	39
8	Yaroslav Askarov	Nsh	G	21	6-3/175	Milwaukee (AHL)	44	30	13	2.39	0.911
9	Jesper Wallstedt	Min	G	21	6-3/215	Iowa (AHL)	45	22	19	2.70	0.910
10	Matthew Savoie	Buf	C	20	5-9/179	Wen-MJ (WHL)	34	30	41	71	10
11	Simon Edvinsson	Det	D	21	6-6/215	Detroit (NHL)	16	1	1	2	4
12	Jonathan Lekkerimaki	Van	RW	19	5-11/170	Orebro (SHL)	46	19	12	31	10
13	Dustin Wolf	Cgy	G	23	6-0/166	Calgary (AHL)	36	20	12	2.45	0.922
14	Devon Levi	Buf	G	21	6-0/192	Rochester (AHL)	26	16	6	2.42	0.927
15	Olen Zellweger	Ana	D	20	5-9/180	Anaheim (NHL)	26	2	7	9	4
16	Dmitri Simashev	Ari	D	19	6-4/198	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	63	4	6	10	18
17	David Reinbacher	Mtl	D	19	6-2/185	Kloten (Sui-NL)	35	1	10	11	18
18	Conor Geekie	Ari	C	19	6-3/193	Wen-SC (WHL)	55	43	56	99	66
19	Gabe Perreault	NYR	RW	18	5-11/165	Boston College (HE)	36	19	41	60	29
20	Daniil But	Ari	LW	19	6-5/203	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	55	10	11	21	10
21	Shane Wright	Sea	C	20	6-0/200	Coachella Valley (AHL)	59	22	25	47	18
22	Jiri Kulich	Buf	C	20	6-1/186	Rochester (AHL)	57	27	18	45	26
23	Mavrik Bourque	Dal	C	22	5-10/190	Texas (AHL)	71	26	51	77	32
24	Nate Danielson	Det	C	19	6-2/185	Bdn-Por (WHL)	54	24	43	67	42
25	Danila Yurov	Min	RW	19	6-1/175	Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)	62	21	28	49	35
26	Brennan Othmann	NYR	LW	21	6-0/175	Hartford (AHL)	67	21	28	49	65
27	Lane Hutson	Mtl	D	20	5-10/160	Boston University (HE)	38	15	34	49	24
28	Tom Willander	Van	D	19	6-1/180	Boston University (HE)	38	4	21	25	12
29	Marco Kasper	Det	C	20	6-1/185	Grand Rapids (AHL)	71	14	21	35	30
30	Dalibor Dvorsky	StL	C	18	6-1/200	Sudbury (OHL)	52	45	43	88	17

2024 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: TOP 200 NHL PROSPECTS

McKeen's Hockey — Sat, 25 May 2024 17:02:31 +0000

At McKeen’s Hockey we do a ranked affiliated prospect list twice a season. Our first is following the end of the regular season for most prospects but does not include the playoffs. It is a ranking of the top 200, plus the top 15 by team, prior to the NHL Draft. Once the NHL Draft is complete, we begin the process of updating the organizational ranking to a top 20, and then rank the top 300. That is completed in August, once the dust has settled on free agency, and any trades that are made in the meantime. We include that ranking in our McKeen’s NHL Yearbook, published in late August, Early September.

Check back in with us in the fall to see how things change following the draft.

Subscribers can link to the listing here

RNK	PLAYER	NHL	POS	AGE	HT/WT	TM	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
1	Will Smith	SJ	C	19	6-0/175	Boston College (HE)	41	25	46	71	14
2	Matvei Michkov	Phi	RW	19	5-10/170	SKA St. Petersburg-HK Sochi (KHL)	48	19	22	41	26
3	Brandt Clarke	LA	D	21	6-2/185	Los Angeles (NHL)	16	2	4	6	10
4	Cutter Gauthier	Ana	LW	20	6-2/190	Boston College (HE)	41	38	27	65	18
5	Logan Stankoven	Dal	C	21	5-8/170	Dallas (NHL)	24	6	8	14	4
6	Ryan Leonard	Wsh	RW	19	5-11/190	Boston College (HE)	41	31	29	60	38
7	Alexander Nikishin	Car	D	22	6-3/195	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	67	17	39	56	39
8	Yaroslav Askarov	Nsh	G	21	6-3/175	Milwaukee (AHL)	44	30	13	2.39	0.911
9	Jesper Wallstedt	Min	G	21	6-3/215	Iowa (AHL)	45	22	19	2.70	0.910
10	Matthew Savoie	Buf	C	20	5-9/179	Wen-MJ (WHL)	34	30	41	71	10
11	Simon Edvinsson	Det	D	21	6-6/215	Detroit (NHL)	16	1	1	2	4
12	Jonathan Lekkerimaki	Van	RW	19	5-11/170	Orebro (SHL)	46	19	12	31	10
13	Dustin Wolf	Cgy	G	23	6-0/166	Calgary (AHL)	36	20	12	2.45	0.922
14	Devon Levi	Buf	G	21	6-0/192	Rochester (AHL)	26	16	6	2.42	0.927
15	Olen Zellweger	Ana	D	20	5-9/180	Anaheim (NHL)	26	2	7	9	4
16	Dmitri Simashev	Ari	D	19	6-4/198	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	63	4	6	10	18
17	David Reinbacher	Mtl	D	19	6-2/185	Kloten (Sui-NL)	35	1	10	11	18
18	Conor Geekie	Ari	C	19	6-3/193	Wen-SC (WHL)	55	43	56	99	66
19	Gabe Perreault	NYR	RW	18	5-11/165	Boston College (HE)	36	19	41	60	29
20	Daniil But	Ari	LW	19	6-5/203	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	55	10	11	21	10
21	Shane Wright	Sea	C	20	6-0/200	Coachella Valley (AHL)	59	22	25	47	18
22	Jiri Kulich	Buf	C	20	6-1/186	Rochester (AHL)	57	27	18	45	26
23	Mavrik Bourque	Dal	C	22	5-10/190	Texas (AHL)	71	26	51	77	32
24	Nate Danielson	Det	C	19	6-2/185	Bdn-Por (WHL)	54	24	43	67	42
25	Danila Yurov	Min	RW	19	6-1/175	Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)	62	21	28	49	35
26	Brennan Othmann	NYR	LW	21	6-0/175	Hartford (AHL)	67	21	28	49	65
27	Lane Hutson	Mtl	D	20	5-10/160	Boston University (HE)	38	15	34	49	24
28	Tom Willander	Van	D	19	6-1/180	Boston University (HE)	38	4	21	25	12
29	Marco Kasper	Det	C	20	6-1/185	Grand Rapids (AHL)	71	14	21	35	30
30	Dalibor Dvorsky	StL	C	18	6-1/200	Sudbury (OHL)	52	45	43	88	17
31	Brad Lambert	Wpg	C	20	6-0/180	Manitoba (AHL)	64	21	34	55	38
32	Ivan Miroshnichenko	Wsh	LW	20	6-1/185	Washington (NHL)	21	2	4	6	6
33	Axel Sandin Pellikka	Det	D	19	5-11/180	Skelleftea (SHL)	39	10	8	18	17
34	Bradly Nadeau	Car	LW	18	5-10/165	Maine (HE)	37	19	27	46	12
35	Joshua Roy	Mtl	RW	20	6-0/190	Montreal (NHL)	23	4	5	9	0
36	Denton Mateychuk	CBJ	D	19	5-11/190	Moose Jaw (WHL)	52	17	58	75	31
37	Brayden Yager	Pit	C	19	5-11/165	Moose Jaw (WHL)	57	35	60	95	20
38	Calum Ritchie	Col	C	19	6-2/185	Oshawa (OHL)	50	28	52	80	20
39	Joakim Kemell	Nsh	RW	20	5-10/185	Milwaukee (AHL)	67	16	25	41	23
40	Colby Barlow	Wpg	LW	19	6-0/195	Owen Sound (OHL)	50	40	18	58	27
41	Jimmy Snuggerud	StL	RW	19	6-1/185	Minnesota (B1G)	39	21	13	34	42
42	Matthew Coronato	Cgy	RW	21	5-10/183	Calgary (NHL)	34	3	6	9	4
43	Frank Nazar	Chi	C	20	5-10/180	Michigan (B1G)	41	17	24	41	18
44	Riley Heidt	Min	C	19	5-10/180	Prince George (WHL)	66	37	80	117	42
45	Logan Mailloux	Mtl	D	21	6-3/215	Laval (AHL)	72	14	33	47	91
46	Sebastian Cossa	Det	G	21	6-6/229	Grand Rapids (AHL)	40	22	9	2.41	0.913
47	Jagger Firkus	Sea	RW	20	5-10/155	Moose Jaw (WHL)	63	61	65	126	30
48	Mikhail Gulyayev	Col	D	19	5-11/170	Avangard Omsk (KHL)	64	4	8	12	8
49	Scott Morrow	Car	D	21	6-2/195	Massachusetts (HE)	37	6	24	30	25
50	Matthew Wood	Nsh	RW	19	6-3/195	Connecticut (HE)	35	16	12	28	43
51	Quentin Musty	SJ	LW	18	6-2/200	Sudbury (OHL)	53	43	59	102	72
52	Jacob Fowler	Mtl	G	19	6-1/215	Boston College (HE)	39	32	6	2.14	0.926
53	Fabian Lysell	Bos	RW	21	5-11/181	Providence (AHL)	56	15	35	50	37
54	Shakir Mukhamadullin	SJ	D	22	6-3/180	San Jose (AHL)	55	7	27	34	24
55	Josh Doan	Ari	RW	22	6-1/183	Arizona (NHL)	11	5	4	9	0
56	Thomas Bordeleau	SJ	C	22	5-9/180	San Jose (NHL)	27	6	5	11	18
57	Lian Bichsel	Dal	D	19	6-6/233	Rogle (SHL)	29	2	2	4	28
58	Nikolai Kovalenko	Col	RW	24	5-10/180	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	42	11	24	35	30
59	Aatu Raty	Van	C	21	6-2/185	Abbotsford (AHL)	72	18	34	52	18
60	Oliver Moore	Chi	C	19	5-11/185	Minnesota (B1G)	39	9	24	33	8
61	Samuel Honzek	Cgy	LW	19	6-4/186	Vancouver (WHL)	33	10	21	31	18
62	Jakob Pelletier	Cgy	LW	23	5-9/170	Calgary (NHL)	13	1	2	3	2
63	Seamus Casey	NJ	D	20	5-9/165	Michigan (B1G)	40	7	38	45	14
64	Tristan Luneau	Ana	D	20	6-1/195	Anaheim (NHL)	7	1	2	3	4
65	Chaz Lucius	Wpg	C	20	6-1/185	Manitoba (AHL)	17	2	11	13	6
66	Gavin Brindley	CBJ	C	19	5-9/165	Michigan (B1G)	40	25	28	53	28
67	Easton Cowan	Tor	RW	18	5-10/170	London (OHL)	54	34	62	96	64
68	Zachary L'Heureux	Nsh	LW	20	5-11/195	Milwaukee (AHL)	66	19	29	48	197
69	Carson Rehkopf	Sea	LW	19	6-1/195	Kitchener (OHL)	60	52	43	95	45
70	Filip Bystedt	SJ	C	20	6-4/205	Linkopings (SHL)	47	8	9	17	2
71	Ville Koivunen	Pit	LW	20	6-0/175	Karpat (Fin-Liiga)	59	22	34	56	26
72	Noah Ostlund	Buf	C	20	5-11/163	Vaxjo Lakers (SHL)	38	12	11	23	4
73	Ethan Del Mastro	Chi	D	21	6-4/210	Rockford (AHL)	69	7	30	37	54
74	Lukas Cormier	VGK	D	22	5-10/180	Henderson (AHL)	58	4	16	20	33
75	Liam Ohgren	Min	LW	20	6-1/200	Farjestads (SHL)	26	12	7	19	12
76	Marat Khusnutdinov	Min	C	21	5-11/175	Minnesota (NHL)	16	1	3	4	6
77	Mackie Samoskevich	Fla	RW	21	5-11/190	Charlotte (AHL)	62	22	32	54	24
78	Stanislav Svozil	CBJ	D	21	6-1/180	Cleveland (AHL)	57	5	18	23	24
79	Zachary Bolduc	StL	LW	21	6-1/175	St. Louis (NHL)	25	5	4	9	6
80	Rutger McGroarty	Wpg	LW	20	6-1/200	Michigan (B1G)	36	16	36	52	6
81	Jani Nyman	Sea	RW	19	6-3/215	Ilves (Fin-Liiga)	48	26	17	43	2
82	Andrew Cristall	Wsh	LW	19	5-9/165	Kelowna (WHL)	62	40	71	111	46
83	Oliver Bonk	Phi	D	19	6-2/175	London (OHL)	60	24	43	67	32
84	Fraser Minten	Tor	C	19	6-1/185	Kam-Sas (WHL)	43	22	26	48	25
85	Tanner Molendyk	Nsh	D	19	5-11/185	Saskatoon (WHL)	50	10	46	56	18
86	David Goyette	Sea	C	20	5-10/175	Sudbury (OHL)	68	40	77	117	29
87	David Edstrom	SJ	C	19	6-3/185	Frolunda (SHL)	44	7	12	19	8
88	Anton Wahlberg	Buf	C	18	6-3/194	Malmo (SHL)	43	5	5	10	4
89	Emil Andrae	Phi	D	22	5-9/185	Lehigh Valley (AHL)	61	5	27	32	66
90	Trey Augustine	Det	G	19	6-1/185	Michigan State (B1G)	35	23	9	2.96	0.915
91	Theo Lindstein	StL	D	19	6-0/180	Brynas (HockeyAllsvenskan)	49	4	11	15	4
92	Mads Sogaard	Ott	G	23	6-7/195	Belleville (AHL)	32	18	9	2.45	0.916
93	Isak Rosen	Buf	RW	21	6-0/175	Rochester (AHL)	67	20	30	50	12
94	Maveric Lamoureux	Ari	D	20	6-7/214	Drummondville (QMJHL)	39	9	24	33	53
95	Drew Commesso	Chi	G	21	6-2/180	Rockford (AHL)	38	18	16	2.65	0.906
96	Ville Heinola	Wpg	D	23	6-0/180	Manitoba (AHL)	41	10	17	27	24
97	Carter Mazur	Det	LW	22	6-0/170	Grand Rapids (AHL)	60	17	20	37	48
98	Otto Stenberg	StL	C	18	5-11/180	Frolunda (SHL)	31	3	3	6	8
99	Egor Afanasyev	Nsh	LW	23	6-3/205	Milwaukee (AHL)	56	27	27	54	60
100	Nikita Chibrikov	Wpg	RW	21	5-10/170	Manitoba (AHL)	70	17	30	47	53
101	Zach Dean	StL	C	21	6-0/175	Springfield (AHL)	49	9	5	14	24
102	William Dufour	NYI	RW	22	6-2/195	Bridgeport (AHL)	55	15	10	25	35
103	Sam Rinzel	Chi	D	19	6-4/180	Minnesota (B1G)	39	2	26	28	20
104	Joel Blomqvist	Pit	G	22	6-2/185	Wilkes-Barre (AHL)	45	25	12	2.16	0.921
105	Arseni Gritsyuk	NJ	RW	23	5-10/170	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	50	19	19	38	8
106	Corson Ceulemans	CBJ	D	20	6-2/200	Cleveland (AHL)	47	3	9	12	12
107	Michael Hrabal	Ari	G	19	6-6/209	Massachusetts (HE)	30	16	12	2.59	0.912
108	Brendan Brisson	VGK	C	22	5-11/180	Vegas (NHL)	15	2	6	8	2
109	Owen Pickering	Pit	D	20	6-4/180	Swift Current (WHL)	59	7	39	46	35
110	Owen Beck	Mtl	C	20	5-11/185	Pbo-Sag (OHL)	57	34	47	81	18
111	William Wallinder	Det	D	21	6-4/190	Grand Rapids (AHL)	65	3	12	15	10
112	Xavier Bourgault	Edm	C	21	6-0/170	Bakersfield (AHL)	55	8	12	20	24
113	Jordan Dumais	CBJ	RW	20	5-8/165	Halifax (QMJHL)	21	16	31	47	6
114	Aleksi Heimosalmi	Car	D	20	5-11/170	Assat (Fin-Liiga)	47	2	14	16	12
115	Brandon Bussi	Bos	G	25	6-4/218	Providence (AHL)	41	23	10	2.67	0.913
116	Jackson Blake	Car	RW	20	5-10/160	North Dakota (NCHC)	40	22	38	60	26
117	Erik Portillo	LA	G	23	6-6/210	Ontario (AHL)	39	24	11	2.50	0.918
118	Sean Farrell	Mtl	C	22	5-8/175	Laval (AHL)	47	9	19	28	10
119	Kasper Halttunen	SJ	RW	18	6-3/205	London (OHL)	57	32	29	61	61
120	Topi Niemela	Tor	D	22	5-11/165	Toronto (AHL)	68	8	31	39	43
121	Ethan Gauthier	TB	RW	19	5-11/175	Drummondville (QMJHL)	64	36	35	71	42
122	Daniil Miromanov	Cgy	D	26	6-4/200	VGK-Cgy (NHL)	24	3	4	7	8
123	Ruslan Iskhakov	NYI	C	23	5-8/155	Bridgeport (AHL)	69	18	32	50	30
124	Shai Buium	Det	D	21	6-3/210	Denver (NCHC)	43	7	29	36	14
125	Jakub Dobes	Mtl	G	22	6-3/200	Laval (AHL)	51	24	18	2.93	0.906
126	Oliver Kapanen	Mtl	C	20	6-0/170	KalPa (Fin-Liiga)	51	14	20	34	32
127	Danny Nelson	NYI	C	18	6-3/200	Notre Dame (B1G)	30	9	14	23	32
128	Lenni Hameenaho	NJ	RW	19	6-0/175	Assat (Fin-Liiga)	46	14	17	31	10
129	Nick Lardis	Chi	LW	18	5-11/165	Brantford (OHL)	37	29	21	50	12
130	Ty Nelson	Sea	D	20	5-10/195	North Bay (OHL)	54	16	36	52	50
131	Isaac Howard	TB	LW	20	5-10/185	Michigan State (B1G)	36	8	28	36	10
132	Fyodor Svechkov	Nsh	C	21	6-0/185	Milwaukee (AHL)	57	16	23	39	18
133	Jeremie Poirier	Cgy	D	21	6-1/196	Calgary (AHL)	23	3	10	13	22
134	Reid Schaefer	Nsh	LW	20	6-3/215	Milwaukee (AHL)	63	7	14	21	39
135	Zack Ostapchuk	Ott	C	20	6-3/205	Belleville (AHL)	69	17	11	28	47
136	Nathan Gaucher	Ana	C	20	6-3/207	San Diego (AHL)	72	10	15	25	68
137	Rodwin Dionicio	Ana	D	20	6-2/207	Wsr-Sag (OHL)	60	25	48	73	108
138	Eduard Sale	Sea	LW	19	6-1/170	Bar-Kit (OHL)	49	15	23	38	8
139	Danil Gushchin	SJ	RW	22	5-8/165	San Jose (AHL)	56	20	34	54	24
140	Sean Behrens	Col	D	21	5-10/175	Denver (NCHC)	44	4	27	31	53
141	Christian Kyrou	Dal	D	20	5-10/170	Texas (AHL)	57	8	15	23	22
142	Niklas Kokko	Sea	G	20	6-3/185	Pelicans (Fin-Liiga)	13	9	0	1.49	0.926
143	Vasily Ponomarev	Pit	C	22	5-10/180	Tuc-Chi-WBS (AHL)	45	9	21	30	16
144	Ryan Winterton	Sea	RW	20	6-2/190	Coachella Valley (AHL)	58	22	13	35	23
145	Dmitri Buchelnikov	Det	LW	20	5-10/165	Admiral Vladivostok (KHL)	55	13	16	29	8
146	Oscar Fisker Molgaard	Sea	C	19	6-0/165	HV 71 (SHL)	50	9	12	21	6
147	Aku Raty	Ari	RW	22	6-1/190	Tucson (AHL)	55	15	29	44	22
148	Matyas Sapovaliv	VGK	C	20	6-3/180	Saginaw (OHL)	54	19	43	62	22
149	Georgii Merkulov	Bos	C	23	5-11/175	Providence (AHL)	67	30	35	65	20
150	Topias Vilen	NJ	D	21	6-1/195	Utica (AHL)	54	2	27	29	16
151	Ryan Chesley	Wsh	D	20	6-0/200	Minnesota (B1G)	39	2	6	8	19
152	Jayden Perron	Car	RW	19	5-9/165	North Dakota (NCHC)	39	11	7	18	8
153	Tristen Robins	SJ	C	22	5-10/175	San Jose (AHL)	42	7	11	18	12
154	Calle Odelius	NYI	D	19	6-0/190	Djurgardens (HockeyAllsvenskan)	10	0	4	4	2
155	Vincent Iorio	Wsh	D	21	6-2/190	Hershey (AHL)	60	4	10	14	30
156	Raphael Lavoie	Edm	RW	23	6-4/215	Bakersfield (AHL)	66	28	22	50	64
157	Ronnie Attard	Phi	D	25	6-3/210	Lehigh Valley (AHL)	48	10	17	27	37
158	Niko Huuhtanen	TB	RW	20	6-2/205	Jukurit (Fin-Liiga)	52	19	27	46	46
159	Carson Bjarnason	Phi	G	18	6-3/185	Brandon (WHL)	46	24	17	3.01	0.907
160	Lukas Dragicevic	Sea	D	19	6-1/190	Tri-City (WHL)	66	14	36	50	52
161	Leevi Merilainen	Ott	G	21	6-2/160	Belleville (AHL)	24	10	9	2.87	0.906
162	Tyler Kleven	Ott	D	22	6-4/200	Belleville (AHL)	53	5	16	21	51
163	Hunter Brzustewicz	Cgy	D	19	5-11/185	Kitchener (OHL)	67	13	79	92	24
164	Ryan Greene	Chi	C	20	6-1/180	Boston University (HE)	40	12	24	36	6
165	Damian Clara	Ana	G	19	6-6/214	Brynas (HockeyAllsvenskan)	34	25	8	2.23	0.913
166	Carson Lambos	Min	D	21	6-1/200	Iowa (AHL)	69	4	10	14	64
167	Denver Barkey	Phi	C	19	5-8/160	London (OHL)	64	35	67	102	28
168	Gage Goncalves	TB	C	23	6-1/170	Syracuse (AHL)	69	13	45	58	43
169	Arshdeep Bains	Van	LW	23	6-0/185	Abbotsford (AHL)	59	16	39	55	28
170	Bogdan Konyushkov	Mtl	D	21	5-11/175	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	65	6	22	28	18
171	Alexei Kolosov	Phi	G	22	6-1/185	Dinamo Minsk (KHL)	47	22	21	2.39	0.907
172	Samuel Fagemo	LA	RW	24	6-0/195	Ontario (AHL)	50	43	19	62	26
173	Filip Mesar	Mtl	C	20	5-9/175	Kitchener (OHL)	45	19	33	52	12
174	Matthew Robertson	NYR	D	23	6-3/200	Hartford (AHL)	68	4	17	21	49
175	Adam Engstrom	Mtl	D	20	6-2/185	Rogle (SHL)	51	4	18	22	4
176	Michael Buchinger	StL	D	20	5-11/185	Guelph (OHL)	52	10	37	47	37
177	Semyon Chistyakov	Nsh	D	22	5-11/180	Avangard Omsk (KHL)	59	4	20	24	16
178	John Farinacci	Bos	C	23	5-11/197	Providence (AHL)	71	12	26	38	16
179	Angus Crookshank	Ott	LW	24	5-10/180	Belleville (AHL)	50	24	22	46	60
180	Yegor Sidorov	Ana	RW	19	6-0/180	Saskatoon (WHL)	66	50	38	88	66
181	Samu Tuomaala	Phi	RW	21	5-10/175	Lehigh Valley (AHL)	69	15	28	43	12
182	Logan Morrison	Sea	C	21	6-0/180	Coachella Valley (AHL)	64	16	25	41	4
183	Jean-Luc Foudy	Col	C	21	5-11/175	Colorado (AHL)	26	4	10	14	18
184	Adam Gajan	Chi	G	19	6-3/167	Green Bay (USHL)	43	23	12	3.35	0.893
185	Nolan Allan	Chi	D	21	6-2/195	Rockford (AHL)	60	5	12	17	47
186	Oskar Olausson	Col	RW	21	6-1/180	Colorado (AHL)	39	11	9	20	24
187	Samuel Poulin	Pit	C	23	6-1/205	Wilkes-Barre (AHL)	41	16	15	31	35
188	Brett Berard	NYR	LW	21	5-9/165	Hartford (AHL)	71	25	23	48	62
189	Colton Dach	Chi	C	21	6-4/205	Rockford (AHL)	48	11	15	26	39
190	Jack Thompson	SJ	D	22	6-0/180	Syr-SJ (AHL)	62	6	35	41	16
191	Riley Kidney	Mtl	C	21	5-11/170	Laval (AHL)	65	7	13	20	41
192	Roby Jarventie	Ott	RW	21	6-3/195	Belleville (AHL)	22	9	11	20	22
193	Carey Terrance	Ana	C	18	6-1/175	Erie (OHL)	56	29	23	52	25
194	Luca Del Bel Belluz	CBJ	C	20	6-1/185	Cleveland (AHL)	58	9	22	31	12
195	Luca Pinelli	CBJ	C	19	5-9/165	Ottawa (OHL)	68	48	34	82	44
196	Francesco Pinelli	LA	C	21	6-1/185	Ontario (AHL)	67	13	7	20	24
197	Elias Salomonsson	Wpg	D	19	6-1/185	Skelleftea (SHL)	31	2	9	11	58
198	Sam Colangelo	Ana	RW	21	6-2/205	Western Michigan (NCHC)	38	24	19	43	23
199	Sasha Pastujov	Ana	RW	20	6-0/185	San Diego (AHL)	46	10	13	23	14
200	Andrew Gibson	Det	D	19	6-3/195	Saul St. Marie (OHL)	68	12	32	44	58

PROSPECTS: Preliminary Top 10 AHL Rookies for the 2023-2024 Season

Jared Brown — Sun, 15 Oct 2023 14:01:48 +0000

Welcome to the start of the AHL season! To kick things off, I have narrowed down my ten candidates to be in the Rookie of the Year conversation. To understand who is eligible to be on this list, I followed the requirements set out by the AHL for eligibility. The rule is as follows: “To be considered a rookie, a player must not have played in a total of twenty-five (25) or more AHL and/or NHL regular-season games in any preceding seasons, nor in six (6) or more AHL and/or NHL regular-season games in each of any two preceding seasons, nor in one hundred (100) regular-season games in any European Elite League.”

MONTREAL, QC - APRIL 04: Sean Farrell (57) of the Montreal Canadiens waits for play to begin during the third period of the NHL game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Montreal Canadiens on April 4, 2023, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC(Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire)

F, Sean Farrell, Laval Rocket (Montreal 2020, 4th round, 124th overall)

Farrell is coming off an impressive Sophomore season at Harvard where he earned the Ivy League NCAA Player of the Year before finishing his season with Montreal. He was able to suit in 6 games with the Habs and tallied his first NHL goal in his second game. He’s a very cerebral forward who brings a ton of creativity to his playmaking skillset. He’s worked on not passing up his shooting opportunities (still an area he needs to be more selfish with at times), but he’s a pass-first, playmaker by heart. His offensive acumen stands out in the offensive zone through his ability to keep plays alive and find seams to thread his passes through to set his teammates up. His pace and speed shouldn’t be an issue in the AHL this season as that’s always been a strength to his game. He will benefit most from continuing to add more muscle to improve his forechecking and ability to bump off contact while maintaining the puck. I think a reasonable expectation for Farrell is to play a top-six role with Laval, usage on PP1, and racking up 30-40 assists for the year while being in the rookie scoring race.

D, Brandt Clarke, Ontario Reign (Los Angeles 2021 1st round, 8th overall)

I originally didn’t have Clarke on my list as I assumed he would’ve made the LA Kings opening night roster. However, for now, he’s starting in the AHL, and I fully expect him to be a top-four pairing defender for Ontario who is utilized on their PP1. He’ll earn his call-up opportunities with the Kings throughout the year which may hurt his chance of winning AHL Rookie of the Year. Throughout his development, since he was drafted 4th overall in the OHL, his main area of improvement needed for the pro level has been his defensive positioning and habits. Clarke made good strides last year to become more reliable defensively, but it will still be the main focus of improvement that Clarke needs. His confidence and elite hands for a defenceman make him stand out from others. He can run himself into trouble from time to time with forceful plays showing poor puck management. However, offensively he’s so good that you sometimes will turn a blind eye. Clarke’s ability to delay against defenders to get them out of position is incredible. He can quarterback a powerplay better than most and I don’t think it's outlandish to think he could put up 50 points in his first AHL season.

Joakim Kemell, Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville 2022 1st round, 17th overall)

Kemell did not get off to a great start in his DY+1 season. He struggled offensively out of the gate for JYP in Liiga and was just okay for Finland at the World Juniors. However, he made the jump overseas in mid-March to finish his season with Milwaukee and regained his touch putting up 13 points in 14 games before adding an impressive playoffs performance with eight goals in 14 games. Kemell has an electric release and an arsenal of shot types that make him a dangerous goal scorer. I’d expect him to be a powerplay specialist for the Admirals and rack up a ton of points on the man advantage. Now, with a high-end goal scorer like Kemell comes the negatives of a player who is very shot-heavy and will settle for low-danger attempts rather than looking for a better play. I’d like to see him create more slot chances for his teammates by drawing defenders into him before laying off the pass. I think it’s fair to expect him to be a top-six lock and score 20-25 goals this season. His experience playing against men over in Finland makes me believe he’s ready to be a top producer in the AHL as soon as this season.

F, Logan Stankoven, Texas Stars (Dallas 2021 2nd round, 47th overall)

I know Stankoven is only 5’7”, but seriously, how did he slide into the second round for Dallas to steal in the 2021 draft?! You arguably couldn’t find a better play driver and more productive junior player last season (maybe outside of Bedard of course). Logan had been a dominant force for Kamloops and for Team Canada internationally and it’s hard to see him take a step back even in his first pro season. He has the work ethic, quickness, and offensive skills to succeed at this level. A lot has been made up about his size and how it will impact his ability to get into the interior parts of the ice at the pro level. Time will tell, but he’s a stocky guy who showcases excellent power and strength from the waist down. I don’t think skating will be an issue for Logan as he can supply some quick bursts in his carries through the neutral zone and he’s always been quite shifty in tight spaces. His release is explosive, and I would slot him in for 15-20 goals this season with Texas. His motor and strength in faceoffs provide a ton of defensive value which is a big factor as to why I see him having a high floor to become at minimum a support bottom-six NHLer.

F, Shane Wright, Coachella Valley Firebirds (Seattle 2022 1st round, 4th overall)

By the rule, Wright is still considered a rookie despite playing in 24 playoff games with Coachella last year. There probably isn’t another player on this list who has more to prove than Shane Wright. He’s an excellent well-rounded centre who has shown his maturity through his early pro career. His anticipation, positioning, and off-puck route selections are all at a high level that you would not expect a player his age to already be at. Wright is a player that I think can be utilized in every situation due to how intelligent he is. Where the question lies is in his offensive creation. He looked like a dominant threat early in his junior career, but he’s been struggling to consistently create chances for his linemates at 5v5, and that’s started to have me question his playmaking upside. He’s got an outstanding release and will be a threat to score on the powerplay from the circles and that helps mask some of his play creation woes. I believe the best course of action for Wright is to play the full season in the AHL to let him develop and gain back his offensive confidence instead of forcing him into NHL games unless of course Seattle gets depleted with injuries. There’s talent still there in Wright, now he just needs to go out and show it.

F, Carter Mazur, Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit 2021 3rd round, 70th overall)

Mazur was projected to push for a roster spot as one of Detroit’s top young prospects in their organization. Unfortunately, he’s starting his first pro season off on the wrong foot with a lower-body injury and missed the Red Wings training camp. Make no mistake though, he’s ready to make an immediate impact in the AHL after impressing with his six-game stint to end last season where he tallied three goals and six points in those games. Mazur plays a pro-style game already which is why I believe his transition to the AHL will be seamless. He plays the role of an agitator to a tee. He makes opposing defenders' lives a nightmare with his tenacious forechecking pressure and relentless motor. His release and shot are his second-best attributes. Mazur is great at sliding into those high-danger areas and battling at the net front to bang home goals. He’s not a poor skater by any means, but he does lack dynamic traits to his puck-carrying skill which limits his ability to generate rush chances. His injury to start the year could see him get off to a slow start, but I do think he could put home 20 goals this season with Grand Rapids and earn himself call-up opportunities with Detroit.

D, Olen Zellweger, San Diego Gulls (Anaheim 2021 2nd round, 34th overall)

Zellweger lost out on an opening night roster spot with Anaheim, but maybe that’s a good thing for him considering the Ducks aren’t in a win-now mode and rebuilding. I would plan for Zellweger to spend the majority of the season in the AHL with San Diego and then make Anaheim’s roster to start the 2024-25 season. He has shown off his offensive prowess to be one of the best defensemen at the junior level for the past couple of seasons. I think there’s no denying his ability to command the attack off the rush and along the offensive blueline. His biggest hurdle for the pro level will be his size and strength for the position he plays. He’s not a poor defender by any means and he utilizes his effortless mobility to close gaps quickly. However, at only 5’10” and 189lbs currently, we’ll see how he handles the physical battles in front of the net and in the corners at the pro level. Handling bigger and stronger players will be the biggest adjustment he’ll need. If Zellweger and Brandt Clarke play the majority of the year in the AHL, they surely will be dueling it out for the most productive rookie defenseman this season.

F, Zachary Bolduc, Springfield Thunderbirds (2021 1st round, 17th overall)

Springfield looks like they’re going to have a strong group of forwards which will benefit Bolduc and his production in his first pro season. He’s riding a high after winning the Memorial Cup with Quebec this past year and back-to-back 50-goal seasons! The tools are there for Bolduc to be the play driver for his line and push for a full-time spot in the Thunderbirds' top six. His skating is a huge asset to him, using smart routes to create space for himself and shifty puck handling to evade defenders. He’s got excellent vision on the puck to attack open pockets in the defensive coverage before activating his goal-scoring instincts. Bolduc is a true sniper who can powder home a juicy one-timer on the powerplay or a quick snapshot in stride. He has shifted to the wing after starting out his junior career as a centre so his defensive play doesn’t need to be as dialed in but I would still like to see him be more aggressive to create more turnovers. Despite his gaudy offensive numbers in junior, some have noted that he can run into inconsistencies and go quiet for a few games from time to time. A reasonable expectation is for Bolduc to be in the 40–50-point range.

F, Chaz Lucius, Manitoba Moose (Winnipeg 2021 1st round, 18th overall)

Lucius has had to get surgery on three different body parts already in his young career. The number of injuries he’s had is concerning, and how that has impacted his development. His most recent injury was a season-ending shoulder surgery so I will be watching to see how he handles contact and if he’s playing scared coming back from that injury to start the season. Chaz has always had the talent to be a top prospect. He’s a pure sniper with a deceptive release, getting his shot through traffic and beating goalies from midrange. He’ll take advantage of open spacing in between the dots in the offensive zone but we’ll see if he can still do that in the AHL where defensive systems and coverages are a lot tighter. He also has some slick handling skills to be a possession-driving forward, hang onto pucks while under duress, and avoid being a play-killer for his team. The most important piece of development this season for Lucius is to get a full healthy season in. As long as health is on his side, I could see him battling his way into a top-six role with Manitoba.

F, Josh Doan, Tucson Roadrunners (Arizona 2021 2nd round, 37th overall)

Doan is a late-blooming prospect who put together two terrific collegiate seasons, racking up 75 points in 74 games at Arizona State University. He earned himself an ELC and turned himself into not just the son of Shane Doan but into a legitimate prospect who has a high floor and the traits of a bottom-six NHLer. He didn’t look out of place in his 14-game stint to end the year with Tucson but there are still some concerns with his skating and his ability to drive the offence. He relies on his linemates to create space for him off the rush as his puck-carrying routes are always in a straight line and predictable. The positives in Doan’s game are that he plays the game like a pro, much like his father. His work ethic is top notch and will consistently battle in the dirty areas to win pucks back for his line. His style is a great complement to a couple of highly skilled players. He’ll win possession back, lay the puck off his stick quickly, and then head to the front of the net to cause havoc. Players coming out of the NCAA and going right into the AHL have shown to have productive rookie seasons and with how great Doan’s development has been, I could see him being a dark horse in the Rookie of the Year running.

Honorable Mentions:

F, Matthew Maggio, Bridgeport Islanders (Islanders 2022 5th round, 142nd overall)

F, Brennan Othmann, Hartford Wolf Pack (Rangers 2021 1st round, 16th overall)

F, James Malatesta, Cleveland Monsters (Columbus 2021 5th round, 133rd overall)

D, Mason Lohrei, Providence Bruins (Boston 2020 2nd round, 58th overall)

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – WINNIPEG JETS – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #13

Brock Otten, Derek Neumeier, Chapin Landvogt and Josh Bell — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 15:12:09 +0000

Top 20 Winnipeg Jets Prospects

1. Colby Barlow

There are a multitude of reasons why Barlow has already been so successful as a junior, scoring 46 goals for the Owen Sound Attack last season. He plays the North/South power game to a tee. A strong forechecker, he consistently applies pressure in pursuit, and has a clear understanding for using his size and strength to get to the middle of the ice and to the net. He also has a tremendous shot, one of the better ones from the 2023 draft class. Another thing that makes Barlow so valuable is his two-way effectiveness. An excellent penalty killer and a strong board player, he is not shy in using his strength to separate players from the puck. Very few top-end goal scorers are committed two-way players like he projects as at the NHL level. On the other hand, there were reasons why some scouts were sceptical. His lack of dynamic skating can negatively impact his ability to transport the puck. Additionally, there are some limitations to his puck skill and creativity, all also limiting his play creation in transition. He is at his best when keeping the game simple and playing a complementary North/South attacking style. Advanced physically, Barlow should only need one more year in the OHL before he could be ready to take on a full-time role with the Jets.

2. Brad Lambert

Lambert is difficult to get a confident read on, because his performances can swing wildly between highs and lows. When he reaches those highs, his performances can be thrilling. His skating is magnificent, and he can pull off some truly dazzling plays with the puck in motion at top speed. He can also be a lethal shooter when he wants to be. A midseason change of scenery to WHL Seattle last season was perfect for his development, as he turned in the longest stretch of high-level hockey in years, as he was consistently at the very top of the game, and he kept getting better as the playoffs rolled along. Opposing WHL teams simply have no answer for him when he plays like that. The challenge now for Winnipeg will be finding a way to get this version of Lambert to somehow show up on a regular basis.

3. Chaz Lucius

You have to feel for Lucius after all of the bad injury luck that he has already faced in his young career. After previously battling through hand, ankle, and knee issues, he had to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery after just six games with his new team, WHL Portland. The most recent loss was surely devastating for the Winterhawks as well, as he had fit in fantastically from the get-go, putting up 15 points during those six games. When healthy, the impact he makes is undeniable. Lucius is a natural goal scorer, with excellent shot mechanics and accuracy. He can also improve his shooting opportunities by fending off defenders with his reach and strength or by making smooth dekes to pull pucks into better shooting areas. The hope is that he can stay healthy from here on out and become the star he occasionally shows signs of.

4. Ville Heinola

On many other teams in the league Heinola would have been a regular, everyday NHLer by now. Unfortunately for him, he has been predominantly stuck in the minors for multiple seasons due to Winnipeg's defensive depth. His game has improved by leaps and bounds in the AHL though, and if the Jets don't give him a full-time chance at the sport's highest level this season, then he will have every right to be frustrated. He possesses and moves the puck at a high level and has largely ironed out defensive concerns that were previously apparent, though his lack of strength and reach will always be somewhat of a detriment. He's always been more of an even strength puck-mover than an offensive specialist, but his point production saw a notable uptick in 2022-23. Heinola might not reach his top four ceiling if the Jets don't commit now to taking the training wheels off.

5. Rutger McGroarty

There are few prospects in hockey who are better within 10 feet of the opponent's net than McGroarty. He's superb in 50-50 battles and with establishing body positioning through strength and sturdy balance, and he blends those abilities with top-tier anticipation and hand-eye coordination, which makes him an expert at scoring greasy goals. If that wasn't enough, he can beat goalies clean with his shot from in tight or just outside the crease if given even just a little time and space. His heavy boots are a problem, and probably always will be to some degree, but how he is able to work around that weakness and still find success in his own way is very impressive. There are a lot of natural leadership elements here to work with as well. McGroarty knows exactly what kind of player he is and is leaning into mastering the way he plays.

6. Nikita Chibrikov

There exists a fine line between possessing a lot of pure individual skill and knowing how to use that skill within the structure of a team game. That's the dilemma facing Chibrikov, and it has persisted for years. There is no denying his abundance of talent. A fast and fluid skater, he can make flashy, confident moves with the puck. He loves to challenge defenders one-on-one and has what it takes to beat them often. The problem is that his game hits the wall because he'll try to do too much by himself and not play off his teammates enough. The lack of diversification with his attack is holding him back at the KHL level, and it will be even worse in North America. Chibrikov could become an effective top six winger after learning how to make that necessary adjustment.

7. Declan Chisholm

The Jets organization is very deep with young defenders, so the competition to stand out is fierce. Chisholm recognizes the situation very well and has been continually elevating his game accordingly. He's a play driver from the back end, excelling when he has the puck on his stick and relishing the responsibility of making sure it successfully gets up the ice. His hands, feet, and vision all work very well in conjunction, and he has a very assertive and incisive mindset about beating opposing layers of defenders. Navigating through traffic is a breeze for him. He still needs to show progress off the puck, but he'll be fine if he can focus on tightening up his gap control. If the Jets don't make roster space for Chisholm this season, with his exemption from waivers running out, don't be surprised if another team jumps at the chance to add a good, young asset for no cost.

8. Dmitry Rashevsky

From a pure entertainment standpoint, Rashevsky is exceptional and nearly impossible to take your eyes off of. His bag of puck tricks is overflowing, and he rarely passes up an opportunity to try something dramatic and exciting. He also possesses a high-end motor, so if he tries something that doesn't pan out, he'll work hard to get the puck back on the same shift and try something else. He's such a natural at pulling pucks past sticks and skates and into shooting spaces, and then picking his spots to beat goalies clean. He's a late bloomer because it took him a while to master his style of play, but now he's a legitimate star in the KHL. His skating, strength, and conditioning all need further work, but if he can show some improvement in those areas, he has real upside as an NHL scoring threat.

9. Artemi Kniazev

Kniazev hasn't really changed a whole lot since his draft year, which can be both a good thing or a bad thing depending on how you look at it. He is a play-driving defenseman who operates at a high pace and wants to be a possession conduit for his team. He jumps at every opportunity to join the rush and is always ready to follow it all the way up into prime scoring territory. There is an aggressive confidence to him, which is a mentality that can be used to his advantage. Problems arise when he plays with that kind of fire a little frequently. It would also be nice to see him expand his game to additional dimensions. Even if Kniazev remains a fairly one-dimensional, pigeonholed kind of blueliner, he could be a specialist as a play driver as he continues to master his craft.

10. Elias Salomonsson

Salomonsson is a right-shot defenseman with slippery lateral mobility and smooth puck control, and those will always have value in the NHL. His primary job is to get pucks on retrievals, escape forecheck pressure, and help ensure the play heads successfully up the ice, whether that's by deferring with passes or through navigating the impending traffic himself. Overall, he succeeds in what he is supposed to do, and is increasingly being trusted to do it at Sweden's highest professional level. He's also relatively effective at the offensive blueline, keeping pucks in the zone and helping to find or create a multitude of scoring chances. At one point it looked like he could be a major point producer from the back end, however that hype has cooled off a lot. Concerns remain about how much bulk he can add to help withstand the rigors of a long NHL career without losing his mobility.

11. Domenic DiVincentiis

A seventh-round selection last year, DiVincentiis has rocketed up rankings thanks to his remarkable OHL season that saw him named as the league’s top netminder. He has learned to harness his athleticism to be more composed in the crease and consistency has followed.

12. Danny Zhilkin

The offensive production in the OHL never really reached the levels that Zhilkin was thought capable of, but he’s still a very intriguing prospect because of his speed and skill from the center position. How he adjusts to the pro level this year will be closely watched.

13. Dmitry Kuzmin

Terrific offensive defender who can be a difference maker in transition because of his skating ability and skill. Was a totally different player in the defensive end last year, becoming increasingly physically assertive despite his lack of size. Can that carry over to the pro level?

14. Fabian Wagner

While Wagner was fantastic offensively at the WJCs for Sweden last year, his production in Sweden probably gives a better indication of his NHL upside. He’s a pretty straight-forward player who can play a variety of different roles because of his IQ and skating ability. He could be a longtime fixture on an NHL third line in the future.

15. Daniel Torgersson

The Swedish missile, Torgersson struggled to be a consistent offensive contributor with Manitoba last year as an AHL rookie. As he gains confidence, he probably has more to give physically, too. Winnipeg will be looking for him to take a step forward as an AHL sophomore this season.

16. Oskari Salminen

There were ups and downs in Salminen’s first season in Manitoba after signing with Winnipeg last summer. He looked fantastic at times,but not so great at others. Finding that consistency will be key for him if he wishes to push for a backup spot in the NHL.

17. Zach Nehring

Drafted out of Shattuck St. Mary’s this year, Nehring is a power skating, North/South winger who can drive the net. He has great upside due to his physical tools, but he remains a long-term project. He’ll play with USHL Sioux Falls this year before going to Western Michigan in 2024-25.

18. Simon Lundmark

At this point, Lundmark may not have a ton of upside to offer for the NHL level, but he can still develop into a solid third pairing, PK type in the future. He moves well, thinks the game well, and has good reach. Just don’t expect much out of him offensively.

19. Kristian Vesalainen

The former highly touted first round pick was still qualified by the Jets as they retained his rights following a return to Finland. Is he still in their plans long term? That probably depends on how he plays in Liiga. He was good last year, but he’ll need to develop into one of the better players in Finland in order to earn another look from the Jets.

20. Thomas Milic

Milic was finally selected in the draft in his final year of eligibility despite strong play in the WHL over a few years. His gold medal performance for Canada at the WJCs last year have likely finally sealed the deal. Will the undersized netminder return to WHL Seattle for an OA year or will he turn pro? That will likely be determined at Winnipeg’s upcoming training camp.

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #17 Winnipeg Jets

Derek Neumeier — Sat, 20 May 2023 12:07:09 +0000

A second season in a row saw them finish out of the playoffs. They were first in the Western Conference in January, only to collapse down the stretch. Familiar narratives arose about leadership in the dressing room and their inability to deal with adversity. One of the most promising teams in the league a couple of years ago with a very strong prospect pool, the future looked bright. Coach Rick Bowness replaced a dispirited Paul Maurice, who had walked away from the team mid-season in 2021-22, primarily because he felt he could not motivate his players properly and lost his passion. An emotional Bowness pulled no punches in a year end interview, after having made numerous emotional public appeals to the team leadership. Change is in the air on the prairies.

While they have only had one graduation from the last five drafts, there are some interesting pieces in the system. Ranking in our top 200, Chaz Lucius and Brad Lambert at #40 and #41 respectively both have tantalizing upside. Lucius has had injury issues, slowing his development, but holds much promise, even star ability. Lambert has been a polarizing prospect since his draft year, with wild swings in performance. His dominant side showed itself more in the second half of this season with a move to Seattle mid-season triggering an impressive string. Ville Heinola is ready for the NHL, but defensive depth in the organization has held him back. Winnipeg retains their first for the next three drafts but have thinned out the other rounds through trades. They only have four picks for the upcoming draft. Management has big decisions to make whether they are retooling or going for it.

Chaz Lucius

You really have to feel for Lucius after all of the bad injury luck that he has already faced in his young career. After previously battling through hand, ankle and knee issues he had to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery after just six games with his new team, Portland. The most recent loss was surely devastating for the Winterhawks as well, as he was an immediately fantastic fit and put up 15 points in those six games. When healthy, the impact he makes is undeniable. He is a natural goal scorer, with excellent shot mechanics and accuracy. He can also improve his shooting opportunities by fending off defenders with his reach and strength or by making smooth dekes to pull pucks into better shooting areas. The hope is that he can stay healthy from here on out and become the star player he is capable of being.

2. Brad Lambert

Lambert is difficult player to get a confident read on, because his performances can swing wildly between highs and lows. However, when he reaches those highs, his performances can be a real sight to behold. His skating is magnificent, and he can make some truly dazzling plays with the puck in motion and at top speed. He can also be a lethal shooter when he wants to be. A midseason change of scenery to Seattle is looking brilliant right now, because this is the longest stretch of hockey in years where he has been consistently at the very top of the game, and he kept getting better as the playoffs rolled along. Opposing WHL teams simply have no answer for him when he is playing like this. The challenge now for Winnipeg will be finding a way to get this version of Lambert to somehow show up on a regular basis.

3. Ville Heinola

On many other teams in the league Heinola would have been a regular, everyday NHLer by now. Unfortunately for him, he has been predominantly stuck in the minors for a few seasons due to Winnipeg's defensive depth. His game has improved by leaps and bounds in the AHL, though, and if the Jets don't give him a full-time chance at the sport's highest level by next year, then he will have every right to be frustrated. He possesses and moves the puck at a high level and has largely ironed out defensive concerns that existed previously, though his lack of strength and reach will always be somewhat of a detriment. He's always been more of an even strength puck-mover than an offensive specialist, but his point production did see a notable uptick in 2022-23. Heinola might not reach his top four ceiling if the Jets don't commit now to taking the training wheels off.

4. Rutger McGroarty

There are few prospects in hockey who are better within 10 feet of the opponent's net than McGroarty is. He's superbly good in 50-50 battles and with establishing body positioning through strength and sturdy balance, and he blends those abilities with top-tier anticipation and hand-eye coordination, which makes him an expert at scoring greasy goals. If that wasn't enough, he can beat goalies clean with his shot from in tight or just outside the crease if given a little time and space. His heavy boots are a problem, and probably always will be to some degree, but it's very impressive how he is able to work around that weakness and still find success in his specializations. There are a lot of natural leadership elements here to work with as well. McGroarty knows exactly what kind of player he is and is really leaning into mastering the way he plays.

5. Nikita Chibrikov

There exists a fine line between possessing a lot of pure individual skill and knowing how to use that skill within the structure of a team game. That's the dilemma that Chibrikov is facing, and it has persisted for years. There is no denying that he is a prospect with a lot of talent. He's a fast and fluid skater, and he can make flashy, confident moves with the puck. He loves to challenge defenders one-on-one and has what it takes to beat them often. The problem is that his game hits the wall because he'll try to do too much himself and not play off his teammates enough. The lack of diversification with his attack is holding him back at the KHL level, and it will be even worse in North America. Chibrikov could become an effective top six winger after learning that necessary adjustment.

6. Declan Chisholm

The Jets organization is very deep with young defenders, so the completion to stand out is fierce. Chisholm recognizes the situation very well and has been continually elevating his game accordingly. He's a true play driver from the back end, excelling when he has the puck on his stick and relishing the responsibility of making sure it successfully gets up the ice. His hands, feet and vision all work very well in conjunction, and he has a very assertive and incisive mindset about beating opposing layers of defenders. Navigating through traffic is a breeze for him. There is still progress that he will need to make off the puck, but he'll be fine if he can focus on tightening up his gap control. If the Jets don't make roster space for Chisholm next season, when his exemption from waivers runs out, don't be surprised if another team jumps at the chance to add a good, young asset for no cost.

7. Dmitry Rashevsky

From a purely entertainment standpoint, Rashevsky is exceptional and nearly impossible to take your eyes off of. His bag of puck tricks is overflowing, and he rarely passes up an opportunity to try something dramatic and exciting. He also possesses a high-end motor, so if he tries something that doesn't pan out, he'll work hard to get the puck back on the same shift and try something else. He's such a natural at pulling pucks past sticks and skates and into shooting spaces, and then picking his spots to beat goalies clean. He's a late bloomer because it took him a while to master how he plays, but now he's a legitimate star in the KHL. His skating, strength and conditioning all need further work, but if he can improve those areas, he has real upside as an NHL scoring threat.

8. Elias Salomonsson

Salomonsson is right-shot defenseman with slippery lateral mobility and smooth puck control, and those will always have value in the eyes of NHL teams. His primary job is to get pucks on retrievals, escape forecheck pressure, and help ensure the play heads successfully up the ice, whether that's by deferring with passes or navigating the impending traffic himself. Overall, he succeeds in what he is supposed to do, and is increasingly being trusted to do it at Sweden's highest professional level. He's also relatively effective at the offensive blueline, keeping pucks in the zone and helping to find or create scoring chances. At one point it looked like he could be a major point producer from the back end, however, that hype has cooled off a lot. Concerns exist about how much bulk he can add to help withstand the rigors of a long NHL career.

9. Danny Zhilkin

Zhilkin is a blue-collar center who always puts forth an honest effort. Everything about his game grades out as good, albeit not spectacular. While he doesn't really excel in any one area or have one true standout trait, he also won't be a liability for his team in any scenario. He projects nicely as someone who can carve out a long career in a middle six role, acting as a duct tape option that his coaches can use to patch up a variety of different problems. Most successful teams have a versatile player like that on their roster, and they are especially valuable in the playoffs when injuries start to add up and roles have to shift. It's a pretty safe bet that Zhilkin will work his way into the NHL at some point, but he might not be someone that you'd ever want on your fantasy team.

10. Leon Gawanke

Similar to Chisholm, Gawanke has done a good job of handling the competition among young defenseman in Winnipeg's system. He is lower on the depth chart, though, and also might be an eventual waiver target for a different team that is willing to actually make room for him. He shoots right, and boy, does he like to shoot. He's a genuine goal-scoring threat from the blueline, which isn't as common as it used to be but still holds value. The rest of his game grades out as capably average. He is a staple for Germany in international events, and while those teams rarely win games the tournaments still provide valuable playing experience that most other mid-level prospects don't have access to.

2023 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP: MEDAL ROUND RECAP

Will Scouch — Sat, 07 Jan 2023 18:15:21 +0000

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA - JANUARY 5: Czechia vs Canada Gold Medal Game action at 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship at Scotiabank Centre on January 5, 2023 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/IIHF)

2023 World Juniors Medal Round Recap

Ok now we can all exhale together, eh? What a tournament that was. The unpredictability of the round robin stage continues to upend expectations, leading to some remarkable quarterfinal matchups, exemplifying why performing at that early stage can help you immensely when elimination is on the line. To say we were spoiled with the quality of most of these matches is an understatement. As someone with many years of experience watching this tournament, this is as standard as seatbelts, but even I was on the edge of my seat watching this all go down all the way through the medal round.

Yes, some games were lopsided, and I do think that there are divides showing in junior hockey at the lower end of the current crop of teams in this tournament, but I’ll throw out that the Norwegian team probably should’ve been here, and we should be excited to see an exciting crop of young players from that country that dominated the Division 1A tournament with 16 eligible returnees. At the same time, I also have to commend the Swiss. They may have lost their quarterfinal 9-1 but winning three times in overtime in the round robin and dethroning great teams like Finland and Slovakia is no small feat. That team certainly outperformed my expectations and came together well. As always, this tournament was a heck of a meal, and the medal round was an excellent dessert to send us home happy about the whole experience.

Quarterfinal #1 - Finland 2 - Sweden 3

This game was a treat. I came in expecting a bit more output from Sweden, but the game, like a few others in this medal round, seemed to be a war of attrition until push came to shove in the 3rd period of the game. There were strong performances from Jani Lampinen and Carl Lindbom to keep the game close, with play that seemed to alternate between sloppy and tight. Leo Carlsson was a standout in this game, landing two goals, but I felt Ludvig Jansson and Filip Bystedt were pivotal for keeping Sweden in the game and driving offense. Originally, my expectation was to see a lot more out of the Djurgarden boys in Ostlund, Lekkerimaki and Ohgren as well as Fabian Lysell, who may have had the best (and at times not so best) zero-point tournament I’ve seen in a long, long time, but the physical skill that the previous names bring helped gain an advantage of the tight, physical play of the Finns.

The events of the last four minutes of the game were simply heartbreaking for one side, and completely unbelievable for the other. Heartbreak is nothing new in this tournament, and like the tying goal, it can come from absolutely nothing but a good player in Leo Carlsson being in the right place at the right time. The go-ahead that sealed it was an uncharacteristic bobble at the offensive blueline for Aleksi Heimosalmi and his feet just couldn’t challenge Victor Stjernborg enough, and just like that, with some late heroics from Lindbom, the Swedes pulled off the stunning victory to land in the semis. This game was largely the story of the Bystedt/Carlsson connection and Carl Lindbom continuing to do the thing he does, but to say the first couple periods were surprisingly underwhelming shouldn’t be a shock. The way it ended though? One for the long Finnish/Swedish sagas for sure.

Quarterfinal #2 - Czechia 9 - Switzerland 1

The Swiss showed that they could play as a unit and counterattack effectively to punch above their weight class in the round robin, but the mana seemingly completely depleted in this game against a top-class Czech team once the Swiss took the lead 20 seconds in. Louis Robin was a surprise for me in this tournament with his speed and hands in tight, and for a moment there, there were thoughts crossing my mind after what I had seen from the Swiss previously. Just a few minutes later however, the game was largely out of control with three goals in the next nine minutes from Jiri Kulich, Marcel Marcel, and Petr Hauser. The Czechs played physical hockey throughout the tournament, but their big players like Marcel, Hauser, David Jiricek, and others are all players that can really move as well with some strong finishing ability, and they all showed those traits off early and often.

As the 2nd period went on, my notes got a little less interesting as the Czechs continued to blast pucks into the net, but I did want to highlight Eduard Sale’s play a little bit, as I felt he’s been maligned in this tournament. He’s a player where his weaknesses were certainly exposed here, but his two points in the 2nd period really exemplified what he does bring to the game in the offensive zone. Simple, but excellent reads on play that draw himself into a bit more space or catch opponents a little off guard. He spotted his seam pass on the assist, executed quickly, and in it goes. On the goal, he showed great patience to create a clean look at the goaltender between him and Maximilan Streule, and there’s a great shot he can place well that landed the Czechs their 7th of the game. Perhaps he’s a player who you don’t notice much until he’s got two points on the night, and he didn’t have the best tournament, but I felt that there were good moments in this game that illustrate what makes him a high-end prospect, even if he doesn’t carry the same flash as other eligibles. The Czechs just kept overwhelming the Swiss with physical play, getting hard pucks on net from talented perimeter shooters, and they’re off to the semifinals.

Quarterfinal #3 - United States 11 - Germany 1

Well, the Germans were at least better than the Austrians, right? Like the Swiss quarterfinal matchup, within 10 minutes the game was out of hand as the US finished the period up 3-0. The Germans played hard and tried to keep up, but there’s only so much you can do when the States brought so many skilled players, some of whom specialize in shooting and others with passing and vision. It was a relentless onslaught driven by the usual suspects in Logan Cooley, Jimmy Snuggerud, Chaz Lucius and their bunch of merry men. I thought Nikita Quapp had a decent tournament, and then this game happened, but there’s only so much you can say on this one. The States scored 8 goals in 20 minutes which is a heck of an achievement in and of itself, especially when they all came at 5v5, save Red Savage’s shorthanded goal.

The States certainly could take away how much they gelled and came together as a team, attacking the net, supporting teammates in transition, pushing pace as much as they can, and bringing the physical edge they may need in the future against teams like Canada. I’ll also take this chance to throw some respect on Gavin Brindley’s name, who while he only landed a single point in this game, looked excellent all tournament and surpassed my expectations with his 200-foot energy level and transition skill to create for his linemates at high pace. The Germans? Well at least they haven’t been relegated and will be back next year?

Quarterfinal #4 - Canada 4 - Slovakia 3 (OT)

After this game I’m pretty sure I need to see a cardiologist. I honestly was thinking this game could be close, but not this close. The Slovak team brought a number of young players who are eligible to return that all bring a ton of size, skill, and intensity to the game and I knew they wouldn’t go into a game against Canada afraid or lying down. Adam Gajan was simply spectacular in what was most certainly the biggest game of his young career. I felt that Martin Misiak, an injury replacement, was out there every shift at some points and just laying the body on Canada at every juncture, exemplifying just how tightly the Slovaks wanted to squeeze the Canadians into submission and knock them off their game. An old late-round favourite of mine in Libor Nemec had a great performance in this tournament chipping in with his big frame and skill combination in the net area, and while overtime didn’t go his way, and Adam Sykora brought the physical edge I was hoping to see coming into the tournament.

The biggest story of this game with a few great stories was Connor Bedard. Slovakia was coming at him all night, and through it all, he found a way to sneak through defenses and magically string together passing and shooting sequences, culminating in one of the most spectacular overtime winners I can remember in this tournament. Even Connor Bedard’s ability to get under your skin with a few “yeah I’m Connor Bedard and you are not sir and do not forget” moments is always fun to see. He was simply sublime at times, even if a bit of a botched giveaway due to overhandling and terrible defensive play directly lead to Slovakia building some momentum going into the 3rd.

The tide seemed to shift a little bit as Adam Gajan continued to stand on his head and Slovakia landed themselves some great chances on Thomas Milic, culminating in a brutal positional mistake from Brandt Clarke left Libor Nemec in front for the tying goal. Going into overtime and leading up to Bedard’s winner, that game could’ve gone either way with Bedard nearly putting Canada up in regulation a few times, and Slovakia very nearly ending it with 10 seconds left. With some heroics from Thomas Milic, the stage was set, and Bedard danced the Canadians into the semifinals. This damn Canadian team at this damn tournament just cannot stop clawing their way through tough games, but they don’t ask how, they ask how many, and off Canada goes, leaving even broken hearts in their wake.

Semifinal #1 - Czechia 2 - Sweden 1 (OT)

In Swedish fashion at this tournament, this game was a big snoozer with just 29 total shots on goal through two periods, until the Czechs remembered what they were here to do, outshooting the Swedes 14-3 in the final 20 minutes, getting themselves back into the game in the last minute of the game. Carl Lindbom once again played well in a losing effort facing almost 50% more shots than Tomas Suchanek. Once again, Fabian Lysell had a game of ups and downs, and if “almost points” were a thing, he would probably have led the team in that regard. Could they have used a single 3v3 shift from Lysell? Perhaps, but hindsight is 20/20 and his performance throughout the tournament wasn’t exactly confidence-inspiring in a tenuous game scenario. David Jiricek certainly showed his skill and shooting ability, culminating in the tying goal to send things to overtime. As is usual, this overtime could’ve gone either way. A tremendous zone entry from the Carlsson-Bystedt connection and a great chance from the Djurgarden boys nearly ended things relatively quickly, but the feisty Czechs came right back before a potential shootout as Jiri Kulich absolutely pilfered Fabian Wagner’s lunch money and did what he does best to get the Czechs through to their first gold medal game since 2001 and guaranteeing their first medal since 2005. A deserving and worthy result for this Czech team, and the Swedes go home with plenty of questions for next year in my opinion.

Semifinal #2 - United States 2 - Canada 6

This may have been the closest 6-2 game I’ve seen in a while. The story completely transformed on the disallowed goal from Jackson Blake and the game seemed to get away from the Americans as Canada relentlessly capitalized on multiple chances through the middle of the 3rd period. I was hoping for a heroic performance from Trey Augustine, but for a 17-year-old there’s often only so much you can ask for, and a tough outing had him pulled in the 3rd for Kaidan Mberenko which frankly surprised me a bit. Logan Cooley once again had a strong game, getting things started early capitalizing on a weird rebound, and once again Gavin Brindley did his thing with trademark pace and speed to create the 2-0 goal. Brindley exemplified a ton of traits even on that one play of what is necessary to deal with these Canadian teams. Push them around and counter attack well, and if you can’t push them around, push them back on their heels so their big physical defenders can’t touch you. I love Gavin Brindley’s game, in case you haven’t picked up on that.

The rest of the show was pretty much all Canada though, as Ryan Ufko couldn’t handle the Bedard Bot, Logan Stankoven got Stanky, Tyler Boucher and Luke Mittelstadt completely forgetting Adam Fantilli exists, Josh Roy being a coach’s dream going to the net and getting a lovely setup from Stankoven, and a mystifying giveaway from Luke Hughes leading to another belated Christmas gift for Josh Roy. It was another one for the ages, and I have to commend the States for how they played largely through this game. They were getting chances, and got penalized for being a bit too aggressive in the net area which will always be touchy in this tournament. The Canadian engine just kept rolling though, and off they went to yet another gold medal game.

Bronze Medal - United States 8 - Sweden 7 (OT)

What even is this Swedish team? Where was this offense all game long? Why did the last two games completely annihilate Trey Augustine’s solid performance in the round robin? Why!? How!? I don’t think I’ve ever seen a game where 9 goals were scored in 20 minutes, let alone an 8-7 overtime game. Again, I felt Sweden came out lacking the pace and intensity that the States matched up with but settled into tactical mode and started chipping away at the American lead. Fabian Lysell again did not do himself any favours getting thrown out 8 minutes into the game, capping off a very, very frustrating few weeks I think he’ll want to forget quickly. I felt that the Djurgarden boys were better this game, with some great chances from Jonathan Lekkerimaki and Liam Ohgren, but sometimes when you’re good, your opponents are better, with Chaz Lucius, Cutter Gauthier and Rutger McGroarty creating and burying chances over and over again. Sweden did push the softer defenses of the United States onto their heels more and more as the game went on, leading to some of the absolutely insane lead changes and comebacks, but the States also did the same on a few occasions to keep the game close. Leo Carlsson and Filip Bystedt continued their great tournaments against a faltering Trey Augustine, whose brutal misplay with less than a minute left in the 2nd gave the Swedes life with a tie going into the third period.

There is just so much that happened in this game that either was a sudden ignition of the Swedish scoring forwards, or they massively regressed positively in a single game, but the trouble is that it came against a very talented US Team. A great resilient play from Luke Hughes helped make up for the brutal Josh Roy giveaway, together they are also an indicator of the confidence of Luke Hughes, almost to his detriment. He had a strange tournament of ups and downs, but those ups sure are something. I was stunned when Filip Bystedt buried a gift of a drifting puck on Kaidan Mbereko, and honestly just wanted the game to end because my aorta was poking out of both my ears at this point. Chaz Lucius ices it on a beautiful backhand that went completely unchallenged on a chance created by one Lane Hutson, and the States find a way to go home with some metalware. I hoped for more out of the Swedes, as they have the capability of playing with pace, they have the goaltending, and they have the skill, but struggling to meet expectations and drive consistent modern offense seems to be a bit of a worrying trend internationally over the last few years, and we’ll have to see if things change moving forward.

Gold Medal - Czechia 2 - Canada 3 (OT)

And so, we arrive at the gold medal game. La creme de la creme, as they say. The Czechs earned their way here through hard work, hard shots, and teamwork where the Canadians earned their way by having the best young scorer in the world and a loaded roster full of pure, raw talent that can drive results physically or with skill depending on who is on the ice. I definitely anticipated a close one so long as Tomas Suchanek kept the door closed, and well, he did. When he got hurt, I thought this might be it for the Czechs, but he hung in there and finished the game in excellent fashion in a losing effort turning away 35 of 38. A performance in line with his time with the Tri-City Americans, capping a remarkable tournament.

The Czechs did what they could to neutralize Connor Bedard, holding him off the scoreboard for just the second time this season outside of the first game of the year with Regina. Bonkers. A few silly penalties from the Czechs trying to pound Canada into submission breaks the cardinal rule of “do not take penalties against the 2023 Canadian junior team”, and they made them pay going up one before the period ended. Brennan Othmann definitely showed why the Rangers drafted him as high as they did with his combination of deep offensive zone playmaking and punishing physical ability. Shane Wright did a Shane Wright thing to put Canada up two with a beautiful skill play under double coverage burying one on a wonderful backhand. That’s the Shane Wright I remember seeing here and there over the years, and I’m hoping he gains a bit of confidence from this tournament as he heads back to the OHL to an unnamed team.

Tomas Suchanek continued to stand on his head, and the Czechs chipped away at the Canadian lead in the third period, and very nearly pulled off the upset as the clock wound down which I’m sure would have gone over extremely well considering the proximity of multiple hungry central European athletes slapping at a hockey puck to a Canadian goaltender sprawled out on the ice. As is tradition, Canada can’t just win this tournament. They have to take us to the brink of extinction and then give us moments we’ll see on highlights and have produced segments about until I’m 65 years old. This time? A wonderful sense of patience and good skill from Josh Roy added the extra play that gave Dylan Guenther the green light to etch his name into the history of this tournament with his second of the game. It was a phenomenal game, the Czechs deserve every ounce of metal in their medals, and my heart breaks for both them and the Slovaks based on the efforts they gave to the Canadians and just how close they came to turning this entire tournament upside down. The Canadians? Well, they were heavily favoured on paper as usual, and as usual, they accomplished the goal in the most painful way imaginable. Well done! I can finally breathe.

Biggest Surprises and Performers

I had high expectations for the Czechs and Slovaks, and they blew me away with how well they played against opponents that were heavily favoured against them. The Czechs won their group and the Slovaks scored more than enough to make Adam Gajan’s effort worth it. I still think Tomas Suchanek takes home my best goalie award, but if you want to talk about making a name for yourself, look no further than Adam Gajan. David Spacek and Marcel Marcel were nice surprises on the Czech side and seeing a growing role for Martin Misiak made me happy. Gavin Brindley, Axel Sandin Pellikka, Adam Fantilli, Leo Carlsson and Charlie Stramel all showed well to me for draft eligibles and I liked what Dalibor Dvorsky and Alex Ciernik brought to the table, but the biggest story was Connor Bedard. He surprised me with just how absolutely overwhelming he was in this tournament. Granted, Germany and Austria are meaningless opponents for him, but even still, he would well surpass scoring totals for all other draft eligibles this year for good reason. I thought Adam Fantilli played great, and there are things he does better, but Bedard has cemented himself as the top player available this year now that I’ve seen more of him outside of Regina. He’s a spectacular shooter with tremendous skill and confidence and I hope his NHL career keeps rolling along like his junior career has.

Biggest Disappointments

I have to say I expected better from Finland and Sweden. Sweden was too quiet for too long until their backs were against the wall. Finland was skilled without speed and agility, and tried to play slow, heavy hockey that just couldn’t match up against teams that should have been beneath them. I expected Fabian Lysell to lead the Swedes, and while he had moments where he felt like the only one willing to push opponents on their heels, he’d waste too many of those moments with overhandling and overthinking, and when he had bad moments, they were very very bad. I don’t think it’s that hot of a take to suggest that we may just need to lump the Czechs and Slovaks in with the Swedes and Finns at this level until we see a reason not to do so.

2023 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP – TEAM PREVIEW – UNITED STATES

Ethan Hetu — Fri, 23 Dec 2022 15:37:00 +0000

Luke Hughes of USA celebrates after 0-1 during the friendly under-20 ice hockey game between Sweden and USA on December 21, 2022 in Moncton.
Photo: Simon Hastegård / BILDBYRÅN

United States National Team Overview

It’s safe to say that given all the talent present on their roster, Team USA’s performance at the 2022 World Junior Championships in Edmonton was a disappointment. The Americans cruised past Germany, Switzerland, and Austria in the group stage, and also pulled ouat a gutsy 3-2 win against Sweden, the eventual bronze medalists. But their undefeated run came to an end as they were upset in the quarterfinals by the Czech Republic, with an undisciplined five-minute major penalty to Brett Berard, as well as an unfortunate injury to Luke Hughes, impeding their ability to make a late comeback.

The success Team USA saw in 2021 was not to be repeated in 2022, but now the Americans enter the 2023 tournament with the hope of re-creating the magic that saw them capture the gold medal so recently. Coach Rand Pecknold will be behind the bench with the goal of translating the success he’s had at Quinnipiac to the international stage.

At the time of writing, the Americans have not yet finalized their tournament roster, with 25 players still vying for a chance to represent their country. Only 23 of those players will truly be registered to participate, with the other two being utilized as spares. Even with those cuts, Team USA looks like it will be able to bank on some pre-existing chemistry, thanks to the USNTDP, to serve as the foundation of their squad.

Up front, the engine of the team is expected to be centered around top 2022 draft picks Logan Cooley, Cutter Gauthier, and Jimmy Snuggerud. Each player in that trio is off to a hot start to begin their collegiate careers and given their pre-existing chemistry together, the expectation is that they’ll be able to hit the ground running. They’re three of the most talented offensive players at the tournament, and if they get things going, they should be able to do some real damage to opposing defenses. Rounding out the core scoring lineup is a pair of Winnipeg Jets first-rounders, 2021 top pick Chaz Lucius and 2022 selection Rutger McGroarty.

On the back end, the Americans’ defense corps looks filled to the brim with players who should be a treat to watch. Phenom Luke Hughes is the favorite to be the team’s number-one defenseman, and his smooth-skating, electric two-way game will look great on the international stage. Ryan Chesley should be able to provide stability and strength to the Americans’ blueline. Lane Hutson, who has taken the NCAA by storm in his freshman season, will look to exact a great degree of punishment to opposing players unfamiliar with his dynamic, pace-pushing style.

While number-one goalie Kaidan Mbereko is no Spencer Knight, the twice-undrafted netminder has had an incredible start to his collegiate career at Colorado College. With some WJC experience already under his belt, Mbereko’s ability to take the highs and the lows of last year’s tournament and have them inform his decision-making and play in this year’s edition will be a valuable asset. Andrew Oke and Trey Augustine will be waiting in the wings behind Mbereko, but the odds any of them see major action at this tournament are slim. This is Mbereko’s chance to shine, and if he can perform at the tournament as he has so far in college, the Americans will be in good hands.

This is a squad that has an enviable mix of elite top-end talent and carefully chosen role players. While they may not be quite as strong on paper as the team that captured gold in 2021, they have all the ingredients they need to be able to go on a run. While the other members of Group B, notably Finland and Slovakia, will put up a fight, this team has to be considered the favorites to win the group and make a push to win a medal.

10 Players to Watch

Logan Cooley - (ARI) C
For some, Cooley’s selection as the top center at the 2022 NHL draft came as a surprise. For the months, even years leading up to the event, it was presumed that Canadian Shane Wright would be the top center selected. But in choosing Cooley with the third-overall pick while Wright remained on the board, the Arizona Coyotes took a bold bet on the tantalizing package of skills Cooley provides. So far in his freshman season at the University of Minnesota, Cooley has rewarded that faith. With 25 points in 19 games, Cooley ranks second on his team behind likely WJC linemate Jimmy Snuggerud and has proved that his highly creative offensive style would translate to a more difficult level of hockey. He’ll be expected to be a top-of-the-lineup offensive generator for Team USA, and if his above-point-per-game performance at the 2022 tournament is any indication, he should be up to the task.

Luke Hughes - (NJD) D
Luke Hughes made the choice to return to the University of Michigan after a wildly successful sophomore season with the idea that his game could use some more refinement and development at the NCAA level. Now a year older, a year wiser, and a year more developed, Hughes looks poised to build off of his impressive first WJC tournament and become one of the stars of this year’s edition. He scored six points in five games at the 2022 tournament and has scored at nearly a point-per-game rate at Michigan. The largest of the three Hughes brothers, there are few things Hughes can’t do. He uses his mobility expertly to provide value on both ends of the ice, and he looks poised to take the role of Team USA’s number-one defenseman. This tournament offers Hughes a massive stage to showcase the progress he’s made at Michigan and expect coach Pecknold to lean on him heavily.

Jimmy Snuggerud - (STL) RW
In the midst of all the flashy, exciting talent that came out of the USNTDP for the 2022 draft, Jimmy Snuggerud, who went 23rd overall to the St. Louis Blues, probably didn’t get as much standalone attention as he should have. Because he often played next to two of the draft’s top-five selections, the virtues of Snuggerud’s game often didn’t attract the sort of attention and praise they probably deserved. Now, though, this WJC tournament offers the perfect stage to rectify that mistake. Snuggerud, who has set the NCAA ablaze as a freshman with 27 points in 20 games, will likely be re-united with Cooley and Cutter Gauthier to form a line that has the potential to be the best of the tournament. Snuggerud’s puck protection skills and ability to get the most out of his linemates will be of particular value in this best-on-best tournament, making him among the players with the most potential to really pop on the USA’s roster.

Cutter Gauthier of USA celebrates during the friendly under-20 ice hockey game between Sweden and USA on December 21, 2022 in Moncton.
Photo: Simon Hastegård / BILDBYRÅN

Cutter Gauthier - (PHI) LW
Like his former NTDP teammates Cooley and Snuggerud, Gauthier has also had an exceptional start to his collegiate career. Gauthier has quickly become the centerpiece player at Boston College and is scoring at a nearly goal-per-game rate despite a weaker supporting cast than what Cooley and Snuggerud can boast. If Pecknold does indeed reunite that prolific NTDP trio, expect Gauthier to be Team USA’s primary triggerman. With how well the trio works together and how creative Cooley can be at finding passing lanes and opportunities to set up linemates where none immediately appear to exist, Gauthier having a sort of 2018 Kieffer Bellows-like tournament where he simply keeps finding the back of the net would not be a complete shock. He’s an incredible offensive talent, and his presence on the team should make enjoying Team USA’s top line go to work one of the biggest treats in the tournament.

Chaz Lucius - (WPG) C
Since somewhat unexpectedly falling to the late teens of the 2021 draft, Chaz Lucius’ development has been a bit rocky. While he still managed to score 19 points in 24 games, injuries derailed the second half of his season, and in the Summer he made the surprising choice to forgo a second year of college in favor of beginning his professional career in the fall. So far, Lucius has been easing into the professional game, playing in a bit of a sheltered role with a healthy dose of power play time. While his production, five points in 12 games, isn’t going to set the world on fire, the AHL is a difficult league for a teenager and that’s a healthy start. The WJC will provide an opportunity for Lucius to add some definitively positive momentum to his development track, and remind everyone why he was such a highly-regarded draft prospect at the NTDP. He does come into this tournament a little banged up, so his injury status will be something to monitor.

Lane Hutson - (MTL) D
When Lane Hutson, who some observers believed was a first-round talent, fell all the way to the Montreal Canadiens at 62nd overall, the drop made some sense. Hutson is, after all, a defenseman with significant size challenges, and were he in the NHL today he would be among the league’s smallest blueliners. But so far in his freshman campaign at Boston University, all Hutson has done is put forth a highly convincing case for why he should have been given more consideration as a potential first-rounder in his draft. Hutson leads all freshmen defensemen in points-per-game with 18 points in 16 games, and his ability to take over shifts and leave a major impact on games has made tuning into Terriers games an extremely exciting prospect. If Pecknold shows a similar level of faith in Hutson that Terriers head coach Jay Pandolfo does, the best-on-best setting could bring out the best Hutson has to offer.

Jack Peart - (MIN) D
After a solid but not overwhelmingly productive freshman season at St. Cloud State, Peart, a Minnesota Wild second-round pick, was expected to take a major jump in his game for his sophomore season. So far, he has delivered, scoring 15 points in 18 games. His performance so far this year has solidified his status as one of the faster-rising prospects in the Wild’s farm. An offensive generator at heart, Peart is expected to have a larger role on this year’s WJC squad than he had at the last tournament. If paired with a more defensively-focused partner, Peart has all the offensive skill to make his mark on a game. While Team USA figures to have quite a few defensemen who possess major offensive talent, Peart has what it takes to put together a tournament to remember.

Kaidan Mbereko - (UNDRAFTED) G
Most of the players who look slated to play major roles on Team USA for this tournament were highly-regarded, highly-drafted prospects. Mbereko is, well, not that. At least not yet, anyway. As a five-foot-eleven goaltender with a sub-.900 save percentage at the USNTDP and with the USHL’s Lincoln Stars, it was not entirely a surprise that Mbereko was passed over at the 2021 and 2022 drafts. Mbereko backstopped the Americans at the 2022 WJC, impressing with a .925 save percentage. Mbereko is in line to get another run at WJC glory this winter, and he’ll do so on the heels of a brilliant start to his first season at Colorado College. In 14 games there Mbereko has a .926 save percentage, and he’s putting together quite the case in advance of his final year of draft eligibility. With light competition for his job as the number-one netminder, Mbereko will have the chance to put an exclamation point on what has been a dream run to start this season.

Red Savage - (DET) C
Most of the players listed thus far come from highly skilled offensive backgrounds and boast advanced toolkits for making the lives of opposing defensemen extremely difficult. Savage isn’t totally devoid of offensive ability, but he’s a clear step down from players such as Cooley and Gauthier. That being said, though, he has his own ways of making the work of opposing players extremely difficult. A 2021 fourth-round pick of the Detroit Red Wings, Savage is a highly energetic, physical forward who can contribute in all three zones. He’s expected to be a penalty kill contributor at the tournament, and an important down-the-lineup energy player who can push the pace and wreak havoc on the forecheck. As fun as that might be to watch, a successful team isn’t going just have a lineup full of Logan Cooleys. When the Americans are deep in the trenches of a physical matchup against a top opponent, expect Savage to be there to lead the way in breaking the stalemate.

Sean Behrens - (COL) D
The Americans’ defense corps might surprise some in that out of all eight players brought to the tournament, just two are at or above six feet tall. Behrens is another on Team USA’s roster in the five-foot-ten puck-mover mold, and he plays that style extremely effectively. He was an important defenseman for the Denver Pioneers last season, scoring 29 points in 37 games as a freshman en route to a National Championship victory. Behrens’ production hasn’t quite popped yet this year, but that shouldn’t give anyone pause in their evaluation of the 2021 Colorado Avalanche second-round pick. Behrens is one of the best skating defensemen on the team, and he pairs his smooth work on his feet with a high level of intelligence and hockey IQ. There are few problems that Behrens runs into on the ice that he can’t think or move his way out of, and his skating ability combined with his intelligence and versatility will afford him a chance to be a standout among the Americans’ stable of quality puck-moving defensemen.

Sleeper: Seamus Casey - (NJD) D

With how many standout puck-moving defensemen figure to be at coach Pecknold’s disposal for this WJC, it’s not set in stone that 2022 New Jersey Devils second-round pick Seamus Casey will play a major role at this tournament. But after the start he’s had at the University of Michigan, with 16 points in his first 20 games, it’ll be difficult to count him out. Casey’s skating is his true standout tool, and his mobility holds its own against his best-skating peers. Casey’s offensive IQ and ability to orchestrate dangerous attacking plays from the back end would make him likely to be an important offensive contributor on most other teams. But on this Team USA, it's fair to wonder if his overall skillset, those high-end offensive tools combined with lackluster defensive ability, makes him the right fit for this team given the other players on the roster. That being said, though, if Casey does ultimately get a shot to impress, I wouldn’t want to be the one to bet against him. Of course, given that the USA still needs to register its final roster, there's also a chance that Casey finds himself the odd defender out given the team's offensive blueliner depth.

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 Prospect Rankings – Risers and Fallers

Brock Otten — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 20:51:54 +0000

As we release the 2022/23 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook, it is time to reflect back on the last calendar year to see which NHL prospects have raised their stock the most…and which have seen their stock fall.

If you recall, in last year’s yearbook our top rated prospect was Anaheim’s Trevor Zegras. He went on to finish second in Calder Trophy voting to our former sixth rated prospect, Moritz Seider. Our second rated prospect last year, Buffalo’s Owen Power, makes a return appearance on the list and is now our number one ranked prospect in hockey. Where will Power ultimately rank in Calder trophy voting at the end of the 2023 season?

First, let’s look at some of the prospects whose strong seasons propelled them up our top prospect’s list (organized by last year’s ranking):

You can access the full list by linking here.

Risers

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 05: Buffalo Sabres right wing Jack Quinn (22) skates with the puck during the first period in the preseason NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres on October 5, 2021, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire)

Jack Quinn - Buffalo Sabres

Movement: (37 to 11)

The 2022 AHL Rookie of the Year, Quinn emerged as one of the top forward prospects outside of the NHL last season; a bounce back campaign after an injury plagued rookie pro year. Quinn’s high IQ, terrific shot, and strong two-way acumen makes him not only a near shoe-in to be a top nine NHL forward, but also a strong Calder trophy candidate this season.

Xavier Bourgault - Edmonton Oilers

Movement: (60 to 27)

The 22nd overall selection in 2021, Bourgault had a terrific post draft season, helping to lead Shawinigan to a QMJHL Championship. The talented winger has worked hard to round out his offensive profile and will begin his pro career this season in the Oilers system.

Brennan Othmann - Flint Firebirds

Movement: (78 to 33)

The list of players who have scored 50 goals in their 19 year old post NHL draft OHL season is not extremely long. The competitive goal scorer can hammer the puck and his combination of tenaciousness and scoring ability is rare among prospects.

JJ Peterka - Buffalo Sabres

Movement: (80 to 22)

Peterka is coming off the best U20 season in the AHL in this millennium, beating Patrice Bergeron, who scored 61 points in 2005 and Mikko Rantanen, who scored 60 in 2016. That’s some impressive company. His speed and offensive awareness make him a potential star for the Sabres.

ABBOTSFORD, BC - SEPTEMBER 27: Calgary Flames Left Wing Jakob Pelletier (49) plays the puck against the Vancouver Canucks during their NHL preseason game at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre on September 27, 2021 in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Devin Manky/Icon Sportswire)

Jakob Pelletier - Calgary Flames

Movement: (89 to 39)

Entering his first pro season with Stockton, the offensive upside of the smaller, but tenacious former first round pick was a bit of a mystery. However, he passed his first test with flying colours by averaging nearly a point per game with Stockton and now has positioned himself to earn a spot with Calgary this season.

Kirill Marchenko - Columbus Blue Jackets

Movement: (91 to 37)

The big Russian winger will finally make the trek to North America this season where he has a good shot of cracking Columbus’ top nine. Another solid goal scoring year in the KHL has him moving up our list.

Mavrik Bourque - Dallas Stars

Movement: (99 to 31)

Like Bourgault, Bourque captured a QMJHL Championship with Shawinigan last season. However, Bourque was the MVP of the playoffs and had a terrific Memorial Cup to boot. He is one of the smartest prospects outside of the NHL and has progressed extremely well since being drafted.

Scott Perunovich - St. Louis Blues

Movement: (102 to 43)

After an injury wiped out Perunovich’s first pro season, he was excellent in his “true” debut last year, split between the NHL and AHL. He looks like an offensive star in the making on the blueline and his NHL metrics were terrific in a limited role.

Logan Stankoven - Dallas Stars

Movement: (104 to 30)

Maybe Stankoven should have been drafted earlier in 2021? The early results have been spectacular for the undersized forward. He was the 2022 CHL Player of the Year and was a key player for Canada at the recent WJC’s during their race to a gold medal.

Olen Zellweger - Anaheim Ducks

Movement: (119 to 28)

Speaking of players who should have been selected higher, insert the dynamic Zellweger. Not only was Zellweger the WHL’s top defenseman this past season, but he was one of the best at the recent WJC’s, playing a top pairing role for Canada. He has already emerged as one of the top defensive prospects on the planet.

Brock Faber - Minnesota Wild

Movement: (142 to 72)

The major piece in the Kevin Fiala trade, Faber moved from the Kings to the hometown Wild. He will return to the University of Minnesota for his junior year but his work internationally for the United States has really turned heads in the scouting community.

Dustin Wolf - Calgary Flames

Movement: (154 to 45)

Never underestimate the smaller netminder. How Wolf would adjust to the AHL level was a bit of a mystery, coming off back to back WHL goaltender of the year awards. He passed the test with flying colours, capturing the AHL’s goaltender of the year award too. Is the next step the Vezina?

Wyatt Johnston - Dallas Stars

Movement: (158 to 16)

Easily one of the OHL’s most improved players last season, Johnston dominated the league on route to capturing a Red Tilson trophy as the league’s top player. He controls the play at both ends of the ice and will push for a roster spot in Dallas sooner, rather than later.

Luke Evangelista - Nashville Predators

Movement: (189 to 67)

Not only was Evangelista the OHL’s goal scoring leader last season, but he worked hard to improve his play without the puck and strength on it. By becoming a more consistently dangerous player, he has greatly improved his projection as an NHL player.

Bobby Brink - Philadelphia Flyers

Movement: (201 to 64)

A finalist for the Hobey Baker last season, Brink helped the University of Denver capture an NCAA title. There are still some concerns over his skating, but he’s just so skilled and intelligent. Unfortunately, Brink underwent hip surgery in late July and will miss a large majority of his first pro season.

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 28: Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov (52) against the New York Rangers during Game 6 of round 2 of the Stanley Cup playoffs on May 28, 2022 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)

Pyotr Kochetkov - Carolina Hurricanes

Movement: (235 to 71)

The former high second round selection is coming off a season that saw him establish himself as one of the elite goaltending prospects in hockey. Ignore the challenges in the NHL playoffs after he was thrust into the role. Focus on how dominant he was at the AHL level and in the KHL before crossing the pond.

Jordan Spence - Los Angeles Kings

Movement: (249 to 62)

How can you not be impressed with what Spence was able to do in his first pro season? He dominated the AHL level and even looked right at home in the NHL across 24 games (barely keeping his Calder eligibility). There is no doubt that he processes the game well enough to provide an offensive spark from the blueline at the NHL level.

Devon Levi - Buffalo Sabres

Movement: (279 to 34)

The player who makes the largest jump in our rankings, Levi has been remarkable over the last twelve months, establishing himself as one of the top goaltending prospects on the planet. He was this past year’s Mike Richter award winner as the top goalie in the NCAA. His play tracking and positioning are elite.

Matthew Knies - Toronto Maple Leafs

Movement: (283 to 61)

A power winger coming off of a tremendous freshman season with the University of Minnesota, Knies is proving that he should have been drafted higher in 2021. He will return as a sophomore and expectations will be high.

Arseni Gritsyuk - New Jersey Devils

Movement: (NR to 63)

The KHL’s rookie of the year last season, Gritsyuk was remarkable for Avangard Omsk across the regular season and playoffs. He also helped Russia win a silver medal at the Olympics. The former fifth round pick has quickly gone from an under the radar mystery to one of the top young players in Europe.

Scott Morrow - Carolina Hurricanes

Movement: (NR to 74)

An enigma as a draft eligible player, Morrow was thought of as a high upside, but project selection in 2021. However, his performance as a freshman for UMass was terrific, finishing second in team scoring as a defender. The key moving forward will be his development as a defensive player, but the skating ability and skill level are dynamic.

Now let’s look at some of the prospects who fell down our list for various reasons. These are organized according to their rank in last year’s yearbook:

Fallers

Victor Soderstrom - Arizona Coyotes

Movement: (26 to 111)

The 11th overall pick in 2019, Soderstrom has yet to find his way to a full time NHL role, despite limited talent and depth in Arizona. His play in the AHL hasn’t been poor, but it hasn’t been eye opening either. A mobile, two-way defender, one has to wonder if his NHL upside is truly significant. He still looks like a future NHL defender, but it might be in more of a supporting role and not a lead one.

Chaz Lucius - Winnipeg Jets

Movement: (36 to 144)

Realistically, part of this fall comes from a likely overrank by us in last year’s yearbook. The other part comes from an average freshman year with the University of Minnesota that saw him battle injuries yet again. Now Lucius has left college after only one year, despite the fact that he might not be ready for the AHL. Does Winnipeg find a spot in the WHL for him to help him improve his quickness and strength, while also respecting his injury history?

Connor Zary - Calgary Flames

Movement: (45 to 266)

Heading into this season, his first as a pro, there was already some concern that Zary’s development had plateaued in the WHL. After a poor rookie year with Stockton, the concerns over his quickness and pace appear even more real. Is Zary going to be more than a potential third line center? This will be a big season for him.

Justin Barron - Montreal Canadiens

Movement: (64 to 164)

Now a member of the Montreal Canadiens after coming over from Colorado in the Lehkonen trade, Barron didn’t have a poor first pro season. However, at this point, what have injuries done to his development? He even missed the end of the past season with an ankle injury, preventing him from finishing out the year with Montreal in the NHL. The athletic tools are enticing, but he might end up settling into more of a supporting role as a pro without high end processing ability.

Oskar Olausson - Colorado Avalanche

Movement: (67 to 245)

Expectations were very high for Olausson as he signed on to play in the OHL a year ago. However, his OHL season was not an impressive one, split between Barrie and Oshawa. He struggled with decision making and shot selection, which makes one wonder about the likelihood of him reaching his middle six upside as a pro.

Ozzy Wiesblatt - San Jose Sharks

Movement: (68 to 216)

Granted, Prince Albert (WHL) was a pretty low scoring team this year, but any time a 20-year CHL player takes a step backwards offensively, it rings alarm bells. This is especially true considering Wiesblatt has always been considered more of a high energy, middle six type. Now, his projection looks like more of a high energy, bottom six type.

Jacob Bernard Docker - Ottawa Senators

Movement: (92 to Honorable Mention)

The offensive production and confidence have not translated to the pro level since JBD has turned pro. He’s still a solid presence in the defensive zone, but he is also in danger of being passed by others on the depth chart. At this point, is JBD more than a potential bottom six defender?

John Beecher - Boston Bruins

Movement: (109 to 234)

Beecher, unquestionably, still looks like a future NHL center. The combination of size, physicality, and quickness is still likely to make him a contributor in some way. However, the offensive game just never developed at Michigan, and he now turns pro. He could move quickly through Boston’s system, but the upside is likely quite limited.

Noel Gunler - Carolina Hurricanes

Movement: (113 to 242)

The big winger is actually coming off his best season to date in the SHL and showed glimpses of greatness at the end of the year in the AHL. However, consistency remains a big issue for him, the same as it was when he was drafted early in the second round in 2020. At this point, we just aren’t as comfortable ranking him highly and prefer others in that top 200 range.

William Stromgren - Calgary Flames

Movement: (116 to Honorable Mention)

It is way too early to give up on Stromgen considering he was only recently drafted by Calgary, but they have to be somewhat discouraged by his post draft year where he failed to reach the point per game mark in the Swedish J20 league and failed to secure a more permanent role in the SHL. The speedy sniper will look to take the next step this year, however, he remains a long-term project.

David Farrance - NHL Free Agent

Movement: (134 to Not Ranked)

The former Boston University standout did not get a qualifying offer from Nashville and remains an NHL free agent after signing an AHL deal with the Chicago Wolves. The former Hobey Baker finalist’s first pro season was not an impressive one and he will now have to fight an uphill battle to become prospect relevant again.

Michael Dipietro - Vancouver Canucks

Movement: (144 to Honorable Mention)

Dipietro’s development path has been less than traditional thus far. The Canucks’ decision to keep him on the pandemic taxi squad, rather than have him get consistent starts in the AHL, remains a head scratcher. The relationship between him and Canucks management seems strained too. Dipietro still has NHL potential, but he needs to show that he can be a quality and consistent AHL netminder first.

Chaz Lucius – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – WINNIPEG JETS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #18

Winnipeg Jets Top-15 Prospects

1. Brad Lambert

2. Colby Barlow

3. Brayden Yager

4. Chaz Lucius

5. Ville Heinola

6. Nikita Chibrikov

7. Alfons Freij

8. Elias Salomonsson

9. Dmitry Rashevsky

10. Jacob Julien

11. Danny Zhilkin

12. Domenic DiVincentiis

13. Thomas Milic

14. Dmitri Kuzmin

15. Kevin He

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #13 Winnipeg Jets – Organization Overview – Top 15 Profiles

1. Brad Lambert, C, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

2. Colby Barlow, LW, Owen Sound Attack (OHL)

3. Chaz Lucius, C, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

4. Rutger McGroarty, LW, University of Michigan (NCAA)

5. Ville Heinola, D, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

6. Nikita Chibrikov, RW, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

7. Elias Salomonsson, D, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

8. Dmitry Rashevsky, RW, Dyanmo Moskva (KHL)

9. Jacob Julien, C, London Knights (OHL)

10. Danny Zhilkin, C, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: TOP 30 NHL PROSPECTS

Risers

Logan Stankoven (27 to 5) - Dallas Stars

Ryan Leonard (32 to 6) – Washington Capitals

Josh Roy (63 to 35) – Montreal Canadiens

Conor Geekie (68 to 18) – Utah

Mavrik Bourque (79 to 23) – Dallas Stars

Gabe Perreault (86 to 19) – New York Rangers

Bradly Nadeau (109 to 34) – Carolina Hurricanes

Jagger Firkus (112 to 47) – Seattle Kraken

Gavin Brindley (122 to 66) – Columbus Blue Jackets

Quentin Musty (125 to 51) – San Jose Sharks

Jani Nyman (135 to 81) – Seattle Kraken

Logan Mailloux (145 to 45) – Montreal Canadiens

Josh Doan (153 to 55) - Utah

Riley Heidt (157 to 44) – Minnesota Wild

Ville Koivunen (165 to 71) – Pittsburgh Penguins

Ethan Del Mastro (169 to 73) – Chicago Blackhawks

Theo Lindstein (185 to 91) – St. Louis Blues

Carson Rehkopf (201 to 69) – Seattle Kraken

Easton Cowan (204 to 67) – Toronto Maple Leafs

Seamus Casey (214 to 63) – New Jersey Devils

Jacob Fowler (222 to 52) – Montreal Canadiens

Fraser Minten (226 to 84) – Toronto Maple Leafs

Jackson Blake (277 to 117) – Carolina Hurricanes

Erik Portillo (Unranked to 118) – Los Angeles Kings

Rodwin Dionicio (Unranked to 139) – Anaheim Ducks

Fallers

Xavier Bourgault (from 48 to 113) – Edmonton Oilers

Eduard Sale (72 to 140) – Seattle Kraken

Jack Rathbone (96 to not ranked) – Pittsburgh Penguins

Jacob Perreault (127 to not ranked) – Montreal Canadiens

Jan Jenik (156 to not ranked) - Utah

2024 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: TOP 200 NHL PROSPECTS

PROSPECTS: Preliminary Top 10 AHL Rookies for the 2023-2024 Season

F, Sean Farrell, Laval Rocket (Montreal 2020, 4th round, 124th overall)

D, Brandt Clarke, Ontario Reign (Los Angeles 2021 1st round, 8th overall)

Joakim Kemell, Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville 2022 1st round, 17th overall)

F, Logan Stankoven, Texas Stars (Dallas 2021 2nd round, 47th overall)

F, Shane Wright, Coachella Valley Firebirds (Seattle 2022 1st round, 4th overall)

F, Carter Mazur, Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit 2021 3rd round, 70th overall)

D, Olen Zellweger, San Diego Gulls (Anaheim 2021 2nd round, 34th overall)

F, Zachary Bolduc, Springfield Thunderbirds (2021 1st round, 17th overall)

F, Chaz Lucius, Manitoba Moose (Winnipeg 2021 1st round, 18th overall)

F, Josh Doan, Tucson Roadrunners (Arizona 2021 2nd round, 37th overall)

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – WINNIPEG JETS – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #13

1. Colby Barlow

2. Brad Lambert

3. Chaz Lucius

4. Ville Heinola

5. Rutger McGroarty