Cross Hanas – McKeen's Hockey

2024 NHL Prospect Pool Rankings: Detroit Red Wings Take No. 1 Spot – The Yzerplan takes root

Josh Bell — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 11:36:04 +0000

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 03: Detroit Red Wings center Nate Danielson (29) controls the puck during warm-ups before a game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks on October 3, 2023 at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire)

When Detroit Red Wings legend Steve Yzerman was hired as the general manager for his former team back in 2019, Red Wings’ fans placed their faith in the ‘Yzerplan’. Five years later, the new general manager has the Original Six team on the upswing, and the prospect cupboard is extremely full of future talent. It does seem safe to say that the Yzerplan is coming together.

Yzerman was brought in after the club saw their remarkable 25-year playoff run come to an end, followed by three consecutive seasons of failing to make the playoffs under the previous regime. While Yzerman and company have yet to crack the playoffs themselves, although came close this season, it’s hard not to have hope for this young group.

Before diving into the prospects that carried Detroit to the No. 1 spot on McKeen’s Hockey farm system rankings, let’s consider the two young pieces that have been drafted by Yzerman and have already made the jump and thus don’t even factor into this ranking. In 2019, with his first selection at the helm, Yzerman drafted German defender Moritz Seider - now a Calder Trophy winner and the team’s No. 1 defender. He followed that up in 2020 with Swedish forward Lucas Raymond - already a top-line winger.

From Yzerman’s first five drafts, those are the only two graduates at this point. Patience is a key aspect of the Yzerplan, and that patience looks like it’s about to pay off as a number of these pieces on the outside look poised to make the jump in the very near future.

This farm system is about to take a big hit though as top prospect Simon Edvinsson already looks to have solidified his spot with the big club, suiting up for 16 games this season including playing a big role for the Red Wings down the stretch as they pushed for a playoff spot. The Swedish defender has seen steady growth since Detroit called his name sixth overall in 2021, moving to the SHL and then the AHL. The No. 11-ranked prospect on McKeen’s Hockey’s prospect ranking, Edvinsson’s confidence with the puck on his stick stands out, thanks to his remarkable puck handling ability.

A knock on Edvinsson in the past has been his defensive game and his decision-making, but both have taken significant strides. He can be relied upon in his own end and can be put out in any situation that the coach needs him. He’s figured out how to use his 6-foot-6, 216-pound frame to his advantage, both with his body to rub people off the puck or to create separation, or utilizing his reach to disrupt opposition plays. He’s very much on his way to becoming a top-four, two-way defender for the Wings.

The Red Wings have shown that they have a type in recent years, targeting Swedish defenders. Since 2019, other than Edvinsson, the organization has drafted Albert Johansson (60th overall in 2019 - ranked 15th for the Wings by McKeen’s), Gustav Berglund (177th in 2019 - not ranked), William Wallinder (32nd overall in 2020 - ranked eighth), Anton Johansson (105th in 2022 - not ranked), and Axel Sandin Pellikka (17th in 2023 - ranked fourth).

The highlight of that group is one of the newest additions, Axel Sandin Pellikka. Ranked 33rd overall in McKeen’s prospect ranking, the Swede is an impressive offensive threat, thanks to his ability to read the ice, his strong four-way mobility, and his excellent straight-line speed. He can dictate the pace of play and while he’s on the smaller side based on NHL standards, he’s not afraid to get physical. It’s not hard to imagine him next to Seider or Edvinsson and quarterbacking a power play in Motor City.

The other ‘big’ name to pay attention to is William Wallinder. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound defender just played his first full season in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins, and while it looks like he’ll need at least one more season there to continue his development, there’s a ton of promise to his game. He has the confidence, mobility, playmaking and the processing ability to be an impact player in a bottom-four role. He’s still a bit raw and needs to continue to improve his decision-making, but he’s on his way.

Another to mention is Albert Johansson - yet another Swede who fits the mould. He’s big (6-foot-4, 196 pounds), he’s physical, and he moves well for a d-man of his size. He could be on his way to a bottom-pairing, penalty-killing role with the Wings.

Outside of the Swedes but staying with defenders, Shai Buium is another promising piece that’s working his way up the ranks. After three years and a national title with the University of Denver, Buium has signed with the Red Wings and has already dressed for his first AHL game. The 2021 36th overall pick looks to be a stable, intelligent player who could play up and down the defensive lineup. He moves the puck well, has the skill to make an impact offensively, and defends very well with his gap control and stick work.

The last defenseman worth a call-out is Andrew Gibson. A lesser-known prospect compared to the rest of the names on this list, Gibson was taken 42nd overall in the 2023 NHL Draft from the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds, where he’s spent the past two seasons working his way to becoming one of the most impressive two-way defenders in the league. He uses his 6-foot-3 frame well, plays physically, and could be utilized in a shut-down role if called upon. There’s potential for him to become a No. 6-7 guy.

Detroit Red Wings Goalie Sebastian Cossa (33) (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire)

While the defence looks extremely promising, the Red Wings future looks even better in the crease. Headlined by one of the best goaltending prospects in the world, Sebastien Cossa, the goaltending crop is extremely enviable. Cossa, drafted 15th overall in 2021, has the makings of a future No. 1. The 6-foot-6 netminder is confident, athletic, and technically sounds. His reflexes are excellent, and the power he commands in the net is clear. He’s looked very comfortable in his AHL rookie season, and the NHL doesn’t seem too far away.

But Cossa’s not the only potential No. 1 in the system. The Red Wings drafted a safety net in 2023, 41st overall, by selecting Trey Augustine from the USNTDP. One of the most patient, poised goalies out there, the young goaltender is a reliable, focused player who tracks well, controls the puck well, and moves quickly. He likely develops into a strong backup, but there’s the possibility he becomes a very strong 1B.

Before moving on to the forward group, keep an eye on Czech netminder Jan Bednar, drafted 107th overall in 2020. He just wrapped up a very strong rookie season in the ECHL and looks poised to continue to rise.

Looking at the Red Wings’ pool, the defence is big and mobile and the goaltenders are confident and athletic. Both are likely the top positional prospect groups of any team in the NHL right now. The forwards in the system may not be ranked at the very top of the league overall right now, but there’s a ton of skill and a variety of player types knocking on the door.

CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 13: Grand Rapids Griffins center Marco Kasper (92) shoots the puck during the third period of the American Hockey League game between the Grand Rapids Griffins and Cleveland Monsters on February 13, 2024, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire)

You can really take your pick at the top, with centremen Nate Danielson or Marco Kasper. Danielson, taken ninth overall in 2023 and McKeen’s No. 2 prospect in the Detroit system, brings a highly competitive edge, leadership, and consistency. His game looks like it should translate so easily to the pro level despite lacking a specific high-level trait or dynamic ability. He looks like he should become a very strong 2 or 3C.

While McKeen’s placed Kasper just behind Danielson, it’s definitely not for a lack of skill. The Austrian forward, drafted eighth overall in 2022, looks like he’s on his way to becoming an impact player. He plays a very mature game, is patient with the puck, isn’t afraid to dive into puck battles, and brings strong two-way ability. Any coach should feel confident to throw him on the ice in any situation. Like Danielson, Kasper looks like he’s on his way to a role as a middle-six pivot.

There’s a bit of a drop in skill after these two forwards, but there are a handful of pieces who look like they could fit into bottom-six, role-player types. Just like the defenders, the forwards seem to fit a mould - they are hard-working, competitive, and reliable. Carter Mazur headlines this group, as he continues to outperform his 70th-overall selection in 2021 and could even slide into a middle-six position.

The lone Russian drafted under Yzerman, Dmitri Buchelnikov was selected 52nd overall in 2022 and might just be a sneaky selection soon. He doesn’t fit the typical pick from the Red Wings as he’s undersized at 5-foot-10, 170 pounds, but does he ever have skill. He’s a goal scorer who can put the puck in the net in so many different ways. He’s so good at creating separation and finding the open ice. Don’t be surprised if he comes over in 2025-26 and impresses at the NHL level immediately.

The Red Wings' future is extremely bright. With the team already heading in the right direction, some of these players mentioned, and others including Elmer Soderblom, Noah Dower-Nilsson, Amadeus Lombardi, Dylan James, Red Savage, and Cross Hanas, should continue to build on this momentum as they graduate to the NHL. The Red Wings are very much a team to look out for - and soon.

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – DETROIT RED WINGS – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #3

Brock Otten, Derek Neumeier, Chapin Landvogt and Josh Bell — Sat, 30 Sep 2023 17:46:58 +0000

Nate Danielson. Photo by Erica Perreaux.

Top 20 Detroit Red Wing Prospects

1. Simon Edvinsson

One of the most promising prospects in the league, the Detroit Red Wings bet big on Edvinsson in the 2021 NHL Draft, calling his name sixth overall. He had a solid draft year bouncing between the SHL, HockeyAllsvenskan, and J20 Nationell but popped in his DY+1 season, fully spent in the SHL, where he was named the top junior player in the league. He then signed his entry-level deal and was playing in the AHL last season as a bright spot on a struggling team. He has the ideal size at 6- 6”, 215 pounds, he has excellent hands, is a very strong skater, with high-end vision, and his confidence seemed to be improving with every game. He has a big reach and greatly improved his defensive game last season. He’s the type of player that will be leading an NHL team from the back end and with his NHL debut already under his belt, he’s not far off.

2. Marco Kasper - C

The Red Wings were back picking in the top 10 in the 2022 NHL Draft, where they plucked Kasper eighth overall. The Austrian centreman spent the past three seasons playing in Sweden, seeing increasing time at the SHL level with Rogle BK. He already plays like a pro, highlighted by his calm demeanour and patience under pressure. He has a strong two-way presence already, playing hard at both ends of the ice even when the puck isn’t on his stick. Kaspar is an intelligent player who plays a highly competitive game, mixed in with some creativity and impressive skill. He looks like a safe bet to be a top six forward at the NHL level, likely slotting in as the second-line centre if not the eventual first liner. There’s so much to like about his game, with very little weakness. He’s already signed to an ELC, and has played in his first NHL game, so don’t expect him to take much longer.

3. Nate Danielson - C

Danielson is able to impact almost every facet of a game, routinely leaving his fingerprints all over his shifts. He is a fantastic skater with long, crisp strides who can cover a ton of ice in a hurry without requiring a lot of energy. It almost looks like he's not even exerting himself at times as he flies past opponents and down the ice, or catches them on the backcheck. The amount of offense he can generate off the rush is absurd, easily getting around defenders to open up passing lanes or winning races to the backdoor to get there first for easy tap-ins. He's constantly sending passes to the net-front or skating there himself looking for chances. Danielson is not necessarily bad when he has to slow things down and play in tight spaces, but he's generally less proficient that way. Overall, his game is a little predictable at the moment. While he might never be someone who scores more than 70 points in a season, it's easy to foresee him nevertheless becoming a top six center who can play on both special teams and match up well defensively against opponents’ top lines.

4. Axel Sandin Pellikka - D

In the minds of some in the business, the Detroit Red Wings picked the draft’s most talented defenseman 17th overall this summer, from their favorite scouting grounds in Sweden. In Sandin-Pellikka, you not only have one of the ‘23 draft’s shiftiest, headiest, and most creative defenseman, but also a player who was found across the globe throughout last season. From the Hlinka Gretzky Cup until the gold medal game at the U18 Worlds (11 points and a +8 in 7 games), Sandin-Pellikka suited up for a whopping 114 games between his SHL club, its junior program, and Sweden's U18 & U20 national teams. Together with the U18, U20, and pro action conducted for his Skelleftea club, his activity also included Champions Hockey League and the 5 Nations Tournament competition. At all levels, we were constantly exposed to what was basically a full portfolio of Sandin-Pellikka’s wares, witnessing his creativity, on-ice intelligence, athleticism, and three-zone headiness. We would be remiss not to point out that he didn’t just play in a lot of games, but received heavy minutes in the biggest ones, including 24:17 minutes of play for Sweden in the WJC semifinal and another 27:27 in the gold medal game. Possessing all the attributes of a classic blueline quarterback, Sandin-Pellikka will continue his march to the NHL this season in a boosted role with both title-hungry Skelleftea and Sweden’s WJC entry.

5. William Wallinder - D

If one towering, Swedish defender in the system wasn’t enough - how about two? At 6- 4”, 190 pounds, Wallinder is a confident, mobile defender that excels in transition. Selected 32nd overall in 2020 out of the J20 SuperElit, he spent the next season in the HockeyAllsvenskan with MoDo Hockey before moving to Rogle, spending the following two seasons in the SHL, taking noticeable steps forward in his game along the way. Some early concerns in his game were his processing and his defensive play, both of which have looked much better lately. He was rewarded for that by signing his entry-level deal with the Red Wings, heading overseas to start his North American career. He’s an all-situations rearguard who, while still a bit raw, has all of the tools to be a strong, top-four NHL defender - and doesn’t seem that far off.

6. Sebastian Cossa - G

Cossa has the potential to be something special. A massive goaltending prospect at 6-6”, he dominated the WHL for three seasons - ultimately winning the league championship in 2021-22 and being named a First Team All-Star. The goaltender made the jump to the pros last season, spending most of his campaign in the ECHL with the Toledo Walleye. It wasn’t a perfect season, but he improved as the season rolled on, ultimately being named as a replacement player in the ECHL All-Star Game. He’s athletic, strong, his reflexes are excellent, and his movement is surprisingly agile for a netminder of his size. He can get himself in trouble by getting lost in heavy traffic and his five-hole is a regular concern, but the upside is real. He’s still very young and has time to work on the gaps in his game. He has the potential to become a clear-cut No. 1 in the NHL.

7. Carter Mazur - LW

The ascension of Mazur has been very real since the Red Wings nabbed him 70th overall back in the 2021 NHL Draft. Plucked out of the USHL as the captain of the Tri-City Storm, the winger was good, but not a top prospect by any means. Now with two years at the University of Denver under his belt, the prospect has already signed his NHL entry-level deal and has made the jump to the AHL. Mazur’s work ethic has been on display throughout his NCAA career and is a big part of the move to the professional game. He’s highly competitive and can be thrown into any role in the lineup and succeed. He has a strong body, great instincts, and knows how to find the twine. He could very easily carve out a middle-six role for himself in the not-too-distant future.

8. Trey Augustine – G

A 2023 second round selection of the Detroit Red Wings, the extremely battle-tested Augustine joins an ever-growing cupboard of solid goaltending prospects in Detroit’s system. Having gained considerable experience in the 2021-22season thanks to time split with the USNTDP’s U17 and U18squads, Augustine eventually found himself pitching a 3-1record for the US in earning silver at the 2022 U18 Worlds. He entered this season primed for plenty of ice time, ultimately collecting an impressive 29-1-2 with the U18 NTDP with a .926 save percentage. A strong bronze medal showing at the WJC paved his path to an outstanding gold medal performance at the 2023 U18 Worlds, putting up a perfect6-0 record accompanied by almost unheard of numbers, namely a 1.61 GAA and .934 save percentage. Of somewhat average size for a modern goaltender, Augustine shines with technically well-schooled movements complemented by extremely strong positional play, solid agility, and a strong reading of the game. He’ll attend Michigan State University this fall, tagging up on a multi-year journey of development with his former USNTDP coach Adam Nightingale.

9. Dmitri Buchelnikov - LW

Buchelnikov is proof that the Red Wings will always bet on skill and upside. The Russian winger may only stand at 5- 9”, 150 pounds, but the offensive game he possesses makes him stand three feet taller. He tore up the MHL in his draft year, collecting 75 points in 56 games. Last season, he took a step forward, spending most of his time in the VHL, continuing with his offensive success against men. He uses his impressive edges and quick hands to gain position, and then boasts a surprising toolbox of shots. He has a fearlessness in his game. The big questions remaining are around his size and how he’ll translate to the NHL, but so far against men, he has put those concerns to bed. Buchelnikov is signed with SKA-1946 St. Petersburg through 2024-25, so he’ll also have a couple more years to develop in Russia before he makes the jump to North America.https://www.mckeenshockey.com/players/shai-buium/

10. Shai Buium - D

Spending the past two seasons with Mazur at the University of Denver, Buium has cemented himself as a strong two-way presence on the backend. He was drafted 36th overall in 2021 from the USHL’s Sioux City Musketeers, his only season with the team before heading to college where he won a national title as a rookie. While he can contribute offensively, he leans more to the defensive side of things, playing a very well-rounded game in his own zone. The defender is an intelligent player, and it shows in his reading and anticipation of the play. He rarely makes a mistake with the puck. Buium has some physicality in his game and has a strong first pass. His skating still needs some fine-tuning to help take him to that next level, at which point he could slide into a bottom-four defensive pairing

11. Amadeus Lombardi - LW

A breakout season in the OHL with Flint has many in the Detroit system and fanbase optimistic about Lombardi’s chances of developing into a quality middle six forward. He is a terrific playmaker and could move surprisingly fast through the system if he adapts to the pro level quickly.

12. Elmer Soderblom - RW

The massive winger had a very promising first year in North America, splitting time between Detroit and AHL Grand Rapids. While his offensive ceiling might be limited, there is some hope that he can be a Tomas Holmstrom type.

13. Albert Johansson - D

A strong skating defender who is a former second round selection of the Wings. While his performance as an AHL rookie last year was not poor, Detroit will be looking for him to step up his game as a sophomore, improving his confidence at both ends.

14. Andrew Gibson - D

Gibson is a real heart and soul kind of defender. He competes physically. He blocks shots. He is a future leader. He might just have some untapped offensive upside that he can tap into over the next two years in the OHL.

15. Noah Dower Nilsson - LW

After drafting his older brother Liam last year, the Wings took Noah in the 2023 draft. Noah is the better athlete and has the higher offensive ceiling thanks to his playmaking chops and creativity. He will look to become an SHL regular this year.

16. Antti Tuomisto - D

Tuomisto left the University of Denver early to play pro in Finland with TPS and that decision appears to have been a good one for his development. The big defender probably doesn’t have significant offensive upside, but his length and mobility give him intriguing defensive upside as he starts his pro journey in North America this year.

17. Cross Hanas - LW

Hanas missed a good chunk of his rookie AHL season with an upper body injury, but he played well upon returning. He is one of the most naturally gifted offensive players in Detroit’s system. His hands and creativity are terrific.

18. Dylan James - LW

A second-round pick in 2022, James is a competitive slot presence who should develop into an excellent complementary offensive piece. His freshman year at UND wasn’t terrific, but he should be better as a sophomore.

19. Theodor Niederbach - C

The Wings are still waiting for Niederbach to take that next step as an offensive force in Sweden. After a tough year in the Rogle system last year, he has switched to MoDo this year, where he can hopefully get his development back on track.

20. Redmond Savage - C

The former captain of the U.S. U18 team, Savage has been great internationally for the U.S. at the last two World Juniors but has had less luck with NCAA Miami (Ohio). That’s why he entered the transfer portal and is headed to Michigan State for 2023-24.

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #5 Detroit Red Wings

Josh Bell — Wed, 24 May 2023 13:24:00 +0000

Prospect System Ranking – 5^th (11^th last year)

The Yzerplan now enters its fifth year, with yet another high draft pick to show for their efforts following a seventh year out of the playoffs. Steve Yzerman took over in April 2019 and has overseen four drafts to date. He has had four top ten picks in that time, delivering Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider who are fixtures in the line-up and Simon Edvinsson, who made his NHL debut in nine games, and looks not far off from the NHL. He also added Marco Kasper last year at 8^th overall. Kasper has signed his entry-level contract and has the intelligence and two-way game that should translate to a spot in the line-up before too long. They are joined by the sixth ranked goaltending prospect Sebastien Cossa, a massive goaltender who shows tremendous potential. The system is not only strong at the top, but it is deep with 10 prospects in our top 200.

Yzerman enters the 2023 draft with five picks in the first two rounds. He also owns five first-round picks over the next three drafts, moving Tyler Bertuzzi and Filip Hronek to acquire the extras. Entering the season, the team was aggressive in free agency, Adding David Perron and Andrew Copp, and Ben Chiarot among others. When it was clear the results were not what they were hoping for, he was quick to move veteran pieces for picks. If you look at his moves at the 2021 NHL Draft, he moved three picks to move up to #15 to acquire Cossa, and two picks to move up to #36 to acquire Shai Buium. Signing Dylan Larkin to an eight-year extension signaled a desire to see the team begin to win now. The foundation has been laid with some excellent talent, already impacting the roster. He will look to add pieces that can help sooner rather than later.

MONTREAL, QC - APRIL 04: Simon Edvinsson (3) of the Detroit Red Wings passes the puck during the first period of the NHL game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Montreal Canadiens on April 4, 2023, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC(Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire)

Simon Edvinsson

One of the most promising prospects in the league, the Detroit Red Wings bet big on Simon Edvinsson in the 2021 NHL Draft, calling his name sixth overall. He had a solid draft year bouncing between the SHL, HockeyAllsvenskan, and J20 Nationell but popped in his DY+1 season, fully in the SHL, where he was named the top junior player. He then signed his entry-level deal and has been playing in the AHL as a bright spot on a struggling team. He has the size at 6-foot-6, 215 pounds, he has excellent hands, has very strong skating, high-end vision, and his confidence seemed to be improving every game. He has a big reach and has improved his defensive game this season. He’s the type of player that will be leading an NHL Team from the back end and with his NHL debut already under his belt, he’s not far off.

2. Marco Kasper

The Red Wings were back in the top 10 in the 2022 NHL Draft, where they plucked Marco Kasper eighth overall. The Austrian centreman has spent the past three seasons playing in Sweden, seeing increasing time at the SHL level with Rogle BK. He already plays like a pro, highlighted by his calm demeanour and patience under pressure. He has a strong two-way presence already, playing hard in both ends of the ice even when the puck isn’t on his stick. He’s an intelligent player that plays a highly competitive game, mixed in with some creativity and impressive skill. He looks like a safe bet to be a top-six forward at the NHL, likely slotting in as the second-line centre if not the eventual first. There’s so much to like about his game, with very little weakness. He’s already signed, so keep an eye on him to head overseas in the near future.

3. William Wallinder

If one towering, Swedish defender in the system wasn’t enough - how about two? At 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, William Wallinder is a confident, mobile defender that excels in transition. Selected 32nd overall in 2020 out of the J20 SuperElit, Wallinder spent the next season in the HockeyAllsvenkan with MODO Hockey before moving to Rogle and spending the following two seasons in the SHL, taking noticeable steps forward in his game along the way. Some early concerns in his game were his processing and his defensive play, both of which have looked much better as of late. He was rewarded for that by recently signing his entry-level deal with the Red Wings, heading overseas to start his North American career. He’s an all-situations rearguard who while still a bit raw, has all of the tools to be a strong, top-four NHL defender - and doesn’t seem that far off.

4. Sebastian Cossa

Sebastian Cossa has the potential to be something special. A massive goaltending prospect at 6-foot-6, he dominated the WHL for three seasons - ultimately winning the league championship in 2021-22 and being named a First Team All-Star. The goaltender has made the jump to the pros this season, spending most of his campaign in the ECHL with the Toledo Walleye. It hasn’t been a perfect season, but he’s improved as the season has rolled on, ultimately being named as a replacement player in the ECHL All-Star Game. He’s athletic, strong, his reflexes are excellent, and his movement is surprisingly agile for a netminder of his size. He can get himself in trouble by getting lost in heavy traffic and his five-hole is a regular concern, but the upside is real. He’s still very young and has time to work on the gaps in his game. He has the potential to become a clear-cut No. 1.

5. Carter Mazur

The ascension of Carter Mazur has been very real since the Red Wings nabbed him 70th overall back in the 2021 NHL Draft. Plucked out of the USHL as the captain of the Tri-City Storm, the winger was good, but not a top prospect by any means. Fast forward to now, with two years at the University of Denver under his belt, the prospect has already signed his NHL entry-level deal and has made the jump to the AHL. Mazur’s work ethic has been on display throughout his NCAA career and is a big part of the jump to the AHL. He’s highly competitive and can be thrown into any role in the lineup and succeed. He’s a strong body, has great instincts, and knows how to find the twine. He could very easily carve out a middle-six role for himself in the not-too-distant future.

6. Dmitri Buchelnikov

Dmitri Buchelnikov is proof that the Red Wings will always bet on skill and upside. The Russian winger may stand at 5-foot-9, 150 pounds, but the offensive game he possesses makes him stand three feet taller. He tore up the MHL in his draft year, collecting 75 points in 56 games. This season, he took a step forward and spent most of his time in the VHL, continuing with his offensive success against men. He uses his impressive edges and quick hands to gain position and then boasts a surprising toolbox of shots. He’s fearless in his game. The big questions are around his size and how he’ll translate to the NHL, but so far against men, he’s put those concerns to bed. He’s signed with SKA-1946 St. Petersburg through 2024-25, so he’ll also have a couple more years to develop in Russia before he makes the jump to North America.

7. Amadeus Lombardi

One of the biggest risers of the 2022-23 season has been Amadeus Lombardi. The centreman is in just his sophomore season in the OHL with the Flint Firebirds, and after a respectable rookie year (59 points in 67 games) he’s exploded this season for over 100 points. Lombardi is a very strong skater, who never seems to take his foot off the gas. He’s proven that he’s a dual threat, being able to feed the middle or finish things on his own. The Red Wings selected him 113th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft, and just a few months later saw all they needed to see to sign him to his entry-level deal. He’ll take some time before he gets to the NHL but could see time in the AHL sooner rather than later. He’s likely a bottom-six winger at the next level, but one that could play up the lineup when called upon.

8. Elmer Soderblom

While the size of Edvinsson and Wallinder is impressive, Elmer Soderblom isn’t intimidated standing at 6-foot-8, 247-pounds. As a winger with his size, you wouldn’t expect him to be a skilled player, but that’s exactly what he is. Drafted 159th overall in 2019 after his rookie season in the J20 SuperElit, he took a huge step forward in 2019-20, leading the league in goals (29) and the South division in points (38). He continued his upward trend through two years in the SHL before coming over to North America this season where he split his time between the AHL and NHL. His hands are excellent, he excels at driving the middle of the ice, and he already seems comfortable in the NHL. Expect him to graduate from this list very soon and don’t be surprised when he locks down a middle-six role for himself.

9. Shai Buium

Spending the past two seasons with Mazur at the University of Denver, Shai Buium has cemented himself as a strong two-way presence on the backend. He was drafted 36th overall in 2021 from the USHL’s Sioux City Musketeers, his only season with the team before heading to Denver to win a National Title as a rookie. While he can contribute offensively, he leans more to the defensive side of things, playing a very well-rounded game in his own zone. The defender is an intelligent player, and it shows in his reading and anticipation of the play. You’ll rarely catch him making a mistake with the puck. He has some physicality in his game and has a strong first pass. His skating does need some fine-tuning to help take him to that next level, at which point he could slide in well to a bottom-four defensive unit.

10. Albert Johansson

Along with Soderblom, Albert Johansson was selected in the 2019 NHL Draft out of the J20 SuperElit and has seen excellent progression since then in Sweden before making the jump to North America this season. The defender spent the last three seasons in the SHL with Farjestad BK, taking a notable step forward each year. He’s spent this season with the Grand Rapids Griffins and looks poised to take the next step in the near future. While his ceiling isn’t overly high, he’s carved out a desired role for himself as a defender that can drive play through transition, whether through his strong passing or his fluid, quick skating. As seems to be a trend with Red Wings prospects, he’s a very intelligent player that looks ready to take the next step. He may just slot in as a bottom-pair defender, but he’ll excel in that role.

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – DETROIT RED WINGS – Top 20 Prospects

Sun, 18 Sep 2022 17:47:31 +0000

Simon Edvinsson D

Edvinsson was selected with the 6^th overall pick by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2021 NHL draft. Detroit has recently invested heavily in Swedish prospects drafting at least seven Swedish players combined over the last four drafts. Edvinsson has a unique set of traits that makes him a high-upside prospect. He has an unfair combination of size and speed, standing at 6’6” while having a smooth, powerful skating stride. Defensively, he has great gap control, can defend the rush and uses his physical abilities to bully forwards off the puck. Edvinsson’s ability to transition the puck is unique as he has puck control due to his large frame, good puck skills, and an elite skating ability. Where he could improve is his ability to make smart decisions under pressure and upgrade his shot from the point. This past season Edvinsson was given a true role in the SHL playing roughly 20 minutes a night and producing 19 points in 44 games for Frolunda. More recently, Edvinsson anchored the Swedish World Junior blue line. While his offensive production wasn’t evident, he played a solid top-pair role on the Swedish team and contributed to their bronze medal win over Czechia. He will most likely play another season in the SHL where he will look to polish his game and improve his decision making before taking on a role in Detroit. If Edvinsson reaches his full potential, Detroit will have a monster duo on the backend with he and Seider for many years to come. - ZS

Marco Kasper C

Detroit went back to the SHL with their 8^th overall pick in this year’s draft, selecting Austrian centre Marco Kasper. Detroit has been lacking centre depth in their farm system for the past few seasons and addressed with the selection of the two-way centre. Kasper was a favourite of many scouts in the NHL community this year due to his ability to play a mature game in an established role in the SHL as a 17-year-old. His combination of puck control and patience with the puck intrigued many NHL teams leading up to the draft. His ability to be a factor in all three zones of the ice and transition the puck smoothly has stood out. While there is nothing that truly stands out as elite about Kasper’s game, it is extremely well-rounded and mature for someone his age. He still has the chance to fill out his frame and become a menace with the puck. This past season, Kasper played a middle-six centre role for Rögle BK, finishing the season with 11 points in 46 games. He truly stood out in the playoffs where he was able to produce for his team when they needed it the most, finishing the SHL playoffs with six points in 13 games as his team made a run to the semi-finals. Kasper will most likely begin the next season back with Rögle BK looking to establish himself in a top-six role and enhance his offensive game. - ZS

Jonatan Berggren RW

An early 2^nd rounder in 2018, Detroit has seen no reason to rush the well-built 5’11” winger who has been forcing himself into the conversation on a yearly basis. Already an SHL regular with strong U18 Worlds and WJC performances under his belt, Berggren had a historical 20-21 season in Sweden when his 33 assists and 45 points in 49 games were the second highest number of assists by any U21 SHL forward ever. True to Red Wings form, Berggren headed to North America only after having developed into an impact player in his home nation. Whereas fellow Swede Lucas Raymond rightfully garnered all the attention in Motown this past season, Berggren was just up the road in Grand Rapids picking up right where he left off in the SHL, putting up 64 points in 70 AHL games. Despite a -18 rating, Berggren brings a typically Swedish understanding for working in all three zones and without the puck as a means of having more time with the puck. The question is now whether he can crack a Red Wings line-up that is filled with options after being as active as any team on the free agent market, supplementing the team’s strong prospect-core. Another year of AHL hockey would seem likely, but if the Red Wings suffer a lack of production, Berggren could receive his first NHL opportunity. – CL

Sebastian Cossa G

Cossa's 2021-22 season was not quite as impressive as the one prior, but the Red Wings chose him 15th overall in the 2021 draft because of his enormous long-term upside, and that still exists as it did before. It's not like his year was entirely bad — he did, after all, backstop the Edmonton Oil Kings first to a division title and then a league championship, and he was then part of Canada's gold medal-winning roster at the World Juniors this past August. On the flip side of that coin, he wasn't always a positive difference-maker on a stacked Oil Kings team that could win without relying on him, his Memorial Cup performance was pedestrian, and he sat on Canada's bench as the backup in the elimination games. In terms of physical tools, Cossa has everything that a team could want in net. His huge frame helps him naturally cover a lot of net, his long limbs allow him to take away corners from shooters, and he backs up his size with surprising quickness and high-end athleticism. His lanky limbs do get him into trouble right now, as pucks squeak under his arms more often than they should. He is also prone to over-committing while moving laterally, and he has trouble cleaning up messes in and around his crease. One shift he'll look unbeatable, but the next he'll give up a goal that could have been scored with a beach ball, so reigning in that inconsistency will be a top priority moving forward. He should be turning pro for 2022-23 and could one day become the next franchise goaltender of the Red Wings, so long as they are patient and attentive with his development. - DN

Albert Johansson D

The 60^th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, Albert Johansson has continued to develop his play as a two-way defenceman with offensive upside. One of the many Detroit Red Wings’ prospects from Sweden, Johansson has spent the past three seasons playing for Färjestad BK in the SHL. He has gradually been able to improve his point total throughout those three seasons producing 13, 19 and 25 points, respectively. The 25 points he scored this season was the most among defenceman aged 21 and under in the SHL. This past season, he was given a top-four role playing roughly 18-22 minutes a night. While there may not be many areas of Johansson’s game that are elite, his game as a whole is well rounded. He is the typical modern-day mobile, puck moving defenceman. He is a fluid skater with the ability to scan the ice and transition the puck to the offensive end. Johansson’s playmaking ability has allowed him to gain a larger role in the offence, and he has been more willing to get involved in the offensive zone this past season. While he has shown to be a fairly solid defender in Sweden, Johansson could benefit from tightening up his gap control as he looks to make the next step towards an NHL career. After signing his ELC, Johansson is expected to make his way over to North America where he will establish a role in the Grand Rapids top-four, Detroit’s AHL team. At worst, Johansson projects to have a role in Detroit’s future top-six. - ZS

William Wallinder D

Wallinder was selected with the 32^nd pick in the 2020 NHL Draft by the Detroit Red Wings. He is seen as a high-upside defenceman as he stands at 6’4” and was considered one of the most refined skaters in his draft class. He is extremely athletic, which was evident this past season as his raw talent was beginning to come to fruition. In a top-four role for Rögle BK in the SHL this year, Wallinder produced 19 points in 47 games playing roughly 18-22 minutes a night. His four-way mobility is what stands out. It is a major asset when looking at his transition game, where he uses his combination of size and speed to protect the puck and transition it to the offensive zone. Over the past season, he has started to polish both his shot and decision making, allowing him to feel more comfortable making plays. He recently played for Sweden in the August World Juniors where he displayed his ability to be a force in transition and finished the tournament with three points in seven games, helping Sweden capture bronze. Wallinder is most likely heading back to Rögle BK next season in a similar top-four role, looking to improve his comfort level and make quicker decisions. Wallinder has the upside to play in Detroit’s top-four in the future. - ZS

Elmer Soderblom RW

Soderblom is a former 6^th round (159^th overall) selection by the Detroit Red Wings from the 2019 NHL draft. In his draft year, he had underperformed in the J20 league, producing only 17 points in 44 games, however the raw tools and freakish size was enough for the Wings to take a flyer on him. So far that flyer has paid off well, as Soderblom has since put the pieces together and rounded out his offensive game, dominating the J20 league back in 2020, finishing with 55 points in 36 games. He has a rare combination of extreme size at 6’8” and elite hands. His dynamic hands allow him to weave the puck in tight, which he combines with his monstrous stature to bring the puck to the net. Soderblom has also improved his shot and shot selection over time. He has timed his shots better and has improved his accuracy, finishing this past season with 21 goals in 52 SHL games. He has followed up on his impressive regular season by contributing in the playoffs with six points in nine games. In order to succeed at the next level, Soderblom should continue to work on his mobility. He often relies on his length and reach and slows his feet, allowing the opposition to avoid poke checks and burst by him. Next season, Soderblom looks to transition to North America, most likely earning a role with Detroit’s AHL team Grand Rapids. - ZS

Shai Buium D

Despite being a relatively inexperienced defenseman who wouldn’t turn 19 until the spring of his freshman season, the University of Denver Pioneers saw it fit to trust Shai Buium as a workhorse defenseman last season, giving him the third-most minutes per night of any of their blueliners and trusting him to handle special teams’ duty. Buium, the 36th overall pick at the 2021 draft, handled this challenging role well, and helped lead the Pioneers on an NCAA championship-winning campaign. Buium’s NHL projection is quite positive, his status as a top prospect is reflected in how he was able to quickly become a minutes-eating defenseman for one of the best programs in college hockey. Buium offers size, strength, and intelligence. His big six-foot-three frame is filled out well, and he’s good at using his size to his advantage through both his reach and his physicality. Buium is rarely found out of position on defense, and his work ethic is such that even if he makes a rare mistake, he’ll push himself to the limit in order to fix the mess. The tools are all there for Buium, save for one issue. Buium doesn’t move as well as you’d want to see out of a modern defenseman. He has a bit of a heavy stride, and he generates speed to slowly to confidently project him as an asset in transition. His lack of speed also gives him some issues on defense, although his contributions in his own end are still definitely a net positive. If Buium can improve his skating and get faster, the sky’s the limit. But as things currently stand, the rest of Buium’s tools are good enough to give him a solid chance at becoming an NHLer after he concludes his collegiate career. - EH

Cross Hanas LW

It was a fantastic fourth season of junior for Hanas last year, as he continued his progression by racking up 86 points in 63 games for the Portland Winterhawks, playing in all situations including regular penalty-killing duties for the first time. Flourishing under Winterhawks coach Mike Johnston, Hanas rounded out his game and improved in the defensive zone, gaining a greater understanding of his responsibilities without the puck. In March, the Red Wings inked him to a contract. Hanas’ best weapon is his hockey IQ. He can play center or the wing, anticipates the play well and makes excellent decisions with the puck. His puckhandling is very good (he scored a “Michigan” goal) and his vision and passing are plus attributes. An underrated finisher who models his game after Jonathan Huberdeau, the Texan is learning how to round out his game further and is focused on making the jump to the AHL this upcoming season. It will be interesting to see if the Red Wings feel he’s proved himself in the WHL and allow him to graduate, or if they feel he needs more time to fill out and add strength before playing against men. All in all, it’s been a positive trajectory for the 2020 2^nd rounder, who looks to be the latest in a long run of skilled players to come out of the Portland Winterhawks factory. - AS

Jared McIssac D

The best news about this past season? McIssac was finally able to stay healthy and played a nearly entire season in the AHL in his first full pro year. Previously, shoulder injuries had plagued McIssac, the former 36th overall selection in 2018 by the Wings. A two-time member of the Canadian World Junior (U20) team, which included a gold medal in 2020, there was significant concern that these injuries had stunted his development and decreased his likelihood of becoming an NHL contributor. After a full pro year, those concerns have been alleviated to some degree. McIssac was among the leaders in time on ice in Grand Rapids and was able to play in all situations for the Griffins. The 6’1 defender projects as a dependable two-way player. He is not flashy, nor does he have any truly elite qualities. However, he does everything well and his defensive game really improved over the course of his rookie pro season. He can make a good breakout pass, he has a smart stick in the defensive zone, and he has shown an ability to get pucks through to the net when quarterbacking the powerplay. There is a very quiet effectiveness to his game. With Detroit’s defensive depth at both the pro and the prospect levels, McIssac needs to continue to progress to eventually earn a look with the Wings. He could be a dependable #4-6 defenseman for them after another injury free year next season. - - BO

Donovan Sebrango

Fresh off playing a top pairing role and wearing an “A” for the gold medal winning Canadians at the recent WJC’s, Sebrango will be entering his third pro season already. The competitive defender projects as a defensively oriented #4-6 in Detroit’s lineup.

Carter Mazur

Not only did Mazur help Denver win an NCAA Championship last season as a freshman, but he was one of the U.S.’ best players at the WJC’s: a true breakout campaign for the hard working and intelligent winger.

Dmitri Buchelnikov

A Wings recent second round pick, Buchelnikov is a skilled winger who loves playing at a blistering pace. He will look to break into the KHL at some point this season.

Dylan James

Another Detroit second rounder in 2022, James was the USHL’s rookie of the year last season as helped Sioux City win the Clark Cup. The competitive winger is a solid net crasher who excels near the crease. He will attend North Dakota this year.

Eemil Viro

Viro may not have the highest offensive upside on the backend, but he does project as an NHL defender because of his mobility, physical aggressiveness, and defensive IQ. After two years in Liiga, he will play in the AHL this year.

Theodor Niederbach

The strong two-way center was one of the SHL’s best rookies last season. He is extremely versatile and can be used in any situation. Niederbach projects as a middle six pivot for the Wings.

Red Savage

Savage, the son of former NHL forward Brian Savage, is a different player than his father was. Redmond is a gritty, high energy forward who can be used in a change of pace role and can kill penalties. He should be a go to player at the University of Miami (Ohio) this year as a sophomore.

Carter Gylander

The massive Gylander is the former AJHL goaltender of the year, but his first two years at Colgate have only been average. He will be the program’s starter this year and the Wings will be hoping for a big step forward.

Amadeus Lombardi

A diamond in the rough heading into the 2022 Draft, Lombardi is coming off his first OHL season, however, he was a standout for Flint and the expectation is that he will be one of the better centers in the OHL this season.

Albin Grewe

Since being drafted in 2019, Grewe’s development hasn’t exactly gone according to plan. Grewe plays with intensity and loves to engage physically. He will repeat in the Swedish second division this season with Mora, hopefully improving his offensive production.

USHL: 2020-21 Playoff Preview – Expect Entertaining Hockey with Chicago a Clear Favourite

Ryan Wagman — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 15:27:15 +0000

If there is an exception to the across-the-board negative impact of COVID-19 on the world of hockey, it may rest in the USHL. As north of the border, the three leagues of the CHL were in disarray – at best – the USHL, played a fairly “normal” year.

Sure, the league proceeded without the participation of the Madison Capitals (regional COVID restrictions) or the Cedar Rapids Rough Riders (a Derecho huffed and puffed and blew the arena down), but the rest of the league played (an approximately) 54 game schedule with rather few disruptions.

Not only that, but in terms of quality, the league was better than ever, as a number of players who had expected to suit up for Canadian teams – both CHL and Jr. A – were given an opportunity to play for various USHL teams as their regular leagues were delayed indefinitely, or outright cancelled. Those bonus players included some that were drafted already, including Cross Hanas, Bear Hughes, and Danil Gushchin*. Other drafted players came in from the Ivy League schools, who did not play a hockey schedule this year. In addition to the likes of Henry Thrun, Jack Malone, and Austin Wong coming to the USHL after some time in college, others like Sean Farrell and Alex Laferriere, who had intended to start collegiate life this year, were forced to stay back for one more year in the Midwest.

*Gushchin, who had played the previous two seasons with Muskegon, was expected to play in Ontario with Niagara for the 2020-21 season, but with the OHL in permanent statis, he was loaned back to the Lumberjacks, where he put up his best season yet.

And then there were the draft-eligible ringers who unexpectedly joined the league and played so well that they have legitimate first round consideration at the end of it. I am thinking, of course, of Cole Sillinger, who joined Sioux Falls, before it was known when, or if, the WHL would get going, and Ayrton Martino and Jack Bar, who had played in Ontario last year and had been planning on playing in the BCHL this year before Canadian restrictions pushed them to the USHL, with Omaha and Chicago, respectively.

Of course, there were many other unexpected players in the league this year, with those mentioned only scratching the surface of the most famous names.

So, before we preview the postseason, which begins this Friday (Apr. 30), let’s pour one out for the six teams that didn’t make, and give a word to the top 1-3 draft eligible players from those squads.

Team USA

One point behind Dubuque for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference – although far further back via points percentage (.510-.481), the USNTDP team that would have played in the USHL playoffs had they made it would have been the U17 team. The best of that group – Rutger McGroarty, Isaac Howard, Ryan Chesley, Lane Hutson, Charlie Stramel and others – are playing with the U18 team in Texas at the WU18 tournament. No draft eligibles but remember those names for next season.

Youngstown Phantoms

By points percentage, easily the weakest team in the league. The aforementioned Jack Malone, a Vancouver draft pick, was far and away the top performer on the team, which is to be expected from a player with a year at Cornell under his belt. Among first year draft eligibles, Japanese import Yusako Ando was the most notable, although his second year in the league was worse than his first. He can create for others, but he doesn’t skate well enough to make up for his slight 5-7” frame. The only other draft eligible who ever made a positive impression on me from this roster was blueliner Austen May. The Providence commit is on the small side, but he is really fleet of foot and shows decent attention to detail off the puck.

Des Moines Buccaneers

Despite the presence of three drafted players – Alex Laferriere (LA), Noah Ellis (Vgk), and Lucas Mercuri (Car), the Buccaneers struggled this year, particularly in terms of putting the puck in the net. The drafted guys were all solid, but too few of the rest of the roster could match their output. Perhaps things would have been different if Paul Davey hadn’t of left mid-season for a stint back home in Connecticut. Davey and Scout Truman were the two most notable first time draft eligible on the roster, but neither really put their stamp on the season. If there are to be any Buccaneers drafted this year, they will be among the redraft candidates. To that end, file away the names of Matt Choupani and Remington Koepple. Choupani is a forward who lacks much in the way of physical tools but can play the puck well. Koepple is a goalie who had decent numbers in his first year in the league, although he has only average size and athleticism and he chocked in the BioSteel game, hurting his standing for some.

Lincoln Stars

The Stars went heavy on the ringers partway through the season. Cross Hanas was already mentioned, but he was just one of four players brought in from the WHL Portland Winterhawks, joining Clay Hanas (no relation), Jack O’Brien, and James Stefan, as well as Charles-Alexis Legault from West Kelowna in the BCHL and Michael Mastrodomenico from AAA hockey in Quebec. Simply put, the shuffled team never gelled, and the newcomers couldn’t get into the swing of the USHL.

O’Brien was the biggest disappointment. There was some expectation that he could be a high round pick this year, but one goal and six assists in 23 games ended that sentiment. Blueliner Legault didn’t hurt his stock too much, as he still has great size and skates well and shoots from his right side. Stefan, son of former first overall pick Patrik Stefan, had enough moments to maybe convince some team to call his name in the late rounds. A kind word also to big bruising winger Gleb Veremeyev. Veremeyev isn’t an offensive threat, but one of the top PIM players in the league is a threat, nonetheless. The USHL is not a very physical league, and when a player has that size and plays with that snarl, he sometimes gets drafted, such as we saw with Nick Capone last year and Martin Pospisil in 2018.

Waterloo Black Hawks

Generally contenders, the Black Hawks find themselves out of the playoffs for the first time since 2014-15, and only the second time in 14 seasons for which there were playoffs. Fielding one of the smaller and least experienced lineups in the league, this just wasn’t their year. Their one drafted player, Toronto’s Wyatt Schingoethe, regressed heavily from his strong draft year. The team cycled through goalies, with three seeing significant minutes. Remember the name of Emmett Croteau, the best performing of their netminders, as he won’t be draft eligible until 2022.

Among players eligible this year, the most impressive were second time eligible defenseman Cooper Wylie, a USHL rookie, who can play the puck and skate well enough to make his ornery game effective, if not spectacular. He could be drafted. On the other hand, David Gucciardi, acquired in an early season trade from Youngstown, will be drafted. His game is raw, and his mistakes are often critical, but he has tools, and his instincts are good enough to think he can be a good one if he relies on his instincts all the time.

Sioux Falls Stampede

The Western Conference bottom feeders are a mystery. In the last USHL playoffs, the Stampede took home the title. In addition to their usual solid team, this year they brought in the highest profile ringer in Cole Sillinger, who didn’t disappoint, with a team leading 46 points despite only playing in 31 games. He is a sniper with an NHL style game who will be back in the WHL next year. The USHL rarely sees a player of his caliber, whether talking about skill or about reading the game, yet he couldn’t drag the Stampede upwards on his own. I would be surprised if he isn’t the first player from this year’s USH: crop to play in the NHL.

Defender Brent Johnson was one of the better draft eligible defenders in the league as well. A power play specialist with good wheels and an ornery side, his season ended right before the BioSteel All American Game due to a shoulder injury, but could hear his name called in the 50-80 range of the draft if his medicals hold up.

Although not as high profile, I also have time for second time eligible, defenseman Nate Schweitzer, who can do a lot well, but nothing spectacularly, and winger Mike Citara, who can skate and shoot. I don’t expect either to be drafted, but I wouldn’t be surprised if either was.

The Playoffs

The format this year is simple. The top four teams from each conference made it in. All series are best-of-threes. Top seed plays the fourth seed, and second seed plays the third seed. All games are hosted by the higher seed. One series per weekend until one team lifts the Clark Cup. Let’s go!

Western Conference

Jack Peart. Photo Dan Hickling, Hickling Images

#1 Tri-City Storm vs #4 Fargo Force

The Western Conference was incredibly tight at the top with the playoff picture not being settled until the final weekend of the regular season. The points percentage difference between Tri-City and Fargo (32 percentage points) was less than between Fargo and fifth place Des Moines (34 percentage points).

Fargo was the third best defensive team in the league, although Tri-City was the best at keeping the puck out of its net. Neither team is known for filling their opponents’ nets either, but both had generally done enough to walk away with points more often than not. In fact, they are quite evenly matched. The difference in these three games (outside of home ice advantage) is likely to rest in special teams. Fargo was mediocre on both the power play and the penalty kill, while the Storm were strong with the man advantage and almost impregnable on the penalty kill, leading the league with a breathtaking 88.3% kill rate. To Fargo’s credit, they have played far more of their season at 5-on-5 than Tri-City. And they will have to do that again this weekend to keep their season alive.

Beyond the expected close games, another reason to watch this series is the head-to-head matchup between two very interesting and talented draft eligibles. On Fargo, that would be Tristan Broz, a two-way center with a good motor and the vision to be a power play weapon. The Minnesota commit ran away with the scoring lead on his team. His numbers would be even more impressive if he had more talented teammates to play with. On Tri-City, the man of the hour is Matthew Knies. Knies started his season painfully slow, but ended it on fire, with 20 points in his final 11 games. Knies has heavier feet, but a very mature build and at his best, can take over the game. He will join Broz with the Golden Gophers next year.

Knies and Broz are not the only intriguing draft eligible players in this series. In fact, Fargo blueliner Jack Peart has a very good chance to be the highest drafted player in this series. The St. Cloud State commit split his season between Fargo and Grand Rapids High School (Mn). He is a good skater with a very strong first few steps, who plays with preternatural poise. He controls the puck like a much older player and plays a strong 200-foot game. Had Peart spent the entire season in Fargo, the final standings may have looked very different. For Fargo, also keep an eye on Aaron Huglen, a Buffalo draft pick who returned from over a full year on the sidelines after around a third of this season was done and has played a skilled game ever since.

On Tri-City, Knies is joined by a pair of intriguing draft eligible players in Hunter Strand and Carter Mazur, the latter of whom is a second time eligible player. Strand is a USNTDP alum, whose late birthday prevented him from being drafted last year. The Alaska native is a great skater and plays a patient game with the puck. Mazur has more of an East-West style game, helped along by plus edges. He can play the pest role as well and retains utility off the puck. Strand and Mazur both outscored Knies this year, but Knies already had a big reputation through his big pre-draft year and his run to end the year keeps him top of mind.

Prediction: Fargo in three. A mild upset to be sure. The return of Peart helps Fargo just as much as the loss of top blueliner Guillaume Richard hurts Tri-City. Richard is currently representing Team Canada at the WU18s in Texas. Neither team has stellar goaltending, but Fargo’s Brennan Boynton should be able to roughly match Tri-City’s Todd Scott.

#2 Omaha Lancers vs #3 Sioux City Musketeers

Both Omaha and Sioux City put up 63 points in 53 games, but their paths to getting there could scarcely have been more different. Consider that Omaha’s goal differential was a mediocre +13, while Sioux City outscored their opponents on aggregate by 35 goals, with the league’s best – by far – defense.

The two teams are both led by high end goaltending, each starting one of the three drafted netminders in the league. For Sioux City, that man is the Swiss Akira Schmid, a New Jersey prospect, while Montreal draftee Jakob Dobes, from Czechia, mans the pipes for Omaha. Dobes was a true workhorse for the Lancers, playing in 47 of the team’s 53 games, while Schmid played roughly two-third of the time for Sioux City, as his back up was more reliable.

Schmid will need to be at his best in this series, however, as Omaha has one of the biggest offensive weapons in the league at their disposal in Ayrton Martino. Martino joined the club shortly after the calendar flipped into 2021 and took the league by storm, with the fifth best points-per-game ratio in the USHL (1.47). A great skater with a fantastic shot, Martino did not let his slight frame prevent him from dominating, and his playmaking game is just as strong as his finishing ability. If Sioux City can shut Martino down, the Lancers don’t have too many other weapons at their disposal as their secondary scoring is largely in the hands of USHL veterans like Ryan Lautenbach, Nolan Renwick and Zach Dubinsky. The Omaha roster is one of the oldest in the league.

Sioux City, on the other hand, has a few more weapons at its disposal. Detroit draft pick Chase Bradley and New Jersey pick Ethan Edwards were both in the team’s top four in scoring, while Buffalo pick Matteo Costantini showed well after joining the league mid-season. Although the Musketeers don’t have a draft eligible player the likes of Martino, don’t sleep on defenseman Shai Buium. A USHL rookie out of the Shattuck-St. Mary’s program, he combines quick hands with smooth, if not quick, feet. He plays a strong two-way game and if he were a better skater (he isn’t bad, but he isn’t great), we would be hearing more people call for him as a first round type of talent. As is, he has enough raw skill to dream on a big, late-blooming future. I am also keeping an eye on redraft candidates defenseman Daniel Laatsch and center Justin Hryckowian. Laatsch is a USNTDP alum who has great size and some burgeoning skill, but is still raw, while Hryckowian has a fun skill game, but an injury-filled history and a sub-optimal build.

Prediction: Sioux City’s depth overcomes Martino’s solo skill in three games.

Western Conference Final Prediction: Sioux City over Fargo in three games. Sioux City is just too difficult to score against and has enough offensive weapons to get the job done.

Eastern Conference

Matthew Coronato. Photo by Dan Hickling, Hickling Images

#1 Chicago Steel vs #4 Dubuque Fighting Saints

By all accounts, this should be a washout. Chicago is, by great lengths, the top team in the USHL. They enter the postseason on an eight-game undefeated streak, and won 38 of 54 games this year, often by wide margins. Their goaltending has been shoddy at times, but far more often than not, they were able to outscore their troubles and their total of 265 goals scored was 24 more than the runners-up. Dubuque, on the other hand, won only 24 of 51 games, securing the final playoff spot in the east thanks to a win in their final game coupled with a loss from the U17 USNTDP squad.

If Dubuque is to have a hope in this series, look to their defensive players. Goalie Lukas Parik, a Los Angeles draft pick, struggled since joining the team, in late-January from the Czech second division, but shut out Green Bay in his final game, reminding us of what he is capable. On the blueline, fellow LA pick Braden Doyle teams up with Anaheim draft pick Henry Thrun to give the Fighting Saints a pair of weapons. Up front, Dubuque has a balanced attack, but the man to watch is Robert Cronin. While too old to be drafted this year Cronin is a late bloomer with speed and skill who will be a good follow next year once he joins the University of New Hampshire. The boy to watch, on the other hand, is Matthew Savoie. The 17-year-old is a 2022 draft eligible, who should have been playing in the WHL, but the uncertainty in that league led him to Dubuque, where he immediately played a central, and at time dominating, role. He’s going to be really fun to watch next year.

Looking at draft eligibles for this summer, keep your eyes on Connor Kurth and Andrei Buyalsky. Buylasky is actually the same age (born three days later) as Cronin, but as he is considered a foreign player (this is his first season in North America), the Kazakhstani forward is draft eligible while the American Cronin is not. Buyalsky is an impressive skater with impressive finishing ability. Kurth, on the other hand, has no particular big attributes to his game, but he finds a way to put up good numbers. He has a very stocky build but moves well enough regardless.

Moving on to Chicago, almost every skater on the roster is worthy of mention. Start with Montreal draft pick Sean Farrell, a USNTDP alum who would have been with Harvard this season had the Crimson actually played. Instead, he put up a breathtaking 101-point season for the Steel. His playmaking ability is simply unfair to most opponents on most nights. Then there is Matthew Coronato, a likely first round pick, who scored 48 goals in 51 games. Sure, it helps to have Farrell playing on your team, but the two actually rarely played together at even strength. Coronato is an offensive dynamo, who is content to cycle on his own for multiple full loops of the offensive end before he sees a seam to exploit.

Then there is Jack Bar, a late add to the roster from the BCHL. After a brief period acclimating to the league, he began to dominate. The defenseman likes to get deep into the offensive zone but is also a physical and committed defender. He has some first round upside. Of course, I also have to mention Mackie Samoskevich, who at one time was seen as a better draft prospect than Coronato. Samoskevich struggled somewhat after a midseason injury but is another gifted playmaker and a fantastic skater to boot.

I don’t want to get into the weeds too much, but I also expect Josh Doan (son of Shane), Ryan Ufko, and Jackson Blake to be drafted this summer, and Jack Harvey being drafted wouldn’t surprise me either. Anaheim draft pick Ian Moore has been impressive in his first season in the USHL, and 2023(!!) eligible forward Adam Fantilli is a burgeoning superstar. As good as everyone else already mentioned on this roster is, Fantilli’s upside is the highest. I am talking top three in the draft upside.

Prediction: Chicago in two, barring a complete breakdown in net. Chicago in three if the goalies stumble.

#2 Muskegon Lumberjacks vs #3 Green Bay Gamblers

A testament to how tight the West is, the Muskegon-Green Bay series is the second most lopsided duel after Chicago-Dubuque, with .040 percentage points separating the Lumberjacks and the Gamblers. Muskegon plays an up-tempo, high-event game with red lights going off at both ends. Green Bay is best when they keep goals to a minimum, and actually ended the season with the fewest goals allowed in the conference.

Green Bay’s chances are led by a pair of Boston Bruins’ draft picks in defender Mason Lohrei and center Jake Schmaltz. The latter is a two-way forward, who after three seasons in the USHL, has figured out how to be a factor offensively. He does a lot of little things well but lacks any dynamic elements. Lohrei was a surprise second rounder last season but has grown his game even more this year. He is big, skates very well, has a big point shot and plays a tough game at all ends. The Gamblers will go as far as he can take them. Vancouver draft pick Jackson Kunz and Vegas pick Jackson Hallum are also on the roster, and while both have shown the ability to provide secondary offense, neither can make things happen on their own. 2022 eligible Ryan Greene is an interesting player, but if there is a wild card in Green Bay, it is Camden Thiesing. The Tennessee native combines skill with grit, finishing third in the league in PIMs. He will work to make things happen on his own, and when he stays out of the penalty box, he is dangerous.

Led by San Jose draft pick Danil Gushchin, Muskegon is incredibly entertaining. Gushchin is a dynamo, who is not the most consistent player, but when he is involved and engaged, is one of the top handful of forwards in the league. He is joined by a deep roster of talented players, a few of whom should be drafted this summer, many of those in their second year of eligibility. The best of that secondary bunch is center Cameron Berg. Berg finished last year hot after a slow start and didn’t miss a beat coming into this year. He has a high-end wrist shot and knows how to create space for himself to rip one off. Winger Quinn Hutson is another second-year eligible forward who made waves this year. The type of player to get to the right spot at the right time, he knows how to finish what his linemates create. On the blueline, there are a trio to watch. The offensive blueline is Jacob Guevin, a power play specialist, whose production overshadows his average tools. Alex Gagne and Hank Kempf are bigger, more physical blueliners who make life difficult for attacking forwards. I could see all three drafted this summer.

Prediction: Muskegon in three games.

Eastern Conference Final prediction: Chicago in three games over Muskegon. This would be an immensely entertaining series.

Clark Cup Final Prediction: Chicago over Sioux City in three games. It’s really hard to bet against the Steel this year.

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Detroit Red Wings Top 20 Prospects

Thu, 26 Nov 2020 12:21:25 +0000

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

Lucas Raymond, RW/LW (4^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

While he had a hard time showing off what he could do in the SHL playing under 10 minutes per game, Raymond has electricity. Playing against opponents around his own age, opposing coaches have to game plan around him. He dictates the flow of the game, never rushing the play when he has the puck. An efficient, technically strong skater with a great stutter step to pick up speed, he keeps his feet moving until the pieces fall into place for him to execute his plan. He is creative and unpredictable, changing his pace to force opponents off-balance and into mistakes. Raymond is also surprisingly physical for his size, with a long, active and strong stick. He has near-elite potential as a playmaker, forcing defenders to their heels, making plays through passes lanes that he pries open with dangles, toe drags and other assorted trickery – all at top speed, too. Although best known for his puck skills, he is a gifted finisher as well, with a fantastic wrist shot and a pretty one-timer, both of which he can get off while unbalanced. One more year in Sweden, playing heavier minutes in the SHL, is what separates Raymond from NHL readiness. – RW

Moritz Seider, D (6^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 1)

After one year in North America, Seider has shown that he is absolutely worth the hype associated with a top-ten selection. One of the most polished teenage players in the recent history of the AHL, the big rearguard’s game is predicated upon smarts, two-way excellence, and physicality. He required minimal adjustment when he crossed the ocean. Capable of eating heavy minutes against the top opposing forward line, he is adept at positioning his stick and using his length to shut down high-danger shot and pass angles. He is supremely competitive and can be a pest to play against. A smooth skater, his lateral mobility and speed are incredibly impressive for someone his size. A power play quarterback with Grand Rapids last season, his offensive instincts allow him to slide passes onto his teammates’ stick blades with ease. Although he can be a bit aggressive with his puck movement, he has the mobility and defensive refinement to back track if needed. Seider is a near-term number-one defenseman who could be one of the top blueliners in the world in his prime, a two-way force to be reckoned with. - TD

Albert Johansson, D (60^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 3)

Johansson showed steady development last season, earning a regular spot in the SHL. A smart two-way defenseman who reads the play and plays with both poise and finesse, his transition to senior hockey went smoothly as the additional structure suited him. He played a bigger role on a strong team during the season. His offensive game is borderline elite, and he could emerge as a strong offensive contributor, even though his shot is not strong, and his stickhandling is good, not great. Johansson’s passing and hockey sense are his best attributes. He is also a smooth skater, who doesn’t use much energy to maintain his high pace. He can make quick turns and gets up to speed quickly, making him an ideal puck carrier. His shot selection is okay, but he needs some work on his accuracy, even if the power never comes. Defensively, he reads the play well, playing with aggression and good gap control. He is not in any way a liability but plays a good team game with sound decision-making. He is expected to spend one more season in Sweden before moving to North America and he projects as a solid top four defenseman prospect. – JH

Theodor Niederbach, C (51^st overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

After missing the entirety of 2018-19 to osteochondritis, Neiderbach blew through the U18 level in 14 games and finish tied for tied for ninth in scoring in Sweden’s top junior league. He is physically unassuming, and he can play a bit soft. Another area needing improvement is in his skating, which might be a by-product of the aforementioned knee injury, as his skating and footwork both notably improved as last season progressed. Niederbach’s prospect status is reliant on his high-end skills and smarts. He has a good wrist shot, too, but he truly shines as a playmaker. His comfort zone is down low, from behind the net and along the boards up to around the faceoff dot. He is masterful at finding open teammates, as well as maneuvering to get himself open. He overcomes his average speed through impressive anticipation, giving him a head start to get correctly positioned. His play is unpredictable, providing confidence that he will continue succeeding once he starts playing against men, first in Sweden, and soon in North America. Niederbach has top six upside. – RW

Robert Mastrosimone, LW (54^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 4)

Mastrosimone may have been outshined by fellow freshman Trevor Zegras during his rookie season at BU, but he has skills of his own to appreciate. He may not have been a prolific scorer in his first season but was still able to contribute including cementing a spot on the power play. Hockey sense and skating are his best attributes. He isn’t the fastest, but he still has speed, skates smoothly and seemingly never stops moving, with his motor making up for whatever his feet may lack. He also has great vision and a sixth sense for knowing where his teammates will be. He has slick and soft hands and is adept at corralling passes, even if they are unruly. He can struggle against more physical opponents who can too easily push him off the puck, but he is not afraid to use his body. With added bulk, this shortcoming could yet subside. He is creative — sometimes too creative, but it is better for him to try than to stifle his creativity. Mastrosimone has time to solidify his game and improve his size and defensive ability. He projects to be an energy forward with skill at his peak despite his stature. - JS

Joe Veleno, C (30^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 5)

While Veleno’s rookie pro season with a young, struggling Grand Rapids Griffins was not overly impressive, he showed just what his game can and will be at the NHL level. A smart and skilled centerman with tremendous puck-handling ability, the 20-year-old was as dangerous as a distributor as he was as a shooter. Capable of slowing the game down with the puck and finding the right place to put it, his instincts allow him to command play offensively and put defenders on their heels. He covers the ice well as a skater, with his hunchbacked style which makes him hard to push off, coupled with high-level acceleration, and he is a superb backchecker who kills penalties and can end plays in the defensive zone with his physical aggression. With no real flaws in his game and a mature presence at a young age, he projects as a top-six, two-way center. He will need to show off his offensive upside with more regular, consistent appearances on an AHL scoresheet to make his jump to the NHL. – TD

Jonatan Berggren, LW/RW (33^rd overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 7)

Berggren has had two tough seasons since being drafted 33rd in 2018. He looked good last season but saw his season end early due injury and he has only played about 40% of the games over the last two seasons in SHL. This has, of course, slowed his development but before his season-ending injury in January he had earned himself a 15 minute per game role for Skelleftea. He is a small winger with strong skating and work ethic. He has strong lower-body balance and elite speed. His skating technique is excellent. His offensive game relies greatly on his skating even if he has good puck skills. He is at his best on the rush and needs to work on his game when the game is standing still. He is a good playmaker but could work on his shot. He only scored four goals last season and all of them were within a meter from the goal crease. A middle six prospect who will need at least one more full year in Sweden before stepping over to North America. – JH

Jared McIsaac, D (36^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 2)

McIsaac has a ton of offensive potential, can control a game from the back end with his skating and puck moving abilities, and he can hit like a freight train. His shot has eyes and is very powerful from the point. He adds a ton of positive skills to the blueline of any team; he can carry a pairing, he can play as a puck rusher or a stay-at-home type, he is solid along the boards and at keeping pucks in at the point. The main weakness in his game, aside from injuries, is the consistency in his decision-making, a problem that has followed him throughout his junior career. He can grow out of this and mature into a very reliable defender, as the skillset is there. Additionally, he needs to fill out to strengthen his two-way projections. McIsaac was easily one of the most talented defensemen in the QMJHL the past three seasons, and has a long pro career ahead of him, if he can avoid additional injuries which have cut short both last season and the current one. Few prospects can fully recover from tis much lost development time. - MS

Antti Tuomisto, D (35^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 6)

Tuomisto was by far the best defenseman in the Finnish U20 league in the past season. He was also named the best player in the league altogether. He logged quality minutes and played in all situations for Ässät and was a huge part of the team’s strong season. The University of Denver commit is a breakout machine and excels in offensive transitions. He shows a lot of patience with the puck and has the poise to look for a good passing lane instead of making a hasty decision. His vision is very good, and he shows offensive imagination as well. Although he could be quicker and more explosive from a standstill, he moves pretty well given his large frame. He battles hard and does not shy away from contact but could use his size more effectively to his advantage. His development curve is heading straight up as he has developed immensely over the last two seasons. Tuomisto has the tools to make an impact in college right away. - MB

William Wallinder, D (32^nd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Looking strictly at his straight-ahead speed, there might not have been a better skater in the 2020 draft class, without even considering his 6-4” frame. Wallinder has some wiggle to his game, but he shines when rushing up the ice on a fast break. The speed will ensure that he plays professionally for a long time and gets more than a few opportunities to play at the NHL level, but he needs to improve every other aspect of his game to do more than tease. His decision making is very hit-or-miss. He can move the puck well enough, but is error-prone in own zone coverage, including defending too passively, too often, although that has improved of late. Wallinder has the physical tools to be very difficult to play against, but he can often come across as soft. Even his work from the point is raw and his shot is unrefined and not all that impressive. Wallinder has a lot of experience playing above his age group, and it is possible he has been pushed too far, too fast, as many of our concerns trace back to poor instincts. Detroit will need to be extra patient with him. – RW

Donovan Sebrango, D (63^rd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Like Wallinder above, Sebrango has mobility in spades. A competent and fluid four-way skater, he excels at both ends of the rink. He can lead or join the rush as an attacker with a strong first few strides, and his lateral mobility allows him to walk the line effectively, opening up lanes on the powerplay. His backward/forward transitions allow him to be quick to dump-ins or to start the breakout. His gap control is also strong as he stays with oncoming attackers. Sebrango is also a strong defensive presence because he plays with intensity and is fully engaged physically. If he cannot beat you to a puck, he will look to play the body and pin you to the wall, stopping momentum. He will also take away space from forwards near his net and makes opponents pay the price through the middle, as he plays much bigger than his size. Currently stronger in his own end, he flashes powerplay QB skills and puck moving, however he can seem hesitant to take chances. As he gains confidence, his upside with gain clarity, but as-is, he still projects as a quality versatile third pairing defender. – BO

Eemil Viro, D (70^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

In the last year, Viro has climbed from Finland’s second tier junior league to Liiga, playing against men. Despite his meagre point totals up with TPS’ senior team, he is very much an offensive-minded defenseman with prominent high-end mobility. His first few steps are very quick, and he excels when carrying the puck up the ice. He is also a strong and accurate passer, including impressive long-bomb breakout passes. This is also reflective of his hockey IQ and ability to read the game. Viro’s work off the puck also speaks favorably to his smarts, playing with a tight gap, well-positioned in in his own zone, and robust in front of his own net. There are still some holes in Viro’s game. His reads can be choppy, such as when he tries to force a play, resulting in an unnecessary turnover. He needs to add muscle to be more effective, despite strong balance. He presently relies too much on his stick and good angling for defensive plays, struggling in physical encounters. His point shot is mediocre. He can find a lane and get the puck on the net but isn’t a scoring threat. He needs time to complete his physical maturity. – RW

Cross Hanas, LW (55^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Hanas made waves last year because he scored two lacrosse goals. He routinely makes defenders look silly with his silky hands He is dynamic in transition because he skates well, handles the puck confidently at full speed, and is not afraid of playing through traffic. This aggressive approach makes him a fun player to watch. In general, he is a very well-rounded offensive player who can break down defensive coverage and create plays for his linemates, or finish off his own scoring chances. Hanas desperately needs to add strength. Consistency was an issue last year, specifically stringing together a prolonged hot streak. He was held to under one shot in over one third of Portland’s games and held pointless in nearly half. The will is there, as Hanas plays the game hard. However, his lack of strength makes him less effective when forced to play at a slower pace. Additionally, he has a tendency to coast, which could also be a reflection of his conditioning. He is a highly skilled player with well-rounded offensive upside. As his ice time increases in Portland, look for him to break out. – BO

Keith Petruzzelli, G (88^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 8)

Petruzzelli was drafted in the third round following a successful U18 season in the USHL with Muskegon. He had previously been named the USPHL 18U Goaltender of the Year and Most Valuable Player. The next year he was named to the USHL All-Rookie team in his draft year. Petruzzelli got off to a rocky start as a freshman at Quinnipiac and split starts for his first two years. But he emerged into the starter role as a junior, where he improved his save percentage markedly. He tracks the puck well and squares up to shots. On the downside, while he gigantic, Petruzzelli lacks speed in his lateral movement which at times puts him out of position. He plays with a calm demeanor but does tend to scramble when he gets caught out of position. Petruzzelli also likes to flash his glove. He needs to work on his speed and his lateral movements within the crease during his senior season to convince the Red Wings to give him an ELC. - JS

Seth Barton, D (81^st overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 9)

Barton is not an overly offensive defenseman, but he can certainly contribute his share of points. A third-round draft pick, he spent one season in the BCHL before joining UMass-Lowell. That season he also appeared on the WJAC-19 championship winning team with Canada West. As a freshman, Barton contributed little offensively to UMass-Lowell. In his sophomore year, he showed a lot more ability to contribute at the other end. Barton also played on both the penalty kill and the power play, where he resided on the blue line. He is not extremely fast, but he is a smooth skater. He is very patient, especially when facing pressure from opposing players. While he could be calmer on the backcheck, he is still effective at defending, even in one-on-one situations. Barton is a good stickhandler and he makes quick and direct passes. At 6-2”, Barton can make more use of his size, which he will have the opportunity to do next season as a junior for the River Hawks. - JS

Elmer Soderblom, LW/C (159^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 10)

A 6-7” winger with soft hands. Soderblom was a beast in the SuperElit last season and could score at will with his hard shot and big body. He also got a chance to play senior hockey in both SHL and Allsvenskan, but in a small role and he did not produce. Soderblom is a long-term project who needs to find his way to success with his huge body. His skating and puck handling are both OK, but with his size he is often expected to be physical force. Last year in junior hockey he instead used his big body to cover the puck and to create goals and scoring chances, and he was very hard for opponents to stop. With an adjustment period I can see him excel quickly at the senior level as well, and I can see a future NHL player in him playing a Fredrik Modin-style role. Soderblom is not overly physical but is strong around the net. He is not a sure thing but is a good bet as a 6th rounder. - JH

Kirill Tyutyayev, LW (190^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 11)

Tyutyayev spent majority of the 2019-20 season with Gornyak Uchaly in Russia’s second-highest league. He also played for Avto Yekaterinburg in the MHL, where his playmaking skills stood out. The winger is a skilled player who gives quality passes on both his forehand and backhand. He processes the game quickly and moves the puck in a timely manner. Furthermore, when he does have a proper passing option, he has the poise to hold on to the puck to buy some time for himself. More of a passer than a shooter, but Tyutyayev has a nose for the net and he is good on the power play. His skating is a nice mixture of agility and fluidity. His forward stride could be more explosive, but I would not consider this a significant issue. He displays situational awareness and recognizes the opportunities to pressure defensemen. Considering his size, he is a long shot to make the NHL, but he has potential. He will play for Yunost Minsk in the top Belarussian league next season. - MB

Yevgeni Svechnikov, LW (19^th overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 12)

The 19th overall pick in the loaded 2015 NHL Draft, Svechnikov has had a rough road as an NHL prospect to this point. A neck injury derailed the start of his 2017-18 season, and he didn’t appear to be fully healthy for much of it, while a knee injury erased his entire 2018-19 campaign. When he is healthy, he has been a fine player at the AHL level, but not necessarily a top forward as he was once projected to be. At 6-3”, he plays a heavy, power forward game predicated upon his one-on-one moves and ability to shield off the puck at speed and against the boards. He loves to drive to the greasy areas and engage physically with anyone in his path. He can make plays for his teammates but prefers to use his shot and power to create his own chances. A fair skater for his size, he didn’t lose a step following his knee surgery and can get up to speed well, although his top speed lags a bit. He has not shown he can be a long-term NHL player, but the potential is still there for Svechnikov as a bottom-six depth scorer. - TD

Albin Grewe, RW (66^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 13)

Grewe had a tough season. He has been a big offensive star in his age group in Sweden but has recently seen others catch up to him. He plays an offensive power forward style with good hands. At a younger age, his skating stood out, as he is explosive, but his skating technique is not that good, and he can’t create that way any longer. He will need to adjust his game and use his aggressive style to be more of a role player. He still can make good use of a scoring chance, but he can´t be the offensive driver at higher levels. Next season he will go to play in the OHL with Saginaw and should be a strong player for them. I can see him being a point per game player there. Most important is that he works on his game and finds himself a role that he can translate to higher levels. The tools are good, all things considered. - JH

Givani Smith, RW (46^thoverall, 2016. Previous ranking: 14)

After enduring some struggles in his final OHL season and the entirety of his first pro campaign in 2018-19, Smith enjoyed a resurgent sophomore year in the pro ranks that included a lengthy stint with the NHL club in Detroit at the beginning of the since-cancelled NHL regular season. Looking at Smith’s body of work, it is pretty obvious how he impressed the Red Wings’ brass; he is a damn hard worker and a physical beast, both on and off the puck. He has harnessed some of his high-level one-on-one moves and now better incorporates his body into the play offensively, which buys him and his linemates some time for high-danger chances. His skating and conditioning have improved some since he first came up to the AHL and he has turned into a consistent checking line option at the NHL level, where he played with veteran Justin Abdelkader in more than a dozen games. The 22-year-old will not develop into the offensive force once expected out of him as a 2016 second-rounder, but he will be a formidable auxiliary forward for a Red Wings team with an abundance of young talent in the works. - TD

2020 NHL Draft Team Review: Atlantic Division

Ryan Wagman — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 16:56:12 +0000

This is the final divisional report. See the Metropolitan Division here. See the Pacific Division here. See the Central Division here. And keep reading this page for the Atlantic Division. I will complete my draft coverage with a forthcoming odds and ends column, including the annual McKeen’s Hockey Shadow Draft. Thank you for following along.

Detroit Red Wings

1/4 Lucas Raymond, LW, Frolunda BK (SHL)

2/32 William Wallinder, D, MODO J20 (SuperElit)

2/51 Theodor Niederbach, C, Frolunda J20 (SuperElit)

2/55 Cross Hanas, LW, Portland (WHL)

3/63 Donovan Sebrango, D, Kitchener (OHL)

3/70 Eemil Viro, D, TPS U20 (Jr. A SM-liiga)

4/97 Sam Stange, RW, Sioux Falls (USHL)

4/107 Jan Bednar, G, HC Karlovy Vary (Czech)

5/132 Alex Cotton, D, Lethbridge (WHL)

6/156 Kyle Aucoin, D, Tri-City (USHL)

7/187 Kienan Draper, RW, St. Andrews College (HS-ON)

7/203 Chase Bradley, LW, Omaha (USHL)

The first real surprise of the draft came with the Red Wings decision to select Lucas Raymond at fourth overall, after they had long been projected to be targeting Cole Perfetti with the pick. Not that we have any problem with the selection of Raymond that high, as we had him ranked fourth. For an organization with a deep and rich recent history with Swedish players, they stayed on that trend for their next two picks as well, snatching two additional players who each had some first round buzz going into the draft in William Wallinder and Theodor Niederbach. Steve Yzerman and friends mixed things up after those early picks though, getting players from the WHL (2), OHL, Finland, Czech Republic, Ontario high school, and the USHL (3). In all, they added 12 new players to their system, which had ranked in the middle of the pack before the draft.

Detroit mixed things up positionally as well, selecting one center, five wingers, five defenders, and a goalie. Recognizing that most picks after the second round are essentially lottery tickets, it is hard to fault a team from going with its gut on middle and later round picks, there were some choices made here that were questionable even with the slot at which they were picked. Start with the aforementioned Canadian high schooler. If the name Kienan Draper sounds familiar, it is because his father, Kris, spent many years playing with the wings and is currently the Director of Amateur Scouting for the team. In other words, he was responsible for selecting his own child, even though Kienan wasn’t even the most dominating player on his team. I didn’t like their final pick of Chase Bradley either, but at least Bradley earned notice for what he did, and not for who his father is. A number of the other players in the second half of the Detroit draft were also taken earlier than we were on board for, but we do have positive impressions of their future projections.

Even if we were at times underwhelmed with some of the players drafted by Detroit, they only need their first three picks to live up to their advance billing for this draft class to be a great success. Lucas Raymond is a magical first line offensive talent. Wallinder and Niederbach also have top half of the lineup projections. One or all of Cross Hanas, Donovan Sebrango, and/or Eemil Viro also have good shots to work their way into regular, if depth, roles at the highest level. As for the longer shots taken with the final six selections, to Detroit’s credit, five of them will have lengthier timeframes attached to their developments, being allowed to remain in Europe, or head to college for a few years before the Red Wings need to make a decision on them. It will take considerable time before the final assessments of this class are ready.

Best value pick: Theodor Niederbach

Having missed the entire 2018-19 season due to injury, Niederbach entered his draft year quite a ways under the radar. He came back to action last year and consistently demonstrated great playmaking and offensive attack driving abilities, even if his skating pace still needs a fair amount of work before he is ready. His ability to read the play is also incredibly advanced for his age and circumstances. At his size, his ability to improve his skating takes on additional importance, but it won’t take much to allow his game to play on a scoring line in the NHL. And for what’s it worth, 22 points in his first 13 games this year back in Sweden’s junior ranks show his game is still on the ascent.

Worst value pick: Cross Hanas

As much as I was unimpressed by the Wings’ two seventh rounders, value there is rare to begin with. As a late second round pick, the expectations on Hanas are of necessity higher. We do appreciate his decently well-rounded game, with a touch of everything except for physicality. But while he does a lot well, there is doubt that he has any one defining trait that would allow him to pop in training camp and gain notice by coaches. It is hard to see more than a moderate third liner or fourth liner out of the Texan Hanas and I prefer going with more upside that high.

Ottawa Senators

1/3 Tim Stutzle, LW, Adler Mannheim (DEL)

1/5 Jake Sanderson, D, USNTDP (USHL)

1/28 Ridly Greig, C, Brandon (WHL)

2/33 Roby Jarventie, RW, Ilves U20 (Jr. A SM-liiga)

2/44 Tyler Kleven, D, USNTDP (USHL)

2/61 Egor Sokolov, LW, Cape Breton (QMJHL)

3/71 Leevi Merilainen, G, Karpat U18 (U18 SM-sarja)

5/155 Eric Engstrand, LW, Malmo J20 (SuperElit)

6/158 Philippe Daoust, LW Moncton (QMJHL)

6/181 Cole Reinhardt, LW, Brandon (WHL)

Like with the Detroit draft, recapped above, Ottawa started their potentially transformative draft class really strongly, combining skill and grit up top and on the blueline. The players they drafted ranged from around average size (5-11”, 159 Ridly Greig), to giants (Egor Sokolov, Tyler Kleven and Eric Engstrand are all 6-4” and built thick). The Senators under Pierre Dorion have had a reputation for drafting players out of obscure leagues, but their 2020 draft class was pretty straight forward in terms of player origins, with the most ‘out there’ picks being third overall Tim Stutzle, playing in Germany’s top pro league, and third round netminder Leevi Merilainen, who was still playing in Finland’s U18 league for the plurality of last season, although he has since graduated to the U20 level. If anything, I am mildly surprised that they finished their draft haul with a couple of lightly heralded wingers from the CHL.

One other intriguing strategy seemingly employed by the Senators this year was their pull towards overaged prospects, as the aforementioned Engstrand, as well as Egor Sokolov and Cole Reinhardt were all third year eligible. Sokolov was always likely to be drafted this year considering the outsized impact on the QMJHL and for Team Russia at the last WJC, but it is hard to say that the other two overagers showed new levels of play last year. Engstrand of course has the great size and he did put up very impressive numbers as a 19-year-old in the SuperElit, but his only tool that projects as markedly above average is his physical game. Through 15 career games at the SHL level, he has yet to record a single point. As for Reinhardt, that is especially head scratching. Even in his fourth season in the WHL, his offensive production was never better than fine, and now the Senators will be forced to offer him an ELC within the next season, or will be at risk of losing his rights.

That brings up a final point about the players selected this year by Ottawa. With the exceptions of Stutzle and second rounders Roby Jarventie and Sokolov, none of their picks has earned the reputation of an offensive line driver. Even first rounders like Jake Sanderson and Ridly Greig, not to mention day two picks like Tyler Kleven and Phillippe Daoust, among others already mentioned, are known as much for the character which they bring to their games, hard work, and two-way ability. There is a risk in drafting players without lofty ceilings too high, but there is an argument to be made in favor of drafting player with higher likelihoods of reaching lower ceilings than ones who have lower chances of reaching higher ceilings.

Best value pick: Tim Stutzle/Jake Sanderson/Ridly Greig

The third overall pick was a no-brainer if there ever was one. This was a draft class with a well-defined top three, and the Senators only had to take whoever was left over after the Rangers and the Kings drafted Alexis Lafreniere and Quinton Byfield, respectively. Even with his recent surgery on a broken hand, Stutzle could still easily find his way onto the Ottawa top six once NHL play resumes. Or they could let him complete his year in Germany and come over for the 2021-22 season, when we – hopefully – have more certainty with the planet and the sport. Two picks later, the Senators had been widely connected to our top-ranked defenseman in Sanderson. And they got him. With an emerging group including Thomas Chabot, Erik Brannstrom, Jacob Bernard-Docker and Lassi Thomson, the Sens are set with one of the top two or three young defensive cores in the league. Sanderson is a fantastic skater and can play a heavy role in the defensive rotation, playing in all situations and contributing on both sides of the puck.

Finally, we have the late blooming Ridly Greig. He has long had a reputation as a tough to play against agitating forward, but in the second half of his draft year he began to show that he can help put the puck in the net as well. With an August 2002 birthdate, there is a better chance than with many early picks that his offensive game has not yet finished developing. Ottawa will likely need additional patience with Grieg than they will with Stutzle and Sanderson, but Greig’s eventual impact still suggests a top half of the lineup player.

Worst value pick: Leevi Merilainen

While I didn’t like their last two picks (Daoust and Reinhardt), and we also thought that second rounder Sokolov went too high, Finnish netminder Merilainen was the biggest head scratcher of this draft class, especially considering his placement as a third rounder. To his credit, he was dominant in his half season in the Finnish U18 level, and he was another August 2002 birthdate from this draft class (along with Greig and second rounder Roby Jarventie). On the other hand, his play was far below that of fellow Karpat system netminder Joel Blomqvist, who was drafted in the second round by Pittsburgh. Merilainen may have underlying puck stopping capability, but he was far enough under the radar that the Senators could have feasibly waited until their fifth-round pick rolled around to draft him. There is a gigantic gap between where Merilainen is now and where he will need to get to in order to provide value to the Senators.

Buffalo Sabres

1/8 Jack Quinn, RW, Ottawa (OHL)

2/34 John-Jason Peterka, LW/RW, EHC Munchen (DEL)

5/131 Matteo Costantini, C, Buffalo Jr. Sabres (OJHL)

7/193 Albert Lyckasen, D, Linkoping J20 (SuperElit)

7/216 Jakub Konecny, C, HC Sparta Praha U20 (Czech U20)

In three drafts at the helm of the Sabres, Jason Botterill notably only ever drafted a single player from any of the CHL leagues. Now, with new, first time GM Kevyn Adams running the ship, and without a scouting staff of note in place, there was some thought that the Sabres would re-emerge as players in the CHL draft game. After the Sabres used their first pick of the Adams era on Ottawa 67s scorer Jack Quinn, there was some early thought that Buffalo would be turning over a new draft leaf. And then the team avoided the CHL altogether with their remaining picks. Instead, with the remainder of their five-man draft class, they selected one player each from Germany, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and from a Junior A team playing right in the team’s backyard. Plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose.

I am not saying that we should draw any far-reaching reaching conclusions about how Kevin Adams’ teams will draft, especially considering the team only had two picks in the first 130 of the draft. Size was seemingly not a consideration at all here, with 6-1”, 179 lbs Quinn being their largest draftee. If anything, there was some recognition that entering the draft, only two of the Sabres’ top ten prospects were forwards, with five defensemen and three goalies making up the difference.

As the team only made five picks, and essentially skipped the middle rounds altogether, we have to admit that their last three picks are all long shots by default. Any of Costantini, Lyckasen, or Konecny playing even a single game in the NHL would be a victory. On the other hand, Quinn and Peterka, the latter taken with only the third pick of the second round, are expected to make, and play significant roles no less. Quinn has already in parts of three seasons in the OHL and will be eligible to move on to the AHL after one more season, as long as he doesn’t make the Sabres first. Peterka, coming from a season in the German men’s top flight, is a bit more of a wild card. The skills can shine through, as we got the chance to see in last year’s WJC, and as he is doing so far this season in the Ice HL, a Central European super league featuring teams from Austria, Italy, Hungary, and Slovakia. There is some uncertainty as to where he will complete his season, whether in Austria, back in Germany, or come to play for the London Knights, who drafted him in the CHL Import Draft last summer. The class has upside, but it also not without risk.

Best value pick: John-Jason Peterka

Those who like Peterka, see a hard-working, versatile forward, who gets to the scoring areas with regularity, and shows enough flashes in his shooting ability and his puck skills to have top six upside. They marvel at his relative success against men at such a young age. They also saw how much he dominated against older teenagers prior to joining the DEL last year and expect some of that production to catch up to him once he is more ensconced in a scoring role against men. Those who don’t like him as much, mostly note that his DEL production last year was below that of fellow draft eligible Tim Stutzle and Lukas Reichel, leaving some concern that his overall value will not be able to reach the sum of his parts at full maturity. For an organization like Buffalo’s which has had significant troubles developing later round picks for years now, Peterka has a nice blend of upside with the certainty of knowing that he can already play against men as an 18-year-old.

Worst value pick: Jack Quinn

We are kind of boxed into this pick here. With only five picks made, and three coming late, there isn’t any other choice. Quinn was actually a fine choice at number eight in the draft, but there was surprise among observers that he was drafted before his Ottawa teammate Marco Rossi, who was taken with the subsequent selection, to Minnesota. Quinn is a late bloomer and would have been draft eligible in 2019 is he were even five days older. Quinn took his game to an entirely new level last year though, more than quadrupling his previous career high in goals scored on a powerhouse team. His shot and puck skills both project as high end and he looks capable of reading the game in a mature way as well, making him more than just a one-dimensional skater. The main concern here, if there is a fair one at all, is that Quinn’s record of production is short-lived and there is more doubt about him being able to keep those gains than there would be with a player with a great overall track record of success. In other words, Quinn isn’t really a poor value pick at #8, but if Buffalo had drafted Rossi instead, we might have left this section blank.

Montreal Canadiens

1/16 Kaiden Guhle, D, Prince Albert (WHL)

2/47 Luke Tuch, LW, USNTDP (USHL)

2/48 Jan Mysak, C, Hamilton (OHL)

4/102 Jack Smith, C, St. Cloud Cathedral (USHS-MN)

4/109 Blake Biondi, C, Hermantown HS (USHS-MN)

4/124 Sean Farrell, LW, Chicago (USHL)

5/136 Jakub Dobes, G, Omaha (USHL)

6/171 Alexander Gordin, LW, SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)

While the Montreal 2020 draft class had a few head scratchers, I also count at least three new members of the organization who can be difference makers at the NHL level in the medium-term future. Like many other teams of late, the Canadiens have leaned away from CHL picks, especially after the top of the draft. In fact, after using their second second rounder on Jan Mysak of OHL Hamilton, Montreal did not return to the CHL. For the most part, the team focused on college-bound players, as five of their eight picks will soon be playing on campus. Another interesting, twisted trend was in how the team drafted their bigger, most physical players at the top, in Kaiden Guhle and Luke Tuch, and then filled out their draft class with largely skill players whose physiques don’t stand out. Maybe with the trade for bulky Josh Anderson prior to the draft, the team will soon have the meat it has long sought under GM Marc Bergevin.

As a whole, their drafted players were forward-centric, with only one blueliner and one netminder among the eight. They had a fairly balanced prospect pipeline before the draft, so this current imbalance doesn’t overly take their system out of proportion. Perhaps more importantly, most all of the skaters chosen by Montreal at the 2020 draft share in having good hockey sense for their respective ages. That trait tends to lend itself to helping young players maximize whatever skill sets they have, while also raising their projected floors, as those types often find themselves more able to fit into lower roster roles more so than purer skilled players who struggled to read the opposition as well.

The Habs have gained a reputation over the last few years of being fairly idiosyncratic at the draft, taking players from minimally scouted leagues and countries. Unless we are now considering the Minnesota high school scene to be underscouted – an argument can be made – Montreal stuck to more well-trodden routes this year. This draft class may be lacking in game changers even if I’m not sleeping on the skilled games of Jan Mysak and Sean Farrell, but the club did an altogether solid job of picking players who have multiple possible paths to work their way up to the NHL in time, making the system that much deeper in the process.

Best value pick: Sean Farrell

Jan Mysak at pick 48 was also great value, as he contains a first-round offensive skill set, but he was not Montreal’s best value pick. One of the most surprising fallers in the draft, Sean Farrell seems to have been given short shrift by scouts who seemingly assumed that teammates Brendan Brisson and Sam Colangelo drove the attack with the Chicago Steel. A soft-spoken young man, the Harvard commit may also have failed to impress in the plethora of pre-draft interviews that most prospects of note had with a greater number of teams than had been the case in previous years. Farrell is quite small, but he has a very powerful shot, and his two years playing for the USNTDP has also given him ample experience playing in a bottom six role, indicating that he is not just a boom-or-bust offensive player. Montreal may need to allow him to spend all four years on campus before giving him an NHL contract, but the payoff has a very good chance of being worthwhile.

Worst value pick: Luke Tuch

Maybe Montreal’s scouts saw in Tuch an image of his older brother, Alex, currently a top player with the Vegas Golden Knights. Luke is pretty big, although not quite as big as his brother. He has some skill in his game, too, but he doesn’t have the phonebooth puck skills as his brother. Tuch played a bottom six role with the USNTDP and he is unlikely to find a home above that area of a roster with Boston University or in the pros either. This year’s USNTDP class didn’t lack for bigger players who can play in defensive roles, but if I was going to target one, I would have started with Dylan Peterson, who has a defensive shutdown presence that Tuch lacks, while having a similar type of potential skill set impact. Luke Tuch will be given an NHL opportunity, but I have misgivings about his ability to live up to his draft slot. On a lesser note, I also think the Habs were overrating fifth round netminder Jakub Dobes, who struggled to adapt to the USHL after mastering the NAHL, but there is less risk of whiffing on a fifth rounder and a top 50 pick.

Florida Panthers

1/12 Anton Lundell, C, HIFK (Liiga)

2/43 Emil Heinemann, LW, Leksand J20 (SuperElit)

3/74 Ty Smilanic, C, USNTDP (USHL)

3/87 Justin Sourdif, C/RW, Vancouver (WHL)

4/95 Michael Benning, D, Sherwood Park (AJHL)

4/105 Zachary Uens, D, Merrimack (NCAA/Hockey East)

5/153 Kasper Puutio, D, Everett (WHL)

7/198 Elliot Ekmark, C, Linkoping J20 (SuperElit)

7/212 Devon Levi, G, Carleton Place (CCHL)

There may not have been a team whose draft picks this year I liked so consistently as I did that of the Panthers. Whenever it would be their turn to call out a name, I would at minimum nod in appreciation of their getting another strong candidate, if not exclaim loudly something along the lines of “great pick”. Seven of their nine picks were players who were ranked either higher, or right within a few spots of where they were taken. And even the two who were not were close enough that I could still appreciate their being selected when they were.

If you look at the list above, you could see that they started off hot and heavy on forwards, using each of their first four picks on forwards. They then downshifted to the blueline, using their next three picks on defenders, before finishing off with a bonus forward and the compulsory goaltender. New GM Bill Zito’s inaugural draft was also relatively varied geographically, as the nine players included two from Sweden, one from Finland, two from the WHL, two from Canadian Junior A leagues, one already in college, and one from the USNTDP. The players were a mix of large and small. If there was a trait that unites all of the players Florida selected, it is hockey IQ. These are all players who have track records of being able to read the play well and make the right decisions with and without the puck.

It might be also worth noting that with only two CHLers in the group, Zito has given himself and his scouting team a long timeline before he will have to judge his relative drafting success. True, that long timeline is unlikely to include first rounder Anton Lundell, who has recently started his third full season in Liiga, where his play has only improved each year. He could easily find his way to the NHL by the 2021-22 season. As for the others, we are unlikely to see any of them until at least 2023-24, at the earliest. As Zito gets more and more acclimated to his new role in South Florida, his drafting tendencies will likely shift. But why mess with perfection?

Best value pick: Ty Smilanic

With all due respect to Kasper Puutio, Michael Benning and Devon Levi, each of whom was drafted by Florida well after the slot at which they were ranked, Smilanic can be the only choice here. Perhaps we were moderately high on the multi-talented, hard-working, two-way center from the USNTDP, ranking him as the last pick in our fictitious first round. He was definitely the last of our top 31 to be available. He has great wheels, and will flash top six worthy puck skills, with the primary caveat being that he doesn’t flash them often enough, leading to questions about vision and creativity. He will be heading off to play at Quinnipiac for the next few years, where he has a very good chance of quickly working his way into a top six role. If his moderate draft drop was due to the unrelated injuries and illnesses he dealt with in his draft year (high ankle sprain, wrist injury, mono), then all the more kudos to the Florida scouts who brought him into the fold.

Worst value pick: Zachary Uens

There really isn’t one. But I did mention above that two of their nine picks were selected in a round range higher from where we had them ranked. While the Panthers selected Uens in the fourth round, we had him slotted into a sixth-round range. The other competitor was second rounder Emil Heinemann, who we preferred in the third. Uens was the only overager selected by the Panthers this year. We actually had Uens ranked around 25 spots higher in his original draft year, so we can’t complain about Florida righting a wrong here. He showed a more mature puck moving game as a freshman at Merrimack than we were totally expecting. He has a decent sized frame that needs filling out and may be ready to turn pro after his junior season. Even as the “worst value pick”, we still like this pick.

Toronto Maple Leafs

1/15 Rodion Amirov, LW, Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL)

2/59 Roni Hirvonen, C, Assat (Liiga)

3/64 Topi Niemela, D, Karpat (Liiga)

4/106 Artur Akhtyamov, G, Irbis Kazan (MHL)

4/122 William Villeneuve, D, Saint John (QMJHL)

5/137 Dmitri Ovchinnikov, LW, Sibirskie Snaipery Novosibirsk (MHL)

6/168 Veeti Miettinen, RW, Kiekko-Espoo U20 (Jr. A SM-liiga)

6/177 Axel Rindell, D, Jukurit (Liiga)

6/180 Joe Miller, RW, Blake School (USHS-MN)

7/189 John Fusco, D, Dexter Southfield School (USHS-MA)

7/195 Wyatt Schingoethe, LW, Waterloo (USHL)

7/213 Ryan Tverberg, C, Toronto JC (OJHL)

With the exception of fourth rounder William Villeneuve, Toronto’s massive draft class started off heavy on Europeans and finished heavy on collegians. To complete the picture, they mixed up the two elements of this draft class in the sixth round, with the selection of Veeti Miettinen, who will be moving from the Finnish junior leagues to St. Cloud State as soon as pandemic conditions allow. While he has not yet begun his 2020-21 season, most of the rest of Toronto’s picks have. And many of them are now playing at a higher level – literally and figuratively – than they had last season. After two years of using the draft largely as a set of assets to use in trade for current roster players, Kyle Dubas has pivoted slightly to using the draft to replenish the system so as to continuously refurbish the roster from within.

While this Toronto draft class has 12 players, fully half of them were taken in the last two rounds, making those players longshots. Which is fine. Most draft picks are longshots, regardless of round, but the Maple Leafs helped to hedge those bets by focusing pretty heavily near the top of the draft on players who have already experienced remarkable success at the top level in their respective homelands. Think of first rounder Rodion Amirov, who played 21 games at the KHL level last year and has already added 14 more so far this year – which much improved scoring rates. Think of second rounder Roni Hirvonen, who graduated to Liiga as a 17-year-old last year, despite his under-developed frame. I could say nearly the same about third rounder Topi Niemela as I did about Hirvonen, except Niemela is a defenseman instead of a forward. Also, and this is a little odd, Niemela is back playing against juniors this year. Even fourth round netminder Artur Akhtyamov has spent the early going of the current year split between the KHL, VHL, and MHL. Finally, sixth round defender Axel Rindell, one of the few overagers Toronto drafted this year, spent most of the 2019-20 season in Liiga.

One other notable element of Toronto’s draft this year was their seeming pull to address an organizational shortcoming of right-handed defensemen. Four of their 12 picks this year were used on blueliners and all four of those defensemen shoot from their right sides. Additionally, while the NHL team has used this offseason to address the lack of muscle in the lineup, Dubas still sticks to his convictions in the draft, looking for smarts and skills. None of their drafted players is taller than William Villeneuve at 6-1”, and none tips the scales at more than Wyatt Schingoethe’s 201 lbs. The process is still very much at play.

Best value pick: Veeti Miettinen

While I strongly considered both of Roni Hirvonen and Topi Niemela in this spot, both taken up to 20 spots lower than where they could have, fellow Finn Veeti Miettien was the obvious choice. Miettinen is on the extreme old side for a first time eligible, less than a week too young to have been eligible last season. He is small, and slight, and has never played men’s hockey, staying in the Jr. A SM-liiga for the past three seasons to retain NCAA eligibility, even though he put up more than one point per game in both of the last two seasons, last year leading the league in scoring by 12 points, and winning the goal scoring crown by a remarkable 14 goals. Miettinen’s offensive tools are very diverse and while I expect some growing pains this season at St. Cloud State, I also expect hi to be a play driver by his sophomore season.

Worst value pick: John Fusco

While we admittedly also did not have fourth round goalie Artur Akhtyamov on our list, his name was well known to both scouts and prognosticators before this year, and he has already spent time this season playing in the KHL. Fusco, on the other hand well, we had nothing. Also, no one really had anything. Even for the USHL draft, he was only ever a 15^th round pick in 2019. He is a second time eligible player who has yet to leave the cocoon of his Massachusetts prep school Dexter Southfield, where he plays with his younger brother and where his uncle was a former star. Interestingly, both his father and uncle played at Harvard in the 1980s and both were Hobey Baker Award winners in the early years of the award. They both played at Harvard, where John is scheduled to begin once the new season starts.

Tampa Bay Lightning

2/57 Jack Finley, C, Spokane (WHL)

2/62 Gage Goncalves, C, Everett (WHL)

3/85 Maxim Groshev, RW, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk (KHL)

3/93 Jack Thompson, D, Sudbury (OHL)

4/116 Eamon Powell, D, USNTDP (USHL)

5/147 Jaydon Dureau, LW, Portland (WHL)

6/157 Nick Capone, RW, Tri-City (USHL)

6/186 Amir Miftakhov, G, Bars Kazan (VHL)

7/217 Declan McDonnell, RW, Kitchener (OHL)

Like many of Tampa Bay’s recent draft classes, I didn’t love this one, but neither did I hate it. Further, there were some picks that I think have real ‘click’-ability. And the Lightning have finally won the Stanley Cup after years among the top teams in the league. Considering how home-grown their core is, I hazard that Julien BriseBois and friends don’t care about our being lukewarm on their picks. But I would have said something similar about each of their previous four draft classes. And each of those four classes has had a player or three from the middle and late rounds step up since then. I think of Connor Ingram in 2016. Samuel Walker in 2017. Magnus Chrona and Cole Koepke in 2018. It’s still early for 2019, but I still expect good things from Hugo Alnefelt and Max Crozier there. Scroll down to the “Best value pick” section to see my pick from this draft class. Whoever it is this year will find a way to fit into the NHL structure, but imagine what this draft class would have looked like had they not traded away both their own pick (to San Jose in the Barclay Goodrow trade) and the pick they received from Vancouver for JT Miller (to New Jersey, along with 2019 first rounder Nolan Foote, in the trade for Blake Coleman).

The Champions went heavier on the CHL leagues this year than most, using five of their nine picks on Canadians juniors. The rest was split evenly between Russia and the USHL. Additionally, the bulk of the new Bolts play up front, as Tampa only drafted two defensemen and one goalie. Birthdate did not seem to be a significant factor with their selections, as three of the picks are in their second or third year of draft eligibility and two others had late 2001 birthdates. Another common area for trends – size – is inconclusive but has some notable exceptions. Until trading for the aforementioned Goodrow and Coleman, and a few other smaller moves this year, size was never considered to be of great importance in the team building philosophy of the Lightning. And if you only look at their 2020 draft class in aggregate, you might think the same. But once you get past 5-11” Eamon Powell, 5-11” Jaydon Dureau, and 5-10” Declan McDonnell, you might notice that their first pick, Jack Finley is a beefy 6-5”, and sixth rounder Nick Capone is a very thick 6-2” and was likely the toughest player in the USHL last year.

If there is a trait that might bind the Lightning’s selections it is how they all seem to be late bloomers who have only recently begun to experience the bloom, a defining characteristic that portends to both a continued upwards developmental trajectory and the inherent willingness of the player to continue working and growing as a player. Those were all apparent in the recent mid- to late-round picks highlighted earlier and if even one or two of this group of nine hits those heights, the Lightning will have some affordable replacements for successful players who have panned out and grown too expensive.

Best value player: Eamon Powell

It should be noted that the only other Tampa pick would was drafted notably later than where we had them ranked was Mr. Irrelevant, Declan McDonnell. Like McDonnell an undersized native of New York State, Powell was Jake Sanderson’s usual partner in last season’s USNTDP U18 class. For much of the first half of the season, Powell was entrusted to carry the puck up the ice, a task which he relished as he is one of the faster skating blueliners in this draft class. Yes, he is a faster skater than Sanderson. The Boston College commit is painfully lean and will need to bulk up significantly, but he is not about defending with all he has when the time comes and his offensive zone tools may be strong enough to allow us to overlook his physical shortcomings anyway. He will be tested at BC when he has to line up alongside a defender less talented than Sanderson, but Tampa will be patient as he develops.

Worst value pick: Gage Goncalves

Talk about your late bloomers! Never drafted into the WHL, Goncalves made it onto the Everett roster in his first draft eligible year and scored once in 67 games. Bear in mind he is a center. Naturally, no one even considered drafting him in 2019. He was a different player this year, though, coming on strong with 33 goals and 71 points in 60 games, finishing behind only Anaheim signee Bryce Kindopp for the team points lead. Goncalves is a very smart player and he has decent puck skills, but late bloomer or not, we have a hard time seeing much more than a depth forward role in his future. Now watch him lead the WHL in scoring once play resumes.

Boston Bruins

2/58 Mason Lohrei, D, Green Bay (USHL)

3/89 Trevor Kuntar, C, Youngstown (USHL)

5/151 Mason Langenbrunner, D, Eden Prairie HS (USHS-MN)

6/182 Riley Duran, C, Lawrence Academy (USHS-MA)

So many scouts, so many scouts spurned. With four picks in the 2020 NHL Draft, the Bruins selected two players from the USHL on their respective way to college, and two American prepsters, also on their respective paths to college, once they get through their own USHL seasons. That’s two years in a row without making a single pick from the CHL. I feel for Boston’s Canadian-based amateur scouts. If that wasn’t enough for delayed gratification from the draft, their two USHL veterans are both over agers, having been passed over in the draft already in 2019. I should also mention that one of their “veteran” picks, second rounder Mason Lohrei, is not only an overager draft, but as of now he is scheduled to return for another season of USHL hockey before going to campus. I can respect giving their prospects ample time to reach the pros, but the more chips a GM pushes into a distant basket, the more likely he is to be making selections for his replacement.

Another similarity that extends across Boston’s four picks is that all are plus-sized. I suppose I can give the Bruins points for splitting their picks between forwards and defensemen. Third rounder Trevor Kuntar, at 6-0”, is the only pick standing under 6-2”, and even he has a rather filled out, 200+ lbs frame. Oddly though, based on our projections and notes on these players, the two drafted forwards (Kuntar and Duran) both play more physically prominent styles than their two drafted blueliners (Lohrei and Langenbrunner). Of course, the difference in each case is fairly slight. In fact, the only truly plus tool that any of these players possesses is Langenbrunner’s skating. For any of the rest to make it, it will have to be a case of the whole being greater than the sum of the parts.

In all honesty, none of the players the Bruins drafted are BAD. None of them were drafted around where we would have advocated drafting them, but these aren’t bad players, and in fact, each of them featured on our extended final list. What my big concern here boils down to is that the older players are too low upside, and the younger players are too low floor. Neither of the 19-year-olds has any truly dynamic elements to their games. Neither of the 18-year-olds has high level experience that can convincingly tell me that they will be able to handle the steps up in competition that will be required to reach the NHL. Too much risk, not enough reward.

Best value pick: Trevor Kuntar

I could have written “none”, but I am not here to be cruel. I like Kuntar and have enjoyed watching him play for the past two seasons. He has a thick frame and plays a strong game. He isn’t the fastest, but he plays with a healthy pace. He likes to shoot the puck and he shoots it quite well. His Youngstown team wasn’t very good, or deep, and Kuntar got a lot of experience playing significant minutes in all situations. If this Bruins’ draft has one player I would bet on to reach the NHL, it is the Boston College commit. Bottom six, of course, but NHL is NHL.

Worst value pick: Mason Lohrei

I half expected Lohrei, who just had his first full USHL season, to be drafted. After all, he is 6-4”, and put up really good numbers for Green Bay while regularly showing a solid game off the puck as well. But I was never convinced that I would advocate for making that pick, preferring to leave him on our Honorable Mention list instead of in the top 217. After all, he was older, with less remaining room for continued development. As good as the numbers were, I never saw him take over a game or even a shift. If any overager from the Gamblers was to be taken, I would have spring for Jesse Tucker instead. This is a longish way of saying, draft him if you like, but in the second round? I refuse to believe that he would not have still been available with the Bruins’ fifth rounder if they showed more patience.

WHL: Cross Hanas, LW, Portland (2020)

Arlo Schulz — Wed, 22 Jul 2020 11:30:21 +0000

Cross Hanas is an interesting prospect who could be categorized as a bit of a boom-or-bust pick. He possesses a tremendous set of mitts and decent finishing ability, but lacks consistency and needs to add muscle and continue to improve his skating in order to fully realize his potential as a pro. His individual style may not translate well to the next level but some NHL team will see his upside as worthy of a mid-round pick.

Cross Hanas	2020 NHL Draft Eligible
Position: LW, Shoots L	H/W: 6-1", 165 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-PTS-PIMS)	Portland Winterhawks, WHL (60-22-27-49-42)
	USA U18, Hlinka Gretzky Cup (4-1-2-3-2)

Skating – Hanas isn’t the most graceful of skaters. His stride is choppy and inefficient, but he makes up for it with a decent motor, keeping his feet moving most of the time, allowing him to keep up with the play and often appearing faster than he really is. He possesses a unique hop in his step and likes to add a layer of deception with leg kicks or stutter steps to fool opposing defensemen. His edgework is above-average and his top-end speed is adequate at worst, once he manages to get there. Grade: 55

Shot – The wrist shot is a serious weapon for Hanas. His release is already pro-caliber and its accuracy is pinpoint. That said, there is room for improvement in terms of velocity, once Hanas adds upper-body strength. He is a good finisher around the net with the forehand and backhand, and follows up with his rebounds. Grade: 55

Skills – Hanas has a decisive set of hands with a wide variety of dekes in the arsenal. He is confident with the puck and unafraid to try new things in games, which lands him on the highlight reel from time to time. His timing when passing the puck and using teammates is deceptive and effective, although he can rely on his individual skills too much at times and stickhandle into trouble rather than using linemates. Still, he sees the ice well and is a weapon on the powerplay. Grade: 55

Smarts – Hanas has received praise for his hockey IQ in the past, and he is certainly a smart hockey player offensively. He is crafty with the puck and sees plays develop before others do. Without the puck, he knows what areas to go to in order to present a target for teammates or collect rebounds. However, he lacks consistency in his game and can disappear for long stretches within a game or even over parts of a season. Hanas can become disengaged in games not suited to his individual skills, and isn’t great defensively, often preferring to let teammates do the heavy lifting to get the puck back. Grade: 55

Physicality – With his tall lanky frame, Hanas has the potential to be a strong physical force on the ice once he adds muscle and strength. He is already decent in the corners and is willing to go to the hard areas of the offensive zone and cause havoc. That said, he doesn’t engage physically without the puck, doesn’t punish opposing defensemen on the forecheck, and isn’t always willing to take a hit to make a play on traditional breakout plays. Scouts will crave Hanas’ size, but whether he rounds out his game to better utilize it, remains to be seen. Grade: 45

Overall Future Projection (OFP): 54

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

WHL 2019-2020 Season Preview – Western Conference

Vince Gibbons — Fri, 04 Oct 2019 15:58:20 +0000

One of the joys of junior hockey is that the age limitations force roster turnover of top teams in 3-4-year cycles creating a new league every couple of seasons. This ensures that no team stays at the top of the league for too long. The class of the league last season was the Prince Albert Raiders. Wire to wire the top team in the WHL with three lines of scoring, three defenders with over 40 points each, and an NHL-drafted goalie prospect in Ian Scott, they ticked all the boxes of a team that was able to dominate the league.

This year they will be without three graduated top overage forwards in Dante Hannoun, Noah Gregor, and Sean Montgomery, who combined for an impressive 101 goals. Top scorer from last year Brett Leason is still in pro camp and could play in the AHL this season if he continues to show well. If he does that is another 36 goals no longer with the roster. Does this leave the door open to another team in the WHL to dominate the 2019-2020 regular season? Does Prince Albert have the staying power to remain at the top? These articles will try to answer those questions months in advance. (Teams are listed in their projected divisional rankings). Today we look at the Western Conference. The Eastern Conference article can be found here:

Nolan Foote #29 of the Kelowna Rockets (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Shoot the Breeze

B.C. Division

Vancouver Giants (1^st)

Having come within an overtime goal of a trip to the Memorial Cup, the Giants are fortunate to return some outstanding players including top defender Bowen Byram (Colorado, 1^st 2019). He can handle all the minutes he is given and is able to generate offense as well as anyone from the back end. Tristen Nielsen and Milos Roman (Calgary, 4^th 2018) give them experienced center play while draft eligible Justin Sourdif has picked up where he left off last season and might be their most productive forward this season. Another 2020 potential draft pick is Lukas Svejkovsky, a talented right shot winger with very good playmaking skills. That balance of youthful skill and solid veterans can be seen across their lineup and is a big part of why they are favorites to win the division this season. Returning 20 year old David Tendeck (Arizona 6^th, 2018), along with the younger Trent Miner (Colorado, 7^th 2019) certainly helps their cause as a team looking to come out of the West.

Kelowna Rockets (2^nd)

Hosting the Memorial Cup comes with enormous pressure to have an outstanding season. Both Regina and Red Deer have been good but not the elite teams in the league in their respective host years and Kelowna will be trying to break the WHL curse of late at the Memorial Cup. Defensively, the roster is pretty strong with Kaedan Korczak (Vegas, 2^nd 2019) and Jake Lee leading the way. Up front they have a couple of elite wingers in Nolan Foote (Tampa Bay, 1^st 2019), and Dillon Hamaliuk (San Jose, 2^nd 2019) that play a bruising power forward style of game. Draft eligible Pavel Novak showed great hands in the preseason but will have to continue that play once the games start to matter to hear his name mentioned at this season’s draft. A lot of their offense is going to come from overage players Kyle Topping and Leif Mattson, both of whom were near the 1 point per game pace last season and both look like they can shoulder even more of the heavy lifting in the early part of this season.

Kamloops Blazers (3^rd)

Last season the Blazers made the playoffs without winning half their regular season games. This year’s team has a load of potential but are likely one more season away from challenging for the top of the division. Not many teams are able to return the top three scorers from last season but the Blazers are able to do so this year. Offensively, this team has Zane Franklin who has nearly doubled his point production season over season each of the past three seasons. That steady improvement bodes well for the 20 year old who will lead a team with a number of young dynamic offensive players. Connor Zary was over one point per game last season but as a late 2001 was not eligible for last season’s NHL Entry draft. expect him to be even more prolific this year. Orrin Centazzo was the third member of that trio with 51 points last year. Add in ’03 born Logan Stankoven and Kamloops is developing some excellent forward depth that should sustain them the next couple of seasons. Defensively they possess a number of puck movers although none really appear to have the dynamic quality of a number one defender. Dylan Garand had a strong season last year and the starting job is his to lose. There is a lot of quality within this roster and they could surprise this season but it may be one year too early. Look for them to emerge as a strong contender over the next few seasons.

Victoria Royals (4^th)

The Royals have seen years of stable playoff hockey and this year looks to be a bit of a struggle. They have been battling with Vancouver the past few seasons at the top of the division but it will be tough for them to compete against the top teams now. They have less scoring than last season and a review of their roster doesn’t breed a ton of confidence. Keanu Derungs, their recent import selection, will be relied upon to generate offense playing on the wing with established center Kaid Oliver upon the latter’s return from injury. The rest of the Victoria roster is really made up of depth players that will struggle against top lines across the league. There is a lot of experience in the crease for this team with 120 WHL games between Brock Gould and Shane Farkas, which should keep the team competitive but likely is not enough to ensure them a playoff spot.

Prince George Cougars (5^th)

The Cougars have struggled the past couple of seasons and don’t look like a team that will be turning the corner this year either. Josh Maser led the team in goals last season with 30 and will be counted on as their top producing forward. Goal scoring will be an issue again for them as import player Matej Toman has not found his offensive game since coming over from the Czech Republic. Tyson Upper is the top draft eligible forward on the roster but the best draft prospect might be Rhett Rhinehart who is a towering 6-4” defender with a bit of an old school ruggedness to his game. Taylor Gauthier has the pedigree of a top goalie but with the team in front of him has put up pretty pedestrian numbers. With goalie of the future Tyler Brennan on the roster expect this to be a 1A and 1B scenario unless they are able to move Gauthier to a contender as the season moves along.

Ty Smith

U.S. Division

Portland Winterhawks (1^st)

Portland has to be the model franchise in terms of drafting players, developing them and producing the highest quality product on the ice. This year again speaks volumes about the organization. Both of the import players selected provide instant offensive talent to help replace the losses of Cody Glass, Joachim Blichfeld up front, and Jared Freadrich on the back end. This year Simon Knak and Jonas Brondberg (both 2020 draft eligible) step in and have both shown they are excellent playmakers. Cross Hanas looks ready to take a step up in responsibility after playing in the bottom six for most of last season. This year he plays the wing for Seth Jarvis who is also working his way up draft boards early. John Ludvig (Florida, 3^rd 2019) sets the tone in the defensive zone with his physical, no non-sense approach to defending. This team consistently rebuilds on the fly and look to have successfully backfilled roles with a combination of internal progression and astute import draft selections. The crease is held down by Joel Hofer (St. Louis, 4^th 2018), a behemoth of a man at 6-5” brought in last year to solidify the only perceived weakness on the roster. He may start 60 games this year and should finally start piling up some wins after his first 70 starts in the league.

Spokane Chiefs (2^nd)

In a division where goaltending dictates so much, the addition of import Lukas Parik (Los Angeles, 3^rd 2019) could be enough to push Spokane to a clear top two finish in the division but more importantly, it provides a chance to get out of the US division in the playoffs. In front of him they have a strong group of defenders led by Filip Kral (Toronto, 5^th 2018). He has a good shot and has more offensive potential than most late round picks. Up front, scoring will be by committee but Adam Beckman (Minnesota, 3^rd 2019) will be counted on to improve his 32 goal season from a year ago. Somewhat surprisingly undrafted winger Luke Toporowski has something to prove this season and will be a big part of any team success that Spokane has. Jack Finley had solid numbers in a depth role last season but the 2020 draft eligible player should be able to carve out a top six role this season. Spokane’s biggest “X” factor comes from diminutive defender Ty Smith (New Jersey, 1^st 2018) and how he responds to not making the Devils’ opening day roster. At his best, he is a dynamic puck mover and playmaker that can dictate the pace of play like few others can in this league.

Everett Silvertips (3^rd)

Defensively, Everett is consistently a top team in terms of goals against. Since 2016 they have given up the fewest goals and it hasn’t even been close. In 2016-17, they led in that department by 29 goals, by 46 in 2017-18, and by 26 in 2018-19. That is domination. It is also coaching. Dennis Williams has consistently brought something to the league that other coaches have struggled to contend with and that is a tenacious, physical team defense. It hasn’t hurt that the crease has been held down very well by Carter Hart (Philadelphia, 2^nd 2016), and now Dustin Wolf (Calgary, 7^th 2019). Everett relies on overage and import scoring talent and Bryce Kindopp and Michal Gut will be looking to provide that this season.

Seattle Thunderbirds (4^th)

Five of the top dozen teams in the entire WHL usually come from this division and it is entirely possible that all five of these teams again make the playoffs. Top scorer from last year Matthew Wedman (Florida, 7^th 2019) is back in the fold targeting another career year after reaching 40 goals last season. He will have to do so with new linemates this year. Henrik Rybinski (Florida, 5^th 2019), Payton Mount, and Michael Horon will all take more prominent roles within the offense this season which should give NHL scouts plenty to ponder. Defensively they will be anchored by Simon Kubicek a late ’01 who is much more than a big frame on the back end. Between the pipes they have Roddy Ross (Philadelphia, 6^th 2019) perhaps the best named player in the league. He has the pro frame that NHL teams covet and has been solid in his first 25 WHL games.

Tri-City Americans (5^th)

Tri-City is a difficult team to bet against. Each year they seem to find a way to be more than the sum of their parts. Sasha Mutala (Colorado 5^th, 2019) has grown up in this organization and carries the expectations forward with this younger roster. He and Samuel Huo will lead the next generation of Tri-City players through the 2019-20 season. The difference may come in the form of Beck Warm, a 20 year old netminder who played a league high 61 games last year with a well earned 2.94 GAA and a .916 save percentage. He led the league in shots and saves last year and that will have to continue along that path if Tri-Cities are expected to compete for the Wild Card.

***

This year the US division is again the most competitive in the WHL with the possibility of all five teams making the playoffs. Out East, the rebranded Winnipeg ICE have done a lot to reinvent the club after several struggling seasons in Cranbrook and have started strong. Saskatchewan has two teams in Saskatoon and Prince Albert that met in 2^nd round of last season’s playoffs and it could easily play out that way again this season. The Central Division boils down to a Battle of Highway 2, as both Calgary and Edmonton have mature and deep rosters that can match up against anyone. There are always a few surprises as the season chugs along and it could be a Medicine Hat or an Everett who ride top end goaltending right through the playoffs. Perhaps an upstart Kamloops team is ready to compete this year. Regardless of how it all plays out, it is an exciting time to get into the local barns and watch these young players develop into future pros. Below is a top 10 of draft eligible players

Top 10 (Alphabetical Order)

Braden Schneider, Brandon

Connor McClennon, Winnipeg

Connor Zary, Kamloops

Jake Neighbours, Edmonton

Justin Sourdif, Vancouver

Kaiden Guhle, Prince Albert

Kyle Crnkovic, Saskatoon

Kasper Puutio, Swift Current

Seth Jarvis, Portland

Honorable Mentions:

Ben King, Swift Current

Carter Savoie, Sherwood Park (AJHL)

Christoffer Sedoff, Red Deer

Cross Hanas, Portland

Michael Benning, Sherwood Park (AJHL)

Pavel Novak, Kelowna

Ridly Greig, Brandon

Simon Knak, Portland

Cross Hanas – McKeen's Hockey

2024 NHL Prospect Pool Rankings: Detroit Red Wings Take No. 1 Spot – The Yzerplan takes root

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – DETROIT RED WINGS – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #3

Top 20 Detroit Red Wing Prospects

1. Simon Edvinsson

2. Marco Kasper - C

3. Nate Danielson - C

4. Axel Sandin Pellikka - D

5. William Wallinder - D

6. Sebastian Cossa - G

7. Carter Mazur - LW

8. Trey Augustine – G

9. Dmitri Buchelnikov - LW

10. Shai Buium - D

11. Amadeus Lombardi - LW

12. Elmer Soderblom - RW

13. Albert Johansson - D

14. Andrew Gibson - D

15. Noah Dower Nilsson - LW

16. Antti Tuomisto - D

17. Cross Hanas - LW

18. Dylan James - LW

19. Theodor Niederbach - C

20. Redmond Savage - C

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #5 Detroit Red Wings

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – DETROIT RED WINGS – Top 20 Prospects

USHL: 2020-21 Playoff Preview – Expect Entertaining Hockey with Chicago a Clear Favourite

Team USA

Youngstown Phantoms

Des Moines Buccaneers

Lincoln Stars

Waterloo Black Hawks

Sioux Falls Stampede

Western Conference

#1 Tri-City Storm vs #4 Fargo Force

#2 Omaha Lancers vs #3 Sioux City Musketeers

Eastern Conference

#2 Muskegon Lumberjacks vs #3 Green Bay Gamblers

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Detroit Red Wings Top 20 Prospects

Lucas Raymond, RW/LW (4th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Moritz Seider, D (6th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 1)

Albert Johansson, D (60th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 3)

Theodor Niederbach, C (51st overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Robert Mastrosimone, LW (54th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 4)

Joe Veleno, C (30th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 5)

Jonatan Berggren, LW/RW (33rd overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 7)

Jared McIsaac, D (36th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 2)

Antti Tuomisto, D (35th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 6)

William Wallinder, D (32nd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Donovan Sebrango, D (63rd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Eemil Viro, D (70th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Cross Hanas, LW (55th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Keith Petruzzelli, G (88th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 8)

Seth Barton, D (81st overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 9)

Elmer Soderblom, LW/C (159th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 10)

Kirill Tyutyayev, LW (190th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 11)

Yevgeni Svechnikov, LW (19th overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 12)

Albin Grewe, RW (66th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 13)

Givani Smith, RW (46th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 14)

2020 NHL Draft Team Review: Atlantic Division

Detroit Red Wings

1/4 Lucas Raymond, LW, Frolunda BK (SHL)

2/32 William Wallinder, D, MODO J20 (SuperElit)

2/51 Theodor Niederbach, C, Frolunda J20 (SuperElit)

2/55 Cross Hanas, LW, Portland (WHL)

3/63 Donovan Sebrango, D, Kitchener (OHL)

3/70 Eemil Viro, D, TPS U20 (Jr. A SM-liiga)

4/97 Sam Stange, RW, Sioux Falls (USHL)

4/107 Jan Bednar, G, HC Karlovy Vary (Czech)

5/132 Alex Cotton, D, Lethbridge (WHL)

6/156 Kyle Aucoin, D, Tri-City (USHL)

7/187 Kienan Draper, RW, St. Andrews College (HS-ON)

7/203 Chase Bradley, LW, Omaha (USHL)

Best value pick: Theodor Niederbach

Worst value pick: Cross Hanas

Ottawa Senators

1/3 Tim Stutzle, LW, Adler Mannheim (DEL)

1/5 Jake Sanderson, D, USNTDP (USHL)

1/28 Ridly Greig, C, Brandon (WHL)

2/33 Roby Jarventie, RW, Ilves U20 (Jr. A SM-liiga)

Lucas Raymond, RW/LW (4^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Moritz Seider, D (6^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 1)

Albert Johansson, D (60^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 3)

Theodor Niederbach, C (51^st overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Robert Mastrosimone, LW (54^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 4)

Joe Veleno, C (30^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 5)

Jonatan Berggren, LW/RW (33^rd overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 7)

Jared McIsaac, D (36^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 2)

Antti Tuomisto, D (35^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 6)

William Wallinder, D (32^nd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Donovan Sebrango, D (63^rd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Eemil Viro, D (70^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Cross Hanas, LW (55^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Keith Petruzzelli, G (88^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 8)

Seth Barton, D (81^st overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 9)

Elmer Soderblom, LW/C (159^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 10)

Kirill Tyutyayev, LW (190^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 11)

Yevgeni Svechnikov, LW (19^th overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 12)

Albin Grewe, RW (66^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 13)

Givani Smith, RW (46^thoverall, 2016. Previous ranking: 14)