Cliff Pu – McKeen's Hockey

Florida Panthers 2019-20 Prospect Review: Top 20

Sat, 14 Sep 2019 11:33:07 +0000

In looking through the Florida system, we were struck by how the system has a clear top three and a second clear tier with the players ranked four through six below. After that, we had around 20 players to choose from and myriad orders which we could have used to line them up.

That, in and of itself, is not that unique. Most teams have a top rung and second rung (sometimes a third) before the muddy middle. When I continued to look at those top Panthers, I further noticed that the top three consisted of the team’s three most recent first rounders. Their next three consisted of the team’s three most recent second rounders. The muddy third tier was from all over the place, including later round picks, undrafted free agents, and players of an older vintage.

It is often said about drafts that a team can win a draft with their late round picks, but an early round bust can definitely lose the draft for the team. For all intents and purposes, it seems that the Panthers have not lost any of their recent drafts, but it is equally questionable if they have won them either.

In fact, I would argue that they have not yet won a draft in the Dale Tallon era. The last late round pick to have any appreciable impact on the NHL roster was MacKenzie Weegar, who rose from a seventh round overage flier to a competent #6/7 NHL defender. So kudos to Florida for taking the plunge on Weegar, but they will need a few of those hits to build the organizational depth that they have long needed as they have sought to establish themselves as perennial contenders.

If there is anything that help that aspect it is that a lot of the third tier of prospects in the system are already experienced AHLers. There may not be any top half of roster players among the lot, but netminder Samuel Montembeault (#8) has already spent a few games with the Panthers, and blueliner Riley Stillman (#13) also had a brief cameo.

If the Panthers aim to get back into the postseason, they will also need entry level salary players to fill up the bottom six forward group and the bottom defensive pairing. That might mean more time in the show for Stillman, or for fellow blueliner Thomas Schemitsch (#10), or perhaps one of Jonathan Ang (#11) or Cliff Pu (#16) take a big step forward in their respective second pro seasons. A more likely player to make the jump would be one of Dryden Hunt (#7) or Rodrigo Abols (#18), both of whom were free agent signings. Hunt was a high scoring WHLer who signed directly out of junior hockey three years ago, while Abols signed this offseason as a free agent out of Sweden.

The Panthers have made plenty of big waves this offseason with the hiring of new head coach Joel Quenneville and free agent signings headlined by star netminder Sergei Bobrovsky (which makes it odd that three of their top 20, including their recent first round pick are netminders), defender Anton Stralman and winger Brett Connolly, with no shortage of others to back them up. But this is the NHL and the NHL is a cap league and without viable players on cheap salaries, the aforementioned free agents will be left without the support needed to win consistently.

-Ryan Wagman

Florida Panthers right wing Owen Tippett (74) (Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire)

1 Grigori Denisenko, LW (15^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 3) Denisenko had a stellar performance at the latest WJC, leading the whole tournament with nine points – tied with his potentially future teammate Aleksi Heponiemi. The former first-round pick is a very gifted player with excellent skating and smooth hands – qualities that allow him to control the play in the offensive zone. He also has an excellent, hard shot and overall excellent puck skills. He is very dangerous in open ice as he can either pass the puck or bury the chances with his great nose for the net. He is not a physical player nor is his defensive game his forte, thus he is strictly a top six player and his success will mostly depend on how he develops his game in the offensive zone. He already said that he intends to move to NHL at the end of the coming season, but all things considered, it may be better for him to postpone his plans for a further year or two. - ASR

2 Owen Tippett, LW/RW (10^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 2) Once considered a relatively one dimensional goal scoring winger, Tippett has done a good job of rounding out his game in the OHL the last few seasons. While his ability to put the puck in the net will be his ticket to an NHL career, he has improved his play away from the puck and his patience with it to become a player who can make an impact even when he is not scoring. With good size and skating ability, Tippett is at his best when he is attacking North/South, hunting for opportunities to unleash his terrific wrist shot. He can have a tendency to float in the offensive zone and needs to be more willing to attack between the dots. He will look to show off a better two way game in hopes of cracking Florida’s roster this year. Long term, he has the skill set to be a top six, goal scoring winger and powerplay threat. - BO

3 Spencer Knight, G (13^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) As a general rule, I am opposed to using first round picks on netminders. The bust rate is simply too high and the development timeline is simply too long. In judging the strength of Knight as a prospect, we should note that we are not considering the Panthers’ decision to lock up free agent goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky to a big money, seven year contract around one week after using their first rounder on Knight. By any measurement, Knight has been an elite goalie for his age group. He is a phenomenal athlete, plays a mature, refined technical game, and delights in playing the puck up the boards. His play seems to pick up a notch when the action is toughest although he can slack when getting ready for a shot off a zone entry, and he has never carried a full starting netminder’s workload. He has the tools to be a high end NHL starter, but only time will tell if he can reach it. With Bobrovsky in tow, the Panthers will give him plenty of time. - RW

4 Serron Noel, RW/LW (34^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 4) Noel is a unique prospect because of his combination of size, power, and athleticism. He loves to push the pace, using his explosive skating stride to enter the offensive zone and attack the net. He is so strong and as such, he is also difficult to stop when working the cycle. His hands, shot, and vision with the puck all continue to evolve too, making him a potentially dominant force offensively and physically at the OHL level. While his stride possesses a ton of power, he can still struggle with his balance and his cuts. His ability to receive passes at full stride and make moves East/West with the puck on his stick are also areas requiring growth. Noel is a potential future power forward top six winger for the Panthers who should have an excellent final year in the OHL upcoming. No doubt he is a project, but with patience, he could be a very good NHL player. - BO

5 Aleksi Heponiemi, C (40^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 5) Heponiemi had a fantastic season with Karpat in the Liiga an was nominated for the circuit’s Rookie of the Year Award. A nifty stickhandler with excellent vision and offensive awareness, he is a natural playmaker who can finish, too. His shot has improved quite a bit, he has the ability to pick his spots and be a dual threat in the final third. While not fast, Heponiemi is highly agile on his skates and can make shifty moves to evade defenders. He needs to start using his size to his advantage more often and become tougher to play against as far as the physical game is concerned. However, I see big offensive potential and game-breaking abilities in Heponiemi’s skill set. If he can adjust his game to the NHL, he could be a first or second line player for the Panthers. - MB

6 Vladislav Kolyachonok, D (52^nd overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Kolyachonok is noted first for his mobility, which should be considered well above average. His four way mobility and his explosiveness are major assets both offensively and defensively. The second thing he is noted for is his work ethic, on and off the ice. A mature player, he is committed and focused and should improve upon his weaknesses with time, such as his decision making with the puck. He can currently be baited into turnovers and does not utilize his skating ability well enough to escape forechecks. What Kolyachonok’s offensive ceiling is remains to be seen. A better idea of that should be given this coming season, his second in the OHL. More comfortable and with an improved roster around him, Kolyachonok should emerge as a quality powerplay QB and offensive defender to go with being a staunch defender of his own end. Long term, he profiles as an all situations second pairing defender who can eat up large minutes on the penalty kill. - BO

7 Dryden Hunt, LW (Undrafted free agent, signed Mar. 2, 2016, Last Year: 7) A late bloomer, was passed over in the draft twice, even though he was well above one point per game in his second go-round. In his overage season in the WHL with Moose Jaw, he absolutely exploded, leading the league in goals and winning the league Player of the Year award, which he capped off by signing an Entry Level deal with the Panthers. Since turning pro, Hunt has improved his relative weakness, his skating, to the point that he is around average. His offensive tools all play up thanks to his well honed instincts and sense of positioning. He has adapted well to the pro game and did not look too out of place in the NHL over as prolonged run last year. There is a new coach in town now, but he should have a chance to fight for a bottom six role. - RW

8 Samuel Montembeault, G (77^thoverall, 2015. Last Year: 9) An agile netminder who has steadily improved his performance in each season since he was drafted, Montembeault has generally been the kind of goalie who looks better than his numbers. That said, he held his own in a challenging circumstance taking over the net for a foundering Panthers squad late last year. He tracks the puck well and exudes a mature sense of calmness in between the pipes, but gives up more second chances than you would like to see in your starter. Once seen as the goalie of the future in Florida, the big money, big dollar signing of Sergei Bobrovsky, coupled with the use of a mid-first round pick on top goalie prospect Knight means that Montembeault will never again have a great opportunity to win an NHL job than he does right now, as Bobrovsky’s backup. - RW

9 Cole Schwindt, C/RW (81^st overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) A rangy pivot, Schwindt is a very committed two-way player who uses his length to be very disruptive in the neutral zone and in the defensive end. This makes him a very effective penalty killer. With a wide skating base, Schwindt also can be difficult to separate from the puck below the hash marks as he puts defenders on his back. He was a point per game player down the stretch following the trades of Owen Tippett and Ryan McLeod out of Mississauga, but how much offensive upside he possesses is unknown. His overall skating power, his ability to create in transition, and his composure/creativity with the puck all rate out average at this current time. He will still have a few years to improve these areas and will be a focal point of Mississauga’s offense during that time. - BO

10 Thomas Schemitsch, D (88^th overall, 2015. Last Year: 20) Schemitsch has steadily improved his game and his production over the three years of his entry level deal, a period which started with him barely able to get out of the ECHL. He is a big man who moves around relatively well for his size. He also packs a big shot from the point. Where his growth has been most notable has been in his ability to read the game, as he now shows commendable awareness in all three zones, allowing to use space to his advantage with frequency. Despite his size advantage he is not an overly physical defender and he could still stand to play a more consistent game. The Panthers believe in him enough to keep him around, but it is up to Schemitsch to take that next step and force his way onto the NHL roster, where he could provide value on the third pairing. - RW

11 Jonathan Ang, C (94^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 6) A brilliant skater, Ang’s hands are almost as quick as his legs. The question he has always been asked about is his offensive ceiling. For as much as his speed allows hi to be one step ahead of the play and very difficult to contain, his numbers have never really stood out. He finally surpassed the point-per-game mark in his final season in junior, but not by a whole lot. His first taste of professional hockey was a return to that sense of frustration. He flashes the tools that got him drafted, but not consistently and he struggles to finish what he starts. Another aspect of his development that Ang needs to work on is his overall physique. He is not tall and he is very lean, which allows him to get outmuscled when he tries to play in tighter spaces. The speed will keep him on the radar as a potential bottom six player, but he has a ways to go to get there. - RW

12 Greg Meireles, C (168^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Meireles used a very strong second half to his OHL season to get drafted in his final year of eligibility. He profiles best as a jack of all trades kind of forward who can be utilized in a variety of different situations. His speed and tenaciousness make him an effective forechecker and penalty killer. His vision and hands make him an effective playmaker who loves to set up shop behind the net and near the half wall, where he can use his strong balance and lower body to keep plays alive and tire out opposing defenses until holes open up. It can often be difficult to predict how the skill sets of these older breakout CHL players translate to the pro level, but as of right now, Meireles does look like someone who could potentially be a 3rd or 4th line forward for Florida within the next couple of years. - BO

13 Riley Stillman, D (114^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 15) Son of longtime NHLer Cory Stillman, Riley’s professional rookie season was somewhat nondescript, although it ended with the young blueliner making his NHL debut. He has roughly average size, but plays a strong, physically imposing game. He has never had much presence in the offensive end – even in the OHL – but he is an accurate and sharp passer. His ultimate ceiling will depend on him proving that he can continue to excel in his own end, against better and better competition. He is the type of player that would have been more valued 10-20 years ago, when defensive defensemen were highly valued. That said, he is in an organization that may be more in line with the old school approach under GM Dale Tallon than many others and he might still have a chance to prove that he is worthy of a regular role on the third pairing by 2020-21. - RW

14 Ryan Bednard, G (206^th overall, 2015. Last Year: 17) Drafted out of the NAHL four years ago, Bednard has seen his game on a steadily upward trajectory since becoming a part of the Florida Panthers’ extended family. After one year with Youngstown of the USH and three seasons at Bowling Green State, the big netminder is turning pro. Big and hard-nosed, Bednard is an impressive athlete for his size, and is capable of filling up the net admirably. His save percentage improved continuously with BGSU, from .882 as a freshman, to .916 as a sophomore and ended up at .927 during his final, junior, year on campus. Unlike the younger Knight above, Bednard still has a few rough parts of his game that need to be ironed out. He needs to make better decisions about when and how to play the puck, while also improve his rebound control. The Florida crease may be crowded, but he should be ready to compete for the backup slot in the NHL within about two seasons. That may also be his ceiling. - RW

15 Santtu Kinnunen, D (207^th overall, 2018. Last Year: Not ranked) Kinnunen is an intriguing right-shot defenseman who plays with a lot of poise He has a high-panic threshold and moves the puck really well from the backend. His offensive vision and ability to consistently move the puck into good spots makes him an efficient player. He also makes smart decisions with possession in the offensive zone. He is mobile and has improved his skating, especially his first few strides have become quicker. He uses a good stick to break up plays before moving the puck in transition. He is physically raw an needs to get much stronger. All things considered, Kinnunen was a smart late round gamble for the Panthers in 2018 because his development has clearly been on an upward trajectory over the past few seasons and he has not yet reached his peak. - MB

16 Cliff Pu, RW (69^th overall, 2016 [Buffalo]. Last Year: 14 [Carolina]) It isn’t often that you get a player traded twice before his 21^st birthday, but here we are. Pu moved from Buffalo to Carolina before his professional debut as part of the return for Jeff Skinner. His time in the Carolina system was, to be blunt, rancid and the Hurricanes sent him to Florida at the trade deadline for future considerations. He only appeared in 14 more games on the year, split between the ECHL and the AHL. Despite his debut struggles, Pu is an incredibly quick skater and can be very effective on the rush. What held him back last year was his awareness of game situations, putting himself into unfavorable positions and not being able to capitalize on his natural speed. It is too early to give up on him, but he needs to do better. He could scarcely do much worse. - RW

17 Owen Lindmark, C (137^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) One of the lesser heralded members of the star-studded 2018-19 USNTDP class, Lindmark joined teammate Spencer Knight as a future Florida Panther when the South Florida team made him a fifth round pick. The Oklahoma native played a bottom six role for the most part with the program, earning his spot through forechecking and backchecking heavily and helping out on both special teams’ units. He is a fine skater who also shows some passing touch with the puck, but Lindmark has never given any indication that he should be relied upon one day as an offensive force. Headed to the University of Wisconsin, as part of another much ballyhooed recruiting class, he remains unlikely to get much time in an offensive role, but his safe, smart game, coupled with solid physical tools, should make it easy for him to reach his NHL ceiling, even if that ceiling is only on the fourth line. - RW

18 Rodrigo Abols, C (184^th overall, 2016 [Vancouver]. Last Year: Not ranked [not affiliated]) A big center who combines skills with a powerful style. Abols works hard and is really strong close around the net. He showed early promise in Latvia and had okay production in the CHL which got him drafted as a 20-year-old in 2016. He needed some time to adjust to the SHL but had a strong overall season with 18 goals in 45 games. He scores goals almost exclusively from close range. He plays an intense, energetic game and uses his size and hands to win loose pucks and to capitalize on rebounds. He is helped by his agile skating as well. He doesn’t have the tools to be a top six center in the NHL has enough to be a good scorer on a lower line. Next season, he will play for Springfield in the AHL. - JH

19 Benjamin Finkelstein, D (195^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 18) After flying under the radar for two years at St. Lawrence, Finkelstein took a step back to spend half a season with Waterloo of the USHL, winning the league’s Defenseman of the Year award in a scintillating 23 game performance. He returned to the collegiate ranks last year with Boston College, and performed reasonably well despite missing around half the year to injury. He is an exciting puck mover with some playmaking abilities, but also looks after things in his own zone, despite being significantly undersized. He is especially notable defensively as a shot blocker. He will be returning to campus for his senior season this year, giving Florida officials one last look before they have to decide whether he can be developed as a bottom half of the lineup defender despite his physical shortcomings. - RW

20 Linus Nassen, D (89^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 14) Nassen had his most offensive season to date although his offense isn’t going to be what gets him into the NHL. He is a solid defender who breaks up plays well despite not being over physically. He is very good with his stick and does well defending against the rush. With a goalie that made the first save so frequently in Ottawa draft pick Mad Sogaard, he was highly successful at retrieving the puck and making the first play to initiate a sound breakout. He could be an effective 5/6 who helps keep the puck out of his own net but doesn’t generate a much beyond his own blue line. Nassen’s next steps will be back in Sweden for SHL team Vaxjo.- VG

Carolina Hurricanes Prospect System Overview

Ryan Wagman — Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:22:51 +0000

Strong at the top and deep throughout, new Carolina owner Tom Dundon and the General Manager he settled on, Don Waddell, have inherited a team that seems certain to rise in the standings and soon break a postseason drought that is already nine seasons long.

We can leave it to other analysts, in other spaces to debate whether Waddell’s long track record of failure can be easily brushed aside. As General Manager of the Atlanta Thrashers for all or parts of 12 seasons, the team made the postseason once despite the presence of Ilya Kovalchuk through most of that time period, as well as a few other supporting stars. As president of the Hurricanes before taking on the GM mantle, he took a direct part in over half of the Carolina drought.

It is probably also best to leave to others the task of sussing out Dundon’s apparent belief that his competitors in the NHL sphere are doling out far too much money to pay for managers, and hockey executives and he can experience the same level of success when buying suits from the bargain bin. There were more than a few stories over the past few months of young, bright executives passing over on the chance to be the new Hurricanes’ GM as the salary offered was reportedly less than they had been earning as assistant GMs in their current positions.

We could probably take a moment to note that the Hurricanes have always done a good job in their scouting, even though, prior to Dundon, they were known to have one of, if not the smallest scouting staffs in the game. The fact that they recently hired McKeen's alumnus Dave Burstyn as a pro scout should only fortify an organizational strength.

We can commend their change of course with regards to positional drafting. This team had built up a truly enviable young set of blueliners, largely through the draft, with career-long Hurricanes Justin Faulk, Jaccob Slavin, Brett Pesce, Noah Hanifin, and Haydn Fleury forming five sixths of the defense corps last season, and with more, including 2016 first rounder Jake Bean, on the way.

In fact, since calling out Bean’s name, Carolina made eight more picks in 2016, eight in 2017, and six this summer. Of those 22 players added to the organization, only five were defensemen, just one more than the number of goalies they drafted in that same span.

The 13 forwards express much of the hope for the immediate and short-term future for this franchise. Five of them are among the top seven prospects listed below and another three are included in the top 20.

Scoring goals was only one of the Hurricanes’ recent problems. They also had problems stopping the puck. It is fair to note that they would have made the postseason at least once in the past nine years if they had average NHL goaltending, instead of the slowly decaying Cam Ward and, last year, an in-over-his-head Scott Darling.

We count six young netminders among Carolina’s prospect stash. We only list one in the top 20, but two others are very close and would be safely in the top 20 in many other organizations. We can be confident in their skaters being polished into a strong NHL lineup, but if at least one of the netminders doesn’t pan out, their playoff drought will continue.

Andrei Svechnikov

1 Andrei Svechnikov, RW (2^nd overall, 2018. Last Year: IE) An elite scoring talent, in the USHL, OHL and during international play, Svechnikov would often do it all himself, because he could. His skating, puck skills and hockey sense all grade out as high end. His shot, particularly a lethal wrister that can find twine when taken from nearly anywhere in the offensive zone, is a near elite weapon. That said, he is equally comfortable creating for his linemates as he is in manufacturing his own chances. Beyond his skills, the winger is also physically mature. He can play a heavy game if needed. Opponents have to take the body hard to stop Svechnikov when he has a bead on the net, and even then, then can only force him to change direction. At his best, he is unstoppable. After dominating the USHL at age 16, and crushing the OHL at 17, he is ready for the NHL at 18.

Martin Necas

2 Martin Necas, C (12^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 1^st) Although he started his year making his NHL debut, Necas was quickly loaned back to his Czech league team, where he excelled as a teenager in a men’s league, that is, when he wasn’t representing his homeland on the international stage. He is a tremendously exciting talent, with exceptional quickness and high end vision. He has a selection of subtle feints making him very hard to read, and that allow him to cut through the offensive zone, leaving defenders in his wake. Despite his obvious offensive gifts, he has also demonstrated a willingness and ability to take care of his own end. He is still filling out his immature frame, but he is ready for the NHL now, and his first line upside within a few years.

3 Aleksi Saarela, C (Trade: Feb. 28, 2016 [NY Rangers]. Last Year: 6^th) Less than 12 months after being selected by the Rangers in the third round, Saarela was traded to Carolina, along with two future second rounders, for franchise legend Eric Staal. While it would be very unfair to expect that he could replicate the presence of the man he was dealt for, his first full season in the AHL showed him as a very talented player in his own right. Both his shot and his puck skills grade out as high end. He also is a fine skater who plays with a constantly churning motor, helping him overcome to an extent his relatively undersized physique. Still only 21 years old, he may not win an NHL job to start this season, but is likely to earn his first callup as the year progresses.

4 Janne Kuokkanen, LW (43^rd overall, 2016. Last Year: 5^th) Not flashy, Janne Kuokkanen is instead a versatile, mature forward who plays a structured, consistent game in all three zones. His tools all grade out well, with notable stress on his puck skills, as he is incredibly tough to strip of the puck once he has it in his possession. Capable of playing both at center and on the wing, his one soft spot is that he may not be overly tough to line up against. But he a very good skater, has a strong shot, works hard, and can be put on the ice in any situation. Considering that in the two years since coming over from Finland, he has spent one season in the OHL and the next in the AHL, an extra season to consolidate his gains and push his boundaries could show a player with a higher upside than is even suggested by this placement.

5 Adam Fox, D (Trade: Jun. 23, 2018 [Calgary]. Last Year: 2^nd [Calgary]) Part of the big Noah Hanifin-Dougie Hamilton trade the Hurricanes swing with Calgary on day two of the NHL draft this year, word is that the Flames were dismayed as they were not able to sway to sway Fox to leave Harvard after his sophomore season. That said, it is hard to see what more he has to learn (on the ice, that is) at the Ivy League school. Over two seasons, he has averaged more than a point per game and his puck skills and offensive vision are among the best in collegiate hockey. He makes up somewhat for his lack of high end skating with a very impressive sense of anticipation. His ability to quarterback the attack is so impressive and advanced that he could be ready to jump into the NHL right after his junior season ends, and the Hurricanes will do everything in their power to convince him to.

6 Julien Gauthier, RW (21^st overall, 2016. Last Year: 4^th) A bodybuilder who would probably be as safe without shoulder pads, Gauthier struggled to make an impact in his rookie pro season with AHL Charlotte. His high end shot still found the net at an acceptable rate, but the rest of his tools, as impressive as they may be in a vacuum, were not able to come to fruition with any consistency. He has ideal power forward size at 6-4”, 225, and is exceptionally strong, but is not a terribly aggressive player, and does not always recognize opportunities to strike. Considering his tremendous build, his fluid skating and soft hands are pleasantly surprising but he still needs to put a few more pieces of the jigsaw puzzle together before he can be deemed ready for the NHL.

7 Eetu Luostarinen, C (42^nd overall, 2017. Last Year: 10^th) A late bloomer who did not even get to Finland’s top junior level until his second year of draft eligibility, Luostarinen continued his rapid ascent last season, consolidating his status in Liiga, nearly doubling his scoring rate from the previous season. He is still rather lanky, but projects to have a big frame once he completes his physical maturity. Combined with his high end puck skills, above average skating ability and mature understanding of the game, a middle six outcome is within reach. There is an ongoing question of when that future will begin, at least in terms of the North American game. Luostarinen still has two seasons to run on his current contract with KalPa.

8 Jake Bean, D (13^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 2^nd) As productive as Bean was with a moribund Calgary Hitmen squad in the WHL, many assumed he would be able to get to another level after he was traded at mid-season to a strong Tri-City team. Unfortunately, Bean struggled in his half season with the Americans, before coming alive in the post-season. A second turn with Canada’s WJC entry did little to raise the bar either, as he was generally sued as the sixth or seventh defenseman on the international stage. He is a skilled blueliner, calm and composed on the puck whether getting it out of his own zone, or walking the blueline in the offensive end. He was adequate in his own zone at the junior level. Between the depth on defense in Carolina and Bean’s personal failure to take his game to new heights in two years since being drafted, the Hurricanes will be patient with him as he learns the professional game in Charlotte.

9 Lucas Wallmark, C (97^th overall, 2014. Last Year: 8^th) Among all skaters with at least 9 games played in the AHL last year, Wallmark led in points-per-game with 1.22. As gifted as he is with the puck – he was one of the most gifted with puck in the minor leagues – and as keen as his offensive instincts are, the former fourth rounder suffers from sub-par foot speed. It is certainly not fair to judge a player based on 19 NHL games over two seasons, but his paltry total of three points over that time did little to suggest that the rest of his game is good enough to overcome the aforementioned handicap. The fact that he is undersized and is susceptible to being manhandled (the ack of escapability hurts here again) also should bring a pause to his supporters. For as much as Carolina struggled to put the puck in the net over the last few years, he should receive an extended look, but Wallmark will have to both produce and improve his deficiencies to make his chance count.

Warren Foegele

10 Warren Foegele, LW (67^th overall, 2014. Last Year: 11^th) Rare is the player drafted directly out of a Canadian high school. While the rate of high end prospects attending elite Canadian schools is growing, they generally leave before their draft year. Warren Foegele was one unicorn who stuck around. Of course, he could not stay the course after enrolling at the University of New Hampshire, leaving early in his sophomore season and gaining some OHL experience before turning pro. After he completed his junior eligibility, he was thought to be a potential bottom six player, but turned those expectations on their head with a stellar AHL debut. He lacks any truly high end tools, but does everything at an above average level. His IQ and work rate also help him to maximize the tools that he does have. Although his two game NHL cameo exceeded everyone’s hopes, he will need to earn it once again, but is firmly on the radar for future contributions.

11 Valentin Zykov, RW (Trade: Feb. 29, 2016 [Los Angeles]. Last Year: not ranked]) Zykov took a bit step forward in his third pro year, second in the Carolina organization, finishing second in scoring for the AHL Checkers, and playing an impressive 10 games in the NHL. While his skating had previously held him back somewhat, he s now better at getting his plus-plus shot off, helped by a knack for finding soft spots in coverage and a solid ability to stickhandle his way free of stick checks. Part of the skating issue is related to a very wide frame (225 pounds on a 6-1” figure), but to his credit, he knows how to use his body effectively, while walking the line between physicality and discipline. The skating will limit his ultimate upside, but he has shown that he deserves a chance.

12 Jack Drury, C (42^nd overall, 2018. Last Year: IE) Don’t let Jack Drury’s point production in his draft year fool you. He lacks any truly dynamic elements to his game, but he has a lot of good ones to help make up for it. He gets to a good top speed, sees the ice well and demonstrates sound hockey intelligence. To his credit, his whole is greater than the sum of his parts. These are all good things, and they make Drury a fine prospect, but a good deal of his scoring came on the one of USHL’s best power plays (he led the league in both power play goals and assists) and a lot of those assists were secondary assists. Heading to Harvard, Carolina will have at least three years to track his development before they begin to pressure him to sign an ELC.

13 Saku Maenelanen, LW/RW (UFA: May 18, 2018. Last Year: IE) If this list were focused only on the likelihood of a player contributing this year and next year, Maenalanen would be a top three prospect in this system. Once upon a time a fifth round pick of the Predators, the rangy winger stayed in Finland, spending most of the past five seasons playing high level men’s hockey in Liiga, primarily with Karpat, winning two Liiga championships. He had kind of slipped off the radar after leading the WJC in goals in 2014 but re-emerged last season as one of the top players on a title winner, and earned a spot on Team Finland at the World Championships. He skates rather well for his size and shows a good commitment to the game in his own end. There are questions about how much offense he will be able to bring to the NHL level, but he will have a chance to play in the NHL right away.

14 Cliff Pu, RW (Trade: Aug. 2, 2018 [Buffalo]. Last Year: 9^th [Buffalo]) Lean but incredibly fast, Pu was the main return to Carolina from the long-dangled Jeff Skinner. While never a premier scorer in his OHL career, spent mostly with the London Knights, before moving to Kingston at mid-season last year, he has shown flashes of true puck skills since being drafted that hint that he can be more than just a straight line speedster. He has filled out his body nicely since being drafted as well, and while he is not a mean player, he can be effective in puck battles. His 200 foot game and ability to slot in on the penalty kill will be the key to a successful career for Pu as it is hard to see him being able to provide more than secondary scoring punch.

Roland McKeown

15 Roland McKeown, D (Trade: Feb. 25, 2015 [Los Angeles]. Last Year: not ranked) Acquired along with a first round pick from LA for Andrej Sekera a few years ago, McKeown s in the wrong organization to try to break through to a full time NHL role as a safe defenseman without high end offensive skills. To his credit, his second season in the AHL was far superior, at both end, to his first and his offensive game could be adequate at the next level. Adequate for this sense means that he could hold his own as a third pairing defender without putting his team in a bind. His strength is in his own zone work, whether it is filling up passing and shooting lanes and forcing his man to the outside. Also uses his stick well to keep gaps tight. He likely needs a new organization to be more than a seventh defenseman.

16 Stelio Mattheos, C (73^rd overall, 2017. Last Year: 9^th) A look back at Mattheos’ first post draft year and his scouting profile is a reminder that a player can do everything right, producing at high end levels and even improving upon core skills projections, and still drop in a team’s prospect rankings. In this case, it was more a reflection upon how the Hurricanes, as an organization, have continued to stockpile quality prospects while numerous AHLers have also shown similar skills while being much closer to NHL readiness. Despite his production levels, Mattheos is a brawny forward, who makes up in smarts what he lacks in footspeed, the latter of which is just average. He does have a strong shot which should allow him to contribute once he is ready for the AHL, but his skills are not exceptionally dynamic.

17 Nicolas Roy, C (96^th overall, 2015. Last Year: 7^th) Between his size and production over the final two seasons of his QMJHL career – which included a strong performance in the 2017 WJC, expectations for Roy were high going into his rookie professional season. Even as their remain reasons for optimism, he did not live up to expectations. He is a smart center who can lean on opponents for positioning, has a nice shot and soft hands that belie his 6-4”, 207 pound stature, but his lack of foot speed held him back. That deficiency is not so damaging at his size, but still held him back. He is young enough to refine his skating technique and climb this list, but it is not something everyone can do.

18 Andrew Poturalski, C (UDFA: Mar. 8, 2016. Last Year: 14^th) On the small side and lacking the foot speed you usually see in the smaller guys who succeed at the highest levels, Poturalski has earned continued looks thanks to his consistent ability to impact a game offensively. More instinctive than reactive, he has great vision for creating scoring chances for his linemates, and showed an improved ability this past season at finishing his own chances. He is not a fancy dangler, but is a very clever passer, rapidly identifying soft spots in coverage for himself or his teammates. Focusing on what he can do earns him a chance. Focusing on what he cannot do means he will only get so many chances to capitalize on those chances. This year might be his last one.

19 Morgan Geekie, C/RW (67^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 16^th) Despite leading Tri-City in scoring in his age 20 season, 2017-18 was a mild disappointment for Geekie, at least until the postseason arrived where he was one of the most prolific scorers in the league (27 points), despite only playing in 14 games. It would have been good to see him dominate for longer stretches during the regular season, but the main issue with Geekie’s chances of achieving professional success is that his tools are generally around average. He is tall and lanky, but not especially fast. It is hard to splice out how large a share of his production is due to his own play driving and how much a factor of playing on a strong team. He will likely have to prove himself lower down the lineup in Charlotte before he is considered for a potential NHL job.

20 Eetu Makiniemi, G (104^th overall, 2017. Last Year: not ranked) An extremely athletic goaltender who plays a composed game between the pipes, Makiniemi is a bit of a wild card, in that he has yet to play against men, or even in a prestigious international tournament. Tall and lean, he demonstrates a strong ability to read the game in front of him. Affiliated with Jokerit, the one Finnish club that is part of the KHL, presents a challenge in that the senior team has two goalies under contract with significant KHL experience. Makiniemi is still eligible to play at the U20 level, but may be better off being loaned to either a different Finnish organization where he can play senior hockey, perhaps even in the Finnish Mestis (second division).

OHL Playoff Preview: Greyhounds pacing the pack

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

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

Eastern Conference

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

Season Series: Hamilton leads 5-0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Season Series: Mississauga leads 4-2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Season Series: Kingston leads 3-1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Season Series: Tied at 1 game apiece

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

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

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

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

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

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

Western Conference

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

Season Series: SSM leads 7-1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Season Series: Kitchener leads 5-3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Season Series: Sarnia leads 5-1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Season Series: London leads 4-2

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

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

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

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

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

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

OHL Finals Prediction

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

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

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

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

State of the CHL: The Ontario Hockey League

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

Frontrunners Load Up at the Trade Deadline

Showdown in the East Division

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Catching Up to SSM in the West

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

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

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

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

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

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

Greyhounds The Team to Beat

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

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

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

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

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

Don’t Sleep on

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

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

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

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

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

Owen Sound Attack Better than standings show

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

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

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

Re-Tooling to Fight Another Day

London and Windsor start the cycle

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Race for Quinton Byfield

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Broken System

OHL Teams Will Soon Trade for the Unborn

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Buffalo – System Overview

Ryan Wagman — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 20:44:40 +0000

Always a bridesmaid, never a bride, the Buffalo Sabres continue to miss the playoffs and continue to come up short in the lottery. Despite fielding some of the worst teams in recent NHL history, the Sabres could pick no higher than second overall. In 2014, that cost them the chance to draft Aaron Ekblad, so they passed over Leon Draisaitl to select Sam Reinhart instead. More famously, after an out-and-out tank job in 2015, they lost the lottery to the Oilers, who drafted Connor McDavid and instead accepted the consolation prize of Jack Eichel.

Not that there is anything wrong with either Reinhart or Eichel, or really with any of their recent first round picks that were not traded to Colorado for Ryan O’Reilly, but there is always the feeling that they should have walked away with more. If one were being cruel, one would compare that feeling to the Sabres disappointing history in the playoffs.

The fact is that the Sabres, as much as they have underwhelmed on the ice over the entirety of the Tim Murray era, that management team actually did a strong job at rebuilding the wreck of a franchise that was left once Darcy Regier was let go. Of course, there are still further steps that need to be taken before the club will find itself back in the postseason, but new GM Jason Botterill takes over a franchise that no longer needs to tear things down. In addition to Reinhart and Eichel, the vast majority of the roster is under 30 years old and many of their most important players are still on the upswing of their respective careers.

The forward group is the most intriguing, a fact that only gets more credence when we consider the players not yet guaranteed a roster spot as their first round picks in each of the past four seasons were all forwards. Unfortunately for the Sabres, it takes more than just forwards to win in the NHL. Teams also need to be able to prevent the opposition from scoring. While smart forwards can go a long way to ensuring that objective is met, good defensive teams must also be strong at the back.

Starting between the pipes, the Sabres have struggled in net since Ryan Miller’s heyday. Robin Lehner has been decent since he was acquired in a controversial trade with Ottawa, but he has yet to prove himself to be a goalie that can carry a team on his back. Buffalo had reasonable hope that 2013 5th rounder Calvin Petersen might be a shining star, but he opted for free agency after leaving college. Future hopes will now be placed on 2017 second round pick Ukka Pekka Luukkonen.

The defensive corps has been even more neglected, as can be seen below, with only two of the top ten listed as blueliners. There is hope that Victor Antipin, a young free agent signing out of Russia, can step right into the rotation, but one of Botterill’s main early goals will be to nail down a number one for now and the future. The sooner that happens, the sooner we can all stop talking about what might have been had the lottery balls fallen just a little bit differently.

Casey Mittelstadt

1 Casey Mittelstadt – One of the most offensively talented players available in this year’s draft, many were surprised that Mittelstadt was still available when it was Buffalo’s turn to pick at #8. He is a magical puck handler with serious possession abilities and good vision. Although there are some murmurs about his agility, he is a strong skater. He will need 1-2 years with the Minnesota Golden Gophers to better hone his team play, but once he does, he should be a first line scoring winger.

Buffalo Sabres Right Wing Alexander Nylander (70) (Photo by John Crouch/Icon Sportswire).

2 Alexander Nylander – Ignore his point totals as one of the few teenagers playing regularly in the AHL, and marvel that he was able to play there at all, finishing behind only Jesse Puljujarvi in league scoring among the U19 set. Focus on his 12 points in seven games at the WJC. See his impressive puck moving ability and his strong skating stride. He still needs to add bulk to his frame and tighten up his game away from the puck, but it may be time to let him play in the NHL.

3 Brendan Guhle – Last season, when the Sabres needed a blueliner in a pinch, instead of making the call for someone in Rochester, performed a rare emergency recall, bringing Guhle up from the WHL. He held his own in a brief trial by fire in the NHL before finishing up his WHL career. Tall, with good reach and great skating, he is a very effective defender when he plays with aggression. His offensive game is somewhat limited. He can carry the puck well and begin the transition, but will not be a big point producer.

4 Rasmus Asplund – A teammate of Nylander’s in Sweden’s last two WJC squads, Asplund does not have Nylander’s dynamic offensive abilities, but has nothing to be ashamed about what he does have. A strong skater with silky puck skills and an advanced hockey IQ, he finished tied for second among teenagers in SHL scoring. Although he will be playing in Sweden for another year, once the center does come over, he profiles as a top six playmaking center.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen at the 2016 Ivan Hlinka Tournament. Photo by Karel Svec

5 Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen – The current front-runner for the title of Sabres’ goaltender of the future, Luukkonen is blessed with ideal size for a netminder as well as plus athleticism. He is very active and competitive in the crease, often coming out to challenge shooters, but also able to recover and get back thanks to very quick legs. A solid puckhandler for a goalie he has been among the hardest goalies in Finnish junior hockey to score against in the last two years. He is now ready for the challenge of Liiga.

6 Hudson Fasching – Looking only at his rookie pro season, you might think that Fasching should not be ranked this highly on a solid list such as this. He struggled in close to half a season with a groin injury at Rochester and did nothing of note in a 10 game trial with Buffalo. Going back to his time in NCAA, he impressed greatly as a scoring winger who would grind through shifts, playing a heavy, physical game with smart puck play and patience. If he recovers more of that, he should not be long for the AHL.

7 Will Borgen – Selected with the Sabres next pick in the 2015 draft after drafting Guhle, Borgen also has a similar skillset to Guhle’s, if we could trade some of the higher-raked player’s footspeed with a great emphasis on the physical game. A very smart player who puck skills basically end with a solid first pass in or near his own zone, he plays a much stronger game than his lanky-looking frame would suggest. Heading back to St. Cloud State for a junior season, he needs to work at limiting penalty minutes.

8 Marcus Davidsson – Although his offensive numbers as a teenager with Djurgardens of the SHL do not impress, Davidsson has a lot of qualities to his game that suggest that better things are on the way. From a scouting perspective, his skating, shooting and puck play all project as above average, but his hockey sense – his best attribute – should make the whole equal to something greater than the sum of its parts. Expect a lot more in his second SHL season.

9 Cliff Pu – Another plus skater in the Buffalo system, Pu took on more of an offensive role in his first post draft season with the London Knights and excelled at it. He is a fine passing winger with solid offensive vision. He projects as more of a middle six than top six winger as a pro, as a down postseason recalled questions about his ultimate offensive upside. Thankfully, he is also notable for his 200 foot game, puck seeking instincts and willingness to pressure the puck carrier.

10 Nicholas Baptiste – We are definitely not finished with speedy Sabres’ prospects. Baptiste had a strong showing in his second go-round the AHL, earning a 14 game trial in Buffalo for his efforts, which led to a near 50% increase in scoring. He also has an impressive goal scorer’s touch, along with solid puck skills. Definitely more a shooter than a playmaker, he should be given a chance to win a bottom six winger job in the NHL this season.

11 Viktor Antipin – A five year KHL veteran who has consistently put up strong offensive numbers from the blueline, Antipin was signed as a free agent to a one year entry level contract with the carrot of an NHL job dangled in front of him. Not a flashy player, he produces through effective two-way play, showing a good passing game and an above average point shot. He may need to be sheltered in the NHL at first until he proves that his small stature will not be a hindrance.

12 Justin Bailey – The former second round pick, whose father was also a sports (football) star in Buffalo, Justin Bailey showed considerable gains in his second pro season, and spent a good chunk of the year in the NHL, falling only three games short of losing his prospect status. A strong skater for his size, he has been usable in all situations in the AHL, combining a tricky wrist shot with developing hockey sense. With a touch more aggressiveness, he could have a long NHL career as a power forward.

13 Jonas Johansson – One of the primary candidates for goalie of the future before this season, Johansson once again failed to make any headway at getting an SHL job and once again spent the season on loan with Almtuna of Allsvenskan. Once again, he stopped exactly 91.3% of shots faced, giving him once again a shiny GAA. This time, Johansson signed an ELC with Buffalo at year’s end and will likely play next year with Rochester. He does everything well enough, but has no standout tools.

14 Devante Stephens – Linked with Guhle and Borgen as defensive products of the 2015 Sabres’ draft class, Stephens also has a game which bears passing resemblance to the aforementioned duo. His best traits are skating and physicality. The former is characterized by impressive acceleration and the latter is represented by his lanky frame which he throws around with purpose. Although his offensive numbers last year were very impressive, we should not expect that to continue in the pros.

15 Oskari Laaksonen - A surprise third round pick this year, the largely unheralded junior league Finnish defender is more notable for his plus hockey sense and puck moving abilities than for flashy play. Rail thin, he can run a power play, but struggles in coverage as he is too easily outmuscled. His puck skills project to average or above, but he is still in the early stages of his development and very raw.

16 Brandon Hagel – The eighth of ten players selected by Buffalo in the 2016 daft, Hagel has done more to improve his stock in the organization than anyone after the top three, if not altogether. Previously seen as a meat-and-potatoes WHL grinder, he showed more in the way of puck skills and a grinding style that leads to prolonged possession. He also might have more upside offensively than previously believed, although bottom six is still his likely destination at the next level.

17 Sean Malone – After muddling through three uninspiring seasons at Harvard, Malone finished with a bang, setting career highs in goals (18), and assists (24) for a Frozen Four entrant, while showing off a skillset that will keep him drawing paychecks for his work on the ice for a few years yet. A good north-south skater and play-driver, who sometimes shows more wiggle to his game than is expected. The Buffalo-area native had a single game cameo for the Sabres after his collegiate career ended.

18 Victor Olofsson – A one-way offensive winger whose development seems to have stalled in his third SHL season, Olofsson nevertheless has enough offensive promise to deserve a mention near here, particularly after a strong SHL playoffs and European Champions League with Frolunda. His shot – dangerous from just outside the slot - and puck skills are both reasons for promise. On the down side, if he cannot make it as a top six player, few North American teams would use him in the bottom six.

19 Evan Rodrigues – Signed as a collegiate free agent after a fantastic senior season playing with Jack Eichel at Boston University, Rodrigues spent close to half of last season with the Sabres, falling five games shy of losing prospect eligibility. A good skater with strong puck skills, his impressive hockey IQ and ability to play a 200 foot game may help him overcome his size deficiencies and earn continued bottom six opportunities. A limited prospect, but useful nonetheless.

20 Eric Cornel – A former second round pick who had a solid, if ultimately unfulfilling OHL career, Cornel struggled mightily in his rookie AHL season with Rochester with only 14 points in 67 games. It is too soon to state that he has lost the skill set including both very promising shots and puck skills that made him a top OHL pick as a youth, but he needs to bring his skills out more consistently to remain on the radar.

With the type of players currently in the system, the Sabres seem geared to bring excitement back to Buffalo. With nearly every player on the top 20 earning accolades for their skating prowess, they could wield a fun run-and-gun team over the next few years. Of course, as discussed earlier, they still have significant work to be done on the back end. Even run-and-gun teams need puck carrying blueliners to begin the transition and get the puck moving in the right direction.

Scouting Reports: OHL – Cliff Pu, Mitchell Vande Sompel, Adam Mascherin, Owen Tippett, Nicolas Hague

Scott Crawford — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 15:18:28 +0000

McKeen's welcomes Scott Crawford. Scott grew up in Etobicoke, Ontario playing minor hockey in the Humber Valley Sharks program. Gary Roberts was his inspiration to play hockey. He went to university at St. Francis Xavier where he graduated with a BBA degree. He catches his OHL games at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga or the First Ontario Centre in Hamilton.

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

Cliff Pu	2016 Draft (69th - Buffalo Sabres)
Position: RW/C, Shoots R	H/W: 6-1", 195 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-PTS-PIMS)	London Knights, OHL (42-27-36-63-28)

Cliff Pu of the London Knights. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Skating: His skating has slightly improved although that is nothing to be surprised about. Pu was one of London’s fastest skaters last year and this year he has improved his stride along with his edges. When he is turning around the corners he has better control and take off from his own zone. He can still use his strong stride to skate around opponents in the neutral zone. Grade: 60

Shot: His most improved skill this season is his shooting. Last year he was lacking accuracy and power to his shot, but this year Pu has turned his weakness into a strength. In an offensive possession he becomes useful when he is either shooting off the rush or playing in front of the net. His accurate shot off the rush can create rebounds because the velocity from the shot is hard enough that the goaltender has issues with rebound control. Grade: 55

Skills: Pu is a better puck handler this year due to better puck control in all three zones. Last year he played the puck well only in the defensive and neutral zone, but this year he has a better backhand that allows him to have more reach and space, thus making it harder for opponents to challenge him without causing a penalty. Pu also improved his puck reception, he is more focused on ensuring the puck stays on the curve of his stick. Grade: 50

Smarts: Pu has demonstrated much better hockey IQ this year than last year thanks in large in part to his increased puck awareness. Wherever the puck lays, whether in the corners or in open ice, Pu will be one of the first players to spot it. Another component of his game that has improved is his commitment to better defense. He was back checking more using his fast skating and body to pressure the puck away from the possessor. In his defensive zone, he finds the loose puck better and reacts quickly, usually the first one to exit the zone with the puck. Grade: 50

Physicality: He is still an imposing hitter for the Knights, especially the 50/50 battles. I have noticed with him that he has better body positioning when he side checks a player with the puck as it causes the opponent to lose his balance and possession of the puck. Still a tremendous forechecker that can be useful for Dale Hunter to apply pressure on offense. Grade: 50

Summary: Cliff Pu is by far one of the most improved forward in the OHL so far this season. He has made improvements to every area of his game, but the biggest has been his offensive skills. His redefined positioning in front of the net plus his improved shot accuracy have made him an offensive juggernaut this year for the London Knights. He has had to sacrifice his physical game by throwing fewer hits in order to have the puck more often. He has the commitment and a mentor in Dale Hunter to help him succeed when he graduates from the OHL.

Mitchell Vande Sompel	2015 Draft (82nd - New York Islanders)
Position: D, Shoots L	H/W: 5-10", 180 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-PTS-PIMS)	Oshawa Generals/London Knights, OHL (46-19-27-46-35)

Mitchell Vande Sompel of the Oshawa Generals. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Skating: Vande Sompel has improved his skating to the point that he can skate around to create his own space and adjust his speed accordingly to throw defenders off. He can cycle more effectively in the offensive zone that helps him see the net better thanks in large part to his edge work. His inside and outside edges are more coordinated making him a hard defenseman to stop when he decides he wants to move the puck up ice by himself. Another major improvement has been his mohawk crossovers that allow him to change in transition better. Grade: 55

Shot: His shooting is more direct at the net. Last year a ton of his shots made it to the boards instead of hitting the net. This year he has improved his shot accuracy for every spot on the blue line he shoots from. He is more patient with his wrist shots and he relaxes instead of forcing the shot into a defender. He could potentially score 20 goals this season, breaking his previous career high of 12. Grade: 55

Skills: He is more controlled with the puck this year when he brings up through the neutral zone. In a lot of cases last year Vande Sompel liked to carry the puck into the O-zone then turn it over for odd man rushes. He is more careful with the puck this season thanks in large part to his steady hands. He does not deke too much, but when he does he completely fools the opposition and skates around them. Grade: 50

Smarts: A major area of improvement to Vande Sompel’s game this season has been his defense. He has made it a habit that when he pinches he gets back immediately. When a turnover occurs right at the blue line Vande Sompel quickly gets back into position to close off the lanes. His improved stick work such as swinging his stick in front of the puck possessor has helped him be more of a defensive threat. He has made himself into a more reliable two-way defenseman. Grade: 50

Physicality: Still lacks a physical game, he will challenge players in his own zone without really using body contact. He likes to skate up beside them and use his stick to poke check the puck away. When he is facing players one-on-one or in odd man rushes, Vande Sompel still lacks the physical presence to cause intimidation. Grade: 40

Summary: Vande Sompel has made major strides to improve in areas in his game for which he had been constantly criticized. He has established himself as a two-way defenseman who does not overwork in the offensive zone. He is more reliable on the defensive end, but he still lacks physical intimidation. He has better control of the puck and he is more confident in how he moves around with the puck. He has the makings of becoming a reliable power play specialist in the NHL, but he will need to improve on his body strength in order compete with older players.

Adam Mascherin	2016 Draft (38th - Florida Panthers)
Position: LW, Shoots L	H/W: 5-9", 205 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-PTS-PIMS)	Kitchener Rangers, OHL (45-30-48-78-16)

Adam Mascherin of the Kitchener Rangers. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Skating: Mascherin plays a fast style of hockey when he is trying to create an advantage for his team. His skating is his best attribute and he has managed to create a better flow to his game. He uses more crossovers when he is playing the West-East game and he can out skate and out work his opponents. When he has the puck, thanks to a combination of good crossovers switching to powerful strides he moves quick enough to create breakaway chances for himself. Grade: 60

Shot: He has a wicked wrist shot, especially when he is moving with the puck. His hot spots for shooting are exactly on both hash marks. His release is quick enough that the velocity of the puck is too quick for the goaltender to spot. The slap shot and one timer need a bit work because when Mascherin decides to use both they tend to steer wide of the net thanks in large part to his weird wind up. Grade: 55

Skills: This is the area where Mascherin has improved the most as he has shown he faster stick handling. Last season, he relied on his speed to give him offensive opportunities, but this year he is more reliant on what his stick is doing with the puck. In the offensive zone, he moves more freely with the ability to adjust his skating speed. He can stick handle around players and release a shot on net. Grade: 50

Smarts: He has improved to be one of the more consistent two way forwards in the OHL. He consistently interrupts his opponent’s odd man rushes with his stick checking. The other thing that motivates him to be a better defensive forward is his teammates. He is a team first player and players look to him to carry the team especially since Jeremy Bracco was traded to Windsor. He is a confident player in how he performs each shift and his coaches him give him big minutes to play his game. Grade: 55

Physicality: He is not an active hitter, but during corner battles Mascherin will get his hands dirty if it means his team will win the loose puck battle. Another quality that Mascherin has is his ability to take a hit properly and move right back into the play. Could hit more and be more aggressive when he is fighting the corner battles in the offensive zone. Grade 40

Summary: Mascherin has worked hard to improve his defensive play and it shows this season with an incredible turnaround. He has not sacrificed his offensive play too much and he is a more consistent two-way player because of it. His coaches believe him to be the most reliable player they have on the team. Mascherin still has his fast skating to carry him through games but with an improved puck handling ability he becomes a more feared player on the rush. Standing at 5-9” he is a fierce competitor who strives to be better every year. His development is impressive and his consistent play should help him make the jump to pro with ease.

Owen Tippett	2017 Draft Eligible
Position: RW, Shoots R	H/W: 6-1", 200 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-PTS-PIMS)	Mississauga Steelheads, OHL (45-36-25-61-22)

Owen Tippett of the Mississauga Steelheads. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Skating: One area that Tippett did not need to improve anything, as he has already established himself one of the fastest skaters in the OHL. Yet he has gotten faster thanks to improvements to his stride. His first two strides when he exits his own zone give leverage to move past opponents more readily and sets him up for a good zone entry. His curls when he moves around the big circles in the offensive zone are faster so he can cycle around the ice better and draw more opponents to him. Grade: 60

Shot: Tippett has many shots which he can use at his disposal. One shot that is deadly when he is coming off the rush is his wrist shot. Somehow, he has managed to make the release on his wrist shot faster off the break that goalies sometimes are unable to see it. Another dangerous area that he can shoot in is the high slot area between the two circles - because that is when he lets his slap shot go. His wind up is almost perfect and powerful enough that opposing players are hesitant to block it. Grade: 65

Skills: An area that Tippett needed to improve in was his puck possession ability. A few times last year he would skate into traffic or drive to the net and would not be able to hold onto the puck. This year he addressed that issue by improving his stick movement in the offensive and defensive zones. He does a better job of recognizing situations to attempt a deceptive move against an opponent. Grade: 55

Smarts: Tippett’s hockey IQ is about the same as it was last year. He has improved his offensive awareness when searching for open spots to receive passes and shoot on net. But defensively he still needs to work on his positioning, especially when he is in man-to-man coverage. He tends to skate away from his man leaving an open space between the goaltender and the opposing player for a shot on net. Tippett also he needs to show more of an effort to block the puck. He tends to stand around and avoid the puck being shot on net. Grade: 45

Physicality: Tippett is showing improvement in his upper body strength. He is more physical in corner battles and helps him to retrieve the loose puck better around the net. In the defensive zone, he is not as physically active as he should have been compared to the offensive zone. Grade: 40

Summary: Owen Tippett is an offensive weapon, something about which there can be no debate. His shooting ability is among the best in the OHL. He puts fear into goaltenders whenever he skates up ice and lays a wrist shot on net. He is smart enough to know where he must be for rebounds and open shots on net. He is more careful about where he is going to play the puck in the offensive zone confusing opposing players about how they should defend him. But his effort on defense remains a question mark just like last year – seeming more concerned with putting the puck in the net than protecting his own net. Still a work in progress, but he deserves to be considered among the top prospects for the 2017 draft.

Nicolas Hague	2017 Draft Eligible
Position: D, Shoots L	H/W: 6-5", 205 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-PTS-PIMS)	Mississauga Steelheads, OHL (45-14-20-34-72)

Nicolas Hague of the Mississauga Steelheads. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Skating: Hague’s skating is strong for a young player of his build. His powerful strides and big body make him a scary player to play against along the boards. When he attempts to hit his opponent, he puts his skating into overdrive to really lay the man out. He has improved his backwards skating from his rookie year, as he has become more agile on the ice when he is countering the odd man rush. He moves left and right to draw his opponents away from the open lanes. However, if he is facing an above average skater on a one-on-one rush the likely chance is Hague will not be able to contain him. Grade: 50

Shot: Hague has the best slap shot out of any defenseman in the OHL because of the power and shot accuracy he can bring. Whenever he gets the chance to use his slapshot it usually comes with quick precision with his attempt as he is looking straight at the target. His windup is fast enough that opposing defenders have little time to react to block the shot. Hague also has an affective wrist shot from the point that he uses to create rebounds on net. Grade: 65

Skills: Hague is a moderate to above average puck handler for a defenseman. He will often bring the puck up ice, but normally passes the puck at the red line. He is dependable in moving the puck out of the defensive zone, but there are times when he can be irresponsible with the puck leading to turnovers in his own zone. He is still adjusting to pressure coming his way and needs to move the puck faster otherwise he will slow his development. Grade: 50

Smarts: He is good two-way defenseman who is confident offensively, but his defensive game lacks when he is under pressure from odd man rushes. Sometimes he knows what to do with the puck and there are other times when he makes quick decisions and turns the puck over too easily in the neutral zone. Grade: 45

Physicality: Hague is a man amongst boys thanks to his size. He is one of the best hitters on the blue line and he knows it. When he is on his own he loves to throw the body around. However, his anticipation is not coordinated well when he is playing in the corners and he leaves one of his defensive linemates to defend their net all alone. When he attempts to hit smaller players, they are often able to dance around him. Grade: 55

Summary: Nicolas Hague was a nice surprise when he opened his rookie season with 14 goals. He has already equaled that mark thanks in large part to his wicked slap shot and wrist shot. He is considered one of the bigger blue liners in the draft at 6-5” and he uses that size to create intimidation, but he needs to do a better job of calculating the time to hit a player. His skating is good enough that he can move the puck up ice and play the North-South game, but he needs to skate backwards better to be more effective in challenging odd man rushes. He needs more confidence in himself when he is playing defense as there have been instances where he will shut down and let his opponents skate by him. He can go be a top 15 pick in the 2017 draft, but he will need more development in the OHL for him to make his mark at the pro level.

NHL Draft Review and Grades: Buffalo Sabres

Grant McCagg — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 18:50:46 +0000

Alexander Nylander of the Mississauga Steelheads was selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft in Buffalo, NY on Friday June 24, 2016. Photo by Aaron Bell/CHL Images

The Sabres are set at center for the next decade or more, so it made sense for them to draft the top winger or defenceman on their list. After securing the services of defenceman Dmitri Kulikov it made sense to take the skilled winger Alex Nylander, a hard shooting speedster with tremendous puck skills and vision who has the upside to play on their top line in a couple of years. Asplund gives the club another center to battle for a 3-4 slotting in a few years when he gains the requisite strength to battle NHL centers…he certainly has the smarts, skill and defensive conscience to become a solid NHL pivot.

RND	PICK	RNK	PLAYER	POS	CTY	HT/WT	TEAM
1	8	6	Alexander Nylander	LW	SWE	6-0/180	Mississauga (OHL)
2	33	23	Rasmus Asplund	C	SWE	5-11/175	Farjestads (Swe)
3	69	39	Cliff Pu	C	CAN	6-1/195	London (OHL)
3	86	118	Casey Fitzgerald	D	USA	5-10/185	Boston College (HE)
4	99	124	Brett Murray	LW	CAN	6-4/215	Carleton Place (CCHL)
5	129	NR	Philip Nyberg	D	SWE	6-3/195	Linkopings (Swe)
5	130	142	Vojtech Budik	D	CAN	6-1/195	Prince Albert (WHL)
6	159	105	Brandon Hagel	LW	CAN	6-0/160	Red Deer (WHL)
7	189	NR	Austin Osmanski	D	USA	6-3/195	Mississauga (OHL)
7	190	NR	Vasili Glotov	C	RUS	5-11/160	St. Petersburg (Rus)

Cliff Pu at the 2016 NHL Draft in Buffalo, NY on Saturday June 25, 2016. Photo by Aaron Bell/CHL Images

Cliff Pu at 69^th overall is one of the steals of the top 100 considering McKeen’s ranked him 39^th overall. He just kept improving as London’s playoff run peaked with a Memorial Cup championship. He has the size/skating combo to compete for a third-line center spot along with Asplund one day..the question is where will Buffalo find spots for its many talented centers. Casey Fitzgerald had a terrific freshman campaign at Boston College which propelled him from undrafted prospect last season to a third-round pick. Brett Murray is a 6-4 winger who caught the attention of scouts with his skill level, while Vojtech Budik fell this season due to a disappointing season but has the skating ability to push for an NHL position if he can develop the rest of his game. Brandon Hagel is the later pick that McKeen’s feels has the best opportunity to play in the NHL thanks to his smarts and passing ability...one of the draft’s best playmakers.

Grade – A- : Buffalo secured both quality and quantity, grabbing three players in McKeen’s top 40 and six in the top 125.

Youngblood: World Under-17 Hockey Challenge Preview

Brendan Ross — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 18:36:02 +0000

Currently known as the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, the international tournament has underwent a name change from the Quebec Esso Cup (in 2011) and most recently, Hockey Canada has decided to change the format of its own team entries into the tournament. For the first time in 2014, rather than sending five provincial teams (Ontario, Quebec, Pacific, Atlantic and Western) to compete, Hockey Canada has opted to combine players from across the nation into three competitive teams - Red, White and Black. Canadian players will now have the opportunity to play alongside talented competitors from other provinces. For example, Ontarian Jakob Chychrun will be taping Nova Scotian Mitchell Balmas with passes rather than laying him out in the corner. The Under-17 Hockey Challenge is the first step in Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence that is used to help identify talent for the Under-18 and National Junior Team and it has seen over 1400 National Hockey League draft picks come through the tournament.

Tournament organizers have moved up the Challenge on the calendar to November to avoid conflict with the World Junior Championships that runs over the holiday season. For the first time since Windsor hosted in 2012, the tournament returns to Ontario and the world’s top hockey talents have arrived in Sarnia, Canada as the border-town city, in collaboration with nearby Lambton Shores, is ready to host the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

Group A consists of two Canadian teams (Canada White and Canada Black), Finland and last year’s bronze medalists Russia while Group B will feature Canada Red, Slovakia, Sweden and the defending champions, Team USA. For more information on World Under-17 Hockey Challenge schedules and rosters, visit the tournament website.

The majority of participants are born in the 1998 age group and these players have spent months going through evaluations to reach their goal of donning their nation’s sweater. The following breakdown of teams will help to familiarize the general public with some of the names to watch. Here are just a few of the top talents skating in the #WU172014.

Team USA (Roster)

Knocking the four-time gold medalists off of the podium will prove to be a difficult feat as Team USA enters this tournament with a very talented roster, including 20 of 22 players who compete with the US National Under-17 Team. Non-National Under-17 skaters Spokane's Kailer Yamamoto and 6-foot-3 Riley Tufte (Blaine High School) will replace injured forwards Zach Walker and Graham McPhee. The Americans won’t have to fight through chemistry issues with such familiarity and with them icing five University of Michigan commits in Nick Pastujov, James Sanchez, William Lockwood, Griffin Luce and Luke Martin. In addition, Everett Silvertips draftee Patrick Khodorenko, London Knights first round selection Max Jones and Boston University commit and USNTDP leading scorer Clayton Keller are expected to help Pastujov and Sanchez with the offensive production. Towering netminders Joseph Woll and Minnesotan Jake Oettinger won’t surrender much net for the opposition and with Griffin Luce, Luke Martin, Plymouth Whalers’ hopeful James Greenway, Chad Krys (Moncton Wildcats prospect) and Harvard commit Adam Fox patrolling the blueline teams will be in tough against the champs.

Team SWEDEN (Roster)

Just like his older brother William Nylander (Maple Leafs draft pick), Alexander Nylander is an immensely skilled forward and has the ability to create space for him to showcase his elite puck skills, vision and shot. Playing alongside Nylander on the AIK U20 team, Jesper Bratt is a two-way forward with speed to burn and a blue-collar work ethic. Undersized and physically raw defenseman Alexander Andersson owns some slick hands, shrewd hockey sense and a poised approach that helps spark the offense and quarterback the powerplay. Committed to the University of Minnesota, William Fällström is a complete two-way competitor who offers a good level of physicality and the awareness to be trusted in critical game moments.

Sweden is a team that lacks a true individual standout but the squad is comprised of some solid depth full of smart and competitive players. Look for Oskar Steen, a shifty winger with a quick release and some untapped offensive upside, and Linus Weissbach to act as forwards who have an ability to create offense on their own. Jacob Cederholm, younger brother to Vancouver Canucks draftee Anton, has already suited up in the SHL and will help the Swedes defend their zone. Niklas Andersson, the son of current Los Angeles scout and former NHLer Niklas Andersson, is already off to a hot start with the HV71 U18 team picking up six goals and 14 points through 10 games. It could be a coming out party for 5-foot-6 defenseman Oliver Horrsell as this offensive blueliner certainly knows how to fill the score sheet. Lastly, pivot Tim Wahlgren should earn plenty of minutes as his great hockey intelligence and sense for the game is evident in all three zones. Both of Sweden’s goaltenders, Filip Gustavsson and Gusten Lundh have the size and big-game pedigree to provide Sweden with great stability between the pipes.

Team FINLAND (Roster)

Without forwards Jesse Puljujärvi, Patrik Laine, defensemen Olli Juolevi and Jusso Välimäki, the Finns will unfortunately be missing some of their top talents from the `98 age group. However, Finland is a nation that has been pumping out some great prospects and their entry isn’t without talent. Kristian Vesalainen and Urho Vaakanainen are two of Finland`s top underagers. Vesalainen is already skating at 6-foot-2 and offers up confident puck skills, suffocating physicality and an impact shooting arsenal. Emil Oksanen is a skilled right-shooting forward playing for Blues Espoo and his game features a deceptive shot that seems to find the net with regularity. The 6-foot-1 left shooting Tappara forward Otto Mäkinen is the former teammate of Patrik Laine and he`s got an advanced playmaking skill set, featuring soft hands and creative vision. Look for Finland to rely upon their depth and play some defensive hockey, much like they`re known for, to compete in Group A.

Team RUSSIA (Roster)

The Under-17 tournament provides an opportunity for the North American hockey world to be introduced to the up-and-coming talent from overseas. As a result, there isn’t much familiarity with these players coming into the World U17 Hockey Challenge. Headlining the Russian team are forwards Dmitri Sokolov and Vitali Abramov. Undersized but extremely skilled, Vitali Abramov is considered a potential first round talent for the 2016 NHL Draft and he`s off to a great start with Belye Medvedi Chelyabinsk (MHL) scoring six goals and eight points (12 games). As good as Abramov is, it`s Dmitri Sokolov who projects as a potential Top 10 selection for the 2016 draft. The 6-foot-2 forward has racked up nine goals and 10 points through 13 games with Omskiye Yastreby Omsk (MHL). Russia will lean heavily on Sokolov and Abramov to provide the bulk of scoring but 6-foot-4 forward Nikita Popugaev (not to be confused with 5-foot-8 teammate Nikita O. Popugaev), Vladimir Kuznetsov and Vyacheslav Shevchenko should offer good secondary support.

Team SLOVAKIA (Roster)

Much like the Russian squad, Slovakia`s entry is a bit of a mystery. Forward Samuel Solensky is a pint-sized offensive making noise with HC Liberec`s U20 team with six goals and 16 points through the club's first 20 games. Viliam Cacho is a 5-foot-9 forward who has noteworthy playmaking skills and the offensive prowess to be considered a prospect for the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Cacho racked up eight goals and 44 points in 37 games playing up with Dukla Trencin's U20 club. Keep an eye on underagers Milos Roman, Patrik Hrehorcak and Adam Ruzicka to see how they handle the competition against older opponents.

Team CANADA WHITE (Roster)

The first of Canada’s three tournament entries may just be the most popular, at least among local fans. With Sarnia hosting the event, local fans can come out to cheer on their 2014 1st-overall selection in Jakob Chychrun and 2nd-round forward Jordan Kyrou as key members of Canada White. Chychrun and Kyrou have already stepped up in their rookie seasons and are playing top minutes. In addition to the familiar Sting faces, fans can expect to get excited about Ottawa 67`s two-way threat Travis Barron, Erie`s Taylor Raddysh, Moose Jaw's Brett Howden and high scoring BCHLer Tyson Jost.

Charlottetown winger Mitchell Balmas (who replaces the injured Hunter Moreau), Saginaw Spirit defender Keaton Middleton (who replaces Josh Mahura) and Soo Greyhounds top 2014 pick Anthony Salinitri (who replaces Dillon Dube) are excited about their renewed opportunity.

The strength of Canada White comes from their outstanding defensive core which starts with Jakob Chychrun, Medicine Hat's David Quenneville (brother of New Jersey Devils 2014 1st rounder John), Luke Green of Saint John, Gabriel Bilodeau of Val d'Or and ends with the outstanding Samuel Harvey in net.

Team CANADA BLACK (Roster)

Donning the black threads for Canada is potential Top 10 2016 NHL Draft prospect and 2013 1st-overall WHL pick Tyler Benson (Vancouver Giants), 2013 2nd-overall WHL selection Sam Steel (Regina Pats) and a slew of OHL 1st-rounders in Brandon Saigeon (Belleville Bulls), Matthew Hotchkiss (Guelph Storm), Chris Paquette (Niagara IceDogs), Zach Poirier (North Bay Battalion), Cliff Pu (Oshawa Generals) and Reagan O'Grady (Kingston Frontenacs). Canada Black features some underrated scoring depth with the likes of Nolan Volcan (Seattle Thunderbirds), Pascal Laberge (Gatineau Olympiques) and Pierre-Luc Dubois (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles) who are all off to strong starts in their respective junior leagues.

On the blueline, look for Brandon Wheat Kings Kale Clague, Shawinigan's Samuel Girard, London Knights' Tyler Nother to help solidify the defensive zone in front of 6-foot-4 goaltender Stuart Skinner (Lethbridge Hurricanes) and Reilly Pickard (Baie-Comeau Drakker) who will share crease duties.

Team CANADA RED (Roster)

A quick glance down the roster for Canada Red will certainly appear as if Hockey Canada formed an All-Ontarian team as 11 players are from the Ontario Hockey League including exceptional defender Sean Day (Mississauga Steelheads), a potential 2016 Top 3 draft prospect. Joining Day on the blueline from the OHL is the intelligent Matthew Timms (Peterborough Petes), big tough Windsor Spitfire Logan Stanley and slick skating Knight Victor Mete. On the front lines, dazzling puck rusher Michael McLeod (Mississauga Steelheads), dangler Tye Felhaber (Saginaw Spirit), sniper Adam Mascherin (Kitchener Rangers), clutch forward William Bitten (Plymouth Whalers), power forward Givani Smith (Barrie Colts) and top 2016 prospect Logan Brown (Windsor Spitfires) will all represent the OHL. In total, eight of the OHL's Top 20 selections from the 2014 draft are competing for Canada Red.

Beyond the tremendous "potential" firepower from the Ontario top picks (McLeod, Mascherin, Felhaber and Brown), Canada Red may have three of the most productive 98s in the nation in Wheat Kings forward Nolan Patrick (15-4-8-12), William Bitten (13-3-6-9) and Kamloops Blazer Jake Kryski (16-5-6-11).

Blueline soldiers outside of Ontario will consist of BCHL stud Dante Fabbro, Sherbrooke's Thomas Gregoire and Victoriaville's Guillaume Beck - all fantastic defensive prospects. With goaltenders Dylan Wells (Peterborough Petes) and 6-foot-4 Phoenix puckstopper Evan Fitzpatrick in net, goals against should be held to a minimum.

On paper, Canada Red may have the best opportunity to end the red and white's three year drought of a World Under-17 Hockey Challenge gold medal. If I were a betting man (and I am), I would look towards Canada Red as the best chance to unseat the Americans.

With exhibition play slated to kick off Halloween night and the tournament commencing on Sunday, the shores of Lake Huron will be home to some outstanding world-class talent looking to make their country proud in hopes of taking home the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge gold medal.

Follow @RossyYoungblood on Twitter as he covers the entirety of the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.