Daniil Chayka – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #27

Introduction - Dave Hall, Profiles - Josh Bell — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 18:00:41 +0000

_{NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 22: Vegas Golden Knights center Brendan Brisson (19) looks on during a game between the Vegas Golden Knights and New Jersey Devils on January 22, 2024 at Prudential Center in the Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire)}

Prospect System Ranking – 27th (Previous Rank - 28th)
GM: Kelly McCrimmon Hired: September 2019
COACH: Bruce Cassidy Hired: June 2022

In a system that has made a reputation off shipping out youthful assets, the Vegas Golden Knights remain in the bottom half of McKeen’s prospect rankings. Drafting just four prospects in consecutive entry drafts, combined with dealing away much of their high-end talent – David Edstrom (109th ranked) being the latest victim – has left their prospect pipeline somewhat hollow.

That said, Vegas took a high-leverage swing at the podium in this year’s draft by selecting one of the more polarizing talents available in the first round (19th overall): Trevor Connelly. While there have been concerns both on and off the ice, his upside is undeniable, with a shifty profile and knack for putting up points as a dual-threat contributor. There is a reason why he’s McKeen’s 78th-ranked prospect.

Although the Knights continue to deal prospects and top-rated draft picks – no first-round picks until 2027 – they’ve held tight on notable hopefuls like Brendan Brisson (130th), as well as defencemen Kaeden Korczak (203rd) and Lukas Cormier (96th) – all of whom are primed to step onto the roster in short order, if not already.

Additionally, they’ve seen promising development from Arttu Karki, who made nice strides as a rookie on the Soo Greyhounds’ backend. Karki will return to Liiga for the 2024-25 season, but his 45 points in 59 OHL games as a third-round, 18-year-old defender suggest he’s a prospect worth watching.

Vegas does bring in Alexander Holtz, a former New Jersey Devils graduate who finally established himself as an NHL regular. Holtz is expected to slot into the team’s top nine forward group, with hopes he can build on his 28 points in 82 games from last season.

If Kelly McCrimmon has taught us anything, however, it’s that if you don’t like Vegas’ prospect pool, just wait a few months. With eyes perpetually on the Stanley Cup, this organization refuses to sit still and is always ready to trade youth for win-now assets. As long as Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, Tomas Hertl, William Karlsson, Shea Theodore, and Alex Pietrangelo are in town, this team will continue to push for immediate success.

Vegas Golden Knights Top-15 Prospects

1. Trevor Connelly

Trevor Connelly was one of the draft’s most polarizing players, with his final selection position shrouded in mystery before his name was called. His offensive upside is undeniable—some scouts argue he may be the 2024 NHL Draft’s most talented player behind Celebrini and Demidov. However, Connelly entered draft day surrounded by concerns both on and off the ice. His past blunders and inconsistent play, especially defensively and in off-puck engagement, were red flags. His discipline was notably lacking, exemplified by a crucial penalty at the U18s. Despite these issues, Connelly’s skill set is impressive. He’s a highly creative and elusive offensive player with excellent edgework and puck handling. His quick feet and vision can be exceptional, though his decision-making and first-step quickness need improvement. Connelly’s commitment to Providence College under coach Nate Leaman could help him become a more complete player.

2. Lukas Cormier

Despite a strong training camp showing, Lukas Cormier spent most of 2023-24 honing his skills in the AHL with the Henderson Silver Knights. The undersized defenceman (5-foot-10, 176 pounds) impressed with his steady defensive play. His hockey IQ and ability to avoid bad decisions in his own end were on display. His understanding of how to generate offence from the blueline is exceptional, spotting opportunities as they open up through the flow of play or activating his feet to create them himself. While not a flashy offensive producer, he chipped in with one assist in his limited NHL action (two games) and showed glimpses of offensive potential in the AHL. However, questions remain about his offensive upside. Can he translate his defensive reliability into a more complete two-way game at the NHL level? The Golden Knights likely view him as a future bottom pairing defenceman, but further offensive development could push him toward a more prominent role.

3. Brendan Brisson

Brendan Brisson is an offensively gifted forward known for his elite shooting ability and high hockey IQ. Standing at 6-foot-0 and 185 pounds, Brisson has a strong, compact frame that he uses to protect the puck and create space for himself in the offensive zone. His most outstanding asset is his shot—his release is quick, deceptive, and highly accurate, making him a constant threat on the power play and in even-strength situations. Brisson is also an adept playmaker, capable of setting up teammates with crisp, timely passes. He sees the ice well and often anticipates plays before they develop, showcasing his advanced hockey sense. While his skating is above average, with good acceleration and edge work, there’s room for improvement in his top-end speed. Defensively, Brisson is responsible and shows a commitment to his two-way game, though his focus remains on driving offence. He projects as a top six forward with significant power-play potential at the professional level.

4. Matyas Sapovaliv

Matyas Sapovaliv continued his ascent in the OHL with the Saginaw Spirit last season. The Knights' second-round pick (2022) led the team in scoring (62 points in 54 games) while showcasing his well-rounded skillset. His offensive prowess is undeniable. His hockey IQ shines below the circles, where he excels at creating scoring chances for himself and his linemates. He's not just a facilitator though, possessing a strong shot and the ability to finish in tight spaces. However, there is some worry regarding his consistency. There are stretches where he dominates, but there are also lulls in his production. Despite these questions, his overall performance is a positive sign for his future. He's on track for a potential pro debut this season, likely back in the AHL. If he can refine his consistency and continue to dominate offensively, Sapovaliv could push for a quicker NHL promotion.

5. Kaedan Korczak

Kaedan Korczak is a rugged and intelligent defenceman with a well-rounded game. He excels in his own end, using his quick feet and active stick to shut down opponents' attacks and clear the zone with ease. His vision and anticipation allow him to make smart passes and spark transition play, while his physicality and competitiveness make him a difficult opponent to face in puck battles. He does a good job under forecheck pressure by being sturdy on his feet and keeping his head up to scan the play in front of him and assess his options. The challenge is figuring out whether he can be effective enough in the NHL in that kind of role. With continued development, there is the potential to become a top four defenceman and a key contributor on the Golden Knights' blue line. He shows intriguing upside and projects as a reliable, two-way defender.

6. Pavel Moysevich

Pavel Moysevich is an athletic goaltender with impressive reflexes and a strong technical foundation. Standing at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, he has the ideal size for a modern netminder, covering a lot of the net while still moving fluidly in the crease. Moysevich’s quickness is a key asset, particularly his lateral movement, which allows him to make sharp, reactive saves on cross-ice plays. His positioning is sound, and he does a good job of challenging shooters, playing aggressively at the top of his crease when necessary. Moysevich tracks the puck well, maintaining focus through traffic and making key saves in high-pressure situations. While he’s strong in stopping the first shot, his rebound control is an area for improvement, as he occasionally gives up second chances. Overall, Moysevich projects as a promising goaltender with the potential to develop into a reliable starter at the professional level, particularly with continued refinement of his game.

7. Mathieu Cataford

Mathieu Cataford is a slick and skilled forward with a high ceiling. He boasts elite speed and agility, allowing him to dance around defenders and create scoring chances in the blink of an eye. His vision and anticipation are exceptional, consistently identifying soft spots in coverage and delivering precision passes to exploit them. His quick release and accuracy make him a threat from anywhere on the ice. Offensively aware, he possesses strong instincts when it comes to positioning in the offensive zone and an ability to find the open ice. Always working hard to create space and to get open, he’s shown himself to be an extraordinarily complementary player and dependable forechecker. While he needs to add strength and physicality to his game, Cataford's upside as a top six forward and a key contributor to the Golden Knights' power play is undeniable. With continued development, he could become a dynamic and electrifying player in the NHL.

8. Jakub Brabenec

Jakub Brabenec is a slick and savvy playmaker with a knack for elevating his teammates' games. He boasts exceptional vision and anticipation, consistently identifying soft spots in coverage and delivering precision passes to exploit them. He is a lanky, smooth, multifaceted forward who can play wing or center, and slot up or down a lineup. He displays an impressive proficiency for transporting the puck across zones, keeping it out in front of him in stride, while also using his frame and reach to fend off backcheckers. His agility and quick feet allow him to navigate through traffic, while his soft hands and accuracy make him a threat from the slot. He's also a reliable defender, using his active stick and positioning to disrupt opponents' cycles. With continued refinement, Brabenec has the potential to become a top six forward and a contributor to the Golden Knights' power play as a playmaking center with a scoring touch.

9. Ben Hemmerling

Ben Hemmerling is a skilled and tenacious winger with a relentless motor. He excels in tight spaces, using his quick hands and agility to create scoring chances in the phone booth areas. His hockey IQ is high, consistently identifying soft spots in coverage and exploiting them with precision passing or well-placed shots. When he gets the puck, his vision makes him a strong playmaker too. He works well from below the goal line and from the half wall, drawing in to help defenders before finding a streaking teammate. His speed and acceleration allow him to pressure defenders, forcing turnovers and generating offence. While he may not be the biggest player, his compete level and smarts make him a pesky opponent, and his upside as a top six forward is considerable. With continued development he could become a valuable asset.

10. Arttu Karki

Arttu Karki is a promising defenceman with a solid all-around game. Standing at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, he offers a blend of size and skill that makes him a valuable asset on the blue line. Karki’s skating is a strong point. He moves with fluidity and can transition quickly from defence to offence, which helps him contribute to both ends of the ice. Defensively, Karki is reliable and uses his size effectively to clear the crease and win puck battles. His positioning is generally strong, and he reads the play well to anticipate and disrupt opposing attacks. Offensively, Karki has good puck-moving ability and can make precise passes to initiate breakouts. His shot from the point is a potential weapon on the power play. While he could improve his physicality and defensive consistency, Karki’s skill set and potential make him an intriguing prospect for a top four role.

11. Cameron Whitehead

Cameron Whitehead, a 6-foot-3 goaltender, is an intriguing prospect with solid technique and impressive size. His athleticism and quick reflexes enable agile movements, and he had a strong season with the Lincoln Stars before joining Northeastern. Whitehead's vision and creativity in broken-play situations stand out, but he must improve his rebound control and puck handling. As a long-term project, he needs to harness his size better for future success.

12. Jackson Hallum

Jackson Hallum is a skilled forward with excellent skating and a quick release. His offensive creativity and ability to generate scoring chances are standout features. While he could enhance his defensive game and consistency, Hallum’s dynamic play and scoring touch offer promising potential for NHL development.

13. Jakub Demek

Jakub Demek is a dynamic forward with exceptional playmaking skills and a sharp hockey sense. His ability to create scoring opportunities and read the game is impressive. While his skating could use improvement, Demek’s offensive creativity and vision make him a high-upside prospect with significant NHL potential.

14. Carl Lindbom

Carl Lindbom stands out as a reliable goaltender with impressive agility and quick reflexes. His ability to track pucks and maintain composure under pressure is notable. While he could benefit from refining his rebound control and positioning, Lindbom’s potential as a future starter is clear with continued development.

15. Daniil Chayka

Daniil Chayka is a solid defensive prospect with strong positional awareness and physicality. His skating and puck movement are reliable, contributing effectively to both ends of the ice. While he could improve his offensive instincts and decision-making under pressure, Chayka’s defensive reliability and size provide a path to the NHL.

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #25

Brock Otten, Derek Neumeier, Chapin Landvogt and Josh Bell — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 14:42:08 +0000

Top 20 Vegas Golden Knights Prospects

1. Lukas Cormier

Cormier torched the QMJHL throughout his four years with Charlottetown, and has since transitioned admirably to the AHL, including quarterbacking Henderson's top power-play unit as a rookie. His understanding of how to generate offense from the offensive blueline is exceptional, spotting opportunities as they open up through the flow of play or activating his feet to create them himself. He loves to buzz around with or without the puck, and after enough constant prodding he usually finds a weak spot. He has a knack for elevating his play at important times. Cormier's small stature is always going to be a limitation to varying degrees, and breaking up rushes or cycles going against his net will never be one of his strengths, but he's so effective offensively that coaches will shelter him if they have to, just keep his niche contributions on the roster.

2. Pavel Dorofyev

Some prospects leave their mark when they get called up to the NHL from the AHL, while others struggle to make the most of those opportunities. Dorofeyev undeniably falls into the former category. Vegas needed someone to provide a scoring spark towards the end of their regular season, and he rose to the occasion with aplomb. He has a natural knack for reading the play in the offensive zone, and when he's not anticipating scoring opportunities, he creates them himself reasonably well, both through his skating and his puck protection. He's more of a shooter than a playmaker, but he can keep opposing defenses and goalies on their toes either way. Further gains can still be made physically. Dorofeyev eventually developing into a top-line winger isn't out of the question, but it seems more likely that he will eventually settle into a comfortable middle six spot.

3. Brendan Brisson

Brisson had access to two of the best developmental programs in all of amateur hockey, first with the Chicago Steel and then the University of Michigan, so it's easy to understand why his game advanced so much over the past few seasons. That also begs the question though, whether he might have rushed things a bit by turning pro after only two collegiate seasons, as his skating, strength, and conditioning all still need to improve. He is an exceptional student of the game, and when you combine that with his elite ability to manipulate and move the puck you get a potential offensive focal point. His best work, unsurprisingly, comes on the power play. Brisson is the only first-rounder in the organization's history (prior to the 2023 draft) who hasn't been traded yet, so the need for him to pan out is high.

4. David Edstrom

Edstrom’s transformation from relative depth player and secondary offensive option to primary offensive weapon and first line center within the Swedish U18 program, all within the 2022-23 hocke calendar, was impressive and led to his first round selection by Vegas. With a strong athletic profile and a drastically improving game, Edstrom was one of our favourites heading into the draft. His skill, creativity, and overall playmaking ability improved drastically over the course of the season, which shifted the perception of his overall ceiling. At worst, with his size, improving skating ability, improving physical play, and effectiveness as a defensive forward, he could become a very good shutdown center at the NHL level even if his offensive development stagnates. On the other side of the coin, Edstrom could continue to progress and become much more than that. He has both a high ceiling and a high floor. He should continue to build up confidence playing in the SHL with Frolunda and will probably only need another year or two overseas before he is ready for AHL duty.

5. Daniil Miromanov

To say that Miromanov's career thus far has been a whirlwind would be an understatement. Not only did he bounce around North America and Eastern Europe chaotically for a number of years, but he was also originally a winger and only recently switched fulltime to defence. Despite some expected growing pains, the returns to date have been very impressive overall, and you can tell that he's still just scratching the surface of how good he can become once he fully adjusts to his new position. His heavy shot is a serious weapon, especially with the offensive instincts that carried over from his time as a forward, and he uses his strength and reach well to win defensive battles. Miromanov has an abundance of remaining unmined upside, and it's exciting to think of how good the final product could be after a few more years of stable, focused growth within the same organization.

6. Mathieu Cataford

An allrounder with exciting offensive possibilities, Cataford can rightfully be considered one of the most enticing 3rd round draft picks from the 2023 draft. After kicking off his season with Team Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, picking up one assist in his five games en route to a gold medal, he ended up taking on a huge role for his QMJHL club, the Halifax Mooseheads, scoring at over a PPG pace in the regular season, only to add another 13 points in 21 postseason games. Offensively aware, Cataford possesses strong instincts when it comes to positioning in the offensive zone and an ability to find the open ice. Always working hard to create space and get open, he’s shown himself to be an extraordinary complimentary player and dependable forechecker. Physicality, a strong, hard shot, and well-roundedness without the puck fill out a solid player package. Without that one outstanding trait and featuring generally average size, Cataford’s trek to the NHL will be one of hard work, which has never been a problem for him, and a need to overcome the inconsistency that was seen throughout his draft year. Continued development is key.

7. Kaeden Korczak

Korczak's game is about as simple and straightforward as it gets, and while it's not necessarily a bad thing to be a specialist, success is dependent on how good a player is at that special niche. A defensive defenseman who plays with sandpaper and makes a competent first pass out of his zone, he does a good job under forechecking pressure by being sturdy on his feet and keeping his head up to scan the play in front of him and assess his options. The challenge is figuring out whether he can be effective enough in the NHL in that kind of role. None of his physicality, reach, or mobility are especially high-end, which makes it questionable how well he will be able to shut down the biggest, strongest, and fastest players in the sport. A ceiling higher than a third-pair defender seems unlikely.

8. Matyas Sapovaliv

Sapovaliv is highly effective even though he's not particularly exciting to watch. He's strong as an ox and a sharp, methodical thinker, and it's almost funny watching him play because you can see opponents recognize his intentions but still fail miserably at trying to stop him. There is a near inevitability to how he drives pucks to the net in the offensive zone, slowly but powerfully. While he's good across all 200 feet of ice, he is most effective defensively, utilizing his best attributes to be a masterful defensive pivot and penalty killer. He can hold his own in matchups against the top opposing centers in his age group, even the ones who hold a significant skating advantage, and he should continue being able to handle that usage as he moves up levels.

9. Jiri Patera

Patera is the type of goaltender that teams draft because they like his tools, even if they know that it's going to take him a while to learn how to use them all in a cohesive way. The good parts of his game, which have always been there, include his quickness, flexibility, and bravado. The bad parts of his game are his leaky form, excessive crease movement, and frustrating inconsistency. But just like the Golden Knights hoped, those issues have been largely smoothed over and he is now on the cusp of the NHL. He even won his first two starts in the league. Vegas likely prefers that Patera cook for at least one more season in the AHL, but if they decide to promote a goalie from within their system any time soon, he is the obvious candidate.

10. Jakub Brabenec

Brabanec is one of the most underrated prospects out there. He is a lanky, smooth, multifaceted forward who can play both wing and at center, slot up or down a lineup, and fill a role on the power play as well as the penalty kill. He displays an impressive proficiency for transporting the puck across zones, keeping it out in front of him in stride while also using his frame and reach to fend off backcheckers. While he hasn't produced a ton of points anywhere, all he needs to do to be a contributor at the NHL level is to keep leaning on his tools to routinely drive pucks to the net with momentum. He projects better as a specialized support player than a true focal point.

11. Jonas Rondbjerg

The big Danish winger has been solid thus far as a pro but has yet to solidify a roster spot with the Golden Knights. If he can improve the consistency of his physical game, he could become a permanent fourth line option for Vegas this year.

12. Carl Lindbom

2022-23 was a breakout year for Lindbom as he was named the Allsvenskan’s (Sweden’s second division) goaltender of the year as a 20-year-old. This year he is moving to the SHL with Farjestad, where he will look to continue his positive development.

13. Daniil Chayka

A former high pick of the Golden Knights, Chayka’s development since being drafted appears to have stalled. His first pro year with Henderson was proof of that. Does Chayka skate well enough or think the game well enough to be an NHL defender?

14. Arttu Karki

A recent draft pick, Karki is an exciting offensive defender with significant upside. His play in the defensive end will need to improve, but he can be a difference maker as a transitional leader. Look for him to suit up for OHL Sault Ste. Marie this season.

15. Ivan Morozov

Vegas isn’t closing the book on Morozov yet. After a disappointing first year in the AHL, he’s headed back to the KHL this season to help develop his offensive tools. What the future holds remains a mystery, but it’s too early to give up on the big center.

16. Jordan Gustafson

Injury issues forced Gustafson down the lineup for a tremendous Seattle team in his post draft year. He should take on a much larger role this year, but the focus will be on improving his skating to help increase his consistency.

17. Isaiah Saville

Saville has a good chance of playing in the AHL full time this year after splitting last season between the AHL and ECHL in his first pro season. The former UNO product isn’t the biggest netminder, but his quickness gives him an edge in the crease.

18. Jackson Hallum

A highly skilled offensive player, Hallum is also tenacious and aggressive in looking to drive to the middle. Despite playing more of a depth role for Michigan as a freshman, his production was still solid. He will be an interesting player to track over his NCAA career with a strong program.

19. Cameron Whitehead

Whitehead has big shoes to fill at Northeastern this season as he sets his sights on replacing Devon Levi as the team’s starter. Whitehead is a solid play tracker who squares to shooters well. His play with USHL Lincoln last year was probably better than the stats indicate.

20. Christoffer Sedoff

One of the top undrafted free agents coming out of the WHL last year, Sedoff was signed by Vegas over the summer. A mobile puck mover, his offensive upside for the pro level is solid. The question is, can Sedoff defend well enough to be an NHL player? He’s likely a long-term project at the pro level.

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #25 Vegas Golden Knights

Derek Neumeier — Sat, 13 May 2023 15:19:22 +0000

Prospect System Ranking – 25^th (18^th last year)

What a remarkable record of success for a franchise that is only entering its seventh season. Last season, they set a team record for regular season points with 111 (tied for fourth). They have been to the Stanley Cup Final, Conference Finals and the Semi-Finals, while only missing the playoffs once. The consistent competitiveness has consistently led to trading, if not picks, then promising prospects for key pieces. They have picked three first round picks in the last five years, two of which they have traded. Zach Dean last year to St. Louis for Ivan Barbashev and Peyton Krebs to Buffalo for Jack Eichel (trade included Alex Tuch, a 2022 first, 2023 second – quite a package). Now, a largely veteran team now, GM Kelly McCrimmon (since 2019) will continue to leverage the future for a shot at a Stanley Cup.

The system does have three prospects that rank within the top 80 of McKeen’s overall list, Brendan Brisson (only first not to be traded) at #66, third rounders, Lukas Cormier at #68 and Pavel Dorofeyev at #80. Dorofeyev was called up at the end of the season and showed he belonged at that level, providing a spark. He may have won a spot in the line-up next season. Brisson and Cormier bring impressive offensive skills and can expect to be sheltered as they move into the line-up. They may likely end up as trading chips when the dust settles at the trade deadline next year. They still possess their first-round picks in 2023, 2024, and 2025 that will be further assets that can be leveraged.

Lukas Cormier

Brendan Brisson

Brisson had access to two of the best developmental programs in all of hockey, first with the Chicago Steel and then the University of Michigan, so it's easy to understand why his game advanced so much over the past few seasons. That also begs the question, though, whether he might have rushed things a bit by turning pro after just two seasons in college, because his skating, strength and conditioning still all need to make gains. He is an exceptional student of the game, and when you combine that with his elite ability to manipulate and move the puck you get a player who you want to be an offensive focal point. His best work, unsurprisingly, comes on the powerplay. Brisson is the only 1st-rounder in the organization's history who hasn't been traded yet, so the need for him to pan out is high.

2. Lukas Cormier

Cormier torched the QMJHL throughout his four years with Charlottetown, and has transitioned admirably to the AHL, including quarterbacking Henderson's top powerplay unit as a rookie. His understanding of how to generate offense from the attack blueline is exceptional, spotting opportunities as they open up through the flow of play or activating his feet to create them himself. He loves to buzz around with or without the puck, and after enough constant prodding he usually finds a weak spot. He has a knack for elevating his play at important times. Cormier's small stature is always going to be a limitation to varying degrees, and breaking up rushes or cycles going against his net will never be one of his strengths, but he's so effective offensively that coaches will shelter him if they have to just keep his niche contributions on their roster.

3. Pavel Dorofeyev

Some prospects leave their mark when they get called up to the NHL from the AHL, while others struggle to make the most of those opportunities. Dorofeyev undeniably falls into the former category. Vegas needed someone to provide a scoring spark in the back section of their regular season, and he rose to the occasion with aplomb. He has a natural knack for reading the play in the offensive zone, and when he's not anticipating scoring opportunities, he creates them himself reasonably well, both through his skating and his puck protection. He's more of a shooter than a playmaker, but he can keep opposing defenses and goalies on their toes both ways. Further gains can still be made physically. Him eventually developing into a top-line winger isn't out of the question, but it seems more likely that he will eventually settle into a comfortable middle six spot.

4. Daniil Miromanov

To say that Miromanov's career thus far has been a whirlwind would be an understatement. Not only did he bounce around North America and Eastern Europe chaotically for a number of years, but he was also previously a winger and only recently switched to defense. Despite some expected growing pains, the returns to date have been very impressive overall, and you can tell that he's still just scratching the surface of how good he can become once he is fully adjusted to his new position. His heavy shot is a serious weapon, especially with his carried over offensive instincts from being a forward, and he uses his strength and reach well to win battles defensively. Miromanov has an abundance of remaining unmined upside, and it's exciting to think of how good the final product could be after a few more years of stable, focused growth within the same organization.

5. Kaedan Korczak

Korczak's game is about as simple and straightforward as it gets, and while it's not necessarily a bad thing to be a specialist, success is dependent on how good a player is at that specialization. He is a defensive defenseman who plays with some sandpaper and makes a competent first pass out of his zone. He does a good job under forecheck pressure by being sturdy on his feet and keeping his head up to scan the play in front of him and assess his options. The challenge is figuring out whether he can be effective enough in the NHL in that kind of role. None of his physicality, reach and mobility are especially high-end, which makes it questionable how well he will be able to shut down the biggest, strongest and fastest players in the sport. A ceiling higher than a 3rd-pair defender seems unlikely.

6. Matyas Sapovaliv

Sapovaliv is one of those players who is highly effective even though he's not particularly exciting to watch. He's strong as an ox and a sharp, methodical thinker, and it's almost funny watching him play because you can see opponents recognize his intentions but still fail miserably at trying to stop him. There is an almost inevitability to how he drives pucks to the net in the offensive zone, slowly but powerfully. While he's good across all 200 feet of ice he is most effective defensively, utilizing his best attributes to be a masterful defensive pivot and penalty killer. He can hold his own in matchups against the top opposing centers in his age group, even the ones who hold a significant skating advantage over him, and he should continue being able to handle that usage as he moves up levels in the future.

7. Jiri Patera

Patera is the type of goaltender that teams draft because they like the tools he has, even if they know the entire time that it's going to take him a while to learn how to use them all in a collaborative way. The good parts of his game, which have ways been there, are his quickness, flexibility and bravado. The bad parts of his game were his leaky form, excessive crease movement, and frustrating inconsistency. But just like the Golden Knights hoped, those creases have been largely smoothed over and he is now on the cusp of the NHL. He even won his first two starts in the league. Vegas likely prefers that Patera cook for at least one more season in the AHL, but if they decide to promote a goalie from within their system any time soon, he is the obvious candidate.

8. Carl Lindbom

Lindbom is an incredibly easy goalie to root for. He always plays with his heart on his sleeve, he elevates his play in big games and under bright spotlights, and it's exciting to watch smaller netminders try to buck the increasingly hulking trend going on with the position. The way he can routinely take away different parts of the net at the last possible second is frustrating for opposing shooters but a lot of fun for fans. He's been successful in junior, at the Swedish pro level and in multiple international tournaments, which is a good sign that he will be able to further outplay the expectations of doubters and naysayers elsewhere in the future. He'll be in a good developmental situation if he stays in Europe for a couple more seasons, and Vegas shouldn't reach a point where they will feel the need to rush him along.

9. Daniil Chayka

The pandemic hurt some players more than others, and Chayka falls into that category. He looked fantastic at times in Guelph before the world changed, and while his decision to return home to Russia to guarantee games played made perfect sense, he hasn't been quite the same prospect ever since. His mix of positive attributes is still very appealing, as there is so much value in the NHL for rangy, mobile defensemen who can also carry the puck. On the flip side of the coin, however, his strengths can also be a double-edged sword, as he too frequently and easily glides out of position in his own zone or picks poor times and places to try going solo with the puck up ice and turns it over. Vegas will need to be a little extra hands-on with Chayka if they hope to get the best possible results out of him.

10. Jakub Brabenec

Brabanec is one of the most underrated prospects out there, though that could progressively change the further Sherbrooke advances in the CHL playoffs. He is a lanky, smooth, multifaceted forward who can play wing or center, slot up or down a lineup, and fill a role on the powerplay or the penalty kill. Displays an impressive proficiency for transporting the puck across zones, keeping it out in front of him in stride while also using his frame and reach to fend off backcheckers. While he hasn't produced a ton of points anywhere, he's played thus far all he needs to do to be a contributor at the NHL level is keep leaning on his tools to be someone who routinely drives pucks to the net with momentum. Projects better as a specialized support player than a true focal point, and there is nothing wrong with that.

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS – Top 20 Prospects

Sun, 18 Sep 2022 22:40:07 +0000

SAN JOSE, CA - FEBRUARY 20: Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Logan Thompson (36) skates during a timeout during the NHL game between the San Jose Sharks and the Vegas Golden Knights on February 20, 2022 at SAP Center in San Jose, CA. (Photo by Matt Cohen/Icon Sportswire)

1 - Brendan Brisson C

While some might recognize the Brisson name from Brendan Brisson’s father, NHL super-agent Pat Brisson, Brendan is a player of note in his own right. As another member of the Chicago Steel to Michigan Wolverines pipeline, a set of players that includes quite a few first-round picks, Brisson has for many years had the luxury of playing with top-of-the-line teammates. That might sound like a knock to some but having quality linemates has actually brought out the best in Brisson’s game. Brisson is a talented playmaker who is always reading the ice and looking to find the best way to cut through a defense. At times, Brisson can look like he’s treating his shift like a chess game, diligently considering all potential possibilities of things he can do with the puck before selecting an optimal move. At times, this really works for him. There are shifts where Brisson takes over the game, creates a few chances, and puts his teammates in positions to score in ways that defenses can hardly react to. But there are also shifts where this tendency to think through every problem he faces rather than simply react and rely on his instincts causes him to be ineffective, unable to find his way through a fast-moving, aggressive defense. If Brisson is playing with talented linemates who can get the most out of his patient, calculated offensive style, he can be an effective playmaker. He’ll likely be at his best on a power play, where he’ll have more time and space to orchestrate offensively. If he can round out the off-the-puck flaws in his game and perhaps get a bit quicker, he can be a driver of play in the NHL. The more likely outcome is Brisson finds the future as an offense-first player who sees significant time on the man advantage. - EH

2 - Pavel Dorofeyev LW

With most of his 20-21 season spent in Russia’s VHL (pro) and MHL (junior) leagues, Dorofeyev concluded the season playing for AHL Henderson and immediately opened some eyes with nine goals and 13 points in 24 games. The excitement was warranted as he spent the 21-22 season kicking down the door in the AHL, becoming Henderson’s top scorer with 27 goals and 52 points in 63 games. He also played twice for Vegas leading him to be one of the Golden Knights’ most NHL-ready prospects. One of the most impressive aspects of his development is the continued use of creative play while adjusting his game to not only withstand, but also initiate physical contact. His board work and drive through traffic have been in ascending all season long. A strong transition player, Dorofeyev can dictate the pace when given time and doesn’t need much of that to create new lines of attack and find openings in the defense. These improvements have allowed his puck skills and creativity to unfold to a greater degree. The Golden Knights have seen Dorofeyev as one of the internal assets whose progress has allowed them to pawn off higher rated prospect assets in recent deals. Cap concerns would indicate that Vegas is likely very serious about getting him into the offensive fray within the next two seasons and he should be one of the first call-ups this season should injuries occur. – CL

3 - Zach Dean C

Complete is the name of the game for Zach Dean. There are not many weaknesses to his game. His hands, his skating and the pace of his play are all very good attributes. He can play very aggressively and be very tough to play against defensively as well. His shot is no weak spot either, as he has a very quick and precise release and has no problem getting himself away from pressure, creating some space in order to shoot. His compete level is quite high, and he always has an insatiable hunger for the puck. That said, injuries continue to delay his progression. He struggled with injuries in his draft year, and he had similar issues last season. In fact, an injury also prevented him from participating at team Canada’s WJC camp this summer. Staying healthy is key for Dean, especially given the way that he needs to play to be effective. Vegas will be looking for Dean to take that next step as an offensive star for Gatineau this season. If he does, he should eventually become a quality middle six option for the Golden Knights. If injuries continue to be an issue, Vegas may become concerned that he is not durable enough to withstand the rigors of a pro career. - EB

4 - Lukas Cormier D

Lukas Cormier is an offensive-minded defenseman with his shot being his main attribute. Selected 68^th overall in the third round of the 2020 NHL Draft, Cormier’s game shines the most in the offensive zone, where he mans the blue-line with his booming shot that he uses as much as possible as a playmaking and a scoring tool. His scoring prowess was put on display this year with Team Canada at the WJC where he had a goal and five assists in only seven games on route to a gold medal. However, no one has ever doubted Cormier’s offensive abilities. His back-to-back QMJHL defenseman of the year trophies are impressive and are evidence to the fact that he is elite with the puck on his stick. But in the defensive end, there have always been concerns that Cormier is not big, strong, or engaged enough to be a true top four defender. No question, he has made strides as a defensive player, especially in the last calendar year. His physical engagement has been much more consistent, and he has figured out how to make himself a more difficult player to match up against. As he starts his pro career this year in the AHL, all eyes will be on Cormier to see if he can defend against bigger and quicker forwards. He might still be a bit of a project who will require patience, but his offensive capabilities are unique and do give him the projection of an NHL defender in some capacity. - EB

5 - Daniil Miromanov D

Probably about the oldest and most well-travelled of the prospects detailed in this yearbook. Despite three fairly productive seasons in the QMJHL as an overager, Miromanov was never drafted and made his way through pro leagues in Russia and the Czech Republic before a strong season in the ECHL brought him to the KHL. His breakthrough came with KHL Sochi in 20-21 when he put up 10 goals and 29 points, earning him a free agent shot with the Vegas organization. This past season, his first in the AHL, he amassed 40 points in just 53 games. It led to an 11-game tryout in the big leagues and his ability to remain even-keeled and display his experience has him looking like a true option for the team heading into next season. For the Henderson Silver Knights, Miromanov’s was among the team leaders in both scoring and +/-. With an imposing 6’4”, 203-pound frame, the 25-year-old Russian can appear stiff at times yet is ultimately more mobile than expected. Very clever with the puck on his stick, there is a bit of a magician in there trying to make the best of every situation and happy to sniff out creative plays, a chief reason he was also Henderson’s point man on the power play. Ultimately, he has very heavy wrist and slapshots, and is active in attempting to shut down lanes and put pressure on opposition attackers. What you see is what you get with Miromanov, and Vegas will soon be finding out if he can be more than just a number 8 or 9 blueline option in their system. – CL

6 - Logan Thompson G

Thompson went unselected through his years of NHL draft eligibility before signing as an free agent with the Vegas Golden Knights back in 2020. The GM that signed him in 2020, Kelly McCrimmon, happened to be the former owner of Thompson’s former WHL team, the Brandon Wheat Kings. McCrimmon was around when Thompson first began playing for the Wheat Kings back in 2014. Thompson has had a peculiar path from his junior hockey days to the NHL. He had served as the back-up for Brandon from 2015-17 before taking the reins for the 2017-18 season. As a starter for the Wheat Kings, he had a consistent .908 SV% over two seasons with a GAA over 3.00. After his last year with the Wheat Kings, Thompson found his way to Brock University where he dominated play, finishing with a 2.22 GAA, and .934 SV% in 24 games. He won goaltender and rookie of the year for the Canadian university and was signed to play in the ECHL. Over the next few seasons, Thompson had success in the ECHL, eventually landing a contract with Vegas in 2020. In his first season playing for Vegas’ AHL team, the Henderson Silver Knights, he posted a 1.96 GAA and a .943 SV% in 23 games. He was awarded the AHL’s best goaltender award, alongside being named to both the All-Rookie team and the AHL All-Star team. He also played in his first NHL game that season, recording a shutout. His success continued last season splitting time between the AHL and NHL. In the NHL, Thompson posted a 2.68 GAA and .914 SV% in 19 games. With Robin Lehner facing an injury that is expected to keep him out the entire 2022-23 season, Thompson is expected to carve out a large role for the Golden Knights this season. Time will tell if his unique success story continues. - ZS

7 - Kaedan Korczak D

Korczak was selected 41^st overall in the 2019 NHL draft by the Vegas Golden Knights. Standing at 6’4”, 192 pounds, he is a large defenceman who thrives in his own end. On top of his large frame, he is also a good skater for someone his size. He has the ability to transition the puck end-to-end with his combination of size and speed. He isn’t afraid of getting physical either, often punishing defenders who challenge him. Korczak showed a glimmer of offence with his time in the WHL, posting 33 points in 68 games in his draft year as well as 49 points in 60 games the year after. His offence has dried up since transitioning to the AHL, with the Henderson Silver Knights, with whom he has spent parts of the past two seasons. His first experience with the Silver Knights came during the pandemic 2020-21 season where he played 11 games for them before going back to the WHL. This past season Korczak spent almost the entirety of the year in the AHL, playing 47 games and producing 14 points on top of his solid defence. He was also able to make his NHL debut this year appearing in one game for Vegas. Korczak’s build and play scream future NHL third pair stay-at-home defenceman, expected to provide consistent play in the defensive end and allowing for more offensively gifted defenceman to shine. While it is expected for Korczak to spend the majority of the year in the AHL again, he is only a couple of injuries away from getting a larger opportunity at carving out an NHL role. - ZS

8 - Daniil Chayka D

The 38th overall selection in the 2021 NHL Draft, Daniil Chayka has had an interesting journey thus far and is coming off of a solid season. The former 7th overall selection in the 2018 OHL Draft had a good rookie season, finishing with 14 points (5G,9A) in 56 games. During the 2019-2020 season, Chayka took a step forward and finished with 34 points (11G,23A) in 56 games. During the 2020-2021 season while the OHL was shutdown due to Covid-19, Chayka made the decision to return back to Russia to get some ice time. In his time in Russia, he played in three different leagues, 11 games in the KHL, 10 in the VHL and 5 in the MHL. Chayka also got the opportunity to play in the U20 World Junior Championship. During the 2021-2022 season, Chayka returned to the OHL and had a great season, finishing with 39 points (7G,32A) in 53 games, which was 20th in the league for points by a defenseman, 8th on the team for points and 4th on the team in assists. Chayka’s best assets are his hockey sense and competitiveness. Chayka has a great understanding of how to best utilize his size, having a great reach to quickly take away space and make it difficult to get into the offensive zone and in the slot. His stick is consistently active, applying great pressure on opponents. He has a great motor and is rarely out of the battle, using good physicality. Going into the 2022-2023 season, Chayka will make the return to the OHL and be a leader on and off the ice for the Storm, being a strong defenseman on both sides of the puck. - DK

9 - Matyas Sapovaliv C

The 48th overall selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, Matyas Sapovaliv was one of the best imports in the OHL last season and was a huge asset to a Saginaw Spirit team that struggled and finished 2nd last in the league with the 2nd most goals against. In the 2020-2021 season, Sapovaliv spent his time split between the Czechia U20 league, Czechia tier 2 league and the U18 World Championship. Sapovaliv made his way to the OHL in the 2021-2022 season and was able to quickly adjust to the league and was heavily relied on by the Spirit, playing a lot of minutes and being utilized on both special teams. At the end of the season Sapovaliv finished with 52 points (18G,34A) in 68 games, which was 4th on the team in points and 4th in the league for points by a rookie. Sapovaliv also spent time that year playing in the U18 World Championship and also the U20 World Junior Championship. Sapovaliv’s best assets are his playmaking and hockey sense. He has the ability to see passing lanes before they open up and connect tape to tape passes with precision at high pace. He consistently makes smart decisions with and without the puck, playing a responsible game. He uses his size very well, utilizing his reach to apply pressure and make it difficult to play against. His responsible play and strong defensive game make him an asset on the penalty kill, using an active stick and physicality to breakup and shutdown chances in the defensive zone. Going into the 2022-2023 season, Sapovaliv will continue to be a top player on a much better Spirit team, giving him more opportunity to increase his point totals and help him gain more confidence. - DK

10 - Ivan Morozov C

After two good years in the KHL, Morozov inked his ELC with Vegas late last season (allowing him to play some games with Henderson in the AHL playoffs), which means that the power center will be starting this year in North America. Morozov is a strong two-way center who can put his head down and power his way to the net. He has good speed and is difficult to knock off stride once he builds a head of steam. His size, strength, and speed does make him a possible bottom six candidate, but is he skilled enough to be a top six contributor? Consistency has always been an enemy of Morozov at the KHL level and how he adjusts to playing in North America is anyone’s guess. His upside does remain a serious question mark. Does he have the hands and creativity to be a scoring line player in North America? Do his issues with consistency point to IQ and processing issues? Already with great depth, Morozov will most likely start in the AHL with Henderson. From there, it will depend on his play. If he plays well, he probably moves to Vegas quickly as one of the team’s first injury call-ups. - BO

11 - Jakub Brabenec

A skilled playmaking center, Brabanec was terrific for Charlottetown of the QMJHL in his first season in North America. He has great offensive awareness but needs to continue adding strength.

12 - Jonas Rondbjerg

The big Danish winger split last year between Vegas and the AHL, his best season as a pro yet. Armed with a new three-year deal, he figures to be a long-term fixture in the Golden Knights’ bottom six.

13 - Jordan Gustafson

A third-round selection in 2022, Gustafson is already a terrific two-way center because of how well he processes the game. Adding quickness and speed to his game is a must moving forward.

14 - Isaiah Saville

Saville’s three-year tenure at UNO was solid, but unspectacular. However, he was terrific in a brief stint at the AHL level to finish last season. A highly athletic netminder, Vegas will be looking for Saville to maintain that strong level of play over a full season with Henderson.

15 - Jackson Hallum

Hallum is an attacking forward who knows only one speed. His year in the USHL last season was terrific and he will try to be an immediate impact player on a deep Michigan Wolverines team this season.

16 - Peter Diliberatore

An intelligent two-way defender, Diliberatore was solid as a first year pro this season with Henderson, playing big minutes in the AHL. His NHL upside may be somewhat limited, but there’s a strong chance he plays in some capacity.

17 - Connor Corcoran

Injuries wiped out Corcoran’s first pro season, so Vegas was careful with him in his first full pro year, split between the ECHL and the AHL. He was solid at both spots. Corcoran has great scoring instincts for a defender but will need to prove he can defend at the pro level.

18 - Paul Cotter

The power forward has improved in each of his first three pro seasons and was rewarded with a brief callup to Vegas last season. He is in contention to play a bottom six role for the Golden Knights this year.

19 - Jiri Patera

A former free agent signing by the Golden Knights, Patera has been all over the place in recent seasons. He likely competes with Isaiah Saville for ice time at the AHL level this season behind veteran Michael Hutchinson.

20 - Jakub Demek

The big winger was solid for Edmonton of the WHL in his first North American season, helping the Oil Kings win a WHL title. He should be in line for an even bigger role this season.

2022 World Junior Championship: Team Russia facing many uncertainties heading into training camp

Viktor Fomich — Sat, 04 Dec 2021 14:12:30 +0000

As the Team Russia World Juniors training camp is just starting, it is very hard to define the expectations for the team, yet it is rather easy to notice the challenges the team is facing. One of them is related to the last moment coaching change, as Igor Larionov has been replaced by Sergei Zubov. Zubov aready has plenty of experience coaching in the KHL already, yet has never worked with junior teams and is now facing the challenge of implementing his tactical model for this team in a very short time frame. Adding some more uncertainties, it still hasn't been decided and announced which NA-based players will be called up to the camp when the team arrives in Canada and if any will be at all. With all that being said, we still can look at the camp roster names and analyze a bit, so let's do exactly that.

Omissions

Since every year when the camp roster gets announced you hear a lot of questions of the "Where is *insert_prospect's_name_here*?" type, let's quickly run through the most notable omissions from the roster. As every year, there are some injury troubles and apparently this year the Canadiens prospect Dmitri Kostenko has fallen in this category, although, while Team Russia could use a right-handed defenseman, he was far from being granted a roster spot anyway. Sabres prospect Alexander Kisakov isn't on the roster for a much simpler reason — he is having a bad season, likely due to being hopelessly stuck in the MHL due to his organization's VHL affiliation troubles and therefore is lacking motivation. Maple Leafs prospect Dmitri Ovchinnikov is in the KHL but is spending much more time on the bench than on the ice and that doesn't give you a WJC roster spot. Another Sabres prospect Prokhor Poltapov is doing fine at developing, but just not good enough yet to overcome the forward roster depth of the Team Russia, he will have his chance next year. Those are the most notable Russian-based names not on the roster, as for the NA-based players it is impossible to tell at this point for the reasons mentioned before.

ORNSKOLDSVIK, SWEDEN - APRIL 28: RussiaÕs Marat Khusnutdinov #28 shoots the puck during gold medal game action against Sweden at the 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at Fjallraven Center on April 28, 2019 in Ornskoldsvik, Sweden. (Photo by Steve Kingsman/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Returnees

The special category are the players, who already have the WJC experience under the belt, as they know a thing or two about playing in the tournament and are psychologically more ready, which really matters at this level. Yaroslav Askarov is heading to the tournament with tons of experience, but also tons of expectations as he should be the undisputed starter. We will see if he can get his confidence back, he will need it. Marat Khusnutdinov is the most likely candidate for the role of team's captain, but as for the role on the ice it is something still to be determined. Vasili Ponomaryov was used in a rather simple role last year, but this time much more of his trademark creativity will be required from him. Then there is Kirill Kirsanov, who had just a sensational first half of the KHL season eating up first-pairing minutes there like it is no big deal, he could be a real stalwart for the defense this year. Recent Devils signing Shakir Mukhamadullin might haven't developed a high level of reliability yet, but his attacking skills have started to transfer to the KHL level. To add to those two more players with the tournament experience might join the team later — Daniil Chayka and Yan Kuznetsov.

FRISCO, TX USA - MAY 6: Russia's Fyodor Svechkov #9 skates with the puck while Canada's Corson Ceulemans #4 looks on during gold medal game action at the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at Comerica Center on May 6, 2021 in Frisco, TX USA. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Young Guns

Even though Team Russia has the stereotype surrounding it about preferring older and more experienced players, there is just too much younger talent this year to ignore. As usually in the recent times all eyes in the camp will be on the young sensation Matvei Michkov (eligible for the 2023 draft), as he is doing amazing things at every level he plays. In the recent MHL games he was playing on a line with Fyodor Svechkov and Nikita Chibrikov and the resulting concentration of skill was enormous there. One of the most important questions that should be answered in the camp is if this line is good to go for the tournament, as obviously the skill alone won't be enough. Another youngster and this year's top draft-eligible prospect Danila Yurov has been very consistent when playing for the team in the recent 4 Nations Tournament and likely will be named on the final roster too. Things aren't looking as good for another top draft prospect Ivan Miroshnichenko, but he still has every chance to prove that he belongs there, as the team could use his power and right-handed shot. Speaking of the draft-eligible prospects, Vladimir Grudinin and Arseni Koromyslov are also legit candidates for the roster spots on the defense and they shouldn't be overlooked.

As I write this article the Team Russia World Juniors camp has just started, players are in self-isolation due to the Covid protocols, so everything might seem calm there, but the players are definitely full of motivation and just can't wait to hit the ice and prove what they are worth. In about a month time we will find that out, but for now their big journey is just about to begin.

2021-22 TOP 15 PROSPECTS: VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS – RANK: #9 – TIER II

McKeen's Hockey — Sat, 11 Sep 2021 12:18:11 +0000

Vegas Golden Knights

#9 Vegas - Vegas only has two top 100 prospects, but their next tier is very deep, with seven ranked between 101-200.

Peyton Krebs

Peyton Krebs

Peyton Krebs has shown that his game is beyond that of junior hockey. He absolutely torched the WHL this past season; his 43 points in 24 games leading the league by six points for a remarkable 1.79 points per game. What impressed the most was the uptick in goal production. His goal scoring has never been above .33 goals per game but last season he spiked to over .54 goals per game. His largest criticism has been that he defers to passing too much, leaving so many goals on the table and creating a bit of a one-dimensional offense game.

Krebs has the potential to peak as a first line playmaking center that has all the tools to drive play, make teammates better and handle tough assignments. He is a hair undersized but plays the game with a good level of intensity and does not shy away from the center of the ice. His few games at the AHL and NHL level have also shown that his size is not going to be an issue. He was at a point per game in limited games in the AHL and in his first four NHL games he already picked up an assist. Krebs is an all situations forward because of his high IQ and excellent decision making with the puck and should land in the Vegas top six as early as next season. - VG

Brendan Brisson

With all of the hoopla around Power, Beniers, and Johnson, as well as the exploits of teammate Bordeleau, Brisson was almost the forgotten man at Michigan last year, even taking into consideration the pair of goals he scored while wearing the national colors at the WJC. Brisson’s skill set doesn’t pop as consistently, or as brightly, as those of some of his teammates, but when you focus on his game, it doesn’t take too long to be reminded of why Vegas used a first round pick on the son of super-agent Pat Brisson.

He is a slick puck handler and pinpoint passer. He has a great one-timer and was often set up accordingly on the power play to take advantage of that weapon. He reads the defense expertly and is often able to see how a play might develop and then execute on a cut, or a pass to set events in motion. He likes to attack the crease and force errors out of the netminders. Going forward, the major thing to look for is how Brisson is deployed in defensive situations. He almost never played when down a man last year, and his presence has never really been as prominent off the puck. With all of his abundant offensive tools, he only needs to get to reliably steady defensively to maintain his projection as a near term top six forward (he has played on the wing before) at the NHL level. - RW

Zach Dean

A hyper intelligent and well-rounded pivot, Zach Dean has terrific instincts at both ends of the ice. A player with very few flaws, Dean’s ability to work between checks and play through traffic, despite being average sized (6’0), is a testament to his anticipation and offensive zone awareness. Thanks to his high IQ, he is extremely versatile. He can play with pace but is also effective without the puck because he supports puck carriers well by sliding between cracks in coverage and by working hard to battle near the crease or along the wall to prolong possession or finish off plays. Dean also provides support down low in the defensive end, showing good defensive awareness and the strength to tie up forwards driving the middle.

No question scouts would like to see Dean’s explosiveness and first few strides improve. Additionally, Dean could stand to work on the release of his shot and its overall power to help him finish on a few more of those opportunities that he is gaining in the home plate area through his anticipation and ability to fight through checks. While the production in Gatineau last year did not jump off the page at you (20 points in 23 games), an early season injury was to blame and his effectiveness and importance to the Gatineau offense is greater than the numbers would suggest. Expect those numbers to improve significantly this season. Dean projects as a first or second line forward whose effectiveness should only improve as his physical tools mature. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Lukas Cormier

It is starting to really look like Vegas hit a home run with Cormier's selection, as he grown and flourished right before our eyes. This year we discovered a facet that we had not seen a lot in recent seasons: Lukas Cormier the shooter. His physical game has also improved considerably as he no longer appears hesitant to challenge players in the defensive zone. This has allowed him to win one on one battles with more consistency. His vision is excellent, and he understands how the game in front of him will unfold very well. His good IQ allows him to target the open spaces, where the game and the puck will go. He's a constant offensive threat and he plays forward quickly.

I find his game perfectly suited to hockey in 2021, with a fast pace and where speed in the transition game is essential. The first few years as a pro will surely be a learning experience for him, but at maturity he should become a good second pairing defender. For now, Cormier will return to Charlottetown of the QMJHL, where he will be one of the best defensemen in the QMJHL this season. He also has a great chance to earn a spot on Team Canada at the World Juniors. - BB

Jack Dugan

Another late bloomer providing an example to the concept that scouting is hard, Dugan was in his second year of draft eligibility, shooting the lights out for a prep school around Lake Placid, New York, when Vegas took a seventh-round flyer on him. From there, he went to the USHL for a year, where he finished the season as a first team All Star and followed that up with two seasons scoring at a very impressive rate for Providence, the latter year of which ended with Dugan as a Hobey Baker Award Finalist.

His offensive touch did not diminish in the least during his rookie pro season, as he fell just short of one point per game with Henderson. He profiles as more of a playmaker than a sniper down the line, but he also has historically played with enough feistiness to profile in a bottom six role to start in the NHL, although that element of his game was not as evident last season in the AHL. Dugan has top six upside if he can put all of the positive elements of his game together with consistency, and he will have a chance to break camp with Vegas this year, competing for the role with Lucas Elvenes, although more AHL time to round out his game wouldn’t be detrimental, either. - RW

Pavel Dorofeyev

Before last season the news broke out about Dorofeyev being traded to the KHL's Traktor team, which actually was viewed as a positive thing, as they have a decent reputation of giving young players an opportunity. However, it was not meant to be, as after the Traktor team was able to get Kravtsov on loan, they decided that they did not need two players of this type on the KHL roster. This resulted in Dorofeyev spending the whole season in the VHL. He was good there, but at the same time he was clearly pretty uninspired, so when the season ended Traktor’s management agreed to terminate his contract a year early. That allowed Dorofeyev to continue the season in the AHL and he certainly looked much more interesting there, quickly adjusting to the new game style and posting solid production in his debut AHL season.

While the end of the season certainly was hopeful and inspiring, it is a bit too early to talk about Dorofeyev as an NHL player. He still needs to establish himself at the AHL level, as while his skillset never caused any doubts, his ability to be on par in terms of physicality in the North American hockey environment is something that still needs to be proven. Dorofeyev impresses in transition with his ability to create when playing with pace. His puck skills and creativity are his best assets. Because of this, his potential is definitely high as an NHL player. - VF

Daniil Chayka

Scouts were completely divided as to the offensive upside of Chayka heading into this year’s NHL draft. With the OHL season canceled, Chayka spent the previous year in Russia in the MHL and KHL with mixed results. Additionally, his performance at the 2021 World Junior Championships left a lot to be desired. A late born ‘02 defender, Chayka’s draft season can be described as underwhelming. However, that did not scare Vegas away from selecting him in the early second round.

Defensively, there is little doubt that Chayka can play at the next level. He has good size. His four-way mobility is good for said size. He shows good defensive instincts and awareness in transition and will be aggressive when he needs to take away space or separate players from the puck. Offensively, there are some tools. Chayka has an excellent point shot and scoring instincts. He routinely finds soft spots in coverage to get himself clean looks and is aggressive in jumping up into the play, usually picking his spots well. However, his puck skills are average at best. This is especially evident when he is pressured inside the offensive zone. Of course, the physical tools are there, and this year was not the easiest to assess his play and potential. However, at this point Chayka does look to have hit a plateau in his development, likely excluding him from becoming a top three defender at the NHL level. As he returns to the OHL this coming season with Guelph, look for him to get his development back on track. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Ivan Morozov

Morozov had a very strong year, as he has shown that he should be considered among the top young Russian centers, even making it to the Team Russia roster for the World Championships. He looked very impressive, as he plays a defensively responsible game combined with strong attacking skills such as a precise right-handed shot and natural playmaking talent. To add to that he can definitely win a face-off, which is very important for a center.

Morozov enters the final year of his KHL contract. While previously he was given mainly middle-six center duties he looks to be ready for a bigger role. If everything goes well in his development and without any bad surprises, then there is a good chance Morozov is ready for the NHL level already after the season. The Golden Knights management should be working hard on getting him to sign his entry-level deal at that point. In two years, Morozov might be ready to step into a middle-six center role in the NHL and has a potential to be a solid long-term answer for the second-line center role. However, without improving his skating, it is hard to think of him as a potential top line player. – VF

Logan Thompson

There is a reason why some scouts hate the notion of drafting goaltenders in the first round. For every terrific goaltender drafted early, you find stories like Logan Thompson. He had a mediocre WHL career with the Brandon Wheat Kings. Then he spent the next three years after graduating playing in USports and the ECHL. However, he seemed to get better year after year. This culminated with him finally making the AHL level full time last year with Henderson. The 24-year-old netminder did more than just “make it.” He dominated the league and was named the AHL’s best goaltender.

The 6’3 netminder owns that rare right-handed catching glove and has been lauded for his work ethic. He never gives up on a play and has that ability to make the highlight reel save using his quickness and athleticism. His level of dedication to his craft should come as no surprise given the way he has worked his way up the system. Vegas did bring in former Winnipeg Jet back-up Laurent Brossoit to be Robin Lehner’s back-up this coming season, effectively pushing Thompson to the AHL level for another year. They will be looking for him to prove that last season’s success is sustainable and not a fluke. Should he continue to perform well, he may force a trade of Brossoit before the following season and is certainly looking like a serious candidate to be an NHL netminder in the future. - BO

Lucas Elvenes

A 2017 fifth rounder, Elvenes has been a hot prospect commodity since he put up 48 points in his first 59 AHL games during the 19-20 season. Despite promising output in two SHL campaigns, the AHL numbers came somewhat unexpected and until December of that year, Elvenes led the AHL in scoring, thanks in good part to an 11-game scoring streak. A player that has definitely shined as a generator of offensive opportunities for his teammates, the organization is surely starting to wonder if he’s ever going to make more use of a shot that he does get some good torque on. What they don’t need to worry about is his on-ice elusiveness, which has continued to shine, particularly when he has the puck on his stick and a bit of space to dance around in.

Possessing a bit of a wide stance, his 20-21 season for Las Vegas’ very own Nevada-based franchise in Henderson didn’t quite see him clip at the same pace as the season before. In fact, he put up exactly half the goals and assists he had the season before despite playing roughly two/thirds of the number of games. This nonetheless left him fourth in scoring on the team, which only featured one skater who clipped at a point-per-game pace. Las Vegas continues to boast a solid attack without truly elite star power in its forward corps. There is room for more playmaking and the onus will be on Elvenes to continue making management recognize him as a viable option for that need. Expect to see him knocking on the door as soon as this fall. - CL

Kaedan Korczak

A big, right shot defender, Korzcak has the all-around abilities to become a quality second pairing blueliner for Vegas in the future. A graduate of the terrific Kelowna Rockets program, he will be a full-time pro player this coming season after a small taste last year before the abbreviated WHL season began. Korczak has the potential to move quickly through Vegas’ system, should his transition to the pro level go well.

Isaiah Saville

The athletic, former fifth round selection has been the starting netminder for the University of Nebraska-Omaha during his freshman and sophomore NCAA seasons. The former USHL goaltender of the year will return to UNO for his junior season and then may be a signing candidate for the Golden Knights next offseason.

Connor Corcoran

Corcoran’s first pro season did not go according to plan after the two-way blueliner injured his shoulder early in the year and saw his participation extremely limited. The former Windsor Spitfire will look to bounce back this season with Henderson and become an everyday AHL player to further his development.

Jakub Brabenec

A recent fourth round selection by the Golden Knights, Brabenec is a rangy, playmaking pivot who also happened to be one of the youngest players available in 2021 (with a mid-September birthday). As he gets stronger, look for his performance in the Czech men’s league to become more consistent.

Peter Diliberatore

After three strong seasons at Quinnipiac University, the puck moving defender turned pro at the conclusion of the college season this past year. The Golden Knights hope that he can develop into a quick thinking, reliable two-way defender at the pro level, who can eventually be a #4-5 for them. He needs to gain confidence in his puck moving ability at the pro level first.

2021 NHL DRAFT: PACIFIC DIVISION REVIEW

Ryan Wagman — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 20:13:36 +0000

2021 NHL Draft Review

Time to review the draft, in depth. As I have done in previous seasons, this review will cover the league one division at a time. For each team, we will offer a quick summary of their draft class, a deeper look at their first pick/first rounder(s), and then a look at what we think to be the best value pick of their draft class, and a final look at their worst value pick. Once the divisions have all been covered, a final article will go over some other miscellaneous trends of the draft that was (odds & ends), and the annual McKeens shadow draft class. Let’s dig in.

Pacific Division

Mason McTavish. Photo Dan Hickling/Hickling Images

Anaheim Ducks

1 (3) Mason McTavish, C, EHC Olten (SL)/ Peterborough (OHL)

2 (34) Olen Zellweger, D, Everett (WHL)

3 (66) Sasha Pastujov, LW, USNTDP (USHL)

3 (76) Tyson Hinds, D, Rimouski (QMJHL)

4 (98) Josh Lopina, C, UMass (NCAA/Hockey East)

5 (130) Sean Tschiegerl, LW, Calgary (WHL)

5 (148) Gage Alexander, G, Winnipeg (WHL)

6 (162) Kyle Kukkonen, C, Maple Grove HS (USHS-MN)

Going into Day One of the draft, it was widely considered that Buffalo would select Owen Power first overall. If not a lock, it was over 90% certain. With the second pick, it was again generally assumed that Seattle would tab Power’s Michigan teammate Matthew Beniers, as their first ever draft pick. Less certain that Power at #1, but still in the 75-80% range. So, we presumed, like many, that the mystery of the draft would really begin to unravel with Anaheim at third overall. The smart money was on a forward, but which one? There were a few that were reasonable candidates for the pick, including William Eklund, Dylan Guenther, Mason McTavish, and even the third Michigan draft eligible, Kent Johnson. I picked McTavish in my mock drafts, but I was never more than 50% sure that was the pick. Maybe even 40%. I ended up correct in that assumption, and now Anaheim has a high-end finisher for the future to go along with the two future faces of the franchise in the playmaker (Zegras) and the puck rusher (Drysdale). The Ducks won’t re-emerge from the wilderness with that one pick, but the core of a future powerhouse is being built.

Anaheim’s eight picks this year skewed towards the offensive, with five forwards, complemented by two blueliners and a goalie. The forwards all have strong histories of offensive production, with a clear lean towards goal scoring over play creation. To be honest, even the two defenders they selected each have promising offensive track records on their respective resumes. The other interesting trend spotted was their reliance on North American talent, with all either being raised on this side of the planet. Sure, McTavish spent time this year in Switzerland, what with the OHL not happening – he was even born in Switzerland, when his father was playing there – but his game was formed and developed in Canada. Also interesting, on a more personal level, for the first time in a while, the Ducks did not draft a player with ties to the Chicago Steel.

First pick – Mason McTavish, C, EHC Olten (SL)/Peterborough Petes (OHL), 3^rd overall

A high-profile prospect from early youth, McTavish wowed OHL watchers as a rookie in 2019-20, scoring 29 goals in 57 games before the pandemic brought an early end to the season. After waiting for a stretch last year in the hopes that the OHL would be able to start, he finally gave up on that dream and returned to Switzerland, the land of his birth, to play with fellow OHL prospect Brennan Othmann at second division Olten. McTavish showed zero difficulties lighting it up overseas as well, scoring nine goals in 13 games. His season proceeded to the WU18s, where he captained Canada to a Gold, and led with his production as much as his example, with 11 points in seven games. Not the fastest, he nonetheless gets going quickly and his hands contain magic. A full season back in the OHL should be enough to ready him for the NHL. He has first line upside and high top six probability. “Zegras to McTavish for the goal” will be heard regularly over the next few years in Orange County.

Best value pick(s) –Sean Tschigerl, LW, Calgary Hitmen (WHL), 130^th overall

I considered third rounder Pastujov, another pure goal scorer here, but his lack of foot speed helped him fall to where Anaheim picked him. Tschigerl, on the other hand, had less reason to still be on the board in the fifth round. Once the fourth overall pick in the WHL Bantam Draft, he struggled as a WHL rookie, but came on in the short season last year, with a goal-heavy point-per-game performance for the Hitmen. Although prone to a few too many mental mistakes, his physical tools all show middle six promise, and his general intensity will help him find a role as a bottom six contributor if he falls short of his ceiling. He is one of the higher probability picks you are bound to find in the fifth round.

Worst value pick – Tyson Hinds, D, Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL), 76^th overall

Hinds is certainly an intriguing prospect, with great size, albeit in need of muscular development. He has a big point shot and can be tough to play against in his own zone, given his strength, reach, and intensity, but there are enough questions about his mobility, puck managements, and decisions making, that the risk attached to his profile would dissuade me from picking earlier than the fifth round. If the Hinds and Tschigerl picks were reversed, we would have seen more logic. As is, Anaheim gets both, so all is good.

Matthew Coronato. Photo by Dan Hickling, Hickling Images

Calgary Flames

1 (13) Matthew Coronato, LW, Chicago (USHL)

2 (45) William Stromgren, LW, MODO Hockey (HockeyAllsvenskan)

3 (77) Cole Huckins, C, Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)

3 (89) Cameron Whynot, D, Halifax (QMJHL)

5 (161) Cole Jordan, D, Moose Jaw (WHL)

6 (168) Jack Beck, LW/RW, Ottawa (OHL)

6 (173) Lucas Ciona, LW, Seattle (WHL)

7 (205) Arseni Sergeyev, G, Shreveport (NAHL)

For the third year in a row, the Flames used their first-round pick on a scoring forward, with Harvard-bound Matthew Coronato following the footsteps of CHL’ers Jakob Pelletier and Connor Zary. It some ways, for the floundering club, it is a mildly implicit suggestion that they recognize that the run with Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan at the top of the lineup will soon be coming to an end – that is if they don’t simply trade one in the run up to the 2021-22 season. Obviously, the NHL is not like the NFL or NBA where drafted players step right into the lineup and assume the roles they were selected for. Zary could plausibly play in the NHL next year, having spent some time in the AHL last year while the WHL plotted its return to the ice. Pelletier has completed his junior hockey eligibility, and will play professionally, although he never has before, and seems likely to at least spend some time on the farm before being considered for the NHL. Finally, 2021 first rounder Coronato will be heading from the USHL to Harvard, where I would expect him to spend three years, as very few go to Harvard for shorter stints. So, the turnover in Calgary promises to be gradual.

As for the rest of the Flames’ 2021 draft class, it was very North American-centric, with only second-rounders William Stromgren having spent the entirety of his development in Europe. Like Anaheim above, Calgary’s picks also leaned towards the offensive, with five forwards, and then adding in two defenders and finishing things off with a netminder. Each CHL league was represented, as were the top two development tracks in the US. Height may not have been a factor, but five of the seven skaters selected were 6-1” or taller, and one of the shorter ones, Coronato is pretty well-built and stocky for his 5-10” height.

First round pick – Matthew Coronato, LW, Chicago Steel (USHL), 13^th overall

As mentioned above, the pick of Coronato will require some time before Calgary sees the fruits of his development, as not only is he college-bound, but he is headed for premier Ivy League school Harvard. The most skillful offensive weapon in the USHL last year, where he led the league in goals on his way to being named the league’s forward of the year. He can beat you with his wheels, featuring both speed and impressive agility, his whippy and powerful shot, or his playmaking ability. The main area of development he needs to improve before turning pro is in utilizing his linemates more readily in the offensive zone and spending less time trying to win shifts by himself. He has great talent, but without quicker puck touches he will be less successful at the higher levels. He has first line upside.

Best value pick – Arseni Sergeyev, G, Shreveport Mudbugs (NAHL), 205^th overall

The NAHL is oft overlooked as a source of talent, except when it comes to goalies. Sergeyev, who backstopped Shreveport to a Robertson Cup title last year, came over from Russia two seasons ago, coming a long way both literally and figuratively. He has ideal size, promising athleticism, and reads the game well. Like Coronato, he will be a long-term project, expected to move to the USHL for one year starting now, and then on to the University of Connecticut, to be bested against the NCAA. His trajectory is exciting, and Calgary was fortunate to grab him with their final selection.

Worst value pick – Cole Huckins, C, Acadie-Bathurst Titan, QMJHL, 77^th overall

Calgary did well to get value with every pick they made, including this one. We chose Huckins simply because we think he is overvalued due to his size and being a key player on one of the QMJHL’s strongest teams last season. He is hard to play against, but his feet are heavier than I prefer, and we think he profiles as more of a fourth line presence with hopefully just enough skill in his hands to be able to take on a net-front role at his peak. That is absolutely worth a draft pick, but we would have been far more interested in Huckins one or two rounds later.

Xavier Bourgault. Photo courtesy of the QMJHL

Edmonton Oilers

1 (22) Xavier Bourgault, C, Shawinigan (QMJHL)

3 (90) Luca Munzenberger, D, Kolner Junghaie U20 (DNL U20)

4 (116) Jake Chiasson, RW, Brandon (WHL)

6 (180) Matvei Petrov, LW, MHL Krylia Sovetov Moskva (MHL)

6 (186) Shane LaChance, LW, Boston Jr. Bruins (NCDC)

7 (212) Max Wanner, D, Moose Jaw (WHL)

In the not too distant past, when the Oilers were in the midst of a seemingly endless run of futility, those who didn’t follow the draft closely sometimes publicly wondered how the team could keep losing, even though they had some high-end talents on the roster. This extended to the early days of Connor McDavid’s career, so it wasn’t just people overestimating the likes of Adam Larsson. It took analysts who understood the draft to see that the team repeatedly failed in the most abject ways possible on literally every pick out of the first round. Between 2007 – 2014, the team drafted only eight players who have reached 100 games played in the NHL. With the exception of Erik Gustafsson, who never even signed with Edmonton, much less played for them, none of those eight were impact players. The team was drafting skill in the first, and size and grit in all latter rounds.

Edmonton hasn’t received much out of the first round since 2014 either, but they did sometimes seem to be drafting for skill with later picks, such as the selections in 2020 of Carter Savoie and Tyler Tullio in the fourth and fifth rounds. Unfortunately, their 2021 draft class looks to be typical of their lean years. First rounder Xavier Bourgault looks like areal keeper. Of the other five players they selected, all position players, they are more notable for being large, than having NHL skillsets. The ongoing experience of the Oilers of the last 15+ years has done more to convince me that NHL teams should draft for skill in all rounds than has the continued success of teams that have followed that advice, like Tampa Bay.

First round pick – Xavier Bourgault, C, Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL), 22^nd overall

Not a high-end prospect in his QMJHL draft year, Bourgault has worked hard to raise his game in his time in the QMJHL, where he has emerged as a legit offensive weapon, playing with speed, skill, and just as important, consistency. While Bourgault does not at all resemble Edmonton’s 2020 first rounder, the wrecking ball named Dylan Holloway, he is the type of forward who would benefit from the room created in the offensive zone by the likes of Holloway. His game is well-rounded, and his versatility will help him grab a toe hold on an NHL job sooner than later, while he works his way up to an eventual top six role.

Best value pick – Matvei Petrov, LW, MHL Krylia Sovetov Moskva (MHL), 180^th overall

If there is any upside past Bourgault in Edmonton’s draft class, it resides in Petrov. The numbers thus far in his career have been only moderate, but there are some markers in his game that suggest better things to come. He skates quite well for his size, has a strong shot with a knack for finishing, and he puts his strength to good use in puck battles. We will need to see how he handles a move up to senior hockey in Russia, but more than any of the other Day Two picks made by Edmonton, Petrov could wind up as more than NHL roster filler.

Worst value pick – Luca Munzenberger, D, Kolner Junghaie U20 (DNL U20), 90^th overall

The top draft prospect out of Germany this year, Munzenberger did not make anyone forget about last year’s trio of Stutzle, Reichel, and Peterka. There are things to like in his profile. He is a big man who skates well and can be physical in his defensive stops. Unfortunately, due to COVID shutdowns in Germany, Munzenberger barely played this year, with his time with Germany’s WJC squad representing just shy of half of all of his annual game action. He looked like a reasonable gamble for the bottom two rounds. The third round was just way too high. Heading to North America to play collegiately for Vermont this year, I will be looking to see him play with greater poise with the puck and looking for competence in his own end.

PLANO, TX USA - APRIL 28: Canada's Brandt Clarke #5 shoots the puck against Latvia in preliminary round action at the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at Children’s Health StarCenter on April 28, 2021 in Plano, TX USA. (Photo by Ryan McCullough/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Los Angeles Kings

1 (8) Brandt Clarke, D, HC Nove Zamky (Slovakia)/Barrie (OHL)

2 (42) Francesco Pinelli, C, HDD Jesenice (AlpsHL)/Kitchener (OHL)

2 (59) Samuel Helenius, C, JYP (Liiga)

3 (84) Kirill Kirsanov, D, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)

The Kings were not the only team to make four or fewer picks at the draft this year. They were, however, the only team to finish making selections before the draft was halfway through. The traded away a fifth rounder in order to move up in the second. They added an additional second round pick from Carolina in in exchange for picks in the third and fourth rounds. Their sixth rounder was sent to Calgary in order to move up five spots in the third. Their seventh pick was dealt away during the 2020 draft, another cost of moving up back then. The end result is a draft class that makes up in quality what it lacks in quantity. One could argue that they could have kept at least some of those late picks and possibly still drafted the players they targeted when they moved up, but there are no guarantees. The fact is that LA has one of the deepest and richest prospect pipelines in the sport, one we are ranking third overall in this year’s Annual Guidebook (buy it now!) So, adding a few more lottery tickets won’t really move the needle. The four players LA drafted this year all have a good chance to rise above the players already in the system and be impactful when the Kings are ready once again to compete.

First pick – Brandt Clarke, D, HC Nove Zamky (Slovakia)/Barrie Colts (OHL), 8^th overall

One of the top tier of defenders available this year, Clarke took his game to Slovakia as the OHL was still unsure of whether it could have a season at all. As it turned out, he made the correct decision. Playing against men in Europe, even though Slovakia is not the top level of competition on the continent, proved that he could succeed against men, even if his skating is not exactly a strength. Clarke plays with extreme poise and top-of-the-line puck skills for a defender. Unlike many teenaged offensive defenders, his game away from the puck is notably responsible. I don’t think he will need to be sheltered once he gets accustomed to the pace of play in the NHL. He is a play driver who makes his teams better, as he demonstrated repeatedly for Gold Medal winning Team Canada at the WU18s. Clarke is a future #1 defender on a good team in the NHL.

Best value pick – Francesco Pinelli, C, HDD Jesenice (AlpsHL)/Kitchener Rangers (OHL), 42^nd overall

One of the better players left on the board after the end of the first round, Los Angeles did well to trade up to draft him, losing only a fifth round pick to move up seven spots. As with Clarke, there are those who have concerns about Pinelli’s skating, but no one argues about his results. He plays a smart East-West offensive game, forechecks hard and heavy – albeit clean – finds open space and capitalizes. He has remarkably soft hands and creates for others just as well as he can finish the play himself. There are many successful forwards in the NHL who produce at high rates without having the quickest feet. There is nothing to suggest that Pinelli can’t join them.

Worst value pick – Samuel Helenius, C, JYP (Liiga), 59^th overall

LOL. Helenius is actually a very good pick, who profiles similarly to a Brian Boyle. He’s huge and has the toughness and hand-eye coordination to be a very useful net front weapon. Like the others discussed above – as well as third rounder Kisakov – Helenius is not a great skater. He is fine for his gargantuan size, but his success has not been, and will not be predicated on speed. He projects as a bottom six forward who can kill penalties, and make defenses miserable, with both center and the wing as options. He isn’t just big, but he has a mean streak, too, like his father Sami Helenius, a tough stay-at-home defender in the NHL, AHL and IHL around the turn of the century.

Djurgården's William Eklund during the ice hockey match in the SHL between Djurgården and Skellefteå on 16 November 2020 in Stockholm.
Photo: Andreas L Eriksson / BILDBYRÅN /

San Jose Sharks

1 (7) William Eklund, LW, Djurgardens IF (SHL)

3 (81) Ben Gaudreau, G, Sarnia (OHL)

4 (103) Gannon Laroque, D, Victoria (WHL)

4 (121) Ethan Cardwell, C, Surahammars IF (HockeyEttan)/Barrie (OHL)

5 (135) Artem Guryev, D, Peterborough (OHL)

5 (156) Max McCue, C, London (OHL)

6 (167) Liam Gilmartin, LW, USNTDP (USHL)

6 (177) Theo Jacobsson, C, Onskoldsvik HF (HockeyEttan)

7 (199) Evgenii Kashnikov, D, Gatineau (QMJHL)

After a 2020 draft class that we adored, with a few exceptions, our feelings on San Jose’s 2021 draft class were not nearly so positive. Of course, the primary exceptions were with their top picks, still giving the Sharks a good chance at a very positive outcome from this year’s amateur scouting efforts. This class is split evenly with four forwards and four defenders, along with one netminder. The team drafted heavily from Ontario-based players, with three taken who did not play any league games at all last year – one of whom did get to play for Canada at the WU18s – and one who many, including ourselves, thought would have been drafted last year, but went to play in Sweden with the OHL failing to launch this year. Even the team’s one player drafted out of the USHL has since committed to moving to the OHL next year. The rest of the class featured two Swedish players, and one each from the QMJHL and the WHL. I also found funny that the player they selected out of the QMJHL was an import from Russia, joining fellows Russian-natives playing in the Q drafted/signed by San Jose including Vladislav Kotkov and Artemi Knyazev.

The main reason we are not so high on the San Jose draft class – again, not counting the exceptions – is the team went heavy on gritty players, even if three of the eight skaters they drafted were not big. Too often, they sacrificed upside for floor, taking players who play hard instead of ones who play well. Eklund turning into the star we expect will allow many to forget the players from this class who fail to make it, but I try to look at draft classes as the expected potential across all picks. Failing with a top ten pick would be a career ending tragedy for a scout and the scouting director, but the ability to add viable NHL contributors with later picks is often the difference between building sustainable winners, and perennial losers.

First round pick – William Eklund, LW, Djurgardens IF (SHL), 7^th overall

A few years ago, a player of Eklund’s pedigree and resume would be pushed to the NHL immediately after the draft, for good or ill. Forget for a moment his success playing against men already, but just from a tools standpoint. There may not have been a more skilled player in the 2021 draft class, and there wasn’t a player with higher hockey IQ. The skills-smarts combo has daylight between Eklund and the next player up with that profile. Even though the Sharks are expected to keep him in Sweden for another year, he is probably the second-best left winger in their system right now, depending on how we feel about Evander Kane. I fully expect Eklund to have a huge season with Djurgardens and come to the NHL ready to take over and lead San Jose out of their current doldrums.

Best value pick – Ben Gaudreau, G, Sarnia Sting (OHL), 81^st overall

We had tabbed Gaudreau as the number three netminder in the draft, the best behind the two first round locks. The fact that Kolosov went to the Flyers three picks before San Jose drafted Gaudreau is incidental, because we gave Gaudreau second round value, and high second round at that. Of course, he has risk attached to his profile, as do all goalies. He struggled in his OHL rookie season, backstopping a mediocre Sarnia club. And then he missed the entire 2020-21 season due to the COVID shutdown in Ontario. But when the U18s rolled around, he was there, backstopping Canada to a Gold Medal, and being named the top goaltender in the tournament. We then remember that he was though highly enough of to be a top ten pick in the OHL Priority Selection two seasons ago and know that hie performance at the tournament was not merely a flash in the pan. He receives very high grades for his temperament and his ability to read the play. There is a very good chance that Gaudreau is the best goalie drafted by San Jose since Thomas Greiss in 2004.

Worst value pick – Gannon Laroque, D, Victoria Royals (WHL), 103^rd overall

This one was pretty far off the radar, at least in the early fourth round. Laroque was never drafted in the WHL Bantam Draft, and his debut season in the league was unspectacular. He had put up decent numbers in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (Canada’s equivalent of the New England prep scene, but not nearly as established), but his high-level experience was minimal, and unremarkable. Our BC analyst, Arlo Shultz, saw a defender whose only trait that projected as above average was his physical game. Clearly, San Jose’s scouts liked him, and that’s fine, but they most likely could have drafted him a round or two later. He has a very long way to go before being billed as a likely NHL’er.

ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 28: Michigan's Matty Beniers in action during their loss to Notre Dame, 2-1, Saturday, November 28, 2020, at Michigan's Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor, MI. (Photo by Lon Horwedel/Icon Sportswire)

Seattle Kraken

1 (2) Matthew Beniers, C, Michigan (NCAA/Big 10)

2 (35) Ryker Evans, D, Regina (WHL)

3 (67) Ryan Winterton, C, Hamilton (OHL)

4 (99) Ville Ottovainen, D, JYP (Liiga)

5 (131) Jacob Melanson, RW, Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)

6 (163) Semyon Vyazovy, G, Tolpar Ufa (MHL)

7 (195) Justin Janicke, LW, USNTDP (USHL)

And so, it begins. As much intrigue as there was in the Kraken’s expansion draft picks, the future of this newest NHL franchise begins with the entry draft. Matthew Beniers will be far more impactful on the eventual success of the organization than any player selected in the expansion draft. The challenge we face in assessing their first go-round selecting amateurs, is to avoid comparing their draft haul with Vegas’ when the latter was a first-time drafter. Seattle did not make any expansion draft side deals, nor any other trades to increase the number of picks they would make, unlike Vegas, which made 12 picks in their inaugural draft. So, we will compare this draft class with the other 32 classes made this year, instead of the Golden Knights in 2017.

But it doesn’t matter what we compare this draft class with, it is underwhelming. Sure, their top pick, second overall selection Matthew Beniers is a franchise maker. The absolute correct choice, and a player who could be for Seattle what Jonathan Toews was for Chicago, or Patrice Bergeron was in Boston. Unfortunately, Beniers was not at all representative of the rest of Seattle’s picks. The team spread their choices geographically, with no more than a single player from any region. They were not afraid of drafting re-draft players, with two fitting that description. They weren’t even concerned with size, with two players standing below 6-0”, and one other just making it. Production seems to have been a factor, but not exclusively, as third rounder Winterton had no history of high scoring totals, and it had been two years since seventh rounder Janicke was lighting lamps with regularity in high school. I think Seattle could have, and should have, done more, but this is just the beginning. We’ll keep watching them

First pick – Matthew Beniers, C, Michigan Wolverines (NCAA/Big 10), 2^nd overall

Before the World Championships, I would have advocated for Beniers to go first overall and had been advocated as such for much of last year, but that year-ending tournament showed that Power was more ready to play a commanding lead role against men. His teammate Beniers, on the other hand, can contribute in any role, in every shift, from beginning of the season to the end, but not necessarily in a leading role. At least, not yet. The epitome of a five-tool player, Beniers, is a strong skater, has good offensive skills, highlighted by amazing puck control, and he always makes the right decisions, no matter the pace of the action. He brings energy to every shift, in all zones. He drives play for his team and helps shut down the plays of his opponents. With all due respect to Power, if this draft had one player to start a franchise with, Beniers was it.

Best value pick – Ryan Winterton, C, Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL), 67^th overall

Although highly touted as a 16-year-old, to the extent that Hamilton selected him eighth overall in the OHL Priority Selection, Winterton was only scratching the surface of his potential as an OHL rookie, and then saw his development hit a brick wall also known as COVID 19. He had not played at all last year until being named to Canada’s roster at the WU18 tournament, where he had a few memorable moments in a depth role for the Gold Medal winners. He has good size, reads the play well, and has soft hands. Despite not owning any high-end skills, his overall game is well-rounded, and he can contribute in a number of ways. Very young for this draft class, with an early September birthdate, he could have more growth in his game than most others who were drafted. He may not profile as more than a solid third liner but was still fine value in the third round.

Worst value pick – Ville Ottovainen, D, JYP (Liiga), 99^th overall

Passed over in the draft in his first year of eligibility, while playing for Kitchener in the OHL, Ottovainen went back home to Finland with the OHL season not able to get started this year. His year was then split between JYP’s senior and U20 teams, with a brief stretch in Finland’s second league thrown in for good measure. He was fantastic against juniors but was largely ineffective against men. Both are no more and no less than was expected, but we mark him as a lower value pick because he didn’t impress all that much in 2019-20 and didn’t force us to re-evaluate him that much this year. None of his tools, excepting his large size, stand out as NHL-worthy. It’s hard to see more than up-and-down value at best. Not sure that he couldn’t have been drafted with a later round pick if they really liked him.

PLANO, TX USA - APRIL 27: Belarus's Danila Klimovich #20 controls the puck against Switzerland's Lilian Garessus #22 in preliminary round action at the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at Children’s Health StarCenter on April 27, 2021 in Plano, TX USA. (Photo by Ryan McCullough/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Vancouver Canucks

2 (41) Danila Klimovich, RW, Minskie Zubry (Belarus Vysshaya)

5 (137) Aku Koskenvuo, G, HIFK U20 (U20 SM-sarja)

5 (140) Jonathan Myrenberg, D, Linkoping J20 (J20 Nationell)

6 (169) Hugo Gabrielsson, D, Halmstad Hammers HC (HockeyEttan)

6 (178) Connor Lockhart, C, Erie (OHL)

7 (201) Lucas Forsell, LW, Farjestad BK J20 (J20 Nationell)

This was a very Euro-centric draft. The only North American based player the Canucks selected, sixth rounder Connor Lockhart, didn’t even play last year. Not just Euro-centric, though, fully half of Vancouver’s picks were from Sweden, a region that the team has drafted from frequently, and often successfully. Considering that they had only one pick prior to the fifth round, this draft class holds promise. The Canucks drafted with potential in mind, not worried too much about size.

Beyond the Swedish lean, if there was something the Canucks targeted with all of their later round picks, it seems to have been hockey IQ. In fact, the most mistake-prone, or “unreliable” player they selected was their lone early pick, Klimovich, who just happens to be insanely skilled. Even if those later picks have marginal upsides – being late round picks and all – they all look like prospects who should maximize the tools they possess. This is the second year in a row that Vancouver missed out on some early round picks, and given their approach to the later rounds, it would be good to see how they would act with a full complement of picks.

First pick – Danila Klimovich, RW, Minskie Zubry (Belarus Vysshaya), 41^st overall

Klimovich was the most prominent late riser on draft boards, going from obscurity to emergency for all teams after an electrifying performance at the WU18s. He is a gifted finisher, capable of scoring through numerous ways and means. He can pick small holes from near the faceoff circles or bamboozle defenders with slick puck play. The main concern with Klimovich’s projection is that he very little experience playing high levels, but he has succeeded wherever he has played. The Canucks have already given him a contract, and the next question is where he plays next year. Rouyn-Noranda controls his CHL rights, and they seem to have one open spot for an import player. That might be his best bet, as Klimovich needs a new challenge, and he might as well start acclimating to the North American game.

Best value pick – Connor Lockhart, C, Erie Otters (OHL), 178^th overall

In a draft that valued size more than it should have been valued, Lockhart was bound to fall lower than his skill suggested. Listed at 5-9”, 161, he wasn’t going to excite anyone looking for brawn, but there is no reason why he should have fallen as far as the late sixth round. Promising enough to be selected third overall in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection, he had acclimated to the OHL as a rookie in 2019-20. Outside of his physical presence, the rest of his tools have shown intriguing potential. It is probable, if not certain, that he would have been drafted as much as two rounds higher if the OHL had a season last year, so I could be charitable and say that every NHL team passed on him as much as twice more than they should have, allowing Vancouver to draft a skilled sleeper.

Worst value pick – Aku Koskenvuo, G, HIFK U20 (U20 SM-sarja), 137^th overall

A big netminder who forced his way into HIFK’s U20 team in his age 16 season, Koskenvuo is committed to play for Harvard in the coming years – although seemingly not next year – generally a sign of intelligence. His tools all seem fine, especially his athleticism, but we did not rank him as higher than a seventh-round flyer as his numbers have simply never been that good. He resembles a good young goalie, but he really needs to find a way to spot more shots, with greater regularity. Had the Canucks inverted the Lockhart and Koskenvuo picks, I would have had a very hard time picking any of their selections as “worst value pick.”

Vegas Golden Knights

1 (30) Zach Dean, C, Gatineau (QMJHL)

2 (38) Daniil Chayka, D, CSKA Moskva (KHL)/Guelph (OHL)

4 (102) Jakub Brabanec, C/LW, HC Kometa Brno (Czech)

4 (128) Jakub Demek, C, Team Slovakia U18 (Slovakia2)

6 (190) Artur Cholach, D, Sokol Kiev (Ukraine)

7 (222) Carl Lindbom, G, Djurgardens IF J20 (J20 Nationell)

Like with Vancouver above, the Golden Knights had a very Euro-centric draft, with only first rounder Zach Dean having played in North America last year. Unlike Vancouver, Vegas spread the wealth in Europe though, with picks from Russia, Czech, Slovakia, Ukraine(!!!), and Sweden. At least three of those European draftees are expected to play CHL hockey next year. Another area where Vegas separated themselves from their division mates from a town starting with the letter ‘V’, was in their push to draft big players. They didn’t draft anyone below 6-0” and added three players to the organization standing 6-4”.

To Vegas’ credit, while drafting for size, skill was not neglected. This isn’t simply a collection of goons on skates. Chayka showed serious two-way potential over two seasons in the OHL. Brabanec probably wasn’t ready for men’s hockey in the Czech Republic last year, but he looked impressive at the WU18s. Demec has produced at all levels in Slovakia. Even Ukrainian Cholach – the first Ukrainian drafted since 2007 – has admirers for his game, even if has never played at high levels before. Goalies are judged differently, but Lindbom was the primary netminder for Sweden’s Bronze Medal win at last year’s WU18s.

First pick – Zach Dean, C, Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL), 30^th overall

A well-rounded forward with plus pedigree in junior hockey, Dean has not yet produced offense to live up to his potential in the QMJHL. He can play in all situations and generally seems to be in the right place at the right time. The main concern with his profile, and why we saw him as more of an early second rounder than a late first rounder, is the aforementioned production. He looks like a medium term NHLer, one who could play as a good third line center on a competitive team, but who would be miscast in a top six role. If he takes that next step offensively, we would be happy to reconsider his upside, but his approach has scarcely budged in two years now.

Best value pick – Carl Lindbom, G, Djurgardens IF J20 (J20 Nationell), 222^nd overall

With the third last pick of the draft, Vegas got Sweden’s top 2003-born goaltender prospect. Younger brother of Rangers’ goaltending prospect Olof Lindbom, Carl has a similar profile, yet his older brother was a high second round pick and Carl lasted until very late in the seventh round. He is an athletic battler who reads plays well and is technically sound in his crease. He isn’t likely to become an NHL starter, but he wouldn’t look out of place as a solid backup if he maintains he developmental trajectory.

Worst value pick – Jakub Demek, C, Team Slovakia U18 (Slovakia2)

Sure, even though Demek was taken in the first round of the CHL Import Draft by the Edmonton Oil Kings of the WHL, a deeper look at his profile suggests that size is his main factor driving his desirability. His production for Slovakia’s U18 team, which plays a regular schedule in that nation’s second division was meagre, and an honest assessment of his tools suggest that his production has been on par with his skill set. He is more notable for his work off the puck than on, so we are left looking at a forward with fourth line upside, but more who hasn’t yet proven that he can play pro in Slovakia, much less in North America.

2021 NHL DRAFT: VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS REVIEW

Ryan Wagman — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 20:03:23 +0000

Vegas Golden Knights

1 (30) Zach Dean, C, Gatineau (QMJHL)

2 (38) Daniil Chayka, D, CSKA Moskva (KHL)/Guelph (OHL)

4 (102) Jakub Brabanec, C/LW, HC Kometa Brno (Czech)

4 (128) Jakub Demek, C, Team Slovakia U18 (Slovakia2)

6 (190) Artur Cholach, D, Sokol Kiev (Ukraine)

7 (222) Carl Lindbom, G, Djurgardens IF J20 (J20 Nationell)

First pick – Zach Dean, C, Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL), 30^th overall

Best value pick – Carl Lindbom, G, Djurgardens IF J20 (J20 Nationell), 222^nd overall

Worst value pick – Jakub Demek, C, Team Slovakia U18 (Slovakia2)

2021 NHL DRAFT: McKeen’s April Rankings – Pre-U18 World Championship – Top 64 (Subscribers)

Brock Otten — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 21:00:58 +0000

Scouting the draft certainly has not been easy this year. We could go on at length about that. Delays to the WHL season. The (recent) cancelation of the OHL season. Shortened junior seasons in Europe. Constant disruptions due to covid protocols. Rink restrictions. A greater reliance on video. These are the struggles that independent scouting agencies like ourselves have had to endure in order to evaluate and rank the best the 2021 NHL Draft has to offer. But the show must go on. Just because scouting has been different this year does not mean that our scouts have not been putting in the work. That work just looks a little different.

It has been over two months since the release of our preliminary Top 32 ranking. This time around, for our mid-season ranking, we will be increasing the length of our list to 64, along with some honorable mentions.

While the top 5 remains unchanged from our previous list (Beniers, Power, Hughes, Wallstedt, Edvinsson), there have been some pretty significant changes to the way we have ranked the players inside the Top 15. Chaz Lucius, Matthew Coronato, and Sebastian Cossa have made significant jumps, while Carson Lambos, Zachary L’Heureux, and Corson Ceulemans have seen large drops.

Lucius, of the U.S. National Development Team, was injured early on in the season, severely limiting our views of him. Now fully healthy, he is playing exceptional hockey (averaging over a goal per game in the USHL) and has moved up into our Top 10. Coronato has sustained his high level of play from earlier in the USHL season, leading the USHL in goal scoring. While Sebastian Cossa has been sensational to start the WHL season in Edmonton, currently leading the ‘Dub” in save percentage. His 6’6 frame and stopping ability are going to make him very attractive to NHL scouts inside the lottery range. The last time we had two goalies taken inside the Top 15 was 2006 when Jonathan Bernier (11th) and Riku Helenius (15th) were selected. There is a very real possibility of that happening again in 2021.

Carson Lambos is definitely a widely debated prospect these days. His play in Finland (on loan) was indifferent and, unfortunately, his season was ended early due to a medical procedure which halted his WHL season two games in and has prevented him from playing at the World Under 18’s in Texas. Ultimately, our scouts are less sure of his high-end offensive potential than they were a year ago, or even several months ago. Zachary L’Heureux is a talented player, no doubt, but his inability to stay in the Halifax lineup due to suspensions has become a concerning trend. And Ceulemans’ play since the AJHL returned has not been at the same level as it was before the stoppage. His play at the U18’s in support of Brandt Clarke on Team Canada will go a long way in determining his value for the draft.

In total, there are seven new faces ranked inside of our first round compared to last time. Those would be the aforementioned Chaz Lucius, Logan Stankoven, Aidan Hreschuk, Jack Bar, Ayrton Martino, Simon Robertsson, and Ville Koivunen.

Of course, this list is far from being set in stone. The IIHF World Under 18’s in Texas, which commence at the end of April, will be highly scrutinized. With the cancellation of events like the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup, the World Junior A Challenge, and the Five Nations, this will be the first time scouts will have an opportunity to compare the top talent against one another. While it is important to not use a single tournament as the basis of your evaluation on a player, there is no doubt that the results of the U18’s will have wide sweeping effects on the year end lists of NHL scouts. Of our ranked top 64, 32 (exactly half) are scheduled to play at the U18’s.

While tempering projections based on the U18’s will be one challenge, the other main one is the cancellation of the OHL season. Typically, nearly 20% of all players drafted come from the Ontario Hockey League. While some of the top players have played in Europe (like Brandt Clarke and Mason McTavish) or will be participating in the Under 18’s (like Ben Gaudreau and Wyatt Johnson), others will have their evaluations and grades based upon their performances last season. That is unless the CHL and Hockey Canada can successfully stage a prospect tournament in a bubble setting sometime before the draft (which is apparently being discussed and on the table). Where to slot OHL based players inside our final rankings will be a challenge.

As mentioned, this time around we have ranked the Top 64. Of course, there were several players who just missed this list. Our ‘Honorable Mentions’ for midseason were as follows (alphabetically): Eric Alarie, William von Barnekow, Josh Doan, Liam Gilmartin, David Gucciardi, Jayden Grubbe, Samuel Helenius, Brent Johnson, Tristan Lennox, Robert Orr, Kyle Masters, Connor Roulette, Joshua Roy, Ryan Winterton, and Trevor Wong.

Without further ado...the McKeen’s April top 64 rankings for the 2021 NHL Draft.

RANK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	GP-G-A-PTS
1	Matthew Beniers	C	Michigan (B1G)	6-1/175	5-Nov-02	24-10-14-24
2	Owen Power	D	Michigan (B1G)	6-6/215	22-Nov-02	26-3-13-16
3	Luke Hughes	D	USN U18 (USDP)	6-2/175	9-Sep-03	38-6-28-34
4	Jesper Wallstedt	G	Lulea (SHL)	6-3/200	14-Nov-02	12-10, 2.23, .908
5	Simon Edvinsson	D	Vasteras (Swe 2)	6-4/200	5-Feb-03	14-0-5-5
6	Chaz Lucius	C	USN U18 (USDP)	6-0/175	2-May-03	12-13-5-18
7	Dylan Guenther	RW	Edmonton (WHL)	6-0/170	3-Apr-03	12-12-12-24
8	Brandt Clarke	D	Nove Zamky (Svk)	6-1/180	9-Feb-03	26-5-10-15
9	Fabian Lysell	RW	Lulea (SHL)	5-10/175	19-Jan-03	26-2-1-3
10	William Eklund	LW	Djurgardens (SHL)	5-10/175	10-Dec-02	40-11-12-23
11	Kent Johnson	C	Michigan (B1G)	6-1/170	18-Oct-02	26-9-18-27
12	Aatu Raty	C	Karpat Oulu (Fin)	6-2/185	14-Nov-02	35-3-3-6
13	Matthew Coronato	LW	Chicago (USHL)	5-9/180	14-Nov-02	50-46-37-83
14	Cole Sillinger	LW	Sioux Falls (USHL)	6-0/195	16-May-03	31-24-22-46
15	Sebastian Cossa	G	Edmonton (WHL)	6-6/210	21-Nov-02	12-0, 1.61, .939
16	Mason McTavish	C	Olten (Sui 2)	6-0/200	30-Jan-03	13-9-2-11
17	Francesco Pinelli	C	Acroni Jesenice (Slv)	6-0/185	11-Apr-03	13-5-6-11
18	Logan Stankoven	C	Kamloops (WHL)	5-8/170	26-Feb-03	6-7-3-10
19	Oskar Olausson	RW	HV 71 (SHL)	6-1/180	10-Nov-02	16-3-1-4
20	Ryder Korczak	C	Moose Jaw (WHL)	5-10/170	23-Sep-02	13-3-11-14
21	William Stromgren	LW	MODO Hockey (Swe 2)	6-3/175	7-Jun-03	27-3-6-9
22	Isak Rosen	RW	Leksands (SHL)	5-11/155	15-Mar-03	22-0-1-1
23	Aidan Hreschuk	D	USN U18 (USDP)	5-11/180	19-Feb-03	43-5-28-33
24	Jack Bar	D	Chicago (USHL)	6-2/190	24-Oct-02	32-5-10-15
25	Corson Ceulemans	D	Brooks (AJHL)	6-1/190	5-May-03	8-4-7-11
26	Simon Robertsson	RW	Skelleftea (SHL)	6-0/190	5-Feb-03	22-1-1-2
27	Ayrton Martino	LW	Omaha (USHL)	5-10/170	28-Sep-02	36-18-36-54
28	Zachary L'Heureux	LW	Halifax (QMJHL)	5-11/195	15-May-03	33-19-20-39
29	Xavier Bourgault	C	Shawinigan (QMJHL)	6-0/170	22-Oct-02	29-20-20-40
30	Stanislav Svozil	D	Kometa Brno (Cze)	6-1/180	17-Jan-03	30-1-2-3
31	Ville Koivunen	LW	Karpat Oulu (Fin Jr)	5-11/160	13-Jun-03	38-23-26-49
32	Brennan Othmann	LW	Olten (Sui 2)	5-11/170	5-Jan-03	34-7-9-16
33	Samu Tuomaala	RW	Karpat Oulu (Fin Jr)	5-10/175	8-Jan-03	30-15-16-31
34	Mackie Samoskevich	RW	Chicago (USHL)	5-10/175	15-Nov-02	36-13-24-37
35	Nikita Chibrikov	LW	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	5-10/160	16-Feb-03	16-1-1-2
36	Jack Peart	D	Fargo (USHL)	5-11/180	15-May-03	22-1-13-14
37	Carson Lambos	D	Winnipeg (WHL)	6-0/200	14-Jan-03	2-0-0-0
38	Anton Olsson	D	Malmo (SHL)	6-1/185	26-Jan-03	39-0-4-4
39	Zach Dean	C	Gatineau (QMJHL)	6-0/175	4-Jan-03	23-10-10-20
40	Evan Nause	D	Quebec (QMJHL)	6-2/185	20-Jan-03	32-4-18-22
41	Fyodor Svechkov	C	Lada Togliatti (VHL)	6-0/180	5-Apr-03	38-5-10-15
42	Justin Robidas	C	Val d'Or (QMJHL)	5-7/175	13-Mar-03	35-19-17-36
43	Red Savage	C	USN U18 (USDP)	5-11/175	15-May-03	39-16-22-38
44	Daniil Chayka	D	CSKA (KHL)	6-3/190	22-Oct-02	11-1-1-2
45	Benjamin Gaudreau	G	Sarnia (OHL)	6-2/165	11-Jan-03
46	Sasha Pastujov	RW	USN U18 (USDP)	6-0/185	15-Jul-03	34-23-29-52
47	Logan Mailloux	D	SK Lejon (Swe)	6-3/215	15-Apr-03	19-7-8-15
48	Liam Dower Nilsson	C	Frolunda (Swe Jr)	5-11/170	14-Apr-03	16-5-12-17
49	Prokhor Poltapov	LW	Krasnaya Armiya (MHL)	5-10/160	1-Feb-03	61-25-27-52
50	Sean Behrens	D	USN U18 (USDP)	5-9/175	31-Mar-03	39-6-25-31
51	Vincent Iorio	D	Brandon (WHL)	6-2/190	14-Nov-02	20-4-7-11
52	Roman Schmidt	D	USN U18 (USDP)	6-5/210	27-Feb-03	38-3-10-13
53	Artyom Grushnikov	D	Hamilton (OHL)	6-2/185	20-Mar-03
54	Victor Stjernborg	C	Vaxjo Lakers (SHL)	5-10/200	22-May-03	30-2-2-4
55	Wyatt Johnston	C	Windsor (OHL)	6-0/180	14-May-03
56	Zachary Bolduc	C	Rimouski (QMJHL)	6-1/175	24-Feb-03	27-10-19-29
57	Ryan Ufko	D	Chicago (USHL)	5-9/175	7-May-03	52-10-28-38
58	Colton Dach	C	Saskatoon (WHL)	6-2/185	4-Jan-03	17-8-6-14
59	Brett Harrison	C	KOOVEE (Fin Jr)	6-1/175	7-Jun-03	7-4-5-9
60	Chase Stillman	RW	Esbjerg (Den Jr)	5-11/175	29-Mar-03	8-9-7-16
61	James Malatesta	LW	Quebec (QMJHL)	5-9/180	31-May-03	32-10-13-23
62	Alexander Kisakov	LW	Dynamo Moskva (Rus Jr)	5-9/160	1-Nov-02	61-36-37-73
63	Ethan Del Mastro	D	Mississauga (OHL)	6-3/195	15-Jan-03
64	Kirill Kirsanov	D	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	6-1/195	19-Sep-02	29-0-3-3

RUSSIA: Daniil Chayka, D, CSKA Moskva, 2021 NHL Draft Eligible

Viktor Fomich — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 17:21:16 +0000

Daniil Chayka is your classic high risk/high reward type of prospect: he has very a intriguing size and skating stride combination, amplified by a pair of skilled hands, however there is also a lot of polishing that needs to be done for basically every aspect of his game. There is a lot of work to do there still, and a long way to go, as this season showed that he hasn't really outgrown the junior hockey level yet, but his potential just screams "top pairing puck moving D", which should be tempting enough for NHL teams to spend a first-round pick on him in the coming draft.

Daniil Chayka	2021 NHL Draft Eligible
Position: D, Shoots L	H/W: 6-3", 185 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-PTS-PIMS)	CSKA Moskva, KHL (11-1-1-2-0)
	Zvezda Moskva, VHL (10-0-1-1-0)
	Krasnaya Armiya Moskva, MHL (5-1-3-4-2)
	Russia U20, WJC (6-0-0-0-2)

Skating: Chayka has a good skating stride and overall very impressive top speed, especially for someone his size. However there are also a lot of things that need to be improved in this department like first step, lateral movement, backwards skating and overall skating intensity, as currently he frequently struggles when having to defend against mobile and quick opponents. Grade: 55

Shot: With a quick release and a lot of velocity on Chayka's wrister, it is dangerous even from far out, and he has the ability to fire it right on target from deep. He can finish plays from close range, too. His slapshot also has the required power and precision to be a legit weapon both now and going forward. The only real knock on Chayka's shooting ability is that he needs to become better at finding opportunities for the shot to use it both more effectively and more often. Grade: 55

Skill: Chayka is more than comfortable at controlling the puck at high speed in every zone. At the same time, he is a competent passer, who can quickly and accurately deliver the puck to forwards. Overall, he has got the type of skill that makes him potentially both a puck mover and a powerplay point man at the NHL level. Grade: 55

Smarts: On the attack, Chayka is always looking to make a creative play when carrying the puck and when he isn't, he is very good at deciding whether there is an opportunity to join the attack or whether it is better to stay behind. In his own zone, he is able to read the game well to intercept passing plays or cleanly take the puck away from the opponent, but aside from that, he definitely needs to improve his positional defensive game while minimizing turnovers, while generally becoming more reliable, as otherwise this can turn into a major burden when translating his game to the pro level. Grade: 55

Physicality: Chayka might not be making an impression of a very physical player at this point but being 6-3" and having a great frame doesn't leave a lot of doubts that he will improve there when he finally fills out his rangy frame. Additionally, Chayka has that extra-long reach, that should help him even more at being effective in puck battles. He needs to become stronger overall, but he is more than naturally (physically) gifted enough to achieve that. Grade: 55

Overall Future Projection (OFP): 55

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.

Daniil Chayka – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #27

Vegas Golden Knights Top-15 Prospects

1. Trevor Connelly

2. Lukas Cormier

3. Brendan Brisson

4. Matyas Sapovaliv

5. Kaedan Korczak

6. Pavel Moysevich

7. Mathieu Cataford

8. Jakub Brabenec

9. Ben Hemmerling

10. Arttu Karki

11. Cameron Whitehead

12. Jackson Hallum

13. Jakub Demek

14. Carl Lindbom

15. Daniil Chayka

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #25

Top 20 Vegas Golden Knights Prospects

1. Lukas Cormier

2. Pavel Dorofyev

3. Brendan Brisson

4. David Edstrom

5. Daniil Miromanov

6. Mathieu Cataford

7. Kaeden Korczak

8. Matyas Sapovaliv

9. Jiri Patera

10. Jakub Brabenec

11. Jonas Rondbjerg

12. Carl Lindbom

13. Daniil Chayka

14. Arttu Karki

15. Ivan Morozov

16. Jordan Gustafson

17. Isaiah Saville

18. Jackson Hallum

19. Cameron Whitehead

20. Christoffer Sedoff

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #25 Vegas Golden Knights

Prospect System Ranking – 25th (18th last year)

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS – Top 20 Prospects

2022 World Junior Championship: Team Russia facing many uncertainties heading into training camp

2021-22 TOP 15 PROSPECTS: VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS – RANK: #9 – TIER II

2021 NHL DRAFT: PACIFIC DIVISION REVIEW

Anaheim Ducks

Calgary Flames

Edmonton Oilers

Los Angeles Kings

San Jose Sharks

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2021 NHL DRAFT: VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS REVIEW

2021 NHL DRAFT: McKeen’s April Rankings – Pre-U18 World Championship – Top 64 (Subscribers)

RUSSIA: Daniil Chayka, D, CSKA Moskva, 2021 NHL Draft Eligible

Prospect System Ranking – 25^th (18^th last year)